Bargain Beauty Basics

Confession time. At least 75% of my cosmetics are a drug store brand. I don’t know why, but I’ve never been someone who likes to spends a lot of money on makeup. Especially when I can find products that I love that don’t set me back a pretty penny. I’ve bought lots of different brands over the years and these are my tried and true favorites.

• Covergirl Professional Super Thick Lash Mascara $4.49 – No smudging, no clumping, no flaking (can you ask for more?!). I do one coat for an everyday look and two coats when I want a more dramatic look.
• Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream (530- light/medium) $6.89 – This is my favorite makeup item. Its light weight so I don’t feel like I’m wearing makeup but still has coverage to even out my skin. I love the matte finish and, amazingly, it makes my skin feel and look better the more I wear it!
• Wet N Wild Color Icon (325 B- Pearlescent Pink) $2.93 – I love this blush because it gives a great pop of color, blends well, and stays on throughout the day. It comes in several different colors that are fun to play with, but my go to day-to-day shade is pearlescent pink.
• Revlon Color Stay Ultimate Suede Lipstick (Iconic) $8.94 – This lipstick stays on for hours without drying out your lips. I love it because I can apply it once, let it set, and not worry about reapplying for hours!
• Elf Illuminating Palette $6.00 – This palette adds the perfect subtle glow. I use the brightest shade as a highlighter on my brow bone and the bridge of my nose, the light pink for highlight on my cheek bones, the beige shade to do some simple (read: amature) contouring, and the last shade as a bronzer. 

 What are your favorite drug store makeup must haves? I always love finding new goodies!

♥ - Margaret

Healthy Oat Muffins

If you are looking for quick, easy, and healthy muffins that the whole family will love these are it! Just throw all the ingredients in the blender, pick your favorite add ins, bake, and enjoy.  

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats

1 ripe banana

¼ cup pureed pumpkin

¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

1-2 tbsp pure maple syrup

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking powder

Optional: dried fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, etc. (my favorite is ¼ cup raisins and 1 Tbsp chia seeds)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Put all ingredients in the blender.

3. Blend ingredients until mixed well, but not completely smooth.

4. Scoop evenly into lightly greased muffin pan. (To make sure the muffins come out smoothly, I use these silicon muffin tins.)

5. For regular size muffins, bake for 20 minutes. For mini muffins, bake for 15 minutes. Check muffins with a tooth pick to check doneness. 

Nutrition Facts
Servings 6.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 96
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1 g	2 %
Saturated Fat 0 g	1 %
Monounsaturated Fat 0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg	0 %
Sodium 12 mg	1 %
Potassium 130 mg	4 %
Total Carbohydrate 21 g	7 %
Dietary Fiber 3 g	13 %
Sugars 8 g
Protein 2 g	4 %
Vitamin A	24 %
Vitamin C	5 %
Calcium	2 %
Iron	5 %
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.

Work Wear That Won't Break the Bank

I tend to be really bad about buying work clothes. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because it doesn't seem very exciting or maybe it's because I would rather buy an outfit for a fun outing that doesn't involve work. Either way, I usually end up going through my closet every week and realizing how I need to buy more work clothes. More and more, I'm realizing the importance of finding clothes that not only are appropriate for work but also transition into weekend wear as well! Here are some of the outfit options I've found that won't break the bank but are also transitional based on the occasion!

1. Bell Sleeve Peplum Blouse - $24.75
2. Twill Double Breasted Blazer - $64
3. Piped Shirred Keyhole Blouse - $24.75
4. High Waisted Sash Tie Ankle Pant - $69.90 (Buy 1 Get 1 50% off!)
5. Faux Suede Pointed Toe Loafers - $39.90
6. Camel Pointed Toe Loafers - $39.90
7. Black Pointed Toe Loafers - $39.90
8. Belted Ankle Dress Pant - $50.99 (plus extra 30% off in cart)
9. Midi Belted Pencil Dress - $64.00
10. Double Zip Croc Tote with Laptop Compartment - $56.00
11. Midi Wrap Tie Dress - $60

- Mary Margaret

Margaret's Unexpected New Baby Essentials

   

Having a newborn is one of the sweetest and most memorable times in anyone's life. But it's also really exhausting and can be stressful too. I'm all about making life easier, especially when that means I get to spend more time giving my little one kisses. Here are my top 5 items that unexpectedly made life with a new baby a little bit easier:

• Angel Care Monitor. This monitor has literally been a God send for me. I am a worrier and after having my baby I was an anxious mess! Eli was in the NICU after he was born and he was hooked up to all sorts of machines that monitored his every breath. Thankfully our stay in the NICU wasn’t long, but coming home was still scary! I don’t think my husband or I would have gotten a wink of sleep if it wasn’t for the Angel Care Monitor. It has a sensor pad underneath the mattress that detects movement, so if he stops breathing for more than 20 seconds an alarm sounds. This greatly comforted us and allowed us to get some much need rest! For any mommas (or daddies!) who tend to be anxious like me, I highly recommend this monitor to calm your fears and keep your little one safe.

• Miracle Blanket Swaddle. Ok, so there are like 1,000,000 different ways and types of swaddles out there and I think we tried at least half of them. Eli was like a little ninja! We would think he was snug and secure, then 10 minutes later he would break out and wake up. The Miracle Blanket truly is a miracle. It’s easy to use and works like a charm! I recommend getting at least two to always have one as a backup.

• Diaper and Feeding Tote. Let me tell you, anything that makes those first few weeks months with a new baby easier is much appreciated. Going up the stairs every time little man needed a diaper change was simply not an option because a) newborn babies go through way too many diapers for that b) sleep deprivation = exhaustion which means the stairs seemed like Mt. Everest and c) the act of going up and down stairs after delivery is painful!! (things no one tells you prior to giving birth). To make life easier, we set up a little changing station in our living room and always had this basket with the essentials nearby. I filled our tote with diapers, wipes, receiving blankets, burp cloths, breast pads, hair ties, diaper rash ointment, Vaseline, and a tissue box filled with grocery bags (for quick disposal of dirty diapers). Other things that were frequently in the tote: coconut oil, hand lotion, and a toy to occupy baby during diaper changes. Fill a cute tote basket with these items as a gift a new mom will absolutely love!

• Pillowfort Touch Lamp. When decorating Eli’s nursery, I knew I wanted a solid white lamp to go on his changing table/dresser. I found this one from Target that was the perfect size that happened to be a touch on-off lamp. Little did I know how handy it would be. When it’s 3 am and you are trying to change a crying baby's diaper, take a temperature, or look for one of those dadgum pacis that have been thrown out of the crib for the 10^th time, you need quick access to dim light. The simple act of being able to quickly turn on the light without having to fiddle for the switch has been an unexpected necessity. 

• Simple Wishes Hands-free Pumping Bra. Y’all, I so did not know how much I would rely on this thing! A sweet friend gave this to me, and to be honest, when my mom and I were organizing everything pre-baby, we got a good laugh out of the picture on the box. I knew I would use it eventually, but little did I know that it makes all the difference from the get go! Moms- put this in your hospital bag! When you are running on 45 minutes of sleep in 48 hours the act of holding the pump is exhausting. Being able to pump hands free and relax made the whole process much less stressful, not just at the hospital but at home too! You can put it on and pump while you rest, check your phone, watch a show, or get a bite to eat! So much better than being stuck holding the pump for what feels like an eternity. 

I hope these things help make your life with a precious new baby a little easier! 

-Margaret

Valentine's Treats

I love holidays. I'm not a Valentine's Day fan, but let me reiterate...I love holidays. Why? Because it gives me an excuse to buy unhealthy stuff and eat it all! The fun part about Valentine's Day is that you get to give others small tokens of appreciation. There are so many different traditions that we follow on this day...Kids give each other candy and cards at school, co-workers bring doughnuts and cupcakes, parents give their kids sweet cards, significant others spoil each other like kings and queens....the possibilities are endless....and so are the treats. I've put together some quick and delicious treats that you can make this weekend for your kids, your coworkers, your customers, whomever - just in time for Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Muddy Buddies

9 cups Rice Chex (you can use any type of Chex, but these are gluten free)

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter (I like to use the honey peanut butter)

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (I use about 2 cups of powdered sugar but you can start small and add)

Extra:

Valentines colored M&M

Peanut Butter chips

Pretzels broken into pieces

Steps:

1. Measure Chex into large container (you can use a gallon Ziploc back or a Tupperware container that seals very well)

2. In 1 quart microwavable bowl, melt chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter uncovered on High for 1 minute; stir. Microwave 30 seconds longer or until everything is melted. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal. Shake bag or container until Chex are evenly coated. 

3. Add powdered sugar. Shake until well coated. Make sure your Tupperware seals before shaking it - hold on to the edges tightly while shaking. 

Valentine's Rice Krispy Treats

12 ounces - 1 box rice krispies

16 ounce bag of marshmallows

1/2 teaspoon of seasalt

1 Bag Ghirardelli Strawberry Bark Squares 7.9 oz   - Buy Here

Sprinkles (optional)

Steps:

1. Roughly chop 12 of the bark squares.

2. Melt butter in large pot until it starts to slightly turn brown. Add marshmallows and stir until melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add rice krispies and salt and stir until mixed. Add chopped bark squares and mix quickly. Chocolate will start to melt but that's okay! It gives it a swirl look!

3. Place mixture in 9x13 dish. Lightly sprinkle top with more sea salt. Chop 4 more bark squares and evenly space on top by pushing into mixture. Add sprinkles of your choosing! I chose small pearl sprinkles. 

4. Let cool and then cut into squares. Put it in the fridge for a quick cool down!

*Inspired by post on Lauren Conrad

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Valentine's day is about celebrating with your special someone, but what to give them can be hard! You want something sweet, but not cheesy, fun, but still romantic. And since Valentine's day is all about being with the one you love, we've come up with some gifts that you both will enjoy!

1. All You Need is Wine: a wine tasting kit that includes all the essentials for a blind wine tasting date night and even a game to play! All you need to do is provide the wine (and drink it!)

2. ENO Double Nest Hammock: a hammock that is made for two! It's the perfect accessory for your next hike or picnic. 

3. Cooking Classes: have some fun in the kitchen! Check out your local Sur la Table for a great line-up of romance themed cooking classes. 

4. Fitness Trackers: the couple that is active together stays together, right?!

5. Hotel Inspired Bedding: feel like you are on a romantic getaway every day! Treat yourself to a nice new set of sheets, duvet cover, and pillow shams. 

6. Travel Map: document all the adventures you take together with this vintage-inspired map that includes 100 pins to mark all of your special destinations. 

7. Klask: because sometimes you just need a good game night in. This is the perfect two-person game that is sure to be fun for both of you! 

Happy Valentine's Day lovies! -the Modern Day Margarets

Valentines Day Outfits Under $50 - For Staying In or Going Out!

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and we all have our own traditions we love to follow each year. Whether you stay in with your loved one, go out on the town or throw a Galentines party, I think we all want to look and feel good on Valentine's Day. Maybe it's because we are usually in over-sized sweats chasing around children or wearing "work appropriate" clothing....also known as the most boring clothes ever. We've put together some outfit options that won't break the bank and also work with many different body types and ages. You deserve to feel special on the ultimate date night of the year, so don't forget to treat yourself!

1. ASOS Petite Ruffle Wrap Dress       $40  (Short and long version (#3) included)
   ASOS Curvy Ruffle Wrap Dress      $40  (Sold in petite and curvy sizing)
2. ASOS Ruffle Sleeve Dress               $37
3. ASOS Ruffle Wrap Midi Dress        $45
4. ASOS Lace Bodysuit                       $32
5. H&M Loose Knit Sweater                $19.99
6. Revlon Lipstick in Love is On           $4.99
7. OPI Nail Polish in OPI Red               $5.99
8. H&M Off The Shoulder Sweater       $29.99
9. ASOS Block Heeled Sandals             $45
10. ASOS Suede Front Tuck Clutch        $35
11. ASOS Pink Pumps                          $32
12. ASOS Red Tassel Clutch                 $19

Happy Valentine's Day from Modern Day Margarets!

Super Bowl Sunday

The Super Bowl is right around the corner and you know what that means? Our husbands/significant others are about to invite people over to our houses, which requires us to put on our hostess hat and get to work. In case you don't have time to plan, we've put together some recipes that are both husband and wife approved......ok, well maybe the Sangria is for us. We deserve something to sip on while we are cooking, right?!

Super Bowl Sliders
1lb of ground beef
1 egg
1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup of Italian bread crumbs
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon parsley flakes
Splash of water
* Optional - 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce - it adds a great flavor!
24 Hawaiian Dinner Rolls

Mix ingredients all together and make small slider patties. Cook patties in skillet or on griddle for 5-7 minutes depending on size. You can cook them on a grill as well, but I think they are juicer on a skillet!
Put patties on Hawaiian rolls and top with any of your favorite burger toppings - cheese, pickles, onion, lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, mayo, mustard, etc!

Super Bowl Sangria

1 bottle red wine (such as cabernet sauvignon), chilled

1 cup pineapple chunks (frozen works great!)

1 orange, sliced

1 green apple, sliced

3 tablespoons Agave

1 cup orange juice

2 oz triple sec

2 oz peach schnapps

4 oz vodka

Mix all ingredients in a pitcher, chill in the fridge for an hour, and serve with a splash of club soda for a bit of fizz!

Super Bowl Spinach Artichoke Guacamole

2-3 avocados

1 lime, juiced

1 clove garlic, roughly chopped

¼ teaspoon sea salt

Pinch of red pepper flakes, more if desired

Black pepper to taste

1 ½ cups packed baby spinach (about 1 ½ ounces)

½ cup marinated artichokes, well-drained

¼ cup red onion, finely chopped

Combine all ingredients except onion into a food processor, pulse ingredients until desired texture. Stir in onion. To keep it healthy, serve with bell pepper strips or veggie tortilla chips! 

Lentil Pasta

The way Oprah feels about bread is how I feel about pasta. I love it!

There aren’t many things as comforting as a big bowl of spaghetti to me. But I also aim to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet including lots of vegetables. That’s why I love Lensi red lentil pasta. It tastes just like pasta (picky husband approved!!) but it’s made from one ingredient - red lentils!

Lentils are really having a moment right now and rightfully so! This legume is packed with protein, which is great news for any vegetarians out there. In one 3.5 oz serving it has 20% of your daily fiber needs, which will keep you fuller longer than your traditional pasta, promotes heart health, and helps maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Top it with your favorite sauce, meat, and more vegetables for a really easy weeknight meal!

This pasta was topped with pesto, sautéed carrots, green beans, and onion. Veggies on veggies on veggies! Healthy weeknight cooking win.

Bon Appétit! -Margaret

Favorite Find - My Mini Steamer

You know those days when you’re getting ready and you go in your closet and put on your shirt and it looks like it has been rolled up in a ball for years? Yea that happens to me every. single. day. And usually when I discover the wrinkled mess I’m typically running late and throw out a few cuss words because I AINT GOT NO TIME FOR THIS. I'll be honest, I absolutely hate ironing and have maybe only used mine four times in ten years (don’t judge).

Enter my life saver : My Mini Steamer

I have been using a travel steamer since my days as Miss Alabama and I’ve managed to go through a few duds. The first few that I had always seemed to wear out or stop steaming. Sometimes they would even shoot water all over my clothes. I realized that the common theme among all of the crappy steamers was that they weren’t basic enough. All I need is some steam! I don’t need a button or mechanism to control the steam or a pump to push out steam – Just give me steam so I can go on with my day please!! Luckily I was on one of my weekly target binges when I found "My Little Steamer Go Mini." This thing is AMAZING and it is only $19.99. It has an on/off button and once the water starts boiling in about 60 seconds then it will produce steam and rise through the openings until the water runs out. Finally! A basic steamer that doesn't have an inner pump that breaks or wears out! You would think this is rocket science or something! My college roommate had a similar steamer when we lived together and she has been using her for 6 years with no issues! So I'm pretty sure this one is a winner. Plus it comes in different colors! I've also turned several co-workers on to this steamer because it is great for work clothes when you're traveling! Try it out and let us know your thoughts.

My Little Steamer Go Mini

- Mary Margaret

Santa Fe Soup

The weeknight dinner struggle. It is real. Especially when I finally get home on a cold winter day and all I want to do is snuggle up on the couch under my heated blanket! Cue the soup. This delicious, hearty, and nutritious Santa Fe soup is ready in under 30 minutes and heats up great as leftovers. It is packed with fiber and protein that will keep you full, low in fat, and is less than 500 calories per serving! Make a batch today and enjoy having dinner ready for the next few nights in no time.

Santa Fe Soup

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium white onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cans cannellini beans
• 1 can mild diced tomatoes with green chilies 
• 1 can hot diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 can black beans
• 1 bag Trader Joe's Mexican style roasted corn with Cotija Cheese
• 1 lime, juiced
• Greek yogurt and chopped cilantro for garnish

Cooking Directions

1.  Heat olive oil over medium heat in large pot. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add spices (cumin, oregano, and salt). 
2.  In blender, puree 2 cans of cannellini beans with liquid from cans until smooth.
3. Add pureed beans to the pot. 
4. Add the rest of the canned products with their liquid (1 can of cannellini beans, 1 can of black beans, 2 cans of diced tomatoes with green chilies) and the bag of corn to the pot. 
5. Stir all ingredients together and let simmer until heated through. 
6. Finnish with juice of 1 lime. 
7. Serve soup with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt and a garnish of fresh chopped herbs such as parsley or cilantro. 

* If desired, shredded meat from 1 rotisserie chicken can be added while soup is simmering.

Nutrition Facts
Servings 6.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 402
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 8 g	12 %
Saturated Fat 2 g	8 %
Monounsaturated Fat 1 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 6 mg	2 %
Sodium 1059 mg	44 %
Potassium 914 mg	26 %
Total Carbohydrate 65 g	22 %
Dietary Fiber 19 g	77 %
Sugars 8 g
Protein 21 g	41 %
Vitamin A	10 %
Vitamin C	24 %
Calcium	25 %
Iron	35 %
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.

Nutrition facts are for the soup only and do not include garnish or chicken.

recipe adapted from: http://thebakermama.com/recipes/homemade-chick-fil-a-chicken-tortilla-soup/