Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Friday, December 2, 2011

Daily Yummi: Hashbrowns

Hashbrowns
731 W Maxwell St  Chicago, IL 60607-5016

(312) 226-8000


18th Street Omelette: chorizo, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, & cilantro with a side of homemade salsa.  I also added some mozzarella cheese...how can you have an omelette without cheese?!  BLASPHEMY!

Apple Cinnamon French Toast served with a vanilla glaze.  My roommate and I agreed that it would've tasted better with vanilla ice cream.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Naked Palette 2 Product Preview

The internet is abuzz with rumors of Urban Decay's Naked Palette 2, and Urban Decay just posted some photos on their Facebook page to prove its existence:




Blogger Pinch of Pretty has AWESOME shots of the Naked Palette 2 here, and also follow Urban Decay's Facebook Page to stay up to date with news and release dates!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Oatmeal Cookies with White Chocolate, Dried Cranberries, & Walnuts


Happy Saturday, everyone! =]

Around this time of the year, I usually like to bake my Kris Kringle cookies with white chocolate, dried cranberries, and walnuts.  This past week I encountered a similar recipe on two peas & their pod that included oatmeal, but no walnuts...so I thought, why not throw all the ingredients together?  I'd say they turned out pretty awesome!  I love nuts in EVERYTHING (no jokes please) but if you're allergic to nuts, feel free to omit them from the recipe.


Oatmeal Cookies with White Chocolate, Dried Cranberries, & Walnuts



½ c. brown sugar
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 cup softened unsalted butter
1 egg 
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Baking powder
1/2 tsp. Baking soda
1 1/4 c. flour
1 1/4 c. oats
1 cup of dried cranberries (Craisins)
1 cup of white chocolate chips

1 cup of chopped walnuts


Beat together the butter & sugars until smooth.  Next, add the egg & vanilla.


In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.  Add this mixture slowly to the wet ingredients, mixing after every addition.  Finally, add the oats, dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and chopped walnuts.  Your mixture should look something like this...


Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.  Enjoy!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

How to Revive Your Shattered Eyeshadow

Being the careless, clumsy person that I am, I often drop things.  However, this particular drop nearly cost me $33!

NARS Cordura Eyeshadow Duo ($33, available at Sephora, www.narscosmetics.com, and other select online retailers) is a combination of a "shimmering warm rich brown" and a "shimmering sooty dark brown".  Since I purchased this eyeshadow duo, I think it's safe to say that I've used it every single day. My everyday look consists of the medium brown eyeshadow patted onto my lid with a few coats of volumizing mascara; when I have a little extra time, I'll deepen my crease with the dark brown shade.

I'm so in love with this eyeshadow duo.  Both shadows are highly pigmented and possess just the right amount of shimmer with very little (if any) fallout.  So you can just imagine my devastation when I dropped it!  At first it started out as a tiny crack, then larger pieces began to shatter and crumble...

I'd never repaired a shattered eyeshadow before, but there's a first time for everything.  I researched a couple different choices, and I found By Celina 's method to be the simplest and easiest.

Say hello to my revived Cordura eyeshadow =] still beautiful, still pigmented!

After adding a few drops of 99% isopropyl alcohol, I mixed the eyeshadow until it transformed into a pasty texture. 
Next, I cut the corner of a rounded-edged card into the shape of the eyeshadow pan, wrapped it into a tissue, and stamped the eyeshadow...good as new!

SOME EXTRA TIPS:
  • The higher the concentration of alcohol, the quicker the eyeshadow will dry.
  • Speed up the drying process by patting a paper towel or tissue onto the wet eyeshadow to absorb excess liquid.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Butterless Apple Brownies



Yes, I know, I've been slacking.  But what can I say...life gets busy!

Winter break is approaching, and if there's one thing I know that I'll definitely be doing during winter break, it's BAKING =]

I don't exactly remember how I came across this recipe, but once I saw it, I knew I had to try it.  As I quickly skimmed over the ingredients to determine if it was something I could immediately bake without having to drive my lazy ass to the store, I noticed one thing...NO BUTTER!  Although the recipe does call for 1 cup of vegetable oil, in my opinion, that's way better than 2 whole sticks of butter.

I wouldn't personally call these "brownies" because I think the texture is more cake-like, if anything.  Call them what you want, they're super moist, delicious, and extremely easy to bake.  ENJOY!

Grandma's Secret Apple Brownies!

Original recipe found here

3 call purpose flour
3 capples
2 csugar
1 tspcinnamon
1 tspbaking soda
1/3 corange juice
2eggs
1 cvegetable oil
     1 tspsalt

Directions

Pre heat oven to 325 degrees.  Grease and flour a 9x13 pan.
Peel and core about 3 to 4 apples, Finely chop apples (You want the pieces small)

Mix all ingredients well in a large bowl.  
Bake at 325 degrees for appoximately 45 mins to 1 hour.

Eat and Enjoy!!



Monday, August 15, 2011

Weekly Fave Five

Since I've been slacking on the blogposts as of late, I thought it would be a good idea to start a weekly blogpost of my favorite YouTube beauty videos.  Here are this week's faves!


MakeupByTiffanyD reviewed Benefit's newest mascara, They're Real.  I saw this at the checkout counter at Ulta a couple weeks ago (you CAN'T miss it...the model has huge boobs lol) and I was curious about the product...now I really want to try it!


MissChievous posted a great tutorial on how to achieve easy, "sexpot" hair with hot rollers.  As a child, I was OBSESSED with curly hair.  Unfortunately my hair falls somewhere in between curly and straight, so my mom was forced to buy me a set of hot rollers to satisfy my curly hair fetish.  I'm so mad at myself for throwing it out =[ it's definitely time to purchase another set.


Jessica Harlow inarguably has the best hair on YouTube - it's natural, thick, and healthy.  I'm not so skilled in the hair styling department, but this bohemian braid tutorial looks achievable!


It's no secret that Angelina Jolie is absolutely stunning.  About a month ago, I watched "The Tourist" and she looked flawless in every single scene!  Apparently I'm not the only one who admired her style and her beauty in the movie, because Michelle Phan posted a tutorial inspired by her character in "The Tourist".


Chicago native ahanhbarbie (we went to the same college =]) always posts the quickest & easiest makeup tutorials.  I love how she uses both drugstore and higher end products to achieve her looks.

Hope you enjoy the videos as much as I did =] have a great week!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

High Quality, HD (Hi Def) Nails

I've always admired the look of bright orange nails since I spotted the color on Kim Kardashian (yes, I'm a Kardashian lover), but quite frankly, I've never had the balls to try it myself.  A couple weeks ago I spotted this Sephora by OPI nail polish in Hi Def on sale for $5 (a steal!), so I knew it was my time.

Is the color "hi def" and true to its name?  Definitely.  I followed up my base coat (Sally Hansen Insta-Grip) with two coats of the varnish, and I was left with a bright, shiny, and opaque orange.  The color looked even more amazing after application of my favorite top coat, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri.


My next venture?  Yellow nails!  Summer is almost over so I'm trying to experiment with as many bright nail colors as possible.

Hope everyone's enjoying the last days of summer <3

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Dream Bars!

I apologize for the two month hiatus - I've been playing catch up with life!  And with grad school starting in exactly two weeks, I don't have much time to spare.

During my time off, I've jumped back into one of my favorite hobbies, baking.  For months, my brother has been asking me to try to duplicate Potbelly's infamous Sheila's Dream Bars.  I did some research to find the best recipe, and I modified it to make it my own.


I think they turned out pretty great!  My next batch will probably have a little less butter...I used THREE STICKS!  I'm so happy that my family loved them, especially my brother <3 the whole pan was gone within three days!

Love, love, love my mixer...can't live without it
Forming the bottom cookie layer
Ready for the oven!
Yummi gooeyness
Finished product =]
You have no idea how good this tastes.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

June Birchbox!

I'm loving EVERYTHING I received in my Birchbox this month!  All the products were definitely worth the $10 monthly subscription fee.  Here's a sneak peek of the goodies...full reviews on some of the products later =]


Daily Yummi: Father's Day at Wildfire

Happy Father's Day to my Daddy!

For me: Spit Roasted Turkey Dinner with mushroom herb stuffing, cranberry relish,
gravy, and redskin mashed potatoes

My brother's Tenderloin Steak Sandwich with arugula, red onions, mozzarella, and pesto

My Mommy's Swordfish "London Broil" with oven roasted tomatoes and red onions

My Daddy's Tenderloin Steak Sandwich with french fries

Dessert was so yummy!  Chocolate Pretzel Ice Cream Sundae with
vanilla ice cream, peanuts, hot fudge, and caramel sauce

Friday, June 17, 2011

20% OFF at H&M!

This is kind of a random post, but I thought this was worth sharing...


International retailer H&M is currently having an online promotion worth savings of 20% off any item of your choice.  All you have to do is sign up for their e-mail newsletter, confirm your registration, and voila - a 20% off coupon in your inbox =]

I know some people hate signing up for deals like this; but I promise that when compared to other online retailers, H&M does not flood your inbox with e-mails.  In my opinion, this is totally worth it!

Click here to get in on the savings.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Daily Yummi: The Cheesecake Factory

One of my close girlfriends had a birthday dinner at The Cheesecake Factory last night (happy birthday, Kay!) and instead of ordering my usual Chicken Piccata, I opted for this yummy sandwich instead...

Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich with sweet potato fries
"Crispy coated chicken breast covered with melted cheese and chipotle mayo.  
Served on a brioche bun."

Not exactly spicy, but nevertheless, it was delicious!  Chicken was crispy on the outside and cooked perfectly on the inside.  I'm not sure if sweet potato fries are on the menu, but you can always ask for them =]

Happy hump day!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Mint-y Fresh!

I know it seems that I'm a little late on this trend - but to tell you the truth, I've been on the hunt for the perfect mint green nail polish for a couple months now.  Most of the colors I've seen were too green, too blue, or too blue-green, so I was beginning to lose hope.  But FINALLY, after months of searching, I found my perfect mint green - OPI Stranger Tides.

OPI released this minty green varnish as part of the new Pirates of Caribbean collection.  When I first saw pictures of this collection, I was instantly attracted to Mermaid's Tears (first from left), but unfortunately my local Ulta sold out within two days!



After a second visit to Ulta - again, in search of Mermaid's Tears - I thought hey, why not?  I grabbed a bottle of Stranger Tides and headed to the checkout counter.

I went home, brushed it on...and needless to say, I WAS HOOKED (haha, get it?)!  Although it looked dull in the bottle (and in the advertisement), it's a completely different story once you have it on your nails.  The color is playful enough for the summer but can still transition into the fall with its minty, yet subdued, green tones.  I definitely think that it can compliment a range of skin colors, and I know for sure that I'll be using this over and over again...probably even until the Holiday season!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Beauty Bite | The Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Foot Spray

Summertime Chi is FINALLY in full effect, so I decided to pick up this Peppermint Cooling Foot Spray from The Body Shop ($10 for 3.3 fl oz).  The price may be a bit steep, but luckily I had my $45 Groupon from last month!

I find this product ideal for the season - no one likes the feeling of sweaty, tired feet after walking around all day in the heat.  Infused with cooling menthol and peppermint oil, The Body Shop promises that this product "instantly revives tired feet and gives lasting freshness".


I tried it out today, and I'm pretty satisfied!  I used two sprays on each foot - one on the top, one on the bottom - and my feet feel refreshed and softened.  If you were lucky enough to snag the The Body Shop Groupon and you're looking for something new to try, definitely grab a bottle of this foot spray.  I also purchased the Peppermint Reviving Leg Gel, so I'll let you guys know how it works out =]

Happy Sunday!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Daily Yummi: Fontano's Subs

If you went to UIC, you know what's up =] lucky for me, there are two Fontano's locations in Naperville!

Very thankful for Fontano's in suburbia

Yummy Meatball Sandwich...I killed it.
Combo for my Daddy!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Life Update & May Birchbox!

I know, I know...it's been a long time.

Since my last blog post, I've turned 24 - my KOBE birthday =] - and I got into grad school! My life is slowly falling into place, one step at a time...I can't deny that I'm blessed.  If you know me personally, I've really struggled for the past 5 years or so with the age-old question of "What am I going to do with my life?" so I'm happy that I've finally found the answer!

I truly believe that everything happens for a reason.  Whether the event is painful or joyful, there is always a deeper meaning behind every misfortune and blessing.

ANYWAY...onward to a beauty post!

After many months of debate, I finally gave in...


My Birchbox arrived earlier this month, but to be honest with you, I still haven't gotten a chance to try all of the products.  The month has been so crazy that I almost forgot about it! If you've never heard of Birchbox, it's basically a monthly subscription service to deluxe beauty samples.  My May Birchbox included the following:


  • JOUER Moisturizing Lip Gloss
  • SERGE LUTENS Eau de Parfum
  • DDF Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer
  • AHAVA Mineral Body Lotion


One of the main reasons why I subscribed to Birchbox is because I want to expand my beauty product knowledge.  I think that we all get stuck in a routine of using the same brands, products, etc. because they're readily available to us, so I was glad to see that I only immediately recognized one of these brands - DDF.

The two products that I have tried - the JOUER Moisturizing Lip Gloss & AHAVA Mineral Body Lotion - are wonderful!  I've thrown both into my purse because I now use them on a daily basis.

The JOUER Moisturizing Lip Gloss is perfect for everyday wear and adds just the right amount of color to your lips.  Not only that, but it's infused with Vitamins A, C, & E plus shea butter, jojoba oil, and pomegranate seed oil to keep your lips in top shape.

I've been using the AHAVA Mineral Body Lotion on my hands, and I love that it doesn't leave my hands feeling sticky.  It's ultra light but super moisturizing...my hands feel like silk after I slather it on.  AHAVA does have a hand cream that I've heard good things about, so I hope Birchbox sends me a sample soon!

If you're interested in subscribing to Birchbox for $10/month, check out their website at www.birchbox.com