All Aboard NY Fashion Week Event

The night of Monday September 12th was filled with more than the typical hustle and bustle of New York because it was New York Fashion Week! I arrived at Pier 81, conveniently next to the ferry I hitched a ride from across the Hudson River to attend the Chasing Sunsets 2017 Fashion Show. I boarded a 160ft yacht, known as the "Fish Bar," in honor of the brand's designer Margaux's father Freddy and his love for the ocean, fishing, and travel.  Every guest was adorned in trendy New York fashion, both daring yet simple, showcasing each attendees individual style. I took in every sight and sound of the city as the sun was slowly setting. Back home, Michelle and I are the only out-of-the box-ers, risking fashion trends that stand out from the ordinary within our circle of friends in the country towns where we reside.  On Monday night, my eyes widened with delight as I saw individualism and personality all around me, including what I call hammer pants paired with pointy toe stilettos, a high waisted tea length circle skirt paired with a sheer cami and caged chunky heeled booties, and more unique pairings which add to New York's lively energy. After checking in with the guest list attendee, we were escorted on board and toured the 3 level yacht. We settled in at the bar listening to a live singer, hired just for the event.  We were enjoying the ambiance where we were anxious to get the first ever look at the Spring Summer 2017 collection by clothing brand Karma For A Cure by Margaux.  I have multiple items from Karma's SS16 line and the soft high quality fabrics are ever-lasting.  Her Fall/Winter 2016 should soon be available at www.KarmaForACure.com come October and I will be checking daily for it's arrival, as well as checking boutiques that carry the elevated resort-wear made to set sail and chase the sun. The event was hosted by Hooch, and after the show, we gathered on the top deck as the yacht set sail for a tour of the beautiful New York skyline.  With wine in hand, the city lights shined bright, & it was an exquisite event with exquisite fashion.  Take a look!

~Erin

*All opinions belong to the blogger, and the post was not sponsored or endorsed.

Turkey Kale Soup Recipe

Some of you fabulous readers may remember that I have recently eliminated several ingredients from my diet.  Dairy, soy, gluten and eggs are some of the things I have to avoid.  A bistro near me makes an incredible turkey kale soup that I practically lived off of for a week while I was finding recipes and learning to shop for my new diet.  I knew turkey kale soup was one of the first things I needed to make!

I used the bistro's recipe as an inspiration and think I came pretty close!  Here is a list of ingredients:

1 pound of ground turkey
1 14oz can or 2 cups of chicken broth
2 cups of water
2-3 cups of kale, washed and torn
1 can of crushed tomatoes
1 cup of sliced carrots
1 cup of sliced celery
1 teaspoon of minced garlic
1 teaspoon of onion powder
1 table spoon of seasoned salt

*Peas, rice and other vegetables optional

This is super easy to make and doesn't need too long to simmer.  First you'll need to brown the turkey.  While that's browning combine the water, broth and crushed tomatoes together in a large pot on medium heat.  Add the celery, carrots, and seasonings.  Those will need to simmer.  When the turkey is done, drain it and combine it with the rest in the pot.  Let everything simmer together until the vegetables are cooked.  Once everything else is done, add the kale and let it wilt into the soup.  It only needs to cook for 3-4 minutes max.  That's it!

You can also add leftover cooked rice, peas, squash or other vegetables.  I have added spaghetti squash to it when I add the kale and it's delicious!

I know we are into Spring time now so you might be tired of soup, but this one is lean and pairs well with a salad or light sandwich.  I hope you enjoy!

-Michelle

Michelle's Favorite Drug Store Buys

Everyone loves a good deal.  I am always on the hunt for ways to save money but aren't we all?  One of the ways I try and save money on my beauty and hygiene products is by purchasing as many as I can at drug stores rather than buying more upscale brands.

 I love Lush's Karma Kreme, which you can read about here, but I also buy more inexpensive lotions too.  One of my favorites is Cocoa Butter by Hollywood Beauty.It also has vitamin E and is very thick and nurturing.  It's wonderful on eczema and a good makeup remover in a pinch.  It's about $5 and a really good value.

I also always buy FrizzEase Touch Up Cream.  My hair is wavy and dry and it takes away frizz in seconds and refreshes my hair partway through the day or when I am having a particularly frizzy day.  Here is a before and after:

Frizz Ease TouchUp Cream is roughly $8 at Walgreens and makes a huge difference as you can see.  I have been routinely purchasing it for the last seven or eight years.  I love it!

Ever since I had my baby in September, my hair has been dry and falling out.  My usual Paul Mitchell and Redken shampoos and conditioners weren't helping.  Deep conditioner, coconut oil, and vitamin E helped a little but not enough.  I was close to having a few inches of hair cut off when I grabbed a new shampoo and conditioner at Target.  I just wanted some inexpensive ones to get me through until I had my hair appointment and could purchase my usuals at the salon.  I am pleased to announce that my hair is shiny and soft again thanks to Argan Oil of Morocco renewing shampoo and conditioner.  The difference is crazy great!  My hair feels healthier and looks so much better.  I recommend these and will definitely be purchasing again!  Best part is that they are affordable.  

What are your favorite drugstore buys?

-Michelle

Becca Brightening Corrector

My makeup routine has come a long way from foundation and eyeliner to a full layered 'system' of first skincare, then makeup!

I have my I'm running errands today makeup and my girls night out makeup, as well as my must haves and my I shouldn't have bought this piles.

I have my weekend getaway and vacation minimal products, and my buy a 2nd to stock up on in case this product ever gets discontinued items.

One of my virtual You Tube friends Samantha Schuerman did a video on how to get what she calls "instagram face."  Sam has oily skin like I do, so I take her word on all her reviews, even more than the word of professional makeup artists.  Sam recommended Becca Brighener for under the eyes.  I had never tried a Becca product before, even though I know the Becca highlighters were all the rage.  Let's be honest here. I am just a normal girl, so I don't need 3 Ikea Alex drawers and a separate 'beauty room' to store 100s of barely used makeup products.  I need just my essentials. 
Okay I do have one Ikea Alex drawer because it looks oh-so-chic and I'm a sucker for organizational items and it really did keep me from having 7 different areas in my bathroom, bedroom, purse, junk drawer, and basement bin where my makeup was stored prior to purchasing the Alex drawers.  That aside, I didn't know which Becca highlighter to pick, why it was so expensive, or why I needed to be highlighted to begin with.  I had no desire to look like Edward Cullen in the sunlight, blinding people in the Target parking light from the light reflecting off of the $30 something dollar sparkles I took time applying to my cheekbones.  I knew 'strobing' was the new facial trend, creating a dewy look that looked natural but wasn't, but I'm not a follower of each and every trend.  I think Michelle would tend to agree that we each walk to the beat of our own drum, sometimes with inspiration from fellow fashionistas and sometimes from our own unique creative flares. We both would be more likely than 99% of our friends to walk out in public with an 'abnormal' look, yet don't confirm to the replications of every trend of the moment in beauty and fashion.  If that was the case, in just the last 2 seasons we would have gone from blue hair to Kylie lip color, to pink hair, to silver grey hair to vamp lip, and from tanned brown contoured cheeks to glistening dewy pale skin, from double lined winged eyes to no wing, from eyelash extensions and denim culottes to pierced noses and chins and plaid shirts.  I digress.  I didn't know which Becca brightener to buy since Jaclyn Hill's was sold out so I bought none.  No go on the highlighter for me, but I trust Sam and I decided to splurge on her recommendation of a brightener instead, after seeing how GORG her skin looked in her tutorial. 

Watch it here!

It really does photograph well and can be purchased at Sephora HERE!

 

-Erin

*This is not sponsored and the opinions and photos of this blog belong to the blogger.

Denim

I came across this piece while 'browsing.'  It's not something I had seen before and if someone described it, I wouldn't be interested.  my eyes narrowed in on it though, I stopped scrolling, and took another look.  I probably liked that it was different.  Of course my eclectic mind added a different look.  I pictured it with over-the-knees boots and a smokey eye with nude lip.  I thought of all the denim pieces that were just too much of a reach to be stylish, such as Michelle's post of denim jumpsuits, the long denim skirts, the short denim skirts that came and quickly left the fashion scene, but I didn't care.  You may also remember from my fringe post here that I hold a strong opinion against the ever so popular jean jacket.

This piece stuck out to me.  It looked comfortable too.  I found the doppelganger first, but it turned out I had stumbled across a close dup to the Alexa Chung Pixie Dress by Adriano Goldschmied, a highly sought after piece with a high price tag, which I'll show you first.  Sidenote:  I'm a huge fan of AG's jeans!

This can be bought here.

I received my dup and really like the look it will provide against every other girl's all black outfit or typical jeans and boots look I will see surrounding me this winter.

This was purchased online from Forever 21 but the label says it's made by Life in Progress, which is such a creative name.
It can be found here.

-Erin

*All products mentioned were personally purchased and not endorsed.  Photos found online.

Allergen Friendly Cupcakes

Cupcakes are one of my favorite things in the world.  Cupcakes are yummy, fun and always put me in a happy mood.  Cupcakes might not be the healthiest thing around but for celebrations and treats, they are my go too.  Recently my son, now three months, was dignosed with severe food allergies.  Hopefully he outgrows them but for the time being I had to remove the "Top 8" allergens from my diet while breast feeding.  The Top 8 Allergens are: dairy, soy, shell fish, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, eggs and wheat.  We were already an allergy family, avoiding dairy, soy, shell fish and fish so I wasn't entirely worried about removing gluten and eggs.  Boy was I wrong!  It was a shock at first and now, two weeks later, I am finally getting used to it.

One thing that has made it easier is that I know of a local farmer's market that has a vendor selling allergy friendly cupcakes.  The Mo'Pweeze Bakery offers cupcakes that are vegan and do not have any of the Top 8 Allergens in them.  They are delicious!  I could make my own cupcakes but I am a terrible baker.  Knowing that I can pick up a weekly treat for myself has made this whole experience easier.  Also, if I made my own cupcakes then I would definitely eat more than one a week!

I have been getting Mo'Pweeze cupcakes for my family and I several months now.  They are always fresh and tasty.  I prefer some flavors over others but that would be true of any cupcakes.  I have probably had most of the flavors already.  Two of my favorites are Moo's Choco Choc which is a chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting.  The chocolate flavor is rich without being over bearing.  The chocolate frosting is delicious!  I also like Jamaican me Crazy Blue Velvet.  It's just a fun cupcake!  I actually got one this past weekend at the farmer's market:

I also got a Triple Blond Ale With Orange-Lime infused frosting.  I didn't taste much of the ale flavor.  In fact, it tasted like a delicious vanilla cupcake.  The frosting was great though!  It was very airy and the lime flavor was fragrant and tasty.  My only complaint was that it tasted like it needed to be at a summer barbecue and not served during the winter.  I will skip this flavor until it's block party season and then I will definitely be bringing these to events.

Here's a photo:

I rounded out my trip with two Funfetti flavored cupcakes for my girls.  They loved them.  I didn't get to taste them this time but from memory they taste like vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting.  They are very cute with their fun blue frosting.

Check out Mo'Pweeze Bakery if you are in the Northern NJ area or order and have them shipped!  Here is their website: http://www.mopweezebakery.com/.  Right now they do not have a brick and mortar store to visit but I hope they do in their future.  I like supporting them because I am also supporting a local business!  Shop local!

-Michelle

Subscribe and stay tuned for our January giveaway!

*Photos are courtesy of the blogger.  This is a non sponsored review.

Michelle's LimeCrime Review

I had heard a little about Lime Crime lipsticks in 2014 but Erin was the one who convinced me to look into them.  Lime Crime is a makeup brand that focuses on dramatic and untraditional lip colors.  Lime Crime features blues, greens, and purples amongst other daring shades.  The founder, Doe Deere, is said to have started the line because she was tired of seeing all the same colors available.  For me, brightly colored lipstick is something fun but not necessarily a staple in my makeup bag. I have been experimenting more lately and getting more confident wearing colors aside from cranberry and red.   So when I saw Erin in one of Lime Crime's pink shades and she swore that it lasted "forever,"  I knew that I needed to try it. Read Erin's review here.

Erin and I took advantage of Lime Crime's Black Friday sale to combine shipping.  I love makeup products and trying new things but I am less likely to try something new if I can't easily return it to a store or it's not refundable.  Lime Crime does not allow exchanges but you can get a refund or store credit within 30 days,  minus shipping fees back to them of course.  I was glad that Erin told me about their sale!

I ordered two colors: Geradium which is one of the Unicorn Lipsticks and Jinx, a Lime Crime Velvetines.  Geradium is a HOT pink.  I should have paid closer attention to it being a Unicorn Lipstick.  It is the epitome of a unicorn pink.  The website didn't really do it justice.  The color is gorgeous and I liked it but it is definitely not my color.  It is way too much pink for a redhead.  Jinx is a vamp, deep plum color.  It is very different from what I would normally wear.  Apparently I was feeling adventurous when I ordered!

The Lime Crime Velvetine smells like vanilla cake batter.  It applied smoothly and dried in an instant, matte velvet finish.  On me it is is much darker than the photo showed and that it looks like it will apply.  I LOVED applying it and was very impressed with the quality of the pigment.  It didn't sink into my lip creases or bleed at all.  I didn't even use a lip primer!

Here it is right after application:

Here it is after four hours and no touch ups:

During the time between photos I had eaten, drank from a glass and kissed my baby and it didn't smudge or stain at all!  I may be in love!  Yes, it's a little dark but I do still like it.  It is very on trend right now too.  

Do you like vamp lips?

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-Michelle

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*Photos courtesy of the blogger.  This was a non sponsored review.  Opinions belong to the blogger.