Make them THINK you can cook!

Girls let’s just face it, I’m not a cook. I would like to be, but being that my husband and I both get home from work at the same time and he’s hungry the instant he’s home…I have to find ways to be creative other than having left-overs every night.  That’s where the crock-pot comes in. I prepare in the morning before I go to work or sometimes I do all the prep work the night before and refrigerate it. In the morning I plug it in and go!  I have made so many things from breakfast casseroles, hams, desserts, drinks, all sorts of things in the crockpot. Here’s my family’s favorite crock-pot meal.  I usually have a salad and some corn bread to go with it. ENJOY! 

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
From www.food.com
Ingredients

1 1/4 lbs boneless skinless chicken
2 (15 ounce) cans great northern beans or navy beans
1 (15 ounce) can hominy or white corn
1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope taco seasoning
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can of chopped green chilies
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth
1/2 cup sour cream
chopped green onion (optional)
monterey jack cheese (optional)

Directions:
Place chicken in slow cooker and top with beans and corn. In a medium bowl, combine taco seasoning, chiles, condensed soup, and chicken broth. Pour over top of ingredients in the crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
Before serving, stir gently to break up chicken, then stir in the sour cream.
Serve topped with green onions and jack cheese, if desired.

What are some of YOUR favorite crock pot meals? Share them with us in the comments below! 


- Suzy A. Hicks
Co Director, Columbus Chapter

Outfit Of The Day - Lets Make Out

RING - I LOVE CRAFTY* / CROP JUMPER - PRIMARK(DIY) / EASY JEANS - AMERICAN APPAREL / BAG - MARC B* / HEELS - PRIMARK

Hello lovelies, a little post on what i wore today! One of my favourite babes Laura from ILC, sent me this amazing ring from her new I Love Crafty collection 'Modern Romance'. Ever since i received this ring i've worn it every single day, I am so in love with it! You can find ILC on Motelrocks as well which is awesome, I love Crafty is taking over the jewelry world and i LOVE it! haha. Thank you Laura you absolute babe.

MU Tutorial: Green Smokey Eyes

I find smokey eyes easy to do. Why? You just need one or two dark eye shadows and you're good to go. Well, not literally as you still have other products to use for your face. The major reason why I find it easy is that the application need not to be precised. The more it is smoked-out, the better. But please do not forget to blend, blend and blend. I posted a Green Smokey Eyes sometime last week and some of you requested for tutorial. So, here it is.

Green Smokey Eyes

FYI: This photo is obviously taken with a flash. We had an outfit shot in our roof deck right after I finished my make-up. Hence, the oil is beginning to build up when we came back to our unit after about 45 minutes. I  have oily skin, by the way.

Okay, let's move on with the tutorial.

1. I dabbed a little amount of Clarins Lisse Minute onto my T-zone area only where oil builds up easily and a little on my cheeks. Oh this is a holy grail! And yes, miracle happens every time I use this.

2. Pumped a little amount of Etude House BB Cream (in Refreshing) and applied onto my face using an angled foundation brush. Note that I applied the BB Cream onto the center of my face brushing it outward.

3. I set it with my Palladio Rice Powder (in Natural).

4. I did my eye brows using the IN2IT eye brow kit.

5. Now for the eyes, I applied NYX Eye shadow base (in Skintone) for a more vibrant effect of the eye shadow.

6. I applied NYX (in Highlight) onto my brow bone and just above the socket of my eyes.

7. I lined my eyes with IN2IT eyeliner in Black and winged it a bit. Then, I lined also my lower lash line just about 1/3 part. * Get a Q-tip and smudge the eyeliner except the pointed wing. Dust a powder on your under eye area for the fall-outs.  

8. Apply NYX (in Exotic Green) on your entire eyelid. Bring it up to the crease. Blend the edges using a blending brush.

9. Apply the NYX (in Mermaid Green) from the corner eye inward to 2/3 part of the lid. Blend it again.

10. Line your waterline with IN2IT eyeliner (in Black).

11. Using eye shadow brush, load it with Ever Bilena (in Cleo) and darken the 1/3 part of the lid. Then, sharpen the winged area bringing up to the crease for a sharp line. I aimed for a sharper edge. 

Then, using a bullet brush, load it again with Cleo and darken the outer corner of your eyes. Using the eye liner brush, load it with Exotic Green and apply to lower lash line from outer up to 1/3 part. Then, load the brush again with Mermaid Green, applying from the corner of the eye inward to connect with the Exotic Green. (Forgive my poor explanation but I hope you can still follow).

12. Curl your lashes. I applied my current favorite mascara Shu Uemura Precise Volume Mascara (in Black).

13. Apply the NYX Blush (in Spice) in the apple of your cheeks.

14. Lastly, I lined my lips with NYX Lip liner (in Natural) and applied a nude lipstick by Wet 'n Wild (in Nude). Then, I topped it off with NYX Megashine lip gloss.

There you have it - edgy smokey eyes. Notice how it made my eyes a lot bigger? No wonder smokey eye is very popular for Asians especially to those with monolids. Until next time.


XX,

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In The Spotlight - Molly Burroughs

It’s time for another member spotlight this week! Molly Burroughs from our Columbus, OH chapter is center stage today!

This 41 year old married LBDC member works as a licensed massage therapist. While Molly loves her job, she does make time for a few hobbies. An avid hiker, Molly also shares a love for all things outdoors; taking a bike ride or just spending time in her yard gardening, she also enjoys curling up with a good book.

Molly joined the Little Black Dress Club nearly 5 months ago and has already grown attached to her new girlfriends. Looking to meet new people, make new friends and try new things, the LBDC has provided Molly with all that and more. She has really enjoyed getting together and having fun with other women.

Molly believes that life happens for you, not to you. So, she embraces all that life, and the Little Black Dress Club, has to offer her.

Thanks for being in the spotlight, Molly!

-Shay Ashcraft

Social Media Director, LBDC

French Tip with a Twist

Oh I miss posting nail arts! This morning, while I was doing the laundry, I was also prepping my nails in between the task for a nail art later in the day. I will have a contract signing on Monday and I thought of getting my nail polished.

I plan to wear my off-white casual dress. Again I will go for basic. I hope I don't bore you guys of basic things. Nothing is safest but to wear those colors especially with the nature of my work. There are times that I picked some colorful pieces out of my closet but ending up wearing grays, whites, blacks. 

I decided to do a French tip with a twist. If you want to know how I did this, keep reading.

Step #1. Obviously, you know already the colors you need. I picked Caronia Regulars in White Satin and Black Velvet. 

Step #2. Using the Black Velvet, line a tip. If you want it just this simple, put a top coat and you're done. It's up to you. But I opted to leave my one nail unpainted for a twist.

Step #3. Apply the White Satin onto your fore finger nail and then, draw a line just above the tip. You can make a clean and sharper line if you will use a scotch tape. I didn't use that option obviously. :)

Step #4. Using a nail art brush, I dipped it at Black Velvet and draw slanted stripes onto the white one. 

Step #5. Then, I added flower design for more fun. Again, this is optional. Using a toothpick, I dipped it at Black Velvet and made 5 dots. Connect the dots to the center to make it a flower. Add some dots on the sides. Then make a dot at the center of the black flower using the White Satin.

Step #6. Apply your favorite top coat. You're done!

French tip with a Twist!

I hope you find this tutorial helpful. Try it. I swear it's so fun and easy to do.

XX,

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Shantell’s Weight Loss Chronicles: Yummy Chicken Veggie Soup

This year, like so many of you and like so many years before, I resolved to lose weight BUT this time around instead of doing the latest, greatest fad diet I decided to consult a dietician who helped me create a balanced, healthy eating plan. But with a schedule that includes a full time job, two businesses, a LBDC chapter to lead, and a dissertation to write I quickly came to the realization that making sure I get all of the required portions/nutrients/good stuff in one meal is a CHALLENGE. Per my dietician’s advice dinner should include 6oz of protein, ½ cup of starch, and unlimited veggies. So I’ve decided to sweep the dust off the crock pot and make meals that meet all of my dietician’s requirements in one convenient pot.  

Here’s my yummy chicken veggie soup recipe (Disclaimer: the measurements are approximate. I’m a “season to your taste” type of cook so feel free to adjust to your taste). Feel free to use frozen or canned veggies.

What you need:
4-6oz chicken breast
2 tbsp. of olive oil
1 tbsp. of black pepper
1 tbsp. of garlic powder
1 tbsp. of seasoning salt
2 tbsp. of parsley flakes
2 cups (or 16 oz.) of whole kernel sweet yellow corn
2 cups (or 16 oz.) of cut green beans (I prefer fresh cut over French cut)
1 cup (or 8 oz.) of sweet peas
1 cup (or 8 oz.) of sliced carrots
2 cups (or 16 oz.) of tomato sauce
1 cup (or 8 oz.) of water
½ cup (or 4 oz.) of tomato paste

What to do:
Warm olive oil in a large pan. Season chicken using a little of the seasoning salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.  Lightly  brown the chicken in the olive oil. Slice chicken into strips or chunks while it’s browning. WARNING: Do not let the chicken get crispy! Drain the oil from chicken.

In your slow cooker add the tomato sauce, remaining black pepper, garlic powder, seasoning salt, and parsley flakes. Add veggies and chicken. Add tomato paste and water. Stir.

I usually let this soup simmer all day but it’s actually ready to eat in about an hour, freezes well, and is very filling (i.e., no bread/rolls/crackers necessary). In one serving you have 6 oz. of protein, ½ cup or less of starch (carrots), and unlimited veggies! The perfect balanced meal.

If you’d like to know more about the meal plan I’m following please feel free to email me by clicking here.

Enjoy ladies!
Shantell Malachi
Director, LBDC Richmond Chapter

Had gone for work in Basics...

Last week, I and hubby had a chance to take outfit shot after our appointment in Ortigas Center. I just want to share with you what I wore when I gone to work. I usually wear trousers when I was still working in a real estate company before but since I work now as a freelancer, I can wear any style as long as my outfit is not too sexy, not revealing and distracting or else I'll be dismissed. Haha. Trousers still have a room in my closet, of course. I wear it depending on the place and transaction I'm dealing.

I always wear basic or neutral colors when I work because obviously, it is not loud and not distracting. I do not wear skirts because I do a lot of walking from one building to another building when showing spaces to my clients. Sometimes, when I show a space in Ortigas, I still have to show spaces in Makati with the same client or another client. Can you imagine the pressure and stress? That's why I prefer trousers or pants than a skirt. I can move comfortably and carefree. The more comfortable you are with your outfit, the more confidence you get; thus, a better chance to close the deal.

By the way, I already found my perfect pair of jeans/ jeggings with UNIQLO. It has the best fabric and I swear it is the best denim I've ever owned. It looks like it is thick and heavy in the photo but in person, it's so soft when worn. The length is a bit long for me so I just fold about 2 inches inward.

The bags that I used for work are all large to extra-large of size. You have no idea what you can rummage inside my bag; a chaos of my personal and business stuffs.

I usually wear flat shoes but that day I wore my mid-heels close shoes to give emphasis to my jeggings. I think it made my legs looked slimmer. Also I do not wear open-toed or strappy sandals when I meet with my clients. It's just not right.

My top is unfitting and conservative in length, so a tiny belt is a solution.

I accessorize the outfit with a necklace. Since I'm all wearing basics, warm colors would surely pop, agree?

Actually, I just used the gold bracelet with charms when I gone to work. I just added another set and my DIY Macrame Bracelet for outfit shot purposes. I am so fond of wearing my creation. Have you tried creating one already?

I keep my make-up simple. I just lined my eyes, a Taupe eye shadow on my lids and apply mascara. Then, a blush, lipstick and a swipe of lip gloss. I just tied my hair for a tidy look.

What do you think?

[Random find Top, UNIQLO Jeggings, Matthews shoes, Forever 21 belt,
brandless Bag, random find Necklace]


XX,

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Little Black Dress, Oh Let Me Count The Ways...

How can I get the most use out of my Little Black Dress?
I look for a theme to all my styles and I love to switch it up.  This keeps your look fresh even if it’s the same dress you wore at the last event.

Classic
Wear your diamonds (real or fake) girls!  Necklace, Earrings, Bracelet, Rings, Hair Pins, you name it you can’t go wrong.  Depending on your taste you can wear dainty or go big. Grab your black high heels and purse and go meet the girls!

Preppy
Pick out your favorite cardigan and tie it over your shoulders or one of my favorite things to do is wear it over the dress with a skinny belt.  Also many short blazer’s look great with a LBD. Shop your local goodwill for some great deals!  Wear your favorite pearls, headband, and colored tights.

Retro
You take a classic black dress, pin your hair up, put your red lipstick on and add your favorite high and I mean HIGH heels. You’re good to go!

Boho-Chic
Grab your favorite LARGE colored purse, boots, and long necklace, put your hair in a bun and you’ve just made a statement!

Glam
Fur or feather’s make anything glam! Fur collars have been popular this winter as well as vest and coats. Feather’s are great as earring’s or hair accessories that totally transform your look. Don’t forget your rhinestone or colored high heels!  

What's YOUR favorite way to jazz up the LBD? Tell us in the comments below! 

-Suzy A. Hicks

Co Director, Columbus Chapter