Haley's 16th

Here are some of my favorites from my friend Haley's birthday party:


I JUST missed the split-second reaction...

Japanese Egg Molds: How-To

How do you turn an ordinary oval-shaped chicken egg into a fun food item that'll be the talk of your child's kindergarten? Turn it into a bunny-shaped hard-boiled egg, that's how! In another what-will-they-think-of-next segment of "Those Crazy Japanese," the Land of the Rising have given us the--drum-roll--Egg Mold! Although it's been around for years, I've just recently discovered it through my 'net surfing for the latest food trends. In the competitive world of bento preparation, mothers all over Japan compete against each other to decorate their children's lunch (bento) boxes with the most unique and and most colorful food items. Star-shaped carrots, meat patties decorated like Mickey Mouse's face, Hello Kitty-shaped hard-boild eggs, you name it and it's been done. And yes, I'm pretty serious.

So I decided to seek out these unique egg molds, in the hope that it might help my youngest daughter to finally get eggs onto her very limited food likes. After hunting around for a while, I found these molds (2 per pack) on Ebay for less than $5 each (see below).

So how does one get these egg molds to work? Well, here are step-by-step instructions:

Step 1: Buy molds!

Step 2: You'll need eggs, specifically extra-large eggs. The large ones would work as well but the shapes won't be as defined. So get that egg into a pot of boiling water and make yourself a hard-boiled egg.

Step 3: When the egg is done, remove the shell cleanly, making sure not to tear the outside egg white. Place the egg onto the mold and gently press down and shut the mold.

Step 4: Place the egg mold (with the boiled egg in it) into the refrigerator for about 15 -30 minutes for it to cool down and take its shape. When it's done, you'll get..........TADA! A bunny-shaped egg!

Step 5: You are done! Now you can remove the molded egg and either leave it whole (3-D bunny head) or cut it in half and have 2 bunny faced eggs!

September 2009 favourites

It's the end of September already?! Wowza. The time is just flying by. Anyways, onto the good stuff!

My first favourite of September has to be All That Glitters eyeshadow by MAC. This is the most beautful eyeshadow and I've used it everyday since I got it. It's got a hefty dip in it already and I can see me hitting pan before Christmas! It's a goldy/pinky/neutral colour (I'm so good at describing things haha) that really warms up my eyes. It goes with loads of things too - Patina, Woodwinked, Girlie, Trax, Tan pigment.... I heart it.

Next is The Comforter bubble bar by Lush. With the darker, colder nights drawing in, I find myself craving a candlelit bath after long, horrible days at work - and no bath is complete without some bubbles! The Comforter is the huge swirly white and pink bubble bar. It smells scrummy, sort of fruity and sweet (my excellent describing skills are coming out again...) and because you only need the smallest chunk, the bar lasts a long time. It really is comforting too!

The next product is Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny Serum. I used the last of it at the weekend, but I bought a 150ml bottle last October so it's lasted me a year. I decanted some into a smaller bottle for my Mam too, so it would easily have lasted into the new year - and I have waist length, extremely thick hair. This is one of the nicest serums I've ever used. I've tried a variety of serums from all price ranges but this is by far the best. It gives a gorgeous sleek and glossy finish to my hair, isn't sticky or greasy and has a very pleasant smell. I use it on damp hair and a little bit again on the ends once I've finished styling. Best £12 I've ever spent!

Benefit Lust Duster in Cloud 9. As an eyeshadow, this sucks, but as a cheek highlighter I love it! I really like applying this lightly with a fairly small powder/blush brush, just above my cheekbones. It adds a pretty pink sheen and makes my skin look glowy and healthy. It's really subtle so works with any blush colour too, not just pink.

MAC lipstick in Creme d'Nude. I hated this when I first got it. It arrived all smashed up and bleurgh. MAC replaced it straight away, but I still hated it. I love the cremesheen formulas but the colour was just bland and I thought that there were better and cheaper nudes out there. I've really enjoyed wearing it during September though. I just dab it on my lips until I get the coverage I want and I think that's what makes me love it.

And finally, my leopard print pumps! Yes, they're uber tacky but I love them. They're really comfy and jazz up a plain jeans/t-shirt/cardigan combo that I've been favouring recently.

What have been your favourites of September? x

Mimi Kirchner Dolls

As I was trying to get into my Etsy this morning, it was down for some tech problems and instead offered a video to watch while waiting. Well I wanted in. I had work to do! So off I went to other internet things I needed to do and when I came back there was that video still, so I thought ok, I'll watch. It turned out to be a wonderful little video on Mimi Kirchner. I love Mimi's dolls and have for quite some time and I follow Mimi's Blog too. In case you're not a familiar with Mimi's charming, whimsical dolls or maybe you're a fan too, then I hope you'll enjoy this short video on her creations.

A tribute to great people

Hey all you bloggers,
at home wondering why we are at home during childrens day when we should be having fun.We don't exactly only want one day to relax then break out in pimples not exactly the switch we want.But so far this is the best childrens day so far.1.I actually had fun at the class party.We had the best party ever because we had the ultimate buffet and ice-cream buffet with a topping bar.Ha people my teacher is the best walk on people ha!!!Anyway so for going ballistic but i think i just came off the sugar rush wat?They had fudge sauce nuts and marshmallows.We even had 4 flavours of ice-cream I really loved it but the tension was building on me I could not hide it in anymore.I was about to go on stage to play the frightening game of don't foget the lyrics in my school I mean Primary School Humiliation is alot worse than National Embarresment they pay you for it I mean duh!!But it went really well I sang because of you by Kelly clarkson and it went well they gave me 3 words which really felt I am afraid I was shaking pure destruction by thrown worksheets.I hate to say anything in front of a crowds.There was a dediction to Micheal Jackson withteachers dancing to thriller.i mean I love to sing everyone tells me that i should but I wanna be a lawyer as well but a singing career is not stable so let's got with this case closed

The Knot-Personalized Matchbooks @ The Knot

Personalized Matchbooks @ The Knot

All wedding matchbook designs can be customized with your choice of 17 book colors, 9 foil ink colors, and 3 fonts to complement your decor. The custom matchbooks feature tons of modern artwork to put your own fabulous spin on the classic wedding favor. Personalize with your names or initials and the wedding date for favors with spark! The standard flip matchbooks are sold in minimum orders of 100.

List Price: $35.95
Current Price: $17.99
Discount: 50%

View More Collectibles Deals, Collectibles Coupons at DealRocker

Decorating For Christmas: Decorating Your Whole Home

Are you looking forward to Christmas this year? If so, there is a good chance that you cannot wait until it arrives. While it is difficult, in fact impossible, to make Christmas come any sooner, there are ways that you can bring the Christmas spirit into your house before the holiday actually arrives. You can do this by decorating your home for Christmas. Read More>>

For latest Gifts Items, Gifts Baskets deals and bargains visit DealRocker

Tafford-No payments for 90 days on orders over $125 when you pay with Bill Me Later

No payments for 90 days on orders over $125 when you pay with Bill Me Later
Expires: Ongoing Promotion

View More Coupons, Coupon Codes, Promo Codes at Tafford

(B) Silly Love Songs, Never My Love, Wynners

They were The Loosers before becoming The Wynners. Perhaps they wanted to be 'foot-loose'. It could also have been a mis-spelling but they are definitely not 'losers' now, having won the coverted Golden Needle Award from RTHK for its Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs prize in 88. Took a while but they made it.

As Philips recording artistes, they cut a special Thanks A Million album for their fans with songs from their TV hits in 1975 and 1976. Image shows the back cover and in celebration, a toast to their followers and prize-winning songs that include, Wynners Theme Song 1977, If, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Una Paloma Blanca, Silly Love Songs and Never My Love.

They have made appearances both in Singapore and Malaysia. Their recent performance was at the Hong Kong Coliseum for 13 nights from February 18 to March 2, 2007 for their 33rd anniversary concert. Evergreen.

(LP Philips: 6380 008. Marketed by Phonogram).
Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Um...Ewe

I was helping a lady with glassware today, she was a housekeeper that had broken one of her bosses glasses...thing was all she knew she needed was Riedel, "Let me just call him" she told me and I went back to the counter to finish an order I was working on. She returns and says, "Oh he needs to talk to you"...now here's the thing, I'm not one of those germ freaks, I can pee without a seat cover and all but...I do have a little, "thing" about using a strangers cell phone. Not sure what it is, maybe because I see all the oil and makeup that gets on my own phone, maybe it's the stranger spittle...dunno but it kinda skeeves me out, so I felt myself making the crinkled brow, "oh please don't make me do it" face and that's when she handed me this







Duuuuudddde, you want me to cram this ear bud, that you just yanked from one of your orifices into MY ear?! What I wouldn't have given for a greasy, makeup and spittle covered cell phone. I looked at her in complete shock and...lied. "I don't know how to use these" and tried to hand it back to her, "Oh you just pop it in your ear" she relpied handing the damn thing back to me.
Ewe
Veto
Vile

Pretty make up, crap photos

I loved my make up yesterday. I never ever ever wear liquid liner as I can't wing it properly, but I had a go yesterday with my new GOSH liquid liner, and I must say I'm impressed. I didn't have time to take pictures in the morning so these pictures were taken in a steamy bathroom after a long day at work. They're a bit rushed too as I needed to wash my hair before my hairdresser came (I've had a trim and a small side-swept fringe cut in - it's okay but a bit meh...) This looks really plain and boring in the pictures, but it looked really pretty in real life. Hmmph. Oh well. Here it is anyway.

EYES

Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow - Samba-dy Loves Me

Eyeshadows (all MAC) - All That Glitters, Patina, Tempting, Dazzlelight

GOSH Extreme Art Liquid Liner - 24 Metallic Brown

Max Factor Masterpiece waterproof mascara

FACE

Revlon Colorstay foundation - Oily/Combination skin 150 Buff

MAC Studio Sculpt concealer - NW15

Benefit Powderflage

Some random Collection 2000 face powder

Collection 2000 eyebrow pencil - Blonde

CHEEKS AND LIPS

MAC mineralize blush - Dainty

Benefit Lust Duster - Cloud 9

Maybelline Colour Sensational lipstick - Ambre Rose

Please excuse the obnoxious flash in these shots. All the ones without flash were blurry.

Where In The World...?

I'm going somewhere FAR, FAR away for work...

Somewhere in Europe...


A place that has lots of mountains and coastlines...



Whose flag looks something like this...


A place that has a famous leaning tower...


And a REALLY famous colosseum...


I'm going to Italy!! In November!! I will have to work but I'll have some time to play and I can't wait!

Those Small Things...They Matter

What a month, I feel like I have neglected so many areas of my life this month….including this blog and my 16 readers have been licking the fuzzy end of a my-life-is-turned-upside-down lollipop. (Ahem) I am so sorry and will be back to my mouthy self here pretty soon, fuck I hope so anyway. I even got a call today from one of my bosses, I had screwed up and not ordered something for a customer, dude…sucking at doing a job that I love just stinks. My mind, heart and attention have been split wide open and pulled in two very different directions and I feel like everything, is crashing down on me and I am in way ready for it.

So I just spent two full days completely hammered, not saying that to brag or illicit an, “Awe poor Sam” just stating the facts here kids, been seriously bummed and locked into this, “We are so not going to talk about it” pact with the very best friend I have ever had….the one that’s leaving. I so wish I were able to articulate how rare a gift Amy is to and for me, we are both the tough, unaffected girl…we play hard, laugh hard, make no excuses for our behavior…finding her and letting myself love her with my whole heart has made me a better person, I like myself more now than I did before I met her. I’ve watched her change too; she still makes those “Ewe!” faces, burps like a trucker and would sooner watch football in her crunders than like do yoga or some junk, but she hugs us all more, has become a tender, loving soul…she is wearing her sweetness all over her actions and being part of that makes me feel so lucky….

So yeah, been thinking, or not trying to actually think about her leaving…might want to get over that seeing as I am going with her right…..and at the same time I have found some new, richly textured, amazing people that I find myself in the company of, just wish I were in a better spot to show them how much I appreciate their entry into this “life already in progress”. Always hard having new people enter your life….exciting and captivating but still hard. Trying to shift all the little pieces, make everything fit…and fit well is hard enough, but doing it in my current state, really rough. Thinking about how truly lucky I am when my beloved friend is venturing off into the unknown, the no-one-is-here kind of unknown…feels like I have been carrying a locomotion on my shoulders.



Amy, I know you read this stupid blog so I want you to hear me now….don’t be sad, picture my hands on your adorable face when I tell you, “You have forever changed me. I have never met anyone like you. I am honored that you love me. Will do whatever it takes to make sure that you always do. I am here, always here for you, no amount of time will ever change that. You are so stuck with me darling. I love you and feel everything you are feeling right now, it is sitting here on my chest, my shoulders and my very full but sad heart. I feel you sweetheart you are here with me in my swagger, my giggle and my bark. I have never felt more alive, more vibrant and more accepted than I do when I am near you, not sure what I did to get you but I would do it all again, a million times over for the hours of laughter and love you have given me. Thank you My Dear Friend…thank you. Our visits will be many, I will ache to hear all that you are experiencing and I will drive you batshit with emails, calls and texts. I love you girlie”.

So I finally took a shower after like 2 days….ugh, so vile, and found that some weight had been lifted once the frothy cloud of conditioner washed down the drain…..my pain and distraction is all being caused by love….how lucky am I? Yup I am hurting, yes I am falling crazy in love with some new people and I need to let myself feel okay with all of it. Jesus is this still a wine blog?!



I had my dinner tonight with my little boyfriend, we went to our place…Mario’s, crappy Mexican food, great chips and wicked stiff drinks. My little buddy opted to sit next to Call-o, they played a bit but after a trip to the potty he landed next to me. We spent 30 minutes blowing bubbles in our water with our straws….30 minutes of unadulterated, water all over, laughing time. The light in his face, the freedom of his chortles, his willingness to let the water cover his tiny frame, just reminded me that these are the moments worth living for. With each, “One two, three, go!” my heart raced, my decibels elevated and I felt like it was okay to laugh. I sat there, water all over my glasses and sweater, laughing at his tiny water speckled face….his reaction to my willingness to act a fool, just what I needed.

Love is a many splendid thing, so powerful, so captivating but you never know from where it might come, never know what face might me across from yours, eyes watering, bent over with full belly laughs…never know who’s heart is ready to be touched by you or who’s heart needs you…I for one am ready for more.



Amy my sweet friend, you and I are forever linked by nights of confessions, foolish behavior and mornings of, “hahahah well that happened” this next chapter in our devotion to one another will be just one more layer of who we are. Tyler you adorable little thing, you have wrecked me, my tough girl image is so over….you make me laugh, laugh really hard and remember what that pure joy of living feels like. Two tiny people, one in size one in age have so softened me, so made me feel….thank you. One more week and I might be full of passion and rawr again!

Bealls Department Store-Gibson?? 16 PC Fruita Dinnerware Set @ Bealls Department Store

Gibson?? 16 PC Fruita Dinnerware Set @ Bealls Department Store

This 16 PC Gibson Fruita dinnerware set features a fruit design that includes grapes, a pear & an apple. Dinnerware set is perfect for entertaining & set includes dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs. Ceramic dinnerware set is dishwasher & microwave safe.

List Price: $59.99
Current Price: $35.99
Discount: 40%

View More Cooking & Dining Deals, Cooking & Dining Coupons at Dealrocker

Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas Your Family Will Enjoy

It's that time of the year again. The yuletide season bring out the hidden calories and the best in people-definitely a good time of the year to be around in. Squeeze the most out of the holidays by taking it to your home in a most tangible way. Here are some great Christmas tree decorating ideas you and your family are sure to enjoy. Read More>>

For latest Gifts Items, Gifts Baskets deals and bargains visit DealRocker

USA Florist-$10 off any order

$10 off any order
USA Florist Coupon Code : 55H
Expires: Ongoing Promotion

View More Coupons, Coupon Codes, Promo Codes at USA Florist

Emma in the Leaves Coloured

- one JPG, one ready-to-print sheet with 4 images JPG, 2 PNG's with no background. 200 ppi
Emma in the Leaves - Coloured

Price: $1.50 CAD ( 2 MB) $1.05 CAD

My Jewelry Box-Joia de Majorca 12mm Black Pearl Pendant in Sterling Silver with Chain @ My Jewelry Box

Joia de Majorca 12mm Black Pearl Pendant in Sterling Silver with Chain @ My Jewelry Box

Necklace in rhodium-plated sterling silver (.925). One organic man-made tahitian style black 10mm pearl, expertly crafted by Joia de Majorca and imported from Spain. Set with brilliant cubic zirconia and suspended from a 16 to 18 inch adjustable chain.

List Price: $119.00
Current Price: $85.00
Coupon: "Save 20% on all orders at myjewelrybox.com with promotional coupon code MJBSAVE20G" and save an additional $17
Coupon Code: MJBSAVE20G
Final Price: $68.00
Discount: 43%

View More Necklaces & Pendants Deals, Necklaces & Pendants Coupons at DealRocker

Personalization Mall-20% off any order (exclusions apply)

20% off any order (exclusions apply)
Personalization Mall Coupon Code: complete88
Expires: Ongoing Promotion

View More Coupons, Coupon Codes, Promo Codes at Personalization Mall

Pumpkins A Plenty!

This weekend our friends Jill and Michael came to visit us - we had SO much fun. You know the kind of friends where you can sit around in your PJs with and lay around the living room with? These are those friends!

They even brought their two cats, which is so funny because I don't know if Boomer realized such an animal existed on the sweet Earth. He was pretty much convulsing the entire weekend! Haha!

On Saturday, the boys went paintballing (is that a word? why does it say it's misspelled??) for Joe's birthday and us girls sat around and talked in our pajamas until about 2 in the afternoon!

We finally got around and all of us went to eat and then went to the local pumpkin farm. I guess it's still a little early in the season because we were the only ones out. We rode a hay ride out to pick a punkin'.

We also got to feed baby goats. This one had a striking resemblance to our dog!

Then we did the corn maze. Which. Oh my goodness. We got so lost. And separated from the boys (who have all the navigation genes). I would have taken pictures. But, well, I was too busy screaming! And I had to pee! So we cheated. Yes cheated. And I have no regrets.

Have you gotten a pumpkin yet??