Fall – Blondie Birdie

November 2019: In a Nutshell

November 30, 2019December 8, 2019by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Saturday, everyone!

Christmastime is officially underway, and so is the countdown to the end of 2019- which means the next few weeks are going to be spent doing a lot of shopping, even more gift wrapping- and plenty of cooking/baking and traveling to various holiday functions and get togethers. December is a busy month for most people, and I’ve known for a while now that things are going to be moving pretty much non-stop for me!

Here on “Blondie Birdie,” I’ll have plenty of holiday cheer to share throughout the month ahead- with ceremonial tree lightings, local events, gift-giving ideas/tips and some of my favorite seasonal recipes for the culinary curious to try out- but I’m also going to be putting together my annual Year-In-Review post to mark the end of the decade while preparing some big blog news and changes for the beginning of 2020. I’m very, very excited!

But before I jump ahead into all of that- I did want to tip my hat to November 2019- a month that was just as busy, exciting and unexpected as December is shaping up to be.

I kicked off the month with one last scare for Halloween with a trip to Haunted Overload in New Hampshire before they closed for the season, only to then enjoy a daytime adventure (in the rain and cold this time around) to the Three Sisters Sanctuary in Goshen just a few short days later.

By mid-month, things had taken a surprising and thrilling turn when Troy and I went to not one, but two Hozier shows in the span of 72 hours– one in Boston and the other in Connecticut- which made for some excellent stories and photographs while we enjoyed ourselves and the company of my dear and longtime friend, Steven, who was the mastermind behind the spectacular light shows for each of Hozier’s shows during this tour. The Connecticut show marked Troy’s first time in a casino- and naturally I had him play a slot machine for the first time, too.

I’m a terrible influence like that.

November saw me return to the Ski & Snowboard Expo to represent Indie617 (our Top 100 Songs of The Decade is streaming now through the weekend, by the way!), the UMass Fine Arts Center for a dance performance, and Red Apple Farm to stock up on ingredients to prepare for this past Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day feast- which didn’t disappoint. I have so many leftovers in my fridge that I’m pretty sure I can feed everyone on my block for a couple of days.

And now, with a couple of quiet, more low-key days ahead of me before I return to work on Monday morning (where the posting schedule will return to normal, as well!) I’m looking forward to decorating my apartment, scratching a few things off my Holiday Gift Shopping List- and indulging in more than one hot chocolate since snow is just ahead in this week’s forecast!

So here’s to November- one for the history books, indeed!

I’ll be back on Monday morning- bright and early as usual- so enjoy the rest of your weekend ’til then, everybody!

– Ashley –

Fall Foodie: 5-Ingredient Red-Wine Cranberry Sauce

November 22, 2019November 29, 2019by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday, everyone!

Today’s post is coming at you all a little later than usual (I’m an early bird, after all)– but for good reason. The last Friday before Thanksgiving is always a little crazy at my job since so many people are on vacation next week and it’s sort of a mad dash to get those last minute loose ends and cases wrapped up before the office is a ghost town for a few days.

I’m powering through a lengthy “To Do” list today, but that also includes sharing a quick, easy, delicious- and crowd-friendly side dish recipe for next week’s festivities! If you like citrus, and if you like red wine- then you’re going to love and appreciate this recipe for cranberry sauce!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

One 12-ounce package cranberries
1¼ cups sugar
1 cup dry red wine
1 orange
1 cinnamon stick

READY? HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

In a medium pot, toss the cranberries and sugar to combine. Pour the red wine over the cranberries and heat over medium heat.
Peel the zest away from the orange with a vegetable peeler and add it to the pot. Cut the orange in half and squeeze the juice into the pot.
Add the cinnamon stick and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst, 10 to 15 minutes.
Cool the mixture to room temperature before serving.

This makes about ten servings, so if you need to adjust the measurements to better accommodate a smaller/larger crowd- feel free! And I recommend making a little extra, anyway- since it tends to go quickly whenever I serve it!

With the holiday next week, the posting schedule here on ‘Blondie Birdie’ is going to be a little different- with content up on Tuesday, Thursday (before I head out to have dinner with my family!) and on Saturday when I wrap up this past November and prepare for the final month of 2019.

I’ll see you all then! Enjoy your weekend!

– Ashley –

OOTD: Thanksgiving Cover-Up…

November 20, 2019November 29, 2019by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Whenever people ask me what Thanksgiving with my family is like- I’m always honest. It’s a lot of fun- with minimal political talk, occasional roasting of one another, and either football or Christmas music as the background noise to a lot of conversation and even more eating.

My mother, who has hosted the holiday every year since I was a little kid- always goes above and beyond for a house filled with people- making enough appetizers, main courses, side dishes and desserts to feed a small and very hungry army. It’s absolutely insane- and you will always go home with at least a few containers filled to the brim with leftovers. It’s just a given.

Of course, as fitness-oriented as I try to be- I still indulge on Thanksgiving- which is the ultimate “cheat day” anyway. And for this reason- I want to be as comfortable as possible for when I slip into my inevitable food coma. Gone are the days where I would wear nice jeans to the meal (buttons and zippers are essentially post-dinner torture devices that cause the ultimate discomfort) and although I can embrace an elastic waist as much as the next person- I still want to look put together and “dressy” during a big holiday with a lot of my family in attendance.

I’ve embraced layers in recent years- which both keep me warm and help hide what I’ve affectionately named the “pie paunch” after a big meal- and I’ve been loving pairing big, slouchy sweaters over loose-fitting and cozy cotton dresses over the course of this fall.

My short-sleeved little black dress for example, looks a little more dressed up and chic when I throw on this baggy white knitted sweater over it. Paired with some black, fleece-lined leggings for extra warmth and my black knee-high boots- I look presentable for dinner but remain perfectly comfy while I go for seconds on the stuffing and sweet potatoes.

If you’ve got any Thanksgiving styling tips for maximum comfort- feel free to share! The more suggestions, the better!

A little later on this week I’ll have a Thanksgiving-inspired recipe to share (it only requires a handful of ingredients and about 25-30 minutes of your time- so I have a feeling you’ll all enjoy it!) before we break for the weekend.

Until then, enjoy your “Hump Day,” everybody!

– Ashley –

Fall Foodie: Hot Mulled Cider

November 13, 2019November 19, 2019by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday, everyone!

I’m getting ready to run some final errands before I head out to Boston for a couple of days for a mini vacation, but before I do- I wanted to share what is- hands down- the best (and easiest!) recipe for the perfect mulled apple cider for those of you who are attempting to savor these final days of Fall and may be looking for some refreshments for your upcoming Friendsgivings/Thanksgivings.

A handful of ingredients and 20 minutes is all you need to whip this one up- and it’s a crowd pleaser for sure!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

16 cups pure apple juice or fresh apple cider
Four 2-inch cinnamon sticks
2 oranges (peels and juice)
8 whole cloves
6 star anise

READY? HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
Pour into mugs, rest the cinnamon sticks inside the cider- and serve.
Grab the fluffiest, coziest blanket you own, get comfortable and curl up- and enjoy!

I assure you- this is the only cider recipe you’ll ever need to get you through what’s left of Autumn and the early Winter! There’s so much flavor in each mug!

I’m going to be back on Friday with a full recap of my days away- so stay bundled up, stay warm- and enjoy the rest of your week, everybody!

– Ashley –

My Fall Makeup Routine!

November 8, 2019November 14, 2019by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Friday, everyone! We made it through and the weekend is just a few hours away!

It’s been a very busy few days for me this past week- and I’m really looking forward to having a couple of days where I can just relax, unwind, work my radio gig and then bundle up with a hot cup of coffee and either a good book or movie. These chilly and rainy early November days are essentially the calm before the storm- with the storm being the impending holidays- so I’m trying to rest up and ready myself!

Before I get some final things done at my office for this week and then head out with some of my co-workers for well-deserved burgers and beers- I thought I’d share my Fall 2019 makeup routine (as is tradition this time of year!) for those of you who love a good beauty/cosmetic find as much as I do!

My Autumnal makeup collection, much like my Spring one- is the transition between two vastly different seasons here in New England (Summer and Winter, and then Winter and Summer, respectively) so sometimes it can be tricky to find the right products that don’t make me look *too* overly made-up or ones that don’t sweat/run down my face the second I step outside.

It’s a trial and error in a lot of ways- but I found some great products this season that have been absolute life savers for me.

And, if you’re curious about past installments- I’ve linked them all here!

FALL – [ 2018 ]

WINTER – [ 2019 ]

SPRING – [ 2019 ]

SUMMER – [ 2019 ] [ 2018 ]

Okay, let’s get down to it!

Mary Kay TimeWise Matte 3D Foundation: In the Fall, I want decent matte coverage that won’t make me look too chalky if my skin gets a little on the dry side when the temperatures start to drop. To ensure my complexion looks natural while simultaneously keeping any excess oil in check in and around my T-Zone- I turned to this lightweight foundation from Mary Kay since the color matched my post-Summer glow perfectly.

Infused with their “TimeWise” skin care formula to prevent signs of aging and repair damaged skin cells- my face looks healthy, smooth, and shine-free for hours and hours when I wear this super breathable foundation.

At $25 a tube- and with a little going a long way (I can cover my whole face with just a couple of small drops)– I have a feeling this foundation will come with me into the Winter, too.

[ MORE INFO HERE ]

e.l.f. cosmetics Beautifully Bare Sheer Tint Finishing Powder: To lock in my base and give my foundation an extra boost of shine-free protection- I swear by this super light, super silky finishing powder from e.l.f. It goes on super smooth and doesn’t budge all day.

Best of all? The formula is cruelty-free and doesn’t clog my pores- even after a grueling day!

[ MORE INFO HERE ]

Tarte Cosmetics’ “Tarteist” PRO Glow-To-Go Highlight Contour Palette: In lieu of pink or plummy blushes this Fall- I opted to keep things simple with a well-designed contour and a touch of sheen along my cheekbones and nose for a “almost natural” no-makeup look.

To assist with this process- which can be daunting in the early a.m. hours when I’m getting ready for work- I adore this compact kit from Tarte (that smells like candy!) that features a flattering contour matte shade and two gorgeous highlighters- one pearl and one golden. Even on days where I’m utterly exhausted- this kit makes me look radiant!

[ MORE INFO HERE ]

Revlon PhotoReady Eye Art Lid + Line + Lash in “Burnished Bling”: I love my brown and golden hues in the fall- which mirror the changing leaves here in Massachusetts. This year, I wanted to keep my eye look simple- a swipe of long-lasting color that could be taken from day to night without a fuss.

Revlon has me covered with this duel-ended wand. One side, a creamy shadow that dries to a crease-proof finish- and the other side- a glittery, golden top coat that can be used to accentuate the shadow, line the lids, or make your lashes pop! I’ve been having so much fun creating fun looks with both shades- which are super pretty and easy to blend/work with!

And for $9.99, how can you go wrong?

[ MORE INFO HERE ]

Maybelline New York – EyeStudio Lasting Drama Gel Liner: I am LOYAL to gel liners- which are the only ones I can wear that don’t irritate my eyes or wind up all over me by the end of the day. Liquids are messy, pencils can be downright painful- but gels go on smooth and stay on strong.

In keeping up with the brown/golden eye look I covet so much this time of year- I am really enjoying this matte brown liner from Maybelinne (that comes with a fine brush to ensure a flawless application.) I’ve kept my look subtle *and* I’ve pulled off some impressive cat-eyes with this stuff- and one jar of these will last you literally forever- so just grab one and enjoy it well into 2020.

[ MORE INFO HERE ]

Diorshow Mascara: While a lot of my Fall makeup collection consists of drug store finds/steals- I like to splurge a little bit on my mascara and lipstick. This season, I turned to Dior’s award winning mascara to boost my lashes with length, thickness and color. I love this formula- because it enhances my lashes in such a way where I look like I had extensions done- and yet there’s no clumping, flaking or discomfort you tend to get from other brands who boast the same results.

At $29.50- it’s a little pricier than most mascaras- but oh so worth it!

[ MORE INFO HERE ]

NARS Precision Lip Liner in “Holy Red”: Ah, yes- Fall- when I can finally bring back my trademark look of a bold red matte lip that I make sure NEVER disappears until I’m ready for it to. Every photo taken of me from September through March in the past 10+ years has featured that lip look- and I have been proudly carrying on the tradition in Autumn of 2019, too.

Of course, no lip look can be successfully pulled off without a reliable liner to seal the deal- and I have trusted NARS for a very long time with that task since their liners go on smooth and last forever. This red is by far my favorite.

[ MORE INFO HERE ]

NARS Lipstick in “Inappropriate Red”: I’ve tried many red lipsticks in my lifetime- some good, some bad- and some just plain dreadful. But I always end up returning to NARS for their creamy, soft formulas and bold shades.

This Fall I’ve been absolutely obsessed with “Inappropriate Red”- which is a bright cherry red that brings out my eyes and makes my teeth look even whiter than usual.

And, unrelated- but it matches my Fall flannels perfectly!

[ MORE INFO HERE ]

Milk Makeup KUSH Lip Balm in “Plushberry”: On the days where my lips might be in need of some extra hydration and/or I want to have a more subtle look for work or a special occasion- I turn to this berry-toned moisturizing balm.

Infused with- you guessed it: CBD- this balm repairs lips, hydrates for all-day comfort and smoothness, and gives my mouth a pop of beautiful color and shine that is perfect for these chillier months!

[ MORE INFO HERE ]

And of course, I wouldn’t leave you all hanging without some swatches! Everything is labeled below!

And I think that just about does it for my personal Fall 2019 cosmetics collection- one I’m going to enjoy until long after the Holidays wrap up, I’m sure!

If you’d like to share your own Fall/Autumn 2019 makeup collections and must-haves- feel free to drop me a line! I’d love to hear about them and potentially be introduced to some amazing new products!

And, in the meantime- I’m going to go get some work done and prepare for the days off ahead! Next week is going to be a blast- and I can’t wait to tell you all about it!

Enjoy your Friday and your weekend, y’all!

– Ashley –