Broccoli Fettucini Alfredo with Chicken and Sausage Roll

 So I started watching The Guilded Age. I'm a fan of Downtown Abbey and I was ready for the American version taking place in New York but the first time I watched it, I just couldn't get into it. That was months ago. Actually maybe an entire year. I decided to give it another go- and I made it through the first season at least. But I still find the show really hard to get into. I love that we have POC characters- which wasn't a thing in Downton. But the characters are just so boring. I think they are meant to be more gray characters and I feel like they are written in a way where they do "good" things so the audience will like them? Idk. I also feel the show is just so slow paced. Waiting a whole season to find out what Ms. Scott's secret. And the most boring couple to ever grace TV: Mr. Raikes and Marian. I might try to struggle through the rest and see if it gets better but so far...meh.

In the meantime- I been cooking, cooking this week. I'm actually so glad that this recipe came up because I have been craving an Alfredo. I decided to go all out and make my pasta. I try to use the pasta machine at least once a year. To try and get my moneys worth. That probably took the most time. The Alfredo sauce was easy. And I added chicken because I like a bit of protein with my Alfredo. I almost bought fresh broccoli but in the end went with frozen which I just warmed in the oven until it was time to throw it in. And there it was....one of the best dinner's I made this year! 

Next up, Sausage Roll. I guess it's supposed to be a pretty iconic British pastry. I lived in the UK and somehow never heard of them. But..I don't really eat pork either so that makes sense. Mine are definitely far from authentic. I did make the puff pastry. I hadn't made a puff pastry in YEARS so I was a little nervous to do it- but I went for it. I even used the recipe from the Harry Potter cookbook that was in the earlier pages. Came out perfect! I was so relieved when I cut into it and saw the layers of butter and dough.  I took a lot of shortcuts too because I didn't feel like fussing through all the turns. The recipe for the sausage roll was from the HP cookbook too. I used a chicken maple breakfast sausage from Applegate. Because that's the sausage I usually buy when I do buy it. I completely forgot to roll them up with the spicy brown mustard though so I just dipped the completed rolls in a mix of ketchup and mustard. Perfect for breakfast or as a snack. 

And I even have some puff pastry leftover that I threw in the freezer to use later on. I'm thinking maybe I'll do a homemade toaster strudel or something. 

And that's all. A very labor intensive week- but very satisfying! 

Makeup Forever HD Skin Hydra Glow Foundation Review Shade 4N62 Almond

Yesterday I ordered a bunch of primary colors like yellow, white, blue and red so I can adjust hopefully any foundation I buy to my perfect match. I think the only color I forgot to get was black- to darken. But I tend to buy my foundations too dark rather than too light so maybe it's ok. I sometimes order foundations online so I really am just taking my best guess...then I will usually buy something to mix in to hopefully make my perfect match. I definitely took my best guess with this foundation...and almost got it right.

MAKEUP FOREVER CLAIMS:

Discover HD SKIN Hydra Glow, the hydrating foundation with a luminous finish, 24-hour wear, and buildable coverage for a radiant, natural complexion.

YOUR IDEAL GLOW AND BLUR FOUNDATION

If you have a dry, normal, mature or sensitive skin, then HD Skin Hydra Glow is ideal. It’s also available in 38 inclusive shades to meet everyone’s need. It has a natural, medium to buildable coverage and glowy finish. HD Skin Hydra Glow is undetectable: and lightweight : your skin still looks like skin, but better! It syncs with your skin for a blur effect: HD Skin Hydra Glow is not heavy or cakey and it’s so comfortable.

A 86%* SKINCARE BASED FOUNDATION AND A CLEAN** ONE

We asked our makeup artists what is their best tip backstage to prep the skin. Their answer was to apply a hydrating sheet mask on the face before applying make-up. That’s what HD SKIN HYDRA GLOW is all about: our foundation combines the two in one. It's an 86%* skincare-based foundation that hydrates, plumps and boosts your skin immediately and after continued use day, just like a hydrating sheet mask. Our new hydrating foundation is empowered with HYDRA SKIN BOOSTER™, a biopolymer network infused with hyaluronic acid that mimics the hydrating action of a skincare mask. It contributes to long-lasting 24-hour hydration*** while letting the skin breathe and leaving the skin soft.

WE ARE COMMITTED FOR EVER

Packaging is eco-designed, with a mono-material cap made from bio-sourced plastic, a glass bottle incorporating 40% recycled glass and is 100% recyclable. The packaging is made of cardboard from sustainably managed forests.

HD SKIN FRANCHISE

Discover the rest of the HD Skin family: if you prefer a matte finish: HD Skin Powder Foundation is ideal.  If you prefer a semi-matte finish: HD SKIN is for you.

Made in France 

I have always wanted to try Make Up Forever foundation. It seemed to be the makeup stocked in a lot of kits when I first started getting into makeup. I never got around it trying the first HD foundation which a lot of people seemed to love. Then they reformulated and I heard it wasn't as good as the original (of course) but I also heard people say it just took a a different technique to apply. 

Anyway, somehow I ended up choosing the Hydra Glow Foundation. I probably should have chosen something more matte because it is not meant for my skin type. I made my best guess as to a match. It's almost my perfect summer match. I think the undertone is slightly too red and could use a bit more yellow. .I probably should have gone a shade lighter?  

In the winter- it doesn't match at all but I was still trying to make it work by just using a small amount. 

I do like the look of it...it does look HD. If that makes sense. Mainly I think I mean it doesn't look ashy or gray on my skin and looks nice in a photograph.

It is a glowy formula. Maybe too much so for my skin that tends to lean toward oily. It doesn't get too oily- but it does tend to a look a bit more glowy at the end of the day then I would prefer. But that's true of most foundations. It's a foundation meant for dry skin though which I do not have. 

My main problem with it is that it does not last. It gives good coverage on some of the scarring on my skin initially but then it's gone in no time and everything I want covered is peaking through again. It's like my skin eats this. Doesn't matter the primer. Using a setting powder helps a little but not enough. 

I've tried multiple ways of applying it - sponge, different blenders, etc. My favorite was using it with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. Which is just one of my favorite foundation brushes anyway. I find with a sponge/beauty blender it sheered out too much and I didn't like the look so I tested it out and then quickly went back to using brushes.

Ingredients:

AQUA (WATER) • CITRUS LIMON (LEMON) FRUIT EXTRACT • DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE • POLYGLYCERYL-2 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE • C13-15 ALKANE • ISODODECANE • PROPANEDIOL • GLYCERIN • POLYGLYCERYL-3 DIISOSTEARATE • PENTYLENE GLYCOL • HEPTYL UNDECYLENATE • SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE • SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL • SODIUM CHLORIDE • C18-21 ALKANE • STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE • UNDECANE • COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) FRUIT EXTRACT • TRIDECANE • PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL • TOCOPHERYL ACETATE • DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER • SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE • PROPYLENE CARBONATE • TRIETHOXYSILYLETHYL POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL HEXYL DIMETHICONE • PARFUM (FRAGRANCE) • SODIUM PHYTATE • CITRIC ACID • HYDROGEN DIMETHICONE • SODIUM HYDROXIDE • ALGIN • GALACTOARABINAN • LEVULINIC ACID • SODIUM HYALURONATE • POTASSIUM SORBATE • SODIUM LEVULINATE • TOCOPHEROL • MALTODEXTRIN • BIOSACCHARIDE GUM-1 • [+/- CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE) • CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES)]

Overall, it wasn't made for my skin type but I thought I would give it a try anyway. And..not for me. One day I'll get my hands on the stick or the one meant for oily combination skin. In this pic I used it with a primer, no setting powder and a little bit of a blush. 

And let's have a moment for my blue shadow...I hit pan on my Danessay Myricks Release shadow from the Lightworks VI palette and I'm so sad about it. I can never capture the magic in a picture. It shifts to purple and it so pretty in person. 

Nuda Sunless Dewmelt Hydrating Body Lotion Review

 I am in the middle of making puff pastry for sausage rolls I plan on making tomorrow. I haven't made it in years and I am definitely not doing all the research I did the first couple of times I made it. I'm just kinda winging it with a recipe and hoping for the best. I'm also taking short cuts so that it doesn't take me hours and hours. I want to be done by the time I go to bed. So wish me luck.

In the meantime, lotion. Let's hydrate. Because winter is coming.

Nuda claims:

Hydrating body lotion designed to support longer lasting self tan results by nourishing skin in rich, deeply moisturizing plant oils and butters for a flawless, streak-free glow.

DewMelt body lotion is designed to prep for self tanning and extent tan results with rich plant-based butters, essential oils, and milks that deeply moisturize, nourish and leave the skin velvety smooth radiant, enveloped in lasting softness.

• Made from natural and naturally derived ingredients.
• Designed to prep the skin for sunless tanning.
• Light, creamy texture melts into skin.
• Leaves skin plump and smooth.
• Promotes a flawless, longer-lasting tan
• Dye-free and colorant-free, ideal for sensitive skin. 
• Hydrates skin with humectant Glycerin and Saccharide Isomerate. 
• Deeply moisturizes and hydrates skin with Shea Butter and Olive Fruit Oil.
• Vegan, clean and cruelty-free.

I didn't realize this brand is mainly a sunless tanner brand. I think I just bought it to get the the minimum shipping on the Anthropologie site. And I'm glad I did, because I really really like it. It might be one of my favorite lotions.

I also didn't realize it was scented when I bought it. It wasn't until I went finally use it that I realized the scent is Velvet Amber Fig. It's written so tiny and toward the bottom.  Usually fig scents are a bit forgettable for me. I've had a few fig soaps..a fig candle or two. Figs don't really have scent to me- but this does smell like the fig scent that you find in higher end brands like Le Labo or Voluspa. And maybe a perfume or two I've tried has the same kind of fig note. For some reason, it really works here. It also kinda smells like a lotion you would use on the beach, without smelling like suntan lotion. And then it has what I'm guessing is the Amber. This scent combination really does it for me. I love it.

I also really love the way it goes on. It feels like moisture and is very hydrating and sinks in pretty quickly with no type of greasiness. My skin feels hydrated and soft all day. I don't do any type of self tanning or anything but I think this is a great stand alone lotion to use just as a regular body moisturizer. 

Usually the only requirement I look for these days in body lotion is that there are no microplastics. Mainly I try to avoid dimethicone. This met that requirement. But I'm not an expert at recognizing microplastic ingredients but this looked good enough for me. And it has Shea Extract and Olive oil as well as a few skin care ingredients. 

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Nut Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Anhydroxylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Xylitol, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Saccharide Isomerate, Squalane, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Bakuchiol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Calanthe Discolor Extract.

I really, really liked this lotion. I wish I had bought  a full size bottle instead of the mini. I just wish it was a bit more affordable as it is quite pricey. 

Tracy Chapman

 I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday. In the meantime, a quick music post. 

I was late to listening to Tracy Chapman. I pretty much never heard any of her songs growing up. I really didn't listen to anything of hers recently. I want to take a deep dive into her discography because I feel like I am missing some gems. 

In the meantime- Fast Car. I kept hearing the remake on the radio recently- and it took a couple of listens but it really started growing on me. I googled it and the original came up. Had no idea it was remake. Listened to the remake and became a little obsessed. I think I've seen every live performance of this song. 

I love it. It just feels very American. A little sad- but hopeful.

I really want to listen to the rest of her discography and I will. I just need to make time for it.

In the meantime, I'm going to really try not to post every live performance of this song.

Last one, I promise.

So beautifully talented. I really cannot wait to dig into her discography. 

Samples Review: Maison Louis Marie No. 15 Vanille Infinite Parfum and Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk

 

 

Vanilla Perfumes have been pretty popular for a little while now. There was a time years ago that I was a little obsessed with Vanilla everything too- but then I moved on and forgot. I think it was mostly when I was using stuff from The Body Shop. This reminds me of the scent of one of one the body butters from them actually and a candle I had from Granado not too long ago. I wouldn't say this is my favorite vanilla scent- I don't love the top notes. I had to look it up and I guess they are Citron and Jasmine. There is also supposed Heliotrope, Tonka Bean, Sugared Amber,  Cashmere Oud,  Vanilla Flower, and Cloud Musk. I don't know exactly what I don't love about it but the vanilla part I do love. It's just not my blend. But I was really glad to have this sample. It comes in a hair and body mist, travel size, perfume oil, and candle so if you do love it, you have options. 

I think the Armani Foundation is one that is stocked in a lot of makeup-artist kits. At least probably celebrity red carpet artist. It's probably an amazing foundation- but I don't have any plans to purchase it myself anytime soon. The smell and texture really remind me of a foundation I had years and years ago from L'oreal. The HIP line in particular. I loved that foundation. It was amazing. Probably too red in undertone for me- but I liked adding red tones to my skin. I got this as a free sample from Macy's. My last package from them was very generous. I got a full sized eye cream completely free too. 

But back to the foundation. It's a darker shade- but I would still need a deeper shade to match my skin. I tried to wear it one day and I'm pretty sure I looked extra ashy and grey. Since then I mixed most of it into a pot with my current foundation and somehow ended up with the perfect shade for me.  So I'm not reviewing the foundation as is. I like the finish- I think what I mix it with makes it a bit shiny at the end of the day.  But this seems to have a very natural finish. I also like the coverage and how thin it feels/goes on. I'm sure it's an excellent foundation- maybe one day I will try it. But for now I have a few bottles and other things I want to try before I would purchase this. So far- not mad at the sample. I have it in Shade 9- I'll definitely be getting a deeper shade but not quite sure which would be my perfect match. I just know this isn't it- although it was really great to mix in with my current foundation that is a little too deep for me. 

Essie Partner in Crime Nail Polish Review

ignore the bad paint job- i literally painted them in the dark 😬

 I definitely meant to review this last week (or years ago) because this is a long discontinued shade. 

Essie claims:

a dark chocolate brown creme nail polish with subtle mahogany undertones. 

from the 2014 Nails to Kilt Collection.

This was my stand in for a black nail polish for years. Because it's so dark/deep it mostly passes for black. It only looks a little brown in the pictures/bottle. I love brown nail polish though- it just looks sophisticated. Maybe not this one in particular. But others I have seen.

This is from 2014 so this is definitely an older shade. I've probably had it since then. I don't pay much attention to nail polish collections- I think I grabbed this in TJ Maxx on clearance. I didn't have any shades similar to it so I thought it would be a nice  one to add to the collection. 

I'm glad I picked it up. I just wish it was more noticeably brown instead of just off black/ brown undertones.

It's a thicker polish-and very pigmented. I like to do two coats but you can get away with one. I usually like a sheerer polish that you have to build up over 2-3 thin coats.. I find them more forgiving. But this one is nice. Essie always wears the best on my nails- I usually get around 2-3 days of chip free wear. Could be a little more or less depending on the quality of the base coat/top coat though.

I almost forgot- I do really like it as a pedicure color too!

If I do ever finish it I wouldn't look for a replacement bottle- but I would pick up another brown polish (hopefully more brown than black) since I am a fan of brown.