I have quite a bit of food to post...so here goes!
First up- Mac N Cheese. I rarely make mac n cheese. I love it! But I just feel it's so bad for you. Good for special occasions though. I have my own way of making it- I like adding wine. Lots of different cheeses. And I make a cheese beschamel basically in a double broiler. This was easier. But not better than my usual. I didn't follow the recipe exactly though...I mixed of the cheese because I'm not a fan of American Cheese. I used Cheddar, Gouda, and Mozzarella. And I also used more cheese than the original recipe calls for. Because that wasn't enough cheese. It was super easy because you basically heat the cheese sauce in the blend. Don't have to shred anything. Just cube it. I'll keep it in mind for when I need a quick cheese sauce. But probably won't be my go to method for mac n cheese.
Not great pics...it happens!
Next up...Brussel Sprouts. This recipe came from the Harry Potter cookbook. Unofficial. I think this is the 3rd Brussel Sprouts recipe. I don't love Brussel Sprouts- but these were actually good. Of course you are adding a buttery sauce... how can it not be good? Served with rice and honey garlic chicken.
Yet another terrible picture....
And last but not least- I skipped around because I saw this coming up and I had two ripe mangos. I didn't have pepper jelly but I did buy Elderflower Jelly a few weeks back- which is really good! I decided to spike it with some hot sauce and call it pepper jelly. Then I jut cooked up some Salmon. Added the pepper jelly with mango and threw it one some of salad. And dinner was served. I really liked this! I'll have to do it again...
And that's all! All my ugly pictures of food I made this week. Most of it was good tho so it's OK.
Who doesn't love the Temptations? I feel like The Temptations are the first oldie group that I had heard about. They are probably one of the most well known and important groups of Motown.
We are about to to be here quite awhile as I post all my faves. There are a lot.
Where to start?
I think we will start with Papa Was a Rolling Stone. This song literally turns the subject of absent fathers into a most entertaining and catchy song. Complete with dance moves and a funky groove. They sound out of sight!
I can't find a live clip of this one- it seems to fly under the radar. This song is HOT!
Hey Girl I Like Your Style is my perfect song for cruising on a nice sunny day. You can't not feel good listening to this one. Beautiful!
Ain't Too Proud to Beg is probably my top two Temptation. If I could be in the crowd I would be screaming and fainting with joy all over the place. I need time machine.
Get Ready will get the party started.
A little random but we are gonna throw some Christmas songs in the mix. Because Temptations are necessary to my Christmas playlist. I can't have Christmas without it.
Everything for Christmas is another Christmas classic. One of my faves!
I love this song, love this clip! Everybody looks like they are having a grand time.
Classic Temptations here...
I was hoping to find a live clip of this one too..no luck. Such a shame!
And my favorite Temptation song of all time- Just My Imagination. It was love at first listen as a kid.
And now we are briefly taking it back to Christmas. They have two Christmas albums and thank goodness! I love this one....
And here we have the most compelling telling of Rudolph I have ever heard in a song.
And then the definitive Silent Night. At least for me. The only one that comes close- Boyz II Men.
Ah, my third favorite temptation song. Or second favorite. I could listen to this on repeat. Or maybe it's Number One. IDK. It's one of my favorites though!
We are getting close to the ends (sadly). This is a bop too. I tend to love songs about rain. I could probably make a rain playlist. I probably should.
And last but not least...
As far as I'm concerned one of the best groups of all time. There will never be another group that is quite the same. Especially not the way music is going these days....
I should go watch The Temptations movie- somehow I have never actually seen it....
My nails have been trash ever since I started painting them again. So I'm trying to give them a little break. I think it might be the base coat I'm currently using that is wreaking havoc on my poor nails. I don't want to throw out the base coat though, I might just start doing double coats to try to use it up quicker.
Anyway...Sally Hansen Nail strengtheners have never worked for me. And this is no exception.
Sally Hansen claims:
MIRACLE NAIL THICKENER
Weak nails need a miracle? With Sally Hansen Miracle Nail Thickener™, get up to 70% thicker nails in just 4 days!*
Bolster soft, thin and ridged nails with this emergency thickener.
When your nails need protection against bending and breaking, our exclusive Calcium and Ceramic Gel formula builds a hard shield. Ridges and imperfections are filled in, for thicker, harder, stronger nails.
*Measured layers of nail protection.
I'll start with the packaging. It is a purple overspray bottle. Packaging does feel al little cheap. But I don't mind...as long as the product works.
Which it doesn't.
I think part of the problem is that it does not stick to the nails. I look at it and it's chipping and flaking everywhere. For that reason I would never try to use this as a base coat. The finish would take your nail polish off just as soon as you painted them!
It is pretty glossy and thick on the nails.And it does dry fast. It also tends to bubble and look thick in a bad way on the nails.
The worst thing- I don't think it thickens or strengthens my nails in anyway. Maybe they do feel a tad stronger with it on, but I think that's just the reinforcement that any old polish can give.
I don't like this product. I don't know why it's still on the market. Mine has been kicking around for a few years and will probably stick around for a few more before I can finally use it up.
This makes Glasshouse candle number two..and probably that last four awhile. They are just really expensive for what you get and I haven't been blown away with the two scents I have chose so far.
Glasshouse claims:
A Geranium Floral, freshened by Grapefruit with hints of Red Berries.
Basically the size of the candle is a votive. And it costs $20. Which is crazy high. But it does come in nice packaging- complete with a box and a unique little jar with a lid. They kinda remind of Yankee Candles a bit.
As for scent- it's a very much tropical fruit wit ha hint of floral. I can't really say I can pick out the claimed notes of geranium or red berries and grapefruit. It seems way more tropical- maybe guava, pineapple...
It reminds me of drinking a tropical tea (specifically Caribe from Harney and Sons).
And it also kinda reminds me cheap Glade type candle scents too. If Glade did tropical scents...or maybe they do.
It does burn very well. Cleanly. No smoking- no sooting. It is a soy blend. I always wish brands would tell use what is in the blend- does it contain paraffin or other veggie waxes. I want more transparency!
Overall, it's fine. I think it just falls out of the category of scent that I prefer in a candle. Maybe once I cycle back to the brand I should try more of the woody type scents.
I kinda forgot I was supposed to be reviewing all the brushes in my collection...The good thing is that I have not had the urge to buy anymore brushes. I think I have reached the point where what is currently in my collection is enough Such a nice place to be!. Also..I've kinda gotten into the routine of using the same brushes until I consciously decide to switch them out.
Omnia claims:
This bullet-shaped brush precisely applies powder products to detailed areas of the face for a beautiful complexion. Set under-eye concealer, prevent creasing around the nose and mouth, and delicately apply highlighter to the cheeks with this small face brush.
OMNIA® GOLD is the next-generation of professional makeup brushes. Each brush uses only the finest quality natural hair. This hair is meticulously selected and incredibly soft while still maintaining the density needed to pick up and deposit product with accuracy and precision. Every brush is handcrafted to perfection, creating the finest brush possible, exceeding all expectations.
The gold color is not my favorite on a brush. I also haven't had the best luck with the gold overspray or whatever it is lasting. Some of the brushes I have used them over the years have gotten the point where you can peel off the gold and get to the silver underneath. I haven't had that happen to this brush but it is something I expect to happen eventually.
The brush itself is nice. A long handle and the actual bristles are so soft and well shaped. Although soft, I find it picks up the perfect amount of product.
And..it's very affordable. Even more so if you keep a lookout for sales and discount codes. Or at lest they used to have a lot of them a few years ago. I haven't bought any new brushes from them in a few years so I'm not sure they still run the same sales.
The brush itself is very versatile. Mostly when I see brushes like this I think of highlighter. But I rarely wear highlighter. I have oily skin and it can make my skin look pretty greasy. But the few times I have used it to apply highlighter I have really liked it. I think it might be my favorite brush for highlight.
You can also use it to set undereye makeup. But I never use under-eye concealer.
I do like it for blush and find that's where I get the most use.
And you can use it for precise powdering.
Overall, I really like this brush. It's not the first one I think of when doing my makeup but it does have a place in my collection. It's pretty versatile. If you don't have a similar brush- I would recommend!
Last post of the day. I've been meaning to do this review for am minute but I didn't feel like wearing and photographing it. So I just decided to go on and review it..no pics. I hate this mascara anyway...it really isn't worth a picture.
Covergirl claims:
Enhance your lashes with a 3-dimensional CURL + LIFT + FAN, for an up & out effect without a lash curler. The 50° curved fiber brush wraps every lash from root to tip, catching even the smallest & straightest lashes. Infused with haircare-inspired, plant-based keratin and lifting waxes to keep lashes lifted and fanned-out all day. Universal mascara for all lash types. Up to 24h wear, transfer-proof, smudge-proof, flake-free. Available in 3 color-enhancing shades for brighter, enhanced eyes:
Intense Black for bold, brighter eyes
Dark Chocolate for natural, softer-looking eyes
Berry Brown to make eyes pop
Based on a consumer study of 114 women after one week of use:
90% say lifts lashes88% say enhances the look of eyes
87% says defines lashes
86% says doesn't weigh down lashes
82% says fans out lashes
81% says pushes lashes up & out
Looking through my past reviews I have never liked Covergirl mascara. And yet I keep buying them. I think this one is the worst. Even Lash Blast was better than this. They just make the most unremarkable mascara that have been creeping up in price. I believe this was almost $10.00
It's so bad I'm thinking about throwing it away. I've been using it a few week now hoping it would dry up and get better.
It's too wet. It doesn't build up. It clumps. It makes a huge mess on my lids. It provides the most dismal results. And it's hard to wash off.
And..the claims annoy me. Lashes area already 3d. We don't need a mascara to make them 3D.
I bought the very black..or whichever is the darkest shade but I noticed it comes in some interesting shades- Berry Brown and Dark Chocolate. But I hate this so much I would never buy it again no matter what colors it comes in.
Packaging is OK. It comes in a pretty (but skinny) tube. The brush is a curved traditional brush that just stays clumped up with product no matter how much I wipe off.
Overall, hate it. It does have decent reviews...so it might work for you but based on my experience I don't recommend.
