Coconut Oil Benefits

Coconut oil has been all the rave for the awhile now. I have personally have jump on the band wagon on this product myself. Besides this being great for thyroid stimulating, lowers cholesterol, reduces heart disease and great for skin as well. Since I am all about how I can use it for beauty purposes down below I will tell you how this natural oil can be incorporated into your beauty routine.

♥ Makeup remover: Coconut oil will gently remove your makeup – just make sure to rinse it off after! I noticed it leaves an oily residue so a toner is definitely suggested. 
♥ Hair softener: Use coconut oil as a DIY hair mask to soften your hair and add moisture.  I avoid my roots because I have an oily scalp. Leave it for about 30 minutes and rinse out. 

♥ Cellulite: Massage the entire body with an exfoliating glove or brush and then lather yourself with coconut oil afterwards. 
♥ Shaving cream: Give yourself a smooth shave by using coconut oil in place of your normal shaving cream.  This is a great idea for those of you who have sensitive skin and may be sensitive to all the chemicals in normal shaving creams.
♥ Moisturizer: The fatty acids in coconut oil helps lock moisture into the skin, so smooth some over your elbows and other rough spots after the shower.  
♥ Cuticle oil: If your nail beds have been looking a bit dry dab some coconut oil on them.  It beats getting one of those fancy cuticle oils. 
♥ Body scrub: Make your own body scrub by combining coconut oil with brown sugar.

BluApple Review

I just began juicing as well as just eating more clean, and even though it is hard to get my stomach to adjust I also did not realize how hard it would be to keep all my fruits and vegetables fresh. Now with juicing and eating clean has taken a toll on my wallet. Frequent trips to the grocery store has become extremely expensive. 

With all that being said I reached out to a company to review their product, The BluApple, a product created to prolong the freshness of all your produce. The BluApple is created to provide effective ethylene gas absorption for up to three months. You might be asking yourself how this works right. "Ethylene gas is given off naturally by all living plants, especially by fruits, vegetables and flowers, and acts as a chemical signal to speed up up the ripening process. The release of this gas is thought to be a mechanism by which plants promote uniform ripening or spoiling. At home, however, when you store your fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, ethylene gas builds up. As a result the ripening process is accelerated too quickly. This is a major reason we all throw out so much spoiled produce!" 

Things to Keep in Mind

♥ Temperature- keep produce cold
♥ Humidity- use vented plastic bags to keep moist, but not wet environment
♥ Ethylene Gas Management- using BluApple

If you love fresh fruit, and vegetables, the you will absolutely love BluApple. Check out their official website HERE.

Thrifter Shopper

What to do on a lazy Sunday? I go shopping but I am also aware that I cannot break my wallet. So I headed to my local thrift store to pick a few things and came out with a total of ten pieces, YES TEN! Some might need some altering, but they are all in great conditions and can probably outlast Forever 21's clothing as well as prices.

Here are some tips to have a great thrift store shopping experience...

♥ Be prepared because thrift stores are not a glamorous department stores. They smell like dust and like your grandma's closet. If you're a germaphobe take your hand sanitizer.

♥ Be patient because these stores are HUGE and they sell everything- from old furniture, bags, toys and etc. So take your time, go to the section you want and try to look at each piece individually- you'll find hidden gems!

♥ Dress comfy, I would recommend a dress- that way you can try stuff over and under it. Not many thrift stores have dressing rooms.

♥ Be open-minded try stuff you will not normally wear, even larger sizes. I love the oversize look. Usually, the dresses and skirts are LONG- you can always get them tailored or you can have a DIY moment by altering it yourself.

♥ Triple check the clothing by looking for stains, holes, missing buttons, etc. I mean, I would still buy the clothing item if I love it. A missing button can easily be replaced.

♥ Stay away from personal items can you believe that they sell lingerie and swimsuits!

♥ Go with cash I have been to a few thrift stores that do accept debit cards or credit cards but some thrift stores do not.

Sprinkles Ice Cream

I recently posted the exciting news about the new Sprinkles ATM located in Dallas, but now after being the third location with a cupcake ATM we are even more ecstatic to be the third to also have Sprinkles Ice Cream. It's grand opening opened at noon today. 

The long line was well worth waiting for the sweetness of Sprinkles Ice Cream. They have many options of flavored ice cream, as well as different options. You can either get your typical cup with various toppings, from crumbled cupcakes, salted butterscotch sauce or chocolate shells. They also have waffle cones ice cream, but this is not your typical waffle cone. They fresh-bake these bright red velvet waffle cones. The sweetness delight is not over yet though. They also have the option of a cookie ice cream sandwich, of course your choice any cookie flavor of your choice, and the final one has to be a shake or malt option where you can have a cupcake blended into it.

I was happy to see Candace Nelson be at the location to scoop ice cream for all the fans there. 

Kidd's Kids Concert

Kidd Kraddick (David Peter Cradick) passed away on July, 27, 2013. It was an unexpected passing and many fans were sad to hear the occurrence, but I can only imagine how his family must of felt when they received the news. Kidd always seemed to be in good spirits and in honor of his passing a scheduled tribute in his honor.

We have been so used to listening to Kidd on our morning commute, but even if many did not care for his ranting, you can still help his charity by attending Kidd's Kids concert on August, 15, 2013.

I can honestly say that I was not planning on attending the concert, but one on my co-workers was able to not only just get tickets BUT VIP tickets which is even more tempting. As exhausted as I was that day I decided to attend anyways, and I am glad I did because I had lots of fun! Not only did I have fun but I got to meet two of my favorite ladies. Shannon Owens from Kidd Kraddick in the Morning and also one of my favorite fashion bloggers Courtney Kerr.

The concert was great but every time I looked up to the stage and saw Kidd's photos with the kids I could not stop thinking about the good cause behind it all.

Beauty Tip Tuesday

In beauty we all get excited to try new products and buy the latest makeup, but the truth is that you can save a bunch of money by using these tricks that have been around forever.

What are some of the easiest and most useful beauty tips out there? I compiled a list of ways to dry your nails fast! Because as a girl that loves to paint her nails every other day, it can get frustrating wait that follows a manicure.


♥ Use a couple of drops of this O.P.I Drip Dry Drops, these drops work because they contain solvents that evaporate fast, and as they evaporate they take the liquid from the polish with it.

♥ Another tips is to have a bowl filled with cold water and slowly dipping your hands in the bowl. The cold water will help set your manicure fast.

♥ One that is obvious is to use a fast drying top coat. My favorite is Out The Door Fast Drying Top Coat from Sally's.

♥ Using PAM believe it or not helps to dry your nails fast. I am not sure why but it works! That one essential cooking spray we depend on to make sure your omelet doesn't stick to the pan.

Vote For Anthony!

Hello guys,

I wanted to begin by apologizing for not blogging as often as I should. School has been crazy busy lately and believe it or not I have been struggling with Algebra big time. Anyways this post is to ask you all guys to help my son be in the running to win a free pumpkin/fall mini photo shoot! I wish I had more professional photos from him, but I don't. I will very appreciative if you took a second to just click the link and like his photo. Voting ends August 15, 2013! Thanks is advance guys :)

VOTE HERE! >>>>> http://on.fb.me/16CE3J6 (CLOSED)

Flour Power

Did you know that this amazing cupcake machine is only the third installed in the entire U.S., besides of course LA and Chicago? We should feel amazing right? Well, I went to experience my sweet fix, and I have to admit it was an awesome experience. The debit/credit card ONLY pink machine robotically grabs the box for just $4.

So, now when I have a sweet craving I know I can head to SPRINKLES 24/7!

 

Kat Von D Makeup Review

I went on a bit of a makeup spree just the other day looking for Kat Von D's Lock-It Tattoo concealer and stopped to try the foundation as well. I have heard many gurus rave about the concealer but while I was there the Sephora consultant had me try the foundation and I could not control myself. 

The first thing I want to say about both the foundation and concealer is that they are full coverage. If you do not like the feel of too much makeup then these products are not for you. The concealer covers imperfections very well and works well for highlighting. 

Lock-It Tattoo Concealer

CONS
♥ Feels a bit heavy underneath the eye area 
♥ Does not cover tattoos unless you put many layers making it look a bit unnatural

PROS
♥ Blends easily
♥ Long lasting

Lock-It Tattoo Foundation

This foundation claims to be heavy enough to cover tattoos, I expected it to be a thick, somewhat dry consistency. This makeup is definitely for girls that love a full on face of makeup for sure. I have noticed that it brings out your dry patches too if you have any. I love that it does not make me look oily throughout the day but does tend to look a bit cakey once your face oils appear. since I do suffer from oily skin all over.

CONS
♥ Cakey
♥ Not an everyday foundation

PROS
♥ Long wearing
♥ Matte finish
♥ Large shade range

Beauty Tip Tuesday

In beauty we all get excited to try new products and buy the latest makeup, but the truth is that you can save a bunch of money by using these tricks that have been around forever.

What are some of the easiest and most useful beauty tips out there? I compiled a list of some of the tips that you may not know about or have just clearly forgotten about.

♥ Believe it or not our skin craves different things depending on time of the year. So change up your beauty routine based on the seasons. In the winter, add more moisturizing creams and in the summer ensure you are using a lot of SPF.

♥ If you happen to run out of nail polish remover, you can remove it by applying a clear top to the nail and remove it with a cotton ball.

♥ Using a product with witch hazel or azulene helps prevent getting ingrown hairs. When you do get one adjust the hair with a pair of tweezers. Whatever you do, do not pluck it out because that will only make the ingrown hair regrow in the same direction.

♥ Shave your legs or underarms in the shower after standing in the hot water for a few minutes. This helps open up your hair follicles and will soften hairs so they are less coarse.

Tiki Luau Party

The bestie is finally turned 25! I cannot believe that we both have been getting old together as the years have gone by, and yes I know we're not grandma's yet but it sure feels like it sometimes. Now for the good stuff, she decided on having a Luau party with family and close friends. I could have not been happier when I saw all the cuteness in the room. When you see the photos below you will understand! From the cake to the appetizers and decor. We spent most of the afternoon at the pool cooling down since it was a hot afternoon. Special thanks to the host for throwing this awesome themed party AND most importantly Happy Birthday Dolores and many more to come!

Business Cards Inspiration

So I have finally decided to treat my blog as a business and I am ready to order business cards. I will post the latest trends and even post some samples to get your creative juices flowing. So let's get started…

WHAT TO PUT ON A BLOG BUSINESS CARD:

Before we get all fancy, let’s talk about why you need a business card, what you should put on it and where you can order from.

♥ Name
♥ Website URL
♥ E-mail
♥ Social Media

TRENDS IN BLOGGER BUSINESS CARDS:

Do I want to do a folded business card or a double-sided one, you might be wondering. Here are the latest trends.

QR CODE IDEAS:

You’ve read about QR codes everywhere. Now learn what they are, how you can create them and how to use them for your business cards. They can come in handy and make your business cards stand out.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MY BUSINESS CARD SO FAR?

I'M UNDECIDED ON THIS LOOK.

Beauty Tip Tuesday

In beauty we all get excited to try new products and buy the latest makeup, but the truth is that you can save a bunch of money by using these tricks that have been around forever.

What are some of the easiest and most useful beauty tips out there? I compiled a list of some of the tips that you may not know about or have just clearly forgotten about.

♥ Use hairspray and a spooly to set your brows, instead of going out and buying a special product to set them in place.

♥ DIY acne fighting spray. Buy an empty spray bottle in the travel section and fill it up with some bottled water and a bit of tea tree oil. It is good to refresh your face and even set your makeup while it fights acne.

♥ Many know that you have to replace your mascara every three months, but if you want it to last longer fill it up with a bit of eye contact solution to prevent from drying...Also a good tip is to opt out for a new tube and make sure to keep the tube tightly sealed.

♥ Use an oil-based makeup remover even if you have oily skin type. Using an oil-based product can actually improve your epidermis' condition, the reason is because over-cleaning stimulates the sebum glands, which causes skin to over-produce oil. Using oil-based products will have the opposite effect.

It's Time To Step Up To The Plate

There are many foods that increase your metabolism. When you eat these foods as part of a low fat diet and combine them with a regular exercise, they can help you achieve your weight goals. 

Aquaholic

Lemon is a natural energizer it hydrates and oxygenates the body so it feels revitalized and refreshed!

Gourmet Greens

When it comes to eating clean it can be very difficult to not get bored from the same everyday salad. I know that I can get stuck on what to put on my everyday salad. I thought rabbit food would not fill me up, but If the “rabbit”, is an animal who dominates lettuce and loves every second of it. 

Salads are not boring, you just have to find different ways to enjoy them. Make every meal a culinary delight, full of color, flavor, and texture…and YES, good for you too.  That’s an added bonus, so eat raw foods  that are delicious and good to eat. 

Fun Filled Fourth

I have to admit a small part of me was never excited about holidays, but ever since my son was born the mommy I was always suppose to be came out. I love doing crafts with him and doing cute stuff for every holiday that comes up. This year for Fourth of July I made sure I included him in everything I did this year. If you did not see the Stained Jello Stars check out my blog post on that.

My son is in daycare and since they were out for Fourth of July they asked me if he could wear his patriotic shirt on Wednesday. I thought it would be a great idea to make one plus it would make him happy to tell his classmates that he made it.

Now for lunch I thought really hard on what I could do to make it very Fourth of July. I made pizza grilled sandwiches and used my star cookie cutters. For our drinks I decided to make layered drinks, which by the way were very delicious. That afternoon my parents and I decided to eat outside again by just making hot dogs with more layered drinks and some deliciously fresh fruit. I cut all the watermelon in stars, added blueberries and cherries. Later that night we headed to see the fireworks in Flowermound. I know is not as fancy and awesome but many people know about it I'm assuming like Kaboom Town so I like that is not as crowded. I hope you all had a lovely Fourth of July with your family. Whether it was just relaxing at home, barbecuing or going to festivals.

Stained Jello Stars

If you must know I am a huge Pinterest addict. I always look forward to the holidays to see what I can do next. With Fourth of July being tomorrow I just had to make these pretty kid-pleaser sweets. It took lots of work and patience to make but the end result makes me smile. So if you have some hours and I mean hours to kill this might be a good time to make this recipe. They look and taste just like I hoped for. If you want to see the original recipe of where I got this idea check out Gimme Some Oven for the recipe.

Ingredients:

♥ 4 small (3 oz.) boxes of Jell-O or store brand "gelatin dessert" in different colors (I used two packages each of strawberry and blueberry)

♥ 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

♥ 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (such as Knox)

Method:

♥ Two boxes of each flavor (I used a double batch of raspberry, and a double batch using the two boxes of blueberry) according to package instructions in two 9x13-inch pans. I was on a time frame so I did the Speed-Method. After refrigerate until completely chilled.

♥ Remove the jello and use a knife to cut each batch into small squares. Carefully remove all squares from the pans, then mix and layer the blocks into a new 9x13-inch pan.

♥ In a separate bowl, sprinkle 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin into 1/2 cup cold water and let it sit for 3 minutes. After the gelatin blooms, add 1 1/2 cup boiling water and stir to dissolve. Stir in the can of condensed milk. Then refrigerate mixture for 20-30 minutes until cooled. Pour cooled milk mixture evenly over jello. Chill overnight.

♥ Now for the fun time, use cookie cutters to cut into fun shapes. In this case stars. Serve.