FRIDAY FAVORITES...THAT'S IT APRIL

Happy Fabulous Friday friends. Today marks the annual Picking Posies outting with my sweet mom where we go to about every area greenhouse to gather our flowers for the season and come home and plant, plant. plant. With the next 2 months being crazy busy for me with A Garage Sale, Proms and Kids graduating, I am scaling back a tad. Well, I say that until I get there and burst with excitement and my green thumb starts calling. I hope your last weekend of April is full of green, sunshine and so much fun!!

1. My Featured Lady...

Make sure you head over to The Blended Blog to see my piece on my dear Friend LAURA. I'm excited that my first feature is about this incredible beauty! 

2. Sweet Tooth
Why oh why was born with such sweet tooth? However, I was certainly happy to indulge that sweet tooth this week for two awesome goodies. See that's the thing, it has to be like the best pie or the best cookie for me to indulge and these were two of the BEST...so I'll add a few more crunches and a few more (try 1000's) steps
Look at this lucious Key Lime Pie mom brought me
(you may remember she makes one for me every year on my birthday but was gone this year so Yep, it was worth the wait!!)

Mom's Key Lime Pie Recipe HERE

And Let's Not forget the toffee laden goodness of 
Just Right Chocolate Chip Cookies from Tuesday's  Post

3. Ripped Jeans

I have a couple pairs of jeans with rips here and there but these are my first pair to really be ripped up. Sweet Emily from Martinis & Bikinis featured her love of these mid-rise Jeggings from Express and I am in love too. Jazzed them up for the first night of wear with a blazer and Barcelona Cami, both from Express..

Other ripped up goodness

4. Pineapple Doormat 

How cute is this triple pineapple doormat!! $12.99 from Target HERE

5. Grad Dress HELP.....
Really friends, I seriously need your help. All 6 of these dresses may have went home with me because I cannot for the life of me decide which one to wear to my son's graduation...I am not good at even dressing room selfies but Help a sista out and tell  me your favorite or favs as I may need a couple for parties, awards nights, etc...

 Stripped                         Polka Dot                       Neon

Coral Lace                     Cobalt                         Floral

Linking up with  Amanda // Friday Favorites  // Oh Hey, Friday  // High 5 For Friday // 5 on Friday 
xoxo

JUST RIGHT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

I've only met a few people in my life that don't like chocolate chip cookies! Growing up my mom always made great Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies and I just loved grabbing a little scoop of the cookie dough! My husband and kids also like to have a scoop of dough, only now it's from my tried-and-true recipe for the past several years that's called "Just Right Chocolate Chip Cookies!' My former boss, whose position I took over 15 years ago was a divine cook and I use many many of her recipes. However, these cookies are my favorite and a favorite of everyone I give them to! I think what makes them extra special is the pudding in the mix and the yummy milk chocolate toffee bits. They just melt in your mouth. 
Yum  

I've mentioned before how much I love collecting recipes from family and friends and the meaning behind them. Marcile is one of the classiest ladies I know with her beautiful silver hair, radiant smile and big heart. She's also one of the best cooks I know, so one day I am sure I will be passing down many of her recipes as well. 

What you'll need

JUST RIGHT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES 

INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup butter, softened 

2/3 cup butter flavored shortening 

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 small box vanilla pudding

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp sea salt

3 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup milk chocolate toffee bits

1 bag semi sweet or milk chocolate chips (we like semi-sweet)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°. Mix the butter and shortening until fluffy. Add in the sugars and mix again. Then add eggs and vanilla and mix well. In separate bowl mix the flour, salt, baking soda, and pudding until went well blended and slowly add to the cream mixture. Stir in the toffee bits and the chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, I like to use baking stones, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove and cool on wax paper and store in airtight container. These freeze well also and sometimes I'll freeze half the batch for yummyness at a later date.

 My favorite cookies to give as gifts......just ask the neighbors...

Me want a cookie......or two!!

Happy Tasty Tuesday!

xoxo

HAIR & MAKEUP REVELATIONS

Was pretty excited when I saw the topic of Momfessionals Let's Talk Series was Hair and Make-Up. While I'm all over fashion, Pin hair styles on Pinterest and eat up the Sephora sales every year, I have never done a post on Hair and Make-Up. Time to change that. So Today Let's talk about my Daily Make-up routine, My favorite Hairstyles And a HUGE Proclamation.

No sense in keeping you in suspense but for those of you that do to know, I have been coloring my own hair since I was 18!!! Yes indeed, box color all the way but the other big reveal. I CUT MY OWN HAIR too!! How does she get it even you say?? I guess, years of practice.

 My mom has colored her hair she was in high school and well I never did do that when I was in high school and my hair was a few shades darker, but when I was 18, the Summer before college, I put a bunch of "Sun-In" on my hair and it turned orange! So it was time, Nice and Easy became my best friend every six weeks! But the past decade or so I branched out other hair colors and these are my favorites.


My Summer Shades


Fall and Winter Shades

My Life-Saver when after coloring there are too many brassy tones, reds or oranges.

Make-up is fun but very routine for me. Growing up, I was allowed to wear eye shadow first, then as a freshman, branched to foundation, and blush.  For as long as I can remember I wore a foundation by Max Factor but they stopped making years ago. I am one of those people who tries to stick to the same dedicated make up brands and when I branch out and find a new one I love, I stock pile it.. A deep bottom bathroom drawer is full of nothing but a stash of my favorite products.

I have mentioned my Favorite Eye Products before but here is the entire daily make-up spread. I am a mix of high end and drug store products.

I always start with the eyes....

From the top, I start with Cover Girl Liner Perfect Point Plus in Oynx, Go over that liner with Almay Liquid Liner in Black, then if doing a slight cat eye, I use blinc fine liner. I follow with Maybelline eye quad in Designer chocolates using only the top 3 colors. In the corner of each lid goes a dark shade either from the CG quad, using #4 purple or the MAC "All that Glitters." My Holy Grail of make-up tools is my Maybelline eyelash curler. And I top with an even mix of Maybelline Great Lash and Make Up Forever Mascara, both in Blackest Black.

Another BIG Revelation.....so I paid the $52 for the Naked Decay palette and I LOVE the colors but I hardly ever use it, nope, cannot stand the applicator and always say "I'm saving it for good", lol.

Next, the Face...

Face Products from top left, Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation Intensity 3.0 Mixed with Cover Girl foundation in 750 Medium Beige over the Smashbox Primer and Covergirl Concealer in Medium. I follow with a brush of Cover Girl loose powder in Medium Translucent, then Physicians Formula Bronzer in Sunlight, Followed by Nars Blush in Orgasm.

And the lips.....
I did do a post on Favorite Lip Products as well....
if going out or work..I wear all, if not or just errands, just lipgloss

The Shinylicious/Shinesensational lip glosses from Maybelline are no longer available and I am almost out of my stock and I need a good replacement...Any suggestions for a great stay on gloss?

I use a Jordana lip liner in cabarnet from Wal-Greens (Only place I can find it & $1.29) then top that with Mary Kay lipstick in "Raisinberry" and often follow with MAC's "Rebel"

and

My top two favorite brushes: Arbonne, which I use for my bronzers & Eco tool Blush brush

How bout you, got any hair and make-up revelation or super favorite products to share? 
Go be your beautiful selves and Have a Fantastic start to your week!!!

Linking up with Biana // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Show and Tell Tuesdays // Wordless Wednesday // Inspire Me Monday // Share The joy

// Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Share It // Wordless Wednesday // Creative Monday's Blog Hop // Thoughts on Thursday

Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop //  The Alder Collection // Feathered Nest Friday // Waiting On Wednesday

xoxo

FRIDAY FAVORITES....Spring Finally Arrived in Indiana

That's right sweet friends, this girl finally had the sun on her face and some temps in the 70's...after waiting and waiting, we were bestowed with like a whole week of beautiful sunshine and warmth. This was a busy week after being gone the week before and I'm extra happy Friday is here. I hope the weekend treats you well with lots of love and fun!!

1. PEACH MOSCATO WINE SLUSHIES
How refreshing!! Now that warmer weather has arrived, I've got me a slushy in the sun craving. These are so easy and the cool thing is that you make up a big batch ahead of time, pop into ice cue trays, put the slushy cubes in freezer bags, then all you have to do is blend when ready!!! 

1 Bottle Moscato

2 cups frozen unsweetened peaches

1/3 cup powdered sugar

In a blender or food processor, blend the peaches, sugar and a few splashes of moscato until smooth, blend in rest of moscato, pour into ice cube trays and freeze. When frozen, pop out cubes and put several into freezer bags. When ready to have a slushy, pour contents of bag into blender and add more splashes of wine to make blending smoother. Serve immediately with fresh fruit if desired. Then, go back in and make another batch!!

2. PROM CUTIES

First Prom of the season and these kids were absolutely blessed with the perfect day. 76 and sun, sun, sun!! Prom was held at a beautiful Inn on a Lake and we got gorgeous pictures.  Monday I mentioned the day I took these two for the Tux Fitting in my Day In The Life post. Just love them to pieces! More to come as another Prom in May with our two oldest.

3. Week's Attire
Was so busy on Monday after being gone that I didn't even get a photo, 
went brighter this week....

Cardigan from Target, Scarf from Italy, Ruffle shell from Kohl's, Necklace, gift from mom

Skirt from Maurices, Cardigan from The Loft. Scarf & Belt from Kohl's

Cardigan from The Loft Yellow top from JC Penny, Charming Charlie Necklace

4. ESPADRILLES 

I cannot remember the last time I owned a pair of flat espadrilles. Usually mine are lace up wedges. I had been eyeing all the Soludos espadrilles on Shopbop and decided just to get a basic leopard print from the Soludos website. I wore them around one day for errands and they were so comfy.

Buy the Leopard Espadrilles HERE

More cute Espadrille Inspiration

5. Sweet Sunshine and Sweet Mom
2 of my favorite things Sitting in the Sunshine and getting sweet little tidbits form my mom. 

Mom has had a rough few weeks with the illness and passing of my precious grandma but yet she is still thinking of others like me and bestowing me with sweet cards and this sweet owl.

We should all Listen to Our Hearts!!!

Hoping your hearts are full of love this weekend!!

Linking up with  Amanda // Friday Favorites  // Oh Hey, Friday  // High 5 For Friday // 5 on Friday 

I Leave you with this quote today because as an 80's girl, I was saddened by the passing of Prince yesterday. 

xoxo

MUSHROOM ASIAGO CHICKEN

Doesn't this look scrumptious??!! It so is. The favors are such a nice mix and the bit of asiago cheese (which is my favorite cheese to pronounce) adds the perfect punch. Have a nice veggie on the side and this is a great and quick meal packed with flavor. 
Yum

• MUSHROOM ASIAGO CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 oz whole white button mushrooms
1 tsp. Minced garlic
3 springs fresh thyme
1½ cups dry white wine
½ cup seasoned flour
2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp olive oil
½ cup heavy cream
¼-1/2 cup shredded asiago cheese
½ tsp salt (or to taste)
¼ tsp pepper (or to taste)

Seasoned flour:

½ cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

DIRECTIONS
Pound chicken breast with a meat mallet between 2 sheets of waxed paper or plastic wrap until meat is uniform thickness; about ¼-inch. Cut into serving-sized pieces (2 or 3 pieces per breast). Heat the butter with 1 tbsp of olive oil in deep, heavy skillet or a sauté pan over medium heat. Dredge chicken in seasoned flour. Add to hot oil/butter in skillet. Sauté until golden on each side, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from pan. Add remaining olive oil to hot skillet. Sauté mushrooms and garlic until mushrooms begin to brown. Add white wine to skillet, scraping up all the browned bits that are at the bottom of the pan (this is called “deglazing”). Bruise the fresh thyme by twisting it between your fingers or hitting it with the dull side of a knife in a few places. Add thyme to mushroom/wine mixture in pan. Add the chicken back to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove chicken from pan. Add the cream and heat through. Add the asiago cheese (if you like it strongly flavored, use ½ cup; not as strongly flavored, use the ¼ cup–asiago is a powerful cheese and you can even use less for just a whisper of flavor. I like it strong so I used ½ cup). Cook, stirring constantly over low heat until cheese melts. Continue cooking until sauce is reduced by about ½. 
If you wish to skip the reduction step, you may thicken the sauce slightly with about 1 tbsp instant flour or 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbs water…however, the reduction will taste better. Add chicken back to pan and heat through. Garnish with sprigs of fresh thyme. May be served over any pasta.

What you'll need

Happy Tasty Tuesday!

Linking up with Tasty Tuesdays  // Weekend Potluck

Metamorphosis Monday // The Scoop //  Meal Plan Monday #105
xoxo