I'm On One Good Thing by Jillee!!!

Do you read the One Good Thing by Jillee blog? 

 

If not, you should! She is AMAAAAZING! I have been following her for a long time. She is the one that I got my oil washing idea from, my homemade laundry detergent from, and so many other great money saving tips and ideas. I am an absolute stalker of her blog.

So, imagine my surprise when I'm checking my stats and for some reason, there is a bunch of traffic coming from her blog! {scratching head???} I click on the link, and sure enough, her blog pops up! And do you know what I see??? {I fall out of my chair...}

Uh-huh....she found my homemade maple syrup! And she likes it! And then she did an entire BEAUTIFUL post about it! And I'm totally star struck. Can you tell? :)

So...I can die now. Or at least go to bed and dream of her dipping her pancakes in my maple syrup as she gives me the secrets to her amazing blogging superpowers and gives me pointers on how to clean my house. 

{Pin}spired copycat Week 10: Sea Salted Caramels With FREE MATCHING PRINTABLE!

Oh man. Have you tried sea salted caramels yet? If not...you need to. They are salty AND sweet, so if you've got a monster about to drive you nuts craving for something but can't figure out if you want salty or sweet, try these. And you won't believe how easy they are to make!

Pinned {here}

 and {here}

Yes, that's right they are easy to make. Easy, as in, you put the first 6 ingredients into a microwave safe bowl...

• 1/4 cup butter, cut in 8 pieces
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• Coarse sea salt (hold yer' horses, don't put this in the bowl!) 

Put the bowl into the microwave and cook for 5-6 minutes (for soft & chewy texture) or 6-7 minutes (for firmer yet still chewy texture), stopping to stir it every 2 minutes.  When it's done cooking, give it another good stir and pour it into either a greased baking pan, or a baking pan lined with wax paper or something the caramel won't stick to. Smooth it out, give it a light sprinkling of sea salt, wait for it to cool, cut it up, and you're done!


And, if you're like me, you want to hoard them all, but end up wrapping them in waxed or parchment paper, putting them in cute packages and giving them to your friends and family. So, in case you feel like sharing them, here is a free printable label to go with today's {Pin}spiration!

Click {here} to download!

You can open/edit it in any sort of picture editing thing, or even Microsoft Word or whatever to change it to the size you want! :)

Enjoy! And...if you make some, save some for me. Fer' reals.

Linked Up To:
DIY Home Sweet Home

NatSprat's Top Ten Pins of the Week

Wow, it's been a busy week. Busy, but good. Are you ready for NatSprat's Top Ten Pins of the Week? Here we go!  

1. Craft of the Week

DIY wire heart ring. So cute and so easy! I'll be doing this for sure.

2. Cute Outfit of the Week

Love it all. Especially the ring! 

3. Tip of the Week

 

Oh, DUH!!! Cut a foam wreath in half and it lays flat against the door AND now you can make 2 wreaths! One for you, and one for me. :)

4. Kid Craft of the Week

 

 This looks like fun! It's sort of like a pinata. You have a hole for each kid coming to your party, and they get to pick which hole they punch through. Behind each tissue paper is a prize!

5. Good Laugh of the Week

 

Hahah! So sad...but true. 

6. Inspirational Quote of the Week

Oh, how I love Thomas S. Monson, he always has something amazing to say. 

7. Drool of the Week

If the dumb birds would stop eating my strawberries from my strawberry patch I would totally do this. Bake them in the oven at 250 for 3 hours and they taste like candy but are healthy! This would also solve my clapping thighs dilemma...

8. Beauty Tip of the Week

 

DIY microdermabrasion. I've been doing this and it seriously works! 3 T baking soda and 1 T water. Apply to face in a circular motion, let sit for 5 minutes, rinse with warm water. Do this once a week, and watch as your skin changes into healthy, beautiful, glowing skin!

9. Home Inspiration of the Week

 

I have been wanting to do this so bad...I absolutely love this idea! The blog is super cute, too! Go check out Casa De Lewis. 

10.  Fitness Tip of the Week

Okay, this totally cracks me up, but seriously, the most pinned fitness tip was "How to tone your thighs in 1 month." We are definitely on a thigh kick this week, aren't we! Hahah! I have to say...I may miss the "applause" as I run.

And, my friends, this concludes my Top Ten Pins of the Week! Have a WONDERFUL Memorial Day! Thank you to all of those who gave so much for us. "Feedom Isn't Free". 

Pinned {HERE}

My Brother, Brett

This is my "little" brother, Brett. And today, he is graduating from High School. Which, for me is bittersweet. First of all, I can't believe he's old enough to graduate...it seems like just yesterday he was drinking out of our dog's water bowl while still in diapers. Look at him now, such a grown man, ready to face the world and all of it's challenges head on. He has enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and will be leaving for training in just a few months. My little brother is all grown up. And he amazes me. He is one of the most talented people I know. He is brilliant. He is funny. He is sweet. He is brave. (And incredibly photogenic, I must say!) We have always been very close,  (UGH...I am crying already!) and it will be so hard to not have him at home. It will be so strange to walk into my parents house and not see him there in the kitchen cooking something, or sitting at the piano playing a beautiful melody, or frantically trying to clean things up because his girlfriend is coming over. (haha.) He is one of my very best friends and can make me laugh until my sides split. He knows me better than most people do, because we are exactly alike in so many ways. I have been so blessed to have him in my life, and I am so very VERY proud of him. Brett, I know that whatever you do in life, you will do with strength, courage and dignity. I know that you will bring light and joy and laughter to any who are fortunate enough to get to know you. I know that your brilliance will help and support countless others. And I know that your heart will touch so many lives, just as it has touched mine. I am proud to call you my brother and my friend. I will miss your guts like crazy, and I love you so much!!! Congratulations, "little" brother. :)

Favorite Things Friday

Happy Friday!!! It's time for my Favorite Things! The time of the week when you get to learn a little more about me and what kind of stuff I'm into! Here we go!

1. Rival Snow Cone Maker: I am addicted to snow cones. They are my favorite thing in the world. Especially white coconut flavored syrup and then you drizzle sweetened condensed milk...it's like Coconut and Cream HEAVEN. This little snow cone maker has been used pretty much every day this week!

 2. Nutella. Okay, so I know they are in some sort of a big lawsuit right now because apparently the commercials make it seem healthier than it really is, but who cares. This crap is GOOOOOOD! I like it on toast, bananas, graham crackers (helloooo smores!)...this stuff would probably even make broccoli taste good.

 3. My mascara dried out and I was due for a new one, so I decided to try this one out. I usually have some major raccoon eyes after wearing mascara for a few hours, especially in the sweaty summer heat. But this stuff really does what claims to do! This stuff does not flake off...it does not smudge...it really does stay on for 24 hours or until you are ready to take it off! I think it may be my new favorite!

 Bath and Body Works Bali Mango. OH...MERCY. This stuff is AMAZING! I LOOOOVE the B&B fruity scents...but this one literally makes my mouth water! It's a mix of juicy mango, sugar cane, pink passion flower and nectarine. It is PERFECT for summer! I wear it pretty much every day. Mmmm.

 My shovel. Lame. I know. But this week I have been working on planting a garden in our pathetic backyard, and I have relied on my shovel EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. I'm excited to finally turn our dirt in the back into something useful. So far I have a strawberry patch, blueberry bushes, raspberry bushes and a herb garden. Next week I'll plant the regular things like tomatoes and zucchinis and all that good stuff. 

 

Whelp...there you go! Maybe you'll find something here you end up liking too! I'd love to know what some of YOUR favorite things are!

Have a wonderful weekend! See you again soon!

Today on Prepping With NatSprat...

 

Head on over to Prepping With NatSprat for the full post! And don't forget to follow along!

See you there!

NatSprat's {Favorite} Free Fonts

I love fonts. It's a slight addiction I have. Basically...you get really cute stuff and it's all for FREE! Whenever I have the shopping itch but don't want to spend money, this is where I go to hang! Dafont.com, baby. Want to see some of my favorite free fonts? Heeeere you go! Do you want the font? Click on the linked names at the bottom and go to town! 

Richard Murray       Little Days     Bohemian Typewriter

Singer Meas     Ballpark    Callie Hand    Simply Glamorous

Quicksand dash   Nilland

Deftone Stylus     Road Movie     Sunshine In My Soul

Peach Sundress    Madfont     Rio Grande    Chanelle

Need to know HOW to install a beautiful new font onto your computer? It's easy! Click HERE for instructions for Windows.

Oh, and FYI, Fontaholics Anonymous meet on Friday at 7 p.m. Hahaha...just kidding. Sort of.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! {Sunshine Design Giveaway}

 We have a winner of the Springtime Slouchy Hat Set by Sunshine Designs! Are you ready to see who the lucky winner is??? Random.org's random number generator says the lucky gal is....

 

 #7 who is Gina! Congratulations, Gina! I'll get you in contact with Kim!

 

And a big thank you to everyone else who entered! Y'all are the best! :) 

 

Don't forget, you can stop by her shops anytime! These make great birthday presents, baby shower gifts, or just an awesome gift any time of the year! 

Sunshine Designs

Sunshine Designs on etsy

{Pin}Spired Copycat: Week 9 Winged Eyeliner

Have you seen all of the gorgeous wing tipped eyeliner going around? Well, this was my week's Pinspiration! {pinned here}

I finally tried it, and I absolutely LOVE it!!! It's so classy! I feel like I stepped out of an old movie. What? Audrey Hepburn? Where!?! Maybe I can borrow her red lipstick. (Haven't purr-fected that one yet...still on the hunt for that perfect red!)

Wanna know how to do it? It's a lot easier than you think! Start on your weaker side, it's easier to keep them even that way. And have some q-tips and eye makeup remover ready for touch-ups...just in case.

{source}

Or...if you need more instruction, here's a youtube video on it!

Well, have fun! Go bring out that inner kitten, baby!

Notice Anything Different???

Oh! And don't forget about the giveaway from Sunshine Designs this week!!! It ends on Sunday!

Do You PicMonkey?

Oh....hallelujah. Were you a Picnic user? Were you devastated when Picnic decided to leave us hanging in the dark, cold, edit-less world? Oh...I was! In the meantime I've been learning how to use Photoshop, and so far I think I have it figured out. PHEW!!!

BUT. And what a big but this is. HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT PicMonkey!?!

I just found out about it, and it was too good to not share! I think it just started up and is still in the baby stage, but if you used Picnik, you'll LOOOOVE PicMonkey. It's basically the same thing!!! It's free, it's fun, and it's easy to use! 

It does pretty much all of the same things that the Picnik you used to know and love does! 

In fact...if I didn't know any better I would think it WAS made by the same people as Picnik. Gosh...IS IT!?! Either way, I love it. 

 

I edited this one of Aaron yesterday. It had been raining ALLLL DAY. The worms were out of the ground "swimming" in the puddles. When Aaron looked outside he suddenly looked very distraught. "MOM! Look at the worms! I think they're drowning! I have to put on my boots and get outside to save them!" And so, he did. Every single one in our driveway. Oh how I love my tenderhearted boy. He makes my heart happy. :)

Want to know what else makes my heart happy? SURPRISES. My husband came home from work in the middle of the day to change the windshield wipers on the van. IN THE RAIN. He was so busted. :) In a good way.

See? Too good not to share. :) Because YOU make my heart happy, too.

Have fun!

Sunshine Designs Shop and Giveaway!

One of my FAVORITE things about blogging is the friends that I make. I'd like to introduce you to Kim, one of the first blog friends I made when I decided to enter into the craft blog world. She has been so supportive and fun, and I really cherish her friendship! This girl is AWESOME. And I am lucky enough to get to share some of her awesomeness with you!

She is doing a giveaway here on NatSprat of not just one item, but two!  (I know, right!?!) The winner of this giveaway will win a set of her new Springtime Slouchy Hats! You will win a matching adult beanie and a toddler size beanie. Aren't they adorable!?! It would be a great little Mother's Day gift to you or a friend!

 and from the back..

She also has her very own super cute shop!




You can also find her at etsy HERE!

This is where you can get her many BEAUTIFUL creations! Want to see what she does? And these aren't even all of them!  You can also pick your own yarn colors for everything. I have one of her ear warmers with the flower (pictured upper right hand corner) and I seriously LOVE it!!! Mine is in fusha with a cream flower, and it is absolutely gorgeous!

,

Here's how to enter! (One entry for each thing you do!)

1. Go to the Sunshine Designs shop and tell me what your favorite item is

2. Follow NatSprat

3. Follow Kim's blog Little Rays of Sunshine

3. Post this giveaway on Facebook

4. Tweet this giveaway

That's 4 different ways to enter! Be sure to leave a comment for each thing you do. :)

This giveaway will end on Sunday, May 13th.On your mark....get set...go!

Favorite Things Friday

Happy Friday!!! Oh, how I love Fridays. Our school district has a 4 day week, so it's nice to get a 3 day weekend with the kids. Ready to see my favorite things of the week? Here we go!

 

 I got this scent INTO THE WILD at Bath and Body Works and I am seriously digging it. Usually I don't like the perfumy flavors, I'm more of a fruit scent gal. But this? This smells SOOOO good! If you like Clinique Happy, you'd like this. It's a light, clean, not super sweet scent. It smells like a trendy expensive perfume!

 

Are you potty training? Going on a vacation? This fold up potty seat has been a lifesaver! My 2 year old daughter is afraid of the giant cave of a potty bowl and used to REFUSE to use the potty anywhere but at home where she has her regular potty chair thing. I saw this at Walmart and thought we'd give it a try, and it's been awesome. It folds up nice and small and has a carrying case so you can carry it in your diaper bag or purse or whatever! I know...I know...you are probably thinking EEEEW, GROSS. But, I have those disinfectant wipes that I use to wipe it down with before I put it back away. And I would rather clean the folding potty seat than take Kate around town after she's peed her pants. ;)

 ZUMBA, baby!!! Have you joined the party yet? If not, you have GOT to! My SIL, Kathy is a Zumba instructor (she's freaking awesome) and I have got to tell you, I didn't know that working out could be so much fun! Since I started, I have lost 8 pounds and really shrunk down and toned up. The class goes by really fast and you sweat like crazy, which means you ARE working. But it just feels like you're at a dance party! Good times, my friend. Good times.

 I used these in my Teacher Appreciation gift, "It's O-FISH-AL, You are the best teacher EVER!". Totally cheesy, I know. But she loved it. And of course I ate a few. And oh.my.gosh. These things are GOOOOOOD! I guess it's a good thing I go to Zumba...I've got to burn these things off somehow.

If you were to come to my house right now, it would smell like this. YUMMMM. It's a perfect scent for spring going into summer...it smells nice and tropical-ish! I'm not a Scentsy distributor, but if you know one I totally recommend this scent!

And that covers it for my Favorite Things Friday! Have a FABULOUS weekend, my friends!