Transform Your Wardrobe

Before you donate your clothing take a good look at it. I purchased this purple dress from The Limited a few years back. I got some good out of it but then grew tired of the style. (Why was I EVER into ruffles? Gross.)

Before (pardon the wrinkles and Storm Trooper)

I didn't want to give my $50 dress away, but what else was I suppose to do? Then it hit me. I decided to change the dress into a skirt. Now, if I had the time and know-how I would have done this myself, but I didn't. I took it to my alteration shop and it cost me $20. That was well worth it. I wear the skirt all the time, way more than I did the dress, and it has pockets! That's a rare find in a skirt or dress.

After

Try it for yourself. Find items in your closet that you rarely wear and determine why. I bet you'll find something you can give a second life to.

February Women's Birchbox Review

Heaven help me, this month's box was amazing. Have you jumped on the Birchbox train yet? I highly recommend it (for the ladies out there). Here's the scoop: a monthly subscription service that sends you samples of products for $10/month. Fill out your profile so they get an idea of what you like. Plus, earn points toward free products by referring friends and writing reviews. Easy, fun, and something to look forward to each month. Use this link to sign up.

1. Agave Healing Oil Treatment. This stuff is for your hair after you shower. The scent was nice, the texture was fine, but overall I'm not sold. I got about two uses out of the sample. I prefer Biosilk Silk Therapy. My advice: If your hair is dry or frizzy, try the Biosilk Silk Therapy. Not the shampoo and conditioner, those are overrated.

2. Benefit Cosmetics Fakeup. The packaging was darling, and it goes on super smooth. It threw me off a little when I opened the lid and it was a concealer stick with white stuff around it ... that's the moisturizer. And it does its job. The Fakeup is specifically for your eyes, but I think it's versatile to use elsewhere. My advice: Give it a try. You may love it, you may not.

3. Dr. Brandt Pores No More. I LOVE this stuff. My makeup seems to stay fresh all day, and it does minimize your pores. The texture is silky and applies super smooth. I have been using it after I moisturize, but before I use concealer. I know Benefit has a similar product called POREfessional which is also great. My advice: Try some sort of pore-minimizing product like this.

4. OPI Sheer Tints Top Coat. I'm a big fan of OPI, as testified in a previous post. The cute little bottle was a big plus for me this month and is easy to take along anywhere in case you have a spare moment to do your nails ... like at work. The sheer pink adds just enough color and gives my nails a little pick-me-up when I don't have time to do them full out. My advice: SOLD! Try to get a cute mini sample if you can.

Beauty Extra: Benefit Cosmetics Big Easy. I am really warming up to the Benefit line of cosmetics. Everything I've tried has been pretty great, including the "They're Real" mascara. The problem with this sample was that it's a one time use -- I can't try it out for a few days. This is comparable to a BB cream, but you don't need to use it in conjunction with the pore minimizer. It's one or the other. My advice: Try it.

Farmer's Market Dinner

Living downtown has its perks, like an impromptu stop at the Farmer's Market on the way home. This one is called Bodega, on the corner of Roosevelt and 5th Street. Open each Tuesday from 3-6 pm. It was a small selection, but we picked up some broccoli, peppers, spinach, and green onions, then headed home to make something out of it.

Here's what I put in our Farmer's Market Dinner.

Chicken, cut and sauteed
Peppers, chopped
Zucchini, sliced
Green onion
Cumin
Garlic Powder
Salt
Pepper
Coconut Oil

Mix all ingredient together and cook over medium heat. Serve and enjoy! The peppers were our favorite part and at 25 cents each, how could you go wrong? Delicious!

Stainiac

With all the free points I earned from Birchbox I decided to redeem them for my favorite product from all the boxes I've received: Stainiac by The Balm. Here's the original post. I absolutely prefer lip stain over gloss or lipstick for long lasting color, and this shade is great. I haven't been brave enough to try it out as blush because I've got a fear of looking like a clown all day. Maybe I'll get over that.

Taco Soup

I'm a fan of soups in the winter months. And even in the summer, on occasion. This recipe is quite yumtastic and goes together pretty fast! Sometimes I'll improvise if I don't have all the ingredients, like this time I used frozen meatballs since I didn't have any ground beef on hand. It's OK to cheat the system once in a while. Since it's only me and the hubs I freeze half of the mix and save it for later. This dish also goes together well in a crock pot!

TACO SOUP
Recipe from my lovely sister, Susan Anderson

1 lb. ground beef
3 TBS (or to taste) homemade taco seasoning
1 c. water
1 can mild chili beans
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 envelope Ranch salad dressing mix

In large pan brown beef and drain. Add taco seasoning and mix well. Stir in remaining ingredients. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or until heated through, stirring occasionally. 6-8 servings.

Serve with cheese, onions, and chips.

Ten Things To Do Online When You're Really Bored

Are you bored at home? Work? Here's a list of ten things to do online when you're really, really bored:

1. Visit http://www.news.google.com and read up on world news or news near you
2. Go to Amazon.com and search for toilet paper. Read the customer reviews
3. Check out GrooveShark. It's sort of like Pandora, but better
4. Subscribe to Netflix. Then, watch House of Cards and Blackfish
5. Delete your Facebook profile. Grow up
6. Read through the trending topics on Twitter
7. Start a blog
8. Search "Top Ten Lists." Avoid David Letterman's crap. You're welcome.
9. Do an image search for friends, family, and exes (shh - don't tell your spouse)
10. Pay your bills. Check your financial accounts

And remember, "Think before you click!"

Honorable mention: YouTube, Pinterest, Craigslist, Grantland, Deadspin, many many more

Phoenix Furniture Auction

Have you ever been to an auction? The fast talking, bidding, and crazy characters are simply amusing. The Phoenix Furniture Auction has all that -- a sight to behold. Each Wednesday at 7 PM the madness begins. And it moves fast! About 400 items auctioned off in 3 hours. You can preview the items all day Wednesday up until the auction begins. You can sit, inspect, analyze, and decide what your maximum bid would be (or view the items online). We have a short video snippet for your viewing pleasure below. Click here for more information.

Your choice of ottoman. $20. Can I get $25? Your choice. SOLD!

She isn't the autioneer. False advertising.

The Farm at South Mountain

The Farm at South Mountain is a MUST to visit in the valley. You've heard about the Queen Creek Olive Mill, and this is also a little slice of outdoor heaven but located IN Phoenix! The farm is made up of three different restaurants, gift shops, lots of green grass to roll around in, gardens, and 10 acres of land. They offer classes from Gardening to Yoga. It's important to note they aren't open year-round, so head over while the temps are still below hell level. 

The Farm Kitchen. Order your meal, then take it out to the
 tables in a little picnic basket. Cutest ever!

Morning Glory Cafe has an outside patio. Great for a sit-down, casual brunch.

This little guy enjoyed my leftovers. I had the
Farm Monte Cristo. It was different, but so good!

Succulentia. Unique greenhouse with a variety of
cacti and succulents.

Cool gifts in the Botanica market. Love this piece.

Tabacco Bark scent sounds disgusting, but it was
actually quite lovely! The best of all the scents they offered.

Fun shirt for the garden/music lover in us all.

The boys checking out the citrus. They also have walnut trees. Legit.

A little view into Quiessence, the fancy dinner spot.