Link-tastic Friday

Last night, as is becoming our tradition, I sewed pajama pants for the boys so that they could each have a brand new pair for their school's Pajama Day.


 
As everyone knows, waking up to new pajama pants is Very Exciting!  (Green bugs for Sparky, red monkeys for Max.)


On to the links!


Looking fabulous:
 My eyeshadow used to fade within hours of putting it on, or (even worse) end up all in the crease of my eyelid.  Now, before I put on eyeshadow, I always use an eye primer first.  I like L'Oreal DeCrease.
My favorite new eyeshadow line is Maybelline Eye Studio Color Plush.  I have Sapphire Siren and Green With Envy.  They're smooth, sparkly and intense.  So fun to use!
I've recently discovered the wide world of make-up tutorials on YouTube.  Check out this one (and the links to the left of the video) for tips on applying the Color Plush line.

Crafty and gifty:
Beautiful, quirky, and affordable watercolor work by Slovly.
Next year I will definitely visit Etsy shop HeyYoYo early in the season to trick out my holiday baking with a great big dose of SUPERCUTE.
Delish Magazine -- a rather delightful new crafty/gifty free online zine.
If you read Soule Mama, you will have seen her recently posted Granola and Lip Gloss recipes.  Must try!  (Also check out her other beautiful and nourishing gift ideas in this Week Of Elving.)
I won't have time this year, but I'd really love to make buntings for Christmas...New Year...birthdays...
I bought baker's twine from The Twinery in Maraschino to tie up my holiday baking this year.  (Pssst --use code "PA25OFF" for a 25% discount at checkout!)


 
Candy boxes tied up with Maraschino twine from The Twinery

Food (savory):
Tamale Pie.  I made this earlier in the week, and we all loved it.  I used a mixture of ground beef and pork, so it didn't have to cook as long, and used less of the chiles so the children wouldn't shy away from the heat of the spices.  Delicious!
These Asparagus Sticks from Weelicious look so tempting that even Daisy might like them!
I am making this Hominy Casserole for our church's Christmas potluck tonight.  It's Pioneer Woman, so I trust it will be tasty and a crowd pleaser.

Food (sweet, from our list of holiday baking in the past week):
Buckeyes from Smitten Kitchen (half the sugar of the usual recipes, so you can actually taste the peanut butter.  I used Green & Blacks organic dark chocolate for dipping, and they were OUTSTANDING.)
Lia's Butter Toffee with dark chocolate and fleur de sel from Pioneer Woman.
Honey Vanilla Bean Marshmallows from Joy the Baker -- hands down, BEST MARSHMALLOWS EVER.
Caramel Corn with salted peanuts from Orangette.  I actually only sent this one to my brother this year.  He's deployed to a Very Far Away Place, and popcorn travels well.  I sent enough to share with friends, because...well maybe not everyone has such a nice sister.  :-)
Whole Wheat Sables from Orangette.  I'm on the fence about these.  I definitely liked her Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies better (those were insane!!)...but I still included them in the holiday food gifts anyway.  Because I'd already baked them.  A double batch.
Sugar Topped Molasses Spice Cookies and World Peace Cookies by Dorie Greenspan.
Chai Spice Sugar Cookies from Cook's Illustrated.  Of all the things we made, this was my children's absolute favorite.  They have a lot of cardamom, and an unexpected little kick from black pepper.


 
The Christmas baking assembled, waiting to be packed up.  WOW that's a lot of sugar for one table.

Have a wonderful weekend!