Gel it up!

This is my favorite nail maintenance product. This gel top coat can be used on natural, acyclic, or gel nails. It gets rock hard like hard candy which protects your color from fading, clipping, and dulling. When I do my little monkey's nails with decorative art work. I always apply a gel top coat to ensure she doesn't ruin all my efforts by playing outside, or on the monkey bars. The only problem is it requires a UV light to cure for 5 minutes, and the nail polish must be completely dry before applying gel top. I recommend any nail lover to invest in a gel top coat, and UV light.

Fav Books for Boys

These are the book series that really helped my oldest monkey start reading constantly everyday. When a new edition came out he still wanted to read the latest version.

He's 13 now and still enjoys these books.

Gone With the Wind

I've had this book laying around the house for years, but I've never read it. Lately I've been reading a lot of classic novels, so I finally decided to pick up this thick book. I'm so glad I did. It's been one of the best books I've read. I feel like I'm back in time like one of those excited readers dying to see the epic film. I can understand now why this film was like the Star Wars of it's generation. The movie is one of my favorites, but the book explained in depth the characters, their challenges, and the customs of the old South. It made me love Scarlette O' Hara even more.

The mother of all flat irons

My friend Leticia won the Joico K-Pak Reconstructor Vapor Iron from a school competition. Wow, it's amazing. I couldn't believe how shiny, straight, and soft this made hair look and feel. Most flat irons damage your hair, and eventually causes split ends. This iron uses a conditioning vapor to deep condition, and lock in antioxidants into your hair. It helps maintain your color longer, and reduces split ends by 40%. If your a flat iron user you should check it out. It's amazing.

Hair Bling

Hair Tinsel is a fun way to live up your hair at any age. I've been using it for clients after color services. It's great for parties, and embracing the holiday seasons. I order my tinsel from the internet site Hair Flair. I used many tie-in techniques, but I like wetting the hair first. It's easier to install strands, and it seem to hold a little longer. It's a great way to earn a little extra cash.

Darcy's Story

It's been snow so much I had to take this opportunity to cozy up with a book and read about my favorite romantic character Fitzwilliam Darcy. If you love Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice like I do. You have to experience this epic love story from Darcy's point of view. I loved hearing his thoughts about Elizabeth Bennet, his struggle with his feelings, and how best to amend his high opinion of himself. It's like enjoying the whole book all over again.

P90X baby!

Once again my friend Erin inspired me to get fit for 2010. We started the P90X workout series, and boy I'm sweating. I like the workouts so much I decided to order my own set of workout DVD's. I can't wait for the hubby to give this a try. The monkeys enjoy seeing mommy and friends jumping around the living room huffing and puffing. Check it out.

I love nail glitter

First of all I love gel nails but even better is gel nails with glitter! It's so fun playing around with different sparkling dazzling colors. The possiblities are endless. Great for the holidays. Here are some of the nails I've done for my friends.

Target inspiration

As I was walking through Target I saw this really cute picture of a heart made with flowers. I thought that would look so cute in my little monkey's room, so I decided to recreate this look by cutting out scrapbook paper and decoupage it on a painted canvas. It turn out great. I can't wait to be inspired by Target again.

The Red Tent

Wow! What a great read. I've started The Red Tent

several time over the years, but I finally made the effort to read it completely this Christmas. I don't know much about biblical stories, but this is base off of Jacob and his sons in the Book of Genesis. The story is about Jacob's only daughter Dinah, and the ancient womanhood traditions surrounding the red tent. I found it interesting how another culture celebrates among women the traditions of femininity. I embraced the importance of teaching, celebrating, and pass on the beauty of being a woman.

Vemma!!! My favorite vitamin/energy drink

I hate energy drinks. They taste awful. My vegan friend Erin turned me on to this great vitamin drink packaged as energy drinks. I love them. I feel wake, and in the moment. They taste great. Best of all they made a kids version which I give my monkeys every morning during breakfast. No more chewable vitamins for them. I love that their little bodies are getting the most complete vitamin supplement possible. All the kids say it taste like OJ, and my oldest said he doesn't feel tired in class anymore. Great stuff moms! http://vemma.com/science/

http://christinedeangelis.vemma.com/

Add some new favorite wines

Erin and I first discovered the Marlborough Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc at our favorite sushi bar. We both love it. I recently found it for purchase at World Market. That totally made my day. Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is a more expensive wine but the favor is unbelievable. Very smooth. Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc can be found at Safeway. It a yummy wine, and I always look forward to a great glass. Check out any of these new favorites.

Oversize fabric message board

I can't keep track of all the paperwork! It's driving me crazy. I decided to create an oversize message board using the same concept that I created for the monkey's rooms. The only difference is I connected 2 cork boards with a staple gun, and wrapped both with fabric. My friend Steph gave me these beautiful flower which I made thumb tacks out of with a hot glue gun. I feel more organized, and I love that my message board matches my curtains perfectly.

Coffee press

I love the coffee at World Market. It's a new find for me, and I can't get over the selection. We have switch from a traditional coffee maker to the French coffee press. It's one of the most delicious decisions we have made. I can't imagine ever going back.

Pesto grilled cheese sandwich

A local restaurant here in town makes these delicious pesto sandwiches. I think about them and crave them often. I decided to put myself out of misery, and learned how to make it.

Ingredients: Fresh bread, butter, favorite cheese ( I like Brie), pesto sauce, spinach, and tomatoes.

Butter your bread place face out on to hot grill. Add shredded cheese to one slice, and spread pesto on the other slice. Let toast, and melt. Remove from grill. Add slice tomatoes, and spinach to sandwich, and eat. Yummy!!!

Spinach Pesto Salad

OMG I've fallen in love with pesto! Since I've started school I don't always have the chance to make my lunch so I order out. One of my favorites is a spinach pasta salad with pesto dressing.Yummy. I finally figured out how to make this incredible salad.

Ingredients: spinach, tomatoes, pine nuts, feta cheese, spiral pasta, black olives, artichoke hearts, olive oil ,and pesto sauce.

Cook pasta, and cool. In bowl place spinach, sliced tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, cooked pasta, black olives artichoke hearts, and pine nuts. Mix olive oil and pesto together and toss into salad. That's it. It's so easy and totally yummy!

Sweet Potato Enchiladas

My friend Erin is vegan, so lately I've been eating a lot more none meat dishes. During one of our salon night she made sweet potatoes enchiladas. Holy Cow I was blown away. I loved it! Since then I've added my own touch to her wonderful recipe. Here's how...

Ingredients: 4 sweet potatoes, corn tortillas, enchiladas sauce, green onion, black olives, whole green chili, longhorn cheese, and 1 can black beans.

First wash and microwave the sweet potatoes until cooked through, remove skin, and mash in bowl. Open black beans, and drain can. Mix with sweet potatoes. Dice green onions, and shredded cheese. Open red enchiladas sauce pour enough into baking pan to cover bottom. Use a spatula, and spread sweet potato mixture on to corn tortilla. Add green onions, cheese, chili, and roll. Place in baking dish. Continue until pan is full. Cover with remaining sauce, cheese, green onion,and black olives. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

This dish is very satisfying, and usually an unexpected treat to non vegan. Give it a try.

Quick BOO Bags

It seem each year I forget about BOO bags. The night before Halloween the kids and I made chocolate covered nuts. It's easy and tasteful. Whatever nuts you have in the pantry lay on a cookie sheet lined. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave a minute at a time, and stir. Pour melted chocolate over nuts, and let harden. I put mine outside. Then break apart and stuff bags. Delicious Halloween treat!

Chickpea cakes

For my birthday Erin, and my teacher took me out to this new Greek Restaurant in town. There I discovered chickpea cakes. Yummy! These cakes were so delicious I couldn't wait to find a recipe online for me to recreate. I came across the Vegan Dad blog site. Click on the link to get the recipe. I can't wait to make these myself. Happy eating!

Stephanie's salsa

I love homemade salsa, but I have to admit my BBF Steph can make up a mean batch of salsa! Here's how: 1 can roasted Tex Mex canned tomatoes, 1 can stewed tomatoes, 4 garlic cloves, chopped onion, roast several types of chili, cilantro, and salt.

After chili is roasted, and peeled. Chop them up into small pieces. Combine canned tomatoes in bowl. Add chili, chopped garlic, onion, and cilantro. Mix and season with salt.

It's my favorite. You finally made a contribute to my blog Steph. Now I just need a picture of that quilt!

Hummus and Parsley

My instructor brought hummus over for dinner. It was so yummy I couldn't stop eating it. I instantly thought I have to trying making this. He also brought over this parsley garnish that was perfect with the hummus. Here's how to make your own hummus.

Ingredients: Dryed chickpea, 3 garlic cloves, 3 tbsp of lemon juice, olive oil, and water. Optional ingredient are sea salt, pepper,chili, and tahini. You can also substitute dry chickpeas for canned.
Soak chickpea in water for 6 hours. Add soaked chickpeas into sauce pan, and add more water. Boil for 10 minutes. Remove foam that forms on top with spoon. Reduce heat, and low boil for a 1 to 1 1/2. You will know chickpeas are cooked when you can mash them. Place cooked chickpeas into a blender with cooking water. At this time add garlic, lemon juice, and drizzle olive oil. After blending, if ingredients are too dry you can add more water. and reblend. Hummus can be refrigerated up to 2 -3 days in a closed container.

Now for the parsley garnish. Ingredients: Fresh parsley, white onion, lemon juice, olive oil, feta cheese, and steeped bulgur seeds.

Chop parsley, add small dice onion, squeeze lemon juice over parsley, drizzle with olive oil, crumble feta cheese, and add steeped bulgur seeds. Yummy!

Erin's Wine picks

My friend Erin is my wine guru. Here's are some of the wines she has brought over for me to taste. No more boxed White Zinfandel for me she said. Once I get the taste of good quality white wines. Erin will start me on the reds. I can't wait. All of these taste great.

Raw food

My friend Erin asked me to do a raw food diet with her for a week. At first I was a little skeptical that I could get through a whole day without carbs. Boy, was I wrong. I'm so glad I try it. My 1st day I ate strawberries, blueberries, and a banana for breakfast. My morning snack was an apple w/almonds, and raisins. My lunch was a spinach taco salad w/no meat. My afternoon snack was
bell peppers, carrots, and cucumbers. My dinner was a spinach salad w/pecans, and fruit. I was amazed that I did it first of all, but how I didn't feel depressed for carbs at all. In the next few days I started to feel lighter, more alert, less tired, my eyes were brighter, and my skin looked amazing. I knew I was on to something wonderful for me. I'm so thankful to my friend Erin for encouraging me to try this. Here's the book she let me read to understand how raw food benefits your body. Check it out.

Felt wands

I made wands for my little monkey's 7th birthday party. I used dollar store felt prints, and wooden dowels from Michaels. Painted dowels, and hot glued felt prints. I accessorized with ribbons. They came out beautiful. I can't wait to pass them out during the princess party.