Love and the Pessimistic

I would say that since I was a wee lad, I have been able to see through a lot of the doodoo when it comes to love. I have vivid memories of teachers reading stories like Snow White and Cinderella and me laughing out loud. I was the 5-year-old girl that rolled her eyes at Disney movies. Never ever ever did I think that there was some ripped hottie on a horse coming to rescue me. So you can imagine how shocked I was going to college and realizing that there were young women who actually drank this Kool-Aid, basing their real adult love lives off of children's cartoons. The shock only grew as I entered my 30s where otherwise logical friends were telling me that not only did they believe that the fairytale was real, but that it was something they deserved! Now you tell me, how nutso is that?

You can call me a love pessimist and I would have to agree. Over the years, I have prided myself on this. I have friends who also value this quality in me, for I can see the love train wreck coming from miles away. So you tell me why that at almost 40, I feel myself slowly and slightly buying into the relationship bull like a toddler in a princess dress?

The change in me began when I started going to church. I entered the sanctuary believing that there is not someone for everyone and that only the most lucky of us get to live our lives happily with someone else. Now, one year as a Christian, I find myself crossing my fingers for a soulmate like the rest of the single ladies at the alcohol-free singles mixer, hoping Mr. Right decided to drop into a church dance. 

Ugh, that whole last paragraph is embarrassing, but not as embarrassing as how big of a fan girl I have become of shows like Married At First Sight and Love is Blind. I find myself on the edge of my seat, heavily invested in the relationships of people I don't know, praying out loud that their relationships work. For if there is hope for strangers who got engaged after never seeing each other, there is hope for an inherently negative person like me, right? 

No matter how hard I try to get rid of it, there is faith the size of a mustard seed that one day happiness will come knocking at my door. I want to get rid of it, not wanting to be disappointed by yet something or someone else, but this sliver of hope continues to burn eternal out of my reach. Let it be known that there is no bigger buzz kill than hopefulness. 

The Chew Gives Us More Recipes to Nibble On

So many people tune into to ABC's "The Chew" for their witty banter and mouthwatering recipes. In their fourth cookbook The Chew: An Essential Guide to Cooking and Entertaining, "The Chew" hosts give us some of their favorite recipes that are perfect for entertaining. Within the five chapters of the book, you will find recipes for yummy dishes such as Chicken Meatballs Marsala, Fried Chicken Reuben, and Pecan Pie Pudding. 

Readers are also treated to: 

·      Answers to viewer questions that give you added details and insights from The Chew hosts

·      Delicious favorites handed down from the hosts’ families to yours

·      Mouthwatering meals that can be made ahead of time or in a slow cooker

·      Several innovative ways to put a new spin on a favorite recipe

·      A wide range of recipes from breakfast to dessert, from the lighter side to guilty pleasures, and everything in between 

 You can purchase the book The Chew: An Essential Guide to Cooking and Entertaining $19.99 at your local bookstore. 

May Faves

1. As you know, I am pretty much lashless. On top of this, I have a supreme fear of falsies. I just don't get how they come off without ripping off skin or the lashes you do have. Thankful, I was sent Stretchex from Touch In Sol. I have tried TONS of mascara to try to create the illusion of a full set, and this works like a miracle! I was so excited to be able to see my lashes with my eyes open! The cool extras: it separates lashes perfectly and doesn't clump.
Stretchex, Touch In Sol, Sephora.com, $22

2. I need a good body scrub like I need water. It's really sad. My elbows and knees get so rough that you would think that I went through life crawling on them. If you also suffer from rough skin and you are in the market for a good exfoliant, you have to try the Calgon Ageless Mineral Scrub and Soak. IT'S AWESOME. Not only does it smell and feel amazing on skin, it softened my rough skin, which believe me, is a tall order.
Calgon Ageless Mineral Scrub and Soak, Walgreens.com, $4.99

3. For some reason, the skin around my mouth is a little darker than the rest of my face! It is something that I have been obsessing about since the 6th grade, but I have never been into concealers or foundations to cover it up, primarily because I didn't know how to match the product with my complexion. So many of my friends have to mix products to get a match. Lucky for me, Ambi Even & Clear CC+ Cream Even Tone & Environmental Shield in Light/Medium is a great match. It is also moisturizes the skin, containing Argan Oil and Shea Butter, and serves as a sunscreen.
Ambi Even & Clear CC+ Even Tone & Environmental Shield, Walgreens.com, $8.99

4. If you were a Disney fan growing up, you are about to freak out! London SOHO New York has created a line of makeup brushes and bags based on Disney movies. My favorite: Beauty and the Beast 2-Piece Clutch Set. The smaller bag is great for your purse while the other is perfect for travel. In. Love.
London SOHO New York, Beauty and The Beast 2-Piece Clutch Set, Walgreens.com, $9.99

5. I can not stress this enough: my skin gets so dry and rough! It is my biggest beauty issue, and I am constantly on the look out for products that can keep my skin moisturized and soft. If you are like me, you may want to look into the products that Zim's has to offer, especially their Max Crack Crème Creamy Daytime Formula. It prevents skin when it is cracked and heals it when it is. I carry it with me everywhere, my hands can't go without it!
Zim's Max Crack Crème Creamy Daytime Formula, ZimsUSA.com, $6.99