Kitchen Beautician: Homemade Body Shimmer!

Temperatures are rising and prom, formals + weddings have just happened or for others, are just around the corner! Which means our skin needs a little help after a long dry winter! After giving your body a good buff with our D.I.Y. brown sugar scrub, add a little shimmer to your lotion to get that perfect glow (without having to spend any money!). Here’s what I made last week in 3 easy steps to use on my friends and I (Also the Beauty Department used it on their clients attending talk shows -Brittany Snow with her gorgeous new red hair on her visit to Conan, stunning + raven-haired Krysten Ritter on her visits to both Jimmy Kimmel and Conan and Lauren Conrad on her visit to Chelsea Lately) that I thought you might like too:

TOOLS

Your favourite lotion (many make up artists have said that they are obsessed with Korres Body Butter in Jasmine because it’s natural and smells divine but any lotion that you love will work!)
Small jar of gold loose mica mineral pigment (I like Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Loose Colour Concentrate in Clove for Fair to Medium skin tones, or Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics in Acacia or Mimosa for Tan to Dark skin tones). You can also crush up an old gold or pearl pressed eyeshadow to make it loose.
A mixing bowl or tumbler, chopstick + spoon
An empty travel-sized jar or bottle

1. Combine four parts lotion with ½ teaspoon gold shimmer (or measure by sprinkling the shimmer until desired shade is achieved).
2. Stir with chopstick until colour is consistent (isn’t it gorgeous?!) then direct it towards one side for scooping.
3. Spoon out your creation and transfer it into the jar.

You can do this with coconut oil, tanning oils and many sunscreens. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll start wanting to try different shades of illuminating loose powders and add them to everything! 
Please share any of your ideas + potions too!


Will you be a kitchen beautician?!




Saskia XO

PROM!

So the event that us girls dream of for the majority of our childhood...that brings the greatest joy out of all of the female species (old or young), is of course.... the PROM! Lucky enough for me, mine was on Friday and I feel more than extatic to say that it was single handedly, one of the best nights of my being!!! 

Having lived beyond all expectations as I 'danced the night away' with my fellow girlfriends, I have attached some pictures as memorabelia of the event!

I think everyone present was in agreement that it truely was the greatest prom that we could ever have wished for!

With regards to dress code, I think I speak on behalf of all my friends on the fact that we were all in a unanimous agreement about the spec! It had to be a). glam b). a different colour to each others! c). fashionable d). beautiful!

So with that in mind, our (I'm sure you'll agree...;} ), spectacular prom dresses were chosen!

I hope that all of you bloggers who had your prom during this 'Prom Season', had just as an amazing evening and that all you 'premature promers', have a wonderful one in the future!

What did you wear to your prom?

Saskia XO

Summer Treats: Berry Wonton Cups

This treat is so tasty and easy that you’re going to have to stop yourself from popping a fourth batch into the oven. Or not! Make it the next time your friends come over, for a summer BBQ, or even when you’re snuggled up on the couch watching a movie; they're totally versatile! 


PHILADELPHIA INDULGENCE Berry Wonton CupsPrep Time: 10 min. | Total Time: 30 min. (incl. cooling) | Makes: 16 

What You Need16 won ton wrappers
1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA INDULGENCE White Chocolate Cream Cheese Spread
2 cups fresh blackberries

Make It
Heat oven to 350°F.
Spray 16 muffin pan cups with cooking spray. Line with won ton wrappers, extending edges of wrappers over tops of cups.
Bake 10 min. or until lightly browned. Cool.
Spoon 1 Tbsp. PHILADELPHIA INDULGENCE into each won ton cup just before serving; top with blackberries.
Variation: Pair your favourite




Will you be trying out these sensational summer classics?


Saskia XO

A Crown of Braids

To me, summer hair is messy, touchable softness and my favourite kind of style is the braid. So when the braid can be made into a crown....I say why not?! It seems pretty easy, but not everyone has long hair that reaches all the way around the head to make a perfect crown of braids. Girls with short hair need braids TOO! Using this technique, you make small, overlapping intersections of braids to create a full crown. Here’s how:

1. Start with straight, wavy or curly hair. I personally like this best with a little wave or curl because the crown of braids holds better with texture.
2. Grab a section of hair above the ear and split it into 2 pieces, like our lovely Nora is doing in this photo.
3. Braid both pieces. (Gently loosen up the braid for a more natural, romantic texture.)
4. Cross them over each other as seen above and clip them to hold them in place while you do the same thing on the other side! If your hair is short and won’t reach, do 3 or 4 intersections of hair instead of just 2!
5. Once you finish the other side, take the two braids that go over the top, cross them over and pin them using small but strong bobby pins.
6. Take the two pieces that will go backward and tie them together. Add a couple of pins where the braids meet.
7. Add a few extra bobby pins around the crown of braids to keep them from slipping or moving.

A veil of hairspray isn’t necessary but will help keep things in place if your hair tends to slip.

What's your favourite summer hair style?

Saskia XO

Style Guide: My Beach Day Basics

The sun is shining and the seagulls are singing (or more accurately, combing the beach for your sandy leftovers)—it’s summertime! You may have your swimsuit du jour squared away along with the perfect pair of sunnies, but the question remains: Are you really ready to hit the beach?

In addition to my door side “go” bag (see In the Bag: Prepped & Ready for all the details), there are a few key fashion items I keep around for hanging beachside…

Classic Cut Offs
Every gal needs a good old pair of cut off jean shorts. For me, denim cutoffs will always be a summer staple. They are as timeless as they are California cool. Lately, I’ve been wearing Levi’s because like the looser fit and higher set waist. The Levi’s 501 cut works well with most body types. Other cute cut offs I found online include Madewell’s cuffed Midi Shorts or Urban Outfitter’s Urban Renewal Shorts.

Neutral Sandals
I cannot stress how important it is to have a great pair of neutral sandals. Your wardrobe choices are exponentially multiplied when you’ve got a pair of shoes that go with almost everything if your closet. A few of my favourites are the sandals designed by LC Lauren Conrad's line for Kohl’s, Tory Burch’sEmmy Flats, Topshop’s Hoopa Sandals, and Aldo’s Dauster Flats. And for those of you who plan on treading into the sand, I suggest keeping a pair of Havaianas Slim Flip Flops handy (I like the sand grey and light golden colour combo).

White Camisole
When I’m beach bound, I love to layer on an easy, lightweight camisole. In fact, I love them for a variety of occasions… Splendid makes a great basic camisole as does Sparkle & Fade.

A Killer Cover Up
If sand or water will be involved in my day, I always pack a cover up. They add the ideal dose of chic to any summer outing. I like simple stripped versions and also sheer floral prints. Lace and crochet cover ups are also nice and have been popular this season. I also found this sweet Diane Von Furstenberg romper that would make for an easy all-in-one ocean side ensemble.

LBB
Well, hello LBB (as in Little Black Bikini)! For a no-fuss beach trip, I keep a little black bikini around. That way, I can easily match my outfit and cover up if I’m in a hurry to get out the door. L*Space makes a great black bikini with the best fit. Like a LBD, every girl needs a LBB (oh, and a LWD too).

Floppy Hat
I always pack an oversize hat for the beach. J Crew does the best floppy hat. It's the perfect size and it travels well. Keeping your face safe and out of the sun is a must. For more tips on combatting the sun, be smart and check out my Hello Sunshine blog.

Oversize Tote
A classic straw tote with leather handles will last you years. Club Monacohas a lovely stripped tote bag that’s big enough for your towel along with the rest of your beachy necessities.



What are your beach day basics?


Saskia XO

First Day of Summer Vacay: Candy Coloured Beauty!

In a nutshell, it seems that the summer beauty scene has been sugar coated—and quite literally. From Louis Vuitton to Chanel, cotton candy pouts and sugar sprinkled cheeks were paraded down the spring 2012 catwalks, making this sweet façade the look du jour for summer.

In honor of this pretty summer trend, I’ve put together 10 of my favourite candy-coloured beauty picks along with tips on how to wear each one…

Sweep on a subtly iridescent loose shadow, such as Make Up For EverDiamond Powder in Baby Mauve, for delicately sweet lids. Wear it with a soft pink lip and a fresh face to keep the look wearable for work or play.

Slick some shimmery highlighter over your cheekbones, across your jawline and over your collarbones for a glowy, glistening finish. I like Benefit High Beam.

Gloss on 2012’s hautest yet most refreshing shade: Mint Candy Apple by Essie. I love how unexpected yet insanely chic mint tips look when worn with summer neutrals and bright whites.

Savour your sweet tooth by rocking a candy-coloured kisser. Fill in your lips with something like NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil for a sugary-sweet pout. I suggest pairing this lip with long, black lashes and natural face makeup for a Louis Vuitton-like finish.

If rock candy pink isn’t for you, opt for a peach sweet pout by wearing Yves Saint Lauren Volupte Sheer Candy Lipstick in Tangy Mandarine. Peach is a nice, understated way to wear this trend since it works well with most skin tones and can be worn with full or minimal makeup.

Applying a sheer blue shadow along your lower and upper lash lines will make your eyes pop. Sheiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Colour in Fondant is great for this. When worn with a bold lash and neutral lip, the results are simply stunning.

Pucker up for a sweet but sour glow by sweeping on a luminescent blush such as Sephora Microsmooth Blush Duo in Fuchsia Flushed. Brush it over the apples of your cheeks for a perfectly flushed finish and pair it with a natural matte eye for contrast.

Use a pillow-soft neutral shadow such as Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow in Ivory or White for a smooth, natural base. Wear it with winged liner for a doe-eyed effect and a punchy pink gloss to keep the look interesting.

Let’s face it—Lemonhead lids are tough to pull off. Instead, use a yellow-tinged colour correcting eyelid primer to refresh tired or red eyes. BenefitLemon-Aid works well and the sheer pale hue instantly hides any discolouration so you can confidently wear all of summer’s candy-coloured shadows without worrying about what lies beneath.

If a bold fuchsia flush intimidates you, try Dior Rosy Glow Healthy Glow Awakening Blush. It gives you that effortlessly natural rosiness that’s perfect for a summer day. This is a great shade that goes with almost every beauty look. Definitely a good investment piece for your beauty kit.

Which candy-coloured product are you most excited to try?

Saskia XO

Lovely Liberations: Peach Passion

I posted a photo of this peach sangria (photo above) in a recent Friday Favorites and noticed a lot of requests for the recipe in the comments. I discovered this delicious drink through Pinterest (my newest obsession), but the actual recipe is from Coastal Living (July 2009). Needless to say, peaches are in season right now which makes this the perfect time to share the recipe with all of you!


Ingredients

• 1 bottle of white wine of your choice
• 1 cup peach schnapps
• ½ cup frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 2 nectarines, sliced
• 1 cup green or red grapes, whole or sliced

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or overnight. Stir before serving. Enjoy!

For a virgin version of this recipe, swap out the schnapps and white wine for Sprite or sparkling water!

Give it a try and tell me what you think!

Have a yummy late-summer drink recipe? Upload it in the comments bellow!

(All exams finished!!!) Saskia XO