One of my oldest friends, Maggie, over at Improv on the Prairie asked me to create some outfits that could be worn to perform improv in. You know what I'm talking about, right? If you don't then try to remember back to that show Who's Line Is It Anyway. That's what improv is. Basically, it's a comedy show with multiple people in it.
Anyway, improv performers like to be comfortable and covered appropriately (I mean like, not too much cleavage, that can be distracting you know) while not wearing something too flashy. Actors never know what characters they will be playing or what they are going to be doing exactly, I mean, they could be rolling around the stage like a Pokemon or crawling on all fours like a sheep. Who knows. That's why it's called improv. So, outfits need to be easy-going and not the kind of shirt that requires you to stand a certain way for it to lay right. Also, they need to allow for that movement. Flat shoes are a must, and if you are going to be on stage, it's never really a good idea to wear white - it washes you out. Maggie's request was to create outfits that improvisers can wear (which was pretty much following the guidelines I've mentioned) that also look feminine and put-together.
Here they are! They would work for anything really - a day out shopping, a date, babysitting or a family gathering. Enjoy.
3/10/12
Every True Son
Pardon my terrible photos right now of make up. My cameras are both out of commission so I'm forced to use my phone and the lighting is NEVER right. So, this is the best I could get to capture my make up I wore to watch the Big 12 Championship that Mizzou won!
Let me just say, MIZ! SEC!
The whole lid is covered in L'Oreal's HiP Studio Secrets Professional Metallic Duos in Gilded, the gold side. It's by far my favorite gold and has always gotten me compliments from tailgates to parties. I actually put it on the inner corner of my eye, and really close to the lashline under my eye as well. Now, you have a choice. You can either use the dark side of Gilded in your crease or you can use a bronze in there. I like the bronze for a slightly less dramatic look. The bronze I always use is the dark side of Maybelline's Eye Studio Color Pearls Marbelized Eyeshadow in Bronze Blowout. You can use the light side to highlight your brow bone and inner corner of your eye.
Over eye shadows like Gilded I like to use a gel eye liner. Maybelline's Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black is my favorite and is incredibly easy to use. It's good to create a pretty thick line that follows the natural lash line. Then, use whatever mascara is your favorite in black. I actually swiped some on my lower lashes this time even though typically find it unnecessary.
I used Brazen's Hi-def powder powder (click the banner on the right to get some yourself) then I put my own concealer on my face, used the hi-def powder as a finish powder (because my skin is still really bad and the powder defuses the imperfections) and swiped bronzer from my cheeks toward my temples. The bronzer I love is Covergirl's Trublend Minerals Bronzer. I've tried both shades and I can't decide which one I like better, so choose whichever would work best for your unique skin tone.
And for the lips I did a bright, flirty pink to give my face some color. I prefer Revlon lipsticks. I used Super Lustrous Lipstick in Gentlemen Prefer Pink. Then over it I used Express' Lip Gloss in Passion Punch. It smells delicious and is super shiny. I just got it and I love it.
Song Inspiration
Every True Son - Mizzou Fight Song
3/7/12
Rice Bowl with Mushroom Gravy and Kale
This second one turned out so so well though! I actually achieved a successful gravy/ vegetarian dish all in one! Oh She Glows had this beautiful recipe, I actually adapted it a bit. Oh She Glows uses millet as the grain, but I have no idea what that is so I just used the left over brown rice from the stir fry. Stir fry was a life saver this week apparently. Anyway, the mushroom gravy could be put over anything from pasta to quinoa, your choice.
Rice Bowl with Mushroom Gravy and Kale
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 cup brown rice (use package instructions)
- 1/2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups chopped sweet onion (1 medium onion)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups sliced crimini mushrooms (300 grams)
- 1.5 tbsp minced fresh rosemary
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (found at a health food store)
- 1.5 tbsp low-sodium tamari (soy sauce)
- 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 & 1/4 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup fresh chopped kale, stems removed
- Freshly ground black pepper & kosher salt, to taste
2. Meanwhile, grab a large skillet and heat oil over medium heat. Add in chopped onions and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes.
3. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté for about 12 minutes longer, stirring as necessary. Now stir in the rosemary, nutritional yeast, and tamari. Cook for a few minutes.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the broth and cornstarch until clumps are gone, and then stir into the mushroom mixture. Stir in kale. Cook for another 5-6 minutes or so, until slightly thickened. Portion rice into two bowls and serve the mushroom gravy on top.
3/4/12
3/2/12
Happy Ending
I've decided to name all of my make-up looks after song titles that I relate to them. Today in Alabama it was 80 degrees, seriously, it was gorgeous. It felt like a beautiful Summer day. I created this look because it was just so nice. Now, however there are a tornadoes everywhere, so I am freaking out, but that's OK. Here's the look:
There is Tease, a strong pink pigment shadow by Brazen (go to the banner on the right to check out their stuff) on my crease. Then, because Tease is so strong, I brushed my Millennium shadow by Brazen, the light, light pink color from my brow bone to my lashes. It blended the crease color a little. I didn't use any eyeliner because the color was enough to make my eyes pop. I did put black mascara on, however.
I started out by putting Brazen's high-def powder all over my face and then my own concealer. I put a cream pink blush on my cheeks and blended it toward my temples and then brushed my whole face with a bronzer.
I hope you try it out, it's a fun look.
Song Inspiration
Stolen Kisses Cake Balls
These are the cheaters version of cake balls, no making from scratch here. I basically just used what I had in my cabinet to make them. I was being cheap and didn't want to go out and buy ingredients. You could make these with any store bought cake mixes and icings, and wither chocolate or almond bark on the outside. Then you could put sprinkles on them or drizzle white chocolate on the chocolate.
Stolen Kisses Cake Ball
1 box store-bought strawberry cake mix
1 can store-bought strawberry icing
1 bag bittersweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon Crisco
1. Bake the cake according to the package directions in whatever size pan you see fit.
2. Let the cake cool and then put it in a large bowl and start to crumble it up.
3. Mix in the icing until all of the crumbs have been coated.
4. Roll the mixture into balls with your hands, or you can use a melon baller to do this.
5. Set them on baking sheets that are covered in aluminum foil and stick them in the refrigerator. If they don't harden they will be impossibly to put chocolate or almond butter over. Leave them in for about an hour or over night if you want.
6. When you are ready to take them out, melt your chocolate in a bowl in the microwave along with a tablespoon full of Crisco. Stir until it's smooth.
7. Put your cake balls into the chocolate use a spoon and be careful not to burn your fingers on the chocolate, it'll be pretty hot.
8. When they are covered put them back into the refrigerator to set. They should stay in there for at least an hour, or overnight.
Then, enjoy! They are delicious!
Lent: Homemade Soft Pretzels
Want to hear the best part? You can customize them if you want! I made these with a friend and we brainstormed different ways to make them unique. Here are our ideas for variations, and then the recipe will follow. If these don't work out perfectly don't be mad at me, I haven't tried them all yet.
Pizza
Add garlic powder and parmesan to the egg wash mixture. You could sprinkle the top with any cheese you'd like (I'd go with mozzarella or parmesan) before putting them into the oven. Provide pizza sauce for dipping them into and possibly even pepperonis that you can stick onto them.
Amusement park or ball park
Make them exactly the same but provide nacho cheese sauce for dipping
Italian
Add garlic powder and grated Romano cheese to the egg wash mixture. Provide olive oil with pepper in it to dip them in.
Greek
Add garlic powder and feta to the egg was mixture. Provide Tzatziki sauce to dip them into. Or I guess you could dip them in hummus.
Dessert
If you use butter instead of egg and then sprinkle the whole thing with cinnamon, you can have a sweet pretzel!
I know some of that sounds weird. These are delicious with just the Kosher salt on top, so there's no need to fiddle with them, but if you are having a themed party some of that might be cool.
Here's the recipe from Pennies on a Platter:
Homemade Soft Pretzels
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter, sugar, salt and water. Sprinkle the yeast on top. Add the flour and mix with the dough hook attachment on low speed. Once the dough comes together, increase the speed to medium and mix for another 4 to 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Remove the dough from the bowl, wipe the bowl and then spray with the vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, turning once to cover both sides with the oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly spray with vegetable oil; set aside. Bring the 10 cups of water to a boil in a large sauce pan or stock pot, then add the baking soda. Meanwhile, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface or pastry mat. Divide into 8 equal large pieces (about 4.5 oz each) or 30 small pieces (about 1.2 oz each) and shape into balls. Roll each dough ball into a rope (24 inches long for the large pretzels or 10-12 inches long if making the smaller pretzels.) Holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other, twist one turn, then press onto the center of the rope, to form a pretzel shape. Place onto the parchment lined baking sheets. Working with one to two pretzels at a time, boil each pretzel for 30 seconds. Use a large slotted spoon or spatula to remove from the water and return to the pan. Brush the top of each pretzel with the egg wash then sprinkle with kosher or pretzel salt. Bake in the preheated oven until dark golden brown (approximately 12 to 14 minutes for 8 large pretzels, or 10 to 12 minutes for 30 small pretzels.) Allow to cool on a wire rack for at least 5 minutes before serving. Recipe Note: If you do not plan to consume pretzels the same day, then I would suggest freezing them immediately after they hit room temperature. The more fresh they are when you freeze them, the better. Throw them in a freezer bag and freeze up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for 5 to 10 minutes (until heated through). This is what I do, and they taste just as fresh! |
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