Best Recipe Book For The Holidays

I love to cook, bake... and collect cookbooks.  I've been collecting since I was a teen. It started when I "inherited" a doctor's collection after he died (reality: my mother was given a bunch of junk, and I claimed all the cooking items). Side note: if you ever come across a tiny whisk, get it. It makes creating personalized dips sooooo much easier. Anyway, he had a Winnie the Pooh cookbook, which I used a lot, and a full recipe index in two volumes. That is how I became obsessed with all things culinary.

So, the year after my eldest daughter was born, her grandparents gifted me my favorite cookbook: Favorite Brand Name: Old-Fashioned Holiday Recipes.

Why my favorite? It has something for EVERYONE. My two favorite recipes are Spinach Cheese Puffs and the Peppermint Ice Cream Pie (I shared a simplified version of the pie HERE, as well as the Puffs HERE). These two always run out first. At one point I made 5 different pies, including 2 of the ice cream pies, and I had leftovers of everything EXCEPT THOSE. Also, I made the puffs for a dinner party, and they were eaten before I was done reheating the main course! There's desserts, drinks, meat and cheese recipes, and so much more!

Sadly, my book got destroyed, and then lost (yes, I absolutely attempted to fix it, lol) but I am going to replace it after the holidays are over. I found it HERE at a discount. I highly recommend signing up for that site (thriftbooks.com), because they have so many books at a crazy low price.

I really hope you check this book out, you won't regret it! Keep an eye out in the next few days for my eyeliner review!!!!

Holiday Bazaar/Giveaways! UPDATED

The Holiday Bazaar is now set up!

Event starts November 28th (Monday) and lasts for four days.

Every day there will be two vendors showcasing their products, and every morning TWO giveaways will be posted!

You can either go to the bazaar's page or my page to be invited.

Gift baskets are here!

A few days ago, I posted the 3-piece gift sets HERE, and said the baskets would be available Saturday...

I lied, because they are ready today!!!!

The Avon Senses baskets come with a bath puff, a bubble bath, a shower gel, a body lotion, and a body spray. ($32 retail value)

The FootWorks baskets come with a 4-in-one foot tool, a deep moisturizing cream, an intensive moisture cream, a sole support cushion cream, and a reviving leg gel. ($32.50 retail value)

 Each basket is $20 plus shipping**. Please email me or message me on my Facebook page to order.

*Pomegranate has a pomegranate peony bubble bath, and pomegranate mango body lotion, body spray, and shower gel. 

**If you are in my area, I am willing to deliver for free or a small fee depending on how far you are from me.

Available Now! 3 Piece Gift Sets

Hello, everyone! I am very excited to announce that the 3-piece sets are ready for purchase! 

Isn't that beautiful? (Rhetorical question, of course it is.)

The 3-piece sets include a body spray, a body lotion, and a shower gel. The only exception is the Apple Set; it comes with bubble bath, shower gel, and body lotion.

I am offering these sets for $15 plus shipping.** The retail value is $24. That is a great deal, and it makes an amazing gift :)

If you would like to order a set, please email me or message me on Facebook. 

Update: gift baskets are now available here!!



**If you are in my area, I am willing to deliver for free or a small fee depending on how far you are from me.

Coming Soon To Facebook (Avon Post)

Hello, everyone! I just wanted to share my new offering, which comes just in time for holidays, but will continue way past that: gift baskets!!!

I'm extremely excited to start this, and I had a lot of fun picking out the products and scents for my baskets. I will be getting them in the next few weeks, and once they are put together, I will be posting them on my Facebook page. 

Right now there will be a set selection, but I will eventually be taking custom orders and expanding the selection. Also, next year I will be going to craft shows and events! Exciting stuff, I know. 

If you haven't already done so, please go like my Avon page or sign up as a customer (both are free to do), so that you can see the baskets when they are released as well as some great deals!

Update: 3 piece sets available here, and gift baskets available here!

Worth It Wednesday: Where To Get Original Gifts

I have been in a gift-giving rut. My father has always been hard to shop for. I know everything he likes, but mostly, he likes watching movies. He also likes coffee. So, for the past, umm, 6 years I have gotten him dvds and mugs. Granted, they are cool, like Harry Potter mugs and old school movies, but it's a pattern. I thought that I was branching out by getting him coffee beans by Joey Kramer, but that also included a mug. Ugh.

This year, I started way early, and still almost fell into my rut. I managed to stop myself, and I have plenty of time to figure it out. But, I do know where I am going: Etsy. If you haven't heard about this amazing site yet, it's a marketplace for unique, mostly handmade gifts. Usually I go on there for baby stuff, but this time I figured looking for something my father would like was worth a shot. My dad has been on a Star Trek kick, so I started there. And ended there... because there is so much amazing stuff! I found uniforms, pillows, plates, and an amazing desk lamp. I am torn between a few options, but I do know that he will not be getting a mug this year.

If you are stuck trying to find a gift for a loved one, check Etsy out. I have found some really great things on there (like Walking Dead Converse, which combines two things I love!)

Holiday Help!

Oh my goodness. In 3 days, we will be halfway through October. I don't know about you, but my life is stuck on fast forward! My investor and I had a financial discussion and agreed it would be prudent to plan out the next few months in advance, as there are a few big purchases in the future. (Ahem.... my fiancé and I decided to budget for Christmas because we want to do something awesome this year, lol.) I am becoming an extreme bargain shopper, so starting at least a month ahead lets me find the best deals for what we want to do.

Why the heck am I telling you guys this? Well, I figured that I could pass on my deals and amazing finds to you!!!

As you already know, I run a feature called Worth It Wednesday. To aid in your search for the perfect gift, I am going to showcase gift ideas in the Wednesday post. For example, this week is about a site that offers out of the ordinary items!

Also, I will be adding a feature on Fridays for activities or recipes to make your holidays shine. Keep an eye out this week for the first one!

Don't forget to follow me on BlogLovin so you don't miss anything!