{i feel pretty, oh so pretty} : my top 5 beauty must-haves

What makes you feel {pretty}?

(And who now has that song stuck in their head?)

The last couple days I have been feeling very blah so I decided to whip out my Top 5 Beauty Must-Haves that make me feel oh-so-pretty and share them with you...

1. Baby oil.

Not trying to be weird here, but I love baby oil. I use it instead of body lotion. Partly because I am lazy, and partly because I am cheap. For $3/month my skin stays glowing and baby soft, and it is easy to just slather it on after a shower, quick rinse, towel dry. Lurrrve my baby oil.

2. High heels.

These are not my fabulous legs or my Louboutins, but even I can go from shlup to sassy just by putting on a pair of 4 inch heels. Sometimes I wear them around the house. With my sweatpants. Just 'cause.

{posh}

3. Bronzer.

I'm no Snookie...but I love to be tan. At least a little tan. So when I am going out and feel a little pale I am instantly energized when I use some mineral bronzer with a touch of glitter. Oh yes, I did, in fact, say glitter.

4. Bright scarves!

This is my go-to accessory to feel lovely. Jeans, t-shirt, scarf. Something about a fun, bright pattern hanging loosely around my neck makes me feel cozy and chic at the same time...and brightens my mood!

{anthropologie}

5. Clear lip gloss.

You know, the really shiny, plumping kind? I don't know why I bother, as it ends up being licked off unconsciously within the first hour, but for that first five minutes my lips look, well, fantastic - and shiny!

{So what are your top 5 beauty must-haves?}

G

at last, my mums!

For the past 5 months the mums I planted last fall in my perennial bed have been growing into the most gigantic mum forest I ever could have dreamed of...

...but have taken literally forever to bloom!

However, I am happy to say {mainly because this is the first time I have had mums that have re-bloomed!} that the yellow have arrived, more bright and gorgeous than I could have imagined:

I took these photographs today, and I have no idea why the background is coming out black - but I love the drama it adds!

Still waiting on the purple and orange...

come on ladies!

:o)

G

{the lovely stones}

{remodelista}

I like the simple, pure, and natural look of stones. I've always gravitated towards them with my camera, as so often they take an artistic form. Sometimes intentionally, like this "cairn" (mound of stones created by hikers to mark a mountain trail) :

But many times unintentionally, such as the morning sun hitting these garden rocks just perfectly:

At the Mondavi vineyards in Napa Valley {our honeymoon spot} giant stones were placed at the beginning of each line of grape plant to mark the varietal:

So how can these {lovely stones} translate to interior decor? The fireplace mantel photograph at the top is a beautiful example: bold, yet understated at the same time.

Here is another idea: If you are going for a zen, spa-like feel in your bathroom, try some stone accent candles. I found these lovelies at World Market:

I love to find ways to bring the outdoors in, and stones -- even if you are just using pebbles as vase fillers! -- are an easy way to do it.

{ecosalon}

Much joy to you on this {almost Friday!}

G

wine wednesday: tomar un lento paseo

No, I don't speak Spanish. I do, however, drink wine.

If I have drank several glasses of wine I may attempt to speak Spanish. I'll probably say something like this:

Usted es muy amable... {the only phrase I remember from my one semester of high school Spanish.} I think this means: You are very nice. At least, I hope that is what it means. Gulp.

Anyway, this week I opened a bottle of organic Spanish red wine called Slow Paseo. I bought it at Trader Joe's for 7.99. Needless to say, I didn't expect much. Keeping that in mind, it is not a bad wine. Very tart. Makes your tongue a little fuzzy. The taste is like very ripe blackberries. Might be better for cooking?

What I like about Slow Paseo {besides the cute orange label} is...

The name. Paseo translates to a stroll, or leisurely walk, in Spanish. I think drinking wine should be like this...a slow, lovely stroll. Taking your time to enjoy the flavor and texture on your tongue. If you are drinking wine quickly either a) it is a terrible wine or b) you are in terrible company.

{So find wine and friends that inspire you to sip slowly and enjoy the moment!}

Salud!

G

PS: Really cute Halloween giveaway going on over at the darling blog Tatertots and Jello! Check it out by clicking the link below...

old stuff + black spray paint + cute ribbon = cheap halloween fun

Somehow I convinced my "sleep all weekend, only pause for football and food" husband to get up at 6am Saturday morning and help me clean/organize our dungeonous netherworld basement.

Six hours later I emerged triumphantly, spiderwebs in my hair, a wild look in my eyes, clutching...

two silver candleholders!

a metal door hangy thingy!

a piece of scrap plywood!

You would have thought I had found a pirate's chest full of gold coins! Actually, I had found some old stuff I thought I might be able to make into Halloween decorations. My main tools were: black spray paint, black chalkboard paint, and orange Halloween ribbon I found at Michaels.

Here are the candle holders. The silver is actually lovely, but for the life of me I have never been able to make these work in my home.

So I spray painted them black! Lurve!

Here is the cream-colored metal door hanger. Not sure where I got this. Or why. Or where I would get another.

So I sprayed it with chalkboard paint, tied a piece of my cute Halloween ribbon around the top, and presto chango:

I decided instead of a door hanger I would hang it on one of my front porch flower basket hooks. Used chalk to write "trick or treat." The best thing is that I can change the ribbon and message whenever I want.

:D

{I get excited about the little things.}

Now onto that piece of scrap wood. I have no "before" picture for this one. Just imagine a plain, 16 inch long, 1 inch thick piece of wood.

Sanded the edges and added some picture hanging hooks to each side (since it was a heavier piece of wood.)

Painted it black (of course.)

Staple-gunned a piece of ribbon to one side:

Used white acrylic craft paint to freehand the wording...

And there you have it folks...

A "spooky" sign!

See what you can do with old crap treasures from your basement? Saved myself a trip to Goodwill...and cash on Halloween decor.

Would I have loved to have just gone to Pier 1 and bought a bunch of fancy {gorgeous} Halloween decor? Yes. But...must stay strong!

G

PS: I am linking this up to Frou Frou Decor's Fabulous Friday Finds...click the button below to check out more cute ideas!

{leaves crunching underfoot}

Today was one of those days I just reeeeeallly did not want to take my dog for a walk.

I was elbow-deep in projects and planning {okay, and napping and reading} and my bundle-of-energy goldendoodle, staring at me, tail wagging, desperately needing attention, sort of threw a rock in my spinning wheels.

I finally gave in to his laser-beam puppy dog eyes following me throughout the house, grabbed the leash and out we went.

GORG-eous fall day!

So, thank you, Colbie love, for getting my butt out of the house...and for sitting patiently on the sidewalk while I snapped the above photograph, as well as this lovely bumble:

Here is my own adorable bumble, bright orange Halloween leash and all...

PS: How do you like my new fall inspired blog-look?

Doesn't that foamy cappuccino makes you want to snuggle in a cozy sweater and walk to the coffee shop

{leaves crunching underfoot}

?

meatless buffalo chicken salad

There are things I really miss since becoming a pescatarian. One is going to BWW's and eating buffalo wings and celery sticks with blue cheese dressing. Oh, and drinking plenty of ice cold beer while watching the game...

...so gooooooood!

Then found a recipe that cures my longing for these fun nights at the sports bar -- and completely meat-free!

Actually, the original recipe contains meat, which was slipped to me by my sweet hubby who had ripped it out of his Men's Fitness magazine. {SO many delish and "manly" recipes in there!}

So I made the vegetarian version. SO GOOD. So easy. So surprisingly healthy!

Ingredients (serves 2):

2 meatless chik'n patties (I like Morningstar Farms Original)

1 bunch romaine lettuce

2 stalks of celery, thinly sliced

1 whole carrot grated, or a handful of baby carrots chopped (I always have baby carrots on-hand, so I used these)

2 green onion stalks, thinly sliced

crumbled blue cheese

hot sauce, your choice

light ranch or blue cheese dressing

1. Wash your romaine, remove excess water {break out that salad spinner you never use!} and tear the leaves into small, edible pieces.

2. Chop your veggies!

3. Combine all the veggies with the lettuce. Arrange mixture on large plates for serving.

4. Slice warmed chik'n patties, arrange "meat" slices on top of greens.

5. Sprinkle blue cheese crumbles on top! Be generous!

5. Drizzle hot sauce over entire salad, especially on chik'n slices. This will give you that delicious hot wing flavor!

6. Finish with a drizzle of your ranch or blue cheese dressing...you don't need a lot, there will already be a lot of flavor.

7. ENJOY! Don't feel guilty...there are less than 400 calories in this meal. Tastes like junk food, but is actually pretty healthy. I drank with white wine...but for that sports bar feel, indulge in a tall, cold beer!

{Have a fantastic football Sunday!}