Eye on the Prize

Makeup has never been my strong suit but it is something I wish I could master.  Over the years I have learned a few tricks of the trade that amplify every woman's natural beauty.  Many brunettes are lucky enough to have dark features that naturally emphasize their eyelashes and eyebrows...it must have skipped a generation in my case.

A few years ago I started getting my eyebrows plucked instead of waxed to keep them looking fuller and more precisely shaped to my face.  In addition, I began dying my eyebrows AND my eyelashes to decrease the amount of time I spend on them in the morning.  (It's an amazing trick for the summertime when you want to look more natural on the weekends or at the beach without having mascara on.)

My other best kept secret is an eyelash curler.  If I don't curl my eyelashes they stick straight out and no amount of mascara can give them that Minnie Mouse flutter look.  For 10 seconds I use my hairdryer to heat the eyelash curler and then hold it against my eyelashes for 10 more seconds.  (Make sure it's not too hot!)  I immediately apply mascara and in just 20 seconds I have long, emphasized peepers!

WARNING: If you have an eyeball issue then you may not want to scroll down. 

 

 

25% Off at Banana Republic

Banana Republic is offering 25% off your entire order today!  Hurry up and get some new Spring outfits.  Below are some of my personal faves.

 

Cash Cab

First off, Happy Valentine's Day!  I could take or leave this Hallmark holiday which is why I am dedicating my Monday to the greatest TV game show ever created, Cash Cab.  And the best part is that it is now in Chicago!  Here are the details from NBC.

Make way for "Cash Cab," Chicago. The Windy City version of the New York-originated, Discovery Channel show debuts Monday night. 

Here's how it works: The game show is filmed inside a taxi cab where the driver/host asks unsuspecting customers trivia questions for $50-$100 per correct answer. Chicago's version stars The Second City cast member Beth Melewski as host.

How do you know you're in Melewski's unmarked cab? Disco lights inside and a slew of questions quizzing about politics, technology, science and more. Sample questions could include names of founding fathers and which state two of three African Americans were elected to the U.S. Senate. (Ahem, the second question should be easy.) 

If you answered correct, you score the cash and get a little closer to your destination. If you get three questions wrong, you not only don't win any money, you're booted out of the cab.

And Melewski's really driving that cab.

She told the Sun-Times she had to pass taxi certification tests, "the hardest thing" she says she ever studied for.  Melewski took three months off her Second City gig to film 40 episodes, she told the Sun-Times. She's back at the improv theater to perform “The Absolute Best Friggin’ Time of Your Life” until the beginning of April.

"Cash Cab" begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Flagging-Chicago-Cash-Cab-116164309.html#ixzz1DxNh2qUE

Paradise

My fingers are too frozen to type anything interesting. It is -4 in Chicago without the wind chill. Right now, I am dreaming of a tropical island where it's so hot, the only relief is to swim in the ocean. Dreaming of being here:

Guest Blogger: Juliann

My co-worker and friend, Juliann sits a mere four feet from me.  We know almost everything about one another after 3 years of working together and in that time we have traded our knowledge about all things GIRL.  She tends to lean towards the finer things in life which has somehow made a bigger dent in my wallet.  I can't complain though because she knows her stuff!

Claudio Riaz Make Up Brushes

This past Saturday, I met the man of my dreams.  I met him in Barney’s and he completely won me over with his Instant Smoke Brush.  Actually, all of his make up brushes took my heart by storm and I was instantly his.  

As a self professed product junkie, I learned at a young age you cannot do the right make-up look without the right tools. In fact, you can’t do any look without them.  Claudio Riaz has perfected the brush so even the tomboy next door can transform herself into a goddess.  He transformed my friend’s eyes in about 5 minutes with 3 simple brushes: Instant Liner Brush, Instant Smoke Brush, and the Brow Brush. 

The Instant Smoke Brush is perfect to dip in any shadow and sweep across your lid.  Voila! Your eyes are sexy & flawless! This used to take me about 15 minutes with about 3 brushes and 3 different eye shadows.  It works great over eye-liner or alone. Of Course, the Instant Smoke Brush is patent-pending and made of pure sable.

After meeting him and seeing what he can do, I fell in love and took home his Instant Smoke Brush.  I never thought the man of my dreams would be able to create sexy flawless eyes in a flash!! 

Superbowl Snack

Superbowl Sunday is the second largest eating day next to Thanksgiving. Americans apparently LOVE holidays focused around food! One of my friends was having a party yesterday and I couldn't show up empty handed so I decided to make Pizza Dip with Garlic Bread sticks. It was a recipe I had been eager to try and what better occasion than Superbowl! Pictures just don't do it justice.

Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Dip
3/4 cup chopped pepperoni
1 can  (15 oz) pizza sauce
4 green onions, finely chopped
1 can (2-1/4 oz) sliced  black olives, drained
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1-1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 package (8 oz) refrigerated breadstick dough
1 Tablespoon butter, melted
2 teaspoons minced parsley

In a heavy pot, over medium heat, combine pepperoni, sliced olives,  green onions, oregano and pizza sauce.  Cook until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
Add cream cheese and mozzarella cheese.  Stir until melted and mixture is well combined.  Turn heat to low while preparing the breadsticks.  Stir occasionally.
Remove breadsticks from tube and cook according to package directions.  If you are really fancy, clever and an over-achiever, you could make these from scratch. 
When breadsticks are finished baking, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with parsley.

 

It's a Wrap!

Whenever I have something like a wedding shower, work party, or something that requires me to look somewhat conservative, my go-to is the "wrap dress."  It should be a staple in every woman's wardrobe and can easily be accessorized with fun jewelry, worn with tights or bare-legged, and have short or long sleeves.  Here are some of my picks below:

Day Dresses by LOFT
Boots by Via Spiga