Coup de Coeur

What I am loving right now: Shea radiance Baobab Tree of Life oil

2012-01-06T14:57:00.001-05:00

Baobab Tree of Life Oil from Amina S on Vimeo.

Deja vu....

2011-12-20T16:33:00.007-05:00

Buying yarn is so addictive!
It took me several months (and lack of space to store new yarn) to go to my local yarn store and leave empty-handed. I particularly love hand-dyed yarn as it has different color variations in one skein.
Currently, I am knitting fingerless gloves with Malabrigo Worsted yarn.
This dye lot is called "deja vu".

I really enjoy seeing the greens and purples and it motivated me to do a makeup look using greens.
10 brushes later...voila :)

Here's what I used:

Face:
Concealer: Bobbi Brown stick foundation "Walnut"
Powder: Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder "Golden Orange"

Eyes:
Brows: MAC "Stud"
All over eyeshadow: Urban Decay "Buck"
Lid: MAC "Somptous Olive" and "Lucky Green"

Eyeliner: Makeup Forever Aqua liner "15"
Mascara: Ruby Kisses "Big Lash mascara"
I received this mascara at the Makeup Show during the blogger event. I really love how it lengthened my eyelashes and I am just wearing one coat

Cheeks:
Makeup Forever....I think it is 67???

Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder "Deep chocolate"

Lips:
Bobbi Brown lipgloss "Hollywood red"

Persimmon...

2011-12-04T12:01:00.006-05:00

This week in my share, I received some frozen persimmon pulp as a fun treat.
I had no idea what to do with it!!
I've never tried persimmon in my life and actually it is very tasty!

I found several recipes online of persimmon pudding or cookies.
Last night, I decided to try making a persimmon bread with whole wheat flour.
I made it like a pumpkin bread but I also added a handful of oats and walnuts.

I really liked it!! The next step is trying it again and write down the recipe :)
So this morning, I purchased more persimmon pulp at the local co-op.

I am always open for more suggestions and ideas :)

my winter CSA share

2011-11-23T16:02:00.006-05:00

After 28 weeks, my CSA shares ended at the beginning of November. I looked for another farm that offered a winter share with convenient drop-off location. Each Wednesday, a bag of goodies is waiting for me in a cooler.
It has been interesting to see the changes of the season through my basket. However, I confess that it has been a challenge to adjust my eating habits to seasonal food. For instance, I've been craving tomatoes especially cherry tomatoes.
Next year, I am hoping to plant lots of tomatoes and can them.

My typical winter share has turnips, radishes, kale, bok choy, onions, squashes (carnival or butternut ), potatoes (sweet or white), herbs (sage, rosemary or mint), spinach and once in a while a huge pumpkin.

When I get a big pumpkin, I just stare at it for a while, clueless.
I did receive a few small sugar pie pumpkins in October and used them to make pumpkin bread.

The big ones are just so intimidating!
So one Sunday afternoon, I spent time cutting it down into pieces and roasting it.

Note to self: I need to invest in a set of knives...

5 hours later, my pumpkin soup (with acorn and butternut squashes) was ready!
I also pureed some and froze it for the winter.

This week, I received another one.

Do you have any recipes to share with me? For those who have made a pumpkin pie, is it hard?
Chai has just posted a recipe : pumpkin spiced cinnamon chip cookies...hmm.
I should definitely try it :)
Happy thanksgiving everyone!

Welcome Unspotted Beauty

2011-11-18T19:41:00.003-05:00

I am delighted to share the address of a new beauty blog "Unspotted Beauty" by the lovely Khady.
Two years ago, I recreated a makeup look when she was featured in a Canadian magazine "Opale"
I can't wait to learn more about her beauty tips and tricks and discover new products with her.
To read more about her cosmetic story, please go here:
http://www.unspottedbeauty.com/2011/08/01/hello-world/

You can also follow her tweets
I am so excited that she decided to have her own beauty blog!

Featured in Natural Bloom

2011-11-13T01:27:00.002-05:00

For the November issue of Natural Bloom, JC had several bloggers share their hair stories and routines. I feel so humbled and honored to be featured in the issue.
This is year 6 for me and time just went by so fast!

Open publication - Free publishing - More hair

This issue also presents the hair journey of the lovely Chai , Alice, Mikimu and Monique among others.
Enjoy the reading :)

New directions...

2011-11-07T16:58:00.018-05:00

I hope everyone is going well. I haven't blogged in ages!
The break was really unintentional. Time just went by so fast and the next thing I know, it is November. This has also been one of my most stressful academic year...who knew that writing a dissertation proposal could be so hard :(

What have I been up to?
I turned 30 this summer :)

I spent most of my summer gardening

I decided to pick up my needles after a long hiatus.

I joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)..well I signed up with two farms because I was so greedy. As a result, I had to try new veggies, find new ways to cook the same vegetable over and over (especially eggplants and zucchini) .

I had my first piano recital. I played Pachelbel "Canon in D major".
I've never seen my fingers shake so much...lol

I also had a flower share and receive a bouquet each week.

I took a canning class and learned how to can tomatoes and make peach jam

I bought a sewing machine. 15 years ago, I received a sewing machine for my 15th birthday. I lived in Ghana then and most girls received a sewing machine for their 15th birthday. The problem, no one taught me how to use it! Eventually we had to move to Kenya and I didn't bring it with me..

As you can see, as much as I love makeup and beauty, I am also incorporating creativity in my life in new ways. I haven't worn makeup since...gasp..May!
I am still passionate about beauty, hair and makeup but in a different way.

At first, I thought of closing down my blog as I feel that I don't have much to add. However, two dear beauty bloggers friends advised me otherwise and I should just incorporate the new hobbies here.

Coup de Coeur will take a new direction..
I will blog about my yarn addiction :) knitting, crochet, learning how to sew, gardening, makeup and everything in between.
Thank you for being such faithful readers and enriching my life :)

Welcome Natural Bloom mag

2011-07-06T19:33:00.003-04:00

I am so proud of JC from Natural Haven.
She has just launched a great magazine Natural Bloom and the first edition is simply amazing.
Please click here to read the first issue :)

Je suis tellement fière de JC du blog Natural Haven. Elle vient juste de lancer son magazine Natural Bloom et le premier numéro est un véritable régal pour les yeux. Vous pouvez le lire en cliquant sur le lien suivant.

coup de coeur: All of My Purple Life

2011-06-23T20:51:00.006-04:00

Many of you might know Patrice from Afrobella. I love her blog, her work and her determination to constantly break boundaries.

She has recently designed a lipgloss "All of My Purple Life" with MAC Cosmetics, as part of the Blogger Obsessions Collection. It launched this past Tuesday June 21st and items will be sold for only six weeks.

I was one of those who stalked the MAC website, online chat and twitter when the website was experiencing technical difficulties. My efforts paid off and I was able to place my order.

This afternoon, I received my package and I tore it down to apply quickly "All of My Purple Life"

Beaucoup d’entre vous connaissent sûrement Patrice, la fondatrice et l’éditrice du blog Afrobella. J’aime beaucoup son blog, son travail et surtout sa ténacité et détermination à briser les barrières.

Elle a récemment participé à la création d’une collection avec MAC Cosmetics qui honorent celles qui bloggent incessamment sur le monde de la beauté. Elle a créé un lipgloss
« All of My Purple Life » qui a débuté ce mardi le 21 juin et toute la collection sera disponible pendant six semaines.

Je faisais partie de celles qui ont campé sur le site de MAC, le chat et twitter quand le site avait des difficultés techniques. Aussitôt que tout marchait bien, j’ai vite placé ma commande. Alors cet après-midi, j’ai reçu mon paquet et je l’ai vite ~~déchiqueté~~ déchiré afin de porter le lipgloss.

This is one of the most beautiful purples I've ever seen! I absolutely love the color!

I can't wait to wear it with my makeup done :)

Ce mauve m’a coupé le souffle ! J’adore la couleur et j’ai hâte de porter le lipgloss avec mon maquillage tout fait.

I am so proud of Afrobella for designing this beautiful color and the opportunity she had with MAC Cosmetics. As a beauty blogger, seeing her work is simply inspiring :)

To read more about "All of my Purple Life", please follow these links:

Its creation: http://www.afrobella.com/2011/05/31/afrobella-for-mac/

It is now available : http://www.afrobella.com/2011/06/21/all-of-my-purple-life-and-the-mac-bloggers-obsession-collection-on-sale-today/

Je suis si fière d’Afrobella d’avoir créé une si belle couleur et de l’opportunité qu’elle a eu avec MAC Cosmetics. En tant que bloggeuse, son travail m’inspire énormément !

N’hésitez à cliquer sur les liens afin de savoir un peu plus l’histoire de « All of My Purple Life »

Bloggers Vloggers gone Disney

2011-06-17T14:35:00.007-04:00

A few weeks ago, Sarah from Lash Girl invited me to collaborate with others bloggers/vloggers. We had to create a makeup look based on a favorite Disney Character. What a brilliant idea!!
I have to admit that I struggled!! It took me a while to figure out which character I wanted to do and how to recreate the look.

I decided to do Mulan!

Il y’a quelques semaines, Sarah, l’éditrice et fondatrice du blog Lash Girl m’a invité à participer à une collaboration avec d’autres bloggeuses. On devait créer un look d’un personage de Disney de notre choix. Quelle bonne idée! Je vais être honnête, j’ai bien souffert. Ça m’a pris du temps pour choisir le personage et voir comment récréer le look.

Finalement j’ai choisi Mulan!!

I loove Mulan especially her determination and perseverance!
In this look, I wanted to focus mostly on the beautiful lip color she is wearing!

J’adore Mulan surtout sa détermination et sa persévérance. Je voulais me concentrer sur la couleur de ses lèvres.

Here's what I used:
Voilà ce que j’ai utilisé:

Face:
Concealer: Bobbi Brown stick foundation "Walnut"

Eyes:
Brows: MAC "Stud"
All over eyeshadow: Urban Decay "Buck"
Lid: Bobbi Brown "Penny"

Eyeliner: Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner "Black Ink"
Mascara: Maybelline Falsies "Very Black"

Cheeks:
Nars "Laguna" Bronzer
MAC "Warm Blend" MSF

Lips:
NARS "Jungle Red" lipliner
Bobbi Brown "Sunset Beach" lipgloss

Please check out the following looks as well :)

N’oubliez pas de regarder les looks créés par les autres bloggeuses :)

Aladdin- 21st Century Jasmine
Tron Legacy- Gem, My Way
Pirates of the Caribbean- Pirates of the Caribbean Inspired Eyes
Aladdin- Modern Day Princess Jasmine
Toy Story- There’s a New Sherrif in Town
Beauty and the Beast- Belle’s Timeless Beauty Makeup Tutorial
Beauty and the Beast- Tale as old as Time Tutorial
Mulan- How to Look Like Mulan
The Little Mermaid- An Ariel Inspired Tutorial: From Head to Tail
Nemo, Chihiro and more

Penny for your thoughts 2

2011-06-16T16:16:00.002-04:00

One of my goals for 2011 was to do something completely out of my comfort zone.
I signed up for a garden plot and here is my first gardening vlog.

gardening vlog 1 from Amina S on Vimeo.

Une de mes résolutions cette année était de faire une activité qui me projette en dehors de ma petite zone de comfort. J’ai choisi le jardinage. Ci-joint une petite vidéo qui narre mon progrès.

Jardinage from Amina S on Vimeo.

FOTD- Aissa Maiga

2011-06-04T01:35:00.007-04:00

One of my favorite actresses is the French-Senegalese actress Aissa Maiga.I enjoy watching her movies and the versatility of the roles she interprets. I also love her makeup looks and her personal style. I wanted to recreate one of her makeup looks for fun.

Une de mes actrices préférées est l’actrice française d’origine sénégalaise Aïssa Maiga. J’aime beaucoup ses films et la panoplie de rôles qu’elle interprète. J’adore aussi son style vestimentaire et ses looks de maquillage. Je voulais récréer un de ses looks ici.

Here's what I used:
Voilà ce que j’ai utilisé:

Face:
Foundation: Stila Perfect and Correct Foundation (deep)
Concealer: MAC Pro longwear concealer in NW 50

Eyes:
Brows: MAC Stud
Brow highlighter: Stila Go Lightly

All over eyeshadow: Bobbi Brown Nugget
Lid: Bobbi Brown Velvet Plum
Crease: Urban Decay Buck

Eyeliner: MUFE Aqua liner #15
Mascara: Benefit Bad Gal

Cheeks:
MUFE HD Blushes in #11 and #12

Lips:
Smashbox Lipstains "Sangria" and "Nude"
Oyin honeystick

Penny for your thoughts 1

2011-06-01T14:18:00.005-04:00

This new series is inspired by “Ask me Anything Formspring”. I just want to share random facts about myself once in a while to make this blog more intimate.

I love flowers!

When I wake up in the morning and I see flowers blooming, it makes me happy. I buy myself a bouquet each month and Asian lilies are my favorites!!

Cette nouvelle série est inspirée du site Formspring “Posez-moi n’importe quelle question”. J’aimerai partager quelques faits sur ma personne de temps en temps afin que ce blog soit un peu plus intime.

J’adore les fleurs!!

Si je vous dis: “Mignonne allons voir si la rose qui ce matin avait déclose sa robe de pourpre….”

Que me répondriez-vous?

Quand je me réveille le matin et je vois des fleurs s’éclore, ce geste de la nature si anodin me rend heureuse. Chaque mois, je m’offre un bouquet de fleurs et la fleur de lys est ma préférée.

I also love going to the garden center and seeing all the flowers in display.It is truly a piece of heaven :)

J’adore aussi aller au centre de jardinage et voir les fleurs qu’ils ont. On se croirait au paradis!

A piece of heaven from Amina S on Vimeo.