The Sweetest Thing

Last week I made cupcakes for the two first grade classes at my sons school (as well as chaperon the field trip to the IU Art Museum).  I was clueless as to what to make, so I emailed my friend Ilyn for some ideas.  She suggested Cookie Dough Cupcakes, and let me just say they turned out amazing!  So a big thank you to my friend Ilyn!  You are just as sweet as the goodies that you make, and I wish you the best of luck in all that you do. 

•Cookie Dough Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Vanilla Butter cream•

•sweet little bites of perfection•

For those of you who need that right amount of inspiration when it comes to baking, or even want to try something new, please check out Ilyns blog Sugar & Creme.  You will not be disappointed!
Happy baking!

Spa Treatment On A Budget

As women, we work hard, and play harder.  Sometimes our lives get so chaotic we wish for a nice spa day to just relax.  But with prices for spa services being so high, who wants to pay just to be able to relax?  Well now you can relax and enjoy a little R&R without breaking the bank, and everything you need is available at your local drug store, or grocery store! 

Yoga - There's nothing like a good stretch!  Not only is yoga great for your muscles and body,    but did you know it can also help your internal organs to by pushing out toxins?  It may seem a little complex to some who have never done it before, but it's actually very easy!  Just remember; the more you do it, the better you'll get at it.  Don't want to go to the gym and pay for a over priced class?  Try the yoga videos available through Gaiam.  With yoga levels ranging from beginner to advanced, you'll find the yoga program that's best for you!

Massage Therapy - Want a massage without breaking the bank?  Do what I do.  I got to the local massage therapy school.  Students there have to log in a certain number of hours with clients in order to get licensed.  The perk, I get a 1 hour massage for 30 bucks! That's half the cost of the average massage at the day spa, and it's just as good!

Bath Salts - For those of us who work out quite a bit, or maybe just want a nice relaxing soak, try a salt bath!  I got one that's all natural and scented with lavender of eucalyptus for a little touch of aroma therapy.  Simply fill the tub up with warm water (around 95 degrees), throw in 2 cups of salt, let the tub fill, and give the salt time to fully dissolve.  Then just hop in, inhale that scented steam, and relax.  Ahhhhhh......you won't have a care in the world! I like the AHAVA bath salts.  They're all natural, inexpensive, and available at Target! Did I mention that they smell AMAZING? 

Scrub-a-dub-dub - So after your relaxing salt bath, you always want to rinse of and shower as usual.  So you do you make a shower a spa experience.  Salt scrub!  Wash with soap as usual, then follow with your favorite salt scrub.  It will leave our skin exfoliated, oils in it will help moisturize your skin.  My fave; Giovanni's Cool Mint Lemonade Salt Scrub.  My skin feels smooth, and my shower smells like mint lemonade! Perfect for the current spring season and upcoming summer!

Masks - Want to give your skin care routine a spa twist.  Try a paper mask!  They're all sorts of different ones to choose from.  They come infused with everything from aloe, to Q-10, and yes even pearl.  I like the Red Wine Mask from My Beauty Diary because it helps with free radicals in your skin, and loaded with polyphenols. And guess what? It smells like grape flavored candy!


So you're done pampering your self.  The best way to top it all off?  Get comfortable, curl up with your favorite book, or movie, and a nice hot cup of your favorite tea.  Not sure what kind to choose from?  Go for Tazos Zen Green Tea with Lemon Grass, Yogi's Kombucha, or the classic Chamomile.  Then light some aroma therapy candles, and you're all set.  


Now that you know that you can enjoy a little spa time in the comforts of your own home, without breaking the bank, don't forget to take a little time out for yourself to just relax and enjoy the moment.

What's Lurking In Your Makeup

We all know the importance of keeping our makeup brushes clean.  Keeping our brushes clean between uses prevents everything from nasty skin infections, irritations, and yes, even the dreaded breakouts.  But what about our makeup? Think about it, you dip your brush in your product, then apply it to your face, and then dip it in product again.  When you're done using your product your seal it, and store it.  All that nasty bacteria is cultivating in your favorite makeup products.  So what do you do?

DO NOT clean  your makeup products with water (especially your eyeshadows).  Water will make them totally useless, and the only thing your eyeshadow will be good for at that point is a eyeliner.  What do I do?  Use a isopropyl  alcohol (available at any drug store) in a spray bottle.  Simply give your products (blush, eyeshadow,  lip liner, eye liner, etc.) a few quick spritzes, then set aside for a few seconds to dry (set it on a clean paper towel or clean hand towel to prevent surface contact with bathroom or kitchen counters).  Wa-lah!  Your make up is now clean and sterilized!