MY LATEST ADDICTION: WALTER & ROSIE

I can remember cuddling up when I was a little girl and watching every Disney movie at least 500 times! Even when my mother was about to snap from hearing ‘A Whole New World’ for the millionth time, she still let me watch it.

Getting to spend weekends at Walt Disney World was rivaled by no vacation. Even when I was about seven years old, and Chewbacca scared the life out of me. Those Wookies have sneaky feet.

And when you can share a moment from your childhood with your own children it truly hits home. 

I wanted to be able to capture these moments and relive them every second of the day, forever. And I can, so I am!

Art by: Sam of Walter & Rosie

I was cruising the internet, window shopping, and came across a little shop called Walter & Rosie serving up Disney-Inspired candles. I was able to meet the remarkable owner, Sam, and learn about her creative process, her candles, and her dedication to her work.

Sam started making basic scented candles in April of 2013, selling primarily to family and friends as more of a leisure activity. It wasn’t enough! Sam’s eagerness to create led to combining her love for Disney and her hobby. In January 2013, Sam started a shop named after her two fluffy bunnies: Walter & Rosie adding the ‘Mouse-Inspired’ line.

Sam prides herself in her ingredients as she should. With a shop named after her beloved fur-babies and her own vegetarian lifestyle, she’s taken great strides to ensure that her fragrances are cruelty-free. Comprised of 100% soy wax and vegetable prime wicks, these vegan candles can be enjoyed by everyone from all walks of life. And enjoyed they are!

How do you make something smell like Disney? Sam has truly mastered this art all in the not-so-spacious workspace known by most as her apartment kitchen. Think of a favorite movie, ride, food, or character. Got one? Good. What would you imagine it smells like? Now take a shot at testing it against Sam’s candles. I searched through her entire line and she was spot on with every last one! Wilderness Lodge: Pine Trees and Campfires. Beauty & the Beast: Roses. One of the newest Disney movies, Frozen: Iced lemon with Airy Menthol, Woodland Moss, Spearmint, and Fresh Water. There is so much detail and attention paid to each flavor, it is rivaled by none.

Sam’s enthusiasm for her business doesn’t stop at her own ideas. She was more than willing to help create a new scent, Splash Mountain, for me. A little floral, a splash of woody, and a heap of fresh water… Voila!

Along with Splash Mountain, I’ve received an order of Wonderland, Mirror Mirror, Hunny, Pixie Dust, and Mango Beachwood (this one is from her basic line). Sitting down with my other half, we opened our package and got all giggly over sniffing each one.

My still favorite movie, Alice in Wonderland, replays in my mind while I breathe in the subtly sweet aroma from this candle. The smell of berries and florals dance around with vanilla musk and coconut making me smile from the inside out. It’s like I’m five years old again, cuddling with my blankie, and having pretend tea parties of my own. ‘Have a very merry unbirthday to you. To me? To you!’

Walter & Rosie is my new addiction and I will be back, Sam!

If you love happiness sprinkled over top of quality, you’ll love Walter & Rosie too!

Art by: Sam of Walter & Rosie

For all of my readers who want to enjoy Walter & Rosie products, enjoy a 10% off coupon code from Sam herself: SUNRAYSBLOG

Please leave a comment below with the scent you’ve decided to try!

SECRET: I DON'T WASH MY FACE

Eww, gross! Yea I get it. 

My face is one of the few that overreacts to products no matter how organic or vegan they may be. I'm an adult who will be plagued with blemishes galore if I even think about washing my face. Strange, yes. But I know I'm not the only one out there. 

While I was searching for remedies to clear up my face after I dared to touch some dreaded soap/cleanser to it. I came across a blogger who didn't wash her face either (see, I'm not the only one). I took her advice and purchased a little brush and even invested in Burt's Bee Radiance Night Cream (I chose the night cream since we live in different climates, and Florida's humidity doesn't play well with moisturizers). Although I'm not dedicated enough to commit to application of the cream religiously, I try. And as a result my face does look much better. 

I splash warm (or as my other half calls it: scalding hot) water on my face and scrub lightly with my facial brush. After patting my face dry, I'll apply a light dose of moisturizing cream. All done!



Ever so recently, I have had the very occasional issue with blackheads on my nose. I recently found another Burt's Bee's item that I absolutely adore! 100% natural and I couldn't be happier. 

So, I guess I kind of do wash my face...on a very rare occasion.

A RECIPE FOR FLOWER SOUP

If you ever doubt how creative your child can be, provide them with a bucket and some water. They'll do the rest. 

I'm lucky enough to have a little boy with the most creative personality! I'm astounded by some of his ideas and games that he creates. His new favorite gets us outside and makes all the pollinating insects go absolutely mad: Flower Soup! 

I was designated the Sous Chef, and as the underling I was instructed to find the bucket, hold the hose, and assist in picking the flowers. I have to say my boss was very generous with compliments of how well I was doing! 

The bucket had to be filled with cold water, which luckily the well was able to provide, and lots of flora, grass clippings, and dirt. The kid made certain that the grass was cut and not pulled. Flowers had to be plucked and not torn. Dirt had to be the dirtiest dirt in the yard! 


Here is The Kid's Recipe for Flower Soup:

Ingredients

• Cold Water from a Hose
• A 5 gal. Bucket
• A Plastic Shovel
• Dirt -- Dirty Dirt
• Wild Flowers of a Wide Variety

Directions: 

Fill the bucket half way with cold water. Add dirt. Add flowers. Stir. 

Fill the bucket until mommy says "that's enough." Add dirt. Add flowers. Stir. 

Repeat until you lose interest (about 30 minutes) and then start playing with something else.

One little bug was overly excited about all of the flowers and continually tried to dive in. Luckily for him, the kid was on point and wouldn't let the little guy drown. Later dubbed Flapper, the kid decided he was safer on the other side of the property. We needed a thirty minute break (as stated in the directions above) from slaving over our concoction anyways, so we left the soup to cook as instructed by the head chef.

The pups needed some love anyways.

SANDY SUNDAYS

When it's hot out and the natives are restless there is only one place you can escape to: your freezer the beach! 

Getting to the beach before sunset can be tricky considering the longer-than-average winter, spring break, and the holidays drawing in thousands of out of towners. Once you've lived in an area that is highly desirable to our friends from up north, you learn some tricks on how to get there quick. Thank you undiscovered back roads!

The other necessary ingredient is to leave early. This is where we failed.

Since this was our first trip to the beach since 2012, we needed to stock up on supplies! With the kid you have to have everything and be ready for a curve ball to be thrown if you plan to stay through nap time. 

I've compiled a list of must-haves for toddlers at the beach:

A Tote (maybe a couple?)

Towels: for boys & for girls

Lots of toys

Beach Chairs

Cooler (The Investment or The Quickie)

Umbrella

Sunscreen For All

The Pack Mule (Tell your husband he's safe)

Some delicious sandwiches and snacks

And don't forget the drinks!

I was able to carry all of the gear while grandma help the kid's hand to cross the street. 

The kid had the time of his life, and grandma and I were able to sit back for a full 20 minutes while he built a sandcastle! (This is record time for the kid)

Here's to hoping summer comes soon for our northern friends... 

DIY: YOU'LL FEEL BETTER

We've been attempting to cut back on expenses and save some money to purchase the beautiful home we've been lucky enough to rent for about 5 years, I'm trying really, really trying to live by the mantra: reduce, reuse, & recycle. 

With that being said Craigslist, which was once my biggest enemy/fear (what with all the creepers and all), has since become my new friend. I was able to find a new dresser and chest of drawers in the French provincial fashion I've been longing for. The current layout and size of our master bedroom, in regards to the elaborate and larger than life furniture that was given to us (so sweetly might I add), is beginning to feel a little overbearing and unwelcoming. I finally decided that some more wide open spaces might help make our bedroom feel like an escape (and not a storage unit). 

I was lucky enough to come across a sweet girl named Jesse selling the French provincial set (on the other side of the county, of course) and purchased it that same weekend. Since the purchase, about three weeks ago: I've been debating colors vs. stains, knob replacement vs. new paint, technique, and the list goes on (and on, and on, and on). 

I finally made my decisions. Alongside my other half, and in between my busy life, I was able to finally complete the set and share this with you! 

Photo from the Craigslist Ad

Photo from the Craigslist Ad

There were a few dents and dings that these pictures do not reveal. With a few hours (yes, hours) of grinding away with sanders of various shapes, sizes, and grit level; I was able to hack through the three different colored coats of paint that had lived their lives and now needed to move on.

 

With my trusty, el cheapo paint brush in hand and buckets of 2 in 1 primer/sealer and zero VOC/low odor paint in tow; I set fourth every couple of evenings and Saturdays to get coat after coat done to my liking. 

Finally finished, we seemed to have lost two of the handles in the yard (we're still waiting for a confession from the kid or the dogs--haha). Last night my other half found them! All little worse for wear, but I was able to bend them back and reapply the paint. After the final screw was in place: Viola! 

Behr Color Collection: Night Shade

After dusting my fingerprints off of it I was done and feeling so accomplished. So accomplished in fact that we'll be working on the new headboard...Another day, I suppose.

I PRETEND I KNOW HOW TO COOK

Ok, I'm not that bad...but sometimes I do forget I have something in the oven. And once (only once, I swear) I left the plastic lid on a baking dish while reheating leftovers. But I promise I hit it out of the park 9 times out of 10!

Some of you know that I have a very busy life. I like it that way; there's never a dull moment. I work full time (with an hour commute each way), attend school as a full time student, tend to my boys (my son and fiance) all day and night, and act as live in maid and chef. Although I've taken a step back, I'm still the part-time "office manager/accountant" for my other half's business on the occasional week night.

Bottom line: I don't have any extra time in the day to be creating works of art with our dinner plates.

Don't get me wrong, we eat healthy. At least as healthy I know food should be. I'm a firm believer in whole wheats, lots of veggies, keeping recipes simple, and your ingredients as close to natural/organic as possible. I also love dipping sauces and cheese, so I  think I'm pretty evened out. Right?


I thought I'd share a couple super quick, easy, and inexpensive (family approved) dinners that a busy mom (or human being in general) can make without sacrificing a descent diet for her family. 

New Media Publishing / Photography: Flat Art Studios.com / Stylist: Abigail Donnelly

First up, we have an Italian dish: Roasted Red Pepper and Artichoke Cheese Tortellini

Ingredients:

• 1 8- to 9-ounce bag dried cheese tortellini
• 1 12-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
• 2 6-ounce jars marinated artichoke hearts, drained
• 1/2 stick butter
• 1/2 cup chopped basil
• a little salt and pepper

Super Easy Steps: All you have to do is cook the tortellini according to the package.

While that's going on, sauté red peppers, artichoke hearts, and ¼ teaspoon each of salt and pepper in butter in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Transfer this "sauce" to a large bowl. Reserve ½ cup pasta-cooking water, then drain tortellini and add to red pepper-artichoke sauce along with some of reserved cooking water and basil. Toss well and season with salt and pepper. Thin with additional pasta-cooking water, if desired.

Photo & Salmon Recipe by: Jess Dang

This one I went a little more French meets The South cuisine: Baked BBQ Salmon and Lemon Grass Green Beans with Almonds (The kid loves this!)

Ingredients:

• 1 pound green beans
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice, or to taste
• 1.5 lb. salmon
• your favorite BBQ 

Super Easy Steps: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place your salmon on some tin foil, brush your favorite BBQ sauce on, and throw it in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes (depending on thickness).Trim green beans, and steam them in the microwave safe container that vents (I use a little something like this) with a little water until crisp-tender, then drain well. While all this is happening, toast the almonds with the oil in a skillet over medium heat, stirring until golden. Toss the beans with almonds, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

Now you can sit back, relax, and plot your attack on the hamper full of dirty laundry enjoy time with the ones you love.

What's your favorite busy day recipe?

TAKE A HIKE

The weather is warm and the breeze is wonderful, but we're sitting on the couch. Ugh!

With the idea from my other half, we decide to check out the preserve nearest our middle-of-nowhere abode and we loved it!

Mulitple hiking trails wind their way between pines and around lakes full of bass and other aquatic creatures. Granted we can't bring the pups along for the stroll, it was still so relaxing and serene. Not to mention the wildlife the kid got to see and explore along the way. From snakes to birds to wildflowers, he was running around and sucking up every drop of knowledge and stories we had to share. He really is all boy!

There's nothing better than shutting down the electronics and enjoying what the world has to offer.
And at the grand total $1 in gas it took to get there, I think we'll be here often.

Wardrobe Choices Made by The Kid

The kid: "Daddy, next time we're bringing our fishing poles!"

PAMPER YOURSELF (LITERALLY)

Between orchestrating trainings at work, finals coming up in school (ugh...dread), and the everyday life of a mom and fiancé I have decided I'm taking a little me time this morning. Since I don't particularly enjoy huffing fumes and making small talk with strangers as they caress my fingers and toes, I decided to pamper myself (literally).

Since I've had my son I've become more partial to gel manicures and pedicures versus the original. With a mani or pedi that lasts three weeks in stead of three days, who wouldn't?

I bought everything from the local beauty supply store and, if I did my math right, I should get a minimum of 15 manicures or pedicures out of the $115 in supplies I purchased. Doing the math: let's say I pay $30 per gel mani or pedi, then I'm saving roughly $22 each time I do it myself. And I don't have to pay an upcharge for a French!

Now for the good part: How to do it!

1. Rough your nails up a little bit with a file, push your cuticles back, and rub a little bit of the Cleanser (it's just rubbing alcohol - save yourself the money and grab it from under the sink) with a paper towel onto each nail.
3. Paint on a very thin layer of pH Bond.
4. Apply a thin coat of Foundation Gel and stick those fingers or toes under an LED light for 10 seconds. (I don't use UV lights).
5. Apply a thin layer of Gel Polish and go back under the LED light for 30 seconds. (Repeat this step a couple times until the polish looks good). On the last application I'll add a thin layer or glitter or some rhinestones. If you're wanting some painted fun on your nails, treat the painted decor as it's own layer and cure it in the LED light.
6. Apply the Gel Sealer (gel's Top Coat equivalent), making sure to seal in the edge of your nail, and cure in the LED light for 30 seconds.
7. Apply cuticle oil liberally (this does dry your nails, like acrylics).
8. Grab a glass of wine and a good book. Relax.

Finger Color: Kiss Me, I'm a Prince / Toe Color: Simple Sheer with a pink and silver glitter mixture.

You don't have to walk around flapping your arms up and down trying to dry the paint before something inevitably happens to them. And you don't have to worry about them chipping up for a at least two weeks. (Mine usually last for 3 or 4 weeks).

To Remove:
Rough up your nails with a file (to remove the top coat). Wrap the nail wraps with acetone around your nails for 15 minutes. Push the gel paint off with a cuticle pusher. And reapply you're new paint.