My Very First Blog Award

Thanks to the wonderful Preppy Pink and Green Puppy blog, I have received my very first blog award. I first found Whitney's blog through Lydia and Pug's web design blog, and her love for all things pink, green and preppy made me an instant follower. Not to mention we share the same name. :) Make sure to go check out her blog!

 

The rules of this award say I must:

1. Post the logo on my  blog

2. Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers

3. Link the nominees' blogs so others can get to know them

4. Let nominees know they have won this award by commenting on their blog

5. Share the love and link to the person you received this award from

I'm therefore passing this lovely award to some of my awesome followers:

Through Pink Colored Glasses

Short Southern Momma

Queen Bee Swain

The Luckiest Mrs

Chat Tea Kathy

The Dishy Decorator

Dallas Does Austin

Calling Rhonda

In the Pink 

Lydia and Pugs

DC Prep 

Pammy Cakes

 xoxo,

Double Teamed

I'm always more likely to purchase a product if I know it is hands down the best. And not only are  these products hands down the best (in my book), they also can be used in other ways than what they are typically marketed for. 

That, my friends, is what I like to call a win-win situation.

MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque

MAC's paint pots hold high pigmented color sold in a small glass jar. Marketed as a eye shadow, this peachy golden color can act as a smooth primer for the rest of your eyeshadow. I first purchased this to act as just a simple eye shadow, but after realizing the finish was just too light on my skin, it still suits me as a highlighter and remarkably kept my eyeshadow put for the rest of the day.Another plus, is that these paint pots last for months.

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray

I will admit it. When my hairstylist, Mina, told me that this stuff would dry up excess oil on days my hair wasn't so fresh, I was skeptical. But after doing a test run beginning on the day I washed my hair, I sprayed a fine mist over my hair every day before blowing it out and styling just to see how long I could make it in between shampoos cue the gross looks...and my hair stayed grease free for a whopping FOUR days.

Now, I'm not going to go as far as to say I will pull off the beachy textured hair it was marketed for just yet, but I definitely know what to rely on should I come in contact with the sun and sand anytime soon. 

 MAC pigments

 

I purchased my first MAC pigment ages ago in a deep plum purple color (why that color...I have no idea), and surprisingly I have yet to wear it a handful of times. I really hated the fact that I couldn't find a proper use for this product considering I spent a good chunk of change on it. 

That's when the idea came to me to mix the powder with a clear nail polish and make my own fall nail color. I swear it works! Using a paper plate, I placed  a tiny scoop of the MAC pigment followed by pouring a small amount of my OPI top coat nail polish on top to mix the two. I used the same brush that came with the OPI nail polish. After painting my nails, I rinsed the residue off the brush with cold water. just make sure to not dip the brush back into the nail polish before thoroughly cleaning it and letting it dry.  

xoxo,

Dainty Little Things

Believe me, my jewelry collection shows great appreciation to "statement" necklaces and other jewelry, but at the end of the day, I cannot go wrong with my love of little dainty necklaces to spruce up everything from a simple v-neck tee to a cocktail dress.

Here I've found four separate pieces, all of different price points, that I hope to be wearing/layering in 26 days but who's counting spring.

Sydney Evan Diamond and 14K Yellow Gold Hamsa Necklace

 

image courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

Dogeared Karma Necklace

image courtesy of Dogeared

Sydney Evan Diamond and Ruby Ladybug Necklace

image courtesy of Jest Jewels

Dogeared Pink Jade Healing Gem Necklace 

image courtesy of Dogeared

 
Happy Shopping,

Countdown to Spring...

Seriously, is spring not here yet? I think we have had enough snow and cold to cover the next 20 Memphis winters...

But anyways, in the meantime, I've picked out my "first day of spring" tank.

Anthropologie's Circled Adornments Tank

Isn't it just lovely??? Ah, here's to bare arms and bronzed skin!


xoxo,

Happy Mardi Gras!

My favorite part of Mardi Gras would definitely be the excuse to eat king cake. This year I decided to bake my own, and I'll have to be honest with you, it was hard work but really fun!

 

furiously kneading the huge lump of dough

 

I took the dough and cut in into 3 strips, rolling it out to about 2 feet long

   Then braided those pieces together (I wanted a different shape for my king cake instead of a jelly roll)

If you follow me on twitter you know I was ecstatic to finally find these! I stuck a little plastic baby in between the braids for the full effect.

 I made sure to fully coat the 3 strips with butter and cinnamon sugar so the sweetness would be throughout the whole cake

Here's the finished sweet product. I could not find purple sprinkles for a traditional colored cake, so I chose my favorite colors, pink and green

In honor of Fat Tuesday, I'm sharing the recipe I found from Southern Living magazine. I put my own suggestions in pink italics:

Prep: 30 min.; Cook: 10 min.; Stand: 5 min.; Rise: 1 hr., 30 min.; Bake: 16 min. This recipe uses bread flour, which makes for a light, airy cake. You still get tasty results with all-purpose flour-the cake will just be more dense. (I highly suggest buying a bag of bread flour, and I found mine at a local Memphis grocery store.)

Yield: Makes 2 cakes (about 18 servings each)

Ingredients

• 1  (16-ounce) container sour cream
• 1/3  cup  sugar
• 1/4  cup  butter
• 1  teaspoon  salt
• 2  (1/4-ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
• 1/2  cup  warm water (100° to 110°)
• 1  tablespoon  sugar
• 2  large eggs, lightly beaten
• 6  to 6 1/2 cups bread flour*
• 1/3  cup  butter, softened
• 1/2  cup  sugar
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  ground cinnamon
• Creamy Glaze
• Purple-, green-, and gold-tinted sparkling sugar sprinkles

Preparation

Cook first 4 ingredients in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until butter melts. Set aside, and cool mixture to 100° to 110°.
Stir together yeast, 1/2 cup warm water, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a 1-cup glass measuring cup; let stand 5 minutes.
Beat sour cream mixture, yeast mixture, eggs, and 2 cups flour at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until smooth. Reduce speed to low, and gradually add enough remaining flour (4 to 4 1/2 cups) until a soft dough forms. (I had just a hand mixer for mine, so kudos to anyone who owns a stand mixer, but it still can be done by hand!)
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes). Place in a well-greased bowl, turning to grease top.
Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until dough is doubled in bulk.
Punch down dough, and divide in half. Roll each portion into a 22- x 12-inch rectangle. Spread 1/3 cup softened butter evenly on each rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border. Stir together 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon, and sprinkle evenly over butter on each rectangle. This is where I did mine a little differently. After dividing the portions in half, I took one half and divided it into three equal strips of dough and braided my king cake instead of having a jelly roll.
Roll up each dough rectangle, jelly-roll fashion, starting at 1 long side. Place one dough roll, seam side down, on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bring ends of roll together to form an oval ring, moistening and pinching edges together to seal. Repeat with second dough roll.
Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 20 to 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
Bake at 375° for 14 to 16 minutes or until golden. Slightly cool cakes on pans on wire racks (about 10 minutes). Drizzle Creamy Glaze evenly over warm cakes; sprinkle with colored sugars, alternating colors and forming bands. Let cool completely.


*6 to 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour may be substituted.

Creamy Glaze:

Ingredients:

3 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice This is can be subtracted if you don't want a very tangy glaze.

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 to 4 tablespoons milk

Preperation:

Mix together the first 4 ingredients, then stir in 2 tablespoons milk, adding additional milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach spreading consistency.

 

Happy Baking,

What are YOU giving up?

Yes, tomorrow marks the first day of preparation for the Holy Week (aka Easter). Here is this year's list of accomplishments I hope to redeem at the end of the 40 days of Lent:

image via Confessions of a Shopaholic

1. Impulsive Purchases

I know, I know...I buy wayyyyy too much stuff (i.e. MAC makeup and hair supplies), and I need to finish using what I already own. So for the duration of the period I declare a ban of any purchase toward MAC cosmetics or any hair styling products (and trust me...I won't run out).

2. Dr. Peppers

Anyone who knows me, can tell you this is going to be difficult. I've always said I would drink more water if said water would taste like a Dr. Pepper...but all in all, I think this is the best way to curve my addiction. But here's some ground rules for me: it's Dr. Peppers/Cokes/soda crap I'm giving up. I could never go a day without some type of caffeine running through my system. That's just plum crazy.

And may I remind you, dear readers, that Lent may forever be known as a period of doing without silly indulgences for 40 days, but in reality, it's a period of acknowledging what Jesus ultimately gave up for all of us. 

In turn I encourage each and every one of you to at least try one of these 3 things this Lent:

1. spend 40 days giving something up

2. spend 40 days giving back  to your community

3. spend 40 days encouraging others around you

And I end with asking, what are you giving up this year?

God Bless and Happy Lent,

New Blog Background

Due to the random snow storm Memphis had land on it last night that made all of our meteorologists look like idiots, I decided to not discuss the nasty, slushy, yucky mess that is outside wait, I just did and decided to update my background to my blog. I'm hoping for one day when I actually have a full time job to have a totally blog makeover or what I would like to call, a blog rejuvenation. 

If you just so happen to be looking for one yourself, here are some of my reccommendations of awesome blog creators:

The Love List
Ashley Brooke Designs
Lydia and Pugs


(and not only are they amazing for your blog, but they even making jaw dropping stationery and other products...you should definitely go check them out)


Hoping for Sunshine in Your Area,

Anthropologie Lovin'

I absolute love the store Anthropologie, but unfortunately for me fortunately for my wallet  they don't have one anywhere near Memphis (which I think is a crime in itself). The nearest one I know of is in Jackson, MS which I tend to visit every time I go to see my very lucky sister who also lives in Jackson.

Sure, I could order online and spare myself the 3 hour trip, but where's the fun in that? Anthropologie is not just a store, but an experience in itself. Here's a wishlist for my next visit:

Yellow Abuzz Cardi

Blue Whorled Roses Tank

Owl Invasion Apron (to wear while baking)

Laureate Headband (to jazz up any plain ponytail)

Last but not least, my favorite candle, Capri Blue in Volcano (the scent is sweet and floral)

Happy Shopping,