beauty secrets (?)

I have been a fan of MAC makeup for several years now.  Each Christmas, my sister-in-law and I receive a Macy's gift card for the intended purpose of purchasing makeup.  It is one of my favorite gifts.  Not only do I get to spend two uninterrupted hours with my sis, but we get to have our makeup professionally applied and walk away with a sleek MAC bag full of goodies.  Earlier in the month we had our annual makeup date, and I was introduced to this fab product.  If you, like me, have a slight blueish tint under your eyes, or carry some heavy "baggage" there (Hello, middle of the night feedings!) this is a great product to lighten the under eye. 

 

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/153/15746/Products/Eyes/Primer/Prep-Prime-Highlighter/index.tmpl

 

 

If you know me well, you know that I have a slight lip product addiction.  Junkie might be a fitting description here.  It's no wonder my son would rather slather on "lippies" during doctor appointments as a special "treat" than suck on a lollipop.  I have been known to have as many as ten lip products in my purse at a given time.  In fact, I have a special purse pouch dedicated to my beloved lip products.  Some might call it excessive, I'd like to think of myself as prepared.  You never know which shade of nude, peach or pink you'll need on any given day.  Shimmer?  Matte?  Gloss?  Bold?  Just a hint of color?  Just check my pouch, I've got you covered. About a year ago I read an article in Parents magazine featuring "must have products."  Sara Happ's lip slip instantly caught my attention.  It's a bit pricey as far as lip products go, so I put it on my Christmas list.  Oh, what a gift!  Putting this silky, but slightly tacky lip balm on each morning and just before bed brings me great comfort and satisfies any need my dry lips might be having.  Ms. Happ's lip products make me quite happy.

 

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/sara-happ-the-lip-slip-lip-balm/3279417?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=441

 

The lip scrubs are also fantastic for exfoliating, and come in a variety of tantalizing scents.  I received the black cherry scrub for Christmas and love how my lips feel rejuvenated after a light scrub.  You may be tempted to OD on the product like I did the first time using it.  Trust me, less is more.

 

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/sara-happ-the-lip-scrub-brown-sugar-lip-exfoliator/3279370?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=516

My girl, Amy, another self-professed makeup connoisseur, introduced me to the magic of BB creams.  There are several on the market to choose from.  I surfed the aisles of Target to find mine, but they are a wonderful skin product providing light coverage, SPF protection, and tone correction.  Lately, I apply BB cream and MAC skinfinish for light coverage before adding a touch of color to my cheeks.

 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4180691&categoryId=cat170002


And, one final lip product.  Again, I have to give a shout out to Amy for discovering this smooth and sweetly scented lip tint.  Originally, a gift for my lip gloss loving little lady, I have now confiscated this gloss and keep it in my coat pocket.  Providing the perfect hint of color (16 shades to be exact) for an effortless everyday look, and you cannot beat its amazingly smooth application.  Highly recommend.



http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/Products/Makeup/Lips/Lip-Gloss-Balm/Colour-Riche-Le-Gloss.aspx?shade=Nude-Illusion

Do you have any favorite products I need ought to have on my shelves?

Fun with letters

You went to school to learn, girl
Things you never, never knew before
Like I before E except after C
And why two plus two makes four

 

ABC
Easy as
one, two, three
Or simple as
Do re mi
ABC, one, two, three, baby, you and me!  

 

- The Jackson 5

 

 

Sight word wall 





Big Cluster Maple Granola

recipe from Deb Perelman's The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook

 

This crunchy snack was gifted to me on Valentine's Day by my dear sis-in-law in the most adorable glass container.  The cherries add a big burst of tart flavor to the mildly sweet granola. We enjoyed heaping spoonfuls over vanilla yogurt all week long.

 

 

yield: about 7 cups granola

 

Ingredients:

 

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut

1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup toasted wheat germ

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

1/2 cup (or increase to 2/3 cup if a sweeter granola is preferred) maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 large egg white

1 1/2 cups dried cherries or another dried fruit, diced

 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Combine all ingredients but the egg white and dried fruit in a large bowl, tossing to coat evenly.  Whisk the egg white in a small bowl until frothy (a solid tricep workout).  Stir into granola mixture, distributing it throughout.  Spread granola in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.  (I used two.)  Bake for 45-50 minutes.  About half way through the baking time, use a large spatula to turn over sections of the granola.  Rotate the pan if granola is baking unevenly.  When it is evenly browned and feels dry to the touch, transfer the pan from the oven to the cooling rack.  Cool completely.  Once cooled, sprinkle in dried fruit.

 

The granola keeps at room temperature in an airtight container for 2 weeks or longer in the freezer.

 

* I omitted the cherries this time around, as we also enjoy granola with milk, and didn't like the idea of cherry chunks coated in milk.  The great thing about this recipe is you can alter the flavor profile based on personal preferences. 



A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - what is it about ceiling fans?



As they wake

Mornings around her start pretty early.  I know that we are not alone in this.  I have had the pleasure of exchanging text messages with dear friends well before 7 am.  For us, the hours between 5-7 am are a combination of quiet reflection and study, early morning app use, Ipad viewing, milk consumption, and coffee drinking.  It always amuses me to see our bed headed children quietly make their way into the office with eyes cracked and blankies held tight.  It has become one of my favorite times of the day, sitting quietly as a family of five. 

 

 

  Firing off his own early morning texts.

 

 

 

 Recently, the littlest slept in on a Saturday (think 6:30 am as opposed to 5:30 am), granting Jeff and I a "lazy" start to our weekend. Upon waking, I was both pleased and surprised to find the little lady and man sweetly chatting in bed together. 

 

 

She may be petite but she is strong. Showing a little early morning leg. 

 (For the Beyonce fans out there, I have bestowed upon her the nickname of Sasha Fierce.)





A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - gamer



the things they do

I Love You Through and Through

by:

Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak

 

i love you through and through

 

 

i love your top side.

 

i love your bottom side.

 

 

i love your inside.

 

and outside.

 

 

 

i love your happy side,

 

your sad side,

 

 

your silly side,

 

your mad side.

 

 

 

i love your fingers

and toes,

 

your ears

 

and nose.

 

 

i love your hair and eyes,

 

your giggles

 

and cries.

 

 

 

i love your running

 

and walking,

 

silent

 

and talking.

 

 

 

i love you through and through...

 

yesterday, today and tomorrow, too.