Author: summerreign8

You can be at the top of the fashion & beauty game without burning your wallet and it is perfectly fine to stand alone and set your own beauty trends. As I flip through the pages of Vogue, Elle, and Mademoiselle, I reflect on the experiencing remarkable photography, traditional beauty, and the art of it all at astronomical prices. In spite of the messages and the prevalent images which the leaders of the industry promote to express their affinity and public displays of affection for, you must celebrate your own pretty. Beauty can be found everywhere (just like products, too)… Stroll down the beauty aisles at Walgreens and WalMart and get hip on scrolling online for brands on Amazon and eBay, as well as hitting up the counters in Nordstrom (they have the best seasonal fashion trend shows)… Check out these beauty finds of mine…

ILNP Polish in Maiden Lane (the quintessential charcoal grey) over opaque black polish (I used Maybelline Color Show Onyx Flush)  makes a fab fall/winter manicure. Subtle, yet powerful, and mysterious; this holographic treatment brings all kinds of gorgeousness in one sweep… This fine, sophisticated glittery polish has everything to do with a Fashion Goddess (no fairy dust here)…#ILNP  

I’m addicted to P2 Techno Chrome polish in Galaxy.  It’s mesmerizing because you’ll never know what color it will appear to be! It has to be from another realm.  This nail color has multiple metallic tones based on perspective…from one angle, your nails are emerald green, from another, they’re gunmetal and then they are also a deep bluish purple. 

THE BEST ever “lipwear“? is Clarins Joli Rouge Brilliant; perfect for year-round fabulousness with minimal to no effort; you can even skip lip liner. The semi-gloss colors are pure and sheer; your lips are always moisturized and kissable with these botanical-infused beauty products. #Clarins

Seasonal lips require a fashionista to go bold red,  deep dark or nude  (or you might as well stay home)… I’m beyond elated that dark lip color is in vogue. Due to a penchant for wearing black and showcasing lipsticks on the deep spectrum (even when they were not in style), some observors assumed I was Goth… I especially obsessed over Flori Roberts’ Teak (a dark black-brown color with an almost patent finish). To me, it was the outlier of a beauty lineup for women of color, and it made one look like an African queen. The brand is extinct, so I digress. 

On another hue, a girl like me has always lusted after is a  gunmetal deep grey lipstick…In a sea of products, I managed to unearth Rimmel’s rich lip color in the lovely Glam Rock and I’m still looking for one in a metallic, pewter grey. 

The last one didn’t stop me from being mesmerized by the depths of blue darkness found in Covergirl’s Melting Pout Matte, featuring SUPER MODEL. The name exudes perfection.  Baby, this fashion-forward midnight navy is unforgettable. It is literally flying off the shelves at this very moment… I highlight it with a shimmering light blue gloss for a holographic effect that gives more of a SuperWoman vibe… #supermodel

What are your favorite brands of nail polish and “lipwear”?

Ingredients

1 cup pasta (beautifully shaped in order to collect pockets of cheese and sauce)

2 tablespoons of butter 

1/4 teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt

1/4 teaspoon of black pepper                                  

• 

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup of milk

1 cup or more of sharp cheddar cheese and add combine with a variety of cheeses, based on preference

1/3 cup cubed sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 teaspoon of chives (for color) or substitute red pepper (finely chopped-3 tablespoons)

1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper (optional)

The best macaroni and cheese always has this SECRET INGREDIENT…  Do you know what it is? Reply to this post and the secret will be revealed… and if you’ve never used it, your macaroni and cheese will never taste the same again… I promise.

You can sprinkle the secret ingredient in the mix or on top of the dish at the end…

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Cook pasta in boiling water (salt the water with Adobo seasoning and Olive oil). Cook according to directions. Make sure it is al dente (firm, but tender). Use a strainer to pour off hot water and run cold over the noodles to stop the boiling process… Set aside.

In a saucepan, (low to medium heat with constant stirring) combine the milk with the seasonings, onion and shredded cheese and gradually add the flour until you have a relatively smooth, but thick consistency.

Remove from heat and add chives and/or red pepper and the secret ingredient.

Add the drained pasta and mix thoroughly. Add the cubed cheese.

Pour the mixture into greased custard cups (use butter)… Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top has light patches of brown and bubbly cheese…

And if you didn’t remember to put the secret ingredient in the mix, it works beautifully sprinkled on top when the dish comes out of the oven.

Allow it to cool down (just a little) prior to serving…