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



Advertisement - Continue Reading Bel
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






Homemaking Linkup

Follow on instagram

https://www.instagram.com/adayinthelifeofmelody/

Popular Posts

Like us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/The-Everyday-Quaintrelle-644277339077487/?qsefr=1

Follow on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/adayinthelifeofmelody/