Friday, January 30, 2015

DIY Lip and Hand Scrub


Happy Friday y'all! Today I'm going to be sharing with you my favorite lip (or hand) scrub recipe! Valentine's Day is right around the corner and, if you are planning on going on a date, you want your lips to be luscious (lol)


During the winter months my lips get so dry and flakey! I like to use a lip scrub now and then, and there are some great options out there for purchasing a lip scrub. However, since I don't use a lip scrub on a daily basis, I always like to make one at home. They are so easy to make and you can make as much, or as little, as you want. You can personalize your lip scrub and add what ever "flavors" you like!


What you will need:
1/4 Cup of Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil (melted)
1 Tablespoon of Honey
1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
Combine all ingredients together until completely mixed.

This lip scrub is great because it can be used on your hands, but it is still gentle enough for your lips! This honey, vanilla and coconut is my favorite combination to make. This can be made from things found right in your kitchen and is completely edible, and delicious I must say!










The coconut oil in the scrub leaves your hands and lips moisturized after you rinse it (or eat it off your lips)! After using a scrub it is important to moisturize. Since this contains coconut oil it helps to moisturize, but I still like to add a little extra moisture. It is always a good idea to apply a hand creme and/or a lip moisturizer. My favorites are the Caudalie Hand and Nail Creme and Aquaphor Healing Ointment (for my lips).


I just store the lip scrub in a container. It will last up to a week (or probably longer). I hope that you try this out, be sure to let me know if you do. 
What are your favorite ingredients to add to a homemade lip scrub?



Wednesday, January 28, 2015

How to Build a Bar Cart





I am so excited about today's post! I am completely OBSESSED with bar carts! I think they are a fun and great way to change up  a small space in your home, or for me my bedroom (lol)! I recently asked my mom if it was acceptable to have a bar car in the hallway of my bedroom. She looked at me like I was absolutely crazy.

What can I say, I just love me a bar carts! My 21st birthday is this Saturday (January 31, 2015) so I felt like this post was appropriate for this week!

The decor, bubbly and a bundle of fresh flowers make a bar cart my version "heaven on earth".  Of course, for my cart I went with few of my favorite color schemes: gold, blue and white and of course pink! Bar carts are a great addition to your home because you can make them your own. Add whatever liquor, champagne, sparkling water, or juice is your favorite! Even if you don't drink you can still mix it up with some sparkling lemonade or any other fancy nonalcoholic drink out there! Make your bar cart your own by adding whatever your style of decor is and, of course, you cannot forget the bar cart! I chose gold because... well you know why ;) Just have fun with it! You can even decorate these for different seasons or holidays! Throw on a few Easter eggs or some pink and red decor for Valentine's Day!

How to build the perfect bar cart:
Find your perfect cart
Don't forget Liquor, Champagne, Wine, Sparkling water, Juices etc.,
Include your necessary bar tools (shaker, ice bucket)
Have an assortment of glasses
Add a candle
Cocktail napkins are a must (and are so fun)
A cute hand towel is a great addition as well
Trays are a great way to organize the items on your cart
I just couldn't resist this "Call Me Old Fashioned" print
Fresh flowers always add elegance to any area so don't forget them!

I am hoping of getting a bar cart sometime soon, but until them I will enjoy getting inspiration from other people! 
Do you have a bar cart? What is your must have item for your bar car?


Monday, January 26, 2015

Bronze Everyday Eye Makeup (featuring Tom Ford beauty)

Happy Monday Y'all! I am back off to school for my first full week of the spring semester. I am not exactly excited (lol), but I am trying to stay organized and positive!

Today I want to share with you my everyday foundation routine and my, just about everyday, bronze eye makeup routine. This year for Christmas I receive some products from Tom Ford and I am absolutely in love with them. With that being said I wanted to show some pictures! If you would like reviews of these products just let me know!

(sorry for the lighting, I am still working on getting good light and a good angle)













Products Shown (in the order they were used in)
Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer
Makeup Forever Mat Velvet + Foundation
Giorgio Armani Maestron Eraser Dark Circle Concealer
YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch
YSL Terre Saharienne Bronzing Powder
Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Color (Rose Bloom)
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
Nars Pro Prime Smudgeproog Eyeshadow Base

Face products

Eye products



These colors are so stunning! (Golden Mink)


I love this just by itself! I'm so sad its limited edition :(

Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in Boy is my everyday lip color and such a classic!

If you have any questions, or would like reviews of any of these products, please let me know! I am always available via email @ themissmorganlife01@gmail.com

Happy Monday!


Saturday, January 24, 2015

Weekend Links!

Via

Happy Weekend everyone! I am so glad the weekend is finally here and I am hoping to use this time to get ahead on some of my reading and assignments for this semester. I hope you all have a happy and relaxing few days off! I am so excited because today is exactly one week from my 21st Birthday!! Officially, as of January 31, 2015, I will be 21! I. can't.wait. I am hoping to have a few posts up for my birthday party. It is going to be gold themed, because you know that's my favorite color, and my mom is so creative! 

These are a few things and blogposts from this week!

1. The Beauty Look Book  Dior Polish review LOVE Lady #294
2. Katey Mcfaland's coffee table whole apartment is to die for! See how she organizes her coffee table here!
4. Rachel Parcell's skincare routine (#loveherstyle)
5. Hot Yoga is my new jam
6. My handbag wish list
7. Eating healthy has made be CRAVE sweets like no other (hence the Laduree picture)


Happy Weekend! 



Friday, January 23, 2015

How to Make Fresh Flowers Last Longer



If you follow me on Instagram you should know just how much I love fresh flowers! Honestly, I love any and all different kinds of flowers. My favorite thing to do is pick up fresh flowers from a local grocery store like Trader Joes, the Fresh Market, or Whole Foods (only I don't have a Whole Foods close to me)! I just love to stare at the beautiful and colorful blooms and pick out my favorite bunch! In the spring and summer, I go to the local farmer's market and pick some up. 

Of course every girl loves a man to send her flowers, and mine always sends the most beautiful (love you jay ;) but there is just something special, to me, about picking up a small bunch of fresh tulips or white roses! However, any flowers are not necessarily cheap so I always try to make them last as long as I can. With spring around the corner I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite tips on how to keep your fresh cuts looking fresh for as long as possible! 

1. Get flowers in water as soon as possible.
I am so bad about this! I often pick mine up when running errands and leave them in my back seat for two hours. Ir's best to get them in water as soon as you can, that's where they want to be! Carrying a cup, or vase, of water in your car isn't easy. So, you can just wet a paper towel and rubber band it around the cut of your flowers (the farmer's market always does this)!

2. Use a clean vase to put flowers in.
 This seems very tedious but it is important. It is necessary to make sure any leftover residue, from previous bouquets,  is out of the vase before place the new fresh flowers in it! You don't want to ruin your fresh bunch because of a nasty microorganism that is left from last time. So, give the vase a good scrub before adding your flowers!

3. Cut flower stems at an angle. 
Most all flowers need trimming so it's easy to add this step in! When you measure and cut your flowers to the height need for your vase, simply cut them at an angle instead of straight across. This helps the stems to take in more water helping the flower to stay healthier.




4. Add flower food, aspirin or sugar to the water mixture.
I use cool water for my flowers. If the flowers do not come with flower food add a crushed aspirin or a little sugar to the water. I always use a crushed aspirin but I have also heard that sugar helps as well!

5. Change water every few days or more if needed.
Change the water in the flowers every few days, or everyday, when needed. This helps to keep the flowers healthy and rid of anything that may have fallen into the water that can hurt life of your flowers.

6. Cut any branches with leaves that will fall into the water.
Allowing the leaves of the flower to lay in the water will dirty the water and kill the flowers. By cutting the branches and leaves off of the flower it helps to extend the life of the flowers in the vase!



7. Keep flowers out of direct sunlight.
Keep the flowers out of direct sunlight and in a cool place. I like to set mine in my bathroom, on my bedside table, on my desk or in the kitchen! Try to keep them away form direct sunlight. 

8. LOOK AT THEM OFTEN AND ENJOY THEM!!
Flowers are so beautiful and always make me so happy! They remind of how beautiful the simple things in life are and how beautiful Gods creations are! Be sure to enjoy your flowers but looking at them, smelling them and (if you're like me) share them on Instagram, Twitter, etc,. Be sure to tag me so I can see!


I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did making it! 
What are your most favorite flowers?












Wednesday, January 21, 2015

The Classic Black Handbag



I'm pretty sure that I have probably discussed handbags, or my dream handbags, before. But, we are going to talk about them again...and again... and again. Sorry! I love handbags, shoes, makeup, skincare, jewelry and all other accessories! I am ALL ABOUT THE ACCESSORIES end of story. Recently I have been wanting to add to my handbag collection and can't seem to come to a reasonable and likable pick. I mean, there are so many bags out there. We are all "Workin' for a Birkin" obviously! Unfortunately, we are not all Dorothy Wang or Kim Kardashian (we can still pretend though right *wink wink). 

With that in mind, I have picked four classic black totes that range from affordable to more higher end. I really would love a Celine bag, but they are still out of my price range. The Saint Laurent Paris Sac de Jour (in the small size) is my number one pick, but have also been thinking about a Prada bag as well. They are both very classic, the Prada is probably more classic than the Saint Laurent bag, but the Sac de Jour is just so fab! What's a girl to do?

Tory Burch is always classic, affordable and still an up to date option! I love how she incorporates trendy fashion prints with classics and yet still keeps her items affordable. I always aim for simple and classic fashion. It may not be the most hip, but a nice investment will last longer than something that is more trendy. I'm not sure when or which bag I will end up deciding to add to my collection, but when I do I will be sure to share!

What is your favorite handbag or your collection?
 Do you own any of these bags? 
Which is your favorite?!


Sunday, January 18, 2015

Tasty and Easy Salmon Recipe






I have not always been a lover of salmon. In fact, for the longest time I wouldn't even try it. Jay's dad grilled salmon for a family dinner and I instantly fell. in. love. Ever since then, I was constantly asking Jay when his dad would be fixing it again and praying that that's what he would be making for dinner at every birthday and holiday party. Eventually I got bold and asked for his recipe. I was PLEASANTLY surprised to find out that the recipe was so simple and I modified it to make it even more simple

I still have the original recipe and a go buy it every now and then, but for the most part I use my modified version (which is VERY simple)!


RECIPE
For the Costco (my family buys everything there) size salmon:
Lemons:I used 2 lemons for this salmon + more for serving (I like extra lemon!)
Olive Oil 
Lemon Pepper




I squeeze as much lemon on the salmon as I want (I usually use quite a bit, but whatever you prefer works just fine)! Then I brush the salmon with olive oil and sprinkle with it lemon pepper. 
*Repeat this process to both sides of the salmon*


During the warmer months, Jay will grill the salmon on a charcoal grill and it is heaven sent! #ahhhmazing But, when it's cold we just pop the salmon in the oven for a little bit until done.

The salmon is quick to cook. It should be opaque throughout and should flake with a fork.
I absolutely LOVE  this recipe because it is easy, quick, does not require planning and is absolutely divine. It doesn't require any measuring, you can just (literally) plop all of the ingredients on and it will taste delicious! Just be sure to evenly spread the ingredients throughout!

I hope that you find this recipe simple and delicious, because I sure do! Please let me know if you would like to see more recipes! I LOVE to cook and love to eat even more, I'm definitely a foodie and would love to do more food posts.



Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Wednesday Wishlist: Makeup






Happy Wednesday! 
Wishlist Wednesday sounded fun to me and I have a long list of beauty products I want to try, but I am just waiting for products I currently own to run out before purchasing these items. Lately, I have been obsessed with Tom Ford, since receiving some of his products for Christmas. I always want to try some things from Burberry because I have heard that their products are good quality and seem to be reasonably comparable in price. I decided to throw in a few other luxury beauty products that I am dying to try that have been raved about! 

What are beauty products are on your wish-list right now?!






Monday, January 5, 2015

Goals for 2015




Happy 2015!! I have not written since I came down with a little sickness that is finally, thank god, gone! I hope you had a wonderful new year and I wish you a happy and healthy year! 

I have spent the first week of 2015 sick and tired. Resting and getting better has been my number one priority and it has been nice to just focus on my body for a few days. I am now feeling much better and ready to jump into 2015 with some new goals and resolutions! 

I began cleaning out my closet before the I got sick and I am continuing to work on it now! I am getting rid of everything that doesn't fit, has any damage, I don't wear or no longer like. I always feel guilty for getting rid of so many nice clothes but they aren't helping anyone else out by me saving them and not wearing them. I have decided to donate everything including shoes, handbags and jewelry! Maybe later on down the road I will sell things I don't use, but for now I am going to give them to someone who needs them. 

ANYWAYS

I wanted to share this post to wish you a happy new year  and share some of my goals for 2015!

1. Study the bible and pray more (I already ordered a new bible study book, more to come later!)
2. Eat more vegetables, more fruit, less meat and drink more water
3. Pay more attention to the quality, consistency and content of my blog
4. Read at least one book every 2 months
5. Take care of my body and skin
6. Spend more time on my school work (#getthemAs)
7. Work on my organization and procrastination (these two go hand in hand for me)
8. Not hold onto things I don't use or need
9. Have more patience
10. Rely less on technology (iPhone, instagram, Facebook, twitter and pinterest)

What are your goals for 2015?