Colleen Houck's Blog, page 36
January 12, 2015
Christmas Traditions and Confections (German Pancakes & York Patty Brownies)
Another Christmas has come and gone. It seems a little sad when the Christmas season comes to an end. The decorations and lights are all packed away, the Christmas songs and movies are no longer on the radio and television, the excitement and holiday spirit has dissipated and family togetherness goes back to the grind with work and school.
Now with the New Year upon us, it can be an exciting time for new beginnings, new resolutions, and new adventures. But, before we fully embrace the New Year, I’d like to reflect on a few simple traditions, both old and new, as well as share a couple recipes our family used and LOVED!
Family holiday traditions have always included the Christmas tree, presents, stockings with an orange if you’re good (coal if you’re bad), and a feast of a Christmas breakfast. Growing up my family would wake up to our father waking coming into each of our rooms with a video camera saying, “Merry Christmas, it’s time to wake up!” Yes, that’s right, our mom and dad woke US up. We’d rub our eyes and carry our blankets wrapped snug around our shoulders to the kitchen.
What a feast would greet us as we sat down to the table. Each and every year our parents would make scrambled eggs, bacon, blueberry muffins, hot biscuits and gravy, sausage, orange juice, milk, and the best homemade hot chocolate you ever tasted! We are a family of nine so just imagine the platters piled high with hot tasty goodness!
After we all filled our bellies with delicious food we all gathered in the living room around the tree and presents. We all opened our stockings one at a time and then presents one at a time. Santa was always good to us (a pick of Mr. and Mrs. Clause paying us a visit)!
After the presents were opened we’d get ready to go to grandma and grandpa Lotti’s house which was always a treat.
Since I’ve started my own family we’ve kept some of those traditions and have added a few of our own. Every year my children and I decorate a gingerbread house and make cookies to deliver to friends and family.
It’s always a fun time together and even Bryan gets involved making his mother’s butter Christmas cookies with sprinkles. We also choose a family to be a secret Santa for and deliver something special anonymously. My boys particularly love ringing the doorbell and running so they don’t get caught. We also go to Winterhaven to see the lights and decorations.
Just before Christmas morning we watch the Nativity and talk about the birth of our Savior. When the boys were younger, I would let them reenact the story using our Nativity decorations. Last year it wasn’t just the shepherd and the wise-men that came to see Jesus that year. 
For breakfast this year we wanted to try something new, german pancakes. The verdict? Win win! We loved loved loved this recipe and will use it in the future!
German Pancakes (adapted from Martha Stewart Dutch Baby Pancakes)
Ingredients
3 TBS unsalted butter at room temperature
3 large eggs at room temperature
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 Tsp. salt
1/2 Tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbs. sugar
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a medium cast-iron skillet, melt 2 Tbs. butter; set aside.
2. In a blender, combine eggs, milk, flour, salt, vanilla and 1/4 cup sugar. Blend until foamy, about one minute. Pour batter into skillet; bake until pancake is puffed and lightly browned, about 20 minutes.
3. Working quickly, dot pancake with 1 Tbs. butter and sprinkle with 1 Tbs. sugar and lemon juice. Slice into wedges and serve immediately.
For Christmas we have been going to my brother’s home and we brought a platter of goodies to share. The Grinch fruit kabobs were a HIT (something I saw on Pinterest) and a new brownie recipe I tried and also LOVED!
York Peppermint Patty Brownies
Ingredients
12 ounces dark chocolate
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
6 eggs, at room temperature and beaten
1 Tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 Tsp. salt
20 snack sized York Peppermint Patty candies, chopped
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9 x 13 baking pan by spraying with non-stick cooking spray and then line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. In microwavable safe bowl, melt the chocolate and butter, stirring every 30 seconds until completely melted and combined.
3. Add the cocoa powder and sugar and mix.
4. Add in the beaten eggs and vanilla.
5. Stir in the flour and salt gently.
6. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Sprinkle the chopped up candy pieces and swirl with knife to mix in slightly.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Do not over bake. Let cool prior to cutting into 24 pieces.
From our family to yours, I hope your holidays are a special time shared with loved ones and friends! Leave a comment below and share some of your family traditions and recipes. We’d all love to hear them!
~Till next time,
Linda Louise
January 10, 2015
Movie Review: Into The Woods
I always give spoilers so consider yourself warned. =)
Colleen’s Movie Review
Romance: I liked the sweet relationship between the baker and his wife and seeing Rapunzel and her prince and Cinderella with Prince Charming (Chris Pine) was fun but the parts where they fall in love was missing from the film. In fact, all the fun bits like the ball or the prince climbing the tower and meeting Rapunzel weren’t shown.
Special Effects: I loved the change from ugly to pretty when the witch broke the curse. Stared at her hair a lot after that and the costumes were really lovely. The giant was silly as was the damage she did. Loved the leaves changing into Cinderella’s gold dress.
What I Liked: The costumes, the cast, the music, the creativity of tying the fairy tales together. The singing was fantastic.
What I’d Change: The plot. The story was vague. If the point of the whole thing was “be careful what you wish for” then there needed to be a moral compass binding the whole thing together. Maybe the witch’s mother could have been a part of it and could have met each character giving them a little warning about the possible consequences should they choose unwisely. Then she could have been the one singing the great song at the end and it would have felt like at least someone in the film knew what they were doing. I ended up feeling frustrated with all the characters because of this.
Killing the giantess right after they sang about how she had friends and/or needed friends, too, felt wrong, and being able to kill her with a pebble to the brain was silly and too much like David and Goliath.
I don’t understand why, after the blame song, the witch killed herself. There was no purpose to her death. It seemed like someone decided that all the characters had to lose something to learn a lesson and thus random deaths and pain happened for no reason.
The Tagline:
I’m not sure if there is an official tagline but I supposed it would be, “Be Careful What You Wish For.”
Hunky Hero: Chris Pine, Johnny Depp, Billy Magnussen, and James Cordon were all the heroes of the tale with Chris Pine being the obvious eye candy. The sad part was that I didn’t end up liking any of them. They were flawed jerks with the exception of James Cordon who was a sweet baker but less than hunky.
The Villain: Meryl Streep did a great job though her endgame was confusing and pointless. Really liked Johnny Depp as the wolf but he didn’t get to do too much.
Best Line: Cinderella’s Prince: I was raised to be charming, not sincere.
This line fits the entire movie actually. Someone should have said the movie was raised to show off a winning musical score, not to make sense.
Charm without sincerity is not charm in my opinion. It’s a con.
Best Scene: Hands down it was when the two princes were singing about the agony of not getting their women and ripping their shirts open in a strutting prince contest trying to outdo/outwhine one another. Laughed. Out. Loud.
Recommended for YA Fans: If you like music and staring at Chris Pine then yes.
Compared to the Book: I wish I’d seen the play so I could compare it.
Trailer:
A Guy’s Perspective
Bio: I’m Colleen’s husband, Brad. I’m the youngest of four kids. I’ve been Deaf since I was five so I watch every movie with caption glasses. I love sports and reading (I’ll admit I’ve read Twilight but prefer thrillers like Jack Reacher). My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip. I’ll never turn down a taco. I write poetry. My man credentials include: a high school career in wrestling, watching sports every time my wife is too busy to notice, a receding hairline, two repaired ACL’s, and a stockpile of Axe body wash.
Review:
Into the Woods
Knowing this was a fairy tale musical with some serious star power, I hoped to be blown away but I emerged from the theater feeling somewhat dissatisfied. The movie began well as various fairy tale characters–the Baker and his wife, Cinderella, Jack, and Red Riding Hood–expressed their wishes and longings. An ugly witch (Meryl Streep) informs the Baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) that their childlessness is a result of a curse she placed on the baker’s father many years ago for stealing food from her garden. In order to break the curse, the couple agrees to supply the witch the elements she requires. A thick and dark woods is the common denominator that eventually brings all the fairy tale characters and the elements together, but not without tragedy and sacrifice.
While the acting was fine, I was not awed by the music or the lyrics. Music and lyrics in a musical are supposed to push a story along, but these were served like fillers without a specific aim or purpose. I did laugh when the two princes (Chris Pine and Billy Magnussen) sang “Agony” but again, this song did not seem to fulfill any purpose other than comic relief. Perhaps I was not as awed because the story lacked a logical cohesion and a rewarding closure. The writers attempted to unite the fairy tale characters, including the witch, in a common cause by defeating the Giant’s Giant wife, but this was not well executed and sort of fell flat, like the Giant sort of did. Neither did the writers attempt to explore the connections between the characters. For instance, the fact that Rapunzel (who was tangential to the plot) and the Baker were brother and sister was an interesting premise but never explored at all. Rapunzel simply disappears with her prince.
For a Disney film, I was a bit surprised by the lack of clear-cut morals. Johnny Depp seemed to be a disturbed pedophile who recently emerged from prison, the Baker’s wife makes out with Cinderella’s prince playboy, and Cinderella exacts vengeance on her stepsisters and stepmother by unleashing birds to gouge their eyes out. Really? The CGI effects were not impressive. This review is actually turning out to be more negative than I expected to give the impression that I hated it. But I didn’t hate it, I was just left confused. I love a movie that makes you feel intelligent and like you were taken for a ride, and this was not it.
I give this film 4 Hulk Smash Fists.
Brad
January 9, 2015
Real Beauty from a Girl with a Rare Genetic Skin Condition
As I study out new techniques, new products, watch reviews, and read articles on beauty every once in a while I find an article that touches my heart. There is something wonderful and inherently beautiful about every single one of us. I don’t think we take the time often enough to shush the “mean voice” inside of us that picks on the girl in the mirror.
My first child is a girl, and is now 14 years old. Not too long ago she was my sweet little 3rd grader, pictured above, still had her hair brushed by me, I made sure she bushed her teeth well, and picked out her outfits at the store. Now she’s more independent and she does all of that on her own. I have always told her, who does not prefer to wear make-up and who has a go to hair style is “brushed hair”, that all we really need is a bar of soap and a comb in our beauty bag. Combed hair and a clean face is a perfect way to take on the world. The rest is just extra, fun, but not necessary.
This is the beauty story of Kaleigh Fasanella. It’s a journey of how her skin condition effected her life and how it inspired what she wants to do with the rest of it.
Shara
January 7, 2015
Colleen Houck Book Club- January 2015!
BOOK FOR THE MONTH OF
JANUARY- WATERFELL by Amalie Howard
If you didn’t get a chance to read last month’s pick, Vitro by Jessica Khoury it’s not too late to check it out. For those of you who participated in the live chat on Goodreads with authors Jessica and Colleen Houck, thanks! It was so much fun! For the first book of 2015, Colleen has chosen…
WATERFELL
by the lovely Amalie Howard
Here’s a little teaser
“ THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE QUEEN
Nerissa Marin hides among teens in her human form, waiting for the day she can claim her birthright—the undersea kingdom stolen from her the day her father was murdered. Blending in is her best weapon—until her father’s betrayer confronts Nerissa and challenges her to a battle to the death on Nerissa’s upcoming birthday—the day she comes of age.
Amid danger and the heartbreak of her missing mother, falling for a human boy is the last thing Nerissa should do. But Lo Seavon breaches her defenses and somehow becomes the only person she can count on to help her desperate search for her mother, a prisoner of Nerissa’s mortal enemy. Is Lo the linchpin that might win Nerissa back her crown? Or will this mortal boy become the weakness that destroys her?“
Introducing Amalie Howard
Colleen first met Amalie at Romantic Times and has been lucky enough to frequently sit next to her during book signing events as their last name both begins with H. Colleen loves to quiz her on everything India and talk about everything under the sun. She wrote a beautiful article on the art of henna on a previous blog for Colleen. Amalie is super sweet and they always have a great time chatting!
Here’s a little about her,
“Amalie grew up on a small Caribbean island where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or being a tomboy running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees and dreaming of adventure. 22 countries, surfing with sharks and several tattoos later, she has traded in bungee jumping in China for writing the adventures she imagines instead. She isn’t entirely convinced which takes more guts.“
Check out more on her website at www.amaliehoward.com.
I’m very excited to check out her novel and I look forward to discussing it at the end of the month with all of you on Goodreads for the live chat.
So everybody who wants to join us, go get your hands on this book and if you’ve already read it then awesome! You can start leaving your questions right away (but don’t share spoilers just yet).
For fun there will be a GIVEAWAY including the novel Waterfell and more during the live chat! You won’t want to miss this one!
Stay tuned for the next edition of THE MODERN INK SOCIETY featuring guest blogger- Amalie Howard!
Happy reading everyone!
~Till next time,
Linda Louise Lotti
January 5, 2015
Giveaway winners announced! Plus, an interview with the narrator, Annika Boris
In celebration of the Tiger’s Promise audio release, Colleen is giving away 10 FREE audio book downloads of TIGER’S PROMISE!
For those of you who participated in the rafflecopter this past month, the results are in. And, the 10 LUCKY WINNERS ARE….
Sabrina, Katie T., Sharon B., Amanda Y., Lisa, Maddie M., Betty L., Aricka, Leah R., and Kim H.!
Congratulations! You will be receiving an email with your download code!
Earlier this month we featured the narrator of Tiger’s Promise as well as the other Tiger’s Curse series, the lovely Annika Boris. We were lucky enough to get an exclusive interview with the actress and are excited to share it with you. So, without further delay, may I reintroduce,
Annika Boris
How is voice acting different than the stage?
To voice all of the characters within a story and to narrate as opposed to the singular vantage point of one character within a play, is an exciting journey. An audiobook allows me to vocally embody characters that are very far from my own type, that I would very rarely if ever, be given the opportunity to explore within a visual medium or stage production.
What is the biggest challenge in narrating an audiobook?
Matching the voices throughout the span of a series and creating subtle vocal differences within a variety of similar character voices is the biggest challenge I find.
What is your dream role to play as an actress?
Recently, I have been thinking about Medea and Hamlet …
What other projects have you been involved in this year?
This year I did some television work on The Blacklist, Unforgettable and Chicago Fire. During the summer, I performed in John Patrick Shanley’s new play ‘The Danish Widow’ with Kyra Sedgewick at NYS&F.
Yesubai is very different from Kelsey. How did you approach her character?
Yesubai seemed to have more of a classical feminine ingenu quality. Despite her dark childhood and evil father, she was motivated by her love for others and the desire to protect them. Yesubai maintained hope, a positive outlook and a sense of innocence. I tried to honor these character attributes by using an innocence within her vocal quality and to deliver her lines with unsentimental earnestness.
How does recording an audiobook with different voices/characters work? Do you just run through it straight through or splice it together?
After I have read through the book in its entirety, I then scan through the novel and make notes about the characters to help in creating an idea of what they might sound like. I then try on different voices at home and come up with ideas for each character. While recording we run straight through. As the series continued, I recorded sample clips of characters from the previous books onto my phone as a reference. If I needed a reminder, I would listen to the sample clip in the recording booth to match the nuances of the individual characters.
How does an actor voice the opposite gender well?
With each audio book I do, I’m attempting to understand just that. I generally lower my voice, slightly, if appropriate for the male characters’ size, while adding the specific qualities to his voice that match the authors’ description of him and his speech patterns. I would like all of the characters regardless of their sex to be three dimensional beings. To be voiced in such a way, as to sustain a grounded and honest quality, no matter how ludicrously altered from my own voice.
Do you practice reading before recording or do you record it the first time you read it?
The first time I read it through – it’s in silence to just experience it. So although I have read the book before, I am experiencing the story aloud for the first time, as we record it.
How did you get the job narrating the Tiger’s Curse series?
I had always been interested in recording audio books. While rehearsing Macbeth in NYC, a couple years ago, I heard one of the cast members mention that he was leaving rehearsal early to finish recording a book. He explained that he’d been doing audio books for a couple years now in LA and NYC. I mentioned how much I’ve always wanted to do that, and he generously set up an introduction for me. The following week, I auditioned for Audible audio books in general, on a day where they happened to be auditioning for this particular series. After the general audio book audition, I was asked to read through a few pages of the Tigers Curse – the Prolouge and a few pages of the first chapter. A few days later, I received an email inviting me to read Tiger’s Curse. I was ecstatic to be invited to explore such a fun story with fantastical characters. We set the dates to record the first of the series, once rehearsal was completed and ‘Macbeth’ had opened. A few weeks later I was performing the role of Lady Macbeth, in the evenings, and recording the Tiger’s curse, during the day. That was a very fun time.
Did you always want to be an actress?
Yes.
How easy/difficult is it to narrate a novel?
I find narrating a novel to be a great deal of concentrated work, but it can be extremely fun and rewarding.
If you couldn’t do the career you are doing now, which career would you choose instead?
I’m so grateful to have the career that I do. I have a lot of interests, but as of today, there’s nothing I would rather be doing.
There you have it, the lovely and talented Annika Boris.
~Till next time,
Linda Louise Lotti
January 2, 2015
Out with the Old Make-Up
It’s a new year and time to organize a bit and refresh your life. Why not make your make-up bag a fun new project. Make-Up does expire. In fact I was surprised how quickly make-up does expire and you need to toss it even if you love it. I can’t believe that gel eye liner should be tossed in two months after opening. Geesh!
Make Up Expiration Dates
Foundation: 3-12 months. I normally go through a foundation between 6-12 months so unless it smells funny or separates I will keep until it’s gone. I keep all my make-up in a cool dark place so the sunlight/UV rays can’t destroy the preservatives in the product.
Concealer: Wand applicator concealers should be tossed within 6 months since they’re likely to grow bacteria. Compact, stick, or twist-ups concealers can last up to 12 months, especially if you use a clean makeup brush to apply the product. Just think of double dipping at a party and avoid that with food and make-up.
Pressed powder cosmetics: Facial powder, blush and eyeshadow should be thrown out after 1 year. If you get an eye infection, however, you’ll have to toss out any eyeshadow you’ve used, to avoid re-infecting yourself. Expired pressed products get more dry and flaky as they age. If you use clean makeup brushes the products last longer, normally blend much better, and keep sanitized so you break out less.
Lip gloss and lipstick: 1 -2 years. Experts vary on how long you should keep a creamy products that touches your lips. Saliva is something that can harbor germs. Again, think of that dip at a party that has seen it’s far share of double dipping. Eeew! Lip gloss should be tossed after one year, but that makes sense especially with dipping the wand daily into the product. If you r lipsticks become dry or the gloss gets extra sticky then they have gone bad.
TIP: When testing out shades at the makeup counter is ok but NEVER apply directly to your lips. Ask to have the product disinfected and then used a disposable applicator and get a lot of product on the applicator the first time so you don’t double dip.
Mascara: You should always replace mascara after 3 months, but some say 4 months. I say 4 months unless it becomes dry, or you develop an eye infection, or smells funny. Remember: Never, ever share mascara!
Eye and lip pencils: If you sharpen them every few days, makeup pencils can last a year or longer. I only sharpedn every few weeks, and I’m buying the twist up products more and more. It’s time to trash them when they become dry, crumbly, and hard to apply.
All-natural cosmetics: Because these products do not contain preservatives, they should be used or discarded within 6 months.
Nail Polish: 1-2 years. When the polish separates or gets thick and goopy it’s time to toss it.
Perfume: 8-10 years. Thank goodness! Perfume is expensive. If they start to smell different, or change color they are expired. Store them in cool dark places like your medicine cabinet. I guess displaying them on a pretty silver tray on your dresser isn’t the best place to make them last long.
Lotion: 2 years. If the color or scent is changed that it’s expired! Go for a pump rather than a jar to keep bacteria at bay.
Use a sharpie to write the date you opened the product or even the date when you should toss it.
Here are some more tips that will help you make the most of your makeup:
1. Don’t EVER share cosmetics.
2. Don’t put your fingers into the product. Use the applicator
provided, or a makeup sponge. I see many makup artist pump a liquid product on the back of their hand to refrain from cross contamination.
3. Keep containers tightly closed, and store them in a cool, dry place. The sun damages the products and reduces the life span.
4. Don’t use water or saliva to ease the application of a product. Doing so
introduces bacteria into the product, which can cause a host of problems. Plus then you change the formula of your favorite product.
5. Immediately toss the product out if there is a change of color, texture,
or consistency; if the ingredients settle or separate; or if an odor develops.
Most products has this little icon the bottom. The number is how many months. So a little open bottle with a “12 M” inside means the products is good for 12 months after opening.
Shara
January 1, 2015
Book Reviews for Kids, by Kids
For those of you who are looking for new books appropriate for middle grade that both boys and girls might enjoy, this is the place to look!
Every month, a new book will be added for review right here and they will be reviewed by the best critics, KIDS! That’s right, the one’s who read them will be the judge!
This blog is written by my eleven year old, Aidan Wesley. He’s always had a love of reading insomuch that he would prefer sitting on a couch reading to running around outside. He’s read several chapter books given to him from his AWESOME auntie, Colleen! Right now he’s reading the latest book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and he’s just finished a book entitled The BFG which is the book he will be reviewing today.
First, if this is the first time you’ve stopped by this blog, may I introduce Aidan Wesley. . .
” Hi. I am in fifth grade and I like games. For example, Plants vs. Zombies, Minecraft, and Luigi’s Mansion. I also like building paper crafts and Legos, playing with my brother Lex and baby sister Ashley, and creating animation with my Nintendo 3DS using play dough and action figures. My favorite subjects are science and art. My least favorite is of course math! I have so many favorite treats I can’t list them all. My favorite books I’ve read include; Diary of a Wimpy Kid novels, the How to Train Your Dragon series, Big Nate books and The Quest for the Diamond Sword (Minecraft novel). When I grow up I’d like to be either an engineer or a scientist. Aunt Colleen is special because she loves me so good.”
And now, introducing our 2nd middle grade book review for kids, by kids!
Book Review of The BFG
“Have you ever heard of the book, The BFG? It’s a really great book! It begins in the very witching hour, the time when everyone is in a deep-deep sleep, both kids and grown-ups. It is the very time when everything is silent. It is the time when dark things come out of hiding and play.
As the orphan girl, Sophie is trying to go to sleep, she decides to get out of bed and look out the window. What she sees she can hardly believe! There is a tall, dark shadow walking closer and closer. It seems to have a large suitcase in one hand and what looks like a thin and long trumpet in the other. It gets closer and closer, pausing to look in windows from other buildings. But then, it comes straight for Sophie’s window.
The big tall shadow looks human, but not. It is huge, bigger than the building! It grabs Sophie and kidnaps her. She is carried over rivers and oceans, taken somewhere far away to his cave. “Please don’t eat me!” Sophie pleaded. The big giant bellowed, “I is hungry.”
This book is a great page turner filled with adventure and has man-eating giants. Sophie and the Big Friendly Giant go dream catching. You know how you catch butterflies with nets? Well, it’s the same idea. The BFG catches dreams and puts them in jars where he studies them. Sometimes he catches nightmares and he doesn’t like that.
The main characters are Sophie and the BFG (he calls himself the Big Friendly Giant because he doesn’t eat “human beans”).
Sophie- an orphan girl wearing pajamas and thick glasses with steel rims.
BFG- A very very tall and skinny giant that’s four times as tall as the tallest human. He has really large ears, wrinkly face, and a nose as sharp as a knife. He catches dreams and carries a suitcase and trumpet.
Man Eating Giants- Bonecruncher and Bloodbottler are just a couple of the giants in The BFG. They are evil, half-naked, fat with large bellies, and HUGE. They are even bigger than the BFG.
If you like magical stories filled with adventure than this is a great book for you! It has been rated 4 ½ stars out of 5 and is a great deal for under five dollars. I give it five out of five stars!”
Facts: Lexile Measure: 720L, ages 8-12, written by Roald Dahl
Stay tuned for more book reviews!
December 20, 2014
Top 10 Beauty Tips
Top 10 Beauty Tips & Tricks
These are the tips and tricks I wish I knew when I started out wearing make up
#10 Write the date you first opened your new beauty product with a sharpie so you know when to replace it. If if smells bad trash it. (I’ll do a blog soon on how long various products should be replaced)
#9 Get your foundation sponge applicator damp before you apply your foundation. Your foundation will apply and look much smoother.
#8 Whiten your teeth. There are all types of over the counter products and even home remedies that can help lift stains from your teeth. Re-whiten as needed. Be prepared to be noticed!
#7 Easy Glitter Nail Polish Removal. Soak you nails for 5 minutes in a nail polish remover soaked cotton ball and secure to the nail with a piece of foil.
#6 Blend foundation down past your jawline, and down your neck. Don’t make the mistake of having your face one color, and your neck another. Use a light hand unless your are doing an event or if you have an uneven skin tone normally. Just a dab will do. You’re not looking for full coverage just a light blending. When picking a foundation match it to your jawline and neck for best color matching.
#5 Use Eye Primer for long lasting eye shadow. I hate it when I see crevices of my eye shadow lining my eye like an Etch a Sketch instead of where I placed it only hours before. Even the highest quality eye shadows benefit from a base of eye primer. My favorite one is Urban Decay. I like the anti-aging one since it has some extra ingredients that benefit my eyes.
#4 Keep lipstick off your teeth. You can put a light coat of Vaseline on your teeth. But the trick I use all the time is I stick my finger in the middle of my lips and pull it out. All the excess lipstick that is closest to my teeth comes off on my finger.
#3 Put light eye shadow (even some with sparkle in it) in the corner of your eye to make your eyes look wide open, and then under the arch of your eyebrow for a natural eye lift.
#2 Give yourself a facial. You can make a homemade scrub of fine organic sugar, olive oil, honey, and a dab of vanilla. They smell so good, and make you feel pampered.
Homemade Facial and Body Scrub
#1 Fill in your brows. Without eyebrows we look like clowns.
Shara
December 19, 2014
Top 10 Christmas Gifts for Men
Ahhhh…what do I get for the guy in my life? Here are some ideas.
#10 Gift Cards to things you know he already loves. Starbucks, Sport Stores, Restaurants, Movies, but don’t forget to places that will take something off his “Honey Do List” that he works on every weekend. Something like car washes so he doesn’t have to wash the cars, mowing services or landscaping, handyman help, etc. I hope this idea doesn’t come back to bite you. It might secretly be more of a gift for us when I think about it.
#9 Ties. Something that goes with their eyes.
#8 A cool phone case. Batman phone case, Dr. Who Phone Case, Sports Phone Case, etc.
#7 Action Movies. Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America, X-Men, or a favorite TV show they love like The Walking Dead, The Big Band Theory, etc.
#6 T-Shirts of their favorite movie, TV, or Super Hero.
#5 Favorite Sports Team hat or Jersey. Or if they are one of our awesome servicemen who serve our country. How about a military hat or shirt. My dad loved his military hats.
#4 Leather Messenger Bag for Travel
#3 Man cooking tools. Grill sets, and this cool meat shredder.
#2 A Homemade Christmas cards with all their favorite candy. It shows that we love them and they love candy as much as we do.
#1 Toys. They are still boys. My husband loves rockets, RC helicopters, and anything electronic. Which is just a man’s version of a toy. I got my husband this helicopter for Christmas.
Those are my ideas aside from favorites like cologne, Axe Body Wash Kits, PJ Bottoms, Books, pocket knives in the shape of a key for their key chain, etc.
Merry Christmas!
Shara
