Thanks Keely, I WUVIT!

I once read a great book about starting your own business called Mommy Millionaire by Kim Lavine. I love this book because it is great no nonsense advice about starting your own business. I was jealous such a great resource was not available to us back when we were just starting out.

Not only is Ms. Lavine a great business mentor, she created this cool little bean bag thingy called a "wuvit" that you put it the microwave for a few minutes to heat up. Now being one of those people that is constantly freezing in the winter, I dreamed of owning one of these and putting it on my shoulders as I watched tv, or braided headbands, etc etc etc. Now I don't need to tell you that I never got around to purchasing one, right?

Well Keely (aka Keeks) being the awesome sister she is, got me one for Christmas and even let me choose the pattern. I instantly wanted the leopard one, only to find out it was out of stock at the time. I needed to make a quick second choice and fast b/c I had already starting planning out all the good times wuvit and I were going to have. I chose the black stripe from the groovy collection b/c it is made from the same fabric as our "sisters of nausett" bag.

Well its here and I WUVIT!!! You heat it up for 2.5 minutes and this thing continues to deliver heat for a long time. Its really all I hoped it would be and more. The cover is removable and washable and it can even go in the freezer and act as an ice pack. I highly recommend one and the best part is they are on sale right now for 19.99!

http://wuvit.com/

The Great Dig Out

We had a quiet night last night and for some reason Dave and I decided to start to tackle our terribly over crowded and disorganized basement. Our finished basement (or at least the part we worked on) is home our "office", tool bench, holiday decorations, things that have no official "home" within our home and last but not least, ALL of my sewing supplies and accumulations from the last 5 years (I have a hard time throwing things away!)

Well... after an hour and a half, I could NOT believe how much we had accomplished. Still not fully picture ready, but I did take one of my newly organized ribbon shelves. Every time I look at this neatly rolled up assembly of colors, it makes me sooooo happy!

We are going out tonight for dinner with the kids to one our favorite places. Great food, and no cooking or clean up for me! Who can argue with that? Have a great weekend, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! xo Brie

New Braided Headband Combos!

I enjoyed taking about a week off but as some of you know I start to get antsy. The braided headbands have been a great creative outlet for me! Here are some new combos I put together last night. My favorite one is the navy and kelly green combo but I am also loving the tan and pinks! These are really fun to make and the best part is you can still play catchphrase with the kids while you weave away on the couch :) xo Brie

Top 10 Beauty Products!

Got lots of my favorite bath and beauty products for my birthday and Christmas! Thought I'd share my top 10 all time favorites.... in no particular order ;)




10. Tarte Cheek Stain - I love this stuff for a few reasons, its sheer so you can layer it on and get just the right amount of color. No clown cheeks! They come in tons of great colors and they even smell yummy!! They last a LONG time so its a good investment. I have blushing bride which I love and plan on picking up some bronze goddess for the summer.

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P38468&categoryId=C12001


9. anastasia eyebrow gel - say goodbye to unruly wild eyebrows. This is a clear gel that you brush on very lightly and offer all day smoothness. Comes in colors too, but I'm a clear girl :)

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P69304&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=5746


8. sephora primer - I use this after I put on a light moisturizer in the morning. It makes your skin feel so smooth like velvet!

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P37619&categoryId=C17345&shouldPaginate=true

7. Philosophy - I really love most of the philosophy products. There are so many great scents, it's hard to choose. This year Caitlin gave me the cranberry and I love it! As coincidence will have it, I also gave it to her! Their lemonade cream is awesome too and on sale!

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P197101&categoryId=C17773

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P180302&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=3866

6. Lush - my cousin Sara discovered this place and my godson Brendan sent me a little Christmas care package. The box smelled SO good, I can't wait to try out these fun products for your bath. Check out their huge selection of bubble bars!

http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/catzoom.html?mv_arg=Bubble%20Bars&expand=Bath

5. Jo Malone - My favorite, favorite! I have several of her perfumes and they are all designed so you can layer fragrances (although I must admit I never do!) They smell great all on their own. My favorites for winter are: Pomegranate Noir and Fig and Cassis. Summer favorites: French Lime Blossom and Nectarine Blossom and Honey.


http://www.jomalone.com/templates/products/mpp_family.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY6542



4. Laura Mercier - Her creme brulee line smells incredible. The kids beg me to put a little in their bath, the bubbles really last and the fragrance really stays.

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=SQQWHXIRXZ5HJLAUCJBRXCQ?id=P110033&categoryId=C12210




3. Bi-Facil Double Eye Makeup Remover by Lancome - Hands down THE best eye makeup remover I have ever used!

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P54477&categoryId=C15350



2. Trader Joe's Purify Tangerine Sugar Scrub - available in the bath aisle at Trader Joes. Smells and feels great and it's cheap! 5.99 for 18 oz!!!! So moisturizing you can skip the lotion! Definitely pick one up next time you there.




1. Archipelago Botanicals Pomegranate Dry Body Oil Spray - smells great, light and not greasy mist of oil keeps the winter dry skin away! My mother in law gave me this for my birthday, I love it!

http://www.amazon.com/Archipelago-Botanicals-Pomegranate-Body-Spray/dp/B000LVUEMM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=beauty&qid=1198793434&sr=8-1




Here's to looking and smelling great in 08! Cheers, Brie
ETA: Hey what gives, does anyone know where my pics went? It took me forever to add them and I thought it gave it a nice touch. Now they are all gone...... sniffle

Christmas, don't go!

As much as I detest lugging out all the Christmas decorations, I really get attached to the way house looks decorated. I hate to say goodbye to them and really hate packing them away ;) so up they will stay for at least another week! Isn't that over sized ornament so cute? My mother in law gave me that a few years ago, it's green nylon stretched over a cool wire form. I attached a red polka dot grosgrain and hung right over my kitchen sink. I love it!!!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!! Ours was great, it was nice and relaxing. The meal turned out great thanks to the pre-planning! The roast always take longer to cook than I ever remember... will definitely invest in a meat thermometer so I do not have to keep reheating slices of tenderloin to desired doneness. 45 minutes in a 500 degree oven with a 20 minute tinfoil rest ought to do it just right (I went 35 minutes and it was definitely too rare for me!)

Ok, so the house is in such disarray.... I need to pull up the boot straps and start organizing room by room. With the help of fly lady and my trusty timer (more on that later) I do believe we'll get somewhere! To be continued...........................

Best Christmas Show Ever

Period. Personally I am a snow miser fan. I am very taken with his young apprentices and ice helmet hair!
Enjoy!! Happy Holidays to all!! xo Brie

Banana Bread

bananabread
Originally uploaded by kbbags

3 browning bananas left in my fruit bowl always makes me so happy b/c they are perfect for banana bread! This is a family favorite. I have tried other recipes, and while they are similar, they do not compare to this one. The secret is the browning bananas and lots o sugar! This bread will dwindle away on the counter and be completely gone in about 2 hours (there are 6 of here) Enjoy :)



Banana Bread


one stick of butter
1 cup of white granulated sugar
3 eggs
3 very ripe bananas (mashed with a fork)
1 cup of chopped walnuts (optional)
2 cups of flour
1 tsp baking soda


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in a med/large mixing bowl in the microwave, mix in sugar and eggs and blend well. Add banana and walnuts. Sift in flour and baking soda. Mix well, pour into a pam sprayed loaf pan and bake at 350 for 75 minutes (may cover with foil if the top is browning up to much). Serve with whipped cream cheese! xo Brie