Cosmetics for $1

I'm not kidding folks. Eyes.Lips.Face, or e.l.f. for short, is a company that, according to its philosophy, believes that all women should be able to afford cosmetics at a reasonable price.



And that reasonable price, on the majority of their items, including some very nice looking brushes, is $1. No lie.

Now, I must tell you that I have never used or sampled their products, I am an Aveda girl, but whoa what a deal. Therefore, I am telling you folks about it. I'm not sure how long the deal will last, so if you are thinking of trying a new line, give them a try.

Also, I'm not sure if this code still works, but it is worth a shot. Apparently, there is free shipping with an order of $25 or more with the promo code SHIPIT.

That looked like a dirty word, but alas it is not.

Coco Felled by the Crustacean

Greetings gentle readers. Sorry I have been so neglectful in my postings...but I have been feeling rather awful. Here's the story:

Dear husband had a wedding this past weekend in Virginia. Since I could not get the time off from work, I stayed home. When dear husband goes out of town, and I am my main source of entertainment, I stock up on chick flicks, and nummy things to eat. I put dear husband on a plane Thursday morning, went to work, visited a friend after work, and then hit the store so that I could be home in time for the Grey's Anatomy season premiere. I spied some lovely butterflied shrimp at the store...something I hadn't had in a long time, so I bought them and enjoyed them whilst watching my program.

I was captivated by my show. I honestly don't remember getting up. I had everything I needed within arms reach. After the program, I noticed that my knee and ankle joints were stiff. I told myself that it was probably because I had been sitting, and the shoes I wore that day were super cute, and therefore uncomfortable, so that must be the reason.

A couple hours later I went to sleep. I woke up around midnight in excruciating pain. My knees and ankles were a combination of throbbing pain, stiff and weak at the same time. I knew I needed to do something, but in my groggy and hurty state I could not think straight. I managed to get down the stairs (I felt like an elderly person, clutching the banister with all my might) and got two ice packs. I put them directly on my knees, propped pillows in all sorts of positions, and eventually went to sleep.

The next day I felt like someone had beaten the fertilizer out of me. Thankfully, I did not have the stiffness or pain that I experienced the previous night. I did not have any sort of rash or hives, which I thought was the usual allergic reaction to shrimp, and research on the internet didn't give me any good answers. I called my Mom and related the story to her, she agreed that my symptoms were strange. My Dad can not have shellfish of any sort, a few years ago on a cruise, he found that out the hard way. I managed to get through work that day, but I felt absolutely exhausted. The weekend was spent mostly feeling like crap, and watching chick flicks. I did go out to dinner with Mom on Saturday, which was lovely, but you'd better believe I did not have shellfish! We went to a yummy barbecue joint in her neck of the woods. We had a lovely time, and the meal made me physically feel much better. Is there anything meat can't do?

So today I am back in blog form. I have had some weakness in my legs since that terrible Thursday eve, but I feel like my old self today, and that's a great thing.

And now it seems that I must bid adieu to something delicious. I think the problem was that I had a concentrated amount, and I was not used to that. I'm not going to press my luck. I would not want to experience that scary pain ever again. So buh bye Coquille St. Jacques, Shrimp Scampi, She Crab Soup and all of you other lovely Crustaceans. One day I will go to an allergist to find out for sure if that is the culprit, but I'm pretty sure I'm right given the circumstances, and the fact that my Dad tends to blow up from the shellfish.

Adieu sweet shrimp....adieu.

Coco Knows! Answer to Question from Sarah

Dear reader Sarah posed the following question:

My budget is fairly limited and I have a wardrobe full of the
basics, but I would like a few new things for fall. What do you suggest for
the working woman that did leggings in the 80's?

Do you still have those leggings perchance? If you loved that look back then, you'll be happy to know that leggings are back in vogue. For a fun casual look, wear those leggings with a fun denim mini skirt and a pair of ballet flats.

Since you stated that you have the basics, I would focus on accessories. I am a big believer in scarves. Stein Mart is a great source for scarves and accessories of all sorts, and they always have some sort of sale going on. Also invest in some fun chunky bangles and perhaps some accessories that are festooned with fun charms (bracelets, necklaces). Charms are hot right now, but don't overdo them. If you are wearing charms on a necklace, I'd say limit yourself to two or three max.

Regarding spritzing up your basic wardrobe with some hip seasonal items, I would again recommend Stein Mart or Target. Target has some great brands. Paul + Joe is the newest collection they carry, the clothing has great modern lines but are still classy. They have everything from casual to work attire.

Another great bonus, as you know, is that these stores are not far at all from your location! Stein Mart is on Franklin Pike in Brentwood in the Kroger Shopping Center, and Target is right across the street from you.

Dear readers, please feel free to e-mail me anytime you have a question, if you would like a quantity of Coco cards for sharing with your friends, or if you just want to say hi!

Coco Does Domestic

Greetings gentle readers. I am back refreshed from a weekend that had no agenda, but I still did a whole bunch of stuff. I know you are just DYING to know what I did, so I shall tell you in great detail. Martha Stewart has NOTHING on me!

Lamentably I had to stay a bit late at work Friday night, so we spent that evening enjoying a lovely meal of pork chops, green and wax beans (wax beans are yellow and nummy and similar in shape to green beans) and mushroom cous cous. Then, we just chilled in front of the TV with the kitties. Usually Friday nights would be spent at a wedding rehearsal and then the dinner, so a Friday night at home is a lovely thing.

Saturday we took our time getting up, and then ran around the Cool Springs area on errands. I had a Wal Mart gift card burning a whole in my pocket, so I treated myself to some lovely peach mango body wash, some needed acrylic paint, and a couple other little odds and ends. We then enjoyed our lunch at Chik-fil-a (their waffle fries are the best!) as far removed from the kiddie jungle gym as possible. We took a non-interstate route home, down winding roads, past big McMansions, enjoying the pretty weather and sun.

Once home, I started a new painting for a dear friend, watched my favorite Abbott & Costello movie (The Time of Their Lives) and RELAXED. Are you familar with that word? It was a strange experience for me. I always feel like I should be doing something whilst sitting down, whether that be knitting, folding laundry, etc. But I just sat, relaxed, and watched a movie. It was great. Later that evening we enjoyed the most perfect pork tenderloin I have ever made, accompanied by tiny roasted potatoes and carrots. Also, I figured since we never have a weekend to ourselves, I popped open a bottle of champagne for an aperitif. Yum. Dessert was simple, lovely chocolates with biscotti served with a dessert wine, Moscato. It was so sweet it almost ripped my head off.

Sunday morning was spent at church, dear husband was craving Sonic for lunch, so I succumbed and had my diet cherry limeade fix, along with someother naughty fried things that I am trying to forget.

I don't know what happened to me once I got home. It's like some other woman that was possessed with domestic inclinations invaded my body. I did laundry, I folded said laundry, I made organic wheat bread from scratch, I made chocolate flan for dessert, I cleaned the kitchen, I also painted on my latest commission more. For dinner we had more of the pork tenderloin (which was still so excellent), the pork was accompanied by the lovely potatoes and green beans, with a very nice Pinot Grigio to wash it all down. Dessert was my yummy chocolate flan.

I don't know who that domestic goddess was that invaded my body, but I am now pretty caught up on laundry (dear husband was going to have to go commando if I did not to some), and I had some lovely wheat toast for breakfast. Thank you domestic goddess, thank you.

Weekend Fun

I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that this weekend has finally arrived. Because of dear husband's thriving photography business, we have very few weekends off. When we do have the weekend, we try to make the most of it, which sometimes means having no real agenda, and just concentrating on having a pretty time.

So we have this weekend off. Saturday is supposed to be gorgeous and sunny. I am cooking a lovely pork roast for dinner. All I want is to feel the sun on my face, and spend time with my husband doing whatever we please.

Do you folks that live in Nashville realize that if you travel 1/2 hour in practically any direction you can get lost in the country? That is one of the great things about living here. In metropolitan areas, it is standard to drive from one city to the next without realizing it, because the only way of knowing you are in a different city is because there is a welcome sign! If you have not explored the surrounding country, I challenge you to do this weekend. Go to Leipers Fork and walk around the antique shops and tiny houses. Drive along the Natchez Trace. Go to Lynchburg and take a free tour of the Jack Daniels Distillery. The list could go on forever. Pick a direction, and go!

Chicago Part Two

Okay now I shall tell the tale of our second trip to Chicago. It was over Labor Day weekend, and we had a wedding to shoot on Friday, September 1 in suburban Chicago. The wedding was a breeze. The couple was very laid back, and we were glad to have the business part of our trip over so that we could play the rest of the time. Here's one of the photos......dear husband shot some great stuff!



The week before, when we shot the Polish wedding, the weather was humid and just beastly hot. The weather was polar opposite for this trip. It was in the 70's with a lovely breeze and not a drop of humidity. The sky was turquoise blue. I have never known Chicago weather like that. We always seem to be there when it is unbearably humid, or super cold and snowy.

So Saturday was ours, and we did not have a care in the world. We stayed in downtown, just off Michigan Avenue close to the Burberry store. We did venture in a couple of shops, but it was just a sin to be indoors on such a temperate day, so we took our time, and investigated the overlooked side streets in search of architectural treasures. We were not disappointed. For lunch, we ended up at Pizzeria Due, which is sorta catty cornered to Pizzeria Uno, but is just more charming. Dear husband had the original deep dish, and I had the 4 cheese, because I don't like a lot of meat on pizza. It was super nummy nums.

We walked all over Chicago that day, and at one point wound up lying on the grass at Millennium Park under the shade of an oak tree, just looking at the perfect sky. There were people of all shapes, sizes and ethnicities there, having picnics, studying, playing with children. It was lovely.....that's all I can really say.

I think we must have walked 5 or 6 miles, so we were a bit tired, and headed back to the hotel for a nap before dinner. I usually do not indulge in naps, but dammit I was on vacation!

That evening we had one of the most gorgeous meals I have ever had in my entire life. The restaurant was right next to our hotel, so we didn't have to worry about drinking too much. The restaurant Les Nomades, was exactly what fine dining should be, and everyone should experience at least once in their life. Every single patron was dressed to the nines. Fresh cut flowers were everywhere in big arrangements, impeccable art and furnishings, extremely attentive wait staff, etc. Dinner was five courses, and took three hours. I finished dinner with the most luscious Grand Mariner souffle I have ever consumed. It was like a delicate orange cloud. After coffee, we went back to the hotel to a good night's sleep.

The next morning we were on our way back to Nashville, but our heads were filled with pretty memories of a perfect trip.

Coco's Sick Day

I was siiiiick all weekend, and on Monday I decided that I had just about enough of a beating from the cooties in my body, so I went to the doctor. After filling out paperwork, getting blood pressure checked, etc., I saw the doctor around 9:30. I then drove myself to the neighborhood Kroger to get my prescriptions filled.

I need to tell you before I go any further in my story that walking, or doing anything involving movement of any kind would make me short of breath, so I shuffled up to the prescription counter, and was told it would be 20 minutes. Fine I think, I’ll pick up some cat food and more chicken soup whilst I’m here. I shuffled my miserable self over to the cat food aisle, and heard my name over the loud speaker, requesting my return to the pharmacy department.

Great…..I was at the point farthest from the counter.

So I went back to the pharmacy, and was told that they could not fill my prescriptions, because they were out of stock on all three items.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW A PHARMACY RUNS OUT OF AMOXICILLIN? Isn’t that one of the most popular “cillins” out there?

The pharmacist said they had been out for two weeks. Inexcusable. After considering coughing in her general direction, or perhaps licking the handset of her phone, I left sans cat food and sans medicine.

I went across the street to the Walgreens drive thru, dropped off the prescriptions, and decided to get the cat food/chicken soup hook-up at the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market. Walgreens had told me that my prescriptions should be filled in thirty minutes, so I returned at the appointed time to pick my medicine up.

My prescriptions were not ready. I would have let the expletives fly, but that required precious energy. So, I waited, and approximately 20 minutes later paid and started the short trip home.

By the time I got home it was 11:00. I took my medicine, including my hydrocodone-laced cough syrup (which is so GENIUS) and ate an English muffin. I then crashed out on my comfy couch whilst Mr. Darcy was smoldering on the television.

And today I’m back at work, and totally regret not licking the Kroger pharmacist’s phone handset.

Coco Paints!

Being the fantastic and fabulous woman that I am, I have many creative pursuits, one of which is painting. A friend commissioned this work. I love it, and don't want to give it away, but I know it will bring my friend great joy, so yay for that!

Anyhoo....here it is.




And now on to my next work!

Oh, and on the malaise front, I now sound like Phoebe in that episode of Friends where she had the "sexy phlegm," except I do not as of yet have an issue with "phlegm," just a really horse voice. Maybe I should take up singing torch songs.

Coco Cough Cough

Coco's is feeling a bit malaise today friends. My apologies for not blogging earlier to all two of my fans. It's weird. I've been going non-stop for a while now, since I've not only been working at my job, but helping dear husband on the weekends with photo jobs. I have the next two weekends off, and it is as if my body is saying "Hello? Put on the brakes please."

Of course, I will fight fight fight, but I just feel generally icky, nothing full-blown yet, but it's in there somewhere.

It brought to mind Coco's Prescription for Times of Sickness.

1. Have a supply of Puffs Plus with Lotion, oyster crackers, ginger ale and tons of water.
2. Curl up on your bed, preferably with some lovely cough syrup laced with codeine or some other soothing agent.
3. Watch Pride and Prejudice with the hottness that is Colin Firth or someone equally sexy and smoldering. An excellent alternative would be BBC's production of North and South. If you don't know the gorgeous creature that is Richard Armitage, shame on you, and buy it from Amazon immediately. It is so worth it.

So that's it for today. I will return eventually with a pretty tale about my most recent trip to Chicago, and other fun things.