We went to my parents' house for Thanksgiving, only it was just the three of us: Me, Fiance, and my 13-year-old son. My parents deserted us for the other daughter's family in Kansas City Their house is lovely, tucked in a sweet little mountain town, with a wraparound deck and an inferno for a fireplace. The perfect setting for a quiet little Thanksgiving dinner. At one point on Thursday, I sent the kid out to get more firewood. He's an intelligent boy, but not terribly bright sometimes. ... Continue Reading
Archives for November 2010
Natural Makeup Hacks: Homemade Bronzer/Contour Powder
It never ceases to amaze me how many cosmetics you can make with ingredients from your kitchen. This little ditty came as an inspiration from the DIY Portable Bronzer Compact at Planet Green. The recipe there contains simply cinnamon and powdered sugar. However, I like my bronzer on the "contour" side. Any chance I get to highlight those fabulous cheekbones, I'll take. So that's what the majority of my bronzing powders have done. (You can also use bronzing powder lightly under your chin ... Continue Reading
Moisturizing, Invigorating Sweet Potato Facial Mask
STOP. Before you throw all your sweet potatoes into the casserole dish, hold on. After Thanksgiving dinner, treat yourself to a food-on-your-face holiday special. The Moisturizing and Invigorating Sweet Potato Facial Mask. It's one not to miss. I promise. I should know - I just had it on for the last 45 minutes (which might have been just a little too long ... sweet potatoes become a little like concrete around your ears after a while). I've been jumping up and down to use sweet ... Continue Reading
How Thanksgiving Warms Your Heart, Mind, and Soul
Grandma was always frazzled at Thanksgiving. Maybe frazzled's the wrong word. Frenzied. Worked up. Psychotic. She'd whirl around the kitchen like a huffy-puffy tornado, pulling this, stirring that, blindly shoving dishes in the hands of whoever was brave enough to offer help. "GOOD NIGHT!" she'd explode, in one high-pitched growl, "this turkey is NEVER going to be done in time!" And she'd swing around with mitten-covered hands, while we all ducked - literally and emotionally - to ... Continue Reading
7 Ways to Keep Your Hands and Elbows Soft This Winter
I can't even remember what show it was, but it was a Monday. Five years ago. During lunch. I was eating spinach. It was either a rerun of What Not to Wear or 10 Years Younger. And either Carmindy or Damone Roberts (they look so much alike, you know) said: "The easiest way to tell a woman's age is by her hands." I won't lie - checking out the back of my hands is a nightly ritual. "Do they look older? Wrinkled? Would anyone be able to tell that I'm really 35? Not 20, like the liquor store ... Continue Reading
Should We Bother Believing the Experts?
"Blasting Nerves in Kidneys Lowers Blood Pressure, Study Finds" "Energy Drinks: Gateways To Alcohol Abuse" "One In Five Adults Suffering from Mental Illness" "Antibiotic Benefits Slight in Kids' Ear Infections" Which of these headlines are you most likely to believe? All of them? None of them? Maybe just the one about antibiotics? (Maybe ... me too ... kinda.) I plucked them quickly from the latest health headlines from today - and, man, I'll tell you what, they're just a minute ... Continue Reading