La-Roche Posay Sunscreen Review + Giveaway Ends 7/28

The opinions expressed in this blog post are my own. The products were given to me for free by LovelySkin.com, and I received no other compensation for this post. This post does not contain affiliate links, and I do not receive any compensation for clicks to this website. 

Walk down any aisle in the skin care section, and you'll see a myraid of products that promise to reverse the signs of aging and make you look younger.  You could easily spend $100s of dollars each year--or even each month!--on these creams, but there's something that works even better: Sunscreen.  Keep reading for the benefits of sunscreen for anti-aging and a giveaway for two great products.

DIY Makeup Setting Spray Recipe

This DIY makeup setting spray is easy to make, and it helps set your makeup for longer wear.

Guys, it is 85 degrees and sunny today!  Mother Nature finally decided to let us have a real summer, and I hope it lasts.  I need some sunshine and warm weather.

As much as I love the warmer weather, there's one major negative: melting makeup.  I switch my makeup for summer, but in the high heat and humidity, it can still slide right off my face.  The last thing I want is to have raccoon eyes before noon.  

I admit that I've never used a makeup setting spray until I tried this DIY recipe.  It's easy to make with just two ingredients, so why not, right?  Keep reading for an easy DIY makeup setting spray recipe that's perfect for summer.

DIY Acne Facial Scrub Recipe + Giveaway Ends 7/3

Thank you to Bayleaf Botanicals for providing the fractionated coconut oil for this post.  As always, all opinions are my own.

Ladies, have you priced facial scrubs lately?  Yikes!  For a fraction of the cost, you can make your own scrub in about 10 minutes.

Even better, this scrub only has ingredients that you can pronounce with no artificial colors, fragrances, or preservatives.  I carefully selected each ingredient for its acne-fighting power and ability to soothe irritated skin.

Keep reading to learn how to make this acne facial scrub recipe for yourself and enter to win a bottle of fractionated coconut oil.

Weaveland Summer Giveaway

Thank you to Weaveland for sponsoring this post and the giveaway.

Tired of you current hair style?  Can't wait for it to grow out again?  Thinking about hair extensions?  Whether you love extensions and want to get some more or you're new to hair extensions and want to try them for the first time, this giveaway is for you.  You could win one of three great prizes from Weaveland.  Keep reading for details on how to enter.

Be in the Next TV Commercial Sweeps! Win a $50 Circle K Gift Card and Enter to Win Prizes

Thank you to Circle K Great Lakes for sponsoring this post and the giveaway!

Have you ever dreamed of being on television?  Here's your chance!  Circle K Great Lakes is hosting an amazing giveaway on their Instagram and Facebook.  Through 6/30/15, one winner will be chosen each day to fill their Polar Pop Cup for FREE for an entire year.  The grand prize winner will be featured in the next Circle K Polar Pop TV commercial!  I also have a $50 Circle K gift card just for my blog readers!  Keep reading for more details.

How to Use Concealer

Concealer. This is one of the trickiest products for me. Apply it right, and you'll have a flawless look. Apply it wrong, and you'll draw attention to the blemish, which is the exact opposite of what you want to happen. Keep reading for tips to use this product to cover redness, blemishes, and under eye circles.

Celebrating the Anchor in My Life - Mechanic's Hand Scrub Recipe + Giveaway

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NauticaforDad #CollectiveBias

Every year I ask my husband what he wants for Father's Day, and every year he says the same thing:  Nothing.  He's so hard to shop for because if he wants something, he buys it for himself.  One thing he doesn't splurge on for himself is cologne or personal care items.  Unlike me with a closet full of spare bottles, he doesn't buy more until he's completely out.  So this year, I decided to put together a basket of grooming items for him so he won't run out.

Amish Black Drawing Salve Recipe With Activated Charcoal

Use this Amish black drawing salve on cuts, scrapes, splinters, and boils to naturally pull toxins and debris from the skin.

I am so excited to bring you this recipe because it was a few years in the making.  We used to buy a great drawing salve, but we can't find it anywhere anymore.  We tried a few other brands, but they didn't work as well as the original one.

I found a few recipes for Amish Black Drawing Salve, and they were all close to what we like.  I took the best of each recipe, combined them, and came up with this Amish black drawing salve recipe.

Drawing salves pull from your skin, so they are great for bee stings and splinters.  They also help with infections, so many people use them on boils, wounds, and cystic acne.  Just a word of caution though, you'll want to cover the area with a bandage because the charcoal gets on everything.  It cleans up fairly easily from your skin, but I can't say how well it comes off of fabric.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone and should not be taken as medical advice. #GiveHeartburnARest #CollectiveBias

In just eight days, my baby girl turns eight.  Since her birthday is right after a holiday weekend and in the middle of wedding and graduation season, she got to celebrate with some of our family a little early.  We let our kids pick their favorite restaurant for their birthdays.  She picked home grilled burgers and hot dogs.  She's getting a fancy cake for her party with friends, so I told her I'd make her whatever kind of cake she wanted.  She picked chocolate zucchini cake.  

New Girl Scout Journeys Promote Healthy Habits

Thank you to Girl Scouts for sponsoring this post and inspiring today's discussion.  As always, all opinions are my own.  

I've mentioned before that I'm an active volunteer in my community.  Almost three years ago when my daughter wanted to join Girl Scouts, I thought it was a great way for her to make friends in our new town.  Since we were new to the area, I went with her to her first few meetings.  The leader asked me to help out, and the next year I became the assistant leader.

My daughter loves Girl Scouts because she has made a lot of friends, and I love the skills and values the program teaches her.  We are shaping our girls for the future by teaching them to be leaders and more responsible for themselves and others.  

I am so excited that Girl Scouts Nation's Capital is partnering with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation to help families combat obesity.  They have developed three booklets for leaders and families to use during regular meetings and events.  These free booklets complement one journey for each of the Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors.  Keep reading to learn what's new

Aloe Vera Benefits for Hair - 3 Easy Recipes

These three easy recipes with aloe vera gel will keep your hair healthy.

You probably buy aloe vera every summer because it's so wonderful for your skin, but aloe vera for hair can help your hair look and feel amazing too. It's a natural astringent, so it helps remove excess dirt and oil from your hair.

It can also help repair and restore damaged hair. If you have dry scalp or dandruff, it can soothe your scalp and help stop itching. Here are three easy recipes to help you get started using this wonderful product on your hair.

How to Infuse Oils With Herbs for DIY Recipes

My latest adventures involve using new oils and herbs.  I'm still learning about herbs, but so far, I am loving them!  You can add ground up herbs to your recipes, or you can infuse them in oil for the benefits without making your recipe lumpy.  This is perfect for hair recipes and balms.  I used infused oils in my Amish Drawing Salve (coming soon!), Moringa Infused Hot Oil Treatment, and Eczema Cream (also coming soon!).  It's really easy to do with a Crock Pot slow cooker, and you can infuse several at a time this way.

There are three ways to infuse oils: Without heat, on the stovetop, and in a slow cooker.  I've used all three, and I really like the slow cooker.  It uses less electricity than the stovetop, and it's a lot quicker than without heat.

Argan Oil Hair Mask Recipe + Argan Oil Giveaway

Thank you to The Vitamin Shoppe for providing the argan oil for this recipe and for sponsoring the giveaway.  As always, all opinions are my own.

Argan oil is one of my favorite oils for hair.  I use a shampoo and conditioner with argan oil in it regularly, but I wanted to try making my own hair mask.  When The Vitamin Shoppe asked if I wanted to try some of their new carrier oils to make a new recipe, I knew just what to make.  This DIY hair mask recipe is perfect for dry, damaged hair.

Argan oil tames frizzy hair and makes hair shine.  It works great by itself, and you can rub a drop or two in your palms and apply all over your hair for smoother, shinier hair.

How I #MilkLife + Bonus Banana Milk Recipe

Want to know what I don't get?  How the days are so long, yet the years are so short.  Last week, I held a teeny tiny 6 pound 1 ounce baby in my arms and gazed at him for hours upon hours.  Today, he's 13 and just as tall as me.  How did 13 years go so quickly?  

When my kids were babies, I promised them that I would never be able to say "I wish I'd held you more as a baby" or "I wish we spent more time together."  Every day, I strive to fulfill that promise.  My second son, Caleb, was held so much that I freaked out that he couldn't sit up when he was supposed to.  My friend told me to set him down.  I did.  He could sit by himself. A few days later, he was crawling.  Oops.  

Now that my kids are 7-going-on-8-in- 19-days, 9, and 13, our family dynamics have changed.  I can work from home now along with being a stay at home mom,  The kids have scouts and church activities after school.  I do volunteer with them, but it's important to spend time as an entire family.  

When Milk started their #MilkLife challenges, it sounded like a great way to have fun and spend time with my husband and kids.  On May 22, their challenge was to Freshen Up by getting outside and doing your family's favorite outdoor activity.  Our favorite thing to do outside is to take walks.  We have an 11.5 acre farm, so we walk around to see the wildlife and, in the spring and summer, the new plants.  I took my camera along on our walk so I could share our walk with you and show you some of our farm. I also have a great recipe for you for naturally flavored milk, which is a deliciously healthy snack.

eb5 Anti-Aging Facial Treatment and Eye Treatment Giveaway $39.98 ARV

I'm so excited to bring you, my lovely readers, another great giveaway!  This week, I have an anti-aging facial treatment and eye from eb5 to give away to one lucky reader.  eb5 is a family owned business based in Oregon.  Considered the maker's of the first wrinkle cream, eb5 has over 100 years of experience in anti-aging products.  Both of these products are vegan, gluten-free, paraben-free, non-GMO, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and cruelty-free!