My 10 Day Challenge!

Ready to rock!Ok, so it's been awhile since I've posted anything at all but I thought if I posted what I was doing, it would help to keep me accountable, which I need! 

I'm by no means a health or fitness expert of any kind.  I'm a busy mom of 2 active boys, running a business of own, which translates to: I'm always going. This also means that I forget to eat and by the time I remember, I'm starving. I'm usually pretty good and will try and meal prep for the week but lately things have been so hectic, I've neglected prepping and it's showing. 

So to get me back on track, I've decided, for the next 10 days to eat "clean" to help get me back in gear. I use the term "clean" lightly because I will still drink coffee and will still drink a Red Bull here and there (always sugar free!) but for the most part, I will be clean! And since I LOVE to cook and experiment with new ingredients, I will be posting what I ate along with the recipes. 

I'm challenging myself because in the end, I'm what matters. Not what someone I know is doing or not doing. Or what someone thinks will work for me. I know that it's about being active and being healthy and not a quick fix (I bootcamp at least 3 days a week with my boys). In the end of the 10 days, I hope to lose 10lbs but we shall see! Who's ready to challenge themselves alongside me?! 

Fresh Strawberry Balsamic Dressing

During the summer, we live on salads of all kinds and this is one of our favorite dressings. It so fresh and simple and most importantly, fat free!!! Although it's not summer here in California, I found some super plump and sweet strawberries so I made this tonight and thought I'd share. Happy Eats!

The Ingredients:

About a cup or two of strawberries, hulls remover

2 cloves of garlic 

2 tablespoons of honey 

Balsamic Vinegar*

Olive Oil*

Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper

Toss strawberries and garlic into a blender.  Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with a little sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. 

 

Add about a cup of balsamic vinegar. This really depends on your taste preference.  I like a dressing with a little punch so I go a little heavy with the balsamic, but start out with less and add more to suit your taste.  Purée till strawberries are broken down. With blender still running, add in the olive oil. I added maybe 2-3 tablespoons.  I was going for maximum flavor, minimum fat here! Continue purée till all is combined and dressing is smooth. Adjust seasonings to taste. 

And that is it! Super yummy! Our favorite salad to use this dressing on is a simple one of spinach leaves, feta (or blue cheese), red onion and slivered almonds! Hope you enjoy!

Roasted Brussels with Quinoa

My family and I love brussell sprouts so I'm constantly looking for new ways to cook them. This is so easy, delicious and healthy. Try it and enjoy! :)

1 1/2 cups of quinoa, cooked per directions

1 pound of brussel sprouts, rinsed and halved

1 cup cooked, diced chicken breast

A handful of grape tomatoes, sliced in half

1 avocado diced

1/2 cup diced red onion

About 3/4 cup blue cheese 

Olive oil, salt and pepper, mango vinegar

Preheat oven to 350. Drizzle pan with olive oil and place brussell sprouts cut side down. Roast for about 30 minutes. Don't disturb them (ie mix them around) that way the carmelize well. 

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix quinoa, chicken, avocado, blue cheese and red onion. Drizzle mango vinegar (about 2-3 tablespoons) and toss. You can find mango vinegar at gourmet and/or specialty shops. Also at Trade Joe's or Whole Foods. Still can't find? Just substitute balsamic vinegar, trust me it's still delish! Season with salt and pepper to your liking. 

Once brussell sprouts are fully roasted, allow to cool slightly, then scrape up all the goodness and toss into quinoa mixture and serve!

This recipe is easily doubled and is great to store in the fridge for a quick, healthy, clean snack! 

Ode to Orange

Orange has to be one of my favorite colors. From rich pumpkin to bright tangerine, I love how versatile and seasonless it is. Paired with chocolate and gold in the fall or punchy fuschia and pink (my pairing du jour) in the summer, orange always seem to be a go to color for me. Whether on my face or in my home, it's a color that always makes me smile!

1. YSL Creme Blush in #4 Audacious Orange, YSL Volupte Sheer Candy Balm in #10 Tangy Mandarine, vase and tray from Shop Citygirl (etsy), jewelery from F21

2. Hermes Click-Clack Bracelet, Spriak Erasers from Michaels Craft Store, Butter London nail polish in Jasper, vanity tray from Shop Citygirl (etsy)

3. Yummy Macarons from 'Lette

4. Zigzag Pillow from Marshall's

I'd love to hear what you're pairing orange with right now!

💋, I

Poudre Signee de Chanel Illuminating Powder

So I was cruising my local Chanel counter and spotted the most gorgeous compact on display! The Poudre Signee de Chanel Illuminating Powder is part of the Spring Printemps Precieux de Chanel collection and is so stunning!! At first I thought, "do I really need another highlighter? I mean I really do love my Laura Mercier. And at $68 maybe it's not the wisest buy if I'm happy with my current situation". Whatever. Once I saw the applicator, I quickly squashed my inner voice. The applicator is like a giant eyeshadow sponge which allows it to deliver the perfect amount of color at the perfect angle to highlight cheekbones or you can use with a fluffy brush for an all over 'lit within' radiance. Genius!! And the finish is flawless, as if you've been airbrushed. While I need to be careful when applying the Laura Mercier (ive swatched it below, Chanel on the left, LM on the right) because it tends to deposit too much color, this is a beautiful peachy pink beige that's very light and sheer. If your looking for a highlighter that highlights your skin and not itself, try this! I didn't have too much time to spend looking at the rest of the collection, but I will be going back! The blush in Frivole is calling my name!!

xo

Obsessed with Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics!

Ok, so I bought these awhile back because I LOVED the rich tones, however I hadn't actually worn them...until now! Let me tell you, these are soo lightweight, pigmented and not drying that they are perfect for all the holiday events coming up. I like to prep with a little lip balm before hand and then I "line" my lip with the lip tar itself using the little brush it comes with and let set to form a barrier, then fill in with my color. If you want your lip stick to last this holiday season, try OCC Lip Tar! And at only $16 each, you'll be glad you did!!!

Colors shown: NSFW (a true balanced red) & Strumpet (a hot raspberry pink)

A few new lovelies!

I picked a few new goodies this week and thought I'd share!

1. Love these shades! And they'll transition so nice into Fall! Chanel Taffetas Rose, YSL in Rouge Muse and NYX lipliners in Pumpkin, Fuschia and Plum. They're so creamy you can wear them alone with lip balm!

2. Laura Mercier Mineral Illuminating Powder: This came highly recommended to me and it did not disappoint!! Literally makes skin look soft, radiant and youthful!!

3. Fairy Drops Mascara: I debated between this and the YSL Shocking which I love but this seriously a rich, shiny black and gives an amazing curl to lashes that holds throughout the day!

4. Ell & Emm: These are a few goodies from my besties Etsy shop (say that a few times!) I love to layer my wrists with pretties and these 3 are classic new additions!! Love them!!

5. Makeup bag: I'm currently obsessed with anything that has studs! This one is perfect for all my new goodies!! :)