Nail Look - Light Blue & Silver Triangles: Geometric - Perfect for Winter Glam

I did my nails last week in a cute contrasting geometric design (Hipster?) and I think it turned out Sassy! I used my new Borrowed & Blue and No Place Like Chrome by Essie!

If I would have properly shaped my nails and didn't paint the base while surfing the Internet, it probably would have looked much better! Next time I will make my index finger a triangle as well. This look will be perfect for December! The colors remind me of Snowflakes. Can be worn in Summer but I think it's definitely a Winter look. I matched it with my favorite outfit of skinny jeans, a white tank, long silver chain necklace, black faux leather jacket my Fringe handbag by Poppie Jones. No rings necessary! 

Borrowed & Blue / No Place Like Chrome - Essie

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Tempting Treats: Yum Yum Snickerdoodles - Easy to Make & Delicious!

Homemade Snickerdoodles: Best Recipe Found! Easy too :)

What's one of my favorite things about Fall? Snickerdoodles! Yes Snickerdoodles....those yummy perfectly crispy chewy, cinnamony soft delicious cookies always remind me of the start of fall time. Pumpkins, fall leaves and apple cider candles, & Snickerdoodles. <3

I've been looking around for the perfect Snickerdoodle recipe because they're my most favorite cookie and my boyfriend recently told me they were his as well (Sounds like this love is going to last! :) I've made some different recipes in the past but they never turned out quite right. I've been relying on Paradise Bakery for my Snickerdoodle fix until now. This recipe is so easy to make and turns out so delicious. From one Snickerdoodle lover to another.

Rediculously Delicious Snickerdoodles

oh so good.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter 

1 1/2 cups sugar 

2 large eggs 

2 3/4 cups flour 

2 teaspoons cream of tartar 

1 teaspoon baking soda 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

3 tablespoons sugar 

3 teaspoons cinnamon 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

The Cream of Tarter is very important!

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar and eggs thoroughly in a large mixing bowl. Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. Blend dry ingredients and vanilla extract into butter mixture. Chill dough, and chill an ungreased cookie sheet for about 10-15 minutes in the fridge. Meanwhile, mix 3 tablespoons sugar, and 3 teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl. Scoop 1 inch spoonfuls of dough and make into small balls. Roll into the sugar/ cinnamon mixture. Coat by gently rolling balls of dough in the sugar mixture. Place on chilled ungreased cookie sheet, and bake 10 minutes. Remove from pan immediately.

If you can, chill up to 3 cookie pans in advance as having a cold cookie sheet to put the cold dough balls on to bake is the secret to getting the perfect Snickerdoodle. (Never put a hot cookie sheet into your refrigerator. :) Feel free to completely cover each dough ball in Cinnamon/Sugar mixture as you can never have too much! Traditional recipes normally don't call for the Vanilla extract but I think the subtle vanilla flavor really makes the cookie perfect. 

so Yum.... :)

I hope you enjoy! If you try this recipe, please leave a comment, I would love to know how it turns out for you! Thanks for reading!

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TopShop: Sexy Celebrity Inspired Dresses for Under $100 - Fab Finds!

Every few weeks I tend to visit Topshop to check out new arrivals of current Fashion must-haves. The great thing about Topshop is not is everything on the rack 'L.A. Haute' but most of these actual pieces you will see on Celebrities, as this store is a celeb-favorite! Lucky for celebs they get dibs on all the pre-season fashion selections and we are left months behind trying to play catch up. Trying to 'keep up' with celebrities is nearly impossible for an average girl but their clothes are beautiful so back to the swooning we go! :)

Here are some gorgeous dresses that are similar to what Celebrities are wearing and links to where they can be purchased. Celebrity style for a small spender.

Mesh is a hot trend right now!

Kim Kardashian in Beautiful Blush. Blush is a flattering color on nearly all skin tones!

Mesh Insert Skater Dress $90

Rihanna. I think this TopShop dress is prettier than both her dresses combined! She could really rock this dress.

                                                    Mesh Structured Bodycon Dress $90

Rihanna. There are countless photos online of her in her daring, leave nothing to the imagination dresses. We thought this black dress from TopShop was classy & edgey. Most of us would probably opt for a bra underneath. Very affordable too!

Cutout Back Self Stripe Flippy $58

Katy Perry's style is both Sweetheart & Retro. This adorable heart dress mixes Katy Perry's playfulness perfectly!

Heart Mesh Flippy Dress $96

Khloe Kardashian does a great job of dressing her curves. A high waisted penil shaped skirt dress like this is great for smoothing large hip lines and for making attractive curve-appeal.

Mesh Bust Panel Bodycon Dress $80

When I seen the dress on the Left on TopShop.com I was pretty sure I have seen Kourtney in this exact dress a few months ago. This dress is a Daytime dress and would look perfect with Kourtney style Hair Bun Updo, Black or Blush Louboutin Daffodile Pumps / Mary Janes, a quilted chain bag and oversized Shades.   

Black Tie Dye Cover Up $64


All featured dresses above can be found on TopShop.com!

Which dress is your favorite?

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Beauty Review: Physicians Formula Organic Wear Tinted Moisturizer

Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Tinted Moisturizer

I have been using Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Tinted Moisturizer for a few months and finally have came to a good conclusion on this product and I feel like it deserves a review! I have never tried Physicians Formula foundations before and decided to try this one in particular for a very good reason: It's Organic! Well 80% are USDA Organic actually but '100% Natural' is what it is labeled. My goal is to eventually switch my beauty and cosmetics over to Organic and 'green' products that are good for my body and low on chemicals.

 So what does 100% Natural mean? Here are the products ingredients: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: TITANIUM DIOXIDE. INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) FRUIT WATER*, ALCOHOL SD (DENATURED WITH CERTIFIED ORGANIC LAVENDER OIL)*, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL*, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL*, PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL*, LECITHIN (SOYBEAN)*, CANNABIS SATIVA SEED OIL*, TALC, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA BUTTER)*, OLEA EURPOAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT UNSAPONIFIABLES, GARCINIA INDICA SEED BUTTER, ALGINIC ACID, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETEARYL WHEAT BRAN GLUCOSIDES, GLYCERYL STEARATE SE, HYDRATED SILICA, IRON OXIDE, XANTHAN GUM.

The only ingredient that seems questionable is the Talc. Talc is known to be a common irritant to some and also the question of it's safety in cosmetics is still in the air. But in comparison to the say, MAC foundation these ingredients are so wonderful and we can feel good about putting in on our skin everyday.

This tinted moisturizer has a SPF of 15 that is from a mineral and not a chemical which is awesome! It has a very very thin consistency and is easily blendable. You MUST love the scent of Lavender oil or this scent will totally turn you off! Luckily I'm okay with the scent, there are many who think the scent ruins the product for them.

This tinted moisturizer comes in a few shades,  Ivory to Fair, Fair to Light, Light to Natural, and Natural to Tan. My skin color goes from light to tan throughout the months and I can usually make Light to Natural work well for me. The colors seem to blend fairly well with some finishing powder.

Ok for the wearability and coverage: I would recommend this products only for day/casual wear. The coverage is light and does an okay job of hiding small blemishes. The finish for me is very dewy! Whatever you do, do not wear this over another moisturizer you will look so oily/sweaty. This definitely needs a finishing powder unless you want the, just ran a mile on the treadmill in the heat glow. This tinted moisturizer is perfect for wearing when your just hanging out at home or by the pool, going to an outdoors day activity like park or hiking, running errands during the day or if you wear a very low maintenance look to work. It's likely you will need to do oil blotting and powder touch-ups every few hours.

Over all I'm going to give this product a solid 4 Stars. Yes it requires a lot of touching up, and the coverage isn't great but it is a tinted moisturizer after all and the ingredients are Amazing! I will continue to keep purchasing this for my casual and daytime beauty regimen. It's a keeper! You can read more about this producthere on the Pysicians Formula website.

OVERALL RATING

Price: $12

Green Rating: 5 Stars

Have you tried Pysicians Formula Organic Wear Products? Which are your favorite? 

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Not Gluten for Punishment - For Those With Food Allergies, Grain Free Can Be Better For Your Body

With so many Americans deciding to eat Gluten-Free and more people developing Wheat sensitivity everyday, it's no wonder sales on Gluten-Free products has more than tripled in the last 5 years.

There are two types of sensitivities people can have to Wheat Gluten. A total intolerance is called Celiac Disease. When a Celiac patient consumes Gluten, their body treats it like a toxin and their immune system goes into attack mode. This immune response damages your small intestines and is known to cause headaches including migraines, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, a spastic colon, diarrhea, and neurological problems. It's estimated that at least 1 our 100 people have Celiac disease and the numbers are on the rise. Many go undiagnosed. If you feel you may suffer from Celiac disease testing is easy. A simple blood test by your Dr. can determine if your body develops antibodies to Gluten.

Sometimes you 'know' when something is not right with your body. If you feel your body may be having a Wheat reaction, see your doctor so you can start feeling good again.

The second group has a gluten sensitivity but doesn't have intestinal damage. Those sensitive to gluten will still experience digestion problems just as someone with Celiac Disease. If you think you may have a Gluten sensitivity, cut out all Gluten containing products from your diet for 2 weeks to rule out the allergy. 90% of all sufferers undiagnosed. Though the Dr. will require you have Gluten in your blood for proper diagnoses during testing.

Verdict:: Not Allergic. If you find that you are not allergic to Gluten products, Wonderful! Wheat is full of key nutrients such as Fiber, Iron, Zinc and Vitamin B and eating Wheat is the easiest way for us to get these important nutrients into our diet.

Verdict:: Gluten Allergy: Congratulations, you're now on you're way to feeling better and healthier! Hearing that you'll have to cut out all pastas, breads and baked goods may cause you to become upset thinking that your life of food enjoyment is over as you know it. Take heart because it's not! The days of eating Gluten foods should be in the past but a new adventure in eating delicious Gluten-Free delights have just begun!

You'll be thrilled to know that just about every Wheat product you love has a Gluten-Free free replacement to match! Though Gluten-Free products tend to run a little pricier, your Body and Health will thank you and you will feel much better in the long run.

Below are some of our favorite Wheat foods and their Gluten-Free counterparts: (I had some help decorating my 'boring' images so please don't mind all the pretty colors! :) 

Honestly I think Glutino's Pretzels are better tasting! 

There are so many Gluten-Free bread brands to choose from! Udi's is an amazing brand for us Gluten-Free eaters! They make everything from bread to bagels, granola and muffins! 

Barilla makes wonderful Spaghetti but Lundberg's is delicious too and serves as a healthier alternative even for those who can eat Wheat.

Thank GOODNESS they make one of my favorite Cereals in Gluten Free. Panda Puffs are Yum! Hint: try it with Chocolate Almond, Hemp or Coconut Milk. So good!

Both of these are Great brands. Luckily Amy's has a Gluten-Free option! 

Nothing compares to Homemade cookies and making Homemade Gluten-Free cookies are easy but if you're looking to save some time, Better Crocker has come out with new Gluten-Free boxed Baked Goods kits. Awesome!

Without Wheat There Is So Much To Eat! :)

Lucky for us, mainstream grocers are catching on to our Gluten-Free needs and there are so many options out there that allow us to still eat the foods we enjoy without sacrificing our health. We have to remember that these Gluten-Free options are still very processed foods and that like with any other Gluten containing food we should eat these processed goods in moderation as they are still high in calories, sodium and fat. Nothing substitutes raw fruits and vegetables and good whole foods. Thanks for reading and we'd love you to leave a comment below and share your experiences going Gluten-Free! :)

Tell us: What are some of your favorite Gluten Free Brands and Products? 

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Looking for a Healthy Fast Dinner? Think Chipotle on Eat This Instead

This week I'm Blogging to let everyone know about this great Brand, if you don't know already: Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Chipotle has been celebrated as one of the healthiest 'fast' foods one could get, but not only is it healthy, the food tastes AMAZING!

When you go inside a Chipotle it is alot like a Panda Express or Subway, where your order is made on the spot. You'll see a delicious hot bar of freshly made Cilantro Lime Jasmine Rice (they have brown now!), Fajita Vegetables, your choice of Black (my favorite) or Pinto beans, a variety of meats, and your typical burrito/taco toppers like an amazing selection of salsas, cheese, sour cream, etc.

Chipotle is most famous for their awesome burritos but you can also select other options like hard shell/soft shell tacos, a salad, quesadilla or a burrito bowl. They also offer freshly made chips & salsa.

Burrito Bowls are my personal favorite. They are everything that's awesome inside a burrito but served in bowl, they are not as messy to eat and I feel like you can get more/eat more food this way without that high calorie delicious tortilla! You can always ask for a flour tortilla on the side if needed. Burrito Bowls generally have lower calories than a burrito because there is no enormous flour tortilla. You can also get a great salad and they offer many Vegetarian dishes as well. Did I mention you can order Mexican Beer and a Margarita with your dinner as well? Awesome right? And just when I thought this whole Chipotle thing couldn't get ANY better, they brought in the Tobasco Smoked Chipotle sauce for customers to use on their food. Only my favorite sauce ever! Heaven.

OK so this review is not because Chipotle is the best Corporately owned fast Mexican food a person can get, it's because this brand offers Food With Integrity.

So what is Food with Integrity?

Chipotle's Food with Integrity means that Chipotle supports sustainable farming practices which is super important for our environment these days. It means that their Chicken is raised without any added Antibiotics. It means their Pigs are not subjected to Growth Hormones which hurt pigs and can inevitably be transferred and effect humans. It also means that they support and purchase locally from farmers who grow Organic, respect the land and respect the animals in their care. That's Integrity.

You can visit Chipotle Mexican Grill website here to learn more about their companies values and practices and why we need to support companies that do business this way.

I found something amazing to share with Chipotle lovers like myself:

An easy way to finally count the calories of your Chipotle meal here.

ChipotleFan.com also is a life-saver for Chipole hounds on a budget. This website has all the supposed Recipes needed to make your own Chipotle at home! I will definitely be giving these a try and will post photos and results here on the Blog.

If you've never tried Chipotle, go now! You'll be doing the environment and your tummy a favor...and that's good eats! :)

Tell Us: What your must-have order from Chipotle?

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Really Good Rataouille - Vegan Too!

Ratatouille, is it French or Italian? Technically it's a French dish but you've tried it and said 'That's Italian!', then you're right too! Ratatouille first originated in Nice which is present day France but long ago used to be Italian territory. South of France & Italy share many of the same food staples. Maybe that's why both environments are both equally amazing, beautiful, and jaw-droppingly gorgeous? Makes sense! 

Ratatouille used to be a peasant dish made by Farmer's summer Vegetable Harvest. Now it is a world wide beloved French dish with nearly as much a following as the French Bread. Be sure to serve delicious Ratatouille traditionally over Polenta or Pasta, fresh bread, and a glass of robust French Red. If you're looking for a Low Carb option, you can eat the Ratatouille alone like I prepared below. It's still just as satisfying. I've also thought of putting Ratatouille over Spaghetti Squash! 

There are many ways to prepare Ratatouille. In the past Ratatouille didn't contain aubergine or Eggplant but most modern recipes include delicious Eggplant. This is my go-to Recipe from my Mom. Bon Appetit!

Ratatouille 

*Click Photo*

Ingredients:

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 small eggplant

1-28oz can crushed tomatoes

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried marjoram

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

2 fresh tomatoes, cut in chunks

2 tablespoons of dry Vegan red wine

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

salt and pepper to taste

Saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until the onion is transparent.  add the eggplant, crushed tomatoes, basil, marjoram and oregano. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the zucchini and peppers and cover and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.Add the fresh tomatoes, wine, salt and pepper and summer for 10 minutes more or so, until all the vegetables are tender. Stir in the fresh parsley and serve! Serves 6. 

I hope you all enjoy this easy to make Recipe. Let me know how it turns out! :) 

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Spinach, Walnut & Cranberry Salad

This salad was a quick fix, something I threw together in a hurry but turned out tasting so delicious I figured I needed to share the ingredients combination! The calories per serving in this salad are on the higher side, however it is only because Walnuts are full of the awesome amazing, Omega-3 fatty acids, which make them worth every calorie! This is one salad that will not be leaving you feeling hungry or tummy 'unfulfilled'. 

Spinach Walnut & Cranberry Salad

1 Serving / 320 Calories

2 Cups Organic Baby Spinach

1/4 Cup Walnuts, chopped or whole

10 medium sized Snow Peas

1 Cup Broccoli florets

1/4 Cup dried Cranberries, unsweetened

About 5 organic Herbed Croutons

2 T Red Wine Vinaigrette

Wash all ingredients, Toss & Enjoy!

It was a gorgeous day outside so I ate my salad and took the photo while I was enjoying some sunshine. :)

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Easy Southwest Scramble

Easy Southwest Scramble

Serves 2 / 185 Calories & 3 Carbs Per Serving

4 organic/free range Eggs

1/4 cup White Onion, diced

1/4 - 1/2 cup Tomatoes, diced (scoop/drain liquid)

1/4 cup chopped Cilantro

4-6 drops Tabasco Smoked Chipotle sauce (My 'secret' ingredient for nearly everything!)

1 T low fat Milk (optional) (I use plain Almond Milk)

Dash of Garlic Powder

Black Pepper

Salt to Taste

Lightly spray frying pan or skillet with non-stick (Organic) spray. Crack all eggs into small bowl and lightly whisk. Add onions, milk, hot sauce, garlic powder, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper and use whisk or fork to stir ingredients together. Pour mixture into frying pan or skillet on Medium heat until egg bottom becomes slightly solid. Add in tomatoes and use a spatula to turn eggs, solid side up. Scramble eggs continuing to turn and stir about 2 minutes. Just before eggs finish cooking add in Cilantro.

Place cooked eggs onto plate. Pepper and Hot Sauce to taste and garnish with Cilantro sprig.

If you less restrictive with calories, add in 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar Jack or Pepper Jack cheese with Tomato's for a yummy Cheesy Egg twist!

 Enjoy!

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Lemons: Drink Your Way To Health, Detox & Sexy Skin

So if your like me and you are looking for simple and affordable ways to keep your body healthy, starting your day with a warm glass of lemon water should be on the top of your to-do list and morning schedule! Below you'll find reasons why lemon juice in your water has some amazing health benefits for the body! 

First off it is important you choose lemons that are organically grown without pesticides. If you are in warm climate states like Arizona, California, & Florida you'll find it easy to grow a lemon tree in your own yard for year round organic lemons! If you don't have access to organic lemons a conventional produce lemon will suffice. Always use fresh lemons, never use the juice in bottled or powdered form. It's important to receive the minerals from the lemon in its natural form. Enjoy! 

For Digestion Lemon juice in your water is perfect for aiding in digestion. Lemon juice can help relieve heartburn, nausea, bloatness and parasites. Lemon's blood cleansing action can relieve constipation and when taken regularly can cleanse the bowels of old waste. It has also been known for cleansing the liver and helping to produce more bile, decreasing the amount of phlegm in the body and even dissolving kidney stones! These alone are wonderful reasons to start drinking lemon water everyday! 

From a scientific standpoint lemons carry more negatively charged Ions than positively charged Ions which is called an Anionic structure. Saliva, bile, hydrochloric acid, and other digestive juices in the stomach are all also Anionic. This is why lemons are a great benefit to digestion! 

For Weight Loss 
Lemons have been known to aid in weight loss. Studies have shown that the consumption of lemon juice has reduced the craving for sugar in nearly all participants. Juice of the lemon has been shown to increase metabolism and creates a natural diuretic for excessive water weight. 

For Skin 
Lemon is a Vitamin C rich fruit. Vitamin C is known for rejuvenating from within and bringing a beautiful glow to the skin! By purifying the blood from the inside and removing toxins, your skin will begin to clear up and glow on the outside. You can also use the juice as a topical beauty treatment!

For Infections
Lemon water has been used for centuries to treat and prevent infections of the mouth and throat due to it's anti-bacterial properties. Simply dilute one-half lemon juice to one-half water and gargle often. Lemons have also been known to reduce fevers by encouraging your body to perspire. Lemons are full of antioxidants and balances the body's PH to resist infections and keep your immune system in tip-top shape. 

For High Blood Pressure 
Due to lemons natural high potassium content, lemons make a perfect aide in the treatment of high blood pressure. By gently cleansing the blood it acts a natural diuretic. 

These are just a few ways drinking lemon juice upon rising can promote health. There are many others! It is best to drink it first thing upon rising before your morning beverage on an empty stomach for the best absorption! If you can't stomach the taste of lemon juice and water, try adding a few drops of real honey, agave nectar or stevia to taste. 

Health & Happiness!

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