Renewing the blue!

So, I have these old planters.  They've faded and they're chipped, but I just love them.  They fit perfect on my patio where they are, next to the jacuzzi ~ and I love the plants I put in them each year and how full they get.  The plants hide the flaws.  I won't give them up until they fall apart.

I gave them a facelift and they came out better than I expected!

Of course these are the before photos.  Very beat up and weathered over the years.

This is the color I picked to brighten them up.  I was nervous they were too bright, my hubster thought they might be, but when I put the lines on them, they really looked great!  Isn't it a beautiful blue?

Here is the finished product!!  I'm so happy with them.  

Aren't they beautiful!!?!!  

Next on the list is a bench that sits in the yard, and a picnic table with seats.  

I'm thinking the same color, what do you think? 

What colors are you painting this summer?

Chocolate & Coconut, oh my!

It's been some time since I've posted a RAW food.  Shame on me!  I really need to get with the program here on the blogosphere.  I need more chocolate and coconut to help me focus. This lovely treat is just what the brain ordered!

I can't keep these in the house, they are so yummy!  RAW Coconut Macaroons.
My hubster loves them, and the kiddles too.  Yum, yum, yum!  I love making treats like these to share.  It's so easy to make, but it's like showing off a talent, haha.  So the secret is being revealed.

Thanks to The Beauty Detox Foods book

This is so quick and easy, you'll have a yummy treat in no time.  This recipe makes about 10 macaroons, depending how big or small you make them.  I usually double the recipe and hide some in the freezer for a quick pop of energy as I head out the door to workout, or a mid-day pick-me-up.  

Ingredients

   2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes

1/2 cup raw cacao powder

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract 

1/8 tsp high-quality sea salt

1/2 tsp powdered stevia 

1/2 cup raw coconut nectar or maple syrup

• Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl, adding the coconut nectar or maple syrup last.
• Scoop small mounds on a plate.  The mixture will be very sticky, so use two spoons.
• Place them in the freezer for 3-4 hours to set, before serving.  Store in the fridge.

Side note: I didn't have stevia on hand, but I did have sweetened coconut flakes, so I thought that was sufficient.  Not sure I would add the stevia anyway.  I also had shredded coconut (like powder) that I used to roll the mounds (a little smaller than a golf ball), which helped with the stickiness.  You can always put some coconut flakes in your processor for the powder effect, if you choose to use it to roll your coconut macaroon mounds.  It all tastes yummy, no matter how you do it!

I rolled a few until I realized I wanted something powder to roll them easier.

The finely shredded coconut I had on hand.  See the mixture stuck to my hand under the coconut?   

By the way, I didn't wash that chocolate off my hand either!  And when the spoon wouldn't get it all off, I just licked my hand!  Does that sound gross?  Hey, my hands were clean when I started :)

Love just whipping up a good treat and having an easy small sweetness to soothe the craving.  Whip it up peeps!  Enjoy. 

Would you try to make these?

Wednesday Wish List!

It's WWL time! How lucky are you today?
Lucky enough to buy something awesome for yourself, or someone else you want to make lucky!



I am starting out with this beautiful day of blue sky, double shoulder hand bag in (faux) ostrich! Yes, another handbag.  A girl can't have too many, you know!  This is a great summer color.  I love the silver chain, not to much, just the right touch.  Lovely, lovely.

Sorry it is so small.  Click on the handbag to see a better view.

These pink Converse Sneakers are da'bomb!  Love this things.  How many memories do these bring back...?  Ok, I'm not going there, but they are even better because they are PINK! Wear 'em.

Too cute, right? 

I had to share this.  When I first tried this, I wanted to eat it, it smelled so darn good!  Seriously, the lemon is so lemon-custard-pie, with the perfect crust, so good!  Yum.  Oh, and it works well on the hands. Wait, and the hair too?  Shampoo & Conditioner, really?  I'm buying that!

This Jessica Simpson dress is adorable!  She's adorable.  It's sleeveless, belted, braided & only $49!  It's a steal.  Buy it for that special date, whenever, wherever.  That special event.  Garden wedding.
Too cute to pass up.  

It's all rosy.

I love these glasses.  

My contacts are a pain to put in/out so much and these are the perfect compact specs to carry around.   

Perfect to toss into the clutch, or that blue double shoulder handbag up there on the top of this page :)

What are you shopping for these days?

Giveaway!

For the next 6-days I'm one of several bloggers, sponsoring a giveaway over at Simple Moments Stick.  Go check out all the great prizes that you could win!  Be sure to give a shout-out to all the sponsors.

Click here to go to SMS

a Rafflecopter giveaway

As everyday, 

Blog Stalking Sundays, #4!

It's a new day for stalking, my favorite part of the blog week!

For those of you that are new to reading my blog, (I hope you read, not just look at all the hot pics :) I start off each week stalking blogs for my Monday shout-outs.  If you know of any blogs, or if you have a blog you'd like me to give a shout-out to, just contact me.  You know, through my contact :)  Yes, I realize I don't have a huge following, but I do get views or readers.  Hey, every little bit helps, right?

Without further delay, here are the blogs I've found shout-out worthy this week.

PB&J Stories, this blog is one that I found before I started blogging.  I thought it was such a great DIY/Tutorial blog. Pamela has some great ideas; how to hide your printer due to room/space shortage, and turning kid art into t-shirts! I'm definitely jealous of her pretty pantry, how did I miss that!?!  I thought my pantry organizing was good, now I want to totally re-do it, again, with some nice wall paper or bright color!  Hhmm, I know just the color to match my kitchen and dining area...that's another post, another day :)  Check out PB&J !

www.thepinkpeonies.com

For some reason I couldn't catch the exact logo of this cute blog name.  So I put it in pink, at least to match the name somewhat.  This girl Rach, has a cute blog, with her cute cravings and cute personality.  I adore her!  Tomorrow, she has something special coming...check out her sneak preview here. 

I bet you'll think she's cute too.  

Seriously? Yes. Seriously. Okay, this gal Lisa, will have you laughing until you snort! I could not stop reading her blog, or stop laughing, and yes, I snorted!  She's honest enough not to care about having a filter, and you know, sometimes you just have to go with that!  She's beautiful and funny!  L-O-V-E her blog.  Check it out, click on her name, or click here. 

There ya' have'em peeps!  Click, read, and read on, and enjoy!  I did, and I will continue to stalk.

Who are you stalking lately?

Tri Rock Philly!

A very special Sunday post, dedicated to my hubster for finishing his Olympic TriAthlon in Philadelphia today!!

He Tri'd and he Rocked it!

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, hubster!!

Love & stuff, 

Your wifey xo

Let's Be Friends!

Link up peeps! 

A special Saturday shout-out to one of the most popular Blog Hops!

Click here to link up

What's your favorite blog hop?

Sharing the Love!

Today I'm Sharing the Love of a couple products I use personally.  I love to stumble upon new and cool items that I actually like once I get them and continue to use.  Today, I'm sharing mascara, nail care and hair care.  What everyday girl doesn't use these, or want to know more about something new to try??? Uhmm...no girl, duh!

Mascara.  I have a love ~ hate relationship with mascara.  I don't know about you, but I have bought dozens and dozens of different mascara. (Unhappy with most) Sometimes 2 or 3 at a time, because I want a good one now!  I always say I'll return the ones I don't like.  Then I procrastinate.  I let them pile up in my makeup bag, then I get confused at times, which one it was that I really liked!  That's what happens when you switch on and off.  Ugh.  Mind boggling.  So, I think I've learned my lesson with that.  Eh, maybe ;-)

Friendly everyday girl advice, return your unwanted mascara, any makeup or lipstick you are not 100%  happy with.  Most stores you purchase them from allow you to return.  So keep those receipts! Put your money back in your pocket.

So my most favorite mascara these days, Lash Control. Their tag line is "It's a whole new way to fall in love with your mascara"...oh yeah.  Stumbled upon it on the internet.  A wonderful thing.  I have fallen in love with this mascara.  It washes off with soap and water, but stays on like a waterproof.  How many of us have fallen asleep with our make on? I'm raising my hand to that!  Well, it looks just as good in the morning.  That is, if you sleep on your back like I do.  If you smush your face into the pillow, forget it, it will probably act like any other and smudge.  (Sorry)

With this mascara, you squeeze the middle, it's a soft rubber consistency, which lets you determine how much mascara you want in the brush. Awesome. 

I will continue to use this mascara.  I only have a love relationship here :)
Their website is www.lashcontrol.com
(I am not being compensated to promote this.  Yet :)

This mascara is my waterproof brand.  Almay.  I always have to have a waterproof, just in case.  Sometimes I put it on top of my regular mascara as a glue to keep lashes in place.

Okay, I love painting my nails. What everyday girl doesn't? BUT, I like to have it last a long time, because I don't like to do it weekly. I don't like mani-pedis, plus I don't like paying the prices. It has to be a special occasion (like with my stepdaughter or BFF). This Sally Hansen Insta-Dri is my miracle in a bottle.  I swear by it.  I promise you will love it. When I'm in a hurry, painting my nails as I run out the door, I always put this on top.  Dries in an instant and I'm on my way! 

HAIR!  Oh my gosh, my hair is long and dry, curly, frizzy and a pain to do every time I wash it.  So, I only wash my hair 2-3 days a week.  If I work out real hard or run, I have to wash it more, but I try not to (by using a dry shampoo) because my hair will just get dryer and it's annoying style.  I used to use WEN years ago.  I'm not sure what happened back then, but I didn't like it at all.  I felt like I had goop in my hair all the time and it made it impossible to dry and style.

A few weeks back, my sister gave me her travel sample they sent her (free) when she purchased hers.  This travel pack came with two tubes of cleansing conditioner and a Replenishing Treatment Mist.  That's all it is, a Cleansing Conditioner.  No sudsy bubbles, just a mild foam when mixed with water.

So I tried it again, with encouragement from my little sis'.  Surprisingly, I liked it!  I've used it several times, ordered my own in the Spring Gardenia, and I'm loving it.  My hair seems easier to style after each time I use it. I use a few pumps of the Ultra Nourishing Cleansing Treatment with the Cleansing Conditioner for added conditioning.  Love it.  It smells really good as well.

I'm hoping for even better results after continued use.
www.shopwen.com
(I am not being compensated to promote this product)

An added note, you can also buy this in Sephora, but I checked it out and it is cheaper to buy online through WEN directly, but only when you have an auto shipment each month or quarterly.  

You pick. 

What mascara is in your makeup bag? 

What products are you using on your hair?

C'mon, Share the Love!  

Birch Box!

I received my first BIRCH BOX!! 

It was very exciting, and I couldn't wait to open it. 

Here are the contents: 

Isaac Mizrahi Fabulous fragrance

COOLA Classic Sunscreen 

Color Club Professional Nail Lacquer 

Tweezerman Matchbox Itty Bitty Files

Mirenesse Glossy Kiss in Scarlet

As you can see, my Glossy Kiss came opened and messy.  My excitement dissipated when I saw that.  Bummer.  If I didn't use it, I could have given it away.  It is a bright stain for me to put on my lips, I can't be that bold.  Although I will try it on my cheeks.  Some of these stains work very well on cheeks.  

So I painted my nails real quick yesterday so I could post, for you to see.  

Excuse the messy look, I didn't get a chance to clean up before taking the photo.  

The polish was creamy and went on well.  

Two coats and I had a nice solid look, no streaks.  

I actually like the color for a hot summer day.  

It looked nice while at our 12th graders graduation yesterday!

My personal thoughts:

- I can always use a nail file, and having enough for each handbag we change often is a plus!

- The Broad Spectrum SPF 30 worked great at the 2-hour outdoor & sunny, graduation.

- I am sensitive to perfumes, and this one became strong for me in little time.  I won't be using this.

- The Glossy Kiss was creamy and light enough for my cheeks. If I dot lightly and use a sheer moisturized gloss over top, it works for me as well. 

What do you think of the contents of this Birch Box?  

Would you be happy with these items as your first box?

Wednesday Wish List!

Here we are again, another Wednesday Wish List!

Let's get on with our WWL'ing...today I'm focusing on what I would want as a gift, or what I would give as gifts.  It all depends on the occasion, but, I like giving at times 'just because'.



These are really, really cute!  The Sarafina Sandal. At first I was like "eh", but they grew on me.  What a cute style to wear with ankle pants, long skirts or shorts!  They'll work with anything.  Dress up that plain outfit with a pop!

Click on the photo for more info!

Put a Bow on it!  How cute of a gift would this be for the little girl?  Her birthday, communion, or just an any day gift.  Or how about mom, or sister or your BFF!  Too cute. 

Click on photo for more info

I love these belts!  Neon Belts by Streets Ahead. These are a great addition to any wardrobe.  Talk about color!  

Click on photo for more info

Okay, I know, you are wondering why I would put an umbrella up!  Well, I know many people who don't have one or always forget it.  This can be with you in the car, in your purse, in your desk, any place at your convenience.  Printed Umbrellas by Jonathan Adler.  Plus, it's only $19!

Click on photo for more info

You need a hat!  Everyone needs a hat!  You all need this Sun Hat!  Those hot summer days...don't let that sun beat down on your head and burn your scalp.  It's fashion and protection.  You will look hot with this hat!   

Click on photo for more info

Cute, cute, cute!  Christi Box Clutch. Love it!  These are great for a nice summer day and a stroll in a small town.  See, I just gave you an idea for the weekend, now you need to be carrying this clutch.

Click on photo for more info

So there you have it, another WWL for the soul.  Buy it for you, for mom, for sis...just because!

What's on your wish list today?