TOP TEN TUESDAY - TOP TEN THINGS I SHOULD HAVE DONE ON MY SNOW DAY – BESIDES EAT COOKIES AND PLAY IN THE SNOW

My family and I enjoyed a wonderful snow day last Thursday! Good Grief, it was so much fun.

But if I were creating a list of things I did on that snow day, I would have a very short list to share, because I only relaxed, ate cookies and pizza and played in the snow.

SNOW DAY FEET

 

Below is a list of the Top Ten things I probably should have done during my snow day:

10. BAKE SOME NINJA BREAD COOKIES: Yeah, I know I said “besides eat cookies”, but these guys look like so much fun. Since they required some stirring and mixing, they did not make it to the oven. (I guess we were only willing to cut frozen cookies and plop them on aluminum foil).

9.  IRON SOME CLOTHES:  HA HA HAAAAAA HA HA!  My jokes are soooo funny.

8.  TRY OUT SOME NEW HAIRSTYLES:  My hair is behaving very badly these days.  I need to try out some new do's.

7.  TRY MAKING A NEW DISH:  I made pizza for dinner on our snow day last Thursday.  It was good but I was too lazy to experiment with a new dish.  At least I topped some to the slices with ground beef and ham.  That’s  kinda new I guess. Sorry, no picture for this one.

6.  CRAFTING:  This snow day would have given me the opportunity to make some earrings, bracelets, broaches, Christmas ornaments (see Frank, the Snow Man below).

 

 

5.  CREATING THURSDAY’S BLOG POST:   I have not created any Thirsty Thursday posts for this month.  “Busy-ness” is my excuse for the first Thursday.  “Lay-around” is the excuse for the snowy Thusday.  February has two more Thursdays and I have two drinks that I really want to share with you.

Empty Glasses!

 

4.  ORGANIZE MY POETRY:  I have a collection of poetry that I need to print and put in my cute little pink binder.   My snow day would have been the perfect opportunity to do this.

Empty Binder!

 

3.  ORGANIZE MY JEWELRY: I was supposed to complete this project about 5 weeks ago.  Now I’m missing a couple of pairs of really cute earrings.  Laziness is the father of misplacement.  (That makes no sense, sorry).

BEFORE

AFTER

I finally finished this chore today!

 

2.  SHOE REPAIR:  Again, another project that I have been putting off for a very long time.  I have some beautiful shoes that only require heel repair.  Such agony, owning beautiful shoes and cannot wear them.

 

I'll share my step by step shoe repair adventure in a future post.

 

1.  TAKE DOWN MY CHRISTMAS TREE AND PUT AWAY MY CHRISTMAS KNICK-KNACKS:  Ok, I’m so embarrassed about this.  New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day have all passed and I still have a fully decorated tree sitting in the corner of my living room.  I’ve also moved all of my Christmas dudes to one communal area in the living room.  That's a start.

These guys look kinda creepy...like they are ready to form an army and attack.

Frank, The Snowman is ready to go on vacation!

 

I actually feel no guilt at all for using my snow day to do nothing but goof off and gain weight. 

Use the comment section below to share your snow day fun!



FRIDAY FOR THE FELLAS – BATH AND BODY WORKS – PARIS FOR MEN BODY LOTION

I knew that the Bath and Body Works shops had products for men in there somewhere, but I never thought about purchasing them until the 2013 Christmas shopping season.

We have a lot of lotion at our house.  Cocoa butter lotion.  Medicated lotion.  Exreme hydrating lotion.  Fruity & flowery smelling lotion.  Usually, when it came to moisture, my husband, Mark always settled for whatever he could grab, as long as it wasn’t, fruity and flowery.  He usually narrowed his choices down to either the extreme hydrating lotion or the cocoa butter lotion.  They completed that job that needed to be done and, to Mark, that was enough. 

But  I noticed that Mark started taking ownership of the little bottles of complimentary lotions from the hotel rooms we would stay in.  Crabtree & Evelyn, Bath and Body Works, the brand with the green leaf on it – I think it’s from the Westin hotel (not sure of the name brand, but is smells soooo good).  These mini-moisturizers are supposed to be appealing to men and women so they all have a light, yet very pleasant fragrance.  For weeks after our stay, I would find these small bottles in his car or on his night stand.

 I thought of this while completing a little Christmas shopping in Bath and Body Works.  Sharing the floor with me were A LOT of men awkwardly roaming around the store, sniffing candles, trying to smell  samples of body mists they’ve sprayed into the air and asking their daughter(s) (some in strollers) “ Which one do you think  Mommy would like?”.  But there was also  a strange group of men huddled around a small display in the rear of the store.  These guys looked pretty comfortable and weirdly relaxed.  I came to the conclusion that either Bath and Body Works has started carrying a line of fragrant video games or there are some man-friendly grooming products back there.  So I meandered my way past these guys to see what was really going on.  As I glanced over the selection of products on display, my tunnel vision kicked in and I focused on the skin hydration products. After sniffing a few bottles, I fell in love with this lovely Paris for Men Body Lotion. 

Don’t be fooled by the false “full” appearance this bottle has. 

There’s quite a bit missing.  Mark loves this stuff and has been using it daily. 

According to the description on the bottle, Paris has “…a refined blend of cedar wood, orange zest and a hint of musk”.   This stuff emits a very nice fragrance that never interferes with the cologne Mark wears.   It also contains Shea Butter which keeps the skin hydrated. 

Even though it’s too late to purchase this as a Valentine’s Day gift, it’s not too late to give it as a Valentine’s Weekend gift. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEAR IT WEDNESDAY – COACH’S POPPY FLOWER FRAGRANCE

“What is that fragrance you have on? It smells really nice!” 

This was the question I had for the nice lady working at the grocery store as my husband and I walked towards the exit.  “It’s Dolce & Gabbana!”  I flashed my husband a very guilt-ridden look.  I had a full bottle of Dolce & Gabbana perfume stored in my drawer.  Mark purchased it for me as a gift.  I’d worn it once, but it did not smell as nice on me as it did on this lady.  When I shared this information with her, she said something about my chemistry being rotten or sour or something. Even though I laughed at her joke, I kinda thought that there was some truth to her raw humor as I took one more whiff of her wonderful aroma.  When I got home I tried the Dolce & Gabbana perfume again and came to this conclusion: “I know that I don’t have “bad” chemistry, but this perfume is just not working for me.

Yesterday, as an early Valentine’s Day gift, my husband, with his sweet, generous self,  gave me this beautiful Coach Poppy Flower perfume.
 

Even after almost 26 years together (dating & marriage), my chemistry with my husband, Mark is just fine, because Mark had no way of knowing that I’d peeped at this beautiful box in the store just this week.

I took this beautiful bottle out of its whimsical packaging and immediately sprayed some on my wrist. 

Instant chemistry fusion!  

This stuff is light, airy and very playful, kinda like me.  Before leaving for work this morning, I sprayed some on and when I arrived home after work, it was still sharing its beautiful floral and slightly fruity scent. 

I am not one of those chicks that like to chase big name brands and big price tags, but I do love using products that work for me.  As you know from my past posts, I am very content with a $2 splurge (check out January’s Splurgeday Thursday posts).  But I love products that are well made and practical.  A nice pair of shoes that can endure shopping trips and dance floors.  A beautiful bag that can hold all of my stuff, my daughters’ stuff and my husband’s stuff without busting at the seams.  A fragrance that mixes well with my weird chemistry. 

Please feel free to share what you think in the comment's section below!

Happy Valentine’s Week, y’all!

MAKE-UP MONDAY - MARY KAY'S CONCEALER

A few years ago I suffered from some almost chronic stress-related acne.  My face suffered from a crazy cycle of pimples & scars & pimples & scars (I’ll share my ongoing battle story with you guys at a later date).  Believe it or not, the pimples were much more bearable than the scars were.  So I did what most women do to hide those scars: I started wearing concealer.  After searching & searching for the perfect shade and coverage, I found Mary Kay’s concealer in shade Bronze 2.

 

This small tube of wonder only costs about $10 and since you only need to use a tiny dot of this stuff,  it usually lasts for quite a few months. 

I no longer use this concealer because I now steer toward a simpler morning beauty routine (which I will also share later), and here are the two main reasons why:

 

At 43 years old, I’ve, once again, grown quite fond of my skin in its natural state.

I’m a bit lazy in the morning.

Well here’s a picture of my clean face covered in nothing but moisturizer and lip balm.

 

Here's a up-close, side view, showing some of my remaining acne scars:

 

...and after covering up a bit with some concealer:

 

Do you choose to conceal or reveal your true beauty?  Please share in the comments section below.

FRIDAY FOR THE FELLAS - FEDORAS

My great-grandfather was a big part of my life during my childhood in the 1970’s.  We even had a nickname for each other, Man. Unfortunately, I only have a shadowy memory of his appearance.  I recall this image of a tall, dark man who always wore dress pants, white button down shirt, a zipper front jacket, wingtip dress shoes and a fedora.  The fedora especially stood out for me because I have no memory of him without this hat, whether he was sitting on the front porch, working on a car in the back yard, or driving to the store to buy me some candy. At 5 or 6 years old, I can't imagine that I thought of my great-grandfather as a fashionably dressed man, but I bet this is where I acquired my ideal image of stylishly-casual attire for men.

 

I own a treasured photo of my father holding me as a baby, wearing a fedora. Again, the image is of a tall, dark man.  Again, he has on a button down dress shirt and what appear to be dress pants and some stylish sun shades.  Again, the fedora always catches my eye.  This is how I imagine my father dressing every day, as a young man in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  When my mother would tell me stories of their weekend trips to Washington, DC, I always imagined my father wearing a fedora.

My dad, holding a little Rose.

 

Twenty six years ago, I started dating my husband, Mark, who currently owns a nice collection of fedoras.  Straw.  Pictured below is just a fraction of his stash.

Wool houndstooth fedora with a beautiful red lining.

Mark's newest addition to his fedora family

A Summer favorite

 

Even though Mark  also owns many other types of hats, the fedoras are my favorite.  Whether we are going to church, to a local festival, taking a road trip or going out to eat, these hats can always serve as an appropriate part of his attire.

Attitude is key when wearing this classic head gear!

 

Of course, these three men are not related (my great-grandfather is on my mother’s side of the family), but their fondness for the fedora seem to be one of their common threads.

Celebrities and historic figures such as Martin Luther King, Justin Timberlake, Neo, Frank Sinatra, Denzel Washington, Johnny Depp have also successfully donned the fedora. But of course, you don't have to be a celebrity to afford one.  They come in a variety of price ranges and can be purchased at any retail store from WalMart to Marshall's to Macy's.

When purchasing a fedora, stick to the style that fits your personality, because styles may vary.  Some have wide brims, buttons on the band, prints and may come in a variety of patterns and fabrics. Most of the fedoras my husband own possess these common stats:

•  1 1/2 - 1 3/4 inch brim
• Tear drop shaped crown (at the very top)
• 4 -  4 1/2 inch crown
• Fabric band surrounding the base of the crown
• Fabric  lined interior

This hat is a classic symbol of style, but it is defiantly not for the masses.  Only a select few dare to purchase one, wear it and allow it to continue to look classically cool when they place it on their head. 

I encourage fellas to take a small step outside of their fashion circle and at least try a fedora on. Boldly pose in front of the department store mirror donning your potential new purchase. You may fall in love with this classic accessory.

Please use the comment’s section below to let me know about your fedora history.

WEAR IT WEDNESDAY - STEVE MADDEN BLACK FRINGE TOTE

Today’s Wear It Wednesday featured item is my Steve Madden Black Fringe Tote. 

 

 

This bag is not only fun to wear, it’s also practical.  I can load all of my stuff in there and have enough room for some of my family’s stuff too!  Every once in a while, when I sit this bag in the passenger side seat in my car, I hear that helpful beeping sound that warns the passenger to put their seat belt on.  That’s how heavy this bag can get sometimes.

It came with a long, removable shoulder strap, but I removed it and only use the two shorter straps that fit on my shoulder just fine.

 

I love Steve Madden’s line of bags and shoes and why not. They’re affordable, good looking & well made.  Like I said in a previous post, they are the working woman’s splurge.

Let me know what you think about this cute bag in the comment’s section below.

 

TOP TEN TUESDAY – FAVORITE SNACK FOODS FOR NATIONAL SNACK FOODS MONTH

This morning, I saw a sign in the cafeteria in the building where I work which indicated that February is National Snack Food Month.

I LOVE snacks, so in celebration of this joyous month long holiday, I am going to share my TOP TEN FAVORITE SNACK FOODS:

#10 CHOCOLATE COVERED COFFEE BEANS:  There’s a candy shop in Richmond’s Cary Town called For The Love Of Chocolate.  They sell these little chocolate covered coffee beans that are delicious.  I usually get a few and savor them in the car on the way home. 

 

#9 BLACK AND WHITE SCONES FROM CROSSROADS COFFEE AND CREAM:  These scones taste like big chocolate chip biscuit cookies.  They are soooo good!  Crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.

#8 RUSSELL STOVER’S AND OR WHITMAN’S ASSORTED CHOCOLATES:  So far, I’ve purchased two heart shaped boxes of these assorted chocolates and there’s still two weeks before Valentine’s day. And yes…I will also stock up on these treats during the after Valentine’s Day sales!

#7 CVS’S GOLD EMBLEM BRAND COOKIES:  I told y'all about these decadent cookies a few weeks ago after purchasing three boxes.   Coffee Bean Chocolate Chunk.  Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk. Soft Bake Brownie Cookies with White Chocolate Chips.  These classy guys have changed the image of store brand cookies.

 

#6 GIRL SCOUT COOKIES:  I began bugging our office Girl Scout cookie guy in January by exclaiming “It’s almost Girl Scout Cookie time!” He told me that the order sheet is own the way!  And let’s not mention the little girls that stand in front of the mall and department stores with their little uniforms on and their boxes of Thin Mints, Samosa & Tagalongs.  No need to ask me if I would like to purchase some Girl Scout cookies, Little Ones – the answer is always, “I’ll take three boxes.”

#5 UKROP'S 6 LAYER CHOCOLATE ICED CAKE:  Whenever we have a pot-luck at work, this is usually my go-to item to bring.  Martin's Grocery Store in Richmond sells these mouth-watering cakes in two sized – whole and half. The chocolate icing is so rich.  The yellow cake is so moist. Six yummy layers of “Oh-my-goodness"  Can I eat an entire cake by myself?  Well, on one weekend of weakness,  I took a look at the small sliver of cake that remained on my dining room table asked my family “Wow, where did this cake go?”  They looked at me and said “I only had one piece of cake”, “I had a really small piece” “I didn’t have any”. I bowed my head in embarrassment and admitted to the fact that I’d nearly eaten the entire cake by myself. I then proceeded to devour the last slice.

 

#4 CHICK FIL A’S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE:  Good grief!  Those cows always ask us to “eat  mor'chicken”, but there are days that I stop by Chick Fil A just for their warm, soft cookies. 

#3 SUGAR SHACK’S CHOCOLATE DONUT WITH HEATH TOPPINGS:  Richmond’s Sugar Shack has the best donuts!  I’ve tried about two or three different flavors, but the chocolate donut with Heath Bar toppings is my favorite. 

 

#2 - BEN AND JERRY’S NEW YORK SUPER FUDGE CHUNK ICE CREAM:  There are so many things going on in this treat…chocolate chunks, nuts, rich chocolate ice cream.  I enjoy scooping this stuff into a sugar cone and curling up on the sofa.

 

#1 - HOMEMADE PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL WALNUT COOKIES:  If you are a flavor & texture nut like I am, this is the cookie for you.  You can get this wonderful combination by doing a number of things:

Combining a package of oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies mix and a package of chocolate chip cookie mix with some peanut butter and a bag of walnuts

Well, the stuff in the jar is not peanut butter, but I think it may serve as a nice substitute. 

Making some oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies and adding some peanut butter chips and walnuts.

Making these babies from scratch (as soon as I figure this out, I’ll share the recipe in a future blog post)

 

Honorable Mention:  Organic Granny Smith Apple

 

 

Please celebrate National Snack Food Month responsibly and share your fun in the comment’s section below.

MAKEUP MONDAY – EYE SHADOW

My daughter Jessica re-introduced me to the wonder of eye shadow a few years ago. My eyes are one of my favorite features, and I enjoy dressing them up by wearing soft shades such as pink, purple, gray, beige/gold & blue.  I may be a bit corny, but I enjoy matching the shades with my outfits each day.   

 WET N WILD SHADES: UNCHAINED, SUEDE & CHEEKY

REVLON SHADES:  COPPER & PURPLE

My favorite eye shadow  brand is Perfect Eighteen Colors by Absolute.  This is a very inexpensive brand of eye shadow that can be found at many local hair and beauty supply stores.  It usually costs about $3 and includes all of my favorite shades.

I’ve also tried the individual pots of Revlon and Wet N Wild eye shadow in my favorite shades.  They are very pretty, but they did not provide the vivid eye popping color I received from the Absolute brand.

Jessica also introduced me to eye shadow primer.  Since my lids tend to be a bit oily, the base allows me to wear eye shadow without having to worry about too much creasing or fading.  This will be a plus during those lovely Summer months when my eyelids tends to be at its oiliest.  Last week I told you guys about the Elf Eye Primer I purchased from Walgreens.  This product had done a wonderful job of keeping my eye shadow fresh until at least the latter part of the day.

 

I AM WEARING THE PERFECT EIGHTEEN COLORS BY ABSOLUTE BRAND IN A LIGHT GRAY AND DARK BLUE COMBO IN BOTH PHOTOS

This Ergonomic Rounded Eye Shadow brush by Avon provides wonderful coverage.

I AM GOING TO PURCHASE A NEW BRUSH SOON

 

Feel free to use the comments box section below to share your favorite eye shadow brand and shade, primer, brushes and other and eye shadow accessories.

 

 

 

HAPPY FEBRUARY!!!

The second month of 2014 began as a wonderful weekend!

Maybe that’s a sign that February will be just as great as January, maybe even better.

To help make this new month another month of daily celebrations I’ve thought of new reasons to make each day feel extra special:

Make-up Monday:  I’m using the word “make-up” very carefully because I don’t use a lot of the stuff, but I will share the beauty items I do use.

Top Ten Tuesday:  Each week I will share some of my top ten lists that will countdown a number of random & fun things.

Wear It Wednesday:  Some of my favorite fashion & beauty items will be highlighted each Wednesday.

Thirsty Thursday:  I will create fun & easy family friendly concoctions.

Friday For The Fellas:  As I promised in a previous blog post, I will share some of my favorite fashion and grooming items designed for the gents.

Wondrous Weekends: Weekends are soooooo awesome!  Whether I am staying home or running the streets, I enjoy every minute of my Saturday & Sunday. I always make each weekend minute worthwhile, so who knows what kind of activities I will pull out of my hat during those two fun days…poetry, fashion, crafting, celebrating, festival hopping, shopping...

 

I just purchased this cute pink steering wheel cover for Miss Browne after

taking her to the car wash for a little “after snow” pampering.

Join me as I celebrate all 28 days of this beautiful month!