Giveaway 2 WINNER!

Congratulations to Tales of a Young Mama!!!



Send me a message with your address and I'll pop your mug and MYSTERY TEA in the mail :)

Tomorrow

Chess

Last night, one of my friends and I headed to the Signature Theater in Shirlington to see Chess. Chess is a musical based on a novel by Richard Nelson, music by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (think Mamma Mia), and lyrics by Tim Rice (Lion King). I wasn't sure what to expect and at the end was surprised by the outcome of it all.

The story is set in 1986 at the World Chess Championship. One American and one Russian are playing to be the world's best chess player. The overall story is about a love triangle regarding these two players and their Cold War struggles. Definitely random.

The music, however, was very catchy and I would recommend seeing it.

Vintage Megan Fox

Before Megan Fox married Brian Austin Green and tattooed Marilyn Monroe's face to her right forearm, she stared in an Olsen movie. One of our friends told us this when we sat down to start our Olsen marathon on Friday but we didn't believe her. However, the opening credits started and there was her name.

That's right...Megan Fox film debut was Holiday in the Sun.



Other somewhat famous faces starring in our MK and A movies:

Austin Nichols from One Tree Hill.


Jesse Spencer from House.

Foodie Friday

It's officially Autumn! Though, it is slightly hard to believe since it's currently 93 degrees here in DC. Anyway, for this Foodie Friday, I decided on something more autumn weekend appropriate. Apple Cidercars.



Apple Cidercars

Ingredients

5 fl. oz. apple cider concentrate
5 fl. oz. water
3 fl. oz. brandy
5 fl. oz. triple sec
2 fl. oz. fresh lemon juice
Apple for garnish or as a nice add in

Directions

In a cocktail shaker, stir together the apple cider concentrate and water. Add the brandy, triple sec and lemon juice. Add ice and shake well. Garnish with an apple slice.


*If you are sitting here wondering what apple cider concentrate is...you don't need it. You just need to get some apple cider and warm it in a sauce pan so it reduces a bit.

Giveaway 1 Ends and It's Almost the Weekend

It's Thursday and my first day back to work this week. I was off sitting in a cabana in Hilton Head. I had the most wonderful week away from DC and now have to get ready for the epic weekend ahead.

This morning my coworker (bless his soul) ordered me the MK and A movie package with When in Rome, Winning London, Holiday in the Sun, and Getting There for our girl's night tomorrow. Anyone who reads this blog knows about my love of the Olsen twins and I am beyond excited to act like the 13 year old girl I was and not the 25 year old I just became.

The winner of our first giveaway is: Atlanta Yankee Belle. Her blog is super cute so make sure to check her out.

HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY K!!!

I cannot wait to see you tomorrow to celebrate like our livers are still 19.

LANP's SECOND Giveaway!

Hello dear readers!  Just one more day to enter K's giveaway!  Now for Part 2 of the Fifty Readers Giveaway Extravaganza!

For any of you who follow me on Twitter, you might have picked up from time to time that I am a huge tea drinker.  You may also have picked up that I'm pretty snarky from time to time.  My giveaway combines the best of both!

One lucky reader will receive an Anne Taintor mug PLUS your favorite coffee/tea (if I can find it.. and I will do my best!!)

Message, lovingly, says "She thought of him fondly as Plan B".

To enter!

Leave a comment below telling us about your entries.
1 entry for following our blog.
1 entry if you tweet about and mention @blairsheadband.
1 entry if you are an ADPi alum. Just let us know what chapter.
2 entries for mentioning our giveaway on your blog. Share the link!

Make sure you name your favorite coffee or tea!  This giveaway ends Monday, September 27th.

Foodie Friday

I love that we're gathering a nice following of readers, but we too have plenty of bloggers that we follow and regularly read.  For example, Spice & Sass.  I found an awesome recipe on her blog last week and tried it this Tuesday - Fresh Zucchini Casserole.

Now, her recipe is HUGE. My BF is currently in Germany for work until October and we are (hopefully!) moving to a new apartment in the interim, so I'm trying to use up as much as I can and not have extra food hanging around.  As such, I downsized.  I did pretty much follow the recipe closely.

- instead of 12 zukes, I used 4, but used a whole green pepper and 3/4 of an onion
- added some vegetable stock when covering it all with water
- instead of letting it simmer, I kept it at boil for about 5 minutes
- I bought a bag of pre-shredded part skim mozzerella cheese.  S&S, you're my hero for grating yourself!!
- only used one egg and added Giada's Tuscan Herb Mix (LOVE THIS STUFF, get it as fast as you can) plus a few hefty shakes of Cholula, the best hot sauce out there.  it is red peppery fabulous and not as vinegar-y as others.
- instead of Ritz + butter, and to further my aforementioned goal of using up leftovers and other food items, I topped the whole thing with cooked bulgur wheat and a light drizzle of olive oil.
- popped it in the oven at 350 basically until the bulgur turned golden brown (certainly not an hour; I was really hungry!!)

The final product was DELICIOUS (especially paired with a nice cool glass of Chardonnay and The Closer on the DVR).

Don't forget to enter K's giveaway and check back on Monday for mine!

Spotted: Woman w/Topsy Tail pony on 69th & Lex

I saw this woman today in a beautiful suit and sneakers.  I chuckled, because there really are adorable shoes out there that are comfortable. You are a grown woman in a skirt suit; please look into these non-tennis shoe options.

But I digress.  After being rude and judging her footwear, a choir sang in my head and glitter fell from the sky as I saw her hairdo.



YES! Homegirl used a Topsy Tail!!

I used to LIVE for Topsy Tail.  I have naturally curly hair and grew up learning about hair care from my mother, who had naturally stick straight hair.  Translation - the things she did to her hair DID NOT WORK on mine.  Then, along came the Topsy Tail, and I felt in control of an actual intended "look" for the first time.  I Topsied pigtails, high ponytails, low ponytails, I went completely nuts with it.  It was such a silly blast from the past to see this woman with one but I knew I had to take a picture and share with our lovely LANP readers.

Don't forget to enter K's giveaway! Mine will be posted early next week!

The Bachelor Pad

This weekend my friend S and I went to 19th for our DCKickball mid-season party. Right around midnight, I was walking around the bar and spotted Elizabeth from the Bachelor Pad. After talking to Elizabeth, we also ran into Natalie and Ashley. All three girls were very outgoing and very friendly. We didn't talk about the show but it was obvious that S and I were fans or we would have had no idea who these girls were.



I know there are a lot of Bachelor/Bachelorette/Bachelor Pad fans out there. Does anyone know the girl on the far right in the picture with Elizabeth and Ashley? She was in the same friendship circle as our Bachelor Pad girls and was very nice but we couldn't figure out if she had been on the Bachelor as well.

Top Two Tuesday

Top 2 things you want to accomplish before the end of the year

K's Version:
1. Eat Healthy


They say an apple a day...I don't eat fruit. When I buy it, I have the best intentions and it goes bad. Last night, my friends and I took a class at LA Boxing that was intense and I went home and couldn't ruin my night with a normal dinner so I ate peaches. I am trying. I commit to going to the gym, I just need to commit to eating right.

2. Master the class from hell

As some of you know, I go to UVA for my MBA. This semester is going to be an intense one. Our professor sent out tons of emails before class started and has done so every day since.

M's version:
1. Get the apartment

M and her bf are about to move in together. They submitted an application for the perfect apartment.

2. GMAT Score Success


M is following in my foot steps and is taking the GMAT. We want her in the green or above!

That's Right, We are Having a Giveaway

Last October, M and I started this blog to talk about everything we like and don't like. If you have been following us for awhile, you will know that I really like to travel and we love to talk on and on about makeup. So, when we decided to do our first giveaway at our 50 followers marker, mine was an obvious choice.



Stila palettes are perfect for travel. Pretty in Paris includes 4 eyeshadows and 1 cream converter: blush and lip.

To Enter: Leave a comment below telling us about your entries.
1 entry for following our blog.
1 entry if you tweet about it at M: @blairsheadband.
1 entry if you are an ADPi alum. Just let us know what chapter.
2 entries for mentioning our giveaway on your blog. Share the link!

The giveaway will end September 22nd!

It's Back

Today should be a holiday! Season Four Premiere of Gossip Girl. The CW, 9PM.

Leggings

Last night was kickball night. After the game, we were walking to the bar and found this gem. S decided I needed to run back and snap her picture. The backpack sort of ruined it but still. LIME GREEN LEGGINGS AS PANTS and COWBOY BOOTS.

Just, no. This is not a look anyone should try.

Foodie Friday

This week is one of my favorite breakfast foods, frittata. Frittata is an egg based dish similar to quiche.


Sweet Onion Frittata

Ingredients
16 large eggs, beaten
1 large sweet onion, diced
salt and pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1.5 pounds mustard greens, no stems, chopped
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
2. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add onion and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the greens and cook until wilted.
3. Season eggs with salt and pepper and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Pour the eggs into the skillet and cook over medium heat until the bottom and sides begin to set. Continue cooking until the bottom is set, no more than 3 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top.
4. Transfer to the oven and bake for 8 minutes. The center should be set.
5. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

What's Black & White & Clashing All Over?

The real inspiration for this blog many moons ago was to share outrageous outfits.  Living in New York City, there are NO shortage of those!

This is a shot from many weeks ago, but it still makes me chuckle.  On one hand, I love the print!  On the other hand, there is a LOT of look going on. The zebra shoes just break it... or do they make it...

And yes, this man was easily 85 years old.  Adorably wacky.

In happier news -- we are FIVE FOLLOWERS away from hitting our 50 mark! Just remember that I will be giving away items and K will be giving some away as well. Want some hints? Just know that the blog is about highlighting things we like and giggling at things we don't like - the giveaway will definitely be something we like and hope you will too!

Hellcats

M and I share a love of teenage girl tv. Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars top our lists of must watch shows. Tonight, the CW brings us Hellcats. Hellcats is about Lancer College's competitive cheerleading team. While I quit cheerleading when I was about 12, I still love watching it. MTV True Life, Cheerleader Nation, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleading: Making the Team, I watch them all.



Will you be watching?

Top Two Tuesday

Top Two Tuesday: Top Two Favorite Things About Fall

This was a hard one for me since fall is my favorite season.

1. College Football. In case you haven't seen our blog before, I love college football. The only thing I regret about going to GW was/is their lack of a football team. Don't worry I didn't make that mistake again when deciding on grad school.



2. Foliage. Fall makes Virginia look gorgeous and the crisp air makes me want to be outside.



Runners up: My Birthday. Thanksgiving with the family.

Foodie Friday

With Labor Day just around the corner, this week's recipe contains some of my favorite aspects of the end of summer. Scallops- Fish always reminds me of summer. Maple- Fall is just around the corner!

New England Maple Mustard Scallops

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of bacon
• 1 lb fresh scallops
  
• 1 cup half and half
  
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter

Directions:

1. Cook the bacon and make sure to pour off the fat. Let cool and crumble.
2. Melt butter in skillet.
3. Heat scallops for 3 minutes. They should be warm throughout and remove them from the heat into a separate bowl.
   
4. Add the half and half to the skillet and boil the cream, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about ¾ cup. Maintain steady reduction.
   
5. Add the mustard, maple syrup and pour in any juices left from the scallops.
   
6. Boil for another 3 minutes until reduced again to sauce consistency.
7. Add the scallops and crumbled bacon to the sauce, toss and serve.

The Great Mascara Project: Days 9 & 10!

If I were a smart person, these would be the last two mascara reviews! However, I read through my posts and reviewed Hourglass Superficial Lash twice... sadtrombone.com.  

I know that I wore Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing Mascara last Wednesday (note the pink dress, per Mean Girls rules) but failed to take an actual picture of my eye.  From what I can tell you about it, the brush is tiny and was a little clumpy (seen better on the Sephora page), and the formula is supposed to nourish your eyes with some essential oil.  For me, it was just fine.  Didn't do much by way of volume, color, or separation.  Tube & brush pictures here:

So finally, the actual last two days.

Day 9: Cargo Lash Activator Mascara

First and foremost - wouldn't you think that a mascara featured in a "Sephora Favorites" sampler would actually be sold at Sephora?  It is NOWHERE to be found on the website.

But I digress.  The tube, the brush:

(again - note the pink dress as it was Wednesday)

Et voila:

Clumparoo.  All my lashes just stuck together. Didn't really like this one.  Didn't flake and washed off easily, but I actually chose to wash it off while I was out at Winesday last night as my eyes started to bother me around 8:30.  Just wasn't a win for me.

-------------

Day 10: Sephora Lash Stretcher Mascara

(nail polish = essie Pansy)

On their website, Sephora says that this one is "infused with fibers for maximum extension".  I'd heard about mascaras like this before and was actually curious as to how they worked.  I pulled out the brush and oh boy yes, there were fibers all over the place.  I wondered if my eyelashes were going to look like they had mascara with clear strings on top of them; likely a BAD look.  Since my BlackBerry camera couldn't get the actual fibers... if the area around/between the bristles looks kind of fuzzy, that is the fibers - or just take my word for it, it looks totally weird on the brush.

I applied, I did the rest of my makeup, I made a sandwich for lunch, then came back to Q-Tip away my sloppiness and review the damage:

Holy lash extensions.  You've all clearly seen that I have long lashes - this mascara made them absolutely ridiculous.  I even tried to take a picture from above my eye with my eye closed to see how crazily fanned out and long they were but it just wasn't coming out right.  All in all -- if you want some actual, noticeable extension to your lashes TRY THIS.

------------

FINAL RECAP:

Of 10 mascaras, there should be some ties for #1 & #2, and clearly everyone can guess my #10 pick, but here we go:

#1: fresh Supernova Mascara#2: Laura Mercier Thickening And Building Mascara

#3: Urban Decay Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara#4: smashbox Lash DNA

#5: Sephora Lash Stretcher Mascara

#6: benefit BADgal Lash Mascara

#7: Hourglass Superficial Lash

#8: Cargo Lash Activator Mascara

#9: Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing Mascara

#10: Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain

Thanks to Sephora for putting together such a fun project for me and thanks to all of you for following along!

September

Where did August go? Since the summer just flew by, it is time for me to start thinking about all my exciting plans for September.



Grad school is starting back up.


M will venture down to DC for our annual birthday dance party.

Trips will be made to Hilton Head...



the Renaissance Festival...



and college football games...