Good morning. I want to tell you about a state of the art hair dryer that uses light instead of heat to style your hair, which is less damaging. Also, I’m giving you my easy chewy cookie recipe that our family requests.
And there’s more as it’s Five Fave time with Annie and Cindy!
Super Easy Salted Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
This recipe was adapted from The Preppy Kitchen. I omit the salt in the batter but sprinkle a little flakey sea salt on top of the cookies just before baking.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temp.
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 tsp flakey sea salt
-
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda; set aside.
-
Combine the butter with both sugars; beat on medium speed until light and fluffy.
-
Reduce speed to low; add the salt, vanilla, and eggs. Beat until well mixed, about 1 minute.
-
Add flour mixture; mix until almost combined
-
Stir in the oats and chocolate chips. Chill dough for one hour
-
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
-
Use a small ice cream scooper (two tablespoons) to drop heaping tablespoon-size balls of dough about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
-
Add a couple of chocolate chips on top (to look pretty) of each cookie and a light sprinkle of sea salt.
-
Bake until cookies are golden around the edges, but still soft in the center, 8 to 10 minutes
-
Remove from oven, and let cool on baking sheet 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool
Bath Robes On Clearance And For A Splurge
These Pottery Barn bath robes are on clearance from $99 down to $29. They would be good in a guest room.
For a little more of a splurge, my friend just bought this 100% Turkish cotton Brooklinen robe for her husband’s birthday and he LOVES it! It’s $79 with 20% off right now.
What To Read: The Heaven And Earth Grocery Store By James McBride
I listened to the audio version using the free from the library Libby app. Such a great book!
“The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store is a novel by writer James McBride. It was released in 2023. The novel tells the story of Black and Jewish residents of the Chicken Hill neighborhood of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in the 1920s and ’30s.”
My Favorite: Zuvi Halo – Fresh & Clean Technology Limited
When Cindy H. reviewed the Zuvi Halo hair dryer, I remembered she really liked it. But I had gotten a costly Dyson (that I asked for for Christmas) and didn’t think I could justify a new hairdryer. But then Zuvi offered to send me one. And I’m so glad they did!
It’s expensive BUT in my opinion, the Zuvi Halo is better than my Dyson (and my Revlon). It’s new technology dries your hair with light and less heat (this will really come in handy when it’s so hot here in Florida in the summer).
Here’s how I styled my relatively thick, coarse hair with it :
- I combed my hair out.
- then I bent over and briefly blew my hair at the nape of my neck (on the fast mode), followed by putting the top half of hair up in a clip
- next, on the style mode, I used a large round brush to curl the bottom half under, took the clip out and did my bangs and then the top half.
What was surprising was how fast it was, cooler and my hair was softer. This post is sponsored but this is my honest opinion and experience.
If you could use a really good hair dryer, there is a 20% off sale right now and use this Exclusive Discount Code: MaryAnn for an extra 5% off!
If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Laura says
Hi Mary Ann,
I made these cookies for the office today and my co-workers are RAVING! Ann says it’s “the best cookie I’ve ever had in my life”, and one of our partners just called me to tell me he broke his Good Friday fast to have one and it was “SO WORTH it”. These are most definitely a keeper. Made them this morning, followed your instrux to the T and they turned out perfect.
Mary Ann Pickett says
I am so happy to hear that, Laura!
Tamara Kennedy says
Hi Mary Ann,
Thank you so much for your blog! I really enjoy the mix of great recipes, fun fashion (especially for a fellow shortie) and classic home decorating ideas. I, too, live in NE Florida. After reading about the Zuvi hair dryer from so many of my favorite bloggers, your post prompted me to make the purchase. I think it was the heat explanation and our shared geography that sealed the deal. I recently purchased the Dyson and haven’t been happy with my hair. I have a shoulder length bob and get lowlights and highlights regularly every six weeks. I use Origen hair products but lately my hair feels dry. I’m hoping this Zuvi will make a difference. Thank you so much for your informative blog. I sure do enjoy reading it!
Mary Ann Pickett says
My hair was feeling damaged. Good luck, Tamara!
Joan says
Your hair looks fantastic with the turned ends framing your face. This dryer seems new / innovative! That you are less hot drying your hair in summer is a big plus.
I am curious about your Olaplex styling cream — can you please comment on that?
Mary Ann Pickett says
I like it…you just use a very little or it can get too heavy.
Sharon says
I am the only one who has the nerve to say, almost $300 dollars for a hair dryer, YIKES!!
Mary Ann Pickett says
HAAH…I thought the sam thing Sharon. But I kept borrowing my sister’s $500 Dyson whenever I was at her house. Then I asked for one for Christmas. So the Zuvi sticker shock was less painful.
Elizabeth@pineconesandacorns says
Mary Ann, these cookies look scrumptious. I cannot wait to make them.
This hair dryer sounds great. I will have to look into it.
Have a great time in Charleston! Enjoy your time with Cindy.
Heidi says
Hi Mary Ann,
I’m going to bake me some of those cookies, only Gluten Free. They look like just what I need right now!
I tried that hairdryer but returned it. I think my hair is too fine and I couldn’t get the volume I like, but I’m glad it works for you. Seems like a much less damaging way to dry hair, I wish I had loved it!
Enjoy your Sunday,
Xo Heidi
Mary Ann Pickett says
I like that they have a good return policy but it’s still the best hair dryer that I have used. Cindy thinks so too.
Katherine says
Hi Mary Ann,
How beautiful your hair turned perfectly, wow.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thank you!!!
cindy says
Hi Mary Ann
I am so glad you like the Zuvi hairdryer. It is definitely easier on the hair! What a deal on those bathrobes! I need to order two for our guest bedroom! I loved the Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. I selected it for our book club a couple months ago. Steve liked it too!
Annie Diamond says
Mary Ann! I want one of those cookies with my coffee right now!! They look and sound so good!
I have not heard of that hair dryer but I am intrigued. Shinier, smoother…. Thats what I want! The no heat especially in the summer will be nice!
Xo
Annie
Mary Ann Pickett says
I know…I should have brought the hair dryer to Charleston with me…just washed my hair. Your hair is already so shiny and smooth!