It appears the plague of Spring Break 2013 has come to an end. No one else has contracted the bug and I’m choosing to believe it has run its vile course. Gulley read through comments yesterday and appreciated all the good thoughts. She will live to eat another day.
But there really isn’t much to report here so here are just a few things you might be interested in knowing. Or not. Either way.
1. Christy Nockels
I have long been a fan of Christy Nockels. And the one time I met her in person for a brief moment, I could not have acted more awkward because I was torn between wanting to be normal and crying to tell her how much her lyrics have meant to me over the years. But I’m hoping maybe she doesn’t remember.
Anyway, she wrote a blog post the day that the new Passion CD came out and I love it so much. You can read it here.
2. Ice cream
You are not going to believe this tale of woe and sadness. Actually, you aren’t going to believe that it qualifies as a tale of woe and sadness.
But here goes.
Several years ago, Dreyer’s made a chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream. It was delicious. Words really can’t describe it, but it was far superior to Baskin-Robbin’s chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream of which I’d been a fan since childhood.
Then they quit making it. And there was sorrowing and pain in the Embassy of Spain. Or at my house. Whatever.
But wait! They started making it again but with vanilla ice cream. Get away from me, wretched subpar imposter!
There has been a chocolate peanut butter ice cream void in my life. That is, until Tuesday. When I went to HEB and discovered Breyer’s Blast Reese’s Chocolate ice cream.
Life is worth living again.
(Also, does anyone know why there is a Dreyer’s ice cream and a Breyer’s ice cream? It’s kind of confusing.)
3. Book signings
I have two events coming up in San Antonio.
Monday, March 18th from 5-7 p.m. I’ll be at Adelante Boutique courtesy of The Twig in the Pearl Brewery. There will be snacks and shopping and it should be big fun. Plus, it’s a great chance to check out all the new stuff down at the Pearl.
Wednesday, March 27th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. I’ll be signing books at Julian Gold as part of an event that benefits Girls, Inc. of San Antonio.
4. Miracles & Moments of Grace by Nancy Kennedy
This collection of essays from fifty different moms in all stages of motherhood just came out last week. It’s filled with funny and tender moments that define motherhood. There might even be an essay by me. And some other bloggers you know. You can read more about it here.
5. Beauty Balms
Have y’all heard about these? Apparently they’ve been in Europe for years and have just now made their way to America. Or at least that’s what I read in some magazine at the doctor’s office. I have no idea if that’s true or just a clever marketing ploy.
They claim to moisturize, correct and protect in one convenient application. The coverage is a little heavier than a tinted moisturizer but lighter than foundation.
Anyway, I’ve tried the L’Oreal version the last few days and I like it. I can’t decide if it’s a replacement for my tinted moisturizer, but it has possibilities. I’d be interested to know if you’ve tried it and what brand you like the best.
And that’s it for today.
See y’all tomorrow for Fashion Friday.
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So glad you guys are all feeling better! So last time I was in Sephora I noticed these BB creams everywhere and I kept thinking ”what on earth is a bb cream??”something new I had never heard of before! Then at the checkout I had enough points for a free Dior BB cream so I tried it. It is a bit heavier than my tinted moisturizer and the color they were giving away was a bit too dark for my skin tone, but it was very smooth and made my skin feel so soft. I liked it, but in the end I decided to stick with my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer
Also a big fan of the Laura Mercier tineted moisturizer. Can not even tell I have it on.
I use Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer too! Good to know it isn’t worth the switch.
Regarding the breyers/ dreyers question: my husband is a food engineer(yes that is a real occupation) and he seems to know quite a bit about food companies, especially ice-cream. The ice-cream companies are not related at all. But, Dreyers and Edy’s are the same…one east of the Mississippi and one west. My husband’s last comment was, “but nothing compares to Blue Bell.” We love us some Blue Bell!
Agree with the Blue Bell! My personal fav…Mocha Almond Fudge! Oh my!
oh my word! yes! yes! yes! Blue Bell Mocha Almond Fudge. Its like eating Starbucks with a spoon (and frozen).
Blue Bell Nutty Chocolate. I have lunged headfirst into the freezer case at the Piggly Wiggly to find the last one.
There’s a Blue Bell factory next door to Tulsa in Broken Arrow. They give tours and samples at the end. Unfortunately, small samples and not “here, take a gallon home” samples.
The BB cream by Urban Decay called Naked is the best! My teenage daughter introduced me to it (which, seems wrong on so many levels…) and it’s really great. Their eyeshadow is also awesome but you probably already know that.
I learned several beauty tips from my daughter who has just turned 20. She is still my fashion consultant. I embrace it!
Melanie — I grew up loving Baskin Robbins’ Peanut Butter and Chocolate Ice Cream, and then I moved to MN where we don’t have a 31 Flavors in my town. A few years ago my husband and I happened upon Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream and it’s almost identical to the Baskin one, except we think the chocolate ice cream is a little better! And huge ribbons of peanut butter! And less and better ingreds too. Please look around for this at your grocery stores….we only sometimes find it. Often we see that the whole space for this one flavor is empty in the freezer, so we know others in our city love it too. It comes in the smaller containers that Haagen-Dazs has, and Michael and I know that that evening, when we sit down to watch the Bachelor or Downton or whatever, we pass the container back and forth until it’s gone. He thinks we’re splitting it, but I think he’s only getting about a third. It’s our tradition. You must try it. Okay, have I been forceful enough? xxoo
The Haagen-Daz is as close to Baskin as it gets!!! I LOVE this!!! Melanie you HAVE to try it!!Your life will never be the same. Mayfield also has their version, but the chocolate is not nearly as good.
Yes. And I generally don’t care for Haagen Daaz. I think the secret here is that the peanut butter is a little salty, which is the perfect balance for the rich chocolate ice cream. I can find it at Kroger and Super Target in Houston.
Our version of Dreyer’s ice cream is called Edy’s because I live in the northeast. However, here in PA, we have Turkey Hill ice cream, and it is better than any other ice cream I have ever had. The chocolate peanut butter has thick ribbons of peanut butter that melt on your tongue and make it impossible to talk because it is so thick. So amazing.
I use the Garnier BB cream, which was the first drugstore brand to come out last year (and then this year they came out with an oil-free version), and I love it. I meant to go back to using my mineral foundation during the fall and winter, but I never really did. It only comes in two shades (light-medium and medium-deep), and I use the darker one without a problem (I have olive skin that easily tans). I did try a couple of other drugstore ones (Maybelline and maybe L’Oreal), and I did not like them as much. I have not tried any of the Sephora-available brands. The product originally is from Japan, and you can buy some of the Japanese brands online as well. They supposedly have even more skin benefits than the ones available here in the US.
I love the Garnier BB cream, too. Did NOT know they have an oil free version. Oooh!
I love my bb loreal bb. I don’t use it everyday like some do. I’m not a heavy foundation user…so it’s a great in Ben
Hey!
I’ve never been a foundation girl, but have been wanting a more finished look lately and I think the L’Oreal bb cream does that for me. Although, I may try that Urban Decay one someone mentioned earlier.
p.s. I just listened to your and Boo Mama’s podcasts and loved them…they made me want to be y’all’s friend
.
I LOVE the BB cream by Tarte!! I JUST did a review of my Top 5 favorite beauty products and my BB cream was on that list! You can read all about my love for it at http://www.delisasdays.blogspot.com. Really, I won’t go a DAY without it now
I like the Loreal BB but still like Neutrogena Glow Sheers tinted moisturizer best… Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup is my son’s absolute favorite flavor!
I have been using the Garnier BB cream for nearly a year and I love it in the winter. I tend to get quite shiny in the warmer, more humid months, so I use a mineral powder foundation in the summer. When I use the BB cream, I feel like it makes my face look a little healthier and brighter. I think it’s a keeper!
I’ve tried a few BB creams, and they are all too heavy for me. I think they make the lines on my forehead — darn you swim team! — stand out more. I am absolutely obsessed with Estée Lauder’s DayWear tinted moisturizer. It is so popular that they are having problems keeping it in stock. You can put it on with your fingertips, and it gives you some color and coverage while looking like you’re not wearing makeup. I’ve stopped using all other tinted moisturizers and foundations completely.
You’re probably putting it on too thickly. It shouldn’t be heavier than a tinted moisturizer.
I’ve been waiting for you to discover BB cream and see what you thought!
My sister found it a few months ago and had me try it. I love the L’Oreal one but I also like Garnier’s b/c it has some kind of natural bronzer in it that gives me a little glow in the winter. I normally use Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer so one thing I like about them is the COST…just to mix it up a little and save my LM is nice. I use a foundation brush to put it on and that makes it very smooth. I’ve heard that some of the more expensive ones are even better but I haven’t tried yet.
I have tried 2 different BB creams, the Maybelline and the Clinique versions. I am usually a hardcore Clinique user since I have rosacea and very sensitive skin, and most of their products are hypoallergenic and don’t irritate my skin. HOWEVER I far prefer the Maybelline on the BB cream front. The Clinique one was too heavy and dried with a sort of chalky finish. The Maybelline goes on smooth and stays smooth, and it evens out my skin tone. I finish it with my usual Clinque superfit powder foundation and I’m good to go for the day!
In college we used to get chocolate ice cream in the cafeteria and put huge spoonfuls of peanut butter on top…at least twice a day. Thank goodness my major’s buildings were the farthest from the center of campus and the dorms so I could walk it all off!
When we were overseas, I really missed the Easter chocolate pb eggs, so I would melt chocolate chips in muffin liners, add some pb and more chips, melt and then freeze. Desperate times call for desperate measures! 
It just donned on me….don’t have a Braum’s that far into Texas. And now I am sad for you. You should take a drive North and have some of that Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream, the ice cream itself has a faint peanut butter taste but then there is actual peanut butter ribboned into it with mini reese’s cups in every bite….SO yummy!
I feel the same way about Blue Bell’s Nutty Chocolate flavor. It’s still listed on their website as a seasonal offering, but it’s been the season of “I can’t find you for three years now” for me.
You’re right – BB creams are the rage in Europe, and I tried some while we were stationed there (because really, why would I scour the PX for American products when I could get Ellnet hairspray for under five bucks at the German apothecary?) My vote on the BBs comes from a different perspective than most – I want all the coverage I can get to hide my age spots, so the BBs were a little too sheer for me. I also can’t hang with tinted moisturizers. Give me Estee Lauder Daywear or even Maximum Cover and a spackling knife, and I’m good.
I wear Garnier’s BB cream everyday. Although I wish they had a light version rather than light/medium. The light/medium worked great in the summer when I had a tan, but I’ve had to work to make sure that I’m not leaving a make-up line around my chin these last couple months. Otherwise, I love the way my skin looks and feels, and I’m able to skip wearing make-up here and there, which is something I wasn’t able to do previously because my cheeks would be red and splotchy.
I totes get the icecream love!! I always order the Mudpie Mojo when I splurge at Coldstone! It’s a peanut butter/coffee lovers dream come true!
I blogged about Sparkly Green Earrings today! Cause I love it SO MUCH!!! Thanks for sharing your mama love with the world, Melanie!
http://queenieslittlekingdom.com/2013/03/14/sparkly-green-earrings/
I have the Dryer’s connection!! My friend Jake works for Nestle (which owns Dryer’s/Edy’s). Not only does he work for Nestle, he works in the Ice-Cream/Frozen Novelties division in marketing/PR! He is responsible for new product development!
I asked him about the Chocolate PB Cup ice cream. He said, “I’m sorry, but right now, it isn’t coming back.” He did say, “However, Haagen Dazs (also a Nestle Company) has a very similar flavor which is, of course, amazing.”
Spoken like a true marketing/PR person. ha!
(between you, I and the internet, Haagen Dazs is good, but spendy. I say go with Bryer’s)
Loved your cinqo things
I am currently using Aveeno’s version of BB cream. It’s just “eh”. It goes on nicely and is very forgiving BUT doesn’t stay on for the whole day. The lady I talked to at Walgreens says Garnier’s is the most popular. I think I’ll try that one next.
Kelly, try the l’Oreal. It’s pretty terrific.
Funny! I have been using the Garnier BB Cream and I like it but I love Aveeno products so have been wanting to try theirs. I like the fact that the Garnier now comes in Fair/Light and also in the oil free version so maybe I will stick to that! And I use a light powder makeup to set it and it lasts all day.
Glad to hear the “plague” is done at your home:) Glad you found the ice-cream which actually makes me hungry but not for that flavor…lol…..I’ll have to try the BB cream – have not heard of them but I’m willing to give them a shot:)
I have been using the Clinique BB Cream and like it a lot as I have older skin and it is “Age Defense” http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/clinique-age-defense-bb-cream-spf-30?ID=603308&cm_mmc=Google_Pla-_-PLAover50-_-45056609795-_-mkwid_coQ4sirV&gclid=CO7r4NXP_LUCFcWPPAodowgAew I find that a little clinique moisterizer before I add the BB cream helps prevent any “chalkiness” mentioned above by another commenter. I think that it also works good as a primer for foundation but I find the coverage is excellent for everyday wear with benifits of good stuff for the skin, pore minimizing and 30 spf! The one I really wanted to try was out of stock at my Ulta called Anti-Aging BB Cream by Hydroxatone. Has anyone tried that one??
I love L’Oreal’s BB cream. In fact I’ve also been using their BB Magic and love that as well. Like you, I’m not sure it will replace my tinted moisturizer in the summer, but it’s what I’ve used this winter.
I recently got suckered into buying the Beauty Balm at Mac. At first I wasn’t a big fan and thought it was too thick, but then I realized that I’m 97.84% sure I was just using way too much. . . oops! I now use just a very thin layer (applied with a brush, per beauty expert at Mac), and I really like it. It’s super lightweight, that term can be properly used to describe makeup.
I’m so glad that your cast iron stomach is firmly back in place! And that Gulley’s gonna live to eat again. Sounds like it was a close one!
I’ve been using Garnier’s BB cream for a year and love it AND Christy Nockels. (I haven’t been using Christy Nockels – but loving her. And, for more than a year. Clarification is good, no?)
BB creams have been around in Asia for years, too. I’ve been looking for it for ages here and I’m so glad they’re finally making it here now.
that’s exactly what i was going to say! I think the story goes it was developed in Germany for post-plastic surgery patients, but it was a huge hit in Asia. i actually use a Korean brand called Skin79 Pink BB Cream, which can be found on Amazon for about $15. I love that it blends with almost any skintone, is not as heavy or high maintenance as foundation, but still gives pretty good coverage. I finish it off with a matte powder from Clinique b/c my skin is a little on the oily/combo side.
Personally, I think the value and quality of the asian brands are better than the reformulated stuff they are marketing now in the US. Some of the ones I’ve seen at Sephora are upwards of $50-70!
I don’t know about the p’nut butter ice cream, but let me tell you what: Dryers makes the BEST sugar-free, slow-churned vanilla in the world. It tastes like a first-rate, expensive ice cream. Hagen Daz apparently quit making its strawberry cheesecake ice cream a few years ago. At least I can’t find it. It was delish!
I’m just happy to find out what “BB” meant.
I just bought some Dryers Peanut Butter and Chocolate Ice Cream a couple of weeks ago at Target. Actually I got it free because I bought two frozen pizzas. Normally I would buy Blue Bell because I am an ice cream snob but this was free so we gave it a try. It was good! (not sure it beat Baskin Robbins and definitely not better than Blue Bell but good) Anyway, wanted to let you know that they had it at Dryer’s PB and C at Target!
I too love me some 31 flavors chocolate and PB. I agree, it has to be chocolate ice cream, not vanilla and definitely not peanut butter Ice cream! I agree with some ofthe other posters that the Haagen Dazs Chocolate Peanut Butter, while pricey, is as good as I’ve ever found.
As for BB creams I’m currently trying a sample I got from birch box and while I like it just fine and it makes my skin feel soft, I don’t know that I like it any better than my normal tinted moisturizer.
Big Mama! Christy Nockels is my sister-in-law & we were actually together when you met her! You were charming & lovely & so sweet! I know because I was like, “WOW! LOOK: it’s Big Mama… {but she’s really tiny…!}
We live in Atlanta now with the Nockels, but I was born & raised in Texas, so I’m so grateful for the daily dose of all things Texas on your blog! Appreciate the way you encourage & love on ladies everyday!