You may not have work or class on Memorial Day, but it’s definitely an on-the-go kinda day. Between the family BBQ and the night out with friends (and, of course, all that patriotism), it is easy to forget about your makeup. And makeup is important if you don’t want to look like a hot sweaty mess. Below are some tips and portable products to help you make an easy makeup transition from grill to dance floor.

Clean: To wipe away the sweat and sunscreen of the day, use some pocket oil-absorbing wipes.  Try these ones from Clinique.  They will help wipe off the sunscreen and oils on your face so you have a fresh pallet to transition into night.  If you are able to get to a sink, you can use Ponds travel-sized makeup wipes to remove grease and makeup more thoroughly.  You also may want to throw on some extra deodorant (just sayin’….).  This mini Dove deodorant will fit easily in any bag and is less than $2!

Face: You’ll definitely want to reapply your bronzer and up your blush, so try this NARS kit that has both in a tiny compact and comes in three color choices including NARS’ top selling blush, “Orgasm.”

Eyes: The most convenient thing on a day like Memorial Day is to have pallets that have daytime and nighttime colors.  Try this pallet from Urban Decay.  It has pretty light gold colors for a daytime sparkle, then, when you switch to nighttime mode, you can apply the primer to help your color stick, then layer on the deeper brown or blue shade.  Finish off with a thick brown liner pencil to create a more dramatic night party look and top it all off with a (adorable) mini mascara.  This duo by Fresh includes a bold mascara and a lighter look.  You can use the lighter one for day and then add the more voluminous one at night. Read More »

It may only be early November, but the holidays are approaching fast.  Just like your major term paper due this semester, holiday shopping is something best approached far in advance. And though I can’t help you research West African history, I can give you a few suggestions on what to get your loved ones this December.

Read More »

Most normal fajitas or any similar Mexican-like foods will set your number of daily calories over the edge with gobs of refried beans, sour cream, or crazy cheese sauces. Not this fajita—it has all the taste but serious health benefits as well. If you are craving something Mexican that isn’t quite authentic but that tastes fresh and delicious, this is what you want!

It can easily be a 15-minute dinner if you’re rushing, and it’s pretty versatile (any kind of bell pepper will work, the corn is optional, etc.). Here are the ingredients for one fajita:

• canola oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil (or any other oil, really)

• 1 thin-sliced chicken breast, cut into strips

• ¼ tsp taco seasoning

• ½ red bell pepper, sliced into very thin strips

• ½ medium onion, sliced into thin rings

• 2 tablespoons corn, fresh or frozen (optional)

• ½ to ¾ cup fresh spinach, rinsed and stemmed

• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat cheddar cheese

• 1 whole-wheat tortilla wrap

To begin, put the oil in a shallow pan. Let it heat up, and add the thin rings of onion and strips of bell pepper. Sauté them over low-medium or medium heat for 8-10 minutes, until they are browned, much reduced, and beginning to caramelize. Read More »

Want a portable meal that’s delicious and nutritious? Forsake the chili bread bowl in favor of the stuffed pepper.

You can fill this guy with whatever suits your fancy—pork, chicken, beef, scrambled eggs—and you can also pack it with flavor and texture. Where else can you find protein, carbs, veggies, and taste all in one convenient, edible package the size of a man’s fist? Nowhere!

To make one stuffed pepper like the one in the picture, you’ll need the bell pepper (any color works, but I prefer to use green), half of one small onion, one garlic clove, a little bit of olive oil, a few ounces of ground beef, about three tablespoons of uncooked rice, 4-6 tablespoons of chicken broth, two tablespoons of tomato sauce or tomato paste, three tablespoons of parmesan or romano cheese, and seasonings to taste (basil, salt, pepper, etc.). Read More »