...big leightons’ favs #9...

Well, I’m sick. There was a moment yesterday where I thought it might be the flu. My body ached. Literally, my eyebrows hurt. I was running fever. I was a hot mess. I am better this morning. No fever, and I consider that a win. I clearly have some yucky virus. I blame back-to-school germs or WinStar Casino. We were there last weekend. You KNOW that place has to be full of germs. It’s huge. I sanitized after hitting the slots. Maybe that wasn’t enough.

Since September is finally (almost!) here, I’ve decided to share two new fall favourites with y’all today! You can bet your bottom-dollar I’ll have my pumpkins out by Sunday. I’m so excited. I’m like a kid on Christmas morning. This season is my JAM.

The first one is a YUMMY candle I impulsively bought at Target earlier in the week. I’ve since purchased six more. They are THAT good. It’s the Opalhouse “Cedar Pumpkin.” Y’all. They are a FALL MUST.

This next one is a new favourite coffee creamer. Since joining Weight Watchers, I’ve given up my beloved sugary creamers. I miss them everyday. I know. I’m dramatic. (I still enjoy a Skinny Vanilla Latte from Starbucks. A tall is 2 points). This was also a random Target buy last week. I literally grabbed the last carton. If you know My Sweet Dad, his philosophy is, “If there’s only one of a product left, it must be good, and, therefore, it must be purchased.” So, purchase it I did! I can have FIVE TABLESPOONS for only ONE POINT. That helps my coffee feel extra rich and decadent. There’s a very light, spicy taste. It feels warm and cozy. It screams fall. I’m here for it.

I hope y’all have a HAPPY FRIDAY! Bring on FALL!

big leightons’ favs #8!

Hey, now, Friends...we are ginnin’ along with these ”Favs,” right? Yeah, Us!

I have terrible/horrible/awful nails. And I do NOT know why. I used to have strong ones. Well, decent nails. About 12ish years ago they got bad. Like shamefully bad.

Okay. Okay. So I don’t take very good care of them. Probably, if I got committed to having regular manicures, they’d do better. And TLC and I have posted, in the past, a nail strengthener we like and that will work. Turns out, however, you have to actually use it for it to be successful. Who knew?

I’ve also shared that I’m too cheap and TOOOOOOOO lazy to have “fake” (or whatever the latest process is to get purdy nails now) nails applied to my scary nails. TOO. MUCH. TROUBLE. AND. TIME.

BUT—I search for hand creams that might help and I SWEAR by this one:

Y’all, I faithfully use it EVERY NIGHT! It’s the last thing I apply to this old body after my nighttime face-cleaning procedure. I think it is the BEST hand lotion for nails that I’ve ever used. I also think my nails would be even better if I’d put it on 2-3 times a day. Hey—once is such a big deal for moi!!!

TLC pretty much agrees with me about this product and uses it, too. Her nails are good. (She’d also confess she could spend a little more time on them.) Maybe someday we’ll be as loyal about manis as we are about pedis! (Wait...we pretty much stop regular pedis from the first of November until the first of April. Never mind.)

Don’t look now...it’s almost September. Sheesh.

Happy New Week!

Smooch...

ELC

big leightons’ favs #7

So. These:

Y’all, I am known for calling Walmart “Hellmart.” Or “Wally World.” I mean it no disrespect. Do I sometimes go a little cRaZy shopping at Walmart? Yes. Yes, I sometimes do. Employees stocking shelves that get annoyed with YOU—the CUSTOMER. Not enough actual people cashiers. Etc. Etc. Etc.

But then I find FUN shoes like those pictured above—for $9.97—and I forgive Wally World for the millionth time.

Now, are these super sturdy shoes? Nah. In fact, they border on being—IMHO—slippers. BUT—I can see me wearing them out for 2-3 hours. They are comfy! And, again, they were $9.97!

TLC and I have found some CUTE clothes for Little Leighton and Belle at Walmart in the past several months. Of course, Ellen has her line of clothes there. Pioneer Woman? PRETTY things with her name on them. Now Patricia Heaton has her line of home products, too. They are lovely.

Sometimes you just need to allow yourself about thirty minutes to wander the aisles of your local Wally World to find some fun deals! If nothing else? You’ll get lots o’ steps on your Fitbit.

TLC will be up next with Favs #8—SOON!

Smooches and Hugs...
ELC

big leightons’ favs #6

This go-round, I’m actually sharing TWO favourites, both new discoveries, from Trader Joe’s!

Here’s the thing, I either LOVE TJ’s products, or I’m completely underwhelmed. I’ve found there’s really no inbetween for me. They have some of Little Leighton’s favourite gluten-free treats. I’m always tres impressed with their produce department. They have unique finds, and everything is always so pretty! However, some of their processed/packaged foods lack flavor, IMHO. Again, that’s just moi.

We made a quick stop to TJ’s the Friday before school started because LL LOVES their GF frozen waffles (and I love their $1.99 price tag). While browsing a bit, we came across our first new favourite:

We have actually tried the “original/plain flavor” before (and snagged a bag on this trip, too). This was the first time seeing this flavor, though, and let me tell you what, I could have eaten the entire bag myself. I begrudgingly shared with my children. I even let ELC try one. The bags are small. I suggest getting AT LEAST two, if not four. (This bag had already been opened when I took the picture.)

As we were about to check-out, we came across this:

Y’all. This is a Capri Blue “Volcano” knock-off. (You know, the ones they sell in Anthropologie?) Ohmahgosh. It’s so good. It smells identical. I bought three that day. They’re $4.99/each. I also think they’re seasonal. I had to pop-in the following Monday. There were four of these candies left, and I immediately scooped them up. You need to hurry down to your local TJ’s and buy them out. They are THAT GOOD.

I hope y’all had a restful, peaceful weekend. We spent yesterday finally painting Elle’s room “ballerina pink!” It’s so sweet and girlie. I’ll need to share a picture soon!

Happy Monday Eve!

big leightons’ favs #5

If y’all have been with us for a while, you may remember how I feel about “pumps.” Not cute shoes! (That would be TLC’s department.) I mean the bottles we all buy with squirt pumps. Lotions. Creams. Soaps. Etc. I despise them BECAUSE you can NEVER get your money’s worth. There’s always at least 1/4th of the bottle left you can’t access—via that silly pump. Whose little tube doesn’t even reach the bottom of said bottle.

(TLC and My Sweet Hubby can tell you I am determined to use his Lubriderm he always buys—has been buying for at least 35 years—in a pump. When I see his latest bottle in our trash? I get that bottle out and turn that sucker upside down in my bathroom cabinet. Trust me: I get the majority out. It annoys me, however. Sigh.)

So I discovered this lotion in March. Ish. There are two to three “scents.” This is my fav. And TLC’s fave, too. The BEST thing about it? It is NOT a DADGUM pump.

I highly recommend this fabulousness!

Big Hugs on this Friday Eve, Sweet Friends Everywhere...

ELC

big leightons’ favs #4

Y’all. These. Are. FABULOUS.

My Dad told me about them a few months ago. My Sweet Hubby (aka MSH) and I have bought many since. We’re keeping at least four in our fridge at all times. These are our two preferred kinds. There’s a third that’s got sausage in it. I’m not a big sausage fan. MSH is a MAJOR fan of all things sausage. I only buy these two (Winky. Wink.) and he hasn’t complained yet. 

My youngest sister, Lucy, and TLC have basically dismissed these. Like they think it’s silly to buy them. When (they’ve all but said this...): How hard is it to scramble an egg and throw a few extras in?

I’ll tell you exactly how hard it is for this “I-ain’t-no-great-at-home-Chef-but-anyone-who-has-ever-had-my-scrambled-eggs-will-tell-you-they-ROCK:”

I don’t have to chop anything up. I don’t have to wash a thing but a fork. And it’s ready in about three minutes. Am I, in fact, lazy? For about $2 per container—not counting the egg or the electricity it costs to microwave it for 90 seconds—I may be. Don’t care.  I’m all in on this DELICIOUS convenience. 

A warning: This is going to stay HOT in the container for several minutes! I actually transfer my end-dish into a paper bowl. (Lazy and not as “green” as I should be—YEP! That. Is. Moi. Sorry. Not sorry.)

I’ve eaten these for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Add a piece of toast and some fruit and you’ll probably be quite satisfied and full. 

Will I continue to make my famously yummy scrambled eggs for family and friends? Yes. I will. But for me and MSH? These are all we usually need. 

We find these close to the butter section in the cold cases at Walmart, Kroger’s, etc. Hope you aren’t faced with them gone/out the day you want to try them. These are POPULAR. At least in our area. 

(By the way: Each container is 4 pts—counting the egg—if you’re following a Weight Watchers’ program. Not bad for a meal. Not bad at all.)

Happy Weekend, Sweet Friends!

ELC

big leightons’ favs #3

For my, TLC’s, next favourite, I’m sharing another drug store beauty find! I know you’ll be shocked to know it’s a: MASCARA! Did you think we really wouldn’t include at least one this month? Uh, nope! We can’t resist! Wink. Wink. #buyallthemascaras

This mascara was the happiest accident. I was at Target and wanted to purchase my OG favourite mascara: L’Oréal Voluminous. What I didn’t realize was the one I grabbed was actually the “curved brush.” Y’all. This is a game-changer! The design of the brush insures I get every teeny, tiny lash coated in mascara. It’s, in one word, BRILLIANT. I love it and am certain you will, too.

Give it a go!

Happy Friday Eve!

big leightons’ favs #2

First things first—not sure I’m down with being “BIG” Leighton. Just saying, ELC. LOL.

So, for my, TLC’s, first favourite, I’m sharing this fabulous lipstick.

ELC can attest that I’m not generally a “lipstick person.” It drives her bonkers. Then, one day, whilst browsing The Walmarts, I came across this L’oréal Infallible Matte Lipstick. Y’all. This stuff is legit. I prefer matte because a gloss can be super sticky, and sticky gloss, hair and wind don’t mix. Also, I can apply this in the morning, and it still looks just as fresh by dinner. I’m completely serious! It blows my mind. This doesn’t budge. I actually have to use a Neutrogena Makeup Removing Cloth to take it off at night. Despite its resilience, it’s not drying at all. I love this stuff! It’s converted me to a “lipstick gal” now.

Give it a whirl! I don’t think you’ll regret it. And, bonus: it’s not expensive. You know we love our “drug store beauty finds.”

Happy Tuesday, Friends!

...big leightons’ favs #1...

August, Y’all. It. Is. August. Sheesh.

So...this month TLC and I are going to do some of our “FAVOURITES!”

I’m calling this month’s posts “big leightons” because next month we’re going to post Little Leighton’s and Belle’s Favourite Things! (Won’t that be major fun? The answer is YES. Yes, it will. Winky. Wink.)

I’m first! I don’t think I’ve told TLC about this Fav #1. Here’s the deal:

Remember when you were little—I’m talking 3 to 10-ish years old—and your parents would take you to visit your grandparents—or great aunts and uncles—or you’d see older people at church—and you’d get a little bit skeered? BECAUSE not only were there some major wrinkles happening and these people were maybe talking really loud—about things they’d told you fifty to a hundred times—but they also had tons o’ bruises? Everywhere. Hands. Arms. Legs. (We won’t even discuss the brown “liver” spots on their faces. Sigh.)

Well, guess what? Those bruises were there because, as we age, our skin becomes thinner and thinner. And thinner. It’s tres stressful, frustrating and downright sad.

Guess what else? I’m there. I’ve actually been there—at the point in my life where this gal (who ALWAYS bruised easily ever since I was a tiny tot...) has all those bruises. Small. Large. Medium-sized. (There’re two on my old body right now. One on my right hand. One on my left leg. Sorry. TMI.)  I’ve been noticing this sad aging reality since I was 60. Ish. (I’m 65. And #notgettinganyyounger.)

About two years ago, I was noticing my pores in my “t-zone” getting larger. And larger. I was not happy about this situation. I decided to try some of those charcoal masks. That were all the rage. (Are they still? I have no clue.) Anyway, most that I bought didn’t get dry—where I could pull them off. They stayed moist. After several different options, I wasn’t seeing my pores look better.

One day, I found a product that was definitely a “pull-off mask.” BUT OH MY STARS. When I attempted to peal it off? I literally, truthfully, frantically thought my skin was coming with it!!!!!!!! I’m seriously not exaggerating—I washed it off as fast as I could.

This Senior Citizen was DONE with masks. Forever. Then I picked this scrub up and I adore it. I only use it twice a week. But—unless it’s my bad old eyes—I feel like four months of staying with this has helped!

Of course it doesn’t cost alot. I’m all about doable/reasonable skincare products/regimens. Yep—I’m the gal who still uses Dove bar soap morning and night! And not ashamed or apologetic. (Actually, a dermatoligist I went to—TLC went to him, too—recommended this to me. How could it be wrong?) Am I cheap? Possibly. Oh, well. This is me. I am what I am.

If you try this scrub—I truly hope you like it!

Praying y’all had a WONDERFUL weekend! (It’s been a horror-filled weekend for too many Americans. I’ve cried. I’ve prayed. I’ve been angry. Sigh.) PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make this a GREAT week!

Smooches and Hugs,
ELC