By now I'm sure you have caught on to our Kudos and why they are so valuable. If you are new here you may be asking yourself "what's a kudos?"
Kudos are special deals that we give our customers. Every month our Younique Corporate office does the unthinkable and puts together amazing money-saving deals. They are always new and different than last years, offer you huge savings, and often gives away something in the bundle for free.
Last month for July 2016, was The Beachfront Collection. Which can still be purchased until midnight tonight your time? It is giving away a huge free beach tote with our most popular sunless tanning products and our Uplift eye serum. All for $99 and is a whopping $40 dollar savings. It may not seem like much but in today's economy every dollar adds up.
Also in July until midnight our Presenter Kits ships for free. Again $99 but what you get is all our products to try!! Worth a total value of $225!!!! Close your mouth, I know it's an amazing deal!! It's what really sold me, that and once I received the makeup I just fell in love. Now having been a presenter for about 5 months I'm mostly proud of our Younique Foundation that helps women and girls who have been victims of sexual abuse.
Unfortunately, I won't know the Kudos until tomorrow morning. Sad faces!! Don't worry I'll be up bright and early to share the wonderful news with you. I'm excited for this one because there has been a major buzz about a possibility of new product lines coming out in the fall.
For months I have been eyeing this DIY on Pinterest. If you are familiar with the movie "The Wizard Of OZ". It is an American musical comedy-drama fantasy film produced in 1939 byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
So, today my daughters and I got busy and put him together. It was much harder than I had, though. One because I used fishing string and after further examination, I realized that they had used washers and screws. A much easier and less hair pulling out method I'm sure. Nevertheless, we got it done!!
For the entire progress start to finish, it probably took us with dry time about 4-5 hours. I know that sounds like a lot of time for just a tin can project but let me tell you when we finished we were so proud of ourselves. My daughter's faces made it, especially Kaitlyn. She is just in love with him. We were up pretty late getting it all done. His face and details came last. Which we really enjoyed and it was fun to be creative.
My love is crafts or little projects. They are rewarding to accomplish and often get decorations when completed.
To make this little guy I used normal item that can be purchased at your local grocery store and Home Depot.
You'll need:
Fishing String or Screws/Washers (had already)
Spray Paint Rust-oleum in Stainless Steel
Sharpies RED, BLACK, BROWN, and GRAY (had already)
Yellow Funnel (1)
Campbell's Soup Can (4)
Refried Bean Can (4)
Pineapple Can (1)
Empty Paint Can and Lid (1)
Clear Lacquer Spray Paint (had already)
First, you want to get all your cans painted with the stainless steel paint. Let dry per recommended time on the can. This took less time than expected because I live in Arizona. Everything dries fast here!
Once painted and dried we moved on to putting him together. This took me some thinking. I wanted his arms to hang a certain way and height. So to do that I had to use a bread clip on the inside of the cans. We would adjust them to the correct height, then I'd tie up the clip and it would hold the can in place from falling down. One more reason a screw would have worked much better.
To assemble I had my daughter stamp holes in the bottoms of them and the top of the paint lid can. Then, I took all the pieces and laid them out of the table. Doing this with fishing string was quite a headache, I won't lie but we got it done. Next time I will be using screws and washers. The only good thing about my method is that he moves. I can adjust his hat, arms, legs, and feet. With the screws it is unmoveable.
After, all strings were strung we tied them together under the neck. Which you can't see in the pictures unless I hang him up. Then gravity takes effect and you can see all the limbs.
The cost for the D.I.Y. craft was about $30 bucks. Soup cans cost me $1.50 ea, beans are $.89 cents, pineapple can $1.49, Funnel cost $1.89, Empty Paint can $4.99, and the Spray Paint $5.99.
Cost Breakdown
$1.50 X 4= $6
$.89 X 4= $3.56
$1.49 X 2= $2.98 +
$1.89+
$4.99+
$5.99=
$25.41
A Very fun project that was a great way for me to spend some time with my girls and create lasting memories for them to have a lifetime, and now also a Tin Man!
Thanks for spending time with me, talk to you soon!
The International Day of Friendship is a United Nations (UN) day that promotes the role that friendship plays in promoting peace in many cultures. It is observed on July 30 each year.
Lots of my readers all from all over the world, today I want to thank you for your friendships!! We can all do our part to make this world a better place!
This is a chart of my readers and where they are from, it's awesome to see!!
Friendship isn't how you forget, but how you forgive.
Not how you listen, but how you understand.
Not how you see, but how you feel.
Not how you let go, but how you hold on!!
Happy International Day of Friendship!! I'm glad we met!
In honor of National Cheesecake Day and probably one of my all time favorite cakes ever, I'm sharing an old family recipe for Raspberry Cheesecake. Originally from my great grandmother and passed down through the generations. The recipe is super easy to make! It's a no bake and Gluten-Free! Even better right??!! What do you need to get started: Ingredients:
Cheesecake
2 packages(6 ounces each) Driscoll's Raspberries
8 ounceswhite chocolate chips or white chocolate, chopped
1/2 cupcold water
1 packageunflavored gelatin
3 packages(8 ounces each) cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cupsugar
1 cupheavy cream
1bar white chocolate, for garnish
Crust
1 3/4 cupsalmond flour
1/3 cupsugar
1 tablespooncocoa powder
4 tablespoonsunsalted butter, melted
Making the Crust:
You can also use a store bought crust in the package that has already been cooked.
Crust
Combine almond flour, sugar, cocoa, and melted butter in a bowl until evenly blended. Press mixture into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan and refrigerate.
Cheesecake
Place white chocolate in a metal bowl and set over a saucepot of simmering water to melt chocolate. Stir constantly and be careful not to let any water or steam get into a bowl with chocolate. Set aside and let cool somewhat.
Combine cold water and gelatin in a small saucepan and heat over low, stirring just until gelatin is dissolved.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar and gelatin mixture on medium until evenly blended. Check to be sure cream cheese mixture and chocolate are the same temperature. Mix a few tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture into the melted white chocolate until it looks shiny and smooth. Gradually add white chocolate mixture to the remaining cream cheese mixture. Mix until blended. Divide mixture evenly into 2 separate bowls.
In a separate bowl, beat heavy cream to stiff peaks. Fold whipped cream into 1 of the bowls of cream cheese mixture.
In a blender or food processor, puree 1 package raspberries. Strain and discard seeds (you should have about 1/2 cup puree). Stir raspberry puree into remaining bowl of cream cheese mixture until evenly blended.
Pour whipped cream mixture into the pan and spread evenly. Spoon raspberry mixture on top of whipped cream mixture and gently spread evenly. Cover pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
Briefly wrap a warm, wet kitchen towel around the pan for a short before opening it. This prevents the cake from sticking to the sides. A hairdryer also works for this.
Use a vegetable peeler to make white chocolate curls from a chocolate bar. Place on top of cheesecake with remaining raspberries.
All this cheesecake talk reminds me of another one of my favorite products and it goes hand in hand with today's holiday!
This looks so good I want to eat it! It has a warm vanilla fragrance and is one of the best lip balms I've ever used. Not waxy or weird feeling on your lips, which really bothers me with most other chapsticks on the market.
The color is light but gives you a soft pale lip tint.
All of them have yummy names starting left to right:
Vanilla Milkshake, Raspberry Cheesecake, Red Velvet Cake, Cherry Cobler, and Chocolate Truffle.....Nom Nom!!
What are we doing to our kids? I watched a very disturbing video a couple days ago on Facebook with our children. It made me cry and very sadden by what I saw. We have to do better and expect more from ourselves because it is affecting our kids, their outlook on life, and most of all their self-esteem!
Two days ago I was asked to comment on an article that was written by a Hillary supporter. I, of course, asked the normal questions such as "What about her lying to the people, congress under oath, and killing of our Americans?" His response was shocking. He said, "Yeah, I know." That was his reply. Yeah, I know. Ha! That is crazy to me.
How can you completely overlook someone who has been proven to be a repeated liar? Someone who can cost American people there lives? How? How as a black man can you support a party that was the ones who started slavery, to begin with? It was the Republican party that set you free, or do we not know our history?
I am confused by this. It saddens me to think about the future of our country. Our people and our freedoms. I did read his article and I did give him my opinion which I have pasted below. My hope is that ALL of us, do our research and truly vote for someone who we feel is best for America. Best for all people. We need to take major steps in securing our borders and keeping us safe from terrorism.
Most of all of us have a smartphone, I'd get to googling and finding out what your party standings for and it's history.
The DNC was caught again helping Hillary and rigging the elections. The emails are out for all to read. What they say about people in those private hacked emails is nothing to bat an eye at. They attack many different people, races, and religions. I would take the time to read them and then make a choice.
If you can look past the truth, then go ahead and vote for her but if you are like most of us? Who have a heart and soul and care about the future of this country and our children. I urge you again to pray, seek guidance, and find out the truth. Vote with your conscious.
Our court's system is a stake. 40 years!! Trump, if elected, would be best for America, our economy, our safety, and for our future court system. If you don't like him after four years, you can make a new choice but at least YOU saved the courts!!
(This is my response to the article, it was on gun control. His view was no one should be armed or have a right to bear arms.)
Let me ask you a few questions before I give my opinion.
1. Are you a believer in God?
2. How would this stop criminals from getting guns?
I, as a belief have read and studied much about the end times. I have also read about different conspiracy theories. From the NWO to certain other groups and organizations.
My thought is this, as a believer and a person who has knowledge in the area.
First off getting rid of guns does not change the hearts of men or women. Am I correct? Yes, of course, I am. So, with that being said, there will always be criminals, corrupt cops, bad politicians, evil men, and women.
Removing laws don't change that. Does it? No! It doesn't. So you want to remove my right to protect my kids from bad people of any stature? That is my God given right to protect myself. Is it not? If you answer no. Then you're saying if you saw or you personally we're being attacked you wouldn't defend yourself or a loved one? Please, Sir! I know you would. You look like a good man.
This world will get worse. Someday our rights will be removed because that has to happen for all the rest to take place. The thing that bothers me. Is that the Democrats will say they care about you. Talk about how dangerous us gun owners are. Then go behind our backs and lie, cheat, sell guns to criminals, enable radical Islam and you want to worry about our guns?
Stop. Worry about corrupt government officials, corrupt police officers, criminals, kill the ones threatening our safety.
I suggest you pray Sir. Pray for wisdom for all of us. This is a huge election. 40 yrs of courts are at stake. We all must take special care and make sure we vote for what's best for our "kids" in America. The ones who this will all cost if done wrong.
America is done with the hate, the lies, the racism, the terrorists, and the corrupted Obama administration.
We want our freedom, our rights, people governed by laws, and peace in our streets.
We want babies saved from being killed in the womb. Our veterans protected and cared for. We want God back in America.
If we keep standing for the ones who are corrupted we are doomed.
Let Trump fix our courts. If he's bad vote him out in four years but at least our court system is safe.
One of my favorite things to plan or think about is weddings! From the time I was a little girl, I'd watch the movies and create in my mind what my future would hold. What kind of man aka Prince they would be and how we'd live happily ever after!
But, as most of us know that is not reality! People are not perfect and learning to mesh your life with another is difficult in itself, let alone adding family and friends to the mix. Oh! My!!
It can take some small adjusting or at times a real overhaul! Once the process of planning begins, it can also be so very overwhelming. I remember going through that and the amount of stress I was under. Having to stay under a tight budget without trying to compromise on your heartfelt desires for your wedding day.
Most of us only want to plan a wedding once. So making it a day or night to remember for all involved is really important. For others, this can be a new start, a new beginning with a blending of families. Either way, this is always a glorious time to celebrate with loved ones and your friends.
Speaking from someone who has never had the honor of walking down the aisle. I did say earlier that I had been in the same stress but unfortunately, God had other plans for me and I never did marry. It makes me sad at times and my heart still longs to share my life with someone but I will not compromise on my beliefs or things I require. I just won't and I'm so thankful I didn't. I still have the items my mother bought but I can't display them. Not yet anyways!!
Today, I'd like to offer my services to you in the beauty department. Most of us want to have the perfect makeup and can maybe afford to get a makeup artist for assistance but I know for me when I was planning there would have been no way. I would have needed to figure it out myself. I would have much rather that money goes towards a better place or cake, pictures, even a dress.
What I can offer is my time and service to you. I'd love to help you pick out the perfect wedding makeup for you, your guests, your bridesmaids and of course your moms! It would be my pleasure to help color match you in a fun and stress-free environment. I'm not another girl you need to meet in person with. I can help you through email, a Facebook message or group, or any way that is easier for you. I'm sure you are on the phone consistently with different vendors and everyone else and their mother!! LOL!!
Below I'll be showing you some of my options I have available. Everything is easily customizable to fit your needs. Collections can be separated and items can be sold individually. Most of my products are really reasonable in price for the high quality of makeup you'll be receiving.
Let's get to the fun stuff! Wedding Colors!!
This was all half to admit my favorite thing ever!! I loved picking my colors and theme for the wedding. I went with an Eggplant color which is a beautifully dark purple. My accent color was cream. The theme was a rustic one with lots of wood bark carved vases and a wood cutting cake stand. It would have been gorgeous!!
For you, there are so many options now and amazing color choices! I got some pretty color boards to show you from a really great site called Exclusively Weddings. They did an awesome job! I love how in just one square they bring the idea come to life!
Plum and Gray is a popular color and can go with almost any theme. I have a number of Eyeshadow Pigments and Palettes that would complement any wedding color!
Sangria!! Love the deep wine red color. So rich and yet elegant, just beautiful!!
Aurora Red reminds me of a lovely country setting with apples and comfort food!
Emerald green is one of my favorites as well. Look at the color! I am a green freak and this is so my style. Maybe next time around, I'll try this one!!
Coral is beautiful and ladylike. More on the femine side which can also go with most venues.
Orange is a bright vivid color. It can create the mood of warmth and excitement!
Samba, as seen in the flowers above and the wedding board below. Another rich, deep color that is very romantic.
I love the bright yellow along the side of the Samba red.
Blue of any color is so pretty. My favorite part of this picture is the hidden peacock feathers in the flowers. LOVE!!
The grass is always greener right?? This is a really creative way to take your theme! I love the grass table for the favors, so cute!
Whatever you choose I know it will be beautiful and amazing. A memory that will last a lifetime.
If you'd like my help with planning your wedding makeup look? It would be my pleasure! I love marriage, the colors, the love in the air....it's awesome!
You can view any of my products from my website Swine Key Lashes under the shop tab, then click the link to go to my product page or reach out to me on Facebook!
Looking forward to working with you and creating a beautiful makeup look for you and your family/friends. Our collections make a great mother of the bride gifts, bridesmaids gifts and for yourself gifts!
To date, there are over 1,500 studies proving coconut oil to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Coconut oil benefits and uses go beyond what most people realize.
Research has finally uncovered the secrets to this amazing fruit; namely healthy fats called medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), these unique fats include:
Caprylic acid
Lauric acid
Capric acid
And around 62% of the oils in coconut are made up of these 3 healthy fatty acids and 91% of the fat in coconut oil is healthy saturated fat.
Most of the fats that we consume take longer to digest, but MCFAs found in coconut oil provide the perfect source of energy because they only have to go through a 3 step process to be turned into fuel vs. other fats go through a 26 step process!
Unlike long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) found in plant-based oils, MCFAs are:
Easier to digest
Not readily stored as fat
Are anti-microbial and anti-fungal
Smaller in size, allowing easier cell permeability for immediate energy
Processed by the liver, which means that they are immediately converted to energy instead of being stored as fat
Coconut oil is high in natural saturated fats. Saturated fats not only increase the healthy cholesterol (known as HDL) in your body but also help to convert the LDL “bad” cholesterol into good cholesterols. By Increasing the HDL's in the body, it helps promote heart health and lower the risk of heart disease.
Coconut Oil For Faster Hair Growth. Use coconut oil as a natural way to help your hair grow longer, thicker, and faster. The vitamins and essential fatty acids naturally found in coconut oil nourish the scalp and help to remove sebum build-up from hair follicles.
1. Coconut Oil For Deep Conditioning
Because it is comprised mainly of smaller medium-chain fatty acids, the oil of the coconut penetrates hair more deeply and faster than other conditioners. To use coconut oil as a leave-in treatment to repair split ends, moisturize your scalp, and add a healthy glow to your tresses; just follow these easy steps:
– First, make sure you have at least an hour or two for this treatment. (The longer you leave coconut oil on your hair, the more effective it will be!)
– Wash your hair and let it air dry while you prepare the next steps.
– Gather your materials: a comb or hair pick, shower cap or small towel to wrap your hair in, two small bowls of different sizes (one should fit inside the other), and of course your jar of organic virgin coconut oil.
- Scoop a small amount of coconut oil into the smaller of the two bowls.
– Set the smaller bowl in the bottom of the larger one.
– Fill the larger bowl with hot water so the smaller bowl is partially submerged, but not floating or taking on water.
– Once your coconut oil comes to temperature and is completely melted, use your fingers to gently massage the oil into your hair, then work through with a comb or hair pick.
– After you’ve finished applying the oil, wrap your hair up in a shower cap or small towel and allow it to soak in for thirty minutes or longer.
– Shampoo to remove oil.
– Optionally, you may reapply a small amount of coconut oil to the ends of your hair and / or work a small amount through all of your hair again – just enough to give it a healthy shine.
– Then style as usual.
2. Coconut Oil As a Daily Detangler
If you have long or curly hair, dealing with tangles may be a daily battle for you. Coconut oil can help here, too! Also, because it’s 100% natural, organic virgin coconut oil won’t leave any residue or long-term damage to your tresses! Before brushing or styling your hair, just follow these few steps to use coconut oil as a detangler:
– Gather your hair brush, a comb or hair pick, two small bowls of different sizes (one should fit inside the other), and your jar of organic virgin coconut oil.
– Scoop a small amount of coconut oil into the smaller of the two bowls and set the smaller bowl in the bottom of the larger one.
– Fill the larger bowl with hot water so the smaller bowl is partially submerged, but not floating or taking on water.
– Let your coconut oil come to temperature so it is completely melted.
– Use your fingers to gently massage the oil into the ends of your hair, then – starting from the ends and working your way toward the roots – gently work out tangles with a comb or hair pick.
– Let the oil soak in, then brush and style as usual. No need to rinse or shampoo. Coconut oil will continue to nourish your hair all day long!
3. Coconut Oil To Defeat Dandruff
If a long-time use of chemical shampoos, conditioners, styling products, or colorants has left you with itchy, flaky, dandruff – you can use coconut oil to heal your scalp. Just follow these easy steps daily and watch your dandruff problems disappear:
– At the end of the day or shortly before bedtime, wash your hair with an all natural shampoo and condition as usual.
– Gather the following supplies: a comb or hair pick, two small bowls of different sizes (one should fit inside the other), a towel or cloth to cover your head overnight, and your jar of organic virgin coconut oil.
– Scoop a small portion of coconut oil into the smaller of the two bowls then place it into the bottom of the larger bowl.
– Fill the larger bowl with hot water so the smaller bowl is partially submerged, but not floating or taking on water.
– While you wait for your coconut oil to come to temperature, use your comb or hair pick to remove any tangles.
– Once the coconut oil is completely melted, use your fingers to gently massage the oil into your scalp. (If you have long hair, it may be easier to flip your head upside-down in order to apply oil to your entire scalp.)
– Wrap your head with the towel or cloth and leave coconut oil on your scalp overnight for best results.
The following morning, you may wish to use an Epsom salt treatment to remove excess shed skin cells from your scalp.
4. Coconut Oil As a Base for Hair Coloring
Coconut oil makes an excellent medium for mixing your all-natural hair coloring. Because coconut oil penetrates hair more deeply and faster than many other natural oils, it can help your color to be more vibrant and keep it from fading too quickly.
– Gather your materials: a shower cap or small towel, a comb or hair pick, coloring herbs, gloves, two bowls of different sizes (one should fit inside the other), a container for mixing color, and your jar of organic virgin coconut oil.
– Scoop a few spoonfuls of coconut oil (enough to liberally coat your hair) into the smaller of the two bowls and set it into the bottom of the larger bowl.
– Fill the larger bowl with hot water so the smaller bowl is partially submerged, but not floating or taking on water.
– Let your coconut oil come to temperature so it is completely melted.
– Mix coconut oil with your coloring herbs and apply as you normally would.
– Once the color has set, shampoo hair with lukewarm water to remove excess oil and colorant.
– Wrap your hair with a shower cap or towel to let color continue to set overnight.
5. Coconut Oil For Faster Hair Growth
Use coconut oil as a natural way to help your hair grow longer, thicker, and faster. The vitamins and essential fatty acids naturally found in coconut oil nourish the scalp and help to remove sebum build-up from hair follicles. Use as a daily treatment by following these simple steps:
– At the end of the day or shortly before bedtime, wash your hair with an all natural shampoo and condition as usual.
– Gather your materials: a comb or hair pick, shower cap or small towel to wrap your hair in, two small bowls of different sizes (one should fit inside the other), and of course your jar of organic virgin coconut oil.
– Scoop a small amount of coconut oil into the smaller of the two bowls.
– Set the smaller bowl in the bottom of the larger one.
– Fill the larger bowl with hot water so the smaller bowl is partially submerged, but not floating or taking on water.
– While you wait for your coconut oil to come to temperature, use your comb or hair pick to remove any tangles.
– Once the coconut oil is completely melted, use your fingers to gently massage the oil into your scalp. (If you have long hair, it may be easier to flip your head upside-down in order to apply oil to your entire scalp.)
– Wrap your head with the towel or cloth and leave coconut oil on your scalp overnight for best results.
Coconut oil makes an excellent all natural sunscreen. In the morning – especially on a day when you know that your hair will be exposed to the elements more than usual – apply coconut oil to protect your hair by following these simple steps:
– Gather your hair brush, a comb or hair pick, two small bowls of different sizes (one should fit inside the other), and your jar of organic virgin coconut oil.
– Scoop a small amount of coconut oil into the smaller of the two bowls and set the smaller bowl in the bottom of the larger one.
– Fill the larger bowl with hot water so the smaller bowl is partially submerged, but not floating or taking on water.
– Let your coconut oil come to temperature so it is completely melted.
– Use your fingers to gently massage the oil into your hair then brush and style as usual.
