What I've Been Crushing On

{Pretty petals for my place}

{The fun shoes}

{Learning new ways to enjoy a classic}

{Recipes}

{My favorite}

Staying Power

Lipstick was my thing for a while and then I was into gloss and then balm. Lately I have been drawn back to painting my lips pretty colors just to amp up my mood. Especially in the colder months when everything seems to be so dull and lifeless. My skin without the kiss of the summer sun, seems to be the perfect canvass for these new brights, and Covergirl has the best longevity in the business. I can swipe it on at 7 am and it is still there when I leave at the end of the day. Leave it to a classic brand to give you the perfect kind of lip service.

{Going from bottom left and around}

1. Spellbound

2. Hot Passion

3. Bombshell

4. Enchantress blush

5. A balm #215 (center)

In need of a touch up. "Spellbound"

Canopy Tours

{You can see here how to alternate the two draperies}

 Part office and dressing room, I have kept my bedroom pretty neutral for the past seven or so years. I couldn't bring myself to invest any money in bedding when I was the only person seeing it. Other than my bed frame itself, the colors are typically grey and white. Until this past summer, when I decided that instead of a handbag, I would treat myself to a moroccan wedding blanket. Like a piece of art, it elevates my resting place to dream like proportions. Having a kind of hectic life as a single mom, this spot has been transformed into an oasis for me. I used a simple set of sheer curtains to turn my bed into an almost tropical escape.  

{These screw in hooks can be found anywhere}

{Use two full length sheer curtains with tab tops. These and the bed found at Ikea}

{I fed them onto a small pressure curtain rod alternating each tab}

{My rod was 3/4 an inch in diameter}

{After you're finished simply pop it onto the hooks}

{Sweet dreams}

Bag Lady

Every year on my birthday in March I would gift myself a new JCrew handbag. It was something special I did for myself since taking a vacation or taking a lot of time off from work almost never happens. I have since had to expand my shopping rapport due to the high cost of these bags but I still keep my eye out for another special one to add to my collection. I look forward to shopping those sales and waiting patiently for my favorite bag to reduce in price. This one is was no exception. I have had it for more than five years and every winter when I take it out, I am happy to see it again. Beautiful bronzed leather with raw interior pockets and lots of zippers, it has room for everything I need and lots of things I don't. Some say I have a lot of baggage. When it looks this good it is worth carrying.

Urban Outfitters hat. Made With Love Knits scarf - custom order. Old Navy rock star super skinny jeans. Zara booties. JCrew sweater and bag (old).

Hug In A Mug

Audrey knows my addiction to the average brownie. I could have warm ones baked every single day. But that isn't practical, so we found a way to make one in a mug, free of egg and dairy. Just think that if you had a special someone, maybe living in a college dorm, you could make up the perfect gift basket for them including all the main ingredients and a cute little mug. So they can have a little chocolate yummy goodness whenever life gives them a really rotten day. A hug from home.

1/4 c sugar

1/4 c flour

2 tsp olive oil

2 tbsp cocoa powder

pinch salt

3 tbsp water

Microwave for 1 min. 40 sec.

{Once it's mixed it should have the consistency of regular brownie mix.}

{I made my own whipped topping}

{Once baked it looks like this}

{Added a BIG scoop in each}

{I already feel better}

Upward Bound

{Reading is sexy}

Fast forward through as young adults experiencing life for the first time in all its new found glory, is the story of friends brought together by unpredictable circumstance. They learn through the inevitable trials and tribulations, losses and gains, celebrations and  sadness the pains of becoming that thing so feared...an adult. The land of the bitter pill that must be swallowed, and the solace in knowing that although all things need to and must change..who we always are and were remains intact. That the great circle of life leaves what is held most dear in a state almost frozen in time. Growing intuitively and spiritually but keeping that organic part of ourselves exactly as it began. The good, the bad and the ugly.

Challenge Accepted

{Connor's birthday request...homemade bundt cake}

Everyone gets to pick a special meal and cake in my family. Sounds pretty great until the requests start getting a little extreme. I haven't hit the hardest part as of yet but I never hear "cupcakes" anymore. I accept the challenges that are thrown my way and the idea that I may be able to make some small wish come true is worth any effort that may be involved. Not to mention that, but my grandmother's bundt cake pan hasn't seen the light of day since before I was a college coed. I needed to get this bad girl back in rotation. 

 The recipe is simple and I just loaded all the ingredients in my stand mixer and went at it for a few minutes. Honestly the most important part is the flour and butter you add to prep the pan. If that isn't done correctly you have a sticky situation. Hearing her slide effortlessly was heaven. I may have cheered for a minute but no one was watching.

2 3/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 c butter softened

1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)

1/2 cup sugar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

4 eggs

1 cup buttermilk

4 oz finely chopped semi sweet chocolate

homemade whipped topping

Happy Birthday!