TGIF: Drink Up

 

It's Friday. And I'd love a cocktail come 5:00. But with these twinsies cooking in my belly, I'm left to daydream of one. Not a real fall-like recipe but here's what's on my mind. You better believe once these girls pop out, I'm celebrating with a pitcher. All to myself. :)

 

~Tequila Mint Limeade~

 

Ingredients:

• 4 oz crushed ice
• 1 1/2 oz tequila (I prefer Blanco (Silver))
• 8 oz Simply Limeade
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1 tbs chopped fresh mint
• 2 oz club soda

Directions:

1. Add ice, tequila, limeade, simple syrup and mint to cocktail shaker and shake vigorously
2. Pour all contents into a highball glass. Or my preference, a mason jar!
3. Top with club soda and garnish with mint and lime wedge

Tool to avoid winter weight gain

 

Already feeling the winter flub creep up on you? Aka - the extra poundage from weekend after weekend of football tailgating and all day beer drinking. Fall comfort food. Seasonal drinks. Trader Joe's pumpkin bread. Most are. But most just pull out the oversized sweater to hide behind and carry on.

If you're determined that this won't be you this fall/winter but have no idea where to start to target your trouble areas, I encourage you to check out this resourceful, interactive website that allows you to select the body part you wish to work on and provides you with easy at home exercises you can do to keep those unnecessary pounds at bay.

To use the Exercise Finder, click HERE.

If you do one thing TODAY...

 

...you gotta to tune in tonight (Friday, 8/20/13) for the season premiere of Shark Tank at 9pm on ABC!!! My girl, Lynnae Schneller, a young entrepreneur from my hometown of Tacoma, WA, took her grandma's 100 year old pickle recipe to market and now Lynnae's Gourmet Pickles is blowing up! I am so so proud of this pickle princess!

Her pickles are legit. Some of the best I've ever tasted. The "Hot Mama" is a favorite in our house. So addicting with just the right amount of sweet and spice. Tip: Order in bulk. You will literally eat the entire jar as a snack.

"Mrs. Pickle" is the original recipe with a unique blend of sweet and sour. Again, better than any other pickle on the market.

So enough reading, get buying. And don't forget to watch these girls rock it tonight on Shark Tank!!

Why Didn't I Think Of That?

Just can't seem to nail the wrap and roll technique that an ordinary curling iron requires? Ummm. Me neither. Luckily for the hair challenged that want that beach wave look (yes you can still rock this look even though summer is over), the Infiniti Pro by Conair Curl Secret ($99 on Ulta.com) is an automated curler that makes Taylor Swift-worthy waves a breeze.

To use, clamp a small section of hair in the round portion of the tool, Squeeze the handle and the tool rolls the hair up into the chamber. After you hear a series of beeps, release and the curl is set. Repeat as needed.

Skeptical? Read more reviews HERE.

Make-up Must Haves for Fall 2013

 

Now that school supply shopping for the kids is over, it's time to shift gears away from crayons and make ourselves a priority. If you’re ready for a new look, the beauty trends seen on the fall 2013 runways are full of wearable inspiration. Here are the essential makeup items for the coming season:

- Oxblood Lipstick -

A little bit ’90s, a little bit bad- ass, and a lot chic. Stay-put tip: An invisible lip liner is an absolute must for keeping this color where it belongs.

Try: Forever 21 Creme Lipstick in Burgundy, $3.80, forever21.com; Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Burgundy Shine, $7.29, walgreens.com; Kat Von D Painted Love Lipstick in Rosary, $19, sephora.com.

- Matte Nail Polish -

Matte nails were everywhere at the fall fashion shows, and if all the recent matte polish and topcoat launches are any indication, we’re going to be seeing a lot less shine this season. Choose a matte topcoat rather than buying new matte polish as an economical way to transform your existing nail polish colors. To avoid streaking, apply one thin layer of the matte topcoat, let it dry, then apply a second.

Try: American Apparel Matte Top Coat, $6, americanapparel.net; Essie Matte About You Finisher, $10, nordstrom.com; Deborah Lippmann Flat Top, $20, beauty.com.

 
- Skinny Liquid Eyeliner -

Clever eyeliner swipes and variations on the cat eye were seen on tons of runways from New York to Paris. A skinny eyeliner pen is the most versatile tool to get these looks - you can draw a thick or thin line with it, and it’s more precise than a pencil.

Try: Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Ink Pen Eyeliner, $7.99, ulta.com; Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, $19, macys.com; Marc Jacobs Beauty Magic Marc-er, $30, sephora.com

 

- CC Cream -

Last year was all about the BB cream, but CC creams have since taken over. These so-called “color correcting” creams tend to be sheerer than BB creams and foundation, boast a skin-perfecting tint, and usually contain some active skin care ingredients and SPF.

Try: L’Oreal Visible Lift CC Cream, $12.99, ulta.com; Yes to Grapefruit CC Cream, $15.99, target.com; Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream, $35, bonton.com.

- Chunky Eyeshadow Pencils -

There’s no easier way to put a shimmery wash of color on your lids than with an eyeshadow pencil. From a full smoky eye to a subtle hint of color, you’ll reach for one of these all season long. Bonus: No brushes or applicators required. Just swipe on and blend with your finger.

Try: NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil, $4.49, ulta.com; Sephora + Pantone Universe Jumbo Waterproof Eye Pencil, $17, sephora.com; Makeup Forever Aqua Shadow, $20, sephora.com

- Metallic Nail Polish -

Metallic nail polish was a big thing at the Fall 2013 shows, and it’s a look that’s really versatile. Consider chrome, gold, rose gold, and bronze, this season’s neutrals.

Try: Maybelline Color Show Metallics, $3.99, ulta.com; RGB Nail Polish in Slate, $16, otteny.com.

- Orange and Copper Eyeshadow -

Orange-y copper eye makeup was many a designer’s choice this season. Skeptical? Hear us out. When it skews coppery, this metallic shade is surprisingly wearable. If metal isn’t your thing, reach for a subtle peachy shade to open your eyes and make them pop - it’s particularly flattering on blue-eyed girls.

Try: Target Botanics Eyeshadow Duo in Copper, $6.49, target.com; Stila Cosmetics Eyeshadow Pan in Compact-Copper, $18, dermstore.com; NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Alhambra, $34, net-a-porter.com.

 

 - A Beauty Blender -

Foundation should never look like a caked-on mask, but this season natural “no makeup-makeup” is bigger than ever. For that perfect skin appearance, swap your foundation brush for an egg-shaped Beauty Blender sponge. The unique shape helps blend in foundation seamlessly and only where you need it.

Try: Beauty Blender, $28.95 for two, zappos.com; Models Own Acorn Sponge Set, $11.88, us.asos.com; Stila Double Ended Blending Sponge, $12, dillards.com

RAVE REVIEW: A product EVERY girl should own

 

I was fed up. And I mean FED up with my cosmetic brushes. They were MAC. And always shedding. Anyone else annoyed with loose bristles stuck to your face? If so - you need to check out Ecotools make-up brushes. Getting gorgeous, going green, and giving back is what Ecotools is all about!

I am smitten over their Domed Bronzer Brush. Super dense. Never sheds. Incredibly soft. Totally affordable. I got mine for under $10 and now after using it, I would have easily paid 3 times as much seeing how flawless it applies the powder. And did I mention - it NEVER sheds!!

And all their brushes are environmentally friendly, 100% Cruelty-Free, 100% vegan, made of bamboo + recycled aluminum. They have an entire line of beauty products not just brushes; eyelashes, bath products, cosmetic bags. Make sure to check out their 6 piece starter kit for $12.99 that was awarded one of 'In Style's' 2013 Best Beauty Buys.

You can find Ecotools at Target, Walmart, Amazon, Drugstore.com among other places.

Don't put away the WHITES

Can you believe Labor Day has already come and gone? I'm in disbelief that summer is over but to be honest, today when I walked into the silent house after dropping both boys off at school, I did a happy dance. Entertaining these rascals all day long is exhausting, especially while my body is an incubator for two others. (Yes I am pregnant with identical girls!)

While fashion isn't at the top of my list these days, I can't neglect you all of what you need to know. And I know y'all are dying to know if it's really safe to wear white after Labor Day. And the answer is, according to Glamour magazine -- YES! As a matter of fact, there was just as much white as there was gray on the fall '13 runways, so go nuts with your snowy brights well into the winter.

Wondering how to pull off white into the winter? Layers, longer lengths, and heavier knits will keep the hot white look seasonally appropriate. Fall-ready accessories, like a belt with dark details, scarves and tough stacked-heel ankle boots, will complete the outfit.

For more inspiration, check out these 9 non-rebellious ways to wear white after Labor Day.