DIY: Citrus Salt Body Scrub

As fall approaches it's time to start thinking about how to combat dry skin! I stumbled upon this great salt scrub by Paula Deen that is cheap and easy to make and leaves skin exfoliated and moisturized with a light citrus scent to remind you of summer. I tried this scrub and it left my skin so soft! Must try!!!

All you need is:
1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
(can substitute light olive oil or vegetable oil; Which ever is in your pantry works. I used olive oil.)

Zest of a lemon
Zest of a lime
Zest of an orange

(Decided to add lime zest mid way thru)

 Step 1: Zest lemon, orange, and lime

Step 2: In a medium dry bowl, combine all ingredients making sure to not let any water touch them as it will dissolve the salt. 

Pour mixture into an airtight container and store in a cool dry place.

Swirl ingredients together with your fingertips to mix before use. Clean body completely and just before exiting shower, apply Citrus Salt Body Scrub to body in a firm circular scrubbing motion with hands or a soft washcloth. Rinse off the mixture and pat body dry with a clean towel.

Design Den: Beautiful Kitchens

The kitchen is the heart of any home. Check out these beautiful spaces!


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Beauty Bar: Braids and Buns

The braided bun is perfect for days when nothing else seems to be working. The best part is that it isn't suppose to be perfect so you can throw it together quickly and walk out the door. Perfect for days when you're in a hurry and don't have time to straighten or curl your hair. Check out how you can get these cool looks.

 

 Step 1: Begin french braiding the front section of your hair. Remember this look is suppose to be somewhat messy so it is perfectly okay not to part your hair. Continue french braiding until you past your ear.

Step 2: Once you past your ear. Finish braiding hair section to the end and place small rubber band around the ends to keep from unraveling. 

Step 3: Gather all you hair and form a loose bun on the same side as the braid.

Remember there are several variations of this style so be creative and give it your own personal spin!

Sweet Treats: S'mores Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

I saw this stuffed cookie on Pinterest by Jenny at Picky Plate and had to share! Who can turn down a gooey s'more wrapped in a butter crisp chocolate chip cookie...not me! Try this and you WONT be sorry!

 What you'll need:

2 sticks softened butter

1 Cup granulated sugar

3/4 Cup packed light brown sugar

2 eggs

1 Tablespoon vanilla

3 1/2 Cup all purpose flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 Cups semi sweet chocolate chips

24 graham cracker quarters or 12 full sheets separated at perforations

3 Hershey Bars, broken into rows of 3 bars

12 large marshmallows cut in half lengthwise

 

 In a stand or electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla, continue to beat until well combined.

   Place flour, salt and baking soda into a bowl; mix to combine then add slowly to wet ingredients along with the chocolate chips.

 S'mores Ingredients: Chocolate, Marshmallows, and Gram Crackers

 

 Cut marshmallows in half so that they can stay on the gram cracker better.

 

 

 Instead of full size s’mores, separate the graham crackers into fourths to so they fit well inside the cookie.  Layer a graham cracker quarter with 3 Hershey chocolate squares and 2 marshmallow halves.  Close with another graham cracker.

 

 Now this is where it gets a little tricky. When you are trying to wrap the graham crackers with dough, the s'more will try and move around. Just do the best you can, they don't have to be perfectly stuffed. 

 

Time to bake!Line a large baking sheet with parchment or a silpat liner. Place large cookies onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes at 350 degrees or until edges are golden and centers are cooked through. .

Let cool for 10 minutes before transferring to cooling rack or serving plate.

Yum!!!!!!!

Beauty Bar:Baking Soda and Orange Juice Face Mask

I came across this great DYI facial on Beauty Bets courtesy of Melissa Colgan, the Style Editor at Mpls.St. Paul magazine. Melissa says that this combo gets rid of blackheads and is great for treating hormonal breakouts. This treatment only calls for two ingredients and cost roughly 50 cents to make. Take 20 minutes and treat yourself to clearer skin!

Use 1-2 times/week depending on skin’s sensitivity.

1. Mix 1 tsp. real orange juice with 1 T. baking soda.

2. Spread a thin layer on face and neck.

3. Leave on for 20 minutes.

4. Dampen finger tips and scrub mask in circular motions for extra exfoliation. Rinse.

5. Follow with a gentle toner and moisturizer.

FYI:

The mask will tingle and itch a little but try your best not to talk. Any facial movement will cause the mask to flake off. Also, your skin may be pink afterwards but should go back to normal shortly after the mask is removed.

Cocktails at Eight: Key Lime Pie Martini

If you're looking for a creative cocktail that is sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next party then you must try this Key Lime Pie Martini! 

What you'll need

2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
1 tablespoon sugar
2 ounces Pinnacle Key Lime Whipped Vodka
1 ounce simple syrup
1 ounce triple sec
1 ounce lime juice

Martini Glass

Decorate the Rim

Mix graham cracker crumbs and sugar together in a shallow plate and set aside. In another shallow plate add water. Dip martini glass rim in water, followed by the graham cracker sugar mixture and set aside.

Mix Martini

Place ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously until chilled. Pour into rimmed martini glass and garnish with a lime round.

The Glam Room: Blazin' Blazers

 

Source: Uploaded by user via The House of Elle on Pinterest

The Glam Room: Watch Me Now

I think it's safe to say you're either a watch person or you're not. I've always wanted to be but I could never get it quite right. I would find these great watches that looked fab in the store, rush home to try it and it just never worked. I felt like it looked out of place and chunky. Well I have decided to try again but this time I am going to pair it with cute bangles and bracelets to give it a feminine touch. I saw this Marc Jacobs watch and just had to have it. What do you think?

                                                                                                                      Marc Jacob

Design Den: Gold Rush

 
Looking for a way to add luxury, sophistication, and timeless style to your space? Adding gold accents in the form of picture frames, drapes, lamps, or furniture can bring your space from flat to fabulous. Gold not only adds a touch of glam to your space, it also adds warmth and makes the space feel more inviting. Check out how these otherwise traditional spaces are transformed by the addition of gold to their color pallet.

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Cocktails at Eight: Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots

With football season near, creative shots can turn your game day party for ordinary to extraordinary! These adorable Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots are a show stopper and are sure to impress all your guests! 

Strawberry Margarita Jello Shot

 Making these treats can be tricky at first but a breeze once you mastered the technique. First you must hollow out the strawberries. Now by far this is the hardest part of making these spiked treats but the end result is worth. Make sure to avoid piercing the bottom of the strawberry because the gelatin mixture will leak right out. After hollowing, mix one package of strawberry gelatin with water, add 4oz of tequila, and 2oz of Grand Marnier. Fill the hollowed strawberry with about a tbsp. of the gelatin mixture. (Tip: Using a baby dropper to fill strawberries makes this somewhat difficult task a lot easier). Allow strawberries to chill. Garnish with cute little wedges of lime and you have adorable shots that are sure to impress!

                                                                         

Design Den:Luxurious Closets

Custom Closets add a fabulous touch to any home. By adding mirrored doors and lighted shelving you can turn a boring closet into a high end boutique. Bright pod lights and chandeliers at a touch of glam and make for a great place to showcase all your fashions. Check of these great spaces!!!

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