The Friendship Test - Elizabeth Noble

They say to never judge a book by its cover.  But that's exactly what I did when I picked up a copy of Elizabeth Noble's The Friendship Test.  It's cute cartoony cover stood out amongst the sea bland looking covers in a display of 'beach reads' or some other such nonsense concocted by my local book store.  And I am glad to report to you that the book was just as enjoyable as it's cute cover.

According to the summary, this book is about four women.  We meet them at the dawn of their camaraderie in the 1980s and already each woman is distinguished from the other: Tamsin, the compassionate mother hen; Reagan, the brazen and clever overachiever; Sarah, the seemingly perfect beauty; and Freddie, who despite being far from her U.S. home, finds strength in her friends. We forward to today, and as promised they are still firm friends… that is until a crisis occurs and the principles that define their friendship test are challenged. 

In her subtly english manner, Noble tells a seamless story of four compelling women and their ever evolving friendship.  She guides us through a journey of love, loss, betrayal, family, and adventure.  Through all the curves in their life roads, the friendship between these four incredible women was often tested, yet always constant. 

This is the kind of book I love to relax with after a long and stressful day, in a bubble bath with a glass of wine.  It is a light and enjoyable read that allows you to immerse yourself in this very human story.  The Friendship Test is chick lit at it's finest, and I recommend it to you.  Definitely a good beach read - the folks at my local book store were right after all.

Note that if you're in the UK, this book is titled The Tenko Club.  I'm not quite sure why the two titles.  Annoying.

I will definitely be seeking out more books by Elizabeth Noble next time I'm in a book store.

Wishful Wednesday: Easter

I'm back on the Wishful Wednesday bandwagon this week.  And this week's topic IS ...

'I Wish' .... I could re-live one Easter memory from my childhood, and it would be EVERY Easter!

I know this is incredibly boring and notsomuch creative, but let me explain my Easter's to you.  I've already divulged that I have a HUGEMONGOUS family (you've seen pictures of several of the members already, but those don't even scratch the surface) and every year, since I can literally remember, we do the same. thing.  WHICH, bytheway, I LOVE.  Our Easter's are very much like our Thanksgivings.  It's basically a day long rat race, which again, I LOVE.  My mister, on the other hand, isn't used to the "rat race" type of holidays, but he has adjusted well, I will say that.  Basically we start by going to my Mamo's house (my dad's side of the family) and eating far too much there.  And every year I KNOW that I need to pace myself because I have other binge-stops in the future and every year I COMPLETELY disregard this knowledge, making me feel like a stuffed turkey by the end of the day ... SOOO, after leaving my Mamo's and eating far too much, we head to my Mama's (mom's side of the family) house and eat far too much there.  And even if I WAS to listen to my knowledge of the fact that I need to pace myself, don't worry, it wouldn't DARE happen.  Because most assuredly one or both of my grandma's (and possibly my great aunts/aunts/cousins/everyone in my family) would invariably say "Why didn't you try my such and such?  Don't you like my cooking?  WHY DON'T YOU LIKE ME?" and I will end up feeling guilty and eating their casserole (with all 852 others) and feeling sicker than I thought I possibly could.  I DO, however, miss the Easter Egg hunting.  An excuse to eat a BASKET full of candy?  Yes please.  A prize egg that has (GASP) $5 in it (riches I know)?  Yes please.  But apparently 29 is too old to participate in this activity.  Pshhhhhhhh.  WHATEVER. 

But let's get a little sewious here.  The part about Easter that I would like to live EVERYday of my life thinking on and exemplifying is the REASON for Easter.  Not bunnies and eggs and baskets, but the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  The fact that on Sunday (and everyday) the grave is EMPTY and He is RISEN!  The fact that on Good Friday, He hung on a cross and bore our every sin, shame, disobedience, evil and every part of being a fallen world, so that WE wouldn't have to.  He BECAME sin for us and was seperated from the Father.   He exchanged perfection for wickedness and holy union for separation.  And He did this so we could be transformed into righteous men and women with an eternal future.  No wonder all of heaven exalts Him.  As we should, I say everyday, but let's especially do so on Easter.  The day of our RISEN Lord.  Sorry to get all preachy, but nothing stirs my heart more than the gospel, which is in short, that Christ died for all and rose again so that we might have eternal life with Him in Heaven after we die.  That NOTHING I can do is good enough or righteous enough and that ALL He asks is that I come to Him and lay my heart down at His feet.  Even when I suck and mess up.  Even when I have things in my past that I am ashamed of.  Even when I stumble in my sin.  He just wants my heart, that's all.  And in return I get eternal life.  I think that's pretty dadgum cool.  Also, if you haven't watched The Passion of the Christ (yes, by Mel Gibson, I know he's gone a bit nuts, but this movie is fantastic) I urge you to this Easter.  Word to the wise, remove all makeup and get ready to cry for about 120 minutes.  Because that's what I did.  And so did everyone else in the theater with me.  We all looked like someone punched us, called our momma fat and took our childhood dog when we left that theater.  If THAT doesn't convince you to rent it I don't know what will.  I'm a good convincer eh?  But all kidding aside (as much as I can put kidding aside) rent it. You won't regret it.

Alright, I'm done preachin'.  On that note, Happy Wishful Wednesday loverlies!!!  If you'd like to play, head on over to Kelsey's blog, grab a button and link up!!!

And P dittle S - Don't forget to enter my Giveaway for this little beaute ...


{In your own last name of course!}

... it's ends tomorrow night at 10pm!!!

ME, ME, ME!

My name is Bea, and I got this from Daisy.  This is my first one of these types of 'tags' and I thought it was really cute.

Never in my life have I been: to Hawaii.

The one person who can drive me nuts is: my little sister - but I think that's the 'Little Sister Directive'.

High school: was real, and fun, but not real fun.

When I’m nervous: I get fidgety.

The last song I listened to was: "Let Go" by Frou Frou

If I were to get married right now my best man/maid of honor: my little sister.

My hair is: Long and flat - and in need of a stylist.

When I was 5: My little sister was born.

Last Christmas: Was spent with family.

I should be..: Getting ready for bed.

The happiest recent event was: Enjoying the good weather with a long walk with the dogs.

By this time next year: I hope to be back in California.

There’s this girl I know that: drives trains for a living.

I like you when: You keep an open mind and have a sense of humor.

The world could do without: People who get off on making others miserable.

Most recent thing I’ve bought myself: Viva Glam Cindy lipstick from MAC.

Most recent thing someone else bought me: Passion fruit cleanser from the Body Shop.

The animals I would like to see flying besides birds are: People.

Once, at a bar: I ran into my advisor from school...and he was WASTED!

Last night I was: rewatching Queer as Folk - I love that show!

There’s this guy I know who: loves to gossip more than any girl I know.

Tomorrow I am: going to the movies.

Tonight I am: going to watch some more Queer as Folk, then head to bed at a decent hour.

My birthday is: April 13th

Temptation Tuesday!

Hidy Ho Ranger Joe friends!!!  It's time for my ever so AH-DORABLE Soulmatey's ...

What has been tempting me lately?  Tickling my fancy?  Well, I'll show you.  And I am going to preface with the fact that I'm about to score MAJOR nerd points (Kinda like Jake the Bachelor "dancing" to "It's Hip to be Square.  No Jake, it's really not hip to be square.  Anyone else think he looked like an ADD kid that hadn't taken his medicine in about a month?  What WAS that spaztic, GOOBERISH so-called dancing?  But DWTS last night could be a whole 'NOTHER post, don't EVEN GET me started ...) 

I mean, ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!?!?!  If you know me at all you know I'm crazily obsessed, cry at the sound of "When you Wish Upon A Star", wanted to be (and still do) a Disney Princess when I grow up a Disney (World/Land/On Ice/everything) fan.  And I DO realize that this is a Universal gig and that they're sworn enemies in the sacred land of Orlando (wherest I can only dream of visiting again soon) but a world (okay it's not a world, it's a theme park, go with me here) where I can ONLY imagine that the Harry Potter theme song will be played on repeat (which won't bother me one BIT since I currently have it as one of the ringtones on my phone ... I mean, I most certainly do NOT have it as a ringtone on my phone, what kind of NERD would do that ... sheesh!) and I get to visit HOGWARTS, HOGSMEADE, THE THREE BROOM STICKS and MORE?!?!?!  Seriously, I have goosebumps.  And on TOP of all that - my Mister says we can't GO!  He says we have to wait til we have kids to take there.  Um, I DON'T WANNA SHARE WITH MY KIDS!!!  I want to ride what I want to ride and not have to worry about anyone else!!!  Selfish you say?  Absolutely, and I don't care.  So if any of you would like to meet me in Orlando to watch me turn back into a 10-year-old I'd be HAPPY for you to join me ...

{If this just doesn't get your blood PUMPING with excitement I don't know what will ...}

Now, if they could just guarantee Harry, Ron and Hermoine would be there, THAT would just be icing on the cake!

Disclaimer:  I realize some of you may have just hopped on over to the "unfollow" button and clicked away because you just realized what a GIGANTOR nerd I am, but that's okay, if I can't be a nerd on my blog, where CAN I be a nerd?

And on another completely unrelated and random note let me quickly say that DWTS, you are not fair.  NOT FAIR I tell you.  I mean, no way.  NO WAY.  A PUSSYCAT DOLL who makes her living by borderline pole dancing is a naturally AWESOME dancer?  No way.  And she's blowing the competition, Drunkela Drunkerson (who's actually not THAT bad when she's not trying to molest her partner/the judges/the guy in the front row/the camera man), Tony & Kate Plus Not Great, and older than dirt (but precious) Buzz Aldrin?  I'm sorry, but it just gets me when they SING her praises (which she deserves) and treats most of the rest of the crew (although partially deserving) like an imbred, hillbilly, red-headed step child.  Seriously?  I mean, SERIOUSLY?  Okay, that's all of the ranting in relation to a 'ridiculous televison show that I've never watched before this season' for today - but I'm sure there'll be more next week.  WHY DO I GET SUCKED INTO THESE THINGS!?!?

Happy Temptation (and other random rants) Tuesday loverlies!  Head on over to my Soulmatey's blog to play along!!!

Cleaning Brushes with MAC Brush Cleanser

I can't start a brush cleaning tutorial without mentioning the anatomy of the makeup brush.  The bristles are glued into the metal ferrule, which is then attached to the handle.  It is important not to get any cleaning products or water into the ferrule as that may disturb the glue. 

I clean my brushes everytime I use them with MAC Brush Cleanser.  I also deep clean my brushes with soap and water every couple of weeks (depending on use).

I will show you how I clean my brushes with MAC Brush Cleanser in this tutorial.

STEP 1

STEP 2 

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6

STEP 7

 
Note:

Brush cleanser may damage some surfaces so be sure to protect your furniture.

Many companies make these types of brush cleansers.  I have not tried them, so I can't recommend them.

I know that there are people out there who put their brush cleanser into a spray bottle and spray the cleanser directly onto the brush.  I don't do this because I do not want to risk getting any cleanser into the ferrule, where it can disturb the glue. The few dollars I would save with the spray bottle method is not worth the potential damage to my expensive brushes.

Weekend Birfday Palooza Update ...

Hewwo friends.  I hope this Monday finds you all filled up from a weekend full of family, friends, fun & relaxing (not to mention eating too much, staying out too late and possibly sleeping in ...) We spent the WHOLE weekend celebrating my Mister's birfday (much to his dismay)  That's right, THAT'S my husband, "man who likes no attention drawn to him" guy.  Right here.  Maybe that's why he fell for me, because I am SO completely the opposite.  You wanna celebrate my birfday for 2 months?  Go right ahead.  Take me out to numerous birfday dinners?  Well, if you insist!  Get me more than a ridiculous amount of presents?  Pshhhhhhh, I GUESS so, if you FEEL so inclined.  Not my Mister.  But I think he liked all his gifts.  And maybe a LITTLE of the fussing over him?  Probably not, but a wife can hope.  Don't worry that among his gifts included a coffee pot and a robe.  Yep.  We're both 60 year olds trapped in 29 year old's bodies and we AIN'T AFFEARED TO SAY IT.  Um, did I mention I'm from Texas?  Pardon me, sometimes "East Texas Roots Katie" slips out.  Please ignore the hickish girl with a strong accent in overalls and a piece of straw in her mouth, in fact, play like she's not even here.  All that incessant rambling being said, here's a little visual of what the Mister's birfdaypalooza looked like ...

{Friday night before going here, for a fantabulous steak fried asparagus, skillet potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, creamed spinach, chocolate mousse cake & cinnamon/banana creme brulee so much food I could barely breathe dinner}

{With my brother Will who's way huger than me, dumbo (me) holding the camera case, eye sore Kate, EYE SORE!}

{My Mister enjoying his quadruple, tons of chocolatey ooey gooey goodness, chocolate mousse cake}

And then, onto evening #2 at Mi Cocina ...

{The twinyearolds (they're 10, they're twins, get it?) and their big sister}

{Da loot.}

{MMMMMM chocolatey goodness ...}

 And that's it for the birfdaypalooza.  We had us a good time.  NOW, just ABOUT a month and a half until it's MY turn.  Y'all just get REEEAAAADDDY (as in, to rumble) for the way I EAT that bidness UP!

On another completely unrelated and random note, don't forget about my Giveaway!  It closes at 10PM Thursday (yes, April Fools Day, and no, it's not a joke) night and the winner will be announced on Friday, April 2nd.  Good luck loverlies!!!

{P dittle S - Click the HUGE WORD Giveaway up there for info on how to enter.}

A Weekend to Relax

Stacy, Atoya and I woke up early Saturday morning to look for Stacy's wedding dress. While getting up that early was not on the top of my list for the weekend, the fun we had was worth it. We went to Clinton Hill and DUMBO to check out dresses and did a little site seeing. I think I might consider being a Brooklynite again. Our day included a sushi restaurant (even though I could only have tofu and sweet potatoes because of the Daniel's Fast) and hanging around the DUMBO area site seeing before I had dance rehearsal with the girls. Today ended the fast and I am so happy to see that I have seen so many changes in my life and those who were partaking in the fast. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. Be blessed.

Atoya & Stacy

Stacy & Me

Lush Big Shampoo - When My Hair Needs a Little Pep

When I my hair has the 'blahs' several days in a row, and I want to give it a little pep, I turn to Lush's Big Shampoo.  This shampoo looks like a salt scrub and smells like a margarita.  For the longest time, I didn't believe it would EVER lather when I picked some out of the pot.  In my world, salt scrubs don't lather.  But with plenty of water in my hair, Big shampoo gives me BIG lather, and it gives my hair BIG life.

Big shampoo is too harsh for everyday use.  But as a clarifying shampoo, it's a miracle.  I'm sure I've used more than 10 pots of this stuff over the years, and it's the first product that reached HOLY GRAIL status for me.  More on that later.

So here's a margarita toast to a week of good hair days!

Cheers!

DIY: The Vanity is Officially Finished!!

I'm really happy with how this turned out.  Here are a couple of pics of the finished masterpiece!

What do you think???

Although this is not the first piece of furniture I have refinished, I learn something new with each project.  Lesons learned with this project:

   ~ I heart Benjamin Moore melamine paint.

   ~ A good electric sander saves time and sweat, and increases the quality of the finished product - worth it's weight in gold.

   ~ Ditch the brush (even the expensive ones leave streaks) and use a small foam roller whenever possible.

   ~ Take more/better 'before' pictures.

I can't wait for my next furniture refinishing project! 

For the full story, check out the rest of PROJECT VANITY.

At the Movies - Alice in Wonderland

I FINALLY saw Alice in Wonderland tonight.  I felt like the last person on the planet who did not see it, so I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.  I enjoyed myself - it was a fun movie.  However, I think I may have enjoyed it more if it wasn't so over-hyped.  Since I've been hearing about this movie for so long, my expectations were definitely not met.  The movie dragged at times, and Johnny Depp was much better in the Pirates of the Carribean movies, than he was in Alice.  Anne Hathaway was also not that great in this movie, though I suspect that her character died a boring death in writing, so Anne never had a chance. 

On the positive side, the set design made Wonderland come alive.  The makeup, costumes and special effects made for delicious eye candy.  Helena Bonham Carter made the role of the Red Queen her own, and did a fantastic job.  Mia Wasikowska did a great job as alice.

Go see this movie if:

 ~ You want to go to the movies with your kids.

 ~ You are looking for something 'light' and 'fun' and 'a bit quirky'.

 ~ You want to see what all the fuss was about.

 ~ You want to see the special effects on th big screen.

Cool Beans: I Have My Copy!!!!

I received my copy of Cool Beans this afternoon. I am so excited! I am currently reading A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman; so once I'm done that will be the next book on my reading list. I can't wait!

Favorite Fridays AND My Giveaway!

Today's Favorite Fridays topic IS ...

Favorite Television Show; Category; Comedy

Oh this one was easy schmeasy.  Hands down.  Friends.  We have every season on DVD.  I have the majority of them memorized.  I seriously feel like I know these characters we know as Joey, Chandler, Ross, Monica, Rachel & Phoebe.  In fact, I use quotes from the show in daily conversation.  Quite possibly too much.  The mister and I will frequently say "How YOU doin'?" to each other ... ya know ... when we're bein' flirty.  I frequently yell "Old or new, OLD OR NEW!" for no good reason ... my hair CONSTANTLY calls for use of "Monica's hair is TWICE the size it was when we got on the plane!"  (can we say HULLO Texas humidity?!!?) but my FAVORITE episode of ALL TIME is The One Where No One's Ready, where this happens ...

{"You hide my clothes, I'm wearing everything you own, "Look at me I'm Chandler, could I BE wearing any more clothes?"}

And this ...

{"Hummus, I got the hummus."}

Always has, always will be my all time favorite television comedy.  I could watch reruns any day, any time and never get sick of them.  Believe me.  I've tried.

And now, ON to my Giveaway!  Woot woot!  And I'm super excited about this one blog friends.  My Silly makes these INCREDIBLE name frames (over $100 value) that can be found at her site, http://www.pinkdoordesign.com/ (among other amazing things like invitations, birth announcements, moving cards, stationary, etc etc - check out the name frames here, that's where her fancy schmancy pictures of the name frames she's already done are) ... 

{example of the one she gave me for my 27th birfday}

... and she is GIVING ONE AWAY to one of my lucky readers! Isn't that SCHWEET of my SCHILLY!?!?  The winner will have their choice between the brown frame with sepia letters (like mine) or a black frame with black and white letters, whichever matches your home decor better.  SO here's the part you've all been waiting for.  HOW do you enter you ask?  Well, I will tell you.  There are several ways you can have extra entries.

#1 - Become a follower (if you're not already) and come and tell (i.e. comment) me so.

#2 - Blog about it on your blog, posting a link back here and a link to my Silly's website and tell me about it. 

AND

#3 - Tweet and/or facebook about it and come back and tell me 'bout it.

I will close the giveaway next Thursday at 10PM (Cause really, who wants to wait up until midnight for the last entry?  I sure as H don't!) and announce the winner on Friday, April 2nd!  Good luck to you all and HAPPY WEEKEND!!!

(Disclaimer: The most letters the name can have is 9 letters and if it's less than 9 letters it will be the size pictured, if it is 9 letters the frame is a little bit smaller as the letters are cut smaller. Also, anyone entering has to be in the United States as they are breakable and hard to ship)

Review: MAC Brush Cleanser

A fellow tomboy is going to a wedding this weekend, and called me for a makeup consult.  I brought over some brushes and makeup to pick out some colors and teach her how to apply a total 'look'.  She pulled out her pithy makeup assortment and her single face brush.  I was appalled!  No, not because she only had one face brush.  It was the sad state of the brush that made me cringe.  You see, for the last one and a half years that this tomboy owned that brush (and used it every day to apply her mineral makeup), she NEVER washed it!  It was tattered and gross looking.  The bristles were frayed and uneven.  I would have taken a picture for you, but I didn't want to offend and upset my tomboy friend.  So instead, I decided to review MAC Brush Cleanser.

I resisted buying this brush cleanser for a long time.  But as time went on, and my MAC brush collection grew, I broke down and got it.  And now I can't live without it.

I have heard people complain about this brush cleanser, because it is too expensive and it is drying on the brushes.  My last bottle of brush cleanser cost me about $15, and lasted me several months of DAILY use.  I consider that a pretty good deal for ensuring that my brushes are well maintained.

I have also not experienced problems with the cleanser being drying.  I do condition my brushes (with hair conditioner) when I deep clean them. All of my brushes are as good as the day I bought them, despite the fact that some of them are over 5 years old.

I spot clean my brushes everytime I use them - and a brush cleanser is the way to do it.  I will post a tutorial on cleaning your brushes in the next couple of days, so keep an eye out for it.

Nothing Less Than Butterflies*

"Some people are settling down, some people are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies.*"
-Carrie Bradshaw





*This of course is after I find out he's a God-fearing, respectable, decent Man of God who loved live, his family and friends. I will stop there and save that for another posting.











image source: dominoeve.wordpress

Thoughtless Thursday ANNNND A Giveaway!!!

Yep.  It's THAT time again.  Time to play Thoughtless Thursday.  If you don't know the rules, go here.  It will 'splain things.  And today's Thoughtless Thursday won't be quite "thoughtless".  In fact it's actually quite thought FULL.  Last night my mom hosted a little (and by little I mean 20 + people, we're from Texas kids, we do everything bigger down heyah, especially families) going away party for my cousins (and yes, one of them is a cousin by marriage, I said we're from TEXAS, not Arkansas ...) because they're moving to stinky ol' Arizona.  I mean, who would want to live in Arizona anyway?  Pshhhhhhhhhh.  Dumb Arizona, Texas could KICK Arizona's BOOTIE all the way to border patrol and BACK, BOO DIGGITY BOO YAH!

(PS - y'all know I'm just kiddin' I'm just sad they're movin' that's all)

So this post will be of pictures of my nomadic cousins (I say this because I secretly hope they'll come back, shhhhh don't tell) Mikey and his wife Joanna and their two BEAUTIFUL, PRECIOUS girls, Maddyn and Paralee.  I mean seriously these baby girls have big baby blues and (well one of them, I'm pretty sure the other will follow suit but she's 2 months so it's hard to tell) white blonde hair.  Literally little cherubs.  And I'm now thinking most of these will be of me and Jo.  Not that I don't love my (actual blood) cousin Mikey, but Jo's more fun to do girly schtuff with.  Sorry Mikey.

{Erica, Jo, me, my Silly.  MMMMMM Dilemas at Mi Cocina.  Yummy.}

{Kenny Chesney.  Well hello tan and long hair, have you not gotten my letters BEGGING you to return?  Why have you not responded?  COME BACK TAN AND LONG HAIR!}

{Kenny.  Again.}

{Me n' Jo at The White Elephant Party}

{Me with their first baby girl, Maddyn}

{Jo (yep, she went brunette, she is SUPER brave with her hair and it always looks A-DORABLE) preggers with Maddyn and Mikey showing HIS baby bump!}

{Me (looking AWESOME bythaway, that's what happens when you give a party, you sweat and "shine") and Jo at her shower at my house}

And lastly, tonight at their party ...

FINE.  Go to Arizona.  See if I care (sniff, sniff, tear) ...

But sewiously.  I love you both.  And your precious baby girls.  Come back and visit often (and I mean like every weekend, let's make that happen), mmmmk?

And speaking of tonight, I got to see this favorite at the party too ...

{My SILLY!}

And why am I so excited about my Silly (other than the fact that she's awesome?) well it MAY just be because she's agreed to do a giveaway.  And it MAY just be from her incredible website, Pink Door Design.  And it MAY just be for one of her last name frames.  So you MAY just want to get a WITTLE bit excited.  I'm just sayin'.  You may.  If you want to see some MORE of my Silly's amazing work, hop on over here to see the Christmas cards she designed for me, FROM SCRATCH.  I just gave her the picture, told her my idea and WHAM, she came up with this greatness!  I will explain the giveaway in full detail on Friday after my Favorite Friday post (there's just all kinds of link clickin' happiness in this paragraph idn't there?)  Oh and did I MENTION this giveaway is over a $100 value?  Cause it is.  Be excited, be vewwwwyyyy excited!!!