How Pinteresting!

I'm pretty sure there should be support groups for those *ahem* addicted to Pinterest..  I swear I'm on that site daily.. You know it's become a problem when, now instead of searching Google for a recipe or highly reviewed product.. or even a "how to".. I now search Pinterest.. yup that's right folks, you heard it here first.. Pinterest as replaced Google for me.. now don't get me wrong I still am a die hard Google fan.. I mean hello? My blog is on Blogger. But here's the thing if I am looking for a tutorial on how to on, I don't know.. " how not to kill houseplants".. not saying I've done that but let's just pretend that I've been known to kill a houseplant or two. I search Pinterest.. I find not only the blog post or site but many other useful information that could prevent any future houseplant casualties.. I've learned how to do minor HTML coding, I've learned how to curl my hair proper... I've found countless recipes, ahh-mazing fashion and just honest to goodness dreaming.... Are you looking for the best drugstore eyeliner? Bam! Pinterest. Are you looking for artwork for a baby's room? Pinterest it... yeah that's right, I made it a verb... So really in all honesty it's a practical help not a colossal waist of time.. see what I did there? Basically I'm all for whatever justifies my minor addiction that we call Pinterest.. This is just a few of what I've been finding in the candy land of Pinterest if you would like you can follow along here. 

Beauty On A Budget...

Sephora is so sneaky, kind like Target in that way.. they suck you in with their awesome selection and the amazing return policy.. here I was just loading up my pretend shopping cart with no intention of buying.. I do this sometimes, it helps when I feel like shopping but cant spend the dollaaas.... So anyways here I was minding my own business and they kindly decide to email me and say "hey looks like you forgot a few things in your shopping cart!"... No kidding, that was on purpose.. you are expensive, lovely and I need to just say no, must be strong... However even though my shopping spending spree has been on a diet lately, a girl must still have her mascara... I thought I would share some of my beauty favorites.. which, all of them come from Walmart... hahah.. whatever I'm over it and I'm saving money... totally grownup of you Hope... 

Mascara- Maybelline's The Falsies Volume Express (waterproof) gosh.. love this stuff.. totally provides tons of volume and length and will not come off with tears...  a little tip, if you have regular raccoon eyes like I do.. switch to a waterproof mascara! It stays on much better and then if the spontaneous pool party should happen you are prepared... #winning

Eyeshadow-Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Trio... I have to admit, I'm a little picky when it comes to eye shadow.. Ever since using brands like Urban Decay & Arbonne, I want my all shadows to stay on and be really pigmented... I heard about this eye shadow trio and for like $3! I'm sold!! So creamy and pigmented! I use this one every single day... I even mix it with my Naked 2 ... You cannot tell which one is $50 bucks & which one is $3... they have many other colors too which I'm thrilled to try! This color is called "Walking On Eggshells", perfect for everyday...

Eyelid Primer- Maybelline's Color Tattoo "Barely Branded"... this guy is the bomb dot com.. I've mentioned before that I have oily eyelids, which is ridiculous since the rest of my face is dry (eye roll).. I use this on top of Urban Decay's Primer Potion,  these two combined really helps my shadow to stay put.. or if I'm busy I skip shadow and just use this! Totally hooked!!

Concealer- Maybelline Fit Me Concealer... LOVE LOVE LOVE!! I've used plenty of concealers in my day... geez, that makes me sound so old... and truly this one is my favorite.. I discovered this by other bloggers & YouTube vloggers.. so I gave it a try, wowza! It's incredible.. doesn't crease.. hallelujah! Covers the dreaded sleepy/baggy eyes perfectly! Since it's a concealer, it's a little more sheer than a foundation but I feel it does that job perfectly and if it's not enough for you, it's buildable.. Try it you won't be sorry!

I'm not sure what it is about drugstore beauty that gets me giddy but I'm lovin what I found.. and I hope you enjoy them too! Do you have any drugstore beauty finds that you would like to share? I'm all ears!

Taking Stock

This was inspired by Sydney of  The Daybook Blog... which she did inspired by Pip's blog and since imitation is the most sincere form of flattery I thought I'd give it a go... 

Making: A mess of my semi clean apartment... coming home from a weekend away means living out of a suitcase for a few more days than necessary... 

Cooking: Not as good as my husband, honestly.. he floors me with his cooking skills...

Drinking: Chamomile Tea... trying to limit the stress in my life... 

Reading: Currently nothing.. gasp! But I'm gonna be in a few days... gonna do a little Amazon Prime shopping... Heavenly!

Wanting: More sleep... after having company & then a weekend of a film festival I'm all tuckered out!

Looking: At my desk... it's a mess... 

Playing: You Make Me Brave album... it's on repeat... 

Wasting: Money on laundry... I don't want to talk about it...

Wishing: for a beach vacation with my amazing husband... that and a new purse..

Enjoying: My Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub... yay for great skin!

Waiting: for my sugar craving to disappear... 

Liking: My freckles... and NYC Lipstick for $.99! 

Wondering: What's on Tv tonight...

Loving:  How my husband makes songs out of practically anything... 

Hoping: That I've finally solved my #houseplantkiller ways...  4 still ALIVE!!!

Marveling: At how fast the years are going by... We are in MAY ya'll!!! What the what??

Needing: A snazzy new office chair, you know that kind that says "I'm the boss"..

Smelling: Chicken soup on my desk...it's all gone.. :(

Wearing: White denim & stripes... aka my uniform...

Following: The Grumpy Cat on Instagram... life is now complete..

Noticing: That I probably need to give up sugar... again, I don't want to talk about it... 

Knowing: That everything happens in it's perfect timing... 

Thinking: about Peace... and chocolate cake... not to be confused with a piece of chocolate cake.. which now I'm thinking about...  

Feeling: tired, happy, loved & tired...

Bookmarking: YouTube tutorials on winged eyeliner & false lashes.. cuz ya know it's important...

Opening: up my overnight bag searching for clean clothes...

Giggling: At my husband.. gosh he makes me laugh... 

Feeling: So grateful... 

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.