Hello blog friends.
I hope you're all well and staying safe during this coronavirus.
 |
I have been asked by some of my blog buddies and friends on social media how I'm doing? I just wanted to give a quick update.
I'm good and dealing with being inside and being quarantined. I haven't been out to any stores since Tuesday when I went early in the morning to buy food. I don't go outside unless it's necessary. I have plenty of food and other supplies I need.
I like to go on quick walks from time to time with my dog Bosco. During this difficult time, it's so nice to have a dog to love and keep us company.
 |
I also belong to a gym and while it's closed, I am doing Zumba classes on Zoom with the gym instructor and my gym friends. Doing these dance classes are helping me to stay in shape and sane.
I also had time to crochet a scarf, and I'll show it to you soon. I try to read my book when I have time, and I've been cooking a lot these past few weeks. We are having fun making Starbucks coffee and espresso at home each day.
I have my husband working remotely from home for the past two weeks and will continue to do so. I'm happy he is home and staying safe.
I have my daughter home from college taking her classes online until the end of the semester. She left school for home a few weeks ago for her spring break without cleaning out her dorm room. Everyone thought they would return to college to finish the semester. She is good and dealing with all of this considering that she wasn't able to go back to school. She will return to her college in Rhode Island to pack up everything at the end of April.
I have a full house right now, but I'm so grateful that we are healthy and all together.
I miss all of the things I used to do freely, and I look forward to when things will be back to normal.
I hope you all stay safe and healthy.
Julie xo
Hello blog friends.
A few weeks ago I visited the Dollar Tree store when it was safe to go shopping!
I bought some fun things and I'd love to share them with you.
I bought some fun things and I'd love to share them with you.
 |
The Dollar Tree store that is closest to me closed down and I'm still so sad about that happening. :(
To visit the closest store I have to drive a half-hour. I was also disappointed with this store as it was a mess. The isles were messy and unorganized and it looked like a tornado hit the whole store. The last time I was in DT it was so clean and neat. The Dollar Tree stores seem to be hit or miss and they don't have too many employees working in the stores.
But enough of me complaining, and let me show you what items I bought.
 |
I'm so in love with this bunny rabbit hanging. I have it hanging on my kitchen door and I think it's perfect for Easter.
 |
I have a few indoor plants in my living room and this rock is in one of the planters.
 |
I know that fairy gardens have been all the rage for a few years. I want to start a fairy garden and I like that three figurines come in each package.
Dollar Tree has the best dog rope toys for only a dollar! Some stores sell them for at least $7 to $10 for a dog toy. Bosco likes playing tug of war with his toy. I thought the dog collar with the dog bones was so cute.
 |
I like to buy bags of chips for when I visit my girl at college.
The chip clips are a great buy and I decided to try out the ranch dressing.
I'm glad I was able to shop the Dollar Tree store before we had the coronavirus.
Click HERE to see the great parties I will be linking up to!
Julie
Hello blog friends.
Happy First Day of Spring!
 |
Spring is one of my favorite seasons and I love the sunny days and pretty flowers blooming in my gardens. This will be the first spring that I won't be able to enjoy it freely because of the coronavirus. I usually like to go to a large garden center to pick out all of my flowers and vegetables. I probably won't go because of the large crowds of people.
Luckily, I have a neighbor who is going to help me map out and plan my container gardening by planting seeds. I will probably buy my seeds and trays online.
I want to plant tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce. I also want to plant flowers that are easy to grow from seeds.
Luckily, I have a neighbor who is going to help me map out and plan my container gardening by planting seeds. I will probably buy my seeds and trays online.
I want to plant tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce. I also want to plant flowers that are easy to grow from seeds.
 |
Bosco and I like getting out for our walks in the neighborhood. We've been careful and we are practicing social distance. Bosco is the lucky one and doesn't have to worry about anything except to be loved by his family.
 |
Enjoy your first day of spring.
 |
| HELLO, SPRING 2020! |
Hello blog friends.
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! 🍀
Today I'm sharing with you a St. Patrick's Day memory.
I happened to be visiting Niagara Falls, Canada a few years ago with Mr. JCL celebrating St. Patrick's Day.
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! 🍀
Today I'm sharing with you a St. Patrick's Day memory.
I happened to be visiting Niagara Falls, Canada a few years ago with Mr. JCL celebrating St. Patrick's Day.
We had a nice time visiting in March. The weather was cold and snowy but we had beautiful views of Niagara Falls.
We had dinner at a local Irish pub and we had our traditional dinner along with green beer.
I love looking back and remembering the fun time we had celebrating St. Patrick's Day together.
🍀
I made this crochet four-leaf clover a few years ago. Below is the pattern to crochet one.
MAKING A CROCHET FOUR LEAF CLOVER
🍀
Every year it's a tradition for me to bake some Irish Soda Bread. Below is the recipe.
🍀
Every year it's a tradition for me to bake some Irish Soda Bread. Below is the recipe.
 |
IRISH SODA BREAD RECIPE |
UPDATE: It's so sad with the coronavirus spreading here in our area. Due to this happening, we will not have our usual St. Patrick's Day parade. The parade will be postponed until September. We need to be careful and safe with this virus situation.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Julie xo
Hello blog friends.
I went on another shopping spree recently at Sephora. I'd love to share some of the items I bought.
 |
1. Fenty Beauty - By Rihanna - Hydrating Primer
While on my shopping spree in Sephora I wanted to buy face primer. I was all set to buy a different primer when I was asked to be helped by a sales associate. I wanted to buy Too Faced Hangover face primer after receiving a sample of it that I liked. Well, they showed me the primer by Rihanna and I liked it immediately after they put some on my hand. The primer soaked right into my hand and made my skin feel soft. The color is Soft Silk and the price is $32 and $2 less than the Too Faced primer.
Do you use face primer before you apply your foundation? I never did, but after using the sample from Too Faced it makes a difference. The foundation applies to your face easier and makes it stay on longer.
 |
2. Sephora Quick Clean - Dry Clean - Brush Cleaner
This spray brush cleaner is great for a fast clean for your eye shadow brushes. I decided to give this a try for using my new eye shadow palettes. It gets the brushes clean and it's so easy to use. You just spray the cleaner on your brush and then wipe away on a tissue. The price is $15.
 |
3. Sephora Deep Clean - Solid Brush Cleaner
This is a solid cleaner that is great for getting a deep clean for your makeup brushes. You get your brush wet with water and then run it over the solid soap. I use this when cleaning my Sephora foundation brush. The price of this Sephora solid brush cleaner is $15. I am trying to be better at keeping my brushes clean. I'm applying makeup to my face and I don't want any breakouts or anything.
 |
4. Sephora - Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner
I have been using a dark olive eyeliner lately and I like this one from Sephora. It is waterproof so it stays on better and doesn't wear off after a few hours. The color is 06 Olive and the price is $13. The reason why I have been using olive eyeliner is that it gives my eyes a softer look.
 |
Have you tried out any of these makeup items?
 |
| SEPHORA MAKEUP HAUL - MARCH |
5. MAC Mascara Update
I was given for Christmas this MAC mascara from my sister-in-law. I used it and I thought it was good but the mascara for the upper lashes has already dried out so fast. If you missed that blog post you can read it here. I am using the lower lash mascara in the meantime.
6. New Dashing Diva Gloss Ultra Shine Gel Strips
I just bought these nail gel strips recently at Sally Beauty. I was doing gel manicures at my nail salon for about a year and it made my nails weak. I have been doing regular manicures and I was curious to try out these gel strips. These gel strips are peel and stick. You have to find the right size nail strip to add to the nail. It says on the package that they are to last 14 days. I kept mine on for a week and I like using them. When you are done wearing the gel strips you can peel them right off. Mr. JCL thought that I went to the nail salon to get my nails done. LOL.
Have you tried gel strips and do you like them?
If you have tried out any new makeup that you like, please let me know in the comments section. I'd love to know!
I just bought these nail gel strips recently at Sally Beauty. I was doing gel manicures at my nail salon for about a year and it made my nails weak. I have been doing regular manicures and I was curious to try out these gel strips. These gel strips are peel and stick. You have to find the right size nail strip to add to the nail. It says on the package that they are to last 14 days. I kept mine on for a week and I like using them. When you are done wearing the gel strips you can peel them right off. Mr. JCL thought that I went to the nail salon to get my nails done. LOL.
Have you tried gel strips and do you like them?
If you have tried out any new makeup that you like, please let me know in the comments section. I'd love to know!
Hello blog friends.
I hope you are enjoying the week and Happy March. 🍀
I hope you are enjoying the week and Happy March. 🍀
I love making Irish Soda Bread this time of year.
I was given this recipe from a family friend a few years ago. This bread is so easy to make and it tastes great with butter spread on top.
I've been sharing this recipe on the blog ever since and it's just in time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
EASY IRISH SODA BREAD RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
3 cups regular flour
1 egg
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
1/2 stick margarine
1 cup raisins
1/4 box caraway seeds
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
(Dash of nutmeg or cinnamon - if desired)
DIRECTIONS:
All ingredients at room temperature
Use shallow greased 9" baking tin. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Bring raisins to boiling point only. Drain and cool. Sift together all dry ingredients. Rub in margarine. Beat egg and buttermilk together. Add to mixture using a wooden spoon. Fold in raisins. Mixture will be on the dry side- light dough. Roll into baking tin. Smooth top with spoon. Bake 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Cool on rack thoroughly. Glaze with melted sugar (2 tablespoons) in 1/2 oz. boiling water. Top of cake only, sprinkle top with cinnamon sugar. Slice and serve with butter.
Enjoy!
** NOTE: I did not use the caraway seeds or the sugar glaze on top of bread that the recipe calls for, and it still tasted amazing.
 |
| YUMMY IRISH SODA BREAD! |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons