Lately Loving: BB Cream

I feel like I've been hearing about BB Cream everywhere lately. On TV, in magazines, at the drugstore- it's BB Cream fever! But what IS this super popular cream everyone is buzzing about? I was determined to find out and I'm happy to share the spoils of my research with all of you! This weekend I stopped by Smashbox to get a crash course in all things BB Cream..and some other fun make up finds that I'll tell you about later! So here's the deal. BB Cream, which is short for Blemish Balm, was first created in Germany and originally used as a cream for post surgical and laser procedures. It was big in Asia and employed whitening properties and is now making it's way into the American market. It's pretty much an all in one product giving you primer, foundation, sun screen, oil control, and moisturizer. Kinda sounds like a miracle product right? Well, it kinda is!

Smashbox BB Cream

I typically moisturize my skin with Hope in a Jar before using any make up and then use Benefit's Pore-fessional and my usual make up routine and I'm out the door. I rarely use foundation because I don't like too much coverage, but what I am loving about Smashbox's BB Cream is that it covers like a tinter moisturizer. It's very light coverage, but just enough where it gives you a flawless base. A little goes a long way and a good tip I was given was to work in sections. So no dabbing spots all over your face and then blend. Squirt just a pea sized amount on the back of your hand and then use your fingers to apply and blend. I like to use a lightly dampened make up sponge to blend. BB Cream does hydrate, but I still like to use my moisturizer underneath and you could also use an additional primer if you have one you're partial to. This is really a great product and make up lasts on top of it throughout the day. Smashbox's BB Cream is priced at $39 which is actually a pretty great price considering how little you need and how long one tube will last. Pretty much every beauty brand is making a BB Cream and one of the selling points for me with Smashbox was the variations of shades available.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on BB Creams and if you've found one you like or feel free to ask any questions you might have as well.

Hollywood Pies

Something had long been missing from my life. In general I feel complete, but I always knew there was this little something missing. When I heard Hollywood Pies opened in my neighborhood my heart fluttered. Chicago style pizza- this is what was missing! I had never tried it. It sounded delicious and was only a matter of time before this pie would be mine. Thick pie-like crust, zesty tomato sauce, a layer of cheese, and chunks of Italian sausage- YES! I've never been to Chicago (yet), so I can't speak to the authenticity of their pies, though I have read that they are spot on. Hollywood Pies does not have seating, in fact, they don't even have a sign. This is not the kind of place you go for date night. This is the kind of place you pick up from or have delivered to you, pull on the comfy pants, park it on the couch and watch countless hours of TV {my perfect night}and eat your pie! They are working on expanding into the spot next door, and will have seating if/when that happens- so then you can put on real clothes and make a night out of it. But until this- I leave you with PIZZA!

A simple box containing greatness

This is the small pie- about the size of a fruit pie, but oh so hearty

Pizza in action- check out those layers!

I loved it! I want to have it again for sure. I think my heart belongs to a classic margherita thin crust pizza, but I tell ya- these kids from Chicago are on to something. Droolfest for sure!

Have you had the pizza from Hollywood Pies? What did you think? Have you had Chicago deep dish in Chicago? Tell us all about it!

Celebrating Memorial Day in a Naughty Way

Memorial Day is usually associated with the start of summer and while we still have just under a month till the first day of summer, we can start enjoying some of the things we love most about this most glorious season! I'll be at a barbeque with some of my best friends today, soaking up the season, enjoying a few cocktails, and snacking on a few delicious treats. For me, Memorial Day is aglow with nautical maritime pride and you can count on it that I'll be dressed accordingly on this most summertastic day!

Sail away! Via Sailboats and Seersucker

Maritime striped cotton-jersey dress from J. Crew

Via Eli-sabeth

Octopus Twinkle Clutch  and from Anthropologie

Anchor Twinkle Clutch from Anthro

Mac's Hey, Sailor! Lipstick

Chanel Regata Bracelet via Elle

Hermes Sandals via Southern Prep Brunette

Protect your tele with this iPhone case by Society 6

Wishing you a wonderful day off spent in the sun, with friends, and lots of bbq!

I Got Tonged

There are a few things in this world that should not exist. War is definitely high in the ranks. Poverty and starving babies surely make the cut. What also belongs on this list? Kangol hats. We all know that there is only one person who has permission to wear a Kangol hat, and that is Samuel L. Jackson. The man I met on yet another ill-fated Jdate, I assure you, was not Samuel L. Jackson.

    NOT MY JDATE 

I don’t really care about the anonymity of my Jdate, but to be honest, I don’t remember his name. So, we’ll call him David. We met in the parking lot of Gyu Kaku*, and during a brief moment of optimism and kindness, I decided I would overlook the Kangol hat. As evidenced by the last sentence, I’m really growing as a person. Or, I’m willing to settle. Whatever. We exchanged our awkward Jdate pleasantries and made our way into the restaurant, lucky to be seated quickly.

David was easy to talk to. Too easy. Like the type of easy where you just don’t care what the other person thinks, and not in a good way. You’re not trying. You’re not fighting for anything. You’re having a fine enough time, but you also have this type of fine enough time with a co-worker you’re not quite friends with.

Our raw food hadn’t arrived yet and I noticed David fidgeting with the tongs that the restaurant provides to cook the food with. He started trying to grab the napkin up off the table. He moved on the sugar and sweet ‘n low packages. He tried to tong the straw out of his drink. And then he tried to tong my breast. Or, more specifically, my nipple. What in Aspergers hell just happened? All that I could manage to sputter out of my mouth was “Uh….??????” All he could manage to come up with was a shrug and a smirk.

I wish I could say that I slammed my napkin on the table, said something witty and ended it with a “I said good day, sir!” But, I didn’t. I awkwardly inched back and put a stink face on for the rest of the night.

Needless to say, I didn’t return his second date proposal, sent via text (!), the following day. In the end, it was just the clichéd classic tale of girl meets boy on Jdate. Girl and boy meet at Japanese BBQ restaurant. Boy gives girl a titty twister with tongs.

*Gyu Kaku Japanese BBQ is a great dinner date. Besides the food being just delightful, the whole cooking the food yourself thing can really spark conversation and add a bit of laughter when the meat gets overcooked**.

**I just want to note that there is nothing less laughter inducing than undercooked meat. Ecoli is not funny. No one says, “Oh, I went on this great date and contracted the Ecoli virus from undercooked meat.” Never.


Carly, 32, Los Angeles

Secret Spaces + Bouchon Bakery

Sometimes you find a spot so wonderful, so soothing, and so perfect that it becomes your go to. You go there when you need alone time, with a friend, take out of towners, or just because the weather is perfect. I stumbled upon this kind of incredible little courtyard in Beverly Hills at the Montage- it's not exactly hidden or a secret, but it never seems too crowded. There are two fountains, chairs, grass, people watching, and most importantly it's right at the footsteps of Bouchon Bakery, which you would never know is there unless you went looking for it. Bouchon Bakery has such lovely (sometimes lovely really just is the only word to describe things...and lovely it is!) treats (try the macarons, the Thomas Keller Oreo/TKO, or any of the tarts), sandwiches, and beverages. I am a huge fan of their nicoisse sandwich, hot vanilla, and probably any little treat they have. I read awhile about the Kouign Amann being incredible, but that is usually sells out quickly so you have to get there early if you want to try it. I scored big time one day when I had the day off from work and decided to take myself on a date and pick up Bouchon treats and they still had the Kouign Amann, so naturally I had to have it! It's kind of like a croissant with all it's flakey layers, but it's more buttery (if that were possible), sweeter, but what sets it apart is the way it caramelizes! I could only have a few bites and took the rest home for me Mister. Now, their Hot Vanilla is really worth talking about. It's basically steamed milk with vanilla, but it's a homemade vanilla bean simple syrup and while that is a pretty basic thing, it's something actually really special! It's probably one of the most comforting hug-in-a-cup kinds of bevvies you could imagine! Basically like a hot marshmallow milk shake.

Does it get any more serene? Nope!

 

Nicoisse sandwich on homemade bread, with incredible tuna salad,
radishes, lettuce, and a layer of tapenade

Hot Vanilla and Kouign Amann

Up close and flaky!!

Do you have any tucked away favorite places you keep going back to? And...have you indulged in the Kouign Amann?