DIY honey oatmeal mask

Ever since I can remember, my skin has been very dry and incredibly sensitive. It has always been a struggle finding safe moisturizers, facial cleansers, and scrubs that don't irritate my skin. I have found home remedies, using natural food products, to be the key to moisturizing.

Today I am sharing my oatmeal honey mask and I am so excited about it because I know that it truly works for sensitive skin types. It is super simple and only requires three ingredients.
~ Two tablespoons of oats
~ One teaspoon of honey
~ One teaspoon of coconut oil

Oatmeal is full of vitamins and minerals that help to lock in moisture and hydrate the skin.
{Oatmeal is a great natural product for treating rough skin conditions like eczema, acne, sunburns, etc
I suggest oatmeal baths... they are quite delightful and leave the skin feeling wonderfully soft and soothing.}

Honey is a great natural, moisturizer and cleanser for the skin due to its many antioxidants and nutrients.

I have found coconut oil to be one of the best moisturizers for dry skin. It can be optional for this mask but I like adding it because it only helps to soften and hydrate the skin. {I use coconut oil as a daily moisturizer and it works wonders!}

When you are finished mixing together all of the ingrediants, apply the mask to your skin and leave for about ten minutes. The oats may occasionally fall off of your skin and I may add... they make for a delicious snack. {Yes, masks made with natural food products are the best kind of masks partly because they are edible!} Once the 10 minutes are up, rinse with warm water and pat dry.
I hope you enjoy!

DIY mason jar planters

As the holidays approach, it's no secret that for most, it becomes incredibly stressful thinking of the perfect gift ideas. Lately, I have become an enormous 'plant fan'. Everytime I see a jar, mug, or wood piece I immediately think about what plant I could possibly place there. {I think that may offer me up as the crazy plant lady} The plant that I prefer using, and I feel is the easiest to manage, is the Succulent. Succulents are very easy to maintain in arid regions. {*hint they will live quite a while here in Las Vegas} I think that may be why I enjoy them so much. Succulents only require a light watering once a week, indirect sunlight, and most importantly, a whole lot of love.

This is a fun, simple, and affordable gift idea for someone who will enjoy a little green life this holiday season. I hope you enjoy!

For this project, you can use any size mason jar. The only difference is an increased amount of soil to fill the jar. The mason jar I prefer using with these small succulents is a 4 oz Ball brand. This brand, along with several other mason brands, can be found at Target, Walmart, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.

Succulents can be found at almost any plant nursery, Home Depot, or Lowes. I purchase mine at the Star Nursery here in Las Vegas. Each succulent of this size is only $1.98. The soil that I use is called African Violet Potting Mix. It is also inexpensive and can be found at any plant nursery, Home Depot, or Lowes. 

Warning: This project gets messy.. but it's surly worth the mess!

DIY branch wall decor

Happy Sunday!

Today I spent most of the day outside crafting as the weather was absolutely beautiful. 

This project is one of my favorites. I found the idea a couple months ago from a blog I follow called 'oh the lovely things' and days later, saw the idea on the Urban Outfitters website just using slightly different materials. It is a very easy and inexpensive craft {which we all know are the best kind of crafts}. It only requires you to be adventurous of course-- searching for the perfect branch.

This project can be done with any type of yarn, string, twine, or fabric.

Once you have your material, you will need to cut several pieces to the length of which you would like it to hang. 

You will then fold your material in half and hang it over your branch.

Once hung over your branch like so, you will place the open-ended side through the loop and pull tight.

Once you are finished, you can cut your end material into whatever shape you prefer. I really enjoy cutting mine into the shape of a 'v'. I think it makes the material look fuller when it is hanging.
Enjoy!

DIY coffee mug planter

These last couple weeks, I have been a tad bit succulent happy. I have been making several trips to the plant nursery, buying an abundance. I thought what better way to display them than through coffee mugs. They add a little something special to your {already} beautiful plant.
This is a very simple and inexpensive project. The only materials you will need will be a mug, a bag of potting mix, {found at a local plant nursery, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.} and of course a plant of your choice.

A Sisters Weekend

A few short weeks ago I traveled to Half Moon Bay to visit my older sister Ashley, before she embarks on her incredible journey to Thailand {totally jealous}.
Half Moon Bay is a small town right outside of San Francisco and one I very much enjoy visiting. Her house is tucked away at the top of a quiet mountain surrounded by an endless array of fog. It's definitely one of the beautiful places I've gotten the chance to see. I also love visiting because it means I get to partake in the 'San Fransisco' and 'Santa Cruz' life... visit cute coffee shops, partake in being a beach bum whereever, whenever, and dance my heart out with complete strangers at blue grass festivals. Ashley always takes me to the best places and the most breathtaking spots that make me all the more appriciate this beautiful life. Here are a few photos that make my heart happy. I hope you enjoy!

 

Kombucha. If you have not yet tasted this, run to the nearest Whole Foods or market now. Amazing!

I made Ashley and my brother Jason a delicious breakfast using vegetables from Ashley's garden. I must say it was quite wonderful and I am not much of a cook.. {it must have been the fresh California veggies}.

Serenade.

 One of my new top chocies when it comes to morning study dates at a coffee house. It's warm, quiet, and serves the best vanilla chai tea. What could be better than that?

Honey bread. Absolutely delicious.

hello there, arroyo grande

Happy Monday!

While driving to California with my family yesterday, I caught myself thinking about how many families are actually fortunate enough to take a vacation in the summer time, or if anytime at that. I tend to overlook how incredibly blessed I am to have a happy, healthy family who is able to travel together. I know that many are not as fortunate. 

With this, I am reminded of how precious life is and how easily it can be taken for granted if the little things are not recognized and cherished.

My family and I stopped at the cutest little farmers market, a little off the road, in Arroyo Grande. This is what I love about Northern California... organic goods everywhere!

This spot was at my uncles house, way up on the top of a hill, I found it absoluetly breathtaking. A great place to relax with a cup of tea and a special book.

Bruschetta.

 Every Italian knows that this dish is a must before or with dinner.

If you haven't tried it already.. I would suggest putting it on the list. It is delicious!