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All About Makeup

The ladies at

The Blended Blog

will regularly host a link up that is interesting and fun.

Also, as I’ve mentioned before, it is great to have someone provide a topic.

Today the link up is

All About Makeup

For me makeup is typically all about Mary Kay.

My skincare, foundation, loose powder, and mascara are all Mary Kay products.

My eyeliner and lip color are not Mary Kay.

But I have to have them!

Lately I’ve been experimenting with a gift I received last Christmas.  It is a pink case filled with makeup from ULTA.  Mama decided all the girls needed one.  You can read about here.

In addition to highlighter,  bronzer, blush, eyeshadow, eyeliner, eyeshadow primer, and lipgloss there are 4 color correcting concealers.  It was necessary to do some research before using the concealer.  Here is what I found:

The easiest way for me to decide which concealer is best is to envision their complementary colors on the color wheel.

Yellow concealer, being that it is directly across from purple on the color wheel, is best for hiding purple or blue bruises, veins, under eye circles and any unwanted blue undertones on your skin.  Yellow is the most often used concealer.

 Purple/Lavender concealer  is opposite yellow on the color wheel and is used to regulate yellow-colored skin imperfections such as sallowness and yellow bruises. It can also help conceal dark under-eye circles and dark spots on darker skin tones. Purple/lavender concealers are suitable for eliminating any unwanted yellow undertones on your skin.

Green concealer is best for masking red areas such as broken blood vessels and the dreaded pimple.  Because red is directly across from green on the color wheel, using the green concealer neutralizes the color red.   In the case of widespread redness, such as rosacea, then a color correcting green primer would be best.

Pink concealer can help make dull or ashen skin look rosy, and can reduce the appearance of dark under eye circles.

So that is the short and sweet on color concealer.

Although I use the yellow most often, I’ve been having a good time experimenting with them all.

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog. 

Celebrating Spring

It is the first weekend of a new season…

SPRING!

The first day of spring occurs when the robins arrive.

Bird, Nature, Forest, Robin

 

Just Kidding!

The first day of spring occurs on the day the center of the sun crosses directly over the equator.

This celestial crossing results in the equinox—a day with light and dark of practically equal length, with the sun rising precisely in the east and setting precisely in the west.  This year the vernal equinox befell on Tuesday, March 20 at 12:15 PM.

See how smart I am!

On this first weekend of spring I celebrated by

Spring cleaning the YARD

It was a perfectly beautiful Saturday.  While LB was busy pressure washing the patio, I was busy pulling weeds and trimming the shrubs that I thought may have died during the winter.  My main concern was getting the dogwood tree planted.  There were so many rules for this little tree:  Only 3-6 hours of sun, well drained soil, and highly visible to me as I come and go.

LB was my hero when he picked a spot!

On Sunday there was

Shopping

I needed a spring wreath for the front door and I found mine at Pier One

although it has no Easter eggs or BUNNIES…

it will be appropriate for display all season long!

Oh! Look behind me… its Joanna Gaines!

 

I was also on a hunt for a deviled egg plate/platter.

There were so many to choose from!

 Can you guess which one I chose?

While fall is my favorite season, spring takes a close second, although it does bring with it a potential issue…

Spring Fever

There are some indicators that reveal you may be suffering with spring fever.

You may know the symptoms… restlessness, daydreaming, a delightful inclination towards romance and a strong desire to ditch the drudgery in exchange for a frolic in the flower fields. The emotional exuberance that winter has come to an end may be more than many are able to manage.  If this describes you, it’s time to get out of town.

One thing is certain… LB has it!

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog. 

Friday Favorites

It is time for my Friday Favorites!

Favorite # ONE

The seasons have changed and once again…

SPRING BEGINS!

“And here in the Northern Hemisphere happy are we this day has arrived!  Get ready for longer days and increased sunshine.  Tune up the lawn mower.  More sunshine means the grass will be growing.”

(National Calendar Day)

Favorite # TWO

It was supposed to take four weeks, but after only ten days we have growth!

Reminds me of GROOT!

It’s so cute!  I can’t wait to see the parsley!

 

 

Favorite # THREE

It is adorable when Elvis sits at the bar and watches me in the kitchen.

I love how he sets his little chin on the counter.

LB captured this adorable moment…

I love that cat!

Favorite # FOUR

My new dogwood tree

We’ll be looking for a perfect spot to plant it this weekend!

 

 

Favorite # FIVE

Lydia and Rory

It may be that this is a regular occurrence.

These baby girls are adorable and they have my heart!

Here they are in their new spring-themed matching dresses handmade by Aunt Mamie.

Adorable!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m not the only one who loves Friday!  There is a lot of excitement in my office on Friday mornings.  Typically Ms. G will be dancing as she comes in and will escalate from there.  This morning she didn’t feel much like dancing.  This didn’t seem to matter to the other ladies as they pressed her.  She wasn’t going to comply which prompted a log onto YouTube for an appropriately titled tune.

Thus was my introduction to Bishop Bullwinkle and his song was stuck in my head all day.

 

 

Hopefully you will be as entertained by this as I am!

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

XO

May Your Blessings Outnumber the Shamrocks that Grow

…And may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

That is an Irish Blessing that I can appreciate!

For several years LB and I have been “dressing up” in observance of

St. Patrick’s Day

I’m not sure what started this practice, but it has become a tradition for us.

With the closing of O ’Brothers Irish Pub, the Margaret Street/Five Points St. Patrick’s Day street party is no longer happening (sad face).  The annual St. Patrick’s Day party became a major event, filling not just the restaurant, but Margaret Street with thousands of people.  We’ve been hoping to find a similar event.

This year, I thought I may have found a suitable replacement when this ad appeared:

Hyperion Brewing Company and Crispy’s Springfield Gallery are presenting Historic Springfield’s inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Block Party.

From 3pm – 9pm: Main Street, between 7th and 8th, would be closed and filled with live music, food, beer, vendors and other fun activities (i.e. Mario Cart).  This event was FREE to attend!  Woo Hoo!

In addition to the live music and food vendors, there were sites (historic buildings) to be seen.

LB and I walked up and down the street checking everything out, while everyone was checking us out.  Once it became apparent that LB and I had been voted King and Queen of the Green, it was time to go.

Next stop

Culhane’s Irish Pub

I [typically] love Culhane’s, but for the St. Patrick’s Day BASH, it was much like a zoo.  And I promise I won’t say another negative thing after this…. there was a long line, a long wait, and a cover charge.

The Tent:

The positives:  although there were way too many crazy people for my taste, the DJ Vito was good, the band Briteside was good, and the Reuben Sandwich was good.

You can check out some other photos from the Culhane’s BASH here.

I’m not completely positive if it will be next March 17th, but we will definitely be dining at Culhane’s again.

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

XO

Friday Favorites

Its Friday!

 I’m headed out of the office and

Friday Weekend GIF by Red Bull

This weekend is going to be a good one starting with my

Friday Favorites

 

 

Favorite # ONE

I have FINALLY started my herb garden… slowly but surely as it will take 4 weeks for the seeds to germinate.

Patience is a virtue.

 

The Healthy Kitchen Herb Trio Kit… its easy to Grow Basil, Parsley and Chives Seeds In Your Own Kitchen!

That remains to be seen.

Stay tuned.

 

Favorite # TWO

I can’t stop shopping loft.com.

Right now I’m obsessed with these Floral Embroidered Riviera Pants

(in Marisa Fit… very important)

these are currently sitting in my shopping bag.

Because they are $69.50, I will wait for a sale and make up a reason to treat myself.

 

Favorite # THREE

Date night on Thursday

because there was a one night only opportunity to see a good show.

AND

because Friday nights are reserved for collapsing in the recliner

(after a harrowing week at work) while enjoying Kim’s little pizzas and a good movie on the big TV.

 

Favorite # FOUR

There is nothing sweeter than a tiny baby girl.

Rory was one month old on 3/14/18 when her Mama posted this…

And later this…

Precious!

 

 

 

Favorite # FIVE

My Mama gets to keep Lydia typically once a week.

Lately if they take a walk, they will wander over to Glammy’s house.  Yesterday Mama sent me an account of their adventure with pictures:

Today Lydia and Mema took the pink princess car out for a ride.

 

Lydia wanted to visit Glammy’s house, but Glammy wasn’t home.

Lydia told Mema that all she had to do was push the buttons by the garage door so they could go inside.  She even offered to show Mema how to do it.

It was disappointing that they wouldn’t be able to come inside since no one was home.  Mema suggested that Lydia pick a flower and leave it at the door for Glammy. 

Before she left, Lydia decided to leave the flower on the garden fairy’s book instead.

 

“I hope she finds it”, said Lydia.

Glammy came home that afternoon and found that pink flower!

 

 

I love this story!

 

 

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

XO

The Million Dollar Quartet

In November 2016 LB and I enjoyed a trip to

Las Vegas

While we were there an advertisement for a show caught my eye:

We didn’t see The Million Dollar Quartet because LB had already purchased tickets to see

Human Nature Jukebox

at the Venetian

(which was a very good show).

A year and four months later there would be a one night only opportunity to see the Vegas show we had missed courtesy of the FSCJ Artist Series.

The Million Dollar Quartet

is a musical based on a happenstance quartet at Sun Records on December 4, 1956.

It was a day when Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash happened to be together at the Sun Record recording studio in Memphis, Tennessee.  More than 60 years later, the random Tuesday happening is being retold on stage in a very lively performance by talented musicians.

The show begins with the well-known performer Carl Perkins who is scheduled at the Sun Records recording studio to record what is hoped to be his comeback record.  Newcomer Jerry Lee Lewis (on piano), is also hoping for an opportunity to record.  While they are there, Johnny Cash stops by to talk to the record producer Sam Philips.  Next on the scene Elvis Presley drops in, accompanied by his girlfriend.   As the story goes, the four performers soon have a jam session going.

Several favorites were performed in the musical:

Blue Suede Shoes

was a topic of discussion as it was Carl Perkins’ first hit and handed off to Elvis Presley while Carl was recovering from an accident.

Folsom Prison Blues

is a favorite that assisted me in gaining a speeding ticket one morning while I was on my way to work.

Hound Dog

is one of the greatest songs of all time (according to Rolling Stone magazine) and had the audience on its feet.

Great Balls of Fire

is the final number as the Sun Record producer sees there is still hope for his small recording studio due to the sounds of newcomer/one of a kind Jerry Lee Lewis.

It was a goosebump moment when the cast attempted to recapture the moment the photo was taken:

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

XO

The More You Weigh

…the harder you are to kidnap.

Stay Safe.

Eat Cake.

Good Advice!

 

Sometimes I have a yearning to bake.

It makes me happy.

 

Luckily LB also has a yearning…

 

 A never ending yearning

 

for dessert.

Groundhog Day Eating GIF

Specifically CAKE!

 

 Pinterest provides me with a great deal of inspiration.

Recently I found a recipe on Pinterest that I knew I to had try.  As usual, I didn’t feel like going to the store for two of the ingredients that were missing from my stock: Meyer lemons and Greek yogurt.

Not a big deal, I used lemons in place of Meyer lemons (yes, they are a bit different) and buttermilk in place of Greek yogurt (yes, I actually had buttermilk on hand).

This cake was adapted from the recipe for meyer lemon iced raspberry yogurt cake

 

For the cake:

9 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 eggs, separated
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen

To make the cake:

  1. preheat the oven to 320F. grease and line two 8″ or 9″ cake pans with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing after each addition.
  3. add the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda and mix until mostly combined. add the buttermilk and mix until combined.
  4. in a separate bowl, beat the egg whites to medium peaks and fold into the cake batter.
  5. fold the raspberries into the cake batter.
  6. divide the batter evenly between the pans and bake 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. let the cakes cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely before icing.

For the icing:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
zest and juice of 2 lemons
pinch of salt
4 cups powdered sugar

To make the icing:

  1. cream the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
  2. add the lemon zest, lemon juice and salt; mix until combined.
  3.  add the powdered sugar and mix (beginning on low speed) until combined.
  4. mix on medium speed for a couple minutes until light and fluffy.

 

if your buttercream is softer than you’d like, you can either add more sugar or chill it for 30 minutes before spreading.

Mine turned out perfect!

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

XO

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