5 Home Remedies for Curing A Sun Burn

This week I've shown you how to plan a toobin' trip, a trip to the water park, save big money while doing it, find the perfect bikini, and now I'm going to share some home remedies on how to cure a sun burn. 

The absolute best cure for a sun burn is to not get one in the first place - protect your skin and wear sunscreen! However, if you find yourself in a painful spot, these tips will get you fixed up in no time. 

How do you protect your skin from the sun?

Challenge Accepted: Packing Creative Lunches for Kids

Thank you to Fruit Shoot for sponsoring today's post and encouraging me to share creative ways to prep fun lunches for my kids!

I'll be honest - packing school lunches is one of my least favorite things to do. The monotony of packing the same types of things over and over again really gets to me and I can only imagine how my daughter must feel every day when she opens up her lunch box to the same 'ol thing. I try to pack her favorites but surely she must get tired of eating the same thing day after day.

Recently I've been trying to amp up my "cool mom" status by packing fun and creative lunches. I've spent plenty of time browsing my "lunchbox ideas" board on Pinterest and that has been a great help! I've decided to challenge myself: for the remaining six or so weeks of school I'm going to do my best to pack my daughter a creative and fun lunch. This is going to be hard y'all! However, thanks to Robinson's Fruit Shoot drinks - I'm feeling inspired!

About #FruitShoot:

We want to share some of our favorite things about Fruit Shoot. It has a new no-spill cap, perfect for children of all ages, and contains no fructose corn syrup, making it a much better option than other flavored drinks.

This fun hydration drink is perfect for energetic, independent kids who desire fun on the go. It contains real fruit juice, no high-fructose corn syrup, and no added sugar or natural flavors.

Fruit Shoot lets moms balance the hydration their kids need with the taste that they love, making hydration fun for kids and easy for moms.

Fruit Shoot also features an innovative no-spill cap (no more juice stains in the car!) making it easy for kids to be independent and on the go. These vibrant fun colored bottles come in tasty flavors of Orange, Apple, Berry Burst, and Strawberry/Raspberry."

Monday's lunch was super simple. My kiddos LOVE those little pre made cheese and cracker packages you get from the grocery store. I don't purchase them often so they know they are getting a treat when I do. I spruced it up with some other finger foods because what kid doesn't like finger foods? Cherry tomatoes (my daughter's favorite!), some mandarin oranges and an Orange Fruit Shoot made for one happy kiddo!

I'm not sure how today's lunch went over yet because she is still at school but I thought it was pretty fun! I made an easy turkey and cheese wrap held together with just a bit of ranch dressing - another favorite! Add in her "go to" foods - chips, pudding, and tomatoes - she should be satisfied. I'm anxious to hear what she thought about the Berry Burst Fruit Shoot as well.

As you can see, Addison was really excited to try all four flavors of Robinson's Fruit Shoot!

Bonus: Right now with the purchase of Fruit Shoot, there is the option for a free download of an Angry Birds game - perfect for parents to play with their kids! Download the Angry Birds game and enter the code on the back of your Fruit Shoot bottle to play!

Fruit Shoot is available at these local retailers: Walmart, KMart, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Harris Teeter, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Spartan, Speedway, Meijer Gas, Sheetz, Kangaroo, WilcoHess, Handee Hugo, Family Fare, Giant Eagles, Marc’s, Dave’s, UDF, Traxx, Redi Mart, J Clarks

What do your kids enjoy in their lunchboxes?

Creativity Overload!

My creative juices have really been flowing lately - so much so that I'm a little overwhelmed! I've been in the mood to create, decorate, DIY and so much more! I've got so many ideas in my head that I keep skipping from one project to the other! Does that ever happen to you?

When Addison was younger I became obsessed with making hair bows for her - and as it turned out I was pretty good at it! I even started a little online boutique and did really well. I stopped selling bows on the side quite some time ago but last week (and late last night!) I broke out the bow supplies and got to work. Today was "rodeo" day at school so of course my girl needed a new western themed bow! It was a simple little project but I love the way it turned out.

Chris and I have been slowly picking up pieces of décor for our house; I swear I must be the luckiest girl ever because he LOVES looking for unique pieces with me. If I want to go junkin' he is up for it every time! Just the other day we found a gorgeous item for over our fireplace. We both spotted it as soon as we got out of the car and I'm pretty sure we both decided right then and there that we had to have it. It really changed the look of our entire living room and it looks fantastic with our red furniture!

A want to roll up my sleeves and DIY has appeared right alongside my desire to decorate. I've been perusing pinterest like a mad woman looking for fun projects that would make a good addition to our home. To say I have found plenty would be an understatement!

 

 

 

I'm thinking that once we've "finished" (because are we ever really finished?) decorating I will do a room by room home tour here on the blog if anyone is interested!

Last, but not at all least, yesterday I broke out the DSLR! I've been itchin' to take some photos and my BFF was up for an impromptu photo shoot! I was giddy with excitement and I was able to capture some fantastic shots. Hopefully I'll have them all edited this weekend and ready to share with you next week!

How do you release your creativity?

Happy Friday, friends; have a fabulous weekend!

Step By Step: D.I.Y. Make Up Remover Wipes

I'm lazy. Phew, there, I said it. Feels good to let it out. Okay, maybe lazy is a bit harsh; there are certain things that I just choose to not do 99% of the time. One of those things happens to be removing my makeup at the end of every day. Oh who am I kidding? I don't wear make up every day! 

Okay, let's try this again. On the days that I do wear make up I'm usually too exhausted by that evening to be bothered with removing my makeup and washing my face. I know, that's horrible for my skin but I know I'm not alone in this - you probably don't wash your face either every night either. I am a huge fan of those super expensive but oh-so-convenient make up remover wipes that you can purchase at the store, however in case y'all missed it - I'm also cheap. So when I realized that I could make my own makeup remover wipes that were just as effective and save money at the same time? Yea, I hopped right on that bandwagon! Of course, I'm also a nice gal so you know I'm going to share my little recipe with y'all! Here it is, step by step, in pictures.

Here's What You'll Need:

A note about the paper towels I used - I used VIVA because I know how soft and strong they are. Keep in mind when choosing your paper towels that you will be using them to scrub your face.

Here's What You'll Do:

When cutting your paper towel roll in half, you might consider using a knife that is not serrated. I had a bit of a mess :) 

Because I was reusing a flushable wipes container, I decided to unroll my towels from the cardboard and fold the sheets over into a nice stack. I did this show that they would easily pull through the opening of the container. There are lots of ways to do this step, but this is what worked for me in this case.

Next mix up your cleansing solution.

1/2 Cup Distilled Water

3-4 Pumps of Baby Soap

1 Teaspoon Baby Oil

2 Tablespoons of Witch Hazel

Place your sheets into a zippered bag and add your liquid solution.

Zip up your bag and allow the paper towels to soak up all of the solution. You will need the flip the bag once or twice to make sure that the towels are saturated. 

When all of the cleansing solution is soaked up you can transfer the wipes to the container of your choice. As you can see in the picture below, my makeup came right off! I've been using these wipes for awhile now and I'm so happy with them. I keep a box by my bed and a box in the bathroom - which are a total of about 10 steps away from each other (totally lazy, I tell you!) and I use them every night. I even use them if I don't have make up on because they moisturize my face!

I'd love to know what you think about these wipes; give them a try! 

• How to Cure A Sun Burn 
• A Burlap Wreath Tutorial
• Three Grubby Doors: A Custom Bed Tutorial

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How To Cure A Sun Burn

A sun burn is something that some of us worry about year round, but we are especially concerned during the summer. In the hotter months we all tend to spend more time outdoors enjoying the beauty that is nature; unfortunately we often forget to prevent ourselves from the pain of a sun burn. While there is no cure for a sun burn, there are plenty of sun burn treatments and remedies.  If you follow the guidelines I have outlined for you below then you are sure to find some sun burn relief!

1.       Take a cool bath:

a. Add a heaping tablespoon of baking soda to a cool bath. Soak in the bath for only 15-20 minutes and then air dry. You can also substitute the baking soda with a ½ - 1 Cup of oatmeal. This helps to balance out your alkaline/PH levels and supports healing.

2.       Use Aloe Vera:

a. Applying aloe vera gel to your sunburn 5-6 times a day really eases the sting of a sun burn. You can use aloe vera gel straight from the plant or you can purchase it at the store.

3.       Apply a cold compress:

a. Usually I just get a washcloth, wet it with cool water and apply it to the sun burn.

4.       Stay hydrated:

a. When you get a sun burn your skin is very dehydrated. Drink a lot of water to promote the healing of your skin.

5.       Take an OTC Pain Reliever:

a. Taking an OTH pain medicine should help to relieve some of your discomfort. Just follow the instructions on the label.

The best treatment for a sun burn is prevention! Remember to wear sunscreen when you go outside – and one application isn’t enough! You have to reapply your sunscreen typically every 80 minutes. Save yourself the misery of a sun burn and enjoy your summer!

Take it from me, the girl who forgot to wear sunscreen at the beach two weeks ago.

My back is still peeling. *yuck*

Do you have any remedies for treating a sun burn? Share them with me on facebook! 

• 10 Water Park Survival Tips
• 5 Swimsuits For The Curvy Woman
• Lifescript.com: Healthy Living For Women

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The Procrastinator's DIY Guide to Spoiling Dad This Father's Day

If you are anything like me you might be pacing the floors right now trying to figure out what to get that special Dad in your life for Father's Day. I'm a last minute kind of girl, an example of procrastination at it's finest. While some people may view this as a negative thing, I do not! You have plenty of time to make Dad's  day super special. Read on for 10 DIY ideas that you can pull together in a pinch. 

You'd probably agree with me when I tell you that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. So treat dad to a delicious meal this Father's Day. Below you'll find three easy recipes that will blow dad away. 

For breakfast, why not start with these gorgeous Lemon Ricotta Crepes? Bonus: They are gluten free!

Recipe Via

At lunch you can serve up these tasty game day beefy nachos! Dads love finger foods with lots of toppings. This one is fool proof! 

Recipe Via

If Dad is still hungry at dinner time, this next recipe is sure to satisfy! This hearty Mexican Bean Soup is comfort food at it's finest. 

Recipe Via

If Pops has a sweet tooth then this next recipe is sure to cure it. Check out this chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. 

Recipe Via

Now, if DIY projects are more your style, listen up. Dads love it when they get gifts that are handmade and from the heart which is exactly what these projects are.

With this printable worksheet, kiddos can draw or paste a picture of Dad and then answer fun questions about him like what he does or doesn't like to eat and how he likes to spend his time. Their candid answers are sure to put a smile on Dad's face. 

Worksheet Via

A personalized DIY frame is a favorite among Dads. It's an old school style project, but with a twist. 

Project Via

This jar of tees is the perfect gift for the golfer in your life. The best part? You probably already have just about everything you need to complete it! 

Project Via

Last, but not least, if you won't be able to spend the day with your Father this Sunday, maybe a simple project like this six pack of IBC Root Beer will capture your feelings for Dear Ol' Dad. 

Project Via

Maybe a little alone time is high on Dad's wish list. Fret not! Take a peek at this list of 8 Father's Day ideas that will leave your Dad feeling rested and rejuvenated. 

List Via

And just for kicks...a list of freebies for Father's Day 2013!

List Via

My fellow procrastinators, I hope that you will find this round up helpful. Remember no matter what you give your Dad this Father's Day, remember to just show him your love! 

Thank you to the awesome bloggers featured in this post!

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A Burlap Wreath Tutorial

There are two things that I have been obsessed with lately: wreaths & burlap. It doesn't help that there are a ton of D.I.Y. wreath ideas on Pinterest. If you were paying attention, you might've already seen this beauty when I revealed the exterior paint job we did on our home. This is the first wreath I'd ever made and I was really pleased with the way it turned out. I also made it easy to change it up a bit so that it will continue to work for each season. Read on for a tutorial on how to make this easy D.I.Y. {Spring} wreath.

Items Needed:

• Foam Wreath Form
• Burlap 
• Artificial Flowers
• Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
• Wooden Letter
• Paint

So the first thing I did was paint! My wreath form was white and I felt like it would be noticeable under the burlap so I painted it the same color as the letter {which I also painted} you see in the pictures above and below. I chose this color because it is the same color as my home and it also matched the print on the burlap. 

Once the paint was dry, I wrapped the wreath form in burlap and used a hot glue gun to secure it into place. I also hot glued the letter onto the wreath form. I was a bit concerned in the beginning if the letter would hold up to the elements, but I'm happy to say that several months later, it is still firmly in place. 

Next, I stripped the rubber coating from my artificial flowers with a pair of pliers so that their wires were exposed. I was able to simply poke the wires through the foam form and adjust them to the right heights. When thinking up ideas for this wreath I knew that I wanted to be able to easily change it from a spring wreath to a summer wreath and so on. It was important to me that I be able to use it over and over again. The artificial flowers are easily removable leaving me the ability to add something different for the next season.

When I was finished I had just a little left over burlap and since I didn't want it to go to waste, I tied it in a knot and glued it to the top of the wreath to serve as a bow. 

I'm loving this burlap wreath and I'm looking forward to creating something new with it for the summer months!

Have you ever made a wreath? Share a picture of your wreath with me on my facebook fan page, I'd love to see it! 

• Three Grubby Doors
• {DIY} Chalkboard Jars
• Make Your Own: Infused Olive Oil

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Three Grubby Doors

So back in October, after reading this post on Ruthie's blog, I started begging my hubby incessantly to build us the perfect headboard. I was tired of our current bed and I wanted something a little rustic to better suit my style.

He said no. He's such a party pooper!!

So a few weeks ago we went out and bought a new comforter & sheet set. This was his idea and it was kind of random but who am I to deny a man of a brand new duvet cover? Don't tell him I said that, k?

We were all getting along famously (hubby, me, and the new bedding) but the material on the bed spread kept bunching up at the end. Hubs is a little obsessive about the way the bed is made and if it isn't "just so" he will never be able to get to sleep. Long story short, the bedding kept bunching up at the foot board, it was making him crazy (and in turn HE was making me crazy) and he wasn't sleeping well.

Enter these bad boys:

My father in law has been cleaning out this old warehouse and he had a bunch of these old doors! My darling husband thought it would be a great idea to make a head board and foot board out of them. He was right, it was a good idea. Funny how when it became his idea to do a project like this he all of a sudden wanted to do it, eh? Anyhow..

Two weekends worth of work left us with a beautiful new bed. I'm completely in love with the look of it and the bed spread now slides between the mattress and the foot board perfectly. Match made in Heaven; everyone is happy.

So, what do y'all think? Hubs has several doors left over and he's itchin' to make another one. Anyone want a custom made bed? ;)

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