Getting to Know my Neighborhood

Getting to Know my Neighborhood

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Thoughts

As you may (or may not) know I have moved twice this year! Ahh, let me tell you about some stress :) But I'm finally in a place that I feel comfortable in and the animals have settled in as well. Since they're much more comfortable and relaxed now, I've been able to go about and about and explore my area.

I now live in Lakewood, CO near Golden... which is my favorite place in Colorado! I'm close to my family, who've been a wonderful support for me, and all the places I love.

My first foray out in the neighborhood was to Casa Bonita, a famous restaurant detailed in a certain South Park episode. I hadn't been there in something like 15 years, so when a friend wanted to go I thought it'd be fun. If you haven't heard of Casa Bonita, it's hard to describe, but I'll try. It's basically a Mexican restaurant that's jungle/pirate/miner themed, LOL it's a little all over the place. But they have an indoor waterfall and divers for entertainment which is awesome.

It's a lot hokey and a little fun and has great sopapillas! I would not recommend any of the other food though, this is purely an ambiance type of place.

Next my mom, grandma, and I decided to take a stroll in downtown Golden. We looked at the antique shops and local boutiques. The shops are a nice mix of handmade, country, and antique aesthetics. I really enjoyed just people watching, walking along Clear Creek, and seeing the local handmade items for sale. It was a really fun day... and it doesn't get much better than this welcome sign!

Then my brother and I decided to go for lunch in Belmar. This was once the site of a mall which was torn down for an outdoor mall/luxury apartments/business center/whatever else it wants to be. It's a fun place to walk around with great shops, cafes, restaurants, and bigger stores. It's a pretty popular place so I decided to use the OpenTable website to reserve a table at a restaurant. This site (and app too) is like a reservation maker and Yelp all in one. You can find local restaurants, read reviews, and browse Top 10 lists (such as, Neighborhood Gems, Best for Brunch, etc...). So I searched the website and decided to try Little India in Blemar. I also found some restaurants that I'd never heard of but am dying to try!

I'm not normally a fan of Indian food, but my brother's into it so I thought I'd give it a second chance. We got the lunch buffet so I could try an array of food. And let me tell you, I'm a convert! I love Indian food; it's spicy and flavorful and just so delicious. My favorite food at the buffet by far was the onion chutney in naan bread. It's raw onions covered in spices; I know it doesn't sound special, but the spices make all the difference in the world. It's just so good!

I also tried tandoori chicken, chicken vindaloo, curries, and carrot pudding (which I love and need to recreate!). Everything was really good and I ate my fill for sure.

I've really enjoyed reacquainting myself with my new neighborhood. I've especially enjoyed be able to focus on spending time with friends and family. I hope all of you get a chance to explore or re-explore your neck of the woods, it really feels good to see the sites in your own backyard.

This post was solicited by OpenTable, however, all opinions are my own.

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E.L.F. Haul

E.L.F. Haul

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Haul, makeup

Sorry for being a day late, but here I am finally.

So I've been wanting to do a crazy cool Halloween makeup (oh it's coming, don't you worry) and finally I decided to buy the makeup. I went on the E.L.F. Cosmetics site. Then, of course, I got sucked in by the website and bought all sorts of fun stuff. So here's what I got!

Essentials Natural Lash Kit
I'm not normally a false lash person. I mean the glasses just get in the way and I have pretty long lashes on my own so I don't dabble often. But for this look I'm doing I thought they'd be fun. Unfortunately these didn't stick very well so I think I would spend more than a $1 next time.

Studio Matte Lip Color - Wine
This is actually a pretty berry color that's matte but not super dry looking. I haven't worn it for long but it seemed to wear well and had great payoff.

Studio Acne Fighting Foundation - Ivory
I have been on the search for a new foundation that does all the things I want it to do. And so far the high end brands haven't come through, so I thought I'd try the drugstore version. This was a good color match for me but unfortunately it doesn't last very long on my skin. Maybe for a short period this would be good. Also, don't apply this with a brush, I used the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge and got much better results.

Studio Eyeliner - Black
For a girl who wore black eyeliner daily for around 10 years, I haven't owned a black eyeliner in months (good it be a year?). So it was about time I bought one. I haven't tried this yet, but I'll report back if it's great.

Essential Flawless Eyeshadow - Smoky
This is not a usual color for me but it's for the Halloween makeup. For being $2, these eyeshadows are really great. The payoff is awesome and the shimmer isn't overtly glittery but just really nicely glowly. I definitely will have to pick up some more shades.

Essential Brightening Eye Color - Luxe and Drama
Just because I can and it's a $1 I bought a second gray eye palette and a reddish fall colored one. I only tested drama, but compared to the smoky palette though, these do not have near the payoff. They are much more of a sheer wash of color. They can be built up but it gets patchy.

Studio Moisturizing Lipstick - Velvet Rope
Another product purely for Halloween, this a true and bright red. It's more sheer than the matte lip color but it's buildable. And I tried layering the 2 together, and they looked pretty awesome :)

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Style Trials: Banana Republic Sweater

Style Trials: Banana Republic Sweater

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Style Trials

Style Trials: Banana Republic Sweater by amberbutbetter featuring high heel boots

First published on shopserenesky.com:

Well it's been a while since I've done a Style Trial, but fall is coming (FYI I'm so excited!) and I've bought this new blush/pink sweater and thought I'd think of some different ways to wear it. Pink is not a color I gravitate to often so I needed some inspiration :)

Outfit 1 - This outfit was work inspired, because I've definitely been in a rut when it comes to work clothes recently. But fall is the perfect time to switch it up because layers!!! Oh how I love them. 

For this look I wanted some nice ankle pants to make it work appropriate. Then these sneaker-loafer hybrid shoes are some I've been obsessed with recently... like I need these in my life! And finally the jean jacket for some added warmth in the office and it add a little more color. 

Outfit 2 - Another fashion issue I've been facing is figuring out how to wear my clothes for a night out, dinner, or just outside of work without looking professional, I hope that makes sense. I just want a way to make my clothes do double-duty I guess.

I figure what says fun and nighttime more than a leather (or pleather) jacket! A more tough biker jacket would add warmth for those fall nights and spice to the pink sweater a bit. Then dark skinny jeans and black ankle boots keep the outfit sleek and a bit sexy.

Jewelry, of course, is important to add personality, sparkle, and fun to an outfit. I really liked how this triangle necklace works with the neckline and the weave of the sweater. I also love how it can multi-task for either outfit, day or night!

As always when I do these posts, I think I've created a shopping list for myself as much as ideas for you all! But I am excited for the fall season with changing colors, cooler days, warm drinks, boots, football, and the start of the holidays. I get excited just thinking about it. But now at least I have a plan more or less for my fall uniform and I'm ready to go!

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Covering Those Dark Circles

Covering Those Dark Circles

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Makeup Tutorial

Just like many of you, I suffer from dark circles. Big angry purple ones... it's a legit problem. So of course I've had to devise a way to cover them from the public eye. Here is the routine I use to turn my dark angry eyes into bright-eyed beauties!

Ok here is my naked face in 3...2...1...

First I apply my foundation (more on that new routine later) then I use a peach colored concealer directly on the under-eye area. I'm using the NYX Dark Circle Concealer right now and it works well; it covers and lasts. It does crease a bit after I powder but if you wipe them off quickly it won't crease again.

Most days, you know work days, this is the end of my coverage and I do think it works pretty well. But on full makeup days I like to add a little lightness under the eyes.

I take the concealer in a triangle shape with a few swipes under the eyes almost down the length of my nose. I've been using the Flower Lighten Up! Brightening Concealer Click Pen and it works well at highlighting although I find it's not the best at blending.

The best way to blend this area I've found is the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. Just wet it, dry it off in a towel, and then dab away until everything's blended.

See bright and beautiful! And then here's me with all my makeup, whew I needed some color back in my face.

Overall, I think the tricks are the peach colored concealer as it really does neutralize the dark blue/purple dark circles color. Then a color 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone in a triangle shape under your eyes to really brighten it all up. 

There are some other techniques I'd like to try using yellow concealer and/or yellow powder which is supposed to further brighten. I'll have to give it a shot and let you all know. And if you have any great tips for concealing your dark circles please comment with them down below, I'd love to hear.

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Updating my Vanity

Updating my Vanity

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DIY

As you probably know, I've moved recently (twice!) and because of this some of my furniture was damaged. Luckily my good/antique furniture is fine, but some of my cheaper (aka almost wood) pieces got pretty scratched up. So I thought it was time to try out some DIY.

I had this idea to use contact paper to revitalize my desk-turned-vanity with a marble finish. I wasn't quite sure how to go about it, where to find the paper, or really my plan. But, one day while strolling through Big Lots I found a blue marble contact paper for about $3... so yea I had to get me some o' that!

So I got my stuff together and just went for it! Take a look below at my process and the really cool results :)

Here is the vanity before hand

And the crazy scratches from the moves, they're all over!

Got my supplies together, oh and some tape to help keep things still.

I laid the contact paper out

And hung it over the edges about a 1/2 an inch

Once everything was lined up I started sticking

This is the awkward way I unrolled and laid it down while smoothing lumps

Then I trimmed the edges with a utility knife

Yay! Awkward hand pictures!

And it's done!

And the final product, I love it :)

Overall for around $3 the turned out great, I love it and it just adds something extra to the room and the table. I hope you all get some inspiration because as DIYs go this one was easy!

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