what i wore: ombre denim

this week seattle is enjoying some unseasonably warm, absolutely gorgeous weather. i mean, highs in the 70's and 80's... WHAT! i was lucky enough to go outside with bare legs and sleeveless in this vintage denim jumper! the story behind this dress is this: it's thrifted! no surprise there. i loved the way it fit but i wasn't too keen on the wash of the denim, so i decided to DIY it and ombre it with bleach. classic hairstylist move, ombre-ing my clothing.

maybe i can do a DIY showing you guys how!
i've also done the same thing to cutoff shorts...
and even a denim jacket or jeans would be fun!

details // 
denim jumper // thrifted
boots // target
bag // vintage dooney & bourke
sunnies // urban outfitters
rings // TEMPER
lipstick // revlon matte balm 'audacious'
nailpolish // china glaze 'orange knockout'


my high bun was inspired by chelsea, we skyped the other night and her bun was perfect,
so i am channeling my best friend's vibes because she isn't here! miss ew!

enjoy your wednesday!
x's + o's
kaitlin elaine

vegan chocolate chia pudding

dessert is my only vice. i'm not addicted to coffee and i don't smoke... but i cannot go a day without chocolate. i've resorted to finding healthy alternatives to the typical desserts i truly enjoy, which are usually filled with tons of cream, enormous amounts of sugar, and lots of bad fats. [but lots of yum to my taste buds!]

fortunately, i love learning about and trying out new things, especially if it means not feeling a bit of guilt from eating something that tastes really decadent and delicious. i learned this recipe about a year ago and have been making it since; when my chocolate craving strikes and i NEED it, this is what i go to!

i make mine vegan and there are plenty of substitutes you could use for this. the main ingredient is the magical chia seed and what they do when combined with a liquid! they form a gelatin-like layer and become kind of a soft-solid texture after soaking in the liquid [i use almond or coconut milk].

health benefits of chia seeds:

• more fiber than bran
• 3 times more antioxidants than blueberries!
• 15 times more magnesium than broccoli!
• 3 times more iron than spinach!
• helps with hydration

most of the time i roughly measure the ingredients, but today i will give you a real recipe!

vegan chocolate chia seed pudding

1. 1 cup coconut milk [or substitute your favorite]
2. 4 tbls chia seeds
3. 2 tbls unsweetened cocoa powder
4. 2 tbls agave nectar [or your favorite sweetener]

this technically makes two servings but.... i like it a lot sooo...



first: mix your cocoa powder into the chia seeds to help break up any lumps in the cocoa. you can also sift it if you want to! i like to use a small wisk or a fork to do this.



next: add the agave nectar or choice of sweetener into the cocoa and seeds.

then: pour the milk into the mixture, and mix really, really well. the cocoa doesn't like to mix with the cold milk, so be patient and use a wisk or fork to do this. mix until the lumps of cocoa are gone!




after everything is mixed thoroughly, cover with plastic wrap or foil and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. i find that it turns out a lot better when left in the fridge longer. i make it in the afternoon and enjoy it after dinner, maybe 4-6 hours later.



when its done, it will form small bubbles on the top and it will "set" like a jello consistency, it will be firm. the chia seeds outer layer will "gelatinize". the pudding itself still has a bit of crunch and isn't super smooth, so just be prepared for the little crunch of the tiny seeds. the seeds themselves don't have much flavor, so it's just a sweet, chocolatey and delicious fix for my sweet tooth!



what are your favorite desserts?
do you have healthy replacements for your not-so health-conscious treats?

enjoy!
x's + o's
kaitlin elaine

makeup monday: chelsea's routine

morning: dermalogica's ultra rich body cream & usually i use the dermalogica special cleansing wipes but i am out! so right now
i am using my second favorite neutrogena's makeup wipes. in the morning i like to cleanse my face with makeup wipes because i am
usually rushing out the door so it leaves my face feeling clean & refreshed. i can't begin to stress how important moisturizing is.
i have found that moisturizing my skin leaves it super hydrated & soft. when I moisturize my face i do it in an "upward" movement,
i start from the bottom of my face with my palms and go to my forehead. this is a great way to help prevent your skin from drooping
(not going to lie i have a fear of growing old & having wrinkles!).
 

afternoon: sunscreen. you guys, using sunscreen is so so important! for those of you that can sit in the sun & bake, please PLEASE put on sunscreen.
i will make this quick or i will rant on all day: what you do to your skin now will affect the way you look in the future. being 25 i have found a few wrinkles on my face. using sunscreen is helping prevent future wrinkles & helps keeping my face & skin healthy and strong.
i can go on all day about how tanning isn't good for you but i will stop now..
currently i am using ULTA's brand of sunscreen, i use SPF 55.




makeup:  1. laura mercier tender rose powder 2. brushes from bare minerals 3. revlon racy rose pink
blush 4. revlon's blackest black liquid eyeliner 5. covergirl flamed up mega curl mascara 6. revlon lip butter candy apple red 7. urban decay naked basic eye shadow (& urban decay pore perfecting complexion primer) 8. not pictured* dermalogica skin perfect primer

dermalogica's skin perfect primer is the key element to my makeup routine! it's similar to a bb cream but
after trying out all different brands of bb cream i had found that dermalogica's primer just worked the best. and what i love most about it is that it makes my face feel baby soft, it also has SPF 30 in it.

i always put on moisturizer on my face or spf before putting any makeup on. since i don't wear any
liquid foundation, using the moisturizer or the primer really helps hold my makeup on my face.





night:

1. dermalogica's special cleansing gel 2. dermalogica's age smart eye cream (made out of silicone)
3. dermalogica's barrier repair moisturizer (made with silicone) 4. clear start spot treatment
5. sometimes i will have a spa night & use this mask that kaitlin featured from forever 21,
tonight i plan on using the papaya one!



my favorite part of the day is coming home and taking my "mask" off and letting my face breathe.
lately i have been trying to spend days wearing no makeup and i have found that it has done my skin
wonders. thankfully over the past year and changing my skin care routine over to dermalogica i have
not suffered any skin challenges. i would always recommend trying their products, you can either order
them online or going to your local UTLA store or salon that sells it!


happy makeup monday!
 x's & o's, 
chelsea diane

weekly snaps + a yummy recipe!

this week: kaitlin & i are learning how to manage a blog while working full time jobs.
chelsea just finished the book Divergent & starting the next book Insurgent
kaitlin is open for business with her talent skills of hair & makeup. i mean… look at this ombre she did of bethany
I am in the midst of the start of wedding season craziness. this week i will be in raleigh, north carolina for a wedding.
have any of you been to raleigh? would love recommendations for any coffee & lunch spots!


as spring is coming to an abrupt end, i would like to encourage everyone to literally stop and smell the cherry blossoms.
i find myself trying to live in the moment. taking each flower, warmth of the sunshine, cool walk in.


yesterday i whipped up one of my favorite recipes: basil, tomato & goat cheese quiche.

last year i had my own blog that i shared my favorite recipes & encouraged my readers to pursue a healthy lifestyle. (a fond life)
i made a video with this recipe & i hope you all try this simple recipe!
 







one frozen or pre made crust
three eggs
1 1/2 cup of half & half
one tomato
three leafs of basil (or however much you prefer)
1/2 a cup of goat cheese


preheat at 325

beat eggs, then add half & half (add salt & pepper to your liking)
slice up the tomato & add to the bottom of the pan
then do the same with the goat cheese & basil
(if you have left overs i always throw it into the egg& half & half batter)
then pour the eggs & half + half into the crust
bake for 45-60 minutes
then cool for 15 minutes
then enjoy!


yesterday i added vegan italian sausage which i highly recommend! happy snapping & eating!
now i am off to make some coffee & listen to my book!
x's & o's,
chelsea diane

follow friday: @mercedes_graper

name // Mercedes Graper

age // 22

location // Portland, Oregon

occupation // Counter Manager for Lancôme Cosmetics 

meet mercedes! i started following her not too long ago, originally finding her through her husband @joshgraper's instagram. having a muse as beautiful as mercedes, naturally josh takes gorgeous photos of her and because of that, i found her account and that she is a make-up artist. and an amazing one at that! and guess what? she makes youtube videos... yes! she films high quality, educational make-up tutorials, and i know you all will love her! she takes awesome photos, is incredibly talented with makeup, and i think you'll love getting to know her as much as i did!

1 // how long have you been doing makeup & what got you interested in it?

I have been doing makeup professionally for three years now. And I absolutely love it. Its the perfect job for me. I became interested in makeup when I was a little girl. Looking through magazines and watching my Mom and all of her friends get ready. But what interested me most in doing makeup was making women feel good about themselves. When someone sits down in my chair it gives me the chance to make them happy inside as well as the outside. Through conversation and showing all my little tips and tricks i've learned over the years. They go home and have something exciting and new to try.

2 // have you always lived in portland? do you see yourself living anywhere else?  

 I grew up moving around a lot, up and down the west coast. But most of my life I grew up in Southern Oregon. After Josh and I got married we lived in the small town of Jacksonville Oregon for a while. Then my passion for Lancôme led me to move up in the company. Thats when we decided that a move to the city would be a nice change. We have lived in Portland for two years now and love everything about it. The People, the beauty, and the vibes. It would be hard to leave this place. The Northwest is my favorite. If we were to live anywhere else it would have to be a major change of scenery, like Hawaii. 

3 // what do you love most about your hubby josh? 

I don't think I can choose just one thing that I love most about him because he is such an amazing man. But I love that he is a leader in Christ and has shown me so much about God's love and the ways of the Lord. And I love how romantic and thoughtful he is. He is very old fashion. And because of that we have the best love story. :)

4 // what inspires your everyday life? 

I feel like I get inspired very easily. I try and Live life to the fullest, pursuing everything God has intended for me. Reading the Word and seeking his purpose for my life. As far as fashion and style of living goes, Kinfolk and Free People are at the top of my list for inspiration! 

5 // if you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

I think it would have to be pasta! I love pasta!! 

6 // where do you see yourself in 10 years, personally and professionally? 

Ten years. A lot of stuff happens in ten years. I honestly have no idea where I see myself in ten years. I change my mind way too much haha. But I know I will be with my hubby Josh and my pup Arrow. Hopefully in a little cottage on the river in Portland.

7 // what is your favorite thing about makeup?

I love everything about makeup. It is such an art form. You can do anything with it. It is limitless and timeless. 

8 // describe yourself in 5 words!:

 silly, fun, loving free spirit

9 // what are 3 of your favorite clothing and/or makeup items you can't live without?

For clothing I couldn't live without my sweaters, boots and Jolt pants from BP Nordstrom. Those pants are the most comfortable. I wear them all the time. I like to be comfy.

For makeup I couldn't go without my Lancôme Photogenic foundation. Its literally the best foundation. love it! Also the Mac Mineralize Powder. It looks so natural and beautiful on the skin. I hate it when I run out! Then last but not least, the Lancôme Hypnose Mascara! Best mascara I have ever used. It never clumps and always gives length and volume.

10 // where could we find you on the weekend or your day off?

Always with my hubby Josh and my pup Arrow at the park. Laying in the grass listening to music. Talking about anything and everything. Those days are my favorite.

11 // what have you been listening to lately?

I have been loving-- Allah-Las, The Growlers, Bombay Bicycle Club, Gauntlet Hair- Top bunk.

12 // who is your #1 role model, dead or alive?

The Lord Jesus is my #1 role model.  Also all the women from the 50's 60's and 70's are my role models.

follow! --->>

her... instagram

her... tumblr

her... youtube

[for those of you who want more makeup tips, watch her videos!!
the video below is the exact same way i curl my hair for anyone who is curious!]

thanks so much for being part of follow friday!

x's + o's
kaitlin elaine