Beauty Benefit

benefit cosmetics has always been one of my favorite beauty brands on the market.  with their adorable packaging, fun names and quality products, you just can't seem to go wrong with anything they make!

 

since moving to brentwood, i am that much closer to the benefit cosmetic store on montana avenue and have been going every three weeks to get my brows tinted and waxed for $32!  these girls know what they are doing and i can honestly say that the store is always packed with customers, a testament to their results!

 

the only problem i encounter when i head into benefit to get my brows done, is i end up leaving with a bag full of products i didn't realize existed until i tried them out.  one of those products is the  instant brow pencil in light...

if you tweezed a little too much in your lifetime and need a little help filling in where some hair is missing, this pencil is for you!  the color is spot on and it fills in your brows without them looking "drawn on" with the help of the brush at the end.  a permanent staple in my makeup bag now! 

my other favorite recent purchase is the finding mr. bright makeup kit...

 

this is the perfect kit if you like glowing skin and products that you can fit in your purse to take with you.  seriously, everything in this kit is amazing!  i had not used the girl meets pearl luminizer before and have to say thank goodness it had a mini size in here as i LOVE it.  i use it now every single day.  i feel flat without it. 

 

i have long been a fan of the posietint product, but love it even more in the travel size, since a little goes a long way!  again this product giver you a pretty, glowy, dewy complexion which is perfection!

 

i have already shared my love for high beam here and the love continues with the mini version.

 

the last perfect piece is the erase paste which is a soft creamy concealer which has brightening undertones to help conceal not only dark circles but also yucky blemishes.  the texture is creamy and doesn't leave your face dry and feeling cake-y like some other concealers do. 

 

best party about the kit is all four of these products are travel ready for under $30! 

 

i also shared my love of their they're real mascara earlier this year here. 

 

if you haven't already jumped on the benefit bandwagon, might i ask you to join me now, as looking fresh, dewy and bright is always in style.  also, if you live close to a benefit store, be sure to pop in and get your brows some loving, they do a marvelous job and it really makes all the difference in the world!

Song of the Week - Love In Motion (feat. Mayer Hawthorne)

happy first monday of august!  where has the summer gone?!

 

i know that i have been MIA lately, but work and life has been keeping me busy and on my toes!  i have missed blogging as a release for my brain, and am hoping that i will be able to be back on her on a regular basis.  but sometimes things come up that cause you to push pause your hobbies, take in all the things around you and then return to normal and push play. 

 

that said, i had to share this awesome song that is just perfect for the last few weeks of summer.  sebastian's "love in motion" is so good!  it's a little bit 80's, dance worthy and has just a hint of prince to it.  and i LOVE it!

 

be sure to add it to your next summer bbq or road trip playlist for guaranteed smiles and cheers!

Forever Frugal Friday

 

i fell in love with this striped cutout dress after seeing it on stephanie sterjovski's instagram feed the other weekend.  i think it is so cute and fun and summery and i am crossing my fingers that i find it at my local forever 21 this weekend to wear to a going away party saturday night. 

 

 

Song of the Week - Harlem

anybody else wish they knew how to break dance? 

i am loving the new politics "harlem" song oh so much this summer.  it's a little bit punk and a lot of fun!  plus it makes me want to dance or take a road trip with my head out the window hair blowing in the wind.  pure fun and excellence!

'Merica

{via}

 

happy birthday america! 

Word Up Wednesday

 

 

 

{via}

 

yay for early release days, yay for america's b*day, yay for thursday off and yay for warm summer days! 

 

xoxo

Yoga Newbie

 

am i the only one who finds yoga intimidating? 

 

my friend b has really inspired me to finally give this yoga thing a try (also every time i get a massage they remind me how tight i am and that i need to incorporate some yoga into my routine).  living social also inspired me with this incredible deal for a month unlimited for only $30 at yogaworks (actually only $20 using the promo code FREEDOM at checkout)! 

 

and so, i have my month unlimited, my inspiration and my fingers and toes crossed that this yoga thing works for me.  i am nervous as a beginner and also nervous that i will look like a fool in front of everyone, but i am going to give it my all. 

 

any tips for this novice? 

Make This - Skinny Lettuce Wraps

(from my @lyndsylee instagram)

 

now that it is officially summer, i decided it was a good idea to lighten up our usual "casserole monday" with some absolutely delicious skinny lettuce wraps!

 

last night i took a chance and tried out this recipe from makeshift margaritas and let me just say the results were outstanding and a great success!  best part, they were so incredible easy to make! 

 

skinny lettuce wraps

 

ingredients:

 

*1 lb. ground turkey or ground chicken

*2 tablespoons low-fat peanut butter (i used regular)

*3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

*2 tablespoons low sodium teriyaki sauce (i used trader joe's soyaki)

*1 can water chestnuts, drained

*1/2 chopped onion (i used the entire container of trader joe's onions, garlic & shallots pre-cut)

*1 head of lettuce washed & divided into large pieces for wrapping

*i added some freshly chopped mushrooms

 

directions:

 

1. Brown ground meat until fully cooked. Drain any fat.

2. Add peanut butter, soy sauce, teriyaki, onions,*mushrooms* and water chestnuts. Mix until combined. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes (i let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes).

3. Spoon meat into lettuce and wrap.

 

enjoy!

Song of the Week - Royals

love this song.  can't stop listening to it.  "royals" is my current jam.  and can we just talk about besides having a fabulous voice how pretty she is? 

love.

Happy {Let's Brunch} Weekend!

{via}

 

yay for the weekend!  this week went by super fast with b's b*day on tuesday, dinner at animal wednesday (where i had the MOST incredible salad ever, along with the pork belly sliders - yum), and a dodger game last night (win)!

 

tomorrow i'm brunching with some gals i always have a fun time with (the other b in my life, this is not your life and sweet nothings), catching up with my fave gal pals and hopefully finding more throw pillows and a coffee table for the new place! 

 

i can't believe this sunday marks the end of june, but i am ready to welcome in july with big open arms! 

 

xoxo 

Forever Frugal Friday

 

i love this breezy southwestern dream shift dress w/ sash from forever.  i love the way it is styled here and i love the option of cinching in the waist and throwing on some heels to dress it up a bit.  perfect little dress for hot summer days. 

Happy {Officially Summer} Weekend!

{via}

 

hooray for summer and friday and the weekend!

 

tonight i celebrate my girlfriend karah being cancer free for 3 months, tomorrow more celebrations are to be had and sunday...who knows!

 

i also am excited that i am finally cleared to work out since spraining my ankle memorial day!  wish me luck and let's hope my swimsuit still fits! 

 

have a fabulous first weekend of summer twenty thirteen!  woot woot!

 

xoxo

Forever Frugal Friday

 

i have a love hate relationship with maxi dresses.  i love the look of them, but with my short frame tend to feel overwhelmed in one.  and this past weekend on montana avenue all i could see where cute women everywhere sporting maxi dresses. 

 

and so even though b is not a fan of maxi dresses, i am on the hunt for the perfect maxi dress (that will of course require hemming) for summer 2013.  while i would prefer a bright colored maxi to sport around town, this tribal print maxi dress could be a good start at an incredible price of under$25! 

 

are you on board for the maxi dress trend?  what are your favorite maxi dresses out right now?

 

 

Word Up Wednesday

 

fuck yeah.

{via}

 

this one goes out to someone special

 

choosing is key

{via}

 

i have been needing to remind myself of this lately

Make This - Chicken & Black Bean Green Enchilada Rice Bake

(photo from my @lyndsylee instagram)

 

in keeping up with casserole monday as b and i have coined it, i pinned this delicious recipe and it was a major hit!  the casserole is easy to prepare and leaves you with loads of leftovers (which totally taste better the next day)!  best part, it's relatively healthy and gluten free!

 

chicken & black bean green enchilada rice bake

 

ingredients:

 

*2 cups white long grain rice

*2 1/2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast (i cheated and used a rotisserie chicken)

*One 15-ounce can mild green enchilada sauce (i used a spicy green salsa)

*One 4-ounce can sliced black olives (i used two cans)

*One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes (i used the flavored ones and i would use 2 cans next time)

*1/2 cup sour cream (i used greek yogurt)

*1 teaspoon kosher salt

*1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

*1 teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Roasted Ground Cumin

*One 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed (i used 2 cans)

*2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (i used less)

*i also added 2 corns of can, 1/2 cup of extra spicy salsa, 2 cans of green chiles, pinch of cayenne*

 

directions:

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Cook rice according to package directions.

3. Place chicken, enchilada sauce, olives, tomatoes, sour cream, salt, pepper and cumin into a large bowl, mixing to combine. Pour cooked rice into prepared baking dish and layer beans on top of rice. Pour chicken mixture over rice and top evenly with cheddar cheese. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until cheese is melted and rice is hot.

 

enjoy!

Word Up Wednesday

{via}

 

{via}

{via}

Happy Weekend!

{via}

 

happy weekend indeed!  still big limping here, but my sprain is definitely doing better. 

 

a weekend of birthday celebrations is in store, along with some home organizing as i promised b we would get to the last few boxes and officially have everything unpacked.

 

heading to home goods tomorrow and perhaps tj maxx, any other good home stores we should check out that are affordable?

 

cheers!

xoxo

Forever Frugal Friday

 

it's been awhile since i shared a forever 21 find, but i had to share this open-front chevron cardigan as it is the perfect piece for summer.  i am thinking this cardigan would be so fantastic for summer bonfires, hollywood cemetery screenings or concerts in the park after the sun sets and the evening breezes in. 

Song of the Week - Breezeblocks

ooh i love me a good music video.  and alt-J does not disappoint with their "breezeblocks" video. 

i have been loving the song for a few weeks now and just finally watched the video which was like a mini movie!  an intriguing story told backwards that will leave you shocked at the end (which is actually the beginning...still following?). 

i watched the video three times backwards and forward and have my own tale of the story.  how many times will you watch before you have your side of the story? 

enjoy!

Happy {THANK GOD IT'S FINALLY THE} Weekend!

 

seriously. 

 

i stepped wrong in step class on monday and am now sporting a lovely cankle and limping around town.  not my favorite week ever. 

 

excited for the weekend as the last three weeks have been super stressful at work and i am feeling a little down in the dumps. 

 

here's to the frickin' weekend with friends, an elevated ankle and fresh start to the month of june!

 

hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

xoxo