Summatime.

I have been feeling guilty about not taking mice pictures of Hudson lately. I catch a few of these moments on my phone, but nothing compares to those 18 megapixels and fancy lenses.

We are in a heat advisory, and making the most of it. Thank you Wal-mart $21 purchase.

My little water baby. Stay cool, my friends

{S}

My Grandma

I came home tonight to an empty home.

No beautiful little woman sitting on her red couch, watching golden girls, looking up at me when I walk in saying "theres my love!".

Notice the red couch

No one to tell "I love you roomie" as she shuffles to the stairs to head to bed. 

Tomorrow morning, when I walk up from my room, She won't be there with her cute little smile, as she looks up from her bible.

I have absolutely no words to describe how unbelievably blessed I was to live with my grandma for 6 months. My grandma is moving on to better care in an assisted living home. Walking in to this empty home... it really hit me. 

 Holding my niece Francesca

As I sit here in my grandpas favorite chair, looking at an empty red couch, I really miss her. My Grandma.

Jesus, You are good. Jesus, You are faithful. 

It is all pure selfishness that I want her to stay here. But we all know this is whats best for her. She is in SUCH good hands!! I think my entire family is glad my superhero Auntie M found such an amazing home. 

I'm not sure if I've said this before but, I have the most amazing family. Ever. I have these crazy aunts who would do just about anything for anybody! If I grow up to be like them when I'm older, I'll know I did SOMETHING right!

I realize this isn't it. Grandma lives just 20 minutes away. I'm still going to go and watch our golden girls and the odd couple together. Bring her some chocolates that I know she loves. Talk about how much we love those swiffer commercials with the cute old couple... you know what I'm talking about!! And try and soak up as much of her wisdom as I can! 

I pray for a marriage like theirs.

Jesus, give my grandma peace as she has her first night away from her home. Give my entire family peace tonight.  

I love you so much Grandma!!

{L}

Sayonara 25!!

Today is my last day of being 25.

 

25 has been good to me.

 

25 I bought a car, I moved out of my parents home and in with my grandma and was able to spend some amazing quality time with my grandma, I worked with/met some absolutely amazing women at my salon, I had 2 more beautiful nieces born, I was trained in by the master himself, and my bestest friends Molly and Ryan moved 5 minutes away from me. I worked like an adult and played like a kid.  

 

25 was challenging though. A lot of emotions. 25 I lost my grandpa but moved in with grandma.  I fell hard for a man and had my heart broken but loved my Jesus that much more. I found myself so consumed with hair and work that I wasn't always the best friend I should have been. My family has been a hot mess this year. And holy crap was 25 expensive!!

 

But...25 has been so good to me. Through all of those experiences and challenges, I grew up a lot. I learned a lot. I matured a lot. Sure did cry a lot but also loved a lot.

 

Even though she is a bajillion miles away (ok ok... more like an hour and a half), Sara has always been there for me. Whether or not she knew it...She always had my back. She's always been my constant, my best friend, my sister... She's my person. No matter how many miles away we are from each other, she will always be a part of my life in the biggest way possible. I can't do life without her!

 

Best Birthday present. Ever.

 

 

 

 

Ok 26... I'm not exactly ready for you yet but, you're coming anyways! Might as well make the most of you! 

 

I can feel it... 26 is gonna be exciting!

Here's just a few things I want to do before 27:

*Go skydiving

*Live completely on my own, own apartment (preferably St Paul)

*Find/get involved in an awesome church

*Buy a motorcycle

*Travel

*Take TONS of advanced training classes for hair! Better my talent

*Love a lot

*run a half marathon

*Live in the moments

 

 

 

 

Here's a recap of my 25

 

My Dean girls

 

My Signe Ramona

 

Color Run with my salon girls

 

4th of July with the besties! Lollypie!

 

My Grandpa...Miss you!!

 

California...1st vaca in 6 years!!

 

 

 

 

 

Oh yea, 25 has been good to me...

 

{L}





 

 





 

 

Homemade Natural Deodorant pt 2

I am going to reference back to a post I wrote on natural deodorant (here). I have been using this stuff for two years now and still love it.

 I knew it wasn't as strong as I would have preferred, and I heard a rumor about Young Living Purification oil and how it can be used as a deodorant. I immediately went for my go to oil (coconut) and mixed 5 drops Purification with a half baby food jar of coconut oil. I layer that on first, followed by the natural powder I use from the above-mentioned post. It's now my daily routine and I love how it works!

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Homemade Natural Laundry Detergent | What I Use & Why

You've probably seen many different recipes for homemade laundry detergent, both dry and liquid. I have never used dry detergent myself, so I chose the liquid.

The most common recipe for the liquid world is a mixture of Fels Naptha, Borax and Super Washing Soda. I  used this my very first time making the detergent and made the whopping 5 gallons. After about 2 weeks, my  stored gallons became gloppy and disgusting. I didn't even end up using it all.

The next time I went to make the detergent, I had the Fels Naptha bar in my hand. A friend of mine interested in keeping things natural, said to me, "What's in that little bar you have there." I looked.

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A little vague and mysterious if you ask me- nothing I wanted on mine, or my son's skin. So I kicked the little 99 cent bar of soap to the curb and did some research. I wanted something that was safe for Hudson's clothes, yet strong enough to clean our clothes.

I came across the Dr. Bronner's bar soap recipe, the same, just with a natural bar of soap. I wasn't a fan of this- The soap was REALLY white and left big white marks on all of our clothes. I also didn't feel like our clothes were very clean. I did, however, make this in a one gallon batch and really liked that.

I have always wanted to try the Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castille Soap, but the price always deterred me. I saw it at Trader Joe's for  9.99 (Target 18.99- amazon was more expensive than Trader Joe's as well). I decided to give it a try.

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The recipe for this type was more simple and less time consuming. Win. It didn't leave white spots on my clothes. Win again. I used peppermint, and my clothes didn't smell like peppermint when they were done washing. Another win. Just fresh and clean!

**A tip I highly recommend- First turn the water on HOT in the washer and let it run into your measuring cup, then turn the temperature to what is recommended. The Borax and Super Washing Soda haven't stayed dissolved for me. They dissolve instantly in hot water.

Ingredients:
1/2 c Borax
1/2 c Super Washing Soda (Different from Baking Soda)
1/2 c Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap (Your favorite scent)
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If you like Essential Oils, Young Living's Purification is a great oil to add when it has cooled. 5 Drops should be sufficient for a gallon batch.
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In your desired container, pour in the Borax and Super Washing Soda. Mix the dry powders well. Add HOT tap water and stir vigorously until completely dissolved. Then add the Castile Soap. Stir. Makes about a gallon. ( I use an old laundry detergent container) Let it sit overnight.

Use 1/3 c of detergent per load.

Grandpa & Grandma's

We're visiting Grandma and Grandpa's new place this weekend. 

 It's on a small private lake, and Hudson loves every part of it.

It's our new home away from home! I will be sharing my mom's magazine worthy before and after photos of the home soon!

Homeward bound tomorrow!

{S}

Shower Cleaning Made A Little Easier

I stopped going on pinterest for a while. So much to do and so little time. I didn't have time to be sucked in to pinning a million different pins.

One day, I decided to make pinterest work for me, instead of against me. I decided that I would actually use the valuable information- not just place it on a back burner of my ever-growing boards. I came across this little treasure (might I add with the instructions IN the caption, my fav!) and decided to actually do it. I put it together, loved it, and ACTUALLY use it! I also added a young living essential oil twist. Getting excited to what it is?

Here is one of the many sites that provide this- I just had to share as well! I am TERRIBLE at routine cleaning outside of my kitchen. So when I saw this, it was a no brainer. Where has this been all of my life! You keep it in your shower. After each shower, wipe down the sides and the tub. Plus, my version is chemical free! I also use it in my bathroom sink. Works so well and so simple!

Here is what you need:

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Use a 1:1 ration with this and keep it in your shower! I promise you will love it! After trying this (yes, it works great without the oil too!) I had to, of course, incorporate young living oils! I added a couple drops of  lemon for the antibacterial properties and a great fresh scent! 

Happy cleaning!

The Party {Vintage Carnival}

Hudson's first birthday was a fun labor of love- I crashed hard afterwards!

Amazing people traveled the distance to celebrate our little one year old and I am so grateful to all of you.

 

Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen and shared their ideas! My months of planning certainly paid off! If you like the theme, I have links from etsy shops, tips, and recipes galore- and I am willing to share! 

 

{S}

Partying at The Funky Polkadot and You're going to love it