Christmas cookie time!

This year I made my holiday cookies early. I made chocolate chip, gingerbread and shortbread. Similar to my blog posts last year,   "Snow and Cookies" and "My First Blog Post - Christmas Décor", here are pics of my baking, décor and winter fun.

 

 

My David's Tea wintery cup collection

 

 

 

                                                       My living room decorations

 

 

 

This horse posed for a portrait

 

They were so pretty that I had to include them!

 

My favorite cup and my nails (painted in Rimmel Stiletto Red)

 

 

 

and of course Lulu says Merry Christmas!

Happy Halloween!!!

 

 I hope everyone has a groovy Halloween! I was a hippie this year. Below are some autumn pics. Peace!
 

 

Millions of Peaches, Peaches for Me

Today I decided to pick some peaches from our tree and freeze them for the winter for smoothies, etc. It was a lot of fun and they smelled so good! Here is a visual journey of that process:
 

 

 

Small haul

Boiling

 

Blanching

 

Peeled - the skins came off easily

Sliced ones

 

 Finished product

 

 I tried a few ways of freezing them. I did some in water, and some in syrup. I froze some separately on a tray first and then put them in the Ziploc bags. I also did some with a bit of sugar on them, so I will see which way works out best. I am excited to try them out!

Update:
I found the ones with sugar on them were the easiest to use
(making smoothies) because they break apart so you can control
how many you use, and it's easier to blend.
 The ones in syrup and sugar turned brown and mushy when they thawed... :(

 

Lilacs Abloom

Lilacs are my favorite flower. When I was growing up we had a tree on our property and I remember the smell vividly. Here are some pictures from the spring that I wanted to share.

 

 

A lilac tree bordering our yard

 

 

 And my dresser top with a vase of lilacs and a painting I did about a year ago. I also had a Bath and Body Works 'Lilac Blossom' candle and it smelled amazing!

Fly By Butterfly

I went to the beach and found two butterflies willing to pose for me. It was almost as if they wanted to be photographed because they kept flying around me, and didn't move when I took close-ups.

 

 

What's In My Bag

This is a quick post on what I carry in my purse. It's just a fun thing that everyone on YouTube does because people are sometimes curious about what other people have in their bags.

 

 

The bag I'm using is a large, brown, equestrian-style bag by Nine West

 

So this is what I've got:

 

My keys

Aldo sunglass pouch

Small hairbrush (Goody)

Cupcake coin purse from Pharmasave

Excel mints

Victoria's Secret pocket mirror

Tissues

Tommy Hilfiger wallet

Glysomed hand cream

Aldo sunglasses

Hair clip

 

Also not in picture: MAC Viva Glam VI lip gloss,

L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Rose Elixir,

Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly lip gloss and

Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia

-because girls love to carry too many lip products!

Paris Bathroom Decor

Here are some pictures of my bathroom decor, a lot of it is "Paris" themed.  On my dresser (that I use as a vanity) I have a Jonathan Adler tray with my perfumes on it: Victoria's Secret Sexy Little Things Noir, Guess For Women and Body Shop Love Etc.

 

 

 I bought a glass tray at a garage sale and I keep makeup brushes in it along with Q-tips, eye makeup remover, etc.

 

 

I have an Eiffel tower ornament on my dresser and one that hangs on the wall. 

Small print of the Eiffel tower and "Paris"

 

 

 

3 IKEA grasses on a shelf and a wall ornament that holds candles

 

 

Soap pump

 

Vanity area 

 

Sink area
 

 

 

And finally here is the mirror that I am using, it's a Conair and great for makeup.

 

 

New Purse, Valentine's Day Nails & Makeup Trends

I am absolutely loving this purse! It is a small, quilted, black bag with a fake turn-lock clasp. I got it at Winners for $24.99, the brand is Style&Co (originally from Macy's for $65.00). It looks just like a Chanel purse. It is so soft and the perfect size (as opposed to my larger Nine West bag, that I haul everything around in)!
 

 

 I painted my nails for Valentine's Day. I put on Essie 'Peach Daiquiri' as a base coat and Nicole by Opi 'Love Your Life'  on top.  

 

 

 

I have been following makeup trends on YouTube, sort of accidentally for the past year, just by watching a lot of YouTube beauty/style guru videos. I found it interesting how much makeup I didn't know about! Here are my findings of the most talked about products and brands for those of you who, like me, were out of the loop.

 

Brands:

Benefit

MAC

Urban Decay

NARS

NYX

Stila

Too Faced

Smashbox

Dior

Chanel

Clinique

 

Foundation

Laura Mercier

Maybelline BB Cream

 

Blush

Benefit (Coralista)

 

Bronzer 

Benefit (Hoola)

NARS (Laguna)

Chanel Tan De Soleil

 

Concealer

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer

L'Oreal Magic Lumi

 

Highlight

Benefit Eye Bright Pencil

NARS (Orgasm)

 

Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Naked 1, 2 & Basics Palette

Maybelline Color Tattoo (Bad to the Bronze)

 

Eyeshadow Primer

Urban Decay Primer Potion

 

Eyeliner

Urban Decay 24/7

MAC liquid liner

 

Mascara

Dior Show

Lancome Hypnose

 

Eyebrows

Anastasia Eyebrow Palette

 

Lip Products

Revlon Lip Butters

L'Oreal Lip Balms

 

Nail Polish

Essie (Fiji)

OPI

 

 

 

 Happy Valentine's Day! xoxo