August Favorites

My August Faves: My favorite "anythings" that I discovered in August.  Enjoy!

~All the products listed I bought and have used.  


NYX Eye Shadow Palette
http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/love-in-paris-eye-shadow-palette/NYX_098.html?cgid=eyes#start=8&cgid=eyes

On Sale at the NYX Website for $5.00 a palette
Also available at Ulta.

I’m a neutral palette type person with pink accents.  These two palettes are perfect for me for a day-to-day look.  At work I don’t want dramatic heavy looking make-up.  The two eye shadow palettes I absolutely love are Merci Beaucoup (Shimmery & matte neutrals, gold, and rust colors) and Pardon My French (Shimmery beiges, golds, browns, and greens.)  In the Pardon My French palette I don’t use the green colors, they don’t look good on me!


e.l.f. Cosmetics Complexion Makeup Brush
$3.00 at Walmart.com

This is an inexpensive brush that I use everyday for my blush application (even though it is labeled “complexion brush”…I don’t care.  I use what I like best!  It works really well with picking up the pigments and the application is smooth to the cheek.  

According to the website, “Made with synthetic taklon, it is anti-bacterial, soft and highly absorbent. You can easily use this cosmetic brush with any wet or dry products.”


Costal Linen Candle
Available at Target.

I love love love this scent.  I’m addicted to the smell; it is like masculine cologne.  Yum!  I’m already on my third one of these.

Tabor Hill Valvin Muscat Wine

http://www.taborhill.com/

I’m from the Midwest, thus no good local wineries.  But once in a blue moon I take trips along the cost of Lake Michigan and land on the Michigan Wine Trail.  Always have a great time on these wine tours! My favorite winery is Tabor Hill.  A couple weeks back on a trip I stopped at one of their tasting rooms and tried the Valvin Muscat.  A very crisp clean tasting white wine.  I’m not a dry wine drinker, but this soon became a favorite of mine!

The website describes states “Our Estate Grown Valvin Muscat opens with floral aromas of apricots and orange blossom.  On the palate are tropical fruits including notes of peach and tangerine.  The finish is long and crisp.  Produced with a slight sweetness, this wine comes off like a tropical fruit basket in a glass.  Serve the wine as an aperitif, with cheeses or spicy foods and of course fresh fruit desserts.”


Blog I love: http://www.soobsessedwith.com/
~I discovered this blog about 7 months back.  You can tell how much Hannah loves her blog because it is beautiful and very fascinating.  When looking back at her post, I find that she and I have many of the same interests.  Her posts definitely keep my interest, especially regarding her books reviews and selections!  Great blog to follow with great pictures and insightful point of view!

Song I am loving: Omi “Cheerleader” – the slow 2012 version.  
I recently went on a road trip and my friend I went with played this song continually.  “How have I not heard this”, I thought to my self.  It’s because my friend was playing the original version of the song that came out in 2012?!!!!  The faster version played now on the radio is okay, but I prefer this one.  Check out the video online…the “Official” video from 2012. 

Movie: Marley & Me
Yes, this came out in2008, but I hadn’t seen it in years.  I decided it was time to re-watch and I’m glad I did.  I forgot how much I loved this movie. Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson are awesome in here and they had great chemistry with the dog Marley…the true star of the movie!  Marley & Me made me laugh and it made me cry…at the end always!  I love animals and I am definitely a dog person, so this movie is right up my alley.  If you haven’t seen this movie… you should; if you have…re-watch it!

Behind Bars: Rookie Year on A&E.
http://www.aetv.com/behind-bars-rookie-year
I just happened to stumble upon this new series on A&E and it instantly captured my attention.   It soon became a favorite and I have my DVR set to record the whole series until the end of the season. 
What it’s about, “A&E Network presents "Behind Bars: Rookie Year," a new original documentary series following novice correctional officers as they begin their careers inside the walls of one of the most perilous prisons in America, the Penitentiary of New Mexico. '"Behind Bars: Rookie Year" is on Thursday night at 10PM ET/PT on A&E.”

Moment in Nature ( #2)

Sea Turtle

Photo found at http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/

Blueberry Cupcake with Swirled Cream Cheese Frosting

This was a post from a blog I use to have before this one.  I'm going to re-post all my favorite past posts onto this blog before closing down my old blog.  Enjoy this favorite cupcake recipe. 

This cupcake is a real crowd-pleaser. I found it in a 2012 issue of Martha Stewart Living and fell in love. I’ve made it couple of times and it always comes out. 

What I love most about it is the different textures going on it this beautiful cupcake. You have the fluffy cake mixed with sweet blueberries and its topped with a crunchy brown sugar mix, then topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting with swirls of blueberry jam. Yum! 

Being a novice food photographer, I’ve really been practicing my photography and editing skills. Hope you enjoy!

Home Décor: A Love For Coral

I recently moved and had a blank canvas to start with when it came time to decorating my place. That brings us to my living room/ great room.  I wanted it to be bright and lively so I went with an Aqua, Coral, and Grey palette.  My dad painted my accent wall a variation of aqua while my main walls stayed white.  I live in an apartment and felt a need to only paint the accent wall, that way when I move out in the future, that is the only wall I have to prime.  I bought a grey couch and decorated the room with coral accents.  Below are just a couple ideas for home décor. 

Items found at  the following:

Hobby Lobby

Target

Wayfair

Etsy

Search: Coral home accents

Watermelon Cupcakes

Super Cute Watermelon Cupcakes!!

I was at Wal-Mart a few weeks back and saw this box and the coordinating frosting on an end cap.  I had to try it.  I made them and took them to a family cook out.  They were so yummy and the flavor of watermelon in the cupcake and the frosting were very evident!  Needless to say these did not last long.  Since these are only out seasonally, I believe they are still available at the grocery stores for the rest of the summer.  The brand was from Betty Crocker.  

Pink Velvet Cupcakes

This was a post from a blog I use to have before this one.  I'm going to re-post all my favorite past posts onto this blog before closing down my old blog.  Enjoy this favorite cupcake recipe. 

This cupcake is adapted from the Taste of Home magazine. It is basically a yellow cake recipe that is dyed pink using the Wilton Pink Gel Dye. These are topped with a whipped white chocolate ganache and pink pearls. 

~Recipe~

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup butter, softened 
1-1/4 cup Sugar 
1/8 tsp. pink paste food coloring – use a pink gel…like Wilton’s brand 
3 Eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla 
2-1/2 cup flour 
1-1/2 tsp. Baking Powder 
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt 
1 cup Buttermilk

WHITE CHOCOLATE GANACHE:
1 package white chocolate baking chips (2 cups) 
1 TBSP. Butter 
1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream 
Pink coarse sugar, edible glitter, or sprinkles
Pink pearls-edible 

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar and food coloring until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in Vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk beating well after each addition. 
2. Fill paper lined muffin cups 2/3 full. 
3. Bake at 350 for 23-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
4. In a heavy saucepan melt the white chocolate chips and butter with cream over low heat. Stir until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl (use the bowl you set aside earlier to save dishes). Chill for 30 minutes; stirring once. Make sure it gets nice and cold. I even put it in the freezer for a couple of minutes. 
5. Beat on high for 2-3 minutes or until soft peaks form and frosting is light and fluffy. Frost the cupcakes...I just used a regular knife to get a rough finish. It was a nice texture contrast when compared to the smooth pink pearls. Sprinkle the edges with coarse sugar and top with pink pearls. 

Book Series to Read!

I love to read (understatement of the year)!  What I love more is to buy books, have them sit on a shelf for some time, along with many other unread books, and forget about them.  That’s what happened to a pile of books from the Lord of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter. The series debuted in 2008….and it’s now 2015.  I moved at the end of January and low and behold when I was unpacking I came upon all these books.  I was determined to read these forgotten books and stacked them on my night stand as a reminder to get reading!   And there they sat and sat until one night in April, when I was bored to death of TV; I picked up the first book in the series, The Darkest Night, and devoured it in 2 days. And within 1 week I read the first three books in the 11 book series.

Where have these books been all my life??? Oh yeah, in a box for years before they made an almost-permanent home on my nightstand in my TBR pile.  My mistake!!!

This series is a must read for someone who like sexy romance, mythology, suspense, action, and plain old good storytelling!  The way Gena Showalter weaves the stories of the characters from book to book is fantastic.  I have read, so far, books 1-8 and my interest is still held.  The books are very character driven, which is important in a story.  Sometimes you just don’t like the characters and it makes it impossible to finish.  Each book introduces new characters, while still incorporating the old ones.  There are also many many plots twist to keep your interest.

The main reason why I love this series so much is that it incorporates Greek mythology.  Greek mythology is one of my favorite topics in literature…I took 2 classes about it in college.  Thus this series is perfect for me.  Add a little spice and some good sexy scenes and I’m sold!  In 2016 the 12^th book is coming out…I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!

Moment in Nature

I’m starting a weekly post called “Moment of Nature” taken from the show on CBS called Sunday Morning.  I have a passion for nature and the creatures that live in it. I feel that we as humans forget to take time to get out of our rushed live and enjoy what’s around us.  I frequently enjoy watching documentaries regarding earth and the animals that we tend to forget are out there.  I’m big into conservation and stay up-to-date on endangered special and animal issue.  This is why I decided to do this weekly post to feature photography of our splendid Earth.  I find that it’s nice to take a break for everyday life and enjoy the scenery.  Enjoy!

I do not own this photo.  I do not know who the photographer is. But I love this picture...makes me smile!

Spotlight On: Lavender

Lavender is an herb. The flower and the oil of lavender are used to make medicine. 
By inhalation, lavender is used as aromatherapy for insomnia, pain, and agitation related to dementia. In foods and beverages, lavender is used as a flavor component. 

The scent is either a hit or miss for people. I love love love lavender. It just relaxes me completely and smells so darn good! I have many products, not featured, that have the lavender scent...candles, fabric softener, detergent, many lotions, and my absolute new favorite...garbage bags! I've been having issues with my bad smelling garbage can; the odors would just not go away no matter how many times I scrubbed it out. But then I happened upon this Glad Lavender Garbage Bags and my stinky problem went away. 

Thus I wanted to share my love for lavender with some products that I own and use a lot!

• French Lavender & Honey scent from Bath and Body Works- I bought this scent over a year ago and love it. I stocked up on it, thank goodness! http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=34112526&cp=4090260.4090355 

• Arbonne Lavender bath salts- I use these to help me relax after a long day at work. Yes you can use them in the bath, but I love to soak my feet right before I go to bed in hot hot water with a spoonful of these bath salts. Sooo relaxing! https://www.arbonne.com/pws/homeoffice/tabs/home.aspx 

• Rinse Lavender Shower Bombe- Love this! Just drop these in the stream of you hot show water and enjoy. http://www.rinsesoap.com/ 

• OPI Nail Lacquer- Beautiful color I can wear any time of year. http://opi.com/#jeJJO0v0KKKECFpE.97 

• Maybelline Eye Studio- Many purple palettes to choose from. You can pick these up at any drug store or Wal-Mart/Target. I use the purple shades on the weekends because they help to bring out my brown eyes. 

• Purple Sharpie Ultra Fine Point marker- It’s fun to write in color. It brightens up my work day! I bought this at Office Depot online. I actually have all the colors.

And last but not least... a pic of the Glad Garbage Bags

Mini Beignets with Mixed Berry Compote

Beignets with Mixed Berry Compote

This is a very easy recipe to follow and the berry compote is equally as easy.  Yes is does take time to prepare the beignet dough, but it is well worth the wait.  The final product is light and airy with a fluffy texture.  Since these beignets are smaller in size, I could easily eat a lot of them (I actually scarfed down 4 in a matter of minutes).   Also the compote is kind of hard to use as a dip, so I used a spoon and dolloped is onto the beignet.  Delicious!

Recipe: Beignets

Ingredients:

1 envelope active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water, about 105⁰-110⁰F
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup whole milk
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 quarts oil, plus more to oil bowl- I used what I had on hand which was vegetable
Confectioners' sugar

Directions: Mix the yeast, water, and sugar in a mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the salt, egg, milk, and 1 1/2 cups flour; mix on medium speed until combined. Add the butter; mix until incorporated. Add 1 3/4 cups flour, and mix until the dough comes together. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in the remaining 1/4 cup flour by hand until the dough is smooth, about 5 minutes.

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let stand in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Remove the dough from the bowl and punch down. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out circles with a 1-inch round cutter; place on a floured baking sheet. Let rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 30 minutes.

Heat the oil in a medium pot or deep fryer until it registers 350⁰F on a deep fry thermometer. Fry the beignets in batches, rolling them around constantly with a slotted spoon, until golden brown all over, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the beignets with the slotted spoon to a platter lined with paper towels and dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve warm with the compote.

Recipe: Mixed Fruit Compote

Ingredients:

1 bag of frozen berries
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. cornstarch

Directions: In a medium saucepan mix bad of frozen fruit, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch.  Put on medium flame and start to simmer.  . Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, and cook until the jam is thickened about 12-15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl straining through a sieve (to get a smooth consistency) and let come to room temperature.

Mixed berry compote cooking

Compote after straining