I haven’t posted for some time, but have felt it necessary to do a little product review on this little number (actually i’ve decided i should really start reviewing all the beauty goop i own).
As i’ve written before, i use Differin,which is a retin a product, for acne. I had never had any issues with irritation until February where, after two years my skin finally got a little worn down and began to get flakey. All beauty products used were futile! Many were, lovely but just couldn’t heal the peel. The avene moisture mask was helpful, but a very temporary fix. Last week i saw my doc who said it was time to cut back to two times a week with the ol’ retin A. My skin was able to not look completely ravaged and i could start rocking my Diorskin nude foundation again, but by the end of the day i was flakey. Then it was suggested I try Cerave. I was impressed by its ability to improve my skin’s texture in one use! Ot contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides which help to maintain moisture as the day continues. Now, it is a bit heavy for me during the day as my flakey skin still gets oily after a couple hours. So this, along with the fact that Canada doesnt sell the spf version, makes it a night product for me. Skin expert Paula Begoun likes it too, but says it lacks antioxidents, so she suggests putting a vitamin c serum underneath for well rounded success. This bottle contains 355 ml and runs for $15, but right now it’s on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart. One last note, sadly it does contain parabens: methyl and propyl, so you can decide how you feel about that.
Homemade lip scrub:
In a small cup,
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
Stir it up with a fork. Slather it all over your lips!
This has helped my peely spring lips as they adjust from winter. Very usable as the recipe kind of turns into a ball of scrub. And yummy!
My vignette is finally done!
Old sewing machine from my late babba.
Stacked teacup plates from a thrift shop, kitty plate on top from a christmas craft sale.
Angelfood cake candle from anthropologie.
Pot warmer is by gold canyon (my roomie’s).
Rose picture frame from urban outfutters.
Vintage books from charity booksale.
Fleur from tourist shop in french quarter new orleans.
Hanging pics were done using painters gel and pics that were scanned on to photocopy paper. Ink gets transferred to canvas via the gel. Tutorial can be found at deliacreates.blogspot.ca march 15, 2010: distressed picture canvasses
Beautiful books! $1 each!
My friend took me to a charity book sale today. Aside from finding a sought after resource for work for a fifth the price, we found a section if very old hardcovers without dust jackets. We started playing with different color combos. The book furthest right was a real catch: note the little flower pattern! They were all one dollar. Piece of advise to take away— look under the covers when thrifting for decorative books. There can be some really lovely color choices.
I think i’ve found my holy grail lip chap!! I recently had a ten dollar gift card for shoppers drug mart. I went in to buy a moisturizer, but i ended up with this. One swipe and my lips were soothed! It is a bit herbal smelling, but the results are worth it. This will be a longstanding part of my bedtime and morning rituals, i’m sure. It retails for $25, so im grateful for the gift card, but i think it will last a very long time. Pick this up and ditch the maybeline babylips (which, contrary to many reviews, is terrible and leaves no lasting improvement).
I know i haven’t posted in a LONG time, but i needed to share a recipe that has been a hit over the holidays:
Cream cheese lemon tarts:
For shell:
Blend 3 oz cream cheese with1/2 c butter. Add flour. Combine until just blended. Chill for at least 1 hr and up to 24 hrs.
Preheat oven to 325.
Break dough into twelve balls for large tarts or 24 balls for mini tarts. Shape into tin mold to make shell. Bake for twenty- ish minutes for mini tarts and about thirty-ish minutes for muffin tin size. They should be golden when you remove them from oven.
For lemon filling:
Use a double boiler. While you wait for the water in the pot to boil, mix 2 large eggs and 2 egg yolks as well as 3/4 cups (or more if you prefer) sugar in a bowl.
Fill a measuring cup with 1/2 c lemon juice. Cut 3 oz butter into six chunks.
Place your bowl over the water and set your timer for ten minutes. Whisk. At the 8 min mark add a third of the juice. Whisk. At 6 min add the next third. Whisk. At 4 min add the last third of juice. Whisk. At two minute mark you may find it has thickened up. If not, continue to whisk the additional 2 mins.
Turn the burner off. Add a chunk of butter and whisk until melted in. Continue untill all chunks of butter have been incorporated. Pour warm custard into tart shells. Let sit at room temp until set (maybe 45 min).
Enjoy! Happy new year!
This weekend i made this peter pan bib necklace. I used flimsy felt and beads. I glued the beads on with a hot glue gun then connect the panels to each other and to chains using jump rings and pliars. Note that there are three jump rings between the panels so it lies flat. To get rings through the felt open them up and just push hard until it goes through.
I recently chopped most of my hair off and have rediscovered the true magic of aveda air control hairspray. Such workability with that hold!!! Love it! It is all i use after i blow dry my peter pan chop. Unfortunately i am almost out. I have tried loreal elnett on my short hair, but it just isn’t as lovely.
Upon running across some great youtube vids of size small island, I have determined that I am going to be the record that taps the spoons. This will require some help from my handy mother who is innovative and crafty. I will keep you posted and make a diy as soon as I have figured out how to dim.
In the meantime, you should let your childhood come soaring back by google-ing the wonderful children’s show from my childhood: size small island.
Keep tapping!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8VCy42T40c&feature=related
I ate this so fast i didnt take a pic!
On half a bagel place thin slices of brie cheese. Put on parchment lined baking sheet. Next drizzle with liquid honey. Top with sliced almonds. Broil in oven just until cheese melts. Top with more honey. Devour!! Trust me… SO GOOD!