New Year’s Edge

Happy New Year! Can you believe it’s almost 2015?! 2014 has been such an incredible year, filled with so many opportunities, blessings, new experiences, and joy. Remembering all that has happened over this past year gets me so excited about the possibilities that lie ahead in the next 365 days. New Year’s Eve is a celebration of the past year, but at the same time, a party that toasts to new beginnings and resolutions. This outfit is my way of doing both. I celebrate 2014 dressed in black, my favorite color of the year (and the year before, and the year before…) and with a red lip, the trend I finally adopted this year and totally fell in love with. With my favorite leather jacket and heels, I step into the new year with a strong, fearless attitude—ready to be bold, go against the grain, and take on new challenges. Watch out 2015, I’m comin’ for ya!

I hope your New Year’s celebrations are a blast—full of laughs, memories, and fun. Stay safe, and I will see you in 2015! 🙂

Black Lace Tee (similar)/ Forever 21 Faux Leather Jacket (similar)/American Eagle Jeans/Sequin Clutch (similar)/Forever 21 Black Pumps (similar)

Easy Holiday Beauty Look

Christmas is finally here, and I couldn’t be more excited! My plans for this holiday look a little bit like this…family, food, drinks, and repeat. Oh, and all to the tune of my favorite Christmas music (that has been playing since Thanksgiving!)

The holidays are a time for family and thankfulness, not a time to spend hours in front of the mirror. That’s why having an easy holiday beauty routine is key. Today, I am sharing a simple and festive beauty look perfect for all of your holiday events.

 

I started with my usual layer of powder foundation. For the eyes, I applied a gold shimmery shadow to my whole lid, used a white shimmery shadow under the brow and on the corners of my eyes, and used a silver shadow for the eye crease.

Next, I used Rimmel London’s Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kahal Eyeliner. I am obsessed with this eyeliner. It glides on effortlessly and looks fantastic. Plus, a waterproof eyeliner is longer-lasting than other liners, which is perfect for days filled with holiday events.

I applied two coats of mascara (because lashes are a girls best friend 😉 ) and brushed a cranberry blush on my cheeks.

For the lip, I used NYC’s Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum. Let’s talk about this lipstick for sec…first of all, it smells amazing. Second, I am in love with the color. It makes the perfect subtle statement. Third, it’s only $1.99 (Merry Christmas!)

To finish off the look, I used EcoTools Sleek and Shine Finisher Hair Brush to brush my hair into a simple ponytail. This took about 10 seconds and left my hair feeling silky and smooth.

 I’d love to know what your holiday beauty looks are this year! Share them with me below!

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes, but all opinions expressed are my own.

Vegan Applesauce Bread

Applesauce Bread is a huge holiday tradition in my family. Every Christmas, my mom would make dozens of loaves of applesauce bread, attach a cute Christmas ornament to each, and give them as gifts to family, neighbors, and all of my school, dance, and piano teachers.

This year, my mom decided to switch up her famous recipe by making it vegan! It only took a few small changes, and the bread is as good as ever! The recipe includes an easy egg substitute which really comes in handy whenever you are trying to ‘veganize’ a recipe.

Give this applesauce bread as a hostess gift or enjoy it as an after dinner treat. Whatever you choose, this bread is bound to be a hit!

 (Lori’s) Vegan Applesauce Bread

(makes either 3 regular size or 5 mini loaves)

 INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup water

3 tablespoons flax seed meal

1 ½ cup sugar

1 cup oil

2 cups applesauce (unsweetened is fine!)

2/3 cups almond milk (or soy milk)

3 ½ cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 cup vegan chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine water and flax seed meal in a bowl, stir, and place in refrigerator for 10 minutes (this substitutes for the original 4 eggs in the recipe)
3. Combine sugar, oil, applesauce, milk, and “egg” in a bowl and stir
4. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and chocolate chips in a bowl and stir
5. Mix dry ingredients in with wet ingredients
6. Pour batter into loaf pans and fill about ½ way
7. Bake for 50-60 minutes for regular sized loaf pans and 40-45 minutes for mini loaf pans
8. Enjoy your cruelty-free holiday treat!!

 What are your favorite holiday baked goods? Share them below!

Secret Santa Gift Ideas (Under $30!)

Monogram Votive Candle/Posy Bib Necklace/Monogram Mug/Cloud Spike Stretch Necklace/Printed Corkscrew/Kate Spade Knee High Socks/Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Gift Set

It’s the busiest most wonderful time of the year! Some of my favorite things—Christmas music, pretty lights, and the spirit of giving—happen during this season. But this season also brings a plethora of projects, papers, and of course, final exams.

On top of a jam-packed schedule, gift giving can seem like a full-time job, especially when you are shopping for someone you really care about! Secret Santa gift exchanges are a great way to reduce the number of gifts you have to buy for your loved ones, saving both money and time (amen!). I am in a couple of Secret Santa exchanges myself and know that even finding one gift (instead of 5, 10, or 20) can be a challenge, so I put together a collection of great Secret Santa gifts, all under $30!

 

Happy giving!! 🙂

Holiday: Merry Little Black Dress

Reason #762 that I love the holidays…they are a reason to dress up! With dinners, parties, and other gatherings, the holiday season is full of occasions to make your outfit as festive as the spirit in the air!

Dressing up for the holidays doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money on new clothing; you probably have everything you need for a perfect holiday outfit in your own closet! For this look, I started with one of my (many) black dresses and then added a green scarf and red lip to achieve the holiday look!

So, get creative! Break out your glitter and sparkles, red and green, and silver and gold. And don’t forget the most important part of your look…a smile! After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year! 🙂

 

What are your holiday plans this year?

Dress (similar)/H&M Cardigan (similar)/American Eagle Scarf (Similar)