I Like Stuff: An Honest Review of Subscription Boxes

It seems like every time I check my email or look at Facebook I see an ad for some sort of subscription box. They range from beauty samples to dog treats to organic food. There is a subscription box for everyone! 

Just what is a subscription box? For a monthly fee, usually 10-50 dollars, you get a box filled with goodies. Some will make you fill out a questionnaire and they will customize the box, the majority of the time, especially with sample boxes, you get whatever they have on hand. Below are a few of the more popular subscription boxes out there. 

Birchbox:

This was the original beauty subscription box for me. I kept hearing about how great it was and what wonderful samples were in it. The samples are all beauty products, from make up to hair products. It is 10.00 a month and arrives at your door around the middle of the month

The Pros:

• I liked that there were products that I usually wouldn't try. There were a lot of companies that were completely new to me. 
• You are able to buy the product that you try.

The Cons:

• I always received a fragrance that I would never in a million years use.
• I never received anything but a sample size, they touted that you would get full sizes and I never did. 
• I received more advertising than product. 

Bottom Line

While 10.00 seems like very little a month for beauty product, would you really spend 10.00 a month on a sample that you might not use? I traded some of my unused samples with friends. By the end of the 3rd month, I was tired of getting perfume meant for someone half my age, a sample that I would probably get at a store for free and a box I had to recycle. I ended up canceling my subscription and using the 10.00 for monthly online donations to my favorite dog charity. 

Ipsy: 

Because I couldn't get enough makeup and I am a product junkie, I decided to give Ipsy a try. Ipsy is another beauty sample box. Each month, for 10.00 you get a little make up bag, samples and full size beauty products. Each month there is a theme and the bag and products go with that theme. 

The Pros:

• Full size products! I love that every one of the bags comes with several full size products. I have fallen in love with a lot of what they have sent me and I will be buying the product again.
• Discounts on the sample products. You will get an email with discounts if you want to buy the beauty products they send you. A lot of the stuff is already affordable but a discount never hurts.
• The make up bag. Yeah, they are cheap but they are great for craft supplies
• They do not use a box to ship, you get it in a padded envelope that is pink and shiny. 

The Cons:

• You have to be on a "waiting list" to get Ispy, which I suspect is really a bunch of BS. If you go on Facebook and say you want it, then you get off the list. Basically, you have to advertise for them.
• I did receive mascara that I believed was out of date and mentioned that to them on Facebook but got no response. It kind of bummed me out that they didn't acknowledge it. Not really a con, but still ticked me off. 
• You will get product that you won't use. 

Bottom Line:

This subscription, I believe is worth it. The full size products alone are worth 10.00. I love their themes and none of the product I have received has gone to waste. 

Barkbox:

Barkbox is a box for your dog. Each month, for a price of 29.00 (you can pay all up front if you want to) you will get 4-6 treats, toys, and sometimes a grooming product. 

The Pros:

• They do have allergy sensitive dog boxes.
• They offer boxes for different size dogs.
• They will replace defective items in the box.

The Cons:

• The price is a bit steep for me, but if you really love to pamper your pet, it may be worth it. 
• Your dog might not eat the treats. Since you don't know what you are getting, you may be wasting your money.
• Not sure if this is a pro or con, but if you sign up for more months, you get a discount. 

The Bottom Line:

I am on the fence about this one. It would be nice to treat my dogs every month but I'm also wondering if we are wasting money if they don't eat the treats and splitting it between 4 dogs. It might be good for a one dog person. I do like that they have excellent customer service. I guess if you are willing to spend the money, then give it a try. 

Graze Box:

Okay, so this one has me stumped and maybe that is because I like in a city that caters to healthy and organic eating. You can sign up for every week or every other week deliveries of healthy organic snacks for 6.49 a week. 

Pros:

I am really trying to figure out a pro to this....

• If you don't have time to shop, you can have healthy snacks delivered to your door
• There are multiple choices to pick from

Cons:

• You can find healthy snack alternatives at any store or even on Amazon. 
• If you have any allergies, you can't order.
• Even though 6.49 seem inexpensive for snacks, you are paying that 2-4 times a month and you really don't get a lot for the price

Bottom Line:

It is a complete waste. A little bit of work and you can have the same snack and in greater portions for you to break down. Just don't do it! 

This is just a few of the subscription boxes out there. I started looking around and couldn't believe all the options there are now. A word of caution, they can get expensive and if you are doing 2 or more a month, you might want to look at the value again. So many of the boxes are merely samples that you can get for free if you just take the time to do the leg work,  so basically you are paying for their advertising. On the plus side, they are special little treats and will open you up to new products to try. My advice, buyer beware and read the fine print! 

Tie One On Tuesday

Did you know today is Aviation Day? Yeah, me neither...but it is and I am here to give you some yummy cocktail recipes that will send you sky high!

Let's kick off Aviation Day with a an Aviation Cocktail! This cocktail is an oldie but a goodie. Its first appearance was in 1916 and variations of this yummy gin drink have been flying around ever since. If you like gin, with a little bit of sweet, this is the cocktail for you. I can attest that this is a very good drink! If you do not like gin, try this cocktail and I will guarantee that you will fall in love.

The Aviation

2 ounces gin

1/4 ounce maraschino cherry liqueur

1/2 ounce lemon juice

A small shake of Creme de Violette (the original had this, the updated version does not)

Mix ingredients in a shaker with ice, strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon or orange rind.

Even if you can't enjoy an actual flight, you can still celebrate Aviation Day with the Paper Airplane. Drink a few of these and you will have enough courage to fly your digits over to the cutie at table two.

The Paper Airplane

3/4 ounce bourbon

3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice

3/4 ounce Nonino Amaro (this is an Italian liqueur, usually consumed after dinner)

3/4 ounce Aperol (this is comparable, but less alcohol than Compari)

Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into a martini glass

I will never ever ever consume this next cocktail ever again thanks to my college years and the fact they were a dollar a shot at Four Corners in Chapel Hill. I felt like a Kamikaze was in my stomach, shooting his way out. That shouldn't stop you from having one. Go for it, but you have been warned. 

Kamikaze Shot

1  ounce vodka

1 ounce Triple Sec

1 ounce lime juice (please, for the love of all things holy, use fresh limes)

Add all the ingredients together in a shaker and pour into a shot glass. 

Today we pay tribute to those trailblazers who took the skies and made traveling a bit faster. Look up, raise your glass and thank those birdmen and women! PS-don't drink and fly, unless you are doing some sort of fly dance, then by all means, do it and put it on YouTube! 

A Long Week

The death of Robin Williams hit me hard for some reason. I thought, if someone who seemed so happy and finally able to put his demons behind him, could still be so lost-what does that say about the rest of us? Are we all just doomed? Robin Williams was someone everyone could enjoy. He was loved by so many generations. From Good Morning Vietnam to Mrs. Doubtfire, he could add a sparkle into any role. You felt as if you weren't seeing a character in a movie, but a little piece of him. 

A few days later, a Hollywood legend passed away, Lauren Becall. My goodness, the voice, the look...everything about her was amazing. Her romance and marriage to Humphrey Bogart was better than any story Hollywood could dream up. Humphrey's nickname for her was "Baby." I just love it. Him just cooing over baby makes my heart smile. My favorite movie starring this powerhouse due is The Big Sleep. It just screams Noir, everything from the sets to the somewhat corny for today dialogue. I love that Lauren refused to get caught up in the antics of growing old. She believed that every line on your face told a story so why hide them. She was beautiful, smart, and sassy. 

I like to think that Humphrey Bogart was waiting for Baby at the pearly gates. When they passed through, he told her that she has to see this new comedian that just got there. They go off to a wonderful 1940's floor show and everyone is happy once again. 

We may have lost some beloved icons, but I guess with the way things are going, the big man upstairs needed a few laughs and to class up the joint. Thank you Robin and Loren. Rest in Peace. 

“Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.” 

― Rumi

Scrappy Dog Sunday: Big Brother

Since we got Iggy Pup, Pete is no longer the baby. He is now the big brother. He isn't so sure how he feels about not being the baby any longer.

You have to put up with a little brother following you around everywhere, even trying to share your bed.

Everyone loves the baby so you have to find ways to stand out and get attention (Thanks Fonzi for the sombrero!)

You get a little tired of your mom taking pictures of "her boys."

Finally, you just give in and realize that being the big brother isn't so bad. You have someone to blame everything on. 

You also have someone who looks up to you and thinks you are the coolest ever. 

Having a baby brother isn't so bad...even when he steals your toys...

Tute Thursday: Fun Summer Bracelets

Have you ever been in a store, saw something very cool and thought to yourself, "I could so make that!" I do that quite a bit. It's not that I WILL make it, it's the fact that I CAN make it. Lately I have been seeing a ton of bracelets that are so easy to make but cost a fortune. What are companies thinking? Today's video is all about how to make those fun summer bracelets that all the cool kids are wearing. 

In this Craftster video I will show you how to make hemp bangles, memory wire bracelets and nylon rope bracelets. Customize your bracelets to fit your personality, from gypsy boho to big city elegance.  

I Like Stuff: An Honest Review of Paderno Tri-Blade Plastic Spiral Vegetable Slicer

Have you jumped on the zoodle bandwagon yet? I had a few friends posting recipes and I couldn't resist trying them for myself. In order to make zoodles, you need a veggie spiral slicer. After much research, talking with friends, they all suggested the Paderno Tri Blade Plastic Spiral Vegetable Slicer. 

I ordered the Paderno veggie slicer through Amazon and the cost was a little more than I wanted to spend but since this was the Cadillac of slicers, I went for it. It was 35.96 and I got free shipping with my Amazon Prime account. It comes with three different blades: one for thin spaghetti like noodles, a thick noodle blade and one for ribbon like noodles. 

Pros:

• It is hand operated so there is no need to store a cord or look for a place to plug in
• The clean up is very easy. Everything is plastic or stainless steel and can be washed
• It is very easy to use. Just pick the slicer you want, attach the veggie or fruit and start cranking the handle
• It has suction cups on the bottom so the slicer will not move around while you are shredding your veggies

Cons:

• Although it comes with three distinct blades, I haven't done a lot with it. You can make noodles and that's about it. I have made apple slices, and curly fries besides zoodles. The curly fries were a bit on the small side but they were still good. 
• It does take up counter space. The design is a bit awkward and can take up some counter space
• Several people have told me that it was a bit time consuming to use

Bottom Line:

While I was initially concerned about what I could make with this, I decided to search the web and Pinterest to find recipes. A lot of the recipes I found were for various take offs of spaghetti and slaw. There are complete websites and blogs devoted to this slicer and what you can make with it. So the limitations are up to how much research you want to put into it. Would I buy it again? Probably so. I really do love the freshness of the zoodles. I think I am just scratching the surface of what can be done. If I take more time, I will learn to love it more. 

Ditching Cable?

OMP and I have been in heavy negotiations about ditching our Direct TV and just relying on network TV and the Roku. I know a lot of people have been ditching cable and using their computers or tablets to watch movies and TV. A few weekends ago, we decided to see if we could do without our TV and just watch things on the Roku. Here are our adventures. 

Friday Night:

Friday night wasn't that much of a big deal. We normally watch movies that night anyway. Now, trying to find a movie that we wanted to watch was another story. Even though we have Netflix, Amazon and even Hulu, we spent nearly an hour trying to figure out what we wanted. I suppose if I had been more proactive, I could have lined up something from my watchlist, but nothing sounded that great. After spending much time looking, we decided to rent Grand Budapest Hotel for 4.00. The rental was for the whole weekend. 

Saturday Morning/Day:

I have a routine. I like to get up and watch the local news, then I just leave the TV on for background noise while I write or stitch. When I got up Saturday, I didn't have a converter for our TV so no local news. Okay, not too bad, but I was feeling a little out of my comfort zone, which was not good at 4:30 in the morning (yes, I do get up between 4-5 EVERY morning). I turned on some music, checked my emails, stitched a little bit and starting listening to an old movie. I knew I had errands, so during the day wouldn't be that bad. 

Saturday Night:

Once again we were at the "what do we watch" phase of the night. I could binge on WKRP in Cincinnati or watch a horror movie...I believe we settled on WKRP and we were fine for the night. 

Sunday morning:

I was jonesing bad for some local news. I really did feel a little off, like I was on a diet and I desperately wanted a cupcake. I didn't feel enlightened or have any moment of zen by not having the TV on in the background. I felt like my routine had been disrupted. We do listen to a ton of music on our TV but even then, I just felt disrupted. I really think it is because I was making myself do it, instead of just letting it happen naturally. 

Sunday Night:

We decided to crunch the numbers and see if were would save anything. Here is the way it broke down:

90.00 for Direct

The Channels we would want:

Netflix-8.00

Hulu-9.00

Amazon: 10.00 a month (annual fee)

Rodeo and Wrestling channels : 20.00 a month for both

Something weird-6.00

We were up to 53.00 with just the channels we wanted and not adding anything else. We wouldn't get Rodeo, wrestling, Something Weird or Hulu if we had just Direct TV. Now, before you get all judgy about all the TV we watch, I will say, yes, we watch a lot of movies, get addicted to show and this is our entertainment-especially during the winter when it is raining and when I am stitching. I make no apologies for having show that I love or being a movie buff. 

After much deliberation, we decided to keep our Direct TV. We knew that this was a form of entertainment for us and it was a treat we could afford. Some people have dropped cable altogether and said that they can find shows very easily on the net and stream them through their TV. Maybe we will try another weekend and do this. I will admit that I am too chicken to cut the cable cord, so to speak. 

Do you still have cable or do you use other sources? Pros? Cons? I would love to hear what you think. 

Scrappy Dog Sunday: The Bee!

So many times Jujube gets lost in the mix. The other three are so demanding, but Jujube just allows life to happen She is a quiet little girl who can be shy when given too much attention. She is my little emo teenager. 

I don't think she realizes that she is a dog. She doesn't do a lot of "dog" stuff. She has never had to do things on her own.

She has never been without her mom, Lola. They have been together since Jujube was born. 

I don't know what happened. One day I turned around and my little girl turned into an old lady. I noticed that she sleeps a little more, is a little bit slower moving up the stairs and seems to get a little more tired chasing squirrels. Where did my little quiet emo teenager go? 

Can someone please reverse time and stop it right here. I need more of my Bee.

Feel Good Friday

via poet, Erin Hanson 

It's is Friday! YAHOO! We have made it to the weekend! We ROCK! 

I am a huge advocate of rescue dogs. Even if you are looking for a specific breed, there is a rescue out there. We are associated with two rescues that are dear to our heart, the first being The Jack Russell Rescue of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Their organization does so much in helping Jack Russell Terriers. They really go beyond what is necessary to make sure that Jacks are placed in great homes, with people who understand the behavior. They offer great advice in training your JRT.

The second organization is Underdog Railroad Rescue. This is where Iggy is from. This organization is wonderful, but if you want a quick dog fix, this place is not for you and I'm glad of that! They take their time placing each dog they have (mainly smaller breeds). We had several home visits, two meet and greets and even necessary medical precautions before Iggy came home. The whole process took over a month but it was well worth it. They want to make sure that each pup is placed in the right home. PS, while looking through all the success pics to find ours, I was in tears with all the happy dogs who found homes. PPS-Lola is not pictured because she was the crankiest dog ever and decided that she would "be in her trailer."

Both are in need of adoptive parents. If you can not adopt, then they also need foster families and if that is out of your ability, then please give. Rescues can not operate on love alone. They need funding. Even the smallest donation, means a ton to a rescue organization.

I have become obsessed with building a fort in my craft room. I want a little area that I can read, relax, stitch and feel like a kid hiding away in my own little world. I have  few ideas in mind-I am in love with this room from designer Justina Blakeney on Design Sponge. 

I LOVE Free Vintage Posters.com. They have public domain ads and posters that you can download for free! From advertising to sports, you can find just about any public domain vintage art work there.

You're welcome....

Well cats and kittens, that's it for me! I am off to enjoy the sun, the pups and maybe a dip in the pool. The world is calling my name and I have to answer! 

Tute Thursday: Kittyware

I am a huge collector of vintage patterns and love to share them. These are my latest finds, all cleaned up and ready for you to stitch up! How adorable is the little kitty on this chinaware.  Please let me know if you stitch this pattern up, I would love to feature your finished work.

PS-There are two more patterns, I need to scan them a little better and I will post them later for you.

I Like Stuff: An Honest Review of Loreal's Pore Vanisher

A couple of weeks ago, I was hanging out in my backyard, reading magazines while the dogs were running around like mad little monsters and came across a reader's poll article. Everyone voted Loreal Pore Vanisher as the best primer for make up. I have never ever been one of the those people that use all the different primers, spritzes and such for my makeup. I mean, I love beauty products but really. c'mon! Just throw some concealer on, foundation, a little powder and blush, and you are ready to go. A lot of women my age (cough, 44, cough) said they used it to even out their make up and it smoothed out lines. Hmmmm...."okay," I thought to myself, I will give it a whirl. I checked out reviews from other sites and they were equally as positive. Now here are my two cents. 

Loreal Pore Vanisher is just that. It supposedly instantly diminishes the look of pores on your face. It absorbs shine for 8 hours and gives your skin a nice smooth finish (one person said that their skin looked almost photoshopped). You can use it both at night and before you put on your makeup or just alone. Over time, it is supposed to diminish large pores. 

The Pros:

• I LOVE the way it makes my skin feel. It really does give a nice smooth finished look to my skin. Right now I am sporting freckles from the sun and it doesn't hide them but it smooths out my skin tone. My makeup isn't splotchy. 
• The price is pretty good for what it does. I paid 20.00 for mine but just found in on Amazon for 15.50 with the opportunity to get it lower with a subscription. This price fits great into my budget. 
• I have combination skin and do lay out in the sun, the Pore Vanisher has not dried my skin out at all.
• It doesn't feel heavy on your skin, it blends well.  

The Cons:

• I haven't noticed my pores reducing in size, but I haven't been using it for very long and honestly, my pores aren't that big. 
• It doesn't have sunscreen in it.

Bottom Line:

I am really impressed by this product and it is the perfect primer for makeup or just on its own. It makes my skin feel wonderful and it evens out any funky tones. The price is affordable and it is perfect for women of any age. It fills in acne scars and, I use it around my eyes, so it fills in a little bit of my wrinkles. There is minimal fragrance. I would be cautious about sensitive skin, I did read reviews where some people said it caused more break outs. It does have a slight tint and I'm still trying to figure out if the tint blends with my skin-I think it disappears but once I put my foundation on, I'm not 100% sure. 

Next week we move out of the beauty world and into the kitchen. Stay tuned for more honest reviews! 

Tie One On Tuesday: Movie Night

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to have a "drive in" movie night. We attach a sheet to the garage door, thrown down some pillows and blankets and watch movies outside. It is so much fun to invite friends and neighbors over to watch your favorite movie with you, under the stars. 

The good folks at Craftster feel the same way. In this crafty video I whipped up some yummy popcorn and refreshing flavored water for my movie night. Sweet and savory popcorn, movie sized candy is washed down with blueberry and raspberry water. What a perfect combination for a warm starry night. 

You can have your own movie night with an outdoor movie projector, a sheet, yummy snacks and beverages. You could even add a little bit of alcoholic flavoring to the water...not that I encourage that kind of thing. 

Check out the video below for recipes and directions to this movie night snack table. 

Getting My History On

via Here is Where website

I recently had the chance to read and review Here is Where by Andrew Carroll. I am a huge history buff so this book was right up my alley. Here is Where is a delightful, most of the time, quick read about lost history. You follow Andrew as his crisscrosses across America to find the locations of our lost American history. 

I really enjoyed this book, like I said above, the majority of it was pretty easy quick read. Each chapter is a different location and story. I will admit that some of the stories didn't interest me so I passed a couple of chapters. I did love that the places he went, the locals knew the forgotten history and he was able to share it with the rest of the world. When he told stories of places close to my hometown, I squealed with delight, because I KNEW that story! I KNEW that history! 

I do think, however, that if you are not a history buff, you might not enjoy it as much. You will find some of the stories entertaining, but I think you really have to have a passion for history to get a lot of enjoyment out of the book. That being said, I stayed up for hours one night and powered through the book because I could not put it down. 

I felt as if Mr. Carroll was on my level. He didn't get too involved or over the top, trying to analyze the information. He was just there to tell the story. He didn't put any spin on it or make a political statement. He just wants to get the information to you and allow you to process it to meet your needs. The story of the Orphan Trains is a wonderful example of this. 

Here is Where is an excellent history book that is not too heavy or too opinionated. I like that. It allows me to form my own opinions. Although the book is a great source of information, it is not too technical to be boring, it is the absolute opposite. Definitely a great read! You should check it out! If you want more information about the author and what inspired the book, check out Andrew Carroll's website. 

Scrappy Dog Sunday: The Iggy Edition

A few things about Iggy. He loves surfing the internet, watching funny dog videos. 

He also loves telling ghost stories..."and on the door handle was a CAT CLAW!"

He is excellent at doing the cha cha. 

He is a huge movie buff

He loves hanging out with big brother. 

Getting his picture taken with mom....not so much. 

Feel Good Friday!

via Zsa Zsa Bellagio

Look at you! Making it to Friday, all on your own! Give yourself a big smooch in the mirror, cause you deserve it! Let's see what I have in my bag of tricks to make this Friday extra special. 

Do you need some life lessons? Why not take the advice from a 90 year old woman? Hey! She has been around the block and back a couple of times, I'm pretty sure she knows what she is talking about. Popsugar has this amazing lifestyle article entitled, 45 Life Lessons Written by a "90 Year old Woman." Here's the first secret, the woman isn't 90, she's in her 50's. After being diangosed with breast cancer, Regina Brett penned these lessons. The lessons took a life of their own. She's not mad about it, just glad that she touched so many lives. 

I know summer is now on the downside but we can still celebrate the Summer of No Pants. First, get your minds out of the gutter. Second, this has nothing to do with the naked bike ride that zoomed by my house earlier this year. The Summer of No Pants is all about creating skirts, dresses and shorts to wear during the summer. Marigold at Hideous! Dreadful! Stinky has various patterns, inspiration and a newsletter to help you celebrate no pants this summer. Maybe I will finish the summer with no pants. It would be a bit cooler than jeans, that's for sure! 

And because it has been WAY WAY WAY too long, here's a puppy for you. This is Linus, he was a ball boy for the U.S. Open. You can read about his adventures on the Fluffington Post. I can barely get my dogs to stop barking at the doorbells on TV. 

Well, there ya go! Some good advice, a chance to sew and not wear pants and a cute (and smart!) puppy dog. Nice to see that my Fridays are back to normal. I hope you have a fabu weekend! Get out there an enjoy the weather or if that's not your thing, sit in your room and write poetry...both are entertaining! 

Tute Thursday: Mounted Jar Vases

Have you succumbed to the mason jar craze that has been going around for a few years? I can't help myself, I love them. They are so easy to dress up and give even the hardcore city girl a bit of country without getting hayseed in her hairdo. 

Thanks to Craftster.org I was able to feed my mason jar obsession by creating a tutorial for Mounted Jar Vases. I can not believe how easy these vases are to make. You can add just about anything to them, from herbs to flowers. I have these on our shed outside wall to add a little country to Playa de Pedersen. I think in the winter, I will fill them with herbs and have an indoor herb garden.

Check out this video, as well as other Craftster videos on their Youtube channel. 

I Like Stuff: An Honest Review of Jamberry Nails

I may have a little bit of an obsession with beauty products. I love bubble bath, fingernail polish, eyeshadows...anything that makes me feel sassy and dolled up. I can't help it, I like trying new things. Lucky for you, I can try them out and give you my honest opinion. Today's honest review is for Jamberry Nails. 

If you haven't heard of Jamberry Nails then let me explain them to you. Jamberry nails are basically wraps (stickers)for your nails. They come in a sheet and you get 2 manicures and 2 pedicures for 15.00 a sheet. In order to put them on you heat the wrap up and then place it on your nail. Each wrap will do two nails. After you place the sticker on, you smooth it out and then, with a nail file, file off the excess. They last anywhere from one to two weeks. 

Now that you know what they are, here's the skinny on them from yours truly. 

The Good:

• The nails come in a variety of styles from conservative to funky. I really love all of the designs and options they have.
• No mess. There is no risk of spilling your polish. 
• They last for a decent amount of time. I hand wash dishes every day, garden without gloves and the nails held up. They lasted until I took them off. 
• The rewards from a party: For the party I had I was able to get 1 free sheet, 3 months free shipping, 60.00 in credit and 5 1/2 off items. 
• You can create customized wraps. 
• There are a ton of websites and videos to help you troubleshoot applying the wraps. 

The Bad:

• This isn't really a bad but it did take a few attempts to get my wraps on just right. This could be a problem for certain designs. 
• You must heat the wraps up before applying. The first two times I did it with a hair dryer and it got a little hot. I bought the heater on their site and I strongly recommend it for anyone thinking of using Jamberry Nails. The heater made it so much easier to apply the wraps to my nails. 
• They are only available online or through a party. If you want instant gratification, this isn't it. They do ship fast, but again, be prepared for a wait, so plan ahead if you want to use them for a special event. 
• 15.00 for one sheet can get expensive
• Some of the designs are smaller on the nail then pictured on the website. 

The Bottom Line:

Do I think Jamberry Nails are worth it? Yes, I do. They are fun and quirky and the good outweighs the bad. I love that they are not messy and the rewards make it worth having a party. I had my party online so it was pretty easy. I have had many compliments on them and I do like that they last a decent amount of time and in good shape with all of my abuse to my nails. For the price, I might save them for a more special occasion. They are definitely fun. When I look at my nails and toes, I smile. 

Tie One On Tuesday

Oh yeah baby....Mama needs a cocktail! It's hot, the pool is blown up and my pink float is just waiting for my butt to lay on it and catch some rays. The only thing missing a little drinky drink in my hand. 

Lately I have been on a margarita fix. I think it's the extra hot temps that bring out the need for salt, lime and tequila. I could be sophisticated and say "on the rocks," but please, I am in a blow up pool that is 3 feet deep, listening to 80's pop music and singing "Walking on Sunshine". Does any of that say sophisticated to you? 

Basic Margarita 

1 1/2 ounces tequila 

1 ounce fresh lime juice 

1/2 Triple Sec

Ice

Salt

Mix everything together in a blender and blend until ice is fine. Add salt to the rim of your glass, pour and enjoy.

Some recipes out there call for simple syrup into the mix, and not as much Triple Sec. It makes it a bit sweeter, which is fine if you want something with less of a bite.

If you are a bit on the fancy side, a Cadillac Margarita is just what you need.

Cadillac Margarita 

1 1/2 ounce top shelf tequila 

1 ounce Grand Mariner 

3/4 ounce fresh lime juice

Ice 

Salt

You will prepare the glass the same way as the basic margarita, but will not mix this in the blender. Blend in a shaker with ice and pour into your salted glass. 

I was going to add a few fruit recipes here but really, you can add any fruit or veggies to the basic margarita recipe and thus add more flavor. I have had margaritas with watermelon, pineapple, strawberries and have even seen recipes that include lavender and hot chili peppers. Experiment with flavors to make up your own concoction.

Well cats and kittens, mama's heading off to dip her toes into the deep end and the pups are on blender patrol. Ahhh...summertime! 

This is What Happens...

This is what happens when you get too busy-you get a neglected blog. BOO!!!! I know, I suck! I can't believe I haven't been on the blog since April. Well, let's do a quick recap of what has happened since then:

1-OMP had eye surgery

2-We have 4 dogs and life is full on cray cray!

3-I am looking for a new job (still have the old one but lots of crazy going around here too)

4-I have been writing for Craft Gossip and About.com

5-Still at Craftster

6-Getting back into writing for Feeling Stitchy

Whew! I'm tired just typing that out! Holy macaroni! Did I miss anything? I have managed to get some crafting a stitching done between all of life's little complications. Check out a few of the things that I've been working on. 

There are a lot more and I'm now obsessed with fairy gardens and washi tape, but I will save those for another day. 

What have you been up to in the summer months? Anything new and exciting? 

Natural Dye Easter Eggs

Did I ever tell you how much I love making videos for Craftster.org? This go-around I had the chance to dye eggs with natural dyes. I used red cabbage, blue berries and onion skins. The red cabbage makes the most beautiful blue you have ever seen! I really liked the onion skins too. Be prepared for a stinky kitchen but the end result is worth it.

Check out the video on how to make these beautiful Easter eggs.