exciting news to report + a recipe

No, I'm not having another baby! But, starting a new business is kind of like having a baby... The exciting news is that I've made my first two sales of Precious Skin Elixirs. Both came about as people wanted to first purchase samples, so I now have trial/travel sizes of all seven blends.

Enough about my fledgling web sales... onto the recipe I'd like to share for gluten free pate choux. I don't have any pictures of the cream puffs I made with this recipe last week for our diner guests, but I will definitely be making these again (and again (and again (and again... ok, I'll stop))).

Pate choux is one of the work-horses of the pastry world. It's necessary for eclairs, profiteroles, cream puffs, gougères, etc. Having found a dynamite gluten free version just makes me giddy with gluten-less joy.

AND! they freeze well for a last minute "I need to impress my guests with a fancy dessert to match the over complicated menu I just spent all my time making" issues.* Just freeze them after they are completely cooled in an air-tight container and revive them in a 350 degree oven (right from the freezer no need to defrost) for 5-ish minutes before you fill them.

I filled mine with fresh sweetened whipped cream and a drizzle of melted chocolate to top things off. Bust out your favorite cake stand, pile the puffs onto a bed of strawberry slices and you have yourself a fancy dessert.


*that's never happend to me... riiiiiiiiiiiight.

something new

It's been well over two years now that I have been using a homemade oil blend to moisturize my face. From the moment I first patted it onto my skin I knew I would never go back to commercial (ahem, chemical laden) creams. Friends asked me to make some for them and pretty soon it dawned on me that I might have a new venture in the works! Through the magic of PBS kids and mini marshmallows I whipped up a website last Thursday while the lovelies (can't believe they're already 4 and 2.5) were entertained.Without further ado, I would be honored if you checked out Precious Skin Elixirs.

This is the beginning of what I think will be rather successful. Chemical-free and toxin-free living is something I am passionate about in my own life and I am thrilled to be sharing something that has helped me stay true to that commitment. Plus, my skin has never looked so clear and vibrant! What do you think - do you like the concept? Would you like a free sample? Ask me in the comments!

the eyes have it

Love this look!  Half cat-eye, half smokey eye - all gorgeousness.  Here's how to achieve this natural yet dramatic face.  I'm not going to be spending hundreds of dollars at Bergdorf Goodman anytime soon, so I'll be trolling through my make-up bag to find the right ingredients...