Sunday, January 30, 2011

Best pepper mills ever.

For months I had to use this POS when cooking:
It is a dual grinder that you put pepper in one side and salt in the other.  It's fine for table use, but for cooking it sucks the big one.  To get enough pepper/salt out, it felt like I was using one of these:
For months I kept wondering why my forearms were sore. I finally realized it was the pepper mill. As soon as I realized it I bought new mills:
Oh my lord, these are awesome. It's uber easy to set the grind size (there's a dial at the top) and it is, by far, the easiest grinder to fill I've used. The grinding mechanism is also very high quality.  I would recommend these to anyone.

For the record, I find all of OXO's products to be great.  I don't know their (environmental or political) policies--mainly because The Googler* doesn't find anything, but I do love their products.




*My cousin in Portland told me about a professor he had that called any computer  "The Googler".  I liked it so much I stole it.  I'm not proud. And yes, I wrote this comment in case he reads my blog, which I'm pretty positive he doesn't.  I didn't want him to call me out :)

Saturday, January 29, 2011

I forgot one!

I forgot one of my favorite products on my previous post. 

9. Nars blush in sex appeal.
After reading (on like every beauty blog and every beauty magazine) people rave about Nars blush in orgasm, I tried it. It just doesn't work on me.  I feel like it's too gold and too peach.  Based on what I've read, I must be the only person who doesn't like the color. Enter Nars shade sex appeal.  It is a much lighter cousin to orgasm.  No gold, as far as I can tell, and more pink.  It's a nice light shade that you can definitely build up.

I can't believe I forgot this one!

Makeup

It's been a while since I reviewed makeup.  Here are some of my picks for new makeup favorites in 2011. (drum roll please, lol)

Eyes:


1. Benefit Lemon Aid Eye Primer
I got a small pot of this as a sample and I really love it. Wear it as a primer for eye shadow or alone just to brighten the eye area.  I cannot stress what a miracle product makeup primer is.  I've noticed a few drugstore brands have started marketing primers and I'm intrigued.  Expect a review after I try them!

2. Bobbi Brown Smoldering Eye Palette
This is a versatile palette of eye makeup that can be used to create a ton of looks. The last color is a dark, shimmery purple color that can be applied wet or dry.  LOVE.

3. Maybelline Falsies Mascara

My friend D turned me on to this great mascara.  Truth be told, it took me a while to come around on it. It's a bit heavy so it's hard to keep your lashes curled with it. I've decided the best way to apply it is to not wiggle the wand.  (Many makeup artists tell you to wiggle the wand as you apply because it deposits more mascara at the base of your lashes- emphasizing the eye more.)  Once I changed my application method, I fell in love with this mascara.

Face:
4. Make Up For Ever 5 Camouflage Cream Palette  (No. 1)

Every concealer/corrector you could need in one palette. It even has a darker shade for sculpting, which I have no experience with,  but I'm now going to try. Make Up For Ever has 5 different palettes meant for different ethnicities.

Lips:
5. Laura Mercier Lip Glace
My brother and sister-in-law gave this to me as a gift, thanks guys!  I don't know the shade because I left it at school (boo!) but I will update this post as soon as  I can.  The color is very nice and subtle. I love the consistency of this gloss a lot.  Update: the color is Bare Beige!  Thanks G.

Miscellaneous:
6.  Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash

This is an effective exfoliator, yet it's gentle enough to use everyday.  I by it at Sephora so I can get the jumbo size with the pump.

7. Philosophy Microdelivery Peel

I was so impressed with the microdelivery exfoliating wash, I decided to try this.  I use it about once a week and it has really helped clear up my skin.  It is a little strange, you use it in two steps. First, apply what they call vitamin C crystals  and massage for three minutes.  Second, put the "activator" on top of the crystals.  At this step you look like you have a face mask on and the crystals get really warm.  After a minute, rinse off and you're done.

8. Moroccan Oil Intense Hydrating Mask
I'm trying to grow my hair long.  Every time I've tried, I gave up at about shoulder-length because that's when the split-ends show up. This time I've been using this mask and my hair is as healthy as it has ever been.
I use it about three times a week on the ends of my hair.  It smells great and makes my hair super soft.

(btw, these are products I've been using for months-- they are tried and true in my opinion)

There you go!  My favorite products right now. What about you?  Any products you love?  Leave a comment!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Pet peeve of the day.

File this under Bug being bitchy. Here is my annoyance of the day:

Ladies and gentlemen of Louisiana (maybe everywhere).  These:


are meant to be used with your elbow,  not your wet hand. They make them this way because it's more sanitary. The manufacturers know this is confusing so they usually put a diagram right in front of your face to show you how to use your elbow. Why am I constantly getting a wet sleeve when I use these? 

OK, now I feel better.  Sorry everybody.

P.S.  Yes, I realize this is the second post I written about drying my hands in public restrooms.  Yes, I know it's weird.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Anyone out there use Yelp?


I am officially addicted to Yelp. It is my go-to site to find good restaurants, doctors, services, etc.  Are any of you members?  Be my friend!  My profile name is Catie K. You'll get to see my reviews of all the yummy food I've been eating.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Usually I don't do this

because I figure you all are pretty internet savvy, but Banana Republic has a great coupon today until midnight.  Use coupon code BR12HOURS to get 35% off your entire order. Anybody need work clothes?

Hyperbole and a Half

This : http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/10/god-of-cake.html
is my favorite post on one of my favorite blogs. It's long but it's worth it, I promise.


Now you know.

Monday, January 24, 2011

All is right with the world.

My Reader link is back.  Thank you Google, I knew I loved you.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

I know I'm an old fogey...

because I still read blogs, but I don't care. Google: PLEASE put the reader link back at the top of my Google account!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Why?

Why are my facebook friends posting about their kids successfully "pooping on the potty"?
Is that really facebook material? Is that what I'll be posting if I have kids? Really?

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Art of the Slow Cooker

I got this cookbook a while ago when I got my new fancy slow cooker:



I've only made one recipe, the corn chowder, but it was absolutely delicious!

(sorry guys, I haven't quite figured out this food-photography thing)

A question....

What is with men quoting movies/TV?

K-man (for no apparent reason*): "Consider the lilies of the goddamn field!"
Me: blank stare
K-man: laughing hysterically with a huge grin on his face.
Me:" seriously, what the *hell* are you talking about?"
K-man:"o brother where art thou?!"
Me: "oh, of COURSE"




This happens at least once a day-- usually it's a Seinfeld quote. I'm not judging, I swear. I just don't get it.

* I'm sure there was a reason, I just don't know what it was.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

For all my Portland peeps:

It's a little snarky, but it did make me laugh out loud quite a few times.




Thanks beautiful girl in Wisconsin!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

It is freezing...


LITERALLY. NOT a fan.
Freezing with humidity? Terrible.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

What have I been doing?

I made 9 pairs of slippers:

look at how cute the baby slippers are!


I stayed home with a sick cat :( then went to Pittsburgh for Christmas.
I made my hubby take me to Primanti brothers. How many times do I
have to see this on Food Network til I try it?
Delicious! I could only eat a third of it though.
We had some good sushi:
Try the quail eggs, soooo good!
(I hope this doesn't gross anyone out.)

We had a great New Years!

We started at Ralph's on the Park for dinner.
Seriously, so good. I had the "scallop-wrapped bacon" which was
pork belly surrounded by four scallops.
It may be the best thing I've ever eaten.
Top Chef has not been lying to me
about the wonders of pork belly. WOW.

We then went to a famous hotel/bar called Columns
to ring in the New Year:
Tipsy Catie stole those glasses about a half-an-hour after this.
I feel pretty guilty about it now :(
I seriously might take them back.
Happy New Year everybody!
I hope you have a good one.

Today (Thursday) is twelfth night, the first day
of carnival season here in
New Orleans. I'll eat a King Cake in your
honor!



Wednesday, January 5, 2011

hey y'all!

Sorry it's been so long....I've had a crazy couple of weeks.
Update SOON, I promise you.