Wordless Wednesday: Morel Mushroom Hunting

These were all taken on my phone camera, so not exactly the best quality. This morel mushroom hunting outing was completed unexpected but I am very glad we had the opportunity.

Review: NuNAAT Brazilian Hair Products

Usually when people see ALL of my hair they are surprised at how long it is, and how curly. Right now my hair goes down about half way down my back and I have natural curl that gets to frizzy in humid weather. And because of this natural curl in my thick hair it just absorbs all odors in the air and everything else in the air and water! I say water because it is now pool time (YES!!! Finally!!! We have had 2 pool days so far in Minnesota. It had been a Loooooong winter this year!) So, why am I telling you about my hair when I am supposed to be telling you about this product. It's because NuNAAT makes hair products specifically formulated to your hairs needs and what my hair needs is the Brazilian Keratin!

NuNAAT Brazilian Keratin is formulated to work with all hair types, but it is designed to help control frizz and restore everday moisture. Here are the benefits they list on their website:

• Works with all hair types 
• Repairs cuticle damage 
• Regenerates and strengthens hair fibers 
• Restores natural shine and softness 
• Seals hair cuticles 
• Reduces volume and frizz 
• Makes hair resilient and healthy 
• Formaldehyde and sodium chloride free 
• Great for every day use. 
• Also recommended for those who have professionally relaxed/straightened hair to keep hair at its best between touch-ups.

This was my first time using a hair mask. As many hair products as I have used on my hair on my hair over the years, a mask has not been one of them. So I was very excited  to try it out. I LOVE IT!! I am now wondering how I have gone my whole life so far without ever using one. It does take a little planning ahead since I need to let it sit on my hair for 15 minutes before showering and I usually don't think that far ahead before showering, but since you only use a hair mark once a week I was able to remember on weekends to use it. My hair is SO SOFT after using the mask and so much more manageable. Anyone with long curly hair  will know that our hair tangles in no wind at all, which is usually why I wear ponytails so much. I am so happy to have learned about hair masks. The above and below pictures are ones I posted on Instagram. When I used the hair mask I wrapped my hair up and secured it a large clip.

I did use all four products sent to me for free (note disclosure: no monetary compensation was received) and actually the daily use conditioner is gone already, only because I have been using the products now for about 3 weeks and I conditioner every day but I choose to shampoo only a couple times a week (advice from a colorist friend of mine). I do regularly use conditioner, shampoo and leave in conditioner.

I like to use a leave-in conditioner when I am exposing my hair to harmful elements in the air, like when we have a campfire which we do often or if I will be in the sun for long periods, or when we are swimming. And if you know my family at all, it means I pretty much use a leave-in conditioner every day in the summer. We live at the pool, which means chlorine and prolonged sun exposure and we would have a campfire in the backyard or while camping every week if weather allows.

I did not notice any change in shine of my hair, but that is because curly hair doesn't show the shine as easily as straight hair, but I did notice that over the course of using the products my hair has become softer, but softer hair isn't something you can pick up in a picture.

If you would like to try out NuNaat Products, you can find them at Wal-Greens and Wal-Mart and beauty supply stores.

You can find out more information about NuNAAT and all their products online at:

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Try It Tuesday: Turn Too Short Jean In To A Skirt

This set of tops (for her and her American Girl doll) and the skirt was something I made for my daughter for her birthday last month. She had these very cute pair of jeans still fit her in the waist but were too short for her since she grew 3.5 inches in the last 9 months. I could have just made cut offs out of them, but I knew if I made it in to a skirt she would find it to be extra special, as she loves to wear skirts and dresses. The tutorial to make the girl-sized and doll-sized halter tops will in a post on Northern Cheapskate in July. So, stay tuned!

To start out with I cut off the jean to the length I wanted it to be, keeping in mind I would be adding to ruffles to the bottom as well. I them cut up the inside seam on both legs up to the crotch of the jeans.

Next I took part of the leftover jeans from the leg bottoms and pinned it in to place on the back side so that it was a solid jean back. I then stitched it in to place.

Next up was making my ruffles, which you do my stitching across a single layer of fabric and then tugging on the bottom string on either side so that it begins to pucker. I did this for four ruffles (seen above) that were stitched on another piece of jean, as well as a 2 ruffles that went around the perimeter of the skirt at the bottom.

Here you can see that I have pinned one ruffle to the bottom. I then used a straight stitch to secure it in to place. I started with the bottom ruffle and made my way up to the top ruffle. For top ruffle, I stitched it across the top with right sides together and then folded it back down and pinned the sides.

Next I used a zig zag stitch and stitched the sides of the ruffle down created a triangle piece.

The triangle piece was pinned in to place and stitched down to complete the front of the skirt. Since white stitched was used on the jeans, I used white thread to stitch it down and provide interest. Next I pinned the longer ruffled together (the bottom pink ruffle is twice as thick as the purple and I stitched the purple to the pink before adding the ruffle to the bottom of the skirt.

Here is the front view of the finished skirt.

Here is the back view of the finished skirt and the halter top. 

I will let you know in July when the Halter Top Tutorial posts.

Make It Monday: Apple Rhubarb Jam

Apple Rhubarb Jam
3 C apples, cored (3-4 med apples)
3 C rhubarb
2 C white sugar
1/2 C water
2 T red hot candies
2 oz pectin

Directions:

• Process apples and rhubarb in a food processor until mostly smooth
• In a large saucepan, bring to a boil the apples, rhubarb, sugar, water and candies then cook over medium heat for 20 minutes
• Stir in pectin and boil for 5 minutes
• Scoop in to hot jars and seal with lids and jars. Process in a hot bath for 10 minutes.
• Store unopened jars in a cool dark spot, refrigerate opened jars.

GIVEAWAY and Review: Spark of Amber Necklace

I love this necklace from Spark of Amber!! I love the colors of it and that it goes with everything from a t-shirt to a sequined dress top. I have worn it already over a half dozen times since receiving it and it has been a perfect accessory. I love that there is no metal used in it at any point, which is REALLY important for someone who has a nickel allergy and easily will begin get a rash or blister when they have direct skin contact. It is the perfect length for scoop neck tops! To buy your own necklace like the one I received or any other Spark of Amber product, please check out their ETSY shop. Shipping is FREE on all items and it ships from the USA.

Now that I have told you why I love this necklace, I will share with you some other reasons that you too might love this necklace, if not for the same reasons I have. Baltic Amber contains Succinic Acid on the external layer. Succinic Acid is claimed to have healing properties that include natural anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-toxic, pain-relieving and calming properties. Europeans have found that it is great for teething babies as it helps relieve teething pain, tame irritability, and relieve inflammation in the ears, throat and stomach. There are specific Teething Necklaces that they sell. I can't testify that any of the above healing properties worked for me, but I think it's a great added bonus to great look it gives me.

You can find out more information or buy Spark of Amber products on their:

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I was given a Spark of Amber necklace for the purpose of review. No monetary compensation was received, All thoughts, opinions and pictures are my own.

GIVEAWAY and Review: Ma Mi Skincare Suncreen

I don't know about my readers in other parts of the country, but here in MN, sunny days have been few and far between this year. Not only that (because you can still get sun burned on cloudy days, so you should wear sunscreen) but it has been rainy. I just finished watching the forecast that said we received about double the amount of rain than is normal for us in May (well, rain & snow! remember we had that blizzard the first week of May! Do you know how hard it is to review sunscreen when you aren't out in the sun? But I have now had the opportunity to review Ma Mi Sunny Days Mineral Sunscreen a few times on both myself and my kids.

What makes Ma Mi Sunscreen effective is that is contains Titanium Dioxide (10%) which provides protection against UV-A, UV-B, and infrared rays. But it is not only that, it also contains beta carotene, vitamins A and E which have shown protection from both UV rays and pollution. And there is still more!!! It utilizes plant-based peptides and green tea polyphenols, aloe vera, natural oils, and a sugar-based emulsifier. 

Now that you know all about all the natural ingredients that are IN it, you also need to know about what ingredients are NOT IN it. That is just as important to know about. There is no parabens, no toxins, no petrolathums, no sodium laureth, no fillers; it is fragrance free and PABA-free and non-comedogenic. 

Now for my thoughts on the products - I thought it applied easily and did not leave my skin feeling greasy. It was easily absorbed in to my skin. You can apply it all over your body and apply makeup over it within 20 seconds. It was odorless and left my skin feeling protected and moisturized. I thought it was very effective and prevented me and my children from become sun burned. I am very glad we have been given this opportunity to try this product. I love it when I find something new that we love.

Ma Mi Skincare provides safe products for moms no matter what stage of motherhood you are in and are aware of your concerns for your body and how they affect your child during pregnancy or breastfeeding and how easily the sensitive skin of children are and are a replacement for those products that contain Benzophenone, which have been proven to provide health risks for moms who are pregnant, breastfeeding or for children.

You can find out more information about Ma Mi Skincare on their website and on Facebook.

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Pottery Time: Bowls, Platters and Dishes

These are just a few that I have done recently. All of them I was experimenting with different types of techniques and glazes and all of them are made by slab rolling and hand building.

The top one I made by doing a variety of cutouts with different prints on them and then pressing them together in a small dish with short sides. I was thinking I might use this dish to give as a hostess present with homemade candies on top. I would try this one again, but I think I would make even more cutouts to make the sides more defined.

Another candy dish? Well, that is what I gave it to my husband as. I had done an imprint with a branch from our front yard, but the glaze filled in to much. I do like the wavy edges on this and would make it again, but I think I would hand paint on underglaze and then glaze over all in a clear.

I gave this bowl as a gift to a friend for her birthday. I was testing to see how these glazes worked together with the print I made on this bowl. I have made this bowl a few times with the curves a bit different each time.