The Musings of a Working Mom

My youngest just turned 2 over the weekend and since his favorite show right now is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, we decided to have a Mickey Mouse themed birthday party.  I found a lot of great ideas on various sites and blogs, so here is what I came up with: A cute sturdy cardboard MM cupcake stand I purchased on Amazon for under $10 (the stand also came with the cupcake liners and Mickey toppers) I made sugar cookies using a MM cookie cutter, frosted with chocolate and vanilla frosting (on the left).  On the right - I took mini Oreo's and reg size Oreo's and "glued" them together with melted chocolate.  How cute!! The birthday boy with his Mickey Mouse hoodie on. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse birthday banner that stands 6 feet tall!   Chocolate Oreo Mickey's in cute cupcake stands.  Cupcakes in the background. The birthday boy loving his balloon bouquet! This is one of my favorites - personalized chocolate bar that I purchased from iCandywrap

This month's theme is "GOOP".  The Birchbox team partnered with the team at goop.com to give their subscribers the "inside scoop on all things wonderful" ranging from recipes to city guides to a "collection of must-try essentials" (i.e. this months box samples). This month's Birchbox includes: 1.   amika:  Obliphica Nourishing Mask (Full-size, $12-$40) - Packed with omega acids and vitamin C, this lush conditioning mask boosts shine and even helps repair split ends. 2.   Chantecaille: Faux Cils Mascara (Full-size, $42) - Meet your new wand love - this water-resistant mascara delivers exceptional volume, length, and curl. 3.   DDF: Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer (Full-size, $85) - This high-tech moisturizing serum fills in pores and wrinkles for instantly smoother skin, while peptides and vitamins provides long-term anti-aging benefits. 4.   EVE LOM: Cleanser and Muslin Cloth (Full-size, $22-$55) - The balm-like cleanser gently pur

I know that Nars products are on the pricey side but the quality of their products are hands down worth every penny.  Not only are their products very pigmented (thus you don't need to use a lot and therefore it will last you a very long time) but the products don't fade or disappear throughout the day.  I really feel that you get great quality products for the price you pay for with Nars products.   One of the products I recently decided to splurge on was this Cordura Eyeshadow duo.   I have found myself reaching for this duo for a quick and easy eye look.  I place the lighter shade (on the left) on my lid and blend it out with a matte light brown (like Mac Soft Brown or Urban Decay Buff or Tease).  I then place the darker shade (on the right) on the outer corner and down onto my lash line and blend/smudge it out.  Add a highlight eyeshadow (like Mac Vanilla or Urban Decay Virgin), line your upper lash line with a liner or shadow, and a couple of coats of your favorite

I'm not a big crockpot person...that is until now.  I know, I have 3 kids and I should be using a crockpot to make my dinner prep/work easier but I never felt the need to get one.  Well, I finally broke down and bought one and just at the perfect time!  The kids and I went to a local apple orchard and brought home more apples than I had planned...so what to do with all of those apples?  Well make applesauce of course!  I found the easiest, most delicious recipe using my crockpot.  You can add as much or little cinnamon as you like, or omit it all together if you don't like any seasoning in your applesauce.  Not only do we like to eat our applesauce plain as a snack, I like to top my greek yogurt with some applesauce and a handful of granola for a tasty breakfast treat.  You can also substitute applesauce for oil in most baking recipes for a healthy alternative.  What a great way to use up all of those apples before they go bad! Crockpot Applesauce 8-10 apples, any variety -

The days are getting shorter and the air is getting cooler and it's about time, I never thought that this heat wave would end.  I love the fall- the crisp, cool breezes, the leaves changing colors and I especially love wearing boots, sweaters and scarves.  September is over and here are my favorites for the month: 1.   Blushes - Nars Oasis and Tarte Blushing Bride :  these blushes have a warmth about them.  Fall usually makes me want to wear more plums and berry shades and these blushes really scream "fall" to me!  I love wearing these blushes with a soft, neutral eye.  And although both of these blushes appear to have a lot of shimmer in them, they don't translate onto your skin that way.  These two blushes give such a nice glow and flush of color - perfect for a fall day! 2.   Rimmel Stay Matte Powder with Real Techniques Powder Brush - this powder has really lived up to its name and is my new favorite setting powder.  It really does help to keep my face from