Summer Countdown - 3: DIY Lime Lavender Body Scrub

Hey guys! Its Tuesday the 18th and in case you didn't know, Summer is only three days away! By way of a little celebration I thought it would be fun to do a short Summer Countdown, and I'll have a new sunshiny themed post every day for the rest of the week! To start it off today I'm sharing a really great Do-It-Yourself Body Scrub that is so much more than appropriate for this time of year! Take a look:

Every time summer comes around and my skin starts getting dry and itchy, I break out the body scrubs! I could never really rationalize buying those dead sea etc body exfoliates which are awesome, but mucho expensive), so as soon as I started mixing up my own for a teeny fraction of the normal cost (not to mention without any added chemicals), I was hooked!!
This is by far one of my favorite mixtures because it smells soo fantastic! I literally can't walk by it without taking off the lid and smelling the contents.haha It also leaves a long lingering sweet citrus scent on my skin which is to die for, and is incredibly refreshing and cleansing. I'm so excited for you to try it, so lets get to it!

DIY Lime Lavender Body Scrub
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons organic coconut oil
- the green zest of 2 limes
- approx 16 drops lime essential oil
- approx 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 4-6 drops ylang ylang essential oil (optional)
- 2-4 drops grapfruit essential oil (optional)
- 1 cup white sugar

Steps: Heat your coconut oil by itself in a mixing bowl for approx. 3o seconds or till melted. Add in your essential oils and grate in your lime zest. mix a bit with a fork as you add in your sugar 1/4 cup at a time. Feel free to modify the amount of sugar as much as you want if you prefer a more oily scrub or like it more course. Once you're through mixing(2-4 minutes), store it in an airtight container and stir a bit before each use. Done and done!

To use: After a bath or shower or rinse even(you just want the parts you wish to exfoliate to be damp), take a teaspoon sized amount at a time and rube on your skin in circular motions. Rinse with warm water once you're done, pat dry, and enjoy your new smooth and soft summertime skin! 

Notes:
- The course sugar granules make this the ideal body exfoliate (especially for knees, elbows, etc), but make it too course for facial use in my opinion.

- I like to lotion up a bit after I've dried off to replenish my skins moisture.

- If you have sensitive skin just test a bit on a small area before taking on your whole body:) 

and that's all there is too it! this scrub makes the perfect addition to your at-home girls spa day, not to mention a great gift! Just stick it in a pretty little jar, add on a few ribbons or homemade content stickers and you're good to go! Perfect for birthday's, mother's day anniversaries, etc because as much as we love having smooth exposed skin during the summertime, its always a good idea:)

See you tomorrow for another fun summertime countdown post, and thanks for your visit!
xo, Emily

P.S. I'd love to post more scrub recipes, so if you're interested in other combinations, let me know! 

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Style That Bump: Maternity Fashion Collaboration

Hey everyone! I've had the chance to participate with a few other fabulous bloggers(who are also expecting) in a collaboration for sharing different ways of styling a growing bump! I know that for myself that when I'm expecting, some days I wake up and I just feel like everything in my closet is cowering away from me and the basketball that's inflating under my shirt.haha So I'm really honored to be a part of this group for today and in the future in helping bring more ideas and inspirations for styling while pregnant! Here's the group: 

How fun is that! Be sure to visit the other ladies to see more of their outfit details, and baby bumps:) :

Tiffany from I am Style-ish -  26 weeks

Anna from In Honor Of Design - 38 weeks

Abbey from Along Abbey Road - 19 weeks

Lynzy from Sparkling Footsteps - 24 weeks

and myself:) - 22 weeks

 Necklace - gift, dress - Macy's, leggings - ross, heels - qupid

Thanks for visiting today! These other four ladies and myself will be posting monthly collaborative outfits just like today, where we'll take turns styling different closet staples to inspire and encourage! I know I need all the encouragement I can get when it comes to feeling comfortable while trying to still look like a woman instead of an open umbrella:) So I hope that if you're currently pregnant or planning on having a babe in the future that you'll explore, maybe pin an outfit or two, and leave feedback!

Pregnancy really can be a time to explore new ideas and outfit options, because there are some things that actually fit much better with a bump or look better even (though it may be hard to imagine at times.haha), so use the time wisely, and have no fear! I have just about outgrown this little number, so I was happy for the challenge of styling it with this new curve I have goin on. There's really not that much to this outfit, but there are a lot of possibilities don't you think? 
What about you, how would you style a dress with a bump?

Make sure you visit and show a little love to the other preggo mamas participating, and if you are visiting from one of them, I'm so glad you're here! 
xo, Emily

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to all the fathers

I may get the worst blogger mom of the year award today, because the only pictures I have in the last six months of Martin with all 3 kiddies are on Instagram, but I think it may just work out okay because (blurry as it may be) this picture is just perfect for what I'm trying to get across

Today is about honoring and acknowledging Fathers everywhere for the love and sacrifices they give, and examples they are, and the one I wanna start with is my baby-daddy:) There's really nothing quite like seeing the guy who started out as your biggest crush in high-school, hogged your popcorn at the movies, held your hand for the first time at a Coldplay concert, danced with you in the snow till just before curfew, stole a first kiss on the doorstep, and put a diamond ring on you finger on one knee, become the father of your child... your 4 childs:) Its always the sweetest moment in the world, when you hand him his newborn, and he meets him or her for the first time. You can see the bond forming before your eyes, and you know that there's nothing he wouldn't do to protect and care for his family. That he loves them more than words can describe.
Watching him from the stove as he feeds John, or reading a bedtime story to the girls in their jammies, those are the moments that make up the most fulfilling memories that I have. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful companion and partner in raising these babies, and I'm so grateful that our children have the most perfect example of what a husband and father should be like. The girls as they grow up and find their own spouses (tear), and John as he grows and becomes a man. 

Happy Father's day to you my sweetheart! fatherhood never look so good hot stuff. You are one of the greatest men I know and I am so proud of you. and also I kinda love you too:)
..and also to the man who raised you to be who you are, never ceases to make me laugh, and always treats me like his own special daughter,
..and finally to my own sweet father who taught be what kind of man to look for, who always told me I was beautiful no matter what, and who makes sure I know that I am loved, and special. every single day.
I love you all,
xo, Emily

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Friday Finds #67

This week I found...
...this easy and comfy spring outfit from polyvore. Maybe it was the aviators and the owls that sold me, or maybe it was the spike flats, or the chambrey, who cares!

via

...this yummy looking recipe for peanut butter chocolate covered popcicles. summer!
 

via

...this amazing necklace found on jewelmint. its almost spiky, but not sinister, very chic!

via 

...this yummy looking recipe for a different take on ministrone soup. yummy!

via

...this quote. good to remember:)

via

...this adorable set of emmaline bedding from Anthropologie. I always forget how much I love that place

via

...this awesome set of mounted suculents which I love love!

via

...this awesome awesome looking recipe for cupcakes with lemon curd, whipped cream and toasted coconut

via

...this beautiful pair of t-strap heels from solesociety.com lovely for all year round

via

...this new york cherry cheesecake. the end.

via 

What are some things inspiring you this week? I love springtime, but I can't wait for summer!

xo, Em

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Easy Roasted Veggie Spring Pasta

Hey everyone! The weather's heating up, and the weekend's almost here! I'm excited to share a recipe for some amazing pasta that I've been holdin onto for a while, cuz there have been so many other things to post about! but the day's finally here, and when you try it you'll agree it was well worth the wait:)

You probably know that I have a soft spot for pastas (or soft spots because of pastas:)) and I'd been wanting to make some sort of dish that combined a few of my very favorite vegetables together in harmony, and I am in love with how this turned out! I made it first for a little dinner party we were having, and a good friend said that it was just like something you'd get at some Italian Restaurant, so of course I was flattered:)

Its super fast and simple to put together, and you really could add or take away veggies if you were missing something from your fridge. I can't wait for you to try it! Lets get on with the recipe:

Easy Roasted Veggie Spring Pasta
serves 4
Ingredients:
- 18 oz Spaghetti Noodles
- Olive oil
- 1 stick butter
- 1 medium red onion, diced
- 1 (generous) cup halved cherry tomatoes
- approx. 14 small asparagus spears (ends removed, chopped in 2" pieces)
- 1 medium butternut squash, 1" cubes (about 3 cups)
- 2 stalks green onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon each oregano, parsley, sage, rosemary powder, garlic powder, sea salt, frech ground black pepper
- 5 cups chopped baby kale
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Method:
Preheat the oven to 415 degrees. Add 1 tablespoon oil and half a stick of butter (4 tablespoons  butter to a hot medium saucepan. add the small diced onions to the pan and caramelize on med-low till browned. 

Meanwhile, chop up all your veg, and add your pasta to a pot of boiling water, than cook on medium. 

Add your veggies to a greased pan, drizzle on a bit of olive oil, and sprinkle all your spices over the top. Roast veggies in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until they're slightly browned. Meanwhile add the baby kale to the caramelized onions and stir to wilt slightly.

Your veggies should come out the same time your pasta is finished and your kale is about half what it started as. Strain your noodles and add them to the kale and onions, scrape your roasted veggies on top of the pasta, and give the whole pan a good stirring to combine.

Adjust the salt and pepper to taste, top the pan (or serving dish) with 1/4-1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese before serving, and enjoy with a nice cold drink!

This is my new favorite pasta dish, and probably the best thing about it is that its delicious weather its hot or cold! That means that I'll be making it a lot during the warm weather because of the fresh garden vegetables and lightness, and also during the cold months because of its hearty deep flavors and richness. Just wait till you give it a try!

I hope you have a perfect weekend coming up, and thank you for taking the time for a visit!
xo, Emmy

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United States of José Contest and Giveaway!

Morning everyone, I have a different and fun treat for you today! As you know (if you've been following me for a little while) I'm a huge fan of Josè Eber Hair, and recently they just in ULTA Stores! In celebration, they've teamed up with a few of their favorite bloggers across the country to give you the chance at winning a $100 ULTA Gife Card!! Awesome right?

The products I have tried from Josè Eber have easily become my favorite styling products, especially the Trio Clipless Curling Iron (most recently featured in my Easy Everyday Curls Tutorial) because I haven't used another curling iron since I received it! I'm so happy to help spread the word about Josè Eber Hair, and I'm honored to be part of this contest!

Although they have been featured on the blog before, here is a little background on Josè Eber Hair: Josè Eber is a world-renowned stylist who has worked with some of the most well-known celebrities.  José Eber takes his love affair with hair to the next level by introducing the most revolutionary collection of professional quality hair tools on the market. At the forefront of innovation and technology, José Eber Hair tools pave the way with superior designs and advanced features that provide professional quality results that are unsurpassed. Their tools work to give you fantastic results while maintaining the health of your hair.

The United States of Josè Instagram Contest

        

Josè Eber Hair teamed up with me and three other bloggers from around the country: Love Olia in California, Politics of Pretty in Washington DC, and Hunter Style in Chicago! Each blogger will choose one winner from the Instagram participants in their delegated region, and Josè Eber Hair will send a $100 ULTA gift card to each winner picked!

To enter the contest, here are the rules:

1. Read each participating blog to find all four of the clues you need.

2. Once you have found all the clues, take your picture, making sure to show all the clues.

3. Then, tag the blogger of your region (on the map above), @jose_eber_hair, and @ultabeauty and use #unitedstatesofjose

Rules and Regulations:

No purchase necessary, only one entry per person. All photos must be posted between June 13th and July 8th, the winner of each region will be chosen July 9th. Valid in US only. Winners chosen are under the jurisdiction of each blogger and will vary accordingly.

Your clue from me is:

Wear any sort of blue accessory (easy right?!)

This can include blue earrings, a blue necklace, blue headband, blue hair bow, whatever sort of accessory you want! Just make sure it can be seen in your picture, cuz that's the whole point:)

Now, head on over to Politics of Pretty’s blog at www.politicsofpretty.com for your next clue!

Thanks for comin by today, and I'll see you tomorrow for a really exciting post!

xo, Emily 

P.S. Don't forget to visit Julie Ann Art to give her a little lovin', view a Freckled Fox feature post, and enter to win 3 Months Large Ad Space on The Freckled Fox!
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