Good Health and Wellness in 2017

A new year, tends to bring new resolutions, new diets, new gym memberships etc. I tend to not make resolutions, because let's face it...they get broken, and as I'm the type who puts enough guilt on myself, in general, I dont need to add broken resolutions to it.  I do however like to continue to make good life choices. Do i fall off the wagon with those life choices, sure, but I always pick them back up after a time...Hello Diet soda in 2016!..or rather good bye. do i occasionally allow myself a diet something on a super hot day when out at a restaurant, sure..but in the meantime, I like a nice carbonated water with a drop of essential oil, or fruit/herb infused still water. So much more refreshing really!

Other choices I'm making are for a more serene home. This of course is staying on top of the vacuuming and dusting. But also for making my home some place i enjoy hanging out in, having friends in etc.  How do I do this? Maybe picking up that bunch of flowers from Trader Joe's or our year round Farmers Market, maybe a cute seasonal update to my burlap wreath on the door, perhaps following in Just A Girl's footsteps and sparking my home with a cute seasonal 'scape', or maybe just coming home from a long day and diffusing some goodness (or coming home to a nice smelling home from diffusing as I left, instead of the smell of the previous nights cooked dinner). I have two diffusers in my 800 sq foot apartment, and could probably get away with one more.  In my bed room, i have one that I find is directional so that I'm targeting my personal needs, whether when i have a cold, or need a full nights sleep, or just some grounding after a long day or week!
The one I like in my bedroom is the Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser from Amazon.

In my living room, I use a diffuser from doTerra, the company that I purchase my essential oils from. It is called the Petal Diffuser, and is their most economical of their diffusers. It also has a night light, I diffuse this one for about 4 hours. I feel like to get rid of the smells from the night before, or after a big vaccumming, or coming back from a walk after work, this diffuser gets the job done, and my little abode smells quite lovely.

What are you doing for the new year, for you?

**Compensated affiliate links may used, which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support toward the costs of running this blog! **

I was skeptical..but I caught some ZZZ's

**Disclaimer - I was provided this product free of charge through Influenster, for testing/review purposes, but as always my opinions are my own**

As you've seen from some of my previous posts, I've occasionally received product from Influnester (if you're curious about their program, send me a message and I'm happy to send you an invitation link), for review purposes, it's been about 6 months since my last VOXBox and after a few months of 'pre-qualifying' surveys, I finally received a notice that I was in for another box...and it was the ZZZquil box. Yes..ZzZquil..by the makers of Nyquil.  Evidently a lot of times it gets confused with some of the other sleeping aids on the market like Tylenol PM that contain acetaminophen, but as this is for sleep and not for pain it does not contain any. This was HUGE for me..i used to love both Nyquil and Dayquil whenever I got a cold, but as they contain acetaminophen and my sensitivity and liver reactions have grown from  it, i can no longer take them.

So I've had the product for a couple of weeks, and even though it clearly says that you wake up refreshed, I was worried about taking it on a work night, and kept saying i was going to wait until the weekend, and then the weekend would come, inevitably I'd be out late and come home and forget or fall asleep watching tv and forget again.

Finally this weekend, after getting hit suddenly with a sinus infection and waking up several times during the night, I decided Saturday night was the night. I really wanted to sleep, so I didnt monkey around and took both capsules at 9pm. By midnight I was still wide awake, and as falling asleep has never been an issue, I was a little concerned. If i couldnt even fall asleep, how was I going to stay asleep. Well finally I put myself to bed, turned on some beach waves..and next thing I knew, my 7:30 church alarm was going off..I did it..I fell asleep..and stayed asleep. I did turn off the alarm and try and fall asleep as I didnt need to get up..but I didnt really feel I needed to.  I definitely would try this again. I think during the week, I would maybe just try one capsule just to make sure, as well as to test the issue with not falling asleep right away. I might also try taking a little earlier, if possible, I get up at 530 during the week, so not being able to fall asleep to midnight would only render me five hours of sleep.

Wow! Cricut is 10 years old! And they're having a sale!

 FTC disclaimer **This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. ***

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here's a quick little banner i made for my CFO's wedding shower (we actually ended up pushing it out to the week after his wedding..so it was a quick change from Racing to the Altar to Just Married..he's a classic Ford Mustang Fanatic, hence the racing theme).

I plan on using my sister's cricut next week to whip up the favors for my nieces First Communion on Saturday,the Table Scapes Spring/Summer cartridge from the Best of Cartridges, will be perfect for the little boxes we'll use for the Candy Bar.

I've had a crazy week this week until the moment i leave on the red-eye next Wednesday, so i wont have time for any personal crafty time other than design obligations, so I dont think I will get any mother's day cards done..Cricut Designs to the rescue...already have my eye on two, that will be perfect for both my Mom and Grandma who will be travelling with me!

Get 10% off at Cricut.com and free Fed-Ex home delivery with code CRICUTSPRING!

Sometimes you just need a break, winter, the work week , life and biscoff cookies are perfect for that, the delicious caramel taste from the  caramelization of the sugars in the baking process make them perfect on their own, dipped into something delicious or for an impromptu winter s'more.

This is so easy and can be done right in your (attended) toaster oven. Simple take two biscoff cookies and turn them upside down so the smooth side is facing up.

Then take four rectangles of a Hershey chocolate bar (I used the original plain without almonds, but you can use any kind you like) and two large marshmallows that I cut in half. Place the chocolate on one side and the marshmallows on the other.  Then you just pop them into your toaster oven or regular oven on broil and watch them broil for 2-3 minutes. As soon as the marshmallows get a little golden you are good. The chocolate won't look melted but as soon as you flip over the other cookie the chocolate will be a delicious gooey pool of chocolate! These take so little time, do not call for any special tools, just be sure to watch them as they can turn into a charred mess within seconds (or so I've heard)

These Biscoff  cookies were provided complimentary to me by influenster as part of their VoxBox program for testing purposes . All opinions and trials are my own and I will be sure to pick up more!

Or Maybe there's Hope after all

I could swear i heard the R2 unit saying Nicodemus you're our only hope..

It could be hopeless!

I was really hopeful that the Elf would be a little less naught this year....so far he doesnt seem to be off to a good start...he stowed away in my work bag, and yesterday we had a little snack...he seemed to be eyeing my cupcake.

I told him...no way it's mine.....and then went to a meeting and came back and found him like this!

What am i going to do about this elf!

Naughty Elf if Back

Looks like somebody snuck some Pizza into the Movies!!

Sriracha, Sriracha, Sriracha..it's everywhere!

Sriracha burgers at Fast Food, Sriracha  in Vodka. This peppery condiment is awesome (unless you live in the neighborhood where it's manufactured), it's no wonder it is everywhere. I confess if there's a bottle handy, i pretty much put it on anything and I'm not skimpy about using it.  When I heard about the Sriracha Almonds from blue Diamond Almonds, i was so excited about them, i was on the hunt for them everywhere. For a while, it was like looking for the pot of gold on the end of the rainbow, empty spaces on shelves, or just not finding it anywhere.



When I received my #sunshinevoxbox from Influenster, i was super excited to  try them. The 1.5oz pack is just perfect for a 2 oclock treat at work. I finally broke in them one day after carrying them around in my purse..on a trip up and back to Yosemite...and i have to say...they werent as good as I hyped them up in my head.  There definitely was a taste of sriracha, as well as some lingering heat in my mouth...but there wasn't the overall 'flavor pop' like some of the other Blue Diamond Almond flavors (my absolute faves are wasabi ginger). It seemed like it was just a light flavor taste..and then it was gone, I even shared with some coworkers, and they had the same reaction.

Overall, if someone put them down in front of me..of course I'd eat them, however these wont be a flavor i'll be searchign otu regularly..or salivating for when i've got the 4pm cravings!


I was provided these almonds from Influenster at now charge for testing purposes and my review. My opinions are my own and were not influenced by the receipt of this package.

Links in this blog post contain affliate links, i may receive a small commission if you purchase from the link, at no extra cost to you.

#SunshineVoxBox

Did you see my first Periscope? I unveiled the contents of my #SunshinevoxBox from Influenster.
If you missed it you can catch it on my youTube channel here

I was super excited to try out all of the contents from this VoxBox after seeing Influenster unveil the contents on their youtbue channel.

The contents included

a 1.5 oz pack of Blue Diamond Sriracha Almonds

a full size Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer with Aloe

Sinful Colors Nail Polish in Southern Bell

an Infusium 23 Moisture Replenisher Leave In Treatment

Dickinsons Original Witch Hazel Refreshingly Clean Cleansing Cloths

A coupon for a Free package of BarkThins

If you would like to find out more about Influenster just click my link here, for an invite to try it on your own.

This is a review post, all products were gifted for the purposes of discussion to readers of my honest thoughts and opinions.
This post contains amazon affiliate links, if you purchase the products off Amazon from my links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

New #VoxBox

I'll be having my first ever Periscope  Broadcast tomorrow, July 23rd at 12pm PDT.  In this periscope i'll be opening for the first time my new #sunshineVoxbox from Influenster. I ahvent received a #voxbox for almost two years now from Influenster so i'm really excited to see all the contest and try them out. I hope you'll join me, my periscope user name is betseylou.

Influenster provided the items to me in this box at no charge to test them out. If you would like an invite to Influenster, leave me a comment.

CAS vs CASE?

Do you know the difference? No..i'm not talking CASES , as my 2 1/2 year old nephew calls suitcase..he's obsessed with them, if he meets you he'll ask you where your cases are...or ask him what's at the airport....CASES...., but I digress...I'm talking CASE - Copy and Steal Everything.

As opposed to CAS.. - Clean and Simple

Now..you can have a card or a project that is a CASE, as well as a CAS...but it doesnt necessarily mean that a CAS project is a CASE. Are you confused?

let's say you CASE a project...it's a one layer card...maybe two...has stamping..maybe a ribbon...done..no excess glitter or sequins etc....that my friends is pretty Clean and Simple.

Now...on the ohter hand..you create your own project your own design..papers, maybe those new stamps that havent been released yet..again one layer card...maybe two...has stamping..maybe a ribbon...done..no excess glitter or sequins etc....it's Clean and Simple...but Not a CASE...get it?

disclaimer/word to the wise/warning - if you are going to CASE..you need to always, always, always give credit where credit is due. And you should not enter that CASE'd project for publication, contests or sale.


if any of this is clear as mud...call me out on it..or ask a question..i love questions!

Listers Gotta List Challenge

So I've joined (re-joined) the planner nation.  since i've had a smart phone, ive soley used my phone and outlook calendar for all my appointments, and i still do (seriously love the travel time feature in my iPhone, especially for Notary appointments).
Back in the day i had two daytimers, my medium binder one for my desktop and my little notebook one that was in my purse..it was perfect for travelling at a moments notice, I had my passport and my needle detector card in the pocket, that if i had to visit a factory, i was ready.

Then came the smart phone...the medium planner got put in the closet, then a box when i moved, and unless i get lucky when purging my storage unit in my garage this weekend, donated a while back.  My pocket daytimer, locked in a filing cabinet with my passport, which probably sadly hasnt been used since.

And then the planner craze started....and it just appealed to every hoarding part of me, the stamps, the stickers, paper...the to do lists...i could go on and on. I debated the Erin Condren Life planner...debated and debated...and decided to jump in slowly with Lilly Pulitzer instead. I love my Lilly..i am a Lilly girl..but she doesnt really fulfill my planner needs...after 2015..the Lilly planner is dead to me (i think the Jumbo size , would probably better suit my purpose..but i need to be able to at least carry this in my purse, and that would be too large.

I did print out some planner pages, mostly for meeting details, and punch them with my zutter bind it all and put them in the week they occurred...i just did them on the black/white laser printer at work and decorated with washi, but I'd truly like a planner with regular note taking areas. I realize that it could get bulky, but with a binder system, i know i can take them out as well.

Sometimes I feel (like some of my foray's into direct sales), I dont have the super busy life for the planners of today, I don't have kids, I use it to note down meetings at work (sometimes), life appointments (most) and notary appointments (almost always..but again mainly using the iPhone for the travel time feature too). My menu planning consists of making freezer meals into one person lunch/dinner portions. I think maybe when my work load balances a bit, and i can get back to regular posting of crafty stuff, i would utilize a bit more for scheduling blog posts etc.

So, long story, long...why I am  taking this challenge..that whole work life balance thing, I havent been scrapping that much (for my regular customers, or more importantly myself). While there's not a lot of pictures per se...at least this will give a snapshot of my life this month...and actually it's already destined to be a great one on a lot of fronts, so I'm super excited.  Keep checking back to see my daily prompts and posts!

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Missing Person -please share with your networks

Update November 9th - Pat has been found and is getting medical treatment.

My cousin Patrick (Pat) has been missing for over a week. Our family and friends are worried sick! He was last heard from on Tuesday, October 28th. A missing persons report was filed with the South San Francisco, CA Police Department

His truck, a 2011 Silver Dodge Dakota (California Plate #60327A1) was last spotted in San Leandro.

His cell phone has been off since last Tuesday and is untraceable.

He is a diabetic, without meds and AT RISK!

If you have any information please contact his brother, Guy at 415.860.8603 or the SSF PD at 650.877.8900

Chocolate Frogs

In my Halloween Post, I mentioned the Chocolate Frogs. Let me tell you, confectioner, I am not! You would think..Wilton Candy Melts, Mold..easy Peasy..not so much.

First I tried melting them in a ziplock baggy..i thought melt..snip off the end...squeeze into the mold..done..bang! Not so much..they melted ok for the most part..but they didnt really squeeze out well through the baggy..and the baggy and chocolate was hot! If i have finger/hand prints left after that experience, it's  Hogwarts Miracle!

Then I just tried melting in a bowl..and thought i'd scoop it in..I tried melting in the microwave..in a makeshift double boiler...these melts have a fine line between melted and separated and ash...i had a hard time finding it...but I found all those other statuses..easily!!


So much work..and in my trial run the best i got was 7 candy frogs, two bags of wasted chocolate melts, and a Pyrex bowl that just wasn't salvageable with the hardened chocolate ash.

On my next trip to Michaels to get more Candy Melts, i found this great Melt & Decorate Bottle...I needed a thicker pour so just took the top off..but finally found a rhythm where i could melt, mold 4 frogs, melt , mold the other four..put the frogs in the refrigerator and the bottle in the freezer, wait 20 minutes and repeat. I would have to use a spatula to get any melted chocolate out good..but finally...it worked!

Candy Melts - i suggest using light cocoa only..even if you're a dark choclate fan

Frog Mold

Melt & Decorate Bottle

**the links to the products mentioned above, contain affiliate links to Amazon..if you use those links and make purchases, i may make a small commission on those items. You can read more about my affiliate status on my Disclosure page

Hogwarts at Gymboree

"That's so clever, Oh My God look at that!" Yay! People are back on our floor in total awe!! If you're not familiar, Gymboree Corporate in full celebration of childhood, goes all out for Halloween. Competition all out! For many years..those stuffy accountants on the 5th floor (or the 770 building) won the competition..i mean we're accountants..how could we possibly pull that off..and then production pulled out the stop using their creative forces to start planning and creating, in December the year prior! We still pulled off an amazing skit or dance...but lost the coveted trophy..the bragging rights.
this year we decided to pull out the stops and create a Wonderful world of Wizardry with Harry Potter.

Platform 9 3/4

Hogwart's Express

Myrtle

The Sorting Hat

The magical winged keys (thanks to my fabulous Silhouette!)

The Great Hall

Advanced Potions Class

Hogsmeade

The Wampum Tree

Bertie Bott's Sweet Shops

The Chocolate Frogs

The Dementors ( I copied Ashley Phipps/Simply Designing PB Hanging Ghosts Knock Off knock off...took it a step further, painted the balls black and used Rit Dye to dye the cheesecloth.*

The Quiddich Stadium

If you're checking this before the evening of the 30th..check back to see video of our amazing post Harry/Draco duel celebration!
Do we win? That remains to be seen and will be discussed at a a future Town Hall..check back to find out!

*I live in an apartment, so needed to do the Sink Method for dying..I used a bucket. Rit Dye Rit Dye Liquid Fabric Dye, 8-Ounce, Black notes on the bottle you should wear gloves...that's not a suggestion, unless you like dyed hangs..alhtough the black dye came off with a bit of Comet Comet Powder Cleanser with Bleach, 25 Oz and a Ranger Craft Scrubbie
. Rit Dye Color RemoverRit Dye Powdered Fabric Dye, Color Remover, 2-Ounce would probably also work.

**This post contains affiliate links to Amazon and other craft sites..If purchased I amy receive some compensation that goes to power this blog and my crafting/beauty habit.

Girls Eyes Only...a Playtex Review

Hey boys..did you see the title..you may want to take a break from posts today. Still here? I warned you..but maybe you're the guy who does the shopping..and want to know the opinion in case you forget your gals brand.

I received these  Playtex® Sport® Fresh Balance™ Tampons as part of the Influenster #SpringFlingVoxBox program, to give my opinion.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect, they came just as i was leaving on a trip, i put the sample size box in my suitcase and was on my way...mistake #1.

These bad boys are scented..obnoxiously so...and so was everything in the vicinity in my suitcase. And well..you know what happens when cover up bad odor with perfume, dont you? You dont? Geesh..well just get in a cab on a warm summer day...that cab driver will educate you on that fact right away.

But I digress...Mistake #2...not noticing that these are regular size...my first couple of days i need super...maybe even ultra super..thankful i also brought along some feminine napkins after noticing the issue, otherwise it could have been disastrous with my summer clothes and sitting in meetings all day.

For sport..you'd think regular would be just a little more than regular, they're not..i wouldnt even use these when swimming in the bay combined with cold water, for fear of attracting Jaws.

So bottom line...if you're fine with the 'sweet' scent..and dont mind regular or lighter and are active you might want to give these a try...if not..stick with your regular brand.

Amazon link above is an affiliate link..if you care to check these out yourself, or other reviews on amazon and make a purchase i may receive small affiliate compensation, to help fund this blog and/or my bad beauty habit.

Influenster Spring Flig Vox Box

Woot!! I finally got another Vox Box from Influenster..it's been at least a year (see previous blog post). I kept going in and writing reviews answering survey..and nothing..nada..zilch..until now.  Check out my video below as i reveal all that's inside.

Do you PodCast?

Podcasts..they're new to me..i know there not new..my favorite morning group (Sarah & Vinnie) have had their secret show podcast for years..and I've always meant to listen..but i didn't get how to get them..not sure if my original iPod touch had the ability..myriad of reasons why i didn't listen..but wow..I'm addicted. It's what i listen to for a good 4 hours of the day at work.  I've laughed with Alec Baldwin, salivated with Tyler Florence..laughed and cried with Pat Monahan.

The thing i like the most...every one I've listened to, I've learned something new..whether it's as a new fan of a guest, a new restaurant or way of cooking, or a new appreciation for a band or athlete that I was already a fan of.

If you haven't listened to one..check it out...find someone you might want to listen to...and just check them out!

Bloglovin

I've set myself up on Bloglovin' hope you'll follow through there