There's a lot goin on around these parts...

Namely, baking. I know, it's almost summer and I've yet to shut down the oven. But I can't. I got a fabulous chocolate buttercream recipe that I could seriously make a batch just to eat it. And, next week, I start my Wilton Method classes at my local Michael's. I am well aware of how the Wilton Method is all about using Duncan Hines and such for consistency. I'm looking for techniques to make my own. Plus, course 3 is the fondant and gum paste course, those are what I am really looking forward to. While jumping around the blogosphere, I came across a divine creation—cake balls. And so I made some into cake pops. And let me tell you how divine they are indeed. I brought them to a cookout last weekend, and they were gone in minutes. Of course, if you top anything in chocolate ganache, it will likely be snarfed in record time. I had some left over and decided to use that instead. Why all the baking? A good friend and I may be starting a new venture of getting into a side business together. Doing cakes, cupcakes, chocolates and such. I am not quite sure when I'll actually have the time for this stuff, since it's the busy season for my freelance design work and I have more than I know what to do with. But I look at the cake business as something I can do for a lifetime. So right now, I'm supposed to be doing some freelance, but instead I made a batch of mini-cupcakes with dark chocolate icing. And I have a head cold that is kicking some serious arse, so I'd really like to just go back to bed. But I am reminded that I actually do have to save for school clothes and supplies this year, so I need to work instead. I guess it never really ends.

Product Review: Help, I have oily skin!

I have ridiculously oily skin. Normally, I don't even wear makeup because it just slides down my face by 11:00 am. But it's also sensitive, so my options are slim and expensive. However, I read about Boots No 7 Mattifying Makeup Base on a blog that I can't seem to find again. A few months ago, I decided to grow up and buy some adult face wash, and I have since been using Boots' face wash and toner, so I was so excited to read about this stuff. The just of it: it's a base that will soak up the oil in your skin, leaving your makeup on your face and not clogging pores. So I venture out to my local Mecca to pick some up. Imagine my surprise when it's on clearance for $4.98! Oh, how to make a Mama cry! I also purchased some Boots Botanics Eye Gel, Botanics Toner and No. 7 pressed powder, all on clearance! Yay! How does it work? I love it. You put on your moisturizer and then this stuff. You're not supposed to touch your face for a while, as it's a bit flaky until it starts soaking up the oil. But I shot a fashion show in Boston a few weeks ago, I put this stuff on at 6:30 am, the show was at 2:30, and I met friends out after the show for drinks. Around 1:30, I dabbed a paper towel on my skin (I lost my oil absorbing sheets), but my makeup looked fine at 7:00pm, as I was on my way to catch the T. I highly recommend this stuff! I can't say much for the Botanics line, I don't think the eye gel is helping much, but I'll know more when I run out of my No. 7 toner and start using the Botanics toner. So go get your Boots!

It was a great Mama Day...

Mother's Day was a nice one for us, the Husband let me sleep in (by sleep in, I mean long enough for him to corral the kids into signing their card and down some pop-tarts), I got an adorable singing Hoops and YoYo card—whom I love—and the shredder/slicer attachment to my Kitchenaid stand mixer. Now, some of the Mamas out there feel that appliances and their parts are a no-no for gift giving. Personally, I am all about praciticality. That said, a treadmill should never show up on my doorstep as a "gift." But the Husband knew I was eyeing this attachment, as I already have the ice cream maker attachment (also known as the best $60 I have spent on an appliance E.V.E.R.) So what did I use it for first? To make my own laundry detergent. Yes, you read that correctly. I made my own laundry detergent. I used my shredder to shred a bar of soap. And this excites me to no end. My cost should end up somewhere around $.03 per load for detergent. I also made felted wool dryer balls so I no longer have to use dryer sheets. I wouldn't say those are a money saver, as I spent almost $15 on the yarn (I don't have scraps of yarn laying around), but considering I think most dryer sheets are too potent, this is a great alternative. I rounded out the day by making the most divine homemade brownies ever. Oh, how I love Martha and her recipes. I made her fudgy brownies, and Oh. My. Goodness. I could have eaten the entire pan last night. Fortunately, I waited until tonight to polish them off. The kidlets were fantastic, I even got some work done and finished the laundry. It was a good day, and I hope all the other Mamas out there had a great day, too.