Tea Time

My favorite drink, hands down, is tea.  Black tea, green tea, white tea...I love every type of tea.  I probably consume a few gallons a week!  For me, drinking tea a good way to ensure that I'm getting all the water I need to stay hydrated and have healthy, glowing skin.  Tea even has some great health and beauty benefits as it's chalk-full of antioxidants.

I prefer to drink my tea iced and I've found that the most efficient and economical way to do so is to get yourself an ice tea maker.  Last year I purchased the Takeya Iced Tea Maker because it had such great reviews, and have not looked back.   I brew the tea at night and then store it in the fridge so I have a pitcher of tea to last me through the day.  Currently my favorite tea to drink is Trader Joe's Black Mango tea.  I've calculated that brewing a pitcher of this tea costs me only 20cents and I get a quart worth of iced tea!  Black Mango iced tea at my favorite coffee shop costs about 3.00!  Are you into tea?  

Black Mango Tea - Yum!

Takeya 1 Quart Iced Tea Maker

Spring Dreaming

This dreary weather has got me dreaming of spring.  I can't wait to see the flowers blooming, hear the birds chirping, and see the sun pushing its way past the clouds.  Spring is just a few more months away, but that doesn't mean that I can't start planning my spring wish list!

Trench Coat: A trench coat is a classic piece.  It's also extremely versatile and I love that it's easy to throw on over whatever you're wearing to protect yourself from those unpredictable spring showers.

Zara Cotton Trench $149.00

Snakeprint Ballet Flats:  I love animal print so it should come as no surprise that I'm into snake print.  Think of how well this flat would pair with the above trench!  These extremely versatile shoes would look great with all shades of denim or a cute spring dress.  

Reva Snake Embossed Leather Ballerina Flat $225

Colorful Trainers:  Since I've been spending more time in the gym, I've been thinking about purchasing another pair of shoes to workout in.  I already own these shoes in black and I can attest to the fact that they feel like you're walking on clouds.  How fun is the bright pink color?  

Nike Free 5.0 TR Fit 4 $69.99

Pink Blush:  Spring is the perfect time to throw on some bright pink blush to give yourself a natural flushed look.  This flower shaped blush by Clinique is so perfect for spring!

Clinique Cheek Pop $21

Do you have anything on your spring wish list?

The Contouring Craze

Perfectly chiseled cheek bones and dewey cheek bones are all the rage this season. Conturing has become the hottest topic in beauty as of late.  Inspired by the likes of Kim Kardashian and other heavily contoured celebrities, I'm thinking this look is here to stay for a while.  If you're looking  
to get into this look, I would first suggest that you invest in the proper tools, a palette and the correct brush.   While you'll be just fine using your favorite bronzer and highlighter (my favorites: Laguna by Nars and Mary Lou Manizer by theBalm), a contouring palette will give you many more options for greater depth.  I've heard great things about the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit.

image via sephora.com

For a contouring brush you'll want something angled that will fit into the concave of your cheekbones.  The MAC 168 is your best pick, but if the $35 price tag is a bit too much, don't worry, the brush is easily dupable.

image via nordstrom.com

There are different ways to contour your face, depending on you face shape, see the image below.  A search on Youtube should yield a tutorial by a professional makeup artist so that you can copy and rock this look.