Magnificent Macarons!

 As I was going about my Sunday in Atlanta, I found myself craving a trip to the Virginia Highlands area. With a full day ahead of me, I followed my gut and found myself surrounded by the cutest restaurants, boutiques, and antique shops Atlanta has to offer. For anyone visiting Atlanta, take time (NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES!!!) to visit this beautiful neighborhood.

 One little restaurant/boutique in particular caught my attention as I walked down the beautifully landscaped streets: Cacao.

It is a small company, with locations in Buckhead and Virginia Highlands,specializing in chocolates, candies, and desserts. This beautifully decorated shop had an air of sophisticated elegance... There was a very Parisian vibe to the setup and style the owner's had created.

 After taking in the setting, I had just one choice left: which chocolaty treat would I try? I decided to go a slightly different route, opting for a raspberry macaron.It was the first macaron I had ever had, and the next macaron has a lot to live up to because of it!

 The treat had a light, airy texture with a creamy raspberry center. Needless to say... I was transported straight to Heaven at first bite! So, to anyone finding themselves perusing the streets of Virginia Highlands, make sure you eventually find yourselves inside the four walls of Cacao!

Josie Maran Skin Balm... A Refreshing Must-Have!

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to show you a new product that I'm loving as of this moment! This little gem should be on any girl's "must-have" list this season. It's the Josie Maran Skin Balm. The majority of Josie Maran's products are rich in healthy minerals and antioxidants, so it should come as no surprise that this balm falls into that same category. It contains Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, but the main ingredient is argan oil. This oil is well known as a great anti-aging substance for the skin. The aroma of the skin balm is irresistibly delicious; you can really partake in the mintiness of the tea tree as it is mixed with the argan oil for a scent so refreshing you will find yourself hooked.  The only con I can give to this product is the pricing... It is roughly $20 per stick, but I guarantee you will not regret the investment. The different colors I have here are some of  my favorite shades of the Josie Maran Skin balm sticks; I trust that there should be something for every girl to enjoy!

Manicure Monday: Irreplaceable Red

For years I've been a huge fan of NYC (New York Colors) nail polishes; it so happens that the first nail polish I ever got was NYC brand! Today's Manicure Monday is a classic go-to color... A beautiful, elegant red that I have worn for almost seven years now. The polish is a dark, sexy shade of red with almost a tint of black to add some extra luster. This nail polish staple has kept a place in my collection for a long time, and will continue to do so for years to come... You just can't beat that irreplaceable shade of red!

Lazy Girl Tip: Clean Your Face the Easy Way!

I think many of us have been there before... That time when we get too lazy to wash our faces at night, especially after a long night of partying or a great date night. I've been there myself a few times of course! When you don't remove your makeup by washing your face, it's like leaving a stain on your clothes without treating it. Failing to wash your face at night can make you prone to all kinds of bacteria, and can even cause your skin to break out. YIKES!

Yes, those little annoying bumps on your face, the dreadful blackheads, can be from your leftover make up. I try to wash my face every night, but there are those nights where I just want to hit the bed as soon as I lay eyes upon it. In these instances, I use an alternative for washing my face... Here's introducing one of my favorite makeup remover towelettes by Garnier. These towelettes leaves your skin feeling refreshed and reinvigorated.

Since I have sensitive skin I can't use some of the harsher products out there, but I happened to bump into these towelettes ended up loving them. The soft, napkin-like material, along with the right amount of makeup remover solution, equals the perfect product to remove your stubborn leftover makeup. Grab a few next time your out shopping, and give yourself that just washed face feeling on even your laziest nights!

How to Get Full... The Healthy Way.

Lately, I've been forcing myself to eat healthier; it isn't always easy with some of the delicious, yet not-so-good-for-you, choices out there. With Thanksgiving behind us, there's no better time to start thinking healthy! I'm prone genetically to all kinds of health issues such high cholesterol. With that considered, it has become more and more important to find yummy and appetizing snacks that are also good for me. I've started on this healthier path by snacking on some awesome foods that actually suppress my appetite. Here are some of the snacks I enjoy eating on a daily basis:

 1. Almonds

  Almonds are an amazing little snack containing generous portions of antioxidants, magnesium, and vitamin E. In addition to these already healthy stats, almonds are a natural appetite suppressant. A serving is not especially high in caloric intake, and some of those calories are technically never absorbed as some of the fats in almonds aren't completely digested by the body.

2. Celery Sticks and Hummus

Celery is high in vitamins, but low in calories: a sure fire win for the healthy eater! By itself, celery may not seem like the most appetizing snack to some... Why not add a little something to spice it up? My choice is a nice hummus dip. Hummus is a very healthy dip, known to contain numerous minerals, amino acids, and vitamins.

3. Plain Popcorn

Plain popcorn is yet another wonderful snack for the health conscious eater. Popcorn is a great substitute to some of the greasier, less healthy snack options such as  chips. The most common problem is butter, a classic popcorn staple. Plain popcorn is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and has a high amount of dietary fiber. If you can bear to eat popcorn minus the butter, you'll find yourself full without the unhealthy extras that are typical of buttered or movie-style popcorn.

4. Dark Chocolate

 Chocolate is a classic sweet that is a vice for so many people. However, chocolate also has some healthy benefits, when eaten in proper moderation. Dark chocolate in particular is known to improve cardiovascular health, and is also high in antioxidants. Like with any food, healthy or not, moderation is key. Dark chocolate is great for you, but be careful not to get too carried away by this sweet treat!

There you have it, just a few of my favorite healthy snacks! Not only do they leave you full and satisfied, but you'll be happy to know that you've filled your body with necessary nutrients in the process. So next time you here a rumble in you stomach, stray from the chips and find yourself reaching from one of these healthy choices. Don't think that these are the end-all-be-all, though, as there are tons of other delicious, healthy options out there to fit every taste!

My Favorite Fall Perfume

 I am totally obsessed with this fragrance! I have gotten so many compliments on it lately; even strangers have come up to me to ask what I was wearing... I love using this scent during the cold fall/ winter months. It's pretty strong compared to other perfumes, so one to two sprays will do the job. I am so drawn in by the sexy, amber scent and its hint of sweet sandlewood. It's a very fresh smell, with a sassy side to it! Me explaining this does not do it true justice, so you'll have to smell it for yourself.

 It was definitely not a cheap perfume, so save up and be patient; it is most DEFINITELY worth it! When I  wore this scent to work, one of patients came up to me, and I noticed his nostrils become enlarged. He asked me what it was, and I told him it was Gucci; his reply made my day, when he exclaimed, "oh... That's a very Hollywood smell." That, in a nutshell, is why Gucci Guilty is my favorite fall perfume. Save up now, and get a little Hollywood glam in your life!

Manicure Monday: Penny Talk

It's Manicure Monday! Today, I'm wearing a beautiful shade of rose gold. This nail polish is called Penny Talk by ESSIE, and it's from their new fall collection. Every time I wear this nail polish, people always say it looks like a shiny new penny on my nails. It really does, explaining its monetary namesake! The best results come from using two coats of; that gives a fuller, overall better look. Go out and get yourselves some shiny nails, and y'all have a great week! 

NARS Orgasm: Review & Swatch!

I think I may have found my new favorite blush for a while: NARS Orgasm!

 As you can see, it is a beautiful shade of pink, slightly on the darker side of the spectrum. It strays from the bright and hot shades of pink, but doesn't go quite so dark as to appear bland.

I love the way it pops against my complexion, and has just that right amount of sparkle to it. The problem with some blushes is the amount of sparkle they have; too often, a blush goes overboard with the glitter and shine... I want to pop, but not look like a Liberace outfit! The perfect blend of color and shine gives you enough of a glow to stand out, without being too loud.

NARS is typically a pretty safe bet when choosing a blush, as their products tend to hit perfection pretty often in terms of pigment and sparkle. This product is no exception! Now, as a disclaimer, it did appear a bit light when I started a  swatch on my arm, but I did go a bit light on my first brush to avoid overdoing it. I suggest that everyone do a swatch in store before purchasing, just to make sure that this shade agrees with your complexion. For some paler complexions, the darker pink may stand out to much, but perhaps a lighter coating and proper blending can make it work for you!

Back to the 50's... FOR ICE CREAM!

Let's take a trip back to 1949, to a wonderful little drive-in restaurant called Zesto... They have burgers, hot dogs, french fries, chicken tenders (which were AMAZING, by the way), and of course ICE CREAM! My boyfriend hadn't eaten dinner yet, so he decided to go with the chicken tenders meal; I'd eaten with a study group a little earlier, so I decided to jump straight in for the ice cream. I decided to try out their banana split, and I was most definitely impressed. This spot had common food choices that you could find at any number of restaurants, but you would be hard-pressed to find this same level of great taste mixed with history and nostalgia. I've driven by this place dozens of times, and was so glad I finally had a chance to try it out. I recommend that anyone living in or coming through Atlanta take just a moment to stop in for lunch or dinner at Zesto... I promise you won't be disappointed!