Drink of the Moment: VCU Three Point Shooter

So tomorrow's the big game, and I know there are going to be a LOT of big parties here in the RIC.  Since I'm planning on having a houseful myself, I figured I should come up with a little hometown school "spirit" to get everyone in gear to celebrate as the VCU RAMS cream take on Butler tomorrow.  As some of you know from 'My Favorite Five: March' post, I was already feeling a little inspired by my school's rise to the top, so this week's 'Drink of the Moment' couldn't be anything but Black and Yellow Baby!

VCU Three Point Shooter


1 part Creme de Banana
1 part Cruzan Black Strap Rum
1/2 to 1 part Rumchata


Slowly pour each of the above into your preferred serving glass in the order listed above.   Take care not to disturb the previous layer by using a spoon or layering tool to create 3 distinct layers.  Drink as you deem appropriate throughout the game. 


So the drink in the picture came out a little less than perfect, and it's apparent that I really need to pick up some appropriate barware, but in the interest of time, I decided to forego perfection and share the love.  Gooooooooo  RAMS!!!

Beauty and the Beach: Couture Color Pequi Oil Hair Treatment

Ahhhh ... the warm sunshine, the gentle breeze, the sound of the surf, and the light scent of coconut wafting to meet you as you breathe deep to take it all in.  Maybe I've been a little 'vacation challenged' the past few, but that was my first impression of the 'Couture Color Pequi Oil Hair Treatment' sample bottle I received from the Sephora Hot Now List (courtesy of the Vogue Influencer Network) before even using it on my hair.  I'm assuming it was the Pequi fruit that I was smelling and not coconuts.  Though on second thought, maybe not - does anyone out there know what a Pequi fruit smells like?  At any rate whatever I am actually smelling comes across as coconut-y, which always makes me think of sunblock or tanning oil and a beach.  A private tropical beach ... with white sand, crystal clear water, and les garcons bringing me fruity drinks ... while a I relax the day away under a large umbrella with a mysterious floppy hat and large sunglasses on.  Oh, those were the days (just humor me here a little bit and let me have my dramatic moment of longing, thank you).

Anyway, I digress.  I suppose the one thing to keep in mind about this tropical smelling hair oil, is that it is not a styling product, but is in fact, a hair TREATMENT (as in, what you probably think I need to look into after going on and on above about far away beaches).  Though I read the label on the bottle and everything on the box it came in, I think somewhere in the back of my mind I was still expecting a styling product, and because of this, was initially a little lost as to what affect it was supposed to have had on my hair after the first use.  After grappling with this problem for a few, I then realized the real deal and noticed what it actually does for my hair instead of what it wasn't doing.

I have been using one of those hair serums that smooths, seals, and makes all things shiny, but also has a tendency to work as a light styling aid as well (which I think is where I was drawing the comparison).  As far as I can tell, this old standby basically works as a 'hair band-aid' by covering up all of the damage instead of correcting it.  It also has a very specific usage amount that you must not go over if you don't want to look like a scraggly wet greased cat.  That said, the second thing I noticed about the Pequi Oil Treatment, was that it was super lightweight - I actually used it before shampoo, after shampoo, and before styling with no heavy greasy weighed-down outcome.  (As a side note, I tend to have fine, thick hair with a natural wave to it that I usually wash every other day.  I can push it one day longer if I need to, though it does start to get a little oily for me on that 3rd day).  Also, as advertised my mop was nice and soft and had a smooth healthy shine to it.  Though I still do feel the need for a touch of a finishing product out of habit, I don't know that I necessarily need one for my daytime style since my hair seems smooth without feeling greasy, soft, and with no visible split ends.  I also haven't noticed any product build-up at all to this point, which can be a problem with other oils or serums used for shine.  I'm interested to see how my 'naked' hair may or may not improve with continued use.

Overall, I think once I readjusted my expectations of what the product was supposed to do as a treatment and not as a styling tool, I am really enjoying the results.  It's also nice to know that my hair is being protected by the alcohol-free formula with antioxidants, Vitamins A&E, and proteins.  After the drying effects of the mid-atlantic winter, I'm sure my hair probably appreciates the pampering.  Actually, I'm sure after the torture we all put our hair through, there are a lot of reasons our locks could use a little extra pampering.  Do you know when I really think this would be perfect time to use though?  After a day at the beach ... a private tropical beach ... with white sand, crystal clear water, and les garcons bringing you fruity drinks.  Sigh.

Favorite Five: March

March certainly has been a packed month, and always seems like such a transitional time of year.  This being the last day of the month, I thought I'd do a little recap of my favorite five things about the past 31 days.

1. BIRTHDAYS! - Yep, March has a LOT of them from my perspective (including my own).  I think there has been one for almost every day this month; or at least every other day.  It may entail getting another year older, but this, of course, opens up a lot of opportunity for cake and parties - two of my favorite things.  Even more importantly, it provides an extra reason to reach out to some of the folks that are most important to us and show them just how much we appreciate them.  Though I am under oath to keep most of my party pictures private, you can catch a few birthday action shots in my 'Springing Forward' piece.

2. SPRING - Though it may not be all flowers and sunshine yet in your neck of the woods (it was sleeting at my humble abode yesterday, suck), spring is definitely here -- at least according to the calendar it is.  Though there have been some 'sneak previews' of the warm weather speckled throughout the month already, just knowing that there is more on the way helps lift my spirits and raise my hopes just that much more.

3. NEW BLOGS - Since I'm still kind of new to this myself, I am thoroughly enjoying discovering and learning from a bunch of new blogs.  It can be kind of like finding a nice piece of candy during an otherwise blah day.  It really is amazing how inspiring, supportive, exciting, and slightly indulgent it is to step outside of your own world and see into someone else's through their eyes - talk about gaining perspective!  I feel like this will not only help me improve my own blog, but also enrich my life in a new and interesting way.  It has also been super exciting this month to have inspired a new blogger  and dear friend to take up the type and find her online voice.  If you haven't already visited her blog through the link on my page, take a second to jump on over to 'Napolejen' and show her some support in her new undertaking!      

4. WYE OAK - There is some music that you listen to when and because it fits your fleeting fancies, and there is some music that is your meat and potato music.  For me, this is a straight serving of some of the choicest cuts of meat and creamiest potatoes I've heard in a little while.  Maybe it's because I'm a so-called 'child of the nineties', but this entire album makes me feel like I'm wrapped in a warm, comfortable blanket.  Listening to the sounds and the vocals affect me almost like a wonderfully distinctive scent from somewhere in the past that hasn't been experienced for a while, and then when it is, you're right back to remembering everything about it that you've been missing.  That doesn't happen very often, and I wouldn't necessarily want it to, but when it does it makes for something amazing.  


Here's a clip of the title track off of the album.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

5. VCU BASKETBALL, FINAL FOUR BABY! - Admittedly, I am not really a sports fan.  In fact, I have never really been a sports fan.  I went to a university that doesn't even have a football team (and most students prided themselves on that), and where not only was school spirit underwhelming; it was virtually nonexistent.  Now all of a sudden, I have found myself not only watching a game, but jumping up out of my seat and yelling at the tv with more school spirit than I think I've had in my entire life.  Even more, the ENTIRE CITY is energetically rallying behind the players with all of their newly found VCU school spirit and rooting for this team that comes from what was traditionally an art school.  (I never would have thought I would see anything like the clip below from the 'Anti-University').  The critics said they couldn't do it, the commentators say they shouldn't be anywhere near where they are now, and quite honestly I'm not sure how many alumni actually cared about any of it ... until now.   And THAT my dear friends, is why VCU, my alma mater, making it to the Final Four this coming Saturday has been one of my favorite things this month.  This underestimated team has not only worked to prove themselves to their school (which may have been the largest feat), they have proven 'the impossible' to the world, and have somehow inspired me to know not only what time they are playing on Saturday (6:09pm against Butler), but to actually purchase a school shirt.  I don't think I even had one of those once upon a time when I was a student.  I honestly can't think of anything this month that has been more personally inspiring than that, and I LOVE it!  GO RAMS!!

Burritos and Brahmin Bags for Summer 2011

After blowing my total calorie intake for the entire day at lunchtime (thank you Taco Bell) on 'synthetic' food (we all have our weak moments), I thought the best diversion from thinking about how my pants are now not fitting and how I can't eat dinner tonight would be to look at beautiful, one-size-fits-all bags.  For the same reasons that shoes are always wonderfully consoling during a food-driven guilt trip, so it is for the handbag.  This exclusive preview of the Summer 2011 Brahmin handbag lineup, courtesy of the Vogue Network, seemed perfect to take my mind away from all things disappointing. 

Anywhere Convertible Birch Melbourne bag

Natural Anaconda Sariah bag

Haze Melbourne Anywhere Tote

Blue Copa Cabana Anytime Tote. 

Suri Wallet- shown in assorted Colors

Sadie Chamois Melbourne Satchel bag

Mojito Cantaloupe Melbourne bag

Bronze Rio Anaconda Dagny bag

Haze Leopard Luxe Clara bag

Trista Pecan Leopard Luxe satchel bag

Allie Rose Orange Saffiano bag

Selia Rose Bronze Saffiano bag

   Though I'm mostly too lazy to swap out my handbags often or frequently, I certainly appreciate those that do, and am quite selective about the one that I carry. There's nothing quite like the perfect bag to compliment and top off an equally perfect outfit, or to spice up one that might be a little plain. Likewise there's nothing quite like finding the bag that not only looks great, but can handle the organization of your entire life inside of it. The selection above look like they are ready to handle all of that and then some. Honestly, I was a pleasantly surprised that they all have such lux detailing, classic shapes, and actual organization potential. Not to mention the price point is waaaay more reasonable than a lot of designer brands; especially if you eat cheap fast food only once a day all summer and save up the rest of your cash for a bag or three that will always fit - no matter how tight your jeans might get. ;)

Mmmmmmm...Meatballs!

The other day while I was finishing off my coffee before schlepping miserably to work for the day, I happened to catch a 'Today Show' food segment where they were making meatballs with the owners of 'The Meatball Shop' in NYC.  These were not just your standard run-of-the-mill meatballs, but really yummy looking meatballs.  Now, I'm normally not a huge meatball aficionado, but these seemed like something I wanted to try.  So, after bringing Jay in on the idea (he was all over it), we set out to make these miracle meatballs for tonight's dinner.

Though both of us took to our tasks and were working simultaneously, the "Classic Tomato Sauce" was first underway so it could have time to simmer while the rest of the dinner was being prepped.  I was pleasantly surprised at how low maintenance it was for being so tasty. 

Saute some chopped onions & garlic with oregano,  salt, & a bay leaf.

Add a little tomato paste to the mix and let it simmer.

Pour in some canned crushed tomatoes to the onion mixture, let simmer, and season to taste.

Now on to the meatballs, which were Jay's charge and were just as easy to put together as the sauce.

Using the 'actual' recipe as a bit of creative inspiration, Jay used a butcher's blend of ground meats (from our local Belmont Butchery) and added egg, bread crumbs, and seasoning.

Into the oven on 450 for 15 minutes.

Then onto the plate over some creamy polenta and with a side caprese salad!

For being so easy and quick to make, it certainly was delicious and came off feeling like a slightly elevated comfort food.  More than one plate was had by one of our guests, though I won't name any names. ;) If you're interested in dishing up some of this in your own kitchen or being inspired by the original source, you can find the recipe for the sauce and the inspiration for the meatballs here.  I know I especially plan on trying out the chicken meatballs with the parmesan cream sauce myself!

Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation: One Shade Fits Most

Have you ever gotten a "One Size Fits All" t-shirt, and wondered how it could fit you, AND fit everyone else in the world that is a completely different shape and size than you?    Somehow, when you try it on though, it looks great on you.  And then when your friend tries in on, it looks great on him or her as well.  And then, there's that one person that, well ... it just doesn't look as great on.  Well, I believe I was that one person with this foundation.

I really wanted to like this.  Besides the fact that it just sounds space-age cool, after questing years for a foundation that is an exact match to my ghostly pallor (I usually wear a .5 foundation on a scale or 1-10 and sometimes that is too dark), I truly wanted the self-adjusting feature to work for me.  When I received my sample bottle from Sephora (through the Vogue Influencer Network), I was so anxious to see if I had finally found the answer to all of my foundation problems that I promptly washed my face and with baited breathe, gave it a go.

This is what happened.

Yikes, right?  Yeah, not so good.  I'm not sure whether the foundation color, my skin tone, or the triple chin I had to create in order to get this picture is the most frightening.  Needless to say, I could not even wear this around for a day just to get a feel for the wearability of the product.  Kind of sad, but not super surprising.  I suppose that's why I find myself back using same cosmetic brand for my foundation year after year.

As it turns out, just when you thought this little review couldn't possibly have a happy ending though, it really does.  Knowing full well that I am in the minority when it comes to luck with foundation (after years in the industry and tests of multiple brands and shades, I found maybe 2 or 3 foundations that were actually passable for me to wear in the daylight), I decided I needed to find a few more faces to try it out in order to get a more accurate review, and asked two lovely ladies at Salon 604 to give it a try and report back.  Their results not only sounded better, they looked better too (thank goodness)!

Here is the report back from the salon trials.

   The color matched my skin tone perfectly! It was cool how it went on white, and then changed to    match my complexion, though I wonder if it was just coincidence that it matched or if it actually does what it says! The argan oil makes it feel luxurious and very moisturizing, but I have oily skin so after about an hour my face felt pretty greasy. The coverage was a little light and sheer for me as I usually like something heavier.  I have a feeling someone who prefers a lighter foundation and tends to have slightly drier skin will like it a lot.

 LOVED the foundation!  My skin looked radiant! I loved the moisture in the foundation, and the coverage was perfect.  Wearing it again today!

So, in summary it seems that if you prefer a sheer coverage, tend toward the drier side, and are not the color of paste then you might have just discovered your new foundation! 

PhotoHunt 258: Caged, A Spin Through the National Zoo

So you might be thinking that this isn't the epitome of this week's PhotoHunt subject, but quite honestly it was my favorite shot from one of my trips to the DC National Zoo.  If you look, you can most certainly see the cage at the top of the shot, and trust me, there was no doubt a cage was involved here -- quite a large one too.  I think what I enjoy most about this shot though, is how natural it looks; as if the lounging cheetah is almost as thankful for the cage as the people on the other side of it are. Even though the thought of a cage tends to bring to mind negative connotations, I suppose it works both ways sometimes as long as it's humane.  In this case, it doesn't look like the cheetah seems to mind a little peace and quiet, and it probably leads a pretty cushy life all things considered.

Here are some additional photos taken the same day.  In some, you can see more cage than animal - probably more appropriate for the topic, though nowhere near as beautiful.  In the last shot, you can catch a glimpse of what the District might look like behind a cage - something in which some might find a little irony.