Bold lips & Cat Eyes

When: Thursday March 31, 2011

What:
Black dress: ? (Panama)
Floral trench: Forever XXI
Black Nine West belt: TJ Maxx
Red wedges: ? (Panama)
Black Liz Claiborne purse: TJ Maxx

Where:
Worked during the day and relaxed at home in the evening.

Comments:
For some reason, I have been in the mood of wearing a bold lip + Cat eye make up combo! I used to only do this type of make up every now and then (especially since I'm not so good at drawing the thick black eyeliner on my eyes), but now I feel like wearing it everyday! I have already worn this make-up style three times (1, 2, 3) in the last 8 days! hehehe I guess I'm in a vintage mood.

BTW, I just wanted to thank all of you for your super sweet comments regarding my makeup. I feel so flattered that you all enjoy the way I wear makeup!! hihi. I'm no expert, but I would be more than honored to make a make-up tutorial for all of you as you have requested. Just give me a little time and I'll get to it :)

How do you like to wear your makeup? Natural? Vintage style? Smoky?

Here are all the ways in which I've worn this floral trench (which I LOVE):

I value my family

When: Wednesday March 30, 2011

What:
White tee: Saks (Panama)
Red Skirt: ? (Panama)
Caramel belt: Forever XXI
Beige pumps: eBay
Aqua Liz Claiborne purse: TJ Maxx
Necklace & earring set: Present from my grandmother

Where:
Work, exercise, and watched a movie called Spirited Away with my family.

Comments:
You know something? I love spending time with my family. I am SO lucky to have a wonderful family in which we all get along great! I love how each of us is very different but we still have a wonderful time together.

I value my family so much, that I really put a great effort into spending time with them often. Today, for example, I organized a family movie night to watch a movie called Spirited Away. It was great to be doing something all together!

Do you spend much time with your family?

Here are all the ways in which I've worn this red skirt:

Special Treats: Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing

This weekend I decided to bake yet again! This time I made some chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter icing. Overall, this was a very yummy cupcake! The icing was DELICIOUS, and the cupcake was tasty but a little dry. I think I overcooked them (Boohoo) but they were still tasty :) .... Overall, I would say a 7 out of 10 for this recipe. If I manage to make them more moist next time, then I would say they are more like an 8.5 or 9.

Recipe: Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing

Source: Foodnetwork.com

Ingredients:
nocoupons

• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  
• 1 cup buttermilk, shaken, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons brewed coffee
  
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup good cocoa powder (I used Hershey's)
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  
• Kathleen's Peanut Butter Icing, recipe follows
• Chopped salted peanuts, to decorate, optional

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixed fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and 2 sugars on high speed until light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes.

3. Lower the speed to medium, add the eggs 1 at a time, then add the vanilla and mix well.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee.

5. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.

6. On low speed, add the buttermilk mixture and the flour mixture alternately in thirds to the mixer bowl, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until blended. Fold the batter with a rubber spatula to be sure it's completely blended.

7. Divide the batter among the cupcake pans (1 rounded standard ice cream scoop per cup is the right amount). Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes (Note: I personally recommend baking around 16-18 minutes so that the cupcakes are more moist), until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, remove from the pans, and allow to cool completely before frosting.

8. Frost each cupcake with Peanut Butter Icing and sprinkle with chopped peanuts, if desired.

Kathleen's Peanut Butter Icing:

nocoupons

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/3 cup heavy cream

1. Place the confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until creamy, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as you work.

2. Add the cream and beat on high speed until the mixture is light and smooth.

I found a video on YouTube that really helped me ice the cupcakes much better! They turned out much prettier than usual, so I would highly recommend checking it out!

Once you are finished icing the cupcakes, you can add some peanuts on top as decoration. They are pretty and very delicious :)

After that, all you need to do is eat...

and smile :) ...

I'm half way there!

When: Tuesday March 29, 2011

What:
White tanktop: Conway (Panama)
Patterned skirt: Christmas present from my parents
Red cardi: Target
Black pumps: La Onda (Panama)
Black Liz Claiborne purse: TJ Maxx
Necklace: Present from my boyfriend's mother (From this Colombian designer)

Where:
Work, exercise, and watched one of my favorite shows: Cupcake Wars!

Comments:
I don't know if any of you remember, but one of my goals this year is to live a healthier life. More specifically, I wanted to eat better and lose the 20 pounds I gained in college. As some of you may remember, I decided to go on a diet supervised by a nutritionist. I started the diet in January, so it's already been two months now!

I'm happy to let you all know that I have already lost 10 pounds!! Weeeeee!! That means that I am halfway to my goal!! Yippiee! It feels great to fit in my clothes a little better. I feel so much better about myself :)

Wish me luck in losing the other 10 pounds!

Here are all the ways in which I've worn this red cardi:

The Same but Better

When: Monday March 28, 2011

What:
Purple dress: ? (Panama)
Faux Pearl necklaces: Pasarella (Panama)
Beige booties: From this seller on eBay
Black & White Xoxo purse: TJ Maxx

Where:
Work + Exercise

Comments:
Today's outfit is simple, but I really like the retro vintage feeling of it. I was inspired by this Polyvore outfit my sister sent me:

Image source

Instead of wearing the beige booties with a black dress, I decided to add more color with this purple dress! The funny thing is that I have made this outfit before! I even made it with the same hair do... what are the odds!?!

Anyway, I like today's version much better! I think these beige booties and Xoxo purse look more chic than the first version of this outfit. What do you think?

Here are all the ways in which I've worn this purple dress:

Outfit of the week - Reader's Choice

Which is the best outfit of the week?
	1. Any Baker's Dream!
	2. Cute Bows at Work
	3. "You may need it someday"
	4. I get allergies
	5. Hats off to you
	6. What is a Chinese breakfast?
pollcode.com free polls

Last week's winner was...

"Couldn't Forget about Pink"

Thanks everyone :)