I love football.
No, I mean I LOVE LOVE LOVE football!
And although going to the games is great, the greatest thing about football is the tailgate.
If you have never tailgated, you haven't lived. Trust me on this.
And tailgating is all about being prepared. The more food you bring (and beer...of course there has to be beer! It's football for cryin' outloud!), the more successful your party.
We are season ticket holders for our local NFL team and have been tailgating with friends for years. We have eaten everything from ribs and chicken to chili and birthday cake...it's always something different and delicious.
But there is one staple that we never go without...
The greatest dip known to man: Redneck Caviar.
Yes, I know the name is silly but the taste? Holy moly.
And it's healthy...slap full of veggies!
I think it's has magical powers. Even my vegetable-hating nieces and nephews tear this stuff up.
So since today is Sunday...otherwise known as football day in my household, I figured I share this amazing recipe.
The ingredients are very simple:
1 can of black eyed peas, washed and rinsed
Make sure you use plain black eyed peas...not the one with onion & bacon added.
1 can of shoepeg corn, washed and rinsed
Now I guess you could use regular corn, but don't. The small white kernel is perfect.
1 medium white onion, finely chopped. I use a chopper...so much easier!
1 green pepper
Combine all ingredients and then add 1 bottle of Italian salad dressing. Any brand will do...if you are going healthy, add fat free dressing. I have made it both ways and you can't taste the difference.
I usually pour in about half the bottle and then stir. If you like you dip soupy, add more. I find 2/3 of the bottle makes for the perfect consistency.
I serve with a big bag of tortilla chips and beer...nothing better in the world!
There are a lot of variations on this recipe, I've seen some add cucumber, tomato, and red, yellow, and orange peppers and all that is fine and good. You can really get as creative with it as you wish.
But I prefer the basic. Why mess with a good thing?
Happy Sunday or Happy Football Day...which ever you celebrate today!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Deja Vu
It's a repeat of yesterday. Little man is home sick again.
I took him to the doctor yesterday and he has a sinus infection.
Not a huge surprise.
What was a surprise was him falling asleep last night at 6:00 and then waking up at 2 in the morning throwing up.
Yuck. Is there anything worse for a mom than a sick kid in the middle of the night?
The good thing is all that came up was mucus. He hates to blow his nose so he sucks it all back like a Hoover.
It's the grossest thing in the world.
So then all the junk just sits in his stomach. Or it did till 2am last night.
He woke up twice last night and then slept uninterrupted from 4 to 10:30 this morning.
Yay for uninterrupted sleep!
So now he's home and on his meds...I hope he gets to feeling better soon. I hate it when he's sick.
But there is a silver lining is all this yuckyness...my husband is currently at the grocery store doing my job.
Praise God!
Maybe having a sick kid at home isn't all that bad.
I was planning on another beauty blog today but with the sick kiddo, my hands are kinda full. So look forward to a hair care edition next week!
Have a great weekend!
I took him to the doctor yesterday and he has a sinus infection.
Not a huge surprise.
What was a surprise was him falling asleep last night at 6:00 and then waking up at 2 in the morning throwing up.
Yuck. Is there anything worse for a mom than a sick kid in the middle of the night?
The good thing is all that came up was mucus. He hates to blow his nose so he sucks it all back like a Hoover.
It's the grossest thing in the world.
So then all the junk just sits in his stomach. Or it did till 2am last night.
He woke up twice last night and then slept uninterrupted from 4 to 10:30 this morning.
Yay for uninterrupted sleep!
So now he's home and on his meds...I hope he gets to feeling better soon. I hate it when he's sick.
But there is a silver lining is all this yuckyness...my husband is currently at the grocery store doing my job.
Praise God!
Maybe having a sick kid at home isn't all that bad.
I was planning on another beauty blog today but with the sick kiddo, my hands are kinda full. So look forward to a hair care edition next week!
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Sick Day
I had to keep my little man home from school today.
10 weeks in to the school year...there goes his perfect attendance.
Oh well. It was never going to happen anyway.
He didn't sleep well last night because he is so full of mucous and it's constantly draining down the back of this throat, making him cough...he just sounds awful.
We'll be taking a trip to the doc today. Good times.
Since I have my hands full and don't have time for a lengthy blog (he's calling me as I write this), I thought I'd post the first chapter of my book. Most of you that read this blog probably already know I recently finished writing my very first novel. It's a dream come true and I can't believe I actually finished it.
So without further ado, here it is. Chapter one of Home Sweet Home.
I hope you like it and crave for more!
CHAPTER 1
Home sweet home, Molly said to herself, a lazy smile highlighting her face as she gazed out the navy blue sedan’s passenger window. The last bridge en route to the beach community where she had spent so much of her childhood had been crossed and all the familiar sights of home lay before her. It was a beautiful morning, already warm and breezy at ten minutes after nine o’ clock, but that was typical weather for the west coast of Florida in mid-March. The sway of palm trees brought a faint smile to Molly’s lips and she knew without a doubt the outside air would smell of the sea. Long lines of fishing boats were already making their way along the Inter coastal Waterway, sailing along the small inlet which would eventually lead to the Gulf of Mexico. Molly knew her grandmother’s Ford would soon make the left turn onto Gulf Boulevard which would become Gulf Way and then she would officially be home. Home to Pass-a-Grille, a quiet community stretching twenty two blocks running along the Gulf of Mexico. It was home to one of the most beautiful beaches in Pinellas County and was considered to be an ideal place to live. There were no high rise condos or large hotel outfits; quaint inns, Bed and Breakfasts, and residential homes lined the narrow streets. Molly rolled down her window to feel the warm breeze and smell the salt in the air. She hadn’t experienced balmy temperatures in six months and longed for the feel of warmth on her skin. She glanced at her reflection in the side mirror and saw the same heart shaped face, cornflower blue eyes and wide mouth she always saw yet somehow, she looked different. Less stressed, she thought to herself. Frigid, foggy Atlanta seemed a world away. Molly felt the waves of relief wash over her as she boarded the plane that morning and city she called home for so long disappeared behind her. Her big city life was over and the beach was her home again. How much had changed since she had left Florida just ten short years before. With the ink barely dry on her degree and a great job offer in hand, she packed her things and said goodbye to her beach side home. Atlanta was close enough to please her family but still far enough away for Molly to truly feel she was on her own. She loved her job at one of the largest public relations firms in the Southeast and was very good at what she did. It fulfilled her to see her clients succeed and Molly thoroughly enjoyed the hard work it took behind the scenes to make it happen. But as much as she loved work, she enjoyed her downtime too. Molly fell in love with the big city and all it had to offer. Her small rental apartment located in Atlanta’s thriving Midtown neighborhood was within walking distance to work, not to mention the city’s finest restaurants and bars. It was the perfect place for a young single woman just starting out on her own. And it was also where she first met Jeff; the man who she thought would be the great love of her life. Molly shuddered as thoughts of him entered her memory. She shook her head as if to rid her mind of him, her long blond pony tail brushing the tops of her shoulders. She would not think of Jeff today. Today was after all, a happy day. Molly was home again and eager to reconnect with her grandmother, May.
As they drove down Gulf Way, Molly caught her first glimpse of the beach and the blue-green water of the gulf. She had missed it so much. How she had lived so far away from the beach for so long? For the first time in months, Molly felt herself relax.
“We’re here, sweetie! Welcome home”, May said as she turned into the driveway of the large pale pink beach cottage. Molly gazed up at the beautiful home, affectionately known as Shell House, as she stepped out of the car. She was comforted in an instant. No matter how long she was gone, it always looked the same. The wide front porch was like arms extended, ready to hug Molly and welcome her home. She was pleased when she noticed the shutters needed a fresh coat of paint. Fixing up Shell House would be a labor of love and Molly couldn’t wait to get started. She retrieved her bags from the car’s trunk and followed May through the side door and into the bright, sunny kitchen.
“Ok Gram! What can I do first?”
May looked at Molly with a bright smile. “Molly, dear, you just got here! What kind of grandmother would I be if I put you to work straight off an airplane?”
“Technically, you’re my boss. I expect you to put me to work.” She put her large suitcase at the foot of the stairs and went back to the kitchen. It was easily Molly’s favorite room in the house. May had it completely remodeled once she decided to turn her family’s home into a bed and breakfast. White shaker style cabinets were topped off with custom butcher block counter tops, all accented by pale yellow walls which were the color of liquid sunshine. And the appliances were a chef’s dream, all stainless steel and restaurant grade. The granite covered island was a new addition and the unofficial heart of the kitchen. Molly took a seat at one of the island’s woven sea grass bar stools. May handed her a mug filled with creamy coffee and sat next to her. “Sweetie, I’m not really your boss. We are equals running this place together. That was the deal when I offered you the job.” It had thrilled May when Molly accepted the offer: help her run the business and she’d match her salary. It was an offer Molly couldn’t refuse. And she knew the real reason behind her grandmother’s generosity. It had been almost a year since her last visit to the beach house and her grandmother had missed her tremendously. And she truly could use the extra hand…after all; Shell House was one of the most popular bed and breakfast inns in the area.
“I know, I know.” She took a sip of her coffee and smiled. “Mmmm…café con leche. I almost forgot how good Cuban coffee is.”
“That’s a sign you’ve been away too long!” May’s bright blue eyes twinkled at Molly as she teased her.
“I didn’t realize how much I missed living here till I got her this morning.” She turned her attention to the view outside the window. Seagulls flew over the sand dunes covered in sea oats, the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico just visible beyond the dunes. “It’s so beautiful, Gram. Why did I ever want to leave?”
“Aw, come on honey. You remember why. This place was too small for you. You wanted to live that big city lifestyle, be a mover and a shaker.” May had understood then twenty-two year old Molly’s ambition and had helped her daughter and son-in-law accept their daughter’s decision to leave home.
“And I did. And look what I have to show for it.” Molly looked down at her feet and felt the sadness overcome her. She felt May’s hand on her arm.
“Sweetie, everything that happened in Atlanta made you the woman you are today. You are stronger, more independent. And I’m proud of you. You lived your dream and even though things didn’t turn out the way you planned, don’t ever regret the decision you made.”
“I guess you’re right. I did fulfill a dream. And now it’s time to fulfill another one…living and working here at Shell House full time. You know I always imagined I’d be doing this one day but I figured it would be many years from now.” She smiled and squeezed her grandmother’s hand. It felt so wonderful to be sitting with her drinking coffee in the bright kitchen.
“I know but I’m glad it’s now. We are going to make quite a team, Sweetie.”
May clinked her mug to Molly’s and drank the last bit of coffee.
Molly smiled at her, “Yes we are. To Shell House.”
“To Shell House!” She hugged her granddaughter and placed their empty mugs in the dish washer. “So what’s on your agenda for today? I’m sure you’d love to hit the beach.”
Molly laughed, “Gram! I just got here…I need to do something constructive with my day.”
“Why? There’s not much to do. The guests this week are three older couples that have been coming here together for years. They’ve been busy touring the area and I’ve hardly seen them. So there’s really no reason for you not to enjoy your first day back home.”
“But I’ll feel guilty if I just go lay around on the beach all day,” Molly pouted. “There’s got to be something I can do around here. I can paint the shutters…I noticed they looked a little worn when we drove up.” She started to move towards the door leading out to the outdoor storage shed where she knew the paint and supplies were kept. May jumped up and blocked her before she could get to the doorway.
“Molly Lauren Andrews! Don’t you even think about painting today! There will be plenty of time to do that kind of stuff. Take your bags upstairs, put on a swimsuit and go out and enjoy the day.” She cocked a silver eyebrow at Molly. “Don’t even think about fighting me on this one. You know I’ll win.”
Molly couldn’t stop the smile from slowly spreading across her face. No matter how long she was away from home, some things never changed. She glanced towards the window and saw the wide beach spread out before her. She felt the pull like she always did. There was nothing quite like the beach view offered at Shell House.
Molly bowed her head and sighed. She knew from experience there was no point in arguing and decided to throw in the towel. Besides, the thought of sinking her pink painted toes in the warm, soft sand made her heart sing. The beach at Pass-a-Grille was her favorite place in the world.
“Well, I guess I am headed upstairs and into a bikini. I know I’d be wasting my time arguing with you. I don’t think I’ve ever won a single one.” She put her head on May’s shoulder. “Arguing with you reminds me of Mom. I think I lost most of those, too, if I remember correctly.” Tears began to fill Molly’s eyes. “I still miss her, Dad too. It seems strange coming home and not driving to Tampa to see them.” It had been six years since the phone call that had delivered the horrible news. Both of her parents had been killed instantly in a car accident along Interstate 75 while on the way home from a weekend in Sarasota. Molly had been devastated. She had already been living in Atlanta for four years when the accident occurred. She dropped everything and rushed back to Tampa to see to her parent’s affairs. It had been a horrible time in her life and she never thought she could sink so low. May had been there for her then and so had Jeff. At the thought of him, she quickly shut her eyes as if to force the memory out from her mind. There was still a dull pain associated with memories of the life they shared. May reached out and wrapped her arms around her granddaughter and brought her in for a hug. “I miss them too sweetie, but only happy thoughts today okay? You’re home. Let’s focus on that for right now.” Molly clung to May, letting the soothing warmth of her grandmother’s embrace envelop her. May always knew what Molly needed at the exact time she needed it. They had a unique connection and Molly felt as long as May was at Shell House…the beach cottage would always be home.
Five minutes and one quick bikini change later, Molly sat in a blue beach chair facing the Gulf of Mexico. She had to admit to herself, it felt wonderful to be back. Molly shared May’s love for Shell House and together, they would work to make the inn the most desired place to stay in all of Pass-a-Grille. Molly’s background in public relations would be an asset to Shell House. She was full of ideas to grow the business and was eager to present them to her grandmother. Selling the Shell House and Pass-a-Grille would be a piece of cake. It was her home and she knew it like the back of her hand. After all, who wasn’t interested in visiting paradise? Molly took in the view around her and was so thankful this beautiful stretch of beach was hers. She shuffled her feet in the white sand and gazed out at the view before her. The blue green water looked so inviting but Molly knew it would still be a little cold. Most of the locals wouldn’t brave a swim until April when the water temperatures reached more comfortable levels. But with it being mid March and spring break for so many; there was a spattering of tourists wading in the gentle waves. But even at height of the busy season, the beach was relatively empty. Molly knew most of the students would have flocked to the large, developed beaches just to the north and she was thankful for it. The little strand of shoreline that sat right at the foot of Shell House always stayed quiet and peaceful. Molly closed her eyes and listened to the waves hitting the sand. She could hear the call of the seagulls flying above and allowed herself to truly relax. The realization of how exhausted she was overcame her in as she sat in the peaceful surroundings. Maybe I’ll dose off for a little nap, Molly thought to herself and was fast asleep in seconds.
“Um Miss? Hello? Are you alive? Cause if you are, you are going to need a whole lot of aloe later. Hello?” Molly slowly opened her eyes and had to instantly shield them from the bright sun. She gazed up and tried to focus on the person who interrupted her nap. She found herself staring into a pair of molten chocolate eyes. “Oh good…she lives! I was worried there for a second. You better get inside cause from the looks of it, you got way to much sun today and with it being your first day and all…you don’t want to ruin your vacation do you?” Molly was trying to wake up and focus on what he was saying. She was very groggy from her snooze on the beach. “I’m sorry, what?”
The stranger smiled and chuckled at her startled, sleepy response. “Sorry to wake you up but you’re getting a little burned and I just thought it being your first day, you’d probably want to avoid that.”
Molly’s back came up instantly. “How do you know I just got here today? Who are you?” The handsome stranger laughed again, causing Molly to decide to immediately dislike him, no matter how good looking he was. She hated feeling like a fool and even worse, she despised being caught with her guard down.
“Wow! Do you always wake up and ask so many questions? One, I know you just got here because I haven’t seen you here all week and two, I’m Jordan. I live next door to Shell House, which is where I assume you’re staying since you are laying out in front of it. I live next door at Shang-Ri-La.” The man gestured over his shoulder at the small yellow bungalow next to Shell House. Molly began to let herself relax. If this man was a neighbor, surely her grandmother must know him well. After all, Pass-a-Grille was a small, tight knit community.
“I’m not a guest at Shell House. It’s my home. I’m May’s granddaughter, Molly. I assume you know her?” She thought she saw a flicker of recognition cross his face at the sound of her name but it was gone so quickly she was sure she had imagined it. She held out her hand to him in greeting. Jordan took her hand in his. She instantly regretted touching him. He made her feel uncomfortable and all she wanted to do was run back to the security of Shell House. What was it about this guy that made her so nervous? He smiled at her and Molly felt her stomach drop. He was easily the best looking man she had ever seen in person. She felt an instant attraction and knew she would have to keep her distance from the handsome next door neighbor. The last thing she was looking for was a man. Molly looked down at her skin and realized he was right...she was already pink and if she stayed our any longer, she would be red in no time. As much as she hated to go inside, she was thankful for a reason to make a getaway. Molly stood up and began to collect her things, wrapping her beach towel around her waist. She was all too aware of Jordan’s eyes on her as she folded up her beach chair. “Well thank you very much for waking me up. I truly appreciate it or at least my skin will.” Jordan gave Molly a smile that turned her legs to jello.
“No problem. I do what I can for a neighbor. I’ll see you around, Molly.” He watched her as she walked home. Molly could feel his eyes on her as she stepped up on the porch. She turned and saw him still watching her as she stepped into the house. Molly felt her pulse race as she closed the door. She was disgusted with body’s reaction to Jordan. What was wrong with her? Men had no place on her list of priorities. She was home to work. Molly decided to do everything in her power to avoid Jordan. If she couldn’t control her body’s response to him, she’d make sure there were no opportunities to spend any time with him in the future.
Well there it is. That's the beginning.
I hope you liked it. If I get a good response, maybe I'll post more of it.
Leave a comment & let me know what you think.
Happy Thursday!
Jess
10 weeks in to the school year...there goes his perfect attendance.
Oh well. It was never going to happen anyway.
He didn't sleep well last night because he is so full of mucous and it's constantly draining down the back of this throat, making him cough...he just sounds awful.
We'll be taking a trip to the doc today. Good times.
Since I have my hands full and don't have time for a lengthy blog (he's calling me as I write this), I thought I'd post the first chapter of my book. Most of you that read this blog probably already know I recently finished writing my very first novel. It's a dream come true and I can't believe I actually finished it.
So without further ado, here it is. Chapter one of Home Sweet Home.
I hope you like it and crave for more!
CHAPTER 1
Home sweet home, Molly said to herself, a lazy smile highlighting her face as she gazed out the navy blue sedan’s passenger window. The last bridge en route to the beach community where she had spent so much of her childhood had been crossed and all the familiar sights of home lay before her. It was a beautiful morning, already warm and breezy at ten minutes after nine o’ clock, but that was typical weather for the west coast of Florida in mid-March. The sway of palm trees brought a faint smile to Molly’s lips and she knew without a doubt the outside air would smell of the sea. Long lines of fishing boats were already making their way along the Inter coastal Waterway, sailing along the small inlet which would eventually lead to the Gulf of Mexico. Molly knew her grandmother’s Ford would soon make the left turn onto Gulf Boulevard which would become Gulf Way and then she would officially be home. Home to Pass-a-Grille, a quiet community stretching twenty two blocks running along the Gulf of Mexico. It was home to one of the most beautiful beaches in Pinellas County and was considered to be an ideal place to live. There were no high rise condos or large hotel outfits; quaint inns, Bed and Breakfasts, and residential homes lined the narrow streets. Molly rolled down her window to feel the warm breeze and smell the salt in the air. She hadn’t experienced balmy temperatures in six months and longed for the feel of warmth on her skin. She glanced at her reflection in the side mirror and saw the same heart shaped face, cornflower blue eyes and wide mouth she always saw yet somehow, she looked different. Less stressed, she thought to herself. Frigid, foggy Atlanta seemed a world away. Molly felt the waves of relief wash over her as she boarded the plane that morning and city she called home for so long disappeared behind her. Her big city life was over and the beach was her home again. How much had changed since she had left Florida just ten short years before. With the ink barely dry on her degree and a great job offer in hand, she packed her things and said goodbye to her beach side home. Atlanta was close enough to please her family but still far enough away for Molly to truly feel she was on her own. She loved her job at one of the largest public relations firms in the Southeast and was very good at what she did. It fulfilled her to see her clients succeed and Molly thoroughly enjoyed the hard work it took behind the scenes to make it happen. But as much as she loved work, she enjoyed her downtime too. Molly fell in love with the big city and all it had to offer. Her small rental apartment located in Atlanta’s thriving Midtown neighborhood was within walking distance to work, not to mention the city’s finest restaurants and bars. It was the perfect place for a young single woman just starting out on her own. And it was also where she first met Jeff; the man who she thought would be the great love of her life. Molly shuddered as thoughts of him entered her memory. She shook her head as if to rid her mind of him, her long blond pony tail brushing the tops of her shoulders. She would not think of Jeff today. Today was after all, a happy day. Molly was home again and eager to reconnect with her grandmother, May.
As they drove down Gulf Way, Molly caught her first glimpse of the beach and the blue-green water of the gulf. She had missed it so much. How she had lived so far away from the beach for so long? For the first time in months, Molly felt herself relax.
“We’re here, sweetie! Welcome home”, May said as she turned into the driveway of the large pale pink beach cottage. Molly gazed up at the beautiful home, affectionately known as Shell House, as she stepped out of the car. She was comforted in an instant. No matter how long she was gone, it always looked the same. The wide front porch was like arms extended, ready to hug Molly and welcome her home. She was pleased when she noticed the shutters needed a fresh coat of paint. Fixing up Shell House would be a labor of love and Molly couldn’t wait to get started. She retrieved her bags from the car’s trunk and followed May through the side door and into the bright, sunny kitchen.
“Ok Gram! What can I do first?”
May looked at Molly with a bright smile. “Molly, dear, you just got here! What kind of grandmother would I be if I put you to work straight off an airplane?”
“Technically, you’re my boss. I expect you to put me to work.” She put her large suitcase at the foot of the stairs and went back to the kitchen. It was easily Molly’s favorite room in the house. May had it completely remodeled once she decided to turn her family’s home into a bed and breakfast. White shaker style cabinets were topped off with custom butcher block counter tops, all accented by pale yellow walls which were the color of liquid sunshine. And the appliances were a chef’s dream, all stainless steel and restaurant grade. The granite covered island was a new addition and the unofficial heart of the kitchen. Molly took a seat at one of the island’s woven sea grass bar stools. May handed her a mug filled with creamy coffee and sat next to her. “Sweetie, I’m not really your boss. We are equals running this place together. That was the deal when I offered you the job.” It had thrilled May when Molly accepted the offer: help her run the business and she’d match her salary. It was an offer Molly couldn’t refuse. And she knew the real reason behind her grandmother’s generosity. It had been almost a year since her last visit to the beach house and her grandmother had missed her tremendously. And she truly could use the extra hand…after all; Shell House was one of the most popular bed and breakfast inns in the area.
“I know, I know.” She took a sip of her coffee and smiled. “Mmmm…café con leche. I almost forgot how good Cuban coffee is.”
“That’s a sign you’ve been away too long!” May’s bright blue eyes twinkled at Molly as she teased her.
“I didn’t realize how much I missed living here till I got her this morning.” She turned her attention to the view outside the window. Seagulls flew over the sand dunes covered in sea oats, the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico just visible beyond the dunes. “It’s so beautiful, Gram. Why did I ever want to leave?”
“Aw, come on honey. You remember why. This place was too small for you. You wanted to live that big city lifestyle, be a mover and a shaker.” May had understood then twenty-two year old Molly’s ambition and had helped her daughter and son-in-law accept their daughter’s decision to leave home.
“And I did. And look what I have to show for it.” Molly looked down at her feet and felt the sadness overcome her. She felt May’s hand on her arm.
“Sweetie, everything that happened in Atlanta made you the woman you are today. You are stronger, more independent. And I’m proud of you. You lived your dream and even though things didn’t turn out the way you planned, don’t ever regret the decision you made.”
“I guess you’re right. I did fulfill a dream. And now it’s time to fulfill another one…living and working here at Shell House full time. You know I always imagined I’d be doing this one day but I figured it would be many years from now.” She smiled and squeezed her grandmother’s hand. It felt so wonderful to be sitting with her drinking coffee in the bright kitchen.
“I know but I’m glad it’s now. We are going to make quite a team, Sweetie.”
May clinked her mug to Molly’s and drank the last bit of coffee.
Molly smiled at her, “Yes we are. To Shell House.”
“To Shell House!” She hugged her granddaughter and placed their empty mugs in the dish washer. “So what’s on your agenda for today? I’m sure you’d love to hit the beach.”
Molly laughed, “Gram! I just got here…I need to do something constructive with my day.”
“Why? There’s not much to do. The guests this week are three older couples that have been coming here together for years. They’ve been busy touring the area and I’ve hardly seen them. So there’s really no reason for you not to enjoy your first day back home.”
“But I’ll feel guilty if I just go lay around on the beach all day,” Molly pouted. “There’s got to be something I can do around here. I can paint the shutters…I noticed they looked a little worn when we drove up.” She started to move towards the door leading out to the outdoor storage shed where she knew the paint and supplies were kept. May jumped up and blocked her before she could get to the doorway.
“Molly Lauren Andrews! Don’t you even think about painting today! There will be plenty of time to do that kind of stuff. Take your bags upstairs, put on a swimsuit and go out and enjoy the day.” She cocked a silver eyebrow at Molly. “Don’t even think about fighting me on this one. You know I’ll win.”
Molly couldn’t stop the smile from slowly spreading across her face. No matter how long she was away from home, some things never changed. She glanced towards the window and saw the wide beach spread out before her. She felt the pull like she always did. There was nothing quite like the beach view offered at Shell House.
Molly bowed her head and sighed. She knew from experience there was no point in arguing and decided to throw in the towel. Besides, the thought of sinking her pink painted toes in the warm, soft sand made her heart sing. The beach at Pass-a-Grille was her favorite place in the world.
“Well, I guess I am headed upstairs and into a bikini. I know I’d be wasting my time arguing with you. I don’t think I’ve ever won a single one.” She put her head on May’s shoulder. “Arguing with you reminds me of Mom. I think I lost most of those, too, if I remember correctly.” Tears began to fill Molly’s eyes. “I still miss her, Dad too. It seems strange coming home and not driving to Tampa to see them.” It had been six years since the phone call that had delivered the horrible news. Both of her parents had been killed instantly in a car accident along Interstate 75 while on the way home from a weekend in Sarasota. Molly had been devastated. She had already been living in Atlanta for four years when the accident occurred. She dropped everything and rushed back to Tampa to see to her parent’s affairs. It had been a horrible time in her life and she never thought she could sink so low. May had been there for her then and so had Jeff. At the thought of him, she quickly shut her eyes as if to force the memory out from her mind. There was still a dull pain associated with memories of the life they shared. May reached out and wrapped her arms around her granddaughter and brought her in for a hug. “I miss them too sweetie, but only happy thoughts today okay? You’re home. Let’s focus on that for right now.” Molly clung to May, letting the soothing warmth of her grandmother’s embrace envelop her. May always knew what Molly needed at the exact time she needed it. They had a unique connection and Molly felt as long as May was at Shell House…the beach cottage would always be home.
Five minutes and one quick bikini change later, Molly sat in a blue beach chair facing the Gulf of Mexico. She had to admit to herself, it felt wonderful to be back. Molly shared May’s love for Shell House and together, they would work to make the inn the most desired place to stay in all of Pass-a-Grille. Molly’s background in public relations would be an asset to Shell House. She was full of ideas to grow the business and was eager to present them to her grandmother. Selling the Shell House and Pass-a-Grille would be a piece of cake. It was her home and she knew it like the back of her hand. After all, who wasn’t interested in visiting paradise? Molly took in the view around her and was so thankful this beautiful stretch of beach was hers. She shuffled her feet in the white sand and gazed out at the view before her. The blue green water looked so inviting but Molly knew it would still be a little cold. Most of the locals wouldn’t brave a swim until April when the water temperatures reached more comfortable levels. But with it being mid March and spring break for so many; there was a spattering of tourists wading in the gentle waves. But even at height of the busy season, the beach was relatively empty. Molly knew most of the students would have flocked to the large, developed beaches just to the north and she was thankful for it. The little strand of shoreline that sat right at the foot of Shell House always stayed quiet and peaceful. Molly closed her eyes and listened to the waves hitting the sand. She could hear the call of the seagulls flying above and allowed herself to truly relax. The realization of how exhausted she was overcame her in as she sat in the peaceful surroundings. Maybe I’ll dose off for a little nap, Molly thought to herself and was fast asleep in seconds.
“Um Miss? Hello? Are you alive? Cause if you are, you are going to need a whole lot of aloe later. Hello?” Molly slowly opened her eyes and had to instantly shield them from the bright sun. She gazed up and tried to focus on the person who interrupted her nap. She found herself staring into a pair of molten chocolate eyes. “Oh good…she lives! I was worried there for a second. You better get inside cause from the looks of it, you got way to much sun today and with it being your first day and all…you don’t want to ruin your vacation do you?” Molly was trying to wake up and focus on what he was saying. She was very groggy from her snooze on the beach. “I’m sorry, what?”
The stranger smiled and chuckled at her startled, sleepy response. “Sorry to wake you up but you’re getting a little burned and I just thought it being your first day, you’d probably want to avoid that.”
Molly’s back came up instantly. “How do you know I just got here today? Who are you?” The handsome stranger laughed again, causing Molly to decide to immediately dislike him, no matter how good looking he was. She hated feeling like a fool and even worse, she despised being caught with her guard down.
“Wow! Do you always wake up and ask so many questions? One, I know you just got here because I haven’t seen you here all week and two, I’m Jordan. I live next door to Shell House, which is where I assume you’re staying since you are laying out in front of it. I live next door at Shang-Ri-La.” The man gestured over his shoulder at the small yellow bungalow next to Shell House. Molly began to let herself relax. If this man was a neighbor, surely her grandmother must know him well. After all, Pass-a-Grille was a small, tight knit community.
“I’m not a guest at Shell House. It’s my home. I’m May’s granddaughter, Molly. I assume you know her?” She thought she saw a flicker of recognition cross his face at the sound of her name but it was gone so quickly she was sure she had imagined it. She held out her hand to him in greeting. Jordan took her hand in his. She instantly regretted touching him. He made her feel uncomfortable and all she wanted to do was run back to the security of Shell House. What was it about this guy that made her so nervous? He smiled at her and Molly felt her stomach drop. He was easily the best looking man she had ever seen in person. She felt an instant attraction and knew she would have to keep her distance from the handsome next door neighbor. The last thing she was looking for was a man. Molly looked down at her skin and realized he was right...she was already pink and if she stayed our any longer, she would be red in no time. As much as she hated to go inside, she was thankful for a reason to make a getaway. Molly stood up and began to collect her things, wrapping her beach towel around her waist. She was all too aware of Jordan’s eyes on her as she folded up her beach chair. “Well thank you very much for waking me up. I truly appreciate it or at least my skin will.” Jordan gave Molly a smile that turned her legs to jello.
“No problem. I do what I can for a neighbor. I’ll see you around, Molly.” He watched her as she walked home. Molly could feel his eyes on her as she stepped up on the porch. She turned and saw him still watching her as she stepped into the house. Molly felt her pulse race as she closed the door. She was disgusted with body’s reaction to Jordan. What was wrong with her? Men had no place on her list of priorities. She was home to work. Molly decided to do everything in her power to avoid Jordan. If she couldn’t control her body’s response to him, she’d make sure there were no opportunities to spend any time with him in the future.
Well there it is. That's the beginning.
I hope you liked it. If I get a good response, maybe I'll post more of it.
Leave a comment & let me know what you think.
Happy Thursday!
Jess
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Give Me a Box, I'll Make You a Costume
Every year for Halloween, my son has had a store bought costume.
And in order those costumes were: A frog, Superman, a Fireman, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Last year, we trick or treated with some friends of ours and their son (who's the same age as mine) was a chocolate chip cookie.
It was the most adorable costume and sooo easy to make! Here he is with Obi-Wan...
My friend took a cardboard box, cut the two large sizes into circles, attached them both to elastic which went over his shoulders. She bought tan material and covered the cardboard, stapling it to the backside. She stuffed the center with sweatshirts and other clothes to give it a lumpy, cookie like effect then glued pieces of black material on the outside for the chips. All he wore was a black sweatsuit and his cookie and he was adorable!
After hearing how simple it was to make this costume, I had an epiphany.
MY SON WILL NEVER WEAR A STORE BOUGHT COSTUME EVER AGAIN!!!
Okay that's a bit of an overstatement but seriously. Why pay 20 or even 30 dollars for a costume your kid will never wear again? My son doesn't play dress up and all the costumes I see for a 5 year old boy are for characters he doesn't even know!
(Transformers and Iron Man are not staples around my household!)
What my son does love is airplanes. He eats, sleeps and breathes airplanes.
It's probably genetic with both his daddy and I loving planes too but still...he LOVES them.
So with my new found desire to make a homemade costume and the kiddo's love of avionics, this what he's going to be this year.
I'm going to make a few changes to it (his will be a jet plane with DELTA painted on the side) but you get the idea.
When I was searching for ideas on how to make it, I could not believe how many cute costumes can be made from a simple box. So I decided to show you a few and maybe inspire you to make some creative box costumes for your little ones.
1. Rubick's Cube
Simple, creative and everyone will know exactly what you are! Cut you box into pieces and string them together, paint your squares and you're done! Great idea!
2. Etch-A-Sketch
Cute idea...don't think it's the manliest costume choice for this guy but he's rockin' it.
3. Popcorn Tub
Now this is just adorable. I love love love this one. Great idea. And the popcorn headband? Precious.
4. Bingo Card
Like this one a lot too. Cute and easy.
5. Fireman in the truck
I guess I like to save the best for last (no pun intended, Blockheads...okay maybe a little pun!)...this firetruck is just awesome. It's basically the same design as the airplane with a slight variation. What little boy wouldn't love this?
6. FOR ADULTS ONLY: D!@& in a box
You've seen the SNL skit (and you haven't run right now to youtube!) so you know how easy this one is...step one: Cut a hole in a box.
Okay, okay...not going down that road but you get the idea. A suit from the early 90's, some bad facial hair and a gold chain and you're almost there. Any Christmas box will do. You can glue it to your clothes and you're done. Not totally appropriate but hilariously funny.
Now I know I was doing Halloween box costumes but I found this infant costume and just had to post it. It's the most adorable baby costume I have seen in a long time. So it gets an honorable mention.
The Baby Sno-Cone...behold the adorableness.
Can you believe how cute this is? I saw it and fell in love. I seriously want another baby just to make them this costume.
Well that's all for today, readers. If you have an costume ideas or already know what you or your kids are going to be, leave me a comment. I love new ideas!
Have a happy Wednesday!
And in order those costumes were: A frog, Superman, a Fireman, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Last year, we trick or treated with some friends of ours and their son (who's the same age as mine) was a chocolate chip cookie.
It was the most adorable costume and sooo easy to make! Here he is with Obi-Wan...
After hearing how simple it was to make this costume, I had an epiphany.
MY SON WILL NEVER WEAR A STORE BOUGHT COSTUME EVER AGAIN!!!
Okay that's a bit of an overstatement but seriously. Why pay 20 or even 30 dollars for a costume your kid will never wear again? My son doesn't play dress up and all the costumes I see for a 5 year old boy are for characters he doesn't even know!
(Transformers and Iron Man are not staples around my household!)
What my son does love is airplanes. He eats, sleeps and breathes airplanes.
It's probably genetic with both his daddy and I loving planes too but still...he LOVES them.
So with my new found desire to make a homemade costume and the kiddo's love of avionics, this what he's going to be this year.
When I was searching for ideas on how to make it, I could not believe how many cute costumes can be made from a simple box. So I decided to show you a few and maybe inspire you to make some creative box costumes for your little ones.
1. Rubick's Cube
2. Etch-A-Sketch
3. Popcorn Tub
4. Bingo Card
5. Fireman in the truck
6. FOR ADULTS ONLY: D!@& in a box
Okay, okay...not going down that road but you get the idea. A suit from the early 90's, some bad facial hair and a gold chain and you're almost there. Any Christmas box will do. You can glue it to your clothes and you're done. Not totally appropriate but hilariously funny.
Now I know I was doing Halloween box costumes but I found this infant costume and just had to post it. It's the most adorable baby costume I have seen in a long time. So it gets an honorable mention.
The Baby Sno-Cone...behold the adorableness.
Well that's all for today, readers. If you have an costume ideas or already know what you or your kids are going to be, leave me a comment. I love new ideas!
Have a happy Wednesday!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Beauty Blog! Today's Edition: Nail Polish
I usually don't know what I'm going to blog about until I sit down at the computer to write. I guess I'm not much of a planner.
I like to fly by the seat of my pants.
But last night while changing the polish on my toes, it soon became clear what today's topic would be.
That and I checked my blog stats and Friday's make up blog got a TON of hits!
Why mess with a good thing?
Anyway, back to my toes.
I had taken off my favorite nail polish in the universe right now, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Commander in Chic
(oh and it's soooo chic!) I love love love this color right now and it's the BEST polish...it seriously will not chip. I had it on my toes for like 3 weeks and it was still perfect. AMAZING for drug store polish!
But again, I'm sidetracked. Back to my story.
So I took off the world's best nail polish and was craving a more Fall color...something in a pretty plum perhaps. So I dug this out of my nail bag:
Cover Girl Boundless Color in Plum Pudding.
Perfect. Exactly the shade I was after. But there was a problem...
It was the clumpiest, nastiest nail polish I had ever seen. I could not get it to go on smooth to save my life.
I was so ticked off...I usually never buy Cover Girl polish (and I never will again after this) but I was so tempted by the beautiful shade of plum.
So I got to thinking...do others buy a nail polish for the color and not look at the brand like I do?
Or are you all just a bunch of O.P.I. junkies because that's what they use at the nail salon?
I'll be honest, I like O.P.I. as much as the next girl but I have tried plenty of polishes that are a LOT cheaper that won't chip. O.P.I. chips or wears off my nails all the time. But I love the clear top coat. For some reason, that works wonders with other polish brands. Strange...
Since I am easily seduced by polish hues, I have tried just about every brand you see at the drug store. So today, I'll tell you my faves.
1. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure.
Yes, I know I have already talked about it but I can't express to you how awesome this stuff is. The brush is a triangle shape...a little strange at first but the polish doesn't clump up on it because it runs off easily. It's great stuff. And it sells for about 6 bucks...not the cheapest on the list but certainly the best.
2. Essie
I mentioned this one on Friday's blog. I just love it. I've had a bottle of Essie Polish for a long time (as long as the Cover Girl) and it is still just as perfect on the brush as the day I bought it. It's about the same price as O.P.I. (8 bucks) but worth it since it doesn't dry out and get clumpy.
3. Revlon
We all know and love it. It's still one of the best. Yes, it will eventually clump but you will get a lot of use out of it before it does. Always a favorite. And at about 4 bucks a bottle, it should be.
4. Sally Hansen Maximum Growth And Diamond Strength Nail Polishes
Yep, I've tried them both and I love them equally so they will share equal billing here. Goes on smooth, comes in a ton of colors and looks great for days...what's not to love? They sell for about the same price (4 to 5 dollars at most drug stores).
And last but certainly not least:
5. Loreal
I love this stuff. It dries super fast and stays true for days. The fact that it's number 5 doesn't mean it's the 5th best...I rank this stuff higher than most on this list (except for the complete salon manicure line but I think you already figured that out!)...the only negative is the bottle size. It's a little small but well worth the 5 dollar price tag.
Now if you have ever bought drug store nail polish, you may have seen the super cheap stuff...you know what I'm talking about. The little bottles that sell for like 1 or 2 dollars. And you probably thought "I bet that's the crappiest nail polish ever!" Well I'm here to tell you it's not.
This summer I was after 2 shades I thought would be perfect for summer: Coral and Watermelon. No major brands had anything in those shades. But I found them in the cheapies and figured for a few dollars, if they were terrible, I'd throw them out.
Boy was I surprised when they were fantastic!
The first one: Sinful Colors
I paid $1.99 for this bottle and could not believe how well it performed. I swam in both the pool and the ocean with this on my toes and it didn't budge. And the color was beautiful...a perfect coral. 2 coats topped with O.P.I. clear and you're good to go.
The second cheap top performer is: CQ
Another $1.99 find, this didn't come off till you took it off even after swimming for days on end. And it comes in a ton of shades! Love it!
Nail polish is one of those things that all women enjoy. No matter if you are a fashionista or a prairie muffin, everyone likes to look down and see pretty toes. So next time you are at the drugstore picking out a new polish, give one of these brands a try if you haven't already. And if one of your loves wasn't mentioned, post a comment. I love to read them!
Thanks for reading and Happy Tuesday!
I like to fly by the seat of my pants.
But last night while changing the polish on my toes, it soon became clear what today's topic would be.
That and I checked my blog stats and Friday's make up blog got a TON of hits!
Why mess with a good thing?
Anyway, back to my toes.
I had taken off my favorite nail polish in the universe right now, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Commander in Chic
(oh and it's soooo chic!) I love love love this color right now and it's the BEST polish...it seriously will not chip. I had it on my toes for like 3 weeks and it was still perfect. AMAZING for drug store polish!
But again, I'm sidetracked. Back to my story.
So I took off the world's best nail polish and was craving a more Fall color...something in a pretty plum perhaps. So I dug this out of my nail bag:
Cover Girl Boundless Color in Plum Pudding.
Perfect. Exactly the shade I was after. But there was a problem...
It was the clumpiest, nastiest nail polish I had ever seen. I could not get it to go on smooth to save my life.
I was so ticked off...I usually never buy Cover Girl polish (and I never will again after this) but I was so tempted by the beautiful shade of plum.
So I got to thinking...do others buy a nail polish for the color and not look at the brand like I do?
Or are you all just a bunch of O.P.I. junkies because that's what they use at the nail salon?
I'll be honest, I like O.P.I. as much as the next girl but I have tried plenty of polishes that are a LOT cheaper that won't chip. O.P.I. chips or wears off my nails all the time. But I love the clear top coat. For some reason, that works wonders with other polish brands. Strange...
Since I am easily seduced by polish hues, I have tried just about every brand you see at the drug store. So today, I'll tell you my faves.
1. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure.
Yes, I know I have already talked about it but I can't express to you how awesome this stuff is. The brush is a triangle shape...a little strange at first but the polish doesn't clump up on it because it runs off easily. It's great stuff. And it sells for about 6 bucks...not the cheapest on the list but certainly the best.
2. Essie
I mentioned this one on Friday's blog. I just love it. I've had a bottle of Essie Polish for a long time (as long as the Cover Girl) and it is still just as perfect on the brush as the day I bought it. It's about the same price as O.P.I. (8 bucks) but worth it since it doesn't dry out and get clumpy.
3. Revlon
We all know and love it. It's still one of the best. Yes, it will eventually clump but you will get a lot of use out of it before it does. Always a favorite. And at about 4 bucks a bottle, it should be.
4. Sally Hansen Maximum Growth And Diamond Strength Nail Polishes
Yep, I've tried them both and I love them equally so they will share equal billing here. Goes on smooth, comes in a ton of colors and looks great for days...what's not to love? They sell for about the same price (4 to 5 dollars at most drug stores).
And last but certainly not least:
5. Loreal
I love this stuff. It dries super fast and stays true for days. The fact that it's number 5 doesn't mean it's the 5th best...I rank this stuff higher than most on this list (except for the complete salon manicure line but I think you already figured that out!)...the only negative is the bottle size. It's a little small but well worth the 5 dollar price tag.
Now if you have ever bought drug store nail polish, you may have seen the super cheap stuff...you know what I'm talking about. The little bottles that sell for like 1 or 2 dollars. And you probably thought "I bet that's the crappiest nail polish ever!" Well I'm here to tell you it's not.
This summer I was after 2 shades I thought would be perfect for summer: Coral and Watermelon. No major brands had anything in those shades. But I found them in the cheapies and figured for a few dollars, if they were terrible, I'd throw them out.
Boy was I surprised when they were fantastic!
The first one: Sinful Colors
I paid $1.99 for this bottle and could not believe how well it performed. I swam in both the pool and the ocean with this on my toes and it didn't budge. And the color was beautiful...a perfect coral. 2 coats topped with O.P.I. clear and you're good to go.
The second cheap top performer is: CQ
Another $1.99 find, this didn't come off till you took it off even after swimming for days on end. And it comes in a ton of shades! Love it!
Nail polish is one of those things that all women enjoy. No matter if you are a fashionista or a prairie muffin, everyone likes to look down and see pretty toes. So next time you are at the drugstore picking out a new polish, give one of these brands a try if you haven't already. And if one of your loves wasn't mentioned, post a comment. I love to read them!
Thanks for reading and Happy Tuesday!
Monday, October 11, 2010
A Great Day for Tampa Bay!
Bucs win!
Rays win!
Does it get any better for a sports fan from Tampa?
I think not.
If you're like me and you grew up in the City by the Bay, you're used to crummy sports teams. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, our NFL football franchise, had been terrible since it's inception in 1976. Yes, there was a brief bright spot in the late 70's (I was like 5 or 6 years old then) but after that, the 80's and 90's were slap full of awfulness. Covered in creamsicle orange.
Then came the 2000's...and a much needed uniform change. Bye bye Orange and white, hello red and pewter!
They loaded up on top draft pics and went after Raiders coach Jon Gruden and lo and behold...the won the Super Bowl. 2002 was a magical year for my home team.
And then all those great players went onto somewhere else and Gruden was fired after sub-par seasons and now here we sit in 2010 with a very young, very inexperienced team and coaching staff.
But somehow, they are winning. And for that I am thankful.
The Tampa Bay Rays are an even newer franchise...introduced into Major League Baseball's American League in 1998.
And they sucked too and had awful uniforms in the beginning. But slowly, they started moving up...drafting talented ball players to wear those hideous uniforms. The logo and unis were changed in 2007...and they went to the World Series in 2008.
I'd say it was a change for the better!
They are in the playoffs again and were down 2 games to none, losing both games at home.
They flew out to Texas and beat the Rangers in their own park. 2 games in a row.
Awesome!!!
So tomorrow is the final game and if they win, they advance to play the Yankees.
How I loathe them.
But it was nice to see a city known for sports failures celebrate 2 hard fought victories yesterday.
Congratulations Tampa! You deserve it!
Rays win!
Does it get any better for a sports fan from Tampa?
I think not.
If you're like me and you grew up in the City by the Bay, you're used to crummy sports teams. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, our NFL football franchise, had been terrible since it's inception in 1976. Yes, there was a brief bright spot in the late 70's (I was like 5 or 6 years old then) but after that, the 80's and 90's were slap full of awfulness. Covered in creamsicle orange.
Then came the 2000's...and a much needed uniform change. Bye bye Orange and white, hello red and pewter!
They loaded up on top draft pics and went after Raiders coach Jon Gruden and lo and behold...the won the Super Bowl. 2002 was a magical year for my home team.
And then all those great players went onto somewhere else and Gruden was fired after sub-par seasons and now here we sit in 2010 with a very young, very inexperienced team and coaching staff.
But somehow, they are winning. And for that I am thankful.
The Tampa Bay Rays are an even newer franchise...introduced into Major League Baseball's American League in 1998.
And they sucked too and had awful uniforms in the beginning. But slowly, they started moving up...drafting talented ball players to wear those hideous uniforms. The logo and unis were changed in 2007...and they went to the World Series in 2008.
I'd say it was a change for the better!
They are in the playoffs again and were down 2 games to none, losing both games at home.
They flew out to Texas and beat the Rangers in their own park. 2 games in a row.
Awesome!!!
So tomorrow is the final game and if they win, they advance to play the Yankees.
How I loathe them.
But it was nice to see a city known for sports failures celebrate 2 hard fought victories yesterday.
Congratulations Tampa! You deserve it!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
What's In My Make-Up Bag
I am a self described make-up junkie and lip gloss is my drug.
I've have loved and cherished it since I was a little girl.
My Aunt Bonny lived with my grandparents when I was a kid and my grandmother picked me up from school everyday. After I finished my homework, I'd sneak back to my aunt's bathroom and play in her make-up drawer. I still remember she wore a combination of Cover Girl and Maybelline. And she wore the prettiest shade of berry lipstick. I still remember how I looked wearing it.
So my love affair with cosmetics has continued into adulthood. My sister likes to tease me because I have tried just about every product in a drugstore. And my sweet friend in Maine laughs at me because I carry a ziplock bag filled with lip gloss in my purse.
It's only because I fly so much and you have to have all those gels in a bag for the TSA. I swear that's the only reason. But it is kind of nice to have everything in one place.
Sephora is a dream come true for a make-up lover like me but my budget calls for something a little cheaper. After all, I am a stay at home mom living on a single income budget. I'm sure Dior and Chanel make-up is to die for but I have to settle for something cheaper. However with that said, there are a few things I won't skimp on. Certain things are worth the price you pay and these are my must haves.
In order for your make-up to look great, you have to have a great foundation and that starts with skin care. I am in love with Proactive. Yes, it stinks to high heaven and will ruin your dark towels (there's a lot of hydrogen peroxide in there) but it's worth the switch to white ones. My hormones are all out of whack (seriously...they are but that's for an entirely different blog entry!) so I still break out like I'm 14. It totally sucks. But Proactive keeps my skin in check. I wish this stuff existed in the late 80's...but I thank God it does now!
Next up: Mineral make-up...the greatest invention in modern history.
I love this stuff...it's like gold in my opinion. It's powder, it's foundation...frankly, I don't care what it is. My face has never looked better than when I use this. And yes, it's pricey for make-up ($25.00 for the original which is what I wear), it's worth every penny. Since I don't work outside my home, I don't wear make-up every day so a tub of this will last me a year or more. Well worth the price! If you haven't tried it yet, DO! You won't regret it.
Even though Proactive keeps me blemish free for the most part, occasionally I do still need concealer...especially for my under eye. And I have tried a bunch but I haven't found one I like as much as Clinique's line smoothing concealer. It retails for $14.00...not bad considering the job it does. And a little goes a long way so I don't have to replace this one often.
Blush is a necessity but I have to admit...I hate powder blush. It was all I used to wear until I discovered E.L.F. Facial Whip. And what is E.L.F. you might ask? Just my favorite new make-up line. And with the majority of their products costing a buck, what's not to love?
Yes...I said a buck. Uno Dollaro. A single. One dollar. And their products are great.
The facial whip is marketed to be the product in your make-up bag that can be used on lips, face, and eyes. And you can use it on all three. However, I find most shades that look great on your eyes are too light for your cheeks and lips and vise versa...it's it looks great on your cheeks, it's too dark for your eyes and lips. So I have 2 shades...one for my eyes and one for my cheeks. And I LOVE the one for my cheeks...it's the best blush I've used in years. And it's A BUCK!!! Awesome!
For my eyes, I do use the facial whip if I'm doing a quickie job but if I want to really play up my peeps, I use Sephora brand eye shadow duos in natural brown. Yes, it's not the cheapest ($16.00) but I love it. And because I don't use it daily, it lasts me a long time.
Staying with the eyes, I go back to E.L.F,. for my eyeliner because they are the makers of the best eyeliner pen I've found. I'll admit I was intimidated at first...what it it runs or too thick? I used pencils forever until this. And yes, these cost a dollar too. I have them in black, coffee, and plum (my fave) and they rock. They go on thin, smudge easily and are a piece of cake to control. I will never wear anything else but these. They're amazing.
And when it's time to remove all that eye make-up...use I E.L.F.'s eye make-up remover pads are fantastic. They stay moist, won't irritate your eyes and removes EVERYTHING! My favorite part is they leave no oily or greasy residue. And say it with me...they cost a dollar! (You're catching on!)
Lips are all about the E.L.F. too. Luscious Liquid lip stick isn't really a lipstick at all. It goes on like a gloss but feels thicker like a lipstick...what's not to love? And I LOVE the colors is comes in. And yes, it's a dollar too. Yee!
Nail polish is another one of my favorites. And I have tried them all. I hate chips and even the good stuff (O.P.I.) chips off my nails. But Essie rarely does. So Essie earns my top pick for polish.
You might notice I didn't list a favorite mascara. That's because I am currently searching for a new brand. I've recently used Clinique High Impact (nice but not enough volume) Maybelline Great Lash (I always go back because it's so cheap!) and E.L.F. (good, but it's small and dries out too quickly). I am open to all your suggestions for the best so post them in the comments section. I'll let you know who I chose sometime in the next 2 weeks.
Thanks for reading...enjoy the weekend!
I've have loved and cherished it since I was a little girl.
My Aunt Bonny lived with my grandparents when I was a kid and my grandmother picked me up from school everyday. After I finished my homework, I'd sneak back to my aunt's bathroom and play in her make-up drawer. I still remember she wore a combination of Cover Girl and Maybelline. And she wore the prettiest shade of berry lipstick. I still remember how I looked wearing it.
So my love affair with cosmetics has continued into adulthood. My sister likes to tease me because I have tried just about every product in a drugstore. And my sweet friend in Maine laughs at me because I carry a ziplock bag filled with lip gloss in my purse.
It's only because I fly so much and you have to have all those gels in a bag for the TSA. I swear that's the only reason. But it is kind of nice to have everything in one place.
Sephora is a dream come true for a make-up lover like me but my budget calls for something a little cheaper. After all, I am a stay at home mom living on a single income budget. I'm sure Dior and Chanel make-up is to die for but I have to settle for something cheaper. However with that said, there are a few things I won't skimp on. Certain things are worth the price you pay and these are my must haves.
In order for your make-up to look great, you have to have a great foundation and that starts with skin care. I am in love with Proactive. Yes, it stinks to high heaven and will ruin your dark towels (there's a lot of hydrogen peroxide in there) but it's worth the switch to white ones. My hormones are all out of whack (seriously...they are but that's for an entirely different blog entry!) so I still break out like I'm 14. It totally sucks. But Proactive keeps my skin in check. I wish this stuff existed in the late 80's...but I thank God it does now!
Next up: Mineral make-up...the greatest invention in modern history.
I love this stuff...it's like gold in my opinion. It's powder, it's foundation...frankly, I don't care what it is. My face has never looked better than when I use this. And yes, it's pricey for make-up ($25.00 for the original which is what I wear), it's worth every penny. Since I don't work outside my home, I don't wear make-up every day so a tub of this will last me a year or more. Well worth the price! If you haven't tried it yet, DO! You won't regret it.
Even though Proactive keeps me blemish free for the most part, occasionally I do still need concealer...especially for my under eye. And I have tried a bunch but I haven't found one I like as much as Clinique's line smoothing concealer. It retails for $14.00...not bad considering the job it does. And a little goes a long way so I don't have to replace this one often.
Blush is a necessity but I have to admit...I hate powder blush. It was all I used to wear until I discovered E.L.F. Facial Whip. And what is E.L.F. you might ask? Just my favorite new make-up line. And with the majority of their products costing a buck, what's not to love?
Yes...I said a buck. Uno Dollaro. A single. One dollar. And their products are great.
The facial whip is marketed to be the product in your make-up bag that can be used on lips, face, and eyes. And you can use it on all three. However, I find most shades that look great on your eyes are too light for your cheeks and lips and vise versa...it's it looks great on your cheeks, it's too dark for your eyes and lips. So I have 2 shades...one for my eyes and one for my cheeks. And I LOVE the one for my cheeks...it's the best blush I've used in years. And it's A BUCK!!! Awesome!
For my eyes, I do use the facial whip if I'm doing a quickie job but if I want to really play up my peeps, I use Sephora brand eye shadow duos in natural brown. Yes, it's not the cheapest ($16.00) but I love it. And because I don't use it daily, it lasts me a long time.
Staying with the eyes, I go back to E.L.F,. for my eyeliner because they are the makers of the best eyeliner pen I've found. I'll admit I was intimidated at first...what it it runs or too thick? I used pencils forever until this. And yes, these cost a dollar too. I have them in black, coffee, and plum (my fave) and they rock. They go on thin, smudge easily and are a piece of cake to control. I will never wear anything else but these. They're amazing.
And when it's time to remove all that eye make-up...use I E.L.F.'s eye make-up remover pads are fantastic. They stay moist, won't irritate your eyes and removes EVERYTHING! My favorite part is they leave no oily or greasy residue. And say it with me...they cost a dollar! (You're catching on!)
Lips are all about the E.L.F. too. Luscious Liquid lip stick isn't really a lipstick at all. It goes on like a gloss but feels thicker like a lipstick...what's not to love? And I LOVE the colors is comes in. And yes, it's a dollar too. Yee!
Nail polish is another one of my favorites. And I have tried them all. I hate chips and even the good stuff (O.P.I.) chips off my nails. But Essie rarely does. So Essie earns my top pick for polish.
You might notice I didn't list a favorite mascara. That's because I am currently searching for a new brand. I've recently used Clinique High Impact (nice but not enough volume) Maybelline Great Lash (I always go back because it's so cheap!) and E.L.F. (good, but it's small and dries out too quickly). I am open to all your suggestions for the best so post them in the comments section. I'll let you know who I chose sometime in the next 2 weeks.
Thanks for reading...enjoy the weekend!
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