Beauty products for the busy upcoming holidays...

The holidays are upon us, and with all the shopping, baking, visiting family and friends, gift wrapping, and on and on...here are some products that are just the perfect thing to help add that bit of "glam" and help you take that special time, just for you.  All these products can be purchased through Sephora.  http://www.sephora.com

 

Bliss Hand Cream Duo for at Home Mani

                       

Kate Somerville - Deep Tissue Repair

Frederick Fekkai Golden Shimmer Gelee Hair Mist Contains Golden Micro Diamond Particles (my daughter uses this during the holidays, it is beautiful)

Girl Meets Pearl by Benefit (I use this, it's fabulous)

Kinerase Hydrating Antioxidant Mist (Love it, a must try, I keep it in my handbag along with Evian at all times)

Kinerase Photo Facials Sun Damage Reversal System (totally wonderful)

Lorac - Oil Free Luminizer

Merry Me, by OPI at Sephora Opaque Cranberry Red with Silver Glitter - so "holiday"

Philosophy "Crispy Marshmallow Bars, Shampoo and Shower Gel (Yummy) 

Prestige Brush Set - Sephora Collection

Red Sequined Lip Clutch

Super Hyper Hydrator coconut Water, By Dr. Nicholas Perricone

 

Cosmetic cases and more...

It's no big secret from anyone who knows me that I love organization and if it can be beautiful, all the better.  And, when it comes to cosmetics or any type of personal grooming products, it's always a plus to have them well organized so you can quickly get to what you need and not have to search and search.  Here are some that my daughter and I particular like, and what is so nice about them, you can put more than just your cosmetics in them, they are especially nice for jewelry too.  Another wonderful feature is when you travel, all you have to do is pick it up and you're ready to go.

All the craze right now is "The Clear Cube".  http://www.theclearcube.com/  On certain Hollywood reality shows, magazines, etc., this particular acrylic cosmetic case has been the hot topic.  Though they are a bit pricey at almost $300, when you research other acrylic items, it's not really that bad.  It is made very well and the greatest feature is you can see everything right there, no guessing involved.   The clear clean lines of the cube also looks beautiful sitting on a vanity.

Preparing for Holiday Travel...

With the holidays fast approaching some of us will be traveling to visit family and friends.  I've attached some pictures of luggage and other travel essentials that would make the trip, rathering driving or flying much more comfortable.  And once you have arrived to your destination, you will be ready to enjoy every minute of the holidays. The first picture below is a vintage advertisement photo from 1951, just see how far we have come.

1951 Crown Luggage

                             Christian Louboutin Napa Ballerina Flats

                 Donna Karen Cashmere Blend Leggings and Sweater

                                                      Gucci

                                                       Gucci

                                          Diane von Furstenberg

                                       Michael Kors Hamilton Tote

                                       Juicy Couture travel pillows

                                                  Gucci Scarf

                                          Comfy Ugg Slippers

                                         Gucci Laptop Carrying Case

                                       
                                              Evian Mineral Spray

                                        Louis Vuitton Carryall

Cashmere blankets in carrying case

Chocolate Martini Time...

OK....is there anyone who doesn't love chocolate???  I admit, I am a chocoholic!  I just can't resist it - at all!!!  Though I have been collecting unique cocktail glasses for years, I don't drink cocktails all that often (I'm kind of a light weight when it comes to drinking), but when I do, it's what my friends call "foo foo drinks".  They have to taste either tropical, decedent chocolate, non harsh drinks...in other words, they have to taste like dessert.  With my passion for all the unusual beautiful glasses they have on the market today, when I do put those glasses to use, in the summer it is usually a nice tropical Mojito, with mango, guava or pineapple.  But now that fall has arrived, that mean the warm homey flavor of chocolate.  I love a good chocolate martini, especially after a nice dinner ~ it does become my dessert!  Though there are  hundreds, if not more, recipes out there for a good chocolate martini.  This is one I just happened to make up one day when we had guest over and I made  for them after dinner, they loved it!  Now, there are no exact measurements...so here goes.

I use a small stainless cocktail shaker (around 8 oz), fill a 1/4 of it with ice.
Mix equal parts of Vanilla Vodka, Godiva Carmel Milk Chocolate Liqueur, Amarula, and half and half.   Shake well until frothy, pour into glass and top with shaved Godiva or your favorite chocolate...sit back and enjoy!!!   Yummy!!!

Tropical Thanksgiving Table...

I'm hosting Thanksgiving again this year for my family here at our home.  Though it won't be a huge gathering, I just want it to be very special and festive for everyone.  Weather permitting, we will have it out in the Lanai, as we did last year.  So peaceful out there...I have a small woods behind my home, so it will be  more intimate that way, no noise except that from nature and the water feature.  I have my table scape designed and ready for the dinning table out there, but for something a little extra, I wanted to try and create the same "semi tropical theme" on my dinning room table (or actually a pub table)  located next to the bar, where I will be serving the homemade French Onion soup in the cute ceramic pumpkin with the little mouse on top, in the pictures below.  But I wanted the decorations to be simple and from nature.  So, I went through my back yard and took a cutting of a large Philodendron  leaf and Croton, then placed them in a tall gun metal colored cut mirrored vase.   It's really tall about 3' so it should not get in any ones way.  At this point I'm not sure if I will use those two cuttings or go with palm fronds with Crotons, or orange bird of paradise.  As I mentioned in my earlier post, I was able to find the mini white pumpkins, but then my daughter and her boyfriend found these white ones with green and orange speckles...too cute,  I thought they would go well with the color of the Crotons.....Though I am a list maker, and huge planner,  I am known to deviate and will probably come with 10 other ideas before I make up my mind, but that is the fun of it.......decisions!!!

White Pumpkins...

So, I was on a mission the other day to find little white pumpkins...did I find them?  No,  I got so busy around the house and was out in the Lanai getting things ready for a nice family cook-out.  Yep, we are still grilling out here in the Sunshine State, actually we do all year long.  When I heard my husband call for me to come in, I thought he was going to ask where the bag of Mesquite was (he never seems to know where I keep all the wood chips).  When I walked in the house, there sitting on my kitchen island was these three cutest little white pumpkins.  I was so thrilled!!!  He of course found them right there in our local market.  We invited my daughter's boyfriend over for the BBQ and what does he walk in with but 3 more little white pumpkins.  OK, now I was almost in tears.  I was shocked, though he is a wonderful young man, just to remember hearing me say I was going out looking for them, and he took upon himself to get them for me. I was surprised not once, but twice.  Isn't it so nice when the smallest of gestures, mean the most!







Three of the little white pumpkins



Believe...

If God is your partner, make your plans BIG!

    ~ D.L. Moody