Halloween in May

Now is the perfect time to start thinking about Halloween. You can find many great Halloween stuff on sale online. Also, You can find things in stores now that would fit nicely in your Halloween decor that might not be sold come October. The other day I found a plastic

puma (looks more like a cat) that is going to go perfect with my witch theme. If I would have waited until October to look for a black cat I would have probably ended up with a stuff animal. Currently, I am working on a witch shoe. I will show the progress as I make it.

Demi Moore's Beauty Secrets

One of my favorite ladies in hollywood for being naturally beautiful and absolutely time-less is Demi Moore. After doing some digging, I had no luck finding articles where Demi Moore revealed her beauty secrets. Maybe it's because her biggest secret to looking forever young is her gorgeous husband.

I found one article by Allure Daily Beauty Reporter, where Demi Moore said,
"My skin is very sensitive, so I use only fragrance-free, simple, pure products. And I moisturize, moisturize, moisturize—that’s the most important lesson my mother passed on to me, and I say it to my daughters all the time. No matter how late of a night it is, when I get home, I take the time to clean and moisturize my face. I'm a big believer in that if you focus on good skin care, your skin will be balanced, and then you really won't need a lot of makeup."

I was able to find a great article by NewBeauty Magazine, where Demi Moore revealed three products she cannot live without. The first is Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion System, $250, clarisonic.com. The second is The Organic Pharmacy Carrot Butter Cleanser, $64, theorganicpharmacy.com. Finally, RMS Beauty, rmsbeauty.com.

I did the research, so you don't have to. According to their website, Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion is designed to help build skin's resilience over time and prevent future damage around the eyes. By gently tapping the skin around your eye at 125 sonic movements per second, the Opal dispenses specially formulated Anti-Aging Sea Serum, maximizing absorption in a way that's not possible with your finger alone. Skin appears brighter, looks younger, and feels refreshed, energize and immediate reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Carrot Butter Cleanser dissolves grime, dirt, pollution, make up (including eye makeup) in one easy step. Antioxidant Carrot is blended with skin softening Shea and Cocoa Butter to leave the skin incredibly soft and smooth. Chamomile, Rosemary and Lavender soothe and decongest the skin. Warning the product is sold in the UK so shipping will be pricey.

The magazine article did not specify which product Demi Moore uses from RMS Beauty, but according to the website their products are made with organic ingredients. I must research this company more, natural/organic is my beauty philosophy.

The Sparkbook

If you have never heard of a Sparkbook, you are not alone. I've only just recently discovered what it is and I want to share it with all my readers. A Sparkbook helps you keep all your ideas together in one place and organized.

Step 1:
Choose a scrapbook, journal, sketch pad, notebook.

Step 2:
Decorate the book cover and pages by adding fabric, magazine cut-outs, photos, ribbons and stickers.

Step 3:
Create your own tags, if the books isn't already divided into sections. Title the sections, such as Food, Holiday, Party, Crafts, Home Decor, Wedding, etc. Use fabric and glue it to the sides of the pages, write section titles on the fabric. Or use your favorite book markers to divide the sections.

Step 4:
Decorate the pages with your ideas. Keep favorite party recipes, guest lists, scribble down ideas, print ideas from the internet, get ideas from friends or tv, include contact information from your favorite party supply stores.

Step 5:
Keep the sparkbook handy in order to add to it when an idea comes to mind. Use the ideas when needed. Lend the sparkbook to friends when they need ideas for their next party. It is that simple and fun.

Green Beans with Garlic

If I was asked to make a Thanksgiving dinner for my family, my guest would not be happy with the outcome. All I know how to make (that is a traditional Thanksgiving recipe) is mashed potatoes. Just regular butter mashed potatoes. I found a wonderful book called "Thanksgiving Entertaining" by Williams-Sonoma. The book has yummy traditional Thanksgiving recipes.

GREEN BEANS WITH GARLIC (serves 10-12)

Ingredients:
Salt
2 lb (1kg) small, slender green beans, stem ends trimmed
4 tablespoons (2 oz/60 g) unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon, or 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
Freshly ground pepper
3 oz (90-g) piece Parmesan or Grana Padano cheese cut into shavings with a vegetable peeler (about 3/4 cup)

Trim the stem ends of the beans in advance and have the beans ready for quick cooking. You may also blanch the beans ahead and saute them with the garlic just before serving. Parmesan curls add a nutty flavor.

Have ready a large bowl of ice water. Bring a large pot 3/4 full of water to a boil. Salt the water, add the green beans, and cook them until tender-crisp, 4-5 minutes. Drain the beans, transfer immediately to the ice water, and let cool for 1 minute. Drain again and pat dry.

In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, just until pale gold 2-3 minutes. Add the beans and tarragon and toss to coat with the garlic butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover partially and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are heated through, 3-4 minutes. Top with Parmesan shavings just before serving. Serve hot.

Lilly Pulitzer Bridal Shower

I can't get enough of Lilly Pulitzer so there is no surprise that when I saw this LP themed bridal shower I was instantly in love. You can check out the beautiful photos at www.creatingcoutureparties.com.

Summer Read

I found a great summer book that I wanted to share with everyone. If you love reading chick lit and you absolutely love cupcakes than you will love The Icing on the Cupcake. The story is beautifully written and very entertaining. The book has a few different great delicious cupcake recipes inside. For example, one cupcake recipe is called Going Nuts for Coconut. If I wasn't currently moving and all my baking supplies weren't packed I would make the cupcakes as I read the book. Great delicious book worth reading.

Doggie Art

Ever thought about having a portrait made of your dog? Pet art is becoming very popular, I see it everywhere now. I have been into dog paintings for years now. I particularly follow local artists. There was one particular artist who's dog paintings I use to love because her art is very unique. However, now that more and more artist are painting our furry friends my taste has evolved. I use to love cartoonish doggie art but now I am more into realistic doggie paintings.

I found a local artist who's paintings are beautiful and colorful. She sells prints of dogs she has already painted or she can paint your dog upon request. Visit her website and see her art, I am sure you will love her paintings.

www.tiffanybeasi.com

Mini Tacos

Made these delicious mini tacos with turkey meat, lettuce, cheese, green onion and chips. I recommend to anyone to make them, they are so good. Beware, it took me two hours to chop, cook, prepare and bake them. Very time consuming because you have to prepare them one at a time.

February 5: John Mayer Concert

He is amazing! Great concert.

V Day Questions

The questions..

1. Favorite Valentine's candy? Chocolate Hearts
2. Pink or red? Definitely Pink
3. Will you be doing anything to celebrate today? Dinner with my boyfriend at home.
4. Do you put up Valentine's decorations? Not much, except kitchen towels with hearts on it.
5. What does Valentine's Day mean to you? A day that celebrates being in love.
6. Would you rather get..flowers, candy, or a night out? A night out.
7. Sexy lingerie or nothing.at.all? This year, sexy lingerie.
8. Do you say Valentine's Day or Valentime's Day? Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!
Because of the recent move into our new apartment and because we are still unpacking and everything is still a mess. I did not have time to plan anything special this valentines day. My boyfriend and I will just spend the day at home unpacking and doing school work. Hopefully, I will be able to make a romantic dinner. I bought a cute surprise for my boyfriend from Victoria Secret. :0)

I recently began collecting the LOLITA hand painted glasses. My boyfriend got me two as Valentines Day gifts. They are so adorable.

My Yorkie Loves to Travel

I recently purchased a dog tote in order to take my Yorkie around town. I have been looking for one for months before I entered a little pet store and found a bag that had exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a bag that had a mesh window on top so that I can see what my dog is doing and a mesh window on the side so he can look out. I had a bag that I use to carry him in but it did not have a zipper on top so he would try to stick his little head out of the bag. I also needed a bag that I can close him in completely so that no one will know he is in there. And that he would still be able to breath of course. The neighborhood I live in is very much like a tiny NYC. There are restaurants and stores and a Publix walking distance. I like to walk my dog around so he can get plenty of exercise. The problem was if I wanted to stop in a store or stop to eat I could not carry him so that is why I decided to buy a bag in order to stick him in. This neighborhood is very dog friendly and although they allow pets in most places they want them to be carried while in the store. He doesn't weigh much but he starts to get heavy after a while. I also wanted a bag he could stand up in just in case he got tired of laying down. (Now you must understand why it was hard to find a bag with so many requirements) I was very excited when I found exactly what I wanted in a nearby pet store but of course it was pricy. I looked online and found it on thenewyorkdogshop.com for half the price. And I also found a doggie shampoo I had seen in the store for half the price there too. The shampoo is fantastic, I recommend it for dog owners, the best smelling shampoo I have ever purchased. I will never purchase another dog shampoo again. I keep picking up my dog and sniffing him like an addict. And his hair is shiny and soft. The shampoo is called Spa Lavish Shampoo-Renew. It is truly amazing. If you are looking for a dog purse that doesn't look like a gym bag like so many do, you will like this bag.

Christmas Time

Christmas time is my favorite time of the year. Especially, since law school has forced me to live away from my family and friends. So every year I look forward to that month that I get to travel back to home and be with the ones I love. If you love to read baking and cooking magazines, like I do, then you know the December issues are always the best. Every recipe looks delicious. My favorite part about Christmas (besides spending time with my loved ones and eating) is that I get to decorate my tini tiny apartment. This year I am loving the gingerbread theme. I found an adorable collection of gingerbread candle holders in Yankee Candle. I especially love the one in the picture above. He looks like gingerbread Mario or Luigi from Nintendo.

I was so excited about how cute the gingerbread candle holders were I had to show them off. So I showed them to my boyfriend. When I didn't get the response I was expecting-I was expecting a "what a great purchase, they are terrific"-I decided that we would use them to make a candle light dinner. I thought for sure after he saw them lit he would think they were worthy of more than "they're ok". So there we were eating dinner with all the lights turned off except for the light from the candle holders. If you think it sounds romantic it was not. I only purchased two small candle holders. Two small candles are the equivalent of just being in the dark. Which would have been romantic had it not been for the fact that we were eating. I ended up turning on the bedroom light for some additional light. I think my boyfriend learned to like them after that.