Happy Friday!

Healthy Hair

If you shop at CVS you probably have noticed Salma Hayek's new line: Nuance. It was time for a new shampoo/conditioner so I decided to give her a try. The shampoo smells great and left my hair feeling very clean and light without leaving any greasy buildup like most cheaper shampoos. What was even sweeter was I got $10 in ECB (extra care bucks) back for spending $20 on the line. $10 bucks for Shampoo, Conditioner and Serum = Like getting it for free! TGIalmostF!!

A Healthy Week

Hello friends! I hope everyone has some special plans this weekend! This week I made some really quick and healthy dinners. Take a look! Sorry, all pics taken on my phone.

{Egg white omelet with jalapeno jack slice cheese and spinach,
with roasted asparagus and sweet potatoes on the side}

{2 morning star meatless breakfast patties with 2 scrabbled eggs stuffed
 in whole wheat pita with spinach, cheese and hot sauce
 I was starving after spin class when I made this}

{melted jalapeno jack cheese, avocado, spinach and onion sandwich}

{pre-cut pineapple and cantaloupe - perfect with Greek yogurt for dessert}

{baby spinach, arugula, pineapples, apples, almonds, bell pepper salad}

{sauteed tofu (garlic, soy sauce and Mrs dash seasoning, with asparagus and spinach}

Rimmel: The Kate Collection Color #01

You can never have too many shades of red lipstick.

This is color #01 from the Rimmel Kate Collection.
On sale at Walgreens for $2.64 (3/12 week)

Rimmel: The Kate Collection

Last week I was in Walgreens and noticed the Rimmel Lipstick was marked down to $2.64. I never tried their lipsticks but I have always loved their lip liners. I had some time to kill so I decided to take a look at the colors. When the sales lady wasn't looking I quickly opend the tube and tested it on my hand. The color was rich, opaque and when I went to wipe it off it left a stain. At $2.64 I decided to pick up 2 colors and give them a try. I loved the lipsticks and went back to get the rest. The Kate Collection comes in 5 shades and I picked up 4 of them. My favorite is the #12 (its orangey and is perfect for the summer) Stay tuned for pics of the red hot color # 01 tomorrow!

{I added the MAC Lipstick in Modesty at the end to show you that the
 consistancy is the same - L to R #4, #1, #12, Pink Blush, #8}

{Lipstick Color #12: The color is much brighter in person}

St. Patty Day Nails

I have some fun posts coming next week but in the meantime take a look at my St. Patty Day nails. Its more of a teal color but still in the green family!

Both Colors available at Walgreens

Nail Polish Brand: Sinful Colors (color tba)

Glitter Brand: Milani Nail Art in Art of Gold

Renita in Red

Renita is a Texan turn New Yorker and her outfit is so "The Hamptons" or at least reminds me of something one would wear for a weekend there. I have always loved her eclectic style and the fact she can pull of any look. Its all about how you wear it ladies!

The Look:
Skirt - F 21
Shirt - JCrew
Necklace - gifted from New Orleans
Wedges - Aldo
Sunglasses - Ray Ban

Photo's Shoot on Cannon EOS Rebel T3i by Artista (C)

Updo's

When an updo it too polished it just reminds me of prom. Nothing wrong with them but I prefer a soft natural messy but put together look. Payal was one of my clients last week who came in for a bridal hair and makeup trial. She was so sweet and I loved that she wanted to look sexy and didn't want to go for the traditional Indian bridal look. She came with 2 pictures of Kim K's famous smokey eye and a picture of Eva Mendez (the one below). This is what I came up with for her hair for her wedding reception. Happy Monday!

{The Inspiration for her hairstyle}

{A similar look}



{I love this stuff! No need to buy a bump it when you can creat your own with this stuff}



Back on Track

I will admit that I haven't been to the gym in the last 13 days till this morning. I got in a 20 minute run. It was more like a warm-up. The chaos of going out of town and coming back with a pile of to do's left no time to get to the gym. I am finally back on track. My house is clean, bags are unpacked, laundry in order, healthy groceries in stock and appointments confirmed. This past weekend I ended my food feast and I have managed to whip up some healthy dinners.

{Last nights dinner: 1 egg, roasted sweet potato and asparagus}

{Dessert: 0% fage yogurt, all natural granola with honey and cinnamon}

{Friday's Poison at the Rockets game - I'm not proud of this at all:
Yes, that's a pretzel at the end and we even had cotton candy.
I was going for the veggie burger but the hubby wasn't
feeling it and the hot dog just sounded better : b}

 

{Wearing red at the Rockets Game - I wore hot pink
 to a Texans game this year and I felt so out of place.
THE LOOK: F21: Top, Blazer and Shoes/
Express: Pants/ Aldo: Purse}




F21: Hot Pink Maxi

I wore this one shoulder hot pink maxi to one of the events on my Workation on the cruise. I dressed it up with a silver braided belt, long silver necklace, bangles and chandelier earrings. The dress is from Forever 21.They have so many cute maxi dresses that I am loving right now.

My Workation

Blush and Glow was hired for a destination wedding on a cruise. I decided to bring the hubby with me and make it a workation. The bride was so sweet and invited us to all her events. We ended up knowing a few of her guests.

{The Groom}

{The Bride}



{The beautiful bridal party}

{The Mandap - the wedding took place at Intercontinental Hotel in Cozumel}

{We went for a Kim K inspired look for the reception: Slick ponytail extention and then I added a diamond necklace as a headpiece}



{The party never stopped}



DIY Art

Most of the walls in my home are bare. If something is going to be hung up on my wall it has to have some meaning behind it or it has to be pretty damn spectacular! I came across this DIY. I will be adding this to my TO DO list : )

SOURCE: A Beautiful Mess Blog

Song Lyric Wall Art / D.I.Y. Project

A couple weeks ago, I found a paint-by-number at an unbeatable price. I can't pass these things up even though I already owned this particular design. I thought that I could maybe use it to make a fun D.I.Y., but my new rule is that all thrifts that I purchase with the intent of restyling need to get done right away. I have way too many half finished projects in my life. With that little bit of motivation I came up with a fun D.I.Y. to display some of my favorite song lyrcis in our newlywed home. Enjoy....

Here's how I did it... Step 1. Find a paint by number or vintage painting that you like, but not one you adore (since you'll be painting over most of the design). A damaged piece works great, or a print you aren't too crazy about or ever a duplicate piece, like mine. Steps 2-3. Supplies needed: Artwork, Letter stickers (see 3 for the exact stickers I used. I purchased them at the art section of Michaels. You can also get them at hardware stores everywhere) White paint (in hindsight I would use spray paint, just a hint!), a paint brush and scissors. Step 4. Cut out and plot out your design. I know it's an extra step to cut out each letter, but it's much easier to create nice spacing this way! Step 5. Stick stickers. Place them as perfectly or imperfectly as you fancy! Steps 6-8. Cover the entire art piece with a coat (or two) of white paint. I wish I would have used spray paint because my letters bled a tiny bit. Spray paint is preferable. Step 9. Allow your paint to dry. I layed my piece on the front porch for an hour. Next, peel the letters off carefully. Step 10. Yay! You did it. Enjoy your new piece of art! ♥

I displayed our piece in our bedroom, on Jeremy's side of the bed. These song lyrics are by Camera Obscura, one of my favorite bands. You can hear the song in our wedding video here. The little bearded man art is by Ashely G and the coffee container is where we collect spare change. Happy Monday! XO. Elsie 

Thursday Inspiration

Unstoppable Beauty

I prefer to spend my bigger bucks on foundations and powders so when it comes to eye liners - drugstore brands work just fine for me. There are so many choices when it comes to eyeliners. I was comitted to MAC "Engrave" liner for the longest time but I decided to give this Maybelline Unstoppable a try becasue I am huge fan of the Great Lash Mascara. Not only does this liner stay in place all day its "Onyx" color is super black. Have you tried the maybelline eye studio color tattoos? I recently picked up "Bold Gold" and Pomegranete Punk" Pictures from the destination wedding workcation coming soon!

Thursday Inspiration

source

Green Energy

A couple of my girlfriends have been raving about these green shakes. I decided to give it a try and replace it with my coffee and breakfast this week.
The result: Extra energy and a couple of extra trips to the bathroom : )

My Ingredients: A handful of spinach and kale and cucumbers, half fruit (apple, nectarine, strawberries, blueberries) 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder, 1 scoop green super food - from wholefoods and almond milk.

Just combine all the ingredients and blend.



Prepping on Sunday makes it much easier during the week when I am running out the door



Have a great rest of the week. I'll be back on Monday from my workcation!

Favorites at F21

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend! Are you working or playing today for President Day? I am doing a little bit of both. I have been hired to do Bridal Hair and Makeup for an Indian wedding on a cruise this weekend! So today I am packing for that. Its going to be a workacation because I'm bringing the hubby with me! He is more excited than I am. Here are some of my current favs from Forever 21.

Have a LOVELY Friday!

Love is in the Air

This year for Valentines Day I did what any girl would do...I went out and bought myself something shiny and then thanked my guy for it. 

{oh hunny you shouldn't have!!}

The funky green bottle has a buddha on it "Lucky Buddha Beer"


We had plans to just stay in and open a bottle of wine but then decided to try out a new Asian restaurant in our neighborhood. I rushed home from spin class but convinced myself to stop and pick up cupcakes!

I got ready in 20 min (shower/shampoo included) so I decided to just put on this bright red lipstick "Ruby Woo by MAC"

What did you do for Vday or are you celebrating this weekend?