DIY Coffee Cup Cozy

January 31, 2017

There isn't much to complain about when it comes to fancy ceramic to-go cups--they're way cuter than the paper versions the coffee house gives you, they're good for the environment because they won't end up in a landfill, and they help to keep the coffee or tea within hot for quite a bit longer. But using them does pose one dilemma: they get so hot they can actually burn your hands. This DIY coffee cup cozy is not only adorable, it's ridiculously easy to make. And the only thing better than the simplicity of execution is the functionality of it--I promise, you will want to use it all the time after you make it to keep your fingers from burning every time you pick up your ceramic or glass mug. 

DIY Coffe Cup Cozy

fuzzy socks
fabric scissors



Cut the top half off of the socks (I found this sweet pair at Daiso, a cute little Japanese discount store near me). You'll be left with a tube that has openings on both ends and the bottom half of a sock (which you can still use to keep your toes warm). 



Slide the top half of the sock over your ceramic mug  and enjoy your beverage without burning your fingers. 


It also works on paper to-go cups, so store it in your bag when you're headed to Starbucks, or Coffee Bean, or wherever you get your fix.



Friday Favorites

January 27, 2017

Last Saturday, millions of women, men, and children from all walks of life and every corner of the globe (seriously, all seven continents!) gathered and marched in solidarity to fight the injustices suffered by women, Blacks and Latinos, the LGBTQ community, and Muslims. They marched for equal pay, for Black Lives Matter, for a person's right to love whomever they want, for the right to worship freely, for women's rights--all of them-- and against an administration that plans to erase decades of progress. It was a march against oppression in its ugliest forms, and it made history. I was unable to participate that day (though I so badly wanted to march alongside so many of my friends), but I followed along on social media with tears in my eyes as I saw images of women marching in Kenya, New Zealand, Germany, France, Spain, Canada, Mexico, Japan, all over the United States, and all over the world (there was even a group in Myanmar, where they are not permitted to march, who held a picnic!).  It was one of the most incredible and inspiring things I've ever seen. I went to bed that night feeling prouder than ever to be a woman.

Have a fabulous weekend, God bless. And ladies, let's keep fighting!


This monochromatic look. I'm having a love affair with this shade of blue lately.


The sweetest little playhouse that ever was. 


My hope for my two precious little girls.


A thrifted paper towel holder upcycled into a DIY cactus light--ridiculously cute!


The jacket of my Valentine's Day dreams.

image via Pinterest


Cure Winter Blues with Homemade Irish Cream

January 26, 2017

I've been suffering from post-holiday blues, especially now that the city has collected all the trees, and retailers have covered their windows with hearts and cupids, signaling the official official end of the holiday season. We've been back to our daily routine of work and school and all the extras for a few weeks, but I can't help feeling nostalgic for holiday music and the smell of our Christmas tree. To help me cope, I whipped up a batch of Irish cream to mimic the Bailey's my husband and I had every morning in our coffee during the Christmas break. It won't take me back to the holidays, but it's sweet and creamy, with just the right amount of kick, so navigating through my winter blues is a little easier. 

Homemade Irish Cream (Bailey's)
1 cup half and half
1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 to 1½ cups whiskey (you can always add more to taste)
3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon instant espresso, such as Cafe Bustelo

Dissolve instant espresso granules in the half and half. Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend on high speed until smooth, about a minute. Pour into a glass bottle, seal, and refrigerate for up to 2 months. Shake well before each use. I like to put a splash in my coffee or drink it over rocks, but it's also tasty blended into a milkshake.

Wordsmith Wednesday: Repudiate

January 25, 2017

Here's where I share my favorite words with you. Because savvy girls have impressive vocabularies.


The Crazy 8 Valentine's Day Shop Is Super Cute! (And On Sale)

January 20, 2017

I've always loved dressing my little girls up in festive gear to celebrate whatever holiday is approaching, and since Valentine's Day is just around the corner I'm looking forward to putting them in sparkly pink and red clothes bedazzled with glitter and hearts (two of our favorite things). Crazy 8 is my go-to for adorable children's fashion and their Valentine's Day shop is the absolute sweetest! Right now the entire V-day shop--cute picks for boys and girls-- is on sale, so I can score the perfect little outfits for them to wear on February 14 and save 40% on it all! Gotta love that!

Friday Favorites

January 20, 2017

It's been a bit of a somber week, with all the emotional goodbyes to our 44th President and his family. I've looked at countless videos and photos of the family--my favorites are of the girls through the years, and of Barack and Michelle laughing together and just being in love--and I've grown more and more emotional with each one. I am sad to see this First Family leave the White House, and I would be remiss if I didn't express how proud I am to have voted for him and to have watched history being made. I would also be remiss if I didn't send a big, nasty woman thank you to all the women, men, and children who are participating in the Women's March this weekend! I'll be busy with family events, but I will be standing in solidarity with all of my sisters across the country and around the world who are marching on Saturday. Have a wonderful weekend, and God bless!

Olive oil and sea salt brownie cookies for which I currently have all the required ingredients. Coincidence? I think not. 


A lovely spot to have my morning coffee.


Pretty pink dinnerware


The juxtaposition of colorful flowers and white subway tiles


Today's mood. 


image via Instagram

Wordsmith Wednesday: Languid

January 18, 2017

Here's where I share my favorite words with you. Because savvy girls have impressive vocabularies.



Get Gorgeous with Oatmeal

January 17, 2017

Besides being a breakfast food staple, oatmeal has long been an essential ingredient in beauty and skincare products. That's because it tackles a number of skin issues, from sensitive and itchy to oily and acne-prone, and is even mild enough for baby's tender skin. Oats are packed with protein, folic acid, vitamin E, thiamin, and an abundance of other nutrients, which means they're good for you, inside and out. Here are ten DIY recipes to help you maximize the beauty benefits of this tiny grain.

1. Make an acne-fighting face mask by grinding one tablespoon of oatmeal in a food processor or blender, then adding one tablespoon of plain yogurt and a teaspoon of honey.

2. If you've got sensitive skin, mix one tablespoon ground oats with a tablespoon of milk and two tablespoons of honey; apply to your face leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. 
3. Relax in an oatmeal bath to restore moisture and relieve itchy skin. Simply grind one cup of oats into a fine powder and add to your bath water.
4. Mix a cup of finely ground oats with ½ cup each of coconut and grapeseed oil, along with the contents of two chamomile tea bags for an exfoliating and hydrating body scrub.
5. Make a pre-shampoo oatmeal hair mask for soft, shiny tresses. Pulse ½ cup oats in a food processor until fine, then mix with two tablespoons of almond or sesame oil and ¼ cup milk; apply to hair and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing and shampooing.
6. Mix one tablespoon of oatmeal with three tablespoons of warm water for a gentle yet effective face scrub.
7. Combine ½ cup cooked and cooled oatmeal with one tablespoon of olive oil, an egg white, and a few drops of lemon juice for a brightening face mask. 
8. Whip up a yummy face scrub with one tablespoon each of finely ground oatmeal, brown sugar, honey, and jojoba or grapeseed oil. 
9. Soothe sunburned skin with an oatmeal and aloe bath. Heat two tablespoons of honey in the microwave, then mix in a cup of ground oats, three tablespoons of aloe vera (fresh is best, but gel works great too), and four tablespoons of milk powder. Add the mixture to a lukewarm bath and soak. 
10. Use oat milk as natural toner after you've cleansed your face. To make it yourself, put one cup of rolled oats and three cups of water in a blender and blend on high until smooth,  use a cheese cloth to strain into a glass bottle, and refrigerate. 





image via

Friday Favorites

January 13, 2017

It's been cold, rainy, and wet for the past few days, and I've been tempted to jump back under the covers every morning as I make my bed. I love this kind of weather (and Lord knows we needed it here in California); it's perfect for snuggling up with a cup of cocoa and a good book. This weekend marks the first time since the holidays that we don't have any plans, so I'm hoping to do some writing and baking to relax. And even though the rain has subsided until next week, it is supposed to be cloudy on Sunday, so I might just spend a little extra time under the covers. Have yourself a fabulous weekend, and God bless! 

Chocolate chip cookie cones--possibly the most brilliant vessel for ice cream ever.


Costa Rica.


This ladylike look


True story from Tom Ford


Tulips in the prettiest shade of pale pink. 

Wordsmith Wednesday: Paramount

January 11, 2017

Here's where I share my favorite words with you. Because savvy girls have impressive vocabularies.

5 Colorful Instagram Accounts That Spark Creativity

January 10, 2017

Working from home has its benefits, but just as working in an office or sitting in a cubicle can become banal, there are times when sitting at home, staring at the same walls can be less than inspiring. Some days, I can take a walk, flip through a magazine, or read a few pages from a book to spark creativity and cure boredom when I've got writer's block; other days,  I like to get lost on the 'gram. These colorful and cute Instagram accounts are five of my favorites.


StudioMucci
Her obsession with unicorns, Disneyland, and pretty desserts (she's even put pastel sprinkles on her cereal, which is totally genius!) rivals my own, and Amina Mucciolo's colorful style can always put a smile on my face. 


MattCrump
From pinkish purple clouds to prismatic city streets, seeing the world through self-proclaimed Professional Unicorn Matt Crump's camera lens literally brightens my day. Also, his silly captions never fail to elicit a midday giggle.


PicturingJuj
It's not just the bright, saturated hues of the images on this account, it's the utter adorableness of it all--plastic dinosaurs balance cupcakes on their noses (snouts?) and taco shells overflow with colorful bits of confetti, making this a magical escape when my days become mundane.


VioletTinder
This account is the stuff that every girly girl's dreams are made of. Sparkly jewels get served up on pastel lunch trays and pumpkin pies get dolled up with false lashes. The colors are fantastic, and even hot dogs and waffles get made over in shades of purple and pink.


Splendid_Rags
Leslie Schneider, the eye behind Splendid Rags seems to have an affinity for candy and the color pink, making her a girl after my own heart. She's also really stylish and loves to travel, so her page offers up tons of inspiration when I've hit a wall.

Friday Favorites

January 6, 2017

Our Christmas vacation has come to an end and after this weekend our lives will return to normal with school, work, dance classes, etc. We've had an absolutely jam-packed three weeks, from movies to a Kidz Bop concert to a trip to Knott's Berry Farm, not to mention all the holiday festivities. I'm exhausted, of course, but more than that I'm grateful that we got to do it all; grateful for the memories we got to make with our baby girls. We're trying to squeeze out every last drop of fun before we're forced to pick up where we left off when that alarm clock sounds on Monday morning, so this weekend we've got a trip to the Queen Mary planned, ice skating, and at the request of my three year old, ice cream sundaes. Have a safe weekend, and God bless!


Emerald green sequined pants. I'm mad for this look and determined to procure a pair of these pants for myself!




This plush pink sofa. And the perfectly stacked firewood.


Cute DIY football helmet drink stirrers for those of us who are too fancy to drink Rolling 
Rock out of the bottle come Super Bowl Sunday.


An exquisite Where the Wild Things Are cake that I'm seriously considering for my own birthday (it's one of my all-time favorite books!).

Make This Easy Peppermint Foot Scrub Immediately

January 5, 2017

The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most chaotic and stressful. The bulk of our days, from the end of November through the end of the year, is spent shopping, wrapping, cooking, baking, caroling, decorating, merry making, good cheer spreading, bottle popping, and auld lang syne-ing. It's exhausting, to say the least, which is exactly why we deserve a little pampering now that the holidays are over. This peppermint foot scrub softens and silkifies tired, worn feet, and refreshes and rejuvenates the senses (peppermint is known to cool and calm the body, as well as relieve sore muscles). You'll want to keep this little recipe on hand; you're probably going to need it next holiday season.

Peppermint Foot Scrub
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil 
5-10 drops peppermint oil (this is a very potent oil, so a little goes a long way)

Mix all ingredients until thoroughly combined (melt the coconut oil first if necessary). Massage into tired feet, wrap a warm towel around them, and relax for ten to fifteen minutes (I recommend soaking two tea towels in a bowl of steamy hot water before you start, then wring them and wrap up your feet once you've applied the scrub). Rinse feet with warm water. 

Wordsmith Wednesday: Traverse

January 4, 2017

Here's where I share my favorite words with you. Because savvy girls have impressive vocabularies.


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