Wednesday, September 26, 2018

My Oily Day: The Morning

Happy Rainy Hump Day Peeps!!

It happens to be raining yet AGAIN in the ole' DF Dub.  I tell ya we had zero rain for like 2 months and now it won't stop.  It's truly feast or famine around here this summer when it comes to the rain.

This morning I stopped in to talk to you about how I use Young Living products everyday.   I love Young Living as a company for so many reasons and many people think Young Living and think oils and rightfully so but there is so much more to love!   I'm breaking it down into small segments and since I just got up (do NOT judge me- I read until like 1 am) I figured my morning routine was a great start so let's get going!










                 





First thing I do after I make my bed and put my exercise watch/tracker on is head to the kitchen and flip the faucet on to warm up and grab a mug.  I put a couple of drops of Lemon Vitality oil in the mug and fill with warm water and drink that down along with an Allerzyme or an Essentialzyme and a Super C.  Followed up by a VERY tasty KidScents Mighty Pro.

Now I grab myself a steaming mug of coffee, check my emails, make Hubster some breakfast and then it's time to grab a shower.   If it is hair washing day then I do that first so my conditioner soaks while I'm showering and no- I do not wash my hair every day, technically not even every other day.  I am currently using the Lavender Mint Daily Shampoo and the Copaiba Vanilla Conditioner, I LOVE the way the conditioner smells!!

If I washed my hair then I will use this Satin Facial Scrub Mint  on my face but a non-hair washing day gets this Orange Blossom Facial Wash.    It's an easy way for me to keep up with how often I use the scrub, which is hard because that stuff smells AHMAZING!!!!   I wash my face in the shower in the mornings because it's basically just a rinse off since I never, not ever, go to bed without washing my face.  Neither should you, just saying! 



Jumping out of the shower I apply my oils for the day:  Endoflex goes over my thyroid area and Mister gets rubbed along my inner forearm area (where the skin is thinner).   I also roll a dab of Progessence Plus where my right ovary is located.     Since I just had the gallbladder out I've been rubbing  Animal Scents Ointment on all my little incision points and an older scar down on my left calf.   Google it peeps!  
 



Now let's get the face taken care of and we're done!   Since I washed my face in the shower I'm ready to moisturize.  I put 1 drop of Frankincense in my palm along with a squirt of ART Renewal Serum and put that all over my face.  I don't like as heavy of a moisturizer in the summer so I've been following that up with the Orange Blossom Facial Moisturizer.   Pop the ole' contacts in the eyeballs and I'm ready for the day.  

 
I didn't include my makeup because I probably only wear makeup like 3 or 4 days a week if that.   I'll do a separate post on make up because well, I've got to go get a shower now.   


Ooops....almost forgot to brush my teeth!  Grab the Thieves Aromabright Toothpaste and get to work on those teeth!



See how many Young Living products I used this morning and I'm just getting started.  Aren't they expensive you ask? Not really, they last a long time and I'm on Essential Rewards so 25% of my order comes back to me each month to use on products that I'd be buying anyway.  I mean you're going to buy toothpaste, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, etc anyways so why wouldn't you use products that you KNOW aren't filled with unwanted harmful chemicals?   

If you have any questions at all you can ask me in the comments or an email to michelle@campjeff.com.    Also check out my new-ish Facebook page: Nature's Remedies w/ Essential Oils    I try to post lots of educational info there from various sources including Young Living and also what I've got going in the diffuser.   

Stay dry my friends!!!

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies

Hey There Peeps!!

I'm back with a couple of quick links to some amazing cookies.   I found these first cookies in the Southern Living magazine back in September of 2017.    I've made them a few times since then and let me tell you this....PUT THEM IN THE FREEZER.  Seriously, after you've made the cookies and they've cooled completely pop them in the freezer and eat them right out of the freezer.  I promise, you'll thank me later!   Don't skip the toasting of the pecans either, it brings out the flavor of those pecans.


The Abogg particularly loves these cookies and whenever he's coming over to babysit his fur brother I always make sure to have a batch in the freezer for him.   Here's the link for these Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies.   Oh, you won't miss the flour in these in either so pour a big glass of milk and enjoy the chocolatey goodness of these cookies.  

The next cookie I have for you has become one of my absolute favorites.  I mean I am completely in love with these cookies and because of these I've found an amazing blog and I want to move in with her and let her cook for me all the time! 

These are called Traditional Italian Breakfast Cookies and they are in fact quite delicious in the morning to dunk in your coffee!   My dear Brother-in-Law, who is not a big sweet eater, actually loves these too.  They are pretty simple to make but just cookie perfection in my mind!  They aren't beautiful to look at but man oh man do they taste delicious.   Make a batch...or two, of these and you won't be disappointed.  Besides, it's an "official" breakfast cookie so that's just a bonus! 




On another note I've also made her Easy Fresh Lemon Squares several times and they are the BEST!  Everyone in the family agrees they are the best Lemon Squares we've ever had.  I think it's because there's no fake lemon involved in these.  I will tell you that I do add a couple of drops of my Young Living Lemon Vitality essential oil to the batter.  I like the little extra oomph it adds but seriously this Lemon Square recipe is easy and amazing so if you are looking for something on the citrus side you won't go wrong with that one.  

Once again, I made some goodies to share with my family (well, maybe not the breakfast cookies) and I gave you unedited phone pictures and recipes from other people's blogs and I'm totally cool with that.  Hopefully you are too!   

Peace, Love & Cookies

Monday, August 27, 2018

Subscription box - Coffee and a Classic August 2018

Happy Monday Peeps!!

I'm just sitting and resting for the first time today, that's not exactly what I should be doing but for now it works.  I'm currently Day 4 post op of a Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and if you aren't sure what that means I had my gallbladder removed so technically I should've sat down to rest a few hours ago.  I never was one to "follow the rules" very much but my body said "hey lady, I'm really kinda tired" and I decided to oblige.  Of course my rest came at the perfect time because I got a first time order of a subscription box today that I wanted to share with you.   I seriously love subscription boxes and I would love to review every one of them out there but alas, that's not practical for me but I have decided to do a trial run on a few since it is time to start thinking about Christmas gifts.  * she says as she wipes the sweat away since it's still 100 degrees in Texas  

This box is called Coffee and a Classic.   I'm going to put the link here for you and I'm not an affiliate for them or anything, this just helps you find their site easier.   I was kind of interested in a book type subscription so I waded through a TON of choices and here are the things that I really wanted my subscription to include:  1) a book  (not kidding many do not come with a book)  2) a theme for the month 3) flexibility in genre selection: preferably in advance of the box shipping  4) good value

Let's start with the basics:  There are 2 subscription choices; Standard & Starter.   I ended up going with the Standard even though it was originally more than I had mindfully budgeted.   Here are your differences and this is straight from their website.



STANDARD Classic Subscription

The Standard Subscription is perfect for you if you want the full Coffee and a Classic experience and love bookish things! The Standard Box includes: • A classic book • Something to sip on (coffee, tea or hot chocolate) • Something to snack on • A mug • Two bookish items • A bookmark and • Packaged in a high-quality photo box. The Standard Classic Literature is the original Coffee and a Classic book box! 


STARTER Classic Subscription

Treat yourself or the book lover in your life with the Starter Classic Book Box. The Starter Book Box includes: • A classic book • Something to sip on (coffee, tea or hot chocolate) • Two bookish items and • A bookmark. This is the perfect subscription if you have too many coffee mugs or any food aversions. 

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Chicken, Blueberries, Guilt & Dog Beds-

Hi De Ho My Peeps- Did that title make you go hmmmmmm, she might be off her rocker?  haha

I have a quick dinner idea for you and some encouraging words to relieve you a little bit of that "guilt" word.   Then we toss in some leftover blueberries and new dog bed for fun today.

We follow blogs, we obsess on Pinterest, we scroll through Instagram and social media all the time and we find ourselves thinking less of ourselves and more of others.   You know the words....."I'll never be able to put those beautiful dinners on the table for my family", "it's just the two of us, why bother".   First thing I need to tell you is that if you see gorgeous photos on a blog of a "perfect" dinner what you need to remember is  1) their kitchen probably looks like a disaster rolled through 2) There's probably camera equipment everywhere  3) the kids/husband probably had food snatched away from them last second to get one more photo  4) the dog is probably eating something he shouldn't off the floor  5) People are whining about being hungry and/or   6) this is the 4th dinner that blogger has cooked and photographed today and nothing you see will be fed to the family for several days.

We all think that everyone has it all together when the truth is we are all just swimming to keep going.  To pay the bills, to feed our families, to get healthier, to be more involved.  Anyway, you get the picture and what I'm trying to say is STOP letting social media make you feel less than you are. Everyone is swimming...EVERYONE!

                              
                                                                                via GIPHY


Do you guys know why I stopped doing food posts?  Because I didn't follow my own advice up there!   I didn't think my food/recipes/photos were good enough and you can get inspiration so many places why would you look at my blog?  Then the other night I was whipping up a quick dinner and I snapped a photo with my phone and all of a sudden it hit me.  My dinner is good enough to share....it's good enough for us, it's relatively healthy, it's something a tired single parent could do when they get home from work, it's something someone who lives alone can do...dangit people it's good enough for anyone and good enough to post!  You know what we had?  Grilled chicken and roasted broccoli.  My husband thought it was wonderful, it's pretty healthy and we were happy.  Isn't that what dinner is about?

So I present to you my unedited, non fancy, not staged dinner photos with a little bit of description of how I made it.



Grilled Chicken Breast:  Drizzle olive oil over chicken breast, sprinkle on salt & pepper or season of your choice.  I happen to have used Cavender Greek Seasoning this particular night.   Then grill, or bake.  Whatever makes you happy or is easiest. 

Roasted Broccoli:   Cut up your broccoli (or buy a bag of pre-cut broccoli heads like I did) and then drizzle with olive oil, salt & pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake in the oven on 375 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the roasting has reached your preferred level.  

THAT IS IT!!  That was dinner, well technically that was Hubster's plate.  Below is the photo of my plate.


As some of you may know, I've had a wee bit of trouble with my gallbladder.  I've pretty much been in constant pain and my food intake has been minimal while awaiting the gallbladder eviction.  That plate was a HUGE meal for me and it was still too much.  I ended up in some pain later that evening but nonetheless I did manage to eat something other than animal crackers.   

Point here is ..... It's good enough for us and it's good enough for you and your family too!  Don't condemn yourself for what you can't do or don't have time to do.  Celebrate and embrace what you can do and I promise to try and post these very un-pinterest worthy dinners more often to help you out.  



Because he's such a hoot- here's a photo of the ever sleeping Sir Winston L. Churchill.  I ordered a new bed for him because he has to go to the kennel in a week or so and when he goes to the kennel he tends to shred his bed.  I don't know why people, he just does.  I figured at least this one he can't defluff and it should be more comfy than the concrete floor.   Apparently he approves, he slept there in the middle of my floor for a couple of hours.  

Moving on to the blueberry portion of the post.   You guys already know that I hate wasting food and I've done many blog posts regarding that so I found myself on this day before surgery with a big bowl of blueberries that were looking pretty crummy.   So I did what everyone does...I searched Pinterest! Hey, why let someone else mess up their kitchen and take lovely photos for nothing?   I found this blueberry sauce/syrup to try.   


I'm not going to recreate the recipe for you guys because this lovely blogger already has done all the hard work.  Just click right here on Fresh Blueberry Sauce and you'll be whisked over to her page.   It's quite delicious and we can't wait to serve it on waffles or ice cream or whatever and I didn't have to throw out nearly 2 cups of fresh blueberries.

#WINNING

                         
                                                                              via GIPHY



That's it for today my friends, keep swimming and keep #winning, you've got this!

                                                           Peace, Love & Gallbladders

                                                               

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Final Nordstrom Post...well maybe


Happy TuTuTuesday Folks!!

Can you believe it???  The Nordstrom Anniversary sale ends this weekend!!! If you haven't had time to shop get going, you will still find some amazing things to order.  I've still got a couple more on my radar too!


Just so you know I'm not completely selfish this time of the year I did order Hubster new dress shoes.  They weren't included in the sale (gosh..I gotta teach this man how to shop) but he needed new black dress shoes so we went searching.  He was incredibly flabbergasted by the free shipping both ways policy with Nordstrom as we had to send these back and forth a few times to get the right fit for him.

Johnston & Murphy dress shoe:
After much back & forth, he settled on these and in the end was quite pleased.
Price:  $159


Kiehl's lotion:  Ok, I hear ya...lotion?? You ordered lotion???  Well yeah!!  I mean seriously people I go through lotion like crazy. I mean it's scorching in Texas, we have super hard water and I like soft skin so lotion is a must for me.  This should last me quite some time and Kiehl's is a trusted brand.  It is 82% allergen free and for me that is an acceptable level for body lotion.
Sale price:  $52

Kept- It has a nice light scent that isn't noticeable once on so I don't smell like a candy factory.  


The next items are arriving soon and I'm pretty excited.  This is the last order I've placed.



I ordered these after the failed Ugg's order.   I know I'll love them and if you want a pair, they seem to be restocked a little bit once again!   I wanted the navy pair but when I ordered the only color in stock  in my size was this Port Suede color.  I'll make my decision once they arrive if I'll keep this color or swap for the Navy Suede.   

Sale Price: $92.90   (These are regularly $139.95 so this is an amazing price)
Verdict:  Kept and I'm keeping the Port Suede color.  It's a beautiful burgundy and I think it will be right "on trend" this year.      Who doesn't need to be "on trend" when you are going back and forth to yoga??!!  haha   Seriously, this is a really great price for Birkenstocks so if you think you want a pair then I'd definitely grab these up. 


In all the available cardigans this one slipped past me until I saw several fashion bloggers feature it.  It's a hidden gem and since I was so much in love with that Lavender sweater I returned this filled in for my search for something in a soft lavender.  It's also available in an olive green color and sizes are limited but available.   
Sale price:  $65.90
Verdict:  Keeping    I seriously love this sweater.  The color is gorgeous and it is incredibly soft.  I'm glad I found this sweater I'll be wearing it a ton this year.      I would also like to note that while I have more than a few longer cardigans like this in my closet I do wear all of them.   It's Texas and the normal for us doesn't require heavy coats in the winter very often.  If I'm out running errands and getting in and out of the car a big coat gets in my way and most of the time a sweater over a long sleeve shirt is enough warmth. 




Kut from the Kloth bootcut jeans:
I need a nice pair of boot cut jeans because you know sometimes skinny jeans just don't work.  I have a pair of Kut from the Kloth skinny jeans and denim shorts so I'm hoping these fit the bill for me and this was a pretty good sale price.  Nordstrom does run the Kut from the Kloth on sale off and on during the year but not quite as good as Anniversary sale time.  
Sale price:  $59.90 
Verdict:  Keeping, you guys...this denim is so soft!!!  Now, I am going to have to find a tailor to hem them but otherwise they are perfect.   These are also mid-rise which is much more keeping to my age and there is a good amount of stretch to these.  This brand of jeans occasionally will get knocked for stretching out but I'm personally a big fan of day 2 or 3 jeans more so than just out of the laundry jeans.     If you are in search of some nicer denim but don't want to pay a premium price for it then I encourage you to check out the Kut From the Kloth brand and try a pair before the sale is over.  It's free shipping both ways so you've got nothing to lose!







Just to give you an idea of what's still on my "wish list".

Sale price:  $132.90   (down from $199) so it's an awesome price.  I honestly will probably still not order these.  I just don't love denim enough to spend $130 much less $200!!   I am on the lookout for a great pair of olive denim though so I could change my mind by Sunday before the sale is over. 

Verdict:  I won't be ordering.  I JUST CAN"T with the price, while the sale price is great I just don't think I can justify the price with the little amount I wear denim.   I am going to keep my eye on the Kut From the Kloth selection and see if an olive color pops up in that brand at a price I'm more comfortable paying.  


Sale Price: $52.90
In the world of "do I really need another cardigan" comes this cutie.  I mean it would look so incredibly perfect with those wine colored Birkenstocks and a cute graphic tee and jeans...right???

Verdict:  Not ordering, and I may regret it but I went back through my cardigans and I really don't need another one but I have a feeling this one will haunt me.  haha  




That's it...Finally!! haha    Yeah, I appreciate a good sale and the quality of products from Nordstrom's rarely disappoints and being able to ship back and forth at no charge to get the right size is an incredible bonus for me.   I'll update on my last items when they arrive but don't forget the sale ends Sunday, August 5th!


Thursday, July 19, 2018

Nordstrom Order part 2

Hi Ho Peeps!!

I updated my previous Nordstrom post earlier about the shoes that I ended up keeping and what I'm going to order next.

This was my second order and I have actually received it and have decisions made so let's get started!

Leith Ribbed Shawl Cardigan:  I ordered this one in the Tan Etherea Heather and I LOVE IT.  Leith always does a great cardi for the sale and this one is awesome.
Sale Price:  $45.90

Keeping:  I'm keeping this one and contemplating ordering the Teal Surf (which looks light blue) as well.




Leith Rib Wrap Sweater:   Oh my goodness, this sweater is totally gorgeous but a bit cropped.  If you can do the high waist jeans thing or if you don't mind showing a little skin then grab this sweater.  It's so cute and the Purple Moss color is gorgeous.  I so much wanted this to fit.
Sale Price:  $39.90

Returned: Sadly too cropped for this girl. 

Zella Live In High Waist Leggings: Run don't walk to pick up these leggings.  I ordered them in black last year when I first caved in to all the rave reviews. REVIEWS don't lie, just order these.  
I picked them up in this Navy Maritime color this year.  
Sale Price:  $35.90
Keeping of course!  I didn't even hesitate, ripped them out of the package and tore the tags off and tossed in the laundry.  They're already in my closet.  


BP Balloon sleeve sweater:  I have this still in the "maybe" pile.  I mean I think I love it but I just am not 100% sure.  I ordered in this Ivory color which appears to be sold out at the moment but I'm hanging on to it.  I need to try it on again with jeans before making my final decision.  The green color that is still available is gorgeous and very tempting.  
Sale Price:  $31.90

Still on the fence with to keep or not with this one. I ended up keeping this one, it is a wee shorter in the front than I like but it is so soft and so cute.  LOVE the on trend balloon sleeves.




BP Plaid Shirt:  I loved this on other bloggers and it is very soft and a great shirt, it just didn't work for me.  I ordered in the Black Daily Plaid as shown but there are several other great colors available.
Sale Price:  $31.90
Returned:   Maybe someone less "busty" would have better luck. 

Natori Bliss :  Ok, if you know me and hear me when I say "watch out I have my sassy panties on" then these are the ones I'm referring too.  I order 3 more pair every year during the Nsale.  They are the bomb diggedity of undies.   No riding up, no wedgies and cool cotton but not granny-ish at all.
Sale Price:  $12.90/each or 3 for $36

Kept:  Another one of those rip out of the package, toss in laundry and already in my drawers purchase. 


Natori Rose Dream bra: I have one other Natori bra that I'm sure I ordered during last years sale and I LOVE it.  Just like the undies they are great bras and when you can grab them at a great sale price then you should.  
Sale price:  $47.90    

This hasn't arrived just yet but I'm only imagining that an exchange would be the only reason it didn't stay with me. Perfect fit, incredibly comfortable.   These are another Nsale staple items to pick up. Kept this one indeed. 



Treasure & Bond plaid boyfriend shirt:  I ordered this shirt after I had already ordered the BP plaid shirt.   I think this one may be more suited for me.  Similar colors but this one has a little rose pink going through it.  I figured I'd pick the one I liked the best after they arrived.  

Sale Price:  $45.90

This one has not arrived just yet, here's hoping I like this one.  THIS one...yes, it's so soft and slouchy but not too slouchy.  I debated other colors but one is enough.  





Today is the last day of early access which means the sale opens up to everyone tomorrow.  I hope you have your picks made and drop me a line to see what you've found!
I'm not done shopping yet!