Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Besame "Mary Poppins" Lipstick & Interview

Hi ya Gorgeous! 

Burbank California is home to the Disney studios on the corner of Buena Vista - and - home to the vintage beauty flagship store, Besame Cosmetics. 


 

Owner and makeup historian, Gabriela Hernandez has a license with Disney to recreate the colors and looks of loved characters in Disney movies such as Mary Poppins. 

The collection includes a lipstick shade that matches actress Julie Andrews lip color in the film as she played Mary Poppins. A matching compact in the Mary Poppins collection with a beautiful silhouette of the skyline from the movie is overlaid on the mirror. There is a lipstick and nail polish set in honor of Mrs. Banks in a light peach shimmer tone. This short interview is from a visit I paid to the Burbank store and a quick visit with Ms Gabriela herself! 

 


 

The store is adhering to all covid safety protocols and practicing social distancing and high levels of sanitation. Masks are worn and ours were removed for taping only. It's a fun and beautiful destination to shop in this Burbank store. 

There is a lovely coffee shop across the street and on the corner is a luncheonette with vegan options that you can dine safely outdoors at. Parking is on the street and one of the best things about Burbank, is that parking is free! 

City wide, you can park on any streets and not have to pay a meter. Besame Cosmetics is located at: 3505 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505 

Or, if you are not able to visit in person, you can shop online on 

AMAZON https://amzn.to/3aOw1H7 This affiliate link will take you to a wide selection of vintage cosmetics.  

 


 

https://besamecosmetics.com/collectio...

 

Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Ash Wednesday - the Lenten season has begun!

Hi ya Gorgeous,

Happy Lent. Some of you may have a hangover - as Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras can sometimes lead to over indulgence.

That's because Lent begins today - and however you choose to move forward just trust that you are on the right path! 

 


The first Ash Wednesday ceremonies were likely held sometime in 11th century CE. It's never mentioned in the Bible, but there is a verse in the Book of Daniel that links fasting to ashes, and some scholars believe this is the origin of the Lenten practice.

 So, in short, give up who you were so you can step into who you can be! Enjoy the season and lean in as you are led from the Lord! 

 

Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Mardi Gras - King Cake Recipe - and Why!

Hi ya Gorgeous!

Happy Mardi Gras! Laissez les bons temps rouler—let the good times roll!

This is the story, of King Cake, and why! It's so beautiful! Enjoy!



 

 Now make this cake and celebrate! I am sharing this recipe from the Betty Crocker website 

Ingredients

3 1/2
cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1
package (2 1/4 teaspoons) Rapid Rise yeast
1
cup milk
1/4
cup sugar
1
teaspoon salt
2
eggs Save $
6
tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, cut into 12 pieces

Cinnamon Filling

2/3
cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2
teaspoons ground cinnamon
4
tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Icing

1
cup powdered sugar
1
tablespoon milk
1/2
teaspoon vanilla

Decoration

Dark green, purple, and yellow or gold sugars, if desired
Miniature plastic baby, if desired

Steps

  • 1
    Mix 2 1/2 cups flour and yeast in mixing bowl of stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, on low for about 30 seconds.
  • 2
    Heat milk, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and milk is between 120°F to 130°F.
  • 3
    With mixer on low, pour in liquids and mix until incorporated. Add eggs one at a time. Continue mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Clean off paddle and switch to dough hook. Mix in the remaining 1 cup flour a little at a time, adding more or less flour as needed to make a soft dough. Add the softened butter, a piece at a time, kneading until each piece of butter is absorbed.
  • 4
    Knead for eight minutes on low. The dough should completely clear the sides of the bowl. If it is too sticky, add additional flour 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing in thoroughly before determining if more flour is needed. If the dough seems too dry, spritz with water from a spray bottle a couple of times, mixing in thoroughly before determining if more water is needed. Every 2 minutes, stop the machine, scrape the dough off the hook, and then continue kneading.
  • 5
    Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times by hand to be sure it’s smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a ball. Place dough into a greased bowl. Turn once so greased surface is on top. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • 6
    While the dough is chilling, make cinnamon filling. In small bowl, combine the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Combine butter with cinnamon mixture and mix well.
  • 7
    Roll the chilled dough into a 10 x 20 inch rectangle. Spread the filling on half of the long side of the dough. Fold the dough in half covering the filling. Pat dough down firmly so the dough will stick together. Cut dough into three long strips. Press the tops of the strips together and braid the strips. Press the ends together at the bottom. Gently stretch the braid so that it measures 20 inches again. Shape it into a circle/oval and press the edges together.
  • 8
    Transfer the ring to a parchment lined or greased baking sheet. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rise until doubled, about 1 hour. While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 350°. Bake the cake until it is golden brown, 20 – 35 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes on baking sheet and then place it on a cooling rack to cool completely before icing. To hide the baby in the cake, if desired, make a small slit in the bottom of the cake and put the miniature plastic baby in after the cake has cooled.
  • 9
    Icing: In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth (add additional milk if mixture is too thick or powdered sugar if too thin).
  • 10
    Spoon icing over top of the cake. Immediately sprinkle on colored sugar, alternating between the three colors.

  • This recipe uses Rapid Rise yeast which eliminates the time consuming first rise in a typical brioche recipe.
  • Use a pizza cutter to easily cut dough into strips.
  • The cake can also be made without braiding. Just roll up the dough jelly roll style after spreading the filling.
  • Mardi Gras conjures up images of fun, frivolity and feasting and no Mardi Gras celebration would be complete with a colorful King Cake. A brioche or sweet roll dough is braided, baked in a circle and decorated with icing and purple, green and gold sugars. Kind of like a crown shaped cinnamon roll all dressed up for a party.

Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

Monday, February 15, 2021

Happy Presidents' Day 2021

Hi ya Gorgeous!

 

Cheers to another beautiful day - and Monday - and holiday! Although, in covid, it seems like everyday is really Groundhog Day the movie and just one repeat of another? How about you?

Today we celebrate a combination of birthdays for George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. These two men were founding fathers to the United States of America.


 There are special sales, usually on tires and mattresses, and there will be a day off for government employees and the post office. Though it really is a time to have thanks and reverence. Respect and honor for the sacrifice and perseverance that these men did.

I wonder if this situation was modern, would today's people make the sacrifice that is needed to advance the nation?


Something to think about - let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Find Your Happy Place - Wrapped In Your Arms - Just in Time for Valentine's Day

Hi ya Gorgeous!

Happy February 2021 - wow - how is it already the second month of the year? Time and days have been flying by for me and I'm so thankful to receive this gift of the new Find Your Happy Place collection of body products from Unilever.

It's just what a busy working and distance learning mom needs! 

I recently took time to spend time in nature on a hike, which is my happy place! 


I carried the pocket sized hand creme with me and thank goodness I did! The Goldstrike trail in Nevada has 8 belaying ropes that you have to use to drop down in to the canyon. I did not have gloves with me, though I had the rose scent infused Find Your Happy Place hand creme to sooth my sore hands! 


The trail is well worth the effort it takes to get down to the Colorado river and see the other side of the Interstate 11 bridge that connects Arizona with Nevada.

Now look closely on this picture? Can you see the possible prehistoric embedding of a chicken? Or a large long wing bone? I think I may have discovered a new dinosaur fossil! If you are needing some self care for yourself, or as a gift for Valentine's Day - pick some Find Your Happy Place up at your local Walmart.

The collection includes a total of 7 pieces: bath & shower gel, scented candle, hand wash, body lotion, fizzing bath bomb, whipped scrub and hand cream. I'm loving this blush rose and magnolia scent! The hand creme helped me on the trail and the body wash and bath bombed were a sure comfort after the intense hike. So worth it!

Wrapped In Your Arms 

·       Includes a bath & shower gel, hand wash, body lotion, fizzing bath bomb, hand cream, scented candle, and whipped scrub 

·       Bath products are sulfate and paraben-free 

·       All products are enriched with a 3x blend of skin softening shea, cocoa butter, and vitamin E  

 


 

 

Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!