Fall 2012 Hair Obsession: Sock Buns!

Hey everyone! One of my favorite hairstyles now is called the sock bun. You actually use a sock to create your bun! Check out this tutorial on how to make your sock for your sock bun and how to create your perfect little sock bun!

Here's a few ways to wear this adorable bun!

Thoughts...

Here's a few thoughts that I thought you all might like to read! :) My favorite one would have to be the second one. We are all sinful in the eyes of God. It doesn't matter what we've done. It's all equal in his eyes. But he LOVES us! He created us knowing that we WOULD sin! But he didn't just leave us here alone! He sent his son to be blameless and pure. He died on a cross for you. And when you accept him into your life, you can live in freedom because you are forgiven of your sins! :) This quote by C.S. Lewis always reminds me that I am forgiven, therefore I should forgive others! Do you have a quote that's particularly important to you?

At Home Spa Treatments

These are a few great combinations for at home spa treatments. It's hard on your budget, buying all those expensive spa treatments (masks, bath fizzes, moisturizers...etc). But these treatments are oh so kind to your budget, using things that you probably have in your kitchen! Give some of these a try!

French Twist Side Bun {Hair}

This is a beautiful tutorial for a french twist side bun! To what occasion would you wear this bun to?

With Love,

Shelby

Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce {Food! Yum! Yum!}

Saw these soft pretzel bites and I thought you all would have the same reaction as I did! YUM!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
• 22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups
• 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
• Vegetable oil
• 10 cups water
• 2/3 cup baking soda
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• Pretzel or Kosher salt

Instructions:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the water, sugar, yeast, and salt on low speed for 10 seconds.  Switch to the dough hook and add the flour and butter.  Mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl and transfer it to a well-oiled bowl. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set it in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
3. Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an wide 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.
4. In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Slice each rope into 1-inch pieces.  Place a lightly damp towel over the pretzel pieces to prevent them from drying out while you roll and cut the other pieces.
5. Using a slotted spoon lower a handful of the pretzel pieces into the boiling water and boil them for 30 seconds, flipping them around in the water with the spoon a couple of times. Remove the pretzel pieces from the water using the spoon, drain as best you can, and place them on the baking sheets. Brush the top of each pretzel with the melted butter and sprinkle with the pretzel/Kosher salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 10 – 12 minutes. Brush with remaining melted butter before serving. Serve warm.

For the cheese sauce:

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 8 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (not package pre-shredded cheese – shred your own)
• Kosher salt

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan set over medium heat, melt the butter.  Whisk in the flour and cook for 30 seconds, whisking constantly.
2. Slowly whisk in the milk until no lumps of flour remain.  Stirring constantly, bring the milk to a simmer over medium-low heat until it thickens, about 3-5 minutes.  Remove the pan from the stove and stir in the shredded cheese until all of the cheese has melted.  Add a pinch of salt, if needed.  Serve warm.  Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave on medium power at 30 second intervals.

Source: Alton Brown

Keeping Healthy Nails {Beauty}

Your nails go through a lot! Take a look at these five tips below to keep your nails healthy and beautiful! Your nails will thank you! :)

Having good sources of protein in your diet. Your hair and nails are made up of a substance called keratin, which is made up of mostly protein! 

Vitamin B. Without a good source of vitamin b your nails will become dry and thin. 

Vitamin C & E. These two important vitamins work together to promote good blood circulation. Good blood circulation in your fingers will give the right amounts of oxygen to your nails to help them grow. 

Use acetone free nail polish removers. Acetone is a chemical that will make your nails dry and brittle. 

Keep your nails hydrated. Dab a bit of petroleum jelly or onto your cuticles and rub it in. Try to do this everyday to keep your nails moisturized! 

With Love,

Shelby

Fall Facial {Beauty}

One of the most trending styles right now is natural. But, to achieve that natural look this fall, you'll need a good facial to keep that beautiful face flawless! Give this one a try!

What You'll Need

Organic lavender essential oil

Cotton washcloth (use organic cotton when possible)

Organic almond butter

Skin toner (try Avalon Organics' Lavender Hydrating Toner or Dr. Hauschka's Facial Toner)

Choose one: honey, organic strawberry yogurt, or organic avocado

Facial How-To

1. Pre-cleanse.

After thoroughly removing any makeup and rinsing your face, fill a sink with warm water. Add two to three drops of lavender oil and stir with your hand. Soak the washcloth in the lavender water, then wring it out and gently press it against your face and neck for 30 seconds.

2. Cleanse.

Put one teaspoon of almond butter and a few drops of lavender water in your palm; rub your hands together to create a paste. Apply to skin using a "press and roll" method, which helps remove dead cells, dirt, and oil: Press your palms against your forehead and roll them outward. Moving down your face and neck, continue the motion until you reach your collarbones. Return to massaging your forehead, and repeat the process for one to three minutes.

3. Rinse and Tone. 

Use another washcloth soaked in lavender water to remove the almond cleansing cream from your face. Rinse with cool water and apply toner.

4. Apply a mask.

Choose one of the following masks, depending on your skin's needs:

- To Moisturize Dry Skin

Half of a mashed organic avocado

- To Brighten Dull Complexions

Organic strawberry yogurt

- To Rid Pores of Impurities

Honey

Apply a thin layer to your face and relax for 20 minutes. Then remove the mask with a warm, wet cloth, and rinse with warm water. Pat dry with a clean towel.

With Love,

Shelby

from WholeLiving.com

Ombre Sparkle Nails {Fall 2012 Fashion Obsession}

Hey everyone! The past few weeks I've been seeing a lot of what I call sparkly ombre nails. Some of them are a little over the top, but the simple ones are absolutely adorable! :) Check these out! 

These are a great idea for the holidays! :) 

Simple but chic. I'm loving the light pink!

Very cute! Almost like a ombre french manicure! :) 

What do you think of this nail art? Comment below!

With Love, 

Shelby

Banana Pudding Cookies {Food! Yum! Yum!}

I found this scrumptious recipe for banana pudding cookies...they look so good! 

Yield: 3 dozen cookies

Soft banana pudding cookies with white chocolate chips and vanilla wafers. These cookies taste just like banana pudding!

ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 (3.4 oz) package banana cream instant pudding mix
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose Gold Medal flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped vanilla wafer cookies
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips

directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat and set aside.

2. Using a mixer, beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add in pudding mix, eggs, and vanilla extract. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in the vanilla wafer cookies and white chocolate chips.

3. Drop cookie dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, or until slightly golden around the edges and set. Remove cookies from oven and let cool on baking sheet for two minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.

Enjoy!

With Love,

Shelby

Knee Socks {Fashion Obsession}

Lately I've been seeing a lot of knee socks. I didn't like them at first...but now I think they're adorable! Just be sure that you wear them with the right outfit!  They look great with boots. 

Hilariousness {Fun}

Check out a few of these funny photos! Hope they make you SMILE! :D