My Favorite Things....Bath/Body

I thought now that I have some time on my hands I would start blogging consistently (ha!).

I am going to do a few installments of my favorite items. Later down the line I might even try a vlog! Starting off with bath and body products.

1. Strawberry Body Wash- The Body Shop

This smells heavenly. I am not one for fruity scents normally but this smells like a real strawberry and not overly sugary sweet. It also rinses clean and does not leave that residue that a lot of other body washes do. It is also very affordable.

2. Coconut Body Scrub- The Body Shop

This is the best scrub that I have found. I am prone to breakouts and hate that a lot of body scrubs are oil based. It is grainy enough for a good scrub but not overly harsh. It also rinses very clean and does not leave a strong scent behind. Coconut is the only scent that I have used but all of the scents are great.

3. LaVanila Healthy Deodorant- LaVanila

I picked this up after watching Tiffany D's blog. I have very sensitive skin that will react after shaving. I really like the idea that this is good for you and natural. I have not had any irritation after using it and I really like the fresh vanilla coconut scent. I also use the perfume in the summer.

4. Aveeno Daily Moisturizer- Aveeno

I prefer to use a scent free moisturizer as I do not want it to conflict with my perfume. This one is great for sensitive skin, I also love the fact that it melts in to your skin right away. No greasy after feeling!

5. Ped Egg- As Seen on TV

Nuff' said, takes care of those callouses!

6. Light Blue- Dolce and Gabana

This is the ultimate feminine summer fragrance. It is fresh and beachy. I like to combine it with my LaVanila Coconut Vanilla perfume, makes it feel very tropical.

My new ride

My cute new bike! I love that is has a basket. I plan to ride it around the neighborhood and to close by shops. It is funny how riding bike brings out the child at heart.

ABC it's as easy as 123

A. Age: 30

B. Bed size: Queen, big enough for me and sometimes 2 weenie dogs.

C. Chore you dislike: Putting sheets on my bed. It is really easier when 2 people do it.

D. Dogs: 2 doxies. Sugar and Ceecee

E. Essential start to your day: Shower, GMA and coffee.

F. Favorite color: Pink

G. Gold or silver: Silver, me no likey the yellow gold.

H. Height: 5'6"

I. Instruments you play(ed): Never learned, quit piano too many times to count.

J. Job title: Relationship Manager.

K. Kids: Someday...maybe.

L. Live: Frisco, TX

M. Mom’s name: Kay

N. Nicknames: Mer, Mer-Mer, Merida

O. Overnight hospital stays: Zero - I'm very lucky!

P. Pet peeves: Negative people.

Q. Quote from a movie: Steel Magnolias-

Truvy: What are your colors, Shelby?
Shelby: My colors are "blush" and "bashful."
M'Lynn: Her colors are "pink" and pink."
Shelby: My colors are "blush" and "bashful" Mama!

R. Righty or lefty: Righty

S. Siblings: Younger sister, Lindsay

T. Time you wake up: Usually around 7.

U. Underwear: Comfy and cotton.

V. Vegetables you don’t like: Celery and water chesnuts...too crunchy.

W. What makes you run late: Picking out what to wear.

X. X-rays you’ve had: Shoulders, Leg and Back.

Y. Yummy food you make: Desserts

Z. Zoo animal favorites: Penguins

States Visited

Um...I think I need to go to the upper half of the country. Make yours here.

What I've Done

I am borrowing this from my friend Kristin.

I encourage you to copy and paste on your own blog.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland and Disney World
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (Will NEVER do this.)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (on a rock wall)?
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant (in a drive thru)
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby (Well, isn't this a funny one?)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Red Velvet Brownie Covered Oreos

I made this recipe shared by Peabody for a friend's super bowl gathering tonight. I just snuck a taste of one for lunch! OMG!

Red Velvet Brownie Dipped Vanilla Double Stuffed Oreos

By Culinary Concoctions by Peabody

½ cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup cocoa powder
Pinch salt
1 TBSP red food coloring
1 tsp. vinegar
2 eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
About 16-18 Double Stuffed Oreos
Preheat oven to 350F. Place cupcake liners into two muffin pans.
In a saucepan on medium heat melt the butter.
Remove the butter to a large bowl and add the sugar, vanilla, cocoa powder, salt, food coloring, and vinegar, in that order, mixing between additions.
Whisk the eggs in a small bowl and stir it into the cocoa mix.
Fold in the flour until fully combined.
Dip the Oreo into the batter and do your best to completely coat it.

I spooned extra batter over the top.

Bake for 14-16 minutes.
Let cool, and then eat.
Red Velvet Brownie Recipe adapted from Foodnetwork.com

These are so good, I deviated a little bit by using the traditional double stuffed Oreo rather than the vanilla ones. My recipe made 16. I dipped mine and then spooned a little extra batter over the top once all were dipped.

I bet they are devoured quickly.

p.s. Sorry for the crappy camera phone pic, I figure it is better than no pic at all.

Product Love!

Laura Mercier Creme de Pistache

http://www.lauramercier.com/store/product/productListing.jsp?catId=cat180124&mainCatId=cat180012

I am in love with this scent. It is pretty light and fresh but a little creamy too! I like the honey bath and body cream.

Nothing warms your like core like a hot bath before bed!

It is not cheap but worth the splurge.