Current Favorite Beauty Things ♥

 Hello Friends! ♥

I haven't done a favorite things post in a while so today I am sharing with you my current favorite things: beauty edition

I'm not gonna lie, there are days when I don't get out of my sweat pants.  Working from home will do that to you.  It's so comfy!  However, I do find on the days where I actually do get "ready" I feel so much better.  I feel more awake and am more productive.  I've found trying new beauty products here and there is a fun way to get me going.  I can't resist wearing a new lipstick.  Even if I'm not even leaving the house.  

Here are a few products that I am currently loving ♥

Cinnamon Buns shower gel by Philosophy.  I actually got this in my Christmas stocking!  I've used it before and absolutely love it!  It's so smooth and creamy and the scent is divine.  You know the smell of your kitchen when you have cinnamon rolls baking in the oven? Well, that's it!  What a way to start the day.  It's a real treat! 

Ok, I'll admit it - I'm a hairspray girl straight from the 80's!  Always have been, always will be.  I like my hair to have some hold in it.  Over the years I've used everything from Aqua Net to the very expensive brands from the salon.  Most of them aren't worth the money in my opinion.  For a good while now I've been using Lock It from Loreal.  It gives excellent hold and is not sticky or flaky.  I wish I was one of those girls who could have silky straight hair with nothing in it.  I was always jealous of those girls.  Me, I have to have a little "pouff" and this hairspray does the trick.  

If you want to treat yourself with a nice conditioner that is moisturizing, promotes shine, and is sulfate free, I recommend this one by Kristin Ess.  I've been using her shampoo for over a year now and love it so I decided to try the conditioner.  Its lovely and leaves my hair feeling so healthy.  

I heard about this mascara on Instagram.  Someone I follow was raving about it.  It's Revlon's Big Bad Lash.  It's a thickening mascara, which I love but it also claimed to tint your lashes after 7 days of consecutive use.  That's all I needed to hear.  Not only do I love the look of this mascara, it lasts all day and after only a few days I did notice a slight tint on my bare lashes. 

Loving it! ♥

Speaking of Revlon, I'm also currently wearing the Revlon Shine lipcolor in Nude Illuminator.  It's very creamy and moisturizing on my lips.  I love when I can get makeup that feels high quality at drug store prices.  Well done Revlon! : ) 

Finally I want to mention a beautiful fragrance called Inis. I have it in a roll on so it's very convenient to apply.  Just because I'm not leaving the house doesn't mean I don't want to smell pretty.  This fragrance is perfect for spring going into summer.  It's a very light, oceany scent.  Think of a sunset walk on the beach and what that would smell like. 

It's made in Ireland and the name Inis actually means "island" in Irish.  

As in take me away to a tropical island....

If you love the ocean you would love this perfume ♥

And here's an awkward selfie of me wearing all the products I just mentioned.  All dressed up with no where to go! LOL  

I hope you enjoyed this post.  Let me know some of your current favorite beauty products.  I love to try new things! 

Happy Wednesday Friends! I hope you're all having a beautiful week  ♥

Hello March ♥

Good Morning Friends! Happy March 1st! ♥

Here is a picture of a little plant that I finally got around to repotting.  I picked her up at the grocery store about 3 years ago and have managed to keep it alive, which for me, is a major accomplishment.  I don't have a very good track record with plants but somehow this one continues to thrive.  It could be me willing it to live or it just could be its in a perfect spot, right under a window.  I'm gonna go with both!  Anyway, she was outgrowing her pot so yesterday I packed her with some fresh potting soil in a new planter.  Fingers crossed she likes the change.  

Here she is a few years ago when I first brought her home so you can see how much she's grown! 

A perfect way to start March....greenery and new growth.  We've made it through the winter (yay!!) and we're coming out on the other side.  

 

I used to not like March very much.  I thought of it as dreary and boring.  Nowadays I think of it as a gateway to spring.  With January and February behind us we have everything to look forward to and March will get us there.   For the next few weeks I will be on "forsythia watch" because they are always the first flowers to bloom in the neighborhood ♥

Yesterday I spent my day cleaning, baking, and puttering around the house.  I'm not quite in spring cleaning mode yet, but I do love to putter on Sundays.  I am trying to be better at meal prepping too. In an effort to be more healthy I have fruits and veggies cleaned and ready to go in the fridge.  I also made pizza and brownies.  Its all about balance, right?! 

Yup! : ) 

Have a happy day everyone! I hope your week is getting off to a nice start.  I'm off to make more coffee and get some work done.  

Let's hope March bring good luck for all of us 🍀

xoxo

The Sun Came Out ♥

Yes it did! 

 Sunny days have been hiding from us for the last few weeks so when you get a good one you want to put it in your pocket and hold onto it.  See those pretty rays of sunlight on the carpet? 

Aren't they glorious?! 

We are nearing 50 degrees today and all the snow is melting.  I don't know how long this will last but I'm going to enjoy it while I can.  I'm going for a walk! : ) 

24 days until Spring....and counting 🌷

Happy Wednesday, friends! 

Apple Fritter Cinnamon Swirl Bread ♥

 

Good morning friends! 

I hope you all had a nice weekend.  Ours was good.  Nothing too exciting but honestly, that's the way I like it.  Yesterday I spent the day cleaning, baking, and puttering around the house.  I took down all my Valentine's Day decorations.  It was a bit sad to say goodbye to the hearts, but I must admit, the clean "non cluttered" look is refreshing for now.  Next week I'll put out a few St. Patrick's Day do-dads.  I do love all the green because it reminds me of Spring.  We've noticed the daylight is sticking around a bit longer these days (just slightly, but it's enough) and yesterday the sun was shining! After such a gloomy week last week, it was so nice to see some rays through the windows.  It really does lift the mood.  So many are suffering from weather conditions right now.  Hard to believe we have to endure more craziness.  There is hope friends.  Spring will come.  I can guarantee it. 

In other news, I tried a new recipe yesterday that I must share with you!  I've been craving apple for the last week.  Maybe because the weather is so depressing and apple-cinnamon is comforting to me or maybe it's due to my extreme love for all things FALL. Regardless, I had the urge to bake something apple so that's what I did.  

I saw this recipe on Pinterest and I thought it looked interesting.  Would it be different from a plain apple cake? Let's find out. 

The recipe comes from Home Is Where The Boat Is 

Go check out Mary's website for gorgeous photos and food inspiration! 

For now, here is her recipe.  I followed it step by step, except she recommended Granny Smith apples, but I used Cortlands because that's what I had.  I also did not make the glaze because I thought is was sweet enough without it.  Honestly, we didn't miss it at all : ) 

Cinnamon Swirl Apple Fritter Bread, recipe adapted Food Network

Makes (1) 9 x 5-inch loaf, approximately 8 servings

Ingredients

1/3 cup light brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 medium apples, peeled & chopped 

2/3 cup sugar plus 2 tablespoons

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper, with ends hanging over edge of pan. Spray parchment with nonstick spray.

Mix brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together in a bowl; set aside. Toss apples with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and remaining teaspoon cinnamon in another bowl; set aside.

Beat butter and remaining 2/3 cup granulated sugar together with mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time; add vanilla extract.

Whisk flour, baking powder and salt together in another bowl, then add to creamed butter mixture and beat until blended. Mix 1/2 cup milk into batter until smooth.

Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan; add half the chopped apple mixture.

Sprinkle half of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture on top of apple layer.

Pour the remaining batter over apple layer and top with remaining chopped apples, then the remaining brown sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Lightly pat apples into batter; swirl brown sugar mixture through apples using a knife.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean, approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cover with foil during last 10 minutes of baking time to prevent overbrowning if needed.

Let loaf rest in pan for 15 minutes , then remove from pan using edge of parchment and place on wire rack to cool completely.

*this recipe looks like a lot of steps but it came together easily and quickly, just so you know ; )

Before...

After...♥

I must say, this cake turned out DELICIOUS!  I'm still not sure why it's called apple fritter cake, but all I know is that it's yummy!  I couldn't wait until it cooled completely to cut into it so my first slice was still warm.  OMG.  It tastes like a combination of apple pie and apple cake.  So so good.  

I'm actually off to have a piece now with my coffee. I wish I could share with all of you! 

Have a wonderful day my friends! ♥

See you on Wednesday! 

Lent ♥

For me, the season of Lent is a time of reflecting on my strengths and weaknesses within myself and my relationship with God.  I saw this chart online yesterday and it spoke perfectly of my plans for this lenten season.  

Some of these are not as easy as they seem, but everyday I wake up with a clean slate and a chance to try.  

Lent also means that Spring is coming and we are coming out of our Winter hibernation.  Flowers will bloom and trees will come alive again.  It's a beautiful time to experience.  

Have a blessed day my friends  ♥

 

How was your weekend? ♥

Good Morning Friends! Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a happy Valentines Day! ♥

My weekend was lovely and very relaxing, just as I hoped it would be.  On Saturday John and I went out for a little car ride.  We've been doing this since the pandemic started just to "get out" and it's become a weekend routine for us now that we really enjoy.  We cruise around town, listen to music, and will most likely hit a drive through for drinks and snacks.  Honestly, I've been down roads in my town that I've never seen before in all of the 46 years I've lived here! It's kind of fun. My favorite part is John and I talk and tell stories.  He doesn't realize it, but I'm bonding with him! LOL 

This past Saturday we also made a quick socially distanced visit to my in laws who live a few towns over, to wish them a happy Valentine's Day.  It was nice to see them!  The pandemic has hit everyone pretty hard and it's not getting any better around here, but I am grateful to be able to make those quick little stops when I can. 

Valentine's Day was delightful.  I woke up to the biggest cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee I've ever seen! According to Rob it's called "the great one".  It's not on the menu but if you ask, they'll make it for you.  He knows the way to my heart ♥

We had a quiet day and I was even able to squeeze in a 30 minute rest on the couch right after I put this cake in the oven.  Rob offered to treat us to a take out dinner so I didn't have to cook, but I still wanted to make dessert : ) 

 

Our favorite take out place is closed on Sundays so we went with our second choice, which turned out to be amazing.  I got the fish sandwich.  It was Yummy! ♥

Strawberry cake for dessert, followed by cards, and movie.  

I couldn't have asked for a more cozy day with my loved ones.  

 And all of sudden it's Monday again and the start of a new week.  Rob has taken John out sledding and I'm warm and cozy here at my desk, steaming coffee at my side, and awaiting more snow....actually slush because it's supposed to be a "wintery mix" which usually equals slushy mess.  Can you tell I'm over winter?  We are half way through February my friends and Spring is one day closer!  Yay. 

Wishing you all the best Monday and I'm sending you good vibes for the week ahead.  Tonight's dinner is chicken pot pie so I'm going to prepare that now so I don't have to worry about it later.  I'll just pop it in the oven.  Don't you love those kinds of dinners?  Me too! ♥

Byeeee! xo 

Happy Valentine's Day ♥

Wishing you all a warm and snuggly Valentine's Day! ♥

We'll be celebrating with a yummy take out dinner from our favorite local place and for dessert I'm making strawberry cake...heart shaped of course! : ) 

It doesn't take much to keep us happy over here!  What will you be up to?  

Have a great weekend friends!  

I'll see you on Monday morning with a hot cup of coffee and probably leftover cake for breakfast! xo 

♥