Ack!

Well something always has to throw a monkey wrench into my plans...as soon as I had finished up my pics yesterday, I got a phone call summoning me to work, and today my son's daycare was closed because of the snow, so he was running amok all day. Needless to say, between shoveling, running after the midget, and trying to catch a nap when my son did, I didn't have the time to upload all my pics...so those will be coming, maybe tomorrow if I can remember to bring my laptop to work with me.

In the meantime, let's talk about a new foundation that I bought; Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser. Ok, so maybe I don't quite need an age rewind foundation yet, but it never hurts to start early, right? Right. I was skeptical about this for a few reasons, most being the typical ones regarding drugstore foundations, but I'd heard from a couple of friends that they really like it, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Right off the bat I can tell you that my "OMFG GERMS!" mindset kicked in, because I realized I was going to have to wash the sponge-like applicator that's attached to the top. I don't know if it's going to affect the product, so I think what I'll likely do is clean it as best as I can with a damp paper towel, spritz with some 90% alcohol that I keep in a travel spray bottle, and then let it air dry. Ok, so it's pretty high maintenance for a bottle of foundation, but when you figure that I'd usually use a brush to at least blend down my neck and such, I suppose it really is the same amount of work, so long as I don't need a brush for this too...

Which I'm happy to report, I don't. I've used the foundation twice so far, and the first time...well...ha, I was standing there clicking for what felt like FOREVER before the product started coming out. Hmm...reminds me of some lipglosses I know...Stila, I'm looking at you! Anyway, once the product started rising and getting into the little spongey doodad (yeah...I just said that), I realized I wasn't going to know exactly how much foundation I was getting...I didn't want it to just sort of splooge all over the place, but I didn't want to be forever clicking just to get decent coverage, either. It actually seemed like it didn't matter, because even though I could see where the foundation was going, I really couldn't see the foundation...does that make sense?

Ok, to try and explain, I usually use one of 3 foundations; MUFE HD Foundation (which I adore), MAC Longwear, or Revlon ColorStay. Because of the nature of my job, and the fact that I'm constantly running around and sweating, if I wear foundation to work, it's either the MAC or Revlon one...if I'm going to hang out with friends, it's usually MUFE, because I prefer the finish and overall look it gives me, but it doesn't stick around through heavy-duty sweating. Anyway, with all three of those foundations, I can always see the foundation on my skin. More so with Revlon and MAC, but even the MUFE looks like foundation sitting on my skin when I get right up close in the mirror. No, it's not a big deal, because NO ONE is going to be examining my face that closely, but *I* notice it, and that's the important stuff, right?

The Maybelline wasn't like that, though...at all. The formula seemed fairly thin, but gave me nice coverage, didn't settle into the scarring on my face (I'll be the first one to tell you my skin SUUUUUCKS), and upon close-up examination, didn't look like there was much on my face. Believe me, you could see the difference from far away, and it looked fantastic, but when I got close to the mirror to check it out, it seemed as though I only had on a tinted moisturizer! It required a tiny bit of blending out with my fingers at the hairline, but nothing major, and really, is something I have to do sometimes anyway, so no complaints there.

Also, I did something bad Monday night, and slept with my makeup on (I know, I know...), but much to my surprise, my skin was no worse for wear come Tuesday morning. Normally, if I'd accidentally done that with my other foundations, I'd wake up with at least one or two blemishes, and that awful bit of forehead bumpiness that tends to happen when I'm slacking in the skincare department.

All in all, I'm quite pleased with this stuff...I'm going to continue to use it, and who knows, maybe I'll see some vague improvement in my skin over the next few weeks, we shall see. So I'm going to say that if you're looking for a good, light-medium coverage drugstore foundation (I haven't really tried to build it up) that won't settle into fine lines or large pores, this one's definitely worth a try. :) Anyone else have experience with this one? Love it, hate it?

Can we try for another resurrection?

So I'm figuring that maybe...just maybe the third time is a charm.

I've attempted to keep this little blog of mine up to date twice before...and unfortunately haven't been able to be as diligent with it as I'd like...so here's my third and final try. I think it may work this time, though, because unlike the last two attempts, I've got days off during the week, and the munchkin is in daycare...yeah, yeah, I hear you sighing, see those eye rolls, and hear the "Uh huh, yeah, suuuuuure..." or "Yeah, excuses, excuses"...but I promise, baby, this time it'll be different!

Well...for those of you who might care to know, a quickie update, and a few intentions for the next couple posts; Munchkin is 2...he's talking up a storm, telling me no, and repeating almost everything I say...not to mention watching Dora and Diego to the point of insanity. I'm going nuts. Did you know that in the first season (and some of the second) of Dora, that obnoxious map said his name 15 times during his song? Ugh. Seriously? I can tell you're a map...and I'm proud of you that you're also aware of yourself...but 15 times? Isn't that a LITTLE on the excessive side? I think so. Anyhow...so the kid is a giant...and I have to tell you what a little sweetie he is...he's got great manners for a 2 year old; always says please and thank you, and if I tell him I have a boo-boo, he kisses it better for me. Awww! It's those moments that keep me from adhering him to the wall with Velcro. :)

As for me...nothing much of interest to report...I'm working now (although it's a seriously crappy job, for which I'm sickeningly over-qualified, and even more grossly over-qualified), which is only a good thing because of the very necessary medical benefits. I don't need them myself, cuz let's face it; I'm too lazy to update a blog, when I'm on my laptop ALL the damn time, do you really think I'm going to go to the doctor? Ha. That requires effort on my part, and initiation of a conversation with another person via the phone...no sir, I don't like it. The important thing here is that I have benefits for the little guy, which he needs, so I'll suffer the crappy job until I find something better. The sacrifices we make for our children, eh?

On to the things which might be of some interest; I've acquired (read: hunted down at several stores) some of the new Revlon scented polishes, and one of their matte suede polishes, so pics, reviews, and things of that nature will follow over the next two days. I've got one on now; Not So Blueberry, and I'm kinda loving the smell...it'll be interesting to see the wear on these things. So initial pics and opinions will be up between tomorrow and Wednesday, and probably sometime next Monday I'll update with the wear factor. I'm extra hard on my hands at work, so I'll try a couple of different things, as well as seeing how the polish wears for the two days that I'm not at work.

I've been trying to find some good drugstore gems lately, because I'm on a seriously tight budget (my job pays in pennies...I don't make enough for nickles and dimes. ;) ), so if there are any suggestions out there, I'm more than happy to hear about them.

One last thing, in my Revlon search today, I stumbled across a new set of Physician's Formula shimmer strips gel liners, the "Glam Collection"...they looked suuuuuper pretty...I need to investigate those further, come next paycheck. Anybody tried these out? I've used (and really like) the original ones, and the new ones look super pretty...plus I love the idea of 3 gel liners for about $9. I also saw this ridiculous "Happy Booster" powder/blush/bronzer...they're seriously trying to tell you that wearing the products will make you happier, thanks to some botanicals or something in them that are proven to improve mood. WTF? Seriously? Sounds pretty gimmicky to me.

Wait, I'm a liar! I have something else, which I completely forgot about until now! ...I only remembered because I'm annoyed by the Happy Booster crap...but anyway...on to the angry stuff. L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional...The One Sweep. I picked this thing up because I thought they couldn't be serious...but they were. It's a bean-shaped shadow...or rather, SET of shadows (3 strips of color in the same pan...), and a HUGE sponge-tipped applicator. They expect you to take that abomination, swipe it through the shadows, and then sweep it across your lids...then leave the house looking like that. No. I'm not joking. There's a little part of me that wants to buy one of these things, just for the sole purpose of showing you how absolutely RIDICULOUS it is. Maybe after I get paid, I'll sacrifice the $8 in the name of having a good laugh. ...if anyone beats me to it, please let me know. :D

Have a good night, dears...

Fail.

I forgot about you guys for a while. Well...not so much forgot about you as I was distracted and busy with other stuff. This could be a ridiculous, long blog to catch you up on everything, but my munchkin is napping, and I'm fairly certain he'll be getting up soon. Actually...I think I hear him stirring now. All right, well here's the quick and dirty; I separated from the Navy (YAY!) on the 29th of January, and have come back home to Jersey. Finally. I missed this place...and it's great being in my own home again, rather than in an apartment in stupid Maryland. :D

Baby-wise, he's getting huge...brave (he'll climb from the bottom of the stairs to the top in 3.5 if the gate isn't across!), and just more fun every day. He finally cut two teeth; the bottom ones in front, and let me tell you, his smile has become absolutely hilarious...he gives you this huuuuuuuuge grin, and all you see are two little teeth poking out from the bottom. Love it. This is truly something you have to see to appreciate. He's been having lots of tummy troubles, though...very constipated, SUPER hard bowel movements...I'm concerned. I'm giving him Little Phillip's, but the kid can't live on laxatives. I changed his milk to soy, thinking maybe it was the protein or lactose in the cow's milk, but the soy didn't seem to do much. Since I'm currently unemployed, I signed up for health care for the baby through the state...I'm hoping they approve him soon, so I can get him to a doctor...obviously I wouldn't mind just footing a doctor's bill, but my concern is that if I do, and there's something wrong that requires more than a change in diet or whatnot, I'll have some ridiculous medical bills that I have no means to pay. For now I'm just keeping him on soy (it seems to be a little bit better than when he was on cow's milk), and pushing lots of fruits and vegetables, water, etc. It seems to be helping a little...but he still needs the Phillip's, and I don't like that. Fingers crossed that these guys get on the ball and get him approved quick. Updates will come.

As far as I go...I've been enjoying the time out of the Navy (I painted my fingernails blue, and dyed my hair bright red...HA! TAKE THAT, NAVY!!!), hanging out with the baby, and just all around relaxing. I'm starting to look around at jobs and such, because my back-to-school plan got derailed...and I'm realizing that um...I need to make a lot of money if I go back to work. Daycare is effing expensive. Anyway...besides all that, I've had time playing with makeup, I've bought some new stuff, traded stuff with friends...and introduced my mother to some wonderful things, and now...she's hooked on NARS Dolce Vita. I don't think I've ever told you all how much I adore Dolce Vita. It's seriously one of those universal colors that looks gorgeous on almost everyone I know. Sucks that NARS is so crazy expensive though. Ugh. Whatever...

Ok...cutting this short, here comes babyzilla. :D

It's over...

So...yesterday was the winter dance showcase for my studio...I had two dances; a cha-cha formation (group dance), and a foxtrot with my dance instructor. This is what I'd been waiting for since I started dancing at the studio a year ago...I mean, there's a summer showcase, which is nice, but it's a small, understated thing...it was held at the studio, not a whole lot of people...you get the idea. The winter one is a big deal...it was at the Sheraton in Columbia, had a buffet dinner and dessert...and not that people don't put a lot of work into the summer showcase (cuz I know I did), but there's something that's just a little more special about this one...it makes you really want to try even harder.

Anyway...the night was bittersweet for me...I had a wonderful time dancing, even though I think our cha-cha was a trainwreck, and I know I've danced my foxtrot routine better in practice than I did last night...but I had fun, and that's what's important. The end of the night saw me getting a little misty-eyed...but I did a good job holding it together, until I went to say goodbye to the studio staff, and my instructor piped up that it was my last showcase. Thanks buddy...I appreciate that. :( I lost it after that, and just started crying like a little girl...because it hit me that I was officially no longer his student...my lessons are over...the showcase is over...and I'm sad.

I feel like I'm losing part of my family...and although I'm still here until the end of January, I no longer have a lesson plan, or anything like that. If I come into the studio, it'll be for parties and things...not my regular weekly getaway. This officially sucks. I'm sitting here wiping away tears as I type.

Yes, I completely understand that there ARE, in fact, dance studios in Jersey...and I'm sure there are very good ones, but...it's not the same...it won't have the same people...and more important than anything else; it won't have my instructor. At this point I can't fathom being taught by anyone else and enjoying it even half as much as I do now. Part of the joy I have when I'm dancing is the personal connection I have with him...and for me, it's hard to make connections like that. We have such a good time while we're dancing, laughing and making jokes...it makes the most boring dances (like the waltz, which usually bores me to tears) fun to learn. It's rare to find a teacher like that once in your life...let alone twice.

Thanks for letting me get all that out...I have a feeling I may not be my usual happy self for a while...but I'll get through it.

The weekend...

Well, my cousin was getting married this weekend at home in Jersey, so I drove up Friday night with the munchkin...well...I left at 3...I didn't get home until about 8. It's not a 5 hour drive from where I live, up to my house in Jersey...but it turns into one when you have an unhappy infant who just does NOT want to sit in a carseat anymore. *sigh* Oh well...we finally got there, and I pretty much just passed him off to my mom, cuz I was exhausted, frazzled from the drive and my little man's cries, and desperately needed to go to the bathroom and smoke a cigarette. Not necessarily in that order.

It snowed on Saturday!!!! Hooray!!! It was a crappy day...and it was really a snow/rain mix at first, so it made a yucky slush instead of a pretty, white blanket. Stupid rain. ...BUT it still snowed, so I was happy. The wedding was Sunday...thankfully the weather was MUCH better than it had been on Saturday...it was cold outside, but it was bright and sunny, so woohoo! My cousin looked absolutely stunning...I'm a giant sissy and started to cry as soon as she walked into the room! Well...her and I are very close, so it was a huge rush of emotion. It was a lovely ceremony, absolutely RIDICULOUSLY good food (I had the best filet mignon I'd ever tasted...simply incredible), and even better; I got to see my other two cousins that I haven't seen in....hell...13 years or so? I was actually wondering how we would get along, since we haven't spoken (aside from facebook or myspace) in so long, but as soon as I saw them both, I was reassured. The three of us spent the entire reception (aside from the important parts like the toast, dances, etc) dancing like crazy and giggling like schoolgirls. All in all, it was a great time, and it was really nice to be able to reconnect with family that I don't see often. Hooray!

My poor little munchkin was at home with my mom Sunday while I was at the wedding...and apparently he was feeling clingy, because he kept looking for me in the bathroom (he saw me in there a bunch in the morning while I was doing my hair and makeup to get ready), and was very upset when I wasn't there. Poor kid...I'm going to have to make extra cuddle time with him this week. He's also got some strange redness on his cheeks, near his mouth...not right next to his mouth, but maybe about a half inch from either side? I don't know if it's just irritated from his binkie or what...but it was strange, because he just woke up with it like that on Sunday morning. I dunno, I guess I'll give it a couple days and see what happens with it. No need to freak out if it's not spreading.

Well...unfortunately my weekend was pretty unexciting other than the wedding....so I don't have anything fun to blog about today. I'm planning on going to the mall with the baby, though...and attempting to wear him in my Moby wrap...we'll see how long that lasts. Haha.

Well lookie here...

I got me a shmancy new layout...what do you guys think? I'm seriously loving it...I adore argyle, and I've become a sucker for the color pink...couldn't tell you why, but...yeah. I guess motherhood has made me soft. LOL Whatever. I like it and it makes me happy. Now, if I could just get the offensive red bar from Pyzam to go away, I'd be thrilled. Anyone know how to get rid of it? I'm sure if I poured through the code I could figure it out...buuuuut...I'm lazy. *shrug* Sorry. :D

Very quickly; I went to Sally's last night and picked up some nail polish (amongst other things), and got China Glaze Ruby Pumps and Heart of Africa. Ok...Heart of Africa is a really beautiful dark red, perfect for me to wear on my nails at work, since they frown on glitter...and if you've never seen Ruby Pumps...HOLY HELL! You need it. It's glitter. Red, beautiful, perfect glitter. I put two coats of it on my toenails last night (I've been wearing OPI Barefoot in Barcelona on them for months...they needed a wakeup call), and it's absolutely stunning. It's the perfect holiday color. Love love love. Love.

Did I mention I love it?

Dance tonight...thank goodness. The studio was closed last week because of Thanksgiving, so I haven't had a break from my son in 2 weeks. I adore my son...I think we've established that...but I really need some mommy time once in a while...so tonight I'll get my mommy time again. Yay! ...and I just picked up my showcase dress from the dry cleaner yesterday...so I think I'll bring it in to show to my instructor...I think he'll like it. ...well...even if he doesn't...tough. I'm wearing it. I'll try and put up pictures, if I can.

Ooooh..new people!!

Hello and welcome to all my friends new to the blog! :D I'm happy to see some familiar faces here...make yourselves at home in my little corner of the interwebs...as you can see, I kind of randomly blog about whatever's on my mind at the time...rants, raves, beauty, babies, etc.

Soooo today, it's another rant...I'm good for those, cuz...well...I'm an angry little girl.

Well...at my job, parking sucks. We have one parking lot...and it's on a hill...so you get a workout if you're parked at the top of it...but if you get here after about 0830, you probably won't get a spot. Fortunately we have an overflow parking lot about a mile away from my building...it has plenty of parking spaces, and we've got shuttles that drive back and forth between the lot and the building, for those of us too lazy to walk. For the most part, it's a great little setup, but there's one shuttle driver who makes me absolutely, bat sh*t crazy.

Now, I understand the notion of waiting for someone if they're running toward the shuttle...that's just the polite thing to do...but this guy. This guy sits. And waits. And waits. Now these guys are on a schedule...but damned if that schedule doesn't go to sh*t when this guy's driving...because he will NOT leave the parking lot until there's NO ONE in it. I'm serious. If we're starting to pull away when a car drives in, he'll stop and wait until the person finds a spot, parks, gets their crap together, rummages through their trunk, plays a game of monopoly, locks the car, walks toward the bus, realizes they forgot their coffee, walks back to get it, and then finally makes their way back to, and on the bus. Once we've finally picked up this jacka** and start to FINALLY leave...another car comes in...and so it goes, on and on and on. I told you it's only about a mile from this lot to my building...short drive...well with THIS dude, there've been times when I've gotten up to my desk a full HALF HOUR after I got on the bus. Are you kidding me?! Do these guys get paid per person?!?!?!

Some days I just really hate people. Really. A lot. No joke.

On a completely different note; where IS everyone today? It seems like everyone has collectively taken the day off but me. I'm hungry. What's for lunch? Ah...speaking of lunch, that's something else I should really include in my little blog...food and recipes that I love...let's see if I can remember one off the top of my head...Oh! Here we go...my favorite; cheesecake!

Missy's favorite cheesecake recipe

Crust:

1 sleeve graham crackers, crushed (you can use the pre-made crumbs, too...I want to say it's a cup and a half, but find what works best for you)

1/4 cup of sugar

1 stick unsalted butter

orange zest

Melt the butter in a medium size bowl, and combine with the other ingredients. You want the ratio of crumbs to butter to be such that the crumbs want to stick together, but aren't completely soaked with butter. If it seems too buttery, add some more crumbs to it...there's a bit of trial and error involved with finding the ratio that you prefer. Just remember to write down all the ratios you try, and the result of them, that way you won't forget! Once you've got the crust all mixed together, press it into the bottom and sides of a springform pan (this is why we want it somewhat sticky...otherwise it won't stick to the sides). I usually spray a little bit of Pam for baking into my pan first...you don't necessarily have to, but I recommend it, especially if your cheesecake batter will be touching the sides of the pan at all, rather than the crust.

The good part:

3 packages of cream cheese (I use Philadelphia...and DON'T use the fat free or reduced fat stuff! It'll totally throw off the recipe!)

8oz sour cream (I like Breakstone...and again, no using the fat free or reduced fat stuff!)

3 large eggs

1 Cup sugar

2 tsp Grand Marnier (or whatever orange liquer you have)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees for a light-coated pan, or 325 for a dark one.

Whip the cream cheese one at a time until fluffy. Add in the sugar and mix until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensure that each one is fully incorporated before you add the next. Add in the Grand Marnier and mix again. Follow with the sour cream and beat lightly until fully incorporated. Pour the batter into the springform pan and set on the middle rack in your oven for 50-60 minutes. This will vary with each oven...start checking it around 50 minutes, just stick a toothpick in the middle, and if it comes out clean, you're done. Once the cheesecake is finished baking, turn the oven off and let it sit with the oven door partially open for an hour. After the cheesecake has rested for an hour, you can put on whatever topping you'd like (I prefer this one without a topping), cover it with plastic wrap, and put it in the refrigerator to set overnight.

You can also set the pan in a water bath when you're baking it, which supposedly prevents the cake from cracking, but I find it's too much of a pain in the butt (you have to wrap the bottom of the pan in foil to make sure no water gets into it), and also because you've used alcohol in the batter, it tends to puff up higher than it would normally, so the water bath doesn't honestly make a difference here.

The Grand Marnier doesn't leave a very strong taste at all, and since you control how much orange zest is in the crust, you can decide how much flavor that has...but the hint of orange really is lovely. I started making my cheesecake this way a couple years ago, when I wanted to experiment, and everyone who's had it really enjoys it, so it's become my signature cake. If you don't want, or don't like the GM, you can add vanilla extract in its' place, and leave out the orange zest alltogether. You can also make a GM/sugar reduction to drizzle over the cheesecake if you want to add another little pop of flavor.

This cheesecake recipe has the benefit of being extremely versatile. You can substitute and add things, and it'll still be a good recipe, proportion-wise. I made one recently with Disarono (amaretto liquer) in place of the GM, and almond biscotti as the crust...that one was also a big hit. LOL

Use your imagination and experiment...it's fun, and even your "accidents" are delicious. :)