SL's Green Bell Pepper Risotto!

Hi Everyone :)
It's been a while and I have a recipe for you, MADE BY MOI. It's not very simple, nor is it quick so it is a meal you will have to constantly monitor and add water to. Nevertheless, here it is!


INGREDIENTS:

• 1.5 c Arborio Rice
• 2 tbsp. Butter
• Olive Oil (enough to coat the pan)
• 3/4c Onion (chopped)
• 3 Cloves of Garlic (chopped)
• 2 c Chicken Stock
• 1/2 c White Wine
• Pinch of Salt
• Pinch of Black Pepper
• 3/4 Green Bell Pepper (chopped)
• 1 tbsp Basil
• 1 tbsp Parsley
• 3/4 c Milk OR 1/3 c Heavy Cream
• 1/3 c Parmesan Cheese (or more, and any other grated cheese you may want to add)

*Have 1 cup or more of water on hand.
*You can even add sour cream.


METHOD:

• Heat butter and olive oil on low-medium heat in a large, deep skillet.
• Add garlic and onion, stirring occasionally until softened.
• Add rice & coat evenly in the mixture.
• After about 2-3 minutes add a bit of the chicken stock (enough to cover the rice).
• Raise to medium heat- Stirring occasionally- Let simmer down.
• Stir in half the white wine and let it evaporate while stirring occasionally.
  (see a pattern? STIR STIR STIR)
• Add more of the stock & simmer down, stirring occasionally.
• Add other half of white wine & simmer down, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in the basil & parsley.
• Then add the chopped green pepper.
• Continue to add chicken stock (simmer down each time and stir occasionally).
• STIRRING OCCASIONALLY!!!
• Bring back down to low-medium heat.
• Add pinch of salt and black pepper.
• Stir in milk bit by bit until the rice soaks up most of it.
• If the rice has not yet become soft/ready you may add the extra water or more if necessary, stirring occasionally until the rice becomes soft.
• Add parmesan cheese/other cheese and stir well (make sure it's nice and creamy).
• Remove from heat & serve.

*You must keep an eye on the pan and throughout the entire process you must remember to continue stirring.

*You may add any meat/seafood to this dish (I prefer to sauté shrimp in butter and add to my finished risotto).

Finished product with shrimp....in my lovely little lunch bowl.
It also doesn't look very creamy because it came right out of my fridge :( oops!

When I was making a fresh batch of this I forgot to take photos and basically only got two somewhat unattractive pictures with my phone. I didn't set it up to look pretty like they do in the restaurants but the consistent comment from every single person who has tried my risotto recipe is that it tastes amazeballs. Just saying.

 

See for yourself, try this long and somewhat complicated recipe of mine and let me know how it turned out.

 

[Remember if the rice is not yet cooked enough, don't let the water/stock/liquid level go too low or the rice will burn]

 

xoxo

MAC Haul! Pro Sculpting Cream and Blush!

FINALLY! A new post!
Busy busy busy!

 

I went into MAC today and picked up the Pro Sculpting Cream I've been eyeing for a while. I thought for sure it would have all been sold out since the collection came out in September. I believe they are available in pro-stores but seeing that we only have the retail counters here you can see my predicament! I had gone into MAC last week and while I was there, one of my friends who works in MAC had tried a blush on my cheeks that I later got many compliments on, so naturally I bought it today. I also discovered that the prices went up again, and from what I see the prices went up since the middle of this year? Correct me if I'm wrong but I paid more for the blush than usual.

The pictures in this post were taken with my phone so they may not be the best quality as my other posts :(

 

 

 

MAC PRO SCULPTING CREAM- COFFEE WALNUT:

 

I was originally eyeing Copper Beech, but from doing a bit of research and looking at swatches the shade was very yellow toned. In terms of contouring you want to look for something that has a grey tone to it since in essence you are creating a shadow and a shadow isn't yellow-toned.

Coffee Walnut is a grey-toned dark brown. It may seem scary in the pan and when you swipe it across your hand/cheek etc but it is EXTREMELY creamy and blendable and I promise it looks amazing once blended it! It's very natural on my skin tone (NC 35-37).
It's a cream to powder sort of finish, it lasts quite a few hours and is multi-use!
You can use it to define your eyes, your cheek bones, your jawline, your nose and temples. It's an amazing product and I love it already! I wish it was something that was permanently available at MAC retail counters.

 

 

 

 

MAC BLUSH- DAME:

 

I really did not intend to purchase another blusher, but this is really beautiful. It's the slightly darker sister to Well Dressed Blush by MAC and is a satin finish as well. I know many people love Well Dressed and a multitude of skin ones use it but for me it was too powdery and light looking and ended up looking like pink dust on me. Dame however was slightly darker (still  a very light pink) and the pigmentation looked so much better on my skin. It's buildable so you can go from light pink to super flushed.
It's not crazy like Fleur Power but it gives a really lovely flush to the cheeks.
Using this in combination with the Pro Sculpting Cream and an amazing highlighter (I'm eyeing MAC's Superb Extra Dimension Skin Finish)....(in the words of Chris- my friend in MAC) GLAMAZING!!!

I tried desperately (with my phone) to take a picture of the swatch I made on my hand next to the Sculpting Cream but you can't se it very well. However, I can assure you it shows though it's not a deep blush.

L-R: Coffee Walnut, Dame (light swatch)

 

I know it's a very short post, but I thought since I havent posted in a very long time that I'd share what I just got with you :)
I feel like there's hardly any time in the day to even eat and sleep with all this work from post-grad studies :(
Any bit of free time I get I'll post <3

 

xoxo

WHERE ARE THE NEW POSTS?!

Hey everyone!

I'm so glad you all visit my blog :)

Lately I've been settling into a new school for my post-grad and everything has been hectic.
All I want to do is sleep and they've already started piling on the work.

I haven't forgotten you all.

I had so many summer DIYs and back to school tutorials etc planned but since that time has passed I'm not sure if it would make sense to still post those.
My posts may be a lot slower/spaced out over the next month or so as I try to adjust to the work load and the exhaustion :(

I have some reviews for you though including Revlon, Jordana (a company I always passed straight), GNC and some yummy and healthy recipes. So keep your eyes open for at least ONE of those this weekend!

I'm trying my best and I love that you all take the time to visit my blog and read my content.
I hope you really enjoy what you see and that what I write/type is helpful.

xoxo

Revlon Revlon Revlon!

Revlon keeps coming out with new stuff! They all look so good!!

I got my hands on the Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush in Coral Reef and their new Just Bitten Kissable Balmstain in Sweetheart Valentine.

Ouu that's a new word...Balmstain! Fancy.

REVLON PHOTOREADY CREAM BLUSH:

Packaging:
Simple, elegant, to the point. It comes in a simple clear, shallow jar. The diameter of it is slightly less than the MAC Cream Blushes.

Consistency:
It's extremely smooth and very very easy to blend. The colour is very even as well. It doesn't leave a chalky feel or finish upon application.

Colour:
There are 3 colours in their cream blush line. 2 of them, including Coral Reef, may scare you straight out of the container but they blend out easily and won't make you look like a clown. Easily sheered out but not so much that you can't see a thing (ehem! unlike the bouncy blush from maybelline). Pretty foolproof. Coral Reef gives you a beautiful glow!

Staying Power:
It stays a good 6 hours but then it starts to fade a little. A little trick to help your cream blush stay looking fresh? Apply a bit of powder blush over the top!

REVLON JUST BITTEN KISSABLE BALMSTAIN:

Packaging:
Very similar to Clinique Chubby Sticks. A chubby pencil style packaging with a twist up bottom. No sharpening needed! Tres cute.

Consistency:
A super smooth balm! Just in the shape of a pencil! It glides onto your lips like...well...butter!
Don't be fooled by the "kissable" in the name. If you kiss someone right after you put it on or you havent eaten and food or you didn't drink anything, and you decide to kiss someone...their lips are going to be just as pink as yours. It transfers.

Colour/pigmentation:
This balmstain is definitely more pigmented than the Clinique Chubby Sticks. The colour I got is a bright, blue-toned pink on the lips. They aren't sheer.

Staying Power:
Besides the fact that it transfers initially, it does leave a stain behind on your lips. It's not as bright as the initial colour but don't take that as me saying it isn't noticeable. You WILL notice the stain. The first time I swatched it on my hand the colour stayed for 2 days!

I prefer this balmstain to Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Lipstain, you know, the one with the marker on one end and the balm on the other. That one is pretty bad.

xoxo

Maybelline Color Tattoo! (Long overdue)

Hey everyone!
I could have sworn that I did a post on this already but I don't see it in the listing.
A few months ago Maybelline came out with their 24hr cream shadow AKA Color Tattoo.

Most of you have probably already bought it or seen it on the shelves of stores, but here's a quick review.

 

They mimic MAC Paint Pots, however they definitely do not have the same consistency/feel.
MAC paint pots feel like silk when you pass your fingers over them. It's extremely smooth and dreamy. The Maybelline Color Tattoo consistency is not very smooth at all. It is smooth but has a sort of uneven, rough feel to them. It doesnt just slide under your fingers. I have to rub my finger in the pot to get the same amount I would get out of a MAC Paint Pot.

 

The colours they offer are quite nice though! They even came out with some Neutral and Fall colours recently. The pgimentation is really good despite the different consistency.

The staying power is great! It literally will NOT move until you take it off with makeup remover. No fading, no sliding...NADA. Wipes will not take it off.

 

You can use them as shadows, eyeshadow bases, eyeliner...you name it! Sort of a multi-tasker just like Paint Pots.

 

Here are the shades Bold Gold and Tenacious Teal:

Out of 5 I would give a 4.
Mostly because the consistency is not my favourite and the colour doesn't come out even so you would have to either rub your finger in the pot over and over or blend with your finger upon application.

 

xoxo

CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ Review

Remember that Vox Box post I did a few weeks back with all those wonderful goodies I received to test/review from Influenster?

Well, now that I've covered Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration which I ended up absolutely LOVING...i'll be giving you my take on Neutrogena's Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner (total care)!

Please keep in mind that even though I did receive these products complimentary from the company my review will be completely open, honest and unbiased.

The only hair care I've ever seen from Neutrogena was their T-Gel/Dandruff line.

I've used the products myself and they work wonders (even though some of them smell really bad because of the tar). I was so excited to find out they came out with their Clear line and even more excited when I opened the box because the smell that hit me was absolutely WONDERFUL.

*****************

PRODUCT INFO/DESCRIPTION:

The search for strong, beautiful hair is finally over. Introducing CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™, a new line of shampoos and conditioners that will change the way women care for their hair. 99% percent of hair’s natural strength and beauty comes from the scalp.

For years women have been treating the ends of their hair, rather than the source — the scalp. One small change like feeding scalp* can make a big difference.

FEED SCALP* with new CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™.

NEW CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ is available in a range of six shampoos and five conditioners to meet different scalp and hair needs.

The line is infused with Nutrum 10TM technology, a rich blend of vitamins and nutrients.

CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ nourishes the scalp, and creates the right foundation for strong, beautiful hair from root to tip.

CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ gives women stronger**, more beautiful hair in just 7 days.

***********************************

MY TAKE:

VARIETY:
I love that they have different shampoos and conditioners to suit your hair type/needs!


PACKAGING:
I really love the slim bottle and it's in my favourite colour (purple). Easy to hold because of the gentle curve it has which also gives it a modern look. It's not clunky or chunky at all so taking it on vacation won't be a problem.


PRICE:
At $4.99-$5.99 USD per bottle it's not pricey/expensive at all. Pretty much everyone will be able to afford the line.


SMELL:
Wow! When I opened my Vox Box something smelled wonderful! On closer inspection it was the shampoo and conditioner. They didn't leak in the box but they were just giving off a really wonderful smell. It's not fruity but not chemical-y. I can't describe it but it's similar too but BETTER than the smell of Pantene (and I love how that smells). You know how sometimes you really love the smell of your shampoo and conditioner but a few hours after you wash it, only you can smell your hair and you literally have to grab a chunk and sniff really hard? Well, with the Clear Scalp and Hair Beauty Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner you can smell it...for DAYS. But it's not a suffocating smell, and it's not too strong. If you flicked your hair in the direction of a cute boy he WILL smell it. I've had friends and family smell my hair after washing it with this shampoo and conditioner and they all love it.

EFFECTIVENESS:
You only need a 25cent/quarter sized amount of shampoo to effectively cover your entire head. This is the same in relation to the conditioner. I have hair that falls about 4 inches past my shoulders. The shampoo lathers nicely (not too much lather that you can build a soap version of a snow man on your head) and the conditioner slides through and spreads easily through my hair. I massage it into my scalp and bring it down to the ends of my hair. My hair feels smooth, looks shiny, I have a lot less poof/frizz (even though my hair is straight), and after using it for about 8 days I've noticed less hair dropping as well! Neutrogena definitely did not disappoint with this one. My scalp isn't itchy any more, less dry scalp and I wonderful looking hair.

*************************

VERDICT:

I have yet to be disappointed my any of the products sent to me through Vox Box.
Neutrogena's Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy surprised me and did not disappoint AT ALL, and I'm not just saying that.

I love using it now, so much so that I've abandoned my other shampoo and conditioner.
Less dry scalp, itchiness gone, less hair dropping, long lasting amazing smell, smooth and shiny hair, and less frizz.
I will definitely be using this for a long time and over time if I notice any other benefits I'll be sure to let you all know!

A++ Neutrogena!

xoxo

Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Towelettes!

While on vacation I had forgotten to bring along my usual wipes and makeup remover so I ended up picking up a pack of Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes since i've heard so much about this product for such a long time.

I finally decided, why not?!

I actually quite like a lot about this product but there is a bit I don't really like as well.

Here's my review:

Packaging:
I absolutely love buying wipes because I love how the packaging feels in my hands. Sort of crinkly, but like a parcel. I really love the packaging for this product because it's not the typical wipe packaging. It does have the little plastic sticker covering the opening to ensure that the wipes stay moist, but it also has a sort of plastic lid over the top of that. It's a nice change from what i'm used to. I know other brands have this plastic lid feature as well.

Price:
At $6USD per pack of 30, it's not a horrible price. Definitely more expensive than the wipes I usually use but it's not crazy expensive at all.

Quality:
The wipes are quite thick, very durable. You don't need to rub it to pieces on your face either.

Smell:
They pretty much....smell like...cucumbers. Not everyone will appreciate this scent though, since I didn't at first.

Effectiveness:
These wipes are AMAZING at removing makeup. I can see why so many girls have raved about them! You don't need to press into your skin much and takes half the effort of most wipes. I think their power can be compared to a MAC wipe. Wipes however, never remove ALL of your makeup but some, like this one, do a great job of cleaning up (followed by a cleansing brush or face wash etc). They take off most of my makeup in one go.
Now, onto the "soothing" part. Initially it was cooling and soothing on my skin. It really made my skin feel fresh. I guess it's hypoallergenic because I didn't get hives, break out or turn red. HOWEVER, after about 1 minute my entire face was ON FIRE. My whole face felt as though it was burning. Like how it feels when you get sever sunburn and can't move a muscle in your face. This went away after about 15 minutes, but the fact that it even happened (not once, but every single time I use the wipes) just troubled me.

***************************************

VERDICT:

I wanted to like them soooo bad! They're effective, they don't smell bad, the quality is wonderful, packaging is great, price is affordable BUT the burning...I mean, that's not supposed to happen!

Nevermind I'm forcing myself to use out the entire pack (granted my reaction is only temporary and not severe in terms of break outs etc) but I don't think I'll be repurchasing.

I would say to try it for its effectiveness, and the fact that a lot of people don't have this reaction but I won't be spending my cash to burn my face (now that I know it affects me this way).

Has this happened to any of you?