Casa Bonita

casa bonita

If you live in Denver (or if you watch South Park) you know about Casa Bonita, the 52,000 square foot Mexican restaurant/ cliff diving extravaganza that has been a fixture here for almost 40 years. The food is terrible but the sopapillas are amazing (they’re all I had for dinner) and everything is so dirty and glazed over with a fine mist from the water that every surface is sticky to the touch. Regardless, it’s unlike anything you’ve seen before so it’s worth a pop in especially if you have kids. The big draw is the cliff diving by high school kids mostly who put on little skits while being chased around by a gorilla and then dive into the the 14 foot pool below from 30 feet above. That part is cool- for all ages actually. The other fun part is the old-time photos that you can take. We took this just a few weeks ago when our good friends were in town, he grew up here so he wanted his family to experience CB. It wasn’t easy to get 4 adults and 4 kids into heavy, slip-on-over-your-clothes costumes (that I’m certain have never been washed) then stand there and sweat under hot lights in a cramped space until roughly 8 shots are snapped. But when it’s all said and done you walk away with a hilarious picture with your friends and family that wouldn’t otherwise exist. Totally worth it.

casa bonita

Easiest Blush to Apply: tarte’s Airblush

tarte airblush maracuja blush

Forget eyeliner, I think the most difficult thing to apply is blush. Take a gander around your office and you’ll see women with heavy, streaky, or under-colored cheeks. It’s hard to nail the perfect flush. Technique accounts for a lot, sure, but so does the right blush. I’ve been using tarte’s Airblush Maracuja Blush for a few weeks now and I’m so impressed. It’s one of the easiest cheek colors to apply because of its consistency- not a powder but not overly creamy. You can use your fingers, but I use just a regular blush brush that captures and disburses the color softly and evenly. Don’t let the bold looking shades fool you either, they’re so sheer and buildable that you can pile on the color without overdoing it.

tarte airblush maracuja blush

tarte airblush maracuja blush

Keeping it Real at the 2013 Oscars

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Standing out tonight against all the weaves and wigs (there’s more fake hair on that red carpet than the real stuff, let’s face it) were 3 beauties at the 2013 Oscars. Charlize Theron, Robin Roberts, and Anne Hathaway all looked so beautiful and classic without the long locks getting in the way. To you and I this doesn’t seem particularly noteworthy or special, but in Hollywood where everyone is painted, polished, and primped to perfection- all abiding by the same beauty rules, this is truly an act of bravery. Maybe in some small way it sends a message that unconventional is beautiful too and we can start to see more images of women that don’t all look the same.

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And a shout out to Anniston for keeping it real rocking her signature hair style (which was by Chris McMillan who used Living Proof haircare btw.) Up-dos don’t work for me either, I always feel like I’m wearing a costume or something. Brides always tell me how they prefer their hair down but feel they should have it up for their weddings and this is the perfect example of how you don’t have to conform to a style you don’t like.  Stick to what makes you feel good, you’ll feel more comfortable and look happier (and better!) in your pictures.

jennifer anniston

Benefits of Coconut Oil

Infographic by MindBodyGreen.com

I love all things coconut from the chia pudding I’m eating right now made with coconut milk, to the oil I use as a body hydrator fresh out of the shower. I’ve also used our rice cooker to steam Harper’s apples and pears in coconut oil with a dash of cinnamon for several months now for her breakfast. It’s her favorite and a great way to feed her the healthy fats her growing brain needs. Check out the benefits of coconut oil via MindBodyGreen.com in a cute little infographic below.

Infographic by MindBodyGreen.com

Infographic by MindBodyGreen.com

How to Get Rid of Streaks From Self Tanners

Bronze Buffer $10 for 2 Sponges

If streaks from self tanning lotions are keeping you from getting a bronzy glow, check out the Bronze Buffer, a new chemical-free sponge that’s supposed to exfoliate away splotchy streaks from self tanning lotions. I haven’t had the chance to use it, but it’s worth a shot if you tend to streak since they can sometimes take days to fade out.

Bronze Buffer $10 for 2 Sponges

Bronze Buffer $10 for 2 Sponges

Estée Lauder Pretty Naughty 2013 Spring Collection

Five Color EyeShadow Palette $48

Spring is around the corner so it’s the perfect time to grab some vibrant shades of pinks, plums, blues, and greens to add to your probably too-brown makeup arsenal. Lauder is bringing full-on feminine front and center with their Pretty Naughty spring line. Just little pops of color like this can make a big difference in updating your look so take the plunge and try a new color or two this spring.

 

Their gelée formula blush is so easy to apply. Use the sponge in the compact to ‘dot’ on where you’d like the color to go, then blend it in using your fingers. Creme blushes tend to look more natural on the skin and wear longer, they also don’t collect on fine hairs on the face (photography tip!) so when you’re outside or in bright light, your makeup is undetectable

Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée Blush $40

Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée Blush $40

I’m dying to try their Sheer Matte Lipstick since matte formulas are often heavy and thick. I’m hoping this one gives coverage and color without the weight.

Pure Color Sheer Matte Lipstick in 'Demure' $25

Pure Color Sheer Matte Lipstick in ‘Demure’ $25

Lately, Lauder’s shadows are rivaling Dior’s iconic palettes in terms of great color combos. That cool brown and charcoal will anchor any look from casual to evening by using them on the lid or as liners. Use the pink, purple, and blue either on the lid (when in doubt just keep the color below the crease), or you can smudge them under your lower lash line, or even dot your eye’s inner corners. If you’re using them to line under your eyes, use a black liner in your water line to give the look a more modern spin.

Five Color EyeShadow Palette $48

Five Color EyeShadow Palette $48

Don’t forget the nails. I’m obsessed with purple, so I’m always happy when it’s on-trend. A great polish on your nails goes a long way in looking more put together. Since I’m pretty casual anyway, getting my nails to a more fashionable state might be just the easy spring update I need.

Pure Color Nail Lacquer in 'Insatiable' $20

Pure Color Nail Lacquer in ‘Insatiable’ $20