Bacon

I am a bacon fanatic.  I love anything and everything that includes bacon.  It peaks my interest and is the only reason why I could never go vegan.  Here are 25 things bacon related (some unexpected) that I found while searching the internet:

1. Bacon Bits
2. Bacon Pieces
3. Turkey Bacon
4. Bacon Candle
5. Bacon Personal Lubricant
6. Bacon Sunflower Seeds
7. Vanilla Bacon Bourbon Cookies
8. Russian Bacon Tea Cakes
9. Bacon Mac N Cheese
10. Bacon Ornament
11. Bacon Candy Canes
12. Turbaconducken
13. Colored Bacon
14. Wake’n Bacon
15. Bacon Flavored Diet Coke
16. Bacon Dental Floss
17. Bacon Lip Balm
18. Bacon Toothpicks
19. Bacon Soda
20. Bacon Earrings
21. Boss Hog Maple Bacon Coffee
22. Bacon Wrapping Paper
23. Bacon Jigsaw Puzzle
24. Perfect Bacon Bowl
25. Bacon of the Month

I Heart England

My love affair of England began in grade school when I was told that there was another country half way around the whole that spoke English. A travel destination that didn't require the knowledge of another language? The fascination grew as I was introduced to British boy and girl bands (uhh Spice Girls hello), watched BBC shows and saw the royal family on the news. What really sent me over the edge was Harry Potter.  It's not surprising; I'm a kid of the 90's. When the first book came out I was 11.  I wanted to be Hermonie and date Ron or Harry (I always preferred Ron). As I've aged the urge to travel has amplified my need to just get up and go.  Here are some of the things  I want to see or do WHEN I make it to England.

Tea - Paramount’s Iced Afternoon Tea



England = Tea.  Plan and simple.  This particular afternoon tea caught my eye as being food forward in a really cool atmosphere.

Trafalgar Square

A gigantic free area with ancient and modern art and architecture.  This one is on my list of things to visit during the day and at night if possible.

National History Museum

General admission is free with some exhibits requiring a fee.  This site offers attractions for adults and kids alike.

Halifax, England

My "perfect" city.  Small, quite, things to do, country side.....

London Eye

London's version of a ferris wheel but amped up times a thousand.  You can rent a capsule or go during the "normal" people hours for a ride.  Not only do you get breath taking views but your also next to the famous River Thames.  Currently a family of four can ride for less than £50.

Big Ben

An iconic land mark much like the Statue of Liberty. 2009 marked the 150th anniversary. Tours are available for the Elizabeth Tower.

Kensington Palace

The royal home that offers tours and exhibits.

Leadenhall Market

Areas of this market were used to film The Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley.  The market offers food, drink and shopping.

Go to a meet and greet for one (or more) of my favorite British YouTubers - Summer in the City

I'm not sure how I would handle meeting one of my favorite YouTubers in person but I think Summer in the City would be my best chance.

King's Cross Station at Platform 9 3/4

King's Cross Station's artitecture and heritage alone make it a must see on my stop.  In light of the publicity Harry Potter caused they offically assigned a Platform 9 3/4 and opened a shop where you can buy goodies.

The Gherkin

This building opened in 2004 and has a large garden area that is open to the public.

Hyde Park

London's version of Central Park boosts activities and beautiful natural scenery. There is a fountain which was built in 2004 in honor of Princess Diana.

Harrods


The place to department store shop.

Warner's Brother Studio










The Magic of Harry Potter is a Warner Bros Studio tour that features real sets, behind the sceens access and special events like wand week and a special look at Quidditch.

Oxford University









The first university in the English speaking world, arictecture to keep you busy for days and museums to explore.

High Street Kensignton - Zara, Top Shop








The it place to shop.

Double Decker Bus Tour












One of those things that every american feels they need to do.  I'm more interested in seeing one on the streets than riding on a tour.

Borough Market


I've seen this location mentioned in some many foodie posts and television shows.  I would love to spend the day tasting different things and introducing my children to a culture through food.

Ride the Tube


Probably the biggest hesitancy of things to do on my trip (other than the London Eye - I'm afraid of heights) is taking the underground rail system known as the tube.  For some reason the idea of missing my stop, being trampled on or attacked comes to mind every time I think about this iconic feature of the city. It may be an inaccurate depiction and in that case I would be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

There is actually more that I would like to see and do but the for the sake of this posts length I'm going to point you to my Pinterest account (follow me!) which has a board specifically for vacations that I have taken or would like to take.  Please check it out for additional ideas and let me know what you think either below or by tagging me on Twitter (@jvalley0714).  If you like my blog please be sure to like me on Facebook, follow me on Bloglovin and add me on Twitter.  I'd love to have a conversation with you on your utilimate travel destination.

Recent Beauty Buys

Over the last couple months I have been very fortunate to be gifted and purchase some new beauty buys. The majority of my new items were gifted to me by my sister in law in this huge grab bag of goodies that were going to be thrown out.  I literally sifted through the bag like a 12 year old at a Beiber concert.

The other items were purchased by myself or my husband at Sephora for my birthday (February 20th).  As a make up lover I was over joyed that I finally got to set foot into the sacred isle ways.  For the majority of my life (literally up until the last two years) I've only done my shopping at drug stores due to my budget. After finding YouTube and beauty gurus my love affair began.  I watched from a far but now that I got my first taste its going to be difficult to maintain the itch.

Here is a list of items that I recently got and how I feel about them.  Feel free to share your opinions on the products below or on twitter (@jvalley0714).

• Formula X Nail Color in Dynamic - This nail polish is from the Spring 2014 collection and was relatively new to the store.  I saw this color and thought it would be  to a great neutral color to add to my collection.  The color looks good on my nails but when I went to take it off it tore them up.  I didn't use a base but normally I don't have to. The damage has been done now but I don't think I'll be trying that brand again.
• Clinique Lid Smoothie Antioxidant 8-hour Eye Colour in Current Affair - This stuff feels delightful going on.  The metal applicator is cold and relaxing.  The color stays on great and this color is a great base for a neutral eye (smokey or natural).
• Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural in N9 - The to items by Make Up Forever were gifts from Sephora for my birthday.  This lip stick is a raisin color which isn't something I would normally wear but actually looks flattering on.  The consistency is really nice and the product doesn't smell.  I found that it bleeds but so does EVERY lipstick I try (HELP! Advice Tweet me please).
• Makeup Forever Smokey Extravagant in Black - I haven't had the chance to really test this one out since I've been loving my Too Faced mascara so much.
• Josie Maran Argan Color Stick in Petal Pink - I finally jumped on the argan band wagon.  The stick is super pigmented and a lovely shade of pink.  I've been mostly wearing it as a blush and it says on pretty well. 
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original -  Oh Holy Grail product! I have extremely oily eyes and have tried a lot of primers (NYX, E.L.F just to name two).  I finally find something that helps keep my makeup on all day.  Up until I got this item I was forced to use my cream eye shadows as a base so having this gem opened up a lot of make up possibilities.  The only complaint I have is that it makes my eyes hurt and water when I first put it on.
• Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara in Black - This stuff is awesome! It plumps and it lengths.  It gets the job done.  If your looking for something that defines than I wouldn't recommend this one.
• Ulta Extreme Wear Cream Eye Shadow and Eye Liner in Almost Famous - An awesome base that is brown/gold. It stays on pretty well and the color makes alot of great eye color combos.
• Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Half Baked - An urban legend (pun intended).  This color is a yellow gold with alot of color pay off.  Get on its own or paired with browns to make a gold smokey eye.
• OCC Lip Tar in Femme - This is my first OCC product and I'm not sure its living up the hype.  I have a problem with lip sticks bleeding on me so I thought this heavy duty hitter would stay in place.  Right now it not staying easily and keeps rolling into chunks on my lips after very little time on.
• Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Blissful - This is such a pretty color!  I literally picked this up at the store and said "Oh pretty" like a 5 year old.  The color pay off is great almost to the point that you have to be careful how much you put on your brush. It seems to be staying on for a good majority of the day so it's my go to for the moment.
• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude - I had high hopes for this product.  I see gurus using this alot but when I put it on its sticky and doesn't blend well. There is defiintly a color transfer and at the translucency you would excpect from a tinted moisturizer.  I'm glad I purchased this in a trial/travel size because if I would of got the full size I probably would have regreted spending my money.  I think I'm going to save this one for summer.
• Benefit Porefessional - Its a silicone feeling primer that blurs your face into perfection.  You name the problem and I have it: shiney T zone, large pores, black heads, blemishes. This product does a great job creating a flawless base and has easily made it into my daily routine.
• Esste Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Flawless Wear Concelor in Light Medium - I have been lusting over this product ever since it started popping up onto my favorite gurus must have list.  This product asks as a great under eye concler that hides my dark circles and resists creasing.
• Clinque Moisture Surge Intense Moisturizer - I apply this stuff when I feel the for some extra moisture on my face.  It glides on well and seems to keep the dry patches at bay.  I have been having a problem getting past the smell when I apply.  The smell kind of reminds me of the stuff my grandma would put on her face at the end of the day.
• Not pictured: Benefit Boiing in 01. The jury's still out on this one.  I'm having a hard time finding the right way to apply it.  It seems to cover up my redness and scaring but within a short time it looks like I didn't even apply it.  I hope I'm not beating a dead dog but I am going to continue trying to make it work.

I'm currently on a mass hunt for a good foundation.  I'm looking for something that is medium to light cover that can handle my skin (see the description in the Benefit Porefessional bullet).  I'd like to find a drug store and high end product so I'm not reliant on one price point.  If you have any suggestions please hit me up on here or twitter (@jvalley0714).

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