10.30.2011
The Monday Rundown: Halloween Edition

Pumpkin-shaped Chocolate Cake: I haven’t actually tried this recipe (since I have zero backing skills) but I love that it’s just two bundt cakes put together with an ice cream cone as the stem.

GAP 1969 Leopard Jeggings: The Current/Elliot version has been all the rage in the blogosphere, and I like them, but I think this darker, more subtle version is a little more me and definitely more versatile.

Bath & Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Candle: The combo of cinnamon and pumpkin is absolutely amazing, calming and reminds me of when I lived in New York and we had actual seasons.

LUSH Jacko Bath Bomb: This bath bomb doesn’t actually smell like pumpkin.  However, the spicy clove bud and spearmint combo has a lot of gusto and I’m just a big fan of bath bombs in general.

10.19.2011
SVEDKA TRICK_BOT Cocktail

I love everything about this recipe.  I mean, what’s not to love about vodka, OJ and candy corn, right?  Here we go…

Trick_Bot

  • 2 parts SVEDKA Clementine vodka
  • 2 parts orange juice
  • pinch of ginger
  • pinch of cayenne
  • fresh lime juice
  • fresh cilantro springs
  • splash of grenadine
  • Muddle fresh cilantro in bottom of shaker
  • Add ice and remaining ingredients (except grenadine) and shake for 10 seconds
  • Strain into glass and add a splash of grenadine for color
  • Garnish with candy corn on a toothpick

 

10.19.2011
SVEDKA TRICK_BOT Cocktail

I love everything about this recipe.  I mean, what’s not to love about vodka, OJ and candy corn, right?  Here we go…

Trick_Bot

  • 2 parts SVEDKA Clementine vodka
  • 2 parts orange juice
  • pinch of ginger
  • pinch of cayenne
  • fresh lime juice
  • fresh cilantro springs
  • splash of grenadine
  • Muddle fresh cilantro in bottom of shaker
  • Add ice and remaining ingredients (except grenadine) and shake for 10 seconds
  • Strain into glass and add a splash of grenadine for color
  • Garnish with candy corn on a toothpick

 

10.14.2011
Witches’ Brew cocktail by Ultimat Vodka

I’m basically in love with this cocktail not only because it’s delicious but also because it has black smoked salt.  Who even know black smoked salt existed?  Not me.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Ultimat vodka
  • 1/2 oz blood orange simple syrup (steep blood oranges in a simple syrup)
  • juice of 1 key lime
  • black smoked salt

 

Directions:

  • Mix Ultimat vodka, blood orange simple syrup and key lime juice in a mixing tin
  • Add ice, shake and strain into a martini glass rimmed with black smoked salt

 

 

10.07.2011
Hpnotiq Halloween cocktail

I just love Halloween…and, of course, I also love Halloween cocktails.  Try out my favorite “Mad Eye Martini” recipe from Hpnotiq at your Halloween party this year.  Who doesn’t love a good lychee martini?

 

The Mad Eye Martini

  • 1/2 oz Hpnotiq Liquer (or Harmonie)
  • 1 oz super premium vodka
  • 2 oz lychee juice
  • pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker
  • shake
  • strain into a chilled martini glass

 

  • **for eyeball garnish**
  • 1 canned, grade AA, lychee syrup, drained
  • 1/4 tsp cherry, strawberry or raspberry preserves
  • 1 blueberry
  • dry a lychee and fill with blueberry or raspberry preserves
  • place blueberry, blossom end facing out, into the cavity of the lychee
  • skewer with cocktail pick

 

11.05.2010
A Jersey Shore Halloween

So this year for Halloween I decided to just conform and be the infamous Snooki from “Jersey Shore.”  Yes, I know it was the most popular costume this year but people, I don’t buy costumes in a bag, ok?  100% real, honest effort went into my Snooki costume and I have to admit, it was a pretty big hit among the West Hollywood crowd (and at the West Hollywood Halloween Block Party).  I mean, I think the test of a good costume is when people ask to take pictures with you…man, maybe I should panhandle down on Hollywood Blvd. with the randoms dressed as Michael Jackson and Spiderman, no?  We’ll see.

“Jersey Girl” wig

Sunglasses: Steven Madden purchased from Marshall’s for $9.99 (I hot glued the rhinestones on myself, purchased at Michael’s)

Hoop Earrings from Forever21 (no longer available online)

Cross Necklace

Frederick’s of Hollywood Exxtreme Cleavage Limited Edition Fall 2010 bra (only full figured sizes left online)

Black beach cover-up from Target (no longer available online)

Fuzzy Frog Slippers (which Snooki will wear in the 3rd Season)

Kiss Limited Edition Halloween Press-On Nails (no longer available online)

And now…for the makeup

To get that true “Jersey Shore” glow is no easy feat for a pale whitey like myself.  I started by applying my go-to self-tanner, XenTan followed by Sally Hansen’s Salon Airbrush Legs in “Deep Glow,” aka the darkest shade they make.  I have to say, I was a bit nervous about this product because it was either going to make or break my Snooki look.  Well I say it MADE it.  As I sprayed on the makeup, it was quite shocking to see how dark it was but being that I was trying to be the “Princess of Poughkeepsie,” it was working for me.  I also didn’t melt any off through out the night and not gonna lie…I’m definitely going to pick up a bottle of this (in a MUCH lighter shade) to spray on the next time I have to go to a wedding or any other big event.  It’s good stuff and came right off in the shower with just a little water and shower gel.

As for my face, I dusted a little of Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer onto my face for that extra tan since this bronzer is normally waaay too dark for my natural skin color.  For my eyes, I tried out the Hard Candy Eye Tattoos I’d been saving for just the right night- and they’re purple leopard print to match my bra.  My lipstick is Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in “Indluge.”

 

11.05.2010
A Jersey Shore Halloween

So this year for Halloween I decided to just conform and be the infamous Snooki from “Jersey Shore.”  Yes, I know it was the most popular costume this year but people, I don’t buy costumes in a bag, ok?  100% real, honest effort went into my Snooki costume and I have to admit, it was a pretty big hit among the West Hollywood crowd (and at the West Hollywood Halloween Block Party).  I mean, I think the test of a good costume is when people ask to take pictures with you…man, maybe I should panhandle down on Hollywood Blvd. with the randoms dressed as Michael Jackson and Spiderman, no?  We’ll see.

“Jersey Girl” wig

Sunglasses: Steven Madden purchased from Marshall’s for $9.99 (I hot glued the rhinestones on myself, purchased at Michael’s)

Hoop Earrings from Forever21 (no longer available online)

Cross Necklace

Frederick’s of Hollywood Exxtreme Cleavage Limited Edition Fall 2010 bra (only full figured sizes left online)

Black beach cover-up from Target (no longer available online)

Fuzzy Frog Slippers (which Snooki will wear in the 3rd Season)

Kiss Limited Edition Halloween Press-On Nails (no longer available online)

And now…for the makeup

To get that true “Jersey Shore” glow is no easy feat for a pale whitey like myself.  I started by applying my go-to self-tanner, XenTan followed by Sally Hansen’s Salon Airbrush Legs in “Deep Glow,” aka the darkest shade they make.  I have to say, I was a bit nervous about this product because it was either going to make or break my Snooki look.  Well I say it MADE it.  As I sprayed on the makeup, it was quite shocking to see how dark it was but being that I was trying to be the “Princess of Poughkeepsie,” it was working for me.  I also didn’t melt any off through out the night and not gonna lie…I’m definitely going to pick up a bottle of this (in a MUCH lighter shade) to spray on the next time I have to go to a wedding or any other big event.  It’s good stuff and came right off in the shower with just a little water and shower gel.

As for my face, I dusted a little of Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer onto my face for that extra tan since this bronzer is normally waaay too dark for my natural skin color.  For my eyes, I tried out the Hard Candy Eye Tattoos I’d been saving for just the right night- and they’re purple leopard print to match my bra.  My lipstick is Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in “Indluge.”