Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Recipe: Chocolate Cream Pie


Does this count as a recipe if it all came from a box?  I’m going to. 
Over the weekend, while out shopping, I stumbled upon this little box.  (Literally, it was in the middle of the aisle. Not alone, but you get it.)  It looked really good, so I bought it.  I thought that it was going to be easy, and I guess it is vs. making it from scratch, but for someone who has never made a pie before, it was a little tricky.  (Mostly getting the whip right.) 


This box came with everything you need except for butter and water. 


The first thing you’re told to do is melt the 5 tablespoons and mix in the crust mix.  But to save a tablespoon to sprinkle on top after you are done. 


The next step is to make the chocolate filling.  Add 1 cup of the evaporated milk, 1 cup water, and the filling mix.


The third step is to make the cream topping, which I found to be the hardest.  (I didn’t want to use the electric mixer.)  This mix is the rest of the evaporated milk, 1/3 cup water, and the provided mix.



Layer it all up, add the crumbles, and there you have it.  Chocolate Cream Pie.  Btw, I had to use a cake pan because I didn't know that we had a pie holder.  Then I found out we did after I was half way through.  (Oops.) 

xx 

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Make-up haul:



Over the weekend I avoided all that I wanted to do (clean my room, laundry, etc) On Friday I went out to Walmart and I looked around the make-up section trying to find a primer, which I did find.  I also found mascara, and two lip products, and concealer.  Then on Saturday I went to Target and found a lipstick from a brand I’ve never heard of, and two lip balms.  Then later that day I went to Ross and found two shirts and one scarf.  

I’m pretty sure this one is my favorite. I got it from Target and I was a little hesitant in buying it, because it was a little expensive ($10 not on sale) but I truly believe it’s worth it.  This lipstick is by Sonia Kashuk. It’s called Rosette, and it’s a beautiful pinkish berry.  (I’m not good at describing colors…)  I did find it kind of odd that it came with drug facts, but then I saw that it has sunscreen in it. (Which comes in handy I feel.) The reason why I picked this one as my favorite is because it’s such a smooth lipstick.  I really want to say it’s the smoothest I own.  It’s also the best smelling I own, it smells like sugar cookies.  I absolutely love it.  I will be going back to Target soon to buy more Sonia Kashuk products.  

This one was a close second.  It was my favorite of the weekend buy, until I tried out the Sonia Kashuk lipstick.  This Covergirl lipperfection gloss balm is my first lipstick that’s an actual stick.  In the store it was a toss-up between #235 and #250.  I went with #235 because it was more pink than red.   It’s amazingly soft and glossy.  I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the lipperfection because it is like a huge crayon, but it turns out I actually do like it.  I’m actually now thinking about all of the other crayon like lipsticks out there that I’ve been missing out on. 


This one I wasn’t sure if I was going to like, because I’m not a big fan of lip gloss, but once you get past the heaviness of lip gloss, it’s actually really nice.  Maybelline Color elixir in Captivating Carnation is perfect for when I want an easy swipe then go.  I love the packaging because it looks like a tube of lipstick, and it even confused my sister because she didn’t know what it was exactly.  And if you’ve been following me for a while, then you would know that Maybelline is my favorite brand.  It also has a very sweet smell.  

Burt’s Bees is the best lip balm I have ever used. I love that it’s 100% natural and you can never go wrong.  The dark blue one is Blueberry and Dark Chocolate, and the greenish blue one is Eucalyptus and Menthol.   The Blueberry and Dark Chocolate is for revitalizing your lips and the Eucalyptus and Menthol is for soothing your lips.  I love them both, and I suggest that you buy them both if you’re looking. 



The reason why I went shopping this weekend was because I was looking for a primer.  I did find myself a primer.  I was looking for one from Hard Candy, but it was either out of stock or my walmart doesn’t carry it.  So I went with the next best option, Rimmel London Fix and Perfect., and I’m glad that I did.  It’s an allover primer vs the just eyeshadow primer that I wanted, and it just gives me more options.  Fix and perfect is very smooth and creamy, and I have noticed a difference in my make-up besides just my eyeshadow not creasing.  I love it. 

 
Then right next to it, I noticed a concealer, and I decided to try it out.  The only thing I don’t like about it is it’s applicator.  But other than that the Rimmel London Match Perfection Concealer and highlighter is perfection.  I’ve always had a hard time with concealer, because it looks like it matches and then when I get home, it doesn’t, but this one actually does.  I like that Rimmel London has really light products. They have the lightest foundation I have ever seen. 


When I go with mascara I usually go with Maybelline, but I branched out a little bit, and I went with Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black, and I’m glad that I did.  It’s a little clumpy but if you brush right through it with either a comb or another brand of mascara, it works great.  I like it a lot better than the mascara that I was using which was by Maybelline.  


I know I said this was a make-up haul, but I couldn’t help but not include theses shirts.  The first one is supposed to be a dress, but I’m not one to wear dresses.  So, I’ll either pair it with jeans or maybe some thick leggings.  The next one is a shirt that has an over shirt connected to it.  I don’t usually like shirts like these, but this one actually attracted my attention (I think it was the lacy detail at the top.)  The Tiger dress was $7.99 and the layered shirt was $9.99. 


Then this is my new scarf.  I really wanted a new scarf from Target but it was around $17 and that was a little expensive, so when I got to Ross and found this one, I was very excited.  It was $7.99.  So much cheaper.  I love it.  

I know this was a long one, but I got a lot of stuff over the weekend.  Thanks for reading this far, and tell me, which product is your favorite? 
xx

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Recipe: Crepes!

To take a break from the mug delights, I decided to try to make some crepes.  My mom and sister have been on a kick recently, and they have been buying pre-made crepes and having difficulties trying to warm them up so why not try and make them at home. 


What you’ll need:
1 cup of flour
1 cup of whole milk
2 eggs
1 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tbsp melted butter
¼ tsp salt


What you need to do is mix together all of the ingredients together and make sure the mix is very thin.  (if too thick, add more milk.)  Pre-heat your skillet on medium heat, and once heated, use a ¼ cup measurer and pour the mix into a 12 inch pan.  The mix separated a little bit, but remixing a little bit it went back to normal.  I also had a really hard time getting the mix to be a complete circle, so I had a few tentacles. I found that tipping the pan made it a lot easier.  Each side should take around 30 to 45 seconds to fully cook.  


After they’re done, you can add whatever you want.  I decided with whipped cream and strawberries.  Some other options are: Nutella, bananas, powdered sugar, peaches, another type of cream, and so much more.  

I hope you enjoy! 
xx

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

My first impression of…



One of my favorite things is when I’m going through a magazine and they have a free sample attached to their coupons.  


Today I’m going to be giving you my first impression on Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleaner.  There was more to the packet than I had originally thought.  There was enough for my face.  The woman in the picture, her whole face is a gray color, but that was not the case once I applied it.  It was clearer with a tint of gray, it then turned to foam.  (Then I saw that the second box, with the lady on it is actually a face mask, not the product I was sampling.)  It smells great.  It has a light hint of menthol.  I don’t really know what scent I was expecting, but the Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleaner has a light clean menthol scent.  Like any other face wash, it was sticky and gooey.  I thought it was supposed to be more of an exfoliant, but I was wrong about that.  It says that it has 2x stronger pore cleaning force, but I noticed the same amount of clean pores that I get from the face wash I currently use.  Maybe it's because it was a one time sample, and over time it changes (like all products) but I'm not really sure.

 My skin after was super soft.  The softest I think after a face wash in a while.  The only downside was that my forehead was shiny after, but that eventually went away.

So, pros: super soft skin, clean, great scent.
Cons: Shiny forehead and my face was a little itchy after I used it, but that doesn’t mean it will happen to you, it could have been other factors.

I would suggest this product if someone was looking for a new product to try.
xx

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

New Shoes!



Over the weekend, I went out to run errands, and I ending up going into Payless.  I first just went in to find a pair of sneakers to workout in, and I found them, but I also found a pair of flats.  I instantly fell in love and luckily, they were both on sale, costing me only $19.99 each.



The flats are a brand that I have never hear of called Lower East Side, and the sneakers are Champion. 


My favorite ones are the flats, but I think that is just because they’re so flashy and out of my comfort zone.  I’ve never had glittery shoes, and this year I’m really trying to change that whole “insecure, everyone is judging me because of my shoes and lipstick” feeling.  These will definitely help.

The other pair I got to combat with the whole health business.  When I got home I showed my shoes to my sister and she pointed out that they had coffins on the bottom of the soles.  I’m sure that’s not what they were going for, but I found it really funny. They are also so, so comfy.  I’ve never had a shoe that felt so comfy and full of support.  


Usually shoe shopping is difficult for me if I’m not buying tennis shoes.  I was graced with wide feet thanks to my father, and narrow heels, thanks to my mother.  So when I tried on the flats I was really surprised that they fit me, and then I noticed that they were in a wide setting, and so I just had to get them. 
 My shoe collection is very odd because of my odd feet.  My shoe sizes range from 8 ½ to 10.  I can never find heels that fit properly, so I only own a few pairs.  (I never wear them because I feel insecure in anything that makes me taller.)  I’m sure I’ll make a post about all of my shoes in a few weeks or so.
xx

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Food in a Mug: Banana Bread



A few weeks ago I was craving banana bread, but we didn’t have any bananas in the house, and then later on I was hoping to get a few rip enough, but they were eaten.  Then I stumbled upon a tumblr post that included banana bread in a mug, and I was ecstatic! 
So, Today I’m posting another mug recipe, and let me tell you, it is 100% DELICIOUS!

What you’ll need:
Non-Stick Cooking Spray
1tbs & 1tsp of Sugar
3 tbs of flour
2 tbs Brown Sugar
1/8th tsp Salt
1/8th tsp Baking Soda
1/8th tsp Baking Powder
1/4th Vanilla Extract
1 tbs Vegetable Oil
1 tbs Milk
1 Egg
1 Rip Banana, mashed



First what you need to do is spray the mug with the non-stick cooking oil.  Then add the flour, both the sugars, salt, baking soda and baking powder.  Then mix. 




Add the egg in, and mix. 




Then add the vanilla extract, vegetable oil, milk, and the mashed banana.





Then put the mug into the microwave for 90 seconds, and if that’s not enough add another 20 seconds.  (Don’t put it in longer than 3 mins.) 

And there you have banana bread for one, and for baked goods coming out of the microwave it is the best tasting I have tried.  (I’ve had a few mug brownies I wasn’t pleased by.) 

I urge you to try this if you love banana bread.  It’s so yummy. 

xx