Drug Head

I recently read an article about the best drug store cosmetics.  I have always been a drug store cosmetic kind of girl...not always by choice. As a new make-up wearing teenager I wanted to wear Clinique, the starter makeup. My mom was always a drug store makeup wearer herself and wasn't high on the idea of laying down more cash than necessary on my beauty booty. I am exactly the same way these days. 

Of the products reviewed in the article, I found that I actually use most of them already.  Dang, I'm good!  It got me to thinking about what products others use and if they think the price is worth it. As I am creeping closer to 40 I do think about skin care as well, but have always been happy with my drug store purchases in that area too. 

Here's a run down of what I currently am using:
Skin Care:

• Oil of Olay Foaming Face Wash
• Oil of Olay Regenerist Night Cream
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion with Alpha Hydroxy
• Garnier Skin Renew Eye Cream

Makeup:

• Cover Girl Bare Natural Powdered Mineral Foundation-Ivory
• Cover Girl Bare Natural Gentle Mineral Blush-Pinched Pink
• Maybelline Stylish Smokes Eye Shadow- I have several of these
• Cover Girl Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner-usually gray or black
• Maybelline Lash Blast Mascara-very black
• Lip gloss or lipstick-brands and colors vary, but most days I wear Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush gloss or a Maybelline ColorSensational or my new fave L'Oreal in Fairest Nude.

As you can see, I am not loyal to any one brand and I am always open to try something new.  I would say the one product that I am least willing to switch is the mascara.  I really like the volume the Lash Blast gives me and it doesn't bother my contacts. If I feel like a splurge, I will get an eye shadow or lipstick or gloss from MAC.  I really love their products and find their counter so fun to shop. 

What products do you use?  Are you a drug store girl like me or are you a makeup counter shopper? Are you loyal to just one particular brand or do you mix it up?

What i Want Wednesday

Although the weather here is still unpredictable, mama wants a new pair of shoes  sandals.  Sandals are everywhere in the stores and I found a pair that really wanted to come home with me.  They didn't get to, but maybe someday.  And by someday, I mean soon.  Really, really soon. 

These are "Mallory" sandals by Vince Camuto.  I love the leopard print, but check them out here to see all the cute colors available.

Memory Lane

There are memories that are so ingrained in me that when I recall them I feel transported; I am in another place and time surrounded by sights, sounds, and smells of a particular memory. If only for a moment, I am back to an age of innocence. Sometimes these memories are triggered and I wish I could hold on to them for just a little longer, but they are always fleeting, leaving me wanting more. I suppose instead I should just be grateful that I had the kind of childhood that affords me these happy memories.

• Watching Sonny and Cher with my dad in our sunken living room, especially in the summertime when he would sprinkle pepper on his cantaloupe and share it with me.
• Watching my mom put on her make up before work at her light up makeup mirror.  It was a glamorous gold mirror with light bulbs that got so hot they would blister your finger if you touched them.
• A yellow canopy bed.
• Mom in her red velour, bell bottom, lounge suit.  The one with the zip up front and the black and gold trim.
• Mom's Oscar De La Renta 
• Dad's Aramis and Consort Hairspray
• Saying "love your flaps" when dad's hair (when he had it) would flip up around his cap.
• Admiring my mother's dainty hands while she would sew.
• Watching her unfold a new pattern for her next project.
• Trips to Silver Dollar City, the one time a year we would eat at Denny's.  Mom always had the French Dip and she always gave me a bite.
• Whatchamacallits and Dr. Pepper from the 7-11 when I would go to work with dad after school.
• Donuts at Lyin' Jacks
• Hearing my Mam-ma tell the same stories over again and acting like I was hearing it for the first time.
• Going on walks with my Paw Paw.  He could spot a penny a mile away...and he would walk a mile out of his way to pick it up.
• Falling asleep on the couch at my grandparents to the sounds of Barney Miller or Hawaii 5-0.
• My little sister chasing me with frogs while I cried like a baby.
• My mom and I wearing matching brown velvet pants while going on a date with dad...Godfather's Pizza and Superman at the movies.

I could go on and on...

you may feel like I have!

The Best Thing I Ever Ate...this week

In this week's recipe, the old adage, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", is fitting.  I just love stuffed peppers and even as a kid, they were a favorite.  My mom always used this recipe from the old Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook.  You know the one, the infamous red and white checked book.

Stuffed Green Peppers

4-6 green peppers

1 pound ground beef

1 onion chopped

16 oz. diced tomatoes

1/2 c. rice, uncooked

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

1/2 c. water

5-6 slices American cheese

Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds. Cook in boiling salted water about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside. Brown meat and onion.  Add tomatoes, rice, water, and worcestershire sauce.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer about 15 minutes, or until rice is done.  Stir in cheese.  Stuff peppers with meat mixture.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

I have tried other recipes but this is the one I always come back to.  The recipe is great as is, but over the years I have made a few small tweaks.

I like to use red and yellow peppers too, but use whatever you like.  I actually cut the pepper's in half rather than just cut the tops off; I cut it in half from the top, not through the middle.  I use brown rice instead of white and I pour a 28 oz. can of tomato sauce over the top before baking. 

As a kid we always had Cream Style Corn with these. I don't usually do that, but for old times sake I did tonight.  Not bad, not bad at all!

Little Lucy

 

I heard about little Lucy from Kelly's blog.  Her story has weighed heavy on my heart, as I have thought of what she and her family must be going through. I can't imagine being in their shoes right now, I wonder if I would have the strength necessary to carry on as gracefully as they seem to be.  I am sharing this with all of you because I would want people praying for my baby if this were me.  Please take a moment and pray for this family. My personal prayer is that Lucy will be well and have a long, healthy life; where this is but a blip on the radar of her story. 

Guys and Dolls

Are you watching American Idol? My take on the season so far is that the guys were amazing!  The girls just haven't rocked my socks off. 

With one exception

 I think that Lauren Alaina is definately one to watch, and she's only 16! I may be partial because her parents are around my age and she sang "their song" at her audition: Aerosmith's Don't Want to Miss a Thing. That's some good music.

Paul McDonald was just one of my faves among the dudes, but I am picking him to go far in this competion.

Worse case scenario?  He gets booted off and has a future in teeth whitening commercials.  Don't his teeth look like the Orbit commericals? Did you see that suit he wore right before they picked the top 24? It has roses on it and it was fan-freaking-tastic.

Who are your favorites? I think we are looking at a boy heavy competition this season.

What i Want Wednesday

This is one of those things that I just want. I have no idea why I want them or even what kind I want. Maybe it's my obsession with Urban Cowboy (do NOT try to out-qoute me on this movie...you will embarrass yourself lose), or maybe it's the fact that my dad went all "cowboy crazy" when I was growing up. That's another story for another post. 

 This post is to tell you that I want a pair of these.

As I said, I have no idea what kind, what color, or what style. 

 I don't know anything other than I really would like a pair of cowgirl boots of my very own.

I do have a few ideas of the kinds of boots I don't want.  Let's take a look, shall we?

I could go on and on here, but I think you get the idea.  You would not believe the boots I have seen, there really is something out there for everyone.  So why can I not find the one for me?  I want a pair of boots that will last forever in a classic style.  I know they don't come cheap and that's probably why I have never gotten serious about getting a pair; but my son is going to be an OSU Cowboy come Fall and I do believe it's time to bite the bullet.