Home makeover on a diet

April 15, 2014

This was maybe not the best idea.

I have been doing a round of HCG this last month.

( Down 16.4 lbs, yay!)

The diet happened to coincide with the hubs vacation between projects at work.

Which he planned a kitchen remodel around!

Yes!

Let’s tear the house apart, stay up till 2 am night after night doing manual labor, all while totally Hangry, detoxing and hallucinating due to sugar withdrawals.

Oh and take care of a toddler somehow in there too.

Sounds like a good time had by all.

Oh wait, that doesn’t sound like enough going on at once.

Let’s have the in laws come stay with us so they can help out.

( which WAS A HUGE HELP, but if you have ever had house guests, it can add a little stress having people stay with you. Family or not. It’s just the way it is)

Also,I’m gonna need you to go ahead and seal the basement floor, replace the back steps, tear out and re sod the back yard, then update the downspouts and install a french drain.

Oh, and I almost forgot, put in a new back door.

Easy Peasy.

ALL ON A DIET.

If this isn’t the time to eat delivery and pizza, I don’t know when is.

I don’t have a functioning oven and I am washing dishes in the bathroom sink.

Might I add, our little craftsman only has ONE bathroom.

So I hope no one needs to go potty because I need to clean my spoons.

I will do a formal remodel before and after post when everything is finished but here are a few progress shots!

( Clark was also a big help)

Stay Posted for more updates on the renovations!

Bang Bang Betches

April 14, 2014

I made this for dinner last night and it was awesome.

I made a few changes to the original (which is HERE)

Mine is tastier in my opinion of course!

Make it!

Paleo
Bang Bang Shrimp Salad

1 lb. jumbo shrimp (raw & deveined)

2 tbs. coconut flour

1 tbs. almond meal

1 tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. garlic powder

2 tbs. coconut oil

sauce:

1/2 cup coconut cream

5 tbs. chili paste

3 tbs. sriracha ( homemade style if you’re hardcore Paleo)

1.5 tbs. Organic Olive Oil Mayo ( again, homemade if you’re hardcore)

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 1/2 tbs. raw almond butter

1 tbs. apple cider vinegar

juice of 1/2 lime

salad:

3 cups mixed greens

1/2 cucumber, sliced & quartered

2 carrots, sliced into thin ribbons

2 thinly sliced green onions

1/2 avocado chopped

salad dressing:

juice of 1/2 lime

1 tbs. coconut aminos

1 tbs. fish sauce

3 minced garlic cloves (I used garlic paste)

pinch of palm sugar

1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

pinch of black pepper

For salad, combine all vegetables and greens together in a large bowl. Stir
dressing ingredients in a separate smaller bowl and pour over salad, tossing to
coat.

For shrimp, rinse and pat them dry. Set aside. Combine flours with pepper
and garlic powder in a shallow dish.

Heat coconut oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat until melted. Dredge
shrimp in flour mixture and then cook in oil, 1-2 minutes a side.

For sauce, heat in a small pot until the coconut cream and almond butter are
liquified and combined with other ingredients. Then toss with your cooked shrimps!

Put your dressed salad on a plate.

Put your shrimps on top of that.

Sit down and feast.

It’s not easy being green

April 12, 2014

I have a problem.

Not pictured: Another shade of green in the form of a milkshake maker

I love green.

That wonderful retro green.

I have built a nice collection of decor, small appliances and art in this green.

The problem is that not all green is created equal.

I am nearing the end of my kitchen remodel and thinning the heard, if you will, on my green things.

I want to be able to leave a few things out on my counters for a pop of color since so much of the kitchen is now white.

Except when you get all the green things together in a party, you can see that none of them are the same shade of green.

So now I am considering transitioning a few things to white and just keeping the Kitchen aid green.

( Which happens to be discontinued, so I will never find another item that shade again to go with it! )

I can’t give it up though!

My coffee pot happens to be the black sheep.

It’s black.

See what I did there?

So I am thinking about getting a new coffee maker and toaster in white to share the space with my green mixer.

The Bella Diamond collection tickles my fancy.

Wait, it comes in turquoise?!

Damn it.

The face of two fifteen year olds

April 11, 2014

I have had basically the same beauty regimen for most of my life.

I never really thought much about it.

I would buy new shades of eye shadow or lip stick and replace powders as they ran out, but that was really the extent of it.

However in the last year or so, I started really taking a look at my skin care and the products that I put on my face and reevaluating.

Which I wish someone would have told me to do sooner.

Duh. My skin today needs different products than it did 10- 15 years ago when I started doing anything besides using Noxzema out of the blue jar!

(Then she got killed of on 90210 and I had to stop using it)

I am starting to show my age and when my skin is dry, my foundation seems to find it’s way down into the cracks and brings out the wrinkles a little more.

I feel like I am finally at a good place with my skin care though, as far as maintaining healthy clear skin.

I use a plethora ( yes, plethora) of different products and rotate through them during the week.

Using just one thing either dries my skin out or makes it break out.

I found the perfect combination… finally.

Let me tell you though, this strategy had never occurred to me before this last year.

All my life, I used one thing and when it didn’t work, I moved on to the next.

It was so black and white and it never worked in my favor.

Then it kind of clicked and I realized I could actually do whatever I wanted!

Hi, It’s my face.

So , I started livin’ life on the edge and now I am really happy with my skin.

Which is huge!

It’s right up there with being happy with my weight.

Which I think will never happen, but hey, you win some, you lose some.

As far as makeup goes, I look back at photos from my early 20’s and wonder what I was thinking.

Not just about choices in boyfriends I met off Myspace, but how I applied makeup.

I remember at the time the photos were taken thinking I was doing a good job, but I always felt disappointed and confused later on because my makeup was no where up to the par of some other girls.

A lot of the time I looked like I had no makeup on, when I spent so much time putting it on!

Or my face just looked greasy and washed out.

Case in Point:

Me at 20.

Doesn’t look awful but also doesn’t look like I did much either.

Or me at 22.

I guarantee I spent time on my makeup for this party, yet it looks like I have nothing on!

Side note: Rindi, your hair…..

(And yes, I know makeup is suppose to ” enhance your beauty and not necessarily look like you are wearing makeup, but that isn’t what I am getting at. )

Given, 10 years ago, there wasn’t photo ready HD makeup and all that.

At least not mainstream, that my 21 year old self knew about.

There weren’t make up Vloggers or you tube tutorials to learn from.

And on the West coast, Ulta was not a household name.

I was also living on a smaller budget, so even if all those goodies HAD existed, I probably wouldn’t have been buying them.

I splurged on some Urban Decay shadows but the rest was all Drug Store stuff.

Which brings me to my next point.

You get what you pay for.

Yes, there are some dupes out there and you can get a decent product for a fraction of the cost.

But, I have found from trial and error, makeup and skin care is worth paying a little extra for.

It’s on your face all day , every day.

Like a good bra.

You need to invest.

For example, Beauty Blenders.

At 20.00 a pop, I can see why you would want to get a knock off for 5.00 bucks.

I mean, it’s just a sponge right?!

No.

If you used the 20.00 real deal, you would understand and never look back.

Right now the products that I am loving for keeping my skin clear and clean are:

Clean & Clear Essentials foaming cleanser – Cheap stuff! Both work great when accompanied by my…

Clarisonic Brush – I have used the Avon, Mary Kay, Neutrogena knock offs, even a buff puff. They don’t come close to what the Clarisonic does for me. Yes, it was $$$ but I purchased mine at Nordstrom so I felt confident that I could return it if I hated it or it destroyed my skin. The Clarisonic allows me to use pretty much any face wash I want and it works great. There isn’t a need for an expensive cleanser when I am using it along with the brush.

Proactive Plus + ( for adults)- For me, I think it works even better than the regular formula worked on me when I was younger. I use just steps 2 &3. Apply every other night after washing my face.

Coconut oil- As a moisturizer and sometimes I wash my face with it. That’s right, WASH. Weird right? Cuz it’s oil. I slather it on and sit for a few minutes with a hot wash cloth on my face and let all the pores open and then wipe it off with the cloth when I am done. It’s an amazing make up remover and I have super oily skin and it still works wonders. I can’t do this every day though or my pores start to get clogged up. When I alternate with clarisonic & proactive though, I get great results. It’s a nice break from my cleansers for my skin. I also use coconut oil under my eyes if my make up is looking dry and on my neck to help prevent wrinkles and dry skin…which causes more wrinkles. Coconut oil is also an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant! Both great for your skin and bags under your eyes!

Coconut water Toner– I use this multiple times throughout the day. It has, among other things, antibacterial properties and I think this is one of the products that has made the biggest difference in my skin. I use it before applying my lotion. I also use it to set my make up and get rid of the powdery look. As well as to refresh my skin in the middle of the day and rejuvenate. ( Found at PCC)

Olay oil free lotion– I have been using this all my life and its great, I tried the extra SPF one and hated it. I looked white and cakey in flash photos even with make up on over it. I like the plain original formula. I use it every morning after washing and toning my face but before pore vanish and primers.

DDF Oil Free Hydrator – At night I use this as a heavier moisturizer( Also has SPF 45, that I don’t need when I am sleeping. Oh well) The Moisturizing Dew is great too.

Kate Somerville EradiKate– for spot treating. If I do have something pop up, I throw a dot of this stuff on it. The key ingredient is sulfur. It smells, but it dries blemishes up like nobody’s business.

Alba Deep Sea Mud Mask- I use this about once a week at night. It draws out impurities and makes my skin feel super fresh and smooth. Followed by toner and lotion

Michael Todd Pumpkin Moisturizing mask– I use this once a week also just to pump up the volume on my skin and keep it lush!

My make up routine has changed a lot too.

I used to wear cover girl foundations, mousse creams and full coverage powders.

All applied with the sponge that came with them or my fingers.

Yuck.

( Also, you would be shocked how much better your makeup goes on with a clean brush! Wash your brushes!)

Now I can’t go with out a Pore Vanisher

Followed by a Face Primer- Smashbox or Makeup Forever

With just these 2 products on, my skin already looks 10x better than it does without.
You can tell that a good base has been created for my makeup to go on top of.

Foundation applied by my Beauty Blender

(ps: I clean my blender with Dr. Bronners Castile Soap and it works amazingly!)

Finished with powder, blush and highlighter.
(All applied with the correct & quality brushes)
As well as filled in brows with Bullet Proof for the cleanest look.
All set with my toner spray.

I would just like to add, I am no makeup guru or professional at makeup application.
So don’t hate.
I just wanted to share the new things I discovered that have made a difference in my life!

Maybe it’s time to take a look at your routine.
Are you in a rut?

Are you wondering why your make up doesn’t look as good as that other girls does?
Maybe it’s not that you don’t have the skills to apply it right, it’s that you are just using the wrong things entirely!
It’s time for a change!

Terrible Twos, but always smiling

April 7, 2014

My two weeks in photos

He did this pose all on his own, btw.

Never heard of the Flowbee?!

April 2, 2014

I got my hair done.

Kind.

I got it cut.

The color I did myself.

Because I am insane.

This post isn’t about the new red though.

It’s about ,you guessed it, being old.

I went to the local beauty college because i just needed a simple trim and it cost me 6.00!

Can’t argue with that.

However, while I was getting my hair cut, some how the topic of a Flowbee came up and the girl doing my hair stared at me like a deer in headlights when I mentioned it.

Apparently this was before her time.

Which makes sense, she is in college right now…so that would mean she was born after the craze.

But I feel like it was such a big part of American Trash history , I find it hard to believe that anyone would be so clueless to this pop culture favorite.

(Hello, Waynes World!?)

Especially someone in the hair industry ( kinda) .

So I gave her the benefit of the doubt.

I figured she just didn’t know the name and if I explained more to her, it would click.

I explained, that it was a diy hair cut gadget, they sold it on tv, it was hooked to a vacuum and literally sucked your hair into its handheld nozzle and cut it.

By this point she was so baffled she had stopped trimming and looked at me like I had totally made the whole thing up.

Which I get, I suppose if I had never heard of it and someone told me about it, I would think it couldn’t possibly be real. It’s so ridiculous.

So, my hair stylist asks her buddy next to her if SHE had heard of this, this, flow…..what? Flow.. bee thing. The other student is also stumped.

She says ” WOW, i need to you tube this! I wonder if our instructor has heard of it before”

( I’m thinking, OF COURSE she has heard of it!! Everyone has!)

So she asks the instructor when she walks by.

The instructor is all ” OF COURSE I HAVE HEARD OF A Flowbee!! They still sell them actually and they can cut a pretty good haircut if you aren’t trying to style at all.”

Finally, someone on the same page as me.

Too bad this woman was in her 60’s… and I have never felt older in my life.

Does this spray tan make my butt look big

March 30, 2014

Last week I hosted a lil’ gathering, a soire’ if you will, at my house.

I had an airbrush mobile tanning lady come over to get everyone ready for spring!

You may remember I did this once before.

Nothing like a spray tan to bring together some good friends!

Throw in some candles from Gold Canyon and delicious snacks by yours truly and you’ve got yourself

THE BEST NIGHT EVER

Ok, maybe not EVER, but that’s what the banner says.

I didn’t want to do the veggie tray and boxed wine route for this party.

I went a “little” overboard…but hey, what else do I have to do with my time?!

Stay at home mom’s just sit around and surf the tube, right?

This was craft project numero uno.

It turned out super cute, but super hard to read.

If only i had a cricket…..

(hint hint)

Next on the list was dining room decor

Which I decided to make myself

You might also be impressed that I bought nothing for these projects.

This was all junk out of my craft nest.

I made an assortment of whimsy garlands to hang over the table

Super easy Tissue Paper Tassels

Find a tutorial HERE

Card stock with pretty corners & glittered clothespins

Paper Punch

Knotted ribbons

Vintage hankies

( cuz, ya know I just happened to have a box of them hanging out)

Burlap strips and lace bows

Spray painted soup cans dipped in glitter

I know, I know, you are probably thinking ” OMG, this must have taken you forever to do!”

Hardly.

I made all of these in one evening

I’m crafty.

Then it was onto table decor!

I used a few of my mom’s table cloths as well as a vintage chenille bed spread as the base layer.

I added in a table runner and a few embroidered fabric napkins left over from my wedding.

Then I laying out dishes, plates,cake stands & platters and I labeled each dish with what food item would go in it so that I knew exactly how many dishes I needed to organize on my table.

I set those up at different heights, using things I had around the house ( ie; hat box, baskets, bins, more cake stands) and then accessorized with junk that went with my theme!

Here it is waiting for food.

Aaaaand Tah Dah!

Over here we have meat, cheese, crackers, stuffed shells

Behind that is Chicago Popcorn Cones

If you haven’t tried this stuff, you are missing out.

You can get your hands on a big bag at Costco for a few bucks and it’s so addicting.

These were super easy to make and a good way for guest to get decent amount to snack on.

Because let’s face it, putting a pile of popcorn on a plate is just kinda weird.

I used scrapbook paper that I cut into 2 triangles and rolled into a cone.

Stuffed some tissue paper in there before the popcorn and

taped edges shut with washi tape.

( PS: Washi tape is just as addicting as the popcorn. You have been warned)

Fruit, veggies & hummus

Small details

Signage

Labels are more important than you think.

Your guests will thank you.

Trust me.

Moving into the kitchen

My Spring Chalkboard update!

Pretty good for freehand me thinks

Putting the new sofa table to use.

Don’t my flowers look lovely!?

Here is my glowing flesh the next day

And that’s how you spend a Friday night!

To those of you who missed it, may your pale skin taunt you.

News Flash: I am the same age as the “parents” in class

March 17, 2014

Or will it?

I have been taking Clark to Little Gym since he turned one last summer.

He loves it.

More on that later, this is really about me.

I just realized i am the same age as all the other parents in the class.

I always looked at them as the “adults” they were ” parent age” and I was the younger , cooler one that just happened to have a baby in the class too.

Then the other day it donned on me, I am the same age as them.

I am the same age as the nerdy dad with the receding hairline.

I am the same age as the out of date mom with the puffy paint vest.

Why hadn’t this occurred to me before!?

We all have kids the same age obviously, the classes are grouped by age!

Most of them are only children and these are first time parents….like me.

Duh.

I guess I always just viewed myself as a kid still.

This was a huge revelation and I kinda wanted to go pass out and simultaneously do something super unresponsible and immature.

This is really happening.

I am a mom.

I am in my ….*shudder*….thirties now.

I am thinking about moving so I have more room for ….another child.

Not to say that’s all bad, it’s just something that has always been in the future.
And now I am realizing, this IS the future.

It’s just that I had so many things I thought I would do before I got to this stage.

Now I am here and I’m like ” WTF! I still have those other senseless fun adventures I wanted to do!”

I still have tattoos to get and vacations to take.

I wanted to be a KISW Rock girl and go to a Rave.

I wanted to party all night and eat biscuits and gravy in the morning to nurse my hang over.

I guess it’s not the realization that I am 30 and I am old.

It’s the realization that there are a lot of things I thought I wanted to do that are now falling out of my reach. Things that aren’t appropriate for me to do anymore and things that I honestly just DON’T want to do anymore but am still sad I wasn’t able to check them off my list.

In the back of my mind I always thought I had the option to do them.

Now, I feel like that door is shutting and I can’t go back.

Is it just me???

Now, to quench your Clark thirst.

Seuss cake. Pass and Fail.

March 17, 2014

This week I made a Dr.Seuss cake for a 1st Birthday party!

Let’s start with some inspiration photos.

What I wanted it to look like

What I DIDN’T want it to look like:

Cat Hat or Penis? It’s kind of borderline.

What it looked like:

Mason & his smash cake

Did I hit the mark?!

I am pretty happy with how it turned out, of course, like anything in retrospect, there are some small changes I would make the 2nd time around.

But, all in all, I think it looked cute and un-penis like.

Coffee table of death

March 15, 2014

You have caused so much harm!

I have toted you around for the last 10 years.

My original coffee table I took with me when I moved to California at 22.

I found you in my grandpa’s basement and painted you with some left over paint I had sitting around.

You never matched anything, but kinda went anyway.

Great for storage, bad for business.

Since having Clark, you has been nothing but problems.

All injuries have lead back to you!

Clark has cracked his head on this thing countless times and it’s worthless for setting a drink on because Clark will knock it over.

It’s pointless to set decorations on because Clark with take them all off.

So we had to come up with a new solution.

Enter : The modern sofa table!

Obviously, Clark is a toddler and still messes with all the decor I set on it, but it’s still better this way.

My Inspiration Photos

Found mostly on Pinterest.

This is what the table looks like “naked” Since you can’t see anything besides the end, it was really easy and quick to build.

Steve used some wood we had sitting around that was originally torn out of the upstairs when we remodeled. He nailed it all together and stained the top and exposed side.

I liked the rustic look without any sealer or lacquer on it, but that would be a nice finish.