I constantly crave the flavors of Spain. Though Spanish cuisine varies tremendously across the different regions, they all have one thing in common: the use of fresh, local flavors. Spanish cuisine is heavily influenced by its climate and geography. The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the best way to describe Spanish food is the generous use of olive oil and garlic in dishes. Read more

If you hadn't noticed already, I'm a little obsessed with tequila these days. During San Francisco's Cocktail Week, I got educated on the basics of tequila by expert Ryan Fitzgerald and was swiftly convinced that there were numerous reasons why America should be drinking more tequila. But beyond that, I also garnered a number of surprising facts about the Mexican spirit. See the shocking facts Read more

From margaritas to body shots, tequila has played an unforgettable role in America's drinking history. But let's face it: how much do you really know about this spirit? I'll be the first one to admit: I knew nada. So, instead of opting for one of the more advanced seminars on craft cocktail tools or artisanal gin cocktails at San Francisco Cocktail Week, I opted for a crash course on tequila Read more

New Orleans cuisine: boy, it may have a richly-colored heritage, but unless you're from around there, it sure can be confusing. Not only is it hard to keep track of which dishes are Cajun and which ones are Creole, but those rice dishes can be pretty tough to keep straight! So gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée: what's the difference, anyway? Think of jambalaya as a distant relative of paella. It's got Read more

The secret to keeping makeup looking fresh and slip-free all day is easy. Good skin always helps, but so does a primer premakeup application. From drugstore brands to luxe finds to a helpful tip from a Hollywood makeup artist, here are a few of our favorite primer posts below. Are you ready for prime time? Primer + Foundation = Tinted Moisturizer Olay and CoverGirl Unite For Double the Read more

Cakey makeup does not a happy woman make. And that's why I asked Debbie Zoller, Castle's makeup artist (and former makeup artist on Mad Men), how she manages to make the characters on the show look like they're not even wearing makeup at all — even though they're often wearing loads of it. While Debbie's tips focus mainly on her methods for TV, her steps apply to real life just as much. Find Read more

In the final installment of my prime time series, here's a look at Benefit's the POREfessional ($28), a recently-released balm that's supposed to minimize the appearance of pores. But for all intents and purposes, it's a primer. Unlike the brand's That Gal ($28), which is luminescent and pink, this primer is matte and beige in color. Right away, I was concerned about the chemically floral notes Read more

You've undoubtedly heard that Preparation H under the eyes acts as a depuffer, but have you heard the old wives' tale about using Monistat on the face as a makeup primer? You read it right. Throughout my Prime Time series, I've experimented with primers of all sorts, and since I've been hearing so much about how wonderfully this lady bits product doubles as a primer, I had to give it a try. The Read more

When it comes to primers, a few standards ring true. The majority are going to have that clear, slippery-to-the-touch feel, and essentially, they're going to do the same thing: create an even surface on the skin. What it all comes down to is personal preference. Do you want matte or satin finish, or something that's silicone- or scent-free? How about the price tag? Maybelline's silicone-based Read more