35 Easter Basket ideas {besides candy}

Spring has arrived and has brought cold weather with it here in Indiana! I’m anxious for a little sunshine! Easter is right around the corner thought and I’m hoping for a nice, Spring day! As a little girl I remember my mom waking me up on Easter, telling me to go find where she hid my basket. I loved seeing what surprises she had tucked inside the basket. Of course she gave some candy but she would always throw in little goodies as well. This year I wanted to make a fun Easter basket for my little one but not full of candy, especially since she is 1 1/2 yrs old. I figured some of you are racking your brain too trying to think of what to toss in the basket that your kiddo’s will find fun so I made up a list! Here’s some ideas that I found…

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  1. Play dough
  2. Puzzles
  3. Bubbles
  4. Coloring books – I still love coloring ;-)
  5. Markers and crayons
  6. Fun toothbrush
  7. Silly putty
  8. Slinky
  9. Movies
  10. Sand toys
  11. Pool toys (squirt guns, goggles, etc.)
  12. Superheros
  13. Bouncy balls
  14. Sidewalk chalk
  15. Barbies
  16. Legos
  17. Letters and shapes for bath time
  18. Eggs full of small toys
  19. Blocks
  20. Sunglasses
  21. Hair accessories
  22. Nail polish
  23. Movie tickets
  24. Stuffed animal
  25. Cologne
  26. Frisbee
  27. Personalized stationary
  28. New PJ’s
  29. Sippy Cups
  30. Stickers
  31. Children’s Bible
  32. Crazy socks
  33. Finger paints
  34. Jump rope
  35. Board game

Hope you find some of these helpful!

Love your guts!

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SLUIS, party of 4

I don’t even know where to start with this post because I’m about to flippin’ explode with news! You know when you buy a Christmas present for your best friend and you have to wait weeeeeks before you can give it to them and you’re just practically dying inside? Well, that’s just about how I feel right now! I was planning on waiting to share some news with you until a few more weeks but… I just can’t wait. I’m not good at waiting, at all. :-)  So, here’s the fun news…..

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It’s such an amazing blessing to be the mommy of that little ham and to think I’m going to have another baby in November is just more than I can handle! AHHH! In case you haven’t noticed, I’m incredibly excited… ;-)  Well, if you follow me be prepared to see baby bump pics on Instagram & hear a lot of baby news along the way.

Love your guts!

Eek!

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Home-Made Febreze

Last night we ran into an uh-hum, “incident” with our new puppy, Lennon. Like all puppies do, she had an accident buuuuut…. it just so happened to be in OUR bedroom! It was quite possibly the worst smell I’ve ever encountered. Of course we got out the big guns and cleaned it up quickly but the smell still lingered and lingered and lingered. The next morning I had to get that ronchi smell out ASAP! Lyla was sick though and there was no way I was going to be able to take her to the store so on a whim I made my own Febreze. I got the recipe here and I couldn’t thank this blogger enough! The stink is gone and my house smells super fresh! Oh and you want to hear the best part about it? It costs less than $0.25 to make! No worries, I’m more than willing to share the recipe folks. Check it out…

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Items Needed:
  • 1/8 Cup of Fabric Softener
  • 2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
  • Hot Water
  • Spray Bottle (I used an empty windex bottle)
How-To:
  • Using a funnel, pour the fabric softener & baking soda into your spray bottle.
  • Fill the spray bottle with hot water and shake well.
  • TIP: Don’t forget to twist the nozzle over to the LOCK position if you’re using a Febreze bottle, or you might fall on your hiney.
  • Now spray every stinkin’ inch of your house! 
Store-bought Febreze: $5.59
Homemade Febreze: $0.15
Total Savings: $5.44 OR  97.3%!
Stoked to add this to my list of home-made cleaning supplies! :-)
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Meet Lennon. Lennon, meet world.

Well, my husband has been dying for a dog for years now and I was a little “anti- dog” up to now because I knew I’d be the one taking care of it… all the time. My little lady {Lyla} is 18 months and is an animal lover galore though so between hubs and Lyla, I gave in, folks. We searched around at Uncle Bills pet shop and researched puppies online but we ended up falling in love with a little boxer mix at the Humane Society of Indianapolis! She was giving us those “puppy dog eyes” aaaand we caved. I want to introduce you to our newest addition to the family! She is currently three months old, FULL of life and loves to chew… everything!

Meet Lennon. Lennon, meet world.

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I love the beautiful brindle color that she has and those brown puppy dog eyes. <3

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I knew you’d love her just as much as we do so I had to share! Now any suggestions on the teething part? She’s not a huge fan of her bones. {{Help!}}

Find more pics of Lennon on Instagram!

Have a great day! :-)

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Protein Hair Mask

Since I’ve had my little one, I have really struggled to find time to do my hair! It’s sometimes complicated to just find time to wash it! {I know it’s gross but let’s be real folks.} These days I tend to just “throw it up”, spray a little hair spray on it and go. I normally have a lot of body to my hair since it’s naturally wavy but lately it has been limp, dry and just plain blah. I researched and found that a hair mask is supposed to boost the body and give it shine as well as nourish the scalp which sounded wonderful but I really didn’t see how it could give it body. I figured that the olive oil in the hair mask would just make it greasy and weigh it down. Either way though, I was desperate and gave it a shot. My expectations were pretty low and I honestly didn’t know if my hair would end up looking like a grease pit when I was finished with the mask but to my surprise, it worked beautifully!!! Honest… I felt I needed to take the time and share this with all of you because it’s just that amazing. You HAVE to try this!

Protein Hair Mask {Recipe}

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Ingredients:

  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 Egg Yolk
  • 1 Cup WARM Water

How To:

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  • Make sure your hair is freshly washed & detangled. Also, pat hair with towel to soak up moisture.
  • Mix all ingredients together.
  • Apply to damp hair. {The best way to do this is to use a bottle with a small opening at the tip and distribute throughout hair.}
  • Once mask is applied, run a comb through your hair to be sure the mask is evenly distributed.
  • Let sit for 30 mins.
  • Rinse hair with warm water & shampoo & condition as normal.

This mask gave my hair more body than ever before and helped to sooth my dry scalp! Loved everything about it! I know you’ll love it too!

Q’s & A’s:

  • What are the benefits of using a protein hair mask? It creates healthy, smooth & shiny hair that has more body than before as well as encourages hair growth.

Why olive oil for your hair? Olive oil improves the elasticity of your hair, conditions and reduces frizz.

Why egg yolk for your hair? Egg yolk makes your hair softer, silkier and more manageable, and the added strength from the protein prevents breakage. Your hair will also have more volume and will reflect light better, making it shinier.

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Winner Reveal!!!

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I have been counting down the days to give the winner reveal for the $50 Hair-Hardware Giveaway and it’s finally here!! There were soo many excellent entries and I couldn’t stand the pressure of JUST picking ONE soooo… I let the random number generator do it for me. ;-) Everyone had a number {everyone’s number was determined by the order their comment was submitted, I just typed in the amount of entries there were and let the generator spit back a winning number. I am happy to announce that Mandy Blank won!

Congrats!! You have until Monday the 11th at midnight to claim your $50 gift card! Please e-mail me at ceara.sluis@gmail.com and we will work out the details. :)

Thank you everyone for your entries! There will be more giveaways to come shortly!

Love your guts!

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Photo Shoot!

Recently my friend Chrissy and I had a photo shoot with my daughter to help show off some items! The pics turned out great even though my little one {Lyla} had a bit of a breakdown. She had not napped at ALL that day and let me tell you, she was not feeling a photo shoot. We still had fun though and I was happily surprised to see a handful of them turned out wonderfully! Check out how fun and girly these photos are!

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Oh and I just had to throw this one in to show off her doggy bows she makes! ;-)

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How adorable is this? My incredibly talented friend Chrissy actually made the tu-tu and the hair bow you see in the photos! She also makes a variety of other items such as fruit arrangements, wreaths, etc. {{By the way, she did not ask me to advertise her. I just love these photos and her products and wanted to share with everyone!}} If you’re interested in seeing more of her products please contact her at csmccurry3@yahoo.com.

Have a wonderful week folks!!

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P.S. There is still time to win the $50 giveaway going on! Winner will be revealed March 8th!

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Orange Julius {with Banana}

I’m dying, dying, DYING for Spring and Summer so much that I decided to make something cold and tasty today {although it’s like 30 degrees outside}. I found this de-freakin-licous recipe at sixsistersstuff.com and had to try it out ASAP. It’s super easy to make and takes only minutes! This Orange Julius recipe will be overused this Spring/Summer in my household because I’m THAT big of a fan! Okay, enough chatter. Here’s the recipe…

Ingredients:

  • 1 Can of Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate 
  • 1 Cup Skim Milk
  • 1/4 cup sugar 
  • 1 tsp of vanilla
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1 to 2 cups of ice

How-To:

  • Combine all ingredients and mix together in a blender until ice is completely crushed. 
  • Drink up!

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This recipe made exactly four whole cups and we actually put these in the freezer and they were fantastic! Is your mouth watering yet?! ;-)

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P.S. Don’t forget about the $50 giveaway going on! 

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10 Makeup Mistakes

 

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I was reading on Oprah today and found this amazing info! It explains the top 10 makeup mistakes that most women make. I found it to be insightful and thought I would share! Enjoy ladies :)

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foundationMistake #1: Using Too Much Foundation

A foundation that’s too thick will settle into fine lines and sap the luminosity from your skin. “Only use foundation where you need it to even out discoloration,” says makeup artist Frances Hathaway. “You don’t have to cover every inch of your skin.” When buying a foundation, avoid those described as “matte,” “velvet,” and “long-wearing”; look for sheer liquid formulas with light-diffusing pigments. If you have dry skin, foundation can look patchy and accentuate discoloration, so exfoliate two to three times a week and always apply a moisturizer after cleansing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

eye circlesMistake #2: Over-Concealing Your Under-Eye Circles

A thick concealer that comes in a stick will eradicate the shadows under your eyes, but it will also draw attention to the crepiness and fine lines that usually show up in that area first (because the skin there is thin). A better option: A brush-on highlighter pen that uses illuminating particles, not opaque color, to camouflage dark circles. Apply it only near the inner corners of your under-eye area, where shadows are most prominent.

 

 

lipsMistake #3: Wearing Deep, Dark Lip Colors

A dark color makes any surface look smaller—a welcome illusion perhaps on your hips but not your lips. To make your mouth look fuller, choose bright lipsticks and glosses (peaches, pinks, vibrant reds) over deep shades (burgundies, wines, browns). Makeup artists use another trick to create the illusion of luscious lips: Before applying color, trace a highlighter pencil along your upper lip line, then buff it out with your finger.

 

powderMistake #4: Finishing with Powder

Youthful skin reflects light. Powders prevent light reflection and tend to magnify lines in the skin. If powder has been the final step of your makeup routine since high school, it can be difficult to quit cold-turkey. Here’s a three-step program: First, switch to a very sheer translucent powder. Then, start using it only on your nose and chin. Finally, trade the powder for a packet of blotting tissues—use one, only on the T-zone (nose, chin, and forehead), if you’re shiny midday.

 

Cosmetic pencil.Mistake #5: Wearing Black Eyeliner

Don’t skip eyeliner altogether—it’s a great way to make your eyes look more open—but choose brown over black, which can be harsh. And keep the color diffuse. “You want to define the eyes with softness and blending, not strict lines,” says makeup artist Troy Surratt. “A thick liner can leave the upper lids looking heavier than they are.” The best technique: Trace a brown pencil liner along the upper lash line (into the roots of the lashes), focusing on the outer corners; smudge it with a Q-tip.

 

liplinerMistake #6: Going Overboard with Lip Liner

A lip liner can define your lips and prevent color from feathering into any lines around the mouth but choose one very carefully. If you line your lips too heavily, or with a color that’s too dark, they’ll look tight and pursed. For the most natural effect, your lip liner should match the color of your lips, not the color of your lipstick. Choose a creamy formula that won’t adhere to any dry patches and use it to fill in your lips entirely.

 

 

bottom lashesMistake #7: Using Liner and Mascara on Your Lower Lashes

Playing up your lower lashes can make your eyes look droopy and draw attention to dark circles. Instead, curl your upper lashes and wiggle a volumizing mascara into their roots and slowly through the ends for the most uplifting effect.

 

 

 

Woman Applying BlushMistake #8: Skipping Blush

A rosy flush on your cheeks brings instant life to your face. And, if applied correctly, blush can offer a little lift. Smile, find the fleshiest part of your cheek and apply color just slightly above it. Blend the color out toward your temples in circles, not a line, using a big fluffy brush. You want to avoid a stripe of color that stretches along your cheekbones, which can make you look drawn and hollow, says Surratt.

 

lipstickMistake #9: Applying Lipstick Straight from the Tube

The borders of the lips soften with age, and any extra lipstick migrates easily. To avoid bleeding color, use your finger or a lip brush so that you don’t deposit too much pigment. Concentrate the lipstick in the center of your mouth, and blend it out with a finger. Top it with a moisturizing balm or light gloss.

 

eyebrowsMistake #10: Choosing a Too-Dark Eyebrow Pencil

“Your brow color fades as you age, so the brow pencil that you were using at 25 will look too stark against your complexion at 50,” says makeup artist Denise Markey. She recommends Maybelline Define-a-Brow Eyebrow Pencils which come in four shades. Choose the one that’s a shade or two lighter than your natural brow color. If your brows are starting to get a little wiry, run a clear brow gel over them as well, brushing them up and out toward your temples.

 

 

 

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Hope you enjoyed the tips as much as I did! Have a wonderful day!

Oh & P.S. Don’t forget about the $50 gift card giveaway going on! Click HERE for more details!

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Hair-Hardware $50 Gift Card GIVEAWAY!!

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I recently decided to try out Hair-Hardware to make headbands & bows for my little girl and I’m seriously SOLD on their products! The quality of the ribbon and accessories are AMAZING as well as their video tutorials for bow making {which I definitely needed to watch}! Not only do they have 196 {yes, 196!} colors of grosgrain ribbons, satins and lotssss of printed ribbons, they also carry hundreds of embellishments such as paper flowers, flower petals, flat back resins and appliques! Perfect for any DIYer or crafter! What’s even more wonderful is that they sell their ribbon by the yard and they have NO minimum on orders. One of my favorite things about their website is that they have what is called “Today’s BIG deal” where every day they have a new item that is discounted and even better, you get FREE SHIPPING on orders $50 and over! Bam. Order up folks because that’s a deal!

Well, sometimes words aren’t enough so here’s some pics ;-)

–> Here is just a few of the fun ribbons they carry! Their ribbon comes in 1/4″, 3/8″, 5/8″, 7/8″ and 1.5″.  

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These next few pics are some things I made using Hair-Harware products!

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Aren’t you dying to grab up some of their goodies and make your own crafts?!? Wellllll, Hair-Hardware is giving away a $50 gift card to ONE lucky person! This gift card is good for ANYTHING you would like on their website!
Here’s how to win:
-Leave a comment at the bottom of this post explaining why you should win the gift card!
Good luck everyone!! The contest winner will be revealed March 8th! Eeps!!! :-D
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