Quickest Takes (25)

I should be packing/leaving for home instead of writing this post and watching Sister Wives, so these are gonna be quick.

[1] I'm heading to Chicago tonight for the fourth time in two weeks....don't worry, I'll be recapping that torture experience soonish.

[2] I REALLY can't wait to go home because I get to see two of my best friends tonight...one of whom I haven't seen since NYE because she lives in Texas. Boo. Can't wait!

[3] I've been thinking about getting my hair cut for awhile now, but I'm hesitant because I reallyreallyreally love how long my hair is getting and I'm afraid of what a hairdresser will do because it seems like they get a little snipping-happy and I never know how many times I'm "allowed" to ask her if she knows what she's doing. BUT THEN I saw what a fab job Grace did on her hair (don't deny it, you look so.cute.) aaand so now maybe I'll cut my own hair? gahhh I don't know.

[4] Ok, I just have to echo Amanda's raving review of The Band Perry's new album Pioneer. I. Love. It. Can't get enough. I'm a Keeper is one of my favorites. Give it a listen:

[5] Summer is my favorite time of year. Not because of the sun and warmth (although I do love that), but because campus is EMPTY. And it is SO great to not risk hitting 20 different people on 20 separate occasions within a 2 block stretch. I grammed this photo yesterday, but here are a couple better, more campus-y photos to depict how dead campus is. I think the fact that I simply work on campus, rather than being a student, makes my tolerance for busy streets and idiot pedestrians significantly lower...ah well. One more virtue to work on...

[6] The big reason I'm heading home this weekend is for my cousin's Bachelorette Party, aaaand I'm the MOH. Wowza. I'm super excited to celebrate with her AND to bequeath to her these lovely coasters I made for them....DIY tutorial here.

aren't they the cutest?!?

[7] And a big Happy Birthday to sweet little Anne, who's now THREE! Cannot believe how fast that happened! Love you, little lady!

source

a great weekend to you and yours! Head over to Jen's for more! :)

xo, morgan

Pinterest Review: DIY Thyme and ACV Toner

Like I've said before, I'll try pretty much any kind of skin care remedy out there. After years of testing different products for my oily and acne-prone skin, I love it when I come across a DIY recipe that could not only save me money, but also be better for my skin!

I came across this recipe for a DIY Thyme and Apple Cider Vinegar Toner, another project from Delighted Momma. This toner is said to help clear skin better than benzoyl peroxide...whaa? Yes please let me try this!

So I got my thyme and I got my Apple Cider Vinegar and I heated and mixed...

 

And I strained (using the mini strainer that I used to make my hippie coffee) and poured into an old hotel shampoo bottle...

And then I tried it on my skin.

I'm sure that everything they say about thyme being better than benzoyl peroxide is perfectly true....but let me make a couple observations about this particular toner:

1. The smell of ACV is wayyyyy strong. Like, so-strong-I-had-to-air-out-my-entire-house strong.
2. Also, I hate the smell of vinegar....
3. ...thus I HATED my face smelling like ACV.

So it's fair to say that I was not a fan of this particular DIY....maybe there's another liquid I could use instead of ACV? It might be completely fine for other less babyish peeps, but I'll be the first to admit that I'm a baby. Totes.

Any suggestions? Has anyone else used this and had success? I'd love to know if it was worth the smell...but at this point, all it's going to benefit is my compost pile :)

xo, Morgan

cinco de mayo

This weekend has been crazy busy, and since I had a 22.5 hr work day Saturday, I'm not celebrating Cinco de Mayo in my usual fashion, but just had to share the following as it made me literally LOL

BWAHAHAHAHA

have a great Monday!

xo

Five Favorites

[1] The weather this week!!! It's been 80s every single day and I am LOVING it! For central IL, this is BIG news :)

[2] Amanda's latest post, "just don't say it: Singlehood". Oh man, if you know anyone at all who is single, PLEASE read it. It's SO TRUE. My favorite part:

[3] Anyone remember when "Poking" on le FB was a thing? Leave it to my long lost friends and I to bring it back....I think it's hilarious that this is the most we've interacted with one another in months!

[4] I got a new dress this weekend for our company banquets this upcoming week!!! I'm super excited and had to call one of my girlfriends to gush about it because I work with all men and well, they just don't understand.

[5] BABIES!!! This past weekend, I attended a baby shower for one of my dearest friends and oh. my. goodness. I CANNOT wait for little man to get here in June!!! Thank the Lord I only live 3 blocks away :)

isn't Mama the cutest?!?

Hop on over to Hallie's for more favs!

Pinterest Review: One Bowl Cupcakes for Two [or one...]

A few weeks ago, I came home from a long day at work and had a taste for something sweet. But alas, in an attempt to be healthy, I didn't allow myself to buy anything sugary for these munchie-craving times. Ugh.

But then! I remembered a recipe I'd pinned for One Bowl Cupcakes for Two! Perfect! Nevermind that it is now 11pm, I'm making some cupcakes, dang it!

Now, I must have done something wrong because I came out with 3 cupcakes, not that I minded....

And every cupcake needs frosting, amiright? I'll be honest, when it came to the frosting, I didn't measure...but I threw together some softened cream cheese (full disclosure: neufchatel cheese), butter, splash of vanilla, and powdered sugar.

And oh my wow. Delicious. This may have been the best thing from Pinterest that I've tried so far.

Obviously. oh so perfect.

I think what I liked best about this was that it made the perfect number of mini cakes...it's always the worst temptation for me to have an entire pan of brownies sitting around....I end up having dessert after ever. single. meal. No joke.

This way, there weren't too many cupcakes....and what did I do with the other two cakes? I'll never tell....

xo, morgan