Fall Makeup Tutorial

Kristie (a.k.a. Blushing Basics) is a lover of all things artistic, makeup just happens to be one of her favorite mediums. Working as a makeup artist she had several requests on this topic so she began posting video tutorials on how to apply make up here. Included in her blog are also tips, product reviews, and of course a little frugal fashion advice.

Kristie is here today to give a great fall makeup tutorial!

Thanks so much Kristie for that great tutorial!

Go on over to Blushing Basics to check out more great videos and tips!

Fall Friday: Neutral Decorating

This year I decorated very simply for fall. I have a box full of fall decor that I didn't even use. I'm learning to the love that 'less is more' in decorating. I really love the subtle decorating for seasons where it doesn't scream in your face that it's EASTER, FALL or CHRISTMAS. :) I do love the look of easter bunnies, jack-o-lanterns and santas but to keep it a very mininum. PLUS it's less to store! Bonus!

So I went for inspiration over at pinterest and found some wonderful fall neutral decor for all of us to drool over.

via pinterest at athomewithk at marthastewart

via pinterest at athomewithk at pewter+sage

via pinterest at athomewithk at odietamo

via pinterest at athomewithk at bhg

via pinterest at athomewithk at sewdangcutecrafts

via pinterest at athomewithk at bystephanielynn

via pinterest at athomewithk at thecharmofhome

via pinterest at athomewithk (unknown source)

You can find these pictures and much more inspiration over at pinterest! If you would like an invite for pinterest, just leave me a comment, so you can join in on the pinning fun!

Fall Friday: Turkey-Vegetable Chili

One of the best things about fall is the food! Warms baked goods and hearty meals...yum! Soups and stews are a favorite at our house. My husband can whip up a mean chili! I found a healthier version of chili recently and my family really gobbled it up.

TURKEY-VEGETABLE CHILI

1/c cup chopped green bell pepper

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 teaspoons olive or vegetable oil

3 cups cut-up cooked turkey or chicken

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon snipped fresh oregano leaves OR 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 can (16 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 package (10 oz) frozen mixed vegetables

2 cups cut up zucchini

Cook and stir bell pepper, onion and garlic in oil in 3 quart saucepan over medium heat until onion is tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients except frozen vegetables and zucchini. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Stir in frozen vegetables and zucchini. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.

Can add salt and pepper to taste.

Then enjoy!

A hearty soup that is a healthy twist to the traditional chili.

Also I started a new facebook page: At Home With K Shaklee

It's all about Health and Wellness

A Healthy Home is Happy Home

Come on by and "Like" me!

Fall Friday: Halloween Treats

Happy FALL!

My boys LOVE Halloween! They love the dressing up, trick or treating and the big bag of treats at the end of their trip!

But this year is different. For health reasons, my boys are gluten and dairy free. Then on top of it, we chose not to feed our kids with yucky preservatives, additives, chemicals and dyes. So what can they eat?! Well lots of things! It's really not that bad! The big challenge is when we leave the house, we have to make sure we bring extra snacks or a sack lunch. Social outings can be a little tricky sometimes. We always have to pre-plan!

So with Halloween around the corner, we will have to be a little creative. My boys still want to go trick or treating. Yes, we will still come home with lots and lots of candy. Torture...well I hope not. On November 1st, we plan on going to a local dentist who takes your candy and gives you money per pound! Then that dentist donates the candy to the troops! So it's really a win win situation!

Before and after trick or treating, we plan on having our own celebration with some spooky treats and fun. The boys will still get candy, just purchased by mom and dad so we know what is safe for them to eat. You will be surprised that there is candy out there that doesn't have all that junk in them...besides sugar! The downside to this healthy candy is that it's probably double the price. But we're kind of used to that by now.

So here are a few ideas that I hope to use for our celebration in a few weeks. They are all easy and still fun for the kids!

A Spooky Table Setup

The donuts would be fun. I have a gluten free recipe OR if I get lazy, there are gluten free donuts in the freezer section at my local health food store! And I just love the pumpkin balloons and napkins/plates!

via pinterest at martha stewart

 Scary Sippers

Trader Joe's has some 'healthy' juice in boxes! These would be super easy to make!

 via pinterest at parents

Pumpkin Treats

Fun to find some treasures inside!

via pinterest at martha stewart

 Scary Cat Treat Pouch

The boys could even help me make these cute kitties. Just minus the dye filled candies.

 via pinterest at parents

Veggie Pumpkin

This would get my kids excited to eat their veggies!

via pinterest

Chocolate Mummies

Yes there are dairy free chocolate bars out there...and they're super yummy. Mummies might be a theme here. :) My oldest son wants to be a mummy this year.

via pinterest at the idea room

Snack-o'-Lantern

Fruit added to inside of an orange. Green spoons for the stem. 

 via pinterest at family fun

Veggie Skeleton

And just because, I had to add another veggie treat. How cool is this?!

via pinterest at edible crafts

Also on the menu will be Ghost Sandwiches. Sandwiches cut out like the shape of ghosts with raisin eyes and mouth.

So even though we are limited to what we can eat, we can still have a great time! I don't want my kids to feel "left out" if I can't help it!

Now Thanksgiving and Christmas to worry about. lol

Do you have food allergies or sensitivities at your house? How do you deal with Holidays and Celebrations?

And even if you don't have a limited diet at your house, I hope this post today gives you a few ideas to think about how to celebrate Halloween with a few healthy choices and maybe a few less pieces of candy. :)

Giving Thanks

Happy Wednesday! It's chilly and wet today. Some snow came our way on Friday night. My little town got 4 inches while the surrounding areas in every direction got 1-2 inches. Weird, huh? My boys were bouncing off the walls seeing the white stuff fall. It was pretty...but I'm not a winter fan. I got to drive in the stuff! LOL

Most of it has melted away and we got a few images of fall hanging on.

Our burning bush is pretty as ever!

Can you believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner?! As I get older and have children, this holiday has become one of my favorites. No stress about gifts and just taking the time to be Thankful and being with my family is all what it's about. Can't beat that.

Just a few turkeys lurking around our house for the season.

Here's my $1 turkey platter from a garage sale.

The crystal turkey is very "fancy" for my taste. But it was a wedding gift. Hubby and I were married 8 years ago in November so this month has an extra special meaning. The turkey would look better with some candy and peanuts, huh? Well that's all I need is a candy dish looking at me every time I pass it. I'm already dealing with Halloween candy and the Holiday meals and goodies coming up!

I got this cute turkey at a craft fair last month. I was just tempted to make him at home but decided that I might not get him done before Thanksgiving and it's nice to support fellow craft vendors. :)

He would be easy to make. So if you're crafty, this you can add to your list.

I did a little "craft" project yesterday. I decided to do a "Give Thanks Tree" for our family.

I went searching in our backyard which is surround by trees. So it was easy to find a branch.

I then cut out leaves our of cardstock in fall colors.

Every night after supper, each family member writes what they are thankful for. My young boys just love it! Even hubby mentioned that it looked nice. Soon this "tree" will be filled with colors of blessings!

Plus it makes a nice centerpiece for the dining room table.

For the base, I grabbed a cheap vase out of my stash. Then grabbed some rocks out of our landscaping outside. They help hold the branches in place.

Here's Mr. K ready to write down one of his blessings.

My heart melts when I see/hear blessings coming from my children.

After writing on our leaves we go around the table and read what we wrote. Then we attach the leaf with a mini-clothes pin.

So easy, so cute.

Any Thanksgiving traditions you do with your family? Please share!

Have a wonderful day!

Fall Art From My Own Backyard

Happy Wednesday!

The colors are vibrant outside my door! Our fall foliage is a little late this year...we've been blessed with a BEAUTIFUL FALL but very dry.

Last year at this time, our burning bush was FULL of red leaves. As you can see there is lots of green left.

We have a pretty tree to enjoy right by our back deck. Soon it's leaves will fall...so I'm enjoying this pretty site right outside my kitchen window.

A couple weeks ago, I decided to preserve some fall from my backyard.

So I grabbed some leaves from our burning bush. I just love the splash of red it gives to our yard!

Then I sandwiched them in between some wax paper and sat a big World Book Encyclopedia on top for a couple weeks.

Yesterday, I finally took them out to do something with them!

I took a garage sale frame...

Then super glued some muslin fabric around the cardboard backing.

Then I just placed some pressed leaves in place where I wanted them.

Now I have a simple art piece from my own backyard!

Be inspired outside your door. Free decor to add to your home!

I see some pinecones calling my name. :)

Glimpses of Fall

Just a few fall things in my home...

Is that a ghost in the window?

And just for fun...