DIY Father’s Day Superhero Gift

Well, I couldn’t post this one earlier in fear of my husband seeing this post somehow. Only because it was part of his Father’s Day gift and in some way shape or form he would find out. But thank goodness, this was a sweet little surprise for him.

I first want to give a shout out to this awesome blog called Oh Happy Day. Super super cute blog.  From party ideas, templates you can download for free, invite ideas, DIY home decor…oh my. You just need to check it out. Seriously. I stumbled upon this and saw this idea and it was awesome. I loved it. My husband loved it, and my little boy loved helping me put it together (mainly because it involved food)- It was different from what we have done in the past so that’s why I wanted to do this too.

So, highly recommend doing this. It doesn’t necessarily have to be for Father’s Day, but just to give out the idea to you all. I do have the original idea linked to the name of the blog if you want to get the printables and what not. One thing, I did add something on my own….

That lollipop. You can steal that idea, I felt kinda clever…not gonna lie. It is a true statement however, so that’s why it was perfect. I unfortunately don’t have the template, but I will post it  if you all are interested. But hope all you awesome Father’s, soon to be dads, Grandpas had a relaxing Father’s Day yourselves!

Wrapped & Tucked Updo

So excited to start this page for you all. This is the first hair tutorial for Brushes & Burp Cloths and I am so excited to start adding more. It’s fun to teach people how to do them. You see it all over the internet and Pinterest these days. I hope I can give you some more tips & helps on styling your hair. Any comments too are highly suggested, as there are lots of questions about styling your hair. I love all the blogs and tutorials out there, but I wish some had more explaining and or tips. That’s where I hope to change it a little bit.

First off, put some curl in your hair to get some texture into it. Hair spray that to get some hold (I will have a tutorial of curling hair shortly). Next, section hair from ear to ear and clip it forwards (using a rat tail comb will give you the nice clean lines needed). Take everything in the back and bring to a low pony tail.

Take the pony tail in the back and back comb that hair like crazy. Make sure to hair spray with either a wet or dry hair spray. I use Avedas Air Control to give a nice flexible hold to my hair…one of my favorites.

Take that crazy back combed hair and smoothen it out with a brush. Make sure not to comb out too much because you still want to have what you did back combing there to give you the hold needed. You can make it messy as you want or smoother. I went a little in between. I kinda like seeing some texture. You will then take that section, once it is as smooth or messy as you want, and roll it under and secure it with some bobby pins. (Does that make sense?)

You will then take the top portion of what my hand was holding up in the prior pictures in the  back comb all of that. Smoothen it out and bring it back to the low pony and bobby pin that…that bobby pin will be hidden.

You will now start with the front two pieces left. As in the picture ,you will bring that section back loosely and back combed a little to create more fullness. Take that piece and pin it towards the opposite side of where you are pulling it. (So if you are grabbing your left section, pin it to the right of the bun). That back combing should help secure this piece for you too.

Any hair left falling from wrapping it, just tuck it and pin underneath. It will be hidden. Do the same to the opposite side.

Once everything is in place, hair spray that beautiful style to secure everything. **One tip, real lightly, take the pointy long part of your rat tail comb and smoothen the top with it and hair spray. Don’t press too hard while doing so. This will help tame any crazy fly aways. Then wahlah! Hope this makes sense…

(Forgive me of my nails having no color…I didn’t have time to make them look fancy.)

So just a recap…

1. Section ear to ear. Clip away. Take back and make a pony tail.

2. Back comb pony, tuck and pin.

3. Take top section, back comb and bring back & pin close to the pony tail.

4. Take side sections, wrap around and back comb ends of hair and bobby pin opposite side of where you are pulling.

5. Any left over hair, bobby pin underneath.

6. Hair Spray and boom, beautiful hair style!

Mini Nutella Cookie Cups

I’ve said this before. My husband loves Nutella. You have to spoil them every so often with a yummy treat like this. Although, he was meeting up with some of his car buds so I thought he should share them too. (I didn’t want to keep these at our home…they could be deadly). I will give them a shout out. Their group is called Lower Standards. You should check them out if any of you love cars. Lower cars. Cars that scrape. As in, when you hear a car screech and look around to see if there is an accident around. But come to find, it’s a car that is so low it is hitting pavement. It’s such a joy to ride in one… (photo credit to my husband here). But follow them on Facebook, instagram, or their website linked to their name.

Anyways, back to my posting. If you love cookies & Nutella, you’ll love these. Not too hard to make, which is a nice thing either. Happy Sunday!

Mini Nutella Cookie Cups

Ingredients:
1 cup butter (softened)
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Jar of Nutella(12 tablespoons per batch)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease your mini muffin tin (unless it is nonstick like mine).

Cream butter and both sugar in bowl until light, smooth and fluffy! Beat in eggs and vanilla until fully incorporated. Gradually add dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda) until all the flour is mixed in!

Roll dough into balls 1.5 inches thick.

Pop them in the mini muffin tin and bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown but not too dark around the edges.

When done, remove from oven and let sit for about 2 minutes. Then make wells for the nutella with a shot glass, a similar object or a spoon. Add 1 tbsp Nutella to each cup – it will start to melt quickly so you can swirl it around and make it nice and smooth.

Let cool 15-20 minutes in tin. Remove from tin and place in your mouth. Repeat. Nutella will solidify in about an hour, which then makes them safe to transport! To share.. you know? Sharing?

(Adapted from Daisy Chubb’s Tea & Treats)

Reclaimed Wood Headboard

Happy Memorial Day Weekend ya’ll! Just wanted to get this post in before the festivities begin in honoring our amazing veterans who has served and are serving for our country. I am indeed grateful for you all doing so.

So, I am starting a DIY page now. Whoop- I am excited! Hopefully I’ll be getting more posted soon but as of now, wanted to share something coming soon. I’ll have step by steps posted for this awesome headboard we made for our bedroom.

I love reclaimed wood- you’ll probably see lots coming soon of that.  So quick story of our headboard- my husbands grandmother had this wood laying around that was from steps to her patio. (HOW AWESOME)!! Well, we can’t let that lay around. So this is what we came up with. My husband & my father-in-law put their brains together. Brilliant! We love it.

So, I’ll have step my step up soon, TBC…

Fiesta Quinoa Salad

Love this recipe. It has some of my favorite summer ingredients in here. Limes, cilantro, tomatoes- it’s so good. (And for all you gluten free, this ones for you too)! It’s real easy, which is nice, and it doesn’t take too long either. Great summer side dish, just sayin. Enjoy!

 

Fiesta Quinoa Salad

1 cup white quinoa, plus 1/4 cup red quinoa, washed and drained

1 cup fresh corn, off the cob

2 cups filtered water

Pinch sea salt

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup finely diced yellow pepper (or another color bell pepper)

1/2 cup diced tomatoes

1/4 cup cilantro leaves

Dressing:

2 teaspoons lime zest

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 teaspoons cumin

2 teaspoons chili powder

2 tablespoons tamari

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

Place quinoa, corn, and water in a medium saucepan with pinch of salt and bring to a boil.

Simmer covered for 20 minutes over low flame.

Meanwhile, whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl until well combined.

Fluff quinoa with fork, place in medium bowl, and stir in the black beans, veggies, dressing, and cilantro.

Season with sea salt if needed. Serve warm or cold the next day.

 

(Adapted from Forks Over Knives)

Bright as the sun

Love this shape of sun glasses. It has been my favorite. There are so many different styles out that are fun, but these, are always my favorite. Just wanted to share. What has been yours??

Potato Breakfast Cup

Just wanted to start this off first stating how I hope you all had a fabulous Mother’s Day yesterday! It sure was a nice to see all of our fam and get a little bit of a relaxing myself. My husband was so exhausted at the end of the day, poor guy. But it sure was nice to kinda kick it back slightly and not chase the kid of ours every single second. I just couldn’t let my husband do it all day though! (This was the best picture we could get together, oh well, at least we got one?)

I am fortunate enough that both our parents live close by. It was nice to be able to visit them and enjoy each others company. Eat some yummy food, play games, talk- doing family things. We had brunch yesterday which is my favorite. It was mainly breakfast foods so I made this real yummy somewhat ‘quiche’ recipe. It was quite enjoyable and not too heavy filling. Which, that I love too. Hope you all enjoy! (Original recipe was a spicy mexican frittata, which I will want to try next time).

Ingredients for Potato Cups:
2 ten ounce Idaho Russet Potatoes

1 tbsp flour

1-2 tbsp oil

salt & pepper

Ingredients for Frittata:

6-7 eggs

1/2 c. cooked crumbled bacon

1/4 cup chopped green onion

1 10 oz. frozen spinach rinsed & drained

1/4 cup cream (half-n-half)

1/2 cup crumbled or shredded cheese

salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1) Peel and grate two, ten ounce Idaho Russet Potatoes. Rinse shredded potato and squeeze or strain to remove excess water. TIP: A squeeze of lemon will keep your potatoes nice and white.
2) Toss shredded potato with flour, olive oil, pepper, and salt. Add other seasonings or shredded cheese to suit your taste.
3) Brush or spray a 12 cup muffin pan with oil.
4) Press the potato mixture into the bottom and up the sides to form cups. It’s OK if the potato pieces stick up, because the cups will shrink while baking.
5) Bake the cups in a preheated 375(F) oven for 30-40 minutes, depending on how crunchy you want your cups to be.
6) While the cups are baking, prepare egg mixture.
7) Beat the eggs vigorously and add all the other ingredients.
8) Take the potato cups from the oven and distribute egg mixture. Return to the oven and continue baking until eggs are set 10-15 minutes.
9) Share and enjoy!

(Adapted from Average Betty)

Lovely & Lace

I love lace. I wish I had more of it. It’s so simple yet beautiful. From hair pieces, to home decor, I love it.

Norwex Cleaning

It is so beautiful outside. It’s so interesting how peoples mood change once it’s warm out. I have been noticing that. Even at my job, my guests I have, have more pep in their step. Not so groggy and sad looking. So thank goodness!

With your spring/summer, comes the lovely spring cleaning, Whopp!! Hence when the windows open the cleaning begins. Getting rid of that dust and nastiness from winter, such a good feeling. In your cars, home- quite lovely. So, I’m not sure if any of you have heard of this brand called Norwex. It’s this awesome cleaning supply that is pretty awesome I might add. I have heard of it but thought, yeah whatever. Such a goofy thing.

Well, I decided eventually to go to a party to hear what all the hype was about. (Guess what? It ended up with me throwing one later). So guess whose enjoying these products? Yes, me. I feel like a nerd! But being a working mom, cleaning does get quite difficult.

So what is this you might ask? Well with the chemicals and everyone going organic these days, this removes all the chemicals you use in your home. From cleaning cloths, to laundry detergent, to car cleaning products, it truly is awesome. They are microfiber cloths with microsilver which is an anti-bacterial agent. The crazy part is you can use it anywhere in your home and all you just need is water! It’s weird because literally the cloths don’t smell whatsoever. You know how some cloths have that nasty smell after you use it once or twice? Well this doesn’t happen. the microsilver kills the bacteria so its done instantly. Crazy isn’t it? If you want more info, click the link. It’s pretty awesome. It makes cleaning so much quicker too, because sometimes, that does matter.

Happy cleaning!

Half Updo’s

It’s already that time again…I can’t believe it. Those crazy high school dance times, bridal hair time. Updo time! So many different styles out and I’m hoping to help you all out here. From all the websites and magazines, it’s a overwhelming to find a picture. I am hoping tohelp you all out with some ideas so you don’t have to keep searching and searching. I like to  keep it simple because I feel too many pictures tends to make me go crazy.

Here for this post, we will have some half undo pictures. I’ll be posting more styles for you soon!