Monday Musings: I’m Ready For Cozy

Fall arrived over the weekend, and I’m digging into all the cozy feelings. My daughter and I hit several yarn stores over the weekend so we could start new projects.

New Project

I haven’t had the best luck with my knitting projects lately. I’ve been knitting for 53 years, but lately, something always seems to go wrong. Either the gauge is off, so they’re too small (rookie mistake) or I decide the color I’ve chosen is quite possibly the most unflattering color ever. But since I knit for the process rather than the product, I’m always game to try again. My daughter and I have decided to knit this Novice Cardigan designed by PetiteKnits. This particular pattern calls for mohair, but after holding multiple skeins against our necks, we both decided that it was too scratchy for us. We decided to use this Berocco Vintage DK, which gives us the same gauge as 2 strands of mohair held together. I’ve made many complicated patterns over the years but my daughter is learning, so it’ll be fun to knit the same pattern together.

5 New To Me Beauty Products

 As I finish up makeup, I like to try new ones. I have been looking to replace my favorite Clinique Airbrush concealer for several years since it has been discontinued. I’ve tried no less than eight different replacement concealers, all of which looked great in the store but did not work in daylight. My daughter introduced me to a new HausLabs concealer, which is a new brand to me. It’s a clean beauty brand, and vegan and cruelty free. I wear the 03 Fair Rosey which is not only pale enough for me, but more importantly, cool enough for my skin tone. It gives great coverage but doesn’t look cakey.

I bought this Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer during the Nsale, and I love it! It’s hard to believe my skin requires a tint this pale, but any darker looks like mud on the sides of my face. It only has a 15 SPF which I’d never rely on for coverage so I layer it over my sunscreen and concealer. It’s lightweight but provides just the right amount of coverage for me.

I’ve been looking for a mascara that’s not as dark as black or as warm as brown, so I was thrilled to discover this Jolie Sensitive Eyes Mascara. I bought the deep navy which doesn’t look blue, just soft and deep navy. It’s hypoallergenic and non-clumping, as well as paraben-free.

My new Urban Decay eye shadow (color: tease) is a cool taupe. I bought it to supplement my six shade, eyeshadow palette. I don’t know about you, but I always finish the mid-tone shadow in my palletes first, so this will help me get more use out of the rest of the pallete. It’s not exactly the same color as the mid-tone shade in my Urban Decay Naked 2 Nudes palette, but it’s close enough.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Air Brush Flawless Setting Spray helps to improve the longevity and staying power of your make up. I bought this last week in Dallas, when I knew I’d be outside in 96 degree, humid temps and didn’t want my makeup to melt off. Its rich in aloe, green tea, and vitamins – in order to hydrate your skin. The guy at the counter recommended you could also use this before your make up. It’s supposed to make your make up last sixteen hours without fading. Its a step that frankly I haven’t used in the past, but has always intrigued me.

Family Recipes

This Sunday we decided to make a top secret and beloved family recipe…my husband’s Italian grandmother’s spaghetti and meatballs. This recipe is a thing of legends in our home. It’s always been everyone’s favorite birthday meal request, or a Christmas eve delicacy and is affectionately known as liquid gold by my children.

Making it is an all-day affair. We start chopping vegetables during our first morning cup of coffee. My daughter came over to learn while we made it today so we’ve had multiple batches simmering on the stove all day. This sauce takes at least seven or eight hours to simmer to perfection. It’s the first time we cooked it in our new apartment, and we realized there are a few utensils we’re missing. The stove gets trashed, as does most of the kitchen as the pot simmers and bubbles up all day.

Do you have a top secret or favorite family recipe? If so, what is it?