Peppermint Bark: It's That Time of Year

Every year, when Thanksgiving is over, pumpkin disappears and the world around you becomes everything peppermint. I am not mad about that. Peppermint is one of my favorite flavors. If I can get through the rest of the year without sugar overload (I think this has already happened this year) I try everything peppermint I can. One of my favorite things to make is peppermint bark.

Sure, you can go to Trader Joe's and buy a box of peppermint bark for ten dollars, but it's so easy to make that you might as well make it yourself and have a little fun. Plus, it makes so much that you have to be saving money. This year I went a bit overboard with it. But let me tell you...it was a big hit at the office. This year I added marshmallows. Honestly, I think it made all of the difference. 

My bark this year consisted of semi-sweet chocolate, white chocolate, red and green sprinkles, crushed candy canes, peppermint extract, and marshmallows. 

Turns out the chocolate from Trader Joe's is pretty tasty. So are the marshmallows. All of it is pretty inexpensive, too. Chocolate chips are less than $3 a bag, and the marshmallows were under $2. I got the candy cane sticks from Walmart for 99 cents. They are the old-fashioned style, which I LOVE. They aren't glossy. They are a matte finish and a lot easier to bite into and chew, almost like a dinner mint. That made it easy to crush and super easy to bite into when eating the bark.

So, after a chocolate situation earlier in the week with a double boiler, I decided to use the microwave method. I always try to use a glass bowl when melting chocolate in the microwave. Make sure the bowl is extremely clean and SUPER DRY. This is very important. If you have just washed the bowl and there is any bit of dampness or water, the chocolate will seize when it melts and mixes with the water and you will have to toss it out. So, make sure to wipe it out completely. Next tip is to microwave in 20-30 second increments. This will seem silly at first as it may take a cycle or two to really begin to melt down, but trust me, this is important. You want to distribute the heat in the chocolate every time, so make sure to stir completely between cycles. 

Depending on how thick you want your bark, you only need 1 1/2 to 2 bags of each chocolate. I went with 1 1/2 and it made a sheet pan full and it was PLENTY for the week.

What you will need:

1 1/2 bags of dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 bags of white chocolate chips
1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract (depends on preference of strength)
4-5 candy cane sticks
1/4 bag of mini marshmallows (give or take to preference)
Other red/green sprinkles (NOT sugar as it will just melt into the chocolate)

Step by step instructions:

1. Prep baking sheet with parchment paper. (Do NOT use oil).
2. Place candy cane sticks in a bag and pound with a hammer or rubber mallet until crushed to desired consistency.
3. Measure out semi-sweet chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl (preferably glass).
4. Microwave in 20-30 second increments stirring between each turn making sure to not overheat. (**tip: when almost melted completely, keep stirring. It will eventually completely melt without another turn in the microwave).
5. Pour out onto the prepared baking sheet and smooth out with a spatula or offset spatula making sure to get it as even as possible.
6. Place the pan in the refrigerator for a couple of minutes to set up slightly so white chocolate won't mix into the dark.
7. Measure out white chocolate chips into a glass bowl and microwave in 20-30 second increments like the other. White chocolate is a lot more temperamental so be very careful not to overheat. 
8. Stir in peppermint extract completely and then pour white chocolate onto dark in baking pan. Use a spatula to even out across pan. 
9. Sprinkle marshmallows over the top of the white chocolate and gently press down into chocolate.
10. Sprinkle candy cane pieces over the top and press down lightly to stick into the white chocolate.
11. Sprinkle red and green sprinkles all over.
12. Place pan in the refrigerator for 10-15 min or until completely set. Take out and use a knife to cut into squares or (the easier way) break into pieces and store in airtight container.

Don't get intimidated by the number of steps. It is actually very easy. Just go for it. If you have never worked with chocolate before, just be sure to follow my tips above. Once you master the steps, you will be wanting to make chocolate bark for all occasions! I was told by multiple people in my office this week that this was the best bark they had ever had. Pretty high compliments for something you just melt and throw together. Try it out! I bet your friends and family will love it.

My Life: What's Been Going On

It's been a while since I have posted. This isn't because I haven't wanted to or because I haven't thought of things to post. It all comes down to lack of time.

The last few months have been a bit crazy in my personal life. I suddenly moved, my job got a lot busier, and I have been trying to manage my anxiety. When you have anxiety, one little thing can throw you off. When you have big things happen, it can throw you in a spiral even when those things are happy or good. 

My full-time job is in its busy season and our budget was increased this year, so it's even crazier than last year. My bosses are both used to me now and I think they trust me more so there has been an increase in projects thrown at me which has been positively welcomed. I am not one to be happy being bored. It drives me up the wall and isn't good for anxiety. So, this increase in the workflow is good, but can also cause its own type of stress. 

Moving has been wonderful. I am finally back on my own and have my own space after many years. I have a wonderful mother who has been extremely helpful while I went through some of the toughest times in my life. My life is getting back on track and being back on my own is one of those things that helps. But with new experiences comes new responsibilities and it's been a long time since I have had the sort of expenses I have now, which brings on a whole new type of anxiety. 

So, I have been getting settled in, having a birthday, working overtime, and caring for my mental health (and my cat who has his own anxiety over the move). All of the sudden the holidays are upon us! How did this happen? How has it been so long since I have posted? I had planned on baking a new recipe over the weekend for my company's Thanksgiving potluck yesterday, but then I came down with a cold and had to miss the potluck. I am hoping to make that recipe over the holiday weekend and share it with you all. If it turns out like I think it will, everyone will love it!

I leave you with a promise of my return and a hope that everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving...and a quote from my favorite show, Gilmore Girls.

Luke: Shouldn't we give thanks first?

Jess: Thanks for what?

Luke: Well, that we're not Native Americans who got their land stolen in exchange for smallpox infested blankets.

Lorelai: Amen.

Review: Yes To Coconuts Sheet Mask

Recently I have been obsessed with face masks. Ever since the girl at Sephora put the little doodad up to my face and it read that I actually have mostly dry skin with only patches of oil, I have been determined to keep it hydrated. So far hydrating my skin regularly is definitely making my face look better. So I guess there is something to the saying "hydrate, hydrate, hydrate."

Well, I decided to try the Yes To Coconuts sheet mask without having read any reviews. I just grabbed one in CVS one day and thought because I love some of their other products that the sheet mask would be awesome and what a plus that it's inexpensive. WRONG.

The minute I opened it I could barely stand the strong "coconut" smell. I put that in quotations because it was definitely a fake smell of coconut and not natural. Upon trying to fit it on my face I realized that the face holes were also oddly placed. It didn't fit my face perfectly, but no big deal, many of the paper masks don't. Well, once I got it on it took less than 10 seconds before my face started to burn. I mean, BURN. I had to immediately take it off and rinse my face! I was very disappointed that I had spent any money at all on it. My face was so irritated from that short amount of time that I had to break out my tried and true Nugg peppermint face mask. Thank goodness for some leftover Nugg pods.

Whatever you do, read reviews before buying anything for your skin. Pulling the link for the Yes To Coconut mask, I found horrible reviews that had a common issue: burning skin. I wrote my own review. They really should take it off the market. It's that awful. For now, I will stick to Nugg. They are a little pricier, but I have never tried one that has let me down and my skin always looks amazing afterward.

Life: It Gets in the Way Sometimes

I wanted to make sure I updated to let you all know that I haven't disappeared. I have some life things that have gotten in the way temporarily, but I will be back! In the meantime, you can find me on Instagram @randomcoordinatedchaos. 

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer: Is the Hype Worth It?

No. No, no, no, and no. The hype isn't all it's cracked up to be. Let me explain.

Tarte Shape Tape concealer has been talked about in the beauty blog and YouTube world for a while now. I watched plenty of women (albeit twenty-somethings) try this concealer only to rave about how wonderful it was. I thought, "Well, heck. I need to try it, too." So, I went on the hunt...for months.  I searched for the right shade that was out of stock even on the Tarte Cosmetics website. I figured it has to be pretty great stuff if you can never find it, right? But was it?

I finally got my hands on the perfect shade after stalking Ulta Beauty (three different locations) and checking the Tarte website every other day. I was so excited to try this "holy grail" product that has been praised by so many. At first application, I loved it. My horrible dark circles finally looked concealed for a change. It was wonderful for covering up redness and blemishes, too. The first time I tried it, I only wore makeup for a couple of hours and it still looked fabulous when I went to remove it. The next time I used it I wore make up for a full day. This is where Tarte Shape Tape Concealer and I decided to break up.

As a 41-year-old that can pass for 25 on a good day, I thought my skin could use the same products as a lot of twenty-somethings use, and for the most part, that is true. However, this concealer is not for forty-something skin, no matter HOW great your skin is. As you get older, you lose moisture and collagen in your skin, changing the elasticity. Even those of us that take care of our skin and look younger still have fine lines and skin that has been exposed to the elements for 40 plus years.

This concealer, no matter what they tell you, settles into fine lines. Regardless of how I applied it or how much moisturizer or primer I used, it settled into my fine lines around my eyes within a few hours. By the end of the day, my under-eyes looked blotchy, flaky, and downright awful. I have had concealers fade throughout the day, but this resulted in something I had never anticipated or experienced: it made me look older. I tried it a few times thinking that I just applied too much, or too little, or I didn't blend correctly. Every time I used it I had the same end-of-the-day result.

Let me be clear about two things.
1. Tarte Cosmetics is awesome. I have used some of their other products and LOVE them. I have an eye shadow palette that I use all the time and it's wonderful.
2. This concealer is great for someone with young, smooth skin. For a teen or a twenty-something, this would be perfect for concealing all kinds of skin issues.

My conclusion of my Tarte Shape Tape journey is that this isn't a great concealer for anyone over about 35. I found that I looked better just using my foundation under my eyes than trying it again and again hoping for something new but still getting the same result. That's the definition of insanity, isn't it? I suppose I just wanted to love it as much as everyone else does.

This whole experience sent me on a journey of finding a new concealer that works and still looks good at the end of the day. It led me to Urban Decay's Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer. It does a great job at covering redness, dark circles, and blemishes without the dreaded end of the day gasp when I look in the mirror. I am still willing to try other high-end concealers that are raved about. Maybe my next journey will be It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye.

Blueberry Chia Oats: A Different Kind of Breakfast

I hadn't planned on there being this much time between my last post and this one but life got away from me. Work got busier, I was working through a pain flare, and my mom had surgery. It's been quite a hectic few weeks. I am finally getting back on track. I have been trying some new foods and eating a more plant based diet. Don't worry, I haven't fully gone vegan, but probably about 75% of my diet is now plant based. Not surprisingly, I feel a lot better. I am even trying out Kombucha for the first time. I don't know who this healthy girl is, but I am liking her. I wish she would have gotten on board in her 20's. Maybe then she'd have a lot fewer health problems!

Part of being healthy is eating whole foods and getting all the nutrients you need to create and sustain energy throughout the day. I have been looking at ways to take some of the foods I am eating and add to them or mix them up a bit to make them more interesting. One thing I need more of in my body is Omega-3. I used to take a supplement but I have such a sensitive stomach that it didn't last long. I consume granola with flax seed almost on a daily basis but wanted to find an additional way to consume more Omega's. Cue Chia seeds.

I made overnight oats the day that my mom had surgery. We had to be there so early that I knew I would never be able to eat breakfast beforehand. So, I brought my overnight oats in a mason jar to save to eat after she got settled. I had added chia seeds to the jar and I loved it. It tasted so good that when I found this recipe, I knew I had to try it.

I am not one for making breakfast on the stove top if I can help it. I am all about quick and easy breakfast (hence the overnight oats). My standard morning breakfast is oatmeal cooked in the microwave with blueberries and granola. I decided to take a chance on something a little different and I loved it! Even cut in quarters, this recipe still made enough for me to have the leftovers the next morning. Find the original recipe here.

Blueberry Chia Oats

1/4 c gluten free rolled oats
1/2 T chia seeds
1/2 Tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c blueberries
pinch of sea salt
1/2 T honey
1 c unsweetened almond milk

Directions:
1. Place all ingredients in a small to medium pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to medium/low and let simmer for about 10 min. Stir frequently until most of the liquid is absorbed and remove from heat.
3. Transfer to a bowl and top as desired.

I topped my batch with granola, dried blueberries, and almond slivers. Super healthy and very tasty. You can see pictures on my Instagram page: randomcoordinatedchaos. 

Get out there and try something new and healthy! Let me know what you find.

Paleo Muffins: Retrial

I recently made Paleo Strawberry Muffins. (Original blog post here.) It didn't go as planned. We all have those moments where we have this big idea and expectations and then one false move and...disappointment. That was me two weeks ago.

Baking vegan is not an easy task. When you have food allergies you have to make some sacrifices. Dairy and eggs are the hardest to bake without. I have yet to have a new allergen-free recipe turn out wonderful on the first try. (Unless you count bread in my bread maker that comes out perfect every single time.) I tried to substitute for the three eggs the recipe called for. Being as I like the flavor of chia over flax, I tried chia "eggs." I had whole chia seeds and no way to grind them down successfully. This led to "eggs" that were too gelatinous for the recipe in question and kept the muffins from baking the way they should have. So, I decided to do a retrial of the recipe to see if the ground chia made a difference. After that trial, I purchased a grinder on Amazon and patiently waited for the mail delivery.

My grinder arrived! I was finally able to try out the Paleo Muffin recipe with ground chia. Let me tell you...the grinder I purchased is heavenly. It took less than 5 seconds to grind 3 Tablespoons of chia seeds. This is the one I purchased. I highly recommend it for spices or coffee. It's powerful, sleek, and easy to clean. (Under $15 didn't hurt.)

The retrial was NOT a complete success, but I definitely saw improvement. The ground chia made a huge difference, but I still ended up baking them for about 45 min and some of the muffins still had a gooey center. I decided to try blueberries this time thinking that they would help with the wetness in the center. They did, slightly. The batter was much fluffier and not quite as thick as my first attempt. Despite the batter not being too wet, they still had problems baking. After they cooled, they set up a lot better and were definitely more edible than the first batch.

My deduction is that a flax or chia egg substitute only works if you have 1 or 2 eggs to replace. I am curious to see what happens if I try it with 2 chia eggs instead of 3 and add maybe a Tablespoon of coconut flour. Coconut flour is known to absorb liquid, even with a small amount of flour. This may help soak up the extra moisture. It's worth a try, right? I also think that using all coconut oil instead of part ghee may have been an issue I need to resolve as well. However, I still need it to be milk and dairy free. Ghee is not something I have tested with my allergies, so I would rather not use it. Finding a substitute for the ghee in the original recipe, though, might make a huge difference.

I am not usually a person that tries to create my own recipe off of another. However, I am determined to get these to work! There is a first time for everything and this first time may just take a handful of trial runs before it comes out perfect. Hopefully, all of you will enjoy the learning I am doing and maybe learn a little something new yourself. Trial #3 in the works.

***These will only last 3-4 days in a sealed container. Today, day 5, I found mold on the bottom of the last muffin. So either eat or freeze them.

Paleo Strawberry Muffins: Success or Fail?

Baking gluten free, dairy free, and egg free is always a challenge. I have an AA in Pastry Arts and I still struggle to cook and bake this way. I recently started following this wonderful blogger Paleo Gluten Free Eats on Instagram and she has inspired me to start baking and cooking more. Her posts are beautifully photographed and she is always making something interesting and new. Watching her videos and reading her blog made me start searching even further for more recipes that fit in my dietary category. For the most part, her recipes do that, but I also need egg free. It's extremely difficult to find something Paleo AND egg free.

I recently headed the Paleo route only because that diet does eliminate dairy and gluten already. The added bonus is no refined sugar, which I have also been working on cutting down. The only problem with Paleo and my dietary restrictions is that it does include eggs, and usually a lot of them. (In regular cooking, it also usually includes a lot of meat which my body isn't used to. I have also recently eliminated chicken as an experiment). So, with that in mind, I went to Pinterest. I have (as many do) a love/hate relationship with Pinterest. It's mostly that I hate that I love it. As many of us know, though, it's a great resource for recipes, especially for special diets. I found a few recipes I wanted to try but was craving something I could take as a snack for work that also felt summery. I came across a recipe for Paleo Strawberry Muffins. No gluten, no dairy, no refined sugar...but 3 eggs. Going back to my baking training, I remembered that I could substitute a flax or chia "egg" instead of using a powdered egg replacer (which never works as well and smells like chemicals). So, I went on a run to the store to find chia.

The store only had whole chia seeds which I determined would be fine and I could just grind them in the tiny food processor we have. NOPE. This was the one big fail. 20 min of grinding in the food processor and they barely broke down. I tried mashing them in the mortar and pestle we have (that a quick search on Google said would also be an option) and NOPE. Nothing. So, I went forward with the recipe anyway. This was the major flaw in my plan. When the chia isn't broken down into powder it becomes EXTRA gelatinous and way too thick to be an egg replacement. I ended up baking it longer than necessary and it was still a bit gummy. The taste was great but I had to toss the remaining muffins after a few days because they got soggier. I have already ordered a spice grinder so I can try this recipe again!

Try it yourself and let me know how it goes. I have included the regular egg and the chia/flax egg information. The strawberries can be swapped out for raspberries, blueberries or I would think even apples (with a dash of cinnamon...yum). Find the original recipe here.

Servings: 9 muffins

Ingredients

• 2 cups almond flour        
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs (flax or chia substitute: 1 Tbsp. ground flax or chia to 3 Tbsp. water per egg)  
• 1/4 cup honey (preferably organic and raw; sub maple syrup for vegan)
• 2 tablespoon coconut oil melted (can also substitute ghee for all or half of oil)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries     

  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease or line muffin tin (or use silicone baking cups).
2. Combine dry ingredients in large bowl with a large whisk. Combine wet ingredients in medium bowl. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold in strawberries.
3. Use a large ice cream or cookie scoop to fill muffin cups 3/4 full.
4. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

I will be trying this recipe again as soon as my grinder arrives. I will post an update to my trial. So, the verdict is that it was a successful fail. Not a complete fail, but not a complete success. A second trial awaits!

San Francisco: A Quick Overview of My Trip

San Francisco is one of my favorite cities. Living in the suburbs of Southern California halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, I don't get into big cities as much as I would like. I try to get to LA as much as possible as there is so much to see and do there and I really do love it. I get to San Diego even less. But San Francisco? There is something about that city. If I could afford it, I would move there. I fall in love with it again every time I visit. My best friend lives in San Jose which is less than 60 miles from downtown San Francisco. We made plans for her to come up to the city and spend the day with me while I was there. We had talked about so many things I wanted to do, but in the end, we took a nice, leisurely day and it was fantastic!

Sausalito

I have always wanted to visit Sausalito. I had heard about its small town charm and was told I would love it. I have a dream of living in a "Gilmore Girls" quirky small town on the ocean. It combines so many of my favorite things: the ocean, the city, and small town vibes. So, Saturday morning we jumped in the car and drove over the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito. (Heading out of the city they don't charge for the bridge, but be prepared to pay roughly $6 to get back.)

Once we found parking and paid for two hours at the pay station, we took a leisurely stroll along the water, talking and catching up. The marina is beautiful and the strong, salty smell of the ocean coming in with the breeze was exactly what I needed. We walked along the docks for a while and then turned back into the town so we could do a little shopping. We found great items in some unique little boutiques (including a Christmas Shop that we both wanted to spend all of our money in) and a wonderful chocolate shop called Pick Me Up Chocolate. They were incredibly nice and the chocolate was so pretty and super yummy. They have some wonderful and interesting flavors. My favorite was probably the salted caramel. The perfect amount of salt and the perfect amount of melt in your mouth caramel with dark chocolate. The are handmade artisan chocolates that would impress even the most critical chocolate lovers like myself. If you stop in Sausalito, they are a must to visit! It made me seriously think my passion in life is to own a chocolate shop.

China Town

After driving around Haight/Ashbury and Golden Gate Park, we decided to head back towards the hotel, get lunch, and to walk around China Town. We had a yummy lunch at Asian Box inside Macy's Union Square (they have a completely Gluten Free menu) and then went walking up to China Town.

I just recently read the book China Dolls by Lisa See that takes place in China Town in San Francisco back in the 1940's. I was so anxious to go back and see the area in a new light. I have been there once or twice in the last 20 years, but now knowing some of the history (even if it was a fictional story) of the city and China Town itself, I was more excited than ever to walk around there.

We walked straight through the main entrance, Dragon's Gate, up one side of the main street, and then back down the other side. A lot of the original structures are there and you can tell which signs used to be marquis of theaters and clubs. Mentally I was transported back to chapters and descriptions in the book and I could almost picture what it could have looked like 70 years ago, with dancers falling out of the side theater doors late at night or early in the morning after hours of performing and drinking, escorted by men that were customers of the club.

The lanterns and décor hanging over the street were great opportunities for artsy pictures. With the ornate designs and the beautiful red and gold colors, it felt so luxurious and cultural that I sort of forgot that I was in the middle of San Francisco. I think that my favorite structure we came across was the old Chinese Telephone Exchange building. It's in the shape of a pagoda and still keeps the integrity of the town intact. It is featured in the book and I was so happy to hear that the building was still there. It has been a number of businesses over the years but is currently a functioning bank. It's in surprisingly good shape with bright red, green, and gold making it stand out from the other plain storefronts on the street. It's clear that they maintain the building well.

After popping in too many gift shops on our route, we decided to keep on walking down to what I like to call "fancy pants" area (aka Union Square).

Union Square

There isn't much to say about Union Square. It's exactly what a big city shopping area should be. Loud, fun, and tons of different stores to play around in. The good thing about downtown and Union Square is they mix it up with the high-end stores like Caroline Herrera, Hermes, and Christian Louboutin with more affordable mainstream stores like Old Navy, Macy's, and The Levi's Store. The oddest thing for me, being a suburb dweller, was seeing stores like CVS and Trader Joe's on the bottom floor of a high rise building. I loved every minute of it but found it so weird to not see a huge parking lot in front of them. That area of the city is all about walking or taking the Trolley.

**One thing I have never done while in San Francisco is to take a Trolley ride. It will happen. It's now on my bucket list.**

Once we had walked as much as our 40-year-old bodies could walk, we headed back to the hotel. She had to get on the road to head home and I desperately needed to take a hot bath and read.

The next day I got up to head home and decided to make a side trip to a place I had always wanted to see. The James Dean Memorial.




Cholame, California - James Dean

I grew up with a fascination of James Dean. My old apartment was covered in prints on the wall of him and Marilyn Monroe. Coffee table books and different nick knacks surrounded me. Sadly, they are all currently in storage. This James Dean lover wasn't about to miss another chance to see exactly where it happened; where the tragedy of a beautiful and tortured soul met his untimely death.

Driving from the 5 down the 41 in central California is long and to be honest, quite boring. When you come to the 41/46 junction there is a spot on the side of the road with a license plate commemorating the actor, and flowers, wreaths, etc. If you keep driving, you come upon the Jack Ranch Café. It comes up quick. You can pull over and get out and take pictures with the actual memorial that was built and placed there. It was all very quick and surreal to me. I got back in the car and headed back to the 5 on the 46. I passed by the roadside spot where the accident actually occurred. I wish it was a more convenient place to stop and get out of the car, as I would have loved to just stand there for a minute, maybe take a picture or two.

I kept driving down the 46 and eventually you come upon what is known as James Dean's last stop before the crash. (Blackwells Corner) It's a general store and now Texaco station that has two large wooden tributes to the actor: a full-length picture of him pointing to the station and one of his shoulders and head. I almost missed it, but fate stepped in and turned the street light red at the last minute and I sat there on the corner looking at the gas station wondering what he might have been thinking that day. He had no idea that in a matter of minutes, his life would end. The moment was even more surreal than standing in front of the memorial. A spot he never even made it to.

All in all, it was a great weekend. I got some down time to recharge, time to hang out and chat with my best friend, some driving time to think and reflect, and saw some historical spots that made me thankful.

Quick Post: Beauty Review

Recently I broke down and bought the Too Faced Sweet Peach Eye Shadow Palette. I had been going back and forth on whether to purchase it or not as it is quite pricey ($49) and has had a slew of mixed reviews. I went looking for a smaller palette with similar colors and despite being spring, I just couldn't find any with peach and pinks that I wanted. So, knowing I had a coupon, I went ahead and bit the bullet. Luckily, for me, Ulta almost always has some deal where you get a gift with purchase and just my luck it was a travel size of the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara that is my absolutely favorite!

I have tried this palette a couple of times now. Here are my thoughts:

1. It has absolutely beautiful colors.
2. It does NOT work well without an eyeshadow primer.
3. If you do not use a shadow primer, the color instantly fades and you are left with practically nothing in a few hours, especially if you use the lighter shades.
4. I use the NYX white eyeshadow base. With this primer the colors of this palette pop in a gorgeous way. They blend really well with this primer and I am finally getting a chance to explore accents with the darker colors in the palette.
5. There seem to be a lot of shimmers, but really there aren't. There are a couple shadows that are extremely glittery, but the other non-matte colors are just a tad bit of shimmer; almost still matte.
6. IT SMELLS LIKE PEACHES!

The bottom line is if you are looking for colors that are in this palette, use a good eyeshadow primer, and can afford the price tag, I highly suggest it. If you don't think you will use all of the colors, don't bother. I am definitely enjoying this palette, but the range of colors was exactly what I was looking for. It smells heavenly and looks gorgeous on. Just use a primer!!

Grand Hyatt San Francisco: A Review

In January I decided to take a trip to San Francisco just to get away for a few days. Luckily, one of my best friends lives in San Jose, only a short car ride away. My original planned date was President's weekend in February when California ended up getting torrential downpours, hurricane winds, and flooding all over the state. That was when I changed my plans and decided to stay close to home and did a night at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach which was beyond phenomenal. So, two weekends ago I finally got to make my long awaited trip to San Francisco a reality. I booked a room at the Grand Hyatt Union Square in downtown San Francisco and made the long trek up there.

Los Angeles traffic always being what it is (Sig-alerts and all kinds of crazy things happening), it took me longer than anticipated to get into San Francisco. When I got into downtown, it was a madhouse. I didn't know it at the time, but the whole city had been without power from 9:00 am to just a little bit before I got there. The traffic was crazy. If you have ever driven in San Francisco before, you know that one way streets are their signature layout. With GPS in the car, it's usually an easy thing to navigate. With the power having just returned, everyone was panicky and lights were flashing red all over the city. I finally got to the front of the hotel and there is NO turnout for valet. It's a lane on the street in front of the hotel. That's it. You miss it (like I did) and you get taken around another block or so of one way streets to get back to the front of the hotel; the only entrance. When I finally made it up there I thought to myself, "With the extravagant valet fees they charge ($67 a night), there should be a better system." That being said, the valet attendants were right on top of it: no waiting; they grab your bags immediately, give you your ticket, and you are on your way. They are seasoned veterans and know just how to get you up to the curb and get your car out of the way quickly.

Getting to check in was quite the whirlwind, but I was able to stop and take a breath while standing in the quick line. Check in was also fast. Their front desk area is set up more like an Apple store with many sleek and streamlined tables for each individual instead of one long check in counter, but they were quick and efficient, even offering me a bottle of water. I was off to my room in no time.

Finding my room was easy; opening the door was not. (They have a keyless entry that works great but the door handle is a little hard to push down). The room was very modern and really nice. There was a huge flat screen TV, nice sitting area, a vanity table outside the bathroom, and a really fancy looking, modern bathroom sink that was more of a elongated deep plate than a bowl. My favorite part: an automatic shade that can be operated from both sides of the bed and the front door. However, I paid an extra $30 a night for a city view. When I think of city view, I think a view of the actual city, not of the building next door. I was disappointed and called up to the front desk to talk to them about it. This is something I NEVER do. But when you are paying $60 plus taxes for something you aren't really getting, you make an effort. They offered to move me to a higher floor, but it would be facing the same building. I ended up taking a credit for $30 for at least one of the nights. My suggestion for anyone wanting a city view is to skip the "city view" and spring for the Union Square view.

Having recently stayed in the Hyatt in Huntington Beach and realizing they had wonderful options for room dining on a gluten free diet, I was severely disappointed that this Hyatt didn't have the same. No gluten free options at all, except one dish on the kids menu. Since I got there later than planned, I walked around Union Square for a bit and then just ordered in room to rest up for the next day. Sadly, I ended up paying $40 (salad, drink, delivery, tip, etc.) for a Cobb salad that had just lettuce, a chicken breast, avocado, and egg. It was the only meal I ate from the hotel. Luckily I always come prepared and I had instant GF oatmeal with me. I called down to the front desk and had them send up some water and a tea kettle. Breakfast handled.

The only other complaint I have about the hotel was the noise. The windows are not insulated the way an expensive city hotel should be. I was next to the ocean during a horrible storm in Huntington and could barely hear what was going on out there. This hotel allowed you to hear pretty much everything going on down on the street (and I was 17 floors up). The toilets were also so loud that every time my neighbor flushed, it was a jolt to my senses, actually waking me up from a dead sleep the first night.

Overall, it was a great hotel. The staff was absolutely amazing. They were quick, thoughtful, and so nice. Everything you asked for you got. I was most impressed with the valet service. If you are looking for something in the heart of the city that is really nice and accommodates your every need, I highly suggest it. Just bring ear plugs.

Quck Post: Beauty Recommendation

***UPDATE: I found that the conditioner does contain DMDM Hydantoin which is a formaldehyde releaser. I have been trying to avoid this ingredient and it is in almost everything. I may be looking for another shampoo/conditioner.
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I decided to start doing some "quick posts." I am always thinking of things I should share about but don't really have enough info to justify a full blog post. So, instead of saving up each thing and lumping them together weeks or months after the fact, I am going to do quick and short (and probably barely edited) entries for these things. They could be beauty items I recommend, a book I read that I love, an event happening, an article I read, etc. It's probably something that most people would post about on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, but, let's be real...I like to talk and there just isn't enough room on those media platforms for what I want to share. This brings me to my first quick post.

For months now I have been trying to find a good shampoo that is free of all the "bad" stuff. You know, no parabens, no sulfates, etc. It's been a difficult task as most of those shampoos don't lather the way I want them to or they leave your hair feeling lifeless or straw-like. Well, I found one! Rather, my Mom found it and recommended it to me. I LOVE it.

Maui Moisture. A treasure now found. Here is the link to their website. They have many different types of shampoo and conditioners for all kinds of hair issues. I have thin, frizzy, somewhat curly hair and this Vanilla Bean one is amazing for me. Not only does it smell awesome, it lathers like a normal shampoo, it tames down frizz, and leaves my hair fuller and smoother.

You can purchase at most drugstores like Walgreens, but Ulta Beauty also carries it and their hair products are almost always buy one get one 50% off. The price point is wonderful as well. I believe most places carry it for under ten dollars each.

The best part? This! Straight from their website:

WHAT IS MAUI MOISTURE®?

MAUI MOISTURE^® starts with a unique blend of aloe vera juice and is infused with pure coconut water, unlike some other shampoos that start with deionized water as their first ingredient listed. The results? Moisturized strands, mended split-ends, and a healthy glow with every use.

• No mineral oil
• No silicones
• No parabens
• No gluten
• No SLS
• No sulfated surfactants
• No synthetic dye
• YES eco-friendly
• YES pure coconut water
• YES pure aloe juice

Highly recommended! Let me know if you try it and what you think.

Homemade Granola: Worth the Time?

Every morning I eat oatmeal with granola. I usually throw some wild blueberries and almonds in there, too. It has become my favorite morning meal. It fills me up, keeps me energized, and is healthy. But what about the granola? Every day I am eating 1/3 cup of store bought granola and the bag only lasts a week at most. How much am I spending on this? What amount of added sugar am I consuming first thing in the morning? The answer is a lot.

Even on sale, the granola I purchase is $5.99 a bag when it's on sale. That's a minimum of $24 a month, but usually at least $30. Yes, the brand I buy is Gluten Free, 5 grain, Non-GMO, and relatively healthy by most standards, but I wasn't happy that I was consuming evaporated cane juice, glycerin, and canola oil every morning.

What is evaporated cane juice? Companies that make it will say it's a natural sweetener. Really, it's just sugar with a tad bit of the molasses still included. All sugar, because of the process that makes it, is evaporated cane juice. So really, it's just a fancier, healthier sounding way to say "processed sugar."

Glycerin is a filler. It's used as a sweetener and preservative. I wouldn't think it would be considered an ingredient for "clean eating." Besides, isn't that an ingredient in soap? Just because it is non-toxic doesn't mean it is edible or should be consumed.

Canola oil is not something I have done a lot of research on, but it seems to be a controversy. I prefer to use olive oil or coconut oil strictly for anti-inflammatory properties and health reasons. I don't avoid canola oil completely, but I figure if there is a controversy, there might be a reason to limit your consumption at the very least.

So, this led me to research Paleo homemade granola recipes. I wanted something that was similar to the flavor of the brand I buy (blueberry vanilla). I found a great recipe and it was really easy to make. You can find the original recipe here. My version is tweaked a bit. The original recipe was so large that it required two sheet pans. Not only do I not have two sheet pans, I am only one person and that much granola would go stale before I could eat it all. I cut the original recipe in half. Also included are directions to read as you go, because my pastry chef instructor would reprimand me as I did not read the whole recipe before starting. It's my way of helping you out so you don't make the same mistakes I made.

Pre-start tips:
1. Pull out all of your ingredients and measure them out.
2. Pre-heat oven to 325* and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. (I was out so I used wax paper which wasn't ideal, but it worked in a pinch)

Blueberry Vanilla Granola with Chocolate Chunks

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Total Time: 40 min

Yield: 5 cups  

Ingredients

1/3 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup almond butter (I used cashew butter)
1/4 cup raw honey
1 teaspoon good-quality vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (I use the GF oats from Trader Joe's)
3/4 cup raw sliced almonds
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt (I just used a few shakes as I try to keep things low sodium)
1 cup dried blueberries (I prefer the Steve's Paleo dried blueberries because they have no added sugar, but Whole Foods was out)
**1/8 - 1/4 cup at least 65% cacao dark chocolate chunks (I see this as optional) (I used Enjoy Life allergen-free chocolate chip minis)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F and line baking sheet with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. Set aside.

2. To a small saucepan, add just the coconut oil. Melt over medium-low heat.

3. Whisk in the almond (or another nut) butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Continue to whisk until melted and smooth. Turn the pan to low heat while you prepare your dry ingredients.

3. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, almonds, salt, and blueberries. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until just moistened.

4. Pour the granola onto the baking sheet, spreading evenly.

Before spreading evenly in pan.

5. Bake the granola in the oven for 10-12 minutes and then give it a good stir.

6. Return to oven for an additional 10-12 minutes and bake until golden brown.

7. Remove granola from the oven and let it completely cool before transferring to an airtight container and stirring in the chocolate chips.

8. Store the granola in an airtight container for about two weeks.

This recipe turned out great. It's nice and crunchy with just the perfect amount of sweet. It's great for breakfast or a snack. I use this on top of my oatmeal every morning. As a snack, the chocolate chips are a fun added sweetness. However...if you are using it on top of oatmeal or in a bowl with almond milk for breakfast, I suggest you cut the chocolate chips. I add fresh blueberries to mine, so the chocolate is a little odd mixed in there.

I hope you all try this! It's a tasty recipe and has no added sugar, especially if you get the Paleo snacks dried blueberries with no added sugar and cut the chocolate chips. My verdict? DEFINITELY worth the time.

Sorry for the lack of pictures. I was so excited to make this granola that I only snapped one. Enjoy! Be healthy.

Nail Products: The Big Debate

First, I would like to apologize for the gap between posts. I am doing my best to get at least one post up a week but sometimes life gets in the way. The last few weeks have been busy and tough. Hopefully, I can get back on track now!

One of the biggest debates I have witnessed in the beauty industry is what kind of nail product or process is the best. People get VERY passionate about this subject. Honestly, I don't really prefer any one style. I like different methods for different reasons. I decided to help others by sharing my experience and thoughts on these four popular methods.

1. Jamberry

Jamberry vinyl nail wraps have a large variety of designs and even partner now with Disney, Marvel, Peanuts, the NBA, the NFL, and various charities. They are fairly easy to apply once you get the hang of it. You don't have to buy all the fancy extras to apply them either, most of what you need you already have at home. Nail scissors, a nail file, a blow dryer or heat source, and your thumb are all you need to put them on.

The downside to Jamberry is that good application and a solid seal are key to getting them to last and if you have curved or domed nails like I do, it can be a constant source of annoyance. Most people have flatter nails and can apply them correctly with no problems. I, however, have them lifting by the next day. After trying every trick I could find, the only thing that solved it was putting the clear gel polish (they have a gel LED system that is pretty good) over the wraps. The main problem with this trick is it's an extra step in a manicure that should be easy and quick to do. If the look and design are more important to you, then you will LOVE Jamberry nail wraps.

The biggest pros: No drying time and tons of cute designs.

The biggest con: Having to take them off carefully and properly with remover so you don't ruin your nail surface.

Cost: Inexpensive as one sheet of nails will get you a minimum of two manicures plus leftovers for a pedicure and accent nails. The cost of one sheet is $15 for most designs.

2. Incoco

Incoco 100% nail polish appliques are different than the brands of polish wraps you pick up at the drugstore. These are higher quality and last a lot longer (up to 14 days). Because the strips are delicate, it takes some practice to put them on without ripping them. They are dry polish strips with the base coat, polish coat, and top coat built in. So like vinyl wraps, they are instantly dry. They come in a variety of designs and solids.

My experience with Incoco nail polish appliques was fairly positive. I have experienced a couple of instances with application issues, but for the most part they were easy to apply, instantly dry, didn't lift or chip, and were easy to remove. However, don't open the package until you are ready to apply as the air dries them out. This is good when it's on your nails, not so good when it's still in the package.

The biggest pro: You can easily remove with nail polish remover.

The biggest con: Delicate and easy to rip when applying.

Cost: $8 a sheet but you can find older designs for 50% off on their website.

3. Nail Polish - OPI Infinite Shine

When it comes to nail polish, my nails chip 20 min after getting a manicure. It's been a challenge finding a polish that lasts longer than 24 hours before having to reapply. Then I found OPI Infinite Shine Gel Effects Lacquer System.

OPI has always been one of my top two polish brands. When I saw the Infinite Shine line I really wanted to try it as it claims to last up to 10 days with a "high def gel shine without the light." I was skeptical but intrigued. Step 1 is a base coat/primer, Step 2 is the color, and Step 3 is a thicker gel-like top coat. This system works very well for me. For the first time, I can go 5-6 days with no chips! If I do two coats of the color and two coats of the top coat it lasts even longer.

The biggest pro: Regular polish you can do at home that lasts longer than other polishes.

The biggest con: Still smells like polish with the harsh chemicals and takes five coats total and proper application to last a week.

Cost: $10-$12 a bottle but you get many applications from each. You also need the base coat primer and top coat.

4. Gel Polish - Salon or at home

Gel Polish is easily the winner when it comes to how long it lasts. However, you need to either buy a system to use at home or go to a salon and spend a minimum of $30. But if you are going on vacation or have a big event coming up, chances are this is the method you want.

Salons are moving to less harsh chemicals and lights that are LED vs UV to protect hands from the damage UV light can do to skin. The selection of colors and designs you can get are just like a regular manicure but last longer. If you have the money and the patience, it's worth a try. If you decide to buy a system to do at home, do your research. Some gel polishes only work with certain kinds of light and some polishes are stronger than others. If you like to do your nails all of the time and prefer gel polish, it might be worth the investment to find a great system you can use at home. The downside to doing this at home is the removal. It's a lot easier to have them remove the gel polish at the salon. Trust me, I have tried it at home many times in a lot of different ways and it's always a huge production and makes a mess.

The biggest pro: Instantly dry and you get a bit of a pampering if you go to a salon.

The biggest con: The cost

Cost: $30 a pop, minimum, plus tip. If you are doing this twice a month, you are easily spending $80.

So, there you have it! Different methods to try that are good or bad for contrasting reasons. There is one new method/product that I just heard about within the last week that I have yet to try. I have been seeing many posts on Instagram from beauty bloggers that are trying and promoting them. The brand is called Impress by Kiss. They are gel polish nails that are press-on but require no glue. Similar to the old Lee Press on Nails from the 80's maybe? I find that hilarious, but they seem interesting and I am intrigued by the concept. I plan on trying them soon. Have any of you tried them?