Lemon Pick-Me-Up

I planned to post this deliciously tart lemon cake earlier in the week but my insides have left me with little motivation to blog. I actually had to go to an Urgent Care clinic yesterday. I don't know about you, but I'm definitely one of those people who fights through the pain and blows off a lot. As I get older I realize I should probably stop doing this, but enough about that, you're here for cake!


Though my glaze wasn't the prettiest thing in the world, I still consider the cake a beauty. I made it using Ina Garten's Lemon Cake recipe, which makes two loaves or one bundt cake. I'll take any excuse to break out my bundt pan!

The cake had amazing citrus flavor that I'd never experienced in lemon pound cake before. This is totally the result of copious amounts of lemon zest and juice that goes into the batter.


Midway through the baking process I used a skewer to poke small holes throughout the cake and spooned in lemon syrup. Think of it as injections of pure lemon flavor. So good, and it made it super moist.


This was my first baking adventure using buttermilk and I'm officially hooked! I'm not one for pancakes but I think I'll be trying out some buttermilk ebelskiver next. The cake kept surprisingly well and fed quite a few co-workers.

Elegance for All Pop-Up Shop by ModCloth

ModCloth has invited me to a presentation and discussion for media/bloggers about their new plus-size collection, and afterward, a pop-up shop! In typical 'me' fashion, I'm a little late to post about this, but, there are still 3+ weeks before the event so keep reading...


You're invited! If you're able to make it, you should totally come because I'm super excited to meet you in NYC! You can visit the event's Facebook page or RSVP here. Chances are you'll end up meeting some of my family, too, because I'll be staying with them and I haven't seen them since Thanksgiving!

A Neutral Look with Wet n Wild's Nude Awakening

Wet n Wild's Nude Awakening has been getting endless attention from me since I first got my hands on it. For a while I only stared lovingly at the unopened package afraid to use it because it was way too precious. Eventually I snapped out of it and painted my face with the eyeshadows.


I took my own advice and added a base after applying elf's $1 primer and, just as with the other palette in this set, I LOVE IT! The eyeshadows are just what you'd expect from Wet n Wild's Color Icon line. I definitely suggest you snatch this one up if you love neutral colors and you're lucky enough to find it in stores.

Products Used:
e.l.f. Eyelid Primer
NYX Eyeshadow Base in White
Wet n Wild Color Icon Palette in Nude Awakening (available online here!)
Physician's Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum in Ultra Black
L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara
Maybelline Lash Discovery Mascara
Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner in Nude
e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit in Medium



Step 1: Apply satin taupe all over eyelid with an eyeshadow brush.
Step 2: Apply matte brown to outer crease and blend with a blending brush.
Step 3: Apply satin dark brown to crease, create a soft V shape, and blend.
Step 4: Apply satin cream as highlight to browbone and tear duct with finger.
Step 5: Line waterline with nude waterproof eyeliner.
Step 6: Give yourself wings!

French Onion Soup Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Did you read that title and immediately think “uh...?” while salivating a bit? Because that was basically my reaction when I found out about these sandwiches. We are very pro-grilled cheese in this house so any and all twists are welcomed! There are quite a number of recipes out there for this particular sandwich but it's so simple, you really don't need one.


Take just about everything you'd use to make french onion soup but rearrange things a bit. Caramelize two medium onions in butter and oil, sugar, thyme, and white wine or broth, grate some delicious Swiss gruyère, spread lots o' butter on thick slices of a baguette or, in my case, sourdough and boom, you're in business!


I went to town on these onions but that's because we love super-caramelized onions. Keep an eye on them if you're not too keen on them becoming too brown, you don't want to end up with burned onions!


After letting your bread soak up a good amount of butter, top with the onions and grated cheese. Grating the cheese will help with the melting process, so don't skip that step! It will result in an amazingly gooey sandwich.


I combined and modified these two recipes from Tasty Kitchen and Portuguese Girl Cooks to come up with the above. I strongly suggest you make these. STRONGLY!

Spring Face with Wet n Wild's Going in the Wild

You would think after lusting over Wet n Wild's Nude Awakening palette, that I'd be posting about that bad boy first. The truth is I haven't even cracked it open yet! I know! Instead, I reached for my Going in the Wild palette for a soft springy look.


I've read a number of negative reviews about this palette and I truthfully don't get it. I LOVE IT! I can only imagine how much more umph the colors will have with a higher-end primer and/or base – just look at that color with elf's $1 primer!

Products Used:
e.l.f. Eyelid Primer
Wet n Wild Color Icon Palette in Going in the Wild (available online here & here!)
Wet n Wild Color Icon Single in Penny
Wet n Wild Idol Eyes Crème Shadow in Pixie
Almay Liquid Line Eyeliner
Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Cat Eyes
Maybelline Lash Discovery Mascara
NYX Wonder Penicl in Light
e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit in Medium


I have vouched for Almay for Y-E-A-R-S as it's the only liquid liner I use. In fact, I've used it since freshman year of high school! Sadly, I think they may have changed the formula because the black just isn't very black anymore... I'm hoping it's just a fluke and it's time for a new bottle. Luckily there's no need for me to run to the drugstore because I have this many left:


Who am I kidding? Like I need a reason to go to the drugstore. I hope you enjoy this look! Let me know if you're interested in these kinds of posts, I'll gladly keep 'em up!


Step 1: Apply mint green on inner 2/3 of eyelid with an eyeshadow brush.
Step 2: Apply dark plum to outer 1/3 of eyelid and crease with a crease brush.
Step 3: Apply peachy-mauve to outer crease and blend with a blending brush.
Step 4: Apply champagne as highlight to browbone and tear duct with finger.
Step 5: Bring champagne down to inner 1/2 of lower lash line with a pencil brush.
Step 6: Apply dark plum to outer 1/2 of lower lash line.
Step 7: Line waterline with nude waterproof eyeliner.
Step 8: Give yourself wings!