The Fashionably Beautiful Enabler

Necklace: Local jewelry vendor from art/craft event
Shirt: Runway Fashion Exchange
Headband: Walgreens

So obviously I love all things fashion and beauty and will usually try-total emphasis on the word try- something once (unless it's food; however, that is a whole other story).

I get so tired of the same hairstyle...same jeans and t-shirt...same shoes. As for shoes all through high school, up until about 2 years ago I wore flip flops (or thongs and I do not like to refer them as) religiously. Now, I know it doesn't get to cold in Arizona during the winter; however, bare toes can borderline frostbite at time-especially in the early morning hours. However, even then I wore them. I owned a pair in every color to match every outfit. Thank goodness I have graduated to actual shoes and sandals (which then I though they were sandals)


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Whoa...bit off topic there (excuse me, where does fashion anonymous meet again?) ...

Great time to introduce my FAV shoes! These are SO comfortable and go with everything!
Candies: Kohls (on sale...thank you very much)
Ring: Michael's Craft Store (Shocker...I know!)

Well, along came Pinterest and I no longer have to wear my hair the same way. No longer do I have to calculate my wardrobe with the same results. Let us not forget the beauty and accessorizing tips as well! I am one of those people who will coordinate my outfits the night before...all things included. I love to try new facial masks often. Playing with different hairstyles may now be a part of my resume. Yes, it is safe to say I am a beauty and fashion addict and I am blaming Pinterest (once more) for being my enabler. 

Recently I invited (ok...begged) my mother-in-law (God love her) to take part in my beauty journalism. Through many blurry pictures due to laughter we were able to salvage a few. 

 I feel so odd when taking self-portraits as I as there are to many options: open smile or closed,  should I sit or stand, this side or that...you get the idea (again...my poor mother-in-law who is by now claiming I am killing her). Feel special cause normally I would never post a few of these pictures for the public eye but wanted to share a few of my Pinterest favs.


What to get and how to do it...

I am sure you've seen these on Pinterest but I will post the ingredients/directions here. Hey, if anything you guys know it works! :)...

Pore Tightening Baking Soda Mask

To reduce the appearance of pores and to tighten skin (this-for me at least- tends to dry my skin a bit; however, the oatmeal mask will clear that right up!)

Pretty...huh?

* 1/2 cup of Baking Soda

*Enough water to make a paste

Put the baking soda in a bowl and add the water. When it becomes a paste scrub (LIGHTLY) on face and neck. Leave on till dry. When dry add another layer (do this over the sink...otherwise it will look like it was snowing in your bathroom). Wait till dry, rinse, and viola! Super easy and SUPER effective! 

Moisturizing Oatmeal Mask

* 1 cup of oatmeal (non-instant)

*1 Cup sour cream

* 1 tbsp of honey

Do you see the oatmal about to attack my eye?!

Mix it all together and wait about ten minutes for the oatmeal to absorb the wet ingredients. Spread on face gently and let sit till dry. No repeat necessary. Rinse and...you guessed...viola!

Apple Cider Toner

*1/2 oz Organic Apple Cider

* 3 Oz mineral water ( I used Pellegrino...so I could drink the rest, yum!)

*5 Plain un-coated aspirin tablets (love that these are super cheap!) 

Mix! Mix! Mix! Once you have mixed well (note that aspirin will take a while to dissolve...me and my lack of patience did not wait till all dissolved). Once you have mixed store it in the fridge( It will keep for about a month) till ready to use that way it will stay fresh and the cooling effect is nice. I poured mine into a cheap Olive Oil dispenser you can find at Walmart or Target. I have found it to be very effective. 

Add caption

LOVED this hairstyle!

Put hair in side ponytail. Twist lightly then pin as your wrap around ponytail holder. Do this loosely to get the voluminousness effect.

You can make it more sleek but I liked it messy.

 

 

 

 

 

There you have it...a few of my favourite "Pinterest" things! Hope you enjoyed and give a few a try. If you do PLEASE share! :)

 



Have a fashionably beautiful day!

xoxo ~ LoriJewel

Being Remembered of the Blessings

You know those little reminders in life?

The small ones like:

"Ha, that's why I don't leave the milk out and no it does not become cottage cheese..."

Oh yea, that is why I put the RedBox movie in my purse...to RETURN it. Or not...because more than likely it will become mine $25.00 later."

The big ones like:

"Who the heck was I kidding trying to handle it all on my own? Let alone thinking I was alone in it all."

My family is there through thick and thin. I can call my mom at any time of day or night (although for a few moments at midnight I am a strange woman calling her mom) and she will be there-or here if I need her to be-in moments. I take for granted so often those in my life that I can trust and count on when in need both physical and spiritual. My mom is currently out-of-state and although I love that she is able to visit her parents (and I am sure these times with her mom and dad remind her of the same blessing I have) I will hate that she is so far...but yet, she isn't. Just a phone call...no, not the same as a hug or seeing her face but her voice alone can calm me from any state or lift me from any low. God blessed me with an amazing mother and I am forever grateful. People tell me I don't know how lucky I am...trust me, I do.

My mom is one of my greatest supporters but I've also been reminded of how incredibly my husband is. We may have our moments (and they are rare at that) but when I need him (or anyone for that matter) he is there in a heartbeat. He really is my rock...and I do not give him or our marriage enough credit.

Another source of strength which I can rely on at any time of day or not (and if I do so at midnight will not be accused of being a strange lady) is God. I am not the outspoken and certainly not the ideal person of faith but yes, it is there. I pray often even just for a few moments and I am immediately calm, if not, than I am not listening to His comfort just of my own fears. People say they fear God...it's not a negative fear per se...but the His abilities can be fearful. Went down the wrong path at that fork in the road (why the heck (excuse my ditzyness it is 5:00 am) do they call it a fork in the road...I have never eaten from a two prong fork)? Yep, the way back may not be so awesome. Made the wrong choice? Righting that isn't gonna be an easy task. However, what I do know down that wrong fork prong making the wrong choice that when I turn around 

He is there to guide me.

He brought you to it...he will bring you through it

Cast your fears upon Jesus

He will give you nothing you cannot handle.

Pray

Those who know me know that this is not my typical mantra; however, today brought a lot of things forward that I have not thought of or things that I did not want to admit.

Here is to a better tomorrow...to a brighter future...and.just.to...

xoxo

LoriJewel

Celebrating with the Top Chef

The Next Top Chef

Leland absolutely loves to cook and bake and well anything else kitchen related…except the dishes, he’s not too fond of those for some reason. So it seemed fitting to focus his 7^th birthday around that theme, I give you Leland…’The Next Top Chef’!

Welcome/party favor table

I had the sign made at Walgreens

I was determined to put many of my beloved Pinterest finds to use for his party and I’m proud to announce my success! There were five stations each with its own purpose: Welcome/party favors, Pizza! Pizza, Cupcake Creations, Let’s get poppin’, and Lemonade stand.

Pizza! Pizza!

Cupcake Creations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The decorations were fairly easy to make and cost a lot less than they would have if I had purchased them made.  Although I could not have done it alone so huge thanks to my mom, mother-in-law, and hubby for helping with food a preparations <3.

 

 

The popcorn staion

Have some lemonade!



 

The final product...looks good is I say so myself!

 

 

Speaking of food…I usually have food for both adults and children; however, this time the kids made their own mini pizza and for the adults we provided appetizers. I love the idea of several appetizers instead of one main dish, especially since the party time was between lunch and dinner.  There was toasted ravioli (yum), mini tacos, macaroni and cheese mini cups, and pizza bites.  All of the food was a hit!

You cannot have a birthday party without some games…right?! So, we had to add in a few cooking theme games, which let me tell you took a bit of research. First game of the day…”Can you find the tomatoes in the spaghetti?” The catch? Blindfolded and barefoot!! Must have been hard because none of the kids were successful! Later we gave it a similar try with “Can you find the gummy worms in the Jello?” The kids were pretty good at that one; however, since they were blindfolded they had no clue it was Jello and were disgusted when they found out! It was pretty darn funny to see and hear their reactions…I think they had fun. 

The rest of the party was devoted to spending time with family. We also did some snacking on our popcorn and cupcakes which were a huge success. I must say the popcorn machine is one of my favorite kitchen gadgets!

Leland got some great art supplies, a slushy shaker (which was to be a Christmas present but Ryan and I forgot about it…lol), his very one cutting board, and of course money. Although Leland is not a money kid…he gets excited when he receives money but tend to forget all about it in 5 minutes; however, I am sure that will change soon. 



My lipstick note...Leland blushed

His actually birthday is today and I woke him with a lipstick message on the mirror (they love that) and a candle loaded donut (sorry Mrs. Hinkle).  Tonight’s menu is spaghetti and meatballs which is his favorite meal of all time.

I love celebrating my boy’s birthday, they are bittersweet moments.  I am excited to see them grow and develop but heartbroken to realize how much time as passed and how fast it is passing.  These moments remind me that every day is a gift. It’s an opportunity to say “I love you”, to give another hug, share another kiss, and make another memory.

It is a good thing I love to plan birthday parties…It is now time to plan Bentley’s second (ugh, where does time go) in just a few weeks. His theme…nautical…LOVE IT!

 

xoxo

Lori Jewel