Monthly Archives: April 2020

Earth Day is on April 22nd and I’ve got a SWEET way for you to celebrate the holiday with your kiddies.

Things you need:

• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 scraped vanilla bean
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• blue and green food coloring
• Candy of choice

Steps:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Beat the butter and (1) cup granulated sugar till light and fluffy.

Add the egg, vanilla extract and vanilla bean seeds and beat again.

Add the flour, baking powder and salt and beat until ingredients are well combined.

Remove 1/2 of the dough.

Add the green food coloring to the dough in the mixer and beat until the color is incorporated and your desired shade is reached. Repeat with the other ½ of the dough and add the blue food coloring.

Place 1/4 – 1/2 cup granulated sugar into a small bowl.

Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out the dough onto one of your baking sheets – you should have 12 – 14 scoops of each color. Divide each scoop in half.

Working with one piece of dough in each color, divide each into 2 – 3 small pieces, then gather them together and gently roll into a ball.

Roll each in the granulated sugar and place on the other baking sheet.

Bake for 8 minutes, or till just turning crinkly on top.

Remove baking sheets from the oven and place on wire racks. Working quickly, place a piece of candy on top of each cookie, pressing gently to adhere. Let the cookies cool on the tray for 5 more minutes, then transfer to the wire racks to cool completely.

Enjoy!
#TipTuesday

Turn your coronavirus self-quarantine into a self-care staycation. Whether you’re in lockdown or practicing social distancing, here is something you can do while staying home in isolation.

Things you need:
2 – 3 tablespoons milk and 1 tablespoon gelatin.

Steps

Add (1) tablespoon gelatin into a clean and dry bowl and then add in 2-3 tablespoons of milk.

Stir and keep it for 5-10 minutes for the gelatin to dissolve with occasional stirring.

Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds or until you get a creamy consistency of the mixture.

Now, after the mixtures is touchable yet warm, apply it on your face carefully making sure it does not get near your eyebrows and hair line.

Use brush or popsicle stick to apply the mask.

Let the mask dry for about 30 minutes and the peel it off gently in upward direction.

Finally, wash off any remains, pat dry and apply a soothing toner and moisturizer.

 

Enjoy!
#TipTuesday

Are you waiting on your favorite hand sanitizers to get restocked from Bath & Body Works like I am?  You’ve most likely never thought to make your own, but it is the easiest DIY projected you can do today!

Things you need:

• 1 cup of 99% isopropyl alcohol
• 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide
• 1 teaspoon of 98% glycerin
•  ¼ cup (or 65 milliliters) of sterile distilled or boiled cold water

Steps:
Pour the alcohol into a medium-sized container with a pouring spout.
Add the hydrogen peroxide.

Add the glycerin and stir.
This ingredient is thicker than both alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, so it’ll take some stirring to combine everything. You can use a clean spoon for this.

Measure and pour in the water
Measure ¼ of a cup of distilled or boiled cold water and add it to your mix. Stir.

Sanitize your spray bottles and pour in your hand sanitizer. Spray some of your leftover alcohol into your bottles and let them sit until the alcohol has evaporated. Pour in your sanitizer.

Label your bottles. You don’t want any accidents where you or anybody else ingests your newly made hand sanitizer. Take the time to label your bottles.

Go kill some germs.

Enjoy!
#TipTuesday

Turn your coronavirus self-quarantine into a self-care staycation. Whether you’re in lock-down or practicing social distancing, here is something you can do while staying home in isolation.

This recipe makes about 12 bath bombs. Save for later or gift to a friend!

Things you need:

• 8 oz. baking soda
• 4 oz. Epsom salt
• 4 oz. corn starch
• 4 oz. citric acid
• 2.5 tablespoons coconut oil (or any other veggie oil)
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 teaspoon essential oil of choice (for scent)
• 4-6 drops of food coloring (for color)
• Small jar or bowl
• 12-18 silicone molds

Steps:

Combine the dry ingredients (baking soda, Epsom salt, corn starch, and citric acid) together in a large bowl.

Mix up the wet ingredients (oil, water, essential oil, and food coloring).
The easiest way to get this party started is to put them in a jar and shake them up. This is the step where you need to make some important decisions about scent. You can tweak quantity to suit your taste, but you should use about two teaspoons total of essential oil or perfume.

Slowly add the liquid to the dry mixture. (teaspoon at time) Whisk as you go, and slow down if things start to look fizzy. You should end up with a mixture that just barely clumps together, like damp sand.

Next, fill a bath bomb mold, jello mold, or even a muffin tin with your mixture. Press the mixture down firmly into your mold of choice.

Let the bath bombs dry. If your mold has a lot of details in it, you might just want to give them a whole day to be safe. Then pop them out.

Once your bath bombs are dry, throw one into the tub and enjoy your staycation!

Wrap the rest in a plastic or cellophane wrap for later or to share with friends.

Enjoy!
#TipTuesday

Our homes are our sanctuaries, but now that we’re being quarantined 24/7 – it can begin to feel stale, bland, and a little boring. The good news is, it’s easy to make small changes that alter your home and make it feel refreshed, inspiring, and cozy.

Here are a few easy and simple ways you can freshen up your space.

 

Bring in Some Greenery
You bring life into the space by adding plants and other greenery. Not only do plants connect us back to nature and serve as vibrant sources of color, they also clean the air in your home and can help you breathe better.  Did you know that IKEA carries real and artifical plants? Check them out HERE.

Replace or layer a new area rug down
Not only will this give your house a different feel, but it would bring a room together especially it’s been a space you have been design neglecting. If you have a natural rug, consider adding a pop of pattern on top for an elegant designer finish. You can pick up rugs in stores or online at Target! Check their selection out HERE

Re-arrange Your Furniture
Sometimes you just need a little change. Some people swear by moving the furniture around every so often to make your home feel like its brand new. If you have a nice square room, moving the furniture around can make it feel like an entirely new space. It could even mean making your den into an office temporarily or taking some accent chairs from one room and adding to t another. You don’t have to go wild if you don’t want to!

Redo Your Color Scheme
If you’re happy with the arrangement of your house but something still feels off, try examining the colors you use. Color psychology is a real thing, and if you have dark, moody shades or ones that make you feel down or unhappy all over the house, it’s time for a redo. Pick two or three complementary shades, one that’s bold and one or two that are more subtle, and run with it. Check out MAGNOLIA HOME by Joanna Gaines from TARGET

Switch up your throw pillows Think of a color or pattern that will make you happy and go for it. Maybe finally purchase that Target pillow that you have been eyeing for a long time. You’ll be staring at it plenty these days to make it worth its cost. Check out Target’s selection HERE.

Capitalize on Natural Light
Nothing transforms a space like natural lighting. When your whole home is dark and you have heavy curtains keeping out the sun, it’s easy to feel depressed, tired, or unmotivated. Tear down those curtains and find out how quickly your mood shifts from lethargic to lively.  If you still want some privacy, H&M Home has great options for you!

Change up a shelf or bookcase with existing decor– No need to even buy new decor when you can use what you already have. Maybe switch the shelf decor around or grab some new accessories from another room or closet. Feel like getting something new? Francesca’s has amazing home decor that fits any style.

Add some fresh cut branches from the yard to a vase– it’s FREE, therapeutic, and oh so pretty now that spring is here! Find a style today from IKEA.

Paint a piece of furniture– One of the easiest ways to make a grand difference to any space is by painting. You could of course paint an entire room, but if you’re thinking smaller try for that one piece in your house that has become the eye-sore. Pick a pretty color that now matches your current decorative look and go for it!

Enjoy!
#TipTuesday