{Makeup} The Perfect NON Lipstick

I am a makeup girl.  I love dressing up.  That doesn't mean I like to cake on the makeup though; and let's face it, my daily life really isn't glamorous.  A typical day for me consists of playing with my boys, running errands and hopefully hitting the gym.  But even though I wear minimal makeup on these days, I still like to wear a little color.  This summer, I found the perfect lipstick combination!  It's just enough to give my face a lift without looking like I tried too hard.  You know what I mean?

The Rouge Coco Shine in "Boy" is my new best friend!  I'm certain the color will look good on any skin tone and it is the perfect hint of color for the gym or just running errands in exercise clothes.

If you want to add just a little more color, layer Laura Mercier's "Blush" lip gloss on top of "Boy"!

And if you want even more of a defined look, I love to pair either of these lipliners with the combo {these are my go to lip liners for most lipsticks!} Laura Mercier "Hazelnut Tea" or Trish McEvoy "Barely There".



You really can't go wrong with any lip glosses from Laura Mercier or Chanel.  I think I own them all!  It's an addiction.

{Recipes} Baked Apples

{image via Real Simple}

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a serious sweet tooth; like ginormous sweet tooth.  When I am trying to eat "good", I almost crave sweets more since I am not supposed to be indulging in them.  One of my go-to healthy desserts are baked apples.  The recipe calls for the obvious, apples and a little bit of butter, cinnamon and brown sugar (ok, I'll admit it, I add a lot of brown sugar).  Not only are these delicious, they are SO easy to make...10 minutes TOTAL. 

Ingredients

Apples

Brown Sugar

Cinnamon

Butter

Directions

*Wash apples

* With a paring knife, trim about an inch off the top of the apple around the stem.

* With a melon baller or spoon, dig out the core.

* Set apple(s) in a pie plate. 1-4 apples work best per pie plate.

* Fill hole half way with brown sugar, sprinkle with cinnamon, then fill the hole with brown sugar, pushing down wit your finger.  Sprinkle more cinnamon.  Slice a little butter and place on top.  

* With a sharp knife, punch a hole on each side of the apple to prevent them from exploding in the microwave.

* Cover top off apples with waxed paper.

* Cook in microwave for 7 minutes.  Test to see if apples are tender

Sugar will have melted into the pie plate and created a sauce.

You can serve the apples whole in a bowl or slice them for a smaller presentation.  Be sure to drizzle the sugar sauce on top!  These are also a great breakfast treat!

{Wednesday Wants} Mediterranean Garden Jar

For as long as I can remember, I have loved the look of Mediterranean jars used in indoor and outdoor decor.  So, when I opened the most recent Restoration Hardware catalog, I was so excited to see that they now offer a few!  Of course they do not give them away, but I have had a hard time locating one and this just might be the place.  I'd love to place one or two by our front door or set one in a corner in a our house.  It might even look nice in a corner right outside our backyard.  Although, I can picture it now...my boys are sure to knock it over!  

{Wednesday Wants} Patio Furniture By Restoration Hardware

Oh how I want this patio set by Restoration Hardware!  I was in the store the other day and saw it in person and just loved it.  And...it is on sale!!  Well, on sale Restoration style, which is still a pretty penny.  But it's oh so pretty!  Our 7 year anniversary is coming up...hmm....

{Parenting}

Although I secretly do love the fact that my boys usually come to me first for everything, sometimes I'm just plain exhausted (emotionally and/or physically).  I recently read an interview in the Wall Street Journal with Sallie Krawcheck, the president of global wealth and investment management for Bank of America discussing how she balances a high power job with motherhood.  One of the things she said really stuck out to me and I of course shared it with my husband.  =)  This is what she had to say...

My breakthrough moment was when I convinced my husband that when the toddler woke up in the middle of the night and screamed, "Mommy!", he actually meant, "Parent of either sex".

I don't know why, but that quote had my laughing and thinking...oh so true!!!

{Recipes} Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Pie

{image via Bakerella}

When I am feeling sinful, this is one of my go to desserts.  It is mouth watering and fool proof, yet everyone goes on and on about it like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Pie

Ingredients:

* 1 unbaked 9-inch deep dish pie shell

* 2 eggs

* 1/2 cup flour

* 1/2 cup sugar

* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

* 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened

* 1 cup (6 oz) Nestle Tollhouse semi sweet chocolate morsels

* 1 cup chopped  nuts - I OMIT THE NUTS

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees

Beat eggs in a large mixing bowl on high speed until foamy.  Beat in flour, sugar and brown sugar.  Beat in butter.  Stir in morsels and nuts.  Spoon into pie shell.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes.  Cool on wire rack.

Enjoy!

{Recipes} Chicken Pot Pie

{image via The Pioneer Woman}

I love comfort foods and chicken pot pie definitely is at the top of my favorite list.  Whenever people hear the words, "comfort food", they automatically think FAT,  FAT, FAT.  Well, I'm hear with a somewhat healthy and absolutely delicious pot pie recipe!  I have included an even healthier version at the bottom!

Ingredients:

* 1 frozen pie shell

* 1 lose pie crust from the refrigerated section

* 1 rotisserie chicken - I like to use the lemon herb chicken for this recipe

* 1/2 cup chopped onion

* 1 1/2 - 2 cans of cream of chicken soup

* 1 bag of frozen vegetables - peas and carrots is what I always use

* Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees

Tear chicken into bite size pieces.  Dump the chicken, onions, soup and vegetables in a bowl and mix. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Pour mixture into frozen pie shell and then cover with pie crust.  Poke a few holes in the top crust.

 Bake for 45-55 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

An even Healthier Version!

When I'm attempting to eat super healthy, I'll make the above version for my family and then save a little of the mixture for me.

Bake the saved amount in a small pyrex dish and bake at 350 until heated through.  You still get the creamy middle, just not the pastry shell!

Enjoy!

The Barre Method

Have you ever heard of the Barre method??!  I was intrigued when I first read about it here and that was over 6 months ago.  It sounded like such an amazing class and was exactly what I was looking for.  The Barre method aims to create long, lean muscles without adding bulk.  Bathing suit season is right around the corner (although it's hard to think about that since it is freezing all over the country right now!), so I might as well get started early!

Tomorrow I am taking my first class at DEFINE here in Houston.  Wish me luck as I embark on a new adventure which ultimately means super sore muscles for the weekend and lots of complaining from me!