Cooking Rut

I have been in a rut. A cooking rut! While on the third trip to Lowes Hardware in one week with Hubby I was looking through the magazines. I came across Mixing Bowl www.mixingbowl.com I have been on the website, even made an account but there is SO much on the website and I am such a visual person that the mag was just what I need to give me a kick in the hinney to start doing a few new things. I have dog-eared many recipes which I am excited to try! I am going to try a min of 3 per week!! Then I will rate it and tell you what I thought! Fun-fun!

2009 Stylist Choice Awards

Ok so my inner diva comes out! I am a product whore. I love them all! I do however, have some of my personal favorites that I will denote with a * . Happy Shopping!!!


Check out the other winners!
Favorite Shampoo: Redken Color Extend Shampoo*
Favorite Conditioner: Joico Moisture Recovery Conditioner
Favorite Deep or Restorative Conditioner: Joico K-PAK Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor
Favorite New Styling Product: TIGI Rockaholic Dirty Secret*
Favorite Prestige Styling Product: Moroccanoil Oil Treatment*
**Favorite Prestige Shampoo/Conditioner: PureOlogy Hydrate*
Favorite Straightening Product (non chemical): Paul Mitchell Super Skinny
Favorite Hairspray: Kenra Volume Spray 25
Favorite Permanent Color: Redken Color Fusion
Favorite Demi-Permanent Color: Redken Shades EQ*
Favorite Lightening System: Wella Blondor******
Favorite Permanent Wave: ISO Options Waves
Favorite Color Protecting Product: PureOlogy Hydrate*
Favorite Men's Product Line: American Crew*
Favorite Fine or Thinning Haircare Product: Nioxin Scalp Therapy
Favorite Multicultural Company: Mizani
Favorite Professional Makeup Line: TIGI Bed Head Make-Up
Favorite Volumizing Product: Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair Root Pump
Favorite Product You Can't Live Without: Moroccanoil Oil Treatment
Favorite Blow Dryer: Farouk Systems CHI Turbo
Favorite Flat Iron: Farouk Systems CHI Ceramic
Favorite Hair Extension Company: Great Lengths
Favorite Event or Show: Premiere Orlando
Favorite Educator or Platform Artist: Nick Arrojo
Favorite Overall Professional Products Company: TIGI
Favorite Small Company: Pravana
Favorite Collection on BTC: Goldwell Blonding Collection
Favorite Step-by-Step on BTC: TIGI Colour Collection Technicals

Source http://www.behindthechair.com/

Potty Training Prep

Potty Training is not something that one just knows, or is it? That is the question. I have asked & asked and googled and googled all about potty training. Potty Training Boys especially. I have taken all the words of wisdom and the thoughts of hiring a carpet cleaner, rolled them into my very own formula and ta-da~ I have come up with a game plan. I wonder if so many have had such a hard time because they seem to go into it with such a lack~a~descale feeling of "IF it works". Not this mama I have to have a plan for everything I do and why should training my LJ to pee & poop in the potty be any less?
So, here is my plan... I started on Monday telling LJ what was going to happen. That at the end of the week he was going to start going to the potty. In fact, when he had a poop we dumped it in the toilet and he flushed & told the poop "bye". I know anyone reading this will have just made a face and said "WHAT"? Let me share why I have done this, my nephew had a very and I mean very hard time with poo-poo in the potty. He literally thought he was losing an organ! So, I thought to try and prevent this I would start showing him where the poop should go.
I then headed out to the store and bought the Elmo Potty Book, Elmo underwear, stickers & a few bigger rewards for when we are successful! And a orange kitchen timer so that every 30mins for the next few days LJ can try to potty!
Yipeee Tomorrow we start!!

Hair, hair & more Hair Products

Today is all about Hair and the products that I love. Check out http://www.sabinohair.com/ they make a product called Moisture Block that is amazing! Blocks moisture from being absorbed in the hair and will make a blow-out last twice as long! I love Redkens Color Extend line the shampoo & conditioner are light enough to not weigh the hair down but strong enough to get the tangles. http://www.redkenhair.com/ they also make ALIGN a product that makes your hair straight & smooth. For curl I highly recommend Moroccon Oil Extreme Curl Cream. For fine hair again I love Redken GUTS as well as Purelogy Volumizer. For Shampoo/Cond you can't go wrong with Purelogy http://www.purelogy.com/ or Aquage http://www.aquage.com/ both have awesome fine hair formulas. Next time we will discuss Hair Spray & make-up.

Party Invites

Ha! It's summer and I am having fun just got J's Birthday Invites and they are so cute! Thanks to Jana at jana.littleprints@gmail.com I took them to http://www.officemax.com/ and had them printed on 110lb card stock and in my opinion they look so nice, I am just not a fan of the glossy photo finish. I want to thank my good friend, Jennifer Redmon http://jpanachephotography.blogspot.com/ for taking LJ's pics they were so good and he had such a great time with her! We went to the Stawberry Patch!http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M11331 This is located in Granite Falls between Hickory & Lenoir NC and it is a locally owned & operated farm. Awesome fruits & veggies and the owners are so nice! SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FARMERS!!! Please tell me what you think of our invites! LOVE THEM!!

Party Planning

Mini J's birthday is just around the corner and I have decided on a Barnyard Theme! I found some great invites from jana.littleprints@gmail.com she does these fab invites that include your Mini's photo and best yet you pay a flat price for the design and can print as many as you wish!! Thanks Jana!!
I can't decide when to have said party for my precious 2 yr old; pre or post nap? huh? and now for the loot, bags & food. I am thinking to go with the Barnyard/Tractor theme. I am making Mini his own tractor cake and lots of yellow & green cupcakes for his peeps. Loot bags also made with John Deere fabric with tractor suckers & a tractor pinata. Hay Bales to sit on and lots of fun "barn" food. Pigs in a blanket, deviled eggs, fruit & veggies. Trying to plan a few "activities" maybe plant some seeds or fish in a baby pool.??? we will see...

Summer Cooking

Summer is the time that I am always trying to get in and out of the kitchen FAST. I try to soak in the summer rays for as long as they will last and I do not want to be stuck in the kitchen all afternoon. I visit our local farmers market on Wednesday & Saturdays to get yummy fresh fruits and veggies. With such wonderful fresh ingredients it doesn't take a ton of time to prepare them. One of my very favorite and very easy methods of cooking veggies is to just toss with a little evoo and sea salt and throw in the oven for a few minutes. You don't even need to "cook" much just add a little heat 5-15mins will bring out the amazing flavor that natures bounty has to offer. Enjoy!

The Shack

The Shack is a book that several clients had been reading the week prior to my Holiday. I have always felt that things happen for a reason and I sorta felt lead to this book. Please understand I am a terribly slow reader with ADD (MD diagnosed) and therefore tend to start with great intentions many books. Well, this book blew me away. Best book I have read in years not sure that any book has spoken to me as much as this. I must admit that I did read the Dr Phil book the 1st big one he did I think it was Life Matters and I still to this day quote some things he said, I do not like Dr Phil at all but that book was really good. I am going off track, The Shack was awesome. It affirmed for me that God is good, he is good and he is loving. I highly suggest reading it!!!

Welcome back!!!

Welcome back or welcome home! It's both! Just getting in from some much needed relaxation at Holden Beach. It was a great getaway thanks to the in-laws a fab house complete with a bathroom for each room!! THANKS!!! It was great! Now on to the important stuff entertainment and food!!! YUMMY we had some great eats!
Crab Catchers in Little River: really neat right on the water near all the casino boats. Super low-key lots of fried items, decent kids menu. Mini loved the loco as he enjoyed watching all the boats go by.
Twin Lakes in Sunset Beach another old school favorite pick! Tried & True
The Purple Onion in Shallotte (?sp) Ok here is the deal this place is awesome! Fantab breakfast, lunch, dinner (served only in summer Wed-Sat) great pastries. The service can be a little hit or miss however in this instance the food really is worth waiting a few extra minutes for a coffee refill!!