Coney Dog Cafe, 357 Lincoln Hwy, New Haven, IN 46774 - Review

This is a Mom and Pop shop that is similar to an experience that your parents or grandparents had back in the day when going to a diner, and I mean this in a good way.

The Coney Dog Cafe is a small cafe with an old-time bright red counter with a wood like counter top with modern black bar stools with retro memorabilia above the counter.  In front of the windows are also two bright red booths you can dine at and there is a hand-written menu of specials.

Although we had gone there several times over the years, I did not realize until the most recent visit that the cafe had a back dining area.  Off to the left is a long hallway with yellow on the top and brown on the bottom with restrooms on the left and when you reach the back area there are over half a dozen wood tables with upholstered chairs and a couple of bright yellow booths.

We dined in the back and took advantage of one of their specials, which was a dozen coney dogs and family sized fries for $20.  This is enough to easily feed a family of four.

The dogs and coney sauce are decent, but I wish they would steam their buns as it would take the dogs to the next level.  The fries have always been hot and crispy and not being too thick or thin. Service has always been friendly and attentive but I think the servers are dressed a little too casual with t-shirts and denim shorts.

View when entering front door

Booths by the front window with a hand-written specials board.

Hallway from back dining area to front of cafe

Picture taken from back of cafe looking toward kitchen and hallway to front

View back area looking to the East - office with hand painted 3 stooges on window.

12 Coney Dogs and A Family Sized Fries for $20

URBAN DECAY - 50% OFF SELECTED VICE LIPSTICKS***$8.50***TODAY ONLY***

As today is National Lipstick Day, for today only Urban Decay has 13 of their Lipsticks 50% off.

Although my lipstick purchases have started to overtake the right side of my bathroom drawer, I always figure there is room for one more or to carry in my purse of or to keep my desk at work.

If you want to have an idea of what the shade will look like on you, all you have to do is click on the  "Try This Shade On" after you have clicked on the picture of the lipstick and it will take you to another screen where you can upload your photo.

Here is a sample of Venom which is a bright plum cream lipstick.  Because you don't make any adjustments to the photo it doesn't give your lips a realistic look, it does give you a good idea how the shade will look on your skin tone, so still a very useful tool.

In trying on all of the sale lipsticks I found the shade below, Phone Call, which is a sheer bright pink that I normally would never have considered.

So if you have ever wanted to try out Urban Decay's Lipsticks now is the chance to do so for half price. Before purchasing, be sure that you join UD Junkies to get free shipping and earn points.

Kitchen Hacks Infograph by Kitchen Byte

Did you know there was a difference between what is considered a "Spoonful" in Australia, UK and USA?  I didn't until I read the infographic below.

The infographic by KitcheByte has a quick visual and information for recommended length of time to store foods in fridge/freezer, vegetable cooking times, meat cuts and measuring including the different "Spoonful" measurements for a quick reference.


This infographic brought to you by KitchenByte.com

Bob's Red Mill Vegetable Soup - Review with a Recipe

I purchased this at Big Lots recently for $4 for a bag.  I have since noticed that Meijer and other grocery stores after I had purchased and it and around $4.20 a bag.   I had purchased Bob's Mill's popcorns on Amazon.com in the past and been happy with that, so I would thought I would give this product a try.

This Bob's Red Mill's Vegi Soup contained unseasoned green split peas, yellow split peas, barley, lentils, and pasta.   After purchasing, I found on their website they have  $1 off any product, limit 2 per customer per month.

On the back of the bag are two recipes, with the basic one calling for 1 cup of the soup mix plus 4 cups a water; while that gives you a ratio of a place to start on making the soup, as it is not seasoned that sound like it would be one very bland soup.

I had to reach back into the depths of my memory to what my Mom put in her vegetable soup as a kid and came up with the recipe below.  My Mom would have also added an onion and a few celery stalks but as my family hates those in anything, I didn't include them.

This is what the mix looks like in the crockpot



2 cups Mix
4 cups Vegetable Broth
2 cups Water
2 tsp minced Garlic
1 15-16 oz can diced tomatoes 
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 tsp dried Thyme
1 tsp dried Dill 
1 tsp dried Basil
1/4 cup Barley (optional)
2 tsp Steak Sauce (A1 or generic)  (optional)

I let this simmer overnight on low 10-12 hours 

I added 1 can 15-16 oz corn after about 8 hours to add a bit of crunch.  

Overall it was a good soup and very filling, but didn't taste like just eating reconstituted vegetables, but would have been better if other fresh vegetables had been added. 

Although it is ok on its own, to take it to the next level I would suggest using this mix as a soup filler to your favorite soup or stew recipes and if using a lot more fresh vegetables, you may want to soak the veggies overnight so they will be cooked without overcooking the fresh veggies.

it is something I will purchase again and keep in  my pantry to add to soups and stews.

Picture of completed soup in crock pot.

Another recipe I found online using the mix is Coach Nicole's Cold Weather Vegi Stew looks like it would be a good soup during colder weather or for a heartier soup.

Here are more pictures of the product:

Side of bag with nutritional information 

Side of the bag with History of company:

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Super Simple Sheet Cake Decorating Ideas

I like this video by So Yummy Foods on Youtube because it does show how easy it by cutting a few simple shapes, adding frosting and decorations and a few simple techniques, like using a fork to texturize the frosting to look more like fur on the Bunny cake are to do to take a cake into something special that your family and friends will want to dig into.

Urban Decay Seismic Sheer Shimmer Lipstick - Review

Photo is unretouched and my face is pinkish as this was taken on a hot Summer day. 

I received a free sample of Seismic Sheer Shimmer Lipstick with a purchase of a product from Urban Decay on their website and decide to try it out.   On Urban Decay's website, a tube of lipstick is currently $17 and overall rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.  

Below are pictures of the lipstick from the site and the front and back of the blister pack sample I received.

I am sure putting it on with a lip brush is probably not exactly the same or a smooth as from as a tube of lipstick but it does give you a good idea of the color and feel.  

The color is a purplish red, sort of a "Rum Raisin" sort of color with a bit of shimmer.  It has no scent and glides on easily and moisturizes well.  It is sheer so it has a more natural look.  

It would be a good look with Fall outfits that have more purplish or brown colors.  

I did find that it the color to be similar to the $1 LA Colors Lipstick in Stay Put,  with the difference for the latter being matte, richer, heavier color, feeling a little heavier and not gliding on as easily, although Urban Decay is a higher end product; it depends on what you want and what your wallet can afford.

Pros:

• Sheer, more natural look
• Glides on easily
• No scent
• Color would be good for Fall
• Moisturizes lips well

Disadvantages:

• Not as highly pigmented as non-sheer colors
• Cost is higher than similar drug store products in similar shades

Photo:  Source

Front of sample

Bottom of sample on open side

Dollar Store Finds - Scarves - $1 each

I love scarves because not only can they change a look of an outfit and found the above two along with about a half dozen or so other styles for sale at Dollar Tree for $1 each.

Sinful Colors - Kandee Johnson for Sinful Colors in Mint Velvet Sugar - Review

This is another nail polish from the Kandee Johnson Retro Collection a

nd this is similar to Pink Velvet Sugar that I blogged about except this is in Mint Sugar.  It is a textured matte nail polish.  When I wore it I received several compliments about how Spring and Summery it looked.   If you prefer a glossy look, you can add a top coat.

Sadly, the collection has disappeared from Meijer but there are some colors still available at Big Lots and Walgreens for $1.99-$2.99.  I purchased the above for $1.99 at Big Lots.

The accent nail on my ring finger is the Kanfetti polish I blogged about here.   I really liked this collection and frustrated at the way beauty product companies put out a collection then pull it from the shelves a few month later to put out another version that is not quite the same and tout it as the latest and greatest. I would prefer they introduce a few new polishes each season to round out what they are already making and allow me to buy ones that I have come to love and give me a chance to check out their new ones.

L.A. Colors Matte Lipstick in Stay Put Plum - Review

I purchased this  L.A. Colors Matte Lipstick in Stay Put Plum for $1 on a whim when I was at Big Lots.  They only had a few shades and most were bolder and brighter, but as I didn't have anything like this, I thought I would give it a try.

The description on L.A. Colors website describes it as:

"Mad about matte color. Get the matte look in a non-drying formula enriched with Vitamin E & Aloe Vera. This flat finish lip color is on-trend and available with our contour tip for more precise application."

I was worried it would look too non-human and be relegated to just wearing around the house, special occasions or Halloween, but on your lips is a lighter shade of purple-tinged magenta and makes your lips stand out without looking gaudy.

The sharp angle cut on the lip helps you to outline the edges with the tip then glide on, although I think it would like higher-end if you use an actual lip pencil in a darker shade.

It doesn't glide on as easy as higher end lipsticks and has a heavier feel on the lips, but it does add a lot of moisture and is better than another drug store brands.  

I think this will be a great shade for Fall outfits that have more of the deep, rich colors or if you are Goth and as it has a vampy vibe.

This is a shade I will purchase again and may try out other shades as I am happy with the look of this one.

Pros:

• Color is lighter on your lips than it is in the case - more of a purplish magenta.
• Glides on as easy as most drugstore brands 
• Does keep your lips moisturized 
• Color does stand out without looking too gaudy
• Would go best with the richer tones of Fall and Winter clothing and makeup
• Would be great for a Goth look as it has a vampy vibe.

Cons: 

• Doesn't glide on as easy as higher end brands.
• Does have a heavier feel due to the infusion of Vitamin E and Aloe - might not be the best lipstick for Summer.
• Deep, rich color is more of a Fall or Winter shade and if you are fair skinned could overpower your face.

This is what the lipstick looked like when I put it on in my van using only the rear view mirror and with no liner.

I liked this product so much I left a similar review on their website along with the pics - if you find it for $1 somewhere, would recommend giving it a try:)