I love you Chicago again and again!

I traveled to Chicago recently but it wasn’t long enough! Although I travel ✈️ there often. I never get tired of exploring new places and visiting some of my fave places too.

Here are a few highlights from my trip.

I love staying at the W hotel on the lake and I also love to stay at the iconic Palmer House. But this time I stayed with my husband at the Residence Inn 700 in the Loop. What a beautiful stay! Such cozy Suites with fabulous beddings and a kitchen with a dishwasher, huge refrigerator and mini loft bing room space area.

I discovered a beautiful church around the in corner in a section they call the Loop. I fell 😍 love! I attended several masses and services. A gem 💎 in the heart of downtown. Run by Franciscan friars.

I love shopping the magnificent Michigan Avenue. AKA the Miracle Mile …

So many shops so little time! One of my fave fashion shops is called Akira. Also since I love 💕 all things fun I shop at Riley Rose!

Food glorious food is another thrill in Chicago! I never get tired of their hot dogs, donuts and dim sum in Chinatown! Oh and this time I discovered a real chocolate filled bao delight! Warm and fluffy and so delicious.

I so wanted to go for a spa day but after doing everything else no time left.

Have you been to Chicago? Lately? Do share.

Vegan LOVE

Gluten Free COOKIES!

I so LOVE CANDY…That is why I named my blog Beauty Candy. I also love a good cookie. A friend of mine shared this recipe with me and I am going to make them as soon as I get the three easy ingredients. I have been on the road for beauty so much I am starving my husband according to him as I have not grocery shopped much lately. He eats sardines and clam sauce pasta as meals when I travel. Kinda crazy!

So, I am going to make him so home-cooked meals and cookies!

1 egg

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of peanut butter (substitute almond butter for peanut if you want)

Pre-heat oven 375 F.

Grease a cookie sheet.

Place in a bowl all of the above. Drop with a cookie scoop little rounds. Flatten with a fork. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until a slight golden look and center settles in.

Cool cookies on wire rack.

She said before she knew it they were all gone and so was a gallon of milk. Yum!

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IF you’re a MOM…

Happy Mother’s Day!

While I’m not a mom but was sort of a mom to my twin when my mother passed away. I could never take the place of my mother but I did my best.

My twin was born with Down Syndrome so he needed even more love and TLC attention.

I hope all of you awesome moms had a glorious day filled with family and lots of LOVE!

World Down Syndrome Day

I have been in bed ill with the flu and a day late to post. But Down Syndrome is always in my heart!! World Down Syndrome day is a day we celebrate 🎊 all who were born with Down Syndrome. In case you didn’t know they have the biggest hearts ♥️ and 😊 smiles you’ve ever seen.

Today I salute my beautiful twin. I truly miss him, his glowing smile and those awesome hugs! Twins are forever!

PS

This photo was taken at my mom’s house when I flew in with a surprise visit…as you can see I caught him off  guard and he was bursting with happiness.

Day 4 Gift Idea for HIM!

I LOVE to make a special treat for my husband,family or friends from time to time. Christmas is the perfect time of year to create one!

I go to antique malls and other stores and collect bottles and jars I like and save them for D.I.Y. gift giving.

One of my favourite stocking stuffers or gifts to give is massage oil.

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An easy massahe oil recipe is:

1 1/2 cups of jojoba,sunflower or almond oil as the massage oil base. (depending on the size of your bottle you might need more). Add a few drops of an essential oil (pure and quality one. Not a a cheap one)  My husband has loved the relaxing lavender as well as sweet orange or sandalwood. A little essential oil goes a long way. Shake so the oil and the fragrance make love together.Add a hand written card that entitles HIM to a relaxing massage one and only you. You might want to add a candle to set the mood too.

 

Another well received D.I.Y. recipe is a jar of relaxing bath salts. It can be made as simple as filling a container with epsom salts and sprinkling in a few drops of eucalyptus oil and a sprig of aromatic roesmary from your garden on top.

Add a ribbon,tag with instructions on what it is and a lush sea sponge or brush and you have  completed this gift!

As I mentioned before you don’t have to spend a fortune. It doesn’t have to be a designer anything. Enjoy the little things that can turn intobig things.

The Holidays are here…Love is in the air…it’s almost Christmas. Stress less and enjoy the beauty of now!

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Give the Earth some love today!

Today is the day… Earth Day.  Time to start to be more green or continue our quest.

Plant a tree! I am on the hunt for a lemon tree.

Plant and grow your own herbs. It doesn’t have to be big start small. My new pretty crop outside my kitchen door is filled with basil,parsley,peppermint,rosemary and spearmint.

Try reusing your small plastic and paper bags from shopping and line your garbage bags with them. Grab another for your car to tidy up your car after the day.

Save and recycle those extra hangers you may have from the dry cleaners.Next time you have clothes to be dropped off for dry cleaning again give them to the cleaners for reuse.

Need an instant lip conditioner and don’t have any or want a quick fix?

Dry lips can be smooth in seconds. Just got to your kitchen closet and grab some organic coconut oil. Swipe a 1/2 teaspoon or less into a mini bowl and apply on your lips. Any extra can be rubbed on your cuticles to soften them up.

Make fruit or veggie infused water daily. Fill it in a to go bottle and enjoy on the go all day. Or just have a pitcher handy with a fun yummy mix. So much better for you than a sweet tea,iced coffee or soft drink!

Oily skin or hot flashing?  Start using Asian Powder papers. 70 sheets of joy to a booklet that fits in your purse for on the go refreshment and touch ups.

Did you know there are bamboo and other eco-friendly and vegan loving makeup brushes? Give them a whirl.

Shop with using reusable totes.

Say Bye Bye to plastic straws…they not only cause wrinkles around your lips they are bad for the earth.

So enjoy a little green in your life and do some good too!

Take time to smell the daisies,herbs and grass today.

Love

What a horrific way to start a day and week.

I am so numb and not feeling like writing my usual blog. BUT  I do want to tell you I LOVE you and even though I have never met you.I am happy to have you in my life.

Las Vegas,deadly and the aftermath of hurricanes and more have taken so much from us. It is like were in a bad dream! Isn’t it?

Life is short. It can be taken from you in an instant.

LIVE each day as if it were your last. And most of all LOVE!!!

#allweneedislove #LOVE

One of my top obsessions!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE…ALL things office supplies!

I love the colored organizers,desk chairs in hot colors, blinged out staplers,colored writing pens,Sharpie maker pens,rubber bands in all hues and the colorful beauty of writing and printer papers. The crazy part is I think I might love office and paper supply stores just as much as lipstick and that is epic.

I just visited The Container Store and roamed the store for hours! I am addicted. It is my happy place besides being in my own store.The second I get into a store like this or a paper/card store I love the smell. The thrill of being there. Do you like it too? Do you have a passion for office supplies too?

I so look forward to hearing from you!

Share with me your LOVES too!

 

 

The Beauty of being a TWIN!

Once upon a time there was a lovely woman who gave birth to a set of twins. After the twins had been delivered the Dr. quickly came into the room and said to the woman “You have two babies. One is a healthy baby girl and the other is a form we do not know. We recommend you put him in an institution.”

My mother quickly replied…” God gave me two babies and I am taking TWO babies home. I am so glad she did! I am a twin to that handsome charming boy and I couldn’t be prouder!

My twin was born with Down Syndrome. He is a VSP!

MY…Very Special Person!

Today is our Birthday and since he passed away our birthdays do not get any easier. In fact it is a day I need to smile more and handle myself with TLC.

Norman was laughed at,treated badly and ignored by the universe and by people he came across daily. They stole his little read wagon several times when we were children. I hated the way he was treated and not readily accepted.

He was the kindest,sweetest and SMART guy. He loved music,Sci- Fi  movies and a huge Star Trek fan! You should of seen the look on his face when he actually met Captain Kirk  when I took him to a Star Trek Convention. We were of humble means but he made our family rich!Every day of our lives!

You know the THEME song in the movie the Titanic? That’s all I can think of …my heart is so full today and my heart will go on and on.Until we meet again.I truly miss him.

Next time you see a person tall or short,young or older who has Downs…introduce yourself they love meeting new people!Say Hello and you just might meet a new BFF for life.

 

*Get to know the person NOT the disability.

Barbie Beauty

Cruising the shelves of a Dollar store I was looking for more than I went  there for.You know you NEVER know what you are going to find when you take time and explore. Since I am in love with ALL things color and pink is at the top of that colorful l SAW a spray bottle down the beauty and health aisle.

Since my hair tangles so…I had to pick this bottle up and TAKE IT HOME for a test drive.

At first I thought it was strange to try this cotton candy scented  de-tangling spray but those thoughts soon went away. I am writing this post to tell you I LOVE it. I know I am not a kid but this woman is here to say IT WORKS!

Now, no the ingredients are not like my grown up expensive spray…but for $1.00 its a win win for me! Did you ever have your bottle of liquids when you travel and somehow magically open and half of it pour out and disappear?

Little girls LOVE Barbie and I do too!