HAPPY NEW YEAR! IT’S BEEN BUSY COUPLE WEEKS TIME FOR FRESH STARTS

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL THAT JAZZ,

I hope you all are doing well.  Are happy, healthy, safe and warm.  The holiday season was a blur at times and not always that beautiful fireside snuggle time with hot cocoa next to a beautiful tree.  Sometimes its hectic depressing and the more we try and fit the mold the more stressful it can become.  I think most of you know if have been with me for a while that I come from a very small family – being an only child and losing my mom over 10 years ago Christmas can be bittersweet.  I am very lucky to have healthy happy children and some family but the icing on my cake this year is the great lovely friends I am lucky enough to have in my life.  Who at times are more like family and very close to me….. Family can be trying to say the least – What is that saying ” You can pick your friends, you can’t pick your relatives!  So “thank you”, dear friends, all my hugs, and kisses I could not do it without you.  Thankful to share our ups and downs and be cheerleaders, sounding boards, shoulders, and a place to just laugh and “BE”.  I couldn’t have gotten through this season without you!  Enough said.  Those who get it – get it!

Now moving on let’s talk about some of my favorite things I am loving and are a great way to start 2018.  Did I mention I am so happy to be in 2018 – “see ya 2017 – blaaaahhhhhh“.

This time of year I think we all naturally become reflective, set goals, make plans, thinks about the good the bad and the ugly.  Sometimes we need to make changes or adjustments to keep growing in this beautiful life we are given.  I am no different!  I like to get a couple journals in January and this year I bought 3 black plain journals (3 for $10 at Costco) one will be for personal goals and reflections, the next for health and food and the third I will keep as my daily grab and go which ends up holding, inspirational quotes, magazine tear-outs, grocery lists coupons, lighting bolt moments etc a sort of catch-all if you will.

 

 

Next,  is a new facial peel I am just gaga over.  I adore Korean beauty I have for years since I first stumbled upon SPA WORLD in Centerville, VA, and my HMART  has a beauty section!  They have these fantastic gel peels.  Only $10 -$15! ( whaaat ) you put on dry or damp skin let sit for a minute and then rub – your skin will pill up and slough off.  You rinse with warm water and washcloth.  YOUR WELCOME – cuz you will be like where have you been my whole life.  Your skin will be soft as a baby’s bottom and ready for all your great serums lotions etc.  Your makeup will glide on as well.  I like to do them 2 -3 times a week.  Try it on your had first – I swear it is the bomb!  Order online if you don’t have an Asian market or Korean spa near you.

 

I love candles and found the Nouvelle Candle Co. They have 2 sizes.  I chose the smaller version to sample a new scent.  “Sea Salted Lemons”.  It is so fresh and clean – perfect for the new year and cleaning out refreshing the house.  I buy my locally at Creme de la Creme  located on North Market St. Frederick, MD

This store is simply one of my favorites – it’s not cheap but you get quality housewares that not everyone else will have.  Leaning a bit towards french flair!  Magnifique!  Make sure to stop by the downtown Frederick, MD store or the first location in the beautiful town of Middleburg, VA (horse country).

Now is drugstore product I think is super and have bought over and over again.  I love Garnier I have used their BB cream for years great for no makeup days with tint moisture and SPF but this night time peel is simply one of the best.  I keep it ion my nightstand and 3-4 times week apply after my bath and my Clinique 3step.  All over my face, neck, and decolletage.  It’s not drying, non-irritating to me and sloughs off dead clogged skin to reveal fresh smooth face neck in the morning.  Great price and always have it with me.  

Now some new makeup – we have been traveling more and more these days and I’m always looking for ways to downsize how many products I bring with me.  This one is killer!  Laura Mercier – one of my all-time favorites she just put out a holiday eyeshadow kit ( Mine is sold out but here is an even better one – Master Class Essentials ) one side matte the other a little shimmer.  You can your eyeliner brush ( dampened a little ) and the matte colors at your lash line make fantastic liner or “tightline” if going more subtle.  Than coordinating shades with a hint of shimmer.  The colors are perfect neutrals and deep navy – all you would need for a week-long vacation.  It is called the MASTER CLASS COLOUR ESSENTIALS COLLECTION This is coming in my makeup bag for sure and saving tons of space!  

This “Glow Kit” perfect for travel as well &  is in my shopping cart just waiting for good Ebates deal to buy it  Laura Mercier Luxury Glow Kit

Finally one of my favorite luxury makeup brands…………. TOM FORD BEAUTY I treated my self to 2 lipsticks and lip liner/gloss combo – nude pinky shades which he featured on the SS 2018 Runway – colors from L – R  FLYNN 17  – LIP CONTOUR DUO “09 – AW16” AND LIP COLOR MATTE IN “HEAVENLY CREATURE” Ck out these outfits from the show – SS2018 TOM FORD

 The trench coat look is FAB & the makeup one this look esp is just what I am looking to recreate.  The lip, sun-kissed cheeks and the major “cat eye”!

I’ve gotta get the pink shoes with white tip and the nude pants with a bathing suit – “to die for” just the epitome of chic cool TF am I, right? Until then I will have to settle for the lipsticks…….  I am on the list for the bodysuit and shoes though folks – yup that’s right baby!

Well, folks gotta run – today is our employee holiday party for all 3 of our Black Hog BBQ”s and The Tasting Room – gonna do the Korean peel, color hair and then put on my dancing shoes!  We have simply the best employees and it’s so much fun to celebrate all the hard work of the year especially after a grueling holiday season!

CHEERS & HAPPY NEW YEAR,