I have died and gone to cupcake heaven. Cupcakes in a tiny cupcake box heaven. Did I mention that the box is tied with a hot pink bow? And adorned with a little crystal? And the cupcake is moist and chocolatey with marshmallow frosting and sweetened hot pink coconut? Now that is something worth obsessing over. Oh, if you’re wondering… I ate every last bite. And licked the wrapper.
After one of the best nights… ever (1. Went on a double date with my man and my sister and her boyfriend, 2. Sat in the front row at the Kings’ game, 3. Stayed at the Standard in Downtown LA, and 4. Drank chardonnay spritzers at the Rooftop Bar at the Standard and fell in love with the city lights), I woke up the next morning utterly starving. I wandered down the street and, by a stroke of luck (or fate, call it what you will), I found myself in front of Bottega Louie.
This place is perfect. My boyfriend and I have very different dining styles (he likes the low-key, all-American type of place… I like the hoity-toity restaurant that attracts the wannabe gourmand). Somehow, Bottega Louie manages to fuse the two. Even with its Los Angeles location it feels distinctly like New York. An exposed stainless steel kitchen, a hostess dressed to the nines with a giant reservation book (no computers here), and tiny two person tables charmingly clutter the floor. The place is bustling and loud, but maintains it’s high-class feel. The energy is contagious. It appeared that everyone was a somebody, or felt like they were a somebody, during the lunch hour that I spent here. Gourmet food and top-notch service at a reasonable lunch price range. We had the Portobello Fries, Onion Gratinée, and Napoli Pizza (we added pepporoni)… all of it: delicious. Plus, the full bakery and candy bar at the entrance (and, conveniently, that entrance is also the exit) basically demands that you buy something simply by its very adorable, well-decorated, and divine smelling presence.
1. Garnier Fructis Style XXL Volume Mousse
Amazing. Smells great. Gives lift, but it’s not sticky. I work it into damp hair before blowdrying.
2. Got 2b Guardian Angel Gloss Finish Blow Out Lotion
Protects against the high heat of my hair dryer.
3. Conair Lightweight Ionic Ceramic Dryer
Inexpensive and gets the job done. Nothing dries my hair faster.
4. Babyliss Pro Flat Iron with Pink Swarvoski Crystals
Gets my hair stick straight and can add a cute flip to my ends. Plus, the pink crystals are adorable.
5. Infinity by Conair Instant Heat Ceramic 1.5″ Curling Iron
The 1.5″ barrel provides the perfect soft, loose curl or beachy waves. It also heats up super fast.
6. Helen of Troy HotSetter Pro 20 Hot Rollers
Totally old school. And totally perfect. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
7. John Frieda Sheer Blonde Dream Creme Instant Silkener
I couldn’t live without this. Smoothes my hair without weighing it down. Hides split ends and color damage.
8. Small Multi-Teeth Flipside Comb
Add volume, tease, sculpt, comb. I use it for any and every style and to lift my roots. Fits in my purse.
9. Scunci No-slip Grip Beautiful Blends Bobby Pins
The multi-colored bobby pins hold your style in place and totally disappear into your hair. Amazing.
10. Aqua Net Extra Super Hold Hairspray, Unscented
It actually is unscented. And does have extra super hold. And doesn’t dry your hair. My mom turned me onto this one.
Bizarre. I know. But I am obsessed with taking pictures of food… And, don’t roll your eyes… I know I’m not the only one! Nearly everytime I’m about to consume something scrumptious, I snap a quick pic with the camera on my cell phone or my Nikon. And… this would all be for naught… If I didn’t share the pictures with you. So, enjoy! Drool, dream, and live vicariously through what I’ve eaten lately*
*I always clear my plate.
Hey there, beauties. A lot of girls ask me about my lipstick (it’s MAC’s St. Germaine… if you were wondering). However, I think it’s less about the lipstick and more about the application. For a full, flirty mouth… follow my tips below. Excuse the messy hair and the gray tank top… But that is how I look when I’m prepping to go out of the house. And, though you can’t see them, I’m wearing super cute gray leopard print pj pants with a hot pink drawstring… I’m telling you that in defense of my at-home fashion. I provided you with a step-by-step photo tutorial and a video tutorial (pick whichever one is more your learning style)!
Step 1: Lay out your materials. A liquid foundation, your favorite lipstick, a coordinating gloss, and a clear high shine gloss are necessary.
Step 2: Do your makeup as usual, but apply the liquid foundation all over your face including your mouth. This provides a foundation for the lipstick to adhere to and is so much more current than lipliner.
Step 3: Choose your lipstick of the day. I am a fan of having a signature shade that people associate me with. Wear that shade 3-4 days a week so that it becomes (officially) your shade.
Step 4: Apply your lipstick as you usually do, filling in your entire mouth.
Step 5: Apply the coordinating gloss over your entire mouth. The gloss does not need to be made by the same manufacturer of your lipstick, but the colors of the two should coordinate.
Step 6: Apply the clear high shine gloss only to the very center of your lower lip and to your cupid’s bow (the point at the top of your mouth). This provides you with shine where you want it, making your lips appear full.
Step 7: Voila! A perfect pout.
Step 8: Get out there and show off that sexy mouth, you glamazon you.
If learning through a video is more your style, just click below. xoxo
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vR2Iu2BhKc
It’s official. I’ve fallen madly in love with everything offered by ban.do. They are a brand like no other… hair accessories. shoe clips (check it out… genius!). corsages (they totally change a shirt/jacket/purse into something new). in. love. and. proudly. obsessed.
check it out… if you have a crafty vixen/glamour girl/vintage fashionista within… you will flip ♥
