DIY Custom Shade Tinted Moisturizer

It is springtime. Well it is a really screwed up version of springtime. I don't know about where you live but here in North Carolina its 80 degrees, sunny, laying out at the beach weather and the next day its 45 degrees, raining and you are looking for your winter coat.

The warm days are on the way though to stay, hopefully, very soon. When the heat starts to rise and we ungratefully welcome the wonderful humidity, it is time to change from full face makeup to tinted moisturizer. Personally, I don't like the 'my face is melting off' look. The only problem I have is making sure I have the right color. Not only that, living at the beach, I tan very fast. Granted I have more than my fair share of makeup, I really don't want to have to buy a whole range of colors to match my tan and then my fading tan once September gets here.

To make your own custom shade all you will need is a little pot/pan/container, your favorite foundation and moisturizer.

Mix, Mix, Mix

There you have it. Your very own custom shade of tinted moisturizer  You can make a lot of just a little but now you will always have the right shade on hand!

Copy Cat Starbucks Frappuccino

Are you surprised that I found an amazing copy cat recipe for a Starbucks drink, yea me neither. I don't drink these very often but when I am on a road trip and need a pick me up or when I am out running errands on a warm summer day, something about this just hits the spot. Granted I could go for the super caffeinated version of this drink on most days. 

I ran across this recipe not because I was particularly looking for a Starbucks recipe, I just wanted a good iced coffee recipe that I could make that didn't require lots of things that I normally do not keep stocked in my pantry. Plus every now and then its nice to have a cold drink that isn't water.  With summer around the corner, this is something that I will keep on hand for a nice treat and mid-day pick me up.

First lets brew some coffee. Now let me tell you, I actually added 20oz of coffee because with just the 10oz it was too sweet for me. Start with the 10oz first, if its too sweet, add some more coffee. 

To your pitcher add Vanilla coffee creamer.

Then sugar

and a little more sugar.  Pour the hot coffee on top of the sugar mixture in the pitcher. Stir it up and refrigerate for a couple hours, overnight is better though. 

Now when you need a pick me up, something a little cold while you are playing with the kids, just head on over and get a tall glass. 

Our First Giveaway!!

I started this blog a few months ago to share, trade and learn new things that I could incorporate into my everyday life. Just because I am married and have children does not mean that the only things I am interested are about 'how to get stains out of my mattress' and 'a new way to get your children to eat vegetables'. I am still a girl at heart who loves all things pink, dresses, a nice pair of heels, my collection of makeup, crafting and exploring new spots with my favorite ladies....and the hubby. 

I wanted to thank all of the people who have inspired me and helped me along this journey. I do  hope this becomes something I can do for a very long time. I simply enjoy it! Next to God, my husband and kids....it is definitely my 4th favorite thing.

So for that, I am doing a giveaway on my Facebook page. The giveaway is for a Starbucks gift card. My secret place I like to escape to when I have no children...or at least only having one child who is sleeping in the stroller.  Everyone needs a little coffee break once in a while. 

Go on over and like our page and when we reach the specified number of followers, I will randomly choose one lucky person for the card. So get on over there for your chance to win!

Coconut Honey DIY Lip Scrub

Even though we are leaving behind the cold winter months, I still like to give my lips a little TLC during the warmer months.

 Lip balm and chapstick will not be able to do there job if they don't have a good foundation to work with. With the summer time rapidly approaching and the countless hours we are going to be spending soaking up the sun, make sure to love on your lips at least once a week just like you would do for your body.

Here is a simple and easy DIY. Once it is made make sure to remember it only has a shelf life of about 2 weeks. So if you make a big batch, give it out to your girlfriends!

Coconut Honey Lip Scrub

1 tbs honey

1 tbs sugar

1/2 tbs olive oil

1/2 tbs coconut oil

Mix all ingredients to combine. Apply a pea size portion to your lips and rub gently with your index finger. Rinse with warm water and apply your favorite moisturizing chapstick.

Images from style within

Strawberry and Blueberry Compote

I am so excited that it is finally the time of year where all of our local produce stands are opening up. I love the sweet taste of the freshly harvested berries and melons and the crisp crunch of the veggies. This is one of my favorite places to visit, The Veggie Wagon. Its along the beach and you can always find something for a little midday snack as you are lounging in the sand. 

One of my favorite berry recipes to make are compotes. You can make them with so many varieties of berries but strawberries and blueberries have to be my favorite combination. 

Serve them warm over some vanilla ice cream or whip up some homemade whipped cream and dollop it on top of the cooled compote. Whatever you choose, you wont be sorry that you tried it. 

In a small pan place 2 tbsp of lemon juice, 2 tbsp of honey, 1/2 cup of blueberries and 1 cup of chopped strawberries. Let it come to a boil and cook for 8-10 minutes. Use a nonstick pan so the compote does not stick to the pan. 

That is it. Eat it hot or eat it cold, it is your choice!

How to glam up your iPhone

So I know I am late to the iPhone game but I have finally traded in my beaten up android for the iPhone 5. The one complaint I have about the iPhone is that it looks like everyone else's.

Yes I can get a snazzy phone cover but when it comes down to it my iPhone screen looks just like my husbands iPhone screen and that just doesn't work for me.

While browsing the App Store I came across this really neat app called CocoPPa. I believe it had to originate somewhere in Asia because a lot of the writing is not in English. Don't let that through you though!

It's super easy to turn your home screen into something cute, chic and girly or whatever you like.

Start by downloading the app CocoPPa.

Open up your app. This is what the home screen should look like.

Now scroll to the bottom to the search area and type what icon you want to look for. I choose Facebook because I think almost everyone has that app. It's easier to just search what you are looking for then browsing the other categories they have listed.

So here's the fun part. Just start going thought the pages until you find the icon you love.

Click on the icon.

Now click the brown 'set up link'.

Now you are going to have to choose where you want this icon to take you. Since Facebook is an app that you had to download, chose the 'app search' option.

Type in Facebook.

When you see the Facebook icon show up, choose it.

Choose what you want to name your icon and click ok.

A box will pull up asking you to open up safari, say yes.

Follow the directions on the next screen to place your app on your home screen.

Now you will have to keep your original app, so I placed them in a folder marked originals.

Have fun and decorate the heck out of your home screen!

Here is mine, so far.

Customizable Candle Printable

I know that I am not the only person who is in love with Bath and Body Works candles. They have such an enticing smell and with a house full of boys, lighting up one of these on my vanity while I am putting on my make-up takes me to my girly place. A space full of pink, chevron, monograms, heavenly smells and the perfect small chandler hanging from the ceiling. Then reality hits when I step on the poor abandoned hot wheel hidden under my table, which served as a prison for the zombies earlier in the day.

I also love to give these as gifts. But somehow wanted to make them a little more personal. While I was looking for a place to create my own printable monogram, I came across this wonderful post on how to create your own personalized monogrammed candle printable. 

You can also get a little creative by making coordinating matchboxes and gift tags. Go, print out your monogram and get to creating a chic and girly gift for one of your favorite ladies!

Image and the link for the printable from ForChicSake

Cake Batter Milkshakes

I love to bake. Baking is definitely my stress reliever  The one bad thing about having a passion to bake, you eat it all. Batter, especially cake batter, do not even tempt me. It takes all the will-power I have to not eat all of the batter  before it even touches the pan. While scanning Pinterest for some new recipes I came upon these. How wrong is it to incorporate one of my favorite things into drinkable form. A milkshake that embodies everything delicious about cake batter, enjoy!

Funfetti Milkshakes, makes 3-4 servings

Needed: 1 box of Funfetti cake mix, additional ingredients the box directions call for (except eggs), 4-5 cups milk and 4-5 scoops of vanilla ice-cream. Serve with extra sprinkles if you like! I rub a little bit of corn syrup on the edges of my glasses then dipped them in sprinkles to get this pretty rim look. 

Devils Food Cake Batter Milkshakes, makes 3-4 servings

Needed: 1 box of Devil's Food (or chocolate) cake mix, additional ingredients the box directions call for (except eggs), 4-5 cups milk and 4-5 scoops of chocolate ice-cream. Serve with extra sprinkles if you like! I rub a little bit of corn syrup on the edges of my glasses then dipped them in sprinkles to get this pretty rim look. 

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Batter Milkshakes, makes 3-4 servings

Needed: 1 box of Pineapple cake mix, additional ingredients the box directions call for (except eggs), 2 cups fresh or canned pineapple, 4-5 cups skim milk and 2-3 scoops of nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt, and pineapple chunks + cherries for garnish.

Images and recipes from A Beautiful Mess

Monogrammed Facebook Cover Photos

Well, guess what I figured out? You can now make your Facebook cover pretty too by giving it a monogram. There is a wonderful selection of different designs to choose from and you can personalize it however you want.

I have Windows on my computer and this is the easiest way I could figure out how to create my monogram.

Go on over to ForChicSake to download your pdf file.

To download your file, right click on the "download pdf" button and choose "save link as".

Save it where ever you would like on your computer.

Once it is saved, open it up in Adobe.

The first page includes all the direction on how to customize it.

Have fun and share it on our Facebook page if you try it out!