In the Kitchen: Tortellini Soup

I've made this twice in the past few weeks because I haven't been feeling well. A pot of this soup is a week's worth of dinners for me and it's super filling. It's quick to make, inexpensive and you can use any veggies you like.

My Version:

1 large container Swansons 99% fat free, lower sodium chicken broth

1 family size package of tortellini (mine is cheese filled)

1 large family size frozen spinach

salt and pepper

**if I'm not too lazy I'll use a pinch of marjoram, 1 bay leaf, and a pinch of thyme

Thaw spinach and drain access water. Boil pasta in chicken broth according to package directions. Add spinach and warm through. *Optional but oh so tasty, turn the heat to medium low, add herbs and cook additional twenty minutes.

New Hair and Products

Ladies this is why I don't do outfit of the day posts...

My typical attire consists of some type of blouse, Express Editor slacks and my Landau lab coat - chic. Actually I'd like to draw some attention to my new highlights and bangs (which I haven't had in many years). My hair before was down to the bra strap so this was a huge change for me. And it was well received!!!! I was given compliments from friends, co workers, family, whistling construction workers - all the usual reliable sources. Maybe I'll hang out at this length for a while.

With every new hair cut and color comes new styling goods. I purchased the Matrix Biolage Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner set for super cheap at trade secrets. I guess they had them left over from the holidays. I also purchased the Straight Sexy Hair Smooth and Protect Flat Iron Spray, this product is great to use on each individual piece before it's straightened, it's so light it doesn't weigh down the volume and the smell is fantastic. So far I like all my new hair goodies!

Girl Scout Cookies

Ah the holidays - Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentines Day, and. . .

Girl Scout Cookie Sales!

I love cookie selling season, cute little girls begging to unload their cookies for cash; I'm also love that familiar taste for an annual treat. Pre - sales start the second week of February and cookies are sold through the beginning of April. Here are some of my goodies:

Their old fashioned name are Samoas, I still call them that.

Peanut butter sandwich cookies.

Thin Mints - love these when they're cold.

Blog Update

I felt old today. I realized this morning that my birthday is only 1 month away and I'll be approaching the other side of my twenties (the side thats too close to thirty). My friends are married and having babies and I'm not finished with grad school - although I do have a pretty kick ass job that I actually like. The boy and I are doing well, we're getting to see each other 3 weekends this month. Lilly has been sick lately. The past week she's been vomitting and we've had to make three trips to the vet. Apparently she had a GI obstruction and after a week of meds she's doing better. And then......a bump appears on her head. I took her back to the vet and was informed my can has a subcutaneous cyst otherwise known as acne?!?! Who knew that cats could get acne? To change the subject I wanted to recommend a product that I'm loving lately. I'd like to start out by saying I'm not a Bath and Body Works kind of girl, I don't do the whole body spray / body splash kind of thing but I found a product that I LOVE. The Body Mist by Victoria's secret is fantastic! It's perfume-y without being perfume and it's not too citrus-y or floral. I'm keeping mine in my purse for mid-day scent touchups and it layers well over my different perfumes. I love the simple, plastic packaging so I don't have to worry about it breaking or spilling in my bag. The website calls this a woody musky floral (hmm no wonder it layers so well) Top notes crushed leaves, freesia, mandarin Middle notes: water hyacinth, cucumber, stephanotis Low notes: white musk, sandalwood

My Baptism

My baptism was back in January and I never got around to posting about it. I have always been a Christian but I decided to take the next step and get baptized. This meant so much to me and I loved that a few members of my family were willing to make the trip to see it happen. It feels so good to have loved ones witness my acceptance of my Lord and Saviour into my life. My mom couldn't find the "zoom in" feature on my new camera in the heat of the moment so that is a teeny tiny me and a teeny tiny preacher standing at the very back under the gold cross.

Review: Essie Big Spender

Excuse any imperfections, I've been wearing this color for a few days and it's lasted through a brutal weekend. Note to self - paint nails after cleaning the apartment from now on. This is a great magenta color with beautiful shine. I love how rich the color is, it looks great on pale skin but honestly I think it would work just as well with deeper skin tones. The photo was taken with two coats of polish and one thin coat of Sally Hansen MegaShine top coat.

Tag: 40 Beauty Questions

Skin

How many times do you wash your face daily? 2

What skin type do you have? normal, sensitive

What is your current facial wash? Avalon Organics Vitamin C Gel Cleanser

Do you exfoliate? Yes

What brand do you use? St. Ives and Dove Daily Cleansing Wipes

What brand moisturizer do you use? Garnier Nutristionist

Do you have freckles? No

Do you use eye cream? Yes Do you or did you have acne prone skin? OH YES! I used prescription creams for 10 years

Did you ever have to use Pro activ? No

Makeup

What foundation do you use? Korres Wild Rose Foundation

How about concealer? MAC studio finish

Do you know your undertone color? pink

What do you think of fake eyelashes? Great for nights out.

Did you know that you should change your mascara every 3 months? Yes

What brand of mascara do you use? Covergirl LashBlast

Sephora or MAC? MAC

Do you have a MAC pro card? No

What makeup tools do you use in makeup application? My fingers and my Sigma eyes and face brush kit.

Do you use a makeup base/primer for the eyes? Yes, Two Face Shadow Insurance

For the face? No

What is your favorite eyeshadow? MAC Graphology

Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner? pencil or gel actually

How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil? Never

What do you think of pigment eyeshadows? Really fun for foiling and experimenting but too messy for everyday application.

Do you use mineral makeup? I have before.

What is your favorite lipstick? MAC High Strung

What is your favorite lipgloss? Smashbox Radiant

What is your favorite blush? lately MAC Dame

Do you buy makeup on Ebay? Never have

Do you like drugstore makeup? Some items I'll wear from the drugstore

Do you go to CCOs? I always stop by if I'm outlet shopping.

Did you ever consider makeup classes? No but I like getting tips from MUA at the counters.

Are you clumsy when applying makeup? No except with liquid liner.

Name a makeup crime you hate? Smeared eyeliner!

Do you like colorful shades of makeup? Yes, I love purple and green for eyeshadow

Which celebrity always has great makeup? Jennifer Aniston

If you could leave the house using just one makeup item what would you use? concealer

Do you think you could look good even without any makeup on? Sure, I don't mind being bare-faced.

In your opinion what is the best makeup line? Probably Nars honestly, great product line all around for many products.

What do you think of makeup? I think it's fun, I love experimenting with it. I guess it's a hobby for me.