How to {sage} your home
Before you begin to cleanse the energy in your home, please make sure you have decluttered your home.
1. Purchase a sage smudge stick from a metaphysical shop, even some candle stores now supply it. Next find a small fire proof bowl or ashtray to hold it over as the stick smokes. (Traditionally an abalone shell is used).
2. Open the windows in your house and turn any fans. This will help the negative energy flow out of the window allowing the positive energy to fill the room in its place.
3. Light your smudge stick and once it begins to burn, blow out the flame and allow the embers to start to smolder and smoke (similar to lighting incense).
4. Say an affirmation or a prayer of cleansing your home. I like to say, "Bless this home and all who enter, please cleanse this home of all stagnant and negative energy, fill this home with light and love and with positive energy of the highest vibration."
5. Walk around the room, waving the sage stick so its smoke drifts into corners, along walls, around windows, and along ceiling lines. Also imagine the smoke absorbing negativity. See the smoke dissipating and floating out the windows, and imagine that bad energy flowing out of your space, making room for positive, fresh energy.
6. Bless every room in your home with sage, including basement and attic space. When you are done imagine your whole home being filled with white light and positive vibrational energy.
7. Extinguish the smudge stick in the cup of water or in an ashtray. Make sure that it is no longer smoldering and extinguished.
2. Open the windows in your house and turn any fans. This will help the negative energy flow out of the window allowing the positive energy to fill the room in its place.
3. Light your smudge stick and once it begins to burn, blow out the flame and allow the embers to start to smolder and smoke (similar to lighting incense).
4. Say an affirmation or a prayer of cleansing your home. I like to say, "Bless this home and all who enter, please cleanse this home of all stagnant and negative energy, fill this home with light and love and with positive energy of the highest vibration."
5. Walk around the room, waving the sage stick so its smoke drifts into corners, along walls, around windows, and along ceiling lines. Also imagine the smoke absorbing negativity. See the smoke dissipating and floating out the windows, and imagine that bad energy flowing out of your space, making room for positive, fresh energy.
6. Bless every room in your home with sage, including basement and attic space. When you are done imagine your whole home being filled with white light and positive vibrational energy.
7. Extinguish the smudge stick in the cup of water or in an ashtray. Make sure that it is no longer smoldering and extinguished.
xoxo, karabears
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How to Get Dressed Faster Every Morning: 5 {MAJOR} Time-Saving Tips
Happy Monday Mermaids!!
Today, I would like to share with you one of my most {FAVE} Pinterest finds to date that led to many, many life changing morning experiences! I am not a planner and most definitely NOT a morning person (at least until I had my caramel java chiller from Sonic) sooo let's just go ahead and say that...mornings just weren't a good look for me. Most of the time I was leaving my house with no makeup on, sometimes with not even my hair properly groomed, all because I'm a perfectionist without proper planning ahead abilities...especially when it comes to my outfit and accessories. So of course, with me being the awesome, amazing planner aheader that I am *cough, cough* I was waiting until about 15-20 minutes before I had to leave the house in the mornings to even think about what I was going to wear...my house would end up being left a disaster zone with tons of clothes, shoes, and jewelry being strewn all over the place! It was irritating to say the least so one day I shouted to the heavens, "Come on fashion Gods!!!! Help a sista out!!" and welp...the fashion Gods spoke and I found this post that changed it all! :) Hope all you mermaids enjoy and have a wonderful week!!
1. Check the forecast—for the whole week.Yes, we all know that checking the weather the night before is standard practice, but it pays to check the forecast for the entire week every Sunday. That way—even if you don’t choose clothes for every day—you’ll have a general idea about what you’ll probably be reaching for. For example: If you know the week ahead is mostly going to be cool and drizzly, you’ll be able to visualize what you typically wear in the rain, and where the items are located in your closet.
2. Pick out your clothes—and shoes—the night before.
We realize that you’re not an 8-year-old girl, but laying out tomorrow’s outfit tonight, intuitively, is a huge time-saver. Be sure to iron, steam, lint-roll, or treat anything else you need to the night before as well, and hang your outfit on a hanger outside your closet, so all you have to do in the morning is reach for it. It helps to keep your shoes out, too, since digging through your footwear collection in the morning could get distracting (the “this shoe or that shoe” game can be a massive time suck, right?).
2. Pick out your clothes—and shoes—the night before.
We realize that you’re not an 8-year-old girl, but laying out tomorrow’s outfit tonight, intuitively, is a huge time-saver. Be sure to iron, steam, lint-roll, or treat anything else you need to the night before as well, and hang your outfit on a hanger outside your closet, so all you have to do in the morning is reach for it. It helps to keep your shoes out, too, since digging through your footwear collection in the morning could get distracting (the “this shoe or that shoe” game can be a massive time suck, right?).
3. Keep a clothing diary.
This may sound a little self-involved (or annoying), but we swear it works. Odds are, you wear outfits regularly that you like, but won’t remember them a few weeks later. No need to keep a separate notebook for this—simply jot down what you’re wearing each day in your work planner or calendar, and make a check mark next to outfits you’re really digging and might want to repeat again in their entirety. It’s extremely useful to flip back and see how you put items together, plus it serves as a nice little personal fashion recap.
This may sound a little self-involved (or annoying), but we swear it works. Odds are, you wear outfits regularly that you like, but won’t remember them a few weeks later. No need to keep a separate notebook for this—simply jot down what you’re wearing each day in your work planner or calendar, and make a check mark next to outfits you’re really digging and might want to repeat again in their entirety. It’s extremely useful to flip back and see how you put items together, plus it serves as a nice little personal fashion recap.
4. Separate your accessories.
Is there anything more annoying than deciding you want to wear a certain necklace only to find it tangled up in a impenetrable mass with a heap of other chains? Apart from the fact that tangled jewelry is generally one of life’s irksome occurrences, it’s especially frustrating first thing on the morning. The solution? Keeping your accessories totally separate from one another.
We’re big fans of the minimalist nail-in-the-wall treatment for necklaces or flimsy bracelets: Hammer nails in a horizontal or vertical row somewhere that makes sense (i.e., over a big mirror, on the wall next to your closet, over a dresser) and hang up one piece of jewelry per nail. At the end of the day, always put it back where you found it. OR instead of nailing numerous little holes in your wall (this errrkkkksss me a little), check out Ashley's (@MessyBeautifulLife) post on jelwery storage ideas over on the Metal Marvels Blog!!
5. Organize your closet
Having a game plan when it comes to your closet can effectively save precious time. You’d think that the more stuff you have, the easier it is to get dressed, but it’s actually the opposite that’s true: Lesser items means less things to weed through, which intuitively leads to fewer potential outfit combinations.
Having a game plan when it comes to your closet can effectively save precious time. You’d think that the more stuff you have, the easier it is to get dressed, but it’s actually the opposite that’s true: Lesser items means less things to weed through, which intuitively leads to fewer potential outfit combinations.
The first step to an easier-to-navigate closet: Assess your inventory and make smart cuts, so you’re basically able to see everything you have. The all-time best way to do this is by asking yourself one question: ”If I were shopping right this second, would I buy this item now?” If the answer is no, out it goes.
From there, divide your wardrobe by separates (shirts with shirts, skirts with skirts, etc.) and coordinate each each section going light to dark, left to right, since that’s how the eye naturally travels. Keep shoes lined up nearly on the floor of your closet, with the pairs you wear most often front and center.
You’ll see: These small tasks will make a huge difference when it comes to creating a less chaotic morning!
xoxo, karabears
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A pale girl's advice on getting {THE BEST EVER} sunless tan
Last year I decided to stop tanning...and for someone that had worked and visited a tanning salon nearly every single day for the past 10 years, this was a major decision. But I knew that it was a decision that I needed to make for my health. Watching my grandfather battle with skin cancer and constantly having to go to the Dr. to have areas from his face, neck, and ears burned and scraped off due to years of farming and being out in the sun unprotected...I didn't want that to end up being me a few more years down the road. So anyways, I started testing out faux tanning formulas. Currently, I use Norvell One Hour Rapid One Sunless Mist which can be purchased from Amazon for under $20! But I have also heard wonderful things about the St. Tropez Self Tanning Bronzing Mousse which is also on Amazon for around $45.
As someone who worked at a tanning salon for nearly 6 years and who also professionally spray tanned customers for 3 of those years, I know a little thing or two about spray tanning. So here I am...about to share my secrets with all of you beautiful mermaids, so listen up if you want to get the most out of your spray tan :)
8 Tips & Tricks to Get the Perfect Faux Tan
1. Always exfoliate very well before applying self tanner! If you don't, you won't be able to get that even coverage, you will notice areas of your skin might be darker than others and you might have that "dirty" look. So this step is the most important to remove any dead skin so this doesn't happen to you!!
2. Also, shaving. You want to shave a day or two before applying sunless tanner. I've made the mistake of shaving the day of numerous times and the results are always iffy. I've found that when I apply sunless tanner directly after shaving my legs the solution gets clumped up in literally every single hair follicle on my leg haha! So it looks like I have tons of brown spots. With that being said, shave a day or two before spray tanning your legs :)
3. Now, this step is the second most important after exfoliating..be sure that before applying your sunless tanner that you moisturize your joints (knees, ankles, wrist, elbows, fingers, toes). These areas tend to get color clumped. They can look darker, dirty, etc. So always put lotion on these areas so that you get a more even distribution of color.
4. To apply my norvel tanning solution, I use a hand mitt which you can purchase for around $3-$5 on Amazon. I spray the solution onto the mit NOT directly on my body. Sometimes if you spray the solution directly onto your body, you can get streaks if your not careful to blend and rub it all in. So for me, it's much easier to spray directly on the mit so I don't have to worry about the solution dripping.
5. When you're ready to spray, start from the bottom up! Start at your ankles, work your way up to your shoulders..this will prevent any weird marks when you bend over. Always save your hands and arms for last!
6. When applying sunless tanner to your face go very easy! Only apply tanning solution to the places where you'd naturally tan (forehead, apples of your cheeks, bridge of your nose, and your chin) then blend outward with your fingertips. Be careful around your nose and the top of your lip. These areas will pick up more color as they tend to be drier.
7. If your solution says it dries in 10 minutes, wait 20. Always make sure that your 100% dry. Then, you can apply a talc free baby powder all over your body so you don't transfer the solution to your clothes. Then avoid showering or sweating for 6-8 hours. I always apply before I go to bed.
8. To get the most out of your tan, be sure to stay moisturized and use a gentle cleanser. Avoid using retinols and acne treatments as well as they can dissolve the color on your face.
If you have any questions or even have some tips of your own that I haven't mentioned, feel free to comment below!!
xoxo, karabears
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Healing the Heart Chakra
Often we look outside ourselves to find comfort, and to release and heal emotional and energetic blockages and traumas. While there are many loving and qualified people available to help us, sometimes the most simple and intense healings we can have are ones that we conduct on our own behalf. So today I would like to share some simple techniques you can use to heal your own heart and that I use on myself quite frequently!
The most important ingredient here is Right Intent. The purpose of this ritual is to focus your energy and concentration, and to put your Ego, conscious and unconscious Self on notice that this is important!
Be sure to read the ritual thoroughly so that you are clear about what you need to do, and what tools you may require so that you begin in an organized and calm state. If you find the ritual helpful, please write and let me know. I love and appreciate your feedback!
Purpose: This simple healing ritual is for people who are blocked by fear, loneliness, grief and pain, and who have low self-worth and self-love. The ritual gradually peels away layers of trapped and negative vibration, and allows a flood of healing light to rebalance and cleanse this chakra. The treatment is gentle, and can be used over time to allow deeper and deeper levels of trauma to be easily released. It can also be used for this lifetime and past life issues clouding your present direction and happiness.
Method: Leave yourself at least half an hour, and some quiet time afterwards for integration. Place your candle, your oil blend, and crystal or stone down in front of you. Quiet yourself, then light the candle and say the following, “I release all fear. I release all pain. I am Joy. I am Love. I now embrace my Sacred Self.” Sit quietly in front of the candle and close your eyes. Visualize white Light surrounding your body and streaming into your heart. Feel the presence of a Higher Energy, God, Guides or Angels around you. You may also want to offer up a Prayer for healing at this time.
When you are ready, take the oil, and rub it into the skin around your heart chakra in a circular counter-clockwise motion. As you do this, breathe slowly and calmly and recite the following “I invite Love into my Heart. I invite Love into my Life. I am worthy and deserving of this Love. Love is my nature.” Say this as many times as feels right for you. Feel your heart chakra gently softening, opening, and releasing the trapped energy. Visualize Golden Light pouring into your Heart. When you are finished, say a simple prayer of Thanks. Sit or lie quietly and allow your body to become accustomed to its new, clearer vibration.
How to make the heart chakra essential oil blend:
You can use an empty glass roller bottle or simply mix the oils together in a small glass bowl before the ritual.
Mix an even amount of each of the essential oils together: Ylang Ylang, Lemon, Lavender, Geranium, Orange or Citrus, Dried Rose Petals, and carrier oil of your choice. (I use fractionated coconut oil, FCO).
xoxo, karabears
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Oil Pulling {101}
What is oil pulling? To put it simply...it is when you use an oil as a mouthwash! Sound strange? Well, there are actually quite a few studies that support this process and my grandfather's dentist even suggested that he oil pull at home to see if it would help his gum disease. The main benefit of oil pulling is that it reduces the amount of harmful bacteria in your mouth (there are literally thousands of types of bacteria in your mouth, some are friendly, others...not so much). But anyways, the way oil pulling works is simple. When you swish the oil around your mouth, the bacteria “get stuck” in it and dissolve in the liquid oil.
Sooo, each time you do this...you are removing a large amount of the bacteria and plaque in your mouth!
Traditionally, Native Americans used oils such as sesame oil or sunflower oil for oil pulling but pretty much any oil that you want, should do the trick. I prefer using coconut oil simply because of its many health benefits! Lauric acid (one of the fatty acids in coconut oil) is said to be antimicrobial… it can kill bacteria, viruses and fungi.
The taste of coconut oil is also fairly pleasant compared to other oils. I found it rather disgusting at first having my mouth full of oil, but I got used to it after a few days.
Put about a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth, then swish around for about 15-20 minutes (or as long as you can tolerate it until you get used to it's consistency).
If you use coconut oil, you may have to chew on the oil for a minute or so to let it melt, because it is solid at room temperature.
I’ve been doing this for 5 days now and so far I've noticed my breath is much fresher and my teeth look a lot cleaner (I'm a smoker so the "fresh breath" side effect is awesome)!! I’ve had a lot of dental problems during my life, cavities, gingivitis, receding gum lines, weakness, pain...and so I'm very curious to see how oil pulling is benefiting my oral health during my next dentist visit!!
Let me know your thoughts if you decide to try it out or if you're already an oil pulling expert, let me know what your results have been!!
xoxo, karabears
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Good {Vibes} Only
I wanted to blog about something a little different this week... {Positive Affirmations} This has been something that has helped me tremendously over the past few months and so I wanted to share a bit of my knowledge about them with you! When you know how to use affirmations, you gain a great tool for achieving success and for improving your life! And I mean really...who doesn't want to be successful or improve their life in some way, shape, or form :) But first things first...
What Are Affirmations?
Affirmations are positive statements that describe a desired situation, which are often repeated, until they get impressed into the subconscious mind. This process then pushes the subconscious mind to take action and to strive to make the positive statement come true.
So in other words...when you think {Positive} and are {Positive}
POSITIVE THINGS WILL HAPPEN!
Most people repeat in their minds, negative words and statements concerning the situations and events in their lives and consequently, create undesirable situations. Words can work both ways...they either build or destroy. It is the way we use them that determines whether they are going to bring in the good or bad. Your subconscious mind accepts as truth, what you keep telling yourself. It then attracts corresponding events and situations into your life. So, why not choose only positive statements in order to get positive results? You just always want to make sure that you're affirming in the present tense and not the future tense. For example...Saying, "I will be rich", means that you intend to be rich one day, in the indefinite future, but not now. It is more effective to say, and also feel, "I am rich now", and the subconscious mind will work at overtime to make this happen now, in the present.
Using positive affirmations daily has absolutely changed my life! I feel as though my soul is at peace, I have a new outlook on life, I'm happy and content, and all of the goals that I have set for myself are practically being handed to me on a silver platter! All from simply turning negative situations and thoughts into positive ones and looking for the good in everything! So...below I have listed some of the positive affirmations that I use on a daily basis. Feel free to tweak them to fit you or a specific situation that you're dealing with in your life and make them your own :)
Affirmations for Anxiety/Fear
-I am open to change and have replaced my anxiety with peace and acceptance.
-I am always centered and in the present moment in my life.
-I breathe in my courage and exhale my fear.
- I am free from worry and am at peace with who I am.
Affirmations for Love
-I want love and love wants me.
-When I love myself, I am allowing others to love me too.
-I am worthy of love and respect.
-I am ready for a healthy, loving, and lasting relationship
Affirmations for Money
-Wealth flows to me and through me.
-I always have more than enough money.
-A constant stream of abundance flows towards me.
-My income is constantly increasing.
Affirmations for Happiness
-Life supports me and wants me to be fulfilled and happy.
-I love myself and life.
-Each day I know I am evolving into a more fulfilled person.
-I attract only good things in my life.
Affirmations for Healing
-I release all negative thoughts and replace them with love.
-I am physically and emotionally connected and healed.
-All of my cells are filled with love and light.
-I release all dis-ease from my body and welcome health, love, and happiness into my life.
Affirmations for Success
-Infinite creative energy flows through me.
-I deserve to have a successful career and I accept it now.
-I accept and allow success in all areas of my life.
-I am successful in everything I do.
Affirmations for Anger
-I forgive myself and set myself free.
-I let go of the anger and pain in order to welcome new beginnings into my life.
-I replace my anger with understanding and compassion.
-Today I will choose kindness over anger.
Affirmations for Strength
-I am stronger than this challenge and this challenge is making me even stronger.
-I will be all places and all things.
-I am in control of my life.
-I persist and persevere no matter what.
XOXO, karabears
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Cocktails Anyone?
New Years Eve is THE biggest party night of the year and what better way to celebrate the upcoming new year than with some fun (and stylish) NYE cocktails! You will be sure to impress your guests BIG TIME with these impressive recipes!
The Clean Slate
What better way to start off the New Year than with a clean slate! This cocktail was created by Las Vegas bartender Cody Fredrickson and was chosen as the winning cocktail in the December 2013 New Years Eve Cocktail Contest! So trust me, it's a good one!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces Ciroc Amaretto Vodka
1 ounce St. Germain
1 ounce Cherry Heering
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
1 ounce apple-cinnamon simple syrup *(recipe below)
Top with Champagne
Garnish: Sugar and edible gold flake rim
Preparation:
In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients except Champagne,
Shake vigorously.
Double strain into chilled white wine glass rimmed with gold flake and sugar.
Top with Champagne.
*Apple-Cinnamon Syrup
Cut four (4) apples and remove the core.
Boil them in 2 1/2 cups of water until they are soft and stewed.
Add 2 cinnamon sticks and stir for 10 minutes.
Add 2 1/2 cups of sugar and stir over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Drain and double strain the syrup.
You can also blend the apples and cinnamon sticks for a sweetened apple cinnamon puree to use in other cocktails.
The Midnight Martini
Calling all you coffee lovers!! This one's for you! But be warned. It's got quite the caffeine kick! ;)
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces vodka or coffee vodka
1/2 ounce coffee liqueur
1/4 ounce cinnamon syrup (optional)
Lemon twist for garnish
Preparation:
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Stir with a bar spoon.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist.
Millennium Cocktails
There are a ton of different ways to make a Millennium Cocktail but this one is light and easy! This recipe is also perfect for many other occasions as well!
Ingredients:
1 ounce gin
1/2 ounce cherry brandy
1 1/2 ounces orange juice
Splash of Ginger ale
Preparation:
Pour the gin, cherry brandy and orange juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake well.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Add a splash of ginger ale.
Hope you all enjoy and may the new year bring you all good luck, fortune, success and lots and lots of love! Happy New Year mermaids!
XOXO, karabears
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How to Get One Heck of a Holiday Look!
In last week's post I showed you some fabulous holiday looks and how to style them with those lovely NBG holiday pieces! This week I'm going to show you, step by step, how to achieve my favorite holiday look! It's super easy, I promise!
Ok, the first step is starting with a clean face (duh) then first things first!!!!!!!! If you want to get the best wear out of your makeup, ALWAYS start with a primer! Makeup primer helps to prime and soothe your complexion for a flawless finish and helps your makeup last longer! My favorite makeup primer is the Napoleon Perdis 'Auto Pilot'. For good measure, I also have been using the Caffeinator stick from Posh. This helps to wake up tired skin and gets rid of those Prada bags under your eyes. ;)
Next, start applying your foundation. Foundation brushes are a MUST, it makes applying foundation much quicker than using your fingers or a sponge and it also leaves your foundation streak free! Your foundation will also last longer as the brush literally buffs it into your skin. I'm using the Napoleon Perdis Sheer Genius Liquid Foundation.
When applying, make sure you are brushing in an upwards motion. starting from the center of your face and working outward. Also, be sure to apply some foundation to your lips! This will come into play when applying your lipstick at the end ;)
First, apply your bronzer to the base of your cheekbones. I'm using the Napoleon Perdis Mosaic Bronzing Powder. Take your brush and swipe your bronzer right below your actual cheekbones and swipe up at a slight angle.
Then, you'll want to apply some under eye concealer. I'm using the Heylee B. Mineral Photo Touch Concealer. Applying it over your foundation and bronzer allows the concealer to not only conceal but to brighten up your face!
Now its time for the blush! I'm using the Napoleon Perdis Blush Patrol as it gives off a slight shimmer. Which is the look you'll want to be sporting this holiday season.
To apply your blush, use a smaller angled brush and apply to just the apples of your cheeks (which should be directly over where you applied your bronzer earlier). This technique will make those gorgeous cheek bones pop!
Now, it's time for the eyes, my favorite part! Don't be afraid, I will show you how to apply your eye makeup with ease ;)
You'll need a light eye color to apply to your brow line and also a darker shade to apply to your crease. I'm using the caramel and sandstone eye shadow from Heylee B. Applying eye shadow with a brush that's made to apply both brow and crease shadow is easiest, but you can use a regular brush if you don't have one.
Apply the lighter shadow underneath your brow line, lash line, and in the corner crease of your eye. This will really brighten up those eyes!
Now apply the darker shadow to your lid crease ONLY! Then you can add a light eye dust to blend both colors. This will give your lids that shimmer look! I used the Napoleon Loose Eye Dust in 'Starlight'.
After you have applied your shadow, you'll want to apply a light cake liner to your lash line. Cake liner gives the illusion of bigger eyes and also gives your eyes definition.
Take a small, angled brush and barely...& I mean BARELY get it wet. Then, gently rub it onto your cake liner to get a small amount on your brush. I'm using the Black Diamond Dimensional Cake Liner from Heylee B.
After getting some liner on your brush, slowly and gently begin pressing it into your crease. Slowly move along pressing with the brush until your entire lash line has been lined. If you make a mistake, don't fret! This is cake liner! It can easily be blended in to your shadow with a q-tip. I personally love cat eyes and have been doing them since high school, so I took my liner brush and gently pressed at an angle where I wanted it. EASY!
Then apply a light or heavy coat of mascara, whatever you like! I love using the Urban Decay 'Perversion'. It gives the effect that you're wearing falsies.
Now for the finishing touch! Applying those beautiful red lips! I personally love using the Napoleon Devine Goddess Lipstick in 'Eros'! I don't care for matte lipstick, as my lips tend to stay on the dryer side, but you can use a matte lipstick if you like!
Just apply over the foundationed lips and presto! The foundation will set your lipstick and help it to last longer!
That's a wrap on how to get one heck of a holiday look! This look only took about 10-15 minutes total to complete too, so not bad, not bad! :) Hope you enjoyed my tutorial and if you have any questions, feel free to comment!
XOXO, karabears
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Put Your Thanksgiving Pants On!!
Well friends, it's about time to pull out those Thanksgiving pants because after reading this post, you're gonna need them!
If you have no Thanksgiving pants try the NBG Aztec Pants! Fashionable, yet comfortable! Use discount code 'HOLIDAY25' to save 25% off of these!
With Thanksgiving being just a couple days away, I wanted this post to be about my favorite thing, FOOD! With some help from my friends, we shall share with you some of our favorite recipes to whip up for the holidays!
Kameil's Chocolate Pie
This is my favorite recipe to whip up for holiday gatherings! I got this from an ex's mother (hence Kameil's chocolate pie) years ago and have been using it ever since! This recipe was actually better than my grandmothers believe it or not and even she uses it! So check it!
2 cups of sugar
2 cups of milk (1 whole milk, 1 evaporated milk)
4 eggs, separated
1/2 t vanilla
pinch of salt
1 stick of butter
2 1/2 T Hershey's coco powder
1/3 cup of flour
1 ready-made piecrust (bake per package directions, prior to filling pie) Let cool before filling
Separate eggs into 2 bowls (whites in one, yolk in another). Slightly beat the egg yolks. Melt butter in a large pan, add milk and egg yolks. Mix together dry ingredients and set aside. Once cream mixture has almost come to a boil, add the dry ingredients. Continue stirring until mixture has thickened slightly. Past the custard stage (it will thicken more once cooled) Cool slightly then pour into cooled pie crust.
Beat egg whites into peaks. Once peaks begin, add 1 T of sugar per eggs used (4) slowly and add the vanilla. Spread over top of pie, making sure to cover to edge of filling, otherwise the meringue will shrink.
Bake 350 in the oven until browned. Let cool before slicing. May be served warm or cold.
Teri's Cranberry Bliss Bars
This recipe comes from my gorgeous friend Teri! You might know her as @mucutiepie124 on Instagram. This dessert is actually a lighter version of the Starbuck's recipe! Delish and great for the mid-section?! Yes, please!
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar, unpacked
1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
2 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate
1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped
For the Frosting:
8 oz. 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 ounces white baking chocolate, melted
1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and stir to blend. In another bowl, whisk the sugars with the butter, egg whites, applesauce and vanilla until light and fluffy. Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in two additions until the batter is very well blended. If the batter looks more "crumbly" than smooth, add just a drop of water at a time (ONLY if needed) until it smooths out. Fold in white chocolate chips and 1/3 cup cranberries. Spread batter onto the baking pan using the back of a measuring cup to smooth evenly.
Bake 10-14 minutes on 350 until the edges are light brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool.
Meanwhile, prepare frosting in a large bowl. Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until well blended. Frost bars and sprinkle with remaining cranberries. Store in the fridge until ready to serve!
Cassandra's Creamy Jalapeno Cranberry Dip
This recipe comes from another lovely friend of mine, Cassandra! You might know her as @casshoffert on Instagram. This is another tasty, light dish that you can whip up in less than 10 minutes! Enjoy!
8 ounces light cream cheese
6 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
juice of 1 lime
handful of cilantro, chopped
3 green onions, cut into thirds
1/4 cup sugar
Throw all ingredients into a food processor. Pulse until combined. Serve with crackers, as a sandwich spread or with celery sticks.
XOXO, karabears
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{DIY} Dry Shampoo
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{DIY} Dry Shampoo
If you hate washing your hair everyday like I do, then you'll want to pay close attention to what I'm about to share with you!
Dry shampoo has always been one of my favorite hair products so when I found a recipe on how to make it using all natural essential oils, of course I had to try it! This concoction has since taken the place of my beloved Suave Dry Shampoo (yes, I love it that much)! So I thought if I loved it this much, you guys might love it too! The recipe is super quick & easy and I guarantee you'll thank me for it if you decide to try it :) Enjoy!
Dry shampoo has always been one of my favorite hair products so when I found a recipe on how to make it using all natural essential oils, of course I had to try it! This concoction has since taken the place of my beloved Suave Dry Shampoo (yes, I love it that much)! So I thought if I loved it this much, you guys might love it too! The recipe is super quick & easy and I guarantee you'll thank me for it if you decide to try it :) Enjoy!
What you need:
1 glass container
1 old or inexpensive makeup brush
Arrowroot Powder (Purchase Here) or at your local health food store
Cocoa Powder (dark hair only) (Purchase Here) or at your local health food store
Lavender Essential Oil (Purchase Here)
Rosemary Essential Oil (Purchase Here)
Peppermint Essential Oil (Purchase Here)
For Light Hair (this is the recipe I used):
1/4 cup of Arrowroot Powder
2 drops of Lavender essential oil
2 drops of Rosemary essential oil
2 drops of Peppermint essential oil
For Dark Hair:
2 tablespoons of Arrowroot Powder
2 tablespoons of Cocoa Powder
2 drops of Lavender essential oil
2 drops of Rosemary essential oil
2 drops of Peppermint essential oil
Directions:
1. Put Arrowroot Powder, Cocoa Powder (if using)
and essential oils into a food processor*
2. Pulse until well combined (this should only take a couple seconds)
3. Store in a glass jar
IT'S SO EASY!!!!!!!!
*If you don't have a food processor, like my non-cooking self, then a sealable container will do the trick to mix the ingredients. Just put the ingredients into the container, seal, and shake.
How to Use:
Apply powder to roots and/or the oily parts of your hair
(I used an old makeup brush to apply it to my hair)
Before & After
xoxo, karabears
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