Easy as Cheesecake

We had a dinner date with some friends in our neighborhood and we said we would bring dessert and a side. I thought I would make one of Cliff's family favorite recipes. I swear every time we go to his parents house all the kids are begging for Momma Bev (Cliff's Mom) to make cheesecake. I'm sure this is just a simple recipe you can find on the inside of a cream cheese box, but none the less it is divine. We usually have cherry toppings, but I thought it would be even better with fresh strawberries. They did not disappoint. And I attempted to be a food artist. It was fun, but it didn't stay pretty for long. We devoured it. I thought I would share this simple recipe. It's perfect for spring and summer since no oven is required!

Cheesecake

Crust:
1 Tbls. sugar
1 Pkg. graham crackers
1/2 cube butter
 Crush the crackers and sugar. (I just put them in a large plastic baggy and roll over it with a rolling pin). Melt butter and mix together. Press into an 8x8 pan. Place in freezer to harden up quickly.

Cake:
1 8 oz. cream cheese package
1 8 oz. pkg. Cool Whip
11/4 Cup powdered sugar
Mix and cream these together. Pour on top of the crackers. Put your choice of topping and eat up!

It's delicious with blueberries, strawberries, cherries, and I'm sure a ton of other fruit. Be creative. Let me know what you like on your cheesecake!

Deals for Days

You guys! Today I am going to share one of my secrets. I love a good deal. Ok maybe that's not the secret. But I do want to share one of my favorite ways to get a good deal on name brand home goods, clothes and my latest obsession, MAKEUP.

If you saw my last post Confession of a Makeup Addict, you will understand my need for all things beauty. But if you are like me, you maybe have a "wish list" that would most likely break the bank! The husband and I are saving for a house right now (exciting right?) so our budget it preeety tight right now.

But there is a solution. And an awesome one at that. It's called Hautelook. (You can sign up here). Nobody knows how to pronounce the word "haute" but just go with it. It's pretty great. So in a nutshell, this Nordstrom Rack ran company will have steals of deals up on their website for a limited time. I had been swooning over the Balm's products for a while just waiting for a sale to snag up some eyeshadows, bronzer and their ever famous illuminator. Then it happened. So I did what all obsessed makeup geeks would do and made the quickest online purchase my little fingers would allow. I mean I didn't even have time to turn on my laptop, so my iphone had to do. No regrets either because I got my products for more than 50% off.

Here is what I bought:

I can't wait to try them out! Now the deal is over for the Balm cosmetics on Hautelook, but right now they have some steals on Lorac and Tarte cosmetics as well as tons of clothes, shoes, and home goods. All you have to do is sign up. Oh and did I mention if you get some of your friends to sign up you get an extra $10 in your account to spend. So hurry and sign up here and make sure and tell your friends. Believe me, you will love it. It's pretty much a no brainer!

Confession of a Makeup Addict

Hello, my name is Jessica and I am addicted to makeup. It all started about one year ago when I got engaged. Of course I was planning the Pinterest wedding of my dreams on a not so Pinterest level budget. Having a makeup artist for my big day was something I knew I could skip over. I had a pretty good knowledge on makeup, but I wanted to learn the tricks of the trade to look flawless on my big day. And then it happened, I found Maskcara. And not the kind you put on your eyelashes. "Cara" is a makeup artist and blogger who makes the idea of beauty and makeup easy and super fun. I blame Cara for teaching me the art of highlighting and contouring the face. I have never been the same since.

Like for reals. I'm the girl who can't walk past the makeup isles in any drug store hoping to score the best new products for a good deal.

Or get this... After watching The Walking Dead, I had a dream that a zombie apocalypse started here in Las Vegas. And guess what I did first?? I headed to Sephora to stock up on beauty products. I mean who needs food, shelter and ammunition when you have the most pigmented eye-shadow palettes and blackest mascara.

Now-a-days I can't get enough Jaclyn Hill and Essie Button you tube tutorials on how to do a smokey eye or best highlighter for your cheekbones. So maybe you're in the same makeup boat, but finding makeup that doesn't brake the bank can be difficult. Of course I have splurged on some expensive makeup, but there are also tons of products from the drugstore I can't get enough of. I thought I would share some of my favorite thrifty finds as well as how score high end makeup for a bargain.

1. L'Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner- I have always been a liquid liner girl, but this gel liner is my new go to for an every day eye look. A cat eye with this blackest black liner and my sigma liner brush makes for a perfect look night or day. It also comes with a nice brush if you don't have a liner brush you love. It doesn't smear, run, or go anywhere all day. You can get it here or at most drug stores. Less than $8 and lasts for a long time.

2.  Milani Baked Blush- Perfect cheek flush of color. These are comparable to the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting blushes with different hues of colors you swirl together to get the perfect cheek color. I love these and they are a steal for less than $6. I get mine usually when drug stores run bogo 50% off. You can get them here if you can't wait.

3. Covergirl Bombshell Mascara- Two wands, one perfect look. The first time I bought this, I put my Too Faced mascara on one eye and used this on the other. I asked my husband if he could tell a difference in my eyes and he asked why one of my eyes had longer eyelashes. (Mind you my husbands knowledge of makeup is believing that mascara goes on your cheeks. Really. He really believed that). If he notices, there really must be a difference. I love there are two different wands, one plastic and one traditional mascara wand. It's easy to make your lashes full and long looking with this awesome product. You can buy it here or at most drug stores. Awesome deal for around $9.

4. NYX Butter Gloss- You know when you put on lipgloss and you feel like you just ate a spoonful of honey and it's all over your face. Maybe it's just me, but I hate a sticky gloss. These are seriously BUTTER glosses. So smooth and smell great. They aren't sticky or uncomfortable. And they come in sooo many colors. Perfect for a quick flush of color or to finish off a lipstick look. I always get mine during the BOGO 50% off sale at Ulta they have all the time.

5. Maybelline Eye Studio Quad- Okay these are the creamiest, most pigmented eye shadows for a super great deal. The colors in these quads are great for beginners since they go together perfectly to create a flawless eye look. They come in a variety of colors, but my personal favorite is "Copper Chic". It is a neutral similar to colors found in the Naked palettes. You can buy them here or at most drugstores. For less than $8 for shadows that compare to high end products, these are a steal.

If you want an updated list of the products I am dying to get my hands on make sure and follow my "Makeup Shopping List" board on Pinterest here.

I also just scored some The Balm products for 50% off retail price. Mary Lou Manizer is on it's way to my house right now! If you want to know what else I got, stay tuned this week. I will be doing a few more makeup thrifts!

Let me know what your go to drug store makeup essential are!

Stay beautiful!