Perfume! Perfume! Flair for Great Scents!

I have been asked several times to blog about what brands of perfume that I prefer.  I must confess, the love of perfume was passed down to me by my late grandmother, Evelyn Roman Slagle.   I remember visiting her house, as a little girl, and, I would stare and stare at her many perfume bottles.  She was such FUN...she would allow me to sample the different scents.  She always smelled so good!  She loved perfume and, now, I am carrying on the tradition.  

These days, my 6 year old daughter, Brooke, gazes at my perfume collection and, will often ask me if she can have a squirt out of one of the bottles.  Remembering myself as a young girl, and, how much I enjoyed my grandmother's perfumes, I always tell her "of course".  


Here is my collection of perfume...I truly enjoy switching around and wearing every scent.  I love the variety...some days, I even, mix two at once.  This is a fun way to experiment with fragrance. 

My perfume 'stash'

Coco body powder by Chanel 

My Top Ten Favorite Perfumes of the Moment:

1. 'Quelques Fleurs' by Houbigant Paris (*I have been wearing this since I was a senior in high school)....divine!
2. Dolce & Gabbana 'Light Blue'
3. Yves St. Laurent 'Paris'- A favorite since college
4. 'Gucci' by Gucci 
5. Chanel 'Coco Mademoiselle'
6. Chanel 'Coco'
7. Chanel No. 5- (A real timeless scent)  (Can you tell...? I adore Chanel perfumes!??)
8. Clinique 'Aromatics Elixir'- has been around for ages, strong and distinct.  Nothing else smells like it, really great!
9. Fresh 'Pink Jasmine'
10. 'Juicy Couture' by Juicy Couture 

And, I can't resist sharing one more...

  11. Trish McEvoy 'Sexy #9' - a great and fresh scent

Perfumed body powder is another thing my grandmother always used.  My current favorite?  ...none other than, by Chanel: 'Coco'.  I love to use this after a good bubble bath. Treat yourself to this fabulous luxurious body powder.

Derby Pie Squares

I used a wonderful Derby Pie (Kentucky Derby!) recipe and, turned it into bars.  I needed a cookie type pick-up dessert for a meeting at my daughter's school today.  

I doubled this recipe, and, placed two pie crusts in the bottom of a jelly roll pan.  I trimmed the extra pieces (from the crust circles) to ensure the entire pan was covered in crust.  Mix up the filling and, pour over the top of the crust.  Bake for 20 minutes or, until lightly browned.  Really good!!!

Kentucky Derby Pie 

(Adapted from a recipe by Food) 

Ready to go in the oven 

Take out of oven.  Allow the bars to cool and cut in to squares 

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup pecans 
• 9 inch unbaked pie shell
• Combine all ingredients and mix with fork.



Place on a platter and serve 

• Bake in pie crust at 350 for 45 minutes, or until brown on top.  (For the bar style recipe, only need to bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly browned).

Amazing Sugar Cookies!

This sugar cookie recipe is delicious and, very quick and easy!  You can use a cookie cutter of your favorite shape, or, use a round cookie cutter.  Decorate the cookies and...wah lah!  ....you have a very tasty treat!  I made these for a function at my son's school last week and, they turned out really well.  So good!  I hope you enjoy! 


Sugar Cookies


3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 t. baking powder
1 t. salt


Cream first 4 ingredients together until light and fluffy.  Add flour, baking powder and salt.  Chill dough 1 hour.   Roll dough 1/8-inch think.  Cut into desired shapes.  Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 6-8 minutes at 400 degrees.  *Easily doubled.  * Roll out cookie dough on powdered sugar.

Christmas Pictures!!!

Yes!  The time is here to be thinking about Christmas card pictures...can you believe it?  Julie Torregrossa, from 1:17 Photography has been taking our family pictures for the past 8 years.  She is outstanding!   Julie took pictures of our family of seven this evening.  She is really patient and, the best part...really quick!  We think she is the best!  Don't live near Memphis?  Locate a wonderful photographer right away and, have a family portrait made.  Christmas time is right around the corner!

Saturday Night Supper- A Big 'Hit'!

Really good!  I made a super easy and delicious new chicken recipe last night.  Seriously, it took a total of five minutes to prepare and...VERY tasty!


Parmesan Crusted Chicken


1/2 cup mayonnaise ( I used 3/4 cup, because I love mayo!)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 chicken breast halves  (rinse and dry off)
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs


(This recipe can easily be doubled)


Place the mayonnaise, cheese and bread crumbs in a large zip top bag.  Add the chicken.  Knead and shake the bag until all of the chicken is coated. 


Spray a glass baking dish with baking oil.  Lay the chicken in the pan.  *Sprinkle any remaining crumbs on the top of the chicken.  Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.  


You will NOT be able to stop eating this wonderful chicken dish!  So good!!! 


*After baking, I drizzled the chicken with a wonderful apricot sauce (purchased at Tuesday Morning)---a nice topping.  (see picture below)


I served the chicken with mixed vegetables and fresh fruit.


An EASY and delicious dessert:  Cookie Sandwiches


You will need:  Toll House pre-made cookie dough (in a tub in the refrigerator section of your grocery store).  Bake according to the directions.  Once baked, place a full tablespoon of vanilla icing (the ready made icing from the store) between two cookies, making a sandwich.  My kids LOVED this dessert!  So good! 

Parmesan Crusted Chicken.....so good!  Adapted from a recipe by Hellmann's Mayonnaise 

I served the chicken with mixed vegetables and fresh fruit

Cookie sandwich

Apricot & Mango and Roasted Chipotle dipping sauce

I hope you enjoy this easy and delicious meal.  Have a great week!  

My Fall Home

My Fall Home Decor...

Decorate your home for fall as soon as possible...I promise...you will really enjoy it!!!


Linking to:

The Flair List: The Best Shops Online

I want to share some of my favorite places to shop online.  Like many of you...day-to-day life becomes busy and, ordering online can be very convenient.  


I truly love to give business to local stores, as much as possible...but, I also find it fast and easy to shop...right on my lap top. 

Here are some great websites that I order from: 

Adult & Children's Shoes:

Cute rain boots by Burberry!  Shop on Zappos.

Zappos
Charlotte Russe (low priced women's shoes and, very "right now")
Steve Madden

Home Furniture & Home Accessories:

Pillow found on Etsy

Wisteria

Crate and Barrel
Horchow  (Free monogram on bathroom towels...cannot beat it!) 
West Elm 
Anthropologie (Home section) 
Ballard Designs
Etsy

Children's Clothes

Hannah Kate Children's Clothing 

Kelly's Kids
Land's End
Ragsland
Hannah Kate
Blessed Be the Name
Bumbletees
Pears & Bears
Matilda Jane
Sweet Tea






Gifts

From:  The Pink Monogram.  Monogrammed cell phone case. 

Alphabet Soup Gifts
The Monogram Shop
Amazon
The Pink Monogram 
Red Envelope

Stationary/Invitations/Personalized Stickers

Pear Tree Greetings
Libby Lu Designs
Swanky Press
Kris-10's Creations















Women's Clothing 

Coat by Asos

Garnet Hill
Boden
Blue Fly
J. Crew
Anthropologie
Vineyard Vines
Forever 21  (very affordable and ultra trendy!)
Splash of Pink
Shopbop
Asos

Stock Your Pantry for the Fall, You Will Be So Glad You Did!

The Fall!  Colder weather, sweaters, blankets, comfort food...need I say more?  I absolutely love this season!  For many years...I take some time to "stock my pantry" for this wonderful time of year.  I have been gathering some items this week and, "gearing up" for lazy Sunday afternoons, watching football games with my hubby...and, thinking about cold weather recipes and, things that I love to eat and drink on those brisk mornings.  


Here are my current favorite things to collect for the "Fall Pantry" (and freezer too!): 

• Oatmeal- Delicious on a cold morning, don't forget the brown sugar!
• Canned chili-  so good with Fritos and melted cheese!  ...and a dollop of sour cream.  (add salt and pepper to make it even tastier!)
• Hot cocoa mix and marshmallows  (make the mix yourself with cocoa, coffee creamer and, malt---I will hunt down the recipe and post it soon!)
• Pumpkin bread mix.  You can whip up a batch in a hurry! 
• Canned Pumpkin- ready to go in the pumpkin bread or dozens of other wonderful recipes. 
• A1 sauce- yum!  Don't you love a hot steak on a cold evening?
• Refrigerated pie crust- you can whip up a hot cherry pie on a moment's notice.  Also, I love quiche in the fall---invite a friend over for brunch and enjoy!  
• Frozen cinnamon rolls....with coffee...need I say more? 
• Apple Cider.  Serve it hot with a spoon full of whipped cream.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.  Just like Starbucks.
• Cinnamon & Sugar mixed together.  Perfect for making cinnamon toast.  Take slices of wheat bread, add four pats of butter to each slice, sprinkle with the C & S mixture.  Broil for 3-4 minutes.  My kids adore this! 
• Parmesan Cheese.  I mix it with baking mix (such as Bisquick), coat boneless chicken strips, and, bake.  * See Ultimate Chicken Finger recipe in the archives.  A new staple dinner in our house.  
• Flavored coffee.  Love to make flavored coffee on a cold afternoon...for a quick "pick-me-up".
• Hershey kisses with caramel in the center.  Oh wow!  Be careful!  Good!  
• Orange sweet rolls.  These stay in the refrigerator.  Very good!  These are a tradition on a fall Sunday morning. Divine!
• Brown paper bags.  Cheap and, useful for everything from packing lunches to giving a friend a "fall happy".  Get creative and, decorate the bags with stamps or stickers.  Insert a little gift or a baked goodie, and, surprise a friend or a neighbor.  *Allow your children to decorate the bags for a fun afternoon craft.
• Dried onion soup mix.  Pour a package over a roast and turn on the crock pot.  Add baby red potatoes, chopped celery and a chopped white onion.  Cook on low for 7 hours.  Oh my!  The best ever!
• Caramel coffee creamer.  Use in coffee (of course!) or...combine 1/2 a cup and, 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream in the blender.  A wonderful "fall" milk shake.  Add more coffee creamer to your taste.  So good! 
• Carrot cake mix.  Carrot cake with cream cheese icing...a wonderful dessert for any fall evening.  I am craving this right now!  

Are you inspired to stock your pantry for the season?  Find your own items as well.  A full pantry for fall is what I call, "living with FLAIR".  Enjoy!   Thank you for reading my blog.

Fall Greetings To You, Beth

Linking to:
Shabby Nest

Yet, Another Fall Candle-of-the-Month!

Hello friends!  Okay...I confess, I can't get enough of fall smelling candles!  So...here is another candle "must-have" for this season. This one will cost you $7.00...is that a great deal, or what??  I actually picked this candle up at Kroger yesterday (for those out-of-state: this is our local grocery store!).  I once heard Nate Berkus say, "You can find great stuff anywhere, as long as you open your eyes and look for it."...I LOVE this!  So true!  Over the years, I have held to the theory that more expensive candles, i.e.:  Yankee, Aromatique, Seda France, Trapp and Root are the way to go, because these products always have a very strong scent.


Well...I decided to go out on a limb yesterday and, buy this yummy candle at Kroger .  WOW!  Am I glad that I did!!!  This cheaper candle line is now stronger than ever!  This candle (see below) is made by Candle-Lite.  I bought the "Cinnamon Pecan Swirl"  ---YUMMY!  Have had it burning for the past 2 hours and, as my husband is working late (until 8 p.m.) each night this week...this candle is literally making my senses 'sing' as I fed the children dinner and, am now, about to start bath time. 


This is the best $7.00 I have spent in a long while!  Grab one up as soon as you can!  


My whole house smells like pecan pie!!!  Ahhhhhh!!!!!


Hugs to every single one of you!!!  ~ Beth

My All Time Favorite Devotional Books

I wanted to share my all time favorite devotional books with you today.  I am also linking up with Kelly's Korner.  She has a neat blog feature called "Show Us Your Life".  You can truly glean all sorts of great ideas, and the topics are ongoing.  


These books are all available on Amazon.  Collect them as you can...amazing and encouraging!

Each New Day, by Corrie Ten Boom 

31 Days of Praise, by Ruth Myers 

Night Light, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson.  A couples devotional book.    This makes a great wedding gift!  

Keep a Quiet Heart, by Elisabeth Elliot.  This is actually a book, not a devotional, per say....but, very encouraging and, I have used it, over the years, as a devotion.  The title alone is deeply encouraging.  

Growing Strong in The Seasons of Life, by Charles Swindoll.   A MUST!  I have been reading this amazing book since high school.  VERY uplifting!  A great read each day! 

Morning and Evening, by Charles Spurgeon.  A classic.  

Craving God, by Lysa Terkeurst.   Lysa is a great author....any book she has written is excellent! 

A great little book to carry around in your purse, for a quick "pick-me-up".   By Karol Ladd. 

This goes without saying....but, My Utmost For His Highest, by Oswald Chambers, is also a must!  I have treasured my copy for years and, have it marked and highlighted, many times over...wonderful!  


Please share your favorite devotional book with me, I would love to know! 


Thank you for reading my latest post.  I appreciate you so much!  Reading devotional books each day is truly living with FLAIR!