I Have a Problem

So, it's probably not a good thing when you hear your husband say to you, "you have a problem."  Well this happened to me just the other night.

I have a confession to make...I do have a problem.  I am ADDICTED to YouTube beauty videos and makeup.  I say this with emphasis because when Ronny told me I have a problem I was in bed watching YouTube on my phone at midnight!  I'd say that's a problem.

I've loved makeup for I'd say at least 20 years.  I've always enjoyed playing with and buying makeup...just forget about it when I first discovered Sephora.  It was like I'd found my home.  But, last year when I discovered YouTube beauty videos my makeup love went to an obsession.  I blame the YouTube beauty gurus on my rather large and ever growing makeup collection.  It's amazing and I love it.

Here are some of the beauty channels I watch often (every day they post videos) if you're looking to kill  a few minutes, or hours, or a day!

emilynoel83
eleventhgorgeous
leighannsays
pixiwoo
melmphs

There are many more gurus and channel I watch, these are just a few of my favorites.  They all have their own personality and style in videos.  Most review products, share tutorials and show recent shopping hauls.  Go take a look.

If you guys would like it, I'd love to show you some of what I have and even review products for you.  I mean it's the least I can do.

In closing, my name is Blair and I have a problem!

Kitchen No. 324--Tasty Thursday

Happy Tasty Thursday!  I don't even know where to begin.  I'll just start by saying YUM!  

So, on Monday my mom, Fenley and I went to have lunch at Kitchen No. 324.  I have to say we were not disappointed.  The atmosphere is something straight out of NYC.  The food is amazing, excellent, so tasty.  We already have plans to return.

Front entrance of Kitchen No. 324

Dining area with tufted bench seating, tall ceilings all in a  rustic yet modern style

Get ready to be amazed

This is one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten, also known as Fried Chicken Pot Pie.  Rich and creamy with tender free form chunks of chicken, delicately diced veggies and fresh herbs garnished with a crispy fried chicken leg and topped with a flaky pastry crust.

Coffee and dessert bar

Coffee brewing fancy style

Fresh, gourmet, handcrafted baked goods

Macadamia Natural Oils

I have to say, I have always taken a lot of pride in how my hair looks.  I mean my senior year of high school I was voted best hair!  I'm really cool, aren't I?  Ha.  I've been keeping up my "natural" blond locks for quite some time now...with spurts of red...and brown, once (say no to brown).  Even through this maintenance my hair has stayed remarkably healthy.

Cut to after the birth of my daughter.  No, cut back to pregnancy.  My hair and skin were looking pretty good, if I might say so myself.  Now, cut to after the birth of Fenley.  My hair and skin are not something I'd like to brag about.  Really, you probably can't see too much of a change, but I can.  My skin is dry and back to having minor breakouts and my "natural" blond locks are feeling quite dry.  I know this is do to a change in hormones (yeah, yeah), but I'm gonna try and help what has taken a turn for the not so much better.

This is Macadamia Natural Oil.  I've heard rave reviews about this stuff.  It's supposed to be good for all hair types...dry, colored...I'll stop there since that covers me!  Anyway, I just got it and am going to be trying it out.  I thought I'd let you know what's going on, I'll try it, then tell you what I thought.  Ok, a review!

Here's the Rejuvenating Shampoo.  Nice, and free of all bad things!

Meet Moisture Rinse.  Nice, and free of all bad things!  It's a daily conditioner for those of you who choose to wash your hair that often.

This is the Deep Repair Masque.  Fancy!  It reconstructs dry hair and I'm sure brings it back to it's glory days.

Finally, Healing Oil Treatment.  It's a healer and a therapist all packed in a 4.2 ounce glass bottle (with a pump).

I'm gonna give these all a fair shot.  We'll see if they are really miracle workers in a hair care form!

Caramel Crunch--Tasty Thursday

Happy Tasty Thursday!  This snack is brought to you by my mom.  I have to warn you that this sweet cereal snack will hook you.  You'll walk by and grab a handful....and another....and another...and...why not one more.  It's that good.

Caramel Crunch

4 cups honey nut Chex

4 cups chocolate Cheerios

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

6 TBSP butter

3 TBSP light corn syrup

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup white vanilla baking chips

Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.  Pour cereal into a large microwave safe bowl; set aside.

In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave brown sugar, butter and corn syrup uncovered on high 1 to 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until melted and smooth.  Stir in baking soda until dissolved.  Pour over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.  Microwave on high 3 minutes, stirring every minute.  Spread on cookie sheet.  Cool 10 minutes.  Break into bite-size pieces.

In a small microwavable bowl, microwave vanilla baking chips uncovered on high about 1 minute 30 seconds or until chips can be stirred smooth (bowl will be hot).  Drizzle on snack.  Refrigerate until set. Store in tightly covered container.

*recipe adapted from chex.com

Enjoy!

Cafe Mocha Cupcakes--Tasty Thursday

Hey everyone, welcome to Tasty Thursday!

Whether or not your a coffee lover I think you'll really enjoy these cupcakes.  They're a chocolate cake with a light coffee flavor and a vanilla coffee buttercream.  The coffee flavor isn't so strong that it'll knock you over, just enough to make you think...hum, that's really good.

I believe these are the first cupcakes I've made since I did cupcakes for a wedding in JULY!  Can you believe I took that long of a cupcake break?  I was a lazy pregnant woman, so I just went to bakeries and bought some when the craving would hit!  Anyway, I think these turned out really tasty...hope you enjoy!

Cafe Mocha Cupcake

1 cup strong brewed coffee

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup + 2 TBSP cake flour

3/4 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter, soft

1 cup + 2 TBSP sugar

2 eggs 

3/4 tsp vanilla extract

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Pour hot coffee over cocoa, whisk until smooth; let cool
• Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside
• Cream butter and sugar
• Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in vanilla
• Add flour mixture and cocoa mixture, alternating, beginning and ending with flour
• Fill prepared muffin cups about 2/3 to 3/4 full with batter
• Bake for 15-20 minutes
• Allow to cool, then frost

*makes approx. 18 cupcakes

Vanilla Coffee Buttercream

3/4 cup butter, soft

6 cups powdered sugar

4 1/2 TBSP strong coffee, cooled

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

• Cream butter
• Gradually add some powdered sugar, beating well
• Beat in coffee and vanilla
• Gradually add the rest of the powdered sugar
• Beat until smooth

*buttercream recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

If you have any special requests or ideas for Tasty Thursday please let me know.

Enjoy!

I'm Here...SURPRISE

I'm here, I'm here!  Maybe you didn't miss me, but I sure hope you did!  Anyway, I'm back from quite a long hiatus.  I'll just fill you in quickly on what's been going on since last summer.

SURPRISE!  This is my gorgeous little girl Fenley!  She was born January 15 and is absolutely amazing...Ronny and I couldn't be happier.

If Fenley sees fit, I hope to have a few new posts up each week.  I have some things in mind, so just cross your fingers it all works out.