St. Patrick's Day Package

   A few years ago I started sending cards and little packages to friends and family.  I try to be creative in what I send and when I send it.  I've sent packages for "Preparing for Winter", Valentine's," Pool Side Kit", ect.  With St. Patrick's Day coming up I couldn't pass up the opportunity to send my Grandma (who is Irish) a package.  I tried to think of something simple to send that would brighten their day and who doesn't like Kisses! Of course I had to use the "Kiss Me I'm Irish" and made  a tag to put on top of the bag.  I searched for a "printable" on Pinterest but I couldn't find one.  But I'm sure there are ones out there.  If not I just printed my quote in green and stuck it on green card stock paper.

   I put these in a padded envelope with a card.  A nice little surprise to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!
I folded the top of the cello bag about mid way down and then stapled it.  Then I folded my "label" in half and stapled the back of the label to the bag and put double sided sticky tape on the inside front of the label.  That way you don't see the staples on the front.
   Happy St. Patrick's Day!

$.99 Eye Shadow Palette

  While I was at Walgreens the other day I came across these eye shadow palettes for $.99.  I figured for that price I would try it.  They had several different ones with different shimmers, mattes and etc.  I decided I would blog about them.  I have swatches of the colors in the pictures below.  The pigmentation is moderate, some are more than others but they go on very smooth.  I didn't have a full face today so you won't be seeing my eyes but without a primer they went on and the color was great.  Being that it is a .99 eye shadow it is amazing.

 
   These 3 colors are the colors on the left side of the palette going from the bottom up.
    1. Deep plum purple-great for a purple smokey eye
    2. Light mauve - this would be a perfect all over color
    3. Shimmery Pink- awesome for highlighting or all over color as well

   These are the next six colors that are on the top of the palette going from left to right.
     1. Light yellow gold- good blender and highlighter
     2. Rose gold
     3. Copper
     4. Shimmery brown
     5. Bronze
     6. Deep mossy green

   These last 3 colors are from the right side of the palette going from top to bottom.
     1. Mustard yellow gold
     2. Emerald green
     3. Mossy bronze

   I will go back and purchase the other palettes and do a blog post about those as well.   You can always use the colors that are not up your alley for Halloween costumes.
   I hope you found this helpful and you find a palette you enjoy.

Easy Peasy Cookies

   After the time just zooming by this season I hardly had any time to sit down and put together a cookie/treats list of what to make.  So luckily I ran across a blog called goodenessgracious.com that had cake mix cookie recipes.  I have made cookies from cake mixes before so I figured I would give it a shot.  I still wanted the homemade affect but without the "3 1/2 C flour, 2 C sugar, etc." and then having 6 dozen cookies from just ONE recipe not to mention the disaster to clean up in the kitchen.  These were so easy and made at most 3 dozen for each recipe.  She has 3 different kinds she made from a cookbook called Gooseberry Patch's Christmas Cookie Jar but I just chose two.  I must say that I am thankful for her blog because it saved me.  I thought I would share my day of baking with you.  You can get the recipes by clicking the link above.

First Batch of Cookies:  Santa's Favorite Cookies

   This calls for a red velvet cake mix and white chocolate chips.  Very Christmasy and delicious.  They came out nice and soft and stayed that way even the next day.
Tip:  Reserve about a tablespoon of cake mix (dry) and don't add the chocolate chips in with everything else.  As Ina Garten (Food Network Chef) has taught me toss the chocolate chips with the reserved cake mix and then add it to the dough mix.  This keeps the chocolate chips from sinking to the bottom when baking and keeps them from "falling out" of the spoonfuls when you place them on your cookie sheet. 

Second Batch of Cookies:  1-2-3 Cookies

   This recipe is made with a lemon cake mix and whip topping then rolled in powdered sugar.  These cookies taste like lemon bars.  Not too lemony and not too sugary.  Really you could do this with spice cake mix too.  Which I think Cris from goodenessgracious.com did.  We had the same out come with these staying soft as well.  

The dough

My plate of powdered sugar

 
   Third Batch of Cookies:  Betty Crocker Sugar Cookies

   I have never used a packaged sugar cookie mix.  I have always made them by scratch but I didn't have time or the patience so I went the easy route.  Instead of using cookie cutters I rolled them in colored sugar sprinkles to be festive.  This choice was made after my stars came out not how I wanted.

   All of these recipes came out great and I would make them again.  I think I might try some New Years ones and I will post them for you.  If you are in a pinch don't hesitate to make it easier on yourself.  So, from my happy baking kitchen to yours have a good day!

Outfit of the Day: Christmas Party Outfit

   With this outfit I went out on a limb.  A way far out, never have gone before to limb and I bought RED jeggings!  I wore a black and gold striped sweater with black patent flats.

Sweater-  Mudd
Jeggings- Mudd
Flats- Mossimo

  For this outfit I kept my makeup really simple.  Even though you can't really see it (because to be quite honest I can't take the most flattering up close shots of my face ) I will go ahead and bore you with the details anyways.

Eye shadow- Maybelline's Eye Tattoo in Barely Beige
Eye liner- Revlon Color Stay Liquid Pen in Blackest Black
Mascara- L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes in Black
Lipstick- Revlon Raspberry

  Christmas outfit inspiration for you.  I hope you liked it.

  

Outfit of the Day

   Yesterday I got new boots so I had to wear them today.  I hope this inspires you.

Jean Shirt- Old Navy
Shirt(under)- Wet Seal
Skinny pants (Jeggings)- Hollister
Boots- Dana Buchman
Belt- Unknown (bought it at Fred Meyer)


  

DIY Note Cards

   For those on your list year that you just don't know what to get this might be something that would make a perfect gift.  Stationary is a great way to give something that's personalized.  You can buy blank cards with envelopes at Michaels.  Get a stamp that reminds you of them and stamp the image on the card.  This is the set I made.

  You can get a stamp with the person's initial, their favorite animal or just something that represents their personality.  Use different colors of note cards to make them more unique.  I know that I love stationary and it's a great way to keep in touch with those far away.

Outfit of the Day: Holiday Shopping

   Anytime I go shopping I like to be comfortable.  Today I wanted to stay warm and cozy without a ton of bulk.

Scarf- No Boundries
Jacket- No Boundries
Shirt-  Zenana Outfitters
Pants- Candies
Boots- Top Moda