Wednesday, March 14, 2012

it's wednesday - time for pinterest!



I leave for work when it's dark and get home when it's dark today and tomorrow, but...
At least it's Wednesday and the week is getting shorter!

On to one of my favorite posts of the week.

___________________________________________________________

This is some sort of chicken parmesan stuffed something or other...looks good!



I can dream, right?!




 This is one amazing master bathroom. WOW.




 Natural mosquito repellant. 
 I am going to make this and see if it works because I attract and they bites turn into welts.  Let me tell you, my legs look real sexy!




 The side bun is beautiful and so is the girl....



 Cute indie look.


 Love this two piece.




 Friendship bracelets with a twist!




 Puppy cuteness!




 Definitely ready for summer!



Source of all pics



Tuesday, March 13, 2012

stepping into spring...



It's so unseasonably warm here, it's crazy.  I think the normal temps are around 55 or something, but today it's going to be in the 80s.  That doesn't happen for another month or so normally.

I'm not complaining, except for when I have to work 12 hours and can't enjoy - like the next 2 days.

This crazy weather has be itching for spring and constant warm temps, dreaming of vacations, and planning outdoor things.  But it also has me obsessing over new clothes, shoes, and accessories.

These are some of the shoes that I'm wanting to spruce up my wardrobe with.  I'm wanting to get a few new styles and ran across these shoes that I think would be perfect additions.

What do you think?

source

Sorry for the huge blank, white space after the picture, but I have no idea what the hell happened....

Thursday, March 8, 2012

according to this, i'm an embarrassment.



.... but I don't think so at all.

What am I talking about?

Well the other day I was reading a new magazine I had picked up and ran across an article on some beauty trends they called embarrassing.  In fact, out of the 9 trends listed, I currently do 6 of them.  Yep, six.  So i guess I'm good for a few laughs. But, I'm actually laughing at this list.

Here are some things I do that are crazes and hideous.

1.  Bronzer.  Sorry, but this is a staple of mine.  I'm fair skinned so I use this throughout the year to give my skin a bit of sun-kissed color.  I like to wear it on my cheeks, as a contour, and even neck and chest. I don't wear it every day and definitely don't go overboard, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with bronzer in my eyes!  If you find a color that works for your skin, it can make you look absolutely beautiful. 



2.  Highlights.   I love highlights.  Hair that is one solid color mostly looks boring and one dimensional.  Highlights help to give it depth and brighten up a face.  I actually prefer more chunky ones as opposed to more natural, blended ones.  I like a dramatic look.  I think I'll always have highlights in my hair no matter what color I have it.  



3.  Eyeliner.   Come on...eyeliner.  Hello?!  That's a major part in making eyes pop.  I wear it every day, especially on the top.  Without this, I look tired or even close to death.  From subtle eyeliner to dramatic, thick lined eyes, I think liner will always be here to stay, no matter how it's worn.  Even colored liners are popular and work.  Not sure why it was included on this list!



4. Rouge. Ok, so I call this blush, but I think I can sorta see why it was included.  People do tend to go overboard with this and an end up looking like Bozo, but if worn softly, it's a must.  Blush makes a face look brighter and more alive!  It can be hard to find the correct color that works with your skin tone, but there is the perfect one out there, trust me!



5.  Glitter.  I'm guilty.  I know this is very junior high-ish, but I freaking love glitter.  I have several different kinds and colors for eyes, skin, and my hair.  There is just something about sparkling that makes me feel so good.  When going out, I add some here and there and I'm on my way.  I'm even guilty of going into a store, seeing a glittery item, and putting some of that glitter on my face.  I love it!



6.  Bump.  Bumps are beautiful.  Whether it's done with a ponytail or just adding one to hair that's down,  I think it truly adds something to a style.  There are so many ways to create a bump so that's what makes it great.  I do think bumps look better on some people and not others, but it's another hair do I love.  I wear bumps a lot when I have time to create one!  I think I'll probably always wear this, too.



The other 3 trends on the list that I'm not into are ~

1.  Perm.  Yea, I'm not a fan of perms.  I think I've had 2 in my life and they were like in the early 90s.  I really don't ever see any that look too good, so people should probably steer clear.  If I could find big enough rollers that would give huge, bouncy curls, then I may reconsider, but that's nearly impossible.



2.  Cornrows.  I think this is one of the ugliest things a person can do to their hair.  I actually cringe when I see them.  People go on vacations and get their whole head done and I think, wth.  Not only does it look bad, but it's bad for your hair and gives you a hell of a headache!  Bottom line:  Not cute, please don't wear.




3.  Bangs.  Bangs can be cute.  Bangs are just not for me.  Personally I don't like them well enough to wear them and secondly, I have a cowlick so it would be impossible for me to have them.  I've had a bare forehead my whole life and always will. 



All images via

============================================

How many of these trends do you currently do?
What do you think of the list?  Is it correct or crazy?

I thought it was pretty good and I actually enjoyed reading it and totally disagreeing with much of it!



Monday, March 5, 2012

to motivate me . . .




Something to start off the week, on the right foot. 

I am too negative on myself and am definitely my own worst enemy at times, whether it's on my performance, how I look, where I feel I'm going in life, and how well I'm doing with it; it can be hard.

It's hard to please everyone, do the right thing, and never think negatively.

I like this message because it reminds me that I'm not perfect and am beautiful the way I am.

-Happy Monday-

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Shepherd's Pie.


I hadn't ever had Shepherd's Pie until Eric moved here and fixed it for me.  It's a great mix of stuff all rolled into one.  It's originally and English recipe that transformed into an American dish, and I think it actually uses lamb instead of beef.  Not my cup of tea.

So, here are the ingredients and directions. . . 

What you need.
  • 4 to 5 potatoes, peeled and boiled (I use red and keep the skin on)
  • 1 Tbsp butter, softened
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 lb hamburger
  • 1 tomato, chopped
  • 6 mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce - how do you pronounce??
  • 1 cup brown gravy - I used the dry package
  • 10-oz. pkg frozen peas, thawed
Directions.
  •  Preheat the oven!  Then mash potatoes, butter, milk, salt and pepper together; set aside.  Brown hamburger in a skillet and drain.  Add tomato, mushrooms, parsley, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and gravy; mix well.  Add peas and simmer 5 minutes and pour into an ungreased dish.  Spread mashed potatoes over top and bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 40 minutes.



Finished product. Yum!


Slice the potatoes before boiling to cook them faster.



Chopped mushrooms, parsley, and tomatoes.




Add the salt, pepper, butter, and milk to potatoes.



Mash away.

Brown and drain.

 

Add to the hamburger and mix.



Then add peas.



Put into dish.

 

Cover with potatoes and bake.





This is how it ends up!




Because it took so long to prepare, this is what I resorted to.  I couldn't wait for the food to finish and because it was bed time, I needed something quick and easy.  I ate the next nite though and loved.



I'll let you in on a few secrets.

+ Plan ahead - this takes a while to prepare and bake.
+ Don't forget to preheat the oven! This set me back an extra 20 minutes so I added that to the beginning of the recipe.
+ The peas have to be thawed.  I didn't realize and had to put in microwave!
+ If you like instant potatoes, they will work fine also.  I prefer homemade mashed, so that takes a bit to prepare as well. 
+ Green beans or corn can be substituted for the peas.



I will probably make this again because it tastes so good, but it sure took a while.  We both enjoyed it and actually were able to get a few meals out of it.  This would probably work out best to cook over the weekend. 

Hope this sounds good!   
Enjoy.



Friday, March 2, 2012

High Five.






It might be overcast and gloomy with bad storms on the way, but at least it's Friday!

Woo hoo!

Here are my top 5 things from the week, in no particular order, of course.


=====================================================
 



1)  I was so glad to be featured in a guest post showcasing Scentsy.  Find it here!



2)  We went to one of those mystery dinner thingys.  Have you ever been?  I didn't know what to expect because I hadn't ever been, but it was quite fun.  I didn't pick the murderer, but hey, I never said I'd make a good detective.


3)  I picked up this super cute shirt for St. Patty's Day. 

4)  I know I have used the weather in several of my favorite things of the week, but seriously, it's been so warm out that it's nuts.  Spring is just around the corner!



5)  Still going strong with my not eating chocolate for 40 days plan.  I may have accidentally slipped up once this week, but I didn't mean to, so that doesn't count, right?!