Ode to Lip Balm

I am a lip balm addict. And no, I don't think that I can stop at anytime I want. I've got it bad and I like it that way. My lips seem to be serial monogamists. They are faithful to one balm, rejecting all others with flaking and tightness until one day they don't love the current balm anymore and finds someone new. First there was the Vaseline in the tube, simple and basic. The perfect first love.

Then my lips needed something more complex and so fell for the Blistex tub.
Obviously, the tub is not a real pocket friendly format and so the lips moved on to the Blistex Herbal Answer in the tube.

The current balm may be The One. My lips have been true for several years to Mudlark Luxe Beeswax Lip Balm in either peppermint or spearmint. Ah, bliss.

Happy Birthday Lauren Bacall

Happy 4th of July!

Cooking Binge

I recently got a new Cuisinart food processor for a fantasic price(Thank you Kohl's). While on my sale high, I decided to make a whole meal. Now, I rarely cook despite having a huge cookbook collection, so a whole meal is ambitious for me. I felt okay because the meal I planned on was from an Everyday Italian episode I have on dvd and watched a million times. I made White Bean Dip with Pita Chips, Roastd Chicken with Balsamic Vinagrette, and Roasted Baby Potatoes with Herbs de Provence. All of it was sooo easy. Especially the dip. Throw the ingrediants in the food proccessor, pulse, and your done. I think the dip is even better the day after. Just be careful not to eat too much dip before dinner because it's filling. So far every recipe of Giada de Laurentiis's that I've made has been fantastic.

I just finished re-reading one of my favorite kids book series from recent years. It's the Ulysses Moore series put out by Scholastic. It's an adventure book with lots of puzzles to solve. Jason & Julia are eleven year old twins from London who move to a mysterious mansion on the Cornwall coast. Their friend Rick, who lives in town, has always been fascinated with the mansion and stories of it's mysterious former owner Ulysses Moore. Together the kids discover a secret locked door. What I liked best is that each of the kids bring their own gifts and skills to the adventure. Rick's very practical, Jason's intuitive, and Julia's very action- oriented and athletic. It's a fun read and I'm buying them all. I tell myself it's so I can give them to my niece when she's older. LOL.

Thanks, Mom.

A day for Mom.

Another New Love

I went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival on Sunday(in non-stop rain). A few vendors had alpacas there. I want one!

A New Love

This Spring/Summer season, I'm having the urge to change up my bag style. Now, up to this point I've been a structured bag kinda gal. Retro fifties style or at least a boxy top-handled type. But lately, the slouchy bag has been calling to me. I've seen many that were close, but just weren't it. Today, I got the new Anthropologie catlog in the mail and think I found the winner. Slouchy but not too slouchy and a gorgeous yellow color. Just when you think your handbag wardrobe is complete another one turns your head.

It's Hot!

It's been so hot the last few days and nobody has their pool open. Reminds me of the story of the racehorse named Puss 'N Boots. He was racing at a race course in Canada that had a lake decorating the infield. As Puss 'N Boots was charging down the stretch towards the finish line, he made a change of plans and veered off to go for a swim in the infield's lake. I with you, buddy.

Spring Project

I have the Spring Cleaning bug. I bought new bed linens and curtains from Pottery Barn (see pic)and new sheets from Restoration Hardware now I'm all excited to clean from top to bottom and finish all the little projects I've been putting off. Of course there's way to much for one day so it'll be more like spring cleaning month, but I'm starting tonight with the dreaded dresser re-organization. Wish me luck!

Oh, Martha

I recently bought the new Martha Stewart Encyclopedia of Crafts and I'm completely fantasizing about starting at A(album)and crafting my way through to W(wreaths). I know that this has as much a chance of happening as the fantasy where I make every recipe in a cookbook front to back. So, I'll try to use a little control and pick just a few projects(for now).

1. The Teacup Candles because flea market season is upon us(for inexpensive cups)and they would make great gifts.

2. The Glitter Coated Cards because they are so easy.

3. The Dot-Painting on China because I've been wanting to do this since I saw it in MSL. Beware paint dots will now be showing up everywhere!

Happy B-day Tom

Today is Thomas Jefferson's birthday. I have to say that whenever I think of Thomas the first thing I think of is his house. I heart Monticello! The bedroom with the alcove bed is such a great idea. My second favorite is the library.Definitely a grand house that you picture yourself living in and being comfortable. Good work TJ.

Easter

Best Wishes for a Happy Easter!

The Grand Premier

After obsessively lurking everyone else's fantastic blogs, I can't resist having one of my own. A place to post any of the myriad things that interest me and hopefully inspire me to complete more of my half done projects and books.