Bronzed and FABULOUS!!!

  Hey everyone!! Today I am going to discuss something that is near and dear to me....Bronzer/Self Tanner!

 NO, I am not talking about the "I look like a Ooompa Loompa bronzer"

 or the "OMG she looks like Linsey Lohan self tanner" (which by the way, is NOT a compliment).

  I actually found one that I really like and use quite frequently...Well I used to use it quite frequently, till I moved to the good old sunshine state :)
 Anyway, I really like this particular self tanning lotion, its made by Banana Boat and is called Summer Color Self Tanning Lotion. It's self adjusting, streak free and for ALL skin tones or so it says, I havent tried it on ALL skin tones, just my own and it seems to work just fine, lol.
 I haven't been able to find it in any stores other than Walmart or online at amazon.com

Here is the link on Amazon, they have a package of 3 for under $20!!

Here are a few tips when using Self-Tanning lotion:

1. There is such thing as too much, don't over do it, a little goes a long way.
2. Make sure you cover all areas or you will end up with the not so cute patches, spread it evenly.
3. The best time to apply the lotion is after you have taken a shower and have already dried off.
4. MAKE SURE YOU THOROUGHLY WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP or you will end up with tanned palms and that is NOT a cute look. (believe me, it has happened to me before)
5. Self tanning lotion also helps to hide stretch marks or scars. Now, it doesn't completely cover them but it does make them less noticeable.
6. Did you know that a tan makes you appear thinner? I kid you not, it is a known fact. I don't know about you but I love looking thinner!

So, for all of you that are unable to hit up the beach to acquire that sun kissed glow in Winter or just don't like to soak up those UV rays that are so bad for you, try a self tanner, you will look and feel Fabulous!

Thanks for reading!
A~

Crockpot Curry Chicken, so good it will have you saying "Lawd A Mercy!"

I am not sure how "authentically" Caribbean this recipe is, but it certainly is delish and my family loved it. 


Ingredients:

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in cubes (or you can also use skinless chicken thighs, which I prefer because makes dish juicier)
1 tablespoon Olive oil
2 Cloves garlic crushed
1 small onion chopped
4 tablespoon Curry powder
1 tablespoon Allspice
1 tsp ginger

1  1/2 - 2 cups fat free chicken broth

1/2 cup coconut milk

1 or 2  large Potatoes peeled and diced

salt and pepper to taste (I prefer to use adobo, but that's just out of habit, lol)

Directions:

1. Clean chicken with lime juice or vinegar. Rinse well.
2. Add all ingredients in Slow Cooker
3. Cover and cook on Low 8 hours or High for 6 hours

Enjoy!

Thanks for reading!

A~

I "Crock" me up!

For Christmas I received a fantastic slow cooker! Yeah I know, what is so fantastic and fabulous about a slow cooker? And why am I so excited about it?

 Glad you asked, in this blog I will tell you, so keep on reading!! :)

  For the past 7 months I have been a stay at home mom. For those of you who don't know me, we relocated from Boston to South Florida in June of 2011. I have been staying home with the kids while they adjust and let me tell you I have been bored out of my mind! I will be returning to work in a few months.  I have always worked, since I was about 15, so this is new territory for me. Anyway, I took this opportunity to start being more creative in the kitchen. I'm sure all you working moms know its hard to be creative in the kitchen when you get home at 6pm and have to rush and make a meal so the kids can eat and go to bed at a decent hour. 

  I watch a ton of food shows and videos, the Food Network is my favorite channel. I finally decided one day I needed to build up my kitchen appliances collection and the first item on my list was a Slow Cooker or Crockpot, what exactly is the correct term for it, anyway? So, I told my hubby that I would like one for Christmas, which technically is a gift for everyone in the house not just me, so I don't think it counts as a Christmas present for mom, but whatever. lol

  Christmas morning came and  my brand new slow cooker was waiting for me under the tree, Yay!! I was so excited I couldn't wait to get in the kitchen to use it...crazy, I know. I am a very strange individual. I took to the Internet and started researching slow cooker recipes, I even asked friends to send me some of their favorite recipes (thanks for the recipes ladies!!!) 

  The first night,  I made some  slow cooked pork chops and let me tell you.... these pork chops were DELICIOUS!!!! and I have been cooking in my slow cooker everyday ever since. It is amazing the amount of things you can make in it. You can make anything from oatmeal, to lasagna! the sky is the limit.

  I do admit, I have had some not so good recipes like the A-1 sauce, dijon mustard steak disaster...don't even get me started on that, but it wasn't the slow cookers fault, the steak was soft as can be, it was the ingredients in the recipe. I even made risotto the other day, I have been obsessed with trying risotto thanks to Chef Gordon Ramsay. It was very good....however my picky eaters weren't crazy about it. 

  I am already looking to purchase a smaller slow cooker to make side dishes in when I am using the big one for meats. If you don't own a slow cooker, what are u waiting for? get out there and buy one! you  will not regret it, I promise. The one I got for Christmas was a 6qt Hamilton Beach programmable slow cooker and it is great, here is the link in case you want to get it on Amazon (have I mentioned, I LOVE Amazon?). 

  Also, I have had a few friends ask me to post my successful recipes, below are 4. I will continue to post new recipes as I try them out. I have so many to choose from this will be an ongoing thing

1. Lasagna -  This is a great recipe to have waiting for you when you walk through the door from work, who doesn't love lasagna? I have my own ingredients that I like to use when I make lasagna, I just took the basic idea and instructions on how to get the lasagna to cook properly in the slow cooker. If you don't know how to make lasagna here is a simple recipe. 

2. Vaca Frita - Vaca Frita (Fried Cow) is a Cuban dish that can be found in every Cuban restaurant, here is a great recipe I found, that tastes Delicioso!

3. Pollo Guisado -  This is another recipe in which I have my own ingredients and way of making it because I have been making it for so many years and it gets made in my house at least once a week. It was really nice to make it in the slow cooker and not have to watch the stove. I found this recipe online which is similar to mine. It's hard for me to post my own recipe because I don't measure anything and most times I throw whatever we happen to have in the house into the pot.  This recipe is the traditional stove top way to make it, just do the same except throw it into the slow cooker minus the potatoes, onions and green peppers, add those in about the last hour or else they will be too mushy. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours and go about your business for the day. Also, I didn't brown the chicken. I just washed, cleaned it and put it in the pot, didn't have to pre-marinate it either.

4. Pork Chops - Here is the first recipe I made in the slow cooker. I made it with some garlic and rosemary roasted potatoes. I also added some flour to the left over broth and made a delicious tasting gravy.

  In conclusion the Slow Cooker Rocks! and it frees up my time to do other more important and fabulous things like my hair, make up and go shopping...So there you have it, that is why the Slow Cooker is Fabulous! 

  I would love to hear any feedback or any new recipes you might like to share. 

Thanks for reading!

A~

Rapunzel ain't got nothin' on me!

 I was always under the impression that extensions were for people without hair or with unmanageable hair.  Then a few months ago while watching one of the many many realities shows I watch, I realized everyone was wearing clip on extensions. That's when I started to notice people who you would never think needed them were wearing them. I told myself to file this in my mind for when I go bald (see previous blog entry "I think I'm going bald") and I went about my business. I thought my hair is too long for me to need those.

  Fast Forward to November 2011, I wanted to get layers so I asked my mother-in-law to give me a cut and to cut my ends, well my ends were really bad, so to make the long story short she cut about 6 inches off my hair. Not her fault at all, my hair needed it, but it was still a shock. My hair, although thinning in certain spots has always been long and fabulous. I feel naked without my hair, sad but true. That's when I remembered HAIR EXTENSIONS! what better time to try it?? So, I did some research and found a website which had good reviews, PLUS, the best part.... they have FREE overnight shipping, yes people I said FREE OVERNIGHT shipping!!! BOOYAH! sorry, I love free stuff....so anyway, I looked through the options, who knew hair was so darn expensive? sheesh! I went ahead and placed an order for 20 inch jet black human hair extensions, they cost me $99, I nearly cried while entering my credit card info.

 The next morning at about 9am the UPS man was at my door with my new hair!!! Yay! I couldn't wait to try them on. I opened that package and was extremely impressed with the quality of the hair.   I watched video upon video of how to style them, wash them, put them on...So, I went to town, I even bought myself a new curling iron.

 Let me tell you, I was an addict from the first moment I wore them. Not only did my hair look FABULOUS, they felt so real and my hair looked so full. OMG, I am an Extension Fanatic now. Even when my hair grows back to its previous length I will continue to wear them because I just love the  look and feel of them especially when you are going out and want sexy Kim Kardashian type hair. I also love the option of wearing them or not wearing them whenever I feel like it.

 Since I purchased them I have gotten so many compliments on my hair and I have told a few people about how fabulous they are, including my mom, who also happens to be my BFF and she went out and bought some the next day, lol. However, she went to a beauty supply and got some there, I do not recommend doing this, even though they are less expensive, a lot of times the hair quality isn't very good. My mom had to trim the ends of the ones she got because they looked a little frizzy and dry. Another thing I noticed about beauty supply extensions is that a lot of times it is hard to find anything longer than 18 inches.

 I've received a ton of discount coupons via email from the company I purchased them from and you better believe I will be making another purchase very soon, I think I may go for the 24 inch extensions next time... Woohoo!

The website where I ordered my Fabulous hair from is proextensions.com


And here are 2 helpful hair extension videos...

This first one is about how to clip on your extensions...

This next one is on how to curl them, the girl is highly annoying but her hair looks totally Fab!

Thanks for reading!

A~

Who doesn't Love Coupons?!

 

 Hello Everyone!!! Hope Everyone had a Fabulous Holiday! Today's blog is going to be a quick one. I know as long winded as I am, it will be a miracle if I can get this done in less than 800 words. 

 Today I am going to share a little online shopping tip I picked up while on one of my many online shopping trips.  Before I finalize any purchase from any website, be it Old Navy, JC Penney, Kmart, Victoria's Secret...Well,  you get it ANY website. I always open up another tab and Google the name of the store and the word "coupons" or "coupon code" or some other variation of that phrase, for example, if I am at the check out for Sears, I type, "Sears discount coupons" into Google and Voila! You get a list of websites with a bunch of coupons. 

 The first site that pops up on Google that I have always had luck with is retailmenot.com. I have gotten some pretty darn good discounts typing in coupon codes that I have obtained from that website and saved some serious cash.  Sometimes, they may not have a code for what your buying or the code may be expired. But, its worth checking it out, if it could potentially save you some money. If that website doesn't work just work your way on down the Google results. 


 Remember Coupons are Fabulous and Frugal!! So, before you Check Out make sure you Check for some coupons!




Thanks for reading!
A~

Delicious Cookie Recipes...Yummm!!!

With Christmas being in two days, I decided to post 2 of my favorite cookie recipes, for when the fat man shows up. 

Soft and Delicious Oatmeal Cookies.

This right here is one of my kids favorites, they are so delicious.

 Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened 

1 cup white sugar 

1 cup packed brown sugar 

2 eggs 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 teaspoon baking soda 

1 teaspoon salt 

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 

3 cups quick cooking oats

raisins, semi sweet chocolate chips or nuts (optional)

Directions:

1.  In a medium bowl, cream together white sugar, butter, and brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
2. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda,and salt. Stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in oats. If you are using nuts or raisins, mix into dough, combining well. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour.
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Roll the dough into balls, and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Makes approx. 36-60 cookies, depending on how large or small you make them, you can also freeze the leftover mix for another day. 

Yummy Pumpkin Cookies with Icing

Cookie Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 
  
• 
  
• Glaze Ingredients
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.
4. To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add milk as needed, to achieve drizzling consistency.

Enjoy!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Thanks for reading!

A~ 

Make Me Up before I go go.....

Make up!!!

  I Love me some make up....Recently I have been Obsessed and I mean Obsessed with watching random YouTube videos about the fine art of applying make up and I realized all these years I have been doing it all wrong!! They talk about primer, contouring, highlighting I was like WTF does any of that mean??? Am I working on painting my face or a school art project?

Is this how I have been walking around all these years??? Why didn't someone tell me????

  After watching a few videos I was like, I need to buy me some real make up none of this Walgreen's Wet n Wild,  NYC crap. I need to contour and highlight my face to make it look skinny. See, I have a fat face and no matter how much weight I lose I look like a big round tomato, I remember when I was little people used to always pinch my cheeks I hated it. I  also need to bronze up and I want a smokey eye without looking like a raccoon Damn it!


  I looked into buying MAC because MAC make up is the best right??? Well let me tell you they can keep their MAC make up, in my house MAC is wack (not really, I just like how it sounds).The prices on those are ridiculous though!!! Sephora can join MAC.... There is no way my husband will fall for me saying I need to spend $100 on tube of mascara and some lip gloss. He will revoke all my shopping privileges immediately Forever!!!


  So, I took to the Internet searching and stumbled upon E.L.F (stands for eyes, lips, face) and let me tell you their make up is all under $10 with most items costing $1.00-$5.00!!! Now, I know what your thinking, will it make my face break out, or worse yet will it make my face melt off??? Ok, it is no MAC make up not that I have ever tried MAC, and if it were to be on sale somewhere you better believe I will be right on the MAC boat having a big ol' MAC attack...(sorry, I'll try to keep the MAC jokes under control...lol). No, it will not make your face melt off and as far as breaking out, I haven't had any issues with mine they say its hypoallergenic and I did some research on it and it has very good reviews from  the very trustworthy people on YouTube. 


  I ordered, some make up brushes from E.L.F, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, false eyelashes and of course a contouring set just to start me off. The brushes are great, love them, the bronzer is good, only problem I have with it is that its a bit shimmery not to crazy about that, love the little eyeshadow palate I got, it has quite a bit of colors and I think it was only $6 or something like that. The one thing I had a problem with was the false eyelashes, the glue sucked! I am not sure if it was just the one I got but the glue was dried up... I was so disappointed I was so looking forward to finally trying out some falsies, good thing I only paid $1 for them. 


  Overall I like their products, and I placed a second order. They also have mineral make up which I am dying to try, it costs more, but it is still under $10.

Here is the link to the E.L.F website




Below is a handy video on how to contour and highlight your face for those of you with plump cheeks like me!

Thanks for reading and stay Fabulous!


A~