Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Summer Budget Finds {under $50}

Happy first day of summer!

This summer is going to be jam-packed with events and as exhausted we are going to be, I cannot wait to share some incredible memories with friends and family. So to start off my summer I’ve created a list of my summer budget finds under $50 because even as a fru-GAL (see what I did there haha) everyone need a fabulous wardrobe and beauty essesetials for summer fun!

Summer Accessories

Accessories are EVERYTHING for summer. It’s the perfect time to rock fun earrings, colorful big bags, fabulous sandals, and funky sungalsses.

Summer Closet Essentials

I think my summer motto will be “Yoga + Iced Coffee”, so of course a fun tee needed to be included on my list! And I’m loving the deep plunge white swimsuit…can we say HOT?!? I’m super easy for summer as shorts aren’t my thing, so my go-to look is a t-shirt and yoga pants or long flowy dresses.

Summer Makeup Favorites

My summer skincare routine is simple and I try to use the best products for makeup routine. If you have not heard of or used Tarte Cosmetics, they are absolutely amazing. I wear their BB Cream and Clay Finishing Powder every day and it’s the perfect amount of coverage but lightweight and keeps my skin healthy. Their bronzer and self-tanner are perfect to get a fabulous glow without the harmful efffects of the sun. Every product I’ve used from them has exceeded expectations, so I hope you give them a try!

Monday, May 22, 2017

Lucketts Spring Market Recap 2017

Happy Monday! This is my second year attending the Lucketts Spring Market and it provides such wonderful inspiration! If you haven’t experienced the market yet, the 3-day event hosts over 200 of the best “vintage hip” vendors featuring painted furniture, antiques, architectural salvage, vintage gems, hand painted signs, and handmade items. This year was the first year they held it outside of the actual store’s grounds so it was a different vibe then my first experience, but still amazing. It was a hot then rainy Friday afternoon, which made the crowds less than my previous attendance on a beautiful Saturday. The fairground vibe wasn’t as cramped but as provided a weave that you had to remember where certain vendors were which was my only downfall compared to the easily navigated aisles.

I’m a total vintage junky so all the old doors, windows, furniture, light fixtures were definitely the highlight for me. All the refinished furniture and painting demonstrations were inspiring, but also made me realize that you can make something on your own without the store prices if you’re willing to put in the hard work. The farmhouse vibe is TOTALLY in and people were absolutely following the Joanna Gaines movement. I mean for obvious reasons…her style is impeccable! Rose and Grace Market had some fabulous farmhouse items and the cutest shirts.

Plum Pretty Design and Decor had an amazing pop-up booth as well. I adore her logo and her Instagram page full of farmhouse loveliness.

I was amazed by the Miss Mustard Seed following as her barn booth was almost all sold by the first day of the market. Her items are fabulous and her perfectly staged booth was something out of a story book!! I also cannot wait to try some of her products.

Loved Carolina Chic Home Decor and Salvage as well! They had these HUGE amazing corbels.

Lucketts also featured beer and wine vendors, live music, food trucks, workshops, and a children’s section this year which was perfect for entertaining little Miss Hartley while mama shopped!

Until next year Lucketts! Thanks for all the wonderful creativeness and one-of-a-kind finds!

 

Monday, April 10, 2017

5 Ways to Create a Space for Living Well

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TeaProudly #CollectiveBias

I drink tea everyday! I love how easy it is to incorporate tea into your daily beauty, fitness, and nighttime rountine to fuel your body with good for you ingredients. Here is my daily tea rountine, along with how to create a space for yourself to support well-being.

My Daily Tea Routine:

Bigelow Benefits is a new line consisting of 6 herbal teas and 1 green tea that is designed to support everyday wellness that fuel your body with good for you ingredients. Bigelow Tea’s have been delighting tea lovers for over 70 years with inspired combinations of herbs and spice ingredients that are non-GMO, gluten-free, blended and produced in the USA that are so imaginative with exceptional flavorful, you’ll want to enjoy them all day. Bigelow believes their Benefits teas, as part of your everyday routine, can help you define the life you want to live and support clean eating and a healthy balanced lifestyle. It’s perfect for the everyday person who is looking to do little things to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle just like me!

How to Create a Space for Well Being:

My outdoor gazebo space has been transformed into a place for meditation and relaxation (aka my Zen Garden). I’ve used bright colors and surrounded myself with an fresh herbs, motivational yoga space, and an inspiration journal. This space is the perfect place to enjoy a cup of tea and “disconnect and reconnect with life”. Creating an individual space that you can indulge in a Benefits tea will help you carve a path in living well everyday!

#1 Creative Colors

I went opposite of what I am normally drawn to. I have a muted color pallette within my home, so having bright bold colors in my creative thinking space was a way to inspire me. Oh and these papasan chairs I found…most comfortable things EVER.

#2 Fresh Surroundings

Fill your space with flowers, plants, or herbs. Having bright beautiful flowers always makes you smile. And growing something yourself in a special space will make you feel motivated and ready to try new things.

#3 Inspirational Quotes or Journal

I feel in love with this “disconnect and reconnect with life” journal because it was exactly what I wanted my well-being space to be used for. I also love the sound of chimes, so including one in my space was part of my inspiration.

#4 Meditation/Yoga Area

Now that the weather is nice again, I can’t wait to take yoga practice back outside. I enjoy doing some “homework” when I can’t make it to the studio and sometimes it’s just nice to have 5 minutes of stretching and quite time after a long day. If you do not enjoy yoga, just set a goal to have at least 30 seconds of your own mind meditation a day within your space. You can work up to longer durations, but start giving your mind a break!

#5 Have a Meal or Drink Alone

This is your space. Enjoy a cup of tea, glass of wine, or breakfast ALL alone. Having these alone moments are so important in our hectic environment. Set out a commitment to take yourself on a date every once in awhile. I try to take myself out once per week and it is such a treat!

I hope you are inspired to create your own LIVE WELL space. What would you include in your space? Share some ideas in the comments to help encourage each other to LIVE WELL. I also hope you try this fabulous new line of support tea. I found my Bigelow Benefits tea at my local Safeway. It is sold at numberous distributers, so it should be easy to find and enjoy!

Thursday, March 23, 2017

5 Simple Tips for Hosting an Easter Egg Hunt

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SpringItOn #NestleKitchen #CollectiveBias

As a busy working mother, finding the time to embrace social events is hard when I consider my on-the-go lifestyle. I always have a to-do list playing over and over in my head that I just can never RELAX, let alone HOST an event. However, for 2017 I set the intention to enjoy the simple moments, and slow down once in a while to just hang out with family and friends. What’s better than finding time for fun, food-centered moments with our loved ones! Hosting a Simple Easter Egg Hunt using Nestlé products was the perfect way to embrace the fullness of the spring season and outdoor activities while making a party easy to do. Here are 5 Simple Tips for Hosting an Easter Egg Hunt at your house:

#1: Electronic Invite

Whichever method you choose, doing this not only saves you hours of invite design decision (why is decision making so hard!), but also paper waste. It is also a super convenient way to get RSVP notifications and a summary of responses that is easily accessible when you are on-the-go. When you are setting a time, think of a time that doesn’t require you to provide loads of food (lunch or dinner time), this will help in minimizing the workload for you. I choose 3-5pm because it’s the perfect in-between time that I don’t feel like people expect to load their plates, so you just need a few food options.

#2: Simple Menu

Letting someone else do the cooking is definitely the easiest way to go. No need to fuss in the kitchen! I used two fabulous Stouffer’s frozen party size entrees that I found at Walmart. First off, what kid doesn’t like Mac & Cheese? The Stouffer’s Mac & Cheese is made with ingredients just like the ones you use at home with freshly-made pasta in a 100% real cheddar cheese sauce. The Vegetable Lasagna is freshly made whole grain lasagna layered with a colorful medley of carrots, spinach, broccoli, and onions in a parmesan and romano cheese sauce. Both are perfect meatless options to serve your family and friends during the Lenten season. It is also super convenient if you dress-up  the tin baking pan with ribbon and at the end, just throw the entire disposable pan out. Less dishes are the best dishes! I also used an Asian salad mix with cooked shripm to create and easy salad.

I also made semi-homemade dessert. Using boxed brownies is the best thing ever…they just taste too delicious not to. The cupcakes I did boxed cake mix and icing, but dressed them up by making a strawberry jam and cream cheese frosting filling. I finished them off using the SweeTARTS Chicks, Ducks & Bunnies that are perfect for decorating and filling candy dishes! Made with no artificial flavors, SweeTARTS delivers the original flavor combination of delightfully sweet and delicately tart in the coolest springtime shapes. For more Nestlé inspiration and ways to use these cute treats as decoration on cakes, cookies and other delicious goodies, check out their Pinterest and Social Hub pages.

#3: Easy Décor

I just used $1 plates, napkins, and cutlery. I found some great baskets and eggs at the thrift store, which made 100 eggs super affordable. Also use items from around the house. Use baskets, serving trays, or anything that will spruce up your table. Get a great vase and add a pop of color with some spring flowers as well.

#4: Quick Egg Fillers

I used the Nestlé Easter candy which currently has a great Ibotta offer through Walmart. I also added a few empty ones, bouncy balls, Easter necklaces, chocolate, and eggs with nickels, dimes, quarters or $1 coins. I think having a good variety made every child happy with their find! You can also fill these all through the week so it’s not a huge lift the day of the party. Just start piling them all in a large bag so they are ready to be hidden.

#5: Set Boundaries, Hide Properly, Have Enough, and Recycle

We used our fenced backyard as our boundary for the kids. It was a little muddy, but having large amounts of patio and decking we were able to find enough spots to hide. We also had mostly toddlers, which let us make the hiding spots easier. If you have older kids coming, be creative and age appropriate. We tried to have about 15 eggs per child. It was enough to feel like they won good prizes, but not overwhelming or they felt like their basket couldn’t hold enough.  Oh and the best part…you are now a pro at hosting an Easter Egg Hunt, save all those fabulous plastic eggs and make it an annual event!

Nestlé makes it easier than ever to maximize the goodness of spring and the fun of Easter celebrations. Hope that even with your busy life, this inspires you to create more spring moments that matter. Have a great Easter!

Here are the locations in Walmart to find these fabulous products!