March 2012 Sephora VIB event

A few days ago I received an email from Sephora for their VIB (Very Important Beauty Insider) event. In order to become a beauty inside I believe you need to spend at least $350 USD in a single calendar year and then you have to continue to re-qualify every year. This past November was the first time qualifying for their VIB. I was invited to an event around the holidays late 2011 and was thoroughly disappointed that I came home empty handed. It was also far too crowded for me.

This go around I went straight after work around 3:30 pm. A crowd was starting to build but nothing like before. When I got home from this event I realized. I buy a lot of beauty and skincare products. Maybe I should start documenting them, even if it's just for my own enjoyment. So I got home and took a few photos of my purchase plus swag. I only bought one item this go around because the location I went to is closest to my work and they are really small (don't carry everything I'd love to try).

Purchase:-
Retail $14, VIB Discount $11.90 (before tax)
Sephora Collection, Purifying Brush Shampoo  6.75 oz

The Gift w/any purchase VIB Swag:-

Sephora Umbrella
Reusable Tote
Compact Sephora Mirror
(All products in goody bag are either sample or deluxe sample sizes)
Boscia B.B. Cream
Makeup Forever Smokey Eyelash Mascara
Sephora Full Action Extreme Effect Mascara
Bumble and bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner
Escada Especially Solid Perfume

I've tried the following brush cleaners for daily use: MAC Brush Cleaner, Clinque makeup brush cleaner and Cinema Secrets. And for a deep clean I tried making my own home made blend from watching EnKore's youtube DIY video. I'll have to write a post on them some day comparing them all later.

As for the free stuff, it's funny that I asked for a sample of the Boscia BB Cream before I knew they gave a sample in the bag. The umbrella looks sturdier than one would think a free gift would be so I was pleasantly surprised. The reusable bag design is definitely from the Christmas holidays! The white bag, plant, holly,  ornament and verbage "I'm dreaming of a..." are a dead give away that these were left overs from their Christmas season. My last 500 point perk also seemed to be a left over that I had seen in their "sale" section.

Food: Flourless Chocolate Cake (made from black beans!)

Adapted from recipes found on the following blogs: Initially found on Healthy Indulgences blog which sites LowCarbsFriends.com as their inspiration.

Ingredients:
1-15 ounce can of unseasoned black beans
5 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup honey plus 1/3 cup apple sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar

6 tablespoons cocoa powder, I used Serendity3 Frrrozen Hot Chocolate Mix
1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Chopped Nut topping

Equipment
Blender
Oven
8x8 baking pan

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 40 mins

Drain and rinse beans. Shake off excess water. Place beans, 3 of the eggs, vanilla, apple sauce and salt into blender. Blend on high until beans are completely liquefied. 

Whisk together cocoa powder, baking soda, brown sugar and baking powder. Add remaining two eggs, beating for a minute after each addition. 

Pour bean batter into egg mixture and mix. Finally, stir in cocoa powder and water (if using), and beat the batter on high for one minute, until smooth. 

First attempt at Gluten Free Banana Nut Bread

I used to bake a delicious home made wheat flour banana nut bread that was awesome! In my attempt to be gluten free I am on my path to discover new ways I can eat things that I love. 

Ingredients: 

1 cup Bob Mills Gluten Free Oats blended into flour using the Bella Cucina (Magic Bullet type of apparatus)

3/4 cup rice flour from Ranch 99 (check out photo below)

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon tapioca starch from Ranch 99 (check out photo below)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon cinnamon

4 small ripe bananas

chopped almonds 

1/3 cup apple sauce 

and canola oil to grease the container.

350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes.  

Cooking: Home Made Granola

It's been about a month since I've started my granola experimenting endeavors. Last night I made 3 new batches. I decided to start blogging my trials so I can remember what it is I need to tweak to get my consistency and flavor just right.

Gluten Free Oat: Cinnamon Almond Cherry w/flax

Next time I need to add a little more honey or maple and bake for about 1 minute longer in the first bake phase.

 Regular oats: Sweet peanut

This could use about a 1 more of bake time for each bake phase.

Regular oats: Savory peanut with flax

 Same critique as above.