Thursday, July 14, 2016

Bedtime Basics ~ 7 Essentials

As soon as bedtime rolls around, I'm ready to wipe away my makeup, cleanse and moisturize my face. I start my routine with Simple Micellar Cleansing Water. This stuff wipes away my eye makeup with ease! It's not drying and a bottle lasts a long time since only one cotton pad is needed. I use Estee Lauder Take It Away to wash my face and then I apply a dab of Simple Rich Moisturizer. My skin is basically dry and this light moisturizer adds just the right amount of moisture to my T-zone and neck. Around my cheeks and jawline, I apply Estee Lauder Shape & Fill Serum and Advanced Night Repair. If I was out in the sun during the day I add an extra dab of Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator. Lips are last and I use Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub. This lip scrub works great and tastes great!

What are your bedtime basics? Share in the comment below.
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Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Mojitos that Don't Have to Ruin Your Diet



Sitting on the patio sipping a mojito just got better with the help of Gordan's Skinny Mixes Mojito. With zero calories and zero sugar, this mixer tastes almost homemade. Just mix 1 part rum with 3 parts mix. Add a squeeze of fresh lime and some home-grown mint and you have a refreshing beverage that is guilt-free. 




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Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Easy Summer Salad ~ Warm Shrimp & Farro Salad



Recipe

Boil 1/2 cup farro in a medium pot for 30 minutes. Drain. In a pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Add 1 cup green beans and 1 red bell pepper, toss for 7-8 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. Add teaspoon of oil to pan. Cook shrimp until opaque. Toss shrimp into farro. Add some arugula and a little dressing of your choice. Garnish with a mint sprig. 

Nutrition
Calories 431, Carbs 41g, Fiber 9g, Protein 26g, Sugar 9g


 

 
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Monday, July 11, 2016

Are You Looking for a Summer Golden Glow? ~ Try My 5 Drugstore Favorites


Run to your nearest drugstore and pick up these 5 products and your summer golden glow will be complete! Start with a self-tanner. I use Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun in deep bronze. Next, apply L'Oreal Pro Glow Infallible 24 hour foundation. Add some Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer and brush on some highlights with Physician's Formula Mineral Glow Pearls Powder. Finish your golden look with Maybelline Stormy Sahara lipstick.

What are your 5 favorite golden glow products? Share in the comment below.

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Sunday, July 10, 2016

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Through Tuscany ~ Is Your Car Bigger Than the Road?





Lately, I've been watching YouTubers who discuss blogging and I've learned that storytelling can connect you with your followers in a way that makes them feel like they know you. So here is my first attempt at storytelling.

This story begins in a tiny town in Tuscany. The town was so tiny that I don't think it really had the need for an official name. Those who live there obviously know where they live and those who don't won't remember the little town since it was just a speck on a map on the way to a bigger adventure.





My husband, two friends, and I were on a day trip from Orvieto traveling through Tuscany to spend the day in Montepulciano. Our rental car, a Fiat 500, had served us well through the earlier parts of our trip and as we set out for the day (car filled with snacks) we never anticipated that our journey could quickly come to a screeching stop in a tiny Tuscan town.

As we drove through the town admiring the beautiful scenery we never once thought that lodging our car in what looked like a roadway but turned out to be a walkway could turn into an I love Lucy episode where Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel get their car stuck between two Italian brick walls. Our tiny car was just too big for the more tiny corridor and as we approached it all signs that we should turn back were prominently displayed. There was an old Italian man shouting at us, two waiters shaking their heads while pointing in the opposite direction and several lost tourists looking inquisitively in our direction. Did this stop us?  Absolutely not! "We got this" and "just go slowly" were shouted from the back seat of the Fiat as my husband cautiously maneuvered the first turn.

I couldn't resist jumping out of the car to capture our story on video. It's amazing that I could even open the door to get out given our tight quarters. The car pressed forward for a few more seconds and then it was game over! I'm not sure if it was the shouting Italian or the gathering crowd but it was at this point that my husband decided that retreat was the only option.

Driving forward in an obscenely tight corridor is one thing but driving in reverse is an entirely different feat altogether! After 10 agonizing minutes, the Fiat emerged from the walkway and the crowd cheered.


As it turns out the tiny town was Proceno.


A lovely little town big enough to have a castle!



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Saturday, July 9, 2016

Wine of the Week ~ Black Box Pinot Grigio

Not all top shelf wines need to come with a cork. This Black Box Pinot Grigio is a great solution for those of us who want the convenience of a good wine without worrying about waste. Add a bit of St. Germain liqueur to a glass and you have a slightly dry cocktail that's sure to satisfy even the pickiest palate.


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Friday, July 8, 2016

Follow Your Tastebuds to Le Cochon Dingue ~ Quebec City


If you find yourself in Quebec City you will want to head straight to Le Cochon Dingue for the very best breakfast you'll have in a long time. This little restaurant can be found on rue du Petit-Champlain. This authentic Quebecois bistro is more local than touristy and the staff is overwhelmingly friendly and warm. My husband chose le pain au chocolat with hot chocolate and I went for the traditional croissant and le cafe au late. It's a perfect place to enjoy the sights and sounds of Quebec City.

Do you have a favorite breakfast spot in Quebec City? Share in the comment below.
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Thursday, July 7, 2016

Tea Time Just Got Chilly ~ Ice Up a Cup & Enjoy


        Nothing is better than a steaming hot cup of tea to unwind after a long day.  But who wants HOT tea in the summertime? Try an icy alternative and serve your tea cold. Here are my favorite three teas that taste just as good cold as they do hot.


Directions

   
Brew your tea as you normally would but instead of serving it piping hot remove the tea bags and allow it to cool completely at room temperature. You can refrigerate it to speed up the cooling process. After the tea is properly chilled serve it over ice. I like to garnish mine with fresh lemon and a sprig of mint.

What's your favorite tea served cold? Share in the comments below.


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Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Leftover Corn on the Cob? Try this Zesty Bean Salad



We hosted a 4th of July barbecue yesterday and ended up with  a few leftover corn on the cob. Here's a great way to use up that corn the day after.

Ingredients

1 tomato - core, seed and dice
Leftover corn on the cob - cut the corn off the cob
1 red onion - diced
1 lime - zested and halved
Bunch of parsley - chopped
1 can of beans - (I used Kidney beans) drained and rinsed

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan. Add corn and onion. Cook until tender. Add beans and diced tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Add parsley, lime zest, and lime juice. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!!

Do you have a quick summer salad that is designed to use up leftover vegetables? Share in the comment below. 

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Monday, July 4, 2016

4 Natural Lip Colors that Look Great on Everyone



NYX Butter Gloss in Tiramisu 07 ~ This gloss is a tinted beige nude and feels buttery smooth.

Wet n Wild Mauve Outta Here 907C ~ Definitely more of a mauve shade but adds a pinkie brightness to the lips that has long wear. It's somewhat waxy and a bit difficult to apply but it does have staying power.

Milani Lip Creme in Amore Matte in Lust 04 ~ This is a pretty rose liquid to matte creme that goes on opaque.

Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Nude Flush 10 ~ This liquid lipstick is very pigmented and is the perfect nude color.

These are all drugstore brands and range from $3.00 - $7.00.
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Sunday, July 3, 2016

Sunday Afternoon Relaxation ~ Wine Slushies and Blogs


Relaxing on a Sunday afternoon just got better when paired with a delicious wine slushie.

Ingredients

4 cups wine
Frozen fruit of your choice
Blend into a puree
Add 1 cup of ice
Pulse blend
Pour into your favorite cocktail glass and garnish with fresh fruit.
Enjoy!

What's your favorite adult slushie recipe? Share in the comment below. 



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Saturday, July 2, 2016

Three Steps to a Star-Spangled Fourth of July Celebration




Step 1: Decorations

With the Fourth of July right around the corner, it's time to start planning your holiday barbecue. Start with a few patriotic decorations placed along the patio or walkway.


Step 2: Table Setting


Your table doesn't have to be outfitted with Red, White & Blue. Instead use other colors and patterns to herald the celebration of a summer day. 


Step 3: Container Gardens

Add a flag to your container garden and the pop of Old Glory will instantly turn it into an All American display.


More July 4th tips to be featured on my Monday blog.
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Friday, July 1, 2016

Mushrooms, Tomato, Cauliflower Oh My! ~ Summer Garden Side Dish that Won't Disappoint

Nothing says summer barbeque like roasted veggies on the grill. This easy veggie favorite packs a flavor punch and is sure to be the perfect complement to any main course. Grab some tin foil. Add cut cauliflower, mushrooms and tomatoes and a bit of parley and basil from your garden and you have the makings of a healthy side dish. Drizzle with olive oil and add salt, pepper, oregano and a dash of cayenne to taste. Fold over the tin foil and place on the grill with burgers, chicken or fish. After 25-30 minutes the veggies will be cooked to perfection.

What's your favorite summer side dish? Share in the comments below.


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