Beauty Blog, Volume 1

So.....it's time to be a grown up...and start investing in *good* beauty products. I'm a relative n00b in this area (slap on some mascara and eyeliner and I'm good to go), but I do already have some favorites to share with you:

First up - a new service I've discovered that is AWESOME - ipsy! By signing up and paying $10/month, you receive a make-up bag every month with samples of different products. My first month was January and I got a body butter, hair spray, argon oil, nail polish, and a brow brush. You also get coupon codes for each of the items featured in the bag for that month, so if you like something, you can get more of it on sale!

I've always seen these used in the makeover portion of "What Not to Wear" but had no idea how cheap and easy-to-find they are (I got mine at CVS for $3). These are spongy little make-up wedges that are fantastic for applying foundation.

LOVE this stuff - I got it in my stocking this Christmas and it's amazing. Creamy foundation (use the spongy wedges!) that easily covers imperfections and blemishes without creasing.

I have a verrrrrry simple skin care routine...wash face, apply moisturizer. I use an under-eye cream and facial cream from Mary Kay.

I was VERY excited to find this - it's a 4-in-1 make up! You can use it as eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush, and lip gloss. And they come from Lush, which has all handmade products. 

Favorite chapstick (from Avon)

I'm lazy when it comes to taking off my make up - I get home and I'm tired so I want to get it gone as soon as possible. These wipes are great for that.

New favorite nail color (O.P.I. Deustch You Want Me Baby?)

Last, but not least - for hair. I have naturally curly hair, and this serum is AMAZING for straightening it. I spritz a bit on each segment of hair as I straight and it protects my hair *AND* keeps it from getting frizzy (a bonus since even the slightest drop of rain turns me into a fuzzball)

I think ipsy will help me branch out a bit and try new things, so be on the lookout for more of these!

Girls just wanna have fun...

...and travel the world and have great careers and learn to cook the perfect souffle and run half-marathons and go snorkeling and climb up palm trees and refinish old bureaus and eat their body weight in Mr. Goodbars...

Such great dreams I have...

You can tell when your property manager (and only YOUR property manager) has been by...

Finally got a chance to use my awesome Christmas present - my emulsion blender!

I made my mom's awesome Butternut Squash Soup - it's SO GOOD

UNC BASKETBALL!!!!!!!!!!!! 

On Tuesday I went to my first game post-college (way too long) when the Tar Heels played at BC

Man down :(

Part of the crew (3 alumni - me, Marc, and Divesh; and Russ)

My new favorite breakfast (again)...can't get enough of this stuff

I got one of those desk calendars of the website TextsFromLastNight and this one made me burst out laughing (because - I'll admit - that's totally been me before)

So excited to get my StickyGrams! (Magnets made of my Instagram pictures)

Classic - butter, sugar, lemon crepe

Breakfast Saturday

On Saturday, Vanessa called me up for a spontaneous hang out and introduced to Que Padre - my new favorite restaurant...because....

...you walk in and are immediately greeted with a case of SALTENAS!!!!

A Bolivian cola

Saltenas...oh how I love them :)

Pique a lo Macho (potatoes, steak, hotdogs, and toppings - so incredibly delicious)

Silpancho - rice, potatoes, slaw, and a thinly sliced fried steak (and eggs)

After lunch, V and I went to get our nails done :)

Toes-ies!

LOVE this nail color

"Deutsch you want me baby?" is the color name...

After we got our nails done, we went to a cat breeder's home to take a look at the kitties

I'm not really a cat person (I'm quite allergic to them) but these guys were pretty stinkin' cute

He could fit into the palm of my hand!

Awwwwwwwww...

Saturday night, dinner with Melissa and Jen at The Foundry on Elm

This is one of THE most satisfying desserts I've ever had - and it's not even chocolate! Sticky Toffee Pudding (pumpkin date cake, toffee, and vanilla ice cream - scrumptious!) 

Today - birthday dim sum brunch for Kevin with church friends!

Relaxing this evening (finally) in my puppy-print fleece robe that I've had since I was 12... :)

This week - be on the lookout for my first-ever "Beauty Blog"! 

Addendum...

...because Simon had a real camera and his pictures turned out so much better than mine, I want to share them with you (all photo credit goes to him!):

Entrance to L'espalier

Lolita

Radius

Part 2 - Emily goes to London (coming soon)