Girly floral outfit

I wanted to really step out of my comfort zone and create something really girly this time.  I kept it a little more casual with the flat sandals.  Floral is a very popular pattern this year.  I've been seeing it everywhere! 

What do you think?  Do you own any floral patterns?

linked up to: Fab Fridays

DIY Baking soda and Orange juice mask

Warning!  These photos contain my face with no makeup whatsoever....  Be afraid... be very afraid!

I have always had problems with large clogged up pores on my nose and cheeks so when I spotted a few DIY face masks on Pinterest I decided to give one a try.  I saw this one from Beauty Bets and it seemed really easy and I already had the baking soda and orange juice on hand, so why not?!  The baking soda is supposed to fight acne and exfoliate, while the orange juice tightens your pores and brightens your skin.

I'm very happy with the results.  I have only done it the one time so I still have some gunky pores but they are no where near as bad and I'm sure if I keep using it that it would really help with that.  My face is so soft now and has a great healthy shine.

Here are the easy steps:

1. Mix 1 tbsp real orange juice with 1 tbsp baking soda. Add more baking soda as needed to thicken mask ( I ended up adding much more than 1tbsp so it was nice and thick)
2. Spread a thin layer on face.
3. Leave on for 20 minutes
4. Dampen finger tips and scrub mask in circular motions for extra exfoliation
5. Rinse.

Before, during, and after the scrub photos.

It tingles a little when you first put it on and when it dries it gets a bit itchy, so I watched tv to keep my brain busy.  They also suggested that you try not to talk while it's one because it will chip and flake off pretty easily.

I put on a moisturizer afterwards because it did make my face feel a little dry.  Your face could also have some redness if you have sensitive skin (I didn't have any) but should fade within 20-30 minutes.

So, what do you think?  Are you going to give it a try?  What are your favorite beauty products/face scrubs?

linked up at: Linkn Blogs Link Party

Ohiopyle State Park, PA

My husband had a long weekend off so we decided we wanted to go somewhere fun....but affordable.  Money is a little tight right now, so we stayed local.  I'm actually really glad we did!

Ohiopyle is so beautiful!  There are waterfalls, rapids, and lots of trails for bike riding or walking.  People were even in bathing suits swimming at the bottom of the waterfall.

 The weather was perfect!  Not too hot and there was a nice breeze.  Being out there made me just wish I could stay forever.  It's so beautiful.  Check out this view from the walking bridge!!

Of course we had to stop for a little snack too! She was a little trooper!  She walked with us on the trail so good (obviously we held her near the waterfall and the rocks).  She was so happy just to be able to run free.

My hubby and I are trying to make plans to white water rafting later this summer...It's kind of expensive so FINGERS CROSSED!!

Memorial Weekend

My husband took a vacation day on Friday so he ended up with a four day weekend.  It was so nice having him around.  We all had a lot of fun.  We went to a couple different parks for Paige to run around, we grilled burgers, and ate lots of ice cream and Rita's Italian Ice.  Best family weekend ever!!

 We also went to Ohiopyle State Park to see the waterfalls and walk the trails.  We all had so much fun!  I will be sharing pictures tomorrow of all of the beautiful scenery so stop back and visit!!

What did you do for Memorial Day??

Sunday Social

1. What is your favorite handbag you own?
My checkered Chanel bag.  It's soooo old but I LOVE it.

2. 3 things you would buy right now if money was no object?
1. WAY too much clothes     2. A bigger house     3. hire a maid! hahaha!

3. Name a place you would go right now if given a plane ticket to anywhere?
St. Lucia!!  I love being on the beach and every picture I've ever seen of there looked amazing.  Everyone I know that's been there said it was the best vacation they've ever had.

4. What is the most valuable life lesson you’ve learned from blogging?
To always keep trying new things and learning new things every day.

5. What is the most valuable life lesson you’ve learned from a friend?
To cherish every moment I have with my loved ones.  My husband and one of my best friend's lost their mother really young so I take advantage of every second I can spend time with my mom.  She's my best friend.

Co-hosting the Social Media Sunday link up

Today I'm joining the ladies ABCs and ACTs and Epic Mommy Adventures for their Social Media Sunday link up.  I'm very happy to be co-hosting with these lovely ladies.  Link up parties are a great way to meet other bloggers and get your blog out there.  So join with us and spread the word!!

It's that time again friends! Time for another Social Media Sunday!

We have a big announcement for you this week...

Social Media Sunday is going to be merged with The Weekday Mixer Social Media Link-Up to bring you a brand new social media link-up, the Social Media Mixer, that is sure to be awesome! Pulling in all of the great aspects of both link-ups, the Social Media Mixer is sure to be fantastic and help all of us to connect & network with others, and ultimately grow our following.

Make sure to join us next Saturday for the Social Media Mixer!!! We're going to have a big giveaway to launch this great new link-up.

If you'd like to sign up to be a month-long guest host of the Social Media Mixer, or be considered as permanent co-host, please complete this form. And if you have any questions, e-mail Natasha at 1EpicMommy@gmail.com.

Now let's get started with our final Social Media Sunday...

<div align="center"><a href="http://fromabcstoacts.com/" rel="nofollow" title="From ABC's to ACT's"><img src="http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y311/abcstoacts/SMS225_zpsb70454fc.jpg" alt="Social Media Sunday-From ABC's to ACT's" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

 

Amber @ From ABC's to ACT's

 

Natasha @ Epic Mommy Adventures

 

Teresa @ Crafty Wife

 

Penny @ The Real Housewife of Caroline County

 

Julie @ Artwork by JM

Sherry @ Teach, Inspire, Love, Raise

As you know Social Media Sundays are a place for you to connect with other bloggers in as many ways as possible, since meeting other bloggers and making new friends is one of the best parts of this online world!

The rules are simple!

Follow your hosts and guest hosts and leave a comment letting us know so that we can follow you back.

Grab the button and spread the word, the more the merrier!

Get to hopping! Check out your fellow bloggers and make a new friend or two!

Most importantly, have FUN!

An InLinkz Link-up

5 Things I'm REALLY bad at.

I always see posts of things people are good at or like about themselves so I thought it would be fun to do a post on some things that I am not necessarily the best at.  I tried asking my hubby to help me think of a few so I could add more, but I married a smart man so he says he couldn't think of anything. haha!!

1. Keeping in touch with people
I am THE WORST at trying to keep in touch with friends/family/whoever.  It's not that I don't want to see them, I just get easily sidetracked and lose track of time around the house.  And now that we have baby Paige, I'm even worse with this.

2. Twitter
Seriously!  I just can't figure it out! haha!  It's the old lady in me I guess.  So if you noticed that I am not favoriting your posts, or sharing your giveaways, I'm sorry.  I'm still learning....and it's not going well. I'm not very tech savvy and it takes me a while to "get it".

3. Washing dishes
It's not really that I'm bad at washing them because they are always clean when I'm done; it's that I am REALLY bad at keeping up with them.  They are my least favorite thing to do in the world.  I've even gone as far as to leave them in the sink for a whole week because I hate them that much. I know, gross.  Right?

4. Holding a conversation while the TV is on
It's like a black hole sucking me in!  I can't look away.  It annoys me so bad when other people do it, but I am the same way.  My hubby can call my name a couple times before it even sinks in that someone is talking to me.  So bad!  Aaaand this is why I don't watch tv with Paige around. lol!  It stays on cartoons and I can ignore those!

5. Accepting compliments
My husband just told me to add this one...  He's so right.  Anytime someone compliments my art, I have a bad habit of pointing out everything that I don't like about it or things I could have done better.  It's also very rare when I will accept a compliment about my looks, yes, even from my husband!  I'm my worst enemy sometimes.

Are you bad at some of these things too?  If not, what are some things that you aren't so good at?

linked up to: Lovely Thursdays and Little Friday link up

Yesterday was a big day!

I don't normally post about political things on this blog so don't expect to ever see much of anything like that on here, BUT yesterday was a really big day for Pennsylvania and a lot of my loved ones....

I think the judge says it best right here:
The judge wrote, "Some of our citizens are made deeply uncomfortable by the notion of same-sex marriage. However, that same-sex marriage causes discomfort in some does not make its prohibition constitutional. Nor can past tradition trump the bedrock constitutional guarantees of due process and equal protection...

"Were that not so, ours would still be a racially segregated nation according to the now rightfully discarded doctrine of ‘separate but equal’...

In future generations the label same-sex marriage will be abandoned, to be replaced simply by marriage.”

As soon as I heard I couldn't help but smile.  Maybe I will get to see my sister walk down the aisle after all <3

New look!

Happy Monday everyone!!

Over the weekend I decided to give my little blog space a face lift.   I've been feeling like I wanted a new look for the blog for a long time now so I took the plunge.  I'm still in the process of learning html coding and anything about blog design so I decided to purchase one from Mlekoshi Playground on Etsy.  I had to install it myself but they included an installation guide that was very easy to follow and even included pictures.  I had to email them about one thing I needed help tweaking and they responded so quickly and were very helpful!  I would definitely recommend them to anyone!

I left the tabs on the top so you can easily find my art or fashion posts, and I also have a tab of My Shop.  I only have 3 things listed at the moment (pictures below) but I will be adding more very shortly!

I still have all of my social media icons on the right so you can still follow me on any of those so you don't miss a post!  I added a way to follow by email and also a search bar.

What do you think of the new look??

Sunday Social

This week's questions:

1. What is your best summer memory as a kid?

Always being outdoors with my older brother.  I've always been a big outdoorsy person but whenever I was really young I used to follow my brother everywhere he went. lol

2. What is your favorite summer drink?

Strawberry lemonade!  The perfect combination or sweet and sour!

3. What is your favorite summer TV show?

I actually don't watch too much TV in the summer.  I'm usually out at a park or something.

4. What is the best outdoor summer activity?

Swimming, rock climbing, hiking, water slides....I love summer!

5. What are your summer vacation essentials?

Bathing suit and a beach!!

A couple cartoony doodles

I have something completely different than what I normally share for you today.  Normally when I share my art it is some sort of realistic portrait.  This week I wanted to try something new.

A few months ago my best friend's mom asked me if I could create a logo for the business that she was started.  She plans parties for children, makes gift baskets, and dresses up in character costumes for the parties.  She also does a lot of work for charities and shows up at hospitals dress in costumes just to make kids smile.  

She asked me to create something cartoony.  She had almost an exact idea in her head of what she wanted.  She wanted a girl and boy, to represent her son and daughter.  She also wanted to add a little yellow butterfly as a remembrance of a family member.  The little boy in the drawing was supposed to be holding balloons and the little girl holding a gift basket.  She wanted a "Precious Moments" kind of look to them, and also knew she wanted them to be in pastel colors.

To get the pastel color look I used watercolors and just diluted them a bit.

While my daughter was taking her nap I felt like doodling a little, so I drew a couple Disney Princesses. haha!  Not my best work but I thought I would share anyway!

What do you think???

Wordless Wednesday- Lazy day with my baby

Loving the warm weather

We have finally been having summer weather around here.  I wasn't sure if it was ever going to happen!  We have been spending a lot of time in the park because Paige LOVES being outside! Which is great because my hubby and I are definitely outdoorsy people.

To combat with the girliness of yesterdays outfit, I had to go with something a little more edgey.  Still an outfit that is girly but the black and studs calm down the coral a little bit.  

Summer pastels

So this is officially my last week of work at the hospital.... I'm both sad and excited.  It's going to be really nice staying home with my daughter, but I'm still a little sad because sometimes you just need time away for sanity, even if it is just for working.  I also met a lot of really great people and did like the job a lot.  Oh well, my daughter will always come first.

That also means you will be seeing a lot more of me on this little bloggy space.  With work, the baby, and time with my hubby, I have been having a hard time finding time to blog.

It will be really nice to wear real clothes and something other than scrubs...  something like this maybe??

Summer pastels by juliemaguda featuring racerback tank tops

Linked up at: (Manic Monday)More Pieces of Me and On the Daily Express , Mix It Monday , Monday Bloom , Monday Must Haves , Funday Monday , Serenity Saturday