Pretty in Pink

                    

Dress / Necklace / Shoes (Guesss old, similar) / Bracelets (similar)

This Memorial Day weekend my best friends big sister (who is literally like the big sister I never had) got married.

I love weddings because it gives m the opportunity to get dressed up and do my hair in a way that a girl who works full time at a brewery (read: messy, sticky & dirty) can not do.

Also I just happen to be a huge sucker for people who are deeply in love. I can barely count the number of times I got misty, and it always reminds me that I have to invest in waterproof makeup.

This was a pretty classy wedding and I dressed more casual than I generally would, but I could not resist this pink dress and literally had to consult my boyfriend, and two of my best friends for approval and a tie breaker. It totally came down to resisting a classic shirt dress (which is almost impossible since it's so versatile) and two high-low mini maxis that just were not in colors I wanted.

I hope you had a well spent memorial weekend!

Cheers! 

Siobhain

Pet Obsession: Doesn't everyone have one?

Sometimes I feel 100% completely unnaturally obsessed with my dog. He is not necessarily the most well behaved, or the most handsome, or even the sweetest, calmest, or most cuddly, but is his mine.

I grew up with a black labrador retriever (Pepper) who died of cancer (which had taken over his entire body) when I was 18, and choosing a new dog for my family was an extremely difficult (albeit impossible because we originally weren't going to get a new dog until we saw Niku) decision. When we met him it was like fate. He was the fattest in his litter and the happiest… he even had a dog grin which was the most exciting part.

For a dog he has a lot of strange characteristics.. he chases bee's regularly, he doesn't like beer, he sorts his food (I need to make a vine video of this) and his favorite thing to play with is a wine cork.

He's a handful and a spaz... but most importantly he's ours, and he's family.

Who is the best non-human addition to your family?

Cheers!

Siobhain

The Bare Necessities

If I had to limit my makeup choices for travel or something these are the things I could probably not live without. I left out skincare because that in and of itself is an entirely different beast.

Brushes: (Cheek) MAC 120 /  (Shadow) MAC 214 /  (Eyeliner) Stila #4

Urban Decay Naked 2 - The equally amazing twin to the Naked shadow pallet 

MAC Blunt for contouring & MAC Desert Rose for cheeks

MAC Fluidline in Dipdown (I also use it in Blacktrack when I'm doing more intense makeup)

MAC select moisture cover concealer in NW25

Benefit Cosmetics Stay Don't Stray primer and concealer stay put-ter

Typically I use Maybelline mascara, but I accidentally bought L'oreal because it was in the wrong section of target and it looked like what I normally use. OOPS.

and last but not least MAC Brow Sets in clear, although because I put it on after I fill in my brows with benefit brow zings it has become brown.

What's in your makeup bag?

 Cheers! 

 -Siobhain

 

Made for Mom

I love holidays. Especially the ones where you get to spend the entire day with loved ones. Mother's day was no different and it allowed me to spoil my mom. We went to the movies as a family, and then made dinner at home. I contributed with dessert spending most of my effort reducing the port my family makes at our winery into a sauce that went over angel food cake, strawberries and homemade whipped cream.

Port Reduction Recipe (adapted from epicurious)

Ingredients:

2 cups tawny port
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions: 

Stir port and sugar in a heavy small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves.
Increase the heat to med-high and boil until the mixutre is reduce to 1 cup (roughly 13 minutes).
Mix the water and cornstarch in a small separate bowl, whisk into port reduction and continue to boil until slightly thickened, remembering to stir constantly for about 1 minute.
Let cool and serve. (**Can also be made the day before).

Needless to say, it was delicious, and worth the extra effort.

How did you spend mothers day? 

Siobhain

POTW: The BEST Budget Friendly Dry Shampoo

Not Your Mother's is a surprisingly amazing hair care brand. I originally began using their beach babe spray from the many recommendations on pinterest. I decided I would give their dry shampoo a shot because it came at such a great price ($5.99) but also came after the positive experience of the beach spray. 

I've tried some higher quality dry shampoos but could never justify the costs, and the cheaper brands (tresseme) just never do it for me. 

Not only does Clean Freak smell great but it also works well. I find myself wanting to spray this stuff in my hair any time it is greasy or just doesn't smell clean. It has the best clean smell which doesn't make me go ick at all. 

If you're not using dry shampoo on your wash free days but have all kinds of greasies, I can't recommend this stuff more. If you're a Dry-Shampoo neophyte, give this a try and kiss your greasy days goodbye! 

xo,

Siobhain

Maxi'd Out

  Belt - F21 / Old Sandals - but similar also from Zara / Maxi - F21 / Hat - Urban Outfitters

Over the weekend I was lucky to enjoy spending time with friends whom I actually consider family for my best friends, big sisters bachelorette party. We went wine tasting near Angels Camp and had a really good time being girly girls in dresses and hats. (I apologize for re-wearing my zara sandals, originally I started the day in some really cute wedges but sometimes a girls gotta make a wardrobe change for comfort ya know?!) 

Enjoy your week! 

Siobhain