Bitchin' about my kitchen

Hello All-

I know I have been promising to get a  give-away under-way, but I am slightly over-whelmed.  I mentioned in previous posts that we are having our kitchen redone.  This is WEEK 4 with no kitchen (nor bathroom on the main floor as we are having it redone too).  I cook a lot and I guess I did not realize just how much time I spend in the kitchen.  Not having a kitchen is really messing with my mind and making me feel displaced in my own home.   Also, having workmen in the house all day every day WAY awkward and strange too. 

Here is a little update on the mess so far:

This is what the kitchen looked like before-empty.  I had already taken down all my decor when this photo was taken.  

This is what it looked like about 48 hours later.  EVERYTHING gone...including the wall!  We seriously considered just putting in a glass wall for about 10 minutes.  The view was beautiful! New wall,  new window, subflooring......
New tile.  Progress.  I finally feel like we are on the home stretch. 
Partial cabinet installation.  

Another photo of the cabinets with the floor and the paint.  The island is to be delivered today.  It is going to be antiqued black.   I cannot wait for all this to be  done so I can cook a big pot of chile...on a real stove.    I am not sure I will be in any hurry for any new home renovations any time soon, but you know, I would sure like some new tile in my bathroom.  I think this home renovation stuff could be addictive. 

I promise to post the give away before the end of this week.  Stay tuned.

(all photos property of and licensed by MonkeyPosh LLC)

Three things I am loving now.

Happy Tuesday.  Things around here are in total chaos.  After much thought, planning, saving, and stressing, we are having a total kitchen renovation and it is loud and intrusive and strange.  Everything has been demolished and removed and a wall has been knocked down.   I will be glad when it is over, but sadly it is a long way from being over.  

On to more pleasant things.    I have not blogged about beauty products for a very long time, so since I am sequestered in the basement out of the way of the kitchen mess, I will share 3 things I am enjoying this June.  Please forgive if this does not work as this is my first blog attempt on a MAC.  I have only used Windows my whole life and Macs are way different, so please bear with me.
OK--This Spectrum Coconut Oil is one of my very favorite things in the whole wide world right now.   It is AMAZING.  I constantly use it  on my skin, on my split ends, and even on my cuticles.   I got it at Whole Foods in the oil aisle, along side the olive oils, peanut oils, avocado oils, etc.  It comes in solid form, and soaks right into my skin.  It is so moisturizing without being overly slick and greasy.   I can slather it all over my hands, and still snap my fingers.  If you rub it betwixt your hands it will emulsify and you can put it in your hair.  I cannot rave enough about this multi tasking wonder.   If you have dry skin like me, you will love it.  It also adds a beautiful sheen to your gams while sporting your summer finery. 

Insomnia lends itself to some really bad late night TV.  Sometimes I even watch the occasional infomercial...not often, but every now and then.   One night I became engrossed in a Wen Hair Care infomercial.  I was skeptical (as I always am with infomercials).   I was all.." Lemme get this straight...it is a conditioner that cleans your hair?  It is not a shampoo, but cleans your hair just the same all the while leaving it incredibly soft and supple and Charlie's Angels like?"  WHAT?  So I went to the website and saw all the scents, and everyone knows I am a sucker for things that smell pretty.  They sounded delicious--Fig, Cucumber Aloe, Sweet Almond Mint, Tea Tree, etc.  I ordered the Sweet Almond Mint and the Tea Tree and I have to say,  I LOVE IT.   I have lamented about my hair on this blog a ton--all about my well water and my porous, frizzy hair..blah blah blah.  Seriously the WEN Conditioning Cleanser is wonderful.  Thanks Chaz Dean.  

Lastly, I am all into this little bottle of Ken Paves Color Drops.  Say what you want about Jessica Simpson, but her hair is fabulous.   Always.  The man behind the mane is Ken Paves (who also does Eva Longoria;s hair).  The color drops come in 3 or 4 colors, and of course I use the red one.  You put a few pumps of the color drops into your conditioner (or your WEN conditioning cleanser), mix it in, then distribute throughout your hair.  It just adds a little color enhancement.  Continued use can intensify the color.  I dig it.  I use it 2 or 3 times a week just to spice of the locks.

I hope you are all enjoying your June.  I promise to post the giveaway this week or next week.  

Have a beautiful day.

(photos from www.spectrumorganics.com , www.wenhaircare.com , and www.beauty.com )

Hmmmm..just noticed that typing a www on Mac does not automatically turn it into a link.  Still so much to learn.  Sorry if you click and they do not work.

Happy June 1.

Where the heck have I been? I know.

I really needed a break from blogging (and lots of other things in my life) the past few months. I decided to focus on things like traveling and spending more time with my loved ones. I really appreciate all the notes and e-mails asking where I was and telling me you missed me. It means a lot to me.
So, I have been on a few trips since last I blogged and here are some photos of 3 of my most recent trips.

In February we went to the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. It was our second time there and I think Kauai is my favorite out of all the Islands.
This was the view from our place. I wanted to move in.

It was whale watching season, so of course we partook in some whale activities. Captian Don is awesome for a laid back, personalized boat tour. You can find him here http://www.captaindonsfishing.com/ . The website has a lot of fishing information, but he does any kind of boating adventure you would like. He will also give you restaurant suggestions, and any other information you need about Kauai. Oh and his first mate watches reality TV, so when I got bored with the whales, we talked all about The Real Housewives of Orange County. I was in heaven.

Gorgeous Kauai sunset. Deep sigh.

I also went to London. It was amazing. I loved it and did not want to come home. I had wonderful weather and such a lovely time.

I got my eyebrows threaded for the first time and I loved it. I always said I would be too scared to get my brows threaded as I am a wax type of girl, but after some champagne and a manicure from the Champagne Nail Bar at Harvey Nichols, it sounded like a grand idea. When you are a dehydrated and jetlagged traveler, a glass of champagne makes a lot of things sound like a good idea. Proceed with caution.

I also went to Boston to see the Celtics beat the Bulls. I am a lifelong die hard Celtics fan....since the days of Bird, Walton, McHale, Ainge, etc. I had never been to the Boston Garden so it was a thrill and a dream come true.

The Celtics won which made the experience that much sweeter. Go Pierce!

This week I plan on doing a big giveaway, so please stay tuned, and thanks again for checking in on me during my truant blogging period.

This last photo was taken in Chicago and I am only adding it because it cracks me up and I am easliy entertained--it is one of the many perks of being an only child.

Have a wonderful evening.

(all photos property of MonkeyPosh LLC)