we shouIf you're like me, you're starting to get that Christmas itch. I've been not-so-secretly watching Hallmark movies since they began airing back-to-back in October. And with Thanksgiving days away, the official start of the holiday season is upon us.  Which means it's a great time to start stocking your eReader with books to carry you through long car rides, air travel, and much-needed quiet moments to yourself.  I hope you'll add my short story, Christmas at the Cosmo, to your reading queue. 
It's a story I wrote while living in downtown St. Paul at an apartment complex called - you guessed it - The Cosmopolitan. 

Christmas at the Cosmo follows Dave and Lila, a couple who have hit that "next step" point in their relationship. One hangup? Christmas. She doesn't know why Dave objects to all her favorite Christmas traditions, and he doesn't understand why Lila is so crazy about the holiday.  Secrets from the past are affecting their present. With five days to go until Christmas, can Dave and Lila find common ground and get back on track towards, "I do?" 

(Spoiler: Yes. Only happy endings up in here. But it's still fun to read how they get there!)

Download a copy of Christmas at the Cosmo to your Kindle (or the free Kindle app if you have a different eReader), for $2.99. And if you have any holiday-themed book recommendations, I want to hear all about them down in the comments. 

One of my favorite part of creating beauty segments for Twin Cities Live is coming up with easy solutions to common beauty problems, and sharing them with viewers. This week, we tackle everything from how to transition into a retinol product (no peeling and redness!) to creating a DYI cuticle oil pen to combat dry nails; we talk about my favorite product for covering roots between salon visits, and the brightening power of honey. It was a fun segment that included (of all things!) hugging a bear. 

As a massive beauty enthusiast, I shop for makeup, skincare, nail stuff and more everywhere. Sure, I have my favorite store (watch the video to find out which one it is!), but you can find fantastic products wherever you are. In this segment, I share my favorite product picks at Target, CVS, Ulta, and Walgreens.  Let me know where you prefer to shop for beauty, and what you always snag when you go there. 

We're at the height of summer here in Minnesota which means a few things: 

• Humidity levels are at about 80% and my hair has pretty much given up. On everything. 
• We've transitioned from making everyday conversation about how cold it is to dramatically lamenting how HOT it is outside. 
• Wearing makeup outside is a challenge. One I'm forgoing more often than not. 

So basically, it's the perfect time to share some of my favorite products and tips for keeping your makeup on your face during the heat. Check out the Twin Cities Live clip and let me know how you like to beat the heat in the comments down below. 

I love answering the questions you all send my way, and that's how this Twin Cities Live segment came together. I received a few different questions over Instagram and Facebook about how to layer products. Which comes first, moisturizer or serum? Should bronzer go on before blush? And what's up with lipliner: put it on before lipstick or after? We tackled those questions and more! 

On today's Twin Cities Live beauty segment, I shared with Steve and Elizabeth my picks for green beauty products worth a try and those, comparatively, worth a pass. It was a lot of fun - and a little surreal - to be back on set after taking some time away from the show. It honestly felt as though I hadn't been away for even a moment.  

One of the floor producers took this picture for me and...I mean...doesn't it just kind of sum up everything wonderful about the show? Steve has clearly said something brilliant. Elizabeth is very impressed by his knowledge of green beauty. And I just think it's all pretty funny. ​

I'm scheduled to be on the show again July 1st and am currently brainstorming topic ideas. Anything in particular you'd like to see? Let me know in the comments. 

To celebrate my return to Twin Cities Live after a hiatus (does two and half years count as a hiatus?), it only seems fitting to give away some of the products featured on today's segment. I talked about Han Skincare Cosmetics blush - both cream and powder formulas - because they're pigmented, easy to work with, the packaging is cute, the shade range is beautiful, and they're affordable.  

From left to right: Lip & Cheek Tint in shades Rose Berry, Pink Peony, Coral Hibiscus and Cherry Cosmos; Pressed Blush in shades Bloom, Glory and Coral Candy.

How to Enter: (ENTRY PROCESS IS NOW CLOSED)

1. Leave me a blog comment letting me know what your favorite blush is and why. 
2. Enter your name and email address in the form below. Optional: Opt-in to receiving marketing emails from me if you'd like to join my email list. I will never spam you or share your information with anyone. 
3. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. One winner will be selected at random and will receive two cream blush sticks and one powder blush in the colors of my choosing. 
4. Entries accepted through 11:59 p.m. CDT on June 10, 2019.
5. Winner will be notified by email on June 12, 2019. Winner will have until June 17 to reply back with shipping information to claim the prize.  If the prize is not claimed by then, an alternate winner will be selected.