DIY Hair Mask + Body Scrub

 

DIY Hair Mask and Body Scrub Recipes via Simply Happenstance Blog

:: DIY Hair Mask + Body Scrub ::

The harsh coldness of winter brings about DRY hair and skin! I for one, have grown weary of my flaky skin and brittle ends! How about you? Do you happen to have a jar of organic coconut oil in your home? There are so many uses for coconut oil… in fact, you can cruise on over to Wellness Mama to view 101 uses for the magical stuff! One of my favorite ways to apply coconut oil is to my hair and skin. Nightly, I actually smooth it all over my face. {It helps to moisturize and has natural anti-bacterial properties that help fight against acne and dreaded breakouts.}  

Since coconut oil is so versatile and healing, I came up with two simple DIY beauty recipes you can make on a whim, to help nourish your lovely locks and moisturize your thirsty skin. {I used all Trader Joe’s ingredients for my mixtures.} Enjoy, and please let me know how else you use coconut oil! 

The Hair Mask:

Avocado, Coconut Oil, and Honey Hair Mask {via Simply Happenstance}

Avocado Hair Mask Recipe {via Simply Happenstance}

Nourishing Avocado Hair Mask {via Simply Happenstance}

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Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

 San Clemente

:: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Sara and I are trying our hardest not to brag, but this is California!  This is the weather we have been experiencing… crazy yet beautiful all wrapped into one.  For this edition of Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}, we hope that you, our readers, are experiencing weather you adore, as well! I actually took this picture on New Year’s Eve in San Clemente.  A peaceful day by the pier allowed us to keep perspective of our blessings going into the New Year.  I know for January, it often seems like a slow month, but this year, it seems to be speeding along. 

We hope that you can take a moment this weekend and enjoy some of your blessings…. whether it be inside snuggling and keeping warm with the ones you love, or being out and about… enjoying the weather at hand.  But of course before you do all of that, take a moment to enjoy some of our favorite things!  Don’t forget if you are a blogger or Etsy Shop owner, you can link-up your favorite post of the week {or your fabulous Etsy Shop}.  The link information is at the bottom of the page.  Enjoy! [Read more…]

Green Berry Smoothie

Green Berry Smoothie

It’s a New Year can you believe it?  I am thinking positive by starting my day positive and healthy with a Green Berry Smoothie.  Yes, as you can tell Sara and I love smoothies.  Did I mention I worked at Jamba Juice when I was a freshman in college, so yes I am a smoothie dork? I love the way they make me feel in the morning.  I need what ever additional energy I can get, because the whole coffee thing doesn’t get things cracking around here.

I know I am not alone in this whole “feeling good” department and it is something we are always striving to find.  Every year I do make a few resolutions or vows of some simple life changes.  I do have to say that we eat pretty healthy around here when we can, but one of the life changes I would like to incorporate in our life style is adding some gluten free meals into our diet.  This Green Berry Smoothie is gluten free recipe and it is packed with protein, fruits, and vegetables.  But what I am HOPING {it’s my word this year} is to add it more into our kids diet.  With Mason being on the Autism Spectrum, his diagnosis has yet to prove it’s results in a gluten free lifestyle as he is very high functioning, but I think that it can improve his attention span and his energy level in a positive way.  As for myself, we haven’t seen much winter here and there is always the beach and pool that us mamas have to attend to with the kids. [Read more…]

Beauty… My Word for 2014

Images Via: Simply Happenstance Blog

 :: Beauty… My Word for 2014 ::

With the beginning of 2014, I’ve noticed that several of my favorite blogs have posted their “best of 2013,” a look back in photographs, or a roundup of their top-rated recipes. A few have even chosen a single word to represent the New Year… a simple reminder of their personal goals for 2014. I loved this idea, so I decided to do the same.

Images via: Simply Happenstance BlogLooking back at 2013, I’d have to say that my word was TRUST. It was a big year for my family. Exactly a year ago marked our trip to Mammoth Lakes in California… which changed everything. It got us thinking… and talking… about our lives, our goals for our family, what we valued, and what our hopes were for our sweet four. [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

Twenty Fourteen

:: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Wow it’s 2014! Can you believe it? Sara and I had a nice break enjoying our family time during the holidays.  With two fire schedules, the holidays aren’t really celebrated exactly as per the calendar date, but around the time we have our husbands home during their days off.  A crazy life for sure, but one we get used to day by day. We were able to capture the moments when we could. 

January is like September for me.  A month to renew, rethink, and re-evaluate what is working in life, and what is not.  I love it because I am not one for big change, so it pushes me outside of my comfort zone to really think about life.  I have a few big resolutions, or I should say “life changes,” that I have been working on for a couple of years. I don’t plan on moving mountains, but the one thing I do love and plan to hang on to, is to the simple idea of “hope.” It’s a big word that can help in multiple ways in life. 

That being said, Sara and I hope you like some new changes we have made to Simply Happenstance!  A big one is our weekly edition of Weekend Lovelies. We thoroughly enjoy lovelies because it truly is an eclectic mix of all the wonderful things we’ve come across on the web. There are so many great recipes, DIY projects, and thought provoking articles to share! In an effort to broaden our lovelies and share more great finds… we thought we’d  open it up to other bloggers! {If you have a personal blog, from this point forward, on Saturday’s & Sunday’s, you’ll be able to link-up your favorite recent blog post to share with our readers! We hope that you will join us, and spread the word! If you have an Etsy Shop… you can link that up, too!} 

So without much further ado, welcome to Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}! 

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{weekend} lovelies

 

merry christmas {image via simply happenstance} :: Weekend Lovelies ::

So this is it! Christmas is in just a few short days! By now… you are all most likely prepared for family gatherings and gift giving. In case you’re not… here are a few more ideas! There’s a couple recipes, some DIY gifts, and some style inspiration. To top it off, we found a fun stamp project to do with your kids over Winter Break!

Nicole and I have decided to take next week off from the blog so that we can truly focus on spending time with our families. We are hoping to soak up this special time by baking with our children, listening to Christmas music, enjoying our recent snowfall {in the mountains}, spending some cuddle time with our husbands, and catching up with friends and family. We just wanted to wish you all the Merriest Christmas! May it be joyous and bright… and let’s not forget the true meaning behind CHRISTmas! {xo} [Read more…]