A Latte Lipstick

Archives for November 2014

Best Pesto Recipe and Old Cookbooks

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Pesto is one of my ultimate favorites. You can put pesto on just about anything to add some delicious flavor. It can be a great appetizer before a dinner party, you can serve the pesto to dip crackers or veggies into. Or, pour over pasta for a garlicky yummy pesto pasta.

I love the smell of the fresh basil, parsley and garlic when chopping. I have added another clove of garlic to this recipe because of my garlic addiction.

This delicious recipe comes from my mother’s great cookbook collection. She has had this recipe book for almost 30 years and it is full of mouth watering goodies! Looking through her collection really makes me want to continue growing my own cookbook collection. I love how you can write in cookbooks and get messy fingers on them and it stills lasts for many many years. You can’t do that with your iPad. What are some of your favorite cookbooks?

Interesting walnut fact, if you start noticing sores developing in your mouth after eating many walnuts, don’t fret! The omega 3 in this nut can create sores from all the oil that will naturally go away after a couple days.

Lady Guinnevere was sure to check that the pesto was being properly stirred. She is always ready to lick up anything that falls on the floor, she’s a good housekeeper like that.

Hand stir in the parmesan. Choose a delicious high quality parmesan. Once you add in the parmesan, the pesto becomes more dry and less oily.

Ingredients

1 C fresh basil leaves
1/2 Tsp salt
1/4 Tsp ground black pepper
4 Cloves garlic
2 Tbsp fresh parsley
2 Tbsp chopped walnuts
1/4 C olive oil
1/2 C parmesan

Directions

Puree the basil, salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, and walnuts together in a food processor or blender. Scrape down the sides as you go. In a slow stream, drizzle in the olive oil. Consistency should be smooth and oily. Then, stir in the parmesan. Enjoy!

How do you enjoy your pesto?

Great Finds for Holiday Shopping

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Some items are more difficult to justify spending money on than others but thanks to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you can purchase those items for a lower price and clearer concious! Buy some great presents before the holiday panic rush sets in. Great gifts for the fitness fanatics, beauty divas, homemakers, and the shoe obsessed.

Below are some deals that I’m especially excited about for myself and for my friends.

Beauty Products

Sephora – $10 beauty deals.
Ulta – Specific deals to check out.
Urban Decay – Specific deals to check out.

This mini mascara is perfect for traveling or throwing into your purse when you’re running late!

Chi products on sale, be sure to keep your hair protected with heat spray.

Eye shadow to use for your holiday parties! You can create great smoky eyes with this palette.

Workout Gear

Athleta – 20% off and free shipping over $50.
Alo Yoga – Special deals based off what you spend.
Splits 59 – 35% off.

Love these geometric workout pants. Would be too cute with any simple black workout top.

This draped back tank is awesome, it would really make me work my back out more!

Hoodies are great to throw on after a especially sweaty workout when it’s chilly outside.

House Decor

Anthropologie – 25% off.
West Elm – Up to 25% off.
Moon and Lola – 25% off sitewide.

My obsession with cute coffee mugs is a little out of hand, this one will definitely have to be a present for myself!

These cute dog plates would be great for hosting appetizers or desserts!

Majestic antlers to hang in your bedroom, could be used for jewelry too.

Shoes

Dolce Vita – Up to 60% off.
Nine West – Specific deals to check out.
Kate Spade – 25% off sitewide.

These holiday flats are too cute! Pop and Fizz..

Brown over the knee boots go with anything.

Love short booties with a little bit of a heel, perfect for running around in style! Or these leopard flats.

Be sure to also get out and about at your local shops that have great deals today!

Which deal are you looking forward to? Happy shopping!

Outsmart Weight Gain this Holiday Party Season

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This time of year is full of millions of gatherings, dinner parties and celebrations! Meaning – tons of heavy dishes, creamy pies, and sugary cocktails! It’s the most wonderful time of the year and not the time to be worried about your weight! However no one wants to gain 10 pounds at the start of a new year.

Good news, you can still be that awesome party girl, simply follow these simple rules!

Choose one treat that you will eat before the party. If you simply can’t resist the cheese tray, skip the pie. Life is about choices, don’t deprive yourself of all treats. That’s too unrealistic!

After enjoying your guilty treat, apply the perfect lipstick, lipliner and all. After all that work, you won’t want to ruin the perfect pout!

Carry an adorable clutch. Whenever you carry a clutch, you only have one other vacant hand. This hand will be needed for holding champagne (you can’t skip it all!) hugging on your friends, and snuggling with a sweetheart.

Alcohol, water, alcohol, water. Now I sound like my parents, but they’re right (as parents tend to be.) Slow down on the alcohol, definitely enjoy the beverages but switch between water and alcohol. This will keep the calories down, and keep you less fuzzy 🙂

Do you have any other tricks to outsmart weight gain this holiday party season?

You Aren’t That Busy

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Many people say how busy they are. Ask almost anyone, are you busy? The resounding answer is yes. Especially during the holiday season!

Don’t fall in the trap of being so busy that you never end up appreciating the day and what is unfolding in front of you. Each day is filled with special moments but you are missing them because you are running around oblivious to opportunities of connection, appreciation and enjoyment.

Not to mention how being “busy” can truly harm your success. How can you truly devote yourself to a mission if you are busy doing too many tasks without focus? You can’t possibly be committed to one hundred tasks. Also, when you are moving that fast there is no time for proper reflection. Are those hundred of tasks being done efficiently and correctly?

Love this below comic. It’s a great reminder to slow down sometimes and use your brain! I know that I am guilty of being so busy that I don’t think through something. Too silly! Loved this article explaining that busy is more of a state of mind.

source

It’s also important to give yourself a break! People need to unplug and unwind.

Would you ever consider doing a digital detox? Sometimes unplugging for simply a day can really change your mindset. Being constantly connected can hinder your ability to focus and excel.

So, I would like to urge you to take time this week to really appreciate what you are doing or at least be in the moment. Then when it comes time for Thanksgiving, relax and enjoy your beautiful life!

Have a great short work week! Happy Thanksgiving Week!

Upgrade Salad with Roasted Walnuts

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This morning I had a surprising realization that I unintentionally didn’t consume any meat all week long! I didn’t feel deprived in any way and didn’t necessarily miss the meat. Thinking back on my week, I was anything but protein deprived! My meals consisted of quinoa, beans, nuts, seeds, protein powder, and eggs.

Throughout the past few months I have slowly started cutting back on meat. By no means am I saying I’m going vegan/vegetarian or cutting it out completely but I do think it’s good to not over-do it on the animal protein. Especially since there are so many other great alternatives!

Salads are great to enjoy when you are trying to lessen your meat intake. It should still have protein though! Nuts and seeds are great additions to any salad.

Upgrade your salads with some roasted spiced walnuts! It is so easy to make and immediately makes it more of a treat, and provides protein! Roasted walnuts add crispness and increase the nutty flavor. Remember to stir them around in the oven so they are evenly cooked. The nut should look a couple of shades darker when complete.

Roasted Walnut Ingredients

1/2 C Walnuts
Olive Oil to coat
1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1/2 Tbsp Salt
1/2 Tbsp Garlic Powder

Roasted Walnut Instructions

Heat oven to 350. Grab a cooking tray. Coat walnuts in olive oil. Evenly mix in the ingredients. Roast for around 12 minutes. Be sure and check on them and stir occasionally.

How do you upgrade your salad?