Last week I featured Blush as a major player in wardrobe colors  ~
I did not share enough how the color permeates my wardrobe......!!!

Champagne diamonds have a lovely blush color (bracelet bottom row) - I should wear this more than I do!

My recent haul from Ulta:

And the samples:

The No7 products are wonderful - I will continue to buy these whenever there is a sale!
By the way,  Butter London Sheer Wisdom Lip Oil is on sale at Ulta and it is a great product:

This color is Cinnamon Spice - a lovely, natural color-no stickiness & yet moisturizes.
 
Someone mentioned on her blog that she is enjoying
BareMinerals Mineral Veil Finishing Powder ~ I too think this is a wonderful product esp for sensitive skin.  I have been using a number of products from this line within the past year and my skin has been happy!

I am now testing out their newest launch ~ Brillant Future

Benefits of this anti-aging serum:
Dermatologist tested. Non-comedogenic - VitC - Mineral manganese -
Chai hu extract -Renew radiance - Combat the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
This sinks in quickly and has no noticeable fragrance ~ after this I apply my moisturizer which contains SPF.
 I am happy that VitC is part of this serum - so far no reaction from my finicky skin!

I am still in snacking mode even though the holidays are over - but I want something more upscale - not kid junk food!  I devised this recipe using the old stand by, ranch flavoring.  Melt 1 stick of butter and add seasonings that you like = mine are pinch of chili powder, onion & garlic powder, packet of ranch, TBS Worcestershire, parsely flakes, organic seasoning and seasoned salt.  I poured this all over gluten-free crackers, pretzels, cheddar crackers, rice and/or wheat cereal & mixed nuts.  Mix together then put in 300 deg oven and stir every 15 mins - between 1/2 hour to full hour - then lay on paper toweling (while you nibble!).

 
                                               Winston Churchill was a wise man .............
                                               
                                                   Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSweetPinkShop?ref=hdr_shop_menu
New things will be listed everyday as the brick & mortar shop is closed.

 Pink isn't just a color ~ it's an attitude! 

~ All items purchased by me unless otherwise noted ~
                                 Linking up with these fabulous bloggers here

Blush is a major color this year and I could not be happier!  What is not to like??  This long jacket would be perfect for warmer climates:

                                         
I like Gucci but I have never used this wallet - I should sell it - but I have the matching bag  I used once!  I need to carry my entire world with me so this is too small - but it's pink and I like it!!  (OK, it's not really blush but us pink girls can get past that little difference!)

Are you using Blush in your life?

I have not used Clinique in many years but saw this recently and picked it up for a try-out.

Included are: 7 Day scrub cream in rinse off formula; Repairwear Laser Focus; Repairwear Laser Focus All Smooth Make up & Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream - such a convenient set.

Tarte has come out with the summer collection that includes this unicorn-inspired eyeshadow palette:


I saw this on another site and it has a lot of shimmery glitter which is not really clear on this stock photo.  Even though limited edition, I will be passing on this one as I was never into unicorns!!

I made these earrings:

I am very allergic to nickel so I thought it may be fun & practical to make some of my earrings.
I have not created anything in a long time (migraines get in the way!) but I do want to try some new ideas.  But finding nickel free materials has been difficult.

If you like the Motown sound you will enjoy this rendition from Joan Osborne - "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pv8LnZpkrY&list=RD5pv8LnZpkrY#t=21
Great music from our youth!
                    
 Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSweetPinkShop?ref=hdr_shop_menu
New things will be listed everyday as the brick & mortar shop is closed.

 Pink isn't just a color ~ it's an attitude! 

~ All items purchased by me unless otherwise noted ~
                                 Linking up with these fabulous bloggers here

I pulled out my Tarte Be Your Own Tarteist Amazonian Clay Eye & Cheek Palette.
I have not been using this yet but the colors are great for spring.
Included are:
Pink Beyond (mate soft pink)
Taupe for the Best (shimmering steel taupe)
Dreams Plum True (matte plum)
Out of this Pearl
Thistle Be the Day
Paint the Brown (matte chocolate brown)
And blush in Talented (too coral for me!)

 The dark shades will be used as liner - the mattes have a nice feel to them and are pigmented enough- I really like these colors for green eyes.
I also need to bring out Tarte BeMattenificent - such a lovely palette - why am I not using it?????

Too Faced Natural Love Eyeshadow Palette is being released this week and it needs to come to my house!!  There are mattes, shimmers & sparkles - I know I probably have some of these but there are 30 shades ( 7 matte, 13 shimmer & 10 sparkly shades) all together in 1 place - I need this!

I love this time of year when we can start to wear our jewelry layered and it can be seen!

I enjoy tuna salad and it is so easy to prepare even the day you want to use it.  I prefer crackers which I can eat all day - I normally use herbs de provence for seasoning but celery seed & onion are also good.  Low-fat mayo & dill pickle relish - mix together and enjoy!

The spring wreath for the front door is almost complete:

The wreath I used last year was a pain!  It was a triangle shaped basket that would not stay straight on the door, which drove me crazy!  So this year I went with the classic grapevine wreath - which keeps my OCD calm and will stay centered on the door.
Today it is 70 deg and Sunday we get snow ~ crazy Southern weather!

If you enjoy cross stitching look at this cute Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSweetPinkShop?ref=hdr_shop_menu
New things will be listed everyday as the brick & mortar shop is closed.

 Pink isn't just a color ~ it's an attitude! 

~ All items purchased by me unless otherwise noted ~
                                 Linking up with these fabulous bloggers here

I have been using my time to plod thru my many lovelies!  Highlighters have been getting a lot of attention (I guess they were on top of the pile!) and I showcased some of my favorites in the last post.
During a sale, I picked up Ulta's Strobing Palette and liked the variety that was included.

Included are: 1 Cream Highlighter (far left) - 2 Strobing Powders (middle/down) - 1 Shimmer Blush (top right) & 1 Shimmer Bronzer.  Forgive the gouges - I dropped the brush on the palette!)
Be aware! When you touch the brush to the powder items - dust flies!  Unfortunately it goes into the other surrounding products - it's not the end of the world, as this item is not expensive.  But you don't want the products to become overly mixed.
This handy palette is small so it is easy to carry with you.

I am back to using my favorite eye shadow colors ; lavender/purple with a little bronze thrown in.

Sorry ~ I forgot to comb my hair!  Here are the various shadows I used:

Top Right: L'Oreal, NYX    Bottom:  Ulta & Milani Bronze
I really do need to put more effort into my eye liner application.  I don't use it every day so I should have more patience - but that's not my strongest area!!!

I am determined to use more Vit C on the face and this was on sale:
Derma-E Vit C Concentrated Serum with hyaluronic acid

The directions state to apply 2x a day but I usually don't!  But at least it's a start.  My sensitive skin was not bothered by it so I will continue on ~ every little bit helps!  It is a clear formula with a silky feel.
Do you have a Vit C product that you have enjoyed using?

I have been on a salad kick lately and really like using the artisan greens - there are so many to choose from: Even though the containers state the greens have been washed I still wash mine again.

If you like Italian dressing, this version is very good;

If you enjoy cross stitching look at this cute Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSweetPinkShop?ref=hdr_shop_menu
New things will be listed everyday as the brick & mortar shop is closed.

 Pink isn't just a color ~ it's an attitude! 

~ All items purchased by me unless otherwise noted ~
                                 Linking up with these fabulous bloggers here

I have been using highlighters sparingly - at 63 I don't want to look like a disco ball but I do want to create a subtle glow.  I keep on hand  Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder,

 Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders in Luminous Light (L) & Mood Light (R):

Most of these are build-able and will last a very long time - no need to be heavy-handed!
These are not overly sparkly ~ begin at the corner of the eye and sweep the brush down towards the face, hitting the tops of the cheek bones. 
 
Keep an eye out during the holidays because companies create sets that allow you to try different products with one purchase like Sephora Favorites 'Glow For It'~ these included powder and creme highlighters and was a great way to try out items without over spending.

I like AG Hair Care products:

I have a lot of layers that need definition - I have used AG hair wax previously (on the ends)) and it worked well.
So I when I saw the Tousled Texture in a spray I thought this would be so convenient - wow - that stuff comes out fast & furious!  It is a powerful spray that is really too much - I will try just spraying it on my hands and apply to the ends - the force is too strong straight from the can. Yes, Girl Friend needs a hair cut!!

I did not know National Margarita Day is on February 22  -  I did not realize this was a 'thing'!! Here are some lovely looking recipies:
 http://www.nycsinglemom.com/2017/02/16/margarita-recipes
I tend to associate margaritas with summer but Feb is good too!
Let me know if you tried some of these.

Here is a recipe that I tried and liked.  Super easy and everything is in 1 pan!  I did not use Italian seasoning but just a bunch of diff ones we like - oregano, herbs de provence, celery seeds & bay leaves.  I also added some chopped onion ( you could use dried)
Chicken legs & thighs have been on sale for about .69 lb lately so it is a great time to stock up.
 http://www.highheelsandgrills.com/green-beans-chicken-and-potatoes-one-pan-wonder/

I baked this at 370 deg for about an hour - we like food very done!  This is the before pic - I melted a stick of butter and poured it over everything and added some more salt & pepper. Here in the South butter is a food group - necessary for every day life! (You could use less but perish the thought!)
I will make this again - have you tried this recipe?

If you enjoy cross stitching look at this cute Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSweetPinkShop?ref=hdr_shop_menu
New things will be listed everyday as the brick & mortar shop is closed.

 Pink isn't just a color ~ it's an attitude! 

~ All items purchased by me unless otherwise noted ~
                                  Linking up with these fabulous bloggers here

Do you remember 100 yrs ago when we were in college and someone's aunt would send a big container of "Russian tea"?  The smell of this organic tea reminds me of that time:

Very fragrant and warming!
The grands were here so hot chocolate for them - they got 'surprises' because they made the honor roll.  Truly my life is simply spoiling them ~ I could not love them more.

I had Cover Girl Jewels eye shadow(r) so I wanted to try Maybelline's 24k Nudes.  Several of the jewel colors are not for me and most of the 24k are too dark except for use in the crease.
There is only 1 color (top left) that is any where near golden but some of the others can be used as highlighter for the brow

 I thought I was not using enough of the darker colors in the crease but this day I was too heavy-handed - I was not happy with this look - not even the lip color! (which was bareMinerals Pop of Passion in Rose Passion - I prefer a 'berry' color) - of course a headache did not help!

I won't  buy these again - there are not enough use-able colors for me ~ as a rule, I don't re-purchase most cosmetics - there is always something new to try!

I found these bronzers from Physician's Formula (ok, I dug them back out since I have not used them!) and I am going to start using them - I could stand some color!  But the goldy dust on the left "City Glow" will have to come off - a girl can just do so much glitter!

I still love this fragrance from years ago ~ Coco by Chanel.

I have seen this on auction sites for lots of money (yes, even used!) but I have decided not to save mine but use it and enjoy it.  I find the current version does not smell the same as my 'classic' and I do like my version better.  I am not getting any younger so I am going to use what I love!
Do you change your perfume as Spring approaches?  I do tend to go lighter - not so heavily floral.

 Pink isn't just a color ~ it's an attitude! 

~ All items purchased by me unless otherwise noted ~
                                  Linking up with these fabulous bloggers here