How To: Surviving Allergy Season..

Surviving Allergy Season... by hchdesigns featuring Bumble and Bumble

It's the most wonderful time of the year... where all glamour goes out the door and I'm surrounded by tissues & allergy medicine.... If you could hear my voice right now it sounds a bit like Meg Ryan when she was sick in You've Got Mail.... Growing up I never struggled with allergies and honestly had little compassion for those who did... Big mistake HUGE..  now since moving to Northern California where nothing ever really dies in winter.. like clock work I will have a month of seasonal allergies! Ugh... So how's a girl supposed to stay sane in this wretched season, let alone look chic??? Well I'll tell you...

• Stay comfortable but do not live in your PJ's... repeat after me.. I'm adult and only babies wear PJ's all day... Over-sized tees & boyfriend jeans are a fantastic option! 
• Since your not feeling well, skip the stilettos.. I know, I know, we love em but honestly if your drugged up on NyQuil & Allegra you probably shouldn't be driving 5 inch heels... they should put that somewhere on the box... go for an endlessly classic sneaker like these White Converse! Be sure to have the jeans rolled up showing some leg, ooh la la... this will help balance your proportions... 
• Accessorize!! It's the magic dust of any look, nothing fancy just a watch, earrings & sunnies.. this will help make you look like you actually tried to get dressed in the morning.. which isn't that the point? 
• Makeup.. this is naturally the easiest thing to skip when not feeling well, however it is one of the MOST important and will do wonders for your mood! Keep it simple, mascara, lips and a little glow for the cheeks... Just because you feel like you shouldn't see the light of day doesn't mean you should look like a vampire... Think Bella from Twilight and just say NO! I love the Nars Illuminator in the color Orgasm... I wear it everyday! 
• Hair, again very easy to skip but I promise you'll physically feel better if you feel you look good... so wash it, spritz it with a texturizing spray like Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray... easy peasy...  and you look great! 

Let's be honest, nothing quite says "Ooh la la" like Vapor Rub and a box full of tissues.. it's not a glamorous time but there are some things we can do to help. In my experience if you are just feeling icky, take a little time to give to yourself, you will feel a world of difference! Even if it is just to run to Walmart for more cough drops.... Because if there is anyone who can make cold & allergy season ,chic, it's you!

Mom's Soft Granola Recipe...

Mom's Soft Granola....

Sharing with you today my Mom's Soft Granola recipe... If there was one recipe the was the epitome of my childhood... this is it.... the easiest tastiest soft granola (no baking means no burning #win).. perfect for breakfast or midnight snack.. or both!

Start with 7 cups of Oats.. (not quick kind) & 1 cup of Oat Bran (optional) I didn't have any this time... so I didn't put it in... 

1 cup of oil (I used coconut oil melted) & 1 cup of honey (this can be too sweet sometimes so feel free to adjust to your preference), if you do the oil first the honey will just slid out...

Mix it up...

add 2-3 Tbs of Vanilla... you need to be able to taste it.... I didn't even measure.. 

I wish I could say this is the first time I've used Paprika instead of Cinnamon accidentally.. but it's not... just use Cinnamon and use as much as you want...OMG... my nails...

Eyeball the fixings... I used coconut & sliced almonds.. but you can do dried cranberries, raisins.. chopped nuts, chocolate chips... basically what ever you really want! 

And lastly taste! You need to make sure it's edible for the family... It's the price I have to pay and what can I say, I'm a team player! 

Here is the official recipe.. kindly written out by my sister Becky..

Soft Granola

7 c. or whole canister rolled oats (not quick oats)

1 c. oat bran or wheat bran

1 c. wheat germ (optional)

1 c. oil (can use less if don't mind it drier)

1 c. honey (in that order, b/c the honey slips out after the oil!)

2 tsp vanilla

Obviously I didn't follow the recipe exactly.. I like to call it Artistic License but really that's the beauty of this.. you can make it to what you prefer..  Once everything is combined, store in a clear class container on your counter, so everyone can see your nifty granola skills... Enjoy!