Beauty Tips Without Breaking the Bank

I enjoy a good beauty tip, but I love it even more when it's something I already have around the house or it's a cheap (but good) buy.

Some of my favorite beauty tips are only a few bucks and they actually work!

Toothpaste is something everyone already has laying around the house. What is it good for? You probably already know of this trick, but it's the best for curing zits! For some reason, I still get zits... I thought that was supposed to stop after high school (wishful thinking). So, when I notice that I'm getting one, I'll apply a dab of toothpaste to the spot and leave it on overnight. Not only does it help reduce redness, but it actually helps zap the zit!

Baking Soda is also something most people have in their kitchen. Baking soda is good for all kinds of things, including sour stomach, keeping your fridge smelling fresh, and baking. But did you know that baking soda is a natural teeth whitener? I started applying a glob of baking soda paste (about a tablespoon of baking soda + a little bit of water or lemon juice) to my teeth for about a minute before I brush them at night before bed. I will brush my teeth with toothpaste plus the baking soda glob already on my teeth to give it a good scrub to get the (coffee and red wine) stains out. So far, so good! Not to mention, this stuff is cheeeap! Much cheaper than a professional whitening session or those pesky whitening strips, which cause so much sensitivity to my teeth.

Exfoliating Mitt or Glove. These. Things. Are. Amazing! I was gifted one at Christmas, and I love it.  For around/under $10, you can exfoliate your skin, which will make it oh-so-soft (and who doesn't love soft skin). These are also great to have around if you are a self tanner, like I am. Self tanner always applies best to exfoliated skin.

Aussie 3-Minute Miracle. This is a great extra conditioner without breaking the bank. I have really fine hair, so I only use it at the most once a week, otherwise my hair retains too much product and doesn't style very well. This stuff really shines and softens my hair, making it look as if I had a conditioning treatment done at the salon. It's really easy and cheap, like under $5 cheap. Your hair will thank you!

Charcoal and Sugar Scrub Mask. The Houston air is so polluted, so I always feel so refreshed after a good exfoliation. The sugar in this mask is a great scrub for my face, while the charcoal opens and cleans out pores - who know charcoal was great for the skin! After I use this mask, my skin feels so clean and soft. I got this at Ulta for a few bucks, and only use it about 3 times a week.

Vaseline. After I had baby B, my lips have been so dry. I typically use the EOS lip balm, but it wasn't cutting it for me. So, I picked up a small thing of Vaseline for dry lips, and I'm hooked! I also like to put Vaseline on my cuticles after I've washed my hands, which gives my nails a fresh appearance.

So, these are my favorite, yet affordable beauty tips! I hope I was able to share a tip or two with you that you didn't already know. :)

I'd love to hear some of your favorite beauty tips without breaking the bank!

Patio Revamp

When you drink your coffee in the morning, where do you picture yourself drinking it? Me, I'd be drinking my coffee every morning on the beach in St. Lucia... but since that isn't going to happen any time soon, I find my self drinking my coffee in my kitchen staring into my backyard dreaming of a perfect patio -- where I'd ideally like to enjoy my morning cup of coffee.

Ever since we had our pergola built, I've been itching to spruce up our patio! Coming from a family who has always had the best outdoor space for hanging out, I feel like ours is a total bore... We have some hand-me-down patio furniture that has been great so far, but I would really like something a little more us - nothing too fancy, though... I'm all about simple & comfortable! I'm loving everything blue right now.

table | pillows | planters | chair & fire pit set | lantern

With a couple of plants and succulants, I think these few pieces would make the perfect place to enjoy a morning cup of java or even an evening glass of wine with the hubs. We already have some outdoor string lights from Target, which we love! They provide the perfect amount of light and add so much (for such little cost) to our patio.

I'd love to use our outdoor space more than we currently do - which is hardly ever (can I blame this on the Texas head & humidity?). We really only get out there if we have friends and/or family over, or to watch the dogs run wild, which baby B loves! Maybe if we fix up the space and make it more inviting and comfortable, we'll be out there more often.

I would love to get this space revamped sometime in the near future, especially come fall time - which is our best weather here in Texas. But until then, I'll be enjoying my coffee in my kitchen daydreaming about the patio!

Our Weekend Recap

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July weekend! We started ours on Friday with a trip to the park with 'Aunt Emmy' for some outdoor time and a picnic. Baby B got to watch people kayak and see tons - and I mean TONS - of ducks! After the park, we met up with a friend who has a sweet two-and-a-half month old baby boy. It's crazy how small he is compared to baby B! Those two will be best buds. :)

Saturday we had some friends over for a shrimp boil and fireworks. Even though I was some what under the weather (thanks to dusting... which I've vowed to never dust again...stupid allergies), I'd say it was a great night. Baby B only woke up a few times due to the really loud fireworks (and his dang sleep regression), so I'd say that was a success. I wonder how he'll be next year when it comes to fireworks...

Sunday we walked down to the neighborhood pool to watch the parade and enjoy some hot-dogs and snow-cones. Baby B even got a little taste of Dadda's snow-cone! We ended the long weekend with some delicious lime marinated beef tacos topped with my favorite black bean & corn salsa. Taco Sunday might have to become a weekly thing in our house. 

Oh, I'm totally over this heat by the way.... Fall/cooler temps, you can come anytime now. :)

Here's to a wonderful week!

Fourth of July

Moccasins

The Fourth of July is just around the corner!

There's some really adorable red, white, and blue outfits out there - baby B has this one, but I'm loving this casual look (I swear Old Navy and the Gap are going to make me go broke...). The sun is hotter than ever right now, so sunglasses and hats are a must! I'm really hoping to hit up the pool during the holiday. We've only been once since it's opened, so I'm determined to get out there - baby B would look very festive in this red and blue swimsuit - but if we don't, then one of these would be so much fun now that baby B is starting to sit up all by himself.

I really want to make this Heirloom Tomato Capresse Salad, it looks so light and refreshing for summertime (not to mention, SUPER easy). And I can't forget about dessert - this summer strawberry shortcake looks cute and delicious.

We're hoping to have a small get together that evening, where we'll have some cold drinks - or maybe even a Bomb Pop Shot - and a shrimp/crawfish boil. Then sit in the front yard and watch the neighbors shoot off fireworks. What are your plans for the Fourth of July weekend ahead?