The Best Reads for free

Hi and welcome,

Here are some links and info on some really good ebooks I've read, all are very reasonably priced, and all of them can be read on kindle, pc, or mobile (cell) phone.  Actually i'm surprised by the fact that so many people are still saying to me that they can't read ebooks due to the fact that they don't have a kindle device. So for all of you that still believe that - here is the link to download a kindle app on your pc, tablet, laptop, or mobile.

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html?docId=1000425503

US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000493771

So let's get reading.......

If you love romance and mystery...

http://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Eight-Half-Wishes-Gardner-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0058UXHHK/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1398801005&sr=1-3&keywords=twenty+nine+and+a+half+reasons

Twenty - Eight and a Half Reasons - by Denise Grover Swank 4*

This is the first book in the Rose Gardner Mystery Series, and is available free on kindle, the following books in the series are paid for, but work out at about £2.00 or $3.50 which is not a lot of money, and well worth it.  This series is great if you like romance with a little mystery, and I personally enjoyed these stories.  If you check out Denise Grover Swank's author page she does offer several other books for free.

http://www.amazon.com/Casanova-Killer-SSCD-Crime-Thriller-ebook/dp/B008R2O1FI/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1398801810&sr=1-3&keywords=tallulah

Casanova Killer - By Tullulah Grace 4*

This book is once again offered free, and is the first in a series.  It's a great read that makes you want to keep turning the pages.  The following books in the series are priced at approx £3.50 or $5.00 which is okayish, but then again the stories are very good.  Tullulah Grace also offers other free stories on her author page, so it cost's you nothing to check it out.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-Whispers-Howard-Supernatural-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00JLTKFK6/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1398802392&sr=1-4&keywords=Death+whispers

Death Whispers - By Charmain Marie Mitchell

Well you guessed it, here it is - my latest book - I couldn't leave it out, could I?  Anyway if you do decide to give it a go, drop me a line and tell me what you think. :-)  I also offer book one in my Vampire series for free if you would like to check it out on my author page.

So I guess thats me done for today - happy reading...

Ta ra for now,

Charmain x

Chocolate forever - Bath bonbon's

Hi and welcome,

Well as promised I have the recipe for some lovely bath bonbon's.   Although they sound like some sort of exotic cosmetic for the bath, they are in fact homemade chocolate truffles, easy to make, and great to eat whilst taking a long soak.  This is a great recipe which can be adapted to use for other deserts, and the best bit is, is they are so simple to make.

Bath Bonbon's

                                                       

Chocolate sauce  

200 grams of either dark or milk chocolate (good quality)
50 grams of butter
50 - 100 ml of single cream
2 tablespoons of cocoa powder




This recipe is so simple, first of all you break up your chocolate into chunks and place in a microwave proof bowl, add the butter and 50 ml (you may need a dash more) of the cream and place in the microwave on full power for 30 seconds.  After 30 seconds if the cream looks hot, and the butter and chocolate are starting to melt, take out and stir until everything is blended, if it isn't melted, simply put back in for another 30 seconds.  You can add flavourings at this point (peppermint essence, orange, or vanilla), let the mixture cool a little and then place in the fridge for about 2 hours.  If you prefer you can melt the chocolate over a bowl of simmering water, but I find the results are the same if you use the microwave (but only for 30 seconds at a time).

When the mixture is cold take out of the fridge, and using a teaspoon (warmed in a bowl of warm water) take a spoonful, quickly roll into a small ball and place on a baking tray, continue until you use the whole mixture, place the chocolates in the fridge for at least an hour.  You should get about 30 chocolates.

You can now decorate them by simply sprinkling with cocoa powder (right).  Or if you're feeling adventurous you can melt some contrasting chocolate (if you used milk chocolate for truffle, melt dark or white chocolate and visa versa) and smother the chocolates.  Just remember to keep them on the baking tray, and to re-chill them in between each layer.

Here are a few idea's....

Chocolate and strawberry sundae

Chocolate sauce (as above, up until point when you put in fridge).
Fresh strawberries
Vanilla ice cream




I know this sounds really simple, and it is, but the warm chocolate sauce dripping over the cold ice cream and strawberries is just luscious, and it's so easy.  A dollop of ice cream, a few strawberries, and the warm sauce, and your done, and I promise everyone will love it.

Simple chocolate mousse

Chocolate sauce (but made with dark chocolate)
100 ml lightly whipped double cream
Icing sugar to sweeten (to taste)

Let the chocolate sauce cool so that it's still liquid but not firm, add the sauce to the double cream and about 2 tsp of icing sugar then mix with a hand whisk until firm (try not to over whisk).  Divide mixture between 4 large or 6 small wine glasses and place in the fridge for at least an hour.  When you're ready to serve decorate with chocolate shavings of choice (white, milk, or dark chocolate).

Chocolate and vanilla cheesecake

Chocolate sauce (dark or milk)
Small packet of digestive biscuits
One tub of cream cheese (mascarpone)
50 gram of butter
200 ml double cream
Icing sugar to taste
Couple of drops of vanilla essence

Base

Crush the biscuits (place in a plastic bag and wack with a rolling pin) and mix with melted butter (microwave about 20 seconds).  Press down into a shallow cake tin and place in fridge until firm.

Cheesecake filling (start an hour after making base)

 Place the cream cheese, double cream, vanilla essence, and about 2tbs of icing sugar in a bowl and mix with a whisk by hand until firm.  Once firm taste and add more sugar and vanilla as required.  Spread the filling on the chilled biscuit base and return to the fridge for an hour.

Chocolate sauce and decoration (start just after making filling)

Make chocolate sauce just after making the cheesecake filling and place in fridge to cool.  Once the sauce is cool, but still liquid, pour over the filling layer and return to the fridge for an hour.  Decorate with chocolate shavings, piped whipped cream, nuts, or fruit, the choice is yours.

This cheesecake may take a couple of hours to make, but each process is so simple and is really just a little mixing and then popping back into the fridge until the next stage.  One thing is for sure - you're family will love it.

Well I guess that's me done.

Ta ra,

Charmain x

Go Ahead and Pamper Yourself

Hi and welcome to the first edition of Lipstick Magazine.

I have decided that instead of only posting on Wednesday's that I will be posting a different article everyday, and today - it's all about you.

Charmain x

Go Ahead and Pamper Yourself :-)

So you feel like you want to be pampered, but you don't have the money.  Well here are some great idea's to help make you feel special without breaking the bank (promise).

Imagine this:

A fragrant steaming bath, scented candles flickering, a selection of luxury chocolates, and a great facial treatment.  Sound good?  Well it can cost next to nothing - and here's how....

First of all you need the time to pamper yourself, so make sure you get the kids into bed early, even if you feel exhausted - make time for you. Then you need to run a hot bath and add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil.  My preference is jasmine, but there are so many to choose from and the choice is yours.

You can buy essential oils really cheaply from online stores such as Ebay, and considering that you only use a couple of drops, one small bottle will last for a very long time.  The cost for each bath is likely to be no more than a few pennies.  Although, if too much fragrance is added to the bath it can be an irritant, so the best way to add it is to sprinkle a couple of drops into your palm and then swish your hand through the water.

So, you've got the fragrant steaming bath,
now it's time for the candles.  Scented candles can cost an absolute fortune, but if you're not fussy, and you simply want a nice smell and a little candlelight - then, look no further than your local pound store.  They normally stock a host of different candles with different fragrances, and some of them are quite nice.  I would just have a sniff to make sure you like the smell, but as a rule you can't really go wrong with vanilla, lavender, or citrus scents.

The next thing on the list is of course
the chocolates.  Well you can, once again, visit the pound store, they do normally stock sample type boxes of luxury chocolates.  Of course, you only get a few chocolates (maybe 6 or 8 per box), but it's the fact that you've purchased them simply for you to enjoy that makes them extra special.  Supermarkets generally have a variety of different types of chocolates on offer, and you can of course make your own (recipe to follow tomorrow

Last but not least we come to our treatment, and I promise that this really works and will make your skin feel tighter and look younger.

You will need:

2 cups of everyday porridge oats.
1/4 cup of cooking oil
2 slices of cucumber

 Instructions:

Tip about half of the oil into the oats and mix until a very thick paste, add more oil if needed, but try not to make the mixture to sloppy.  Leave the mixture for a couple of minutes, it should look similar to the picture below.

 Now it's time for the fun bit, well actually feels horrid, but it does work.  Smear the mixture over your face (avoiding your eyes).  Leave for at least 5 minutes (you will feel the mask tightening).  You can get in the bath at this stage, pop your cucumber slices over your eye's and leave the mask on for as long as you want to wallow.  However, I'd suggest washing the mask off before you get in, and simply lying in the bath with the cucumber slices covering your eyes.  When you do wash the mask off, it's vital that you flick a little cold water on to your face and then massage the mask in.  Finally rinse off with lots of cold water, and when you've finished, I promise, you'll be amazed.


Now, all you need to do is lay back, relax, and plan how you're going to spend the money you've saved.

Pamper night cost - between 3.00 - 5.00

I'll be back tomorrow with a couple of great recipes for you, including your very own bath bon bon's.

What Women Want!

Hi and welcome,

My  name is Charmain, and I'd like to introduce to you to, Lipstick Magazine - What Women Want.  Lipstick (for short) is a new online (blog) magazine, offering you advice on all manner of different subjects from fashion to what to cook for dinner.  We'll be scouting out great deals, books, home ideas, and anything that we think you might just love.

Post's will be added every Wednesday, and if you have a great product, idea, recipe, or maybe just some obscure interest that you would like me to feature, just drop me a line and I'll see what I can do.

If you want to know a little bit more about me you can check out my Amazon author page http://www.amazon.com/Charmain-Marie-Mitchell/e/B00BD6ZLRM/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 

So I guess that is about it for now other than to say "Hope to see you Wednesday."   

Ta Ra for now.

Charmain x