Organization

Today I took the day to organize my room at my parents. I love love love organizing, throwing out and donating stuff I don't want. I got rid of so much stuff that I have just been holding onto for no reason. I also love doing this because I often find little trinkets and things I forgot I ever had. I still have more clothes I plan to donate but that takes much longer, I have a hard time getting rid of clothes. But in the end when I know my room is cleaned out and I did a good thing by donating, I just feel relieved and lighter knowing things I don't want will make someone else happy. I am finishing up the night doing last min. homework and relaxing with my sister and boyfriend.

{Though I wish my closet looked anywhere close to this, I like to look at organized closets and rooms online for ideas on how to tackle my own}

Body Scrub At Home!

Today I decided to make it a craft day / do the fun things on my to do list. So after class I went to Hobby Lobby and dug in, I got so many great items, lots of glitter, a few mason jars, some other glass jars, felt, paint, rocks and glue. One of the jars I found reminded me of the fact I wanted to make an at home body scrub. So here is the one I made step by step.

The ingredients you need are:
2 cups Sugar or Salt (salt is more harsh and not good for sensitive skin)
1 cup Oil - I used grape seed oil but the choice is yours
10-15 drops of high quality essential oils

{Ingredients}

{Step 1: Add 2 cups of sugar to a small mixing bowl}

{Step 2: Add 1 cup of oil of your choice on top of sugar}

{Step 3: 10-15 Drops of essential oils} 

{Step 4: Grab a wooden spoon and stir}

{Finished product}

{Store in Jar of choice}

Storing in an air tight container is recommended, once you are ready for use open the jar stir up the scrub and begin. To use: Get in the shower, before turning the water on take a small spoonful of the scrub and work into your body in circular motion starting with your feet and working your way up. Keep in mind that sensitive areas don't need as much pressure. Once your body is covered you can start the shower and rise it away. When getting out of the shower pat your skin dry, rubbing could cause irritation. You really only need to use body scrub 1-2 times a week. Enjoy!

Top of the Morning!

In the morning if I have the time to do it I like to sit down and write down all the things I need to do that day. Often times I write them each on a sticky note and get the satisfaction of crumbling it up in hand when the task it done and throwing it away. Today  I did this, yet in the end it made me stressed when I realized I have so many things to do today and I have to work from 12-7. But that okay, deep breaths and coffee will get me through this day. Here are a few things around me while I pondered my To-Do's. I would also like to give special Happy Birthday to one of my life long friends Sam Jewell! Xoxo!

{My sticky notes}

{Old Juicy Couture boxes I like to keep for storing things in}

{My XXL coffee mug! - Lifesaver}

{My puppy Mika}

{Josie Maran wipes to wipe away yesterday and take on a new day}

River Rock Craft

I love the look of these River Rocks used as a pot holder. This is a super quick and easy craft that will last a life time and it fun to make. All it take are the River Rocks that you can buy at most craft stores, some felt or cork board and hot glue. If you get the right rocks then you can set hot pans on them as well as anything else. You could make pot holders like these, or make them smaller and use them as coasters. Cut the felt/cork board in the shape and size you want, glue the rocks down in the pattern you want, let it dry and Enjoy!

Sunday in the park

Today was another perfect Sunday! My boyfriend and I are spending the week at my parents house to watch our pets and watch over the house while they are on vacation in Tennessee. I wanted to embrace the week and fill it with doing my favorite things at home. We decided to go on a bike ride to the park in town and ride through all of the trails there. It is so beautiful and peaceful to ride through. There is always so much going on at the park and it really is a favorite spot of mine. After we got home we marinated some chicken to cook on the grill and eat out on the deck, another peaceful and favorite thing of mine to do at home. We are now going to spend the rest of the evening relaxing and watching a movie. I hope you Sunday's were as relaxing as mine.
Here are some pics from the day....

{The sledding hill at the park}

{One of the main trails} 

{Yummy BBQ chicken}

Tie-Dyeing

Today I went home to my parents house to spend the day with my dad and my sister Cari, after ordering delicious grinders from Mancino's my sister and I decided to Tie Dye! I love tie dyeing shirts, it is so fun to throw paint all over them and have no idea what they are going to look like until they are done. Nine times out of ten I think my shirt is going to be covered and then I take off the rubber bands, open it up and find the opposite and I always have to add more. Tie dyeing is such an easy inexpensive activity, all it takes are plain white shirts, rubber bands, some dye, and creativity!  Here are a few photos.... 

{Shirts before we took the rubber bands off}

{Part of one of the shirts I made}

{A few of the bottles of dye we have}

5 Things

Today was a very long, and hot day, it was almost 90 degrees here in the lovely mitten state and it has wiped me out! I spent this morning shopping for a few items to bring me into summer mode, then went to class and finished this day of running around with a relaxing dinner at Champps on the patio with my boyfriend! Here are 5 things that kept me from getting cranky from the heat and motivated to love this summer weather.

{My fun sparkly and pink nails that remind me of summer}

{My favorite comfy sandal from Charlotte Russe}

{A purchase I made this morning - A Tommy Hilfiger tote bag}

{This bright pink pen that keeps note taking in class exciting}

{The ending of my busy day - A Miller Light on the patio at Champps}

Italian Pasta Salad

In the Summer I love love love salads of all types, and I especially love making different pasta salads so today I thought I would share with you one of my favorite recipes for Italian Pasta Salad! 

{Ingredients -}

3-4 cucumbers 12 ozs pasta (you choose your favorite shape) 8 ozs Italian dressing 3-4 tbsps salad supreme seasoning 3-4 tomatoes 1 onion 4 ozs pepperoni {Prep-}  1.) Boil and prepare pasta nuggets as directions indicate on the side of the box. 2.) Drain pasta and set aside in a large bowl. 3.) Chop into small chunks cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, and pepperoni. 4.) Add these ingredients to pasta. 5.) For the finishing touch add dressing and seasoning to the pasta mix and stir. 6.) If you prefer more dressing and seasoning use the full amount listed in the ingredients ENJOY!

Relaxing Sunday!

After all of the excitement and craziness of Saturday being St. Patrick's day I wanted to spend Sunday in a relaxed state of mind. So my boyfriend and I decided to go to Grand Rapids and see my sister and her boyfriend. It was a nice and sunny day perfect for going outside. Once we got there my sister showed me all of the cute arts and crafts shes been working on with inspiration from other blogs and of course Pinterest. Her apartment it so cute, it is just outside of the city and right outside their sliding glass door there is a huge pond with a water fountain in the center which makes the feeling of her apartment so relaxing. After visiting for a little we went to the movies to see 21 Jump Street, it was super good and super funny. I recommend it! After the movie we went to my sister and her boyfriend Kyle's favorite hot spot which is Founder's Brewing Company, it is a huge building that seems almost like a garage, with lots of indoor and outdoor space, they have great bar snacks and of course lots of beer, lots and lots of beer. I am not much of a dark beer drinker like the ones they serve but I got one close to what I normally drink. I would suggest Founder's to anyone in the area. Yesterday there was also a Jazz band playing the whole times we were there, so we stood on the patio, had some snacks, listened to jazz and drank a beer. Perfect relaxing Sunday!  A few pics of the day....

{My Sister and I}

{Matt and I}

St.Patty's Day Prep!

St.Patrick's day is one of my favorite holidays! I just love when everyone gets dressed up in green and spends the day together. This weekend we are having a party at my boyfriend's house. All of our friends are coming from all over to spend the day, playing yard games, drinking, and having a great time together. The weather is supposed to be in the high 70's which will make it perfect for spending the days outdoors! Here are a few pictures of things I have in prep for the day!

{Festive green color for my nails}

{This fun light up necklace}

{My favorite of them all this big obnoxious bow/headband for my hair}

Spring is here!!

I think that is it safe to say that spring is here! Although this is Michigan and it could snow at any second I am going to take the chance and say spring is here. All this week it is supposed to be in the high 70's which will make for a perfect St.Patty's Day! It is time to put away my boots, sweaters and scarves and pull out my tanks, shorts, sandals and best of all sundresses!! Bring out the bright colors and take black out of my wardrobe for a few months! This weather just makes everyone happy and that is mostly why I love it so much. It's great to wake up to, spend the day with and leave the windows open and night to let the cool breeze in while you sleep! I hope you all read this post and then go outside for some fun! Cheers to summer drinks!

Kiehl's

While I was at the MIA airport all day on Friday waiting for my flight home I was walking around and went into a store that sold a few Kiehl's products. My sister Jenny uses many of the products they have so I have sampled them quite a few times. That day my skin felt so dry from being in the sun and ocean all week, so I decided to use a sample of the hand cream and some lotion they have. I fell quickly in love, so once I got home I looked it up online and ordered some. The products are a bit more pricey than the products at Meijer I am used to buying but let me tell you they are worth it. Things like these I don't mind spending the extra money on because I know how good they are and that they will last. Click here to check out Kiehl's website!

Cozumel, Mexico!

The second stop we made was to Cozumel Mexico! When we first got off the ship we went to our excursion of snorkeling! It was so amazing to see all the little and big fish on the bottom of the ocean, it is something I had only seen in movies. At times I would get scared and freaked out when the fish got close to me but I think most of that was me realizing that this way real and the fish were only a foot away from me. I made myself calm down eventually (somewhat) and really take in what we were doing. After snorkeling we went back into the Port of Cozumel, did a little shopping, I couldn't believe how cheap everything was, then we stopped for lunch at Three Amigos and had genuine Mexican food along with tequila shots! Which is one of the things I have always wanted to do, take tequila shots while in Mexico. Here are a few pictures....

{A little band playing music when we got off the ship}

{Where we stopped for lunch}

{My amigo}

{Tequila shots - I wanted a before picture but I was to excited}

Key West

The first place we stopped was Key West FL, my first impression was that it was gorgeous! They had a trolley take us from the ship right into the heart of town and on the way the driver gave a some hints and facts on how to spend the day. He dropped us off on the very well known Duval St. which is where all the little shops, bars and fun of key west is. We started walking around and taking pictures then realized there was so much to do and so little time so we decided to make it more fun and rent bikes to ride around. Then we went to lunch at the southern most spot in the United States which is beautiful, we spent so much of the day there taking pictures and drinking margaritas. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from Key West!

{These guys rule the streets of Key West}

{The famous Duval St.}

{Riding my rented bike around}

  {The southern most spot in the US}

{Beach}

{Margaritas in the morning}

{The Cafe we ate at}

We're Back!

I don't even know where to begin to inform you all on the best trip I have ever been on. Between all the food, drinks and sun it was a blast! There was so much to do and see, we woke up early everyday and went to bed late every night so we made sure to make the best of it. We saw things we never thought we would, like chickens roaming free in Key West FL, and did things we always wanted to do like take a tequila shot in Mexico. I can't say enough good things about Carnival Cruise Lines, the ships are so nice and the crew does everything they can to make you content and happy. There we a lot of college spring breakers from all over on the ship so it was like being right at home but in a tropical climate for 5 day straight! Here are a few of my favorite photos from the trip.

{My first drink on board}

{So happy to finally be relaxing}

{The gorgeous lobby on the ship}

{The Ship}

{My coconut drink - So yummy}

Cruisin!

I shall be back Saturday for a new post to tell you all about my trip! Tomorrow we leave out of Miami, stoping at Key West, Cozumel then have a day at sea. I can not wait to relax, have no plans and just get to explore. We are going snorkeling in Cozumel as of this morning, I can't wait to take picture and try new things! I hope you all have a wonderful week. Until then....Bon Voyage!

{This is my home for the next week!}

Easter Cookies!

Friday night I kicked off Spring Break hanging out with one of my best friends Mitzi! I was so great to get to spend time with her and go to her house, she lives out in the country and her house just has such a calm and relaxing feel to it. It was nice to get away from the craziness in East Lansing. Mitzi, her sister Jessica and I all decided to make and decorate Easter cookies lots and lots of cookies. We used cookie mix from a box and rolled them out and used this recipe for the frosting, added coloring and lots of sprinkles!