Summer Beauty

Summer is all about being carefree and having fun, about trying new things and seeing where life takes you, about experimenting with colors, styles, and products...most importantly, summer is about owning you! This summer, trends are very noticeable, easy to try and easy to make your own. Here's to hoping you find something new in this blog post that's worth a try!

*To the left I am sporting the Pop of Color and to the right mom is sporting the Peek-A-Boo. Also modeled is a version of the beachy waves featured in this article.


Make Up:

Seeing as I work at a makeup store, I am constantly seeing "this season's hottest trends" and learning new color combinations that are always a sure hit. This season's color to try for eyes is blue. My favorite thus far in my search for the perfect blue is Glacier by Merle Norman.

There are always so many different ways to apply eye shadow, especially with such a vibrant color. Here are a few tutorials for you to try:

The All Over Color
          The colors used here are Glacier and Cloud 9 by Merle Norman, but any brand in similar shades can be used. Apply Cloud 9 to the under part of the eye almost as an eyeliner, along the brow bone to highlight, and fading from the inner part of your eye to the middle. Next, apply Glacier by blending through the crease and outer corner of the eye into the middle, opposite of what was done with the Cloud 9. To finish, apply black eyeliner to only the upper lid (another popular trend right now) and two coats of black mascara.

Peek-A-Boo Color
                The colors used are Glacier, Ebony and Ivory, and Oyster. Start by highlighting the brow bone with Oyster. Next, pack on the color by covering 3/4th's of your lid below the crease with Glacier. Blend Ebony and Ivory in your crease, be sure to blend well between the three colors until you reach the desired effect. Complete this look with black eyeliner and two coats of black mascara.

Pop of Color
           This is my personal favorite, and what I wear most of the time. The colors used are Oyster, Glacier, and Ebony and Ivory. Start by highlighting the brow bone with Oyster, then blend Oyster from the inner corner of your eye to the middle. Next, blend Ebony and Ivory into your crease and from the outer corner in toward the middle. Finally, for a pop of color, blend Glacier right above the crease toward the brow bone. I complete this look with Teal Soft Touch eyeliner by Merle Norman, but you can use any color you like. Follow through with two coats of your favorite mascara!

*If blue eye shadow is to far out of your comfort zone, you can always opt for a blue eyeliner or mascara for a more mild and subdued pop of color.

Eye make up is just the tip of the ice burg this season. To continue any of these looks, follow through with bright and colorful lip color. Some of my favorites include A Flare To Remember, Romance, and Bistro Berry by Merle Norman, and Diva by MAC.

Hair:

For summer, I tend to keep my hair light and flowy with beachy waves. The best part about light and loose beachy waves is that they can easily be dressed up with a headband or a little tease at the crown of your head. The best way I have found to obtain these high demand beachy waves are as follows:

1. Wash hair the day or night before you want to style it. If this is not possible, be sure to "dirty" your hair and give it texture with a mouse or dry shampoo.
2. Section hair into three layers.
3. Lightly hairspray each layer.
4. WRAP HAIR AROUND CURLING IRON BARREL. This step is crucial! By wrapping your hair around the curling iron you are getting more of a wave vs. a ringlet.
5. Only hold your hair around the curling iron for 10 seconds as anything longer is just burning your hair.
6. Brush out with finger tips and hairspray all over.
7. Complete the look by adding a head band or any other accessories if your heart desires.

For a different effect (such as what I sported in the picture at the top), make the bottom two layers bigger, and don't curl the top. The key is to just have fun with it and see what works best for you!

Good Luck My Lovelies!
Ashley

South for the Winter

It's getting colder, which means several things: hot chocolate, pretty scarves, snowmen, and winter balls. But what else does it mean? It means birds flying south for the winter and leaves falling off of trees and all the bugs have gone into hiding (yes!!). But there's one last thing you're forgetting. You know what it is.

All right. I'll give you a hint: Squirrels.

That may sound bizarre to you, but it actually has a lot to do with this week's Snack How-To. What am I making, you may ask.

Acorns.

I was stalking Pinterest (not unusual) when I stumbled upon a picture of these little acorn bites and I knew I had to try them out! A couple of my sisters and I made them in my kitchen as an experiment, so this recipe is based on what we did, as I couldn't find a precise one on the internet. As a warning, this recipe involves the use of peanut butter crackers, though alternatives have been used. For the sake of authenticity, I will still be using peanut butter crackers in the recipe.

South for the Winter: The squirrels are doing it, and so can you!

Prep Time: 30-45 minutes

Cook Time: None

Ingredients Include:*
Nutter Butter Sandwich Cookie Bites
Hershey's Kisses
Chocolate Chips
Chocolate Icing

*Note: How much of each ingredient you need depends solely upon how many people you're making for. For the purpose of this recipe, I will direct you in making ten of them.

Directions:
1. Take out five (5) Nutter Butter Sandwich Cookie Bites
2. Separate the two halves so that you have ten (10) cookies

3. Unwrap ten (10) Hershey's kisses

4. Spread chocolate icing over the flat bottom of the chocolate kiss and the peanut butter side of the cookie

5. Stick them together and wait for it to harden*

6. After the icing has hardened, take out ten (10) chocolate chips

7. Spread icing over the flat bottoms and stick them to the top of the "acorn"

*Note: Be sure to place them standing up so that the icing may harden and they don't slip.

Once you're done and they've sat out for a while, your little cuties should look something like this:

Those squirrels are gonna be so jealous, man.

These little guys go fast and they're a perfect bite-sized snack for any fall or winter occasion! They're also pretty easy to store and even easier to make! You can squirrel them away in any part of your dorm or set out a bowl of them for everyone to enjoy. And, if you want to make something quick for the multiple Friendsgivings that you will, no doubt, be attending, or even for your own family Thanksgiving, these are the perfect option!

So when you decide to disappear into your room during finals week, or just to escape the cold, be sure to have these with you to keep you company. No hibernation is complete without them.

Everyone have a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!