Tastey Tuesday Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

When I think of Sweet Potato Casserole I usually think of Thanksgiving and the fact that I dislike sweet potatoes. I have never been a fan of sweet potatoes and I am not sure why; I guess maybe because of the color and their appearance after they are mashed always grossed me out. Needless to say I don't make a lot of sweet potato recipes but my family loves them and asked that I make a casserole to go with our traditional Thanksgiving meal. Having never made a sweet potato casserole I went on the hunt for a good recipe that had a lot of great reviews and ran across this one on Allrecipes.com; it had 5 stars with over a 1,000 great reviews raving about it. To my surprise this was AMAZING and I can honestly say that I actually enjoyed eating it so I wanted to share it with y'all because I will definitely be making this again before Thanksgiving rolls around next year! The only thing I added to  this recipe was my Paula Deen seasoning mix that I make at home and a bag of small marshmallow's! I enjoyed the pecans on my casserole but my family didn't so next time I will probably omit those but still use the brown sugar mixture along with my marshmallow topping because it was fantastic! I hope that you try and enjoy this recipe; I also think this is a great recipe for "newbies" who, like me, are on the fence about the whole sweet potato idea!


Ingredients

4 cups sweet potato, cubed

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons butter, softened

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping Ingredients

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons butter, softened

1/2 cup chopped pecans

 

Directions

 

1.	Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Put sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with water to cover. Cook over medium high heat until tender; drain and mash.
2.	In a large bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, white sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3.	In medium bowl, mix the brown sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the sweet potato mixture.
4.	Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly brown. Photocredit: Allrecipes.com

 

Tastey Tuesday Recipe: Homemade Potato Soup

I know that I have already done my weekly entry of a "Tastey Tuesday" recipe but I wanted to do another one today because we are closing in on Thanksgiving which means lots of family time and a long weekend for many. This recipe is perfect for this cold weather we are having and this soup is a great comfort food that the whole family can enjoy! I found this recipe on Pinterest and with a few modifications I made it my own. Potato soup can tend to be bland if you're not careful but I think I found the perfect extra ingredients that made it yummy!!! It's definitely rich and very filling so a little goes a long way. I also like the fact you can whip this stuff up and then add it to your crockpot and let it sit all day on warm or low until you're ready for dinner!
 

Homemade Potato Soup

 

 

Ingredients

                                           

3 lbs of red potatoes

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

8 cups half-and-half

1 (16 ounce) package Velveeta cheese, melted

white pepper

garlic powder 

1 packet of Goya ham flavored concentrate

celery salt

cayenne pepper

salt                                                 

1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

1/2 lb bacon, fried crisp

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

 

Directions:

1. Dice unpeeled red potatoes into 1/2 inch cubes.
2. Place in large saucepan; cover with water and bring to a boil.
3. Let boil for 10 minutes or until 3/4 cooked.
4. In a separate pan, combine melted margarine and flour, mixing until smooth.
5. Place over low heat and gradually add half-and-half, stirring constantly.
6. Continue to stir until smooth and liquid begins to thicken.
7. Add melted Velveeta.
8. Stir well.
9. Drain potatoes and add to cream mixture.
10. Stir in salt, celery salt, Goya seasoning, cayenne pepper, white pepper, garlic powder and hot pepper sauce.
11. Cover and cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
12. Place soup into individual serving bowls and top with crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, chives and parsley.

 

** Helpful Hint: You can make this and transfer to a crockpot after step 11. Be sure to set your crockpot on Warm or Low so it doesn't burn. I think the longer that it cooks the better it tastes!!

 



Tastey Tuesday: Great Grandma Carriker's Peanut Butter Cookies

Today I am sharing a recipe that has been in my family forever! I make these every year during the holidays for my Dad because they are his favorite cookies. They are quick, easy and delish! I also like the fact that it makes a ton of cookies without spending a whole day in the kitchen so they're perfect for school and work parties. I don't know what it is about using recipes that have been in your family for ages but I find that I enjoy eating those more than those found on the Internet. It also takes me back to my childhood and brings up memories of spending time with my great-grandparents and grandparents. Family recipes are always made with love and that makes them special!

Great Grandma Carriker's Peanut Butter Cookies

 

 

Ingredients

 

1/2 cup of Shortening

1/2 cup of Peanut Butter

3/4 cup of Brown Sugar

1 egg

1/4 tsp. of Baking Soda

1 tsp. of Vanilla

1 1/4 cups of Flour

 

Mix all ingredients in order given. Roll batter into balls, using 1 teaspoon of dough for each cookie. Press flat with fork. Bake on a greased pan at 325 degrees until lightly browned (10-12 minutes). Makes approximately 3 dozen cookies.

 

Helpful Hint: Dip your fork in water before pressing down on your cookie and it will help prevent sticking.

 

 

I hope that you enjoy this recipe and use it during the holidays because I am positive your family will love them!!! I hope that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by your loved ones! See you next Tuesday :)

xoxo

 





 

 

Beauty Blog: Drugstore Foundation Review!

I just wrapped up a YouTube video that highlighted four popular drugstore foundations and I gave my review on them! I find that these are very helpful when I watch them because finding the right drugstore foundation seems nearly impossible at times. I also have a habit of getting bored with wearing the same beauty products so I tend to try out new things (especially foundations) when something new hits the market! So here is a recap of my video...







Revlon Color Stay Whipped ($12.00)

Pros: Medium - Full coverage, Matte Finish, Long Wearing, Blendable, Doesn't magnify pores, fine lines and wrinkles

Cons: Bulky Packaging, Doesn't contain SPF

Tips: Apply with fingertips and blend out with beauty blender

 

 



 Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse ($8.00)

Pros: Lightweight, Medium Coverage, Ultra Hydrating, Dewey Finish, Long Wearing

Cons: Doesn't contain SPF, Limited Color Choices, Sponge applicator

Tips: For a more matte finish apply powder to set












Revlon PhotoReady ($14.00)

Pros: Contains SPF, Matte Finish, Pump Application, Buildable, Medium-Full coverage, Airbrushed finish (flawless)

Cons: Drying, Limited Color Choices

Tips: MOISTURIZER!!!! This formula is very drying so using a moisturizer helps and also helps for a smoother application.













Loreal True Match Lumi ($12.00)

Pros: Hydrating, Dewey/Luminous Finish, Pump Application, Buildable, Contains SPF, Lightweight

Cons: Transfers easy, Can be greasy, Not long wearing

Tips: Use this as a highlighter instead of a foundation!


Please be sure to check out my YouTube channel and subscribe! I hope this video has been helpful and I should have another beauty blog post coming up next week with my "November Hits & Misses"!

 

Click here to watch my YouTube video!

Tastey Tuesday Recipe: Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

This week I am doing a dessert recipe as my blog post because we are fastly approaching the holiday season and these scrumptious cookies are great for class/work parties, gifts and just to have around the house for personal enjoyment! I love these cookies because they are so easy to make and they combine just the right amount of sweet & salty! I promise once you make these once you will be asked for the recipe because they are a hit with everyone :) This makes 40 cookies so you have more than enough to share with family and friends.

 

Ingredients

 

1 3/4 cup of flour

1/2 tsp of salt

1 tsp of baking soda

1/2 cup of butter (softened)

1/2 cup of white sugar

1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup of packed brown sugar

1 egg (beaten)

1 tsp of vanilla extract

1 tbs of milk

40 Reece's Peanut Butter Cups

40 mini cupcake liners

 

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.
2. Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well. Shape into 40 balls and place each into a lined mini muffin pan.
3. Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan.

Hint/Tip: I have also used Hershey kisses instead of Reece's cups with this recipe and they are just as good! You can get creative with it and make it your own!

 

Blog on my Vlog: My favorite products from "Wet n Wild"!

I posted a video on my YouTube channel earlier today so I wanted to do a follow-up blog on the products I discussed. As I mentioned in my vlog, Wet n Wild has so many amazing products out there that are often overlooked because ladies think it's a cheap brand. Yes, their packaging could use a ton of work but it's what is on the inside that counts!! I can move past the cheap plastic exterior as long as I am getting a high quality product in return. I have found some wonderful hidden gems in several of their lines so without rambling here is a recap from today's video.

 

This Color Icon pallet in "Comfort Zone" is my favorite out of all the ones that they offer. It is a nice neutral palette that works well for day and night. You are given 8 highly pigmented shades with sheen that are blendable and buildable. This palette is easy to use for beginners as it has all the colors labeled for you to tell you where to apply them. The "definer" colors (bottom row) can be omitted for daytime wear as they are very dark and highly pigmented. These are "powdery" so you will have to be careful when using these and make sure you tap your shadow brush before applying to your lid to decrease the amount of under eye fallout.

The "Color Icon" trios are wonderful hidden gems that his line has to offer because it comes in various complimentary shades. They have playful, fun, vibrant trios and also offer ones that are more subtle, light and neutral for those wanting a more fresh, natural face. I own both types and love them! They are so pigmented and in my opinion the pigmentation quality is up there with brands such as Urban Decay and Stila. I am highly impressed with them and for the money you can't help but purchase them all! My favorite is "Silent Treatment" (left), "Sweet As Candy" and "I'm Getting Sunburned"(right).

 

 

 

The "Color Icon" blushes are just as pigmented as the shadows and they give NARS and Milani a run for their money with dupes. The two shades I love the most are "Berry Shimmer" which is a very pretty and vibrant pink. Don't let the word shimmer scare you because it doesn't leave sparkle on your face; it's more of a natural glow. This shade is very complimentary to tan and darker skin tones. The shade that is said to be a dupe for NARS's shade of "Orgasm" and Milani's "Luminoso" is named "Pearlescent Pink". Wet n Wild has outdone themselves with this shade because it's the most light, coral pink. It looks fabulous on any skin tone and could be worn year round. A little of both blushes goes a long way because they are so highly pigmented that you can tend to apply too much if you are not careful. Make sure you apply these with a light hand and tap your brush before applying.

I have never been a huge fan of matte lipsticks because almost all of them are too drying and they leave my lips looking horrible. However, after trying the Wet n Wild "Mega Last" lipsticks I have found that I really like them as they do not dry out my lips. These are creamy and I feel like they do nourish my lips while wearing the color; they state they last 4 hours and I would agree with that because I do have to reapply at least once while wearing these lipsticks. I have not had an issue with bleeding but I do wear the lighter shades in "Bare-it-All" and "Wine Room" using a nude lip liner from Milani with them. As far as matte lipsticks go I have liked these the best and I have tried brands such as Loreal, Maybelline and Revlon. I think with matte shades it's really more of a personal preference so these may not work for everyone but as cheap as they are it's worth trying at least the nude shade of "Bare-it-All" because it's a nice pink nude that looks natural.


WnW offers the "MegaShield" lipstick line and these are more sheer and contain SPF 15. They also have nourishing aspects and you will get moderate coverage out of these. I like this line because they are lightweight, available in fun shades and protect my lips from harmful rays. I would probably use these more in the Spring and Summer because they are more sheer and lightweight but you could pair them over top of a matte shade to create your own personal look/shade. I have not had a problem with these feathering and I do like their shade in "Salsa Lessons" that is a vibrant coral orange shade that is perfect for Spring/Summer! The other shade I mentioned in my video was "Wine Room" and it's a pretty berry shade; not as dark as some would think since it contains the word "wine". The only thing I hate about these lipsticks are the packaging; it's horrendous. You can't roll the product all the way down so you tend to knick the end of the lipstick when you put the lid on so make sure your careful if you do end up purchasing these to try! Other than that, I can't say a bad word about them because they are high quality and I like them better than the Maybelline "Whispers" line!

I honestly do not know how much more I can RAVE about their "H20 Proof" liquid eyeliner...I know y'all are getting tired of hearing about it but it's just that dang good!!!!! The stuff is amazing and hands down beats most (if not all) the drugstore liquid liners that are available. I have tried several and this by far is my favorite. I like that it stays all day, it's waterproof, it doesn't transfer and it doesn't bother my super sensitive eyes. I couldn't ask for a better liquid eyeliner! It's easy to use since it has the felt tip end and the product does not dry up quickly like you can get with some of the liquid liners. For beginners I would suggest the felt tip end because you have better control than you do with the bristle liners. This product is smudge proof so once it's on there is nothing taking it off but a very good waterproof makeup remover! Soap and water will not cut it....my makeup towelettes do not even remove it. As I mentioned before I do use the Loreal Clean Artist Eye remover in their waterproof formula and that takes it off nicely. I do wear the color "Ultra Black" and I also own the "Black-Brown"; they do offer 2 other shades in this formula but I have not tried them.

They have added a celebrity "Makeup Adviser" to their line and that's Fergie which I think is a great fit for this company. She's hip, popular among younger women and she has so many looks that are amazing. I have tried two products from their "Fergie Center Stage" line and I am quiet impressed. These items are a tad more pricier than the other products they carry; is that possible??!? I absolutely adore two products from this line and one is the eye primer called "Take on the Day Primer - For my Primas". This primer gives a nice matte base for your eyeshadow that prevents creasing and makes your shadows more vibrant. It is a nice nude shade that blends in quickly and doesn't dry white like some primers tend to do. Fergie's primer helps your shadows last all day long and I have never had an issue with creasing when I use this with any of the shadows I have in my collection. I am a firm believer in this product and I prefer it over the Urban Decay primer. I do not have an issue with oily lids but I did a little research online, read reviews and it seems that people with oily lids could still use this primer without a problem and it worked well! The other product that Fergie has nailed is the "To Reflect Shimmer Pallet" and I purchased the Rose Champagne glow pallet. It's a beautiful mosaic of rose, gold and champagne colors that are used to highlight your face. It's just the right amount of shimmer that leaves a nice and natural healthy glow to your face without making you look ridiculous. Highlighting is easy to do if you are using the right product, the right way. They do carry this in 3 shades for various skin tones and state they can be used wet or dry. I prefer mine dry so I can't say how this product works when applied wet. I have the MAC highlighter and I prefer the Fergie so I think that speaks volumes.

 

 

Lastly, I want to briefly discuss their "Mega Last Salon Nail Color" line with the Manicurve Pro Brush. This polish hands down beats Essie in my opinion! Yes, they don't have a ton of shades to offer like Essie but their quality is outstanding and the brush makes painting your nails a breeze! I never thought the shape of a brush would make a difference but now I know that it does! The curve helps achieve that salon perfection in just a swipe or two and with some of their colors you only need to apply one coat! Their site says this stuff lasts 5 days without chipping but I've worn it up to 7 days with a top coat. I own several of these beauties but my favorite is "Wet Cement" which is a nice taupe shade for Fall/Winter and then for summer I love "Heatwave" because it's a nice bright coral shade. Several of my friends have tried these and are extremely happy with them and I think you would be too! I do not own the shade that is shown but I wanted to give you an example of what the product packing looked like! They do have various shades ranging from Pale Neutrals to dark colors like Ox Blood so I am sure you will be able to find one that fits your style!

 

I believe this wraps up my overview of my favorite Wet n Wild products that I currently own and I hope you will try a few of these for yourself! I honestly think if you can get the vision of the 1980's version of Wet n Wild out of your head you will be pretty pleased with some of their current products because they have really stepped it up and give pricier brands a run for their money. Another good thing about this brand is that CVS and Walgreens are always offering great deals on them and usually these go on sale for BOGO 1/2 off at least once a month! You can't beat that especially when most of their products are less than $5.00 each!

 

Please be sure to check out my accompanying video below if you missed it! I would love for you to subscribe to my YouTube channel and be sure to leave a comment if you want to see something discussed in the future!

 

Click here to watch my video!

 

 

 





Mouth Watering Wednesday Recipe: Clam sauce with Bacon & Linguine!

I am forever a day late on this post! I honestly try to get these recipes up on Tuesdays but it never fails...I miss it by a day or so! This week has been insane (no different than any other week) but I've managed to cook every night this week! This recipe is one of my favorites but it may not be for everyone because it involves clams! I love clams and if you cook them right they are wonderful! I ran across this recipe on Pinterest and it's so delicious, easy and cheap to make! I buy fresh clams at Publix and they are usually less than 30 cents a piece so when you pair that with pasta and a few cheap ingredients you have a meal that serves 3-4 people for less than $20! That's a pretty darn good deal if you ask me...and it's seafood which in my opinion always seems more decedent than your piece of chicken or pork!

 

 

Ingredients

• 6-8 pieces of thick cut applewood-smoked bacon, chopped
• 1 box of linguine
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ large onion or 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 – 3 shallots, chopped
• Kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 10 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 cup clam juice {Bar Harbor brand is the best!}
• ½ cup dry white wine -- I use Sutter Home Sauvignon Blanc
• 2 pounds fresh live clams, scrubbed and soaked in salted water for at least 30 minutes
• ½ stick of Butter (I use salted)
• Juice of ½ a large lemon or 1 whole small lemon
• ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Cook bacon in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towel-lined surface.
2. Meanwhile, cook linguine until al dente (as directed on package). Drain, reserving ½ cup cooking liquid, and return pasta to the pot; add the cooking liquid back into the pot and give it a toss. Set aside.
3. Add oil to bacon fat. Add onion and shallots to the skillet and sauté for 3 or 4 minutes, until soft. Add a generous pinch of salt along with the oregano and red pepper. Add garlic, and cook for another minute. Add clam sauce and white wine and let it reduce just slightly – about 2 or 3 minutes. Add clams, cover, and cook just until they open, shaking the pan a couple of times, for about 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and stir in butter, lemon juice, and parsley. Taste and add more salt if needed. (You can also add more red pepper flakes for extra heat.) Serve and enjoy!

 

You can serve this alone with bread or add a green vegetable as a side dish. I usually cook garlic spinach with it because I felt like it complimented the Clam linguine. I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as we have! Remember that you can add, take away and substitute some of these items if you can't find them or don't care for them. You could definitely switch out the type of bacon you like and shallots aren't needed but add a nice touch. Whatever you do...DO NOT skimp on the Bar Harbor clam juice!!

 

For my friends that follow me on Facebook and Instagram please let me know if there is anything you see in my posts that you would like for me to highlight on a blog post! Until next week....take care!

 

 

 

 

 

** I apologize for my picture quality on this post! I had copied them from my IG page **

2.2.7



Beauty Blog Post: October Hits!

Hey Guys! I can't believe that October is already over and we are moving into the second week of November! This year has flown by!!! It's crazy that I will be decorating for Christmas in a few short weeks. With that being said, I just posted my "October Hits" video on YouTube and that means it's time to do  the corresponding blog entry. Some of the products featured in this months video are repeats of products that I spoke about in my "September Hits" blog post so I won't bore you with the details about those; if you need a recap just read last months blog post or check out the video. I will list them at the bottom of this post just as a reference. So, let's just get started....

 I think that I have found the perfect moisturizer (for me) and I couldn't be happier. I am currently using the Loreal Ideal Moisture Day Lotion with SPF 25 ($6.49) and it's amazing. I have dry skin so I was happy to see that they carried it in a variety of formulas and one being for dry skin. This claims to have 48 hour hydration and I can honestly say that my skin feels hydrated all day long when I use this under my foundation. It's oil free and is infused with Vitamin E antioxidant. It's very light weight and absorbs quickly so you can just apply your foundation right over top of it without waiting forever for it to absorb. I also use this at night after removing all of my make-up instead of using a heavy cream moisturizer. I get enough hydration from this so I am pleased. I also love the scent because it's "girly" without being too overwhelming. They have an entire line and it's called their "Ideal" line that comes with cleansers, towelettes and moisturizers with 3 formulas; All skin types, dry skin and sensitive skin. I would highly recommend this if you are currently looking for a lightweight moisturizer for Fall/Winter.

Well, once again, I have had to change foundations. I find one that I love and then my skin just acts crazy. None of them have ever broke me out but my skin tends to dry out easy which leaves my foundation looking like a hot mess. I was browsing the aisles at CVS since I had a few CVS bucks to spare and I ran across the Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse ($8.99). The thing that first caught my eye was I noticed it said "ultra hydrating" on the package. That's definitely what I was looking for but I was skeptical because I have never been a huge Maybelline foundation fan. I decided to buy it because I had the CVS bucks and  I wasn't going to be out any money if it didn't work. I got it home and opened it and I was in shock; it looked like one oily mess. It was shiny in the packing and looked/felt oily when I glided my finger across the compact. However, once I applied it I was shocked because it didn't look that way on my face and it blended nicely without magnifying my pores. This is more of a medium coverage even though it states it's medium-full coverage but I am okay with it. This does give a dewey effect so if you tend to have oily skin then I would steer clear of this foundation because you will be disappointed.

Recently many of you YouTube guru's have been chatting about colored mascaras and I have been eyeing them but afraid to purchase them because let's face it....they scream 1980's. While I was at Target I hit their clearance bins and I noticed they had several limited edition colors from Maybelline. They were marked down to less than $3 and originally they were $6 so I figured why not pick up a few of the colors. I have had so much fun with these and I've been pleasantly surprised with them. The one I have used the most in October was the "I See Blue" which is basically an electric blue mascara. I was VERY skeptical at first because I didn't want to look like a complete idiot but every single time I wear it someone compliments me on my mascara. They can never quiet pin point what it is about my eye make-up that is different (in a good way) and it's the blue mascara. I wear this when I have something blue on because I have this thing about matching; call me weird. It gives just a hint of color to your lashes without screaming your stuck in the 80's! I usually apply one coat of my normal black mascara first and then put a coat or two of this on top of it. It isn't waterproof but I have not had an issue with it and it doesn't irritate my super sensitive eyes. So, if  you are in the market for a fun mascara to wear on the weekend try the Great Lash Maybelline LE colored mascaras! They came out in August so I am not sure if all stores carry them as Target was already clearancing them out last month.

I have been wanting to try a red lipstick forever but I have been afraid to because I always felt intimated by them. I never thought I would be able to pull it off and I would look like a 5 year old playing in her Momma's lipsticks. After spending literally an hour looking at lipsticks in CVS, I came out with the Maybelline Color Sensational color in Red Revival ($7.79). This is a beautiful shade of red that is creamy, bold and moisturizing. It is a blue toned red so it's a bit cooler than your orange based reds. I would definitely use a lip liner with this because I had an issue with a small amount of bleeding. I also had to reapply once during the day but overall I am very happy with this red shade and you can't complain when it makes your teeth a shade lighter which reds do if you didn't know that already :) I am looking forward to using this color throughout fall & winter -- it's a pretty shade for the holidays!
 
 

 
I think I have found a whitening toothpaste that actually works and doesn't hurt my teeth and gums like most of them have. I tried the Crest 3D White Luxe in Glamorous White ($4.99) last month and it's amazing! It claims that it "removes 90% of surface stains in 5 days" and it honestly works! I noticed a difference and so did my daughter; we both have sensitivity issues and this hasn't been a problem for us. It isn't harsh or abrasive and it leaves your mouth feeling super clean and brighter. I have never been able to use whitening toothpastes until now and I am glad that I finally found one that I can use. I didn't even know they had a sensitive formula in this until I looked online for pricing and it seems they do so if you are afraid this may be too harsh then you can look at purchasing that one but I have had NO issues with this formula and I have super sensitive teeth and gums. I will definitely keep repurchasing this as long as it works and I don't run into any sensitivity issues.
 

I have been using the E.L.F. Studio Line Brushes ($3.00) for a while now I can't tell you how impressed I am with them! They are high quality brushes that won't cost you an arm and a leg. I have used the pricier brushes like Sigma and Mac and I can honestly say that these work just as good. They are dense brushes that pack on a lot of color, they don't shed and withstand multiple washings. You can find these at your local Target but for a broader selection visit their online store. Beware: E.L.F. has another line that has white handled brushes that are only $1 -- these are CRAP so do not waste your money on them. They fall apart and are pretty much worthless so spend the extra two bucks and buy the black handled brushes. I really don't know what else to say about these studio line brushes other than I am completely impressed with them and you should go out and purchase yourself all of them, lol.
 
 

I have been eyeing the Tarte Inner Rim Eye Brightener pencil but forking over the $20 for it pains me. I have done research online and came across a dupe for the Tarte pencil and that's the Scandaleyes by Rimmel in nude ($3.97). Holy smokes, this stuff is awesome! You apply it to the inner rim of your bottom lid and you instantly get the effect of being wide awake! Your eyes are brighter and you just look more refreshed -- or like you just had 10 cups of coffee. This eyeliner is a creamy, highly pigmented pencil that is waterproof. It goes on smooth and lasts all day. I have never used an eyeliner that's so creamy and it made me want to go back and buy the other colors that Rimmel offers in the Scandaleyes line. So, if your eyes need a pick-me-up then go out and buy this pencil because it's a quick fix to those tired eyes us Momma's get on a daily basis.
 

I bought three colors from the Maybelline Color Tattoo Pure Pigment line ($6.99) and my favorite has been "Improper Copper" by far. I use it several times a week and it's just a beautiful shade of brown with shimmery copper pigments. I was afraid to use these because I have never used loose pigments before and I will be honest and tell you it took me a while to get used to applying them. They are loose pigments so you can have a huge mess on your hands if you're not careful. When you are applying this to your eyeshadow brush be careful to apply just a small amount and tap your brush several times before applying because if not you will have a ton of fallout under your eyes. These are highly pigmented and they go on super smooth, they are also very blendable. It states that it has 24 hour staying power and yes, it stays all day but it seems to fade by the time I remove my make-up. I am not sure I would purchase anymore of the loose pigments because out of the three I bought I was only extremely happy with this shade.
 


Other things I mentioned in my video were products I raved about in my September blog post so I won't bore you with that again but I still used them a TON (if not daily) this month too! They are:
 
 
 

 Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Shadow in "Bad to the Bronze". This color is amazing and lasts all day long without creasing or fading. It does have 24 hour staying power as I have slept in this and it didn't come off until I removed it with a towelette the next morning! This is a shimmery shade so if you are a fan of matte eye shadows you might want to stay away from this color.








 
 Physician's Formula Bronze Booster in Light/Medium. This has been one of the most natural bronzers I have ever used. It doesn't turn you orange or muddies your skin. It's just the perfect glow giving your skin a sun-kissed look.

 Loreal Clean Artiste Waterproof & Long Wearing Eye Makeup remover. This stuff is the only thing that removes my mascara and liquid eyeliner. It's amazing and doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes. Great to use for those waterproof mascaras that are a PITA to remove!!

 Loreal Voluminous False Lashes Waterproof mascara. OMG! I can't get enough of this stuff! It's awesome and gives me the fullest lashes of any mascara I have ever tried....and I have tried a lot! It's also the only waterproof mascara that I have found that doesn't bother my contacts/sensitive eyes. The only thing I can't stress enough is that you have to buy a good eye makeup remover to get this stuff off because it's stuck like glue on your lashes!

Wet n Wild H20 Proof Liquid Eyeliner in Ultra Black. I love this eyeliner and it's so easy to use with it's felt tip end. It goes on smoothly without transferring to your upper lid....however, once it's on, it isn't coming off -- it's like a Sharpie marker! Be sure to use a great eye makeup remover with this so you aren't tugging at your eyelids.


 
 
 




And there you have it; my beauty hits for October! Please be sure to check out my YouTube video and subscribe to my channel for future posts. Click here to watch my YouTube video!

Homecoming Happiness

This weekend was an exciting one as Vic had her Homecoming game, dance and celebrated her 17th Birthday! Victoria always enjoys when Homecoming rolls around because her school has spirit week and each day is filled with fun things to dress up as. This year she was actually more involved in spirit week and I was happy to see it; I think she dressed up all five days! I like when she is involved with school spirit activities because those are things she will look back on when she's my age and smile about. It's great memories that you hold on to for a lifetime.

Another lifetime memory she will carry with her is the annual Homecoming dance! She always enjoys this event (not so much the dance) because she's able to get dolled up in a semi-formal dress, have pictures taken and then eat out a nice restaurant with her date. I can also say that I enjoy this event because I get to help her with picking out the perfect dress, shoes and accessories for the dance! We always have a great time shopping together and unlike most Mom/Daughters we don't tend to argue about what she chooses. Usually I have been the one to find the dress that she actually chooses to wear! It's weird having a "semi-prom" Homecoming dance because when I was in school it was just your typical dance in the gym. Nothing fancy. It's crazy because here the guys go all out when asking the girls to the dance (almost like a wedding proposal); for instance Vic's date asked her with a box of cream filled donuts from Krispy Kreme and "homecoming?" was written on each donut. It was super cute. Of course Vic said yes and they actually decided to forgo the dance itself but still wanted to do pictures and a nice dinner with friends. Luckily, we had not shelled out a ton of money like in years past so it wasn't too bad but I did tell them that next time we need to make a decision before buying everything and ordering flowers because it still cost money that we didn't have to spend.

This brings me to her date, Robbie....I call him her boyfriend but whatever. I say they're dating because they spend almost every single day together. I guess the guy has to ask the girl now to make it "official" so I guess he hasn't "officially" asked her yet. Kids these days, crazy. I can actually say that she has found a great guy who treats her like a lady. He would do anything for her, respects her and is a perfect gentleman. I can't tell you how much of a welcome blessing this is because I have been on the end where I couldn't stand the boyfriend and I would actually pray that she would find a good one. I know that sounds insane but until you have been a Momma (or a Daddy) where you couldn't stand your child's love interest then you would understand. It's even more of a blessing when your child smiles and you see pure happiness and excitement. She is a better person around him, sweeter to her little brother and has been a joy to be around in general . She stays happy for the most part and enjoys being around us with him. I love the fact that she has him over and they just hang out watching movies....I am not naive either, I was a teenager once but I do trust the two of them. He comes from a good family and seems to have good morals so I think he's a keeper. It's also awesome that Mike is happy that she's happy and actually likes the boy. He has mentioned to me several times how much he likes Robbie and loves to see him treating Victoria like the princess she is. That is HUGE coming from this Marine Dad! Not everyone is perfect for his "little princess". I think he would like for Robbie to open up more around him but I told him he can be intimidating so he's probably just a little scared/uncomfortable. Mike is looking forward to attending some of Robbie's baseball games this year at LCHS so I am sure by then the two will be close.

Today was Vic's seventeenth birthday and I can't believe it! Time has flown by and long gone are the days of little girl parties! We didn't go all out for this birthday since it wasn't a milestone one like "Sweet 16"! We took her to a nice lunch and open presents afterwards. Robbie was taking her to a nice birthday dinner this evening. As usual, she got about everything she asked for on her birthday wish list! She always does well on her Birthday and Christmas as far as presents are concerned! Lucky girl.

So all in all, this has been a wonderful weekend spent with those that I love the most!

Tasty Tuesday Recipe: Vegtable Beef Soup (A day late!)

I completely forgot to do my "Tasty Tuesday" entry yesterday so I will do it today...better late than never, right?!? Today was the first "real" day that it felt like Fall (cool & crisp) and with Brody being under the weather I thought that a comfort food would be a great dish to make for tonight's dinner! I wanted something hearty, warm and easy so after looking in my pantry I saw that I had everything I needed for Vegetable Beef Soup. I had to visit my trusty Pinterest site to give myself a refresher course on the spices because I couldn't remember what else I put in mine other than the most obvious; ground beef, vegetables and beef broth! So here is the recipe that I used today! Now, I need to state that when it comes to spices I always try to add the correct amount listed below but I tend to add a little dash of this and that too :) So adjust it however you like but the gist of it is below!

Vegetable Beef Soup Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

1/2 onion chopped

1 tablespoon flour

1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies

1 small can tomato sauce

1 can beef broth

2 cups of water

1 can whole new potatoes (drained and cut into bite size pieces)

1 large can of Veg-all

1 can of sliced carrots

1 - 5.5 ounce can of V-8 juice (I used Hot & Spicy)

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon celery salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

 1 - 2 Bay Leaves

 1 Beef bullion cube

 A few Saffron pieces (This can be completely omitted but I wanted to try it)

1.  Brown ground beef and chopped onion, drain off grease.
2. Add flour and stir until incorporated.
3. Add all of the ingredients into a crock pot a cook 6-8 hours on Low or 4-6 on High

I would serve this with corn bread normally but for tonight saltines will have to do as I was out of cornmeal and I wasn't heading to the store with a sick child! This is so easy to make and something even your husband, boyfriend or teenager could follow if you were in a pinch for dinner! You don't even have to add all of the spices listed above so don't fret if you don't have them because it would be good with just good old fashioned salt and pepper! I hope that all of you are having a fabulous week! Until next Tuesday....Happy eating!!!

xoxo,
Jamie