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!

Champagne Thursday!!! On Tuesday...

photo source... French By Design Blog.

I realize it's been like a hundred years since I've blogged.. so sorry.. honestly real life doesn't understand that I've needed to get a blog post up for like ever... if "real life" was a friend.. I'd stop taking her calls instantly, she's so needy.... In other news.. I felt like it was HIGH TIME for a Champagne Thursday post! Yes, I know it's not Thursday... and no I do not care.. Thursday may come twice this week but it's the price I'm willing to pay...

•  Got to style my friend Trish who's made an amazing journey overcoming health issues and an eating disorder. Where she is now healthy, with a fantastic body image and that girl has muscles I only dream of..... It's a great day when I'm picking out styles that says, "here lets show off those muscles!" She is such an inspiration... See the Pinterest/inspiration board here of what I chose for Trish...

• Someone left homemade/still warm chocolate chip cookies on our doorstep addressed to us and note saying..."you guys are amazing"... gosh... no, THAT was amazing... I may or may not have had cookies for breakfast the next day... I regret NOTHING!!!

• Ordered these amazing sandals! Can you say excuse for a pedicure? I'm basically checking the tracking number like I'm obsessed, which I totally am...

• Found this amazing Wet 'n' Wild eye shadow at Walmart.. I'm in love... nothing like headed to the store for more toilet paper and walking out with things that wasn't on the list... 

• Had a fantastic brunch with a local stylist, Style By Malia here in Sonoma County... I tell ya, good things happen over Eggs Benedict & coffee...

• I have managed to keep 5 houseplants alive!!! Yup you heard me.. ALIVE... I feel so grownup... now if I could just manage to keep up the with house... baby steps... 

Cheers to all the tiny victories, special moments, somewhat mundane things and amazingly HUGE things.. Because honestly, there is always something to celebrate... even if it is just finding the best $3 eye shadow at Walmart...

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!