Veg With an Edge.

I enjoy things that are easy. I will admit that I have a mean habit of laziness that I am trying really hard to kick.

Here's a recipe that I made tonight. Cheap, easy, and scrumptious....let us not forget the most important part, nutritious!

BBQ Black Bean Quinoa

1 can of black beans 
1 bag of frozen quinoa brown rice blend (this is awesome)
Couple tablespoons of your favorite BBQ sauce (just use what's in the fridge)
1/2 ripe avocado

The deets:
-strain and rinse the black beans
-place beans in a sauté pan on low heat.
-add in your BBQ sauce and heat through.
-meanwhile, toss the frozen quinoa and nuke for however long the package indicates.
-combine the beans and the quinoa in a serving bowl and garnish with the avocado.

Feel free to have fun with your garnishes. I'm not a fan of a whole lotta spice when it comes to food, but I can see this also with some finely chopped jalapeño, maybe some cilantro...

Try it. I would love to know what you think!

-Dana

Love.

Source: starnocity.com via Dylan Kendall on Pinterest

Today is about love. Feel it, give it, know it.

Last night was such an experience for me. Le boyfriend had organized a surprise birthday party for me. It meant so much more than he or any one who was present will ever know.

Friends devoted time and thought out of their lives to create something for me that will make me smile for the rest of my life. That means the most.

Love. {L'amour.}

The Vegan and The Carnivore

Source: flickr.com via Mike on Pinterest

A little tid bit about moi: I follow a vegan diet. Diet, as in I eat a ton of veggies but there's no way I'm giving up my leather Sam Edleman pumps. We strive for mildly moral on this blog...

I've been a vegetarian for quite some time, and starting this year I went full on vegan. I have a great interest and passion for nutrition which contributed to my decision to kick it up a notch, but I also just down right don't care much for the taste of meat. No judgement here on all you filet lovers.

In my spare time {what's that?} I've been reading the book Super Immunity by Joel Fuhrman. I highly recommend this especially if you are like me and get a little paranoid about getting sick during the winter months. I find it so fascinating to learn about all of the natural healing properties that exist in the food that we can consume.

Another great book that I am constantly referencing is The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell. It may just change you if you read it, so be prepared.

Now, on the opposite end of the spectrum, Le Boyfriend is an All American carnivore. This man can take down a medium rare hunk of bovine like no one I have ever seen. It is an experience. Somehow we manage to live in harmony, although dinner is interesting at our place as you might imagine.

You can definitely look forward to some recipe posts on my go-to easy easy vegan and carnivorous meals!

-Dana

Free and Wifi.

Source: flickr.com via ineke on Pinterest

Good Morning {Bon Matin}

I am about to share with you all one of my most exciting discoveries.

Let me preface this by saying that I sometimes have a hard time filling my lunch hour at the good 'ol 9-5 with something other than food. I'd rather pack a nutritious feast and spend my pennies on eye shadow. Obviously. That being said, I beileve it is still important to leave my cube and get the blood flowing for an hour.

Alas, I have found the perfect combination--free and wifi. I am sure that you are all aware of the many establishments that offer this tasty duo. But did you know that you can take advantage of this feature without even being a true patron at these places? Yes, I sit in my car in the parking lot with my iPad watching YouTube vids....What...Is that weird?

Maybe a little, but sometimes you've hit your caffeine max by lunch and really don't want those Starbucks blueberry muffin calories, OK???!

At this point I've scared some of you away, but I know you frugal fashionistas and internet addicts are still with me! So in case you are curious, the list is below.

Starbucks
Barnes and Noble (select locations)
Whole Foods
Panera (select locations)

I'd love to hear if you all have discovered this gem anywhere else. Lemme know!

Happy Dimanche.

-Dana

The Dark Side.

Shame. Shame. Shameful.

I admit that I have not had the right to post on this petite corner of the interwebs. I indeed went brunette. We all crave change in our lives, and last April I did the deed. I enjoyed my time on the dark side, but I am tickled to report that I am back! One painful round of hi-lights at a time I am finally on my way back to looking like my buttery blonde self. Joyeux!



Any-whoodle, I have resolved to make and take the time to do more of the things I enjoy in life. This little blog being one of them. I hope to post much much more frequently for your viewing pleasure and mine. Thanks for hangin' in.


Blondes rule. (Brunettes, you guys are pretty rad too)

Source: twinklebub.polyvore.com via carisma on Pinterest

She's Back...

Hello, nice to meet you. I feel the need to re-introduce considering the fact that it's been almost a month since my last post {naughty}. The much less than to be desired day job has been all consuming. Kids, stay away from corporate America.

ANYWAY, mascara.

Would you like to know the front runners for every occasion that mascara is called for?--Which is every occasion by the way.


This is a tie between YSL Faux Cils Shocking Collection and Giorgio Armani Cosmetics Eyes to Kill Mascara. Both yield near identical results.

The YSL formula is lengthening and volumizing at the root of the lash. It's a bit wet at first but becomes easier to work with once it dries up a bit in the tube. This product is true to it's beautiful french nom--Faux Cils {flash lashes en francais} will give the appearance of false lashes without any! The only down side for me is that it is heavily scented, but the formula is so amazing that I can get over it. I've re-purchased...it's worth it gals.

Ah, Eyes To Kill. Just the name is enough to want to purchase! The brush on this mascara is a bit larger and denser than the YSL, but again, yields that same false lash effect. This product just feels luxurious with its weighted tube and silky formula. It's never failed me, and stays put till I say when. The waterproof formula needs mention as well, whether you are at the beach {yes I wear mascara to the beach--so should you} or getting teary eyed at a wedding. The best part about it is that the waterproof formula applies just like the original. I find for some reason that most mascaras that are offered in both an original and waterproof formula differ in consistency and brush. Not good in my book. Eyes to kill is your sexy little friend.


Remember ladies, never leave the house without at least 2 coats of mascara. You won't regret it.

Bisous Bisous,
-Dana

All You Need is a Good Foundation

Good morning all you lovely ladies with bed head!

Last night was Poker Night, so naturally the conversation turned to make up between us ladies in attendance. And you can guess it-- the illusive question was asked "what is your favorite foundation?"

So here they are, my longstanding favs:

The reigning champ has to be the Mat Velvet Plus by Make Up Forever

If you are in search of a full coverage foundation, you need this in your life! Don't be fooled by the "mat" in the title, this is not just for those with oily skin. I can tell you that this is more a description of the finish vs. the formula. It's very bendable {I recommend applying with this brush} and a little dab will do ya! The finish is smooth, and satiny. This is great stuff ladies, for young and mature skin.



Now, in the summertime, hopefully we all are a bit more bronzed and don't require so much shellac on the face. My pick for the warmer months{and in the colder ones when I want less coverage} is the NARS Sheer Glow foundation.

It's all in the name-- this is a sheer to moderate coverage foundation. Perfect for achieving that dewy finish with a glow. I apply it with my hands and blend it in well then set with a translucent, finely milled powder. It's fantastic! You really can't go wrong with any products from NARS.


Finalement, the most versatile foundation I have used to date is another gem by Make Up Forever, the Face and Body foundation.

I first discovered this when I was taking classes in the city. I quickly fell in love, and it is now a staple in my professional kit. If you want to purchase a foundation that can achieve the coverage of say, a tinted moisturizer{perfect for those last Sunday's} but also can be layered to a full coverage foundation, here it is. The consistence is slippery and gel like, making it a breeze to apply and very easy to work with in thin layers to build up to that full coverage. It's is also water resistant and very long wearing. What more could you ask for!


 Now go put your face on girls!

 -Dana