#14. Magic Make-up Day

Saturday was my Magic Make-up Makeover Day. 

So, welcome to Laura Mercier!

For years, I have used many types of cosmetics, and mostly from drugstores – so, having my makeup done professionally made the Top 40 ‘drops’ list. I must be the only 40-ish single girl in America still wearing my high school makeup.  (No judging please! I am sure you have memories of blue eyeliner and Bonnie Bell pink lipgloss.) I certainly think I’ve graduated from that style, but still could use some improvement.

Lauren was my makeup artist, and I quizzed her relentlessly as she worked literal “magic” on my face. It wasn’t easy….

There were approximately 43 brushes. (Seriously…)

And trays and trays and trays of products and colors.

Lauren was truly great – she patiently educated me about various LM products, and answered my barrage of questions. She had a toolbox of cosmetics and effortlessly turned my uneven skintone and patchy spots into a smooth, flawless complexion – which was absolutely radiant...It was intoxicating.  

Who knew the secret to beautiful skin was some fancy makeup?

And a make-up artist?

And a pseudo-assistant?

Hmmmm, I feel I may need an entourage.

OK – seriously. 

It was a fun experience. I felt like my makeup looked beautiful – but not overdone – which was exactly what I was looking for!

So, naturally, I bought one of everything:

Total cost? $155 and change.

Was it worth it? Yes!! 

Basking in the glow,

Girl Turns 40

#16. War of the Roses

There are two types of people in the world:

People who buy or give red roses on Valentine’s Day.

and

People who don’t....They buy/give potted pansies, herb gardens, or bouquets of other flowers, like carns, daisies, or mixed flowers in red and white.  

Well. I think I am a bit of a flower snob.

I know an order or a “dozen red roses” sounds cliché at Valentine’s Day, and I used to think it was…but now, I don’t think it is anymore!  I decided to ‘pay it forward’ and use my standing flower order this month for Momma, so I gave her a dozen red roses for Valentine’s Day.

You have to admit – they are stunning.

They may not be the most fashion-forward of floral arrangements, but we all know a classic item when we see it. It’s like the LBD of Valentine’s Day flowers.

So, anywho.....

Here’s a little rose trivia:

1. Guess how many varieties of roses there are – available for purchase throughout flower shops allover the US?

A lot, I’m sure. (tee hee)

I checked with a national wholesaler that actually supplies flowers to local shops – and they had 656 types of roses to from. 656!

2. True or False?

Florists sell more flowers on Valentine’s Day than any other holiday.

False! Mother’s Day is the top grossing holiday. Not everyone has a sweetheart, but everybody has a Momma.

I hope you had a fab Valentine’s Day! 

Let’s all stop and smell the roses, and buy some too.

GT40

#15. Belated Cupcakes

My original plan for Cupcake Day was to splurge on the 4^th of each month to “celebrate” my birthday. Well, it’s the 9^th – what can I say, the “best laid plans…”

At least we’re still in the single digit dates, so “Happy Belated Cupcake!” to me.

Despite the fact that I’m (ahem) a few days late – Polka Dot Bakery did not disappoint.  Love, love, love this place….and the cupcakes are beautiful. And February is all about Beauty and Love – so these little treats make my Valentine heart flutter.

Speaking of V-Day, when I arrived at the store – this was on display:

Like little works of art…

Today’s cupcake flavor: Raspberry Fudge

I opted for a chocolate choice, as February makes me think of chocolate.

(Wait, November/December also make me think of chocolate – the holidays…

Oh! And October - Halloween…

Ummm, and April – chocolate Easter bunnies…

Sigh.

Ok, nevermind. )

Anywho, back to my Raspberry Fudge.

The raspberry part was on the inside of the fudge part on the outside.

But of course, Dahling.

...and then, there was no inside part or outside part.

Beautiful and delicious – I think I am in love.

GT40

February - The Month of Beauty and Jane Austen

February is famous for lots of things – Groundhog Day, President’s Day, and Valentine’s Day. It’s Black History Month, Heart Health Month, and Chinese New Year.

For me, February means:

Chocolate

Flowers

Jewelry

Love stories

Spa treatments

…and a good-old fashioned makeover.

Thus, I have officially dubbed February:

“The Month of Beauty and Jane Austen.”

The Beauty part is easy enough – I have booked an appointment with a make-up artist (See the Top40 list -  #14), and I can’t wait for her to work some ‘makeover magic’!

Haircuts, eyebrows, lip waxes (ouch!) are all on the unofficial agenda…because, you know “I’m worth it.” (I’m flashing you a smokey eye right now.)

February TOTM (Trip of the Month): Grove Park Inn & Spa in Asheville, NC.  OMG – I can’t wait.  In keeping with the Beauty theme, it is beyond beautiful…

What about the Jane Austen part? Well, she’s the conductor of the 19^th century Love Train, baby. (People all over the world, join hands….) I just love Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility – but didn’t want to re-read those titles for my book selection. 

So, the February Book Selection is: Writing Jane Austen by Elizabeth Aston. This modern-day story unfolds with an unfinished manuscript authored by Jane Austen being discovered, and the heroine is asked to finish the book as a ghost writer.  No pressure.

Movie Selection: Pride and Prejudice (1995 version) directed by Simon Langton, and starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. I’ve never see this classic version, which ran as a mini-series on the BBC.  According to critics, it is the best Austen adaptation available of any of her books, but I think it’s going to be another multi-movie night month… it runs about 330 minutes. (Sigh.)

February is shaping up to be a ‘beautiful’ month – no pun intended. Lots of love and stuff to look forward to!

Kisses,

Easy, Breezy Covergirl

(aka Girl Turns 40)

2011 Projections and Reflections of my 40th Birthday Bucket List

Today is January 1, 2011.

As with all “new year” beginnings, I always stop and reflect on the year that has just ended, asking myself: “Would I consider that a ‘good year’?” Sometimes the answer is ‘yes’ and sometimes the answer is ‘no’ – as I am sure is the case for most people.

For me, 2010 was a good year. My measurement to determine positive or negative is typically not based on financial success or material things – but mostly on accomplishments: 

1) starting my blog 

2) checking off items from my 40 ‘drops’ list 

3) increasing my ‘good time quotient’

What can I say? Big, happy sigh. 

Feelin’ good about last year, feelin’ good about next year.

So, my projections for 2011 are exciting and intimidating – all at the same time:

1 - It’s exciting for me to look ahead, particularly to the Travel section of my Top 40 list. There’s some good stuff ahead; places I have wanted to go my entire life, and haven’t made it there yet….. so I have great expectations for the coming year!

2 – Heads up! Look out for a new page to be added called The X-List.  This page will describe events, places, and things that I have already “crossed off” or “X’d” off my list (hence, the X-List) prior to starting my blog, so you’ll have a better idea of why certain items aren’t on my current Top 40.

And now – the most ubiquitous question anyone ever asks:

What’s my new year’s resolution?

Well, there’s more than one:

1. Suck down some vitamins

2.  Get the car tuned up

3. Renew my passport

...and get ready for possibly the best year of my life.

Happy New Year!

Holli a.k.a Girl Turns 40

#16. Snow Showers and December Flowers

It’s the day after Christmas, and my intention was to possible hit a few stores with my shiny, new gift cards freshly plucked out of my stocking from Christmas Day. 

Old Man Winter had other ideas…

It’s been 63 years since my little hometown has seen a white Christmas. I live in a milder part of the Southeast – and we typically don’t get a lot of snow until the Jan-Feb-Mar time of year. The last time it snowed at Christmas was December 1947.

In 1947:

-       Harry S. Truman was President, and signed legislation to create the CIA, Dept of Defense, Joints Chiefs, and the National Security Council.

-       Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

-       Christian Dior showed his first collection in Paris.

-       Raytheon introduced the first retail microwave.

-       Jackie Robinson first played for Major League Baseball.

-       The first Miracle on 34^th Street was released in movie theaters.

(Thanks, Wikipedia.)

It was a long time ago.

And it’s breathtaking....(this is a pecan tree, by the way.)

Meanwhile, back to the bloggin’ business….Time for fresh December flowers!

We had guests over for Christmas morning breakfast – so we had to “deck the halls with some boughs of holly” (so to speak).

Of course  - hurricanes for the centerpieces.

Then, white lilies on the desk...

White snowflake mums on the coffee table…

And red roses for the loo…

Ahhhhhh...what a lovely Christmas – inside and out.

 - GT40