Baking Spirits Bright

 Hello Everyone!

 I love to cook and bake, but sometimes during the holidays depending on time and my level of tiredness I tend to take some shortcuts with baking.

Just because I didn't bake homemade treats doesn't mean I can't improvise with ingredients right for this picture, right?! Lol well I am making homemade cheese cream frosting for cinnamon rolls later in the next few days.

Omgosh these cookies are delicious!

Cookies by the Christmas Tree

I made some cinnamon rolls and I dipped the dough in cinnamon sugar. 

I also made homemade cream cheese frosting.

Cinnamon Rolls by the Christmas Tree

This will probably be my last post until after my birthday on Christmas this Friday. I'll see you all next week. Wishing all my followers and readers a Merry Christmas. For those that don't celebrate, I'm wishing you a wonderful holiday season. 

Don't forget to check out my Holiday Themed Posts!

Silver, White, and Clear

Bath & Body Works Pre Candle Day/Weekend Haul

Hot Cocoa DIY Gift Basket

Christmas Themed Hot Cocoa Bar

Tis the Season

December/Holiday PR Haul

Christmas is Looking Clear

Christmas is Looking Clear

 Hello Everyone!

The weekend before Thanksgiving I went for an eye exam. The last eye exam I had was mid 2018, so it was time. My vision is something that I take seriously.

Stanton Optical 

 

My eye appointment went well. The optometrist said overall my eyes are healthy. The only issue is that I can't see well without my glasses and my anemia issues have a good bit to do with that. 

Since my lenses usually have to be ordered, so I had to wait about a week to get my new glasses. ALSO...don't believe the hype the 2 pair for $59 is only for a limited selection of glasses and I mean VERY limited. (I expected to pay more than that though lol)

Christmas is looking clear, even though I'm still getting used to my new glasses.

First pair of glasses

 

Second pair of glasses

December/Holiday PR Haul

 Hello Everyone!

* Disclaimer: This posts contains PR Samples from various brands. I want to thank each brand for sending over product(s) All opinions are 100% my own. 

When this pandemic like most people, I worried about my own livelihood and overall wellbeing. It can be scary to walk into the unknown. I've had to cut back my hours, but I'm still blessed and grateful.

Some Brands and companies have also made adjustments etc. To run a business in general takes courage and dedication let alone during a pandemic.

I want to thank all the brands that I worked with this year. I appreciate you sending products, sponsoring, and valuing my opinion to share with my audience. I feel humbled, blessed, and grateful.

Laura Mercier 

Laura Mercier sent over a few of their setting powders. This is my first time trying this brand. I used the new honey translucent powder for my recent makeup post. Click here. It works so well and feels so lightweight. 

Derma E

The amazing Derma E Team sent over this beautiful customized trinket dish for an early birthday gift. I love it!

Derma E

Derma E also sent over a few moisturizing creams and blue light shield products. I've been using the blue light shield products over the past few months since part of my work requires me to look at a screen. 

Benefit Cosmetics 

Benefit sent over a few of their Brow Microfilling Pens. I heard so many positive reviews about these pens.

Lion Brand Yarn

New yarn! I can't wait to get started on my new project in collaboration with Lion Brand Yarn! Look out for that soon! This is there chunky yarn.

Moda Brushes

Moda is one of my favorite brush brands. This brand has so many different types of colorful durable brushes. These are the Glitter Bomb and Mythical Brush Sets.

Glitter Bomb 

Mythical Eye Brush Set

Mythical Face Brush Set

Zoya

Hand sanitizer is still extremely hard to find or sells out quickly in stores. I have been using Zoya's Hand Sanitizer, and it works well with cleansing my hands and the sanitizer doesn't make my hands feel dried out. 

Drunk Elephant 

Drunk Elephant released their Holiday kits and they sent over the Firmy Kit.

I've always taken my skincare routine seriously, but lately I have been focusing on wrinkles. I don't have any wrinkles, but I am almost 35 so I want to continue to keep my skin firm. I've used many of these products and they help so much with skin firmness.

YCC Agency in collaboration with Daily Concepts 

The YCC Agency sent this these self care from Daily Concepts. I've been focusing a lot on self care this year, so I look forward to incorporating these products into my self care routine!

Dr. Zenovia Hormonal Skincare products have helped keep my skin looking blemish free these past few months. I can't wait to try these recent products!

Sunday Mail (December 20th) I went outside and found this box from CVS waiting for me! CVS sent over this amazing beauty box filled with so many beauty goodies. If you're still looking for the perfect stocking stuffers make sure you stop by CVS!

 

Tis the Season

 Hello Everyone!

I know it's been a minute since I shared a new makeup look on the blog. Tis the Season to share makeup looks :)

Makeup products

I did a universal holiday makeup look that good to wear for Christmas or New Year's Eve. 

 I really like Urban Decay's Stoned Vibes Palette, but the colors are more intense if you use a wet brush. For the holidays I love having a metallic eye makeup look. UD Palettes are my go to eyeshadow pallettes for holiday looks. I also used Laura Mercier Setting Powder in Honey for the first time. This setting powder is life changing lol! This setting powder feels so lightweight and gives my makeup a flawless finish. 

I haven't really been to anything festive since there is still a pandemic going on, but that doesn't mean I can't create a holiday look :)

Christmas Themed Hot Cocoa Bar

 Hello Everyone!

In addition to my DIY Cocoa Basket, I set up a Christmas Themed Cocoa Bar on my kitchen counter. I'll remove the Christmas Decor and use the rest of the items for the cocoa bar throughout the Winter.

Some of the items may look familiar because I used the duplicates of the same decor for the cocoa basket. I love that Hobby Lobby has their products 40% or 50%. These items were very affordable. 

I also picked up this hot cocoa crate from Hobby Lobby. This was another affordable purchase.

I love homemade hot chocolate, but most of the time I'll fix instant hot cocoa. 

The Best Instant Hot Cocoa 

- hot milk or water

- add hot chocolate mix

- add mini marshmallows 

- add Whipped Cream 

I notice by adding mini marshmallows before adding the Whipped Cream helps the Whipped Cream last longer.

 I always try to get a set of 2 or 4 mugs. I thought these toasted marshmallow snowman mugs were so cute!

Just like the cocoa basket, I added a Hot Cocoa & Cream Candle to go along with the decor.

Don't forget to check out my Hot Cocoa DIY Gift Basket post!

Hot Cocoa DIY Gift Basket

 Hello Everyone!

One of my favorite types of Christmas gifts (and gifts in general) are diy gifts. Whether it's a handmade blanket or a homemade pie these types of gifts are gifts that someone took the time to make and thats always special.

*If you decide to add Whipped Cream to your basket make sure you put in the basket last, and that it's ready to give the recipient. You don't want to leave Whipped Cream out of the refrigerator for long periods of time.

Items that I used

-  Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate 

- Jet Puffed Mini Marshmallows

-  Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips

- Ghirardelli White Chocolate Chips 

- Holiday M &M's (Optional)

-  Reddi Wip Original (Optional) 

- Clear Craft Ornaments 3 (wash your ornaments.        before you fill them!! And let the fully dry)

- Mug

-  Bath & Body Works 3 Wick Candle: Hot Cocoa &         Cream

- Festive Christmas Decor/Figurines

- Cellophane Wrap (basket size) 

- Large Basket

I filled the 3 clear craft ornaments with white chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips. The ornaments filled the cocoa items give the basket a nice festive touch. 

This basket is a Chocolate Lovers dream! There's instant hot cocoa, and other extra chocolate goodness included in this basket.

I added cute festive decor to the basket with this gingerbread man, a cocoa sign, and hot cocoa and cream candle.

This is another version of the cocoa basket with holiday M & M's.

I used a basket from target and place it in Cellophane along with a bow. I love using baskets from Target for making gift baskets.

It's time for hot cocoa!

Bath & Body Works Pre Candle Day/Weekend Haul

 Hello Everyone!

Since the pandemic started, a lot of businesses have taken different measures to ensure the safety of their customers. Bath and Body Works decided to have a Candle Weekend instead of their traditional Candle Day. If you check Bath & Body Works website there is a store locator for times opening in your area. I think you will be able to shop online as well (or at least one day online...don't quote me, as I'm not totally sure). I will update if I find out more details.

I did a few exchanges before the upcoming candle weekend, so I technically didn't buy anything lol. Despite the safety precautions I try to avoid large crowds especially since Covid is on the rise again in South Carolina.  Honestly I don't understand why Bath & Body Works doesn't have an annual candle weekend to give people a chance to shop more than one day.

2020 Holiday Christmas Bath & Body Works Bag

These are the candles I chose during my exchange. Most of the candles are my holiday favorites that I usually burn during the holidays and Winter. Tis the Season is one of my new favorite scents. The candle name says it all, Tis the Season. This candle reminds me of all things Christmas. It's a warm cozy cinnamon, apple, and slight wood scent. I love it! Snowflakes & Citrus is also another scent I love. This candle has a frosted citrus scent that's perfect for Winter.

What are your favorite Holiday/Winter Candles?

For more information check out my Bath & Body Works Christmas 2020