Spring Cleaning: Don't forget your makeup bag!

The season change is always a difficult time for me. I've slowly adjusted over the past 3 years (now living in a place with actual season changes) to transition my wardrobe. But there's something about spring that just makes me want to purge.

I took advantage of not having J around this weekend and went. through. everything.
well, almost everything.  After cleaning out the fridge, the oven, my closet.. I realized I should probably tackle my make-up collection.

The gross reality is- make-up is a breeding ground for bacteria. If you rarely break-out and start to randomly, the culprit most likely lies in what you're putting on your face everyday (the make-up itself) or how you're applying it (when was the last time you washed that foundation brush or replaced your sponge, huh?)

It's important to clean your make-up brushes at least on a weekly basis. Warm water and a gentle antibacterial hand cleanser or dish soap will work - you don't have to buy fancy brush cleaner.

1. Run the brush under luke warm water, lather with the soap in a back and forth motion in the palm of your hand and rinse well. Be sure not to leave any soapy residue on your brushes.
[For my foundation and concealer brushes sometimes I do this twice.]
2. Gently squeeze the tips from the metal base down over the sink then pinch flat in a paper towel
3. Lay flat on a clean paper towel to dry (about 5-6 hours).

 If you use a foundation brush, build an extra minute into your morning routine to clean the brush post your daily glam sesh. 

The daily needs.

Guidelines for knowing when to pitch it:

Lipstick: 1 year
[extend this by cleaning it with alcohol after each use or using a clean lip brush to apply]

Mascara: 2 months
[if it starts to smell, it's definitely time to replace it]

Eyeshadow: 2 years

Powder (such as pressed powder, bronzer or blush): 2 years

Water Based Foundations (usually labeled as oil-free, matte, or mattyfying): 1 year

Oil Based Foundations (they have oil as their first or second ingredient): 1.5 years


I like to keep my daily needs in the bin on my dresser, and the less used essentials tucked away- but still easily accessible. You probably won't wear smokey shadow, liquid liner and false lashes on a Tuesday, but you don't want to be digging around come prepping for Saturday night on the town!

Other spring cleaning reminders you may not think about: replace your toothbrush lately? or the sponge in your kitchen sink??

Happy spring cleaning!

Egg-cellent Easter!

Hey, did you know Easter is this weekend?!

Well it sort of crept up on me this year. I manged to put together a fun little centerpiece on the dining room table, and fill a joint Easter basket with some of favorite goodies (it is our first married Easter)!

I'm planning on making some fun hard boiled eggs as well and was considering these varieties:

love these super fun gold-leaf eggs!

Playing up the Natural Egg beauty.

Considering the gold leaf may need to be ordered online, the latter will probably be what I go with! (Unless a trip to Michal's prevails!) This year we're planning on staying in Louisville and celebrating with J's mom for an Easter luncheon on Sunday. 

I'm looking forward to having some time on Saturday bake and perhaps do a little spring cleaning!

xox

Lean in.

Who says you can't learn something from Cosmo!?

While traveling a few weeks ago, I picked up the magazine at an airport kiosk. While reading on take-off, I came across this great article. It was an excerpt from Sheryl Sandberg's new book, Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead.

In case you don't know, Ms. Sandberg is a Facebook exec and in 2011, was named Forbes Magazine's 5th most influential woman in the world. She is uber successful and is passionate about helping women take charge of their careers and more importantly their lives. 

An excerpt:

 "This question speaks to everyone, but I think it has special significance for women. Fear is at the root of so many of the barriers that women face. Fear of not being liked. Fear of making the wrong decision. Fear of drawing negative attention. Fear of overreaching. Fear of being judged. Fear of failure. And for those who want to have children, the fear that we can't be both good employees and good mothers."

 Now, surely I have my own thoughts on the last part, being a woman who is passionate about one day starting a family- but strongly desiring to keep working. But beyond the work-life balance aspect of this; I believe Sheryl's touching on a much bigger picture.

I think often times we don't take the time to self-reflect and ask ourselves, "what's holding me back from doing or being whatever it is that I want to do or be?"

I challenge you this week: Ask yourself this question, but don't just think about your job or career. Find a quiet spot, think about your life, take a deep breath...and then ask.

Then, brainstorm every possibility and opportunity you can think of to achieve it. Sheryl is also big on women communicating with one another more about our fears and limitations as well (promoting Lean In Circles where women can talk openly and candidly about their careers). Enlist a friend, or therapist if need be.

 Find an accountability partner, tell them and reassure yourself of what you want, and Lean In to your life.

So, what's stopping you??

Weekend wrap up.

Once again, pardon my lack of writing. 

Julio has been sick. So, while nursing him back to health we decided to start watching Downton Abbey care of my dear mother in law. We can't seem to pinpoint what it is about this show, and truly- it's hard to explain- but it's incredible.

Well, good thing she gave us both seasons 1 & 2. We've burned through them over the past week and can't wait till season 3 comes out on DVD! 

My hope is to start posting a weekend wrap-up post on mondays. Well, clearly it's not monday (thanks to Downton)  So here's a few favorites from  this past St. Patty's weekend. 

My attempt at green shamrock pancakes!

I also made some delicious Irish Soda Bread that we've been enjoying all week. To be honest, it's gotten better each day as it softens a bit. This recipe made one giant loaf. It'd be great to accompany a hearty soup or stew, but was lovely alongside our corned beef. 

Irish Soda Bread

3 cups all purpose flour

1 cup cake flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons softened butter    (+ 1-2 tablespoons melted)

1 3/4 cups buttermilk

Whisk all the dry ingredients together. Add the soft butter and work in with your fingers. Add the buttermilk and work together with a fork just until barely mixed. Shape together by pressing into a ball (barely formed). It was very sticky for me. 

Coat a cast iron skillet with butter (I used my Le Cruset dutch oven, in green nonetheless!) and bake in a 400 degree over for 40 minutes in the top 1/3 of the oven (too low and the bottom crust will be burnt). 

Remove from the over and brush with 1-2 tablespoons of melted butter with a pastry brush to soften the crust.  (it can be stored in a ziploc on the counter for a few days

 Enjoy!