2020 Beauty & Lifestyle Favorites

Welcome back to Andrea Fontana Beauty and happy new year!2020 wasn't a big year for trying products for me, but I still managed to discover some great ones. ...

Today I'm back with my second half of my 2020 favorites! If you missed Part 1, my Beauty Favorites, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1SsE9e9iUI&t...

Products I mention in order:

***Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links. While this doesn't affect the price you pay or my opinions on the products, I always appreciate your support when using my links. It helps me to keep creating more content for you!

MAKEUP:

CoverGirl Easy Breezy Volumizing Brow Gel in Deep: https://rstyle.me/+4jtbVnvYO6xxYzml_5...
Essence Volume Booster Lash Primer: https://rstyle.me/+3dMtNsITzeRNZJxDQn...
L'Oreal Le Liner Signature Mechanical Eyeliner in Noir Cashmere: https://rstyle.me/+Ietz9mrX2Ic4Oxw_fr...
ColourPop California Love Eyeshadow Palette: https://rstyle.me/+qG8mXIuXtTaDLq-x7P...
Matinee to Soiree Kit by Nudestix Allana Davison Collab: https://www.nudestix.com/collections/... *** First impressions video -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4ucV...

SKINCARE:

First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30: https://rstyle.me/+pjKJtKQhZ-7u1H5JFT...
Amavara SPF 50 Tinted Mineral Sunscreen: https://amzn.to/3q5f285
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: https://rstyle.me/+CGk62f-L0FO8gN83Jn...
Tatcha Deep Cleanse Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser: https://rstyle.me/+Fwve06OSQ6juMLMmck... ***They no longer carry the exact kit I received in May but they offer many others, such as this one which includes the same mini Deep Cleanse: https://rstyle.me/+fTT2gStnAGkQS45z9v...
Paula's Choice Probiotic Nutrient Moisturizer: https://rstyle.me/+EcAtPPErG0HqjCBTSw...
Paula's Choice Skin Revealing 10% AHA Body Lotion: https://rstyle.me/+lo6veBy8qIahEX1yza...

BEAUTY TOOLS ACCESSORIES:

The Original MakeUp Eraser 7-Day Set: https://rstyle.me/+jFjzQjl9DuxnIKhKsb...
20 Pack of Organic Bamboo Reusable Makeup Remover Pads: https://amzn.to/3boFyoY
Tangle Teezer Ultimate Detangler: https://rstyle.me/+_O5U6vc195YeSVsAze...
Skincare: The Ultimate No-Nonsense Guide to Skincare: https://amzn.to/39e4eOd
MODA Holographic 17 Compartment Brush Belt: https://modabrush.com/products/moda-h... ***Use code : ANDREAFONTANABEAUTY for 10% off your MODA Brush purchase

FOOD/KITCHEN:

Lundberg Thin Stackers Brown Rice: https://rstyle.me/+n1HvkH7GUkAaeKoEhe...
Wissotzky Mango & Passion Fruit Herbal Tea: https://amzn.to/2XJypHJ
Cuisinart 3-QT Round Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven in Cream: https://amzn.to/39Af5lH
Cuisinart 5.5 QT Round Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven in Cream: https://amzn.to/3bPoYil
Our Place Always Pan in Steam: https://rstyle.me/+g93dUxODjkvt5nIW29...

HEALTH/FITNESS:

Olly Sleep Vitamin Gummies: https://rstyle.me/+FtlWJh0ct07sso9BBn...
Schwinn iC4 Bike: https://www.schwinnfitness.com/ic4/10... Peleton App: https://www.onepeloton.com/app ***My blog post about my Schwinn iC4 & Peleton Experience: http://www.andreafontanabeauty.com/bl...

MISC:

Kindle Paperwhite in 8GB Black: https://amzn.to/2LVqtjM
Kalamazoo Candle Company: https://kalamazoocandle.com/
PopSockets PopWallet+ in Black: https://rstyle.me/+zFdfldk9Ces_6jBn6j...
PopSockets Car Vent Mount in Black: https://rstyle.me/+o2KKDTzV5rNJuW4IWA...

FTC: Everything else was purchased with my own money and opinions are my own.

Chicken Wing Week: Day 6 - Salt & Vinegar Wings

This is my last recipe of Chicken Wing Week! I hope you’ve enjoyed this week because I’ve had a lot of fun. Margie has one more recipe coming at you tomorrow!

Salt & Vinegar Chicken Wings

This recipe is tailored towards two adults and makes about 12 wings. Multiply as needed.

Ingredients:

Marinade

• 1 TB of avocado or olive oil

• 2 TB red wine vinegar

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Other Ingredients

• 2 TB avocado oil

• 2 TB red wine vinegar

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano

• 12-14 traditional bone-in chicken wings (about 2 #)

• Helpful tools: wire rack that fits inside your baking sheet, tongs, aluminum foil, and a meat thermometer.

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.

2. In a large mixing bowl, mix your quick marinade of oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss your wings in the marinade, making sure to coat every wing evenly. NOTE: Make sure you don’t let the wings sit in the marinade for too long (more than a couple minutes) because the acid from the vinegar will start to cook the chicken).

3. While you wait for your oven to preheat, cover your baking sheet with a layer of aluminum foil and place your wire rack on top. NOTE: If you don’t have a wire rack, that’s ok too! You’ll just need to flip your wings half way through the baking time. The wire rack allows for better air circulation and crispier, evenly cooked wings.

4. Bake in the center rack of the oven for 25 minutes at 425 degrees F. If you don’t have the wire rack, make sure you flip the wings halfway through this 25 minute cooking time.

5. Remove the wings from the oven and turn the oven onto broil. This is the part that is magical for the crispy skin, but you must keep a close eye on it since everyone’s oven is different, and broiling happens quickly. I normally broil wings for 2 minutes in my oven, but for this recipe I want the skin to be extra crispy, to compensate for the super thin sauce. Therefore I broiled for 3 minutes on each side, with the wings on the top rack. They should be close to the broiler but not touching ANY flames. Therefore, they broil for 6 minutes total.

6. It’s important to measure the temperature of your wings to make sure they are cooked throughout and at least 165 degrees F. If you prefer a drier wing, you can take them up to 175-180 degrees F. This part is up to you!

7. While your wings are broiling, it’s time to mix up the salt & vinegar sauce. In a large mixing bowl that can fit all of your wings, mix 2 TB avocado oil, 2 TB red wine vinegar, 1 tsp of salt, and the dried oregano. Adjusting the ratio of oil to vinegar here is totally up to you. (i.e. If you love a really acidic salt & vinegar flavor, try using more vinegar)/

8. Once your wings are done broiling, using tongs, transfer them to your mixing bowl and coat with sauce really well.

9. To serve, you can pour a little extra sauce on top and top with a little extra oregano if you’d like.

I hope you enjoy this wing recipe and stay tuned for the last recipe tomorrow over on Margie’s blog <<click here>>!

CHICKEN WING WEEK RECIPE ROUND-UP:

Day 1 - Dre’s Original Baked Wings

Day 2 - Margie’s Thai Curry Dry Rub Grilled Wings

Day 3 - Mexican Dry Rub Wings

Day 4 - Chicken Tikka Masala Wings

Day 5 - Margie’s Strawberry Sriracha BBQ Glazed Wings

Day 6 - Salt & Vinegar Wings

Have a great weekend,

Andrea

Chicken Wing Week: Day 4 - Chicken Tikka Masala Wings

Chicken Tikka Masala is probably Mikey’s favorite thing that I make. He asks for it every week, so I thought why not get creative and make the same magical spice combinations in wing form?

Chicken Tikka Masala Wings

This recipe makes enough for about 24 wings!

Ingredients:

Marinade

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt

• 1 TB lemon juice

• 1 TB garam masala powder

• 2 tsp ground black pepper

Other Ingredients

• about 2 dozen traditional bone-in chicken wings (about 4 #)

• 2 TB Avocado Oil

• 3 TB butter

• 1 TB minced garlic

• 1/4 cup tomato paste

• 1/2 cup half n half, heavy cream, or full fat coconut milk

• 4 tsp garam masala

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1/2 tsp salt

• Helpful tools: wire rack that fits inside your baking sheet, tongs, aluminum foil, and a meat thermometer.

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix all of your marinade ingredients. Add your wings and coat them evenly. Cover your bowl and put in the refrigerator to marinate for 30-60 minutes. NOTE: I like to cover use a bowl that has a lid (i.e. Pyrex) so that I can shake the wings up a bit to coat them better.

2. Remove your wings from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Cover your baking sheet with a layer of aluminum foil and place your wire rack on top. NOTE: If you don’t have a wire rack, that’s ok too! You’ll just need to flip your wings half way through the baking time. The wire rack allows for better air circulation and crispier, evenly cooked wings.

3. Heat a big soup pot or dutch oven to medium-high heat, then add your avocado oil. Using your tongs, place some of your wings skin side down, into the pan. Hearing a sizzle is VERY important at this step. If you don’t hear a good sizzle, your pan isn’t warm enough yet and you won’t get a good sear to lock in the juices. It’s also important not to over crowd your pan because then you will steam your wings instead of searing them. Make sure they aren’t touching. You will most likely need to do this step in a couple batches depending on the size of your pot and amount of wings you are making.

4. Sear the chicken wings for about 3 minutes until golden brown, then flip and repeat on the other side. Once both sides are seared nicely, use your tongs to remove the wings and place on the wire rack, that is on top of your baking sheet and repeat the process until all of your wings are seared and on your wire rack.

5. Bake in the center rack of the oven for 25 minutes at 425 degrees F. If you don’t have the wire rack, make sure you flip the wings halfway through this 25 minute cooking time.

6. While the wings are baking, it’s time to make your chicken tikka masala sauce to coat your wings! Reduce the heat of your soup pot to medium heat and add 2 TB of butter. Once melted, add your minced garlic and saute until fragrant (about 30-60 seconds).

7. Add your tomato paste, half and half, and water and mix well until combined. Add 4 tsp garam masala, paprika, and salt. Allow to come to a simmer, reduce heat a little to medium-low and let cook until your wings are done baking.

8. Remove the wings from the oven and turn the oven onto broil. This is the part that is magical for the crispy skin, but you must keep a close eye on it since everyone’s oven is different, and broiling happens quickly. In my oven, I broil for 2 minutes on each side, with the wings on the top rack. They should be close to the broiler but not touching ANY flames. Therefore, they broil for 4 minutes total. NOTE: It’s important to measure the temperature of your wings to make sure they are cooked throughout and at least 165 degrees F. If you prefer a drier wing, you can take them up to 175-180 degrees F. This part you can adapt to your preferences.

9. While wings are broiling, add your last TB of butter to the sauce and let melt and mix in evenly.

10. Once your wings are cooked to your preference, toss them in a couple TB of sauce to coat and serve. I like to serve with a little chopped cilantro on top but that is optional.

I hope you have been enjoying Chicken Wing Week so far! We still have THREE more recipes coming at you! Head to Margie’s blog tomorrow <<click here>> because she’s up next and you don’t want to miss her next creation!

Happy Wednesday,

Andrea

Chicken Wing Week: Day 3 - Mexican Dry Rub Wings

Mexican Dry Rub Wings

This recipe makes enough dry rub for about 24 wings!

Ingredients:

• 2 TB chili powder (feel free to add more if you want them spicy!)

• 1 TB garlic powder

• 1 TB onion powder

• 1 TB cumin powder

• 1 TB coconut sugar (or brown sugar)

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• about 2 dozen traditional bone-in chicken wings (about 4 #)

• Helpful tools: wire rack that fits inside your baking sheet, tongs, aluminum foil, and a meat thermometer.

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix all of your spices well to create your dry rub. Add your wings and coat them evenly in the dry rub. Cover your bowl and put in the refrigerator to marinate for 30-60 minutes.

2. About 5 minutes before your marinading is over, preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Cover your baking sheet with a layer of aluminum foil and place your wire rack on top. NOTE: If you don’t have a wire rack, that’s ok too! You’ll just need to flip your wings half way through the baking time. The wire rack allows for better air circulation and crispier, evenly cooked wings.

3. Remove your chicken wings from the fridge and lay them on your wire rack for 25 minutes at 425 degrees F. If you don’t have the wire rack, make sure you flip the wings halfway through this 25 minute cooking time.

4. Remove the wings from the oven and turn the oven onto broil. This is the part that is magical for the crispy skin, but you must keep a close eye on it since everyone’s oven is different, and broiling happens quickly. In my oven, I broil for 2 minutes on each side, with the wings on the top rack. They should be close to the broiler but not touching ANY flames. Therefore, they broil for 4 minutes total.

5. It’s important to measure the temperature of your wings to make sure they are cooked throughout and at least 165 degrees F. If you prefer a drier wing, you can take them up to 175-180 degrees F. This part you can adapt to your preferences.

I hope you enjoy this wing recipe and stay tuned to the rest of CHICKEN WING WEEK! Make sure you head to Margie’s blog <<click here>> to check out her Thai Curry Dry Rub Wing recipe from yesterday. I’ll be back tomorrow with new flavors!

Have a great day,

Andrea

Chicken Wing Week: Day 1 - Dre's Original Baked Wings

Welcome to a very exciting collaboration with one of my very best friends Margie (@margiefoodie) over at MargieFoodie.com! Today, May 3rd, through Saturday, May 9th, one of us will share a chicken wing recipe on either of our blogs. I’ll recap everything at the end of the week, in case you miss anything, but it is bound to be an amazing week.

First up today, I’m sharing a baked wing recipe that’s a great starting point for any of your chicken wing needs. I think it’s a great place to begin this flavorful week.

Dre’s Original Baked Wings

I typically make 6-8 wings per adult, so this recipe is tailored towards two adults. Multiply as needed.

Ingredients:

• 3 TB of avocado or olive oil

• 3 TB red wine vinegar

• 1 tsp dried parsley

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 12-14 traditional bone-in chicken wings (about 2 #)

• Helpful tools: wire rack that fits inside your baking sheet, tongs, cast iron grill pan, aluminum foil, and a meat thermometer.

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.

2. In a large mixing bowl, mix your quick marinade of oil, vinegar, parsley, salt and pepper. Toss your wings in the marinade, making sure to coat every wing evenly. Set to rest while you heat your grill pan and prep your baking sheet. NOTE: Make sure you don’t let the wings sit in the marinade for too long (more than a couple minutes) because the acid from the vinegar will start to cook the chicken).

3. On the stove, heat a cast-iron pan (grill pan is preferred but not necessary), to medium-high heat. While you wait for it to warm up, cover your baking sheet with a layer of aluminum foil and place your wire rack on top. NOTE: If you don’t have a wire rack, that’s ok too! You’ll just need to flip your wings half way through the baking time. The wire rack allows for better air circulation and crispier, evenly cooked wings.

4. Once your cast iron pan is ready, use your tongs to place about half of your wings skin side down, into the pan. Hearing a sizzle is VERY important at this step. If you don’t hear a good sizzle, your pan isn’t warm enough yet and you won’t get a good sear to lock in the juices. It’s also important not to over crowd your pan because then you will steam your wings instead of searing them. Make sure they aren’t touching. You will most likely need to do this step in 2-3 batches depending on the size of your pan and amount of wings you are making.

5. Sear the chicken wings for about 3 minutes until golden brown, then flip and repeat on the other side. Once both sides are seared nicely, use your tongs to remove the wings and place on the wire rack, that is on top of your baking sheet.

6. Once all of your wings are seared, bake in the center rack of the oven for 15 minutes at 425 degrees F. If you don’t have the wire rack, make sure you flip the wings halfway through this 15 minute cooking time.

7. Remove the wings from the oven and turn the oven onto broil. This is the part that is magical for the crispy skin, but you must keep a close eye on it since everyone’s oven is different, and broiling happens quickly. In my oven, I broil for 2 minutes on each side, with the wings on the top rack. They should be close to the broiler but not touching ANY flames. Therefore, they broil for 4 minutes total.

8. It’s important to measure the temperature of your wings to make sure they are cooked throughout and at least 165 degrees F. Mikey prefers a drier wing, so sometimes I take them up to 175-180 degrees F. This part you can adapt to your preferences.

The rest is totally up to you! You can add your favorite wing sauce or eat them as is.

I hope you enjoy this wing recipe and stay tuned to the rest of CHICKEN WING WEEK! Head to Margie’s blog tomorrow <<click here>> for tomorrow’s chicken wing recipe!

Have a great start to your week,

Andrea

11 Things With Andrea #5

I’m trying to get better with keeping up with these posts because I know how much you guys love them. So here we are! New year, new 11 Things with Andrea.

1. Should we start off with a bang? In case you missed it, I paid off my last student loan on Christmas Eve this year and now I am officially DEBT FREE! I can’t believe this moment is finally here after years of hard work and dedication. Let me know if you want me to write more about my debt free journey.

2. I have officially joined the #PASHFAM and become obsessed with my Passion Planner. I have no idea how I’ve survived this long without one. Special thanks to my best friend Margaret (@edgewoodplace) who convinced me to take the plunge. This is the best planner I have ever purchased and it works so well for my brain.

3. Coming off of working so hard to be debt free, I wanted to make sure I didn’t treat myself too much in January, so this month I’m doing a No Buy. This means, no extras but the necessities for the whole month of January. I figured this would help me transition into life where I’m not putting more than a third of my income towards debt!

4. About a week ago I purchased the new iPhone 11 Pro Max and I’m so happy with it so far! The picture quality is amazing and I’m excited to experiment with it as I continue to create new content for you this year!

5. I received Alison Roman’s cookbook, Nothing Fancy, for Christmas and I’m already obsessed! The few recipes I’ve tried so far have been amazing and I’m excited to keep diving into more. If you like to feed your friends and family with cozy and easy meals that feel special, check it out!

6. Speaking of cookbooks…I’m still trekking along on my own cookbook journey. Still working on recipe testing which takes a lot longer than you would imagine.

7. For the first time in maybe ever, I feel like my two weeks off for the holidays was actually two weeks. I got rest, did puzzles, read books, took many naps, cooked and ate delicious food, and really relaxed. I think it also helps when you have created a life that you like getting back to. While it was nice to have a break, I’m so happy to be back to planning 2020 and amping things up for what this year has in store for AFB.

8. I have a secret project coming for Galentine’s Day that I CANNOT wait to share with you! Stay tuned, but your hint is that it will be located in the SHOP tab…haha

9. January was really hard for me last year. I think I even wrote a post about it? January is not usually my best month but this year feels so much better than years past! I think it has a lot do with being medicated for my anxiety and feeling like I have a stable but flexible plan for the month.

10. I’m already more than half booked for 2020 and I cannot believe it! If you or someone you know is getting married and needs a makeup artist, send them my way or email me ASAP (andreafontanabeauty@gmail.com). I don’t want you to miss out!

11. Mikey’s birthday is at the end of this month and I cannot wait to make his annual birthday cake. Every year I pick a theme based on something he loves. Previous years included the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Death Star, and Harry Potter. This year I’m thinking the West Wing? Stay tuned to my IG for that as well because you KNOW I’ll be sharing that labor of love when it’s done.

What’s going on in your life right now? Let me know in a comment below. I hope you feel rested and ready to start off the new DECADE on a strong note. I believe in you and I’m grateful every day for your support.

Have a great week,

Andrea

11 Things With Andrea #4

Oh man. I can’t believe I haven’t done one of these update posts since July. It’s time friends. It’s time. Here are 11 Things that are currently going on with ME…Andrea!

1. I recently had to transition into running indoors because it’s too dark out when I need to run early in the morning and I’m just sick of getting scared of my own shadow…haha anyone else? I love running outside so much more than on a treadmill, but have just accepted that it’s time.

2. I LAUNCHED MY OWN TEE SHIRT LINE! Click here to go check it out and order your very own! There two designs, but many color options and I am just so grateful for all of you who have already ordered one! Remember, my goal with these shirts is to help us redefine the way we view the word beauty and I want you to help me with this project!

3. I have been thrifting a good amount of clothing in the last few months but have been slacking when it comes to accessories, so in the near future I am going to be doing some challenges trying to get out of my comfort zone and find some new stuff!

4. I recently switched up my WHOLE planning system and I’m really excited to share it with you guys once I use it a little longer and make sure I really do love it. If you have been following me for a while you might know that for the last couple of years I have bought MayDesigns books and created my own planners because I can never find what I’m looking for already printed. However, my search may be over! Updates soon!

5. Cookbook recipe testing is back in full swing as bridal season is starting to wind down a little? haha October is my last full month of weddings and I’m excited to have some more weekend time in the near future to devote to fine tuning things.

6. Speaking of bridal season, I am booking for all of the 2020 season and things are filling up quickly! If you or someone you know is getting married and still needs a makeup artist, PLEASE contact me asap!

7. I’m so happy it’s finally fall because I have thrifted some amazing fall layers recently and I’m excited to style them all for you guys! I love layering pieces and wearing oversized items, so fall is the perfect time to play with these trends! It’s also finally chilly enough some days for a blazer moment and you all know how much I love that!

8. I’m headed to Traverse City the first weekend of November with my best friend Margaret for her to show me around her hometown! I am so excited! We are heading to the grand opening event for Poppy Things and I’m so jazzed to meet Chelsey and check out her new space! This will be my first weekend off from weddings in like 3 months, so I couldn’t be more excited to have some run relaxation girl time. I also love visiting new places because I always leave feeling inspired.

9. I have become fully OBSESSED with Beth from B. Jones Style. While her style can be a little more bold than what I typically wear, I am always SO inspired to create and try new styles when I watch her videos and look at her Instagram! If you are curious about thrifting and want more inspiration, I highly recommend checking her out!

10. Fall makes me want to get cozy on the couch, read books and watch movies. What are your current recommendations for both? I’m not much of a TV show watcher but I am obviously excited ‘This is Us’ is back on! I just went to the library and picked up some good reads that I’m excited to get into. This also reminds me that I am due for a Books I’ve Recently Been Reading post, so expect that soon.

11. My Hydroflask has changed my life. There is nothing quite like waking up in the morning super thirsty, picking up a water bottle and hearing the sound of ice still frozen inside. I bring this thing with me EVERYWHERE and even got Mikey hooked on it. This is the one I have and I highly recommend it!

There you have it! 11 Things are done! What is up with you lately? Comment below and let me know!

Have a great day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

The One Where We Met Antoni

If you don’t follow me on Instagram, you might not know that last week I traveled to Chicago with one of my very best friends to attend a book signing for Antoni from Queer Eye and….MEET HIM.

YES! I got to meet him, hug him, say hello, sit front row for the event, receive an amazing goodie bag from Williams Sonoma, and got a signed copy of his new cookbook “Antoni In the Kitchen'“. It was an amazing experience and he was exactly as I hoped he’d be in person; funny, passionate, excited, and kind.

I created a little IGTV video that summed up the whole trip here but if you’d like to read a quick summary of our trip, keep on reading!

Day One:

• Took the Amtrak to Union Station. Finished up reading Middlesex, ate yummy banana bread, did my makeup and made friends with a cute little 8 month old and her momma.

• First stop, the Chicago French Market, where we shared a yummy proscuitto sandwich, and then we headed to the Doughnut Vault, where I ate a chocolate glazed doughnut as big as my face.

• Next, up we dropped off our bags at our hotel (Inn of Chicago) and headed out for a little bit of shopping. (Inn of Chicago was a great location, super comfy bed, but that’s about it. The actual room was kind of dirty and I doubt I’d stay there again unless I got a stupidly cheap deal).

• At Gap, Margaret and I both scored some awesome clearance finds, including a leopard print skirt, stripped button-down dress, and tank for me!

• Headed to Eataly to show Margaret my little slice of heaven. Picked up some items for a pre-Antoni charcuterie in bed!

• The ‘Antoni In the Kitchen’ event was next. Amazing. Speechless. I’d do it again in a heartbeat for his next cookbook so GET WRITING Antoni!

• We then headed to the rooftop terrace for a little moment to slow down before bed. We were tired and knew the next day would be busy so we chose to head to bed at 10:30 instead of going out like we had planned.

Day Two:

• We both woke up early at 6 am so we decided to stay in our PJ’s and head to get some donuts and coffee at Stan’s Donuts (one of my faves in Chi).

• Headed back to bed for some reading which was nice.

• Slowly got ready for a day of shopping in Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village.

• Visited Credo Beauty, Aesop, Deciem, Buffalo Exchange, Paperish Mess, Dark Matter Coffee, Peach Fuzz, and Humboldt House. I may have missed a shop or two that we stopped at, but we sure crammed a lot into a short amount of time!

• Next we headed back to the hotel for a quick nap and then I got ready to meet one of my college bestie’s Nick for a yummy dinner at Luxbar to celebrate his 30th birthday.

• After dinner, Margaret and I headed to The Darling, an old Speak Easy, for a drink with her friend Olivia, and then we headed over to the Sparrow which felt like we time traveled back to Havana in the past.

• What better way to finish off the day then to spend the night dancing away until 2 in the morning.

• Our alarms woke us at 6 am promptly the next morning to head back on the Amtrack to Michigan, but it was worth the few hours of sleep!

Overall our trip was amazing! We packed so many amazing memories into such a short amount of time! I put together a mini capsule closet for the trip with only 5 clothing items and I’ll be sharing that post soon so stay on the lookout.

Where do you like to visit when you go to Chicago? Tell me below.

Have a beautiful day!

11 Things With Andrea #2

Let’s just jump right into it!

1. I recently tried Fabletics for the first time and overall I loved my first purchase. I got two pairs of cropped leggings, one full length pair, and a sports bra that zipped up the front. I was really hoping to find a sport’s bra that was thick and good quality (the zipper ones usually are for higher impact sports), but unfortunately the fabric is just too thin to be super supportive. I LOVED the leggings though. The trinity high-waisted leggings are amazing. I highly recommend them. I asked you guys on IG your thoughts on Fabletics and most of you said that it’s not really great for sports bra, but the leggings and tops are awesome! While it is a monthly subscription I don’t think I’ll be purchasing every month (you can skip months), because I’m pretty set with leggings for now!

2. I have been reading a lot recently (I’m on my 6th book for the month if that tells you anything). I did a book post recently (click here to check it out) and I’m excited to have some extra time next week to relax and read because the families I nanny for are on spring break! I picked up ‘The Shape of Water’, ‘Big Little Lies’ and ‘The Devil in the White City’ from the library and you all voted for me to start with ‘Big Little Lies’! I’m excited to read all three of these so make sure to check back in a little while to see my review on them.

3. I currently have a GIVEAWAY going for a $100 Gift Certificate to JORD watches! If you haven’t entered it yet, CLICK HERE to check out the watch I was gifted for Mikey (my sweet watch obsessed other half). You don’t want to miss out on this awesome chance to win! You also get a 10% off code for entering so what do you have to lose?

4. Wedding season begins this Saturday. While I had one wedding in January, this weekend starts the doing something almost every weekend for weddings and I AM SO EXCITED! I love my brides! I only have 2 Saturdays left and many Fridays and Sundays available so if you’re a 2019 bride who still needs a makeup artist, please contact me ASAP! (Click the CONTACT tab in the menu on the left).

5. I’m really excited to be on track to be under $10,000 in debt by my 29th birthday this May (my goal is to be debt free by 30, which I am also on track for)! I know I don’t talk about it a lot on here, but for all of you working your butts off to become debt free, I AM WITH YOU! It’s probably my biggest goal that I’m working towards every day and if you’re also going through it, I know the struggles and tough work it takes. WE CAN DO IT!

6. Please send all Netflix/Hulu/Prime recommendations my way. Like I mentioned before I have spring break coming up and am going to attempt to watch something since I suck at it. Working on learning how to be comfortable being relaxed and lazy, but it’s a process.

7. I’m happy to report my anxiety is much lower than it was in January and February. I know I talked about it a lot on my IG and a little here, but if you don’t see me talking about it as much as I was, just know it is always something I am dealing with and working with. You are not alone. Always message me if you want to talk to someone.

8. I’ve been trying a lot of new to me products from Drunk Elephant, Herbivore Botanicals, Tarte, Mad Hippie, etc and I’m excited to put together a post devoted to what I liked/ didn’t like.

9. Cookbook writing is still coming along well! Every week I feel like I see the vision of my final cookbook becoming a little stronger which is really exciting. To all of you who consistently ask me how it’s going and are as excited as I am…you will NEVER know how much I truly appreciate your support and love. I am writing this cookbook for you and I think you’re going to love it! If you haven’t already signed up for cookbook updates, please click here to be added to my email list!

10. If you’re in the Midwest, you’ve been experiencing some lovely SUN the last few weeks and it’s been AMAZING! Am I the only one who’s always constantly amazed at how much it affects our mood. We are different people when the sun is out and I love it! Spring is my favorite season so I’m excited to return to running outdoors and stopping to check up on all the blooms.

11. If you caught Samin Nosrat’s phenomenal Netflix series, ‘Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat’ you might have checked out her cookbook of the same name. If you checked out her cookbook you probably oo’ed and aaah’ed at the beautiful artwork in it. I preordered these TO DIE FOR prints from the cookbook and if you need some extra kitchen art (I’m planning a beautiful kitchen gallery wall) you NEED to order these prints. They are so inexpensive for what beauty they really are!

12. BONUS: This last one isn’t about me. It’s about you. You’re great. And I hope you’ll keep coming around to read what I write. I still get such amazing messages from you all about how my content is inspiring you and lifting you up and all I can say is, YOU are the one inspiring and lifting me up when you say these things. You are great! Thank you

Have the best weekend you tootie cutie patootie people,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

Andrea's Pantry Staples

I have wanted to share this list for along time because I believe a well stocked pantry is VERY important to minimize the overwhelm of cooking meals at home. When I say well stocked I don’t mean that you need to have everything under the sun in there either. I simply mean that you have the basic building blocks to create a really great meal at any time. These are the items that can usually be found in my cupboards. What does your pantry look like? Comment below and let me know!

1. Jasmine or Basmati Rice: These are my favorite two and I always have them on hand because they are a great staple gluten-free item.

2. Brown Rice: I am not a huge fan of brown rice, but I do like it Chicken Tikka Masala because it’s texture holds up nicely to the sauce, so I keep a little of this on hand.

3. Almond Flour: I make my own almond flour from the process of making my own almond milk. If you want to see how I do that, CLICK HERE!

4. Oat Flour: This is another common gluten-free flour that you find in a lot of recipes, so I like to keep it on hand.

5. Oats: I always have either GF regular oats or quick cooking steel cut oats on hand because I eat oatmeal so often for breakfast. It will always be my go-to breakfast because I love it so much.

6. Diced Tomatoes: These can be used in so many different styles of cuisines so I always keep them on hand. They are perfect for a super quick tomato sauce too.

7. Tomato Paste: I love keeping tubes of tomato paste on hand (usually from Trader Joe’s) because they can add an extra dimension of flavor to so many meals. I also need it for homemade tomato sauce, so….duh!

8. Tubes of Ginger Paste: I love the Trader Joe’s tubes of minced ginger because then you don’t have a knob of ginger going bad in your fridge when you only need a tiny piece for a recipe. I love to season soups, bowls, chicken, etc, with a ginger/garlic combo.

9. Broths (Veg and Chicken): I loooove to make soups, so these are an obvious must have. I only use chicken and veggie broth in my home so that’s all I stock. I always buy low sodium broths so I can control the salt level.

10. Great Northern Beans: These are one of my favorite soup beans.

11. Black Beans: A necessary for any Chipotle inspired burrito bowl or mexican inspired dish.

12. Kidney Beans: I love how big kidney beans are so they really bulk up a meal.

13. Nori Sheets: Great for sushi bowls and for making homemade miso soup.

14. Almond Butter/Peanut Butter: I like to freshly grind mine at my grocery store and choose whatever I’m in the mood for.

15. Coconut Sugar: I use coconut sugar in place of regular granulated or brown sugar whenever I can. I use it as my sweetener for my oatmeal too.

16. Chia Seeds: I put chia seeds in my smoothies and in my oatmeal.

17. Flax Seeds: I put flax in every smoothie I make (technically I store these in the fridge).

18. Hemp Seeds: These also go in my oatmeal.

19. Chocolate Chips: I keep them for obvious reasons, but I love to snack on 5-10 when I have a sweet tooth at night.

20. Arrowroot Powder: I use this in place of cornstarch as a thickening agent, but it’s also found in a lot of GF recipes.

21. Almonds: I make my own almond milk so I always have a big Costco bag of these on hand.

22. Salsa Verde (specifically from Trader Joe’s): I love to keep salsa on hand for an easy snack, but I also love pouring a jar over chicken breasts in the crockpot for an easy dinner.

23. Tomato Sauce (canned): I only keep the little cans of this on hand for when I make Chicken Tikka Masala.

24. Dry Red Wine: This is my preference when it comes to drinking wine, but I also like to have it on hand to add to the base of my tomato sauces. It adds such a richness to your tomato sauce.

25. Rice Paper Sheets: These are a quick easy dinner or lunch if you have lots of veggies on hand to use up. You can simply wet them and make spring rolls in no time at all.

26. Konjac Noodles: These are a new favorite of mine. They are almost calorie-less, gluten-free and I really like the texture. They are not as sticky as a rice noodle and have a little bit more of a bite, so I prefer them to rice noodles.

27. Red Lentil/ Other Gluten Free Pastas: Pasta will always be my go-to easiest meal to make for dinner, so I like to keep some good GF options on hand. I love red lentil pasta the most, but chickpea is also tasty!

28. Lentils: These are an easy way to bulk up a soup, so I love having a big jar of them to throw in vegetarian soup.

29. Polenta: Another GF alternative to eating a wheat product with your meal. The Italian in me wishes I could easy cheesy polenta every night.

If you made it to the end of this, GREAT JOB! I hope you enjoyed getting a peak into my pantry. What are your staples? If it’s not on my list, tell me what it is!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Amazon Favorites

Am I the only one who is curious what other people buy on Amazon? Haha I’m so curious because you can find absolutely everything on there these days! Today I’m sharing some of my favorite products that I have found on Amazon that are not beauty related. If you’re curious about those, you can always click on the ‘My Favorite Things’ tab and most of the items there can be found on Amazon.

Uni-Ball Vision Needle Rollerball Pens:

These are my favorite pens and I love this pack because of the variety of colors. I love to organize things in my planner based on color and these are great for that!

Neewer 18-inch Dimmable Ring Light with Stand and Carrying Bag:

I get asked all the time which ring light I use and this is it! It’s pretty adorable for what it is, and has already been to a lot of places with me in one year! I would recommend it if you’re looking for a good light that isn’t going to break the bank.

OontZ Angle 3 Bluetooth Wireless Speaker:

I got my boyfriend this speaker for Christmas just as an extra to have and I was pleasantly surprised with how good of quality the sound is for the price! If you need an inexpensive speaker, check this one out.

Gift Republic Bucket List Movie Poster:

This was another gift that I highly recommend for any movie, music, etc. buffs. I really love how you can frame it and use it as art when you’re done because the graphics are beautiful for each item after you scratch them off!

Stainless Steal Loop Apple Watch Band:

I wanted to have an apple watch band that looked a little nicer for when I have special events and dress up. I like this watch band for that purpose but prefer the one below for every day and working out use!

Nylon Sport Loop Apple Watch Band:

I can’t wear the silicone apple watch bands that most people use for working out because I developed a bad allergic reaction to them. However, I don’t like wearing the stainless steel one above when running because I don’t like feeling the watch move around. I prefer to not be able to notice my watch. Therefore I tested out this nylon one and I love it. It has a Velcro closure that is really solid and secure and this one is my favorite apple watch band.

Organic Miso Paste:

This is my favorite white Miso Paste to have on hand for when I want to make a quick miso soup!

ALINK Clear Straight Glass Drinking Straws:

These are my favorite reusable straws because you can see through them to make sure they are clean. Also they come with a little brush to clean them which is really important and useful!

Youdgee Meat Digital Thermometer:

If you want to make sure your meat turns out perfectly, this is a really important tool to have in your kitchen! I use this thing every time I make meat to make sure I am not over or undercooking anything.

Lodge Cast Iron Pan:

I love the Lodge cast iron pans (I also have the cast iron grill pan) and they are amazing for the price. Such good quality and are so great for searing something on the stove and finishing it in the oven.

Sea Team 6 Pc Multicolored Portable Travel Toiletry Bags:

I bought this 6 pack for my makeup kit, to organize products, but I’ve found great uses for these besides in my kit. It’s just really useful to have many bags like this for traveling, purse organization and so much more! I love the mesh because then if I add any brushes or sponges that are still a bit damp, they can air out and dry.

Moulin Ladies Pastel Color Jelly Digital Watch:

Before I got my apple watch, I needed something to get me through bridal season that was inexpensive. I have never gotten so many compliments on a watch before! Haha I still can’t believe how great this watch was for how little it cost me. It did not look cheap and worked really well! Highly recommend, even if you just want a pop of color on your wrist in the spring.

What are some of your favorites from Amazon? Comment below and let me know!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

How to Cook More (Part 2)

A little over a year ago, I wrote a post called “How to Cook More” and you guys really loved it. Click here to read that one first and learn the inspiration behind it.

I wanted to write a follow up post because as I’m writing my cookbook, I’m thinking a lot about the topic of how to inspire people to get into their kitchens more. So I’m back with more ways to share with you on how to cook more. As usual, I love when these posts can be the start of a bigger conversation, so be sure to comment below and let me know what really got you into cooking.

Reminder, if you want to get on my cookbook list and be the first to learn all about it, click here.

Start with one-pot recipes.

I often find that the kitchen can be very overwhelming for people and for most of us, the worst part about cooking is all the huge mess we can make. Also the thought of having to manage multiple burners or things in the oven can be stressful. To that I say, start with one-pot meals. Whether it’s an entire cookbook you purchase on one-pot meals, or you search it on Pinterest, getting your feet wet with simple recipes will help you see that you CAN do it. Then once you feel comfortable, you can dive into dishes with a little more complexity and learn new skills.

Clean as you go.

To go off of the last topic, the mess created from cooking a meal can deter you from starting in the first place. So often we create this huge mess and at the end think, '“well that wasn’t worth it'…” and never make the recipe again. Be strict with yourself and anytime you have 3 minutes or so, wash a dish or two that you are no longer using. This way, when the meal is done, all you have to clean is the dishware you ate on and maybe a pot or serving bowl. If you deal with anxiety you may also find cooking less challenging if the environment you are doing it in is tidy and calm.

Start small.

Sometimes when we make goals we are all or nothing. We go all out and eventually get burnt out, so I suggest instead of saying, “I’m going to cook dinner every night this week and no take out'“, challenge yourself to cooking just one or two nights during the week instead. Once you create that habit, you can increase the amount of cooking you do, little by little.

Start by learning how to make your favorite foods.

If learning how to make your favorite foods at home isn’t a source of inspiration, then I don’t know what is! I think we often think that we have to learn how to cook only healthy meals, but if you’re just getting started in the kitchen, learning how to make your favorite foods will help you become confident and really enjoy the experience. I often challenge myself to try tons of recipes for that one meal until I find my favorite.

Invite people over to eat.

Sometimes if we live alone or with our significant other, it can seem like a lot of work to cook for a small amount of people. Invite some friends over and give meaning to the meal you are preparing. Cooking for the people I love is my favorite thing to do and you might find that you really enjoy it too! Maybe vow to yourself that you want to start hosting small dinners for friend’s birthdays or even just because it’s Friday and you made it through another week! Whatever the occasion, sharing the fruits of your labor can be a great source of inspiration for getting in the kitchen to do the work.

If you’re curious what cookbooks I love, click this link and you can see all of my posts relating to cookbooks I have and why I love them (including my Cookbook Gift Guide from December)!

Remember, cooking is a fun way to express your creativity. If you mess up, you can always try again tomorrow!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea