Home Sweet Sarah

My daily survival kit

Posted on October 27, 2009 by Sarah

With painting and cleaning temporarily replacing my nine-to-fiver these days, I’ve really scaled back on the amount of makeup I apply. Not that I wore a ton of makeup before [or did I? Was I walking around looking like a clown without knowing it? Some friends you are!] but you know, I always applied eyeliner, powder, blush, at least two different eyeshadows, bronzer, you get the idea.

Lately, since I don’t get around to putting my face on until around three o’clock in the afternoon, I don’t see the point for me to pull out all the makeup stops, so to speak. ESPECIALLY when my husband says he can’t tell a difference either way. [Nice of him, yes, but a TOTAL LIE.] That being said, I still feel compelled to NOT look like a total hag, and so I’ve pared down to just the bare minimum.

The following are the five products I can’t live without…I’ve been using each of them religiously for at least three years, so you know they’re tried and true:

Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara
I’ll be forever envious of those women whose eyebrows just stay in place naturally. Mine do not. I’ve been using eyebrow goo (technical name) since highschool and cannot live without it. I used to use another drugstore brand, but either they stopped making it or my drugstore stopped carrying it, so I was forced to switch to Maybelline. I deigned to use Maybelline for awhile because it was colored (like, eyebrow colored) and would flake off, but they reformulated it awhile back and now I can’t even tell the difference between Maybelline and THAT OTHER BRAND.

MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in “Engraved”
I am a black eyeliner FANATIC and personally believe that blacker-than-black eyeliner is acceptable for any occasion, any time of year, and in any part of the country. MAC’s Powerpoint line of eyeliners is the best I’ve found; it goes on smooth and in one stroke. “Engraved” is the darkest black MAC makes…In the Powerpoint line, that is. “Smolder” is actually the darkest, but it’s just sort of…lacking. It goes on smooth, but not as smooth. It stays all day, but not without smudging. Although it’s not THE BLACKEST BLACK EVER, “Engraved” is definitely the best option out there for a good quality black eyeliner.

Maybelline Volum’ Express Turbo Boost Mascara in “Very Black”
I have searched high and low, for years and years, and have FINALLY found the perfect mascara. It’s got a nice thick brush, but not so thick that I mascara other parts of my face (at least, not very often.) It stays on all day and doesn’t flake, even when I pick at my eyelashes. I’ve tried LITERALLY, ever other brand out there, drugstore or otherwise and this is the best. Better even than…Dare I say it…DiorShow? Yes, better. And cheaper. Can’t beat that!

AmazingConcealer in “Light Golden”
Yes, that is really its name and yes, it is truly amazing. All credit goes to my aunt, who introduced me to this concealer. She gave me a tube of this stuff a couple years ago, saying I could have it because she needed a new one anyway. That one almost-empty tube lasted SIX MORE MONTHS and the tube I’m using now is the only one I’ve had to buy so far. It only comes in seven shades, but it looks so flawless, I’m convinced there’s no need for a bunch of different choices. It’s a little pricey, but like I said, I’ve only bought ONE tube in two years, so it’s totally worth it.

MAC Powder Sheertone Blush in “Pinch O’ Peach”
I’ve been in a pink blush phase recently. It just seems more inviting and friendly than bronze or reddish hued blushes. Not that I’m really friendly – I’m not – but I like to pretend like I am and I guess I feel like my blush helps? Or maybe I’m just sauced. Either way, of all the blushes I own, I reach for this one more often than not. A little dusting of this blush is all I need to round out my look. “My look” being…”Trying Not To Look Like Too Much Like A Hag”…I guess?

Posted in Beauty & Fashion | 1 Comment

You can just call me Martha

Posted on October 23, 2009 by Sarah

Chris and I needed a nice piece of bright art for our dining room. And we needed it on the cheap. So, taking a little inspiration blatantly stealing Colleen‘s idea, I made my own art! It was ridiculously easy [this is coming from the least art-inclined person EVER, so you know it’s true] AND cost less than $50. A winner all around, I’d say! Here are a few pictures of the progression and the final product:

First color

DSCN0455

Second color (which ended up completely covering the first color)
DSCN0458

Third color
DSCN0459

The finished product!
DSCN0463

A clos(er)-up shot

DSCN0465

Posted in All About Moi | 7 Comments

I’ll take one shot of downward-facing dog, please!

Posted on October 21, 2009 by Sarah

When I lived in Bakersfield, I was a yoga fanatic and did a pretty intense hour-and-a half-long ashtanga yoga class a couple days a week. [Typing that just now made me realize that two days a week of yoga probably does not make me much of a fanatic, however, as someone who gets really bored doing one workout all the time, the fact that I did yoga that often was pretty fanatical for me. I think I liked it so much because as you get more flexible, you can go further into each pose, which in essence makes it a different pose altogether. Or not? I never claimed to be a yoga fanatic.]

Surprising as it may seem, I never found a yoga studio in San Diego that was as good as the one I went to in Bakersfield. I tried small studios, big studios, a hot yoga class where the instructor YELLED AT US LIKE A DRILL SERGEANT (very un-yoga-like, if you ask me) and nothing was the same or even close to the same. So, I gave up yoga and instead, took to climbing the giant hills in my neighborhood.

Now that I’ve moved to a very, very, very flat locale, I’m in need of a new workout. While I love my three-four mile walks a couple days a week, they are definitely lacking and unless I want to start (quell horror!) running, I guess I need to step it up.

I thought getting back into yoga would be great and until I can find a yoga studio, I’ve been doing the free yoga on Fit TV. These yoga “classes” are [spoiler alert!] completely mediocre, but I’m definitely sore, so I like to think I’m gleaning some benefit from them. The funny part of all this (or, I guess I should say the funniest part) is that rather than just showing the women doing yoga in a studio, they change the background so that the women are doing yoga on the beach! Or in the forest! Or in a…bar? Now, that’s my kind of yoga!

Posted in All About Moi | 2 Comments

Sarah’s “Leftovers” Frittata Recipe

Posted on October 19, 2009 by Sarah

NOTE: This post has been EDITED to add PICTURES!

Do you have some meat, but not enough meat for a sandwich?!

What about greens?! Have a handful of spinach, but not enough for a salad?

Do you always wonder, what am I going to do with these three pieces of squash?!

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you’re in luck because have I got the perfect recipe for you! And as a special, one-time-only offer, I am sharing this recipe with you today! Enjoy!

Ingredients:
– Whatever leftover protein and vegetables you have laying around, cut into bite-sized pieces. [I used some steak and broccoli left over from dinner the night before, along with one green onion, half a tomato, and a handful of arugula]
– Cheese. [We usually have quite the array, so I chose goat cheese, but you can use ANY kind of cheese that strikes your fancy]
– Eggs. [I used 5 eggs, which in my opinion, is too many for two people. However, you do need to use more than normal, in order to get good height to your frittata. Without at least an inch-and-a-half of height, you’ll basically just make scrambled eggs, which would be delicious, but obviously not a frittata]
– Olive oil or butter
– Salt and pepper
– High-sided saute pan. [Because I was using so few eggs, I had to use a sauce pan, which I wouldn’t normally recommend. However, as I mentioned, frittata height is very important, so you’ve got to work with what you have]

To Do:
– Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees

– Saute the protein and vegetables [excluding leafy greens] over medium heat, in a little olive oil or butter

– Whisk eggs and season with salt and pepper

– When the vegetables and meat are softened and slightly browned, add the eggs and stir everything together. If you’re using any leafy greens, now is the time to add them, as well

– Leave the mixture on the heat, stirring occasionally, and let it set up for a few minutes, then transfer into the oven

– Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until it’s puffy

– Add cheese and bake [or, if you’re using a good melting cheese, broil] for a few more minutes

– Cut into wedges, serve, and enjoy!

Posted in Food & Wine | 3 Comments

The great purse reveal

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Sarah

I’ve noticed that there’s quite an interest, at least on the Internet, as to what is in a lady’s purse. My aunt recently posted about this. And then today, I read another blog post on the same topic. So, since I finally (FINALLY!) have wireless internet, I thought I’d follow suit and tell you all What Is In My Purse. (By the way, my local shoe cobbler was able to fix my broken Juicy bag, and for only $14! I win!)

[Obviously] Wallet, complete with the usual: various cards, a driver’s license, and never any money
Garmin GPS. I carry it everywhere, as I don’t trust leaving it in my car
[Obviously] Car keys
Leopard-print pouch embroidered by my grandma, including all the gift cards we’ve received recently (the perks of moving into a new house!)
Sunglasses. Depending on what I’m wearing, I carry one of three different pairs
Accessories bag. This includes the brunt of what I carry around everyday, including: gum, business card holder, at least four different lip glosses, The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector, eyedrops, at least one tampon, Aquaphor (my cure-all), one hair tie, pens, dental floss, bobby pins, Sweet n Low (SHUT UP), nail file, Advil, Tums (for Chris), allergy meds (again, for Chris), and a wine opener (courtesy of Chris’s mom, because you just never know when you’ll need it. And I’ve needed it. A lot.)

Alright, I fessed up…Now it’s your turn. What is in YOUR purse?

*For some unknown reason, WordPress is telling me my picture file is too big, EVEN THOUGH Blogger never had that problem. Anyway, if you’d like to see what’s in my purse, then click here.

Posted in Beauty & Fashion | 2 Comments

Guess who’s back…back again…

Posted on October 7, 2009 by Sarah

We are officially all moved in to our new house and by “all moved in,” I mean there’s still a lot of painting and cleaning and more painting (I hate painting) and cleaning (WILL THE CLEANING EVER END???) to be done. However, the kitchen is unpacked and we have DirecTV, so as far as I’m concerned, we’re all moved in.

Unfortunately, due to some internet issues (grr, AT&T, grr), I haven’t been able to post a proper blog regaling you with all our moving adventures and at this point, at almost a month later, it’s probably not going to happen.

Moving right along…

Is it just me or is anyone else amazed that it’s already October? It was one blasted hot summer, wasn’t it? I mean, really a lot hotter than normal, right? I remember sometime during the packing/moving/unpacking stage (oh, who am I kidding? We’re STILL in the unpacking stage), I thought, I’m never going to be cold again. I am going to be hot and sweaty forever, aren’t I?

Well, wouldn’t you know it? Here I am, blogging from inside a sweatshirt! And shorts…Why am I wearing shorts? I’m FREEZING!

Autumn is my favorite time of year, mostly because I finally get to bust out sweaters and scarves and coats and the faux leather jacket I got on sale at the beginning of summer YAY, FINALLY. And also, because of my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. Which we’re hosting this year. Which is officially next month. Shit. I better get back to the painting…

Posted in All About Moi | 2 Comments

I belive this makes me the biggest dork in all the Dork Land

Posted on August 30, 2009 by Sarah

Since I can remember, I’ve had this globe. This one right here:
There’s been debate as to where it came from; my mom says she brought it to the relationship and my dad says he did. Either way, when I moved out of their house, I took it with me. [I also took a mismatched set of wine glasses, and over the years, have taken various pieces of art, a lamp, and most recently, a pepper grinder. What? Don’t you go shopping at Mom and Dad’s?]

Although this globe has always been displayed in my home, and although I have always been curious as to whence it came, it wasn’t until last week that I started The Great Globe Dating Research.

A once-over of the globe narrowed down the date of its inception right away: Russia was U.S.S.R. and Israel was Palestine. Additionally, the globe-maker, the George F. Oram Company of Indianapolis, Indiana, had printed on the globe the names and dates of the three most recent people to reach the North and South Poles (North Pole: Amundsen in 1926 and South Pole: Byrd in 1929). Armed with these pieces of vital information, I determined that the globe was made sometime between 1929 and 1948. Too big a gap, if you ask me.

And so, the research commenced. Today I sat down, armed with a legal pad and a laptop, and scanned the globe, willing its history to speak to me. I originally thought Africa would be the answer to it all, what with its French West Africas and its Tanganyika Territories, but I quickly found that many of Africa’s Belgium, French, and English colonies were not dismantled until the 1950s or ’60s.

Oh a whim, I glanced at Asia and Googled Siam. Ah-ha! For those of you who don’t know – because, umm, I didn’t – Thailand used to be called Siam. In fact, up until 1939, Thailand was Siam. I was quickly closing the gap.

Because it was my first real clue from the begining, I moved on to the Middle East. It was here that I determined Iran was called Persia up until 1935. Eureka! I had narrowed it down even more. The globe was made sometime between 1929 and 1935.
At this point, Chris popped his head in to see how my Very Important Globe Dating Research was going. I told him that I had narrowed it down to a six-year window. He was impressed, but I told him it wasn’t enough and I continued on.

I checked out a couple more African areas, thinking that perhaps Bechuanaland would be my answer. No dice. I went back to the Middle East and gave Trans-Jordan and Baluchistan a check. Their dates did not help at all.

I was about to give up, but decided to check out Asia one last time. Although it was the same color of China, I noticed an area that was separated by a thick red boundary: Manchuria of Manchoukuo. A quick Google and I found that this area of China was its own state from 1932 until 1945. This was the last puzzle piece I needed and determined that this globe, The Globe To End All Globes, was made between 1932 and 1935.

Yes, that’s right, I. Am. Awesome. And also, I. Have. No. Life. But if you ever need someone to date your globe, you know who to call.

Posted in Nerd Alert! | 2 Comments

Morning routine, interrupted

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Sarah

Earlier this week, Chris had a morning flight to Sacramento, so I told him I’d take him to the airport on my way to work. Normally I don’t get out of bed until right after Chris leaves for work, so getting ready while he was there proved to be quite the…experience.

[Before you think I live a life of leisure, lounging in bed until late morning, you should know that Chris normally is up and out of the house by 6:30 AM. I know, terrible.]

This particular morning, Chris “slept in” and awoke at 6:00 AM. I arose at 6:30 to find Chris completely clean, dressed, with his bags packed and ready to go. The rest of the morning went something like this:

Chris: Good morning! What’s going on?! What’s happening?!

Me: Blank stare.

And then after my shower…

Chris: What do we do now?! Oh, we’re busting out the tool-box! When do we use the power tools?!

Me: Blank stare.

Chris: This is so fun…It’s like a vacation!

Me: Umm, excuse me?

The next 20 minutes involved either Chris asking me, “What do we do now?!” or Chris staring out the window to see what was happening in the neighborhood, which, at seven o’clock in the morning, was absolutely nothing.

When it was almost time to leave, I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and as I finished up, I though to myself, Well, Chris is probably in the living room, ready to go. However, when I opened the bathroom door, I was met with Chris…standing in the doorway…waiting for me*.

*Chris maintains that he had JUST gotten there and had NOT been staring at me the entire time I was brushing my teeth. Umm, okay, sure…

Posted in Chris | 2 Comments

Go ‘Hawks!

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Sarah

In honor of the Seahawks playing their first [pre-season] game on Saturday, I thought I’d finally take this photo off my iPhone and post it here.

Also, I have never actually done anything with any of my iPhone photos, so I thought it was high time I did.

Also also, my flickr is sorely outdated, and even though this picture is from several weeks ago, I figure it’s better than nothing.

Moving on…

Chris and I have been spending lots of quality time in the Sacramento and San Diego airports these days and have become quite fond of the Home Turf Sports Bar at SMF.

The last time we were in Sacramento, we popped by the ole’ HT and Chris said, “Usual seat?” I said sure, to which Chris replied, “I guess we’ll have to sit at the Patriots table. Damn Patriots get a table. Of course there’s no love for the Seahawks.”

I’m interrupting my story here to mention that, A) Until this moment, I had never even noticed that the Home Turf’s tables had sports team logos on them, and B) If I had a nickel for every time Chris has said about there being “no love” for the Seahawks or the Northwest, etc., I’d be a rich lady.

Anyway, as Chris lamented the lack of love for Seattle, I glanced around me and realized I was standing directly above the Seahawks table.

Needless to say, this table has become the new “usual.”

Posted in Chris | 1 Comment

Marital mind-reading

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Sarah

The art of marital mind-reading is something I’ve admired about my parents since I can remember. They finish each others’ sentences and always seem to have some sort of inside joke going on. Growing up, I always knew I wanted someone who could read my thoughts, someone who would finish my sentences.

Since [well maybe not since, but close to since] that first night I met Chris, when he offered to buy me a drink and I said yes and then he ordered a Sapphire tonic and then I ordered – wait, do I even need to tell you? – a Sapphire tonic, I thought, Oh, this guy’s something. And every conversation we had from that first G&T until ten days later, when I told him I thought we’d get married, involved one of us exclaiming, “Oh my god, me too!“

And so obviously, I knew I’d met my match – that person who I could look at with those eyes who would know what I wanted or needed who would and handle the situation accordingly, rather than be all, “Do you have something in your eye?”

We’re almost a year into this marriage business, and Chris and I are still perfecting our mind-reading skills.

For example, there was this one time we were at brunch with Chris’s parents and brother and I wanted us to pay, except that Chris’s parents will almost never, ever, EVER let us pay, and so I had to look at him very intensely and say, “READ. MY. MIND.” And then I tried to telepathically send him the message, “WE SHOULD PAY FOR THIS BREAKFAST. QUICK! GRAB YOUR CREDIT CARD!” Except that Chris’s mom can also read my mind (pft, women!) and so it ended up being a sort of battle – which woman could get their husband to read their mind and then which man could whip their credit card out fast enough. For the record, we won.

But then there are nights like tonight, where the girl sitting next to us at dinner – wearing fake eyelashes, by the way…Who wears fake eyelashes on a Tuesday? – said, “They send me spam emails, like, every day! Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday!” And I looked at Chris, all wide-eyed and knowing, and he said, “I know, I was thinking the same thing.”

And so, whether our telepathy is “on” or not, I’m so happy to have found my mind-reader, someone who I can STARE AT LIKE A TOTAL CREEPER, but no matter the day – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, Saturday – knows me better than anyone.