New Years Inspirations

I've really never been one to make any New Years resolutions. I never thought of January being such a  "turn around month". To me, that was September. Once summer was over it meant a new cycle of life. Lately, Ive been thinking about things a little differently. In some ways I've already started my resolutions. In light of the season, I decided to just create a whole list of goals I officially want to put into action. 

With all of these new goals being put into action, I'm trying not to think about "change" in such a big way. I feel like that word scares people so much, or at least me. It has so much pressure behind it that the motivation starts to linger and the goal is completely lost. I'm not really trying to completely change myself either, I like who I am. So at this point, I'm just trying to be the best version of myself that I can be.  

The overall goal for myself isn't to dramatically shift my daily routines to the point where I'm secluding myself of enjoyment. Also, when I try to shift things so much, I just end up reverting to my old ways. A little at a time can go a long way. The point of my goals is make my quality of life and happiness improve. Everyone is always on a journey to find their true purpose and to find what inspires them. In my journey, I hope to continue to do/find what I love and always inspire others in the process. 

Make small changes for big impacts

In the process of thinking about my New Years resolutions, I took the time to write down each of them. Looking at a page of vague resolutions can seem a little overwhelming if you don't have a plan to how you're going to get there. Under each one, I wrote what small changes I can make that wasn't going to shock my everyday routines. When I did it this way, my goals didn't look as unreachable as I thought they were.  

Hopefully, you can connect with some of my resolutions and make them your own. I've already started mine. No use waiting until tomorrow when I can just get started now. So far, so good. 

My Resolutions 

Becoming a morning person

This is probably on a lot of lists. Its such a common resolution. I'm not trying to wake up 3 hours before I already do. It's ridiculous and would never happen. Luckily, I don't have to be at work until 10. My mornings aren't as early as they need to be like everyone else. The earliest I wake up is usually 8. My goal is to start forming a habit of waking up at 7. When I have tried to do this in the past, I would hit the snooze button and just pass back out. Goal ruined. I have found a solution. 

Method - Set my alarm for 7 and then throw my phone across the room. When it goes off in the morning, I'm forced to get up and find it to turn the alarm off. No point getting back into bed from there. Problem solved. 

Drink more water

Drinking more water is something I've already gotten started on. I'm drinking about 20 more ounces then I usually do and I'm already seeing the benefits. I'm constantly battling dry, cracked lips. It's gross and doesn't look cute. In the past few days, I noticed my lips and skin have been more supple then usual. I don't need as much face moisturizer and I'm not applying my Chapstick obsessively. As far as my energy, I've been under the weather with a sore through so naturally I've been exhausted. I haven't seen an improvement in that yet but I'm sure I will soon since I've increased my water intake. 

Meal preparation

 As annoying as it is for some people to hear, I have trouble keeping on weight. I'm so tiny and have easily lost 5 lbs within a week. Missing meals is terrible for me, especially when I'm not getting all the proper nutrition that I need. Prepping a few more meals and puttng my fruits and veggie in separate containers a few days a week is all I need to stay on track. 

Try new recipes

1,700 pins later, I have enough Pinterest recipes to feed myself for 5 months without having anything twice. I thinks its time I actually put them to use. Not that I have never made anything I've pinned, I just want to step it up and enjoy all that food I drool over. 

Getting organized

This is another resolution that has already taken affect. I recently read a book that changed the way I do things. I was never one clean or be organized. I was that kid in school who opened up their binder and dozens of papers fell on the floor. I heard about this book a while ago and I finally made the decision to buy it. One of the best things I've done. I thought that it would just be about how to organize and arrange your belongings to make your life easier. It was so much more then that. The author makes an effort to reach into the reasons why you're holding onto so many things you actually don't need. She helps you let go of old energies that no longer serve you any happiness. She helps clear your mind and makes you feel more at peace in the space your in. After I read it, I went on a rampage to get rid of things I never thought I would let go of in years. My room has actually stayed organized and as the new year comes I intend to organize even more so I can enjoy life and not drown in the unnecessary items that are cluttering my space.

Book - "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo  

Being clean

This is a little different than being organized. Not that I'm dirty, but I've spilled a thing or two in my room. This week I learned my lesson. Since I've been more organized, I thought it would be nice to make room decor more to my liking. I decide to go out and purchase white bedsheets for a brighter feel. The next day, I put my peanut butter shake on my bedside table. I go to pick it up, drop it and it spills all over my brand new white sheets. 

Solution - Never bringing food into my room ever again

Improve work life

I love what I do. Being a hairdresser and having the ability to create and make people feel great about themselves is very rewarding. Sometimes I feel seeing so many different people a week gets me confused on who's who. Most of the time, hairdressers cant remember who you are by name. They will recognize you once they see your face, but the name kind of just goes out the window. I want to start having more of a personal connection with my clientele so that they each feel special, not just that they're apart of the salon assembly line. I would also like to gain 5 new clients a month. This can be done easily by handing out my cards more and making the effort to make connections with people. 

Keep track of my money

I used to have a bad habit of just throwing my tips into my bag and letting them build up in there. Carrying around hundreds of dollars (in 20's, 5's and10's) isn't really the smartest things to do. I've made a habit of putting all my tips into a safe place at home and tracking the amount of each day in a journal so I know how much I'm making. I figure I'm getting to that age where I need to know a thing or two about money.  

Keep track of myself

Taking care of yourself is so important and yet we forget to do it sometimes. Doing little things like putting in a hair mask once a week and making sure I never forget to exfoliate are small things that usually make me feel a lot better.

Blog more

Blogging is something that I really enjoy doing. I don't know who actually reads these posts, but it's fun to think that someone out there is getting some enjoyment out of it. That is my goal, to share the happiness. 

 Create and Experience

For 2016, I wish to experience new journeys and create new inspirations. Lately, I've been living life on the more routine side. When opportunities have shown themselves, I haven't taken them, whether it be big or small. It's time that I start getting back into my groove and enjoying what life has to offer in the little time we are given. In this time, I hope to inspire anyone I can along the way and share any happiness I may receive. 

I really believe that each of these resolutions can be easily achieved with minimal effort. Hopefully, I've inspired you to take a journey to find your happiness and share it with others in the process. 

Happy 2016!

White Egg Nog Hot Chocolate

Considering it's been 60 degrees in New York, my craving for hot chocolate hasn't really been there this season. It's depressing. Usually, I'm complaining about the cold weather, hoping spring would come early. Who would of thought I would actually miss the chill of winter? I guess that's what happens when you're used to growing up with 4 perfect seasons. 

This week has been one big baking binge for me. I have so much left over sweet ingredients that I'm looking for anything to make so they don't get lonely in the kitchen. All that chocolate and sugar needs to be put to good use. I always have my best ideas when I'm laying in bed doing nothing. Even when I'm relaxing, my mind is going. I remembered I had some leftover Egg Nog in the fridge and wanted to do something with it. Egg Nog White Hot Chocolate? Why not?

I cannot stress enough that to make an awesome meal, dessert, drink, whatever it may be, you need to use awesome ingredients. This hot chocolate would not have been the same if I had used some generic brand of Egg Nog and caramel full of preservatives from a jar. Good ingredients are key. 

Let me talk about this Egg Nog for a second. I could drink a whole gallon of it. I actually think I might of on Christmas Eve. My stomach wasn't to happy at the end of the night though. It was creamy and rich but didn't feel like you were drinking cement. Since it was farm fresh and had little to no preservatives, you could see the natural separation in ingredients and had to shake it in order to get that creamy consistency. I highly recommend you purchase this. I also warn you because you wont stop drinking it. 

As for the other Ingredients, I'll list the brands for you. 

White Egg Nog Hot Chocolate

1/2 Cup of Egg Nog - Farm Friend by Trickling Springs Creamery

1/2 cup of Whole Milk - Organic Valley 

1/2 Cup White Chocolate Chips - Ghirardelli

1/4 Teaspoon of Vanilla - Nielsen Massey

1/8 teaspoon of Cinnamon - Frontier CO OP

Marshmallows - Whole Foods Bakery 

Caramel - Homemade (recipe follows)

Caramel

3/4 cup Sugar 

1/4 cup of Water

3 Tablespoons of unsalted Butter (cut into 6 pieces) - Organic Valley

1 cup Whipping Cream - Organic Valley

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla - Nielsen Massey

Directions  

Caramel - Place sugar and water in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, occasionally swirling pan, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in butter. Carefully add cream since mixture will bubble vigorously, while whisking constantly. Stir over low heat until smooth. Stir in the salt and vanilla  cool to room temperature. If you need it to cool quickly, you can just put it in the fridge and check occasionally until it's at desired consistency. 

Hot Chocolate 

Pour Egg Nog and Milk into a sauce pan. Turn on medium heat. Once at a summer, stir in chocolate chips, cinnamon and vanilla. Take off heat and let it steep for 3 minutes. Put back on heat and bring back to a simmer to warm through. Pour in a mug, top with marshmallows and caramel. Enjoy!

As you can see, it was phenomenal 

Fall hair color and products to protect it with

Hair color during the fall has the potential to be so much richer than the colors of other seasons. People really get into deepening and warming up the tones in their hair. I like to think the change is getting them ready for new things to come during the holiday seasons. 

Remember to always protect your new color with great products! Using cheap hair care can really wear out your color and loose the luster of it. 

Some of my favorite products for color care:

Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Oil shampoo and conditioner

Bumble and bumble Color Minded shampoo and conditioner

Kerastase Fluideasliste line

Kerastase Nutri Thermique nectar  

All of these products are sulfate free and have amazing moisture benefits. The lack of moisture in the air during the cold season can leave your hair feeling dry and brittle. I know that has been the case for me lately. I usually switch my products up with the change in weather. As long as you keep a disciplined hair care routine with great products, your hair will continue to shine. 

Always change it up and be inspired!

DIY Hanging Glitter Leaves

Fall decorating is such a perfect way to bring warmth into whatever space is lacking a bit of luster. Don't get me wrong, I love spring and sumer, but there's just something about the holiday seasons that  give you that good feeling inside. 

The other day I was skimming through Pinterst, as usual. I came across this leaf DIY project that looked pretty easy but so adorable and had to try it. I showed my friend Emma the project and we thought why not put it up around The Beauty Box. We want our clients to walk in from the crisp weather outside to the warm feeling and decor of the salon. 

This process can get a little messy, but it's all worth it in the end. Be sure to lay down some news paper if you are doing this inside, however, it's best to take this project outside where you have some room to get a little messy. 

Tools Needed 

Leaves - We got ours from Micheals Craft store

Gold and Brown Glitter - Best glitter to use is Recollections Signature Extra Fine Glitter

Foam Brush

Modge Podge

Brown string 

Hole Puncher 

Metallic Gold and Metallic Bronze NC-Acrylic effect spray - A.I Freidmans 

Directions 

Take each leaf and punch a whole and the top of every one. 

Take a foam brush and paint one side of the leaf with the Modge Podge and then sprinkle the glitter generously over the leaf until the whole thing is covered.

Pick up the leaf and shake off the excess glitter onto a paper plate so no glitter is wasted.

When this process is finished with every leaf, allow to dry over night. 

This part should for sure be taken outside, where a face mask if possible. 

Take the leaves and lay them glitter side down on some newspaper outside. 

Spray with the Metallic colors and allow to dry. 

Once dry, you are ready to string them up and hang them wherever you please!

Happy Crafting!

Pre-season Projects

I feel like were in such an awkward time right now, it's the end of the sumer. School has already started and pumpkin spice is all the rage, even though it's still 90 degrees out. Today was pretty unbearable. Whole Foods already has the outside wall stacked with pumpkins and gourds and all I'm trying to do is not pass out from heat stroke. I don't think its really time to start doing any fall activities yet, unless your that impatient, then go for it. Im waiting for the temperature outside to drop a little before I start getting into the fall frenzy. However, that doesn't mean I can't start preparing. 

Fun things are happening all around during the fall that I'm so excited about! Now is the time to get everything together and plan for whatever is going to come our way. The start of each season is such an opportunity to start wonderful new beginnings and make amazing memories. Although, while all of this is happening, we cant forget to still live in the present and enjoy the journey, even though we are working towards something for the future. While I prepare and plan for all the times ahead, I remember to harness what I am feeling at the moment and smile while I think about all the preparation isn't going to only benefit me, it will benefit others and send good energy to all around me and hopefully will continue to be passed on. 

Exciting things to come

The Beauty Box

 The heart of the fall season will be welcome with opened arms at the salon in October. We are in the process of planning an awesome fall brunch that will give back to the community and show how much we appreciate all of their support in the town of Rye, New York. We will have Hors d' oeuvre's, a raffle, goody bags, product specials and many more fun perks to enjoy. The neighborhood kids will also be painted our salon windows that day for halloween so kids are welcome! We will have exciting specials for them also so they can join in on the fun. The salon will be decorated and our doors will be open to give a warm welcome to anyone who wants to spend the day with us. 

Cookbook organization

When the weather is so hot, the last thing my parents want me to do is turn on the oven. I honestly don't feel like cooking in a hot kitchen either so I don't blame them. I don't cook or bake nearly as much as I would like during the summer, just for that reason. Im currently taking all the recipes that are in my Food Network Magazine subscriptions and organizing them into a cook book binder. I can't wait to try some awesome dishes this fall and I wanted to make sure I had everything in place so I don't miss any recipes. I will for sure be posting some of my favorites on here. 

Business to spread some good energy 

A good friend from the salon and I are starting a little creative business with some new found hobbies. We are in the process of making a name and designing some packaging. The purpose of our products is to send some happiness and good vibes to anyone who wishes to receive good things to come their way. There are so many ways to make the world a better place and we hope to do that by connecting to others around us and giving them the simple feeling of joy. 

Trip to Salem

Some friends and I are going to explore Salem, Massachusetts. Im all about the history of witch craft and spooky things. Call me crazy, but I believe there is some form of magic in this world. All those myths and legends didn't just pop out of nowhere. I'm for sure going to be researching the best places and attractions to see while we are there. Where better to go before halloween then the town Hocus Pocus took place in. I still think that movie was the peak of Sarah Jessica Parker. 

I'm so excited for fall. So many good things and fun events to take place. I will do an updated post about our salon event and hope to see everyone there!

Sundays at the Salon

Sundays at The Beauty Box aren't just like any other day of the week. We turn the music a little louder, the dress code is more relaxed and everybody is winding down from the busy weekend. It's a nice day to book an appointment. Even though our schedules stay busy, it still has a more relaxed vibe since its just a small number of us working that day (most of the time). Don't get me wrong, we have our moments where it's a little chaotic as many salons tend to get, but overall its a great day to come and enjoy the day with us. 

Being the first Sunday of August, I heard a lot of conversations today revolving around fall getting closer and closer. All the clients are planning what to do during the next appointment due to the change of seasons coming. Hair color gets darker and richer. Some of those bright summer blondes are opting for more caramel tones and there at home product regime is changing. My last client of the day was already planning for her next return in september and said shes ready for big chunky sweaters and boots. As much as I love fall, Im not quiet ready for the temp to drop below 80. No, thanks.

Summer isn't quite over yet. Were still getting requests for some bright balayage looks and some bohemian summer braids. Our work family has so much fun getting inspired and making our clients feel beautiful. We put a lot of effort into making sure each client has a great Beauty Box experience and we have a great time doing it. 

Here are some looks from this week 

Here we have Megan who was given a gorgeous medium brown by our colorist Maria and then Lindsey from our styling team finished her off with a great cut and Bohemian braid

This Bright blonde was done by me. This Client has an amazing base color. When she came in her hair was a little compromised so we highlighted and then used Olaplex to put some strength back into it. Lindsey shaped up her hair with a beautiful cut and finished with a blowout. 

Balayage is bring requests are growing everyday. We love it. It lets us be so creative with whats in front of us

More color by me from this week 

Good Vibes for a Good Morning

Mornings are a pretty significant part of our day. It sets the tone for what's ahead of us. Lately, Ive been paying real close attention to what happens first thing after I wake up and how it affects my day.  I started throwing different routines in to see what would work and what wouldn't. Many of us lead busy schedules and are usually in a hurry to start their day instead of having a calm routine that sets the tone of it. I think its time to get back to when people weren't in such a hurry to be busy. These days, every hour is some sort of planned itinerary and after the day is over, we realize that we haven't taken any time to pay attention to ourselves. In these past few weeks, I've learned some new things that I have put into my daily morning that has shifted my way of thinking into a more positive outlook. The great thing about this is that it's not just for you, its for everyone around you. Once you feel positive, those good energy vibes your feeling can be passed on to whomever is around because energy is contagious. Now I finally understand the saying "If you want to be happy, then be". 

Ways for a Positive Morning

Don't immediately be on your phone 

My usual routine consisted of  my phone alarm clock going off. After I turn off the sound I start going through some of my social media apps to see whats going on in the outside world around me. After getting lost in my technology I realize that 10 minutes has passed by and my eyes are already strained from staring at my phone after a restful sleep. This past week, I made an effort to put down the phone and just give myself some time without any outside influences. 

Take a few minutes 

Its not necessary to jump out of bed as soon as you open your eyes. Give yourself some time to relax and do a few stretches while your still in bed. It will help your body charge a little bit and recognize that your going to be using a lot of energy soon to start your morning. Stretching will help get the blood flowing and relax any stiffness from laying down all night. 

Smile

I know this sounds weird, but cracking a smile while your still laying comfy in your bed actually makes you feel happy and gives you a good feeling. It automatically makes you feel better and good thoughts enter your mind which is good for the soul. 

Think of the possibilities

Each morning is a fresh start. You can make the day anything you want. I think its amazing that we have so many opportunities is this world. Its our decision of where the day takes us and how we let certain situations effect us. We have so much opportunity to learn new things, connect with people, think of new ideas and try something new for ourselves. The fact that we can control all of this is such an exciting thing. Thinking this way when you wake up makes you excited for your day and for what lies ahead. 

Take your breakfast outside

If you have a backyard, have your breakfast outside. This lets you have some time in the fresh air. If your someone who's work makes them be stuck inside all day, get the time in the morning to enjoy and take in nature. Behind outside is good for your health. The sun will give you your daily dose of vitamin D and you get away from the stuffiness of being indoors. It's also mood boosting which is what we want to achieve.  

Meditate and breathe 

Mediation is a great way to to quiet your mind from any outside stresses you may be feeling. It allows you to connect with your higher conscious and helps you hear your inside voice a little better. You can sometimes recognizes negative thoughts you didn't even know you were feeling during meditation. Focusing on your breathing is also important. When your body is in deep breathing it's forcing itself to bring it back to its center. This is great if your someone who experiences anxiety. Meditation allows you to have a dedicated quiet time to yourself during your busy day. 

Give Gratitude  

You get what you give. Giving out gratitude to the universe and being thankful for what you already have can start your day off on a positive note. You are recognizing all the good things in your life before you start your day instead of focusing on the negative. Getting rid of the negative thoughts only makes room for more positive. 

 I hope you take some of these ideas and use them in your daily morning routine. 

Im sending good vibes your way. Use it for yourself and then pass it on. 

Beautiful Balayage

It's amazing how Balayage is so low maintenance! My client came in today for a haircut with one of our amazing stylists. When she was done getting beautified, her color looked absolutely gorgeous! This Balayage was done by me 3 months ago and has grown out with grace.

Balayage is great for anyone who doesn't want to be in the salon every few weeks getting touch ups. It's healthier for the hair and looks so natural it looks like you were in the sun all summer.

A hairdressers job isn't just making sure the clients hair looks fabulous when they leave the salon, it's making sure it still looks fabulous months afterwards.

Taco Tuesday

            I don't know about you, but tortillas out of a plastic bag just don't do it for me. They're stale, flat and the taste is so bland it's like eating floppy cardboard. I've been on the hunt for an easy tortilla recipe that doesn't sacrifice the taste and texture. Most of the ones I came across contained yeast and took a few hours to prepare. I just don't have that kind of patience during the summer, I want an ASAP recipe and relax the rest of the day, tacos in hand.

           Last week I was doing my usual Pinterest surfing for some new ideas. I came across such a foolproof recipe that anyone can do it. You don't need to be an expert and you can have fresh made tortillas within 20 minutes. I have stand mixer with a dough hook so for me it was a less challenging then if you don't own these things. Not that it's hard to mix the dough together with a wooden spoon, just takes a little more elbow grease to get it done.

Ingredients you will need

2 cups Flour
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup of water



In a large bowl, or stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine together flour and salt. Next, mix in olive oil and water until dough is well incorporated.

Divide the dough into ten round balls, about the size of a golf ball. Put them back into the bowl and cover with a damp towel so the dough stays moist.

Heat up a large skillet. Working with the dough balls one by one, roll out the ball into a thin circle. Place the rolled dough onto the hot skillet and cook until both sides are golden brown, about 2-3 minutes for each side.

Keep the tortillas covered so that they stay fresh and soft.


This is the part where you realize you will never buy tortillas in a supermarket again. It just seems unnatural. Since I had the bright idea of making these at 10 AM, I made an awesome breakfast quesadilla with eggs, avocado and cheddar cheese. I have a feeling my house will never be empty of these little gems.

                                                   

                                                                    Happy Eating!

The magic of a haircut

All hairdressers have their pet peeves. Whether it's clients who can't sit still or someone who is chronically late for their appointments, we get all the little quirks of human beings on a daily basis. You really have to have a lot of patience in this industry. That being said, one of my biggest pet peeves of all time are clients who will not and completely refuse to cut their hair. 

Before I go any further, I'd like to give a big shout out to Francesca, who is my inspiration for this post. She knew the importance of cutting her hair after getting a fresh color and I applaud her for her good decisions

As you can see, Francesca's hair wasn't fried or stringy, just maybe a little dry since shes had a relationship with bleach for quite some time now. Once she had made the decision of going significantly lighter, she knew a haircut was going to be in her near future. 

Not only did she come in for a fresh new cut a week after her color appointment, she also had 2 beneficial  treatments with her service. This is how you do a hair appointment right. Color, cut and 1-2 treatments every time you come into the salon. All my blonde clients constantly ask me why there hair just doesn't feel as healthy and vibrant as it used to. I'll tell you why. 

You don't take care of it. 

Even if I gave you the most hair color you have ever seen, it will never look right if you don't get  a haircut. 

The picture up top is a timeline of what we did with Francesca. In picture number 1, she came in with some old grown out highlights. Being that her base color is so dark, its tough to get her as light as she usually likes it. Since foils weren't blonding as much strands of hair as she wanted, we decided to just go in and do a full Balayage. 

In picture number 2, it shows what her hair looks like after we balayaged everything. We brought her up to a gorgeous beige toned blonde. I couldn't believe we finally got her to that almost white blonde that shes been hoping for forever. 

Picture 3 is when the real magic happened. When she said haircut, I just figured she meant a trim to clean up her ends and bring everything together. After a few minutes in the chair with one of our stylists, I looked over and was so happy with what I saw. She chopped at least 3 inches and completely transformed her color. Her hair was falling so beautifully with her freshly cut layers and her blonde had a shiny, glossy finish. It allowed her natural dimension to shine through, giving her a rooty, lived in effect. 

Francesca is a perfect example of what a client should do after a color appointment. It shows that if you want your color to look gorgeous and healthy, get a haircut. 

Doughnuts at Home

Everyone has that go-to recipe for when they're in a hurry. There have been countless times when I want to show up to a home with baked goods and not enough time to whip up what I need, until I found this recipe. 

Ina Garten is my favorite chef. You may also know her as the Barefoot Contessa with a show on Food Network. Any recipe that she puts out to the public has always been a loved meal in my home, shes never failed me. My first book that I bought by her is called "Foolproof". The meaning is in the title. It is impossible, unless you have bad luck in the kitchen, to mess up any of her recipes. 

One of my favorites are her Cinnamon Baked Doughnuts. Every time I bring a batch into a room they are gone within 5 minutes. They're always sure to be a hit and it makes it seem like you spent all day baking when really it takes a very short time. Since its such a loved dessert everywhere I go, I thought I would do everyone a favor and share the recipe, courtesy of Ina Garten of course. 

You will need a 2 doughnut pans for this recipe. You can get them at your local chef central or whatever kitchen appliance store you have around your area. 

Cinnamon Baked Doughnuts 

Baking spray 

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups sugar 

2 teaspoons baking powder 

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 extra large egg,lightly beaten

1 1/4 cups whole milk 

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

For the Topping  

1 stick unsalted butter 

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray the two donut pans. 

Into a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla.

Stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined.

Spoon the batter into the baking pans, filling each one a little more than three quarters full.

Bake for 17 minutes and then allow to cool for five minutes.

Tap the donuts out of the pans.

For the topping, melt the butter into a pan.

Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Dip each donut first into the butter and then in the cinnamon sugar either on one or both sides. 

Enjoy!

The Best of Belgium

   

It's really special when you know how to make your own Belgium waffles. It's amazing how we thought having Eggo's for breakfast was a gourmet treat at the age of 10 years old. I'm happy to say my taste buds have evolved since then. I'm always on the hunt for a different and exciting way to make breakfast. Yes, this is what my free mornings consist of. Pinterest is so great for that. It's the mecca of recipes. Anything you want to find, it's on there. The place is a goldmine. As I was searching through for some new waffle recipes, everything kind of looked to similar and nothing really caught my eye. Finally, I found what a was looking for. 

Leige Waffles. Never heard of them but they sounded delish. After reading what they actually were, it's basically the waffles that they actually make in Belgium. Not the Americanized version of waffles you get in your local diner. These are better. They're like having dessert for breakfast. Picture a croissant, brioche bread, and a waffle all in one. It's like being able to make a homemade pastry right in your own kitchen, just in waffle form. The difference between this and the americanized version is that this is not a mix, it's a dough. A beauitful mound of buttery dough pressed into a waffle iron with specks of pearl sugar that are caramelizing as it bakes. Yea, it's as good as it sounds. It was even better when I topped it with some tiramisu gelato. Thanks Talenti.  

Making the dough is a little time consuming. If your planning on having them right when you wake up, I suggest making the dough the night before. If your having them for brunch then you just have to wake up a little earlier to get them started. It's well worth it. 

Liege Waffles

1 packet of dry yeast (7g, 1/4oz)
1/3 cup lukewarm water
1 1/2 tbsp white sugar
1/8 tsp salt
2 cups plain flour
3 eggs
220g unsalted butter, softened (1 cup)
1 cup of pearl sugar

Place the flour into a large bowl or into the bowl of your electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Make a well in the flour and pour in the yeast mixture. Begin to knead.

Still kneading, add the eggs, one at a time. Then add the butter about 2 tablespoons at a time, mixing until each addition is incorporated. The final dough will look like a mixture between cake batter and bread dough.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise until it doubles in size. I let it rise from about an hour to hour and a half. 

After it's done rising, gently mix in the pearl sugar and let it rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat your waffle iron. 

Pearl Sugar can be found in your local health food store or somewhere like Sur La Table. It's a little tricky to find so if you rather make it at home, you can do that do. It's really just clumped up sugar. Heat a cup of  sugar with one tablespoon of water over low heat and stir until small clumps form. Let it sit over heat about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let it cool. 

When ready, take an ice cream scoop and scoop a couple of tablespoons of dough onto each section of the waffle iron. Close and let cook for about 5 minutes. Check waffles every once in a while to make sure they are not burning and everything is cooking evenly. This recipe makes about 12 waffles. 

If you're anything like me, you can have ice cream at any time of the day. My personal favorite is Talenti Gelato. Each flavor is so smooth, rich and creamy and it blows regular ice cream out of the water. 

I took Talentis' newest flavor, Tiramisu, and scooped it in between two of my Liege Waffles. This is what breakfast is all about. 

Discovering Breakfast

Breakfast is for sure my favorite time of  the day. There are so many possibilities. It sets the tone of your mood and daily activities, at least it does for me. If I have a less then perfect breakfast, it throws off everything else that I do. There is no other way to make me more "hangry" then skipping that first meal. By the time lunch rolls around, I'm so hungry and flustered that if you ask me what I want to eat, I can't even process my thoughts. I get so mad at myself that I skipped my first and favorite meal of the day, I wine loud enough for the whole world to hear. That being said, I really try not to skip breakfast. 

Everything has trends, even food. The latest trends in the world of breakfast seems to be these breakfast bowls. Its like a parfait transferred into a bowl, with more ingredients and, in my opinion, easier to eat. Parfaits always looked good to me, but I never wanted to take the effort to make one. Too many layers and steps for something so simple as breakfast. This is probably why people usually pick one up at their local deli instead of going through all the hoopla in their own kitchen. Breakfast shouldn't be stressful, and if it is, you're doing something wrong. 

It's a gloomy day here in New York. This makes motivation to do anything at an all time low. The clouds are grey and so is my mood. The first thing I do in the morning is go into my kitchen and figure out what I'm going to eat. On days like this, I prefer to make minimal efforts. First, I thought waffles. But, did I really want to stand over a waffle iron after making a batter from scratch? Nope, too much work. I thought maybe if I came back to bed, it will come to me. Instagram is great for times like these. Just search up some breakfast and brunch hashtags and there you have it, your next meal. As I'm searching, all I see are these fabulous breakfast bowls that you can just throw everything but the kitchen sink in. This seemed right down my alley on a day like this. 

This breakfast bowl was so easy to make. It was so colorful that it actually added a burst of brightness to this depressing overcast. All I did was mix some yogurt and almond milk so the yogurt had more of a smooth consistency. After, I took a handful of frozen blueberries and heated them up in a saucepan so the juices would get nice and runny. I sliced up some banana and then put a handful of granola right in the middle. Just like that I had my first breakfast bowl. I have a feeling im going to be   experimenting alot with this new trend. Thanks to breakfast bowls, it was a good morning.

Heres to many more 💕☀️

Favorite product for winter

I hate everything about the winter. Seasonal depression is at an all time high this year right along with hibernation. The constant snow and low temperatures make it so unappealing to leave the house. Not only does the frigid air affect the ability to enjoy anything, it also has big affect on your hair. 

When the weather is dry and lacking any moisture in the air, your hair can become dry and brittle, causing breakage to happen. This is the season where nourishing and taking care of your hair really counts. Adding an extra step in your hair care routine can make all the difference.

Spending time in a salon everyday really allows me to try a variety of products and see which ones appeal to me most. This doesn't mean I'm just trying them on myself. I get to see what products are best for many different hair types. Kerastase is a luxury hair care brand by L'oreal and has amazing masks for you to use at home or even to get a treatment with in the salon. For the winter time, the Masquintense by Kerastase has been my go-to product for moisture. 

Hair Types

Although amazing, this mask isn't for everyone. This mask is extremely concentrated, which means it can be on the heavier side. If you get oily roots faster then you would hope, then you may need to opt for something lighter. If your used to just putting your conditioner towards the mid shaft and ends of your hair, then you can do the same with this mask. This mask also isn't for hair with a finer texture. If your always trying to bump up the volume in your hair, try something different. 

This mask is for you if you have dry and sensitized hair. Whether it's from overusing hot tools or over processed hair from color, this mask can give you the moisture it needs to get healthy and beautiful. 

How to use 

To get the full benefits from this mask, it should be used the right way. After shampooing your hair thoroughly, towel dry and get all the excess moisture out. Apply the mask to your hair in sections while combing through to make sure the mask is distributed evenly. Place a plastic cap over your hair to keep moisture in. Let it sit for 25 minutes then rinse with cool water. Do this once a week and you will feel the difference! 

Pinching your Pennies

Getting your color done is expensive, I get it. Going to the salon every time you need a root touch up can empty your pockets real fast and make it an unenjoyable experience. Getting your hair done should be a treat, not a chore. No one wants to be sitting and dreading about when they finally have to checkout. After a few times of this happening, you finally resort to the dreaded box color from your local drugstore and when you run into a color mishap, it's back to the salon with a color correction that you'll be charged like crazy for. 

Luckily, there are actually ways you can get your hair done, by the professionals, without spending your whole paycheck. 

1. Opt for hairline process instead of a full single process

                 I have some clients coming to me every 3 weeks to get their roots touched up. Coming in that frequently can get pretty pricey and become unaffordable. This is when I recommend getting hairline process instead of a full single. Instead of doing the full root touch up, I'll just do around the perimeter of the head and crown area, leaving out that section in the back of the head that no one sees. This can cut your bill back up to 35 dollars.  

2. Keep up with your glosses 

                   Many times you can get to that annoying stage with your color. It's that stage where you're not quite ready to get your roots touched up but your color is fading out or getting brassy and needs be spruced up a bit. Getting a gloss done will freshen up your color and help it last a little longer between appointments. A gloss typically ranges from $40-$55, much less than a root touch up. 

3. Get a base break 

                   The most irritating thing for blondes is when those highlights start growing out and the dark roots start coming in. Shelling money out for highlights every 8-10 weeks isn't so fun. A base break is an inexpensive way to soften up your base color in between while stretching out that time frame. What it does is it lightens up your base color by a half of a shade, making everything appear brighter and more natural. It's a lot easier on the pockets compared to highlights. 

4. Go for a face-frame 

                 Many clients think the only options for highlights are either partials or full heads. The face frame highlight is usually overlooked. Getting constant partials and full heads usually result in a over processed, overly lightened blonde. Most of the time, a face frame is all you really need. A face frame is highlights that are put around the front if the face and maybe a few in the crown area. This also allows dimension to be kept in the hair over time. This is a great alternative for a quarter of the price for a full head.

5. Try some balayage

               Covering up gray roots are one of the most common reasons for getting a single process. Gray roots creep up on you pretty fast, especially for brunettes. That white hair against a dark haircolor can be annoyingly noticeable. Getting some lighter balayage Peices around the frame of the face and crown area can soften up the growing out process and can even stretch your next hair appointment for a few weeks. That's money saving in itself.

Hopefully, you read these carefully, don't resort to the box, and leave the color to us. These are great ways to save money while sticking to the professionals.