Movin' round Maine!

This month, Mr. Brown and I took our first real vacation, a road trip to Maine!  We decided to drive (gettin' there's half the fun?), so the trip took about a week and a half.  After our share of road work, nights at the Day's Inn, and toll roads, we arrived in Bethel, ME on a Sunday afternoon.

We stayed at Riverview Resort, just up the road from the hustle and bustle of Main Street, and right next to the Androscoggin River.  It wasn't quite as bustling as it would've been come winter I guess...since it's a ski resort town and all.  But there were plenty of restaurants to check out, and we all know that eating out is one of the best parts of vacation!

We also spent 2 days on the coast (two 2 1/2 hour trips), had the celebrated Lobster Roll, and felt the very very chilly Atlantic Ocean. 

The highlights of the trip included:

Whoopie Pies
Lobster Mac & Cheese
Sparkly sidewalks
Sharpening our canoeing skills
Watching Mr. Brown plunge into the freezing Atlantic Ocean
Ice Cream everyday!
Shopping in Rockland, ME
No Tax in New Hampshire
No dishwashing all week - The resort staff came in everyday to do it!!!!

As you can see, most of the highlights are food related...  No accident there.

Summer Sketching

* Our house has a large and lovely cherry tree in the back yard.  I only picked about a quarter of it...maybe less than that, but it was enough for me!

Turning Over a New Leaf

Happy Birthday to me...

Catching Up

I tend to fall into repetitive eating habits easily.  I am that person that could really eat a ham and cheese sandwich everyday for a month, and be perfectly happy.  However, instinct tells me that I really ought to change it up once in awhile, so this winter and spring, I ate Chicken & Noodle soup (in the uber-convinient microwaveable bowls) and a banana muffin instead of the normal ham and cheese!  It didn't take long for me to realize that I had formed another eating habit to break.

Fast forward to the present: habit broken! I've moved on to cereal...

I've been in my current house for 2 years in September & I'm still looking for a "statement piece" for our living room...

Skin issues anyone?  I'm pushing 30 & still trying to figure it out... 

Couch-to-5k-ing

I've been making the most of my mornings lately...

With RUNNING!  This out of shape, no history of consistent exercise, almost 30 year old woman has been R-U-N-N-I-N-G!  In up to 5 minute intervals. 

Thanks to the widely popular Couch-to-5k iPhone app, I've been run/walk-ing 3 days a week for 3 weeks, and I don't mind!  Even more surprising is that I've been doing this in the early hours of the day, before work and without make-up.  I've almost started to like it.  The morning weather is lovely, it's nice knowing that I'm doing something good for my body, and I got to buy new shoes (please see below).

I plan on signing up for the Colorvibe 5k that's taking place near me in September!  Yay for me :)

Juice 101

A couple weekends ago, I watched Hungry for Change on Netflix (a great documentary by the way!), and was inspired to try juicing.  That's all well and good if you happen to have a juicer, and we didn't, but still inspiring.  I thought about about splashing out on a juicer for the next couple of weeks, but then, just before I took the plunge, my in-laws gave us a Magic Bullet!  Great timing!!! The Bullet came with a juicing attachment, so I was able to give it a try.

All the reviews I read online before trying the attachment warned that it was terrible, but so far so good!  Sure it's not the best system in the world (my cabinets have been covered in nutritional goodness more than once), but it'll work for now!

I'm actually considering a juice fast... Just for a week or so...  We'll see...

Some days are stressful...

                         

     Today's stressful feel technically began with a sneeze yesterday...  One little sneeze, and I knew that I was in for a spring cold...  Ugh!  My instincts proved correct when I woke up with the scratchiest of throats and watery eyes.  No amount of tea could seem to fix my problem...

     Today was also the first day of our fiscal year at my place of work, and unfortunately, my job is one that is actually affected by this annual milestone.  The first day of FY2015 means that it's time for me to scramble to wrap up everyone else's loose ends, while still plugging along with my daily duties.  Accounting.

     When I tore off my Mary Englebreit calendar page this morning, I knew it was perfectly suited for the day.  

     Tricky though it was, I made it through & hope to feel a bit better tomorrow.  I have a sneaking suspicion I'll need a clear head to clean up today's mess!

A Sunny Saturday

Along with at least 80% of the population, I love Saturdays!  So full of possibilities, so free of time constraints...  Aaahhh...  I started off with what may look like breakfast to you, but looked like a moisturizing yogurt-honey mask to my face.

Went to the park with my yellow purse, and met a honey bee!  She loved my purse as well, and stuck around admiring it for several minutes.  It was a lovely afternoon...  Can't wait for another one!

An Everyday Face

I'm one if those girls that "puts their face on" every morning.  I mean EVERY MORNING.  When I have to go to work, church, shopping, and even when I plan on staying in my house alone all day.  I've done this for as long as I've worn make-up, which is since my first year of high school...  That's 15 years.

It's honestly not as burdensome as it may sound; I admit it does sound a bit labor intensive, but putting on makeup is a security blanket of sorts and I enjoy taking the time.  Hair?  Well that's a different story... for another time.

Here's what my face consists of these days:

Clinique All About Eyes- Got a sample awhile ago, and think it makes applying concealer a smoother process.

Maybeline Instant Age Rewind Concealer- Must get rid of the under-eye circles!

Loreal Magic Lumi Concealer/Highlighter- Another weapon in my never-ending battle against those circles...

Everyday Minerals mineral powder foundation- It's cheap and effective!  I never mastered the liquid foundation application, and my first failure is ever etched in my mind... 

Wet 'N Wild MegaGlo highlighter- This is my blush!  Must use a light hand.

Everyday Minerals finishing dust- I'm not too sure if this is actually doing anything, but I think I've detected a bit of difference...possibly...  The jury's still out.

Maybeline Color Tatoo eyeshadow base in Bad to the Bronze- I've been using this everyday for the past 2 months!

Urban Decay's Bootycall eyeshadow- The perfect highlighter color for me.

Urban Decay's Busted eyeshadow- No more eyeliner pencils for me!  I've been using the eyeshadow liner method with this Naked II Palette color.

Urban Decay's Lush Lash mascara- A birthday gift from my sister, it does a great job of lengthening with no yucky clumpage.

Extras in my bag...

Covergirl Eye CC cream- I want to like this...I really want to like this.

Pixi Bronzer- I'm not so confident about my bronzer application skills, but I like to have the option handy.

Avon Lash Super Curlacious Mascara- I don't know why I still have this after using the Urban Decay mascara, but I do.

February Favs

February is finally over!  It may technically be the shortest month of the year, but I think that we can all agree that it's really the longest... Blah...

However, good things can and do happen in the very longest of months, so here is a collection of some of the small things that made my favorites list:

Beauty & Skincare...

1. Arbonne Makeup Primer- I've long been suspicious of make-up primers.  I knew that the really dedicated make-up ladies in my life swore by them, but when I tried a couple, I wasn't impressed.  Just another step, and I couldn't tell the difference!  That all changed after trying this primer at an Arbonne party.  This primer isn't white, like the ones I'd tried before.  It looked like a pinky toned gel (terrible description, I know), and made my skin feel amazing.  When I first started using it, I tended to forget about it now and then, and I could tell the difference!  Maybe not right away, but it definitely was noticeable throughout the day. 

2. Wet N' Wild MegaGlo Illuminating Powder- True to it's name, this highlighter/blush definitely makes my skin glow.  Almost to a fault, I must admit...  You can't be too heavy handed with this very shimmery little disc, but so far, I love this blush and have been using every day.  I just sweep my brush against the 2 middle colors when I use it.

3. Urban Decay Bootycall eyeshadow- Scandalous I know...  I'm embarrassed to even post this on my blog, but my love for this eyeshadow compels me!  It's only available in the Naked 2 palette, and is lovely.  It's a highlighting color with a pinkish hue that I use as an all-over eyelid color, usually with just a crease color.  Again, everyday, and contrary to it's name, the color is heavenly... couldn't resist!

4. Everyday Minerals mineral powder jojoba foundation in Bare- I received this as a sample when I ordered a pot of regular mineral foundation from Everyday Minerals, and honestly, like it so much better than what I bought!  Everyday Minerals allows you to choose 5 samples of foundation/blush/face powders with every order, or you can even just get the samples if you pay the shipping.

5. Philosophy's Loveswept- I found this in a perfume sample bag from Sephora at the beginning of the month, and have been using it exclusively since!  I bought a bottle at Ulta a couple weeks ago to seal the deal.  It's described as having a "soft floral scent," and I totally agree.  Soft and subtle.

Miscellaneous...

My iPad- Still loving my unnecessary Apple product!  In fact, I'm writing this blog post on it :)

Mystery Science Theater 3000- I'd been briefly introduced to this show in college, but hadn't watched an episode until this month, thanks to YouTube.  It's essentially a show that mocks bad B-movies, and ranges from hilarious to mildly entertaining depending on the movie.  It's amazing how many terrible movies are produced in this country!

Kashi GoLean Crisp Toasted Berry Crumble- Last month I opened a new box of Kashi GoLean Crunch granola, only to find GoLean crisp instead.  They'd mispackaged it, but I loved it!  I now have added that to my list of on hand cereals.

That's all folks!

Five Pictures : 5000 words?

     I used to keep an art journal religiously... Almost everyday!  Not lately.  I scanned my five most recent pages, and they begin in July!  Oh dear, oh dear... ach sin agad e!  There you have it :)

Red Lobster & thorny beautiful goodness...

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had a beloved/hated minor holiday this week!  Yes, Friday was Valentine's Day, and Mr. Brown and I placed ourselves at the center of the madness.  We hadn't planned on it...at least, I hadn't planned on it.  But to the madness we went...  Red Lobster, 5:00pm.

It may sound strange, but I actually enjoyed being in the middle of the Valentine's Day busy-ness!  In the lobby of a classic date restaurant with a bunch of other couples...I really felt part of something ;)

In other news, the cold weather seems to have subsided for the time being which is cause to C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E!  I look forward to an entire week of above freezing temps.  It should be a lot more productive than this past week because honestly, I didn't get much done.  Not much to report.  Feel let down?

The Perks of being a Beauty Insider

After almost a year of being a Sephora Beauty Insider, I have made my first purchase!  I signed up in August of last year to take advantage of the free Benefit birthday gift, and didn't intend to take so long to respond to the countless promotional emails I have received (one of the perks of being a beauty insider...and I mean that!)  But it's been difficult to shell out the $$$ that most of Sephora products require.  I love looking, and even bought a couple things...only to take them back both times.  Very sad...

But enough history, here's what I bought!

Bare Minerals Original Foundation in Fairly Light

That's it.  No really, that's all I bought!  Thanks to my Beauty Insider status, I was able to choose 3 free samples:

- Balenciaga Florabotanica Eau de Parfum Spray
- Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Dollface
- Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment

AND...  I could choose between 3 perfume sampler bags!

I chose the Day Date:

Fresh Fresh Life Eau de Parfum
Juicy Couture Malibu Eau de Toilette 
Philosopy Loveswept Eau de Toilette 
Armani Acqua di Gioia Eau de Parfum 
Narciso Rodriguez for her Eau de Toilette 
Hanae Mori Butterfly Eau de Toilette 
Prada Luna Rossa Eau de Toilette

If it wasn't already apparent...  I really just wanted all the samples :)  Let the perfume sampling begin!

p.s. Not sure if the Bare Minerals Foundation is quite the right shade...  Might have to make an exchange, but definitely not another return!  Enough of that.

Sewing Sunday!

I did a bit of weekend sewing Sunday!  My first real sewing project actually…that is, the first one following a pattern.  Prior to this project, I had sewn 1 1/2 quilts, pillows, and the inside of a couple crochet purses.  Essentially, I'd only sewn squares.

After flipping through the pages of this book, 4 years ago….  I found this apron.  I thought it was cute, practical, and looked fairly simple.  I believe it was fairly simple, but a tad too complicated for me to pull off without a hitch.  

I had several problems along the way, and the end result isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination (the whole gathering principle is way beyond me at the moment).  However; it's just an apron, and my first time trying, so I'm actually quite pleased with the result.  Considering that before now I had no apron (thinking that I shouldn't buy something that I was planning on making...for 4 years), I'm happy with my new apron.  I also have more respect for all of the apron makers out there.

It also matches my kitchen curtain!  Which I won't be showing today…  Like I said, the gathering principle is way beyond me at the moment.

A New Toy….oooohhhh…..ahhhhh!!!!

Look what came in the mail this week!!!

Despite the the fact that I had indeed ordered this, I was super surprised to receive a text on Wednesday informing me that it had been delivered.  I hadn't expected it until Friday at the earliest, especially after the snow-megeddon on Tuesday.  Hurrah for Apple!  They continue to amaze me with their shipping speed.

I've been wanting one of these since my lil sister let me "borrow" hers…for about 4 months!  That'll do it.  For all of you that are thinking how unnecessary an iPad mini is…  DO NOT LET SOMEONE LET YOU BORROW ONE.  For ANY length of time.  That is all.  

My Skincare Secrets

1. Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser/Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Pore Scrub  2. Michael Todd Blue Green Algae Toner  3. Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel  4. Yes to Cucumbers Daily Calming Moisturizer  5. St. Ives Timeless Skin Moisturizer

My skin has been so unusually clear for the past month, that I've decided to share what I'd like to term "My Skincare Secrets."  Excitement!  Obviously, everyone's skin is unique, and what I'm presenting will not work for everyone, but at the moment, it's working for me!

To give a little background:

     I had fairly clear skin all the way through high school and college.  Yes, I was that girl that would admit that she only used make-up wipes to clean her skin...when she thought about it...  Yuck.

     Anyway...  

     However, as a college graduate, high school (or the stress of post-college reality) caught up with me, and I started breaking out on a regular basis.  Although not as severe as many people have, it seemed as if I was either in the middle of a breakout, or covering up what one left behind.  It wasn't until I started using a bit of benzoyl peroxide every night that things seemed to be in control.  I still had issues on a regular basis, but much smaller in scale.  That is, until about 2 months ago!  I went to an Arbonne make-over party, and haven't had an "issue" since!  I'm not sure exactly why, but about that time I started using the Say Yes to Cucumber line, so that's possibly the game changer.  That's the theory!  Huzzah! 

A Baking Victory!!!

     So I've been wanting to try out this bread baking method called Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day for quite some time, and finally bit the bullet.  Bread baking has always been something that sounds more appealing than it actually is once you get into it.  I mean, once you decide you want fresh baked bread, you have to wait literally hours before it's done!  This is a problem…

     Not only am I not so patient when it comes to food prep, but spending that much time on something that might not turn out right seems like a terrible plan.  And my bread never seems to turn out quite right…  Until now!

     Now, this particular loaf took longer than 5 minutes, but the idea is that you mix up enough dough (no kneading!) to last you for 2 weeks, and keep it in the fridge to pull it out as you need it.  You still have to wait a bit, 40 minutes of rising time before baking, and 30 minutes in the oven, but the idea is that you spend 5 minutes of hands-on time.  Considering the usual 2+ hours of invested time, I'm good with an hour and a half.  Did I mention the no kneading bit?!  

     Here's the recipe I used!  Courtesy of Food.com 

5 Minute Artisan Bread

Ingredients:

Yield:
4 1lb loaves

• 3 cups lukewarm water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated yeast (2 packets)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt or 1 1/2 tablespoons othercoarse salt
• 6 1/2 cups flour , unsifted, unbleached, all-purpose (not strong)

Directions:

1. Preparing Dough for Storage:.
2. Warm the water slightly. It should feel just a little warmer than body temperature. Warm water will rise the dough to the right point for storage in about 2 hours. With cold water it will need 3-4 hours.
3. Add the yeast to the water in a 5 quart bowl or, preferably, in a resealable, lidded (not airtight) plastic food container or food-grade bucket. Don't worry about getting it all to dissolve.
4. Mix in the flour and salt - kneading is unnecessary. Add all of the flour at once, measuring it in with dry-ingredient measuring cups, by gently scooping up the flour, then sweeping the top level with a knife or spatula. Don't press down into the flour as you scoop or you'll throw off the measurement. Mix with a wooden spoon, a high-capacity food processor (14 cups or larger) fitted with the dough attachment, or a heavy duty stand mixer fitted with the dough hook until the mixture is uniform. If you're hand mixing and it becomes too difficult to incorporate all the flour with the spoon, you can reach into your mixing vessel with very wet hands and press the mixture together. Don't knead, it isn't necessary. You're finished when everything is uniformly moist, without dry patches. It takes a few minutes, and will yield a dough that is wet and loose enough to conform to the shape of its container.
5. Allow to rise. Cover with lid (not airtight or it could explode the lid off). Allow the mixture to rise at room temperature until it begins to collapse (or at least flattens on the top), approx 2 hours, depending on room temperature, and initial water temperature Longer rising times, up to 5 hours, won't harm the result.
6. You can use a portion of the dough any time after this period.  Fully refrigerated dough is less sticky and easier to work with than dough at room temperature.
7. On Baking Day:.
8. prepare your loaf tin, tray, or whatever you're baking it in/on. Sprinkle the surface of your refrigerated dough with four. Pull up and cut of a grapefruit-size piece of dough (c 1 lb), using a serrated knife.
9. Hold the mass of dough in your hands and add a little more flour as needed so it won't stick to your hands. Gently stretch the surface of the dough around to the bottom on all 4 sides, rotating the ball a quarter-turn as you go. Most of the dusting flour will fall off - that's fine, it isn't meant to be incorporated. The bottom of the loaf may appear to be a collection of bunched ends, but it will sort itself out during resting and baking.
10. The correctly shaped final product will be smooth and cohesive. The entire process should take no more than 30 - 60 seconds.
11. Rest the loaf and let it rise in the form, on the tray/pizza peel, for about 40 minutes Depending on the age of the dough, you may not see much rise during this period. That's fine, more rising will occur during baking.
12. Twenty minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 450°F Place an empty broiler tray for holding water on any other shelf that won't interfere with the rising bread.
13. Dust and Slash. Dust the top of the loaf liberally with flour, which will allow the slashing knife to pass without sticking. Slash a quarter inch deep cross, diagonal lines, or tic-tac-toe pattern on top using a serrated knife.
14. After a 20 min preheat you're ready to bake, even though the oven thermometer won't be at full temperature yet. Put your loaf in the oven. Pour about 1 cup of hot water (from the tap) into the broiler tray and close the oven to trap the steam.
15. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the crust is nicely browned and firm to the touch.
16. Store the rest of the dough in the fridge in your lidded (not airtight) container and use it over the next 14 days. The flavour and texture improves, becoming like sourdough. Even 24 hours of storage improves the flavour.
17. This is the standard bread. There are loads of variations - both savory and sweet - in the book.

  

Oh the trials...

I killed my plant this month...  I decided to take it to work on one of the "polar vortex" days, and it didn't take long for it to just give up.

I don't know if I can blame the polar vortex, but I'm not feeling so hot myself lately.  In fact, I've missed a day and a half of work, and my time spent at home hasn't been pretty.  I feel like there are so many things I can blame, but the unfortunate truth is that I've spent A LOT of time on our pink couch with Netflix and YouTube.  At the moment I'm watching Animal Planet's "Too Cute" Series...  Yes, it's that bad.

Any suggestions?