kim, Author at Lovin' From the Oven

Review: CoverGirl Lash Perfection Mascara & a Giveaway

October 4, 2011 by kim 74 Comments

I was given COVERGIRL‘s LashPerfection™ mascara earlier this week to try out. Well, truth be told is that I don’t know anything about makeup. I’m completely lost in that department. Usually, my dearest little sister does my make up/hair whenever I have something important to go to. Since I moved out, I figured 24 years old was about a good time as any to learn how to put on make up. Maybe.

I’m usually more of a “put on a little eyeliner and I’m good out the door” kind of girl. Eyeshadow? Useless. Cover up? I don’t even know what category my skin would fall under. So when I got an offer to try Cover Girl‘s Lash Perfection Mascara, I figured I had someplace to start.

Not that I have anything against make up… I don’t. It definitely gives you a boost of self esteem and even gives you the feeling of “rolling out the red carpet” if you don’t wear it that often. Make up, with the help of my sister, has the ability to transform you and give you the confidence that you need for that big day.

What big day am I talking about? Wedding day, meeting significant other’s family, birthday parties, a night out, or in my case… interviews. Sure, looks aren’t everything, but first impressions are important!

This mascara had a large, easy to maneuver brush. It went on smoothly and remained clump free despite how many times I brushed over my eyelashes (yes, I did that just to test it out). The only complaint I have is that it kind of sticks throughout the day. Overall? The product is unbeatable for the price range.

While we’re on the subject of make-up and looking great, you might want to check out the Looking Your Best posts in the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com. There are some great application tips and ideas for switching up your look for fall! You can also check out other reviews here.

Want a chance to win a $50 gift card to drugstore.com? In the comments, tell me about a time when using makeup gave you the added confidence you needed for an important event in your life.

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

Enter between October 4th – November 4th

Beef, Mushrooms & Green Beans

October 3, 2011 by kim 4 Comments

I think I’m having serious withdrawals from authentic Mexican food. I haven’t had a burrito in over 2 months. What’s wrong with this picture? I used to eat at Campo’s, my favorite hometown Mexican restaurant, at LEAST once a week. Now, I’m deprived of my bean and cheese burrito.

Anyone know of good authentic Mexican restaurants around Berkeley? Perhaps one to combat with Campo’s unbeatable salsa?

Here’s another easy dinner meal that takes about 20 minutes to prepare. I’m a fan of recipes that stick to around 5 ingredients, give or take. You get your protein, vegetables, and flavor, all in one. I served it with garlic mashed potatoes, which complimented the meal wonderfully, but you can also serve it over white rice.

Beef, Mushrooms, & Green Beans
Click here for a printable recipe

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup crimini mushrooms, washed & sliced
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp oyster sauce
pinch of garlic salt
handful of green beans

Directions

Heat up a pot of water and boil the green beans for 5 minutes.
Warm up the olive oil in a pan on medium heat. Add the ground beef, oyster sauce, garlic salt and lightly brown.
Add the mushrooms to the pan and let the mixture sauté together.
While you’re sautéing the mushrooms, strain the green beans.
When the meat has fully cooked and the mushrooms are soft, add the green beans and continue to cook for another five minutes. Take a taste and add more salt if necessary.

Brookies in Reverse

October 1, 2011 by kim 7 Comments

I brought these to a potluck, but sadly, they were out-shined by another bar recipe that I brought (coming soon! hint: they had nutella). That doesn’t mean that the brookies weren’t good… it just means the other bar was breathtaking.

I’ve made brookies before, but the other way: brownie cookies. These are the reverse: cookie brownies. So perhaps these should appropriately be called crownies? Nahhh, that just sounds like a nickname for a crook. How can you go wrong with a brownie and a cookie? They’re the most standard items in the dessert world. Combine the two and you’ve got simplicity at its finest. From Buns in my Oven.

Feel free to sub a boxed mix of brownies in instead of making it from scratch!

Brookie
Click here for a printable recipe

Ingredients
For the brownies:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter
2 1/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon espresso powder, optional
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the cookies:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions
For the brownies:

Melt the butter in pan over low heat. Mix in the sugar and stir continuously until smooth. Do not allow sugar mixture to boil.
Pour butter mixture into a a stand mixer. Mix in the cocoa powder, eggs, salt, baking powder, espresso powder, and vanilla extract. Fold in the flour and chocolate chips until well combined. Set aside.

For the cookies:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cream together the butter, both sugars, and vanilla until creamy.
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Gradually beat in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour the brownie batter into a greased 9 x 13 dish. Drop small spoonfuls of the cookie dough on top of the brownie batter.
Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the brownie portion comes out mostly clean.

Totally unrelated, but I learned how to do a fishtail braid. I was so excited that I even made a video to share with you! I originally shared this on my style blog. I apologize in advance for my frozen face the last ten seconds. Feel free to skip over that part, I’m a newbie.

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