Thebeautyfoodie

Eyeshadow Placement – Where do I apply it?

eyeshadow placementWhen my makeup obsession first started* I was baffled by ‘makeup speak’, particularly all the terms relating to eye makeup application. I felt like screaming “Slow down! Speak English!” Yet, I’ve realised, looking back over some of my older posts, I’ve fallen into the same trap, talking about the “inner corner” and the “upper waterline” left, right and centre. Opps… Sorry. I should know better!

So, here’s a post for those of you who aspire to wear eyeshadow but might not know where to start. I know there’s a few of you out there as one of the makeup questions I’m most frequently asked is “Eyeshadow – Where do I apply it?” This is such a great question and one I’m going to answer right now! Alternatively, you might have eyeshaow basics down pat – but you are keen to take things to the next level. In this blog post we’ll walk through the different parts of the eye from a makeup perspective and answer the question ‘Where does it all go?’ Makeup tutorials are what I watch before I used to give any look a go. You learn techniques and you can get inspiration from the various looks that people will create. So if you’re new to wearing eyeshadow, watching tutorials may be a good step to take. My hope is that this helps makes eyeshadow application less intimidating and heck, you might be able to follow eye makeup tutorials without feeling like an amateur (like I used to). (more…)

Bacon and Egg Cupcakes

bacon and egg cupcakesThese bacon and egg cupcakes are ludicrously quick and easy to prepare and are totally scrummy ! We’ve had these quite a few times since I fiddled around and came up with  my version of the recipe. We love how these are gluten free, full of protein, are super filling. They make a great  breakfast alternative to bacon and eggs.  I like to use Tegel’s Chicken Bacon for this, simply as it’s a super light bacon alternative at 95% fat free, yet it doesn’t compromise on taste.  I got hooked on Chicken Bacon when I was doing Weight Watchers a few years back: I’ve been a fan ever since.

I seriously rate these cupcakes as they make for a seriously quick breakfast: I make a batch of half a dozen or so in advance, let them cool and put them in the fridge and cover them with cling film. At breakfast, the next day or the day after that (!) I pull one out, heat it in the microwave for 40 seconds… And breakfast is ready.  Much quicker than faffing around poaching eggs like I usually do!  Alternatively, these are super handy to take to work for lunch (I’ve done that numerous times and had them with a green salad).  I hope you enjoy 🙂 (more…)

Philly’s Swirly Cinnamon Brioche

Cinnamon brioche recipeLooking for something special and a bit different to rustle up this weekend? Look no further!

My fab friend Philly, posted a photo of these swirly cinnamon brioche on her Facebook page last weekend and my mouth started watering. So, for a bit of fun I nicked the photo off her page, posted it on my Facebook page to drum up a bit of peer pressure on Philly to get the recipe!  She’s such a great lady, she was super happy to share the recipe with us. Thanks Philly! x

Philly says she usually makes up all the dough in one go. Then she makes 12 brioche that day and she sets the remainder of the dough aside to make up the next morning.  (more…)

Seven Deadly Sins of Makeup – Beauty Tag

I’m still reasonably new to this blogging malarchy – it’s not even The Beauty Foodie’s first birthday yet! Today I was kinda chuffed to get my first ever tag by not one, but two fellow bloggers: The lovely Christel from Makeupper and from Sarah at Lily Mint Blog. Two great blogs to check out!

The Seven Deadly Sins of Makeup

1. Greed: What is your most expensive beauty item?

MAC makeupI’m honestly not copying Christel, it’s just we are into the same stuff. Mine is also my MAC eyeshadow collection. There’s around 18 of ’em and I’m feeling ill at the thought that most of these cost NZ$38 each. I’m not a makeup artist, I don’t do this for a crust, albeit I take the occasional client through word of mouth. This is just a super expensive hobby that gets a little out of hand sometimes. Thank goodness Hubby doesn’t read this blog. Gulp, I hope Mum doesn’t… I’m feeling ill. The good news is: There’s no MAC eyeshadows on my wish list at the moment, but if there was, I’d be buying these out of the USA via the Mac website and using You Shop to get ’em to NZ. I’ve smartened up! Why are they so good? They are colour pay-off is intense, they wear well and MAC’s range of eyeshadow colours is unrivaled by any other cosmetic brand – except, perhaps, Inglot (see the answer to number 3!). (more…)

Roast Vegetable Salad Recipe

roast vegetable salad

This is the roast vegetable salad that I took to a pot luck dinner on Saturday. I shared the photo on my Facebook page and it got a fair few thumbs up, as well as requests for the recipe. No worries – here you go!

As I made this roast vegetable salad (it’s a recipe that’s in my head), I realised I’ve never never made this the same way twice…  That’s because I always make it with whatever vegetables I have on hand and this will vary from season to season.  Sometimes I fold baby spinach leaves or rocket through the cooked and cooled veges at the end. Sometimes I use blue cheese instead of feta,..  Sometimes I use pinenuts or even dukkah instead of cashew nuts as a garnish.  You get the idea! Go with the  flow and tailor the recipe to suit your taste buds. Nevertheless, below is the recipe as I made it, exactly, on Saturday!  

This is a great addition as a side salad to a number of main courses, like a roast joint of meet, or even as a side with chicken breasts. I’ve also been known to use leftover roast vegetable salad in a frittata or in an omelette the next day. Super versatile: My kind of food.

Enjoy 🙂 (more…)

Weekend away in Windy Wellington

SAMSUNG CSCHubby, not prone to romantic gestures, took the bull by the horns recently and declared that we were heading to Wellington for the weekend – no kid allowed. He even jacked up a babysitter (amen for grandparents). I didn’t need to be asked twice. I was there: With bells on. Wellington, despite the bad rap it frequently gets for its often undesirable weather, is hands down my favorite city in NZ and I reckon it’s well-deserving of the nickname ‘the coolest little capital in the world”. I know that the weather is what people traditionally go on holiday for and I can completely understand why! I have dropped a few hints about going somewhere hot, maybe in a private jet to add to the style points, we rarely get to treat ourselves, so to even do this is brilliant. I love Wellington’s energy, the hum of activity and I feel that no matter who you are, you’ll find your special place in Wellington. It’s been so long since we’ve got away without the kids. Although, we have got a stay booked for just the two of us at one of the villas in barbados. I can’t wait! (more…)

Emma’s Easy Lemon Meringue Pie

easy lemon meringue pie recipeMy lovely foodie buddy Emma came to visit a while back and we spent a fun-filled foodie afternoon cooking up a dinner feast for our families.  One of my favourite things to do is to get together with a foodie friend and cook.  I love the opportunity to learn a new recipe, to pick up some new tips and tricks. Of course, the banter and the feast afterwards… Oh yes:  Talk about my happy place!    Emma whipped up this lemon meringue pie (partly chosen as I fessed up that I’d never made one before) in what seemed like no time at all.  And get this: She didn’t even use a recipe, it was all in her head, she’s been making this since high school! I was in AWE and I made her give me the recipe: Damn it was good.

With it’s biscuit base this recipe is a bit like a cheesecake crossed with a traditional lemon meringue pie. The filling includes a can of condensed milk, which, frankly, takes any dessert to a whole new level. The result is a soft, sweet, lemony, creamy filling – no sign of gluggy gelatin here folks. Best of all this recipe is so simple to make, I made it on holiday at the beach using a handheld stick mixer to blitz the biscuits!  Lastly, this is an ideal dessert to make ahead of time (e.g. the day before you need it). It keeps well and I reckon it tastes even better the next day. Enjoy! (more…)

Fab Feijoa Smoothie Recipe

The humble feijoa
The humble feijoa

It’s feijoa season Downunder – whoop! I concocted this delicious smoothie recipe last year and it’s been a firm favourite ever since (including post feijoa season: I have a secret stash in the freezer). If you are a fellow LSA fan (linseed, sunflower, almond) don’t be afraid to put this in the smoothie too, it transforms it into something super-special. (more…)