The Dog Ate My Homework....

I call this "Sophie on Stripes"

Hello all,
I owe you an apology. I hope this doesn't sound like a lame excuse. Let see, since I lasted posted  my electricity went out, I traveled for a weekend-long soccer tournament with my family, celebrated Labor Day at our family's annual party and I survived the chaotic preparation for back-to-school.

So... I have NOT been blogging. Bad job, I know!  I plan to be back on a more regular basis starting the week on September 13th. I will then be announcing my September giveaway! I think you'll like it :)

Stay tuned!

The most wonderful time of the year.....Autumn!

There's a distinct chill in the air here today, not that I'm complaining!  The temperature is barely edging past the mid 70s.  It feels like fall.  I just HAVE to share a few autumnal delights I've recently spotted at Capricorn Soap Company.   As you can see, they sure have a leg up on the season.  Over the weekend these delectable soaps began popping up in their shop.

Petit Noir guest soaps, two 2 ounce bars, $5.75

Limited Edition Cider bath soap  features freshly pressed apples,$ 6.75  for 4.5 oz. bar




Harvest bath soap, also a limited edition scent,
contains ground pumpkin rind for exfoliation, $ 6.75 for 4.5 oz. bar

Stroll on over to Capricorn Soap Company and mention that you heard about the shop from Deanna at My Handmade Addiction!

Sales Alert: Moonlight Madness Sale at Nature's Edge Farm on Etsy

 The shopkeeper may have gone "batty" but the deals are steals, well....practically!

Drop by the  Moonlight Madness Sale  to take advantage of some amazing deals!

Attack of the homegrown tomatoes

Well, it's that time of year again. Whether you planted them or your dear friends and family did, there's bound to be an abundance of homegrown, red-fleshed yumminess in a garden near you. While we are thankful recipients of these prized beauties, there does come a point when the question of  "what the heck are we going to do with all these tomatoes?" does pop into our heads.

My good friend Barb snapped a picture of her beautiful vine-ripening tomato.

One way we like to enjoy them here at our house is paired with a cheese other than usual, boring buffalo mozzarella.  Several years ago while scanning the cheese display at our local fruit market I first caught sight of this lesser known, but infinitely more delicious cheese called, ricotta salata.  It's a bit like feta in texture and taste though not quite as salty. I slice up some big fat, juicy tomatoes, top each slice with a thin cut of ricotta salata and a little drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a light vinaigrette. I do occasionally add the obligatory leaf of basil, but it's not necessary. The tomato, cheese and oil (or vinaigrette) make a nice little trio of taste and texture all by themselves. Try this combination sometime and thank me later!

Blog mention on Coffee With The Mrs.: Eye Spy ~ "Greenspiration"

Sweet blogger Amy, "The Mrs." from  Coffee with the Mrs., mentioned my blog today! How nice is that? Amy would like me to be her personal shopper. Now that's a job I would LOVE!!!!!  Please head over to Amy's blog, Coffee With The Mrs.: Eye Spy ~ "Greenspiration", grab a cup of coffee and peruse her lovely corner of the blogosphere!

Thank you again Amy!!!!

Stylin' with my Etsy finds

Here I am modeling 2 handmade products I purchased on Etsy that I adore:

Fo' Shizzle My Sprizzle tee from Ellembee, $34 and
 Coffee Lover  necklace from Artful Goodies, $20
**also take note of my pretty fern that managed to get in the picture**

April from Artful Goodies was kind enough to swap out the silver ballchain and bail for an antique gold finish chain & matching bail! Customization is the norm at most Etsy shops and I love that special perk!

Assignment #1: How safe is your mascara?

Hello Readers,
I was thinking the other night about how to get you acquainted with Skin Deep's Cosmetic Safety Reviews. I decided to give you an assignment. What better way to learn than by doing? I don't know about you but I HAVE to wear mascara. I have itsy bitsy lashes and mascara makes those that I do have look better. For today's assignment, I'd like each of you to go to http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/, find your mascara rating. Then come back here and post the name of your mascara and it's rating in the comments section. I think you'll be surprised at the scores. I know I was!

image source: treehugger.com

I was feeling a bit smug. I admit it. Unfortuanately, my current mascara, Dr. Hauschka volumizing mascara in black had the shoddy score of 6 out of 10.  Keep in mind that a score of zero is the safest rating.

I also use  Physician's Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara in ultra black organics. Unfortunately I couldn't find the rating for that mascara. If you click the link above you can find out more about this mascara as well as view the full listing of ingredients. Now that I'm aware of of Dr. Hauschka's poor rating, I think I'll switch back to Organic Wear mascara again.

One mascara I would like to try soon is 100% Pure ultra lengthening fruit pigmented mascara. The  mini size is only $12 but is only offered in the color black tea. This mascara is rated as a 2 on Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Review.


I look forward to finding out how your mascaras fared!