MAKE ME OVER

I'm a total beauty junky and can never get enough products to experiment with. These are the latest and greatest!

For Hair

John Frieda Full Repair
A compact and tidy hair-product that looks like mascara, but for your hair. Swipe the wand over flyaways for perfectly smooth strands and throw it in your purse for on-the-go touch-ups. If you have short hair or bangs, this product will really become a time saver. 

Emi-Jay Hair Ties
These ties look cute in your hair or wrapped around your wrist. Even better, they never leave an annoying crimp in your ponytail. Available in a variety of colors.

For Eyes

Bobbi Brown Tortoise Shell Collection
The new all-in-one compact from Bobbi Brown. The 8 eyeshadow colors include 4 beautiful neutrals and 4 shimmery shades, plus a dual ended mini brush. The lower compartment slides out for super sleek packaging. This product really comes in handy when you're traveling and don't want to lug all your shadows with you.

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
My new favorite for beautiful eyes! The mini wand helps you get those hard to reach inner lashes and allows you to layer multiple coats on your lower lashes. Paired with your regular mascara on your top lashes and your eyes will really pop.

Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Illusoire
This Chanel shadow stays put, even in the summer heat. I love the purple-gray shade for evening. Pair with a pale lip for a runway look.

For Nails

Le Vernis Nail Colour in Graphite, Quartz, Peridot
Although pricey, Chanel makes the most luxurious nail polish. The fall 2011 colors already have me swooning, particularly the peridot shade.

RGB Nail Polish in Beach, Coral, and Stone
These polishes go on perfectly smooth and rarely chip. The coral shade has been my go-to for summer toes, while the beach and stone are wear-with-everything neutrals. Read more about RGB.

For Skin

Kate Somerville Somerville360 Tanning Towelettes
I've never been a sun worshipper, but I admit a golden tan always flatters. Somerville's single towelettes come in one universal shade and the application always looks natural. Each one delivers just the right amount for your face and body. Plus, the lemony scent is much better than the typical icky self-tanner smell.

Dr Hess Udder Stick

This is the BEST chapstick! It's so moisturizing, smells delish, and comes in a bunch of flavors. I keep one in each of my bags.

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Face Daily Moisturizer SPF 30

Non-greasy, non-clogging, lightweight. In essence, the perfect sunscreen.

For more beauty product muzz-haves, click here.

FROM A TO Z

Letter jewelry has been around for a while, but now that more and more of my girlfriends are having babies, I've found this style of jewelry my go-to gift for new mommies. Here are some of my favorites!

1. Ariel Gordon Initial Pendant Necklace
Love the chain and off-center initial charm. Choose the letter as is or go more extravagant with the diamond embellished option.

2. Erica Anenberg Gold Initial Disc Necklace

Such a fun, swirly font. The perfect everyday letter necklace at a reasonable price.

3. Avanessi Love Ring

I adore the cursive lettering on this delicate ring and love that it's rose gold.

4. Sarah Chloe Engraved Bangles

This line has a large selection of letter jewelry, but I think the skinny bangles are especially unique.

5. Christie Martin Personalized Silver Disk Necklace
An easy piece to work into any wardrobe.

6. Catbird Gold Alphabet Ring

Stack a few of these bearing your loved ones' initials.

7. Helen Ficalora Alpha Charms

This line carries multiple styles in addition their signature letter charms. For Chicagoans, check out the Helen Ficalora boutique at 2014 N. Halsted in Lincoln Park.

8. Ginette-ny Mini Monogram Gold Baguette Necklace
Choose a monogram or special date on display on this 14k gold bar.

9. Zoe Chicco Pave Diamond and Gold Double Initial Necklace

If I wanted to really splurge, this would be it! The XO would look beautiful layered with other necklaces or worn alone with a simple blouse.

My own letter jewelry- my Nana's ring. See, it really has been around for a while! Her name was Muriel and now since my married name begins with an M, I feel like I can justify wearing it.

  

GAGA FOR GWYNETH

To those who know me, it's no secret that I adore Gwyneth Paltrow. What can't that woman do? When I heard she had a cookbook though, I was a bit skeptical. After trying out a few recipes from GOOP (Gwynnie's weekly newsleter), I bought the cookbook and can honestly say it was completely worth buying. Aside from the variety of recipes, the personal stories really make it a special cookbook and tell a story about the love between a father and daughter.


Tonight I made roasted tomatoes, one of the easiest recipes out of Paltrow's cookbook, "My Father's Daughter," and mixed them into a frittata as suggested in the cookbook. They are also delicious added to a green salad. I like making these after I get home from work and letting them shrivel up in the oven for hours. By the time I'm going to bed, these are done and ready for tomorrow night's dinner.

Gwyneth’s Slow Roasted Tomatoes

Vine-ripened tomatoes

Olive oil

Kosher salt

-Preheat the oven to 275°F.

-Cut the tomatoes in half horizontally or in thick slices (what I did). Rub with a tiny bit of olive oil and a pinch of salt, and bake, seed side up, in a 275° oven for 3–5 hours, or until they look nearly sun dried (the edges will be caramelized and the moisture will be almost entirely evaporated).

-These keep, well refrigerated in an airtight container with a bit of olive oil, for at least a week, so make a whole bunch at once.

My Before

My After

A few of my favorite Gwyneth snapshots. I love the still from Sliding Doors, one of my all-time favorite movies. If you haven't seen it, go rent it now! It will instantly put you in a good mood. Also love the old-school pics of Gwyneth and Brad Pitt with their matching haircuts!

HELLO!

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