Hey Guys,
Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday! I am still full and can't believe how fast this fall is going. I have so much on my to do list and definitely not enough time!
To lighten my work load I am just going to be posting to Facebook from now on and no longer on here. So please make sure you're signed up on my facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/dorynwallach) or on twitter (http://www.twitter.com/dorynw)
Look forward to talking to you there!
xx
Well, it took a while but I am very proud of the results. Check it out...
Entry - custom designed carpet runner for stairs that existed. The only non-kid friendly thing that we didn't like but had to deal with, so I designed a lucite railing to go on the side at kid height and the runner which looks a little 70's to me wrapping the stairs, but I had no other options!
Bathroom had horrible black concrete floors but existing tile and a really cold modern mirror with light over it. I changed the floors, changed vanity, added custom designed mirror and put a soffit in the ceiling with different wallpapers to enhance it.
Playroom - fun chandelier makes a big impact in a fun space.
Stainless steel mosaic backsplash with pot filler.
The space was small so instead of a breakfast bar, I shortened the top of the marble counter and designed a banquette bench to push up against it (kid friendly material of course) and that gave us more room so that we weren't on top of the sofa.
The existing gas fireplace was horrible looking. Had a big piece of glass infront of it and stone that looked like it should be in a commercial bathroom. I ripped it and put in an ecosmart fireplace which is a natural gel fuel fireplace that you activate by lighting. You don't need venting or gas and there are no fumes. Also safe for kids/family when not around it.
You can see more photos here!
Since I had my son, I have definitely been more in tune with my body with diet, exercise and nutrition. That's not to say that I have stuck with it all the time, but I definitely feel great. From what I can tell, every nutritionist I know suggests a power bar of some sort or a granola bar for a snack and I was VERY excited when I saw this today and had to jump online and tell you about Youbar.com. You can create your own bar! This is no joke...you get to choose the following things:
Gets a bit overwhelming but they can help you if you need them and they leave lots of room for special requests! The other thing I love is that it will show you the nutritionial value of every ingredient you add as you're adding them so you know just what you're getting. Then when your'e done you get to NAME YOUR BAR. Love this! It gets even better...they also have YOUSHAKE, YOUTRAIL MIX, YOUCEREAL (my favorite) and YOUGIFTS so you can gift one of these things.
Okay, I am sure many of you know this already but just had to write about how good S'mores is with Nutella and sliced banana! No fireplace? A lighter works just as well for toasting the marshmellow. What were we thinking waiting for the chocolate bar to melt in the past? Hershey's should make a chocolate spread now. SO delicious!
When I first got married, there was a cookbook called something like, "How To Boil a Hard Boiled Egg" but I can't seem to find it. Well, I remember getting it and thinking, "Well, I need that because I have no idea how to make a hard boiled egg and get the same result every time!"
My best friend came to visit us this past week on Nantucket and we were in the car talking about the different ways our kids will eat eggs. She told me they only eat hard boiled and so I suggested she buy the egg cooker that I purchased a while back because I have never screwed up a hard or soft boiled egg since. I also love it because I can boil a bunch for myself for snacks.
She then proceeded to say, "Doryn, SEE, you should put that on your blog!" and I said, "I don't understand, this is pretty straight forward, why would anyone care about a hard boiled egg cooker?" and she said "You don't even realize how much you know about things like this that you think everyone does, put it on Doryn's Dish!"
Okay so here it is, I love this thing. Perfect boiled eggs every time! The other great thing about it is it has a small pin to prick the top of the egg to keep the yolks yellow and it turns off and buzzes when it's done so you don't have to stand over the eggs at the stove and risk overcooking. You know that I am all about appliances that make things easier! Here's a description:
This cooker boils up to seven eggs at one time or poaches one or two eggs in trays. You can use the calibrated water-level indicator to pour the precise amount of water needed to soft-, medium-, or hard-boil one to seven eggs. The indicator (a tube) has a steel pin in the bottom for piercing eggshells; this will leech out the sulfur so yolks remain yellow during cooking rather than turning green. Assuming the proper amount of water is in the egg holder, the timer will ensure the eggs are cooked to the desired level, and then indicates with a light and bell when the hard-boiling is completed. You can then set the timer switch to keep the eggs warm. The plastic egg holder is removable, letting you cool the eggs under running water. Everything cleans easily, including the nonstick coating on top of the boiling plate. The cooker measures 9-1/8 inches wide and 5-1/4 inches high. --Fred Brack
Enjoy!
My Mom taught me everything there is to know about beauty (unfortunately and fortunately). That included eye cream starting at 16, never rub cream on your neck down, only up, always wear sun screen in winter and never burn your declottee. Oh, did I mention I started waxing my eyebrows at 9!! I also used to line her lips before lipstick when I was 5. Sick...I know :) Years ago when I used to write beauty reviews, I had her write her favorites and I just found this! Wow...
January 2006:
When I was a kid, I used to go with my mom to all of the makeup counters so she could pick up her "staples" once in a while. I used to find it annoying because she was friendly and would talk to all the women who worked at the counters for a very long time, but I found ways to entertain myself...usually by pushing the silver balls on the sliding charts at Clinique which they STILL have or playing with the makeup! No wonder I LOVE beauty and makeup. It's actually a happy past time memory for me, I was always fascinated by the products.
She is going to KILL me, but my mom knows everything there is to know about beauty and I listen to her because she looks amazing for her age and has only ever taken care of her skin perfectly. Recently, I asked her what her beauty routine is and this is what she suggests:
She says that "She has always loved Clarins. Her two staples have always been "Doux Peeling Visage" which she has found really works! She often follows that with "Doux Gommage Polissant". The first one is a light facial peel, the next one is used to clean up dry leftovers. She uses them every 2 days before she goes to sleep and she SWEARS by them. She has been using them for 20 years, so take it from her! She said that they work by assisting the skin in clean cell turnover. She also says there are NO MIRACLES but by sloughing your skin frequently, this is a major help. When applying either one of these products you have to support your skin so you can avoid over manipulation.
After this, she applies a non-alcohol toner, she loves Clarins toner. She likes La Mer skin lifting serum on clean dry skin after that. She then follows that with 2 La Prairie products. Although skeptical to spend that kind of money, because they are pretty expensive, she has quickly become a big fan. She then uses theComplex Anti-Age Cream and waits a few minutes. Then she applies La Prairie Cellular Time Release on top. NEVER FORGET YOUR NECK! NEVER! On the tissue under her eyes, she uses Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Lifting Eye Cream at least two times daily and she overemphasizes, NEVER EVER FORGET THIS, NO EXCUSES!
Before she goes out, she uses Lancome - Pure Emprieinte Masque, makes skin texture appear firmer. For getting rid of dead feet and hand skin cells, use an Emory board on your foot and use L'Occitaine Creamy Dry Foot Cream and on hands, before shower and after, La Mer Hand Treatment.
At night, she removes makeup with Chanel Creme and Nourishing Makeup Remover, the cream is far less drying than foam cleanser."
Now obviously this sounds like a lot, and can cost a lot...but, I am not going to tell you how old my mother is because she'd really kill me! God I hope I have this discipline, thanks Mom!! Please don't be mad, I love you!
As you know from my blog, if I love something, I will rant and rave about it. Also, if you read my blog a few years back you probably remember my spa treatment and beauty product reviews. I love beauty! I'd like to tell you about an exciting new venture I have taken on. I am so excited to announce that I am a new partner and VP of Creative Development and Marketing with LashControl Mascara. I can't say enough wonderful things about this product (check it out at http://www.lashcontrol.com) and I am thrilled and proud to be part of the company. I also wanted to let you know that I am going to be the voice behind Twitter and Facebook so any questions, advice or suggestions should all go to me on there or by email at doryn@lashcontrol.com.
http://www.twitter.com/lashcontrol
http://www.facebook.com/lashcontrol
I absolutely adore wallpaper. I think a lot of people are afraid of it, but you shouldn't. It can absolutely transform a space for only a small amount of money. Wallpaper is not just for bathrooms, think about small places like in the back of shelves in a book case. You can take a head board with a recessed panel and wallpaper that too. I love to use it in closets as seen in this picture. It's a little element of surprise when you open the door to take someone's coat and it just adds a finished look to an otherwise "blah" space.
P.S. Excuse the mess - on my "to do" list :)
Check out Doryn's Daily Deals on Twitter. I'll show you my favorite interior design items from the internet every week. Follow me @dorynw
People always say to me, "Doryn, how do you have time to do your makeup like that?" Well, the truth is, I either DON'T (because many days you'll see me with not much at all) or I use these products which last all day and are so incredibly easy to put on, even with no makeup experience. In order of application:
1. I am obsessed with Time Balm Concealer. Not only is it a concealer but it's an eye cream that treats dark circles and lines. It's creamy and light but it lasts and covers. I put it under my eyes for the black circles I have seem to received since having children and inside the corners of my eyes. Good for a blemish on occasion too. I adore it!
2. An absolute MUST for every busy woman is the cream shadows from Piret & Tamara. I have tried EVERY single cream shadow on the market, from drugstore to department store and nothing lasts as long as these do and they never, ever crease. The colors are true to what you see in the jar too which is a big plus. I have turned on so many friends to cream shadow because all you have to do is press your pinky in the pot and press it in to your eyelid and you're DONE for the day. My favorite I like to follow it with some eye shadow but this is just because I like the look - this isn't necessary for the lasting appeal of it. Naked, Amethyst, Tigers Eye and Shimmering Sand are my favorites! I use them for different things. The naked I always use under my brow bone down to my eyelid but I stop there. On a day I am not in the mood to do any eyeshadow, I wear it on my whole lid. When I want a little shimmer but don't want to get my eyes TOO glam, I go "shimmering sand". Summer when I am tan, I love "Amethyst" and at night when I go out, I do "Tigers Eye" and top it with a gold shadow by MAC over it.
3. Then I take a fluffy brush and dust some of MAC's Studio Fix all over my oily zones. This is a powder foundation that I love because it's light but takes away shine. Don't use too much!
4. I can't go anywhere with out a little eyeliner and mascara. I line the inside of my eyes (okay, not the easiest if you're not used to it, but I did get used to it) and on top of the top lash line and it just enhances my eyes. Again, I have tested all eyeliners, not only do I adore this one by Styli Style, but it's dirt cheap at drugstores and lasts all day.
5. Then I take my Bobbi Brown Caviar Eye Shadow and press my MAC 212 flat brush (best one on the market) in to it, and press it in to my last line on top and bottom. VERY little product on it, makes the eyeliner last.
6. Then last but not least, I curl my lashes with my Sephora lash curler (I don't know what people are talking about when they say how great Shisedo's is, I don't get it) and put on Shisedos lash conditioner (GENIUS) and my mascara. I discovered Lash Control mascara through my blog and have never gone back. In my opinion, it's the best mascara on the market. Lash Control is an innovative mascara package that allows you to squeeze the gel center to regulate how much mascara is on the brush. During the day I squeeze a lot for a natural look and at night, less for a more dramatic look. The formula is incredble, the brush and tube even more fantastic. You will never go back after using this. I use the clear for my brows to tame them which is great because the other brow gels are too wet!
If I am feeling really motivated, I finish with some Nars Penny Lane cream blush which I lightly tap in to the apples of my cheek when I smile, but I am naturally flushed all day running around like a lunatic, so I don't really wear blush.
If this all sounds overwhelming and you just want a little boost to your face in the a.m., I recommend just trying the cream shadows, the mascara with the curler and tame your brows with the clear gel. That alone will change how you look and feel about yourself and it's very easy, promise!
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