NEW MAKEUP FAVORITES {Giveaway}

We've made it to Friday!

Today, let's talk date nights and some of my new favorite makeup items.

Sometimes my girlfriends ask me why I care about what I look like when we go out because I'm married. Then, I proceed to look at them with crazy eyes and say "so that means it's acceptable to look like crap?! No!" I still want to look good for Billy and for myself. I don't want to just let myself go...I don't think anyone does.

Along with that, I'm a big advocate of scheduling date nights with Billy. We might not have any kids yet, but it's still easy to get caught up in everyday things, our friends, and just our normal busy schedules that we forget to spend actual quality time for just the two of us outside the house. One of our favorite things to do for date nights is a simple idea, but just trying new places for dinner and grabbing dessert somewhere together afterward.

I'm the first person to admit I'm not a makeup expert. When we have date nights, I usually spend much more time on my hair than my makeup. However, this girl loves to experiment with products that seem easy to use and are wallet friendly!

Enter ALMAY's Smart Shade Mousse makeup and Intense i-color Bold Nudes Kit:

also known as.... your new best friends.

I'm not a big fan of liquid foundation, but sometimes I want more coverage than just powder and bronzer. The Smart Shade Mousse is perfect for this. For date nights-I will use a concealer first, use ALMAY's Mousse on top, then finish with some bronzer {Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess is my absolute favorite!}.

This mousse is my new favorite product, especially for the spring and summer. It's really easy to apply and looks so natural, which is exactly what I want. I apply it with a brush and it instantly blends with my skin to create the perfect look. It's so soft (almost feels velvety!) and doesn't make my face oily or greasy. I use the light/medium shade of the mousse right now, but might transition to the medium once I get more tan this summer.

Some of you may have noticed ALMAY'S eye shadow kits for your specific eye color in the store. I use the bold nudes (nudes are my go-to) i-color kit for blue eyes and it really does make my eyes pop! I tried to take a picture of me wearing both products in good light, so you guys get the idea...

 

 good ole selfie pic, ha. But the kit truly does make my eyes stand out and I love the look of the mousse on my face.

The eye shadow kit gets more bonus points for being extremely easy to use by showing you on the back how to apply each shade. Shade #1 I apply on my brow bone, #2 I apply all over my lid, and #3 my outer corner and in the crease, like so...

The only thing left to do is put on some eyeliner and mascara and I'm ready to head out the door. Honestly, my makeup routine probably takes me ten minutes or less to do. And it needs to because I've got a cute guy waiting for me... ;)

For more information, visit Almay's website, and don't forget to like Almay on Facebook!

Now, for the awesome giveaway: All you have to do is answer this question below and each comment will automatically be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card!

WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO DATE NIGHT LOOK?

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! We have our first wedding of the year on Saturday that we are excited to go to. Lastly, I did a fun feature/interview with Shop at Home and would love for you to go check them out. If you like great coupons and deals on shopping, then trust me, you will like them!


No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

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4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 5/16/13-6/16/13.
Be sure to visit the Almay brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

 

SPD: MASON JAR TO GO CUP W/ CUPCAKE LINER

Happy SPD Day!

If this doesn't project doesn't scream summer, I don't know what does. 

Who can possibly hate a mason jar?!

I guess I can only speak for myself here, but I absolutely love them, and am in love with this simple project.  They actually sell these to go cups on Etsy, but why buy when you can make them on your own for so cheap?

You'll see how easy it is. Let's get started...

What you need:

+Mason Jar 

+Sharpie/pen

+A drill-or for those who don't want to use a power tool-just use a hole punch that cuts through metal!

+1/4" Rubber Grommets (found at hardware store for $.69 cents-eyeball the size that a straw can fit through)



What You Do:

Figure out where you want your straw to go on the lid. 

Place a rubber grommet where you want the hole to go.

Make a mark in the center with the sharpie or pen.

This is where you will drill or hole punch the hole for the straw. If the hole isn't large enough, just keep punching or drilling around the hole to make it bigger to fit the straw. 

Take your grommet and push it into the hole. You don't want the hole too big because then your grommet will move around. 

Stick a straw through the hole and put the lid on top. Then, if you want to be creative and add a cupcake liner, just cut or punch a hole in the cupcake liner and then screw on the top to the jar! 

I adore how the cupcake liner gives it extra sass...
{please note: the cupcake liner isn't the actual lid-it just goes on top of the metal lid for decoration!}

In as easy as 1, 2, 3 (ok and 4), you have your cute new to go or travel mason jar!
My "pinspiration" for this project came from this pin/tutorial, and then I just decided to add the cupcake liner. 

*Katie tested, Pin APPROVED!*

What do you think?! Did you know it could be done that easy?
You could use these for parties..as favors..the sky is the limit friends!

Now it's your turn to show me what ya got...

**Please follow these simple rules**

+Link up using the linky tool below.

+Link back to Steph and I's blogs in your post (be kind!), so other people can know about the link up!

+Visit other blogs to get new inspiration and find new friends.

 

COPY CAT CHIPOTLE GUACAMOLE...SERIOUSLY.

 

Whoa whoa whoa!

Life has been a little bit (ok, a lot bit) busy lately. Ever feel like hitting the "pause" button?! I could use that right this instant. I feel like there's so much going on now that the weather is steadily nice (this is not me jinxing it...right?) and even though the days are longer, I'm trying to fit more and more into them! But they are all really great things, so I can't complain.

I did make time for this. This meaning a COPY CAT CHIPOTLE GUACAMOLE RECIPE!

It deserves all caps. Chipotle's guacamole is like a dream to me... so amazing that if they ever forgot to put it in my bowl, I would get in my car, drive back there, and demand ask very nicely for not just the normal amount but a second scoop. It's serious business. 

If you are a guacamole fan, you must make this. Pin away, my friends! It's about to rock your world.

This recipe is pretty simple, but tastes very similar to Chipotle's....or it's just THAT good that I can't tell the difference between the two. Either way, you need it in your life like yesterday.

Copy Cat Chipotle Guacamole:

inspiration from this recipe

Ingredients:

+3 ripe avocados

+1/2 cup chopped red onions

+1/2 cup chopped cilantro

+1/3 cup chopped jalapeno

+1/8 cup of lemon and lime juice ~ 80/20 ratio

+pinch of salt (I didn't even use it and it was still amazing!)

What to do:

Peel and pit avocados, place in a bowl, and mash them with a fork. You want them to be a little chunky. Add the other ingredients and mix. Serve with your choice of tortilla chips - I highly recommend this flavor of Pop Chips! They are SO good and a healthier option for tortilla chips.

VOILA.

Then, you get your eat on....

 

Once you make this, make sure to tweet/instagram/facebook me and let me know how you like it.

Be back tomorrow for an exciting SPD project that you will be able to complete in under 15 minutes and it's perfect for summer! 

Any guesses?!

 

What Makes You Happiest?

{really really loving this song right now..on repeat daily..}

I'd like to think of myself as a pretty happy person. "I just like to smile...smilings my favorite!" who's with me? I'm generally a friendly person when you meet me...at least I hope so?! Can anyone step up and second this for me? Anyone...? ;)

However, on Mother's Day? One of the most difficult days of the year for me and the many others who have experienced the loss of a Mother. Everyday, I wonder if I'm making my Mom proud and if I will ever live up to the woman that she was. This year, I decided to turn my frown UPSIDE DOWN (yep-went there) and planned ahead to focus on the things that make me the happiest.

You know...the stomach kickers. The things where I just stop, right in the middle of the moment, let out a big sigh and say, "this is the life!" The things that light a big ole fire in my heart.

I rounded up a list of those stomach kickers that make me happiest. They might seem small and not worthy of such a title, but to me, they are! I truly believe that by focusing on the small things in life, they can and will help your attitude and make you appreciate everyday you are given. I can definitely thank my Mom for that, she was the queen of gratitude and was appreciative for everyday! So, here we go...

+Country music while cooking dinner  
and in the car...and at concerts...and with friends while cooking out in the backyard
+Trying new things 
going to a new city, new restaurant, checking something off my bucket list
+Cooking out in our backyard / sitting by a fire with friends
what is it about that smell?! ahh...
+Traveling 
and having a special couple that you love traveling with (cc: Steph and Beau)
+Swinging in our hammock
+That feeling after a long run / hard workout 
+Seeing my friends and Billy happy 
+SUNSHINE / the beach / Corona's 
because they all go hand in hand..

 

+Rocky in the window waiting for me to get home everyday (and his unconditional love)
+A clean house
ah! feels so good, right?
+Finishing house projects with Billy + that feeling of accomplishment!
+Comments on my blog and social media
2.5 years later I STILL read every comment you guys leave on my blog. I love them oh so much. Thank you, thank you!
+A beer in a frosty glass
+THE POOL on a hot day

 

+Finding random love notes around our house from Billy :)
+Reading my Mom's journals
+Making plans and being so excited that you have a countdown!
+Ohio in the summer / fall
+Talenti, Sea Salt Caramel Gelato
+Celebrations with family and friends
+Boating with Billy's family in the summer

How can one NOT feel blessed after all those wonderful things?! AND now....bum bum bum...as I mentioned on Friday, I asked you all on Twitter last week to tell me what makes you the most happy. Seeing all the results come in made me smile just by reading them! I want to share some of them (if you aren't listed-please don't hate me, it's just because I couldn't keep up and some were repeats of others!:)) not just so you can read them but because you will now have some AWESOME ladies and their blogs to follow!

Ashley said waking up on Saturday morning and going for a run with my husband and fur babies. Chelsea mentioned when her plane touches down in Jamaica and surprises (AGREE! I love a good surprise...) Tess and I must have been on the same page because she said experiencing new things as well. Touche! Alexa said dinner with friends, her pup, vacation, sleeping in! Callie told me monogrammed things, drinking on the patio on sunny days, sweet tea vodka, her fiance, and baseball. Samantha sounds like she was reading my mind when she said country concerts, pedicures, Nashville (YES!), quiet nights at home with her boyfriend, and puppies. Erin confessed crawling into a freshly made bed after a really long day. Kay told me hour long phone calls with her sister, fresh flowers, all the little things. The lovely Ashley said a hot bath with a glass of wine in hand and no technology. LOVE THAT ANSWER. :) Lastly, Tori said finding a surprise love note in her wallet from her husband. So sweet and awesome!


And just like that, you have some fabulous new blogs to go explore and fall in love with. Happy day.

In other news-this weekend we took my parents to dinner at Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant. This is our second time here since they opened late last year, but my parents haven't been yet. We did a wine tasting that I'm pretty sure is normally supposed to take just an hour, but ours was about two hours long. We chatted and chatted with the workers and had a BLAST! They even gave us a couple extra wine tastings that weren't included in our package.. who can complain about that?! We had great service for dinner as well and all of us loved our food... definitely one of our favorites now here in Columbus!

PS: I can tell you one thing that doesn't make me happy. Unloading the dishwasher...I avoid that like the plague.

PPS: Thank you to those who took time out of your own Mother's Day to send kind words, emails, etc. my way. I can't tell you how blessed and happy I felt when reading them. I'm so thankful for this amazing blogging community!

*If you haven't watched the video on my Beachy Waves Hairstyle post, go watch & enter for your chance to win!


 

CURRENTLY, I AM....

Reading: I'm not even lying, it has probably been close to a year since I've read a book. However, I do really want to re-read The Great Gatsby soon (really soon), and then go see the movie! Leo is the best, isn't he? I'm really excited to see it.

Watching: Favorite shows right now? Million Dollar Listing NY just started back up, Nashville (finally Deacon and Rayna are together! ah!), and I have to admit that me and Billy have been watching the Bates Motel and are strangely really into that. Since the days are getting longer and the weather is nicer, I'm trying to keep that TV off more than usual. 

Loving: You know, I was sitting in the hammock swinging last night with Rocky (what else is new?) and was thinking about so much. Clearly, it's my new spot for where I do my best thinking. ;) Anyway-I was thinking how much I love lately. How thankful I am for so many things. I took it to my Twitter to ask you guys, "what makes you happiest?", and am going to put a little blog post together with my responses and yours for Monday.  

My reasoning behind this?

This Sunday (Mothers Day) isn't the easiest of days for me, and to be honest, I never really feel like doing anything. I usually just want to stay at home and keep to myself. I usually avoid instagram and facebook for most of the day. So, by asking that question to you all on Twitter (or right now-what makes you happiest? really think about it!), they will be such good reminders for me come Sunday, when I'm feeling sad, about how many things I do love and appreciate in my life. And trust me, I've got a good list going to share with you all! #goodstuff
 

Looking Forward To: My birthday and boating this summer at the cottage! Billy's family has been working really hard at the cottage by painting new colors in the rooms and getting new patio furniture. I'm actually starting a project for it as well, but stay tuned for more details on that. :)

  {Me and my SIL}

I mean, really? The sunsets are unreal.

Cooking/Baking: I'm wanting to cook all the lovely recipes I saw via our link-up yesterday! Thank you to those who linked up with us...I just love reading them!

Wishing you: a wonderful weekend with your Mom. I know, I know...I say this EVERY YEAR right before Mother's day, but I'm saying it AGAIN. I hope that no matter the circumstance (how close or not close you are) that you take some time out to let her your Mom what she means to you. Do something special for her. Hug her a little tighter. Laugh together. I know that everyone's situation is different, but you just never know these days what tomorrow will bring, and I really would give anything for one extra day with my Mom. Or even just to be able to talk to her on the phone. Sigh.. you have no idea what I would give for that. 

Happy (early) Mothers Day to my angel - my Mom. 
And of course, wishing a happy Mothers Day to my step mom and my mother-in-law!

See you all on Monday for some hap hap happy things! :)

Can't wait to share them all with you.

If you want to keep up with me over the weekend: follow me on Instagram @katiewkrysh.