Happy St. Patricks Day

When I was a little girl, on St. Patrick's Day we would buy our friends green carnations for .50 and have them sent to their classroom during school.  Receiving a carnation made you feel special because you knew it was sent by a friend thinking of YOU.  We would carry the carnations around with us for the whole day.  Some put them in their hats, some pinned on their jackets, some sticking out of their book bags, but most of the girls carried them in our hands by their long stems, showing them off proudly. 

On this St. Patrick's Day I would like to virtually send each one of you a very special green carnation....

I'm thinking of all you today and am so grateful that our path's have crossed.  It makes me so happy to know that you are there!

I would also like to share with you this recipe for Irish Bread.  This is a recipe I got out of Taste of Home Magazine.  Irish Bread is traditionally very dry, but this recipe has sour cream in it which makes it much more moist and cake-like.  This was my first time making it and I'm happy with how it turned out.  I hope you like it too.  Here's how to make it.

You will need:

3 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 tbs caraway seeds

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

2 eggs

2 cups (16oz) sour cream

1 cup raisins

In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, caraway seeds, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.

In a small bowl whisk together eggs and sour cream. 

Add to dry ingredients and blend on low speed until moistened. 

Stir in raisins.

Transfer into a 9-in greased, springform pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes (test the center with a knife and make sure it comes out clean).

Allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing the sides of the pan.

This is a perfect breakfast bread, because it's good for dunkin' in your tea (or coffee).

Also good served warm with butter or cream cheese. 

A little strawberry jam would be delicious too!  Yummmm.....

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Danielle xo

Saturday Morning Beauty

It would be lovely to have a spot like this to get ready in the morning.  This is a picture of Elizabeth Taylor's beauty room in her Bel Air home years ago.  I love that it's all white and there are huge, beautiful windows letting in the sunlight.  I can imagine it overlooks some gorgeous landscape full of roses, lilacs, and gardenias.  That's sounds like Elizabeth to me : )

A few weeks ago I wrote something about my favorite foundation, Bare Minerals, and that got me thinking that I might do a beauty post and share with you some of my favorite beauty items.  I've always loved make up and have been wearing it since the eighth grade.  Back then I used to wear electric blue eyeliner with the matching mascara!  It was not a good look.  Thankfully my tastes have changed since then. 

I never go a night without washing my face and moisturizing and I'm one of those crazy girls that never leave the house without my face on.  I just don't feel like me.  I have a very fair complexion so without blush I feel like a ghost.  I don't wear a lot of make up, but I've found that a little bit goes a long way. 

Here are some my favorites:

I hate spending a lot of money on makeup so I try my best to keep the costs down. I do spend a little bit more for foundation, but I make it up with lipsticks and mascara, which I've found that the less expensive brands work just was well. 

For moisturizer I use Oil of Olay.  I've been using it forever.  Its not greasy and leaves my skin very soft.  For under eye circles and puffiness I use Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff eye roller.  I just started using this a few months ago and I love it.  It's glides on cool which helps wake me up in the morning : )

I can't say enough about mineral makeup.  I love it so much more than liquid foundation.  Its better coverage and I have absolutely no breakouts at all.  I apply the foundation with that cute little kabuki brush you see on the left.  A few swirls and I'm done.  I also use the Bisque concealer and Mineral Veil finishing powder.  Love, love, love....

This is my favorite eye shadow in the world!!! It's Amazing Amanda by Bare Minerals.  It's a perfect pink with a hint of shimmer.  I wear it just about every day.  Sometimes I pair with a lighter color, like Nude Beach or Satin Ruffle (I know, don't you love the names...:)

Ahh....the lips.  I'm still trying to achieve the perfect lip.  We can't all be born Angelina Jolie, can we? 

I like the MAC lip liners, and at the moment my favorite lipstick is Iced Mauve by Cover Girl.  I also have three favorite lip glosses that I use over all my lipsticks.  For a darker berry color I use Pizazz by Bare Minerals.  For a nude look I use Brilliance, also by Bare Minerals.  Sometimes I use that by itself if I'm doing a very soft, natural look.  And for my perfect pink lip I use Pearl by Estee Lauder.  You can literally sweep this gloss over any color and it makes it pretty.

It's also the perfect pink gloss to go with all the pretty pastel eye shadows for Spring.

For my eyes I always line the top of my lid (I never do the bottom) with eyeliner and finish off with mascara.  I've had a mascara obsession since I was a teenager.  I can't get enough of it.  I've never tried false eyelashes even though I've been tempted to.  I spend enough time in the bathroom as it is.  I don't think I have time for any more steps.  But I do love my mascara and I've found that L'Oriel has the best brands that work for me.  I love the Voluminous.  This one that I'm currently using is Million Lashes.
 

When all is said and done my last step is Radiance.  This is Bright Radiance by Bare Minerals, but they have many other colors.  It's basically sheer, with just a hint of color.  A few sweeps across the face and it gives you that little extra something. Like a natural "flush" to your face.  The box describes it as baby pink cheeks.  I like that : )

One of the best parts of being a girl is being about the play with makeup.  I've always felt that even if I have a great outfit on, if my makeup isn't right I just don't feel like myself.  I have to look like me.  Unfortunately it's takes all this stuff to accomplish that.... ha ha!

So share with me.  What are some of your favorite beauty products.  I'm always up for trying something new!

I hope you all have a wonderful Saturday.  We are going to a 40th birthday party tonight.  Looking forward to spending quality time with friends ~ What are your plans?


Danielle xo

Some Like it Hot

Hello Ladies! I hope you are having a wonderful start to your week.  I can't believe it's March already.  Time is flying.

We had a great weekend around here.  I hated to see it end.  I made a chicken and pasta dish on Sunday that I can't wait to tell you about and I finally have flowers budding in the back yard.  It's all good : )

Here are a few of my favorite things from the weekend and now....

1. My favorite breakfast in the world.  Warm croissants ~ so good!

2. The sale at Bath and Body Works (buy 2 get one free : )  I stocked up on my favorite spring/summer scents - Paris Amour, Moonlight Path, and Pink Chiffon.  Something for my every mood.  It really does help. Aromatherapy at it's best. 

3. Spring cleaning!  All my cute snowmen got packed away this weekend.  Even though it's still freezing out, my calendar says March and that means its time to change things a bit.  Here's my new Ficus tree.  I loaded it up with white twinkle lights.  What do you think? I love it at night when all the lights are off.  It give the room a soothing feel.  (but I keep it lit during the day too : )

I ironed the table lines and brought out all of my spring candles.  It's nice to change the colors and scents around the house to match the changing seasons.  Another reason I love living in New England.

This is my favorite Paris luminary I got last year at Michael's.  I would love to get another one, but I haven't seen them since. 

4. Crocuses.  Saturday morning I sneaked out back to check on things and this is what I saw!  Spring really is right around the corner.  The temperatures have been cold these last few days but it's supposed to warm up towards the end of the week.  We are looking forward to a friends 40th birthday party this weekend so I have my fingers crossed it will be a nice weekend.  (plus my outfit is shortsleeve and I don't want to freeze : )

5. Chicken and broccoli over pasta with breadcrumbs. 

I made this for dinner on Sunday.  My mother used to make it for us growing up (and my grandmother made it for her growing up).  We used to have it on Fridays during lent without the chicken.  It's so good even without the meat.  You could also substitute chicken for shrimp if you want.  Here's how to make it. 

You will need:

1 lb chicken tenders
1 bag frozen broccoli florets
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tbs butter
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup chicken stock
1 lb pasta (bowtie or ziti)
1 cup breadcrumbs - plus a few tablespoons of oil
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Parsley for garnish

Season the chicken.  I used salt, pepper, and garlic powder.  Sprinkle a few shakes of each and toss. 

Cook the broccoli according to the directions.  I cooked mine in the microwave, and took it out about half way through so it was just partially cooked.  It will finish cooking in the skillet with the chicken. 

In a large skillet on med-high, heat the oil, butter, and garlic.  Add the chicken tenders and brown on both sides. 

After a few minutes on each side add the partially cooked broccoli, and one cup of chicken stock.  Cover and reduce heat to med-low.  Simmer 15 - 20 minutes.

Boil water and cook the pasta. 

Add the cooked pasta, 1 tbs butter, and Parmesan cheese.  Garnish with parsley.  A few shakes will do it.

For the breadcrumbs: coat a small frying pan with a few tablespoons of olive oil.  On medium heat, add 1 cup of breadcrumbs.

Continually stir the breadcrumbs until they are browned.  Don't walk away because this only takes a minute or two. 

They will be toasty and delicious.  Put in a small bowl with a spoon.

Sprinkle breadcrumbs over each individual serving of pasta and chicken.

This is one of my favorite comfort meals.  It reminds me of my childhood and is also so goood!

6. Some Like it Hot.  I watched this on Saturday while I puttered around the house.  This has got to be one of the funniest movies ever! Watch this clip and I dare you not to laugh... : )


Have a great day friends!


Be back soon ~

Danielle xo

Sunday Brunch

Hello Everyone!

In case you are having company this weekend or are planning a brunch in the near future I wanted to share with you a wonderful recipe for baked french toast. 

This past Sunday my mother had a brunch at her house for us, my cousin, his wife, and their twins. It was a beautiful day.  A very old fashioned kind of Sunday where we ate late, took our time, and talked for hours.  My cousin's wife made a delicious ham and cheese quiche (I still have to get the recipe - it was soooo good : ).  We had bacon and sausages, fruit salad, apple cake, trifle, and this french toast.  The best thing about this recipe is that you prepare it the night before.  In the morning just pop it in the oven.  Here's how you make it.  You will need:

1 loaf french bread - cut into 1" slices
8 eggs
3 cups milk
3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
6 tbs butter
cinnamon to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line the bread slices into a 9x13 baking dish.  (I had extra slices so I also lined an 8x8 baking dish as well)

Mix all ingredients except for the butter and cinnamon and pour over bread. 

Cover with foil and chill overnight.  In the morning dot with butter and cinnamon.

Bake covered 40 - 50 minutes.  Remove foil for the last 10 minutes.

Serve with warm maple syrup ~

PS - It's also good leftover the next day : )

I LOVE brunches.  I love them because even though its technically breakfast, you can also serve desert!

We were so full and didn't eat again until dinner.  It's what Sundays are all about.  Family, food, and a good nap : ) 

I loved this menu and I see more brunches in my future.  The food is fun to prepare and kids like it too.   

It's snowing here tonight.  The countdown to Spring has begun, but Mother Nature has plans of her own.  I hope she doesn't take too long because  I'm in need of this....

I want to jump into this picture and pick a bunch of those hyacinths for my kitchen.  I can practically smell them now.... ahhh....  There is no better aromatherapy than fresh hyacinths.  And those colors!  This weekend I'm starting my Spring decorating.  It's time to put away the snow people and bring out the spring arrangements, bunnies, pastel colored dishtowels, and honeydew melon candle for my stove top.  I'll put an old movie on (I'm thinking it might be a Some Like it Hot kind of weekend : ) and say goodbye to winter and hello to Spring!

Happy Thursday!  Have a wonderful day ~

Danielle xo