6 Things Making Me Happy This Week

Images via Instagram @AnniesCtyKtchn

1.  Oh hey, there's my grandma turning 91.  She was crackin' jokes and then proceeded to beat us in a card game.  She's still got it.  

2.  These ah-mah-zing interior design ideas.  I mean, number 3?!  An indoor outdoor pool.  That's my dream come true.  Oh, and the hammock bed.  Who hasn't wanted a hammock bed?!  I always had dreams of have a floating bed in a pool too.  How can I make that happen?

3.  Holy crap, perfume bottles designed like Disney characters.  Nuts.  I think I gotta vote for Ursula or Lady Tremaine on this one.  They were always some of my favorite villains because they were so glamorous too.  The scene wear Ursula slathers red lipstick on her lips?  It speaks to me.  

4.  Hey while we're at it, why not check out these Disney princesses with period-accurate costumes?  Ok, perhaps I'm not super astute but whenever I watch Disney movies, it always seems like they take place in a vague "not-the-present" setting (aside from the obvious historical figures like Pocahontas) which I've never quite pinpointed time or place.  Like, Sleeping Beauty in 1485?  Mind blown.  And Rapunzel in the 1820s?  Ok sure, coulda fooled me.  

5.  Guys, taco popcorn?!  Yes yes yes please.  

6.  This list of 33 George Costanza gifs just seems like something everyone should have to keep on file in case of gif emergencies.  Ain't no situation a George Costanza gif can't solve.        

Throwback Thursday

I'm the one being held at knifepoint

1.  Drama club!  That's the reason I'm wearing a scarf around my neck and my friend has a knife to my throat.  Otherwise, this picture may have been alarming.  Although, it still is kinda alarming.  

2.  I want to acknowledge the shear amount of bronzer we're both wearing.  This was a production of West Side Story and we played the Sharks, so naturally we packed on obscene amounts of bronzer from head to toe and put on the worst Spanish accents every uttered.  Authenticity guys.  Try it sometime.   

3.  Our interpretation of stage makeup was loose, at best.  Since I never had any formal training in stage makeup, I just did my regular makeup and then applied it again and again.  And then once more for good measure.  And then more bronzer.  Stage makeup right? 

4.  I feel like high school Drama Club is somewhat like a cult.  Not just anyone could join, you sorta spoke your own language, and once you were in, you were a "drama kid" for life.  Since I never belonged to a sport (does considering joining badminton count?), drama club was my first real "team" atmosphere and I loved every minute of it.

5.  Being onstage was a thrill but I was (rightfully so) not confident in my singing voice.  So when my one-line singing solo came around during "I Feel Pretty," I made very sure to accidentally have my mic off.  For 8 shows.  Oops! 

      

Beauty Wish List

Any time of year is a good time of year for a beauty wish list.  I actually keep a Google Doc spreadsheet with a ranked list of all the beauty products I want to buy but I can't quite justify.  Then I slloowwlly chisel away at the list as the year goes on.  Totally normal.  Beauty spreadsheets, they're a thing.  

Let's start, shall we?  

1.  Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer-  This stuff.  Every blogger on the planet loves this stuff.  So, being a natural sucker, I now want it too.  Whenever I swatch this in Sephora, it's just so insanely blendable and super high-coverage.  And considering I'm fighting an ongoing battle with some persistent under-eye dark circles, this could fill a very specific spot in my collection.  

2.  Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation- Ever since I saw Essiebutton talk about this foundation, I've been obsessed with trying it.  I've never used mineral powder foundation before (mainly because I assumed I'd look powdery) so this seems like a good place to start as any.  The truth is, I'm in a never-ending search for the world's most perfect foundation that gives the skin of an angel.  Completely attainable goal.  So, maybe this is the one! 

3.  Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner- Not to sound like a total creep, but this is another Essiebutton suggestion.  She's been wearing this recently in her videos and it looks like the blackest black liquid liner ever.  In addition to the insane pigmentation, the reviews on Sephora rave about it's all day staying power (as the name would suggest).  Being a chronic oily-lid gal, a long lasting liner makes a big difference for me.  The price is a bit steeper than I would normally pay for liner but the reviews say it lasts forever and therefore I've just justified it.  That was easy! 

4.  Jo Malone Perfume- At this point, I'm pretty sure I'd be happy with any scent.  I smelled practically every scent a few months ago and I fell in love with 80% of them.  The truth is, I could gladly wear Chloe for the rest of my life but I do like a little variety now and then so if I spurge on a new scent, Jo Malone would be it.  I would just like to smell like a citrus orchard and a bouquet of assorted herbs and I don't think that's too much to ask.  

5.  Benefit They're Real- Gah, I wish I didn't want this!  But I do!  I've had a sample for a few weeks and at first I was only mildly impressed.  Then, on a whim, I decided to layer it over a different mascara (L'Oreal Butterfly Effect) and it was magic.  It separated my lashes and added so.much.volume.  It's exactly what I look for in a mascara.  So, I'm done for.  

So what's on your beauty wish list?  

Chocolate Honey Orange Chia Seed Pudding

Gelatinous.  That is the word for chia seeds.  Some may say slimy.  I won't say slimy.  I'll say gelatinous.  

5 Things Making Me Happy This Week

Image via Instagram @AnniesCtyKtchn

1.  I used to love taking those dumb quizzes in magazines like "What kind of friend are you?" or "What's your kissing style?"when I was in high school and I've still got a soft spot for them nowadays too.  This Buzzfeed "What city should you live in?" quiz categorized me as a Londoner and I said "heck ya!" because I've wanted to be British my whole life.  

2.  I think I've uncovered something life changing here.  This website has guided, timed meditation sessions and it's the best thing ever.  I've always wanted to start meditating regularly because when I've done it in yoga classes, it's basically the best experience ever.  But when I'm in my own home, I really struggle to zone out and focus on mediating.  This site has gentle guidance so my brain can still focus but still zone out.  Did that make sense?  Probably not.  

Chewy Oatmeal Cookie Horchata Ice Cream

For no reason at all, horchata popped into my head last week.  It's not something I drink, like, ever, but I've had it a few times and I've always liked it's subtle cinnamon-y starch-y sweetness.  So I made a trip to the local Mexican market in search of some horchata, scooped up a bottle and headed home.  Only it turns out I bought horchata concentrate.  

Oopsie.

Nails: The Winter Neutral

Ooooo yeah.  Check out those grays baby.  I love me a gray nail polish.  They always make my hands look slightly less ghostly pale and they go with everything.  In summer, my neutrals lean towards white or pink and in winter, I lean towards gray and taupes.  It just feels right.  Here's my favorite roundup.

6 Things Making Me Happy This Week

Image via tumblr

1.  I am a HUGE fun of America's Test Kitchen because I really love learning about the science of baking and cooking.  I think it makes me a better baker because I actually understand what's going on in my kitchen.  Well this post about cookies is perhaps the most thorough science-y post about cookies I've ever read.  A total must read if you're into that sort of thing.

2.  This freaks me out!  Some of these strangers are near perfect twins.  It's totally crazy and I would love love love to meet my own doppelganger.  It reminds of the episode of Seinfeld where Elaine finds bizarro Jerry, George and Kramer.  Where are you bizarro-Annie??

3.  I found this article really interesting and insightful because I think maybe I do the opposite of all these things?  What is wrong with me?!  Definitely food for thought though.

4.  May seem minor but I tried my first Cafe Misto from Starbucks and I loved it!  It seems only mildly different than a latte but I liked that it wasn't quite the punch of a latte.  I'm calling it: it's my new good-to!

5.  One of my new favorite beauty bloggers, Amelia Liana, is having a "dupe" week and it's amazing.  It's practically my life mission to find drugstore dupes so needless to say, I've been pleased all week.  

6.  Can I just be happy that it's Friday?  It's been that kind of week.......

Throwback Thursday

I'm always in pigtails

1.  I think we discussed that pigtails were my de facto hairstyle since I was the youngest for a few short years.  Once my little sister came along, it seems like pigtails mysteriously vanished soon thereafter.  #middlechildsyndrome

2.  Maybe you thought I was joking when I said Sara and I were always dressed alike.  Clearly I was not.  

3.  I can't be alone in thinking that Sara's yellow shoes are pretty badass.  I'd wear those today.  

4.  Sometimes I worry about the type of mother I might be.  The thing is, I just can't fathom buying many clothes for kids when they grow SO FAST.  Think about it.  Sara probably wore those shoes 5 times then poof!  They don't fit anymore.  It would drive me nuts.  It just seems like kids should wear some sort of large shapeless smock for 18 years while they're growing.  So much more cost effective (I'm a terrible person).  

5.  Odds are, I'll actually end up buying my kids every shoe available because omgbabyshoesaresoadorable.  

6.  I have the same approximate face shape to this day.  

Slouchy Casual

If you couldn't already tell, my main goal is almost always comfort.  And when I'm chilling at home, I basically look homeless (Eric is a lucky man).  However, I manage to pull myself together for public while still remaining pretty comfortable and the key is always leggings and boots.  

Light Long Sleeve Tunic- Uniqlo, $19.90
For about $20, this shirt is a total steal.  Slouchy tunics are probably my favorite shirts because I think they're quite slimming and they're easy to dress up or down with accessories and layering.  This is one of those "I'll buy one on every color" shirts.  

Jersey Leggings- H&M, $12.95
Since the tunic is plain, I thought to insert some punch with the leggings.  I'll state the obvious, a bold printed legging with horizontal stripes may not suit everyone.  If you think these aren't for you, a bold colored skinny jean would work just as well.  

Tassled Lion Necklace- Forever 21, $10.80
Whenever I wear a long shirt, I pair it with a long necklace to keep the proportions right.  Of course, any long necklace will do but given the busy pattern of the leggings, it's probably best to keep it to basic metals with no busy colors or pendants.  

Holta Boots, Cognac- Aldo, $62.99
My fallback is always black boots so when I began searching for something, I wanted to consider colors that I may not normally gravitate towards.  I'm in love with the rich velvety color of these boots and I especially like the short chunky heel.  I think a high heel would look somewhat tacky paired with these leggings so these boots add a little boost while still looking modest.  

What are your slouchy casual go-to's? 

Baked Chocolate Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

Ah, here we are, three weeks into January and I'm sharing a donut recipe.  How cruel!  Does it help if I note that they're baked and not fried?  I mean, it could be worse.  Which, let's face it, is actually quite terrible diet advice.

Maybe that explains some things in my life.....

Battle of the Maybelline Highlighters

Ding ding ding.  In the ring today we have:

Maybelline Dream Lumi Highlighting Concealer

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Brightener 

7 Things Making Me Happy This Week

Image via Pinterest, source unknown

1.  I could probably just hashtag my way through this by saying #polarvortex #chiberia #cold #brrrr #winter but the cold isn't what's making me happy this week (duh).  However, these pictures are quite amazing and unbelievable.  I would have loved to head out with my camera and take a few shots myself but then I remembered I'm sane and my pajamas are warm and it feels weird when all moisture in your nose freezes.  

2.  I know I just talked about this but I can't get this obnoxiously bright sweater out of my mind.  But I've dedicated myself to wedding-saving in earnest and I can't quite justify buying ANOTHER sweater, and especially one that is neon printed.  I'm not opposed to someone trying to talk me into it though.....

3.  So I, along with every other warm-blooded woman on the planet, am the proud owner of a Naked 3 palette and since the shades lean pink and can be a bit tricky, I've been absorbing every single tutorial I can get my hands on.  I loved this one from xoVain because each look is unique and it made me realize that the palette is more diverse than I thought.  Maybe someday I'll get brave and try that third one.  

4.  Downtown Abbey.  IT'S BACK EVERYONE.  Leave me alone on Sunday nights forever now.  That show just speaks to my soul and I would really just love the Carson and Mrs. Hughes relationship to blossom, amiright?  I also can't decide if I'd want to be the Granthams or the house staff.  I mean, being a Grantham would obvi be great because they've got mad style and then my granny would be the Dowager Countess.  But then there's that whole heir situation and the fact that tragedy follows them wherever they go.  Soooo, not great.  Plus, if I were staff, I could marry Bates.  House staff it is!  

5.  I strategically mentioned Downton Abbey first so that you'd respect my taste in television and thus judge me a liittlllle less when I say I'm equally excited for The Bachelor.  GUYS.  I get it.  It's a truly awful show.  I'm in on the joke.  But I don't care!  Judge me all you want.  I actually find Juan Pablo to be a snoozefest but the clip of the girl in the bathroom sobbing and saying "I hope you die" is what keeps me coming back.  

6.  Eric and I have decided against engagement photos mostly because we can't really justify the cost and they're just not really our kind of "thing."  When I spotted these engagement photos spoofs though, it made me want reconsider my decision, if only for the comedic value.  

7.  Guess who can't pull off this Rainbow Lash look?  This girl (>>pointing at myself<<).  Guess who can though?  Most other people who are even a little bit cooler than me!  Probably not something I would suggest for a typical day at the office (unless you work for Lisa Frank or something) but interesting nonetheless.  

So what's making you happy this week?

Winter Brights Casual

Not too sure about your neck of the woods, but here in Chicago we're basically living in a frozen tundra.  Not great.  And having lived here my whole life, I'm no stranger to cold.  But this is the kind of cold that makes your toes burn and freezes the snot right in your nose.  Not even kidding a little.  

So it goes without saying that I've been bundling up (as in, 2 scarves, up to my eyeballs) but there's no reason to sacrifice a little color in your wardrobe, even if it is only white and gray outside.  As per usual, I did a little browsing at the usual haunts (Forever 21, H&M, Target) to find a bright but warm casual winter combo.  

Rainbow Maze Sweatshirt - Forever 21, $24.80
I could curse myself for even finding this sweatshirt because I must.have.it.right.now.  And it's not conducive to a strict wedding budget, which I'm now on.  However, for $24.80, it's actually quite a steal and while I fully recognize that some people may find this entirely tacky, I love love love it.  It's just obnoxious enough.  If that's even a thing.  

Superstretch Treggings- H&M, &17.95
Nope, I have no clue what a "tregging" is.  I'm assuming it's some sort of variation of a "jegging" but heck if I know where the "T" is coming from.  The point is, these are superstretch, which means comfort and that's all that matters.  When you're trudging from car to office to train to bus in the snow, comfort is key.  

BP. Ribbed Infinity Scarf- Nordstrom, $22
First and foremost, this scarf is about warmth and a big knit is where it's at.  But I also like the black here because I think it helps to tone down the shirt just a bit.  I think a necklace would be a bit too much so a dark scarf adds interest but doesn't compete with the cray cray pattern.    

Mossimo Kyla Buckle Boot- Target, $34.99
You just can't beat a Target boot.  For any large footed girls (ahem, me) and any wide calf-ed girls (ahem, me), Target always comes through with a very decent size selection.  I love the look of a giant cozy sweater with super casual combat boots here.  The boots manage to tame the sweater a bit.  

What do ya' think?  Are you with me on this tacky fun sweater?  

Easy Green Vegan Smoothie

Typical, right?  Beginning of January and I'm coming at you with a green smoothie.  Because if you're familiar with my New Year's Resolutions, you'll know that I'm trying to make smarter meal choices, starting with this smoothie.  

I think green smoothies are one of the easiest ways to eat spinach but still feel like you're having something indulgent because who doesn't love a smoothie?!  This version is the one I make the most frequently simply because it's so easy to have all the ingredients on hand or in the freezer.  Plus, prepping in advance (like pre-chopping and freezing a bunch of bananas) makes whipping this green baby up a matter of minutes.  

I fully intend to experiment with a variety of new smoothies and I'd love recipe ideas!  What's your favorite healthy smoothie?

Easy Green Vegan Smoothie
serves 1

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup spinach, roughly chopped or torn
• 1/2 cup banana, frozen and sliced 
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
•  2 tablespoons chia seeds 

Directions

1.  In a blender, add almond milk and spinach and blend until totally smooth and pale green.  Add bananas and blend until thickened and smooth.  Add blueberries and blend until fully incorporated.  Add chia seeds and blend very briefly to distribute.  

2.  Drink immediately or store in a sealed container overnight.  

Enjoy!

Recipe an Annie's City Kitchen original

Contour vs. Bronzer

Alright ladies.  Let's discuss contouring and bronzing, shall we?  I spent many years misunderstanding and confusing the two.  However, once you understand the key elements, it's really becomes a no-brainer. 

Let's get started.

7 Things Making Me Happy This Week

image via Pinterest, source unknown

Have you noticed my new logo up-top?  I had absolutely zero intentions to change it and then I saw someone else's new blog design and I got inspired and two hours later I had burned some vegetables in the oven because I was so wrapped up in re-designing! I think I like it so far but I may still do some tweaking.  Anyway, on to happy-making things:

1.  These are equal parts hilarious and alarming.  Though I do get the sense that they can't all be real.  Otherwise, we should all be very concerned for our futures.  

2.  This is cute overload.  The baby with the french bulldog puppies?  I cannot handle it.  

3.  If there is ever a dialect quiz, I will take it.  This one was nearly spot-on for me.  I've also noticed that many of my friends from Ohio will refer to something that is diagonal from them as "catty corner" when it is OBVIOUSLY called "kitty corner."  Or that just a Chicago thing?  

4.  I'm just gonna continue being obsessed with eyebrows for awhile.  

5.  Oops, another Buzzfeed.  But this one was VERY necessary.  

6.  This chia seed pudding.  I would happily call that dessert any day of the week.  

7.  Game of Thrones.  I know Season 3 is well over but I'm only making my way through Season 2 right now (though I've read the books through 4).  Despite the violence and gratuitous nudity, this show is right up my alley!  English accents, handsome gentlemen, and old-timey clothes.  It's practically Downton Abbey.  (Except that it's not even a little bit like Downton Abbey).  

So what's making you happy this week?

I resolve....

Yikes guys.  Here we are again.  Seems like it wasn't too long ago that I wrote these babies.  Speaking of which, I'd estimate that I stuck to about 80% of these and I'm pretty dang proud of myself.  I definitely baked more bread, I've actually taken up knitting (even though I'm sorta pitiful at it), I bought a ukelele (.....that's remained untouched), and I've certainly upped my blogging game with 3-4 posts a week.  So what do I have planned for 2014?  I resolve......

1.  To invest in my blog.  While I'm proud of the progress I've made to post regularly, I want to invest more time in the behind-the-scenes action.  That might mean something like learning code to better customize my blog to expanding my horizons in terms of audience and promotion.  It's time to take this little ol' blog to next level folks!  

2.  To eat foods that serve me.  Ugh, right?  This again.  To be honest, I've struggled all year (*cough*life*cough*) to be some sort of idealized version of myself.  And, unsurprisingly, I've never achieved the vague undefined goals I've had for myself.  This year, I want to shift my focus from "dieting" to eating foods that best serve my body.  If the answer to "Does this food make me feel good?" is "no," then I don't want it.  Plain and simple.  

3.  To volunteer.  This is something I've been wanting to do for years and years and years.  But every time I've looked for opportunities, I never quite found something that I thought would work for me, or I was busy with school or I was busy with work or blah blah blah.  This year I'll cut the crap and actually do it.  

4.  To do yoga.  Guys, I'm no athlete or gymnast but I used to be pretty dang good at yoga a few years ago.  Conveniently, I worked at a yoga studio so attending regularly was easy and I felt pretty fantastic when I went.  When I changed jobs, I lost yoga along with it and now I'm an 80 year old woman who can barely touch her toes.  And, of course, now I'm terrified to take a class.  But DUH, the only way to get better again is to actually, ya know, take classes.  So I'm just gonna stare that fear in the face and do a crow pose.  

5.  To get creative with baking.  This one is a little vague, I know.  But I generally approach baking by finding amazing recipes by my favorite bloggers, maybe tweaking them a bit, and posting the results here.  And while I think there is always value is sharing the recipe love, I want to push myself out of my comfort zone to use flavors and techniques I'm less familiar with and begin to create more original content.    

6.  To value quality over quantity.  I've just ALWAYS been the kind of gal that says "I love lipstick.  I should own 800 lipsticks in every color imaginable" instead of the girl who says "I love lipstick.  I should have 3 or 4 really great shades that I wear a lot."  Ya know what I mean?  The same goes for how I choose to spend my time, what I bake, what I eat, and what I read.  I want to slow down a bit and value the things that add true quality to my life.  

And what are your resolutions for 2014?