DIY Eczema Lotion Recipe

It's been a year since I got eczema on my hand.  At first, I couldn't imagine that after 30 years on Earth I would suddenly develop an allergy or irritation to something.  At the time, my mom was in and out of the hospital for about two months.  I spent a lot of time there, which meant I spent a lot of time washing my hands and using sanitizer.

At home, I was using a pretty cheap soap since my kids go through so much soap.  A bottle of liquid soap doesn't last a day, and I used the hair tie trick to the pump doesn't go all way down!

I was very suspicious that the hand soap was causing the eczema, so I went to Target and bought Method hand soap.  It has a fragrance and dye, but it didn't have some of the nasty chemicals that other soaps have.  I noticed a big improvement when I switched soaps, but I couldn't get it completely healed.  That's when I make my own DIY eczema lotion recipe.

Does Oil Pulling Work? What it Is, How it Works, My Experience

I heard about oil pulling a few years ago, but I dismissed it as another fad.  I do love coconut oil, and I use it for cooking and a lot of my beauty recipes, but I didn't see how swishing it around my mouth could do anything for me.  I was wrong.  Oh, so wrong.

Skindinavia Makeup Primer Spray Ends 8/18

Thank you to Skindinavia for providing the information and the product for the giveaway.  As always, all opinions are my own.

The secret to flawless makeup is a great primer.  I was using a powder primer or a thick cream primer with decent results.  When Skindinavia asked me to try their spray primer, I was really intrigued.  I wasn't sure a spray could give me the same results, but I was pleasantly surprised!  With just a couple of sprays, I got full coverage and a great base for my makeup.

Skindinavia Makeup Primer Spray is easy to use; just wash and moisturize your face as usual.  Just before you apply your foundation, spray the product on your face two to four times.  It's lightweight formula completely covers your face and helps reduce the appearance of large pores and gives you an even-toned complexion.  It's made without silicone and is cruelty free. 

The spray helps prevent makeup from settling in fine lines and pores.  It also helps keep your makeup look flawless for up to 16 hours.   It works so well that both Lady Gaga and Fergie use this formula while they are on tour! 

One of my lucky readers will win their own 4 ounce makeup primer spray (ARV $35)!  Good luck!

Open to those 18 and older with US addresses.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How to Build a First Aid Kit

I think every mother of two or more kids has that one child who keeps her on her toes.  The one who never walks and instead runs everywhere, getting in to everything.  The one who loves to climb and spin.  The one who is never still, who is always getting in to something.  The very reason you had to quickly learn how to build a first aid kit.

The Best Snarky & Funny Tank Tops for Women

Thank you to Zazzle for sponsoring today's discussion.  As always, all opinions are my own.

Anyone who knows me in person knows that I am full of snark and sarcasm.  That's probably why I love wearing cute yet snarky shirts.  Zazzle just introduced a new line of tank tops for men and women, and as always, their sellers didn't disappoint.  There are 100s of designs available on the site from cute patterns to animals to political activism.  My favorites, of course, are the funny ones.  Here are my top 10 favorite new tank tops from Zazzle.

Deep Conditioning Your Way to Healthy Hair

Today is the last day of Vacation Bible School.  It was an amazing week, but it was also a long and tiring week.  Since I was busy shopping, decorating, and volunteering, I asked some friends to share some posts this week.  Today, LaShon is sharing how she deep conditions her hair.  Please welcome LaShon to Everything Pretty!

5 Nail Polish Looks from Julep

Today is day 4 of my church's Vacation Bible School.  I'm second in command this year, so it's been a busy week.  My friend Andrea is here today to introduce you to some new polish shades.  Please welcome here and stop by and check out her blog!.

Raspberry Arnold Palmer Pops

Today is day three of guest posts while I'm busy with VBS at my church.  It's a long week after several months of planning, but the kids are having so much fun!  We picked the Everest VBS kit this year, so the church looks like a hiking expedition on Mount Everest.  While I'm helping the kids, Maddie is here to share her healthy  recipe for Raspberry Arnold Palmer Pops.  Welcome, Maddie!

Burrito Bowls with Cilantro Lime Rice

This is day two of Vacation Bible School.  Since I have such a busy week, I've asked some friends to write some guest posts for me this week.  Several readers have asked for healthy recipes, so here's the second one for this week.  I really love this Burrito Bowl recipe from Ally because you can completely customize it for your tastes and diet.  You can use ground beef, chicken, or even refried beans for the protein.  Add the veggies that you want and leave off what you don't like.  Please welcome Ally to Everything Pretty!

Un-Fried Eggplant Recipe

This week I will be busy volunteering for my church's vacation bible school, so I've asked a few friends to share some of their favorite health and beauty posts.   I'm so glad she shared this post because we accidentally grabbed an eggplant when we bought plants this year.  Would you believe that I have never had eggplant?  This will have to change after harvest!

Hi!  My name is Lois and you can usually find me blogging over at Walking on Sunshine Recipes.  I'm so happy to be guest blogging for Cari!  Today I'd like to share with you a recipe for one of my favorite summer vegetables...Eggplant.  We recently started growing eggplant in our garden.  Here's one from last summer.  Isn't it beautiful?  

Ever since I was a little girl, one of my favorite ways to eat eggplant is breaded and fried.  Only frying anything isn't healthy anymore and I needed to come up with a different way to enjoy eggplant again.  I now make it "unfried" in the oven and it comes out amazing! It's the only way I make eggplant now and I know you and your family will enjoy it "unfried" as well.

Always Discreet at Camp

Last month, my son got to attend a week long day camp.  He has autism, so he hasn't been able to attend any camps yet.  My husband and I took turns being the parent volunteer each day so he could attend.  It was a very hot, very long week, but I'm really glad we went.  He had a lot of fun and got to do some fun activities that he wouldn't have done otherwise.  We avoid high fructose corn syrup and food dyes, so I made him chocolate chip granola bars to take to camp for a healthy snack.  Keep reading for the full recipe, some pictures from camp, and how I stayed discreet for the week.

Summer's Hottest Reversible Totes

 I'm a bit of a purse snob.  I have a rather large storage box in my closet devoted to purses, and I change them often.  I really love reversible purses and totes because then I can get two looks without filling up my storage box!  See, if I run out of room to store them, then I will have to get rid of some.  I don't want to get rid of any right now, so I have to be selective in what I buy.  I made a collection of totes that I'd love to have for this summer or any time.  

What's in My Bag + Coconut Lip Balm Recipe

I have a lot of meetings each week.  Between three scout troops, vacation bible school committee, bible study, and school meetings, it seems like I'm always going somewhere.  I was carrying a large purse to fit everything, but that got cumbersome when I was going to the store.  I decided to just pack the essentials in my purse and have a dedicated bag for meetings.  Usually, I grab this bag to run to the store or an appointment too.  I always have lip balm with me because I'm such an addict, so I have a great recipe for an easy coconut lip balm at the end of the post.  Keep reading for the recipe.

Target Beauty Finds

Confession:  I love drugstore makeup.  I love having a lot of variety in my makeup stash, and I just can't be buying all high-end makeup.  I've tried some drugstore makeup that weren't so great, and I've tried some that give the expensive brands a run for their money.  It's no secret that Target is my favorite store, and I may have cried a few tears when I found out I moved to a Target-less area.  Target?  Are you listening?  I have the perfect spot for you in my county.  Perfect!  Email me, and we will talk, k?

These Target 5-star beauty finds are all highly rated on the Target website, and I've used them too.  Actually, I've been using Great Lash mascara practically forever.  It's my favorite for an every day look for going to the store or to a school meeting.  

How to Make No Sew Face Wipes

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

Did you ever notice that on television girls splash water gently on their faces and look up in the mirror with a perfectly clean and rinsed face?  If I did that, not only would my face still be covered in soap, but my bathroom would also be soaked.  That's why I use washcloths when I wash my face.   I'm not a good seamstress, so I came up with these no-sew face wipes so I could make them myself without asking my mom for help.  They just take a few minutes to make, and they are fairly inexpensive.  Keep reading for full instructions.

How to Get Beach Waves On Short Hair with TRESemmé Perfectly (un)Done

Thank you to TRESemmé and Lunchbox for sponsoring today's post.  As always, all opinions are my own.

Right now, I'm wearing my hair in a slightly longer inverted bob.  I'm growing it out just a little to do an ombre brown and purple color.  My hair is really thick and curly, but I often use a flat iron to straighten it.  The beachy wave look is so popular lately, so I decided to to try it for a change.  I'd actually tried it a few times on my short hair, but it didn't work too well.  Oddly, even though my hair is naturally curly, it doesn't want to hold curl when I use heat.  Then I discovered TRESemmé  Perfectly (un)Done products.  Keep reading to see how I got beach waves on my short hair.

Chocolate Clay Facial Mask Recipe + Period Survival Kit

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

There are many advantages to being a woman: Men offer to lift heavy things for us, we can get our tires checked and gas pumped by batting our eyelashes (I totally did this as a teenager!), and some of us get to carry our babies for nine precious months.  But along with the positives is one thing that most women refer to as a negative.  Our periods.  I used to not like that week each month, but I've come to appreciate it because it's what allowed me to get pregnant with three amazing children.

Without my cycle, I'd have never known the joy of feeling tiny little kicks inside me.  I also would have never known just how strong I am to give birth naturally, which is one of my top accomplishments in life.  A few years ago, I stopped thinking of my period as a time to hide or a pause in my life.  Most months, I feel pretty crummy for a few days, so I take time to pamper myself.  See?  Another positive!  This reminds me every four weeks to stop, slow down, and take care of myself.