Not-So-Common Products For Your Skin

If you are anything like me, this crazy polar vortex {huh?} that has been encompassing the country has left your skin and lips very dry. I have been researching many different kinds of natural exfoliants that can help with acne as well {two birds, one stone}!

The first not-so-common products that I have discovered is baking soda it has TONS of uses beyond what you expect in the kitchen.

• Baking soda can be used as a face wash when combined with warm water, it will create a thick paste that is perfect as a gentle cleanser. 
• When rubbed into your skin in gentle circular strokes it also acts as an exfoliant. If you have dry skin at the moment this is the perfect way to help rid your skin of dead cells and dry skin. If you already have a cleanser that you love {or you need a little more strength than just water}, add a little baking soda to the cleanser before washing your face. 
• Last but not least I have found that if you leave the thick paste {of water and baking soda} on your face for 5 to 10 minutes it acts as a face mask; helping fight acne and remove black heads!

Next up, lemon juice! The acidity in lemon juice is perfect as a natural astringent to help unclog pores.

• Use lemon juice as or in your cleanser. Consuming lemon juice orally hasn't been proven to be as effective as direct application to the skin. 
• The acidity in lemon juice also acts as a natural exfoliant as it helps remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. This is the perfect exfoliant for someone whose skin is too raw to use any kind of exfoliator with texture.

My new favorite is Vitamin E. Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin which means it can easily cross the cell membrane and and absorb locally. I bought pure Vitamin E oil at CVS or Walgreens for less than $8.00 and it will last me FOREVER. I have been using it for about 3 months now and you can barely tell I have used any at all.

• Vitamin E {like many other vitamins} is great not only just for acne but for your body in general. Vitamin E is associated with healthy skin and reduced inflammation.
• Vitamin E has also been proven to help reduce scarring {including acne scarring}.

Using these products can leave your skin red or irritated for an hour or so after using them. I recommend doing these things at night which will allow your skin time to recover before applying makeup.

Christmas Candle Craft

So here we go…. with another mason jar craft! This Christmas craft is perfect for a table centerpiece, a gift, or as a holiday decoration. All the supplies you need for this project you may have laying around the house {if you are crafty} or you can buy them and reuse them for a TON of seasonal projects. Once Christmas is over remove the candle, ribbon, and cranberries and create something new for the next season.

This adorable craft came to only $8.00 and took only about 5 minutes to create!

Materials you will need:

• Mason Jar
• To fill: Cranberries, glass beads, small christmas ornaments, pine cones, nuts {the options are endless}
• A candle
• To decorate with: ribbon, garland, twine {anything!}

To create the jar you need to place a few of your filler decorations {we used cranberries} to slightly raise your candle. 

Then, place the candle and add a few more filler pieces around the candle! 

Next, add your ribbon or garland to the top of the jar and add the spin top to finish it off! 

This is another cute way to do the Christmas candle mason jar! Show us your mason jars:)

{f}ixing an office space

Turning spaces like these into organized, functional, and easy to access spaces can be quite daunting for some people. We are here to tell you that you shouldn't be so intimidated by such a project! With a few spare hours you can organize this space with a few baskets & bins.

The wicker baskets were found at Target for a great price and they are the perfect depth for the bookshelf. This space was intended as a storage space for art supplies and craft projects. Each of the wicker baskets has different craft supplies that can easily be removed from the shelf and returned when the project is finished. The large white bins on the top shelf are from T. J. Maxx and are the "finished" and "almost finished" bins to keep projects off of the table and stored safely. 

We then added some picture frames and mason jars to add a more personal touch to this functional space.

Other places we visited to complete this project were HomeGoods, Target, Staples, and the Container Store. The entire project {from beginning to end with shopping time} probably took 4 to 5 hours and in that time the room was quite a mess! If you commit yourself to a project like this for an afternoon {or a day!} you are guaranteed to find great results! 

As always, please send us any pictures of projects you do like this!

xo

Geocaching.... what?

While searching for fun date ideas for Charlie {my boyfriend} and I, I came across something called "Geocaching". I'd never heard of it before and I was interested to see what it was about. So I downloaded the app {the beginner app is free} and began to learn about it!

here is a video to help you understand it:

What is Geocaching? Geocaching is the real-world adventure that is happening right now, all around you. You can use your app to seek out hidden treasures called geocaches. You can play nearly anywhere by using your app. There are over two million geocaches world wide!

How to play? You register. Enter postal code. Choose any geocache on the list. Use your GPS to help you find the hidden geocache. Sign the logbook and put the geocache back. Share your geocaching story.

   

{my app is the "intro" version so many of the geocaching locations are locked since I am not a premium member}

When you begin your first geocaching app there will be some tasks for you to complete. My first task was to go "Down the Lazy River". There was more information in the "About" section of the task which told me about access points and hidden sidewalks. Also the app has a difficulty, terrain, and size feature to help you find the object.  For your first adventure it is recommended that you find something that is either regular or large. Once you find your geocaching object write something down in the log, trade nick-nacks and continue onto your next task.

This app seems like the perfect thing to use for a date, a day out with kids or a fun task for anyone! I can't wait to drag Charlie around Naples searching for these geocaches! Let us know how you liked the app and what you think of geocaching:)

If you have any other questions go onto the Geocaching website RIGHT HERE:)

Losing 5lbs of bloat (in a healthy way)

Five Minute Fix: Pill Pockets

Anyone who has a dog has gone through the struggle of trying to make them take their medication. Some popular tricks are to cover the pill in peanut butter, place the pill at the end of a cheese gong, or hide the pill in the food bowl. But, I have two insanely smart dogs {not biased or anything} and they always manage to leave behind the pills. So what do I do? 

The answer is actually quite easy! Go to your local pet store or veterinarian office and purchase "Pill Pockets" for about $13 {You can get cheaper brands such as "Pill Treats" from Walmart for $6 but my dogs don't like that kind}. 

Pill Pockets are quick and easy to use! You take out a pill pocket, place the pill in the middle and smooth the edges so the pill won't fall out. Now my dogs love eating their medicine! They gobble them up like treats!