Sometimes, a handful of go-to beauty products are all you need in your makeup bag.  Of course it’s fun to have the pallettes of eye shadows, blushes, and color but the everyday products are important to great skin.

1. First things first- find a great mineral makeup.  The couple that I have tried (and liked) have been Bare Minerals, Jane Iredale, and Mary Kay.  Having a mineral foundation that you use daily can minimze clogged pores and help prevent blemishes and blackheads. I also love using primer before foundation because it gives the makeup a fresh smooth place to start.

2. Mascara.  This does wonders and can make the no-makeup look go to blah to wow! Since everyone has different lashes, different products may work better depending on the length and texture of your lashes.  For a great everyday look and perfect for the pool or beach, try clear mascara from Sephora, $10.

3. A great lip gloss.  Everyone has their preferences and I like shiny, wet-look lip gloss.  I do not like sticky lip gloss- that is one my pet peeves.  My favorite right now are Lorac lip glosses, $22.  They have a selection of gorgeous colors and last a while on your lips.

4. Eyeliner.  I am pretty simple here. I get my eyeliner at CVS and have been using the same kind for about 5 years.  I prefer the Revlon Colorstay, ($8-10) in black and sometimes in brown- it always serves dually as an eyebrow pencil.  It lasts all day, doesn’t smudge, and looks great.

With only 47 days left until my wedding, I am in total planning mode.  I thought I would share some of the ideas/inspirations I came across that I may or may not use but are totally fun to share for all you bride-to-be’s or bridemaids/friends that are helping plan a wedding. 

1. Wine cork place card holders.  A wonderful and “green” idea.  Collect all of your wine corks (and have friends start collecting too) and use them as your card holders.  Just cut a slit in the side and slide your place card in. Voila! 

2. DIY Cupcakes in a Jar wedding favor.  This is perfect for your sweet toothed guests and it makes an adorable favor.  You can work in your wedding colors with the cake mix. Make cupcakes as normal, cut in half, and layer with frosting.

3. Citrus Centerpiece.  This is perfect for an outdoor summer wedding.  The citrus-y colors are perfect to set the mood for your guests dining experience.  Pictured below from Martha Stewart weddings is a bowl of lemons and grapefruits, with yellow taffeta ribbons tied around a beautiful glass bowl.

These are the freakin cutest cupcakes I think I have ever seen.  They are the ideal treat for a 4th of July BBQ.  And they are so easy.. nothing more than a box of cake mix, jelly beans, eggs, and milk!  Kids will absolutely LOVE them.  So put your apron on, and get bakin’ girl.   I got this recipe from Martha Stewart’s website.

Ingredients:

• Vanilla Frosting
• Yellow liquid food coloring
• 24 Vanilla Cupcakes baked in white paper liners
• 3 1/2 cups small yellow, cream, or white jelly beans, such as Jelly Belly
• 4 pieces yellow fruit chews, such as Laffy Taffys or Starbursts
• 1 tablespoon black decorating sugar
• 1 tablespoon white decorating sugar
• 8 sets of corn holders (optional)

Directions:

1. Color the frosting pale yellow with food coloring.
2. Working with 3 cupcakes at a time, frost cupcakes with yellow frosting. Arrange 5 rows of jelly beans, close together, on each cupcake. Place the 3 cupcakes side by side on a corn dish or serving platter to resemble an ear of corn. Repeat process with remaining cupcakes, frosting, and jelly beans.
3. Cut the fruit chews into eight 1-inch squares. Soften the edges slightly by hand so that they look like melted butter. Place 1 square on top of each ear of corn. Sprinkle with sugars. Insert a corn holder in the end of each ear of corn, if using. Serve.