1. All things Jane Iredale
Love the colors and textures! I’ve been into very wearable makeup lately, and this brand has been my jam (as have Ilia and Laura Mercier).
2. Pecan Pie
I swore I wouldn’t attempt to make a pie this year…but I’m a little obsessed with the idea of making a pecan pie from scratch.
3. Roses
I mean, I’ve always loved them…but I have been really fixated on roses lately, especially the big, blooming kind you see in gardens… Maybe that’s a sign I need a new perfume with rose notes? If you have one to recommend, I’m all ears. 🌽
4. The Jo Malone London Cologne Collection Set
Speaking of perfume, please talk me out of this holiday sampler set. I don’t need it, but REALLY want it.
5. Love Harder
A super cheesy and totally predictable holiday romcom, but you know what? I still enjoyed it! 😅
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I really like Jo Malone Fragrances and have been wearing my favorite one Wood Sage & Sea Salt for years. I do feel that they lack a little in longevity. The trick is to spray on your clothing/hair to get them to last longer. They are nice because they are very light but unique. If you like Light Blue by D&G I think you would definitely like the Jo Malone fragrances.
I am SO going to have to get the Pecan Pie filling for Christmas!
Speaking of cheesy Rom Coms, do you ever watch the Hallmark Christmas movies? They are totally predictable and I can watch them over & over lol! I’ll have to check out Love Hard.
Hi Renee,
I love Light Blue and wore it on my wedding day! Good call with the trick about spraying it in your hair and on your clothes. I actually prefer to spray scents into the room and walk through them rather than on my skin.
Everyone talks about Hallmark movies and ya know, I don’t know if I’ve actually ever watched one! Are they on Hulu?
I’m not sure as I don’t have Hulu or any streaming service. I’m afraid that I will marathon all of these wonderful shows if I get a streaming service and not be able to put down the remote lol. I’m waiting until after I obtain my master’s degree to indulge in something like that!
I thought Love Hard was adorable. I wish Heather McMahan was in it more cause she’s hilarious. (Check out her Absolutely Not podcast) Pecan pie is not my jam but I am in charge of pies this year so I’m making a cherry tart, pumpkin pie (obvi) and a peanut butter pie for my dad cause he’s the only person on earth that hates pumpkin pie. 😂
I thought it was cute, too. I might watch it again just for fun because it was such an easy and pleasant film!
You know, I’ve never had a peanut butter pie in my life!
That Jane Iredale lip stain balm is nice.
I’m loving modal fabric lately, it’s just so soft. Working from home since March 2020 had made me lose any tolerance for itchy and uncomfortable clothing.
I believe the lip balm stain is supposed to also work on cheeks? I hope that’s the case ! Anywho, modal is THE BEST, especially as a base layer. I’m with you on the soft and comfortable clothing. If anything is even remotely uncomfortable, I don’t want to be there!
Funny but I have, in the last year or so been enjoying some Laura Mercier products again after many years of not being there. I think it is my local Ulta store has some basic products that I tried again. I am loving the Caviar Sticks and Tinted Moisturizer. I have noticed that the stock has dwindled somewhat which is probably due to what has been going on in the country lately. I am also a fan of Joe Malone fragrances, but they’re not in the budget these days.
Anyway, be well.
Hi Jane,
YES! I feel like Laura has really stepped up her game. I’ve liked the line for many years now. Have you ever smelled any of her perfumes, by the way? They’re all really lovely.
I am sure you have smelled Joe Malone Red Roses, which is good, but my suggestion for rose perfume is Acqua di Parma Rosa Nobile. Have a good day!
I also love Jane Iredale eye palettes but they are like $60!! Too much for someone like me who doesn’t wear eyeshadow on the regular.
Thanks for the suggestion, Laura! I’ve only smelled a handful of Acqua di Parma scents and have pretty much loved all of them. I wonder if I should take the risk and do a blind buy at Sephora! Hmm…
The thing with Jane Iredale eyeshadow is that yes, they’re pricy, but you can use them for so much more than just eyeshadow. Sometimes I like to wet an angled brush and use the shadows wet as liner when I don’t want to fuss with a pencil. I feel like I can get more mileage out of them that way, ya know? If you’re a liner person, you might want to think about it.
I hope you’re having a wonderful Tuesday. It’s a rainy one here in the Bay Area.
I am ashamed to say that I’ve never worn any Jane Iredale. However, every woman I know that is stunning uses her stuff, so there’s that.
My best tip for you with the pecan pie is to not be tempted to add more pecans than the recipe calls for. I added slighly over what my recipe entailed a couple years ago and it turned out too dry. Pecan pie seems really simple to make and on the face of it, it is, but it’s also incredibly easy to screw up.
My favorite Jo Malone is the peony and suede. I have a little sample bottle of it. I say get the set. We’re in a pandemic still and isn’t it still on sale at the mothership this week? Plus, if there are any fragrances in the set you don’t love, you could give them to gal pals or relatives.
Here’s a great recipe for Pecan Pie Bars:
Pecan Pie Bars
• Prep 15 min
• Total 2 hr 0 min
• Servings 36
Ingredients
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Betty Crocker™ corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
• Semisweet chocolate chips, melted, if desired
Steps
• Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease bottom and sides of 13×9-inch pan with shortening or spray with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, mix granulated sugar, butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in flour. Press dough in bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of pan. Bake 15 to 17 minutes or until edges are light brown.
• Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat brown sugar, corn syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the salt and eggs with spoon. Stir in pecans. Pour over crust.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until set. Loosen edges from sides of pan while warm. Cool completely, about 1 hour. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Dip 1 end of each bar into melted chocolate; lay flat on waxed paper to dry.
Good luck!
Thank you so much, Linda! I’m so excited to try this!
It’s easy and yummy. Enjoy!
Those Jane Iredale palettes are so cute! Great, wearable colors!
Also, if you make pecan pie, add a little more butter than what the recipe calls for, about 1/4 cup more. Melt it and stir it into the filling right before baking. Trust me.
Hi Karen!! I feel like I gained a pound, just looking at that pecan pie. It looks so yummy!! My suggestion for a rose centric perfume is Chloe eau de parfum. You might have sampled it before, because I think it’s been around since 2008 or so. It reminds me of a rose garden. Happy sniffing!!
Hi Karen! I have been using Dior’s Rock and Roses and I like it a lot!
I really love Dolce and Gabana The One Rose. It is lovely and doesn’t have the old lady rose scent. One of my all time favorites!
Hello Karen, have you ever tries YSL fragrance « Mon Paris » eau de parfum? I’m not sure if it actually smells roses, it’s more of an evocation with a strong personality I think , but like you I love so much the smell of roses and My Paris is a nice winter (Christmas ) perfume and is really long lasting.
Thank you for your writings, you provide some gentleness that is sooo precious nowadays :))
Rose perfumes – if you like a little incense-y Oud with your Rose, I recommend ‘Jo Malone Velvet Rose and Oud Intense Cologne’ – no longevity problem with this one!!
You’ve got me swooning over those Jane Iredale palettes now – which one do you think would suit a pink faced blonde like me?
I am totally here for predictable RomComs right now. Anything to distract me!