TIME TO TEST: ALMAY SMART SHADE

Happy Wednesday, you lovely people!

Today I'm doing something I haven't done on the blog:

Test.

Makeup.

I wear makeup just about every day, but I haven't done a sponsored makeup review post ever- because I don't like lying to your pretty faces. You see, most companies that contact you want you to oooh and aaaah about their product (duh) and I had yet to have a company contact me that had a product I whole-heartedly believed in: until now.

When Almay gave me this Smart Shade Foundation to try I knew it was something I could rave about- so here it is: an honest review!

I mean, first things first: I get that this has ZERO to do with the quality of the makeup, but the packaging is perfect: clean, simple, bright. Thumbs up #1. 

Second, Almay Smart Shade™ makeup makes it easy to find "the one" with just three skintone-adjusting shades to choose from, not hundreds. I feel like there have been times when I'm sitting at Walgreens holding 324309 different bottles up to my hand trying to guess which won't make me look like a ghost or an oopma-loompa. Anyone else been there?

So here's how it works:

Step 1: Put a few dots of Almay Smart Shade™ on- yes, it'll be white!

Step 2: Begin to blend with sponge/brush/fingers- yes, it'll still be pretty white!

Step 3: Continue to slowly blend- if you have a slightly dark tan (which I do right now) it will seem REALLY light at first, but the more you blend, the more it melts into your skin, creating a totally even tone.

And the final product?

Even, clear skin! 

(see awkward faux-glamour shot below)

(photo via louisa marion photography)

I was amazed how light this foundation felt- not in the least bit greasy or heavy. Since it's been sent to me I've been wearing it daily, and am still so pleased!

So there you have it- a makeup post by yours truly.

Big thanks, hugs & kisses to the Refinery29 & Almay teams!

Now I want to hear from you, friends-

Has anyone else tried Smart Shade? 

Like it? Love it?

Do share!

xo, lp

Find more about Almay here:

Facebook / Shop / YouTube  

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*again: this was a sponsored post by almay cosmetics. all opinions, thoughts, and awkward glamour shots are my own. thanks for supporting b&b!*

TAKE A SIP: BEST BLUEBERRY MOJITO

 Normally recipe days are Tuesdays...but I just couldn't hold this one back, because it's too good!

 It's been in the seventies in Wisconsin, which means optimal Mojito weather. 

I mean...I guess any weather could be optimal Mojito weather, but I'm just going to use these 70+ degree days as an excuse to share this, mmmmkay?

Here's what you'll need to make it happen:

 - Mint leaves

- Blueberries

- 2 tsps Sugar or simple syrup*

- 2 ounces White Rum

- Sprite or Soda water**

- Ice

* if ya don't have simple syrup, granulated sugar will work!

** sprite if ya like it sweet, soda water if you don't/

 How to make it happen:

Step 1: Muddle a few mint leaves + blueberries with your sugar & rum

Step 2: Add ice & top with sprite

Step 3: Garnish with mint leaves + blueberries

Step 4: ENJOY!

So yeah.

It's basically just a regular mojito but with blueberries instead of limes. But daaaaang it's good!

 What's your mid-70s summer drink?

If you don't have one yet- I highly recommend a blueberry mojito!

xo, lp

ps: for more drink recipes, go HERE!

pps: for instagram fun, go HERE!

PLAYING FAVORITES, VOLUME ONE

OH HI.

i love instagram, we all know this.

But let's talk about people i LOVE to follow on instagram, shall we?

This is one of the first installments, cuz there are a ton of great people i have to share with you.

let's call this grouping: THE ARTISTS

they're photographers, illustrators, digital masters, food organizers, and florists. and they're all fabulous.

munsterrose: oh my lanta. choosing just one picture of jackie's to show here was seriously hard. she is  a florist extraordinaire - and i have to hold myself back from commenting on all of her pictures. if you want to see some gorgeous floral work, follow this lady.

wrightkitchen: brittany is a food artist/wizard. for real. as someone who personally loves putting things in rainbow order, i appreciate her food gradients more than you could know. for amazing produce pics, brittany is your gal.

heykyle: i've known kyle since elementary school- and while i knew his theater skillz back then- i had no idea the talented designer/hand letterer he'd be. like WHOA people. besides his word art- his life in pantone series makes me want to bust out my pantone postcards and go on an  adventure too!

benfwagner: ben & i knew each other briefly in college, so this is how i justify it not being weird for liking every.one.of.his.pictures. he's a designer/illustrator with a killer eye for photographing brooklyn.

amy_stone: she's a digital magicial for gap- and her insta feed is one of my new favorites. everything has a little bit of blue hue to it- and it's all instagram gold: think pineapples, lattes, and peonies. sold.

weshopamano: i mean yeah i'm biased cuz we're related, but fer real my sister is a killer photographer. and ceramic artist. and boutique owner. when she comes into town i make her take pictures for me- and you'll see why once you check out her feed.

canarygrey: speaking of minnesota photographers- this lovely lady has the lightest, brightest instafeed. it's all the most simple & clean way to view life, i'm convinced of it. i need to paint everything in my life white NOW.

kimgenevieve: okay, why not throw an LA photographer in the mix? kimberly's photos just make me smile- they usually involve some bright turq cali sky or palm trees, and get me through the torrential downpours in the midwest. 

studiodiy: i've been following kelly's blog foreeeeeeeeeva. she is such a creative mind- i can't even. her balloons/treats/pinatas/etc are whimsical and truly original. where else can you find hamburger balloons and donut sunglasses? kelly- you are just killin it, girl.

WHEW.

so now you know some of my favorites, and now it's your turn!

who do YOU love to follow on instagram?

xo, lp

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PSST: are we friends on instagram? i mean, this is an instagram post so i have to ask.

if not, you can find me here: @lpodlich    

WE JUST CAN'T TAKE A GOOD PICTURE.

Happy Monday!

I took Friday off so this weekend felt extra fabulous and long. My sister Louisa came into town from Minnesota, which was muuuuuuuuch needed.

Here's what's been good lately:

1. Whoa shoot my hair got long. Just got it cut, but here's the before (woof):

2. THIS #dottyoptimism:

3. Like I said, my sister was in town. She is freaking fabulous. Here we are on the Terrace, failing to take a normal picture:

4. I also got to see my sister Ann this weekend, and my two ADORABLE nieces. Here's Lyddie, being madly in love with Michael. Heart. Breaking.

5. Since Louisa is a photographer, sometimes I beg her to take pictures of me for blog stuff. Liiiike this weekend. Here's an outtake from a shoot she did for an upcoming project I'm working on:

 6. Another day, another candy to rainbow order:

So that's what's been great lately-

Anyone else have some good sibling time this weekend? Or organize any candy? 

(I'm going to guess the answer to that second question is a no..)

xo, lp

PSSST:  I bet you take fabulous pictures on Instagram! Leave your handle in the comments, and you can find me here:  @lpodlich

#everythinginrainboworder

Let's talk Instagram habits.

If you don't already follow me (@lpodlich) - then you might not know of my rainbow ordering obsession.

Allow me to show you just a little bit:

So here's the deal - I know I can't be the only one with a weird Instagram habit...or the only one who likes things in rainbow order!

So tell me, friends-

What's your favorite thing to post on Instagram?

xo, lp

Oh, and if you're a fellow rainbow-order lover, tag me @lpodlich in your post (and use #everythinginrainboworder) - I would LOVE to see 'em!

TAKE A SIP: BOOZY CHERRY LIMEADE (a twist on the classic!)

So a while back on this here blog I shared a recipe for the Dirty Shirley (an alcoholic kiddy cocktail). People were diggin' it- so I figured, why not take another childhood classic and do what I do best:

ADD. BOOZE.

So that's just what I did, folks...that's just what I did.

Here's the Boozy Cherry Limeade:

What you'll need to make it happen:

- Svedka Cherry Vodka

- Frozen Limeade Concentrate

- Water, Ice

- Sprite

- Limes/Cherries for garnish

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Mix together 2 ounces of cherry vodka with a tablespoon of limeade concentrate and 1/2 cup water. 

Step 2: Stir until well mixed, then add ice & a splash of Sprite

Step 3. Garnish and enjoy!

Funny thing is, unlike kiddie cocktails, I actually didn't even grow up drinking limeade- we were a lemonade family, through and through!

I'm fully willing, however, to exploit the loving wonderful childhood memories of others- so enjoy, you limeade-families :)

 What was your favorite childhood drink?

Let me know and I'll be sure to booze-it up on the blog soon!

xo, lp

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psssst: for more drink recipes, go HERE

for pictures of pretty things, go HERE!

TUBE FLOATS & BOMB POPS!

Hello loves!

Hope you had a wonderful and safe 4th of July weekend celebratin' AMURICA!

Here's what's been up lately!

Annual 4th of July firework cupcakes were in order for work this year:

Thursday night = Memorial Union Terrace sunset. So. Dang. Perfect.

On Friday a group of us all enjoyed beach time at a nearby lake- beyond fabulous to soak up the sun while laying in some $6 floaties in the water. Oh--- and bomb pops- lots of bomb pops!

Saturday was spent downtown- Farmer's Market, brunch, and perfect dinner & drinks later in the night.

Sunday was all about celebrating my girl Emily- a 6 hour tube float down the Wisconsin river was in order, of course!

So tell me friends, how did you celebrate this weekend?

Please tell me SOMEONE wore American Flag shorts. Or swimsuits!

xo, lp

BEST BITES: BRIE + APPLE PIZZA

Oh my friends, do I have a treat for you!

This pizza is just...everything.

Am I being dramatic? Eh I mean maybe...but really, it's one seriously delicious dinner. Or lunch. Or brunch. Or breakfast?

One of my favorite places to eat in Madison makes a seriously delicious wood-fired brie & apple pizza- and this was my desperate attempt to re-create it. Since I don't know their actual recipe it's not identical, but it's pretty darn close!

What you'll need to make it happen:

- Pizza Dough Mix (I use this Betty Crocker kind!)

- 1/4 Granny Apple, sliced thinly

- 1 shallot, cut small

- 1/3 wheel Brie (any brand)

- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or other pizza mix)

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425

Step 2: Make your dough as package instructions direct!

Step 3: Sprinkle half your cheese on the dough, and layer on your apple, brie, and shallots.

*yes, cut the rind off the brie. 

Step 4: Top with the rest of the shredded cheese, and bake in oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown!

Step 5: Let slightly cool, and enjoy!

And the finished product! 

Golden.

Cheesy.

Salty.

Sweet.

This is one of those recipes that you're going to want to Pin and save to make for every summer dinner party this year!

What's your favorite summer dinner to make?

If you don't have a go-to yet, make this one yours!

xo, lp

For more recipes, go HERE!

Let's be Instagram friends! Find me here --> @lpodlich