Birchbox

After hearing about the craze that is Birchbox & going back & forth between deciding on whether I should subscribe or not - I have finally caved!

I can't wait to receive my first shipment in November. Naturally, you can expect a post reviewing all my items. 

Monday Mourning // Happy Halloween!

So far, my Halloween has been awesome. It's been lacking some candy but I'll survive. The boyfriend and I went out Friday night after hours of getting ready. It was no easy task! After endless research and consulting with a makeup artist, I had my plan mapped out. We found my costume on Steinway Street in Astoria but they wanted an insane amount of money so we found it on Amazon.com at a fraction of the price. I made my tutu instead of buying a petticoat [stay tuned for a tutorial], bought fishnets, dug out my lace up Dr. Martens and I was ready! We were so pysched to win the costume contest because all night, we received compliments - only to find out the contest was the next night! Words cannot describe my disappointment. Regardless, we had an awesome night with great friends and I got to wear my most favorite costume to date - along with my fave man. No complaints there.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Monday Mourning // Pumpkin Spice Cookies!

     This past weekend was fantastic. I had some free time on Saturday and have been anxious to try out the Pumpkin Spice cookie mix that I bought recently. My sister had told me about it last year but never found it. I wanted to add a little something to the cookies and since I love experimenting with baking, I thought I’d try something new out. What better to top pumpkin cookies than candy corn! After doing some research online, I threw together this recipe for candy corn icing.

Ingredients
½ cup softened butter
1 cup candy corn
4 cup confectioners’ sugar
Dash of pure vanilla
⅓ cup of cream or whole milk

Directions
In a small microwave safe bowl, add a tablespoon of water to candy corn and microwave for 10-15 second intervals, mixing constantly (it will become very sticky and solidifies quickly) until it’s melted to a liquid.

In a large bowl, mix half the sugar, butter, milk, and melted candy corn. Add the rest of the sugar until desired consistency is met. Add just a drop or two of vanilla. If the icing hardens a little before you’re ready to use it, just turn on the mixer and it will bring it back to that liquid consistency.

After your cookies have cooled, add just a drizzle of the icing to the middle of the cookie as it will pool up and might even drip down the sides (paper towels under the cooling racks is not a bad idea). Before the icing dries, add a candy corn or two, depending on the size of your cookies.


et voilà!

Wait for the icing to harden and they’re ready to enjoy!

I’m still working on the measurements. I ended up making about twice as much icing than I needed for the two dozen cookies I made but  froze the rest. I plan on making more for Halloween.

Dinner & a Show

     Last night, I surprised my boyfriend with tickets to The Accidental Pervert playing in the Village. It was a one man show about a guy who battles a life long addiction to porn after he discovers his father’s stash at 11 years old. I wasn’t sure what to expect and my boyfriend broke out into hysterics when I told him what we were seeing. I failed to mention there was audience participation when we were offered front row seats and he accepted. I was impressed with Andrew Goffman’s performance. It was not only theatrical but quite physical. I couldn’t figure out why the air conditioning was blasting but we soon found out. He ran laps around the stage and broke dance which finished in a hand stand - not bad for a white boy.

   Afterwards, we walked over to Burger Creations and had some awesome burgers with double fried french fries. They were as delicious as they were unhealthy but it was date night and I didn’t care. Just when I thought I couldn’t eat anymore, my other half walks me over to Crumbs for dessert to go. We decided on Candy Corn and Dulce de Leche cupcakes. We didn’t end up digging into them until breakfast but they were worth the wait. It was my first time having Crumbs and I can most certainly tell you it won’t be my last.

Freebies & Makeup

     With Summer ending and it officially turning to fall, I realized that I needed to revamp my makeup and wardrobe. If there’s anything you’ll learn about me right off the bat is that I’m cheap, frugal, financially sensitive - whatever you want to call it. But I will spend on something worth while. I’ve been following some blogs and vlogs and came up with some make up ideas. I contemplated this BirchBox thing but it seems pretty hit or miss and I don’t like a miss for ten bucks. I’m still thinking about it, though. But it did inspire me to scowl the internet for free stuff. I love samples and free is always the best! I found a voucher for a free 10 day supply of Bare Escentuals and while I’m an avid user and already know I love this product - it doesn’t hurt to have a travel size (and brush!). I also found one for a free Too Faced mascara - both at Sephora in JCPenney. The fine print tells me that if they don’t have it in stock, you can choose any sample you’d like. So knowing that I would walk out of there with something made me happy right away.

     Naturally, I dragged my boyfriend to the mall and into Sephora. The guy behind the counter tells me they don’t have either but that I can call ahead to make sure they have it next time and hands me back the coupons. Just as I’m about to point out that I’m entitled to a sample of some other sort, he grabs a little shopping bag and fills it with free goodies! I was in my glory. So now, I not only get to come back for my initial items (the coupons never expire), I got a BAG full of great stuff! As we’re walking out my boyfriend asks me what just happened and he could not understand how I just scored free makeup. I shrugged and smiled. My next stop was Macy’s. But let’s preface this with another story. Last year, while vacationing in Mexico, I realized that I didn’t bring my make up bag! Instead of having a heart attack, I made do with what things I did have at the bottom of my purse. Desperate times call for desperate measures! Then hauled myself to the nearest mall in search for a Clinique counter. I told the woman that I had forgotten my make up at home and needed the bare essentials to last me the week. I plopped down in her chair and let her work her magic and I tried to convince myself it was going to be okay. She hooked me up with bronzer, foundation, and mascara. I could do with what other little things I had back at the hotel.            

     Well, since then, I’ve fallen in love with this foundation so you can imagine my horror upon realizing that Clinique has discontinued it. Their website says that this one is similar so I made my way to Macy’s to try it out. I was satisfied with it and sort of distracted when I realized that I’d be getting their free gift with my purchase. That made up a little for discontinuing my favorite foundation. And again, my boyfriend asks me how I’m getting more free stuff. That’s just what they do! Next up, Mac. I found this awesome eyeshadow on a vlog and I just had to have it. I might consider fifteen dollars pretty steep for a tiny compact of eyeshadow but the product is awesome and worth every penny.

On My Shoulder



Burberry Grainy Leather Tote

     My favorite accessory has always been the handbag. I’ve felt like no matter what I’m wearing - it makes all the difference. I could be wearing sweats but as long as I’m donning my fave purse, I feel like a superstar. I’ve been crooning around trying to find an affordable addition to my fall wardrobe. It’s ironic that I mention “affordable” because the handbag that I’ve fallen in love with is anything but. I won’t allow myself to meet it in person for fear I might succumb to its beauty and take it home with me via four different credit cards. Because let’s be honest, I am in no position to spend $1,395.00 on a purse or anything for that matter unless my “life” depends on it. I’m a sucker for plush leathers and compartments. I live to be organized and this bag allows me to do just so. The subtle signature plaid lining is also so luxe. I used to limit myself to small and medium sized purses but I’ve recently given in to my inner Mary Poppins. I have a subconscious need to stow my entire life on my shoulder. I hate being ill prepared and if I have everything I could ever possibly need, I’m a happy camper.

    Another bag I’ve been admiring, both in stores and on the arm of every woman, is the classic Longchamp Le Pliage nylon tote. Let me just preface that while I am very cheap, I hate the idea of knockoffs. I can spot a fake Fendi or Coach bag from a mile away and I wouldn’t be caught dead with one. But. Yes, here comes the “but.” I can’t justify spending over a hundred dollars on a plastic bag and the details are so minor that who could tell? So, I convinced myself it would just be a “test run” to make sure I really like the bag before I spent the money on it (knowing well I wouldn’t spend the money if the fake sufficed but I had to manipulate myself into buying it). I made my way into Chinatown with my boyfriend to the corner of Broadway and Canal Street. As soon as we got off the train, we were hounded. I guess it was obvious why we were there. I had hoped I’d be able to find it, even pulling up a picture of it on my Blackberry to avoid any language barrier trouble. The first shop we got to, there it was hanging on the wall outside. I’m not that familiar with the available sizes that the original comes in but the knockoffs came in way too many to choose from. And if there’s anything I can’t handle - it’s too many options. I ended up getting the traditional black tote with brown flap in what they called “small” but I believe Longchamp would call it medium. I did feel a little guilty? ashamed? wrong? buying this bag - that I almost didn’t buy it. But the price could not be beat - fifteen dollars versus $125 sounds good to me any day. I swallowed my pride and walked out with my new purchase. So far, it’s living up to its standards and I can’t tell the difference between it from an authentic one aside from the zipper pull and logo on the flap. I mean, it’s plastic. We’re not talking leather here. Needless to say, I think I’m going to stick with this one for a while. Maybe I won’t need the real one.