Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

photo of laguna beach, california {via simply happenstance blog} :: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Hey, hey… happy weekend, friends! Nicole and I hope that you all have had a fabulous week! We’ve been keeping busy with our little ones! In addition to the normal weekly activities, both of our families have set aside time for beach days. Fortunately, we were able to soak up the sunshine before it became overcast and a bit cooler here in Southern California. We know much of the country has literally been freezing! If that’s you… we sincerely hope you’ve been able to stay warm, and have had lots of opportunities to cozy-up to those you adore most!

So… we have some really fabulous finds to share with you below! We hope that you enjoy them! Also… in case you missed it, Bethany U. was the winner of our darling bracelet giveaway from Stella & Dot! {Congrats!!!} Don’t forget… if you are a blogger or Etsy Shop owner, you can now link-up to our Lovelies post Saturday-Sunday! We hope that you’ll join us in the fun, and spread the word! Enjoy the weekend! {xo}

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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

 forest walk {photo via simply happenstance}

:: Weekend Lovelies :: 

Happy Weekend, Friends! Nicole and I hope that you are all doing well and enjoying the first weekend of November! Do you have any fun fall plans? If so… please share!

I’m personally hoping for a relaxing weekend spent at home… {As if that’s possible with four kids, right?!} We’ve been quite busy with homeschooling, family hikes {the photo above was taken on our hike last week}, and ballet rehearsals for Miss Sophia Blue, among other things! We got our first dusting of snow a couple of weeks ago! We are truly soaking up this lovely season of autumn, since it is all so new to us!

This edition of {weekend} lovelies is a mixture of pretty things… some comforting recipes, simple home design, DIY projects, the best crafting blogs, a love story, and more! I hope that you’re able to take a moment and enjoy them while sipping on your favorite warm drink! 

Maple Brown Sugar Pumpkin Roll // Bakeaholic Mama I must make this dessert, simply based on how divine the filling looks! Oh my! 

Maple Brown Sugar Pumpkin Roll

A Swedish Home // Scandinavian Home Blog I can’t resist Scandinavian design. I love the simplicity of the interiors with the abundance of fresh white paint and pops of color throughout. 

Scandinavian Design

Fall DIY Projects // Lily Shop I’m loving these three DIY crafts from the Lily Shop Blog! They all seem perfect for the approaching Thanksgiving holiday! Here are the links to the tutorials: 1. Gold Mason Jars | 2. Chalkboard Serving Trays  | 3. Paper Pumpkin

DIY Projects via LilyShop

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Birchbox Beauty Favorites

 

 :: BIRCHBOX FAVORITES ::

 

I love products…. but I certainly don’t go to beauty supply stores and shop for myself often. With four kids, it seems like all shopping these days is for them…. not mama! Birchbox is perfect for someone like me! At only ten dollars a month, I don’t feel bad with the small purchase. The added bonus is that you don’t pay additional shipping and it comes in the mail… so it’s like opening up a little present once a month! I had every intention of doing a monthly review of its contents… but that hasn’t happened… In fact, I’ve only done this one {which you can view here}. In lieu of the monthly review, I decided to share with you several of my favorite products that I have received over the past five months. All of my favorites are on the Birchbox Best Sellers list, which means I am not alone in my opinions! These products are of great quality and ones I will purchase for myself once my samples run out. 

 

theBalm // Put A Lid On It

A little goes a long way with this amazing eyelid primer! I have used several other brands. This one happens to be less money, while still producing the same lasting, creaseless effect! Your shadows and eyeliner will stay on all day long! At times, I hesitate when about to wash off my eye makeup {at the end of the day} because it still looks perfect! I’m not one to sleep in my makeup, but I almost wonder if you could! You would probably wake up with your eyes looking flawless, assuming you’re a back sleeper! This product retails for $18. 

 

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I Heart My Hot Rollers

** I Heart My Hot Rollers **

My friends and family know that I am addicted to hot rollers. I have been using them since my stepmom introduced me to her Con Air Rollers as a little girl.  My Mom, like most of you, would roll our hair up in sponge curlers the night before a special occasion so that we would have bouncy Shirley Temple curls for pictures.  I think that hot rollers are the easiest way to add a little volume while styling your hair.  I use them a minimum of three times a week and I have owned two sets of rollers since high school.  If you do the math, these things are indestructible.  Let’s just say if my house was on fire and you asked me to take a few beauty products with me, these would be one of the first things I would grab {wink}. [Read more…]

Hide Damaged Hair {Tutorial}

 

As busy moms, we are often left very little time to do our own hair in the morning.

Usually, it’s a mad dash to make sure the kids are well-fed, groomed, dressed appropriately, and dropped off at school on-time with healthy lunches securely packed!

Most mornings we are lucky to get a brush through our hair before drop-offs, while the rest of the time we end up sporting top knots or ponytails.

Unfortunately, these sorts of updo’s can lead to some serious hair breakage over time.

We decided to look into some new ways to do our hair that promise to be quick and easy… while still looking polished.

We found this great {short} video tutorial on how to create beachy waves that helps to minimize the appearance of dry, damaged hair {since we also go too long between cuts — yikes}!

 

{The Look}

 

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