DIY Oatmeal and Lavender Bath Soak

DIY Oatmeal and Lavender Bath Soak simplyhappenstance.com #DIY #bath #moms #oatmeal #lavenderDIY // Oatmeal and Lavender Bath Soak

Yay… It’s mid-week! All I’m dreaming of is a little rest, relaxation, and a warm bath {alone} tonight! If you’re a mom, you’ll especially appreciate the “alone” part! Am I right? It seems that every time I draw a bath for myself, I have at least a couple of my kids come in, splash their hands in the water, and ask if they can take a bath. It’s far from relaxing! So tonight, my plan is to take a secret bath {when everyone falls asleep}, immersing my body in this simple DIY bath soak! 

I love a good bath soak, but they can be expensive to buy… and sometimes there are unwanted added ingredients. I first made this Oatmeal and Lavender mixture for my littlest guy, Finn, over Christmas. He had pneumonia and ended up with an itchy rash all over his body from an allergic reaction to the antibiotics. On Christmas morning, my heart was broken looking at his sweet face and little body. He was literally covered in an uncomfortable rash from head-to-toe. I decided to make my own bath soak to help soothe his skin and lift his spirits. It definitely did help, which is partly why I’m sharing it with you today! 

DIY Oatmeal and Lavender Bath Soak simplyhappenstance.com

I have since made this recipe a few times. I have used locally grown dried lavender, as well as, {kid-safe} lavender essential oil, from Plant Therapy. The bath soak has turned out great, regardless of which kind of lavender I have used. So my advice to you, is to use whatever you have on hand, or can find easily! [Read more…]

Greens Detox Smoothie

Healthy and Easy Greens Detox Smoothie using Aloha Greens:: Greens Detox Smoothie ::

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Aloha, but all opinions are my own. #pmedia #MyAloha #AlohaMoment  https://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

It’s September and school is back in full swing, which means it’s time to get back into a health and fitness routine! This Greens Detox Smoothie recipe, made with Aloha Blend Box of Daily Good Greens, is the perfect start to a busy school day!

Our summer is officially over, as our first full week of school has been completed. The new school year brings along the possibility of a fresh beginning {after a summer filled with ice cream and barbecues}.  I am excited to up my yoga routine, and to use this Greens Detox Smoothie to get my mornings off to a positive and healthy start!   [Read more…]

DIY Jewelry Organizer and Giveaway

Do It Yourself Jewelry Orgaznizer

:: DIY Jewelry Organizer and Giveaway ::

I love the New Year!  It’s a chance to refresh and revisit what needs to be prioritized and organized.  This DIY Jewelry Organizer is a fantastic way to keep your jewelry at bay! We hope you are inspired to create your own!

Before we get to the tutorial… Sara and I are excited to offer you a chance to win a pretty baubled bracelet from Stella and Dot’s Spring Collection.  We love GIVEAWAYS!  The lucky winner can add this Amelie Sparkle Bracelet in Peach to their arm candy!  {I think I might need this bracelet too, and a few others from their Spring Collection!} 

Read ahead for your chance to win… but first we need to get our jewelry organized!  Not a small feat, as before this project I had three old dusty jewelry boxes that were becoming more of a place to play for Madeline, than for me to actually use and see what was in them!  My dear friend, Erica, inspired this jewelry organizer.  If you visit her closet, she has her jewelry organized in a similar fashion.  She made me see the light… that unless you have your jewelry displayed, you tend to wear the same pieces over… and over again.  I decided it was high time to cut back and organize my jewelry so that I could enjoy my seasonal and special pieces more often. So first thing is first, before my run to Home Depot, I went through my boxes and made a giveaway, keep, and play pile. 

 Do It Yourself Jewelry Organizer [Read more…]

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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Raspberry Vanilla Smoothie

 

As a busy mom of four, I gave up breakfasts that are time consuming long ago!  Although cereal, frozen waffles, granola bars & healthy homemade muffins are a staple in my home for the kids… I make myself a protein shake or smoothie almost every morning.  I love to experiment by adding greek yogurt to different types of fresh fruit & even veggies {such as spinach or kale}.  I typically sweeten {when needed} by adding honey, but you can always adjust that in the recipe to use your favorite sweetener.

This Raspberry Vanilla Smoothie recipe is packed full of high quality protein from the Fage Greek Yogurt I used {18 grams to be exact!}.  It’s also loaded with healthful antioxidants from the fresh, organic raspberries {to read more about the health benefits of raspberries click here}.  I made this recipe for my husby and I one morning.  My kids had a taste and LOVED it!  I ended up having to whip up more for my sweet little ones!  [Read more…]

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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