Finally got around to uploading my go to holiday party makeup look. This is a really classy and natural look that can be worn to any occasion. Check out my YouTube channel HERE or watch the video below to see how I got this look. As always, like, comment, and subscribe!
COAT - ZARA
TOP - FOREVER21
JEANS - FOREVER21
BELT - TARGET
BOOTIES - NORDSTROM
EARRINGS - URBAN OUTFITTERS
LIPLINER - RIMMEL - RAVISH
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/4 CUP ORANGE JUICE
- 1 1/4 CUP FROZEN MANGO
- 1 1/4 CUP BABY KALE
- 1/4 CUP MINT
- 1/4 CUP PARSLEY
Start out by measuring 1 1/4 cups of frozen mango. I always try to get organic fruit, even when it's frozen, since fruit generally gets some of the worst pesticide treatment. Make sure the pieces aren't too big or too hard so that they blend easily in a NutriBullet or blender. Also keep in mind, the more ice stuck to the mango, the more watery the smoothie.
Next, I added the 1 1/4 cups of orange juice (picture does not represent accurate measure). Any orange juice will suffice, even the kind with pulp which is my personal favourite! I know, I'm in the minority here... A little hack is to add the orange juice or mango last so that the weight presses down the leafy greens and makes it easier to close the container.
Then add 1 1/4 cups of baby kale. I prefer this to regular kale and honestly I have no idea why. Feel free to add the kind you like! Some people suggest removing the ribbing but I don't think it matters and by keeping it you keep some extra nutrients. Make sure you wash the kale, parsley, and mint even if the packaging claims it has been washed. My box of kale said it was washed 3 times but I never trust the packaging. All kinds of things live on leafy greens so be safe and wash your veggies - preferably with soap!
Finally add the mint and parsley which are each just a 1/4 of a cup. A little bit goes a long way.
Once the ingredients are in, blend away! Make sure you keep blending until the smoothie is smooth without any chunks and a bright green color.
Now that we're done, let's talk health benefits while we sip on this detox machine. Each of these ingredients has countless health benefits so I'm only going to point out the ones relevant to detoxing.
- Orange juice is a great source of fiber, especially if it has pulp. Fiber helps your digestive system and essentially makes you 'go'. This is great for those days when I've eaten something a little greasy and my entire body feels like its going in slow motion.
- Mangoes have a good amount of antioxidants in them that research has found helps in cancer prevention! Not to mention they're also filled with fiber that gets your body moving.
- Kale is a superfood which, by now, I think we all know. It has protein, antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and K, omega-3s and a bunch more things you literally cannot live without. I can't think of a single reason why you shouldn't eat this superfood.
- Mint is my favourite method of fighting indigestion. As someone with a lot of stomach issues, mint is my go to for calming and soothing my stomach. It helps with nausea and also speeds and progresses digestion.
- Parsley is a natural diuretic and helps soothe bloating. As a vegan who eats way too much rice, I use parsley to help get my digestion back on track, especially when I've been carb-loading.
I hope you guys enjoy this smoothie as much as I do and definitely let me know your opinions on it in the comments below! Also feel free to leave any other smoothie recipes in the comments - I'd love to try them out.
Duck boots are Winter's gift and curse. They are absolutely necessary when you're living in the frigid Northeast, like I am, and global warming is out to get us. But I am determined to make the ugly duckling of my wardrobe a swan song of style. *double pun intended*
These are my L.L. Bean Bean Boots. If you're a part of my family, owning a pair of these is like a right of passage. We are some of L.L. Beans' most loyal customers and definitely embody the outdoorsmen lifestyle. These are the most classic pair of 'duck boots' in my opinion. The tan/raw sienna leather upper and brown rubber bottom are a neutral pairing that go with just about anything. But if this isn't your favourite combination, L.L. Bean do a few others! My favourite part is definitely the lifetime warranty that come with the boots which really make it worth a pretty penny. However, in comparison to some other designer snow boots they are at the lower end.
TOP - J.CREW
JEANS - ZARA
BOOTS - L.L. BEAN - BEAN BOOTS
COAT - ZARA
BAG - RALPH LAUREN
LIPLINER - RIMMEL - EPIC
This entire outfit is designed to help you brave the cold and look chic doing it. Let's start bottom up, with the stars of the show. Obviously the duck boots are from L.L. Bean and I paired them with my best pair of trusty blue skinny jeans from Zara. There are no rips on these jeans which make them perfect for keeping in the warmth. The J.Crew turtleneck is actually a hand-me-down from my mother and 100% merino wool so it's super warm. Combined with a tomboy coat from Zara, the turtleneck makes for a classic silhouette. The coat is also part wool and keeps out the wind chill. Finally I added my trusty Ralph Lauren satchel to complete a classy look that's ready to face the cold.
New Year's Eve has long been associated with glitz and glamour. Cocktail dresses are accompanied by cocktails served well past the start of the new year and we all dance until the heels come off. But somewhere into the night we realize our legs are freezing and that fourth round of appetizers is starting to show under the sequins. Don't get me wrong, I'm the first person to rally the troops and protest for a semi-formal dress code at any party. After all what's a party without some glitter? But when alls said and done, I can't lie, I long for the comfort of jeans and a t-shirt. So this year I decided I could have glamour and comfort and I'm going to show you how.
COAT - ZARA
TOP - TOPSHOP
JEANS - URBAN OUTFITTERS
HEELS - MICHAEL KORS
EYESHADOW - HUDA BEAUTY - MAUVE OBSESSIONS
LIPLINER - RIMMEL - RAVISH
This look is literally a 'jeans and a t-shirt' classic, with a little bit of sparkle. My sequined top, from Topshop, is actually a Christmas gift from my sister and was the perfect statement piece I was looking for. The entire top is covered in sequins but is cut like a regular Hanes t-shirt. It is a bit large on my small frame but the slouchy look adds to the comfy vibe and allows complete movement so I can dance the night away. I have to be honest though, the sequins totally cut right through the fabric and irritate my skin... so just be careful. A pair of high-wasited mom jeans is the obvious choice here, so I wore my trusty pair from Urban Outfitters. Minimal distressing keeps things classy and allows you to get away with jeans at a cocktail party. Now I know, you're all wondering why bother wearing heels if the goal is comfort?! Well, I'm only 5'2'' so my heels are my best friends and it's definitely a sacrifice I'm willing to make! But if height isn't at the top of your list, ditch the heels for some cute loafers or booties. To finish off the look I threw on my trusty faux fur coat from Zara that really does keep out the cold and gives you an air of sophistication. I jazzed things up with a bold red eye look, which is literally a red eyeshadow from Huda Beauty's Mauve Obsessions palette, blended out all over my lid and under the lower lash line. The intense shadow makes brown eyes pop and will fool anyone into thinking you spent forever on your makeup!
Before I end this post I just want to thank you all for your love and support and wish you the best year yet! May your 2018 be filled with happiness and prosperity ♡
