DIY: Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub

Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub by hchdesigns on Polyvore

While the Midwest & East Coast is getting winter's version of PMS... Us here in California are experiencing a drought... which you know what that means.. dry dry dry... my skin is normally dry however I've lived most of my life in humid/snowy weather conditions so I didn't notice too much... Enter moving to California 5 years ago.. all of a sudden my face & hair are dry... like Sahara dry.. I've tried scrubs, I've tried lotions & conditioners... but nothing really has helped... until.... drum roll please.... I remembered that coconut oil was really good for the skin! I watched a YouTube video of Jaclyn Hill (love her) using sugar as a natural exfoliant and she loves it! The idea was planted...  I really wish I could take credit for this genius however I cannot.. It's a mixture of my YouTube makeup video addiction, Pinterest  & my mom always being right... but I digress....
Here's how to make it...*note* this is a basic recipe that I tweaked you can find many different options in the land of Pinterest.. here's one that I used for inspiration...

• Melt 1 Cup of Coconut oil (not hot , just melted/soft).. it doesn't take very long.. 45 seconds or so... *tip* it's way easier to measure once it's melted.. it can re-harden whatever you don't use... I just put the jar in the microwave (minus the lid)... 
• Measure out 2 cups of Brown Sugar, it's better if it's a lighter brown but really any kind will do...
• Add 1 teaspoon of Vanilla.. I found a recipe that said 1/2 tsp and honestly it wasn't enough for me but really this is just for smell... nothing else... so use your best judgement... 
• Mix until all the ingredients look like it's mixed.. obviously there's some serious science behind this.. and put into a pint size mason jar or Tupperware for storage... 

That's it friends... but beware, it tastes amazing.. like when you make chocolate chip cookies amazing.. the cool thing is when you scrub your face and it gets on your lips, it's delicious and safe to eat... I said to my husband that my skincare was soo tasty and I could just eat it out of the jar.. I didn't, don't worry.. to which he responded " that sounds a little desperate"... yes honey, yes it is... 

This can be used for the face & body...I wash my face, like usual then I use this scrub... it is incredible and the oil removes all that pesky waterproof eye makeup and my face is like breathing a sigh of relief and softly saying "thank you".... Another amazing option, legs!!! Don't be afraid to shave with it!! It's heavenly, the warm water of the shower melts the oil just enough and the sugar scrubs all the old skin... not to mention you'll end up smelling like a cookie.. Score one for the home team.

How To Wear: Radiant Orchid...

Radiant Orchid by hchdesigns featuring lips makeup

Radiant Orchid, the color of 2014... I'm not sure who decides these things or how really it's chosen and the whole logic behind it... but I must say when I heard that Emerald was last years, naturally as a redhead with fair skin, I was thrilled! See in this post here... This year not so much.. Don't get me wrong it's a gorgeous color and all you lovely olive and dark skin ladies, this is your year... However.. I"m like whiter than rice... it makes me look like death warmed over.. I've got the bridesmaid dresses to prove it..  Just kidding I've removed all the evidence, thanks Goodwill...

My solution... accessories & beauty!!  My rule of thumb for most mainstream trends are, start small... it's way easier to replace a small trendy item when it's no longer chic.. than an entire wardrobe...

• One of my favorite ways to stay current is mixing in color trends with your nails! How gorgeous are those Pantone Universe Nail Colors (apparently coming to Sephora in the Spring)... I mean, I would wear every single one! If you don't want to wait that long, Essie has a great option!
• Statement earrings are also WAY big this year, such a great way to spice up a look... You can find  those gorgeous earrings  from Bauble Bar! Only $32!!! Style them with distressed boyfriend jeans, black stilettos & a crisp white button down...Hello beautiful!!
• There are so many fabulous ways to incorporate this color in your makeup, YSL has that amazing eye palette or lip.. Can you imagine a gorgeous smokey eye with all this purple hue? Wowza...
• Let's not forget about your cell phone cover! It really should be thought of as a true fashion accessory since it's usually in our hand most of the day... guilty... how gorgeous is that cover from Tory Burch!

Just some tips to help you with mixing in some of this years hottest trends, start small...Mix it with your favorites.. a healthy mix of classic & trendy is honestly one of my favorite looks... One last tip, if you tend to have fair skin, go for deeper tones of this... you will thank me later.... Darker skin ladies...(jealous face).. like I said before... enjoy, this is your year! 

It's Champagne Thursday!!

How adorable is this print from Shop Dandy Boutique they have it in white too!

Reasons for Champagne but who really needs a reason, am I right?

-Tomorrow is Valentines Day!!! WooHoo!! nuff said... love this holiday.. shh. you haters..

-Totally beat the system by buying my card for Seth at Trader Joe's for $.99! Take that crazy expensive card industry that I should totally go into business for...and before you all start judging me, my card is WAY cuter than the 6.99 on from Target.. just sayin..

-Cupcakes from Sift.. OMG.. they are amazing... if you are in San Francisco area you have to try them!!!

-Made my first ever lasagna last night... not too shabby...  

-Don't have to wear the dreadful US Olympic team snow gear & sweaters... that alone is reason to celebrate! #hideous

-Did not cut my hair with child safety scissors, like I did in a panic dream... woke up so relieved...in my dream I looked like Meg Ryan and not in a good way.. take my word for it...

- There is no expiration date to my dreams... so I'll keep trying... 

Life lately has been a little hectic and full.. many apologies for not getting regular posts up..I've been feeling bad about that but the good news is that it's totally OK to pace myself..  Thanks for being awesome and amazing readers..Enjoy your Thursday and pop open some Champagne!

Insta What? My selfie obsession...

 I realized that I do a lot of selfies.... well that's awkward.. Somehow I've only had time for Instagram lately... a thousand apologies... life as usual is taking president.. oh well.. 

Here's a little run down on my IG pics lately doing it's very best to make my life extremely interesting when  usually it's a mixture of laundry, work & starting the dishwasher... 

Left to right...

- When the photographer says "now pose, do anything, even be awkward" Awkward you say? nailed it...

- "We're driving Cadilacs in our dreams"... singing in the car to Royals by Lorde.

- A recipe book all about Mac N Cheese... #heaven

-That time when the coffee pot broke..

- Being together... bliss..

- It was a hard day and chocolate was needed pronto...

- Cue hipster glasses selfie..again with the selfies, I've got a problem.

- Gift from bestie, even the cocktail napkins speak your language...

- Best clam chowder in all the San Francisco Bay Area, The Boat House in Bodega Bay... to die for!

- My husband, too cool for school...

- Why don't we just call this one, good hair day... #selfie insert, an "oh brother" & eye roll here...

- Makeup bag magic.. Loving Tarte right now!

In the meantime, I'll be Instagram sharing my world with you all and if you'd like to follow along click here! Thanks for reading and happy Monday!