Happy December!!!Before I go on with this post, I must share something. I’m so emotional right now because it is one of those moments where you realize you taught your daughter well on the subject of high/low shopping.
Happy December! Can you find me?
Oona and her boyfriend are planning a few dinner parties. Among them, she will be entertaining his family and wants everything to run smoothly. Now—they recently moved into a new home and with that comes shopping for all things grown up (it’s the first house). This runs the gamut of furniture to anything else “home” related. She’s been spending a ton of time at Home Goods lately.
And so, we were having a conversation about dishes and china, table settings and she mentioned that she was looking for white dishes because white goes with everything (I have white dishes—she’s such a good girl!). She was looking around at various sets when I mentioned to her that she should head to her local dollar store. The Dollar store is a mecca for plates and bowls and the cost is so minimal that if you break an item, it’s not a stress nor is it a big deal.
Some of my white dollar store bowls…
…and a couple of the many plates. I’m mixing red and white this year–but I haven’t finalized that thought yet!
Then I mentioned that I have bowls from the dollar store that have lasted for almost 20 years. I have soup bowls, cereal bowls and a ton of plates. They always look good on the table and the simplicity of them makes a great canvas for the food. Proof that you do NOT need a ton of money when it comes to home-related goods.
My blue dollar store bowls that are almost 20 years old! I love these!
This morning she called me and thanked me. She was at the dollar store and wanted my opinion on plates. Textured or plain? I can’t tell you how tickled I was. I taught her well. And that is a bit of advice to everyone.
Oona sent these pics to me for my opinion. I’m so proud of my baby for listening to mommy! I need a moment here to wipe the tears from my eyes!
Plates break. And rather than get all flustered in attempting to spend a fortune replacing a “good” and expensive item of China, I go with the budget-minded. They are dishwasher safe and it’s the food and company that are more important!
OK—back to the post!
My efforts for a truly pretty “nude” pink/rose/mauve are a constant challenge. My coloring is cool and I have pink undertones. A bright pink looks horrible on me. Many pink/nudes just look downright weird. Due to my aging lips, darker colors that once did look good, no longer do.
A sampling of my lip colors. In all honesty, I should trash some of these but I can’t bring myself to do so…
They just kind of “hang out”!
I do have my favorites, and my usuals—but still, it is difficult to find the right lip color.
Among my usuals–NYX Butter Gloss–especialy the Tiramisu color. It’s a great neutral!
A few days back I was in Walmart. And to tell you the truth, I was getting pissed off about the rising price of these drug-store lipsticks. I searched and perused and felt like Goldilocks with her porridge. Either the colors were too intense or too “off”. Nothing was quite right.
Then I happened to pass the Rimmel display and noticed these Lasting Finish by Kate (Moss) lipsticks. One tube caught my eye. The Number 08. I opened the tube and the color did appear slightly dark but I took my chances. After all, what’s one more lip color that doesn’t work?
Well. At under five bucks, this lipstick is an absolute winner. The color is everything I’ve been looking for. It’s a subtle mauve/rose. Almost a caramel but not quite. It’s beautiful! Although it doesn’t last the eight hours that Rimmel says it does, it lasts a long enough time for me to be happy with it. That’s all that matters!
I’m so pleased with this winner of a lippie! It just looks so wonderful and very mature woman flattering!!
This is a great lipstick that will be sticking around in my collection for a while. I’ll have to get back to Walmart later to grab a couple more tubes because with my luck, Rimmel with discontinue it!
I’m wearing Number 08 today! Oh. And before I head out to buy a couple of backups, I will be sure to wear a heavy scarf to hide my turkey neck! So happy I did my roots this morning!
And speaking of “stick” and “sticking” (what a segue), I had quite the interesting occurrence on Friday with my KitchenAid stand mixer.
I was mixing bread dough. Now—the recipe I have calls for mixing the dough about ten minutes. Fine.
And while the dough was mixing, I decided to be pro-active and prepare all the ingredients for the pound cake that I would also be baking that afternoon for Bonaparte. The counter was full of the proper ingredients and I was feeling rather good about myself for being so prepared.
Ingredients for the next batch…like ladies in waiting I have cake makings in waiting!
When the dough was finished, I released the lock, lifted the dough hook, and proceeded to take the dough out and place in another bowl to proof.
Dough mixed and ready to proof. This happens on a regular basis!
But something happened. The bowl of the KitchenAid mixer was stuck to the base and wouldn’t release. I tried for ten minutes to rotate the bowl with no success.
Why did I feel as though I was reliving this scene from A Christmas Story?
At this point I was starting to panic because panic is what I do best! Nothing worked.
Too bad I didn’t have any paper bags in the house or I could have done this to get rid of my panic.
I went online and discovered that this, although not common, does happen. KitchenAid’s suggestions are to apply hot compresses to the base of the mixer where bowl meets mixer. After ten minutes, apply another hot compress. A half-hour later the bowl didn’t move at all.
Next suggestion was to apply Mineral Oil. Thank God, my innards sometimes need a “push” and I get that push by swallowing this stuff. I applied the Mineral Oil to my constipated bowel…er…bowl. Nothing. Nada. That bowl wasn’t going anywhere. I could not move my bowl.
Mineral oil was next. It may move your bowels but didn’t move my bowl!
I knelt down on the floor, blessed myself and prayed to St. Jude. Either ol’ Saint Jude was too busy dealing with other prayers from impossible cases to hear me or he just wasn’t feeling the love for me! My prayers went unanswered.
This guy and I are old friends. My entire LIFE is one hopeless case. I got him on prayer speed dial!
I decided to call the KitchenAid hotline. By this time, I was seething. All I could think of was my first KitchenAid. The one I had for over 30 years and literally used until the motor blew. I wanted it back. My current mixer is two years old and the quality doesn’t even come near my first one.
The suggestion from Becky at KitchenAid was to take the mixer, place it on the floor and straddle it with my feet.
Might I add that this freaking thing weighs a ton!
By doing this I could provide the strength to release the bowl. I complied. Now understand, I’m no weakling. I’m a pretty strong broad. I could not release the bowl.
I was unable to take a photo of what I did next. Better though–it looked X-rated! Use your imagination. Your DIRTY imagination. That’s right!
What happened next is a true account. Bonaparte arrived home from work. He saw me in this compromising position with my KitchenAid and the look on his shocked face shocked me. It was as though I was caught cheating. Cheating with a piece of equipment that was certainly not an “adult” toy!
Let’s just say my Frenchman was even more shocked than this mime guy!
“Qu’est-ce que tu fais!!!!!!???” “CASSIE!!! QU’EST-CE QUE TU FAIS!!!!???” He was so upset at the sight that he forgot he spoke English! I had never heard my reserved and refined Frenchman scream so loud!
He almost became ill at the sight of me with my KitchenAid!
After he finally regained his composure from both the sight of me looking like I was giving inappropriate lust to my KitchenAid and seeing the mess on the counter, I explained what happened.
He took the mixer from in between my legs, lifted it, placed it on the counter and with two swift moves, the bowl released.
I think I heard my little KitchenAid ask for a cigarette after that physical encounter with me! It is now at rest.
I was at a loss for words. However, I would rather believe that my request to St. Jude was delayed and He answered my prayer at that exact moment when Bonaparte twisted the bowl.
By the time we sat down to our Friday evening aperitifs, we were able to laugh about this most “sticky” situation. And the bread was baked and his pound cake was baked and all was well!
Later on, I found out that someone filmed a YouTube video on how to release the stuck bowl to your KitchenAid. And here it is. As a public for you and as proof that this does, in fact happen!! This video is great!!
Lip color? OMG, I’m always looking for that perfect life changing lip color. I think it’s a lifelong quest. Thank goodness I’ve never had your problem with a Kitchen Aide. But I will look at Youtube if it happens. Keep on trucking.
Hi Sandy!!!!! It is a lifelong quest. With the missions of lippies out there you would think finding that perfect color would be easy!!!!!!XOXOXOXOXOXO!!!
I totally agree about inexpensive plates, and you did well at the dollar store! My Mom was always a fan of white Corell and I agree. Still using the same set she bought over 40 years ago, and I added pieces as needed. Only a little more expensive than dollar store! Love the Rimmel lipstick on you. I’m also a fan of their Kate Moss line. And I love how you tell the story of your mixer incident…lol
Hi Lori. Right????? I’m so “stuck” on the Dollar store plates, bowls, etc. And the stuff lasts!! Yeah. I’m very impressed with that Kate Moss line. You never know!!!!!
Lip color looks great very natural looking….the bowl story. OMG!
Glad you were able to release it….
Hi Debe!!! Thanks. I just got back from Walmart to buy a couple of backups. I purchased the very last one! Yup. That bowl–I was bowled over! Thank God for Bonaparte!! LOL!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Hi,
while I appreciate a good deal and shop at the dollar stores too I always watch out for items from china having lead based paint or bad ingredients as in pet food. If your items give you pleasure and no problems – great. I am someone who has had a rather lengthy trial with colon cancer and watches for any toxins. I have read too many articles of plates and bowls from China with high concentrations of lead in their glaze leaching into foods we eat. I am not trying to be a downer to your inventiveness and saving of money – just cautious.
Liz
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Hi Liz. Thank you so much for that warning–and I appreciate that because it could be helpful to other readers. I’m also hoping that you are presently well. I checked my plates and luckily, most of them are made either in Indonesia or the USA. I will be sure to double-check what I purchase in the future! You’re not a downer girlfriend. You are making us all aware!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
O my! Laughing out loud all by myself at you and the Kitchen Aid and Bonaparte walking in on the “two of you” in a compromising position. My mother still has and uses the same Kitchen Aid from when I was little. I can attest to it being at least 55 years older, probably closer to 65.
And heading to Wal Mart for groceries (ugh. My only option or I wouldn’t set foot in there. Target is 2 hours away.) and will check out #8 . That looks like my perfect lip color.
Hi Nelson. It’s good to hear from you!! I swear I believe your mother has the “good” KitchenAid when things were built to last!! Yeah–definitely check out Number 8–it’s really flattering!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Can I just say, you are so beautiful! 😊
Thank you so much!!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I have the same problem with my Kitchenaid. Fortunately the bowl has a handle at the side, so I can strike it with a wooden rolling pin to release it.
It’s still the best mixer I’ve ever had.
Hi Ruth. You know–I do have the bowl from my old KitchenAid. It has the handle and I rarely use the one that got stuck–the one without the handle. I don’t think I will be using that particular bowl much in the future. Oh yeah–it definitely is the best mixer around. I use mine at least three times a week. When the kids were all at home I used it almost every day!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
This was hilarious! I thought that stuff only happened to me!
Laura
Hi Laura. Meet your counterpart!!! Shit like that happens to me all the time!! LOL!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Hi Catherine — It’s been ten minutes since I read your blog and watched the KitchenAid video, and I haven’t stopped laughing yet. I’ve had my KA bowl get stuck too but, fortunately, my husband was home to loosen it. Very funny stuff. And thanks for the lipstick tip. I have the same skin tone as you do and am always on the search for that perfect shade. One that works for me, in the same color family, is Thalia by NYX. Happy holidays!
Hi Claudia! I swear I just made Gougeres twenty minutes ago and used my KA bowl WITH the handle. I have PTSD from that incident!! Ohhhhhhh definitely look for that lipstick–it’s great!!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I love your blog and get great ideas from it. I will definitely look for that lipstick. I’m sick of buying lipsticks that feel dry. I love my Burt’s Bees fig colored lip shimmer by itself or over a lipstick that’s not very moist.
I’m 72 and just starting to notice some skin issues and, thanks to you, I have started using primer (found at Marshall’s) and cream rouge. I agree it’s ridiculous that the e.l.f. Primer is packaged to make you think you’re getting a lot more than you do.
I’ve been trying to find your list of what you buy in Paris at City Pharmacy. I know that’s not spelled right, but… I have a friend who is going to be in Paris next week and I wanted to pass that on to her, in hopes she’d be able to go there.
Hi Bobbi!!! Thank you so much! I’m honestly touched that you get great ideas from this blog–thank you! Oh–look for it for sure. It does NOT dry out my lips. It’s a very flattering color! Cream blush is life! It’s so good for mature skin. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…I know that list is in one of the posts but off the top of my mind, any Caudalie serums or skin products can be found at a deep discount. The Nuxe oils too. Try to have her look for Orange Blossom toner–its awesome. Trust me, anything she can find skin-care related will be discounted at the best price ever! I hope your friend has the greatest time–the city is decorated so beautifully at Christmas time!!! XOXOXOXO
Yes, love white plates too. I also buy old china in garage sales. I like to mix it with the white ones. OMG The story with your Kitchenaid is so funny. You are a crazy woman, you know that right? Don’t you ever change please. Love you exactly the way you are! Have a lovely week Catherine. -Dominique
Dominique–we are on the same page here. I have some great vintage China from thrifting and I love mixing and matching with the white!!! Oh yeah. I am totally crazy!!! For me to be sane just would not be right!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Don’t change… I like nuts! I am a little insane myself. At least that’s what my husband say. xoxo
Oh my Gawd….you and that Kitchen Aid mixer and the description of your husband’s reaction. Too, too much…why are YOU not writing for SNL?? I was snorting out my Kir Royale!!!That has happened to me too but my bowl has a handle so easier to muscle it off. It’s about ten years old so when did the handle get removed??
I agree with the white dishes 100%! If I had to do it over again it would be pure white ALL the way..
but back in the Jurassic era when I got married you had to have your GOOD dishes ( usually Minton or Royal Doulton or Lenox) and you freaked if your spouse clanged against something because it was so damned expensive to replace. ( IF it hadn’t been discontinued) So you only used it at Christmas, Easter MAYBE Sunday if the parents were attending….otherwise it was the ‘kitchen’ dishes which ended up being a mismatched mess after 40 years!!
LOL. Momcat. My mother was hung up on Lenox–she had a ton and never used it because she was petrified one of us would break a plate. I had Royal Doulton pieces and have no idea what happened to them. The cheap white plates now are a go to!! LOL. I have two bowls one with a handle and one without. The one without will be set in the trash!!!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Oh what a saga with the Kitchen Aid bowl. Love the pics and the details along with Bonaparte’s reaction. I sent you an email about my mum’s over 40 year old Kenwood Chef Mixer (dough hook saga), could have all been avoided with a $99 bread maker. Going to buy myself the 08 Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick. Target has 50% off all cosmetics this week here in Australia. Bargains to be bought.
Hi Dianne!!! I saw the email..OMG. Just. O.M.G.!!!! Go buy those bargains girlfriend!! And check out that lippie–you will love it!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Funniest post yet!
Thanks Debra!!!! Tee hee!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Catherine, I am still laughing over your Kitchen Aide story. Bonaparte coming in and seeing you in that “compromising” position still starts me giggling. Lol! What he must have been thinking! 😂 My bowl has gotten stuck before, too, but luckily my husband was always there to get in undone. This didn’t use to happen with my mixer, which I have had for many years. Thinking maybe I should grease it up a bit before I use it each time. Just hope it then doesn’t let go and go flying across the room!!
Anne
Hi Anne. Bonaparte has requested I get rid of the bowl without the handle. I wonder why? But from now on, I’m greasing EVERYTHING!!!! XXOXOXOXO!!!!
Oh my God!!! You have me in stitches…funniest post yet.
So glad you enjoyed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
O my gosh! You and the Kitchen Aide! You have a great sense of humor. Household appliances are my nemesis. I am currently at war with a smoke detector…
Great lipstick choice!
Thanks for the humor; lightened up a stormy morning.
Hi J. Don’t even get me started on smoke detectors! I am constantly at war with mine. I can’t turn the oven past 400 without having to open every window and door in the house–not to mention ceiling fans!!! Glad to have given you a good laugh!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Hahahahaa, this is the funniest Kitchen-Aid Stand Mixer story ever. I’ve had one since 1998 and have never experienced this particular problem. Hopefully I won’t. First, kudos to Oona for listening to her mamma. As well, that lipstick is perfect on you!
Oh, you had me laughing at your Kitchen Aid incident. What a hoot that the company recommends putting the unit on the floor and straddling it, etc., as one of the ways to get the bowl unstuck. I hope everyone unplugs the Kitchen Aid before applying hot, wet compresses to its bottom. Seems like the results of that could be electrifying. Maybe the company needs to look at some design changes for the Kitchen Aid.
Your lipstick and makeup tips always work well for me. I’ll be buying and trying that lipstick very soon.
I have always liked white dishes. The set of china I bought for my hope chest in the 1970’s was white with a sort of swirl pattern at the edges. It somehow reminds me of sea shells. It’s a very common design, and I have seen it every once in a while at the thrift store. So if a piece gets broken, it should be replaceable.