My Everyday Beauty Products

Hey guys! Tonight I thought I'd do a quick post on the makeup items I use every morning...Simple as that!

1. Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer (230 fair/light)
    This stuff is AWESOME. I have always had a really hard time finding a concealer that matches my skin well, and this formula actually adapts to fit your unique skin tone!

2. Revlon Eyelash Curler
    Every girl has got to have a good eyelash curler...this one doesn't pinch and was cheap, too! (plus I love the black and red color scheme)

3. Prescriptives Perfect Every Line Gel Eyeliner (Allspice 08)
    This tub is super old, but I refuse to throw it away until it's empty. It's too good! I get sharp, smooth lines every time. I love this color because it is brown, which isn't as intense as black, and it has a gold shimmer to it, and anything that sparkles I am bound to like.

4. Sephora Angled Eyeliner Brush
    Honestly, I don't think I could wear gel eyeliner without this brush. It makes application a cinch!

5. Urban Decay Lush Lash Mascara
    Supposedly, this mascara helps your eyelashes grow...I might have noticed a small difference, but I don't think it makes a big change. I still like the product, though--no clumps, and the brush is the perfect size.

6. Sonia Kashuk Eyelash/Eyebrow Comb
    I am very compulsive about my eyelashes...even with a great mascara, I still comb my lashes while the mascara is still wet for an extra-natural yet still glamorous look.

7. Tarte Amazonian Clay Pressed Mineral Powder (fair 02)
     Okay, I don't actually use this every day, but when I am feeling extra red, I'll use this powder to even out my skin tone. I have really sensitive skin, so I love this product because it hasn't caused me to break out or anything...knock on wood.

xoxo

FeminInspiration: Lucille Ball

I love Lucille Ball. She's hilarious. I got a book for Christmas called Lucille Ball Treasures, and it is one of my favorite things I've ever owned. I have learned so much about her--she was persistent, hard-working, and never accepted defeat. Her romance with Desi Arnaz is one for the books, along with her killer sense of humor and willingness to make a fool of herself in a time when women were supposed to be pristine, glamourous goddesses. She gave that a shot, but ultimately ended up doing what she did best: comedy. Beneath that stellar timing and those comical expressions, though, was a rough past of struggle and loss. These are only a few of the reasons that I love Lucy. :)

xoxo

My Ladies, Confident, Flaunt It!

I distinctly remember the day that I first saw the movie Burlesque with Christina Aguilera and Cher. My friend and I needed to kill some time between the end of school and a concert that we were playing in, so we decided on a whim to go see it. I wasn't expecting to like it--I thought that it would be one of those movies that I made fun of the whole time. And yes, there were moments where I laughed at the sub-par acting and melodrama, but I left the theater, turned to my friend, and told her that I thoroughly enjoyed it. And not in a "that was just a dumb movie" way.

Maybe it's the glitter. Maybe its the music. Maybe its the smokin' guys. Honestly, I think it is a combination of all of those that makes me love this movie so much. I payed full price for the DVD--that is a big deal for me, people. I know every line. I own the soundtrack. If I have a guilty pleasure, it is this movie.

If you haven't seen it, go watch it. It's amazing! But I am warning you--the acting is not one of the reasons I love it so much...Xtina can sing like no other, so it's okay in my book that she can't act. And Cam Gigandet is gorgeous, so his awkward delivery is fine by me, too. :)

xoxo

[show me how you burlesque]

Music Monday

Another week! Let's start it off right with some good ol' jams.

1. Where Do You Go by No Mercy

This song is a TOTAL blast from the past. The video just slays me, too...The dancing...the melodrama...its all just so wonderful. This song is like a shot of B12 in my opinion--you feel so much better afterwards. :)

2. After Tonight by Justin Nozuka

Okay, this song is quite a deviation from the last one, but it is one of those songs that never gets old. I first heard this song a few summers ago on the VH1 music video program that came on in the mornings, so I always will associate this song with the summertime. But either way its a great song.

3. Shock by Ana Tijoux

Ana Tijoux is a French-born Chilean emcee who uses this song to promote the student protests that have been going on in Chile recently. Essentially, many Chileans are tired of the corrupt and expensive educational system in their country, and this song allows listeners to feel the weight of that discontent with the almost belabored beat and lack of much emotion in Tijoux's voice. But that doesn't mean that is isn't a good song to listen to--there is something very cathartic about the consistency and tone of this politically aware song.

xoxo

Serene Scene

the view from my window this morning.

i'm so lucky!

xoxo

Swoon-Worthy Saturday

He's a doctor. He's an artist. He's a teacher. Okay, the only one of those that isn't a TV or movie personality is the last one (that's right, he used to teach African-American Studies and English to high schoolers). But he is gorgeous no matter what. Jesse Williams, who plays Dr. Jackson Avery on ABC's Grey's Anatomy, is today's eye-candy alert!

Femininspiration: Amber Heard

Even though her name isn't super-recognizable yet, Amber Heard is one of my favorite celebrities. She played the lead in the flop show, The Playboy Club (I actually liked it...), and she was also in The Rum Diaries with Johnny Depp last year. But my favorite of her works? The Guess Fall 2011 ad campaign. I love the vintage feel of the whole thing, not to mention that she looks STUNNING.
The video for the campaign kills me. It's so fun and adorable-- I love the whole idea behind it. Is that guy not to die for? His name (after much research, I have found) is Silviu Tolu, and he is from Romania.

The s/s 2012 campaign is already out, but I like the fall 2011 one so much better...

love is everywhere!

I just got home from a really long day, and I started thinking about  people. Every day, we encounter people who come off as catty, rude, or apathetic. And it can be so easy to retaliate with an equal amount of attitude. But I have something that I want to share with you.

Everyone is born the same. Yeah, we are all different, but we are all born as innocent, loving creatures who are new to the world. As we get older, we go through different experiences that shape our personalities. Some people who have tough experiences at an early age can sometimes come off as aggressive. People who have been sheltered can seem petty. Every experience we have alters our emotional and psychological makeup. But at the root of every person, we all need love. We, deep down, are still those newborn babies who are equally as fascinated as we are terrified by the world. I believe that all people are innately good, but that insecurities and fears get in the way of showing our true selves.

So, I challenge you to embrace your inner newborn. Feel free to love everyone around you with all your heart. Once you open yourself up to that kind of happiness, you realize how truly wonderful the world is. I know it seems dreamy and starry-eyed, but give it a chance. You'd be surprised--the more you allow yourself to love, the more the people around you treat you with the same love. There is too much hate in the world with terrorism, murders, corruption, and hate crimes for us to focus on our petty issues and allow them to consume us and make us angry people. Let's fight the hate with as much love as we can muster.

It's time to start feeling the love, people!

xoxo

Looks Aren't Everything...

Time for my first baking post!

Today, I made some super-healthy, super-satisfying breakfast muffins. They may be ugly, but I don't think you'll find a healthier, more tasty muffin recipe anywhere. I used King Arthur Gluten Free flour, since I can't eat gluten, and no refined sugar! I personally like the taste of stevia, but to some people, it is a bit bitter. I think it is an acquired taste, so if you are looking for a way to consume less sugar, give stevia a shot! These muffins are full of vitamins and minerals from the banana and carrots (folic acid, potassium, and beta carotene to name a few), not to mention omega-3 fatty acids from the flax and antioxidants from the agave. Plus, cinnamon is thought to be an anti-inflammatory spice. So, enjoy! These tasty treats are about as guilt-free as you can get.

Ingredients:

2 eggs

2 tbsp. blue agave

1 4 oz. container Trader Joes Vanilla and Cream Yogurt

1 ripe banana

1/2 c all-purpose flour

1/2 c vanilla soy milk

1/2 c raisins

5 peeled, chopped carrots

1 tbsp. Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa

2 tbsp. ground flaxseed

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. stevia

1/2 c Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Quick-Cooking Oats

First, preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix all the ingredients together in the order they are in above. As for the banana, make sure it is REALLY ripe. Almost rotten. Then, mash it up with a fork in the bowl with the other ingredients or separately, putting it in already mashed.

As for the flax, I learned that you body does not benefit from it as much if you eat it in it's whole form--that's why I grind it up with a coffee grinder and store it in my fridge. 

Grease a muffin pan with coconut oil--you heard me. What I do is get a spoonful of it (it is solid), get a chunk on my (clean!) fingers, and squish it around inside each well of the pan, getting more from the spoon as needed.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until you can stick a knife in a muffin (again, the goal here is not to have pretty muffins) and it comes out mostly clean.

Makes 12 small/thin muffins.

The ingredients!

This is how finely I chopped the carrots--you can see that it's not big chunks, but it's not super-fine either. I like having some crunch in my muffins!

This is the coconut oil I use to grease the muffin tin.

 The batter! I know, doesn't look super appealing...

...and the dishes. Every rose has it's thorn, right?

I hope you enjoy! I recommend warming these up in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before eating them. They are super-comforting warm!

xoxo

My New Bumper Sticker!

The other day, I mentioned that I had bought a bumper sticker off of Etsy, and I just now put it on! If you aren't a Harry Potter fan, you probably won't understand this, but it is a big part of the last HP book. Anyways, I think it's super cute and can't wait to see the reactions it gets! 

xoxo

Some Warm Thoughts..

Even though I feel like the holiday season was forever ago, it is still cold and dreary outside. So I thought I'd give you guys some sunny pictures to help take the chill off!

Feelin' toasty yet?

xoxo

Things I'm Loving...

I, like all of us, go through phases of obsession with certain things--people, products, clothes, etc. Okay, maybe obsession is a bit of a strong word. But I really, really like these things:

1. Blue Sky Free Stevia Soda

Everyone always talks about how bad soda is for you. And, for the most part, that hasn't been a problem for me because I am not a big soda-drinker. But I do love root beer. Yet every time I drink it, all I can think about it how often people have told me how unhealthy it is! That's why I love this stevia-sweetened soda. It tastes just like normal root beer, but it is calorie-free and sweetened with stevia, which is all natural!

2. Go Raw Spirulina Super Chips

Okay, truth of the matter is that my friends and family don't find these spirulina chips nearly as tasty as I do. But, since this post is for things that I'M loving, I'm going to tell you guys about it. These are sweet and still healthy--spirulina is supposedly great for detoxifying your body and full of antioxidants. A great snack!

3. Once Upon a Time

Okay. If I could talk about this show as much as I wanted to, this whole blog would be dedicated to it. Basically, I love fantasy and I love mysteries/crime dramas. This show combines both! I absolutely LOVE it. There are some great love stories, but it isn't solely focused on romance. It's still suspenseful and exciting! It comes on ABC on Sunday nights at 8:00 EST.

4. My new ear cuff from VintageMadeByDucky!

This is the ear cuff I mentioned the other day! Isn't it cute? It's simple but still a little edgy/gypsy. I wore it today and got TONS of compliments! 

5. Antonia Thomas

This actress, who stars as Alisha in the UK's hit show Misfits, is simply stunning to me. She has a unique style that I adore, not to mention that I'm addicted to her show. And her hair as Alisha is awesome! I've even considered cutting mine short and letting it do it's thing because of her--but then I thought better of it :)

I hope you like all of these things as much as I do! xoxo

Music Monday

Welcome to a new week!

I always like to start off my week with some good inspiration, and usually that comes in the form of music. Here are some of the song's I'm really into right now that are keeping me going. Click on the titles of the songs to hear them!

1. Strict Machine by Goldfrapp
    I love Goldfrapp's unique, almost futuristic sound. My favorite song is We Radiate, but you can only buy that on iTunes if you buy the Vampire Diaries soundtrack, which I don't really want to do. Anyways, this sexy song is great for finding your vibe at the beginning of a new week.

2. Countdown by Beyonce
    This song is a JAM! It is impossible to listen to without dancing. Who doesn't love Beyonce? It is a great way to get groovin'! Plus, the music video is awesome.

3. Rose Colored Glasses by Kelly Rowland
    This one isn't as upbeat as the other two songs, but it's a great song to listen to at the end of the day to take a load off.

Alrighty! I hope you guys like these songs as much as I do, and that they bring you some energy to get through the week!

And one last thing to help you start off the week right...

Baby teacup pig! Have a good week! xoxo

Pre-Lunchtime Check-In

Hey guys!

So, I'm trying to eat super healthy today. I'm going to eat lunch soon, and I am starving! My breakfast did NOT hold me over like it usually does. I made myself some kale chips (picture below) and plan to eat some carrots, celery, and maybe a pear. And, yes, I'll be drinking water.

Anyways, that's all boring stuff. I got an order from Etsy yesterday, and I can't wait to show it to you! I've got an outfit post coming soon, so I'll show you what I got then. It's an ear cuff from VintageMadeByDucky, and I LOVE it! I also got an awesome bumper sticker from ajcustomvinyldecals, I'll be sure to show you that soon. It raises my geek factor quite a bit :)

Swoon-Worthy Saturday

If you've ever seen even half an episode of The Vampire Diaries on the CW, you know that it is chock-full of gorgeous people. But my personal favorite simply does not get enough attention. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Michael Trevino, or everyone's favorite hybrid, Tyler Lockwood.

I Love ETSY!

One of my latest obsessions is a website called Etsy, where people can buy and sell handmade and vintage goods. You can find furniture, clothes, decorations, and almost anything you want there, but I love Etsy for its jewelry. Check out some of these unique pieces I've found and loved:

How can you not swoon over this gorgeous ring? It's from the shop Tooriginal--they have tons of gorgeous fairytale-like jewelry there that undoubtedly makes anyone who wears it feel like a princess.

This one is for my fellow Harry Potter fans. A lot of the HP-themed jewelry on Etsy can be a bit tacky, but this bracelet is cute AND references the marauder's map! Check out CissyPixie to see more!

okay, this necklace from PolliniAtelier may be a bit over-the-top, but I'm not gonna lie, I'd wear it. The fancy font and the antique-y finish definitely make it a statement piece--I'd pair it with a low-cut, simple top, a blazer, some nice dark-wash, flared jeans and pumps.

Welcome to my blog!

Hey there!

I'm Neena, and this is my blog! A friend of mine convinced me to finally start one after years of contemplating it. My hope is for this to be your go-to place for fun recipes, health and beauty tips, and just general chat. Please comment if you have any suggestions or questions! I'd love to hear your feedback!

<a href="http://www.hypersmash.com">www.HyperSmash.com</a>