May Favorites!

Hey guys!!
Its been a whileee since my last post because I've been so busy with finals for school and then the start of summer came with so many things and activities to do with friends and family. Anyway, through all that I've come up with 3 of my favorite things during the month of may that I've been consistently using (or eating), lol.

The first is this perfume. I can NOT tell you how many time I've been complimented on the way I smell everytime I hug someone. I'm literally ALWAYS being told that I smell good or yummy, I'm not kidding. My nieces tell me that I smell like cupcakes (what?), but others tell me that I smell sweet and good. I'm a huuuge fan of vanilla perfumes and this is like the perfect one for me. Fancy by Jessica Simpson is blend of caramel, vanilla, amber, and some musk. Which explains why I smell like a cupcake to some people. Anyway, this scent has become a favorite of mine and though I love scents like this for the winter because of its very warm tones, I carried it into spring because I felt like it was light enough to basically wear year-round. Check this perfume out, its divine! Especially if you want people telling you that you smell awesome like all the time. A similar perfume to this would be Prada Candy.

My next favorite is the Country Chic Body Butter from Bath & Body Works. I have super dry skin which is so annoying so I need things like body butter that can give me intense moisture. I love the body butters from Bath & Body because they're really thick, but once it's blended into your skin it doesn't feel greasy and it feels light. I especially love the Country Chic fragrance because it's a beautiful, light, airy floral scent that is so spring/summertime. It lingers on your skin which is awesome because it's a light scent but it has staying power (stayingpower? lol).

My last favorite for the month of May are these Chobani yogurtsss. Everyone knows that I'm a crazed fan for all things Chobani and I absolutely fell in LOVE with these Chobani flips. It's packaged with one side of flavored greek yogurt and the flip side has some delicious and healthy toppings to add in. My favorite has to be the Key Lime Crumble, it is sooo yummy and refreshing, especially for summer days. Now I want to make a key lime pie, maybe I will ;)

Naema

Summer Beauty Must-Haves

It's that time of the year again. Well, almost that time. Parties. Beaches. Friends. Boys. Oh, and the heat. Imagine this, you're outside hanging out with your friends and it's just so hot that you start sweating. And then you wipe your face to get rid of it. And then you wonder if all that makeup is still on your face. I'm almost positive this has happened to each and every one of us. Florida summers are terrible. It can get so hot that you just stop wearing makeup, which trust me, happens every single year. BUT even though the heat is unbearable, it is still possible for you to look fresh. Here are some of my all time favorite makeup products that make summers and Florida that much more bearable. By that much, I mean very little. I still die every year. 

1. BB creams are amazing. They're just amazing. That's all I have to say. BB creams are perfect for summer because they provide that perfect amount of coverage without caking up your face and also protect it from the sun because, you know, SPF is the bomb.

I choose: Revlon Photoready BB Cream | $11

2. Bright colors are your best friend in the summer. All you add is a little bit of a bright lipstick and you instantly have a fresh look. I love bright pink just because wearing it makes my face brighter and it doesn't wash out my face. 

I choose: NYX Butter Lipstick in Little Susie | $6

3. I wear bronzer all the time. But during the summer, I add just a little bit more because it gives me a summer glow that makes it look like I've spent all day inside. Which I haven't because I'm usually always under the AC. I usually prefer a blush/bronzer duo because I can take it wherever I want and adding a little blush gives me a nice, flushed look.

I choose: Nars Blush & Bronzer Duo | $24

4. Like the lips, bright colors are must for the nails. I don't know, I think it just makes everything a little more fun. 

I choose: Essie nail polish in Mod Squad | $8.50

5. I don't know about you guys, but I sweat. A lot. I'm telling you, the summertime just kills me. And waterproof mascara is a lifesaver. There is nothing worse than ugly raccoon eyes which is why waterproof mascara is a must for everyone. 

I choose: L'Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara | $8

6. As I said before, I sweat a lot during the summer. And though I usually have really dry skin, my skin gets a little oily in the summer. Oil absorbing sheets are amazing and I love them because they don't ruin my makeup. A perfect alternative for this is toilet paper which is perfect because who doesn't have toilet paper?

I choose: Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets | $5

Nadia

Crushing on...

Bollywood Movies!

This may or not be relatable to some of you... but i'm going to blabber about bollywood movies anyway. Because me and Nadia are South Asian, all our lives we've been exposed to Indian cinema and the Indian version of Hollywood, Bollywood. There's even a Dollywood, if you didn't know. Growing up, my very first Indian movie was Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (literally means something happens), the movie was absolutely adorable and I'm sure its a first for many others. Its the standard classic, if you want to watch a Bollywood movie start off with KKHH, you won't regret it.

Through my teenage years I totally put off Bollywood movies, they were a rarity for me. I was very much into Hollywood movies, and would be annoyed by the all too well known romantic- the-guy-saves-the-girl-he-loves-but-is-forbidden-to-marry plots. BUT then i'm not so sure what happened, but American movies became super bland as I got into college. They were always so predictable and were just plain boring, except for a select few of course ( Inception, Limitless, The Help, P.S. I Love You, The Great Gatsby are some of my many faves).

But Indian/Bollywood movies are so different, they're all mostly really complex, intriguing, longer in duration, tear jerking, cultural, full of fun music and sometimes annoyingly coincidental (lol). You'll get humor, action, endless and tragic love, desperation, sheer joy all in one film. Its like a whirlwind of emotions to go through, but who cares we go through that anyway in real life. To tell you guys the truth i'm seriously obsessed, I cant stop and I don't think i'll ever stop watching Bollywood films. You know whats weird, plain old English/Hollywood/American movies are just that to me, plain and old. They just don't do it for me anymore (except for the occasional movie that is so awesome).

Here are some of my faves! in no particular order... the colored ones are must-sees
1. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (Something happens)
2. Kabhi Kushi Khabi Gham (Sometimes happy, sometimes sorrow)
3. Kaal Ho Na Ho ( Tomorrow will be, or not)
4. Rab Ne Banadi Jodi (A match made by God)
5. Dhoom 1, 2 3 (Explosion)
6. Veer Zara
7. Housefull
8. Fanaa (Destroyed)
9. Dostana (Friendship)
10. Aashiqui 2 ( Lover)
11. Jab we met (When we met)
12. Ghajini
13. 3 idiots
14. Lootera (Robber)
15. My name is Khan
16. Mohabbatein (Love stories)
17. Student of the year
18. Gunday (Goons)
19. Ram-Leela
20. Ramaiya Vastavaiya
21. English Vinglish
22. Shaadi ke side effects (The side effects of marriage)

Here's a um... a kind of long list of some that I've laughed, cried, died and died over. The genres are very mixed but I've enjoyed each one. They're great to watch with friends while hanging out or a sleepover. Watching these movies has also helped me so much with learning Hindi, I understand so much of it now and I don't need subtitles to watch them anymore. If your'e interested, just google the movie to watch for free online with english subtitles, a subtitled version is usually always available somewhere.  Okay I think i'll stop now!

Naema

How to Make an Egg White & Honey Face Mask

I absolutely love pampering myself. I love relaxing after a long day and just taking care of myself. I also love treating myself using products from around the house. It's the easiest thing to do and it's all natural which is always a plus. Usually, as a face mask I use egg whites and just put that all over my face. Egg whites is not only beneficial for our bodies, but for our skin too. It helps tighten the pores and prevent the dirt from accumulating, which causes all the black heads and acne. Using egg whites on my face leaves my skin with a nice, healthy glow.

Egg whites are good, yes, but I've been looking for other natural products that I can use on my face. I found this egg white & honey face mask on Pinterest a while ago and I tried it and it was amazing! My skin felt so smooth and clear! The honey helps moisturize the skin and keep it smooth, and it leaves your face with a flawless finish. Which makeup product can do that?

All you need for this face mask is:
-One egg white
-One tablespoon of all natural honey

Directions:
Separate the egg whites from the yolk and pour into a bowl. Pour a tablespoon of honey and mix both of them together. Now pull your hair back and lather the face mask on your face, avoiding the eye area. Leave it on until you feel it start to tighten and then rinse with water.
Voila! You face should feel super smooth and hydrated from the honey. Use some moisturizer later on if it feel dry. This mask should be used at least once a week as doing it daily can leave the skin feeling dry, & you don't want that. Have fun, and don't forget to give yourself and break and treat yourself!



Nadia

DIY Headband

I have this thing for DIY crafts. I think it's the feeling afterward when you know that you made that yourself. I don't know, I feel the same with baking. DIY crafts are amazing, however, 5 minute DIY knick knacks are the best. I love making little things from items I find laying around the house and they're just super easy to make. This headband, no joke, took me five minutes to put together. I only used three things and that I found in my mom's sewing box and quickly put it together. It was so easy and the end result was amazing!

Nadia

Tres Leches Cake!

Hey guys! So this is one of my most favooorite desserts ever. I love cakes that are super moist and wet. what? yeah that sounds weird, dont judge me yet. Two cakes that I absolutely die for are pineapple upside down cake and tres leches cake. Pineapple upside down cake has tons of juice and sugary caramel goodness from the pineapples and brown sugar. On the other hand the tres leches cake, oh dear lord, is literally just drenched in three kinds of milks ( hence tres leches). Its a super light, absorbant, and moist Mexican cake. I know that this type of cake has had its spinoffs and people have started to make poke cake & betterthanse* cake. But lets forget those for a moment and lets make this Tres Leches!

I got this recipe from The Pioneer Woman show on Food Network, Ree Drummond. I love her, i think she's such a wholesome and bright person. And her recipes are fun and easy too!

Tres Leches Cake

Cake:

• 5 eggs
• 1 cup flour
• 1 & 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup of regular whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Tres Leches Secret, uh I mean the milk mixture:

• 1 can evaporated milk
• 1 can condensed milk
• 1/3 cup regular whole milk
• 1/2 pint heavy cream, for topping ( must be cold)
• Optional fruit, strawberries & cream anyone? :0

Directions:

1. Mix your dry ingredients together (except sugar), your flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl
2. Separate your egg yolks from the egg whites, each in a separate bowl
3. In a mixer, beat your egg yolks with 3/4 of the 1 cup of sugar, beat until pale yellow
4. Add in your milk and then the vanilla extract, mix. I like to add in a splash of extra milk, about 3 tablespoons or so for extra moistness :) Take this mixture and place it into a large bowl.
5. Add in your egg whites into a clean mixing bowl. We want to whip these whites so use a whisk attachment. Beat for about 2-3 minutes on high speed, just until soft peaks form. Add in the remaining sugar and mix it in well into the whites. Don't the egg whites just become a dream? I love watching the eggs whites whip up!
6. Gently fold the fluffy egg whites into the flour mixture until combined. Try not to lose too much volume of the egg whites while folding in. Make sure that it is all combined.
7. Transfer into a rectangular pan sprayed with Pam and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 35 - 40 minutes. 
8. Place on a platter with raised sides when baking is complete and let the cake completely cool or it will not work, i mean it wont taste good. Once cooled, take a fork and poke the top of the cake and cover it in a gazillion holes
9. Mix together your evaporated milk, condensed milk, and some regular whole milk for some richness. You don't need to add the whole can of condensed milk, I add in just more than half the can or else I find that it gets too sweet for me and I get in trouble for giving everyone diabetes. Adjust to your preferred sweetness :)
10. Pour this mixture on top of the cake slowly, sloowly. you must do this slowly and let the cake absorb as you pour. Dont worry if all the milk doesnt seem to absorb, leave the cake for a half hour and the milk will be mostly if not totally absorbed.
11. Whip up the heavy cream (make sure it is cold) and add in about 2-3 teaspoons of sugar for just the right sweetness. Spread over the top of the cake, ahhh heavenly!!
12. Top it off with some of your desired your fruit, i used strawberries because i dont know, strawberries and cream sounds like an awesome combo to me :)
13. Chill the cake if desired before eating, or just dig right in. I give it a while for the milk to really seep in. Enjoy!

Naema

DIY Tassel Garland

These tissue paper tassel garlands have been everywhere and I've been wanting to make them since forever. I finally got around to doing them and it was probably the easiest thing ever. All the materials can be found around the house and it probably took me at least an hour to make a bunch for one wall. My bedroom has never looked better. I'm so in love with it!

(can we take a moment to talk about my ratchet nails. 

Girlfriend needs a manicure asap)

Aaaaaand that's it! Now all you have to do is loop them through the twine and hang them up. I glued them onto the twine so that they won't move. These seriously are so easy to make and they are so cute to hang, especially for a party! Have fun!

Nadia