hang in there with me.

Sorry!

I'm not sure which picture it was on my last post but one of them was causing a harmful site warning to pop up for my blog... I took out a bunch of pictures from the last post and while it now may not make sense... the problem is gone.


I promise I'll never hurt your computer!

My Dream Craft Space

I have been doing a lot of artsy stuff lately.  I made a bunch of headbands for myself, a dress and I made a taco shaped makeup back for a friend.  Its been a lot of fun... I've always loved me some crafting.  I've actually been pretty formally trained in the arts in college and can pull of a lot of things in the arts arena.  I have this vision of the perfect art room I want in my house someday.  I think of it as my office... as a teacher I will need to have a lot of creative space and in the summers I want a room I can enter and create lovely things for those I love.  I envision a nautical theme for this room... take a gander at some concept pictures I pulled together, what do you think? This is long but mostly photos.
On one wall I would have built in shelves surrounding a sunny window like this:
instead of a desk though it would be a bench....
... to add seating and closed storage
images via google
with these drawer pulls
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51897436/brushed-nickel-drawer-pull-with-vintage?ref=sr_gallery_4&ga_search_query=nautical&ga_search_type=&ga_page=&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

some pillows for the bench...




http://www.etsy.com/shop/Kainkain?page=3


http://www.etsy.com/shop/utilitarianfranchise

For the walls I would do a lovely blue with stark white trim like in this room


via google
 possibly a wall paper wall (the cabinets wall?)...
those are octopai

I would DIE for this metal top table from Anthropologie. It has a durable metal top and a pull out shelf on one end. Its also really big which is what I want. I big giant table to run through the middle of the room.


my chair (stately and wheely)
The table would run perpendicular to the wall with the cabinets and at the other end up against the wall I want.. must have this sofa also from Anthro... great for reading and idea creating.

above it would be a flat screen TV for me enjoy from my head of table perch:)
Anthro has a lot of awesome fishy themed rugs but to add a real pop of bright color (and it looks like fish scales sorta) I would go with this rug under the table to protect the wood floors (following picture)
 
I love the wide beams and rustic feel and rich color.
via google
Of course wall decor-
From Anrtho-
 
via google

Etsy-
 
http://www.etsy.com/shop/monkeyandsquirrel


http://www.etsy.com/shop/NanLawson (Not EVERYTHING is nautical.. pretty coral color though)

I think I line of of these in sea battered wood frames would look amazing on one wall...


http://www.etsy.com/listing/50670610/dolphin-print-5x7

Storage odds and ends-
Anthro-


Some of these for when people want to craft with me

LOTS of these for buttons, ribbons, zippers, pipe cleaners etc...


A few of these for fabric and other bulk storage on the cabinet shelves.


And one of these for beads, thread and all the odds and ends. I saw a PERFECT one at an antique store in town here that had TONS of little drawers and in was not too bulky or wide.


via google
I would like some hanging book shelfs for crafting books
 via google
And of course the lighting


If I could REALLY have my way I would have a patio door leading out to a nice sunny patio where I could keep a potters wheel and ceramics supplies. I love me some pot spinning.

Follow Back Tuesday

I decided to try this again to find new blogs/readers!  

Can someone tell me again how to get the button? I'll edit it in I promise!

Rules:

WE DO FOLLOW BACK!

1. Add your blog to the list (only have to add once) NOT YOUR BLOG HOP or GIVEAWAYS PLEASE!

2. Grab our fabulous button & the link code to post on your blog.

3. Start to follow as many blogs as you would like. (Make sure you leave a comment so they can follow you back!)

4. And when you receive a comment from a new follower, return the favor & follow them back.

After this week, there will be a new link code available for you to grab every Tuesday at 12:00 AM Est. on all 4 Hostesses Blogs.

Jergen's Tanning Lotion

I'm going to have to give this one a C- if not a D... maybe it was just me but I had issues with it.  I intended on showing before and after pictures with glowing legs abounding.
I used the lotion for about 4 days and noticed no difference... which is ok cause its supposed to take 7 days.  Initially I liked the stuff because it has a really fine glitter and a nice scent to it.  It doesn't stain your clothes either which is nice.


As for the firming part... yeah I didn't expect much from it either.

So on to the tanning part... at about five days I noticed I had orangy blotches all over my feet.  Thinking I had just not rubbed it in well on my feet I thought "no big deal"... Then I noticed my lower leg.  It had very large splotchy sections like cow spots on my half and no color at all on the other half... I had been applying this stuff evenly on my leg so this was not cool...

I stopped using it after that.. I don't want orange skin or blotchy skin.

Anyone have anything better for fake bake?

A little of this...

I'm headed to Seattle today which brings my summer state count to 3! whooo.

I am going to as promised review another homemade treatment.  For this one you simply mash a banana and smooth it on your face... it provides moisture.  I did this as well as mashed in a few blueberries for good measure.

This mixture was a little hard to get on my face as it was pretty slippery.  Once it was on (I used cotton balls) it stayed on well and smelled awesome.

I kept it on my face for about fifteen minutes.  When I rinsed it off I noticed my face had a nice glow and did feel moisturized.  I will give this one an A-/B+ for the following reasons- the treatment would have to be done every night to be continuously effective, it doesn't keep well at all... the bananas turn black and stinky real quick.

Otherwise it delivers as promised.

Homemade Blackhead Remover

I tried my first little homemade experiment (I actually have tried three) but for now let me tell you about this one.


Recipe for Blackhead Remover

1 TBS Unflavored gelatin
1 1/2 TBS Milk

• Mix together the gelatin and milk then heat in the microwave for about 12 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir with a wooden stir stick (a clean one!). Generously apply to problem areas on the face. Be careful not to apply too close to the eyes.
• Let completely dry (between 15 to 30 minutes) then carefully peel it off. The stuff clogging your pores will be stuck on the peel, the result is similar to the expensive blackhead removal strips you can buy.
• After removing the peel, wash face in very cold water to close the pores.

This recipe was found here- http://tipnut.com/homemade-blackhead-remover-treatment/

So basically what you are doing with this treatment is creating a peel off style mask.  The problem with it is that the gelatin congeals really fast and becomes too goopy to apply evenly. I think I may have needed some some milk in mine to thin it out.  As a result of the goopy-ness it did not dry evenly.  I peeled off some of the pieces that did dry and it seemed to work! It was similar to a Biore blackhead remover strip.  If you could get a lighter thin consistency so that it dries up evenly I think this would work really nicely. I may play around with it and if I do I'll let you know!

Homemade Beauty

Ok so since I've been home and taking a bit of a mental break from school I've looked through a lot of blogs.  I have come to the conclusion that there are some overarching "types" of blogs out there where many people's blogs fit into a certain category.  There is a the simple everyday stuff blog like this one where I post my ramblings, recipes etc. There is the Mormon/I have a side photography business blog (seriously there are TONS of these!) and then there are beauty/shopping blogs (there are many other kinds but there are a lot of these types).
                         
now I 'm not trying to offend anyone with what I'm about to say but I have to say some of these shopping/beauty blogs bother me a little.  Some of these girls are make up artists and have some great tutorials on how to create a certain look... some of them aren't makeup artists but still have great tutorials... I'm all for it.  What bothers me are the girls who frankly seem to have a shopping addiction... and use their blog as an excuse to buy lots and lots of things... like its ok if they post about it.  Now I am not one to judge a girl who loves to shop... I have no problem shopping and have admittedly a lot of clothing.  I only buy things I can afford and things I think I'll really get a lot of use out of.  I'm impulsive sometimes as is anyone but some people are a little well... crazy.  Many of these girls will post about a shopping trip and call it a "haul".. meaning what they bought (ie Banana Republic haul).  Sometimes they buy 2 or 3 things and just want to show them off.. thats cool I totes understand... but sometimes they buy lots and lots of frivolous things, especially makeup (like who needs 10 different shades of blush? I feel extravagant with 2)... I've seen posts where they've purchased 20 or more shades or nail polish in one sitting and the next day they have another haul from another store with 40 different lipsticks.  Its not like once a month of so these girls are going shopping like this... its many times a WEEK.  I honestly think it may be a little shopping addiction, many of the girls never post a review on the product or show how it looks.   I can only imagine the barrels of makeup that sit around...

SO anyway... on to a better note.  I myself have been known to splurge on a few makeup items. If its something expensive I usually test it once at Sephora and let it sit to make sure I really want it.  If I still want it after a couple days I'll get it, within reason of course.  I can honestly say that I use everything I purchase even if its only occasionally for a night out.  I feel no need to buy multiple lipsticks in only slightly different shades.  SO basically I was inspired to look up some at home, natural beauty recipes. Put down the credit card and open the pantry door... sometimes radiant skin is just some apple cider vinegar away.  I have one facial recipe that my best friends Gram has used for decades and I have used several times and know works wonders. I will share that later.  For now I will show you which recipes I would like to try and will be reviewing them on this blog. PLEASE share is you have some at home beauty tricks that you love!!

Bananas (ripe, mashed)–apply directly to skin and remove after 15 minutes. You could also add 1 or 2 TBS of honey to the banana before applying if you like

Homemade Blackhead Remover Treatment

One of these-

http://tipnut.com/homemade-honey-bath-recipes/

LOTS of ideas

http://styles101.homestead.com/natskinrec.html#anchor_36245

I also really enjoyed reading this- (LOVE this site) 

http://tipnut.com/beauty-hints/

Hello Lovelies

I have been home for 6 days now and already feel so renewed.  The air in Oregon is so fresh and amazing and spending time doing what I want is really nice too...  I am going to be at my parents house for another two and a half weeks.  Eating food from the grill, bike riding at sunset and seeing old friends is just what my soul needed.  I love the west coast!!

Here are a few things I am doing while home and will review here:
I bought more fabric to make a dress... I left the other stuff in NYC
I bought a teeth whitening kit- look for before and after pics post in about ten days
I bought some gradual tanning lotion for my ghostly legs... also look out for that


I have a recipe for a at home totally natural facial.  I will start the regimen tomorrow (its a nightly thing) and will post some pictures after a week or so to show you how amazing it is...

That is all for now.

How is your summer shaping up? Any big news?

Quick Thought

I'm at 179 lbs. :)

Crowd Pleaser

These are quick and will be eaten up very fast. No baking necessary! I used to love making these as a kid, they are ready to eat in minutes!

Chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• pinch salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3 cups quick-cooking oatmeal

In large saucepan, combine sugar, milk, cocoa, salt, and butter and mix well. Bring to a boil and cover saucepan for 30 seconds to allow steam to wash sugar crystals down sides of pan. Stir mixture and bring it to a boil that can't be stirred down for 1 minute. Then remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Add oatmeal and mix well.

Drop mixture onto wax paper in cookie sized drops and allow it to cool/harden.... enjoy!