My Favorite Things Right Now: beauty, TV, clothing accessories and electronics

Here's some of my favorite things at the moment:

J.R. Watkins Hand Soap
My WHOLE family adores this hand soap!  At first I didn't want to spend the extra $ but you can totally tell the difference from the cheap-ies...soap is not just soap!  Now we're totally addicted!  The 5 yr old asked if we can put another bottle in the upstairs bathroom, too.

Cover Girl Olay Simply Ageless Serum Primer
I've been eye-balling primers but they can be pretty pricey so when I came across this one day for around $15, I had to pick it up! Promoted as a "3 minute face lift", it helps with elasticity and fills in the lines/wrinkles to help your foundation go on smoother -making you look younger.  The best part is, you can use without foundation so it is an instant pick me up!

Downton Abbey

LOVE this show!!!!  From PBS it's now only available for purchase and to rent.  It's SO, SO good! Reminds me of Upstairs, Downstairs

Eternity Scarves

Having a little love affair with these right now.  With all my running around, I hate when I lean over and my scarf goes into my food, etc the perfect solution is a scarf that is a complete circle.  Pics shown here are with jewelry pins which I wouldn't wear but ...

Below-The-Knee-Flat-Boots

Normally I am a "pointy-toe-shoe-gal" wanna-be (that's a story for another day) but I bought a pair of grey flat boots similiar to these at Target and they have been MY.FAVORITE. I don't even take them off when I get home.  And the best part is...when I'm out, my heels don't get stuck in the sidewalk!

Hubby's Camera

Since my camera "broke" (Canon S3IS) this technically is Hubby's camera but I've loved using it!  It's a Nikon D40X. Ours has this HUGE lens (18/135 millimeter).  Right now I'm a little frustrated though because my flash keeps getting stuck in the down position but I -seriously- think it's worn out from overuse!....I'm not taking the blame for breaking another camera though...

T Mobile My Touch 4G

MY NEW PHONE!  I am TOTALLY loyal to T-Mobile so will be with them forever. I got my first smart phone two years ago but cancelled the internet to save money. But when my daughter needed a new phone and the special was buy one, get one FREE...I had to go for it! I'm absolutely in love with my apps! I have no need for an actual Kindle (the app is free and the touch screen is nice), I don't have to worry about forgetting my big navigator, and if the kids forget their DS, I can click on the Angry Birds game! I also like "My Days" App to keep track of your womanly cycle, when you take your pill (I use it for remembering my allergy shot) and you can keep track of when you're fertile which we are SO not interested in!  My 5yr old son's favorite app is my flashlight which actually has three brightness levels, and Hubby's is Disneyland Wait Times app which shows you -in real time- the line wait for the rides at Disneyland (so cool).

Eatin' Out 'N' About at Duke's Chowder House- WA and shop online, too!

Duke's Chowder House
240 W Kent Station St
Kent WA 98032
There are also five more locations and you can SHOP ONLINE!

Thinking we had a little bit of time to spare while our son was at a birthday party, we headed on over to Kent Station to go to Duke's Chowder House. I have been here a few times - with the kids, for a birthday (they are very accommodating for large parties) and then this time just with the hubby.

To go with their name, all of their decorations are things having to do with nautical items or "Duke" like John Wayne, Duke of Earl album, etc.  My favorite is there to the left of the light- The Duchess Of Duke Street which was a wonderful BBC Miniseries (watch it if you get the chance!).

First off, I have to say the have THE. BEST. clam chowder!  100% natural ingredients...and you can taste that!  Hubby ordered the Cajun Chicken Corn Chowder Bowl (for $10.99 with an extra $1.99 for the Bread Bowl).  He said that it could have done with a little more kick (being it was supposed to be Cajun) but it was very good, filling, and went well with his Redhook Blonde Ale.

Though I like the chowder, I wanted to try something different so I ordered the Fish 'n Chips.  The side dressings for this are yummy (all homemade), and I really liked their Award Winning Coleslaw.  Also.....it tasted good as leftovers considering my son got upset at the birthday party so we had to leave almost as soon as we got our food (thank you to the nice waitress who packed our stuff up so quick).

Recipes- Jane's (simple) Stuffed Mushrooms

This is one of my MOST favorite dishes....and mushrooms are my husband's LEAST favorite food so imagine how happy I was when Housewife Tari made this for a recent brunch.  Very simple recipe but it is very flavorful!

Jane's Stuffed Mushrooms
Mix cream cheese and REAL bacon bits together and stuff into cleaned mushrooms with the stems removed.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes in butter.  TIP:  Tari said you can tell when they are done when they start to smell like "mushrooms" (don't overcook!).  She also served this with a yummy cracker trio spread that's from a SECRET RECIPE (see blog here) and a Chinese Chicken Salad.  

Thank you Tari- might have to make this one next time Hubby is gone for poker night!