Lush-iously Wonderful Skin

Lush products have become my latest obsession. I had read a few reviews on one of their body lotions and was intrigued. It seemed interesting and when I found their store one day while shopping in a NC mall, I walked right in and was immediately hooked. The staff was so nice and so eager to help. I had one girl massaging one of my hands with lotion, another washing the other hand with soap, and one showing me exfoliating shower gels. It was a bit overwhelming and once I told them I needed a second to think, they gave me some space and allowed me to look around the store for myself. whew!!

Someone probably should have stayed with me and limited my time in there because I wanted to buy everything. Lush's products are all fresh handmade cosmetics. 

"We Believe... in making effective products from fresh*, organic* fruit and vegetables, the finest essential oils and safe synthetics.

Fresh is at the core of who we are. Fresh ingredients, fresh inventions, fresh campaigns- it's even in our name! Our inventors started making products by visiting farmer's markets and flower shops, bringing their fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers back to their labs, and infusing them into their newest inventions. We're proud of every single ingredient we use in our products, and we list them in quantitative order on every pot, bottle, sign, web page and in the LUSH Times."

So I ended up purchasing Rub Rub Rub Shower scrub,  $21.95 (LOVE this stuff

 Ro's Argan Body Conditioner, $32.95

Porridge soap bar, $6.95

And a Mint Julips lip scrub, $9.95

Yeah, I did some damage in that store , but well worth it... :/ Yikes, don't tell my husband haha!!

I LOVED the Rub Rub Rub shower gel so much. It cleanses and moisturizes very well. After getting out of the shower, I didn't even need to put on lotion!! It had a nice fresh scent and wasn't to greasy. I used the whole jar and will be buying more. 

The Ro's Argan body conditioner, works great. It's scent is a bit strong and takes a while to get used to (well for me anyway). The scent is a bit sweet, with a hint of floral. Not too bad, just not what I'm used to but it's still a GREAT moisturizer. My skin feels silky smooth! My hubby has even noticed how soft my skin feels. 

The Porridge soap bar is mainly an exfoliating bar with small bits of oatmeal infused in it. OMG!!! This bar feels amazing, like little tiny fingers scrubbing my skin. I use this bar before I shave and its unbelievably. 

The Mint Julip lip scrub was nice. I don't think I will buy this again. It works great and tastes yummy, it's just a bit too crumbly and makes a mess. 

I'll be buying some different products soon, and will keep you posted. If you don't have a store near you, shop online at Lush They have so many products available that I'm sure you'd love. 

I'd love to hear about the products you use and love. Let me know!!! ;) 

  

Life's better when you wine!!!

Who doesn't like a good glass of wine? Red or white, I don't discriminate. I like smooth, semi-sweet red wines and crisp, light, semi-fruity white wines. Ok, I'm not a wine connoisseur and I'm pretty sure those aren't the ways you describe wines, or maybe it is, but that's what I tell the waiter when I want them to recommend me a good wine. And usually they are right on point when they bring me that heaven in a glass. 

So recently I went to a really nice, low key Italian restaurant in Avon Lake, Ohio called Fratello's. Let me just say, the food is amazing, the staff is wonderful and the wine selection is ridiculous. Seriously, if your in the area go check them out you won't be disappointed. So one of the owners was super nice and was suggesting all types of wines for me, finally he said he had the perfect one. Dornfelder.

 I had never heard of it before but it was so delicious!! It was not too sweet, not too bitter, not too harsh, just a perfect glass of red wine. I had been searching all over looking for a bottle of this German wine and hadn't found it, until Valentine's Day. My husband took me to a cute little eclectic college town and we finally found a bottle in this tiny candy store/mini market of all places. I brought it home and opened it that night and was not disappointed. Yum... 
I'm always on the look out for new wines, if you have one you really love tell me about it. I'd love to try it. Thanks!!

Target Bargins!!!

I have yet to meet a person that doesn't love Target. Personally, I just love strolling the aisles and looking at everything, from clothes to shoes to furniture to home decor. ESPECIALLY home decor!! But what I absolutely love the most is Target's Clearance sections. Whenever I have an hour to kill, I stroll the aisles and score major savings. For Christmas I started shopping in Sept. and would go every week and just browse the clearance sections. I bought most of my gifts 50% off and saved a ton!!! Saving so much has become a rush and now I do not pay full price for anything! 

My recent finds, silver ballet slippers for my girls. Originally 19.99, I got them for $5.98.

I bought my daughter a cute little sweater for $3.88, originally $12.99.

I bought myself a cute pair of Leopard print ballet slippers for $4.98, originally $19.99 and a mustard long sleeve shirt for $3.00, originally $10.00. 

My $7.98 outfit. (Well the scarf, jacket and leggings I already had)

 And a decorative vase type thing for $9.98, originally $29.99. This was only on my recent trip to Target.  

 Anyone can save big in Target. I learned a few things from Mommysavers.com
 and you can too. Check out her site! Here are just a few tips. 

- Shop the Inside aisles first (towards the middle of the store). This is where they have most of the clearance items. 
 
-If the price ends in 8, the price will be lowered again, if the price ends in 4, the price is at it's lowest. 

- Check out Target Savers Facebook page

- Check out Mommy Savers Target Deals page

- Sign up for mobile coupons - Target via Text

-Know your Target markdown schedule

Monday Target Markdowns: Kids’ Clothing, Stationery (office supplies, gift wrap), Electronics

Tuesday Target Markdowns: Women’s Clothing and Domestics

Wednesday Target Markdowns: Men’s Clothing, Toys, Health and Beauty

Thursday Target Markdowns: Lingerie, Shoes, Housewares

Friday Target Markdowns: Cosmetics, Housewares, Automotives

(Not all Target stores are the same. Find out which store usually carries the most discounted items.) And don't forget to check out Mommysavers.com she has many more tips. Happy Shopping!!!

 



 

Create your own Cookbook...

I've been collecting recipes for years, most of which I've found online. Now with Pinterest and foodgawker, my collection has grown rather large. I would print them out and throw them in a folder and just pull them out when I needed them. But the more I used these recipes the more I spilled things on them or lost them all together. It was a disorganized mess. Anyone that knows me knows how much I hate being disorganized. I can be a bit OCD. ;) 

So like so many things, I got the idea off Pinterest. I'm a truly obsessed with that site. I decided to make my own cookbook. And you can too. 

Things you'll need

                                                               - 3 Ring binder

                                             - Sheet Protectors

                                             - Index Divders

                                             - Address Labels

 So I gathered all my recipes and created a template in Microsoft Word for the recipes. I wanted a uniformed look for my cookbook. The initial process of transferring all the recipes over to my template did take a while, however, now every time I find a new recipe I transfer it to my template and print it out. Not too big of a deal. If you don't care about uniformity you can skip this part entirely. It does add a nice touch though. :)  I'm having trouble uploading the template but when I figure it out I will update it so you can download it.

I bought a really cute 3 ring binder at target. I loved the drawing on it so I went for a whole "theme" for my cookbook. I googled the artists' name and found a bunch of images. Copied and pasted them on a word doc and created title pages for all the categories.

After organizing all the recipes in the appropriate categories, I placed them all in sheet protectors to prevent any spills, rips or tears and to keep all my hard work protected. I typed and printed the categories out on self adhesive address labels and stuck them on the tabs of the index dividers. Again, the uniformity thing. lol I put everything in the binder and noticed that the index dividers weren't wide enough to be seen past the recipes, and being the OCD that I am, that just wasn't going to work for me. The tabs HAD to stick out further right!?

I measured the length of the tab and made a tiny slit just big enough to slide the tab through the sheet protector. It worked perfectly. And now the title pages were protected as well.

I also included a weekly menu section where I keep all my weekly menus,  (I got this template from Simplify101 ) And a takeout section where I keep all the takeout menus for days I just don't feel like cooking. We all have those days!

It took me a few days to finish the book and I absolutely love it!! I hope this inspires you to create your own cookbook with your own touch of flare. 

Valentine's Day on a Budget!!!

Less than a week left before Valentine's Day, and most of us aren't prepared. If you're anything like me, Valentine's Day is just another day. A day glorified by retailers, Chocolatiers, florists  and card makers everywhere. I feel that in a relationship you shouldn't rely on one day to express your love for your significant other, it should be spread throughout the year. But... I am a woman and I do love chocolate and flowers and jewelry so I won't complain. :)

Valentine's Day isn't just for women though. Personally, it's always hard for me to figure out what to get my husband. I know he doesn't like chocolate or flowers or stuffed animals so it's always a question of what to get him that he doesn't already have to show him that I love him, that I know him and that he is my whole world and something not too expensive. Most of the time it isn't something I can buy at the store, it is what I do that he enjoys most. 

 So this Valentine's day I have planned an inexpensive, low key and romantic night in. (Who wants to wait over an hour for a table at a restaurant anyway.)

1) Romantic candlelit dinner for two. 

We have 2 little kids so we feed them there dinner and have our romantic dinner after their in bed. Plan a delicious meal, something that you don't normally have. (i.e. Filet Mignon, steaks, Lobster, etc) This may be the most expensive part of the evening.  Last year my hubby made dinner, and it was wonderful. He found this recipe online and ran with it. (Click link for recipe)

 Crab Stuffed Chicken Breast

 

2) Set the mood

 Make a playlist and have it playing in the background while enjoying your dinner. I went through all my music and found all the songs that were out when we first got together, all the songs that reminded me of him or just my favorite romantic and mushy songs. Soft music playing during a candlelit dinner just sets to mood tenfold. Don't have any music on hand?  Spotify and Pandora have lots of playlists available.

7 free playlists for Valentine's Day

3) Gift

You don't have to spend a bunch of money on a gift. Why not make one. I made this cute little picture for my hubby. I just used a photo I already had and Photoshopped it a bit, printed it out and put in a frame I got from the dollar store. 

I also got this really cute idea from Love, Actually  blog. This super cute box is filled with goodies for your guy. You can fill it with tons of little things that he likes, chocolate, little knickknacks, notes, memories, etc. The idea is that whenever he gets sad, mad, or whatever, he opens the box, picks one or two items to cheer him up. Really thoughtful right?! Check out her blog and all her wonderful ideas. Here are a few other gift ideas. (Click on photo to go to original post)

4) Dessert

I don't mean cake or pie, although that's good too. But it's always nice to give your guy a little something "extra" on special occasions. On Valentines day, I like going the extra mile. Artificial rose pedals are sold at the dollar store. Spread them on the bed, light some candles all around the room, and play some soft romantic music. Slip on something sexy and you can take it from there. 

Hope this gives you a few ideas on how to have a great day without spending a ton. Happy Valentine's Day to All...

15 Homemade Valentine's Day Cards for Kids

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. Here are a few great ideas that any child would love to give and receive. Click the links above photos to take you to original posts.

 Give a Hug

You're Just Write for me

 

"You Make me Snicker"

"Valentines Day would Knot be the same without you"

"I am bubbling with excitement that you are my friend"

"Smartie Pants"

 

"I mustache you a question"

"I've been shot by Cupid"

"I'm bananas for you"

 

"You rule"

"I dig you"

 

"So glad we're in the same school"

"You're tops... in my Book"

"I "CHEWS" U"