What’s in my November 2018 beauty bag

billionaire teeth whitening pen review coupon code billionaire teeth whitening pen and coupon code

Billionaire Teeth Whitening Pen review

Happy November! I have been testing out a lot of new beauty products this month, so I am excited to share my favorites with you in this monthly round-up, beauty bag post! Of course, I have several nail polish hues I am in love with too, you can check out my Chanel review, Dior review, and Londontown Gel Genius review.

Now, let’s chat about these new beauty products I love! So, if you have been following along for awhile, you know I quit coffee several years ago. Although I don’t drink coffee everyday, I do order it at restaurants if I am eating brunch, and when Starbucks comes out with new flavors I feel compelled to taste! haha Other than that, I don’t really drink coffee anymore. That being said, I still consume food and drinks which stain teeth. I drink tea a few times per week, and I enjoy tooth staining foods such as tomatoes and carrots. This means the expensive tooth whitening treatment my dentist gave me back in 2013 is no longer visible. My teeth are stained again!

I was thrilled when Billionaire Teeth Whitening contacted me a couple of months ago to test out their whitening pen. It’s an affordable way to whiten teeth at home. My dentist charged me north of $600, while this pen is nicely priced at under $50. I also happen to have a discount code to share with you! You can pick up your own pen online here, and use code BAF to save 10% of your treatment purchase. I hope you love your results as much as I do!

Be sure to use my link above to purchase the Billionaire Teeth Whitening Pen-you don’t want to purchase it elsewhere and end up with a counterfeit product!

Colleen Rothschild hand cream review

colleen rothschild hand cream review

Colleen Rothschild is a beauty brand I love and trust. So, when I needed to purchase some new hand cream, I decided to try hers out! I am so glad I did! I love this! The hand cream by Colleen Rothschild is non-greasy, and it adds just the right amount of moisture to help protect and repair dry hands. This is really good hand cream! I am hooked! As you can tell from this photo, I have already started to use my tube, and chances are, I will run out of it quickly. I am always washing my hands, cleaning my house, and in need of some hand cream. This is a workhorse, love it! You can snag your own online here.

EOS Lip Balm review all flavors

EOS lip balm beauty blogger review all flavorsEOS lip balm beauty blogger review

In addition to hand cream, I am always in need of lip balm. The climate here in the San Francisco Bay Area is quite drying, so beauty products which help combat the dry air are a must. This lip balm by EOS is easy to use. There are a few scents to choose from, and they smell really yummy! There isn’t any waxy taste, or chemical taste; they taste pretty natural. I am addicted to the pink one! I know I will plow through these quickly. I keep one in my purse, one in my beauty kit at home, and one in my gym bag. Can’t leave home without one nearby!

Garnier Micellar Eye Makeup Remover Pads review

garnier makeup remover pads review

Are you always running out of cotton squares? I change my nail color so often, I am always running out of my cotton squares! Thankfully, Garnier sent me these fabulous eye makeup remover pads which don’t require a cotton square. They are their own pad! I love an all-in-one product! These Garnier Micellar Eye Makeup remover pads are a game changer. They make makeup removal sooooo easy! Love! I will never go without a package of these, they are a must-have!

Shop everything in my November beauty bag:

There you have it! My new beauty favorites which have been added to my beauty bag, and beauty routine this month. Have you tried any new beauty products lately that you love?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

*products by Garnier, EOS, and Billionaire Teeth Whitening were gifted as editorial samples for consideration. all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Chico’s No-Iron Sateen Shirt is a classic must-have

classic no iron shirt bay area street stylechicos no iron sateen shirt

wearing: bold blue and gold earrings / fall sunglasses / lipstick / No Iron Sateen Shirt c/o Chico’s found on Amazon / holiday nail polish / vintage belt / black handbag / grey bootcut jeans / black boots (old, also love this pair)

There is nothing like a classic shirt for your closet. I love a shirt which makes jeans look sleek and put together, and that also can be paired with trousers, or a suit, for the office. That is the ultimate in versatility!

This shirt is by Chico’s, and can be found in their Amazon shop online. It comes in a TON of colors and prints; so I definitely want more than one, don’t you? It’s really comfortable this time of year since the fabric is just thick enough for moderate weather, and it is just thin enough to be layered under a blazer, jacket, or sweater. Love that!

It’s been really cold this week, which is fun because it finally feels like we are moving towards winter! The sky has been grey, but not grey enough to give us rain; which we always need more of here in California! haha You can see the grey skies, and dark weather in these photos. This is how it has been all week! Brrrrr!

You always know it’s darker than normal when the holiday lights are still on during the day on the trees! You can just make them out in these photos. I love how downtown Saratoga has holiday lights on the trees throughout the year. It’s beautiful at night, and the lights also signal grey days when they don’t shut off during normal daylight hours!

I might need to pick up this shirt in some more colors to off-set these grey days! You can find yours online here.

Shop my late fall outfit featuring Chico’s no iron sateen shirt:

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

*sponsored by Chico’s, all thoughts and opinions are my own

san jose bloggerschicos shirt

Homemade Potatoes Au Gratin recipe

potatoes au gratin recipe homemade

One of my favorite types of potato dishes is Potatoes Au Gratin. I cook potatoes often at home since my husband loves them, but I never tried to cook Potatoes Au Gratin at home in fifteen years of marriage! So, over the weekend, I decided to try cooking it, but couldn’t find a recipe I liked. What do I do when I don’t like the recipes I find online and in cookbooks? I make up my own!

I tested out this recipe with my whole family, and served it with seared scallops, and fresh carrots. I have to say, carrots don’t really go well with scallops; so lesson learned! Haha That being said, they all loved the way I cooked the scallops and the Potatoes Au Gratin! Yay!

Potatoes Au Gratin is a tasty side dish, especially during the colder months. There is something comforting about them; so I will place this dish in the comfort food category!

This is a great side dish to serve at home, or to cook and bring to a family or friend gathering that is pot-luck style! It goes great paired with steak, meatloaf, pork, or a vegetable stew if you are vegetarian. It was a little overwhelming with seafood; oooops! Still tasty though! haha

Without further ado, here is my new Potatoes Au Gratin recipe! I hope you enjoy it with your family!

Tools you’ll need:

13 x 11 casserole dish

Mixing bowl.

Wooden spoon

Cutting board

Mezzaluna or cutting knife.

Aluminum foil

Ingredients:

4 russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced.

½ pint heavy whipping cream (I prefer Clover)

½ stick of butter (I use unsalted and prefer Clover or Land O’ Lakes)

1 8 oz. package of Sargento Italian Blend shredded cheese. If Sargento isn’t sold near you, this is a mix of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, provolone cheese, Romano cheese, Fontina cheese, and Asiago cheese.

Season to taste: salt, paprika, and finely ground basil

how to make potatoes au gratin at home

Prep:

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees and make sure there is a shelf in the middle of the oven.

Melt butter, and ensure it covers the bottom of the casserole dish.

Slice potatoes as thinly as possible.

In a mixing bowl: pour whipping cream and add salt, paprika, and basil to taste. Whisk or stir to blend.

Line the bottom of the casserole with potatoes, overlapping each other. The first layer should be about two potatoes.

homemade potatoes au gratin recipe

Pour 1/3 of the cream mixture over the potatoes.

Use 1/3 of the cheese mixture, spreading it out evenly over the top of the creamy potatoes.

Layer the rest of the potato slices over the cheese. There should be about two potatoes left.

Pour the remainder of the creme mixture, about 2/3, over the potatoes, ensuring they are all covered.

Cover the top with the rest of the cheese.

Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil.

yummy potatoes au gratin recipe

Cooking instructions:

Bake for 60 minutes at 400 on center rack.

After 60 minutes, remove, serve, and enjoy! Makes about twelve servings.

Calories per serving: about 259

potatoes au gratin recipe

There you have it! A yummy Potatoes Au Gratin recipe to enjoy with your friends and family! I hope you love it for the holiday season and anytime you want a yummy, comforting side dish.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

*My apologies for the so-so photos. I took them in my poorly lit kitchen at night. 

comfort food side dishes