DIY Kids Santa Beard

Here's a fun and easy craft that my son made the other night. He ended up adding to it and continued on crafting for another 20 minutes or so. It was a perfect starter project for some self directed playing time! Or more commonly known as mommy-can-get-some-things-done-time!

I started by taking a piece of cardboard and cutting out a "chin" with a place for a mouth.

Then I gave my little guy the cotton balls and glue. I let him decide where and how to put the cotton balls on. Sometimes my obsessive way of doing it comes out as "control freak"! I let him be abstract. If some cardboard shows, some cardboard shows. Whatevs.

Tape a popsicle stick onto the back

Finished!

 Like I said, my son wanted to keep going. So I cut out some "eyes" and a hat. He taped and taped and taped all three pieces together and colored and glued his little heart out.

Not So Well Girl

Vest & Skirt: Thrifted, Shirt: Eddie Bauer, Boots:Keen

I am fighting a cold today. I have to get better! I am hosting a turkey dinner this Sunday and I have so much planning to do!!

Can't Complain Girl

Cardigan: Thrifted Eddie Bauer, Top: Thrifted, Scarf: ?good question...., Jeggings: Walmart, Socks: stole from hubby, Boots: L.L. Bean

Things are going pretty well here on the the ole home front. I really can't complain. I have all of my Christmas shopping done. I have some things I need to make for family but I need to do that closer to Christmas. It feels good to be done with shopping for the kids. I can breath a little easier. 

I also can't complain about my waterproof gumboots. They have been an absolute lifesaver this season. They keep my feet warm and dry. Now that I am stealing my hubby's socks I can turn the clock back to 1995 and wear my socks on the outside of my pants. All I need is a cup of chamomile tea, a cabin and some snow and we could film a commercial.

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The Basics Girl

Cardigan: Royal Robbins, Tunic: Thrifted, Elle, Leggings: Wally world, Boots: Eddie Bauer, Socks: Ebay

I am living in leggings, long tops and/or sweaters. Ahhh....so comfy. I did a sneak peak into Old Navy today which I really don't want to buy from because their stuff just falls apart after a year but man oh man did they have some cute stuff. Heeeellp! Mass marketing works on me every time! I saw lots and lots of tunics and long sweaters that would work so well over my comfy leggings. If I do get any Christmas money I may let myself just get one or two things. Ugh. I don't know. I don't need anymore clothes!!! It's a dangerously slippery slope. 

I really need to do something different with Christmas money like go get a facial or a massage...or a blog redesign. I'm just not feeling the way my blog looks anymore and I think it's time for a change. Yeah, I like that idea. I will just have to stay away from the cheap thrill stores!

Influenster RoseVoxBox detailed reviews

I'm back with a few more detailed reviews of all the goodies I got in my RoseVoxBox from Influenster. Here is the post where I told you guys all about that jazz and how awesome being a member at Influenster is!
 

So - first off! So excited to try the Rimmel London Scandaleyes mascara and it was exactly what I was hoping it would be. I worked perfectly to plump up my lashes and more importantly didn't burn my eyes AND was easily washed off at the end of the day. YES.

 

Next on the list was the Dr. Scholl's Cozy Cushions for her. I added these to my favorite L.L. Bean Gumboots for some added fluff and warmth. These inserts are really easy to use and cut down to your specific size. 

Unfortunately they made my gumboots a little TOO tight. Not to worry because these inserts are easy to move from one shoe to another. I grabbed my flimsy little Minnetonka moccasins and the inserts really gave these super soft shoes some stability!

And last but not least probably the MOST fun of the samples to try was the Kiss Gradation Polishes. This manicure was SO EASY. Plus the polishes are nice just to wear on their own. Basically you get 4 polishes in one box! What a deal!

So here is what one coat of #1 looks like:

 

Here is two coats (pretty on it's own isn't it?!)

Here is what step #2 looks like on:

And finally step #3 on:

I am in love! So easy and so quick.

The other two products in my RoseVoxBox were the BelVita breakfast biscuits in blueberry and the Lindt Lindor Chocolate Truffles. Both were delicious!!!

*I did receive all of these products complimentary from each company via Influenster but all opinions are my own*

November on Instagram

 My first month on Instagram has been so fun! I never knew what I was missing. If you would like to follow me I am @jessicauwnc

November flew by! I can't believe it is December already.....here are a few things we did in November via Instagram!

* Riding bikes before the cold set in!

*First signs of fall - wooly worms!

*Chillaxin

*Library time

*My son's favorite thing to eat!

*Making my Give Thanks banner

*First attempt at cooking butternut squash

*Finally! A successful loaf of bread!

*Putting on the boots and coats

*Ready for the boys to come in from playing in the snow!

*Josie and her yellow bandana

Something Tasty: Mini Apple Pie Dessert Pizzas

I was trying to think of a tasty little treat to take over to my mom's for Thanksgiving day. I have been on this kick of making mini pizzas and I had a ton of the rolls I use for the crust already in the freezer. So I thought...how can I make a sweet treat with these delicious rolls?! Then I thought of that yummy apple pie pizza they have a Cici's pizza. Drool. I did some internet digging and found a good recipe here at The Country Cook. They came out amazing! The only change I made was that her recipe was just for one pizza and I had about 30 mini pizzas. Here's the idea I was going for (from Cici's website):

Rhodes! These rolls are awesome. I first found out about these little guys on Cooking on Clover Lane's website and I'll never go back to making (a.k.a. trying and failing) my own crust. I used these rolls and followed the regular method for thawing (on the back of the bag).

I put olive oil in my pan before I put the little frozen dough balls down. Then I sprayed the top of them with Pam before I put the cling wrap on (directions on the bag). When they were fully thawed I cut them in half with kitchen shears because I wanted them to be bite size. I patted them out to be in the shape of a circle(ish). My son helped with this part. He loves it!

I added about a teaspoon and half of apple pie filling to each circle.

I followed her recipe and made the crumb topping. I sprinkled it on top.

I followed her recipe and made the icing. I drizzled the icing over them after they came out of the oven. I let them cool a little bit before I transferred them to the serving tray.

YUM. They were EXACTLY how I remember Cici's being. SO tasty. These Rhodes rolls are the BEST for mini pizzas!