Holiday Inspirations

Thank you to everyone who shared their talents to help us get into the holiday spirit a little early. There was lots of delicious treats, must-do crafts and beauty advice. You can find all the recipes below and even a few of Amanda's secret tips.

English Toffee from Shauna Hurst

1 lb. butter

2 cups sugar

1 cup sliced almonds

1 package (16 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cups chopped walnuts

Butter cookie sheet with sides and set aside. In heavy saucepan melt butter, sugar and almonds. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil until mixture is very brown, almost burned (the mixture will give off puffs of smoke). Usually takes about 7-9 minutes. Pour quickly onto cookie sheet and spread with a wooden spoon to corners. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top and let melt for about 5 minutes, then spread carefully with a spatula. Sprinkle walnuts on top. Let set in refrigerator or freezer. Chop up with a knife.

Avalanche Bark from Tara Hallett

10oz white choc chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

2 cups each rice krispies/mini marshmallows

Melt chocolate and PB. Combine with dry ingredients. Put in parchment paper lined pan. Sprinkle with mini choc chips if desired. Cool, cut, serve.

Peanut Butter Squares from Jody Larson

1 cup crunchy peanut butter

1 cup butter

2 cups powdered sugar

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 tbsp creamy peanut butter

1 cup chocolate chips

Combine crunchy peanut butter and butter and melt. Add powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Mix well. Press into 9x13 inch pan. Refrigerate. Combine creamy peanut butter and chocolate chips and melt. Stir until smooth. While still warm, spread over first mixture. Return to fridge till set.

Peppermint Melt Aways from Sherrie Packard
1 C butter, softened
½ C powdered sugar
½ tsp peppermint extract
1 ¼ C flout
½ C corn starch

Combine butter, powdered sugar and extract in large bowl. Beat until creamy. Add flour and cornstarch. Beat on low until well mixed. Cover and refrigerate until firm (30-60 min)
Place rounded teaspoonfuls of dough 2” apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 350 degree oven for 12 to 15 min, or until edges are lightly browned.
When cooled drizzle with glaze made with
1 ½ C powdered sugar,
2 Tblsp softened butter,
¼ tsp peppermint extract,
1 to 2 Tblst milk (to desired glazing consistency).
2 to 3 drops red food color if desired.
Immediately sprinkle with crushed candy canes or peppermint candies

Holiday Makeup Looks from Amanda Messervy

Holiday Lip with Soft Eye

Lips are a way to instantly change your look. Try a bold lip color in a complimentary hue. Try a holly berry red and leave your eye makeup simple. Place nude color on eyelids with a lighter than skin tone shadow on inner lid and below eyebrow. Contour in eyelid crease with a soft brown. Sweep a thin liner across upper lash line starting from outer corner of eye. Have the liner gradually increase in width from inside to outside. Slightly wing liner if desired. Apply mascara and other make up and of course finish with your holly berry red lipstick!

Smokey Eye with Soft Glossy Lip

Choose a color palette to compliment your skin tone and eyes. You can use any variations of purples, grays, browns, golds, greens and blues to achieve a smoky eye. It’s about the application. Start with a light/medium color swept over lid. Place the darker color along the outer half of the upper lash line and blend into a kind of “V” from lash line to crease. BLEND well with a soft brush. Start with less, you can always add more color! Line eyes thicker on top outer corner gradually thinning to inner- eye. Line bottom lashes. Smudge if desired. Depending on how much smokiness you want- you can apply a thin soft line of the dark shadow under your eyes. Clean up any shadow “fall-age” with a q-tip and remover. Finish with mascara. Apply concealer, foundation, powder, blush and finish with a soft glossy lip.

Tips

* Start with eyes and finish with concealer and foundation. It makes it easier to clean up any eye shadow “fall-age” that occurs during eye shadow application.

* Powder highlighter for a pretty luminescence: brush on cheekbones

* Liquid highlighter for an ethereal glow: Gently pat on the upper cheekbones, bridge of nose and cupids bow.

* Bronzer for a sunny glow: brush on forehead, nose, cheeks, more in cheek hollows for contour, jaw line and neck.

* Bright glittery lip gloss for a quick cheery pick-me-up.

* Bright pink blush placed on the apples of cheeks instantly brightens up the face.

* Stay away from shimmer on the eyes if you see any crepe-iness on the eyelid. Choose matte colors only.

* Eye shadow base will keep the shadows on all day and deter liner/shadows smudging/creasing.

* Eyelashes wont curl? Blast an eyelash curler with a blow dryer for a few seconds to heat it up and then hold on lashes for 10 seconds. Set with mascara immediately.