Help Me Help You

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  After a long last week - the Mr. Cuddles walks in the door and pours himself a high ball of Johnny Walker Black on the rocks kind of week - we decided we were in the mood for our favorite TGIF cuisine, Mexican.  Since we used to frequent Los Cuetas with C and C music factory, and didn't want to be reminded that we couldn't enjoy a frosty beverage with them since they are now 645-682 miles away from us (depending on how you Google map it), we decided to take a stroll to Don Lobos on M Street despite being forewarned by our next door neighbor that "it's one of those places where it tastes like everything's microwaved."  Forewarned and all - Mr. Cuddles now with a to-go cup in hand - we moseyed our way to Don Lobos...just to try it for ourselves...just because we can formulate our own opinion as to whether or not we think they nuke their chili con queso or not.  Let's just say, the forewarning was fair.  The queso was nuked, the house margarita mine as well have been sweet n' sour mix, straight up, and the "tex mex" fajitas (beef, chicken, shrimp) we shared were a 6 on a scale of 1 to 20.  You live and you learn, right?  The nice thing is that we shared a decent dinner, while enjoying each other's company, and ironed out some things we needed to accomplish in the coming weeks in between weekend travel.  Mr. Cuddles actually left Monday and is traveling through tonight, so I've had a few self help days, which may or may not have consisted of face treatments, mindless TV (Desiree and Chris, Shark Week, Jeopardy Teacher's Tournament, Real Housewives of OC), some light house cleaning, or all of the above.  Since I already shared my favorite house cleaning products, here are some bath and body products that I own, or use on a regular basis, that might help your [insert ailment or blemish here]:

Best body...

Hand wash/lotion - Pecksniff's hand wash/lotion sets and fragrant home candles. You can find some of their discontinued sets at Home Goods.

Body lotion - since strong perfumes bother me in my old age, I look to body lotion for scents.  Bliss Body Butter is my scent of the month, but I also use Jo Malone, Burt's Bees, Kai, and Origins.  For dry, sensitive skin - or unscented - consider Lubriderm.  I like this one because it goes on light but lasts all day. 

Self tanning - Sonia Kashuk tan towels.

Body soap - Dove.  Retains moisture. 

Body wash - Dial.  Keeps skin clear.

Body scrub - Fresh brown sugar or good old St. Ives. 

Razor - Disposable Mach 3.  Sharp blades = no razor burn!

Shaving cream - any sensitive skin cream or gel, but I find cheap works just as well.

Foot cream - Gold Bond therapeutic. 

Pumice stone - Body Shop or any CVS/Target.

Best face...

Mary Kay. No, I don't mean Marc Jacobs, I mean Mary Kay. Pink.Cadillac.Mary.Kay. My Mom and I use their Timewise line (I'm normal/dry), but I also love their Replenishing Serum + C, Night Restore and Recover Complex, Microdermabrasion, Targeted Action Line Reducer, Satin Lips Mask (exfoliates like nobodies business), Sun Care Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30, VoluFirm Night Treatment with Retinol, and Hydrating Toner which I don't see online. MKMen, for the guy in your life, also has a nice facial bar, after shave and moisturizer. 

Face wipes - for when you're lazy - toning, moisturizing, sensitive, travel.

Tinted moisturizer - Laura Mercier (bisque) or Lorac (tawny temptress). 

BB Cream - Garnier.

Full coverage - Lancome dual finish powder.

Mascara - Benefit, Bad Gal Lash.

Bronzer - Benefit, Hoola.

Black eyeliner - Too Faced.

Shadow set - Cargo.  I mainly use brow bone and lid. 

Cheek/lip tint - Sonia Kashuk. 

Lip gloss (my fave) - Too many to link, so here are my top three: O-Gloss, Chanel Glossimer, Bonne Bell Vanilla Frosting.

Lip moisture - Mary Kay, Kiehl's, Rosebud Salve, Burt's Bees, Eos.

Best hair...

Shampoo - Kerastase or Pureology.

Conditioner - Tresemme.

Heat protectant - Moroccan oil. 

Straightening/styling cream - Kiehl's.

Paddle brush - Peter Coppola (infused with Keratin oil).

Round brush - Ceramic or thermal.

Dryer - T3.

Leave-in treatment - Derm Organic. 

At-home glaze - Aveeno (more so for colored hair) or John Frieda.

Dry shampoo - Oscar Blandi or Batiste.

Hair tie - Kitsch.

Best tools...

Tweezers - Tweezerman (I use the mini slant - easier to grip).

Magnifying mirror - Since my 1970's one with the indoor/outdoor/office/home light settings finally bit the dust, I'm relegated to this one which I've actually grown to like.  Best when used in natural light. 

Straightener - wet to dry, pricier, addicting. 

Sock bun - Can't find my exact one, but this is pretty close.

Brush set - Sonia Kashuk. 

Make-up eraser - Almay.

Curlers - Plug-in, self grip.

Curling - wand, iron.

Sponge - face, body.

Best bed and bath...

Towels - Restoration Hardware, Macy's, wrap.

Robes - jersey, satin, plush.

Socks - n.a.p.

Sheets - Pure Beech, Lands End (no iron).

Sleepwear - Cosabella, Gilligan & O'Malley, Honeydew.

House shoes - summer, winter, or Toms.

I did want to share another recent house find - blush bath mats...

...that work well with what I call our "birds of a feather flock together" shower curtain.

I also had a misty, but fun, Tuesday night at the Nationals/Braves (still conflicted over who to root for after all these years) game with some lady friends.  It doesn't get much better than catching up with good friends, at a great game, in some ridiculous seats.  Thanks for coming out with me Jess, Nat and Stace!  And, thanks for the sleep over and pic, Bayer:



In closing, happy hump day (last time, I promise, it's just too funny) and congrats to my Dad who started his "retirement" gig this week!  I guess this dreary weather has me thinking about fall, so here is a Carol Harman soup - turned crock pot - recipe I'm sure you'll enjoy.

CO Harman's Savory Soup Recipe

1-2 lbs ground round (depending on how much you want to make)
1/2 medium onion (red for flavor, white for neutral), diced
2 15 oz cans mixed vegetables, drained or a favorite frozen steamers mixture
2 cups fresh lima beans or black eyed peas
2 cups corn
4 15 oz cans diced tomatoes
1 can okra (or 1 cup fresh)
1-2 cups water
*You can really add any veggies you want, so get creative and throw in bell peppers, carrots, green beans, etc.*

Directions

Brown ground round (with our without onion), transfer to crock pot, mix all ingredients together, season to taste (black pepper, kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, pinch of cayenne), and cook on low 4 hours.

Seasonal Serving
Fall:  This is perfect for a football or tailgate party!  Ask to borrow mugs with your friends alma maters and place them next to the crock pot for people to serve themselves.  Offer oyster crackers, and some hot sauce, for folks to "drop in" if they'd like.  If you plan to serve an appetizer or spread, this goes great with Knorr spinach dip (be sure to add water chestnuts for a nice crunch) served in a french or sourdough bread bowl (can use extra bread for soup dunking) OR a goat cheese (Chavrie, original pyramid) and sun dried tomato spread.  Simply mix the goat cheese and sun dried tomato spread to your liking and consistency.  Top with caramelized onion for added flavor.  If you're feeling really fancy you could create a "food field" lining the table with different kinds of dips and chips, a 7-layer dip with guacamole on the top for the turf, and some desserts for stadium seating.  Google "food stadium" for more info!

Transitional Entertaining
If you're doing this tailgate style, you probably won't have a proper table setting, so you could consider these little touches to make the event more festive:

- Have sports themed t-shirts available and make each guest pick one they want to wear for the duration of the party.  Or, have a design-your-own table which could make it fun and interactive. 
- Order cupcakes, or macaroons or cookies, from a local baker and have them ice them with your household team color or logo.
- Buy custom balloons or cocktail napkins from your favorite store. 
- Make milk chocolate (or cake) pops shaped like footballs and serve them sticking out of turf (a.k.a. edible Easter grass, M&M's, Sour Straws).
- If it's a nice day, have an outdoor activity ready for guests such as horseshoes or bocce to encourage some competition.
- If it's a rainy day, play sports charades and have everyone act out their favorite athlete...or hum a fight song that everyone has to guess. 

Cakes' Commentary
If you're hosting, encourage your guests to get involved.  Ask a friend to create a play list for the evening, have someone bring a fun group game, invite your favorite couple - or friend - over early for a glass of wine while you're prepping for the party, or suggest that everyone bring their favorite cocktail, with some extra recipe cards, to offer variety and spark conversation.  Whether it be a pot-luck, theme party, or beer pairing for a couple's night, including your guests in the planning process will get them more excited about attending your event. 

Comments for Cakes? Please submit comments, feedback, questions, or things you'd like to see posted!