Pumpkin Pie

I spent a whole Sunday making a pumpkin pie from scratch. It was pretty amazing. Very time consuming, but amazing none the less. So incredibly different compared to the orange stuff that comes out of a can. Here's the link to the recipe I used. I've been trying to cut down on my sugar intake so I personally like that it wasn't sweet. The texture was really velvety and wonderful. Definitely worth a try. I made it dairy free. I added in condensed coconut milk and Smart Balance instead of the milk and butter that the recipe called for. I also subbed maple syrup instead of molasses. Turned out delish.

 First, massacre your poor little pumpkin & equip yourself with your cutest apron.

Bonus idea- save the pumpkin seeds, toss with olive oil & cinnamon then toast while you're roasting your pumpkin for 45 mins. Toss them around with a fork half way though so they don't burn.

Next, start your pie crust and bake with pie weights and all that jazz. 

Then work on your filling once you've scooped all the pumpkin out of it's skin. 

 Bake that bad boy.

 

Enjoy. 

Better than Basic.

Autumn is here. Finally. Yes, I know winter will follow- but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy all the great things fall has to offer. Pumpkins, hot cider, chunky sweaters, boots! Perhaps another time I try to make it through the haunted forest. It's just too scary.

So here is another round of.... 5 things I am obsessed with {fall edition}

1. Bulletproof Coffee. Love the podcast as much as the coffee. Check out a ton of great biohacking tricks to help you perform your best on Bulletproof Radio. I'm a bit late to hop on the butter in your coffee bandwagon, but I'm equally obsessed none the less. Plus, I've always been a fan of coconut oil and putting it in your coffee gives you a great morning boost to get your brain working and giving you sustainable energy for hours. Try Bulletproof Coffee at Whole Foods labeled under Mammoth Coffee at the coffee bar.

Butter in my coffee, isn't that going to make me fat?!? 

No. The best thing I've learned all summer- fat doesn't make you fat, sugar makes you fat. Check out the movie Fed Up on Netflix. Life changing.

So as much as you love those Pumpkin Spice Lattes, give it up girl. Pure diabetes in a cup. A single cup has upwards of 50 grams of sugar. 50 GRAMS! FOGEDDABOUTIT.

Try this recipe instead, straight from the Bulletproof website.

2. Running.  Need I say more. The crisp air, leaves changing colors, cool temperatures. All reasons I love to be outside taking long runs in the fall. I'm running my first Army 10 miler this Sunday in DC. I've loved training for it and I'm so excited to kick some booty this Sunday. Also, cooler air means cooler workout outfits. Hey, Lululemon, Hey.

3. Fall Brides. I can't wait to share pictures of all the beautiful brides I worked with this fall! There's a reason fall is the new spring for weddings. Here is an adorable picture from my friend Kylie's wedding who I had the privilege of doing hair for her & her bridesmaids. Photograph by Tara Katherine Photography.

4. Braids. Your summer fishtail braid is ready for an upgrade. Try pairing your new fall wardrobe with a classic french braid. A french braid, flannel, and Hunter boots- nothing easier, nothing better.

5. Yolandi Visser (Die Antwoord).  She's a complete badass. Search for some music videos. Instant dance party wherever you are. She's giving me major Halloween costume inspiration.

Peace, 

Anna 

Tea Time

When temperatures drop to the single digits, nothing restores my soul more than a hot cup of tea. I'm a little obsessed to say the least. What's not to love? Tea is filled with polyphenols, a type of antioxidant, that helps protect your body from various cancers. Not only is it good for you on the inside, tea helps fight free radicals from your skin, creating a clearer complexion. Also, enjoying a cup of tea before working out can help boost your endurance. Grab a cup to kickstart your beauty and your booty.

My favorite tea shop is Voila in Frederick, Maryland. All the teas featured on today's blog are from Voila. Voila's walls are filled top to bottom with tins containing all sorts of amazing loose teas. It's no wonder my pantry is filled with different gems from this shop. Honorable mention goes out to Teaism in Dupont. In honor of the Oscars, here are my picks for the best tea.

        And the winner is.... 

floral & fresh

Lucky Duck 

organic chamomile, organic cinnamon, organic orange peel, 

organic allspice, organic cloves, organic cardamom, 

organic ginger, organic star anise. 

fruity & aromatic 

Apricot Black

black tea, mango flakes, flavoring, marigold blossoms. 

balanced & flavorful

Exotic Fruit 

Green/Oolong Blend 

green and half-fermented tea, peach flavoring, 

freeze-dried red currant, cornflower blossoms,

and sunflower blossoms. 

 Stay warm, xoxo. 

 Anna Faz

 

Look what I found.

I always loved Fresh's Umbrian Clay Mattifying Mask. It’s really nice but I’m alway on the fence to spend the $50 on it. Then I tried Lush’s Catastrophe Cosmetic mask which I instantly fell in love with. Lush makes all their masks fresh and this one has blueberries and calming calamine. It felt so soothing and for just under $7 for about 3 masks worth, it’s quite the beauty steal. 

Also, check out Lush’s Helping Hands. It’s a hand lotion that helps calm dryness and irritation from hands that have spent too much time in the sink. For all my hairdressing and nurse friends out there, this is a real winner. ($19)

A beauty post is never complete without a beautiful bride! I couldn't wait to post these pictures of Erica once I saw them. So classic and stunning. It was a joy to do her hair on her special day.

Future brides take note. This is the best of both hair worlds. A great way to have a beautiful upstyle full of curls pinned to perfection for the ceremony. Then let loose for your reception by taking out some strategically placed pins for an effortless half up half down look thats as fun as you are. So you can have your cake and eat it too.

XOXO. Stay Classy.

A. Faz

TREAT YO SELF

WED DEC 31

1PM - 5PM

N Bethesda, MD 

HAIR BY ANNA FAZIO & 

MAKEUP BY LAUREN JABER

                                             

• Full Makeup Application - $65 (35min)
• Just Eye Makeup - $40 (including lashes) (20 min)
• Any Hair Style - $65 (35-45 min)

Contact me to book an appointment! 
Spaces are limited. Email me for availability. 
styledbyannafazio@gmail.com

The Early Days

A couple of years ago, I worked with a wonderful bride named Danielle. She was so sweet. We came up with this beautiful upstyle together by combining her inspiration of Kate Middleton and my love for low elegant polished looks.

I lost touch with Danielle once I relocated salons and thus never got to see the pictures from her big day. Today I came across a blog post featuring her wedding on Style Me Pretty! I felt so lucky to stumble across this gem. Everything turned out perfect.

Here's a few of my favorite shots. Photography by Rebekah Murray.

Behind the scenes of LIVE FREE

I had SO much fun working on this shoot. Amanda had such great hair to work with :) All around great creative project with an amazing team. I'm so excited that it got published on the blog                        LA DE DA. Check it out <3

     Here's some of my favorite images from the shoot & some behind the scenes