...and We're Back!

You guys- I am so sorry for the delay in posts.  Between work and family obligations, I have been crazy busy!

However,  I've been blogging "mentally" the entire time, and I've got some GREAT upcoming posts.  

I have missed my blog and my readers ever so much, and I cannot WAIT to share my new recipes, beauty tips, and product discoveries with you!!!

Xoxo,

Lauren

Las Vegas Part I

 

I can definitely say I ended my summer on a high note.  From this past Thursday to Sunday, I was in Las Vegas for a Bachelorette Party for my dear friend Jacki.

We did everything "big" for her celebration... bottle service, VIP tables, cabanas, etc... etc... and it was so worth it.  We danced, sang, and laughed til we cried pretty much the entire weekend.  

Here are a few pics to show you some of our fun.... I'll be back soon with new Blonde & Lippy posts!

What's Your Secret? ...Featuring: Fay

Meet Fay, an uber talented (and need I say gorgeous) photographer that resides in the city of Miami.  Fay, my first ever BFF (she was born in New Orleans), is totally mesmerizing because she somehow manages to look perfect while leading her incredibly active life- whether she's at the beach, in the water, or doing a photo shoot... (or all of those things at the same time) she is always flawless.

What is your all-time favorite beauty product discovery?

Blinc "Tube" Mascara .  I usually despise mascara because it flakes off and I always end up with circles under my eyes!  But this mascara stays put... you just wash your eyes with warm water and pull it off at the end of the day.  It is awesome!

If you had ONE beauty secret to share with my readers, what would it be?


Coconut Oil! I love love love coconut oil!  It is one of the best all natural moisturizers that will not clog your pores.  The possibilities are endless... You can add a tablespoon to a bath or mix it with sugar to make a scrub. It makes a great cheekbone highlighter.  I use it as a tanner when I lay out.   I put a tablespoon in my smoothies and use it to cook- it has amazing nutritional benefits.


What are 3 beauty products you could not live without?


1. My Laura Mercier Eyebrow Pencil
2. My Radiant Antioxidant Moisturizer by Prasada Beauty

3. My Protective Illuminating Concealer by beingTRUE

What health and fitness rules do you live by?  


I drink organic smoothies every morning.  I swim in the ocean.  And instead of eating three large meals a day, I eat several small meals throughout the day.

Check out Fay’s photography:
www.FayBaldwin.com

Yours Truly & Fay circa 19eightysomething

My Weekend in Warhol

My New Favorite (and under $10) Lipgloss

L'Oreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain

I discovered this lipgloss from a makeup artist while discussing this lipgloss with her.  She told me it was the same formula, but that YSL's glosses had more complex colors.  Sure enough, they are quite similar.  While the L'Oreal does not offer the same color the YSL Glossy Stain gives, it definitely gives you staying power.

If you check out the color of the gloss in the tube from the first pic... it doesn't exactly translate to the same color on my lips.  I would think the darker colors probably work a better, but I was going for something sheer.  Note: there is nothing on my lips besides this gloss.

And the price- under $10- you can't beat that for the quality of this gloss.

I apply one coat... let it dry... then apply another coat... and let dry.  Do this without drinking anything and WITHOUT RUBBING YOUR LIPS TOGETHER!!  Once it sets, you are good to go.  Definitely keep it in your purse to reapply- but compared to other glosses, it truly stays on your lips for a good amount of time... keeping them shiny without being too sticky.

L'Oreal Colour Caresse shown in pictures:  Pink Perseverance.

Purchase with Free Shipping:

                                                              

Memorial Day Weekend at the Lake

Here are a few shots from the long weekend.  My friend John is gracious enough to have his friends come to his lake house on holiday weekends and there is so much to do.  Whether it's four-wheeling, boating, shooting skeet, or just lying on the pier, you can find something you enjoy in this beautiful place.

This trip was truly special because we had John's friend who is one of Emeril Lagasse's test kitchen chefs along for the trip.  Stacey's job is to create and write recipes, so to say she can cook is quite the understatement.  Everything she made was from scratch and for the most part, healthy.  Check out the picture of the Prosciutto (and lord knows what else... we'll call it HEAVEN) Pizza a little further down.  It was hands down the best pizza I've ever eaten.  Even the dough was homemade!  

But what's even more exciting- Stacey is going to start sharing her favorite recipes with everyone via this blog... (I'm also trying to convince her to start her own!).  So, hopefully, I will get the recipe to that fabulous pizza (and several of the other things she made this weekend) soon.  

Everything she made this weekend was whole and organic and SO DELICIOUS, so I'm hoping she can help me learn how to cook fabulous healthy meals that even a Louisiana girl like myself can enjoy!

Flawless. Anna Selezneva

Could she be any more perfect?  I love this look- once again... natural makeup.  

I love how there is something on her lips, but the color makes it look like her lips are naturally that rosey color.  

Notice the bronzing on her forehead and cheekbones- makes her look like she just got a little sun on the beach.

And then, of course, her barely-there, shimmery, smokey eyes and perfectly groomed eyebrows.  Definitely makes her stare captivating.

ph: modelcandids.com

What's Your Secret? ...Featuring: Candice

       How could we NOT be dying to know all the beauty secrets of this gorgeous girl?!  I couldn't be more excited to have Candice as the first of the new Blonde & Lippy feature, "What's Your Secret?" which will spotlight different pretty ladies and their beauty secrets... (especially since she enlightened me on some new products I had never heard of- and can't wait to try).  However, my favorite thing Candice said was in regards to nurturing your skin from the inside... so true!

 What are 3 beauty products you couldn’t live without?

        "#1.  I absolutely love Bobbi Brown's Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in the 'Powder Pink' shade- thats a mouthful!  It gives a gorgeous natural matte color to lips and stays for hours on cheeks. It looks great against sun kissed skin and is perfect for Summer. I've been using it for years and it has become one of my staple items!

        #2.  Because I almost always opt for the natural look and never wear liquid foundation, I swear by  Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup for a light finish. I use the pressed powder in the 'Latte' shade. I discovered the brand after my mother was recommended it by a doctor of hers. One use and I was hooked! It makes your complexion look flawless, even, and smooth without looking like you have anything on. I have been using it for about three years and have turned several friends into users as well. It is definitely a go-to and I highly recommend it!

       #3.  Darphin Paris is my choice for eye cream. I use their "Anti-Fatigue Smoothing Eye Gel" and the "Dark Circle Relief and De-Puffing Eye Serum." The Anti-Fatigue Gel creates a cooling effect that feels amazing and helps me to wake up in the morning before I apply my makeup or even have a cup of coffee. It works as a great prep for my concealer, as well. The Serum is mainly used before I go to sleep because of the oily base. When i'm tired I tend to look that way! And Darphin does an amazing job of keeping me looking as good as I feel!"

What is your every day makeup routine?

        "My daily routine is pretty sparse. But the three things you will almost always find me wearing are concealer, mascara, and bronzer. A common mistake I notice is that girls will use bronzer on the balls of their cheeks in the area that you would otherwise apply a blush. Bronzer is intended to contour the face, and has the opposite effect when not applied in the right area. I like to make the famous kiss fish face and apply the bronzer from the temple, down to right below the ear, and then blend inward toward my mouth in the indentation created under the cheekbone. If you stay within this guideline it can really thin out the face. If you prefer, you can add a light amount of blush to the balls of the cheeks as well." 

What is your go-to if you want to “glam it up” for the weekend?

        "My friends can all attest that I am a firm believer in the 'cat-eye.' I think it makes the shape of the eye look beautiful and can even be applied in different colors depending on the look you are going for. I always use a liquid liner. Either in black or my most recent favorite, Dolce & Gabbana liquid liner in the 'Dahlia' shade. Its plum and super fun to wear!

I also can't leave out the infamous red lip! I love love to play with different shades and it instantly makes you look glammed!"

In your opinion, what is the most important part of your skincare regimen?

        "I think the most important part of skincare is to eat right. There are so many gels and creams and serums for this and that, but if you're not nurturing your skin from the inside then you are probably wasting your money. Greasy foods are your skins worst enemy. Make sure to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and your complexion will be better equipped to take care of itself!"

What is your favorite feature about yourself?

         "My favorite feature of myself is probably my hair. When I was younger I hated the thickness and the waves. Before the days of hair straighteners, I would literally iron my hair down on my mothers ironing board trying to get it to lie straight! In adulthood I find that I love the thickness and the natural wave saves me countless hours of styling. I can simply wash and go. And I almost never straighten! I do have a slight addiction to my curling iron though. I swear by the relaxed curl look. It’s chic and easy and will stay for hours."

Shop Candice's Favorite Products:

• Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in "Powder Pink"
• Jane Iredale PurePressed Base SPF20 Mineral Makeup
• Darphin Paris Anti-Fatigue Smoothing Eye Gel, or buy from Amazon.com: Darphin Anti-Fatigue Smoothing Eye Gel - 15ml/0.5oz
• Darphin Paris Dark Circles Relief and De-Puffing Eye Serum, Amazon.com: Darphin Dark Circles Relief & De-Puffing Eye Serum 0.5oz
• Dolce & Gabbana Glam Liner Intense Liquid Eyeliner in "Dahlia"

A huge thank you to Candice for being the first "What's Your Secret?" feature!  

Snapshot from a weekend at the camp

IRONY: 

Cocktail in styrofoam cup, Chanel lipgloss, Missoni phone case... Garden & Gun Magazine.  Gotta love the South.

At the Gym this Morning...

This happened... #BlingBling

Photobooth

A few photos from the Photobooth at the wedding this past weekend...

The Bridesmaids

My adorable mother & I

My "Godbrother" & his wife (who is
also one of my best friends from high school)

Restaurant R'evolution

(ph: revolutionnola.com)

Back in August of last year, Melanie and I were dying to try one of Nola's newest celebrity chef restaurants, Restaurant R'evolution.  With Louisiana's beloved Chef John Folse and Chicago's famous Chef Rick Tramonto, we knew it had to be amazing.

In true Melanie Perret style, we ordered a plethora of things on the menu so that we could get the full experience. I must admit, my SUPER picky self had to muster up some courage to try some things-- specifically the terrifying array of cheeses I had never heard of...salumis...potted meats...you name a delicacy, they have it! All in all, the food was incredible and the presentation was pristine.

Some of my favorites: 

    Sheep Ricotta Gnocci with Lobster, Filet Mignon (I ordered it topped with truffle butter & sauteed Maine Lobster meat), and of course my side of Truffle Mashed Potatoes.

The atmosphere- well let's just say that even though it had an upscale feel, we definitely knew we were in New Orleans when one of the waiters with an incredible voice came over and sang to the table next to us, which happened to be Wendell Pierce of HBO's Treme taking his parents out to dinner for their millionth 50 something wedding anniversary.

To top it all off, Melanie secretly told them it was my birthday (my bday occurred about 8 months prior).  This turned out wonderfully, however, because they brought out a mini treasure chest/dresser type thing for me with all these little drawers filled with different types of candies and truffles in each one. I can't even remember what the main dessert was because I was so enthralled by this little chest of presents.

Birthday Surprise... too bad I didn't get a pic of the chest of treats!

The restaurant is beautiful, the food is heavenly, but honestly the most impressive part was the wine selection.  They brought us an iPad so that we could look through the selections available in their 10,000 bottle wine cellar.  We got a tour of the cellar and got to taste a few wines... then ended up ordering a few of our own! :)

Melanie and I toasting... (too dark for a good picture!)f

(ph: revolutionnola.com)

For more information:
http://www.revolutionnola.com/index.html

NYE on the Bayou

Going to start this blog with the new year, so here's a few pics from New Years Eve.

Just getting over the worst case of the flu ever, I wasn't really feeling like slipping into anything with sequins (or any type of heel)... So when a friend of mine that lives down the street from me in my hometown said he was having a bonfire at his house on the bayou, I said... yeah, maybe.
But when he told me he was starting the crawfish in an hour, I said, "I'm getting in my car right now!"

We "passed a good time" complete with cocktails, crawfish, LSU football, a bonfire, fireworks, and a little (freezing) boat ride to our friend's parents' place Tranquility Plantation.
Oh and thanks to the speakers on the new boat, the boat ride also turned into a dance party...

Definitely the perfect Louisiana night!

Tranquility Plantation (couldn't find a good night-time pic, but it is oh so beautiful when it's all lit up on the bayou)