My Beautiful, Crazy Life // Giveaway

The Sapphire Bee | All That Glitters | Baxtron Life

Whispering Sweet Nothings | For Love of a Cupcake | The Hinton Hookup

Rock of Eden

Prizes:

$50 Target Giftcard

Chloe vs Tank Bracelet ($13 Value)

MBCL Medium Ad Space ($10 value)

Whispering Sweet Nothings Medium Ad Space ($18 value)

Remember Necklace ($80 value)

[Proceeds from each Remember Necklace purchased go directly to The Sandy Hook Support Fund, helping families and community members cope with the Sandy Hook tragedy. You can read more about the Campaign here.]

Giveaway Details:

+You MUST be a My Beautiful, Crazy Life reader

+This giveaway will end on April 4 at 11:00p.m. so get your entries in before its too late!

+Winner will be verified, so make sure your doing what you say you are :) 

+Winner will be contacted via e-mail & need to respond within 24 hours or a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck :)

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DIY Makeup Organization Upcycle

I've been meaning to share this simple makeup organization upcycle for a while, but I was hoping I could locate a final image of what it looks like with my actual makeup organized in it...unfortunately I can't find the image, and since I am here in Alaska, there is a bit of a challenge to sharing the final "organized look".  I will update this post again once I have it...but still, I think you can get the point from the images.  Steps are super simple.

I tend to collect the various storage cans that hot cocoa, coffee and drink mixes come in to use for other purposes, usually not knowing what they will be used for at the time of saving.  Sometimes they end up as crafts for Zion and I to do.  Other times I may give them to a friend, like Kim, who created an awesome yarn wall organizer for her apartment.  I do feel good about the fact that I am reusing them and giving them a new purpose.

I initially thought I'd find some great contact paper to use, something with a great pattern, but it seems contact paper is not to be found in the variety I was hoping for.  So instead, I stumbled upon some great printed duct tape sheets.  Ahhh duct tape to the rescue!  Seriously a man's- and, now in leopard print, definitely a woman's- best friend!

I feel like this project is self-explanatory from the images, but just in case:

1. Save a few drink containers, recycle the lids, make sure you wash them out/dry them out.

2. Pick up a few sheets of patterned duct tape.

3. Measure the duct tape with the width of the container, you may have to patch more duct tape to the side if it isn't long enough to wrap entirely around the container, just make that the "backside."

4. Carefully apply the edge of the cut duct tape sheet to the container, removing backing and smoothing out the duct tape as you apply it around the container.

5. Apply any additional patch pieces to cover up areas that were not covered when wrapped, then repeat the steps for as many containers as you want to make.

Variation: You can also by the rolls of patterned duct tape and wrap around the containers, they simply didn't have a printed pattern at the store I went to that I wanted to use, so I went with the flat sheet instead.

What have you upcycled lately?  Want even more makeup organization ideas?

       

Mani Monday:Nail Care Tips+ Essie Nail Wardrobe Giveaway!

It's here!! The big day has arrived and, together with a lovely group of ladies, I am giving away a HUGE Mani-Monday prize!!  But, before I jump to that, I wanted to share a few of the ways I keep my nails in good shape.

Believe it or not - it all starts with the right diet.  If you are lacking nutrients in your diet that support strong healthy nails - then chances are you might have issues with frequent nail breaking, splitting and chipping like me.  I personally do not drink cow's milk and avoid most dairy, so calcium and vitamin d3 are great supplements for me.  And as for nail growth specifically - Biotin, Magnesium and Cod Liver Oil have helped strengthen my nails (and hair as well).  Of course you could just go out and by specially formulated Hair & Nails vitamins too.  

 **Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or pharmacist, so please check with your doctor before adding supplements to your diet, especially if you are on other medications, pregnant or breastfeeding**

Other great things you can add to your diet are bone broths which are rich in minerals as well as  gelatins.  In the book Practical Paleo - there is a recipe for herbal tea infused gelatin, which is just amazing for a nice afternoon treat, with the added benefit that it helps your nails grow healthy.

 I just recently started using Essie Millionails treatment.  I saw an advertisement in a magazine for it, and it just sounded really amazing.  Guess what? It is!!  Since I started using it my nails have gone from thin and splitting to smooth and growing fast.  I couldn't be more excited to have it as a part of our huge giveaway today!

Another fantastic product is Julep Oxygen Nail treatment.  I use this a couple of times per week to give my nails a rest from polishes.  The best part of using it is that it is this perfect light milky pink - and it makes your nails look gorgeous and healthy, even when they may be a little roughed up from lots of polish changes.

My other tips for maintaining healthy nails are:

• Clean your nails regularly using a little scrub brush and warm soapy water.
• Keep your hands and nails moisturized, especially in cold Winter weather!
• Clean under your nails to keep dirt and residue from getting under the nail.
• Use quality nail polishes that are free from harsh chemicals that hurt your nails.
• Never peel your polish off - always use a conditioning nail polish remover!
• Don't bite your nails - use a file or clippers always! (Keep a file in your purse!!)

Are you a nail-biter?  What are your best nail care tips?

Now for the part you've been waiting for! Some of my very favorite ladies in blogging have joined together to give one very lucky reader a complete Essie Nail Wardrobe featuring 13 gorgeous colors, a base and topcoat and the millionails nail treatment ($135 Value)!  This is one giveaway you don't want to miss out on, so max out your entries!  For a close-up of the gorgeous colors with their swatches and details on the other products being given away, you can visit our Essie Giveaway board on Pinterest.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian Residents, 18 years of age and older!  

Good luck & share on!!

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Silent Saturdays

Randomly, I started committing to taking a day off from social media, phone-hugging and blogging once a week.  I think it was when I started thinking about the time I was spending attached to some form of technology - and how the weekend was really my time to refresh, connect with my husband and daughter and spend some quality time with God.

Life is busy in the week, and there is often a tv on or an app being utilized to help achieve some goal - but all that stimulation and wiredness comes with a price.  I can always tell when I'm feeling like relationships are suffering.  Especially my relationship with the "Big Dadda."  So, I've committed personally to a silent Saturday.  Its time to unplug, and connect device-free.  

I pretty much leave my phone as far away from me as possible, don't check emails, no instagram or other social media, no blog stats, and no Bingo Bash (hehe) or other timegobbling app.  Just time to quiet my heart, listen to my Lord and my family, be present, and alive.

I'm loving it - I look forward to 5pm on Friday evenings (the time I start), so I can say, "No" to my own demands for working.  Want to join me?  Let me know by telling your world that you are going #SilentSaturday.  Have a great weekend and I'll see you back here Monday! <3 (or maybe Sunday...hehe).