Saving Face

I’m sorry I disappeared for a while. Unfortunately we have been SICK. The worst kind of sick. My husband and I initially thought we had consumed some wine that was bad. And then the kids started getting sick…. And now we have just been passing it around and around. I have had little sleep in the last week, and am definitely not looking my best. To top it all off, my mother-in-law and brother-in-law are arriving tonight for a much-awaited visit.

I need to pull it together fast. What’s a girl to do?

I thought I would share with you a few of my favorite products for those dreaded gray face days.


Yves St. Laurent Touche Eclat.

This wonder product is perfect for camouflaging dark circles and overall brightening. (Use it as a highlighter on the corners of your eyes, around you nostrils, dotted on the center of your chin, etc.)

Smashbox Photo Finish Makeup Primer

It's every bit as good as you’ve heard. Smooth some on to create a perfect canvas for your foundation, so nobody has to know just how parched your skin is.

Nars Blush

Does this even need an explanation? It's so sheer and so intense at the same time, making it the perfect pick-me-up. My favorite colors are Orgasm and Deep Throat.

And if your skin reacts to stress the way mine does, you may need some acne treatments as well.  Right now my favorite over-the-counter products come from Neutrogena.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle, Anti-Blemish Cream

Neutrogena On-the Spot Acne Treatment

What about you? What are your favorite items for “saving face”? I’d love some more suggestions!

A Treat, Dear Valentine

This year a combination of sick children and difficulty finding a babysitter have put an end to any thoughts we may have had about going out to dinner for Valentine’s Day. Of course, that doesn’t mean we can’t still have an intimate celebration at home. Maybe it’s actually better. Now we will be celebrating with our three little people, and after all, they’re a big part of our love story.

To cap off our dinner tonight, I made one of our favorite desserts.  After all, what better way to celebrate the joy of love than with a decadent treat?

Mrs. Salter’s Peanut Butter Pie (recipe from the Food Network, courtesy of Paula Deen)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 8 ounces cream cheese

• 1 cup crunchy peanut butter (I substitute creamy peanut butter.)

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

• 1 graham cracker crust, store-bought or premade ( I make my own using the recipe on the box of graham cracker crumbs. Experience tells me that it makes a difference.)

Directions:

Whip cream with 1/4 cup sugar. Mix all other ingredients until smooth and fold in whipped cream until well blended. Pour mixture into a graham cracker crust and chill for several hours before serving.
I like to serve it with a little chocolate syrup drizzled over the top.

Photos Copyright Tara Saunders.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Friday Favorites: Lesley Evers

Favorite may actually be an understatement. Obsession is more accurate.

It started innocently enough. I decided to order a skirt from Lesley Evers during their recent Winter Sale. When the skirt arrived, it was love at first sight. I was hooked! One order turned into a second and a third…. In a matter of weeks, I have become the proud owner of a Laura, an Erin and two Kelseys – and I’m incredibly excited about the new Spring collection!

The Dottie Dress in Black Lattice, Spring 2011

The Dottie Dress  in Yellow Blooms, Spring 2011



A shot from a Spring 2011 photo shoot featuring the Grace Dress in Rockridge Blue.  I believe it will be available later this month.



In all fairness, I have been secretly enamored of Lesley Evers’ beautiful clothing line since I first discovered the website last summer. However, none of the boutiques in my area carry the brand, so I couldn’t just run across town to try on some of the adorable pieces. To see them for myself, I was going to have to take a risk and blindly order online. Let me tell you, it was worth it!

The clothes are divine, from the wonderful fit, to the fabrics and trims. There are even hidden details, like the cute rick-rack trim that decorates the hem of the lining on my Laura skirt. And these dresses and skirts are perfect for my lifestyle. The company has dubbed their dresses “The All Day Dress,” and they really are, even for a mom with three children under the age of four. They are classic in design, but modern in fabrication. With a mere change of accessories, they are appropriate for any activity I can imagine. And everything I ordered can be machine washed.

Best of all, this is a company that really understands its customers and cares about them. When my second order arrived, I was dismayed to see that my Erin skirt (a final sale item) was damaged. I called and left a message, and believe it or not, my call was returned by Lesley Evers herself! She told me she was the first one to arrive in the office, heard my message and didn’t want to make me wait for someone else to show up and return my call. How amazing is that? She assured me she would send me a new skirt and even took my order for an additional dress ( although taking phone orders from online customers is clearly not part of her usual duties). My replacement order arrived yesterday. I couldn’t have asked for better service!

* I was not compensated for this post, although I certainly wouldn't turn down an offer from a company as wonderful as this one!

A Luxurious Giveaway

Who doesn’t love the supremely luxurious beauty products from L’Occitane? I know I do!

Marcie at Lemons and Laundry is graciously hosting a L’Occitane Giveaway. One lucky follower will win L'Occitane French Travel Treasures.

Hurry over to Lemons and Laundry to enter! The contest ends on Sunday, February 13th at 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Craving the Classics

Today is the perfect day for some hot tea, a cozy blanket, and a classic film.

My latest arrival from Netflix is The Shop Around the Corner, the 1940’s classic that was the basis for You've Got Mail. I can’t wait to curl up and watch.

Overnight Success

Need a chic new overnight bag?  Look no further than this divine “Buckle Pocket” Leather and Calf Hair Weekend Bag from Ted Baker.  While I think calling it a “weekend bag” might be a bit of a stretch (unless you pack lighter than I do), I would love to tote this beauty for a brief overnight stay somewhere sans children.

In the Mood for Summer

With spring collections debuting in stores, I’m craving some warm weather. (Not that it gets that cold here, although we did actually have a freeze last week and a dusting of snow.) What better way to get rid of the wintertime blahs than reading a wonderful book?

A book that has been on my “to read” list for a while is One Special Summer by Jacqueline and Lee Bouvier. It details a European tour the famous sisters embarked on in 1951. Written in longhand, the pages are filled with delightful sketches. It’s truly a work of art.

While we are on the subject of the Bouvier sisters, did you see the photos of Lee Radziwell’s abodes in Paris and New York that appear on the Brunch at Saks blog today? Absolutely scrumptious!

CSN Stores

Hello friends! Kate from CSN stores recently contacted me and asked if I’d like to review one of their products. Of course I said, “Yes!” The CSN family of stores sells everything from cookware to furniture to wall art and decor, so choosing an item to review will be fun!

Here are a couple of things that have caught my eye:

Billie Wall Art

 

Wouldn’t this be wonderful in a fun, modern nursery?

Thomas Paul Tote

You know how much I adore Thomas Paul's designs.



Le Creuset 7.25 Qt. Round French Oven








I also love Le Creuset, and was thrilled to see that CSN Stores offer a full selection.

Stay tuned for my review of a special CSN Stores product!