NOMNOMNOM

Hello! So... I just felt I HAD to share this recipe I got from the blog Love from the Oven.

I also recently made some Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate chip, which I modified from a recipe I got from Smitten Kitchen.

Both of these recipes are super yummy, relatively inexpensive ingredient-wise, eminently modify-able, and (most importantly) pretty darned easy!

These chocolate cookies were SO delicious! When I made them I did some minor modifying to a couple of things (most importantly, the size of the cookies. The original recipe is for SUPER big ones) I also made a couple of fun variations on the shape as you can see below.

These are the regular shaped ones

 And, now for the heart shaped ones!


I'll throw up some pics of the oatmeal chocolate ones, if you want... but I think the smitten kitchen pics are pretty thorough.

^_^

I'm kind of a fan of holiday baking... so I may post some of these little "science experiments" every so often.

10.26.11 Red Birthday look! ^_^

Wednesday (10.26.11) was my boyfriend's birthday... and I rocked red, as it's his favorite color. This is the look I did:

Eyes:
e.l.f primer
concrete primer
Manic Panic Eye Paints - black magic to crease (paying special attention to outer v - as you can see ^_^ )
Aromaleigh Rocks - tainted love above black magic and into center (to create a gradient)
NYX - 81 chick to lid
Meow Egyptian Treasures - Ra to outer 1/2 lid (layered atop NYX)
Meow Dr. Zhicato to inner 1/2 lid (layered atop NYX)
Meow - Levitation just under eyebrow to highlight
Fyrinnae - Still Breathing to lower lashline
Kat Mascara

e.l.f. all over stick - Persimmon to contour cheeks
e.l.f. mineral foundation
Almay mineral foundation

10.23.11 - Camilla says WTF to Galliano's Pegasus adorned in black hearts

I tried to integrate the main colors into the title sentence. Since I'm an English nerd... this was great fun. I may do it again in the future! What do you think?

Without further ado, I give you "Camilla says WTF to Galliano's Pegasus adorned in black hearts". ^_-

Eyes:
e.l.f. mineral primer
concrete primer
Kat - black hearts to outer v/outer crease
Kat - WTF to outer 1/3 lid
Kat - Galliano to middle lid
Venomous Cosmetics - Pegasus inner lid and inner v
Kat - Camilla to highlight
e.l.f. mineral eyeliner - black to water line, upper and 2/3 outer lower lashline

Face
e.l.f. all over stick persimmon to cheeks
e.l.f. mineral foundation
Almay mineral foundation

Probiotic Skin (Review)

Howdy, folks! So... a lot of things have changed for me. Long story short, I'm back on the blogosphere... just recently. I'm now living in Denver, Colorado. I was born and raised in Texas and have only lived in TX and FL... so this is a good change.

(This was drafted before my recent makeup look... so I'm just going with it.) I have included ingredients for the products in the Probiotic Skincare line below:

Clarifying Skin Cleanser
Water (Aqua), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Calendula Officinalis (Marigold) Flower Extract, Acrylates Copolymer, Willow Bark Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), Phospholipids, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Extract, Ginko Biloba Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Camellia Sinesis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Palmitate),m Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, DMDM Hydantion Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Sodium Hydroxide, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Lactobacillus/Mild Ferment Lysate Filtrate (Yogurt Derived), Tetrasodium EDTA.

Lift and Smoothe Skin Toner
Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Lippiea Citriodora (Organic Lemon Verbena) Flower Extract, Lactobacillus/ Milk Ferment Lysate Filtrate (Yogurt Derived), Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Phanthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5), Mentha Piperita (Pepperment) Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Ginko Biloba Extract, Dog (Rosa Canina) Rose Hips, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Calendula Officinalis (Marigold) Flower Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Phenoxythanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopherol (Antioxidant), Citric Acid.

Anti-Wrinkle Firm and Smoothe Serum
Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cetearyl Alchohol, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil Unsaponifiables, Lactobacillus/Milk Ferment Lysate Filtrate (Yogurt Derived), Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sclerotium Gum, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Camellia Senesis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Beeswax, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Veris Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm) Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract, Tocopherol (Antioxidant), Phanthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Allantoin, Phospholipids, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Palmitate), Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA.

Hydrate and Protect Daytime Moisturizer
Water (Aqua), Cyclopentasiloxane, Butyrospermum Parkii (shea Butter) Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Isopropyl Palmitate, C12-15 Alkyl Benqoate, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Lactobacillus/Milk Ferment Lysate Filtrate (Yogurt Derived), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Extract, Linum Usitassimum (Linseed) Oil, Camilla Sinesis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis (Marigold) Flower extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)Fruit, Borage (Starflower) Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C Ester), Sodium Ascorbate, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), Propylene Glycol, Phospholipids, Phenoxyethanol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, PEG-8, Mannitol, Lentinus Edodes (Shiitake) Extract, Lecithin, Halianthus Annus (Hybrid Sunflower) Oil, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Dog (Rosa Canina) Rose Hips, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Beta-Sitosterol, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Palmitate_, Clyceryl Caprylate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Allantoin, Tocopherol (Antioxidant)

The Dealio: This product line works pretty well to keep skin moist, but my results may relate to a number of changes I've made recently. As for the anti-aging... I don't know that this product line helped me in that regard so much. That being said, the ingredients are non-toxic AND organic, and they state that they are non-comedogenic, as well. While they are using topical "probiotics" as their selling point, I'm still unsure about the legitimacy of their claim. While the skin is the largest organ humans possess, and 70-80% of what you wear is absorbed through the skin, there is little empirical evidence indicating topical probiotic application can prohibit the aging process. Certainly, a well hydrated outer layer helps... but I just recommend scrutinizing this and any similar products (primarily anti-aging and acne treatment). First question should always be: "Who conducted this test?" followed by "Who paid for the test?"

This product is supposed to be reformulated to include some sort of spf in the future, which would be nice. Until then, take it for what it is... a gentle moisturizing and cleansing product grouping with relatively low price point (compared to same/similar products... mostly carried in department stores and boutiques).

Would I buy again? Probably not any time soon. But, in their defense, I almost NEVER get skin care or cosmetics products at department stores. And, as stated in the title, I prefer indie. ^_^ As a disclaimer: I got this free, as I was working as a sales rep for the company when they were doing a costco road show. You may like it... but I just don't have the money to spend 200ish dollars per month on day and nighttime treatments (the previous information is JUST the daytime kit... the night time includes another serum, moisturizer, and exfoliating cleanser.)

Denver Broncos

Today's look was inspired by the Denver Broncos. For those of you who don't know, their team colors are white, blue, and orange.

Eyes:
Concrete Minerals Primer
Detrivore Primer (also applied under lower lash line)
GDE, Mingles - to create a cut crease
Kat, Speed Blue - layered over GDE Mingles
Fyrinnae, Lust Bunnies - angled outer half (see picture)
Fyrinnae, Electro-Koi - layered over the farthest angled outer quadrant (to create a gradient... see picture)
Kat, First Class - to highlight under brow, also used on inner half, and inner v
Kat, Sunset Blvd. - to inner 2/3 lower lash line

Face:
e.l.f. all over color stick, Persimmon - used to contour cheeks (also applied on lips)
Wickedly Clean Ivory Mineral Foundation, Light (review forthcoming) - Application of this product is tricky... but I'll go over all that in the review. ^_-
Kat Mascara

Clemson v North Carolina

Hello, all! it's been a while since I've posted. (A LONG while). Quite a bit has happened since then. I won't bore you with the details, but I'm living in Denver, CO now (from Austin, TX) and busy as ever. Since I'm trying to play catch up with a number of projects and get settled into my new home, my looks will have sparse instructions. I will make sure to post all the ingredients I use in each look, but not always the methods I use to apply them. If there are particular looks that interest yousguys let me know and I will do my best to squeeze in a more thorough explanation.

Today's look was inspired by the colors on the field during the Clemson and North Carolina Game. Vibrant green with white and, of course, orange.

You can see there's a teency bit of fallout... but nothing inordinate or unruly... for someone who rarely purchases or uses anything that's not mineral... I'm pretty pleased with the Kat VonD pallet! ^_^ I DID get it as a gift... so I'm not sure if I would have purchased it otherwise. (Though, I friggin LOVE Kat Von D's style. 

 

Apologies if the brows are distracting... I'm trying to keep up with them myself... tricky.

Foundation:
e.l.f. mineral foundation fair
Almay pure blends 200 transleucent shimmer (to set)
Meow browbeater auburn (for eyebrows and lightly to contour)
Wickedly Clean pastel pink blush

Eyes:
e.l.f. mineral primer - applied gently to lid with ring finger
Detrivore primer - same method as above
Kat VonD Tattoo Chronicles (we'll call anything from this palate "Kat" from here on out. ^_-) blacksmith Applied just above the crease in a rather blunt, triangular shape; patting and sweeping
GDE Olivia Green - layered above blacksmith, lightly
Kat First Class - to inner v of lid, to highlight just under brow, and on the upper cheek as a highlight
Kat Nerd - layered above Olivia Green
Fyrinnae Electro-Koi - from lashline to "cut crease" (if you would even call it that; see picture :-P )
Concrete Minerals Lithium - Applied lightly to inner portion of crease and above (so the edge isn't so harsh)
blacksmith - was also applied to upper lashline and outer portion of lower by pressing and sweeping with an angled brush
Kat Mascara

Have you tried any of the mentioned products? What are your thoughts?