Saturday, August 31, 2013

My Zucchini Double Chocolate Bars Are Delectable and Easy to Whip Up!


Before all the wildlife decided my garden was their feeding station, I used to make this recipe quite often when I had lots of homegrown zucchini.  These yummy chocolate bars are the perfect solution when you run out of ideas for what to do with all of those zucchini.  

You will find my zucchini bars moist and bursting with added chocolate awesomeness from chocolate chips.  What further compliments the flavor is the blend of spices and molasses, which does wonders to enhance the chocolate and add something extra to make it special.

Though I love to bake, I hate complicated recipes and prefer simple ones.  Trust me, but the hardest part of this recipe is rooting through your pantry and refrigerator to assemble your ingredients.  Of course, I am forgetting another step.  You will need to grate the zucchini.  Other than those steps, you basically just mix the ingredients together.

If you don't have any sour milk that you hate to waste, then add about a  tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to the cup of milk.  Stir and give it a few seconds before it will curdle for you.

I know you won't be disappointed if you do decide to make it!

My Zucchini Double Chocolate Bars

3 eggs
1 cup of sugar
2 cups of flour
1/2 cup of brown sugar (light or dark), firmly packed
1/2 cup of canola oil
2 tablespoons of molasses (light or dark)
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
3/4 cup of sour milk or buttermilk
2 cups of grated, drained and peeled zucchini
1 teaspoon of baking soda, leveled
1 teaspoon of baking powder, leveled
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves
1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa
1 cup of chocolate chips

Beat the sugars, oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla with your electric mixer thoroughly. 

Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa, spices together in a large mixing bowl.

Take your dry combined ingredients and add to the creamed mixture.

Next, stir in the grated zucchini and chocolate chips.  Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.

Pour your batter into a greased 9" x 13" pan.

Bake in a 325-degree oven for approximately 45 minutes.  Test with a toothpick, cake tester or a slender knife to see if anything sticks judging it is done. 

ENJOY!

Friday, August 30, 2013

Get Your Glow on!--Mineral Fusion Natural Brands Blush (Pale & Impact) Review--Photos + SWATCHES!

Disclaimer:  This post is based on free products provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own  opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.
Mineral Fusion logo.jpeg
Mineral Fusion


Trying to find a blush to capture a realistic healthy glow that you are happy with can take some doing.  However, I received two from Mineral Fusion Natural Brands that you should take a look at for what they can do for a face.

Besides being a safer cosmetic, these mineral blushes are free of parabens, glutens, artificial colors, fragrance, and talc as well as infused with beneficial anti-aging pomegranates, white tea, red tea, sea kelp, vitamins C and E to promote healthy skin.  

Pale is the first one that I tried.  This is a soft pink-peach color that has a delicate shimmer.  I thought it gave my light skin a fresh and subtle glow that bloomed with gorgeous spring like color.  The color's perfect balance of the two tones is what make Pale so natural looking. 


Mineral Fusion Natural Brands Blush (Pale).jpeg
Mineral Fusion Natural Brands Blush (Pale)

Impact is the other shade sent.  This is a darker color with hints of red in its peachy-brown warmth that has a gentle gleam.  Since my complexion is light, I liked this  more as a bronzer than a blush.  The shade is sunny radiance and would probably compliment those with medium to darker complexions better.


Mineral Fusion Natural Brands Blush (Impact).jpeg
Mineral Fusion Natural Brands Blush (Impact)

The texture is perfect and silky for when your blush brush glides over it.  The product is neither too powdery with dust flying everywhere nor too condensed that repeated swiping is required before the powder lifts from the container with your brush. 

Furthermore, these blushes wore for hours without fading.  I put them on before breakfast and they held their own until late afternoon.


swatches of Mineral Fusion Natural Brands Blush (Pale & Impact).jpeg
The darkest shade on the right that is closest to my wrist is Impact with Pale on the left in this photo. 

I really liked these blushes and am eager to try more colors in the near future.  These are incredibly natural and long-wearing blushes that I was quite taken with.  

Have you tried Mineral Fusion Natural Brands blushes yet? Tell me your favorite shades.

They retail for $21.99 at Mineral Fusion Natural Brands website or Whole Food stores.  Do look into these and get your glow on!


Thursday, August 29, 2013

ENJOY Professional Hair Care Styling Gel, Texture Cream, & Molding Paste Review + ($65) Giveaway!--Ends September 16, 2013

Disclaimer:  This post is based on free products provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own  opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.
ENJOY Hair Care logo.jpeg
ENJOY


My hair is challenging to say the least.  For one, my hair is quite thick and forceful since it wants to grow down.  I also have waves and curl to it, which can call for different products before I can look presentable.  Therefore, I was eager to experiment with ENJOY Professional Hair Care's Styling Gel, Texture Cream, and Molding Paste that I selected for this review and giveaway and put them through the Mary B. test.

I started with the ENJOY Texture Cream.  After I shampooed and my hair was still damp, I squeezed out a small amount and rubbed it between my hands before running my fingers to work it through where needed.  This product built texture in the layers of my waves and curls without making my hair feel greasy or sticky.  I found it gave me a less-structured sort of curl with a gentle, flexible hold. 
ENJOY Texture Cream.jpeg
ENJOY Texture Cream

Controlling this stubborn side sweep of hair to allow only a wispy bang on my forehead was something I thought better suited for ENJOY Molding Paste.  Usually, I use wax or molding putty to manage it.  However, this product was very good for holding most of that forceful hair back so I will save it just for that purpose.  
ENJOY Molding Paste.jpeg
ENJOY Molding Paste

The ENJOY Styling Gel was also what I was curious about.  The next time I shampooed, still damp, and ready to style, I applied some of this lightly scented gel to the sides and back of my hair before I dried and took my ceramic brushes to it.  This product left me with a softer curl as well as increased shine.  What I appreciated was the fact it didn't feel like I had a lot of goo in my hair since it was so lightweight.
ENJOY Styling Gel.jpeg
ENJOY Styling Gel

I liked the ENJOY styling products that I tried here and do recommend looking into their line for these or products geared for your own hair needs.  Find where to buy here.


Thanks to ENJOY Hair Care, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the continental United States wins the ENJOY Texture Cream, ENJOY Molding Paste, and the ENJOY Styling Gel ($64.72 value)!


Mandatory to Enter:

1.
 You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then INCLUDE your ***EMAIL*** with name in a comment!



Extra Entries:

(Provide proof once with email when doing each form of entry and number the rest):


Tweet! Keep Hair Tamed!  #Win #StylingProductTrio @ENJOYHairCare #Giveaway ($65)  @Nuts4Stuff  
http://bit.ly/1duyi7O  Ends 9/16 (Tweet up to 3 times a day, but at least 3 hours apart for each tweet.)--1 to 3 extra entries to leave in separate comments with proof.

Go to ENJOY Hair Care and tell me what other product you would love to try or something else you learned from their site in another comment--2 extra entries to leave in two separate comments


"Like" ENJOY Hair Care on Facebook--2 extra entries to leave in two separate comments


Follow ENJOY Hair Care on Twitter--2 extra entries to leave in two separate comments


Share ENJOY Hair Care on your Facebook Wall--5 extra entries to leave in five separate comments (show me the proof) 


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List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--8 extra entries (leave eight separate comments and tell me where with proof in one of them)


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Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.  This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States.  No PO boxes only USA-based street addresses are eligible.


**Any entries that contain a link or website address for redirecting readers to your site to sell your products will be deleted when found.  I am giving you a chance to win, not advertise for free.*** Do follow the rules because I check entries.   Be alert that if you attempt to enter using multiple identities will be grounds for disqualification. 


This giveaway ends September 16, 2013 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  



Wednesday, August 28, 2013

For Complexion Perfection–Try IT Cosmetics Celebration Foundation and the Heavenly Luxe Buffing Airbrush Foundation Brush (Review)

Disclaimer:  This post is based on free products provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own  opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.
IT Cosmetics Celebration Foundation.jpeg
IT Cosmetics Celebration Foundation


When it comes to keeping me beautiful, I keep coming back to IT Cosmetics more and more.  Take their Celebration Foundation Full-Coverage Anti-Aging Foundation used with their Heavenly Luxe Buffing Airbrush Foundation Brush that showed up at my door to test.  This is the stuff that dreams are made of with what a perfect finish you can get.

Developed with plastic surgeons to best keep aging at bay, this innovative foundation that is made in the United States has hydrolyzed collagen, peptides, drops of light technology, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, rose, silk and aloe in its formula.  

The ingredients really do make a difference when you are no longer twenty some like yours truly.  For example, let me explain further about the Medium Beige shade I sampled.  I don't have lots of wrinkles, but I can tell you the two deeper ones at the sides of my cheeks did not have any of this foundation settling in them like some other varieties that can emphasize wrinkles.  

This mineral powder foundation adheres to your face with a silky veil of hydrating coverage that looks like you, only better--not artificial.  At the same time, it also helps mask pores and made my skin look practically flawless.  Along with their light-reflecting pigments, this foundation can accomplish amazing things for adding radiance to your face as well.  This may seem trivial, but a lightweight product that can give any aging face almost a boost to your complexion from the inside makes it special in my book. 


IT Cosmetics Celebration Foundation, opened and the Heavenly Luxe Buffing Airbrush Foundation Brush.jpeg
IT Cosmetics Celebration Foundation and the Heavenly Luxe Buffing Airbrush Foundation Brush 

Another thing to love is how easy and convenient using this form of foundation compared to liquids or creams.  I was ready to go with just a few brush strokes or using the enclosed sponge when out.  Normally, I would need to run to the sink to wash liquid foundation off my fingers.  If I can simplify my beauty routine without skimping results, I am one happy lady. 

The Heavenly Luxe Buffing Airbrush Foundation Brush is that luxurious, flat-top brush that is the perfect compliment when using this foundation for the way it can buff your skin for that flawless finish.  Consider it the cherry to a sundae for what it can add to enhance an already excellent product.

The only issue I had with this product was the color, which I could get away with for now with my tan, but it was slightly too orange and dark for my light skin.  I would like to try the Fair or Light shade for winter.

If you're tired of makeup settling into lines and want something better,  IT Cosmetics Celebration Foundation ($35) and Heavenly Luxe Buffing Airbrush Foundation Brush ($48) is the way to go.   Buy these online at IT Cosmetics, Ulta Beauty, Ulta.com, QVC and QVC.com and The Shopping Channel.

*Disclaimer:  Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Unisex Solid Perfumes That Pleasantly Surprise the Senses--Soap & Paper Factory's Patch NYC Solid Perfumes (Whale, Ship, Pipe, and Bear) Review

Disclaimer:  This post is based on free products provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own  opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.

Soap & Paper Factory's Patch NYC Solid Perfume (Pipe).jpeg
Soap & Paper Factory's Patch NYC Solid Perfume (Pipe)


When Patch NYC and Soap & Paper Factory pooled their talents together on a line of solid perfumes, the result of the collaboration was what I consider quite pleasing to the senses with twelve unique unisex choices.  The four I got to sample were Whale, Pipe, Bear, and Ship.

Pipe is comforting, softly floral that exudes warmth with a relaxed sensuality through its velvety aroma.  Once its notes of vanilla, bourbon, cognac, and tobacco emerge against the patchouli, the combination mellows and grants this fragrance an irresistibly sexy, but cozy feeling.

If you prefer a fragrance with more of an exhilarating rush, then Whale is for you.  With notes of l'orange, patchouli, basil, and jasmine, this energizing scent is sheer, fresh, and offers promising adventure.


Soap & Paper Factory's Patch NYC Solid Perfume (Whale).jpeg
Soap & Paper Factory's Patch NYC Solid Perfume (Whale)

Then again, you could be attracted more to creamy, sweet scents like Bear, a gourmand that you will crave once you pick up that mix of a tasty aroma from honey against sweet floral notes and creamy woods.  This is subtle and yet enticing with sweet jasmine, violet, cedar, amber wood along with honey to pleasantly feed your senses with its delicious beauty.

Soap & Paper Factory's Patch NYC Solid Perfume (Bear).jpeg
Soap & Paper Factory's Patch NYC Solid Perfume


Ship is a more mysterious and complex blend.  Cedar wood, vetiver, and geranium are the notes that turn it deep and seductive as it develops.  This intoxicating, woody fragrance is heady and adventurous.  Wearing this fearless, but alluring mix is not for everyone and is best meant for those daring and confident enough to handle the challenge.


Soap & Paper Factory's Patch NYC Solid Perfume (Ship).jpeg
Soap & Paper Factory's Patch NYC Solid Perfume (Ship)

Though I enjoyed them all, Pipe was my favorite of the group followed by Bear and Whale.  To me, Pipe possessed a contagious sort of sheer warmth that invited romance.   Ship, on the other hand, felt a bit more manly to me.

Now that I had a taste of these four from the set, I am more curious than ever to experience some others in the line.  Do visit Soap & Paper Factory and check the Patch NYC line of solid perfumes because they can take you places you may never have expected to go with their fragrant beauty!



Monday, August 26, 2013

Are You Breaking Out and Can't Understand Why?


If you’re breaking out on your cheeks and chin, there is one reason you may not have thought of. You might want to blame your cell phone!  

After all, your fingers pick up a lot of bacteria and it can be transferred to your skin. Therefore, you need to be extra careful when it comes to your keeping that phone clean.

The best thing to do is clean your cell phone as often as you can with a disinfectant or antibacterial wipes. Daily is preferable, but weekly is the longest you want to go without allowing those germs to accumulate. 

Trust me, but with this extra effort, your skin stands a fighting chance of clearing up. 



Sunday, August 25, 2013

Try My Softer Feet Exfoliating Scrub Recipe and Walk Easier!

I have been experimenting with more homemade skin care treatments to beautify my feet.  This particular recipe does a nice job for smoothing out some of that tough skin on the bottom and heels of our feet. 

Another bonus of this type of scrub is the added advantage of stimulating blood flow to tired feet.  Furthermore, eucalyptus essential oil in this recipe is an anti-inflammatory agent, which helps keep the skin healthy.

Massaging this grainy paste against the balls of your feet, especially seems to restore energy while shedding dead skin.  Babying your feet weekly will make sure foot creams have the best chance of working on the area.  Feet will become softer and revitalized.

You will not use the whole recipe.  However, don't worry about the excess because this keeps for several weeks.  Divide it up for at least three or four times. 

You can soak your feet first to start the softening process or simply take some of your mix with you when you are about to shower.  This can be messy, but you are in the shower anyway so no big deal.  All that is left is working this scrub into your feet and give those puppies that tender loving care they deserve.

Don't be overzealous with this or any scrub.  Otherwise, you risk irritating them.

I hope you try my recipe because it is an amazing homemade fix.


My Softer Feet Exfoliating Scrub

1-1/2 cups of sea salt
1/4 cup of sweet almond oil
6 drops of eucalyptus essential oil

Mix the ingredients in a small bowl until it resembles a grainy paste.  Then rub this scrub all over those feet, concentrating your attention on the roughest skin on the bottom before finally showering this treatment away.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

The Next Time You Need a Treat, Try My Favorite Sour Cream Cookies Recipe

making-rolled-out-cookie-dough-shapes.jpeg
You can shape with your favorite cookie cutters or even the bottom of a glass.


If you are hungry for a simple, but sensational tasting cookie, then let me share my favorite sour cream cookies with you.  This is a rolled cookie that has a fine texture and just a touch of spice that you will really adore.

What else is wonderful about my recipe besides being just delicious are how many cookies this makes.  Of course, the number will vary depending on how thick of a cookie you like to eat.  However, it does provide you with a hearty batch of these delicious things without costing a lot to prepare.

I hope you will want to try this recipe sometime.  After all, good things are meant to be shared--not hoarded away!

My Favorite Sour Cream Cookies


1/4 cup of shortening
1/4 cup of a margarine, not spread
1 large egg
1/2 firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
2-2/3 cups of flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder, leveled
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, leveled
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/2 cup of sour cream

Sift the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg) together in a mixing bowl.

Cream the shortening, margarine, and sugars thoroughly with your electric mixture until adding your egg and vanilla and further combining.

Blend the flour mixture with the creamed ingredients, alternating with the sour cream until the ingredients mixed thoroughly.  You will need to use your wooden spoon to combine.

Divide the dough and roll out on a floured surface.  Aim for about one-fourth inch thickness. (If your dough is too sticky to roll out, then place it in the refrigerator in a covered glass casserole for about an hour or two will do the trick for better rolling. )

Cut with a two-inch cookie cutter or the size and shape you love the most. 

Place your cookies on a greased baking sheet.

Sprinkle with sugar, if desired or leave plain.

Bake in a 425-degree oven for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.

ENJOY!



Thursday, August 22, 2013

New for Fall, 2013--Rimmel London's Dazzling Duchess Moisture Renew Lipsticks Review--Photos + SWATCHES!

Disclaimer:  This post is based on a free product provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own  opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.
Rimmel London logo.jpeg
Rimmel London


Have you gotten around to checking out Rimmel London's new Fall, 2013 Dazzling Duchess Moisture Renew Lipstick collection yet?  There are some tempting choices in berries, nudes, and pinks to catch your fancy.  I was fortunate to be sent five of the six available to share with you.

For pinks, you might want to explore #375 Piccadilly Pink (a perky, cool medium pink with a hint of plum) or #380 Vintage Pink (a pink-mauve). 

When it comes to nudes, you should pay special attention to #644 Let's Get Naked (a pinky nude) and #340 To Nude or Not to Nude! (a gleaming pink-brown and my favorite of the two).  

Looking for berry shades, you will like #130 Coral Garden (a luscious deeper berry-pink that appears more coral color against the pink once on the lips. 
Starting on the left is Vintage Pink, then Coral Splash, To Nude or Not to Nude!, Let's Get Naked, and ending with Piccadilly Pink on the right.

The pigmentation is rich and beautiful when applied.  Furthermore, these new lippies have a creamy texture with a wonderful lightweight feel against your lips.  As far as wear, you can expect about three or four hours until you will need to reapply. 

Here is Vintage Pink.

This is Piccadilly Pink.

I'm wearing Coral Garden here.


Take a look at To Nude or Not to Nude!

I'm modeling Let's Get Naked.

Do visit your drug store and look for Rimmel London's Dazzling Duchess Moisture Renew Lipstick display and pick some up.


*Disclaimer:  A free product was provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Go Beyond Thick Lashes for Dreamier Eyes!--IT Cosmetics Tightline Full Lash Line & Length Black Mascara Primer (Review)

Disclaimer:  This post is based on a free product provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own  opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.


IT Cosmetics Tightline Full Lash Line & Length Black Mascara Primer.jpeg
IT Cosmetics Tightline Full Lash Line & Length Black Mascara Primer


I usually keep my eye makeup on the simple side for daytime with pencil liners, neutral shadows, and mascara.  Nights, however, I do like to glamorize and change out those cosmetics for my waterproof gel liner, gleaming shadows, and additional coats of mascara to play them up.  
Nothing emphasized my eyes more than when I learned how to tightline them, taking my gel liner and carefully brushing to the roots of my lashes to make as thin a line as possible.   Though this takes a bit of practice as well as a quality thin brush, the results are dramatic and well worth the trouble.  However, those beauty experts at IT Cosmetics have come up with an easier solution for doing the same things with their Tightline Full Lash Line & Length Black Mascara Primer that I was sent.
This new eye makeup primer is amazing and can do several things for your eyes.  Tightline Full Lash Line & Length Black Mascara Primer has an extremely thin wand that lets you get close enough to the roots of your lashes so you can fill them due to its very skinny brush for working and creating a beautiful black line.  I found I could get even closer using this new primer than I had ever imagined while it also built up lash length and the volume just by a little maneuvering.  If this doesn't sound exciting enough, this product also has conditioning power to keep lashes healthy with peptides, collagen, proteins, biotin, nettle extract, green tea, jojoba, and vitamins.
I love what this multi-tasking product can do for helping make eyes wow.  Anyone searching for a way to create riveting eyes, I highly recommend picking up a tube of IT Cosmetics Tightline Full Lash Line & Length Black Mascara  Primer.  Once you experiment with this, you will be glad you took my advice when you see the difference this primer can make.
This primer retails for $24 at QVC and QVC.com, and the Shopping Channel.  Take it from this IT Cosmetics girl, but Tightline Full Lash Line & Length Black Mascara Primer is a must! 

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Cool Sunburn Pain With This Easy Homemade Fix!

No one intends to get sunburned, but when it happens you need quick relief.  Of course, you could be one of those people that is always prepared with every ointment or medicine for any unexpected emergency.  However, I am not one of them.  I usually only keep the first-aid supplies up to date  for as much as we need them.  So instead of attempting to dress and drive to the drug store to scan products for relief, I remembered the strange homemade sunburn cure my friend had told me about that worked for her.

Before I could be too hopeful, I had to check my refrigerator.  Last night, I did see buttermilk still in there.  Then again, my guy likes buttermilk and he did make a late night run for a snack. 

Lucky for me, I found there was still some buttermilk for me to try this.  Then I remembered that I also needed sour cream.  I pushed past the giant jar of jalapeno peppers and found the sour cream.  So far, I had what I needed to start except something was missing.  I needed one more ingredient.

The last ingredient was tomato juice.  Usually, I don't keep tomato juice as a staple in my pantry.  Fortunately though, I had a can of tomato juice on the shelf for a recipe I wanted to make.  The sight of that can made me one happy lady.

After I called my friend to make sure of the exact recipe, I was ready to work on my cure. 

Easy Homemade Sunburn Remedy


5 tablespoons of buttermilk
2 tablespoons of sour cream
3 tablespoons of tomato juice

Mix the three ingredients together and apply to your sunburn.  Keep it on for about 45 minutes before carefully washing it off.  Repeat this fix every few hours to help cool the skin down.

If you want more of the creamy remedy, you also might want to try applying sour cream directly to your sunburn.  Follow the same time and procedure.

Either option may sound odd, but it does strangely help when needing a quick fix to cool that pain off.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

My Simply Marvelous Saturday Pound Cake Will Make Any Day Feel Like a Holiday!

The recipe that I want to share with you today is one of our favorites and is requested quite often for my Saturday baking.  This is a delicious brown sugar pound cake made even better with thanks to pecans throughout to give it texture as well as some added nutty flavor.  You can use walnuts in a pinch, but I think the pecans bring more to it.

Another thing that I love about this cake is how easy it is to prepare!  With that said, I hope you will be tempted to try my recipe because it is very good.

Simply Marvelous Saturday Pound Cake

2-1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar (light or dark)
3 cups of sifted flour
1/2 cup of sugar
1 cup of milk
1-1/2 cups of shortening
1 teaspoon of baking powder, leveled
1/2 teaspoon of salt + dash (about 1/8 teaspoon to later add to your egg whites)
1-1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans
5 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

Take out your eggs and leave at room temperature so they will be easier to separate. 

Cream the sugar with the shortening.  Once those eggs had enough time to warm a bit at room temperature, you will add the eggs to the creamed sugar-shortening in your mixing bowl. 

In a separate mixing bowl, you will add your egg whites.   You will need your electric mixer to beat this with a dash of salt to make them stiff.

Next, you will be alternating wet  ingredients (milk and vanilla) with the dry (flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg)  to that creamed sugar-shortening mixture until everything is mixed through.

Fold in those beaten egg whites and add in those chopped pecans to your batter.

Pour into a well-greased tube or bundt cake pan.

Bake in a 325-degree oven for about 1-1/2 hours or until a cake tester or a slender knife inserted comes out clean.

Do not attempt to remove this immediately from your once it comes out of your oven.  Allow it to cool in the pan for at least five or eight minutes so it doesn't break into pieces.

ENJOY!




Friday, August 16, 2013

New WonderGloss Nail Lacquer From Prestige Cosmetics Review

Disclaimer:  This post is based on a free product provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own  opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.
WonderGloss Nail Lacquers From Prestige Cosmetics.jpeg
WonderGloss Nail Lacquers From Prestige Cosmetics


When I want to dress up my finger tips, I found a pretty way to do it with the new line of WonderGloss nail lacquer from Prestige Cosmetics.  This collection has 27 striking choices to be tempted by in a wide range of colors from turquoise to navy blue to coral to silver. I was sent Lily, a lovely, soft pearly pink and Fortune, a beautiful bronze-copper shade.  

These nail lacquers come with a high shine to those beautiful colors.  Furthermore, they contain nail conditioning and strengthening multi vitamins while retailing for just $3.95! 

Whether the formula has formaldehyde or is formaldehyde-free, I still have been known to experience problems.  However, I found using a base coat first does help giving me a better shot of saving my nails from staining.  

This formula did go on smoothly and stayed true to the color in the bottle.  It took about twelve minutes or so to dry.  This lacquer held on without chipping fairly well considering all the stuff I put my hands through with baking, cooking, and cleaning.  The best part was that my fingernails weren't ugly orange once I removed it.

Buy these at their Prestige Cosmetics website until they hit stores near you.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

A Delicate Scent to Embrace Seduction! L'Occitane en Provence La Collection de Grasse: Vanille & Narcisse Eau de Toilette Review

Disclaimer:  This post is based on a free product provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own  opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.
L'Occitane en Provence La Collection de Grasse Vanille & Narcisse Eau de Toilette.jpeg
L'Occitane en Provence La Collection de Grasse:   Vanille & Narcisse Eau de Toilette 


To finish my last installment of La Collection de Grasse reviews, I bring you Vanille & Narcisse, the fourth stunning fragrance from L'Occitane en Provence's founder, Olivier Baussan and talented perfumer, Karine Dubreuil.  This collection drawing inspiration from the historic essences that made Grasse celebrated for its perfumery also includes Magnolia & Mure, Jasmine & Bergamote and The Vert & Bigarade, which are uniquely enticing in their own right.  With Vanille & Narcisse that breathtaking beauty continues in this well thought out vanilla oriental.

The opening is beaming with joy as those ripe notes of bergamot and blackcurrant meet the narcissus.  Soon, however, the white floral steals the show as it blooms with sweetness along with the gardenia.  The effect created in the process as the narcisse and gardenia shower those fruity notes result in an elegant softness that is undeniably romantic.  

The more this scent warms with spicy accords in the heart, the more the narcisse taunts your senses with a flirty sort of untested sensuality.  Though innocent, there is something carnal hovering beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to fully seduce.

The Tonka bean that is making the scent so delicious and yet sweetly intoxicating continues to bewitch until the vanilla turns this spicy-floral mix into what you might want to compare to a fragrance aphrodisiac with the way the notes lovingly embrace the wearer with its opulent, powdery cover.

This is far from your typical vanilla fragrance.  I am captivated by Vanille & Narcisse just as I am by the other three in the La Collection de Grasse, loving them in different ways for the feelings they release in me.  In my opinion, this is a well-structured marriage of notes that give Vanille & Narcisse such an innocent seductive quality that adds an airy element to the vanilla.  What you have here is so inviting and yet a modern take on vanilla, I think is something you should explore if you are a vanilla fan.

Do experience this sensation for yourself and see how quickly it takes over senses.  The 2.5 oz. Vanille & Narcisse Eau de Toilette retails for $75.  Find it at L'Occitane en Provence.


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

What a Way to Play Up Cheeks--Rimmel London's Wake Me Up Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch (Radiant Rose, Peach Glow) Review--Photos + SWATCHES!

Disclaimer:  This post is based on a free product provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own  opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.
Rimmel London's Wake Me Up Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch (Radiant Rose, Peach Glow).jpeg
Rimmel London's Wake Me Up Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch (Radiant Rose, Peach Glow) 


Recently, Rimmel London came out with their Wake Me Up Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch line of four highlighters.  What you can expect from these 14 ml tubes is creamy, blendable perfection for playing up your cheeks or whatever feature you want to focus eyes on.  

The color pay off judging by the two I reviewed is quite pigmented with a beautiful, soft shimmer to them.  Though this product has sparkle to it, I don't think you would mind.  This is tiny glitter immersed in its mousse-like formula instead of big noticeable flecks.  The effect is complimentary and a very wearable, more natural type of iridescent glow.

002 Radiant Rose is lovely pink, almost bubble-gum color.  003 Peach Glow is closer in color to soft apricot. 


Closest to my wrist is 002 Radiant Rose then 003 Peach Glow.

I applied this product after my foundation and worked it in.  Though this line is marketed as mere highlighters, I found these products on my light skin could pass for blush. Those ladies with medium to darker complexions probably would not find this true, but I think fair to light-skinned women would agree with me. If I had wanted to use this more as a highlighter, If found a bit mixed with foundation first achieved that sheerer radiance. 

As to performance, I liked how many hours I had this highlighter on without fading, smudging, or changing colors on me.  With all this going for Wake Me Up Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch, it is hard to believe these little Rimmel London tubes retail for about six-dollars each.  I recommend checking these out when you next head to the drug store!