Happy Pink Saturday

It has been some time since I've participated in PS.  I've missed everyone but life happens sometimes, you know?!!!

Look at this gorgeous pink sand!  Who knew there was pink sand????  Apparently pink sand can be found in parts of the Caribbean.

Is this not the most beautiful beach?  Wow!

I found this picture at http://www.rosalindcummingsyeates.com/blog/2009/01/rosy-outlook.html - it is amazing!!!!!!

Do you notice a theme?  I mean it is PINK Saturday but there's another theme going on, yes?

Guess where I'm going? 

I will need these...

And maybe some of these...

And a must have:  pink toenails!

And you know I'll be rocking some bejeweled pink flip flops!

Have you guessed yet, ha!  Yep, I am off to the beach again.  I just can't seem to stay away!

It may not be pink but that's okay!  It's one of the best places to be!

Because, quite frankly, I have had more than enough of this!

~Click on any picture to view the link.

~Be sure and visit Beverly at http://www.howsweetthesoud.typepad.com/ to view all of the pink posts!

Have a great weekend!

It's time for a yummy dinner!

Hello blogging buddies!  I'm still kind of running ragged with my new office change though slowly but surely things are coming together.  The good news is that I am going to the beach next week and I can't wait!  If you've been following me for a while then surely you know by now how much I love the beach!  It's my place to relax and rejuvenate and I really could use that about now.

In the mean time, life goes on.  I actually haven't been cooking too much lately and my lovely daughter had a special request:  macaroni and cheese.  So what's a mother to do?  Yes, of course, whip up a batch.  One of my favorite things to do lately is browse blogs looking for new recipes.  So I thought you might enjoy it as much as we do so I'd like to share the recipe with you.  This was adapted from an old Betty Crocker recipe.

Here's what you'll need.

-an onion

-cheese - I used three kinds, Velveeta, Sharp Cheddar, and Mozzarella

-flour

-milk

-bread crumbs

-bacos

-pasta of your choice - I used penne

Now there's something that you should know.  I don't measure things unless I am baking.  I simply look at a recipe and decide how I want to do it.  I know, risky, but it usually works out, ha!  So, I am going to give you estimates and you can decide how much you want to add.

There's something else you should know.  I forgot to take pictures of the process, ugh!

Put your water on to boil for the pasta and cook as directed while you are preparing the cheese sauce - I used 4 C of pasta.  That way they are both done about the same time.

Begin by dicing your onion into desired amounts.  Add butter to your pan and cook the onion just until softened.  Add about 1/3 to 1/2 C of flour, slowly, until a paste forms.  Gradually add about 1 C of milk, stirring constantly until your mixture boils.  Continue stirring for about one minute longer.  You will have a very nice cream sauce.  Remove from the heat and stir in cheese.  I used the large block of Velveeta Cheese and 1 C each of the other two.  Allow the mixture to melt together to form your cheese sauce. Add Bacos at this time.  Of course you could use actual bacon instead.

Once your pasta is cooked and drained, add together with your cheese sauce and place in a baking dish.  Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs.  Bake at 375 degrees until the top is browned and the mixture is bubbling. 

Now that is super yummy!

Another view, up close!

I would suggest serving this with Roasted Green Beans.  These babies are super easy and oh so good!

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Hugs,

Jacalyn

Beautiful Blogging ~ The 411 on Gel Nail Polish

Have you heard about the new Gel Nail Polish?  It's supposed to last for 2 weeks without chipping and it is becoming all the rage.

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These nail polishes are referred to as "soak off" nail gels because you must soak off the gel rather than simply removing it like traditional nail polish.  Gel nail polish is supposed to be easy on the nail and last like forever!

You must have this done by a professional because it has to "cure" under a UV light after each coat.  The procedure is the same in that the nail technician uses a base coat, 2 color coats, and a top coat but then each coat must cure before the next one is applied.  Thus, it takes more time and is about twice in cost as a traditional manicure.  The beauty lies in the results.  Once you are done, you are dry.  You leave the salon with absolutely no worries about chipping, banging, or smudging your nail color.  Of course if you like to change your color frequently gel nail polish may not be for you!  Also, some fear it may damage the nail if not properly removed.

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There are so shortage of choice these day in terms of colors.  OPI Axxium for example has over 40 shades.  Shellac is also another popular brand.

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So after reading all about Gel Nail Polish what is a girl to do who must, yes must, have a weekly manicure or she feels totally discheveled?  Well, of course the answer is try it, duh!  It was hard actually finding a salon near me that was using it but I lucked out one day and accidentally stumbled in one.  I made the mistake of buying some on eBay, misunderstanding initially that you needed the UV dryer which of course I don't have. 

So far I've tried it twice.  I don't actually remember the brand name that my salon uses.  The first time the color actually started peeling after about 9 days and I was not a happy camper!  Plus, it easily peeled off my nails after I started messing with it.  Ugh!  I actually had to have nude nails for a day until I could make it to the salon.  It really was traumatic!

But, I decided to try it one more time.  I thought this could save me time in the long run so what the heck!

This time the color is actually lasting.  No chips, no smudges, no nothing!  It still shines like the day I got it done.  Interestingly, after curing it with the UV light, my technician swipes the color with a bit of alcohol to allow it to dry.  It is not completely dry after the curing.  Once he applied the alcohol though it was dry. 

So here's my opinion on gel nail polish:

Pro's

• It's completely dry when you leave the salon.  No worries about smudging or scraping.
• It really does last for at least two weeks and stays shiny and bright.
• Saves time - no fix ups in-between manicures and only a trip every two weeks.

Cons

• It is more expensive.  A bottle can run at least 17 dollars, usually more.  The manicure is more expensive too (but it equals out if you only go every other week).
• The nail still grows which means you will see the nail near the cuticle the second week.
• You will spend longer in the salon "curing."

Clearly, I have mixed feelings about the gel.  I am a bit picky, okay, anal, so the re-growth is actually driving me nuts!  While I don't like chips, the regrowth is driving me bonkers!  Plus, I always bring my own regular nail color to the salon so I can fix any chips throughout the week.  So for me, I think I may go back to regular color.  Maybe if I am going to have a busy week or two I will get the gel, but for the most part I will stick to traditional nail colors.  But, I haven't tried it for a pedicure yet, ha!

I would love to know if you've tried and what your thoughts are!

Have a beautiful week!

OXOXOX,

Jacalyn





Go Bold this Spring ~ Beautiful Blogging

So are you all just as ready for Spring and Summer as I am?  I really, really need to see the sunshine and feel the warmth in the air. I am soooooo done with Winter.  Mother Nature it's time to move on!

One of the first things I do for Spring is to check out the new makeup trends.  I know, you all thought I was going to say something like check my gardens or clean up the yard, ha!  Well a girl has to have her priorities, right?  I think you all know by now that I absolutely adore makeup.  It's fun, it hides flaws, and enhances our beauty.  So I ask you, what's not to love!

The colors of Spring and Summer still seem to be fuchsia and coral.  But, the theme is BOLD!  Are you ready for that?  Oh I so am!  According to Fashion Magazine the lips are coated in a bright fuchsia or orange.

Dior at Sephora

Lorac @ Sephora

Fashion Magazine also notes that a bright, bold eye is all the rave this Spring.  Just remember though that you don't do both at the same time.  Choose one and downplay the other.  I tend to prefer to highlight my eyes, mainly because I love to play with eyeshadow. 

Are you bold enough for blue?  I love to use this shade as an eyeliner.  For me, it really enhances my brown eyes!

How about green?  All hues of green too!  If you're bold go with the lime green.  If you're not so bold go with the moss green.  Check out Stylelist for more on green.  Oh and scroll down to the end of the page because there's a great tutorial on the smoky eye!  I sure do love me some smoky eyes!

A pretty pallet from Stila

Real Beauty advises "For a fun, nighttime look, start by applying lighter lilac shades on the inner corners of the eye and darker lavender and plum hues as you move outwards on"

Super pretty, yes?  I think you can modify this look to work for daytime too!  Don't be afraid to use some bright purple on those eyelids.  What fun and oh so chic! 

Have you tried the SmokyShadow Blast from Covergirl?  They have some awesome color combinations and there's no guess work!  Super pretty.



 

Don't be afraid to shine this season.  And, there's plenty to choose from so you can shop in your price range.

Covergirl, Mabelline, and Revlon all have great colors to choose from as do Estee Lauder and Elizabeth Arden. 

Now, get out there and be bold this Spring!

Hugs,

Jacalyn

New for Spring!

Hello blogging friends!  I apologize for being absent from the blogging world lately but I have been a bit overwhelmed moving my private practice to a new location.  I am really, really excited about this new venture but I have to learn to do all of the billing and scheduling by myself.  I have been spoiled for a long time now and it takes some adjusting.  I think I am getting it together more and more as the weeks pass.  We shall see, ha!

I am also trying to get some goodies in my boutique for Spring.  Here's a sneak peak at some of the items I have added or will be adding.

Some awesome Spring Scents in our Soaps!

Aww... and who doesn't like a cute little bunny for Easter??!!

I am in love with this tin sign!  Just look how cute those ducks are, ha!

I don't know about you but I can't wait to get out and garden this Spring!  And, you can be sure this will be gracing my gardens.  I have a thing for birds lately, but more on that at another time!

A lovely laundry wood sign!

Another cloche because can you really have too many?????

I promise that I will be back soon.  It's off to work now.  Have a great week!

Hugs,

Jacalyn