Maria Menounos Oscar Hair Tutorial

Monday this week I did my best and worst hair review from the Oscars. My number 1 best hair went to Maria Menounos with this stunning look.

In today's tutorial I am going to show you how to recreate this look. 

I already curled and set my hair before I started like I did in this previous tutorial. 

February Birchbox Review

It's time for my February Birchbox review. To find out more about Birchbox view my first post or their website.

At first look this month I thought  my box seemed a little on the empty side, but after digging in I realized it was packed with some quality samples. I had to remind myself, it's not about quantity but quality. 

We will start with the Ghirardelli Milk and Caramel Square because of course it caught my eye first. I mean what girl doesn't want to get chocolate as a gift. Yum!

I can't wait to treat myself with Kerastase's Chroma Riche Masque. It is a hydrating mask for highlighted or color treated hair. Being a professional hairdresser I know this is a great brand, so I have no doubt that this will be an awesome fix for my winter dull and dry strands. 

I am very excited about Jouer's Matter Moisture Tint. In my last Birchbox I received a matte moisturizer and I have been loving the tinted bb creams, so I think this combination might be the perfect all-in-one product for me. 

I have mentioned this before, but I am pretty much an all gel polish girl now. It's not to say I don't appreciate a bottle of Color Club nail polish (in mamba), but I probably won't use it. Also I am not a fan of red, so this might end up being gifted off to someone else. 

Lastly I found Vasanti Brighten Up face cleanser in my box. I always love trying new face washes, so I can't wait to give this cleanser a whirl and see how my face feels after a couple of days. 

Do you get Birchbox? What did you get this month? 

Don't forget to follow me!

Frosting A Cake With a Paper Towel

My friend's daughter is turning 2, and it's no secret I love to bake. So when she asked me to bake the cake for her Yo Gabba Gabba themed birthday party I was delighted. I realized quickly I needed to learn how to frost a cake smooth with buttercream. I've baked lots of treats, but don't normally focus on fancy cakes. I love a challenge so today I decided to practice.

After some quick research I found the Little Delights in Life blog. She had a post on frosting a cake using a paper towel. I was skeptical, but I thought I would give it a try. You have to use Viva Paper towels, but it worked perfectly. 

It's not perfect, but for my first time frosting a cake smooth with buttercream frosting I am happy with how it turned out. With a little more practice I think I can do it!

Oscar 2013 Best and Worst Hair

As you all know the 2013 Oscars were last night. I don't know if I have ever had the Oscars on for the whole time, but geez they are long. It's not that I didn't love looking at the fashion, but my goodness 4+ hours! Well of course I have an opinion on the hair. We will start with the best. 

1. Loved Maria Menounos hair. It's no secret I love volume and she nailed it. I also love that the headband was hair color with the perfect amount of bounce to the rest. 

2. Naomi Watts was beautiful from head to toe. Her soft updo was just enough undone without being to messy. I loved that it was put together with the right amount of volume in front instead of the crown.

3. I fell in love with Jessica Chastain in Zero Dark Thirty. I almost didn't recognize her all done up. Her old romantic curls looked sleek and vintage. It was very fancy red carpet, but still looked touchable.

4.  Amy Adams's classic french twist had the right amount of volume with a nice little center mini part. It was still loose enough in the front, where it didn't looked slicked back like some french twists tend to look. 

5. Stacy Keibler's faux bob was stunning. There's nothing quite like making long hair into a wavy romantic bob. 

And for the worst...There wasn't one that stuck out as a terrible failure of a hairdo, but there were a few that disappointed me. 

1. Nicole Kidman's hair fell flat for me, literally. There was too much left down in the front and it was flat in all the wrong places. I think it brought her face down and was just unflattering. 

2. Salma Hayek had it all wrong. I'm not sure what she was going for, but I wasn't digging this huge top knot bun. It seemed to big, and she could have done without the bling around it.

3. Kristen Stewart's hair never does it for me and I couldn't agree more last night. She needs to do more to it and could stand to brush it every once in a while. 

4. Jennifer Lawrence's hair wasn't awful in the back, but I thought the front was lacking. It looks like her hair was just pulled back into a loose ponytail, not red carpet worthy. 

5. There was nothing wrong with Jennifer Aniston's hair except that it looked like every other day. She always wears it down, straight, and layered. I would have like to seen a little more for the Oscars. 

What did you guys think of the hair last night?

Friday Fun

So Bill and I headed to Fort Lauderdale, Florida last weekend for a little getaway. It was some much needed time away from the cold. Also it was great excuse to play around with the camera.

 on our balcony 

sunset

everglades

dinner

Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies

So, like I said yesterday I was on a baking bender last week. These tasty treats turned out oooohh so good. I love oreos and chocolate chip cookies, so this combo was perfect. I found my recipe from Lovin From The Oven.

The Best Caramel Bar You've Ever Had

So I was on a baking kick all last week. I made so many sweets it was ridiculous, especially since were heading to Florida and getting into bathing suits. Good thing my husband took most of them to work to share, otherwise I woud've devour everything.

This recipe for carmelitas caught my eye with the buttery, caramely, chocolatey goodness. I wanted to try something different and I don't normally bake with caramel so that was it. Also it has oatmeal in it, so that makes it healthy, right?!

How to Curl Your Hair With A Wand

Hair wands are so popular, but the thing is you can get the exact same look with a regular curling iron you already own. So save your money and go buy yourself some new clothes or go out to eat.

Polka Dot Tank // Grey Sweater (both Loft)

January Birchbox

I finally got my January Birchbox, and like always I couldn't wait to open it. For more information on Birchbox check out their website or my previous posts from November and December.

The first product that caught my eye was theBalm cosmetics Hot Mama shadow and blush all-in-one. I have already received a highlighter from theBalm that I really loved, so naturally I can't wait to use this. I think it will make a perfect blush and highlighter for me, not to mention it is a great sample size.

Amika Color pHerfection Shampoo was the next sample that caught my eye. This went into my travel bag for this weekend getaway. So obviously I haven't tried it yet, but I always love the idea of a pH balancing shampoo. It's also color safe which is a big plus for me.

I am very picky about my face moisturizer because I have somewhat of sensitive skin, but am willing to try My Mulit-Purpose Mattifying Moisturizer. I recently was turned onto mattifying moisturizers from a co-worker, and I mean who doesn't want a shine free face?

The Harvey Prince Skinny Chic smelled great. I wouldn't wear it everyday, but definitely on a date night. I'm not sure if this will make sense, but it is very girly and perfumey (<--- don't think that's a real word).

The beauty extra, Deborah Lippmann the Striper to go, I think is a genius idea. It is nail polish remover mitts in a little to go package. The only problem for me is I pretty much just do shellac on my nails anymore since they are always in water at work, and this would not take that off. I wish I would have known about these 5 years ago.

Also, included in this box was a poster of 25 ways to make 2013 awesome. I thought this was a cute touch, and gave me an extra kick of inspiration.

Happy Friday

1. This is where I'm heading tomorrow, can't wait for the sunshine!

2. Missing this baby girl so much.

3. Got a mani and pedi this week to get ready for the Florida beaches.

4. I did some serious baking this week.

5. I finally got an iphone. Woot Woot!