Egg White Honey Face Mask

Egg White Honey Face Mask Steps

I am having the ultimate Super Bowl experience tonight -- home in my PJs. :)  Sometimes it just feels good to be on your own couch, cuddled under a fuzzy blanket, especially if you're in freezing New England like me. While enjoying the game and commercials from the comforts of my own home, I thought what better time to do a DIY facial. 

This one is super simple and will leave your skin glowing and tightened.  

What you'll need: 

• One egg (egg white ONLY)

• One tablespoon of honey

• A bowl

• A spoon and/or basting brush

Steps to take: 

1. Crack the egg and only pour the egg white into your bowl.  If you have just egg whites in a carton this may be easier, but I didn't have any on hand.
2. Pour one tablespoon of honey into your bowl and mix with the egg whites using a spoon.
3. Once combined, pull your hair back and begin to lather the mixture onto your face. I found this was easiest to do with a basting brush. I know we're not coating a turkey here, but I promise it works like a gem. :) Don't have a basting brush? No worries! Try the back of the spoon that you used for mixing. Be sure to knock off any extra mixture on the side of your bowl before you lather it on -- this will ensure that nothing drips onto your eyes or mouth area. 
4. Leave the mask on until it begins to tighten - I recommend roughly 20 minutes.
5. Rinse away with warm water. 

Your skin should feel cleansed and your pores tightened.  Wondering how often you should use this face mask? I would repeat this no more than once a week so your face does not dry out. 

I know when you first began to read this you probably weren't too keen on the idea of egg whites on your face -- neither was I; however, egg whites have huge benefits for us in more ways than one.  They are not only a great source of protein in our diet, egg whites also tighten pores and can pull breakout causing dirt from the skin. Egg whites also help to remove excess oil, which in turn, improves your skin tone, helps with dryness, leaving your skin with a healthy glow. 

So what is honey's role in this mask?  It acts as a natural antibacterial that helps to soothe, moisturize, and soften.

This time of year when the air is dry and cold it feels great to pamper your skin.  Having fun like me trying these DIY facials? Here are a couple of others to try in the weeks to come:

• 8 Do-It-Yourself Home Face Masks (Thanks to my friend Lynn for sharing this great link from Woman's Day)

• 27 Insanely Easy Two-Ingredient DIYs

Have you tried any others? I'd love to hear about them.  Here's to glowing skin for the week ahead! xoxo

[HOW TO] Clean your makeup brushes!

Hello beautiful.  For today's post, I wanted to share something that should be a part of your regular beauty routine, but for most may not be ---- cleaning your makeup brushes! 

Over time, our brushes collect bits of makeup, oil from our skin, dirt and possibly even bacteria.  If not cleaned, dirty brushes can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and streaky makeup.  Your face will thank you for keeping your brushes clean and so will your wallet (brushes are not cheap!).

I love having options so I wanted to share two methods with you. They're pretty simple and only take a few minutes (depending on however many brushes you have).

Before we get cleaning there is just one more thing to note!  Your brushes will take a few hours to dry so be sure to clean them once you've applied your makeup for the day. I typically clean mine in the evening so they can dry overnight. 

Method 1: Baby Shampoo

What you'll need:

• Johnson's baby shampoo (or something similar)
• A bowl
• Your sink
• Paper Towels 

Steps to take: 

1. Begin by running your brushes under warm water, rinsing out any makeup currently on them. Important note: Focus on the actual bristles and try to avoid the part of the brush where the handle meets the head. Over time the glue can loosen if cleaned. 
2. Fill your bowl with warm water and a tablespoon of shampoo (more if needed)
3. Gently swirl your brush tip in the water. You'll want to work up a lather, so if needed, swirl the brush in the palm of your hand. 
4. Rinse the brush tip under running water. Repeat steps one and three until your brush is clear of all makeup. Q: How can I tell when they are clear? A: By the color of the running water and/or if you blot your brush on a paper towel and it leaves no makeup behind.
5. Reshape the bristles as you go
6. Once fully clean, lay your brush flat on a dry paper towel

 Method 2: Dawn Soap and Olive Oil  

What you'll need:

• Dawn Dish Soap (the blue kind)
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (sorry about my oil pictured above - I didn't save the original bottle)
• A bowl or plate
• Your sink
• Paper Towels

Steps to take: 

1.  Combine equal parts dish soap and olive oil (I use one tablespoon of each). Combine the two until it turns into a thick green solution.
2. Dip the head of your brush into the solution.
3. Wet your hand with some warm water and begin to rub the bristles of the brush into your now wet hand.  This helps work out the makeup.
4. Rinse your brush under warm water (Reminder: focus on the bristles and avoid the area where the handle meets the head.)
5. Repeat steps two through four until your brush is clean
6. Reshape the bristles as you go
7. Once fully clean, lay your brush flat on a dry paper towel 

I find using this method softens the bristles in a nice way.  There are so many women around the world that use olive oil for their face care routines -- why not on our brushes too! Also, if Dawn Dish Soap is safe and gentle enough to clean animals caught in oil spills, then it's good enough for me too!

So how often should I be cleaning my brushes with either of these methods you ask? The experts recommend once a week, but let's be honest, some weeks we just don't have the time! If that's the case, let's try to clean them every two weeks or less. 

See.....cleaning your brushes wasn't so hard, right?!  Did I mention that they'll smell great too. I hope you notice a positive difference the next time you apply your makeup. Happy cleaning! xo

Finding the Perfect Dress.

Happy Sunday Ladies. <3

As promised, today’s post features a new fashion find.  Some of you may have heard of Rent the Runway, but for those of you that haven’t, let's get you introduced. :) 

At a certain point in all of our lives, we go through this cycle where it seems like every other weekend we have another engagement party, shower, wedding and/or event that requires us to dress up. Thanks to today’s social media culture, you don’t want to be seen with the same dress twice, but who has the budget and closet space to have a new dress for every event?! Not me! So, what’s our saving grace? Rent the Runway!

Rent the Runway is your one stop rental shop for all of your dress, gown and/or accessory needs. 

This past August was my first Rent the Runway experience and I absolutely loved it. Here’s my story and how this process works.

1. Search the Rent the Runway website for the type of dress you want to wear.  Filter based on size, rental date, price and style of dress (length, neckline, body type, etc.).  You can literally narrow it down to the exact type of dress you are looking for.
2. Once you've found the perfect dress, it's time to rent it. Book for a 4 or 8 day rental period. 
3. Need some of the other essentials like Spanx or Fashion Tape, etc.? Rent the Runway offers these too (for an additional cost of course).
4. How about some accessories? Rent the Runway offers suggestions on how to complete your look on the bottom of their page.  From a necklace, to earrings or a bracelet, they suggest the perfect accessories rental to match your selection.
5. Your order will arrive by 8pm on your delivery date via UPS, so make sure you allot the proper amount of time before your event.
6. Post party, send back your items in the pre-paid envelope that Rent the Runway provides – they take care of the dry-cleaning.

The Positives:

The cost! The rentals are very affordable. For instance, you can rent a $385 Badgley Mischka dress for $35. 

The ability to choose two sizes! Let’s say you’re a size 6 in most dress styles, but based on the reviews, you're worried that your selected style might not fit. Well, Rent the Runway allows you to rent two sizes for the price of one. In this example, you could rent a size 6 and a size 8 just to be safe. The fact that they do not charge you for that second size is amazing and puts your worries about the fit at ease! 

The testimonials from real women! While you’re searching for your dress, they highlight women who have rented the same dress along with their comments.  This is extremely helpful because you’re looking at real body measurements (not just model sizes) and they offer helpful tips such as, “this dress showed off my love handles so don't wear it if you are self conscious" or "you may want to reconsider the type of bra you wear with this dress because it has a wide open area under the arms". 

The Concerns:

I'm not sure if I would like wearing a rented dress? This is a common concern and one that I expressed at first too. However, after I made the decision to try it, I was very impressed with the cleanliness of the service (especially coming from a major OCD/Germaphobe like myself).  Upon receiving my rental, these concerns were quickly put to rest. It comes in a pretty package and dress bag, freshly cleaned and pressed (as a daughter of a dry cleaner - I could spot this a mile away ;) ) . 

What if I spill on the dress? It's not a problem.  Rent the Runway charges a $5 insurance fee during your checkout process, which covers minor stains and damage. Obviously if there is significant damage (i.e. you had a run in with a bear) then it would not be covered under the insurance. 

Have additional concerns? They offer an FAQs page to help answer your questions. 

Below are a few shots of me in my rented dress as well as the packaging that it came in:

Myself and the hubby at the wedding!

Here's another shot of the dress in brighter light:

It also comes in some great packaging. The first is the outside box and the second is the dress bag, which is perfect for transporting if you're not getting ready at home.

Have you used the Rent the Runway before? If so, I'd love to hear about the dress you chose.  If it will be your first time, happy shopping! 

Here's to looking like a million bucks without having to spend it. xoxo

Comfort Food Sunday

Happy Weekend Ladies. I've missed you!

I'm sorry for being MIA from the blog these last couple of months. Summer and the start of fall have been a complete whirlwind. Now that I finally have my weekends back, and can turn my attention to Wear It For The Ladies, I wanted to kick my blogging into full gear today.

On this breezy fall Sunday, I thought what better day to catch up with all of you ladies and make some comfort food. Before you throw out those over ripe bananas sitting on your counter, let's whip up some banana bread. The riper the banana, the better!

With the candles lit, the trees changing outside, and the warm smell of the bread, I couldn't feel more surrounded by fall. I love this time of year, so let's create the same scene in your home; it's time to get baking.

The ingredients:

• 2-3 very ripe bananas (I used 3 bananas)
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar (you can use less sugar if desired - 3/4 or even 1/2 cup - I used the full thing)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour 

Let's bake: 

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and butter a 4x8-inch loaf pan.

Step 2: Peel your bananas and place them in a bowl. Begin to mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth (that's why very ripe bananas are recommended). 

Step 3: Stir in melted butter into the mashed bananas. 

Step 4: Mix in the baking soda and salt.

Step 5: Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract.

Step 6: Mix in the flour.

Step 7: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan.

Step 8: Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes (check at 50 minutes) at 350°F (175°C), or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. I checked mine at the 50 minute mark and it was finally fully baked at 60 minutes.

Step 9: Remove from oven and cool completely on a rack. Remove the banana bread from the pan. (Quick tip >> a bread knife helps to make slices that aren't crumbly.)

Step 10: After it cools, slice off a piece and pair it with a cup of tea it's so delicious!

Enjoy your bread. Check back next week - I'll be writing on a new fashion find. xoxo

Beach Reading

One of my favorite summer pastimes is grabbing a good book and heading to the beach. Today is a rainy Sunday here in Boston so since I won't be heading to the ocean, I thought what better weather to share my summer reads with you all.

The following picks are all fiction novels. Fun, easy reads to get lost in at the beach. Here's a run through of my book list for summer 2014:

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - READ

My grandma loaned me this read from her collection. I started it over the July 4th holiday and couldn't put it down. After reading this, I heard that it is being made into a movie so I'll be interested to see how closely they capture this novel.

"MARRIAGE CAN BE A REAL KILLER. On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife's head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media - as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents - the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior, Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter-but is he really a killer?"


Where We Belong by Emily Giffin - READ

Emily Giffin is one of my favorite writers. She has several other books you may have heard of like Something Blue or Something Borrowed, so I was excited to dive into this new one from her.

This book is about a thirty six year old television producer living the life in New York City. Marian has everything anyone could want - the perfect job, the perfect relationship, the best wardrobe. But one night, she gets a surprise when eighteen year old Kirby Rose shows up at her door.

From the moment Kirby arrives Marian's world is forever changed. The story shares their journey both past and present and takes the reader on a journey to discover where they really belong.


Guilty Wives by James Patterson and David Ellis - CURRENTLY READING

This book takes place in Monte Carlo. Four best friends set out on a lavish vacation. They stay in the best hotel surrounded by the best champagne, food, sun and fun. The girls venture to discos, casinos and find themselves on a private yacht. After a night of partying, the girls awaken on the yacht surrounded by police. Something awful has happened and they are thrown in prison for murder. Now their vacation of a lifetime turns into their fight for survival in a foreign prison.

I just started this book and am already hooked. I've always been a fan of James Patterson and this book is no exception.


On The Rocks by Erin Duffy - HAVE NOT READ

I have not started this book yet, but am looking forward to it being my next read especially since it is based in Boston and Newport.

This novel follows the story of a woman named Abby. Her fiance dumps her over Facebook after she already has many of the details of their wedding sorted out. Six months and twenty pounds later, her best friend Grace is worried about her. Grace devises a plan to get Abby to Newport for the summer. The two stay in a quaint cottage by the sea surrounded by cool breezes, cocktails and gorgeous men. In this era of social media, the girls find it hard to truly escape for the summer. As the summer comes to an end, Abby will make some surprising discoveries about love, men, friendship and herself.


Think Twice by Lisa Scottoline - HAVE NOT READ

"Bennie Rosato looks exactly like her identical twin, Alice Connelly, but the darkness in Alice's soul makes them two very different women. Or at least that's what Bennie believes - until she finds herself buried alive at the hands of her twin. Meanwhile, Alice takes over Bennie's life, impersonating her at work and even seducing her boyfriend in order to escape the deadly mess she made of her own life. But Alice underestimates Bennie and the evil she has unleashed in her twin's psyche. Soon Bennie, in her determination to stay alive long enough to exact revenge, must face the twisted truth that she is more like Alice than she could have ever imagined."


Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella - HAVE NOT READ

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite fiction writers so I was very excited to see this new novel from her on the bookstore shelf.

"Lottie just knows that her boyfriend is going to propose, but then his big question involves a trip abroad - not a trip down the aisle. Completely crushed, Lottie reconnects with an old flame, and they decide to take drastic action. No dates, no moving in together, they'll just get married....right now. Her sister, Fliss, thinks Lottie is making a terrible mistake, and will do anything to stop her. Bur Lottie is determined to say "I do," for better, or for worse."


Hopeless by Colleen Hoover - HAVE NOT READ

Colleen Hoover is my new obsession when it comes to authors. I was hooked after reading her novel Maybe Someday. After loving that book, I had to scoop up her other stories. I can't wait to dive into this novel to see if it lives up to Maybe Someday. Here's a quick synopsis:

"Sky meets Dean Holder, a guy with a reputation that rivals her own. From their very first encounter, he terrifies and captivates her. Something about him sparks memories of her deeply troubled past, a time she's tried so hard to bury. Though Sky is determined to stay far away from him, his unwavering pursuit and enigmatic smile break down her defenses and the intensity of the bond between them grows. But the mysterious Holder has been keeping secrets of his own, and once they are reveled, Sky is changed forever and her ability to trust may be a causality of the truth"


Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover - HAVE NOT READ

This is the follow-up novel to Hopeless.

"Hopeless was Sky's story. Now, in Losing Hope, we finally learn truth about Dean Holder. Haunted by the little girl he couldn't save from imminent danger, Holder's life has been overshadowed by feelings of guilt and remorse. He has never stopped searching for her, believing that finding her would bring him the peace he needs to move on. However, Holder could not have anticipated that he would be faced with even greater pain the moment they reconnected. In Losing Hope, Holder reveals the way in which the events of Sky's youth affected him and his family, leading him to seek his own redemption in the act of saving her. But it is only in loving Sky that he can finally begin to heal himself."

So those are my summer picks. Do you have any other novels that you think I should add to the list? I'd love to hear about them? Happy reading chickies!

4th of July Inspiration

With the 4th of July almost upon us, I wanted to share some inspiration to get us pumped and prepped for the holiday.  Every party/get together has three main elements: food, drinks and decorations, so I wanted today's post to cover all three.  Whether you're planning a party, going to one, or just relaxing at home, here are some ways to get festive for the 4th.

Above is a simple appetizer made up of pepperoni, cheese and blue corn chips. I think a cheese board is always a hit at parties and what better way to incorporate the red, white and blue theme for the holiday!

Banana, Strawberry and Blueberry Skewers

Another patriotic food item could be red, white and blue fruit skewers like the above. Not into this fruit? Get creative! Substitute in raspberries and marshmallows.

Want another fruit idea? How about some patriotic strawberries.  The above is made from dipping strawberries into melted white chocolate and blue sprinkles.  I've also seen this done with dark chocolate and star sprinkles, which can be found at many grocery and/or craft stores (i.e. Michael's, AC Moore).

How cute are these wrapped licorices? The patriotic paper is cut up scrapbook paper. I found this dessert here: Red, White and Blue Ideas along with several other ideas.

For your main course, I feel like you can't go wrong with salads and BBQ items (hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, chicken skewers, etc.)

Now that the food is covered, we need something to wash it all down!  How about this festive Sangria?

Last but not least are the holiday decorations.

I love this tablescape! Simply pick out some red and white flowers (daisy's and carnations pictured above), put some blue coloring into the water of your clear vase, and add a small American flag. There are so many other decorating ideas, but if you're looking for something that is easy, festive, and affordable then this is the perfect centerpiece for your table.

I hope these ideas have gotten your creative juices flowing!  Do you have other 4th of July decorating ideas? I'd love to hear them! Share your comments and pictures below.

My Chicago Adventures!

Katie (L) Me (R)

Last weekend I jetted off to Chicago to be with my friend and little sista, Katie. Believe it or not, I used to be Katie's babysitter. I've watched her grow into a beautiful, independent woman. I say that everyone should have a "Katie" in their life. She is the definition of a true friend.

When I learned that she made it into the Master's program at Northwestern I was such a proud older sister. Ever since she made the big move from our little town in New York, I have been itching for the chance to visit.  I couldn't wait to see her new home, explore the city and spend some much needed quality sista time.

Chicago is an amazing city and if you've never been you should add it to your travel list. Below are some of my favorite memories from my adventure to the windy city that will hopefully inspire you to take a trip!

The first night that I arrived the weather was picture perfect. The architecture in Chicago is amazing even lit at dusk. Above are some of the sights that we passed on Friday. The upper left picture is "the bean", which is a cool silver sculpture that people come from all around to take pictures in its reflection. Below it is a sculpture and at the very bottom left are the Trump towers.  The large picture is of the many boats that go in and out of the Chicago river. The red glow picture is of an outside amphitheater right in the heart of the city. How amazing would it be to see your favorite artist perform there?! The last picture on the bottom right is of the Trump towers from a different angle.  After seeing all of these amazing sights my first night, I couldn't wait to explore some more the next morning!

It was rise and shine on Saturday.  We awoke to another gorgeous day so we ventured out for brunch (which has to be one of my favorite meals!).  We found this little cafe called Local Root that had a chic city vibe and very cool decor.  All meals are made fresh to order and sourced from local farms. The eggs benedict pictured above was delicious and of course I made Katie pose for a quick snap!

Now that we were in a food coma, we set off on foot to explore near the water. What I love most about Chicago is that it combines lake life, greenery, and a laid back attitude to make the perfect mix of relaxation and fun.  In some spots you almost forget that you're in a major metropolitan area because of how clean and environmentally friendly many spots are.  The pictures on the left were some sights along the waterway. On the top right were some bubbles floating along the skyline. The middle picture is of the free jazz fest we stumbled upon and the bottom is of "the bean" during the day.

Speaking of the greenery, the picture above is of a beautiful rose garden.  Much of the city is adorned in plants and flowers.

After 7.5 miles of exploring, our feet were calling it quits.  We wandered back to Katie's apartment to get ready for our evening festivities. After putting our feet up for a bit it was time to get ready for our first author's signing at Hotel Chicago.  After some wine, cheese, my first deep dish pizza, and an impromptu dance party it was time to head out! I'll save my book discussion for another time, but the pictures above show author Colleen Hoover at her Maybe Someday book signing event.  Katie and I had a wonderful time at Hotel Chicago.

We capped off our night at Navy Pier with a free fireworks show and an amazing view of the city. 

In just 3 short days, we had covered so much ground, but there is still so much more for me to see.  I cannot say enough good things about the city of Chicago and it's people.  Thank you to the best tour guide around (Katie) for showing me your new home and the life that you have created for yourself.  You should be proud, I know I am.  Until next time Chicago! xoxo

PS. Happy first day of summer!!