Do your makeup, just like a professional!

My mom always manages to find the coolest gadgets for me every birthday and Christmas. In recent years I've recieved new digital cameras, a flip cam, a Kindle, and this year she gave me the girliest gadget yet -- a TEMPTU airbrush makeup system!

Used by makeup artists for years, airbrushes have provided more even coverage and a more natural look for makeup. TEMPTU makes these techniques more accessible to us ladies who want to be more fabulous on a daily basis ;)

Head over to Sephora for a tutorial on how to use TEMPTU. They will also show you which foundation goes best with your skin tone. I recommend picking up the highlighter as well to add a little sparkle to your look.

Learn more HERE

Happy New Year! Finally another post!

It's been a while. Hope everyone had a happy and healthy holidays and New Year... Here we go, the first of a posting blitz! I'm back in DC after being snowed in NY and have soo much to write about :)

First up, some new and interesting research being done at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. Turns out we have taste buds in our lungs! Doctors accidentally discovered there are taste buds that detect bitterness. While testing them, they found out that these taste buds can cause airways to open up when they come in contact with something bitter. Why is this so important? -- Turns out this method can open airways much better than any previous medication has been able to. The next step... possibly an aerosol similar to an inhaler. I'm excited to see what will come of this.

SOURCE

Hot Dogs on the Hill

I'mma start writing more about all my tasty adventures, so here I go!

I'm all about the simplicity when it comes to hot dogs.. I just want mine grilled, with a slight char and on a bun -- NO condiments. DC-3, the new hot dog place on Barracks Row, has taught me that sometimes add-ons can make things better. If you share my taste, you'll love the Bay Bridge hot dog - which comes on a pretzel bun and is topped with crab dip. Your best bet is not to have a naked dog, it seems these lack a little flavor and count on the add-ons to pump 'em up. Another plus for the place, their Italian Beef sammidge is one of the better ones you'll find in DC.

Not too sure I'd trek out there just for a hotdog again, but if in the area, it's definitely something fun to try!

NEW TASTE OF THE NATION FANPAGE!!!!

So, when I first got involved with Taste of the Nation, I made a fan page with the year included.... I got smarter this year. Please add the new fan page!!!


Taste of the Nation DC

Speaking of being charitable...

Ever since I heard about The Giving Pledge over the summer I have thought it was a wonderful idea. If I had billions of dollars, I'd definitely give a chunk of my fortune to charity -- so expect to see my name on the list if I somehow strike it rich. The Pledge is in the news again because Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has joined, bringing the group to 57. These people are setting a great example, I can only hope more people join the pledge.

Be stylish... And charitable

Yet again Shoedazzle is supporting another cause with a stylish pair of shoes. This time around, they are offering the Little Diva bootie, designed by Kristin Chenoweth, and benefiting the Adoption Institute. In line with current trends, I have a feeling this shoe will be jazzing up my work wardrobe all winter long!

The Importance of Sleep

I've been reading a lot lately about the correlation between getting enough sleep and losing weight. It seems that those people who diet, excersize and get their 8 hours of sleep each night lose 50% more weight than those who don't get a full nights sleep.

I always try to regulate what I eat and try to be healthy however my sleep patterns have always been a little bit off. The past few months I've made it a point to get enough sleep each night and weight maintenance has been so much easier! Just goes to show you how the littlest changes can make a big difference :)

Good thing I'm not travelling for Thanksgiving

Especially given all of the controversy surrounding the TSA's screen process.


What are your thoughts?!

#NoKidHungry

Today is No Kid Hungry Day, part of Share Our Strength's campaign to end childhood hunger by 2011. If you're in DC, head over to the Passenger tonight for a happy hour to benefit 2011's Taste of the Nation and the fight against childhood hunger.

Hope to see you there!

Even modern girls need a little Guidance

I work 7 days a week (juggling 2 jobs), go on multiple vacations a year, find time to work out, see my fabulous friends and incredible boyfriend, cook, clean, keep my closet organized, always make sure I have an unchipped manicure and keep up on world affairs. How do I do it all while remaining perfectly poised, made up and looking like I got enough sleep? I'm a modern girl...


...And it's actually not that hard! All those things your mom told you about keeping a polished appearance and clean home, she was right, but I never wanted to listen to her, until now.

You can be a career woman and domestic goddess. Jane Buckingham was in your shoes once too - and now she's helping us out. I'm currently reading her first book, The Modern Girl's Guide to Life, which teaches you everything from understanding sports (for some it's a foreign language) to hosting the perfect dinner party, to decorating your fabulous new bachlorette pad! I've also read The Modern Girl's Guide to Sticky Situations which I know will help me out soon considering I am prone to awkard situations.

Working women give this a read - you'll be glad you did!

My NYC Favorites

Hey all! Sorry it's been so long - work has been keeping me crazy busy and I'm without internet at home. I spent last weekend in my favorite place ever, the great state of New York, and realized I haven't written to much about my picks for a great time in NYC. Sooooo, here ya go!

Gray's Papaya - Great cheap drunk food AND great cheap (sober) lunch

La Mela - Best family style restaurant in Little Italy

Fanelli's Cafe - Great spot to grab a burger and recharge while shopping in Soho

Vosges - Best chocolate shop in the city

Gansevoort - Rooftop party!!!! :)

Hotel Venus - Patricia Field's store. One of the most interesting clothing shops you'll ever go into

Girl Props - cheap costume, funky, and even cheeky costume jewelry!

Victor's Cafe - Granted, I've only been here once, but my family has been going for years, so you know it's good Cuban food.

And that's just a few. Gotta head back to work - if I think of more I'll add 'em later!

Is the rent really that high?!

Jimmy McMillan, running for governor of New York (my lovely home state) with the platform that "the rent is too damn high," might be a bit of a hypocrite. The New York Post (questionable news source - I know) uncovered that McMillan pays $800 a month for his 1 bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. This begs the question - if his rent is not that high, what is he complaining about?! Maybe he should take his platform to the state of California, where the San Jose area boasts the highest average rents in the country. According to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey, my current home, the Washington DC area, has the third highest average rent. The New York City area came in 6th. Some good news for McMillan, the Buffalo - Niagara Falls area had the second lowest average rent of any city. Someone may need to do some more research ;)

I'll take a cosmopolitan AND a blue hawaiian!

Luxury jewelry company Piaget has put out a new line of cocktail rings - literally - the rings look like cocktails! I can't find any pricing on their website which is probably good because I won't be tempted to spend my entire savings account on one of 'em. They are pretty freakin' fabulous though!


CHECK EM OUT!

I wouldn't mind smelling burgers all day

...sure, I'd probably gain a few unwanted pounds, but I wouldn't consider it that much of a nuisance.

However, the employees in a downtown DC building do not share my sentiment and, after a long court battle, have ordered burger joint Rouge States be shut down. They claimed that the grease odors were seeping up to their offices and causing a distraction. File this under: one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard!

I'm sad to see it go - with the saturation of burger places in DC, it was a great go to - fresh and tasty burgers, open late, SWEET POTATO FRIES. I'm hoping they'll find another location. My vote is for Chinatown :)

Read more HERE

Another one of my recessionista secrets

Good makeup is hard to come by but you don't need to run off and spend hundreds of dollars at Sephora to keep yourself looking fresh-faced. Over the past 9 months I have tried out a lot of the make up offered by online-only site eyeslipsface (e.l.f) and have found the quality to be on par with much more expensive brands. The best part - most of the makeup and brushes on the site will run you $1-$5. Even better- they always have a sale going on, whether it by buy one get one %50 off, or all mineral makeup 20% off.

Go ahead and check out some eyeliner/eyeshadow colors you wouldn't normally use! For $1, you won't be breaking the bank and who knows - you might find a new look!


e.l.f.

Doctors in the Bronx taking lead on fighting childhood asthma

Childhood asthma has becoming an increasing issue in the Bronx, with some areas having as high as a 42% rate of the disease. Doctors and pharmaceutical companies are working to both advance treatment options and make them more widely available. Learn more HERE.

Shoedazzle does it again... x3

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and yet again Shoedazzle has done something to benefit Susan G. Komen. Last year they wowed with the sexy hot pink Stephanie shoe and this year they're offering a shoe, a bag and a scarf - all named after women with breast cancer. The Beth shoe is in line with this falls trend of bright booties, while the Hope clutch and Baila scarf are a fun and flirty animal print. If you're a member of Shoedazzle, all three items will be featured in your showroom. If not - just answer a few questions about your style and within a few days they'll have 5 custom picked out shoes for you AND the three featured styles.

Time to get giving and get stylin'!

Check it out and learn more HERE

AirTran merging with Southwest Airlines

If you enjoy traveling like me, you're always on the lookout for the best airfare deals. Consistently, I have found cheap flights and good customer service on AirTran the past two years. The major plus is that they fly out of the airport closest to me, Reagan National. I have also flown on Southwest, but they only fly out of BWI.

Well, it seems I might be able to "move about the country," as Southwest says, more easily because they are buying AirTran. What does this mean? According to this article in the NYT, Southwest will be filling the holes in their service, which AirTran currently flies to - like Atlanta (the nation's largest airport) and the Caribbean. Since both airlines were discount rivals, prices will of course stay low.

My only question... what will happen to my AirTran rewards?!?! I'm halfway to a free one way flight!!!

A Taste of New York in DC

One of the things I miss most about home living in DC now is good italian food. Well, an NYC transplant may have just solved the issue for me!

For my birthday dinner this year I went with a group of friends to Carmines, in Penn Quarter, and finally found some good, homey family style italian food. Dishes are meant to split between 4-6 people and all 8 of us left stuffed after splitting 2 apps 2 entrees and a dessert (and yes, all of the food remained unfinished.)

Highlights of the meal:
The cold antipasto had a lot of variety, from fennel to caprese salad, olives to proscuitto, and and an absolutely delicious white bean dip.
The calamari was crispy and came with a slightly spicy marinara dipping sauce.
The chicken parmesan had a flavorful breading and wasn't smothered in too much cheese.
The gardineira pasta was the perfect mix of pasta and veggies.

For dessert, we had the TITANIC, which, as you can imaginel, is HUGE. There was a whole lotta whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, chocolate cake, and i'm sure a whole lot more I couldn't even see!

See the full menu and find out more about Carmines HERE.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

:)