Product Spotlight

I've tried many different brands of lip balm over time, but nothing beats the soft and refreshing feel of Eos. The egg shaped design of the lip balm makes application easy and there are many different flavors (or maybe I should call them scents!) My personal favorite is sweet mint! You can find them at Target, Walgreens, Ulta and many other stores. Also be sure to check out Eos shave creams and Eos hand and body lotion!

Modge Podge Mason Jars

I'm all about using everyday household items to create fabulous new decorations! Probably one of the easiest and most personable items you can decorate is a jar. (And who doesn't have a jar laying around somewhere?) But what I think I like most about this simple project is that it involves the ever incredible Modge Podge! If you've never used Modge Podge before, you're in for a real treat! To do this idea, all you will need is a clean jar (be sure to remove the label), a paint brush, a jar of Modge Podge (Modge Podge can be bought at almost any crafting supply store), and some sort of medium to cover your jar with. In my example, I have used pressed flowers, stamps and glitter. Some other great things to use include: photos, tissue paper, pages from an old book, or a used map. Using the brush, cover the outside of the jar with a light coat of Modge Podge. Then, go to town coving it with the desired medium while the jar is still wet. Be sure not to layer to many things on top of each other - this makes it harder to cover later.) Once you've covered the jar, carefully apply another coat of Modge Podge on top. Don't be afraid to lather it on well! Some mediums like stamps and photos may require two coats to ensure that they stick on. Let the jar dry over night. Now you can use it for storage, a gift, or my personal favorite - a candle holder!!

Skeeter Quick Tip

Next time you get one of those dreaded mosquito bites, don't be too quick to pull out the anti-itch creams. Although creams like hydrocortisone may work well, there is also a far more simple solution. Numb the bite with an ice cube. This tricks your nerves so that you no longer experience the itching sensation. (However, be sure to apply an antibiotic anointment afterwards to ward off infection.)

Old Keys = New Bling

The other day I found some old keys while cleaning out my desk drawer. I wasn't sure why I was keeping them either, because they didn't unlock anything anymore. But what seemed like a junky find soon turned into a clever accessory for my wardrobe. I took the old keys and painted them with bright colors of nail polish. As soon as one side dried I did the other, being sure to cover the edges as well. For an even more glitzy look, after the first coat dried I painted on another clear coat of polish with sparkles. To ensure that the paint would be less likely to chip, I did a final coat of clear enamel protector. So if your like me, and you've got some old keys, turn them into some fabulous new bling!

Vertical Quick Tip

Wearing clothes that have horizontal stripes tends to make you look wider than you really are. So avoid clothing with horizontal stripes and go for the vertical ones - they will be more flattering to your figure.

The Culprit: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Ever wondered what causes you to get breakouts on your back? The culprit is probably hidden in your shampoo. Most shampoos contain a chemical called Sodium Lauryl Sulfate that can irritate sensitive skin and be the cause of horrible back acne. The good news is that not all shampoos have SLS. By avoiding shampoos with SLS you can reduce the likeliness of breakouts. Here are some brands that I use that do not contain SLS:
- Aveeno
- Suave Naturals
- Selsun Blue

Also, SLS can be found in toothpastes as well. It doesn't cause acne in your mouth (thanks goodness, that would be gross!) However, it can be the reason you get those irritating white bumps on your tongue and gum tissue. Try Sensodyne toothpaste as an alternative solution.

Music Spotlight

If you haven't heard of the band Youngblood Hawk, it's time open up iTunes and check them out! Youngblood Hawke is a band based out of Los Angeles that first started in 2011. And if you like Imagine Dragons, you'll be sure to love this band and the same indie pop vibes that they give. In 2013, they released their first full-length album - "Wake Up." Be sure to check out my personal favorite tracks :
- Stars (Hold On)
- Dannyboy
- Dreams

Minty Quick Tip

Try putting fresh mint leaves in the bottom of your shower - not only does it open up your sinuses, but it gives you an all-around fresh feeling!

Thoughts on Money

To be honest, I like money. Ok, I love it. But who doesn't? The problem that I see with money is when it gets in the way of more important and meaningful things in life. Money is a nice thing to have, and I don't think that it is a bad thing either. I do think that when people put money before relationships, reality and responsibility, it can become a problem. In my mind, I think it would be amazing to have enough money to be able to travel and go on vacation all the time. It has always been a lifelong dream for me to be able to travel the world. However, our family doesn't take tons of vacations nor are they always very exotic ones. But I have realized there is a flip side to this - I truly value, appreciate and remember the times that I have gotten to go on vacation. I sometimes wonder if going on trips all the time would make me become less grateful and appreciative for them. This is the true problem with money - when it becomes a regular thing, and not something special that we value and just take for granted. Also, I would not say that money constitutes success. For me, I already feel like I’m the most successful person in the world. I may not be good at sports at all, I may not wear name brand clothes, and I may not be friends with everyone. So why do I feel so successful? My success is my family. It is the close relationships and bonds that I share with my friends and family. It is the ability to wake up every morning and have a voice to praise God with. Someday, money may buy me a beautiful house, or provide me an early retirement. However, in the end, money can't buy the special bond that my mom and I have together, or all the moments I have spent laughing with my friends. In the end, money is simply a man's head on green rectangle. It can be something wonderful if it is appreciated and spent with wisdom or it can be the map to a long road of disappointment.