Eating Fabulously: a quick, healthy, and inexpensive trail mix recipe

I am a notorious snacker so its important for me to find something healthy and tasty to fulfill my snacking needs. Trail mix usually seems like a good option for those looking for a quick snack that is easy to much anytime even on the go. However most prepackaged trail mix contain a lot of excess sugars, flavorings, and many times extra oils that could be serious allergens (not to mention they always throw in one random thing you don't like so you have to spend the whole time trying to avoid the rasins, ect. ). The best way to get healthy, personalized trail mix is to make it yourself. Here is the combination I have been obsessed with as of late:

1. Start out with about a 1/2 cup of  almonds, you can use something else if you prefer but almonds are low fat, healthy, and inexpensive.



2. Add in about 1/4 cup dried cranberries, again you can substitute some other dried fruit like raisins or cherries but cranberries are extremely good for you and I really like them so thats what I chose.

3. Next add about 4 or 5 whole dried apricots, you can dice these up if you like but then they get kinda sticky.

4. Finally add about 1/8 -1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips depending on how sweet you want your trail mix to be. Milk chocolate or white chocolate could be used but I prefer semi-sweet plus it is healthier and contains more antioxidants.

5. Mix together and either eat out of the bowl while watching t.v., doing homework ect. or put into a ziplock and take with you wherever you want a quick snack.

This is just an idea of what I like to do, other fruits/nuts can be substituted depending on personal taste. I used store bought dried fruit but an even healthier way to go would be to make your own if you happen to have a dehydrator.

Red Velvet Cupcakes Valentines Day Look

This is my first tutorial and since Valentines Day is comming up I wanted to do a look inspired by something that reminds me of Valentines Day. I decided to create a look based on red velvet cupcakes which I plan on making this year as Valentines for my friends and family.



Begin by priming the eyelids (I used Urban Decay Primer Potion)

Then blend a white base all over the lid ( I used NYX eyeliner pencil in White)



Using a flat brush apply a matte white shadow over the lid  (I used NYX White)



                                  Using a crease brush blend a shimmery coppery-red shadow into and above the crease and the outer V (I used MAC Coppering)

Using a smaller crease brush blend a dark burgundy shadow into the crease and outer V between the copper-red and the white. (I used Evil Shades Coffin)

Use a fluffy brush to blend a light, matte, skin-toned shadow above the copper-red  to soften the edges and clean up the brow area ( I used MAC Blanc Type)

Using a small pencil brush smudge a bright red shadow into the upper lashline, focusing on the outer 1/3 and blending inward. ( I used a red from the 88 pallete)

Using the same pencil brush smudge the same dark burgundy you used before under the lower lash line focusing on the outer 1/3 and blend in.

Apply white eyeliner to the lower waterline, the inner corner, and blend into the inner lower lashline.

Apply a shimmery white shadow to inner corners and blend under the inner lower lashline ( I used the lightest color from my 88 pallete)

Since I will be applying false lashes I am applying a thin line of black liquid liner to the upper lashline ( I used Maybelline Waterproof Ultra Liner)...If you aren't wearing falsies you can skip this step if you want

Curl lashes

Apply black mascara to top and bottom lashes (I used Diorshow Blackout)

This step is optional: Apply false lashes (I used Salon Perfect #301)

Now we are done with the eyes!

Now on to the face:

With and angled fluffy brush apply bronzer to the hollows of the cheeks (I used Rimmel Natural Bronzer in Sun Light)

Next, using the same brush apply a natural pinky blush to the apples of the cheeks (I used Covergirl Cheekers in Rose Silk)

For the lips I wanted to tie in the red color without being to heavy on the lips or being to matchy with the eyes. I applied a light coat of a red lipstain (I used Covergirl Outlast Lipstain)

Then, because its winter and lipstain is super drying anyway apply a thin layer of lip balm (I prefer Carmex)

Now we are finished. Happy Valentines Day!

                                      

My Top Makeup and Beauty Products Under $5

     I wanted to start of this blog with list of my personal favorite products that are affordable at any budget. I tried to cover a wide range of products and brands so you can get a few directions to look towards when trying to find quality makeup items on a budget or even if you aren't on a tight budget it always feels good to get a great product at a great price. So here they are in no particular order...

 Palladio Rice Papers $4.00

These things are a must to keep in your purse or makeup bag. They work really well at getting all the oil and shine off your face that accumulates throught the day, they come in 3 colors; translucent, natural, and warm beige. Each has a side with powder and without.

 NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils $4.75

This is a pretty popular item so you have probably seen them around before, but if you haven't these work as amazing color bases (I would still use a primer under them to prevent creasing) these pencils come in a variety of shades and are super creamy, perfect to wear under any eyeshadow you want to enhance the color of or even by themselves.


 Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Extreme Wear  $3.00

These are my absolute favorite drugstore polishes and definately some of my favorite polishes overall. They have great colors each season and have amazing staying power. These polishes are very chip resistant and the color  is super opaque (most only require 1-2 coats max).Honestly I can't think of a better way to spend $3.

 Bari Love My Eyes Eyeliner <$1.00

You know that really cheap makeup isle in Walmart that always gets the bad rap? Well it has a few hidden treasures and these eyeliners are one of them. They come in a wide variety of colors and are suprisingly creamy. At under $1 they are especially perfect for that look where you need a certain color of liner but don't plan on wearing it often so there is no need for a huge investment.


Salon Perfect False Lashes $2.89

These lashes are beautiful, soft, easy to apply and come in a huge selection. This is one of my top go-to lash brands and they can be found almost anywhere and are the most inexpensive eyelashes on the market. I especially love the ones they come out with around Halloween (I try to stock up on those) however many different dramatic and subltle styles can be found all year round. They also have a starter kit for a dollar or two more that includes the holder/applicator thing and glue but I personally just stick to tweezers and good old Duo.


 Evil Shades Eyeshadow $4.00 (sample size $1.25)

These are probably some of the best pigments on the market, amazing color, very little fallout, I would buy them even if they weren't under $5. Sold exclusively at evilshades.com this line also offers many other great quality inexpensive products. They have great sets and sample sizes of pretty much everything so you can try out a litte before committing to a full size.

 E.L.F Brushes  most from $1.00 to $5.00

These brushes are surprisingly good quality for the price and come in a wide range of sizes, styles, ect. There are several different lines including the Studio, Professional,and Mineral each with a slightly different price range. I use these brushes quite often and so far they have held up really well. These are perfect for anyone and are especially great for someone who is wanting to experiment with different brushes and learn more about makeup without putting too much money in initially. However even as you graduate up through makeup artisry these brushes are perfect for anyone looking for quality brushes at unbeatable prices.

8. Carmex  $3.00 or less

This might sound like an odd choice for a beauty product but nothing spoils a look like flaky chapped lips. Especially in the winter avoiding this problem can be tricky, Carmex is a great solution because it works to both hydrate your lips and heal them. I prefer the kind in the squeeze tube because it has a consistancy that prevents it from going on looking waxy. I like to put a thin layer on, let it sink in and apply whatever lip color over top.  Another great plus is that unlike many other chapsticks/lip moisturizers it contains very few allergins and extra ingredients.