POP of Color

I actually did not plan this post but while at Blog Conference (yeah you read that right, don’t judge!) last weekend with my friend Amy, I had on this casual comfy outfit that was so inexpensive and received tons of compliments. I’ve been in such a black rut lately that this pink skirt had to go home with me when I saw it!! Its so fun, and really comfy. The scarf is a light color blocked piece that I got randomly because I loved the color combo. And the top is my absolute favorite tank ever! I literally have one in every color! So I figured, I would share this in case you may want to replicate or do something similar.  I wore with gold sandals and a cuff.

                       

Tank. Mossimo, Target $9
Scarf. Xhilaration, Target $15
Skirt. Old Navy $23

                       

This pic feels SO CHEESY, but I wanted you to see how it looks on and I refuse to prance around in outfits and pretend like I’m not having my picture taken.

P.S. check out Retail Me Not for coupon codes

If you get it and love it, let me know!


I'm linking this up to WIWW (What I Wore Wednesday) at The Pleated Poppy check it out.

DIY Braided Headband

So it was only a few short weeks after I had Jhett that I became a crafting fiend! I don’t know if this happens to everyone, but it’s intense. Crafting is like nesting’s evil twin! Picture it, the baby is sleeping and you are cracked out getting glue gun burns as you try to create some homemade masterpiece out of who knows what! And I’m pretty sure having a girl will only intensify this “sickness”…hello hair bows! Well that, and a little thing called Pinterest, maybe you’ve heard of it?!!

And let me just say, I am not a true crafter or DIY chick. I’m really quite flakey. More of a wanna-be. I have lots of random materials around the house from miscellaneous projects I may or may not have finished,  most likely because I got distracted my something shiny!

This led to a very strict no crafting policy! It was overkill. Random crystals, beads ribbon, paper and bottles of glue. I had to stop myself. And other than gluing a few toothpicks on some cupcake toppers for my BF’s husband’s surprise party, I had stuck to it. No homemade cards. No holiday wreaths. Not even a Valentine’s Day tablescape in sight. Trust me this was tough.

But then I found this website, P.S. I Made This, and instantly I knew I had just fallen off the wagon! (I’ve never been one for willpower). This is crack for people like me. DIY with a highly fashionable purpose, this could be dangerous.

There were lots of projects to choose from, I had a hard time trying to decide which one to try first. But narrowed it down. I really need my roots done. So…braided headband it is!

THE INSPIRATION (from P.S. I Made This)

                        

                    

Of course I was fresh out of the Mercedes-Benz leather that P.S. used, so I had to hit Joann’s Fabrics. Not to worry I found some camel colored “pleather” just as good right? I used four types of trimmings: two gold metallic woven ones, a cream braided rope and my ‘pleatha! Ta Da!

THE END RESULT

            

            

What do you think?

If you try this at home, send me pics. I’d love to see.

Apple Jigglers

Some of you are thinking, “Isn’t that a jello shot I did in college?” Sorry. Not that kind of recipe. Although maybe it could be…?

This is a great addition to finger foods for little ones. Ok, big kids will like it too. I remember when Jhett was little and I was trying to get her to learn to feed herself. I thought, how many more puffs and yogurt melts can I feed this child. I hated giving her stuff from a box so I found this healthy recipe that is easy to eat for babies with just a few teeth. It may take some practice because they are a little slippery, but hey, that’s half the fun.



Apple Jigglers

1/8-1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce. (I used homemade because its so so easy to do)
2 cups apple juice. (I used organic with no added sugar)
3 small packages unflavored gelatin

In a small bowl, mix cinnamon into applesauce and set aside. Pour 1 cup cold apple juice in 8x8 pan and sprinkle gelatin on top. Bring remaining cup of apple juice to a boil. Stir boiling juice into the gelatin and cold apple juice. Stir in applesauce. Refrigerate for 1/2 hour and then stir to keep applesauce evenly distributed. If you omit this step the applesauce settles to the bottom, but it still tastes great! Refrigerate for an additional 2 1/2 hours or until firm. Cut into squares with a knife, or use cookie cutters to cut into shapes, and serve. How easy is that?!

I used mini cookie cutters to make Jhett’s. She loved stacking and arranging them on her plate. Cute!

What’s a BB?

If I was a beauty product what would I be? 5 years ago I probably would’ve said MAC Vanilla eye shadow. 10 years ago I probably would’ve said Glitter Eyeliner (don’t ask!) But today, I would want to be a BB, a beauty balm, or as some refer to it, Blemish Balm.
Now I’d like to think I’m pretty up to date with all the latest lotions and potions, but apparently this little guy slipped right by me! Once I realized I had missed it, I immediately, HAD. TO. HAVE. IT!
So what exactly is a beauty balm? Well for all you multi-tasking mamas, get ready. This one product does it all, just like YOU! Beauty Balms, or BB’s as everyone calls them do a little bit of everything. The most popular ones prime, moisturize, correct, conceal and protect. Got that?

These balms have been around for a while in Asia, and have recently become all the rage in the US. So many to choose from. Which one is for you?
                      
I recently tried a few, and this is what I found.
Estee Lauder BB. This is one of my favorites. Good coverage, nice light scent, similar to their DayWear moisturizer. Skin feels smooth and pores looked smaller. 
Clinique BB. Also a nice product. Feels thick, but in a good way. No scent, skin felt smooth, I liked the coverage.
Smashbox BB. This felt more like a primer to me. I read on their website not to layer, meaning to add more product, so I didn’t get the complete coverage I wanted. I regularly use their Photo Finish primer, and don’t think I like this enough to switch.
Boscia BB. My least favorite, because it didn’t feel smooth going on. Also, it has small “sparkles” in it, which I noticed on my hands but not on my face, so I think it’s intended to give you a luminous look. I prefer a slightly more matte face so this product wouldn’t be good for me.
So…after trying a bunch of different ones, am I sold? Yes! I have been looking for something light enough to give the No Makeup-Makeup look, that I could wear to the gym or grocery store without scaring people.  My recommendation is to try a few (all the counters gave me samples) and see what you like. For me the perfect day makeup combo was: BB, a little concealer, and a little blush.
If you give it a try, let me know what you think, and which one is your favorite.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Whether it’s your sweetie, your baby, your doggie, your DVR…be with the one you love!
Hope everyone has a great day!

So Long Elmo!

Sure the little guy is cute and all, but I’m kinda done with him!…On diapers I mean.
Yes the cute laughing fuzzy friend is a staple on all of Jhett’s little diapers, but not anymore! That little red guy can laugh and sing and dance all he wants but my little sweetie is not wearing him anymore! Not since she started getting these horrible rashes. I could not get her changed fast enough, but something was irritating her skin. So of course as a mom, I’m feeling guilty and confused that my little girl is so irritated. I tried everything, new wipes, creams etc.
But I found something pretty amazing. The Honest Company.
It was co-founded by Jessica Alba, and strives to provide safe products for you and your family. I first found them thru Zulily. And if you don’t know what Zulily is, you have to join. Think daily Baby Sample Sale! It’s worth it, trust me. They sold Uppa Baby’s for like half off (I was not happy to see this a year after I bought mine, but still, awesome sales) I was intrigued, so I went to their website to learn more. I was amazed when I learned all the nasty things that are put in our children’s everyday products.
This stemmed a major panic in my house. What else was I using on Jhett that was potentially harmful? Recently Johnson & Johnson recalled baby shampoo for having formaldehyde releasing preservatives in it. These chemicals were thought to have trace amounts of cancer causing toxins in them. What?? We use this stuff on newborn babies! This is scary stuff.
Now seriously, I’m not saying that any of these companies are bad or that using them makes any of us bad moms. All I’m saying is it gave me personally a huge wake up call to take a closer look.
Fast Forward a month later, I barely want to put clothes on my baby girl because these diapers are so stinkin cute!!! A natural safe product that isn’t “brown”? This may be love.

So how do they hold up? Pretty good! No complaints so far. They don’t leak and last through the night! I’ve also tried their wipes, and am not totally sold. So I wouldn’t suggest buying them. They are on the thin side and don’t pop up in a wipe warmer, which to me is super annoying. I like 7th Generation ones instead.
More good news! These diapers are done on a delivery system. So you get them every month sent to your house. Done and Done! They offer free trials on their products thru their website too. I’m going to try some of their home cleaning products next. Let’s just say the Honest Company has made me one happy mama, sorry Elmo!

Obsessed

I recently found The Beauty Department and it was love at first click! I’m a huge beauty junkie so this site has quickly become my current addiction. I especially love finding cute ways to do my hair so it looks styled but effortless when I’m running around being a mama.
This is my new fav

And it’s so simple! Its basically a braid within a braid.
Section hair into 3 pieces to braid. Take one of those sections and braid it. Then braid the whole thing. How easy! Keep it loose and pull slightly to get this look. You could definitely experiment by adding twists or a mini braid in the front like this picture.
Yep, I’m in love!