E.L.F. Smokey Eyes Holiday Palette

I had actually bought this for two other people before purchasing it myself. Both Target and Kmart sell E.L.F. and I had seen their products there a million times. I have heard good things about the line and especially about the quality of their eye shadow for the price that they sell. So once I saw it on clearance at my favorite Target I couldn't resist. I don't believe that the quality is the same as MAC or Yaby, however the quality and blend ability of the shadow far surpasses any drugstore brand (CoverGirl, Revlon, etc.)

I probably wouldn't use the liner that much. I think that most makeup wearers have at least 2-3 black liners already in their stash. I did use it for this look as a liner and smudged as a foundation for the shimmery shadow to adhere. Overall, the palette is a great buy for $5. I have used every color and they all equal in quality. Plus I love the instructions!

N'Tini's

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away... Ok not really, more like 2004 in St. Bernard Parish, there was an eatery that I and co. frequented named N'Tini's. Like most things in my life at that time, Katrina washed it all away. Well they reopened on that other side of the lake. From what I hear and read, they are doing quite well. Plus from the looks of things they are what it is they always wanted to be, fancy. The restaurant is upscale, something that they couldn't quite fulfill in little ol' St. Bernard. It just so happened that I was out there and when I saw the sign there was no way that I was going to resist.

I loved the menus. Being a designer myself, I thought they fit well with the atmosphere they were trying to portray. I find it hard to take them seriously since I now the beginnings back in a wee little parish. But I am proud that they have overcome something as large as Katrina and that it didn't slow them down.

I ordered the N'Tini's Burger. a classic. It is the fundamental part of the menu that I most remember. Plus a burger is very simple so if you manage to mess that up, maybe you shouldn't be open. The Iced Tea was delicious. I say this as part of my review because so many times I have ordered Iced Tea somewhere and I get a watered down version that tastes more like the lemon I put in it than any type of tea.

They brought us bread of course.

I ordered the Chicken and Sausage Gumbo. It has more roux than meat but it was okay.

When I ordered the N'Tini's Burger I had options for a side dish. Anyone can drop some fries in the oil. So I asked about the veggies, zucchini. They were sauteed in olive oil and garlic. i am not sure what else since I have no truly trained palette. It was wonderful. The burger was wonderful too. Just the way I remembered it. For me this visit was merely a blast from the past. I loved them back in the parish but maybe you will love them now.

Dior Show

Diorshow may possibly be the best mascara money can buy. This package deal brings the famed mascara to the masses at a decent price. I say this because for the price of one tube you can get two, DiorShow Blackout and Plain Diorshow. I have owned both the retail tube and these mini-sized or travel sized version. The retail version will dry out considerably quick.

Flowerbomb

There was this girl that I worked with who would wear this. I always thought it was a very classy scent. Quite expensive, but it does last. After 8 hours I could still smell it on me. Top Notes: Bergamont, Tea. Middle Notes: Jasmine, Freesia, Orchid. Base Notes: Centiflora Rose, Patcholi.

UnderCovers

Just by chance I cam across this new TV series. Wandering around Hulu, wondering why nothing has updated in my queue yet, I saw an ad for this. Thinking this might just be perfect for me and all my Bourne loving, Hitman Bluray having needs. How could I be so wrong! The first scene of the first episode could have easily been the hotel scene from Hitman. Where the Russian agents burst into his hotel room and he jumps off the balcony. I am not sure what it is that UnderCovers lacks. But what it certainly does have is a level of cheesiness that is more Twisted Sister than Guns 'N Roses. I don't like the title cards for each city they end up in. The city name appears as a postcard with a wonderful picture that makes you want to vacation. Thing is, this is no vacation. It is a covert CIA operation. If I am to take this seriously, which is incapable of happening, then this isn't a good transition. Plus the leads are a married couple. There is more take care of each other than see the mission to the end. I really thought this would be a great show and while I love cheesy (Fastlane, Grosse Pointe Blank) this is just not it.

 

Goody Spin Hair Pins

I spend a lot of time in Target. I was ecstatic when they announced a Target in Metairie. I had been subjected to Wal-mart long enough. Anyway, I digress. Target seems to have new, exciting, or hard to find items. Doesn't it just sound like a store for me! I saw these on the shelf. Being someone who always wears my hair up for work, I am constantly looking for new ideas. I love these. Using them alone doesn't work as well as using a ponytail holder and spiraling one through. I don't have thick hair so one is more than enough. I have tried just one but it loosens over time and I have to end up doing it again. It is worth having and creates a great Gwen Stefani side bun!





Mama Mea's

We went here on a whim, the "shake" of UrbanSpoon's iPhone app sent us here. From the looks of the place I thought for sure we were going down in a blaze of food fire, but one bite of my gourmet artichoke and spinach pizza said otherwise. We ordered that plus a Hawaiian pizza, Jason got a meatball sub and for an appetizer we ordered a stuffed artichoke. Not many places offer stuffed artichokes. The two pizzas were suburb, absolutely delicious. The stuffed artichoke was ok. I would definitely return.







Hoshun, St. Charles Ave

This place was recommended by a friend.  I love sushi, well.... just the rolls and the soup. 

 



Company Website: Hoshun

Yaby Cosmetics

I had seen a review from Risa on YouTube a while ago and decided I had to try it out, especially once I noticed the price. The refills are only 2.99 and the shadow itself is comparable to any high end brand, MAC, even MUFE (Make Up For Ever). I ordered ES472 (so navy), ES611 (carbon paper), ES600, ES125, ES553, ES580, ES448 (Gremoline), PP011, ES296 (So Vein), ES317, ES041, ES631, PP056. I ordered all mattes simply because no one has a good selection of mattes anywhere, not even the above mentioned brands. I actually don't think that MAC is all that good. Its their color selection that keeps me coming back. I would be more satisfied with their products if everything wasn't covered in a bath of frost. I do have two shadows that are called pearl paints. The coverage is difficult during application but great longevity! These shadows last wonderfully and the fade out is minimum.






Village Coffee Freret Street

I had to deliver something on Jefferson Ave yesterday and I passed Village Coffee. I had known they opened several months ago, but I never go to that part of town. So I went in - great interior design - found out that it is locally owned, which I love. I ordered a cafe au lait, they actually offered me two different types of coffee - chicory or plain medium roast. Of course I got the chicory, not a New Orleans fave with out it. My drink came with a chocolate covered toffee treat. I thought that was really cool. No flashy cups - plain white- with just the brown paper ring in the middle logo on top. Simple, like coffee should be. So if you are in this part of town and want some coffee, go here, it's worth the visit.

Mike's American Grille

On a Thursday night adventure Steven and Jason accompanied me to the new eatery. I ordered the Chicken and Sausage Gumbo and the Local Trout. There is a full menu on their website. The food was delicious for an untrained palette like mine, but the prices were a bit much. The trout alone was 19$, which isn't bad to try the place out but a bit much for me to go regularly.

Website: Mike's American Grill

Twilight Organic Blend, Seattle's Best

I don't know whether to say, "Are you serious?" or to think Seattle's Best really means the dusk part of the day. They have a new decaf called Twilight. Maybe I wouldn't have put the two together 'cept the fact I was drinking this at Borders where there is tons of Twilight merchandise everywhere. You'd think Twilight was going to cure cancer with the way Borders was touting the little tween vamps. Its a great cup of coffee, which is saying a lot since I don't think the coffee line as a whole has anything to stand on.
Website: Seattle's Best Coffee