Curling Irons

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I've got curling irons on the brain.
I decided to start experimenting with different curling irons because quite frankly I'm a little bored of my straightener. Don't get me wrong I absolutely could not live without it, sad I know, but I want to broaden my scope and see what I can get out of curling irons. I own a 1" and 1 1/2" curling iron and a 3/4" flat iron. I love them all but I'm wondering if I should try for a 1 1/4" curling iron because my curls are too tight in a 1" and too loose with a 1 1/2". I'm just curious what sort of curl I can get with the in-between.

Here's a chart I found that gives a relatively good idea of what you can get with each barrel size.

3/8″ Barrel Size	Very Short hair styles and very small tight curls
1/2″ Barrel Size	Short hair styles and very small tight curls
5/8″ Barrel Size	Short to medium hair lengths and small curls
3/4″ Barrel Size	Medium hair lengths and medium loose curls
1″ Barrel Size	Medium to long hair and large or loose curls
1 1/4″ Barrel Size	Medium to long hair and big loose curls.  Also great for adding volume and lift at the roots
1 1/2″ Barrel Size	Medium to long hair and big loose curls.  Also great for adding volume and lift at the roots
2″ Barrel Size	Medium or long hair and extra large loose curls and waves.  Also great for adding volume and lift at the roots

Here’s a tip for great organizing when it comes to your curling irons. Use hook-and-loop tape to attach 5-in. lengths of 2-in.- diameter PVC pipe to the vanity door to hold the curling irons. Do the same thing with 3-in. pieces of 1-1/2-in.-diameter pipe to hold the cords. Just measure your curling irons to see how long your “holsters” need to be. Let your curling irons cool before you stow them away.

What size curling iron do you use? What's your favorite brand?
Anyone prefer the "wands?" I've never tried one but I've heard they're amazing.

CopyCat: 9

Confession: I wear and own a lot of black. A lot of black. Of course I used to wear it a lot more often. It was my go-to color for a long time. I think at one point I owned like 20 black shirts. I know, it's a problem. They weren't just straight up black tee shirts though they were each their own. I'm trying to go towards the navy and gray sides now. So, I promise I'm wearing blue jeans and my blazer just so happens to be black. So there wasn't much I could do there. Her scarf is knitted so my scarf is knitted though in all honesty I would wear this outfit outside but with a different scarf. Maybe a more cotton-y one.  I didn't wear my glasses because A. My glasses are not as cute and B. The ones that were most similar have been lost.

What do you think? Would you wear your own rendition of this outfit?

Double Braid into Bun Inspired by Rachel McAdams

I realize that I never really comment on my tutorials but I don't really know what to say. Um...watch my tutorial. It's fun, this hairstyle is cute and it can be simple once you get down the technique. Let me know what you think.

Also!
If you have a hairstyle that you'd like to see a tutorial for send me an email with the picture!

Layered Peppermint Crunch Bark

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Ingredients:

17 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped (don't use the chips)

6 ounces peppermint candy canes, crushed

7 ounces bittersweet chocolate

5 1/2 Tablespoons whipping cream

3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Directions:

1. Turn large baking sheet bottom side up. Cover securely with foil. Mark 12x9-inch rectangle on foil. Stir white chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) until chocolate is melted and smooth and candy thermometer registers 110°F. (chocolate will feel warm to the touch). Remove from over water. Pour 2/3 cup melted white chocolate onto rectangle on foil. Using icing spatula, spread chocolate to fill rectangle. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup crushed peppermints. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.

2. Stir bittersweet chocolate, cream and peppermint extract in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat until just melted and smooth. Cool to barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes. Pour bittersweet chocolate mixture in long lines over white chocolate rectangle. Using icing spatula, spread bittersweet chocolate in even layer. Refrigerate until very cold and firm, about 25 minutes.

3. Rewarm remaining white chocolate in bowl set over barely simmering water to 110°F. Working quickly, pour white chocolate over firm bittersweet chocolate layer; spread to cover. Immediately sprinkle with remaining crushed peppermints. Chill just until firm, about 20 minutes. If you let the bark go much longer than this- it will be very hard to cut neatly.

4. Lift foil with bark onto work surface; trim edges. Cut bark crosswise into 2-inch wide strips. Using metal spatula, slide bark off foil and onto work surface. Cut each strip crosswise into 3 sections and each section diagonally into 2 triangles. You can also just break into large chunks and enjoy.


Quote of the Day:
I stepped outside and as I buttoned up my coat said, "I'm so mad that it's winter."
AJ replied, "I'll see if there's something I can do."

Winter Essentials

Leather Jacket / Red Sweater / Scarf / Black Skinnies / Tall Boots / Hat / Peacoat / Legwarmers / Turtleneck / Gloves / Ankle Boots / Black Dress

Did you have a good Thanksgiving?

I really enjoyed the break from work and the opportunity to lounge around and do whatever I pleased. That's one of my most favorite things. I did spend a lot of time shopping, eating, and watching movies. I was happy I was able to spend time with my brother, his wife, and their new babes. I just can't get enough of that girl. Overall it was really nice to get a break. It's not often I get a four day weekend so I'm already anticipating the Christmas break coming up. It'll be here before I know it and gone just as quickly.

Guest Post: Gentri Lee

Today I am featuring a lovely blogger named Gentri and ladies she is fabulous!
She's so awesome because she is the sole reason my blog has gotten to where it is. It started when she featured it as one of her Gentri Lee's Blog Awards, and ever since then my blog has grown so much. So I have her to especially thank for that. Plus, she's one of the nicest blogging friends I have and we even got to meet up once!
So check out her blog after you've read her guest post below!
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Hey Melissa's lovely friends and readers! My name is Gentri and I blog over at Gentri Lee. I am so excited to be posting on Melissa's blog today! I'm going to tell you a little about me and my blog...

Like I said, I'm Gentri, I can be a bit silly, and I don't really care who knows it...

I love filling my life with adventures. I'm constantly looking for fun things to do and see...

I like to blog about fashion and my fun and fabulous finds...

Clarks Booties/ Wooden Necklace via Printed Peaks/ Flower c/o Lil Noodle Bug/ Poncho via ASOS
I also will occasionally throw in a DIY or recipe... but only occasionally. haha!

Snowglobes/ Flower Collar/ Pumpkin Puree/ Garden Fresh Veggies- no post
I think blogging is a wonderful thing and love being swept up in the beauty of blogland. So come on over to my blog, say hello, and introduce me to your pretty piece of blogland! I'd love to hear from you!
Thank you Melissa for letting me guest post! And thank all of you for reading!
Love,
Gentri

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She's so awesome! I just can't say that enough :)

Thanks so much Gentri for guest posting today!

Christmas Wishlist

Are you a Black Friday shopper?

I'm not particularly which could be surprising considering how much I do enjoy shopping. I think it's just the crowds. They really freak me out and I conjure up this crazy picture in my mind of people shoving and pushing to get inside then knocking each other over and trampling helpless elderly to get the gifts and products that they so desperately want then yelling at cashiers because they have to save an exorbitant amount of money on said items. Did I portray that clearly?

It's probably not really like that. I honestly don't even know because I think I've only shopped once on black friday and mostly I just followed my mom around the store while she searched for the supposed new DVD players that were marked down from $200 to $40. There was a limit of 4 I believe. Who would need that many? Someone with a giant house and a million people who all wanted to watch different movies at the same time.

In honor of Black Friday I've compiled my christmas wishlist. Honestly, I'd be happy with any one of these or just a night out with AJ. Now that I've gotten older I'm not as crazy about Christmas or specifically the required list of gifts that comes with it. So much expectation and commercialization. Okay, I'm kind of a scrooge but it's winter right, so let's just close our eyes until summer is here again and winter's all over.

1. Kindle

2. Coat

3. Remote car start

4. A winter getaway

Parmesan Cheese

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're spending time with family of course and luckily will not be cooking our own Thanksgiving feast.

So for holidays sake, here's some quick home cooking.
My sister taught me this really yummy way to make asparagus. I promise you won't look at it the same way.

You just coat the asparagus in olive olive, salt and pepper, and parmesan cheese. Then bake it in the oven at 350 for about 20 minutes. It's so good you'll want to eat all of it.

I had some extra french bread lying around so I decided to take a similar approach and coat each side with butter then top with some basil and parmesan cheese. Then throw it under the broiler for about 2-3 minutes. Keep an eye on it or I promise you'll burn it. Personal experience, right here. It was so tasty AJ kept reminding me how good it was.

a little award: Liebster Blog

Did you know in german, Liebe means Love?

Not sure if this is directly related but I named my first cat Liebe :) That was the first thing I thought of when I saw the name of this award.

So this awesome blogger, Melissa, from Simply Melissa Ashley is so awesome that she recently awarded me with the Liebster Blog Award. Yay! The Liebster Blog Award is given to up and coming blogs who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is a German word meaning dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

Not only am I supporter of up and coming blogs, but I love to share with others my favorite ones! It's good to support bloggers that are trying to find their little niche in this blogging world.

How does it work?
1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love too!

1. Lowercase Letters

2. Only A Flight Away

3. Fun. Feminine. Unique. New

4. Race and Emma

5. Eeny's Universe

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies - Again!

Ooh baby it's cold outside!

What is better than the warm gooey goodness of an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie?!

I tried this recipe from Betty Crocker to see if I could get the most perfect cookie and they were so yummy!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

2 cups quick-cooking oats

1 1/2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose or unbleached flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz)

1 cup chopped nuts, if desired

1 Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir brown sugar and butter until blended. Stir in vanilla and egg until light and fluffy. Stir in oats, flour, baking soda and salt; stir in chocolate chips and nuts.

2 Onto ungreased cookie sheet, drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart.

3 Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.



Betty Crocker

GlassesUSA

Do you wear glasses?

I got my first pair of eyeglasses when I was only in the second grade and they were the biggest lifesaver. I was amazed at all the things I could see! The cracks in the pavement, the leaves on the trees, every word on all the billboards, it was amazing! I couldn’t believe that I’d gone so long without them.

Finding the perfect pair of glasses is always stressful. You walk in the store and there are just racks and racks of frames to choose from and they are always so expensive! Well I’ve got some fabulous news for you! GlassesUSA.com offers a 110% lowest price guarantee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Isn’t that wonderful?

Plus, they have a great variety of frames ranging from a trendier vintage look, to a modern rimless frame, to a classic wire-rim. They also offer prescription sunglasses and designer eyeglasses frames! They will definitely have the selection you are looking for and you can do it all online.

Right now they are featuring a special offer, the "THANKS"giving Sale so you can get cheap eyeglasses:

With this special you get to take 20% off any frame in their iSee Eyewear collection and get free shipping within the US using Code: iSee20FS

You can find the collection here!

Also: Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses with code: Blog10

They also offer a generous “refer a friend” program and you can stay up-to-date on all GlassesUSA happenings through their Facebook page and Twitter feed.

So if you're walking around like a blindy go get you some glass-wear quick!!

Jessica Alba Inspired: Side Braids into Bun

In case you haven't noticed.

I don't do a lot of pictures where I'm posing straight forward. I find them kind of invasive, intrusive?
Is that weird? I mean I'm sitting here staring at a picture of myself that's staring right back at me and I'm thinking "whoa back up."  Well I guess I'm gonna leave it cuz you should see the hair from the front, yes?

P.S. Sorry my hair is too short for her fancy braided bun duo :(

Also:
I'm sponsoring Gentri Lee and she's featuring her sponsors favorite picture (including mine!) and why it's their favorite so really really you should go see it. Just keep scrolling, it's number 12.  It's the best picture ever!

A Weekend View

Well it snowed as promised. With being sick and the cold weather, we spent a lot of time indoors and to lift the mood I made my delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Of all the cookies in the world, I make these the most. I think they might be my favorite. I'll post the recipe later though I am still trying to master the most perfect chewy one.

Quote of the Day:
I'm cooking away in the kitchen when AJ walks into the doorway and stops.

AJ: "Hey babe are you brave?"
Me: "What?"
AJ: "Are you brave?"

I stop, look up and walk over in curiosity.

Me: "No I'm not brave and I don't trust you because last time I said I trusted you, you poured water on me."
AJ: "No I just want to know if you're brave."

That's when I notice the battery in his hand.

Me: "I'm not going to lick that battery."
AJ: "Babe, pleeeeease!"

This seriously happened and the entire time I was thinking "I can't believe this is happening."

Me: "I'm not stupid, I'm not going to lick that battery."
AJ: "Come on it doesn't really hurt."
Me: "No way, I'm not stupid."
AJ: "Just once. If you do it, then I will."
Me: "Ha! Yeah okay, you lick it first then I will but I'm not really going to lick it."

Then he does!
I started laughing so hard because then he hands it to me and says,

AJ: "Okay, now you lick it."
Me: "Hahaha, I'm not going to lick it!"
AJ: "Baaaaaaabe!"

It seriously drove him crazy that I wouldn't lick it. Why would I lick it? Really?


In other news!
Melina from Only a Flight Away is doing a Secret Santa! It is such a great idea and will be so fun for Christmas. Go sign up so you can be a part of it!

Also, I'm guest posting over on Jessie's blog, Sweet Little Somethings but it's a repeat post sorry!

My Man

Psst! Hey!

He gets so tired of me taking pictures that he sometimes uses it to his own advantage.

He is so awesome because he is always making me laugh and there's nothing better than that :)

Moisturizing

Have you ever heard about putting olive oil on your face as a moisturizer?

I've heard this from a number of sources but it took me a long time to finally do it. I've done it a few times before this and quite honestly I'm not sure how or if it really helps. I simply wash my face, then pour a little bit of oil into the lid and dip my fingers into it then slowly apply it all over my face. I leave it on the rest of the night while I'm mosying around then wipe any excess off before going to bed. It's oil so if it gets all over your pillow it creates a real mess.

Overall, my skin felt smooth but mostly because oil is very smooth. Ha, duh, but after removing any excess my skin felt the same as usual. I'm not really sure how beneficial this is but it seems like it could work. My guess is that consistency and time will tell.

Winter

I am not a fan of winter. Not one tiny little bit. Okay ok, really I'm just not a fan of snow. I think snow should fall in the mountains and stay there. It shouldn't be allowed any lower than the base. But there is one fabulous thing about winter.

The Winter scent at Bath & Body Works. My little heaven. This is by far one of the best scents and my most favorite thing about winter. Oh how I bask in it's loveliness.  I miss it during the long summer months and count down the days when this scent will come out again. So the moment it did, I stock piled up. Not really but I got enough to last me well into the summer months. oh how I love it.

What's your favorite scent?

Cinnamon and Nutmeg Face Scrub

I decided to try out a homemade face scrub that I heard about. It claims to help with acne scars and active acne. It's really simple and all the ingredients are found in your kitchen.

Ingredients:
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon honey

Combine all ingredients together and lightly scrub all over your face. Leave mixture on for 30 minutes.
If you don't have honey, milk can be substituted though if your skin is sensitive you should only leave the mixture on for 20 minutes.

These were the directions and I followed them exactly. I made the exact amount and was able to place it all over my face [as shown]. Plus, it created a very nice strong, spicy smell.

Overall, I really enjoyed this concoction. It left my skin silky smooth and I could smell the sweet scent the rest of the night. Before I put on the scrub I could feel that I was getting a new bit of acne on my chin and without putting any other acne treatment on it, the next day my acne had completely surfaced. Not sure if it was because of this scrub but to me it seemed to help.

Cinnamon & Nutmeg Scrub

Snow

We're due for a storm. I'm not ready for winter. I am never ready for snow. It's so distressing it's making me sick. I think I'm getting the flu. Sigh. Let's just go. Get away from here. I could do with a little adventure away from the impending and dooming snow storm that is heading my way.

Have a lovely weekend lovelies.
I'll be trapped indoors staring aimlessly out my window as my world is blanketed in a screen of white.

bareMinerals

After about three months of contemplation I finally decided to invest in bareMinerals makeup. My lovely sister was the basic deciding factor on the whole issue. She has been using it since the summer and always looks so gorgeous. Gorgeous. She knows it too or at least should cuz I remind her all the time. Her makeup is flawless.

So I scrimped and saved, made an appointment, and had my entire face done up to perfection. Then I bought the whole store, basically. My sister was surprised I got so much but I told her I had prepared for it because I knew I'd want everything.

This is what I went home with.

Basic Kit which includes:

Original Foundation in Fairly light

Mineral Veil

Warmth - bronzer

Three brushes

Brush cleanser

Then I added:

Blush

Basic eye pallette

Eye primer

Face primer

Buxom lip gloss

It's bad news though ladies because I am now sucked into the world of makeup. I can't get enough of it. I want to try an array of different brands, invest in concealers, and explore the worlds of eye shadows. I feel like such a girl doing my makeup for nearly 20 minutes every morning now. I've been late to work every day this week! But it's fun, it's a new adventure I've only brushed the surface of in the past and it'll be a great new project and obsession!

What's your favorite kind of make up?

Tutorial: Mohawk French Braid

Evening Attire

My sister is an amazing interior design student studying to be an architect. This past week was design week and my sister was invited to model an art project from last year made by EDA called National Wallcovering. Yep, wallcovering. Her entire dress is made out of wall cover. Her skirt is wallpaper backing and her bodice is entirely wallpaper.

There were many girls that night featuring different dresses made out of building materials. My personal favorites were the dresses made out of carpet, fermica, tiles, and carpet fibers.

[I didn't have my memory card so I had to take pictures with my phone. I was so sad about it but I didn't want to miss out on this unusual event]