body scrubs

Willing Wednesday....Coffee Scrub

1:00 AM



                           With age comes wisdom and sometimes a little more then hoped for. Now dimples on cheeks are adorable but dimples on our other set of cheeks well I can do with out. Time to get on to a remedy. Now I did spare you a photo of my cheeks but here is some information.

*Cellulite's enemy is caffeine, which tightens and provides antioxidants to the skin when applied topically. When applied religiously, it has been shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite—especially over time. Here I combine coffee grounds with moisturizing, skin-soothing coconut oil and a bit of sea salt for an extra exfoliating kick. By massaging this scrub onto my problem area, you'll stimulate blood flow resulting in smoother, firmer skin. So I've read.

Here's what you need

* 1 cup coffee grounds
* 6 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
* 3 tbsp sugar
* 1/8 tsp of cinnamon (unless your skin is extremely sensitive)
* empty jar

Mix together, and in the shower, apply your scrub to areas with cellulite. Massage the scrub onto skin in a circular motion before rinsing. Repeat every time you shower for best results.

Now does it work? I have used it for 2 weeks and have noticed my "cheeks and thighs" have looked firmer and smooth. Do I recommend the scrub? Absolutely and when used in the morning the coffee smell does a great job waking you up.

Is this something you think you would try? Let me know your thoughts.

Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram at The Everyday Quaintrelle



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Plus, it doesn't smell too bad either.

Gluten Free

Tasty Tuesday...Eggplant Lasanga

1:00 AM


I have seen this little video floating around facebook. It looked scrumptious so naturally I had to try it. My verdict???? Delicious! I loved it. Here is the video for the recipe and then underneath are my photos. Highly recommend.















Do you like eggplant? Do you think you will be trying this? Let me know.

Be sure to follow me on facebook and Instagram at The Everyday Quaintrelle






Fashion Friday

Fashion Friday...The Scent of a Lady and a Giveaway!

1:00 AM




                                            
                                                 The Scent of a Lady
                                                             and a
                                                        Giveaway
                                       From The Everyday Quaintrelle


       
 Over the years my scents have changed I still remember my first perfume I ever bought; it was Electric Youth. Do you remember that one? It was fashioned after Debbie Gibson’s song. I wore or more like drenched myself in that scent.


My next two that I used to keep in rotation was Baby Love Soft and Navy.




Years went by and I began to go through changes, not knowing who I was exactly. Wasn’t until my mid-twenties did I start looking at perfume again. It all sparked when my mother came by to visit and when I hugged her I smelled her, I embraced her and was flooded with childhood memories all from a simple scent. The scent of a lady, and that lady was my mother. The scent brought back emotions and warm feelings. I remember thinking I want to have that same feeling. I want when I am away my scent to linger. To evoke warm feelings, and happy thoughts. Especially now as a mother. My children come in close and hug, cuddle, sit in my lap and they always come in closer to inhale mommy. They always say how they love how I smell.  My first adult scent was Ralph Lauren Romance. I wore it for 15 years. It wasn’t until I was in Nordstrom just lingering around the perfume did I fall in love with another scent Jo Malone. To this day though when I am out and about and happen to smell Ralph Lauren Romance it evokes such happy feelings and memories of new beginnings. It truly is a special scent.

Now it is a personal decision to wear perfume and I will not nag you if you should or should not wear perfume. I can only say I personally love to wear it, I love having my own scent, something that lingers. So instead here are some simple ways to wear it and make it effective.  How to honor your fragrance by wearing it in the most beautiful and long-lasting way.

 *Pulse Points. A good opening strategy for applying fragrance is to recognize your pulse points. Much is said about these concentrated zones, but why are they significant and where are they all? “Spraying pulse points will cause perfume to radiate more strongly from the extra blood heat in those areas. They would be behind the ear, around the neck and on the throat, wrists and ankles.

*Your hair! Hair is porous so fragrance molecules permeate for longer than on skin. Spray on clean hair only for great tenacity and diffusion. This goes for the tops of your wrists too; while the underneath is indeed a warm pulse point, the forearms have porous hairs that cling onto fragrance very well, and you’re less likely to rinse it off that area when you wash your hands. But never, ever use fragrance as a substitute for washing!

* Your clothes. There is something so comforting about your own lingering perfume released from the weave of a shawl or scarf– a long, deep inhalation can be quite the escape to the hectic world around you. Keep it light and fresh.

* Layering! It isn’t a scam when the associates try to persuade you to buy the body wash, lotion and powder. It is to layer up the fragrance.  The fragrance is always essentially the same, but each product will emanate a different version of it, beginning a trail if you wish.



So with all that said how about a giveaway.  Who would like to win a fragrance. A dear favorite.


It's a great way to try a fragrance or maybe it is one of your favorites already. Here are the rules for the giveaway.



3. Share my page on Facebook

4. Regram my Giveaway on Instagram

5. Comment what your favorite fragrance is.

Drawing will be on Valentines Day





          

Gluten Free

Tasty Tuesday....Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake (Low Carb)

3:00 AM

                                

                         The Everyday Quaintrelle

                                                   Tasty Tuesday


Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Snack



Ingredients:



1/4 cup of frozen strawberries

3 ounces of cream cheese

1/2 tsp of pure stevia extract
1/8 tsp of lemon extract
1/8 tsp of vanilla extract
a drop of almond extract
add some sugar free chocolate (I use Lilly’s Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate)

 Place all the ingredients in a Nutribullet or food processer and blend together. Scape into a bowl I add shavings of more Lilly’s Chocolate and easy peasy lemon squeesy.



Here is a photo of the chocolate…I find it at my local (Stop and Shop) grocery store, but available on Amazon.


Lily's Dark Chocolate with Stevia Extra Dark 2.8 oz








etiquette

Manners & Etiquette Monday.....Gym Etiquette

9:08 PM




                               January being a month of resolutions and usually fitness resolutions rounding off as some of the top ones. I thought it would be nice to have a little reminder on Gym Etiquette. So my ode to you lovelies who are new to the gym, who are re-sparking the gym or even those who a long timers but aren't sure about all and all.

*Eau de DON'T
Perfume and cologne is lovely and I adore it so, but there is a time and place for everything. Now drenching yourself with your favorite La Vie Est Belle perfume and your neighbor a few machines down prefers Jo Malone. Now add a few more hundred people and their favorites fragrances along with a healthy dose of sweat. Well then doesn't that just smell lovely. Proper gym etiquette would be to wear deodorant and be done until after your session and shower.

*Check yourself twice.
I see it to often women and men wearing items that are not to be worn for working out. I've seen men wearing jeans, and women wear entirely see through tights that were clearly mistaken as yoga pants. Constantly getting flashed by your hot pink panties are not your intent ( unless it is) is not typically the environment you want to set yourself or those around you. Proper gym etiquette would have you check your attire twice from every angle before hitting the gym.

*Not time to be a superstar
When taking classes at the gym it can be loads of fun getting into the groove. Yet constantly overdoing it, making up your own routine despite the instructor is a bit to much. If you are interested in being a leader in a class then consider asking the gym if they are hiring. Proper Gym Etiquette would allow the instructor to shine considering it is their class and not you.

*Be Honest
If you are new be sure to tell the instructor before the class that you are. Or if you have a specific injury let them know also. They are there to help you and can suggest modifications to help you not get yourself hurt. Also if you are new to a gym usually be sure to have an employee to go over equipment with you. Everyone was a newbie once. Better to learn to do things correctly versus getting hurt.

*Selfie Nation
I understand we live in a selfie generation. I have been guilty of some, but please be aware of your selfies. Taking a selfie while holding up your shirt in the mirror of your six pack screams self-absorbed. There is a difference between self absorbed and pride in your achievement...we just don't need to see it in the middle of the gym. Also be considerate in your selfie of the people around you. Not everyone appreciates being your social media. Proper Gym Etiquette would be to snap your photo when in the privacy of your home.

*No Hovering
Being mindful of personal space, and intimidating others while on machines.
Proper Gym Etiquette would be when people are working on the machines don't hover them as a bee. Allow them to breathe and do their routine at ease and not feel as if Sting is watching every move they make, and every step they take. When they are done the feel free to lay claim to that said machine.

*Clean after Yourself
When you are doe with your machine Proper Gym Etiquette would make sure you wipe down the machine with the proper cleaners usually provided by the gym. When you are sweating from everywhere your hands sweat too. So please be mindful of others and your sweat.

*Proper Spacing
When choosing your machine to work Proper Gym Etiquette would have you choose 2 machines down from the other members. Unless if  it packed and the only machine available is smack dab in the middle or empty enough to have the pick of the litter.

*Bubbler Time
Being considerate to others it's a running theme. Proper Gym Etiquette would be that if you are at the water bubbler and you have a jug to fill be aware. If there is someone behind you with no jug allow them to go before you, then fill up the jug

*Privacy
Respecting others privacy and honest your own. Be considerate of others. Not everyone can handle when others walk around in the nude. Makes them uncomfortable. Proper Gym Etiquette would have you cover up properly no matter how much of your body might resemble a greek god.

*It is not a Concert
As easy as it is to get caught up in a great sound the thing is not everyone wants to hear your lovely singing voice (or lack of in my case) Proper Gym Etiquette would have you work out fiercely and quietly.

*Last but not least
After you have established yourself and are much more comfortable at the gym be considerate if you see another newbie. Proper Gym Etiquette would have you honor them and possibly give them a helping hand.

Do you have any to suggest? What are your pet peeves at the gym? Did I miss one, do you have a question? Let me know.

(image from Projectionhub)



Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram @The Everyday Quaintrelle

10 item wardrobe

Fashion Friday....Building my Ten Item Wardrobe

3:00 AM



                                                          My 10 Item Wardrobe

                     In last week's Fashion Chic Friday I briefly mentioned the 10 Item Wardrobe (or also known as a capsule wardrobe) I learned from reading Madame Chic Series  by Jennifer L Scott. Since reading her book originally I loved the idea of a minimum wardrobe with pieces of items work together to make your wardrobe look timeless. It is quite marvelous you see I no longer buy items spontaneously (which I had a bad habit of). I would constantly buying items that sometimes didn't work well with other items already in my wardrobe and then eventually after years of never wearing I eventually donated them. The wardrobe concept is based around having a few key pieces. Versatile to mix and match in your wardrobe to create multiple looks. Choosing only the items that you love and will wear often. Which leads to no longer stressing over what to wear due to the flexibility of the wardrobe.
                    Now your pieces are that your pieces. You can find quality items from high end stores, consignment store and even Target. It's understanding what your personal style is and catering to that look.   If you're worried about the effect frequent wear has on an item's condition, each article of clothing has a set life cycle, and constant use does not alter that. It becomes a decision of quality versus quantity. I do understand that it may sound a bit silly or even superficial but it does make life simpler and well we all have to get dressed might as well have a little order to it all.

Here are a few tricks to building your 10 Item Wardrobe

*Remove all the  clothes from your closet. Going through every item in your closet and ask yourself the following questions:
*Does this fit me?
*Is this age-appropriate?
*Is this my true style?
*Do I love this?
*Do I wear this?

If a piece doesn’t pass the test, get rid of it.

*Store seasonal items appropriately . If you can't wear any item at the moment due to being to cold or to hot then store it away. It becomes clutter.

 *Build your 10 Item Wardrobe with what made the cut and you are keeping.
  Example 2 pair of slacks, 2 pairs of jeans, 3 dresses, and 4 blouses.

 *Of course there is room for extras

Round out your wardrobe with t-shirts, sweaters, outerwear, special occasion wear, and accessories. These items don’t count towards your ten pieces.

*It's a mindset (remember)

No one will come knocking at your door if you have more than 10 "core"pieces. It’s okay to end up with more. Your true goal and benefits is to have a  reasonable size.

In my wardrobe I had been wanting a white special shirt. Well while I was out on an errand yesterday I stopped into Macy's which is closing there doors here where I live. Making the entire store on clearance. Now walking in and everything being from 30%- 75% off I could have lost my head and filled up my arms with lots of goodies. Understanding that I don't need everything that catches my eye I specifically looked for a white shirt that would fall under the invisible guideline I had set up for what I wanted.  I happily found one that exceeded my expectations. Here is my new addition, that I will be pairing with my slacks, and my A-line skirt. Here is a photo of my new wardrobe addition.




What are your opinions about a Ten Item Wardrobe? Is that something you do? Would be interesting in doing? Would love to hear your thoughts. Would you like more information and more posts regarding a chic ten item wardrobe? Examples? Glimpses into mine?



Be sure you follow me on Facebook@TheEverydayQuaintrelle
And Instagram






Encouragement

Thoughtful Thursday...Keeping a Queen Heart in a Not So Fairy-Tale World

3:00 AM




Wouldn't it be great  if we lived in a fairy-tale world?
The birds would wake us up in the morning chirping upbeat tunes. We could have beautiful gowns and jewels laid out for us everyday. Someone to draw my bath, "Yes more candles please!" and to fix my hair. A song would be hummed along through out the day. Of course a fairy godmother to grant us our every dream. What a lovely world. No struggles, never lose hope. "Snap" reality just knocked on my door.
"Melody wake up" "You don't live in a fairy-tale girl you live in real life"
Birds don't wake me up gently; instead my alarm blares much earlier then I wish. Beautiful gowns are not laid out for me. More like I stumble over my clumsy self and grab from a pile (I hope I washed). No bath drawn for me but a barely hot shower that makes me shiver on spurts of cold water.  No one to do my hair instead I fuss and fight to make it coroporate. And a fairy godmother? Right where I last saw her in fairy-tales.
I could easily become cynical about everything, be mean to everyone. Why not most of my days are spent chained to a washing machine, if not the kitchen sink. Usually covered in coffee stains and cheerios. On hold with some utility company or better yet a health insurance trying to straighten someone's mess. Then when at work we have the pleasure of dealing with selfish co-workers, employees, customers who swear they are right about everything. See it would be easy to become cynical. I'm here to ask you "Please don't!"
In no world will we ever be fully satisfied. There is always seductive and dangerous illusions that make it impossible to live consistently (Examples Snow White ate the apple, Sleeping Beauty touched the spindle, and it goes on and on). The difficulty in front of us is finding a place in-between. "A Place In This World" like Michael W Smith sang so wonderfully many years ago. A place where we can cultivate a true queens heart, full of dreams, wonder, delight, and joy right in the middle of this crazy, broken, hard to understand, disappointing world we live in.
So straighten your crown, gather your sword, and put on your best heels here are a few ways how I keep a queens heart in a not so fairy-tale world.
My greatest tool is faith. Now I know roll your eyes. I am not saying that faith in itself is  by no means an antidote to detours of life. That's why I (as a Christian woman) am not immune to building fake castles in the sky or feel trapped in the darkest dungeons. In fact faith can easily become a grand illusion when it is used to support false walls of a fake fairytale life. Nodding and pretending all is well and your faith is sky high and building your castles in the sky meanwhile you are hurting inside is not the faith I am referring to.
Equally dangerous is the real-world life cynicism full of ashes of burned-out religion that is in the deeper working of our delicate hearts. How do I know because I have been each of those examples. Instead of just giving up I threw up my hands and said I need help. I was open and honest with God telling him I don't want to be naïve a again and continue to get hurt but I also don't want to loose hope. I don't want to see things through the lenses of despair I want to see things rising. So now I carefully sift through every illusion and every reality to find elements of truth. It's when I feel like I need to settle on one of the extremes, faith shows me another way. It illuminates a new place, well actually it's an old place. It's a place that can only be seen with the eyes of the heart. It's a place where we see glimpses of the goodness of fairytales that seemed lost can fit into different view of reality. It's where the realities of our so called real world (moments that feel like pure hell) are framed in a way that lightens the darkness and removes the cynicism. It's a world where we learn to walk with a glass slipper over broken dreams. Faith can rekindle old dreams, and create new hopes. Sometimes even replace some of the old dreams we painfully watched die. Then discover unseen dreams that become bigger and more powerful than the ones we had such a hard time letting go. Faith that is stronger then despair. Faith that a mean person can not knock down. Stronger then a fleeting feeling that tells you that you are alone. Stronger than someone's opinion of you. Faith in knowing that your are precious, and wonderfully created. Faith strong enough that when you turn off the television you know that all things will work out. Faith in straightening your crown and being kind to the people who aren't kind. It's the point in when Faith becomes something more, it becomes love. The same love that God has for us, we start loving like him.  You see a queen always carries herself with grace and poise. She thinks first of her subjects and choices wisely on what is best. The world will constantly throw it's best hits. So along with faith here are a few practical ways of keeping a queens heart in a not so fairy-tale world.

*Arm yourself daily. I use scripture to prep for my day. To mentally keep my mind stable when things go array. I might never know if there is a detour in my life but feel steady when filled up with scripture to remind me who I am.

*Embrace change. This one was very hard for me since I usually don't like change unless I did the changing. I am still working on it but have come a long way. When things are changing, seasons of my life I mean then I have learnt to embrace that change. I've come to the realization that whether I want it or not things are going to change, might as well embrace it and change with grace.

*Stay in communication. Another one I had a hard time with but have now embraced. I don't mean  running around like the town crier about all that's going on but to a select few. People you know that will pray for you, lift you up and will stand with you on your dreams and goals.

*Keep Calm and Carry On! No seriously though. We sometimes have a habit for drama. Rather than rail against changes, preside over them with dignity and grace. Cultivating poise in the face of chaos is crucial for us in our positions of responsibility and leadership.

* Keep Seeing the Beauty. Don't let the negativity of this world blind you. In everything there in beauty. In every season there is beauty. Beauty from ashes. Burlap to Cashmere. Don't be blind.

* Stay Above The Fray. If certain subjects cause you angst  ie. political opinions  then stray from giving your opinion, but rather to encourage, warn and provide counsel. Advising without an opinion; not every matter merits our attention and our peace.


As a friend's facebook status reminded me this past week ...

'It's up to us to choose contentment and thankfulness now- If you can't find happiness in the ugliness, you're not going to find it in the beauty, either.' - Joanna Gaines, The Magnolia Story






Activated charcoal

Willing Wednesday....Charcoal Egg White Mask

3:00 AM


I have fallen in love this mask. It does so much. Tighten, unclog pores, make your skin glow. I had posted a previous post about an egg white mask I used. Now let's say I just improved the original mask to it's maximum potential. Here's the recipe.


Ingredients:
1 Egg white
1 Tbsp of granulated sugar
1 capsule of Activated Charcoal
1 Bowl (in the photo you we see metal and then I switched to glass, do not use metal)
Whisk (Seriously just use a hand mixer with a whisk, or it will take forever)
*****Important note do NOT any metal utensils with charcoal it will cause a reaction. I used my plastic whisk to mix....you'll have to use 💪)

You can find activated charcoal can be found online on amazon, and also at natural health stores.


Whisk together until stiff meringue peaks form.
Rub all over your face, leave on for 25 minutes
                                                                     Then wash off.

Here are the benefits:
SUGAR: natural form of glycolic acid -makes your skin younger looking and fresh because of cell turnover natural exfoliate (alpha hydroxy acids) -natural humectant = juices your skin up with moisture and traps it in
EGG WHITES: high in protein so they help heal the skin and kill acne
-helps wrinkles and make the skin appear firmer/tighter
-the protein is a natural astringent so it tones your face and soaks up any excess oil and its a “preservative” -contain an enzyme called Lysozyme that helps to tighten and shrink pores -helps with skin elasticity

Activated Charcoal
Each day, the average woman uses twelve products, containing 168 different ingredients! So many of these chemical additives a negative impact on the condition of our skin, and our overall health.
In fact, putting chemicals onto the skin or scalp could actually be worse than eating them! When toxins are ingested, enzymes in the saliva and stomach break them down so they can be flushed out of the body. Chemicals applied directly to the skin, however, are absorbed into the bloodstream without any filtering.
Activated charcoal is an all-natural product which won’t add to your body’s chemical load. It’s also less likely to cause adverse skin and body reactions than conventional beauty care products.

This type of carbon works wonders to clear the pores of the organic impurities responsible for blackheads.
It works by absorbing oil, deep-seated debris and environmental pollutants in order to detoxify the skin.
After using, your skin should feel smooth and your pores should be visibly refined, with fewer blackheads. Some people may notice the charcoal lingers in the pores as black dots – this can easily be removed with a steam bowl or by gently rubbing with a warm wash cloth.
Those with greasy skin can use activated charcoal as a mask or facial wash to help draw the excess oil out.
 It is also a great for balancing oily skin. For this reason, activated charcoal is best used once or twice a week, to avoid drying out the skin too much.
Many facial exfoliators contain tiny pellets which wreak havoc on the environment and aquatic life.
The texture of charcoal makes for a gentle natural exfoliator which doesn’t impact on the environment. It helps to remove sebum and dead skin cells from the face, while its antimicrobial properties help prevent skin infections.

SO many benefits to Activated Charcoal. Might have to do a separate post on all it's benefits.

Let me know what you think. Will you be giving this mask a try? Why or why not?









food

Tasty Tuesday...Ratatouille

3:00 AM


                                The Everyday Quaintrelle (Speedy)Ratatouille

Ingredients:
1 Zucchini (Julienned)
1 Summer Squash (Julienned)
1 Eggplant (Julienned)
2 Vine Ripe Tomatoes (chopped and deseeded)
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Green Bell Pepper
6 Button Mushrooms (Sliced)
1 Shallot (Diced)
1TBS of Butter
1 TBS Olive Oil
1/2 TSP of Crush Garlic
1/4 Cup of Tomato Paste
1/8 TSP of Herbs De Provence
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 Handful of  Cheese (I alternate between Farmers Cheese and Mozzarella)

In a sauté pan add butter then first 8 ingredients. It will begin to cook down. Add  garlic, and herbs. After the vegetables have cooked down to your liking then add the tomato paste and stir into the vegetables.  When coated then add olive oil and stir around to coat. Add cheese of choice on top, turn off stove and cover pan with lid to melt cheese.
I serve on toasted butter sourdough bread.
Fast, Fresh, and Delightful






Manners & Etiquette Monday

Manners & Etiquitte Monday...Handwritten Thank You Notes

3:00 AM


                              Who doesn't enjoy receiving a hand written note in the mail? In this day in age were everyone texts, and emails, their expression of gratitude there really is something warm about a note. I wish I could take credit for this one, but Mr. Darling is the one who I've learned to be consistent about this particular matter. This week I find myself  reminding my son and daughter to write their thank you notes that are I dare say almost 2 months over due. Since I would be working with them on the process I found it fitting to continue it over to the blog. So lets go over what makes a lovely handwritten Thank You note.
It is always correct to write a thank you, when in doubt write! People always appreciate them they are warmer and more personal then a text.

Some rules when a note is not necessary
*If you open a gift in front of the giver a sincere verbal is sufficient.
*Gifts from family members a sincere verbal thank you is fine if in person, if not a phone call is fine.

When a Thank You note is should be expected
*Wedding and Baby Shower Gifts
*Wedding Gifts
*Graduation, Promotion Gifts
*Gifts received when ill
*Sympathy Gifts
*Gifts of money
*Holiday and Birthday Gifts
*Thank you gifts

When a  large group of people give you a collective gift a card of thanks is sufficient rather then individualized notes.

 What to include in your note:

Please personalize your notes and make reference to the person as well as the gift.

Be enthusiastic, but don’t gush. Avoid saying a gift is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen unless you really mean it.

Do not send form letters or cards with printed messages and just your signature; don’t use email or post a generic thank you on your web site or group email instead of a personal note.

Do promptly acknowledge the receipt of shipped gifts by sending a note right away or calling and following up with a written note in a day or two.

Do not mention that you plan to return a gift or that you are dissatisfied in any way.

Do refer to the way you will use a gift of money. Mentioning the amount is optional.

Do not use being late as an excuse not to write. Just write, better late then never.

Do you write thank you cards? Do you feel that a simple text if enough? Would love to hear from you.




Fashion Friday

Fashion Chic Friday....Resolution....Nah More of a Goal

3:00 AM



                Every year people make their New Years resolutions. I personally usually do not. This year though was a tad different. I made a goal;

*What I wear at home matters enough to make an effort.

Now that doesn't mean that I dress up in cocktail dresses and my finest jewelry to flutter around my home. That does mean that I was finding myself constantly wear pajama's when I would be home all day, or mismatched stained sweats. Of course yoga pants, well let's just say I've had my healthy dose of those also.  While I thought nothing of my wearing pajama's and stained sweats I noticed my children were feeling the same way. You see they are sponges they absorb what we do, what we say more then we'll ever understand. When I noticed my children not wanting to change out of their pajama's all day a red flag went up. Then when my oldest said my uniform was compiled of an enormous amount of yoga pants well then that was the last straw. You see I always pride myself on looking nice and put together when I go out, and I do believe there are special days that call for all day pajama's but not every day. How I dress matters. It sets the mind frame on what task  I have that day. My simple goal became feeling and looking put together at home. Now looking put together and stylish can mean comfortable, so I purchased a few loungewear suits. One velour and another crème color on clearance from New York & Company. So when I get up I enjoy my coffee, take care of the babes and then head upstairs and prepare for my day. Make my bed, get dressed, fix my hair put on my 5 minute face and begin and embrace what ever is before me. I've noticed a difference in the amount of my productivity. I highly recommend giving it a try. Here below is a photo of my gray velour suit, and an example of my quick hair fix. Simple, put together and out of pj's.  Great for the mind and the confidence. I’ve also discovered that the ritual of self-care, and dressing in a manner that uplifts us, even when we are alone, especially when we are alone, makes it far easier to get dressed and look our best when we are preparing ourselves to go to out. If we feel good about our appearance most of the time while we are at home, it provides a smoother transition when we get “dressed” to go out in public.
Give it a try. Do you agree? How do you feel about what you wear at home? Would love to hear.




Encouragement

Thoughtful Thursday.....Grab a Cup Of Encouragement

3:00 AM



Happiness At Any Cost?

"He Who Is Of A Merry Heart Has A Continual Feast."
                                                                       Proverbs 15:15

               Though dozens of moods are available to women, we all prefer to be in a good one. Although numerous emotions flutter through our hearts everyday the one that is hoped for above others is happiness. We all want o live happily ever after. What keeps us happy? Easy when things go our way of course. When everything runs smoothly in the manner we want, we dreamed, we fantasied over. No bumps, no interruptions, no inconveniences. In order to maintain our personal contentment we will actually catch ourselves begin to avoid situations that might compromise our happiness. We find ourselves thinking I don't want to deal with regret, so we don't take chances, I don't want to feel stupid so we blend quietly in to the crowd. I don't to be disappointed  so I will lower my expectations. I don't want to try anything new because it's out of my comfort zone. I don't want to feel embarrassed  so we avoid speaking up. I don't want to feel sadness so we don't allow ourselves to care. We set up comfort zones at all costs. We stick to them and don't allow anyone to make us budge. We create our own happy, little bubble...a safe haven no one can touch. Happiness at any cost.

I just want to be happy, that's not so bad right? Or is it? When we place our own happiness as the highest goal in life we sometimes do so at the highest cost. In doing so we decide our happiness is more important than anyone else. We begin to insist for people to jump through our hoops. Everyone to line up with our expectations, if we are not happy then things need to change. It's all about me, my plan, my choice, my favorites, my comfort, and happiness. What's worse is our happiness becomes more important than truth. In my case God's truth. The things that are asked in scripture can put a crimp in our style. Convinced that God wants us to be happy we pick and choose what should apply and what is frivolous.

There is such a difference between happiness and learning to be joyful. If we are constantly expecting others to conform to us, to how we feel then we ourselves will be mislead. Our emotions are fleeting. We need to dig deeper then our emotions. We need to learn to see the blessings we have. Everyday blessings I call them. Those moments when you can feel the heat rising due to not  getting your way, stop and think what can I do to make this right? What can I do to be a blessing? What can I do that could bring a new outlook on this situation.

"Every experience of genuine pleasure is fully tasted, not with the connoisseur's boredom born of sampling a dozen wines to know what's best, but instead with the delight that makes this glass most enjoyable." (Emile Giffin)

Not every situation may be your glass of wine, might not be pleasing to your palette but with grace and mercy you hold your glass high with poise. You can achieve a deep down joy that a true connoisseur of life can look back and smile.

You are loved!



~Melody~
The Everyday Quaintrelle

DIY

Willing Wednesday...DIY Egg White Mask

3:00 AM




                     Life is always so much fun when you are willing to learn something new. Well yesterday I came across a DIY Beauty Blogger Farah. One mask in particular caught my attention, could also be that I actually had the ingredients at home. This particular mask claims to shrink pores, tighten skin, to lessen redness, and make the skin glow. Well that had my attention. In to the mad lab 
I mean the kitchen I went.  So here is a little tutorial, be sure to read the captions.

Ingredients:
1 Egg white
1 Tbsp of granulated sugar
1 Bowl (in the photo you we see metal and then I switched to glass, do not use metal)
Whisk (Seriously just use a hand mixer with a whisk, or it will take forever)






Separate egg white, make sure not to get any yolk or it won't work


Notice the metal bowl ...do not copy...use a glass bowl and a hand mixer with a wire whisk


It should be well beaten that it will look like meringue. Form peaks. 


Rub all over your face, leave on for 25 mintues

Moisten and rub into skin


Wash off

Brace yourself, this is a rarity I usually never allow a photo of my bare face but I wanted to be honest with you. I loved this mask. I felt my skin a bit more tight. I think it looks brighter. I would absolutely do this again as a weekly mask.

Here are the benefits that Farah explained for the ingredients

 SUGAR: natural form of glycolic acid -makes your skin younger looking and fresh because of cell turnover
natural exfoliant (alpha hydroxy acids) -natural humectant = juices your skin up with moisture and traps it in
EGG WHITES: high in protein so they help heal the skin and kill acne
-helps wrinkles and make the skin appear firmer/tighter
-the protein is a natural astringent so it tones your face and soaks up any excess oil and its a “preservative” -contain an enzyme called Lysozyme that helps to tighten and shrink pores -helps with skin elasticity

All I can say is I am a believer!

healthy

Tasty Tuesday...Macaroni & Cheese

3:00 AM



                                                Everyday Quaintrelle  Macaroni and Cheese

         As a large family I am constantly in the kitchen. I have come to love cooking and baking. I also understand real food that a family will eat. Here is my favorite Macaroni & Cheese recipe.

Ingredients

*2 tbsp. butter
*2 cups of cream (room temperature)
*1/4 shallot (skin removed)
*1 clove
*1 bay leaf
*a smidge of nutmeg
*salt & pepper to taste

10 ounces of pasta DreamsField Pasta
7 oz of Comte cheese
4 oz of sharp cheddar
1lb of bacon (cooked and crumbled) optional

Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool for a couple minutes then add cream (nonstop whisking). Place back on stove add shallot, clove, and bay leaf and simmer for 10 minutes. Now whisk in cheese saving a handful to scatter on top.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to package.

Drain pasta and place in a large baking dish and pour cheese sauce all over pasta, then stir in bacon till pasta all covered in sauce. Then scatter remaining cheese over top and bake for about 20 minutes when bubbly.
Serve as a side or as main course.  Simple and delicious!



                                                





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