Monday Monday

Ugh... it's Monday. However it is only a 2.5 day work week for me so I suppose it's okay. I had a busy but good weekend. I went to see the new Harry Potter movie which was fabulous! I had really low expectations because the 6th one was so bad. But this one was amazing and scary. I jumped, I screamed, and I was generally very stressed out. I can't wait for part 2 now.

I can't believe it's already Thanksgiving. Time has flown by. I am looking forward to a long weekend and some quality time with my husband. We are going to spend the holiday with his family in Walla Walla, Washington.

The weather has turned really cold here. The low tonight is 27 and it's supposed to start snowing around midnight. Tomorrow's high is 31 with a low of 18 degrees. I'm not happy. Our house, while delightful in the summer, is an icebox come winter. It was built in the 1940's and has little to no insulation. It also has it's original single pane windows and no central heat. We do have a wood stove which helps. We also bought some ceramic heaters at Costco which work really well to heat up one room. Saturday afternoon we got home from doing something and the house was so cold we just turned the heater on in our room and got into bed. We spent the entire afternoon in bed reading, napping and watching TV.

Behind the Times

I am sooo behind the times. Unfortunately this is a trend. I discovered the Gap at least 6 months after the other 6th graders. I didn't "fall in love" with Leonardo DiCaprio until months after other girls because I didn't see Romeo and Juliet until it was on video. And, I just discovered Gossip Girl! Obviously I have heard of Gossip Girl. I don't live underneath a rock. But finally, a few weeks ago, I watched the first season. I'm so sad I have missed out for so long, yet so excited to have finally caught up. I love the clothes. I love Blake Lively's hair. I love Serena's character. I love the make up. I kinda love Chuck. I do not love Dan. I do however love Nate and his preppy good looks. And again, I love the clothes! This is perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing show I have ever watched. I am looking forward to watching the second season.

I also just discovered Jen Lancaster. I am reading Bitter is the New Black and laughing out loud. "Drunken PR monkeys", "Those who don't believe in capitalism haven't experienced shoe shopping at Nordstroms". It is hilarious!

I also recently discovered Diorshow mascara. As promised it is wonderful. I will never buy Cover Girl again. Yes its a little spendy but it's worth every penny.

What have you discovered lately?

Just Wait a Little Bit Longer

I love changing seasons. It is one of the perks of living in the Pacific Northwest, we have beautiful seasons without the horrid snow! I also love holidays. But what I do NOT love is when people decide Christmas starts after Halloween! This is a horrible trend that seems to get worse every year. Fall is a beautiful time and time that should be enjoyed it its fullest until Thanksgiving. Playing Christmas songs in October/November, decorating the mall before Halloween and watching Christmas movies outside of Christmas time ruins the actual Christmas time. Christmas is a wonderful time and its worth waiting for. One of my favorite childhood memories was on Thanksgiving. As soon as everyone was done eating dinner my Mom and Aunts would put on Christmas albums and sing along while doing the dishes. This was always the official start to the season. The following day we could once again re-enter the mall to enjoy Christmas decorations, drink peppermint hot chocolate, and most exciting of all the special box full of Christmas books and movies came out for the season. Here's to waiting another week for a joyous holiday season to begin!

Sometimes we need Junk Food

Generally speaking I am a healthy eater. I eat lots of vegetables, whole grains, natural meat, raw milk, and very small amounts of sugar. I don't drink coffee, soda, and generally avoid processed food. However, there are some distinctly unhealthy foods that I love! And from time to time I happily indulge in foods like, chili fries, cheese fries, nachos, deviled ham, fried chicken, potato chips, tortilla chips, corn dogs, cheese cake and sweet tea. In fact, I seriously considered ordering chili cheese fries for lunch last week at a business lunch but decided it was too unprofessional and opted for something else. Last night however we indulged in.....epic nachos!

If you are in need of a good junk food night I highly recommend a foray into epic nacho making. This is my sister's invention. She would want me to tell you that to do epic nachos the right way you must use Doritos. I however opt for regular tortilla chips. Line a baking sheet with tortilla chips, top with cheese, add a layer of re-fried beans and cooked ground beef, another layer of cheese and bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Top with lettuce, sour cream, salsa, hot sauce and guacamole and enjoy.

For really gourmet nachos you can make your own re-fried beans:

Bring 2 cups dried pinto beans, one onion chopped and water to cover to boil. Boil 2 minutes. cover and let soak at least 1.5 hours but up to 8 hours. Add more water if necessary to recover. Add one bay leaf, ham hock or salt pork (optional) and bring to boil. Simmer 2 hours until tender. In another pan melt 1/4-1/2 cup of lard. With slotted spoon remove beans and add to hot pan of lard reserving cooking liquid. Let fry a minute or so then begin mashing. As you mash add cooking liquid and salt. Mash until you have right consistency. Salt to taste.

*I understand you may think lard is disgusting. However, lard is a very misunderstood food. Don't knock it till you try it. Also, every decent authentic Mexican restaurant makes re-fried beans with lard. That is why they are so yummy!

Rosy Red Lips

This past month has been a time for discovery so to speak. In one month I have found the perfect lip color, the perfect mascara, my new favorite television show, the most amazing pair of black pumps, and one hilarious author. Quite a productive month wouldn't you say???!!!

I adore makeup especially lip color and eye shadow. I have long been a fan of red lipstick but it definitely has it's challenges. While generally red looks great with my skin tone I have be very careful that the shade is just right. And since I work in a very traditional professional setting I have to be careful that my red lipstick isn't too much for day to day meetings and such. Lately I have had a really hard time striking the right balance with my lip color and so in an exasperated mood one day at target I grabbed a bunch of different reddish lip color to try. I now have three amazing products to report!

1. For a classic red matte I highly recommend Sonia Kashuk Sheer Rosebud luxury lip color. It's a great shade. For a long lasting color I recommend applying, dusting your lips with face powder, applying a second time and then blotting. The blotting tones it down just enough to give that classic matte look. it's very 1950's and classic. Yet, it isn't to dark for everyday.

2. Jemma Kidd High Shine silk lip gloss is the perfect red lip gloss. It's a vibrant fun color perfect for Friday night. It lasts a long time and it isn't sticky or too thick. I chose the color rose and have been very pleased.

3. By far the greatest find of the month and perhaps the year is this product, Maybelline New York color sensation lip stain in cherry pop. This stuff is amazing. It looks like a marker. The pointy tip is ideal for outlining your lips. It's a nice light red distinct yet subtle. Once on it stays for a very long time. I have worn this everyday since I got it. Sometimes by itself but more often underneath one aforementioned. Last night I went out wearing the lip stain under the lip gloss, had dinner and dessert, came home late, didn't wash off my makeup and woke up with cherry red lips. It's perfect for work because I can go all day without touching up my lipstick. It even lasts through meals and kissing!

How about you? Any sensation make up finds lately?

1950's housewife and martinis

Yes I am alive. I have been at my new job for a month now. It is very difficult and busy but I am really enjoying it. I haven't had time for a lot besides work lately. I haven't picked up a book in a month which is a first for me.

We had a Halloween party which was fabulous. I was a 1950's housewife.

Mr. P was a Clint Eastwood character from an old Western.

We had our bar set up just in time for the party...

And as any good 1950's housewife I made classic gin martini's for all!

Hope you had a wonderful festive Halloween. I can hardly believe we are two weeks from thanksgiving!!!