All posts by layla

It looks like this is the new normal.

Neighborhood ne’er-do-well Harris the cat attempted another brazen assault on the safety and security perimeter this morning. Thankfully, special agent Tabs was there to stop him.

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This time, Harris tried the direct approach, but Tabs, looking as sharp as ever in a black tie and white collar, was ready for him. He feigned disinterest, then whirled around into one of his favorite kitty Krav Maga moves.

It took Harris completely by surprise, and his confidence was shaken. At that point, the mental game was won, and it was only a matter of time before Harris fled.

With the perimeter secure, Tabs was able to finally relax.

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He also made himself a yummy bamboo shoot salad….

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

got nothing however like for ya on this gorgeous Monday! (These are a few of the new MAC like Me Lipsticks, by the way.)

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, in contrast to its name, an actual poll, like with bit clicky buttons. It’s just a listing of five a lot more or less random concerns I’ve been publishing on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I like reading your answers, as well as it assists me get my week off to a great start.

1. exactly how frequently do you contour?

These days, never…although I did go with a short phase in 2014 when it was an daily thing for me…and by “everyday,” I indicate every. Day.

2. massage or a mud bath?

I’ll take a deep-tissue massage. Please, oh please, oh please, oh please.

I did have a mud bath once, though, as well as I never want to have mud in any type of of my bodily crevices ever again…

3. have you ever had acrylic nails?

They were huge when I was in college in the early ’90s (#datingmyself), as well as everybody I understood had acrylics, however I never got around to trying them. Plus, I didn’t truly have additional space in my budget plan to keep them up with the beauty parlor appointments, as well as whatever money I did set aside for appeal products I normally spent on makeup. I’ve always liked nails, however my very first like is as well as has always been makeup!

4. Do you tend to stay with the exact same perfume, or do you like to switch things up?

I tend to stay with the exact same core group, however I will integrate them often in a halfhearted however somewhat severe attempt to produce something individualized to my mood.

5. Leopard, zebra or snake print?

Leopard print all the way. (What else would you expect from a feline lady?)

Please pass me some coffee…

Because coffee is the elixir of life.

Happy Monday, friend. It’s a new week, as well as I’m feeling ecstatic as well as energized since 1) COFFEE, as well as 2) I’m slowly working with my MAC lipstick collection.

MAN! — rediscovering gems I haven’t used in a while is providing me life. I just used this quite pink Cremesheen yesterday called MAC Fanfare… keep in mind when the Cremesheens came out in 2008? I feel like it was just yesterday…

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Keep looking up.
I’m likewise swatching my method with a few of the new MAC like Me Lipsticks (pic at the top), as well as a few of the new sincere appeal liquid Lipsticks (which I’ve been wanting to try).

It’s gonna be a lipstick kinda week, as well as I’m not mad about it. Lipstick may be a bit thing, however those small tubes are packed with mood-boosting power.

And we gotta get our happiness anywhere we can discover it, ya know? since the world can be a frightening place.

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I hope your week goes well, friend. like you additional today.

Your friendly community appeal addict,

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Karen

P.S. concern time! right here they are to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. speak to ya soon!

1. exactly how frequently do you contour?
2. massage or a mud bath?
3. have you ever had acrylic nails?
4. Do you tend to stay with the exact same perfume, or do you like to switch things up?
5. Leopard, zebra or snake print?

Tabs utilized to have a roommate, however they had a falling out.

His name was Sushi, as well as he was a flamboyant, magnificent betta. He was likewise an accomplished aquatic model.

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Before they ended up being friends, Tabs examined Sushi from afar. He took notes on posing as well as general fabulousness, trying to fracture the code to ending up being a world-famous supermodel.

Tabs wished to discover whatever about modeling, as well as Sushi was a pro.

This went on for months. Tabs had excellent respect for Sushi as well as what he’d accomplished in the aquatic modeling world, however there was something else…

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Over time, the nature of their connection changed, as well as Tabs couldn’t describe why. He discovered himself getting hungrier as well as hungrier…for knowledge, as well as he figured out that the only method he might genuinely comprehend modeling would be to digest whatever Sushi had to offer.

To get his mind as well as body working in unison, Tabs started a extensive physical fitness regimen focusing on plyometrics, likewise understood as jump training, with the goal of being able to jump up onto the hutch where Sushi resided in his fishbowl.

Tabs believed that if he might work eye-to-eye with Sushi, Tabs might tap into the tricks of the modeling world…

Of course, in hindsight we understand this concept was flawed…

Tabs ended up being consumed with Sushi as well as discovering a method onto the hutch. He trained relentlessly, day as well as night, stretching, leaping, reaching as well as climbing.

This continued for weeks until, one day, or must I state one night, I was walking down the stairs when I saw Tabs perched on top of the hutch with a paw reaching into Sushi’s fishbowl!

“No!” I exclaimed, “Tabs! get down!”

Immediately, he jumped down onto the carpet, looking confused, aghast, as well as a bit guilty perhaps.

Things were never the exact same between Tabs as well as Sushi after that. They stopped speaking about modeling as well as stopped hanging out. They even stopped satisfying for lunch. Oh, they lived together for a while longer, however they never spoke again.

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To this day, we don’t understand precisely what occurred or why the connection soured. It’s a mystery. absolutely unexplainable. ?

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

feeling the spirit!

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, in contrast to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of five a lot more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?

1. candy canes or roasted chestnuts?

Roasted chestnuts. No doubt!

2. What’s a lot more crucial to you — mascara or brow pencils?

Ooh! — this one’s brutal. I would say that both are crucial to me (LOL) and needed for me to feel like a real live girl…but if you’re making me pick one…then mascara all the way. When, like me, you don’t have a deep crease, mascara works wonders to open up the eyes.

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3. Last holiday motion picture you watched?

I enjoyed a humorous motion picture on Disney+ called Godmothered last weekend! It’s about an inexperienced rookie fairy godmother who’s figured out to become the best godmother she can be, so she goes rogue to help a Boston mommy and her family find their “happily ever after” over the holidays.

4. Concealer or blush?

I’ll take all the blush please.

5. foundation or lipstick?

TOUGH! I’d opt for lipstick, I guess, even though we’re all sheltered in place until January, and nobody but my immediate fam-bam will see it.

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Hey, at least I can wear it around the house. That makes me happy.

6. straight or wavy hair?

Although I love how tidy straight hair looks, it’s such a chore to get my hair to look that way. Seriously, it involves, like, three days of development planning! So I’ll opt for wavy hair, considering that mine already has lots of natural waves, and it’s much easier to deal with.

7. Egg nog or holiday fruitcake?

BLAH to either, but I guess I could do holiday fruitcake if I had a big cup of coffee or hot chocolate to wash it down…

8. Last series you marathoned?

Virgin River season 2 on Netflix is where it’s at, babe!

9. What color are you socks today?

I’m wearing light gray ’80s aerobics instructor-style thick socks (it’s cold here today). They’re all scrunched up around my ankles!

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

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P.S. here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. speak to ya soon.

1. candy canes or roasted chestnuts?
2. What’s a lot more crucial to you — mascara or brow pencil?
3. Last holiday motion picture you watched?
4. Concealer or blush?
5. foundation or lipstick?
6. straight or wavy hair?
7. Egg nog or holiday fruitcake?
8. Last series you marathoned?
9. What color are you socks today?

P.P.S. hey there and delighted Monday, my dear friend! ? I hope you’re feeling calm and centered today. I’m trying my best to wrap up everything I need to do for Christmas (no waiting till the last minute here… NOPE!). sending you a big hug and happy vibes today.

baby winged liner, bare skin and big smiles. Sweatshirt: thank You for Being a Friend.
I do, primarily through slightly darker patches on my cheeks, and I also have freckles. My upper lip can also get dark, and when it’s in full force, I look like I have a mustache!

Overall, my hyperpigmentation has actually been a little better than usual. It’s been better because I got back on track with a skin care routine last month that includes a Vitamin C serum, retinol cream and sunscreen (YES).

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For a while there I wasn’t doing much skin care for my face — just pimple cream and moisturizer. It was just, ya know…2020. The whole…all of it. I didn’t have enough energy left over to take care of myself. Seriously, there were a few weeks there when I had to set reminders to brush my hair! ?

I’m a little better about things now, like doing something about hyperpigmentation, and it sure feels good to be taking care of my skin again.

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How about you? Do you have hyperpigmentation, or have you ever? Inquiring minds want to know.

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

His majesty surveys his domain…

“All this,” he bellows, “as far as the feline eye can see, from the old oak tree to the grassy knoll, belongs to Tabs the feline industries LLC.”

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Tabs has been a benevolent kitty dictator. now in his thirteenth (or fourteenth) spring, he doesn’t have to do much battling anymore. There is peace across the land (except for his feud with Harris).

Now, King Tabby can take pleasure in the fruits of his labor. The gravy, like the wine, flows freely.

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All hail King Tabby! Hip hip hooray!

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

Peep the bronze on my upper lash lines (it’s glitter eyeshadow!)
I can’t even… I am SO delighted it’s Friday, my friend. I don’t know, but this week was draining. even though it was just a lot more of the same, really, the whole sameness of it all is wearing on me. I know you’re probably in a similar boat, or you’re an essential worker out there doing your best, or you’re unemployed because of this. Whatever the case may be, I’m sorry this is happening to you. To all of us. These are strange, unsettling days indeed. ?

But what can we do, other than our best every day to get through it? and none of us knows the “best” or the “right” way to deal with something like this. we all have different needs and responsibilities, different situations. I want you to know I’m with you, and I support you. You’re doing your best, just like I am too. ??

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With that, here’s a little something makeup-related, because why not right? For this look I used a glitter eyeshadow as my liner (the bronze glitter from the MAC Selena La Reina palette).

Such a helpful hack!

Another day, another 10 minute makeup look
You just load an angled eyeliner brush (I like the NARS #47) with your glitter shadow of choice, spray the brush head with setting spray, and, because fallout isn’t fun, tap it to unload any excess powder bits, and then run the brush along your lash lines.

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The result?

The same shiny effect you get from a shimmery liquid eyeliner, except that’s it’s much easier to do because you don’t have to deal with wet liner spreading all over your lids or getting up into your crease.

And you know I like easy, especially lately.

Makeup worn in this look

BASE: MAC Prep + Prime natural radiance and MAC studio fix Soft Matte Stick in NC42

EYES: MAC Selena La Reina eyeshadow palette (matte medium brown in crease, glittery bronze on the upper lash line), Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara (lashes), MAC cool Jazz Technakohl liner (upper water line)

CHEEKS: MAC Pinch Me Blush

LIPS: MAC Selena La Reina Lip Pencil in Entre a Mi Mundo, MAC love Nectar Lipglass

By the way, there are lots of setting sprays that work well with this trick. I’ve used MAC Fix+, urban Decay All Nighter; the ones by make up For ever and Shiseido are also great. In a pinch, even water will do.

If you plan to do this to a pan of glitter, I suggest designating one area of your pan to be the place where you *always* dip the wet brush head; otherwise, if you’re grabbing from all over the place, you can turn the top layer of your shadow into a hard, clumpy mess.

For the life of me, I haven’t been able to take a normal photo today, because my coworkers have been ALL UP IN MY BUSINESS.

Never alone
Did you notice the mystery hand in the lower corner?

Not for one second!
I’ve been making a self-quarantine playlist and have been playing Billy Idol’s dancing With Myself like nobody’s business, but I’m very thankful that, throughout this period of isolation, I haven’t really been by myself. thank you for stopping by and keeping in touch.

When I was a kid and this played on MTV, I’d change the channel because it afraid me.

You’re welcome to join The Girl’s Club! So far, it’s just me, Rosie and the CoyCoy. lifetime membership!

Wanna join The girls Club?
If you’re going to join us, just know that you’ll be required to either play hopscotch, ride bikes or jump rope. standard girls Club stuff, ya know.

Last weekend, I jumped rope for the first time in…I don’t even know how long, and OH, MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS, I’m still recovering. My body hella hurts, dude!

I’ve been teaching Connor how to jump rope (this is what she gets in her classes at “mom home school,” ha ha), and for some demented reason, I thought it might be kinda fun to take up jumping rope as my new form of cardio…

Wow, that was a questionable idea.

I’ve named my jump rope “Bob.”
I jumped for three minutes straight (well, I tried to, at least), rested for a minute, then repeated the cycle. I did this seven times. I figured, hey, I’m not in horrible shape. I can jump rope for a total of 24 minutes, right? Piece. Of. Cake.

Nope! Apparently, one doesn’t need much rope jumping to hobble themselves for an entire week. The next day, I could barely walk. who knew?!

Can you remember the last time you jumped rope? If you can, did you do a double under?! (Yes, it’s a thing.)

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Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! ?

This is completely a thing. (Ooh! — the vibrant bit beads look like boba.)
Need some synthetic flowers for a crafts project? exactly how about an large LED flamingo? If you requirement something craftsy or DIY, inspect out Michaels, the combination craft supply store/inter-dimensional portal to an alternating truth where times as we understand it does not exist.

Be warned, though: 5 minutes in a Michaels is like 8 hours in the outside world. In fact, after 15 minutes in a Michaels store…you may never really leave; however, this risk is balance out by all the strange treasures, including this children’s foot spa…

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“Ultimate Soothing Spa”
What, exactly, is so taxing to the feet of bit kids that they requirement a Calgon moment? ?

Heck, though, if I were 8, I’d most likely want one too…

GO SCIENCE

After a bit googling, it turns out that the “Orbeez” in the name, “Orbeez Foot Spa,” refers to the vibrant beads, as well as they’re a thing youngsters play with these days (who knew?).

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The actual chemistry behind them is quite cool. The beads are made of a very absorptive polymer, as well as when you add water, they grow from 100-300 times their original size.

Calgon, take me away…
I bet they do assist exhausted arches, however there’s absolutely no freakin’ method I’m enabling one of these things in my home, since any type of time tiny, round things get set totally free in this #toddlerlife, it’s like Pandora’s Box. There’s just no method to ever corral them back into one location again. My three-year-old will go on to surface high school, college, then astronaut training, as well as I will still be vacuuming Orbeez out of dirty corners. They will many definitely haunt me for my next five lifetimes, as well as when I come back as a silky, long-haired ragdoll kitty, I’ll be swatting the exact same damn beads off the couch!

Nail polish as a source of strength?

So, when Connor undoubtedly asks for a health spa pedicure, I’m going to put her feet in a container of warm water, stick some flower petals as well as lemon wedges in it as well as phone call it day. as well as then I’m going to offer up my collection of nail polishes to select from, which likewise now includes this beautiful purple from Chanel.

Two coats of Chanel Purple Ray just after I painted my nails. I’m likewise using Sally Hansen No much more spots Spray-On Base coat as well as Essie Platinum grade surface top Coat.
And right here it is after six days… great wear time!
Purple Ray ($28) is equal parts tough, stylish as well as optimistic (which is essentially what I aim for daily of my life, ha!). I mean, that’s not the official pr description, however I believe it’s accurate.

For me, nail polish isn’t just nail polish. It’s the charm equivalent of power posing (power polishing?). Listen, when my nails are done, I feel good, as well as everybody as well as whatever in my path much better view out!

It’s all about the power pose…

Sure, nail polish is just frosting (what’s inside is the most essential stuff), however if taking a look at quite polish on your nails reminds you that you’re a bad-@ss, then do it! state everything day, daily long.

Say it: “I am a bad-@ss.”

And yes, I truly do get this worked up from two coats of Purple Ray nail polish!

Waxing philosophic

I’m going to do a fresh mani in just a few, however I gotta kind my hair circumstance out first. I’m down to the last few spritzes of my cherished Oribe spray wax, so please pause for a second while I shed a completely put glittery tear.

*pause* ?

Lurve this spray by Oribe
Have you jumped on the spray wax train yet? GIRL. get yourself a ticket. get the next trip out! ’cause spray waxes are awesome. I’ve only utilized the Oribe one, however it’s sooooo good. It’s a versatile completing product that you spray on your completed style to break up the uniformity of your hair as well as leave you with softly defined pieces. It likewise adds shine, smoothness, bounce as well as lift.

The Oribe one is excellent, however it’s $42, as well as ya know…I do believe it’s worth the $$$, however I’m always down to discover something cheaper.

And I have! I discovered some much more budget-friendly options, so now I’m currently choosing between the Paul Mitchell ($23), Redken ($19), Chi ($19) as well as Drybar ($26) spray waxes.

Have you tried any type of of these? let me understand if you have. I’m leaning towards Drybar since I understand I can just pop into the Sephora near my home as well as get one.

I swear, 99% of my charm decisions are driven by benefit as well as a store’s car parking situation!

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Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

things I discovered this crazy week!
Happy Valentine’s Day, my friend!

My goodness, it has been a week. The run-up to Valentine’s Day at the bakery was cray! Yesterday, I made frosting for 4 hours in the greatest mixer we have. just put, I was buttercreamed out by the end of my shift.

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Somehow, I still had it in me to wear some makeup this week, believe it or not, as well as in the process I may have stumbled upon a few new appeal lessons.

Just goes to show ya — not even buttercream can stop the appeal learnin’.

Unexpected appeal Lesson #1: A 24-hour mint eco-friendly mani is absolutely worth it.

We don’t wear nail polish while working at the bakery, however I painted paws on my day off with Essie Expressie polish in reveal to Impress.

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It’s a quick-drying formula with a base as well as top coat developed in, as well as it takes me about 5 minutes to do two layers — as well as that includes drying time.

Two layers of Expressive reveal to Impress
Unexpected appeal Lesson #2: deal with oil is a good friend to your lashes as well as lash curler.

Does your lash curler ever crimp your lashes with an excessively aggressive curl? — like, when the bend is nearly at a crisp 90-degree corner? If it does, try massaging a bit of your preferred deal with oil on your lashes beforehand, as well as the lash curl must be rounded — a lot more like a letter “c” than a hard, ideal angle.

I’ve been doing this all week long with Kahina providing appeal Prickly Pear Seed Oil, as well as my lashes have been curling perfectly! The moisturizing deal with oil makes lash hairs a lot more receptive to a softer curl.

Unexpected appeal Lesson #3: utilize the “leftovers” in your brow brush.

I discovered the very best shortcut for hectic women as well as gents who rush with filling out their brows with an angled brush.

Basically…if as well as occur to have any type of leftover product in your clean head from the day before, just utilize it to fill in your brows now, instead of re-loading your clean with a lot more eyeshadow or brow powder.

I really put two as well as two together as well as figured this out one morning while scrambling to make it to work on time. I couldn’t discover my normal eyeshadow combination with my brow colors as well as just said, “Eff it. I’ll utilize the exact same clean from yesterday.” Lo as well as behold, it was the best amount of color for softly defined natural-looking brows!

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Yup, as the stating goes, “Necessity is the mom of makeup invention.”

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

like it.
This is one of those deal with products that you have to be in a specific phase as well as mindset to appreciate. keeping that said, if full protection is your jam, keep on walkin’ miss Lady. However, if you’re searching for a concealer that doesn’t look heavy as well as stays out of fine lines, add hourglass Veil Retouching fluid to your wishlist ASAP!

For skin that appears like skin

It’s a semi-sheer liquid concealer with a doe foot applicator, as well as it’s offered in six shades in the hourglass long-term collection. considering that it’s hourglass (which indicates pricey), it’s not precisely budget, so a tube is $36. You do get a formula that’s complimentary of a great deal of things, including…

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Parabens

Fragrance

Gluten

Sulfates

Nanoparticles

Phthalates

Synthetic Dyes

GMOs

Animal testing

I’m trying to minimize the amount of products with phthalates in my makeup collection (here’s why), which is one of the primary reasons why I utilize it. I likewise like exactly how it’s a beast at covering stuff while still looking natural.

I wear the shade Sand beneath my eyes, around my nose as well as at the corners of my mouth (I’m an NC42 in MAC, by the way). often I set it with a bit MAC Mineralize Skinfinish natural Powder, as well as often I don’t. Either way, my skin appears like genuine skin, which is my aesthetic nowadays considering that I have extremely bit tolerance for anything opaque or heavy.

Have you ever tried YSL’s popular Touche Eclat? This product is similar, however so much much easier to blend, as well as I believe it looks a lot more natural. It’s worth your time to swatch during your next hourglass counter visit. I normally restock at Sephora, however Ulta brings the line, too.

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Some a lot more thoughts on hobbies

Well, we’re three months into 2022, as well as I’m still in quest of new hobbies.

I’ve kept up reading solely for pleasure, as well as wow! It’s amazing exactly how reading just a few minutes for fun can modification exactly how you feel. I discover myself craving books now. Like, I physically feel off if I avoid my reading-for-fun time. It makes me happy, so I’m going to keep it up.

Oh! I tried something new last week. I chosen up a puzzle at a regional bookstore in town, Copperfield’s, as well as took pleasure in it so much. There’s something extremely meditative about searching for pieces. Connor assisted me when she was in the mood, too.

I can’t wait to do one more one, although I do desire there was some kind of library-like service with puzzles. I can see myself getting into it, however the last thing I requirement is a lot more stuff in my house, ya know?

Last thing. I’ve been cooking my method with a cookbook!

A bit backstory: I utilized to like baking as well as cooking, however last year, it bummed me out.

For a lot of of 2021, I hated — like full-on despised — making food. I was stoked at very first to be at house as well as cook when whatever shut down in 2020, however after a while I started feeling like I handled a full-time kitchen area task without realizing it. Last year, I was totally over it, as well as I’d get upset whenever I had to cook, particularly at dinner (I phone call it “dinner rage”).

Anyway, I just recently started cooking new dishes, as well as it’s assisted me to feel less rage-y. LOL. Here’s a couple things I made of “The simple Filipino Cookbook” by Roline Casper.

Beef Picadillo (Giniliang Na Baka) with ground beef, tomato sauce as well as raisins
Easy Sauteed Shrimp (Ginisang Hipon) with shrimp, bok choy as well as seasame oil.

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Happy Friday to you, as well as I hope you had a fantastic week!

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen