{DIY} Low/No Cost Care Package/Gift

City Girl #2 turned 25 in October (see our dual NYC celebration here).  She had asked for and received her gifts early this year but I still wanted to send her something to open since we wouldn't be together on her actual birthday.

I did a little searching around the interwebs for low and no cost gifts but most of the ideas were crafts and I didn't want to add any more "stuff" to her apartment.

Here's what I came up with by shopping my house and using a little creativity:

•  Food items that I knew she'd like or need (like pasta)
•  My favorite pens
• Tea lights and matches (you're alllowed to mail strike on the box matches)
• Treats for her kitty
• One of my old albums. We both love Stevie Nicks and she would get more use out of it than I would currently
• Household items--like batteries. I also padded the box with paper towels and toilet paper (they didn't count in the 25 gifts!) :)
• A box of my favorite tea
• A book from a Little Free Library that I thought she might like
•  One of my necklaces that I no longer wear--we are both October babies so I gave her an opal necklace
• A pair of unused compression socks. I had ordered some for my trip to India and had an extra pair.
• An airtight storage container that I wasn't using and knew she coud use
• Some of my Cinnamon Chip Scones
• Shout Wipes
• Stickers
• A dark chocolate bar that we hadn't used for s'mores over the summer....You get the idea! It was amazing how many things I started to come up with.

 I was able to gather 25 items together for her to open.  I put a little note on each one and then wrapped them all up.

They box was pretty large but wasn't that expensive to mail.  She loved it and it did my mama heart good!  What are some things you'd add to the list of low/no cost thoughtful gift items?

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Beauty (and other) Gifts That I Got For Christmas

I was a lucky lady this Christmas and got quite a few new-to-me beauty products in my stocking.  I think Mr. Click had some help from his daughters  elves in picking out things for me.  Here are some of the goodies that I received.

Beija Flor Elasti-Cream

This lotion is super thick and I wasn't sure about the fragrance at first, it's kind of strong but it dissipates after it has been applied and is much lighter and fresh.

Mooncat Metallic Nail Polish

I can't wait to try this metallic nail polish that I got from City Girl #2. It comes with a metallic wand to position the glitter. Wowza!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes Waterproof Mascara

I love my Thrive mascara but this is a new one that I'll be trying when I need to open a new tube of mascara.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

I've been using this lip sleeping mask every night. It's super hydrating and I love the light vanilla flavor.

Frenshe Hydrating Hand Cream

This hand lotion is in Ashley Tisdale's line of skin care. I keep it next to my bed and I've been using it every night.  My hands feel soft in the morning.

Olaplex Hair Repair Treatment Kit

I love me some Olaplex and having been using it since my birthday last year. It's nice to get restocked (from CG #2).

Foldable 3 in 1 Charging Station

I was also gifted (from CG #2) this handy dandy 3 in 1 charging station for my Iphone, Apple Watch and Airpods. Cool!

Sleepy Body Cream

Ocean Salt Scrub

I love everything from LUSH.  The Sleepy line is so dreamy (for real) and the Ocean Salt scrub makes me feel like I'm at a tropical spa.

Keap Wild Figs Candle

City Girl #2 also got me this very bougie candle. The container can be reused as a wine tumbler when the candle is done burning (and when Dry January is over). 

leopard sweater

I asked for this cute and comfy sweater from Target. It is so soft, I've worn it on repeat lately.

ribbed turtleneck

I also requested and received this brown turtleneck from Old Navy. You can never have too many turtlenecks in my opinion.

Norm Architects Bottle Salt & Pepper Grinder Set

I've been loving this new salt and pepper grinder set and love how they look on the counter too.

Sephora Pomegranate Eye Mask(also got the Cucumber)

Sephora Vitamin E Mask (also got the Vitamin C)

I got a nice selection of face and eye masks in my stocking as well.   I'm excited to try them out!

Mejuri Gemstone Ear Jacket Studs

These cool ear jacket adjustable studs were a surprise and I love them!!  So versatile! 

I really was spoiled this year and I'm so grateful for everything I received! What was your favorite gift that you received?

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{DIY} Yoga Mat Cleaner

This was a quick and easy gift idea that I made for my daughters and my BFF (and one for me!).

My yoga studio used to make their own mat cleaner and I was able to find a lot recipes online to create my own.

The basic ingredients are: Distilled water, alcohol free witch hazel(I used Thayers brand), tea tree oil and other anti bacterial essential oils of your choice. I used  a lavender and peppermint blend.   You could also use lemongrass and/or eucalyptus.

I found these cute glass spray bottles that were 4 ounces and mixed each batch up in a measuring cup.

To make: I used 3 ounces of distilled water, 1 ounce of witch hazel,  20 drops of tea tree oil and 10 drops each of the lavender and peppermint essential oils. I used a funnel to fill up the bottles.

I had plenty to make 4 bottles worth and lots of leftover for refills.

I labeled the bottles and added some bakers twine 

I love having (and gifting) an all natural yoga mat cleaner.

To use the yoga mat cleaner: Shake bottle then spray  a light coat over the yoga mat and wipe with a clean cloth.   

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{Beauty} Trying out Nail Wraps

I got a set of these heat activated nail wraps for Christmas from City Girl. 

I've seen them on her and they always look so nice and I was excited to try them out.

 The "before" of my nails --not too pretty.

 I gathered the supplies they suggest: nail  polish remover, nail file, cuticle stick and a hair dryer.  I followed the directions on the package. The steps are fairly easy and straight forward.
1) Clean nails with nail polish and gently push back cuticle.
2) Pick the size wrap for you nail.
3) Heat the wrap for 30 seconds or so and remove from the backing.
4) Apply to nail and give it another shot of the hair dryer. It becomes very pliable and soft when heated.
5) Smooth out the wrap on the nail.
6) Lightly file the excess wrap off the end of the nail and you're done!

 They're not perfect but I was pretty happy with how they turned out for my first time.

The set comes with enough wraps to do an entire mani/pedi and costs about $10. I did my toes too but I didn't get a photo. To remove the wraps, gently warm with a hair dryer and peel off.  This is the brand I used.  Have you tried nail wraps?

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Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! Here are some of my favorite things lately...

Gift Fruit Box:We received this lovely box of winter fruit in the mail. What a great New Year's surprise!

The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi:  I'm trying to keep my reading up this year and this book was a great addition to my list.

From Amazon-"In Kabul, 2007, with a drug-addicted father and no brothers, Rahima and her sisters can only sporadically attend school, and can rarely leave the house. Their only hope lies in the ancient custom of bacha posh, which allows young Rahima to dress and be treated as a boy until she is of marriageable age. As a son, she can attend school, go to the market, and chaperone her older sisters.

But Rahima is not the first in her family to adopt this unusual custom. A century earlier, her great-great grandmother, Shekiba, left orphaned by an epidemic, saved herself and built a new life the same way.

Crisscrossing in time, The Pearl the Broke Its Shell interweaves the tales of these two women separated by a century who share similar destinies. But what will happen once Rahima is of marriageable age? Will Shekiba always live as a man? And if Rahima cannot adapt to life as a bride, how will she survive?"

{source}

Bling Wash: My pal Jessica sent me this link and I've been cleaning my jewelry this way ever since.

My Recipe Index: I've been revisiting some of my old faves in my newly organized Recipe Index in an attempt to get out of my cooking rut.

I made a pot of this Slow Cooker Taco Soup last week and enjoyed it the whole week.

 I also made a pot of this Crock Pot Split Pea Soup recently.  Give me all of the soups!

 I reworked my Tater Tot Hot Dish and swapped out the tofu for some beef-less crumbles and it was GOOD and Mr. Click approved! Recipe to come.

The Homemade Vegan Pantry by Miyoka Schinner: I picked up this book at the library and there are so many things I want to try and make from scratch-like vegan yogurt, butter, bacon and cheese.

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Christmas Gifts

I was very spoiled this year and here are a few of the presents that I had on my wish list  (and actually received!).

Magnetic Letter Board I wanted a letter board that didn't lose its letters easily. This  one is magnetic and the perfect size.

Double Ring Belt I love this belt from Nordstrom. I think I need it in brown now too!

Mini Popover Pan My dad made THE BEST popovers and I'm trying to replicate his for my family. This pan makes mini popovers and they are so cute!  Do you  know what popovers are?

Final Straw reusable travel straw. It folds up easily in my purse so I always have a straw with me wherever I go.

Reusable Mesh Drawstring Produce Bags Now if I could just remember them when I go shopping!

What was your favorite gift this season? Did you see my Holiday Highlights?

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Goodie Bags to Go

I think by now you guys know my (unofficial) love language is care packages. 

We were going up to visit College Girl over Valentine's Day and planned to take her and her friends out to dinner one night while we were there.  My brain immediately went into planning to make up little goodie bags for the girls.

I made a double batch of thick  Giradelli brownies (*sub coconut oil for canoloa oil--it is super yummy that way!*)

I also picked up some little things for the bags.  I hit the Dollar Tree for supplies and found the cozy socks at TJ Maxx.   Each girl got a pair of cozy socks, a sheet mask, highlighter, Hershey Kisses, Dove chocolates and brownies.  We handed them out at a dinner and they were so surprised and appreciative. 

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College Care Package

This was the first college care package I put together for College Girl since she's been stateside.  Shipping internationally is crazy expensive, so I'm happy to have her back in the States!

You don't want to know what we spent to ship this one!

International College Care Package

 I managed to fit a lot of items in the medium flat rate box.  I took some of the packaging off to make it easier to fit in the box.

Snack packs

Coconut rice

Unicorn lip gloss

Clorox Wipes

Rhino jewelry dish

GFB mini bars

Llama socks

Popping Valentines  (for her friends)

Sheet mask

Fox shaped hot/cold pack

Mini stapler and staples

Tea

Pom pom decorations

All wrapped up and ready to go. Of course I used my new tape dispenser to tape it up.   She loved it all!

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