I didn't want to write this post.. ever.

Source: tarajill.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

I received a phone call that I never wanted to receive this morning. My sweet, crazy, spunky, loving grandma Mana went to heaven last night. I don't have any words really, I am still so in shock. We thought she was getting stronger and then she just didn't wake up this morning. I am devastated, I miss her, I am sad for my mom and aunts and uncles to have lost their Mom. I am thankful she didn't have to suffer through this cancer. She didn't have to endure chemo and the withering away that it does to a body.  Selfishly, we all wanted more time with her.  I am finding peace knowing she didn't suffer and now she is resting with Jesus.  It breaks my heart that just a few months ago at Thanksgiving she told me that on her bucket list was to become a great-grandmother. I am so incredibly sad she will never be able to hold our babies. 

I love you, Mana. This is so surreal. I  cherish my memories with you forever. I promise to always say "I love you" clearly and meaningfully just like you did, and when walking with a friend, to stay on the same side of posts so as never to let anything come between me and a friend. I am thankful for your example to me of how to be intentional. I'll love you forever & I'll see you in Heaven someday.

xoxox,
Your Kate

Lather Up! {My Fave Moisturizers}

This post is entirely inspired by the super dry, cold weather we've been having in these parts! I have very sensitive skin so as soon as the air turns dry, I am itchy scratchy almost immediately. When I lived in Colorado, I loved every aspect of it except for the dryness. By the end of the four months there, I literally needed a straight jacket to keep me from scratching! Now that we live in the mountains again, its definitely becoming an issue. Here are the ways I keep from the itchies! Not to mention having ashy dry skin is just plain unattractive.

#1 I make sure that nothing I buy contains mineral oil or anything ending in "-cone". Being in the beauty industry, I've learned that mineral oil causes a lotion (or whatever product you're using) to sit on the surface of your skin, and prevents it from soaking in to the many layers of skin that need moisture. I don't know the specifics of the "-cone" (I should probably research that one) but I've heard from people whom I trust that all those ingredients aren't good for you either. :) How's that for solid information?

#2 As soon as I get out of the shower, I immediately put lotion on my entire body, starting with my face. I do my face first so that I dont mix my body lotion with my sensitive facial skin. After my face, I just lather from my feet up to my shoulders using Hempz Age Defying Herbal Moisturizer. I am obsessed with this stuff and I like how it makes my skin feel and also how it smells. :) Sometimes I mix it up and buy the pomegranate Hempz.. it's also quite delish.


[source]

 #3 When my skin is ultra dry, and needs more than the regular routine, I add jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is amazing stuff, let me tell you! It is the closest thing found in nature to the oil that your body produces to moisturize itself (just one of the nuggets of gold you learn when you work for Aveda..). I just mix a pump of lotion and about 5 drops of jojoba oil in my hand, and then apply as usual. My favorite is Desert Essence and I buy it from Trader Joe's.

[source]



 #4 Since I live at 4800 feet elevation, it's pretty stinkin' dry up here. Lately I've been skipping the lotion and resorting to pure oil. Jojoba oil is aweome, but takes a while to soak in when I apply it alone. So when I want straight up moisture but not to feel all oily, I use Lavender Oil  or Coconut Oil. (both purchased from Trader Joe's who does not have an online site)

[source]

[source]

Not only do both of these moisturize amazingly well, but they also leave you smelling wonderfully!

I think that's all for now -- Thanks for reading!

I'd love any suggestions if you have something that works even better!



A Little Pinspiration!

So we moved to California to escape the Washington gloom. But even California has gloomy rainy days (gasp! weird, I know) and every time it rains I am reminded how much I want a pallet doormat. Our doormat turns into a soggy mess. We have tons of scrap wood at camp and I am ready to turn this

our current doormat, drowning in the rain

into this

Source: howdoesshe.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: bluecricketdesign.net via Katie on Pinterest

Source: inbetweenlaundry.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Also, I am going to attempt to make my own bedskirt. We put our bed on risers since we have a miniature house with not a single closet for storage, and under our bed stores everything. Our bedroom currently looks like this:

and I want to add more yellow. I love that soft blue but its in our living room too so I need to brighten up one to also differentiate haha.

What do you think of this fabric? I would make coordinating pillow also. Opinions?

{source}

Yes, it's a curtain from World Market. But I like it! :)

Easy Cinnamon Rolls From Scratch!

So after finishing my juice cleanse, I tried not to go too crazy with the treats :) I mean I did do it for the health benefits and don't want to just undo it all. 

That being said, I searched for a cinnamon roll recipe that didn't have butter and/or oil as the primary ingredients. I found this one on the Happy Housewife and am excited to share it with y'all!

First, gather all your ingredients. You will need:

 Dough:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 stick butter (softened)
• 3/4 to 1 cup milk
 Filling:
• Butter
• Brown Sugar
• Cinnamon
 Icing:
• 3 tablespoons butter (softened)
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons cream cheese (softened)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Milk

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Next, mix together all your dry ingredients. Then cut in the butter. Add milk until the dough is nice and sticky.

Roll out the dough on a floured surface.

Next, spread the butter, then brown sugar, then cinnamon on top. I used our juicer screen as a sifter. I'm sure the makers of the juicer would be proud :)

The recipe says to use as much as you like. I used only two tablespoons of butter and I wish I had used more. My cinnamon rolls ended up slightly dry. Edible but not gooey! Now that this is done, you roll it all up and slice it into little cinnamon rolley goodness..

I sprayed the pan first with Trader Joe's olive oil spray.

 Bake for 25 minutes. I am in the altitude so I only did 21 minutes & they turned out great. While they are baking - here comes the best part - mix together the cream cheese & butter, then add powdered sugar, vanilla and milk.

yummm!

When you pull the cinnamon rolls out of the oven, drizzle douse in frosting and enjoy!

I fed all the maintenance guys this morning and they gave it the seal of approval! Let me know if you make them & what you think!

For Kaylee

My darling Kaylee,

You are beautiful. 

God created you to be you, and by being true to yourself you are obeying him. 

You are His faithful servant. You are His masterpiece, when He sees you, He smiles. 

You make Him proud.

God has given you a gift of a beautiful singing voice, and a nack to play the guitar. 

You continually use this for His glory, and He is pleased with you.

By pursuing your dream of music, you are using the gifts He gave you every single day.

He loves you. Oh, how he loves you.

You are able to inspire people twice your age. 

Your radiance brightens the darkest spirits. 

Your honesty is also a gift, something not every one knows how to use, and being real will take you far, Kaylee. He gave you the ability to be so real.

You hurt much because you care much. It may be hard now, but it is a good thing to care so much.

Miss Kaylee, you make people laugh -- all the time. Do you realize what a gift this is? The gift of bringing joy. God has chosen you to have these specific qualities. You are so wise and you follow Him so faithfully, this will only bring you more understanding of Him. High school and college are so hard.. figuring out who you are is so hard. Keep leaning on Jesus Kayls. Only He can truly make your heart whole. Only He can strengthen your character. I admire you more than I say, and I wish I had your humor, joy, compassion, and dedication. The music you write reaches deep into people's souls, and blesses them more than you will probably ever realize. Jesus has put those words and notes in your heart for a reason. I am so proud of you, so so proud of you for allowing Him to use you through music. Keep going friend. Keep being you. Because that is exactly who He designed you to be.

I love you always, and I'll forever be here for you.

xoxox,

Katie

Makeover Monday {Pucker Up}

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Helloooo! And happy Monday! Today's theme is in honor of Valentine's Day, your favorite lip stuffs! If you have something you'd love to share, please link-up with Molly and me :)

I don't have a whole lot to say on this subject. My only lip stuff I use is ... drum roll please....
Aquaphor!

{source}

Literally swear by this stuff. I put it on every single night before bed.

When I do wear lipstick, I always wear MAC. It's soft and doesn't smear and lasts awhile. I'm just not much of a lips girl, I guess!

Thanks for linking up, y'all!!

Dreaming With a Broken Heart

I'm on the final stretch... 4 and a half days down, 1 to go! Tomorrow at midnight I'll finish my 6 day juice cleanse. I plan on baking homemade cinnamon rolls :)

This week has been a huge test of discipline for me. I don't like finishing things that aren't fun. I am a quitter by nature (or by nurture, but that's debateable). All week I've been whining. Thanks to my tweeps for not unfollowing me! So far everyone has been so encouraging, and I so appreciate that. Thank you!

Anywho, while I've been whining, I've also been dreaming of food. Stuff like this:

Source: annies-eats.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: thenovicechefblog.com via Katie on Pinterest

pesto pasta...my very favorite kind. YUM!

Source: skinnytaste.com via Katie on Pinterest

My most favorite Skinny Taste recipe

Source: skinnytaste.com via Katie on Pinterest

More pasta. Yes it's my favorite.

Welp, I signed up for a half marathon last winter and I didn't train well and ended up being told by a cardiologist I shouldn't run it. So I didn't. I still regret giving up and not training better and I think about that as a failure all the time.

Last night I almost gave up on this cleanse. I was SO hungry and I did not want any more fruits or vegetables. (They're starting to make me nauseous I've had so many!) So I decided this will be my half marathon. I am going to finish, and finish strong.

Until next time my friends... I'll be dreaming of all this delicious food!!

Have you ever done a cleanse? How did you feel afterwards?

Fashionably Late to the Vlog Party

Better late than never, right? Besides, this is about whose behind the blog, and I am definitely always running late ... so staying true to myself, here is my first ever Vlog! Thanks to Erin and Ashley for hosting this linkup -- two amazing girls!

My right eye isn't really that wonky.. it's the lighting, I promise! :)
******************Makeover Monday this week is themed "Pucker Up!" Molly and I would love for you to link up with us sharing your favorite lipgloss, lipstick, etc :)

The Truth About Baby Fever

Soo... I didnt really have anything to write about since this is not a "health" blog and the only thing I can think about is this juice cleanse we are doing. We were planning to do it for 6 days and spent almost a hundred fifty dollars on fruits and veggies. Well, we're in day 2 and more than halfway through our veggies! Since our food is included in our pay.. we cant exactly afford to drop more than that per week, so we will be cleansing until we run out of veggies! Then we will continue to eat mostly clean. Until then.... I'm dreaming of oatmeal and triscuits and fish tacos. MMMMmmm....


Anyways. Zach and I are sitting on the couch right now, I am reading blogs and he was watching a documentary on cows. Yes my husband is obsessed with cows. He went to school for them (a real live cowboy), he names all the breeds when we drive past them, he quizzes me on whether they are "dairy" or "beef" cows, etc. He loves them. It's beyond me..

Anyways, the documentary got to the part about birthing and was showing all these cow births. At one point it showed a calf that had to be pulled out manually and it was super graphic and it ended up the calf was dead. And they showed it lying there. And I BURST into hysteric tears. And Zach laughed. Then I laughed. But I was still crying and I didn't know why! Then I realized why. Because I want a baby someday. And I might be naive in some things, but I know how common it is for pregnancies to go not 100% as planned, and frankly, that scares the bejeezus outta me. I am so fearful that when Zach & I decide to get pregnant we will either have a hard time conceiving at all, or once we do I will lose the baby. I don't know why this is such a fear but it is. I read a lot of blogs where women have lost their babies and it has given me insight to how that might feel and it sounds completely awful. 


A few weeks ago I read this post from Heather [Finding Beauty In The Ordinary -- awesome blog] and it spoke to me so much because I know that  is exactly how I will feel. I am a nervous wreck about most things, and I'm sure growing a human will be the worst of it. I pray that we will never have to experience this type of loss and I pray that no one I know will either.

I am sensitive. I love lots and when others hurt, I hurt too. When they showed the baby calf on the TV my heart hurt for the mama cow. Please don't judge me. I am just being real here. I know it sounds silly, but that is how I felt.

So the moral of my story is this. I need to learn to trust God. Even for the things in my future. He knows how much I want to be a mama, He knows how nervous it makes me and He knows Zach and I pray about 'when' all the time. I need to trust Him that His plans for my life are perfect. That He knows exactly what He's doing, and if we do have to endure heartache, it will be for His glory.

Source: achristianyoginisblog.com via Katie on Pinterest

Oh and by the way, Zach switched to watching cartoons after my little crying episode :)

Makeover Monday Link-Up {Blush, Bronzer, etc.}

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It's my favorite day of the week! Just kidding. But I do like writing these posts every week!

Blush! Bronzer! Highlighters! Woohoo!

please excuse my silliness... it's been a longggg day (I'm writing this Sunday night) and I think I am still on a high from meeting some fabulous girls yesterday!

Here are what I use for the goods. The other day, I was trying a new eye look and I was so focused on that, I forgot to put on blush. When I had done my eyeliner and mascara [I always do those very last] I looked at myself and thought "why do I still look so plain?" and realized I had completely forgotten my blush. That is when I realized how important it is! 

Confession: I have very rosy cheeks so sometimes I just put a little bronzer on the edges of my face & it looks like I have blush on already.

Anyyyyyways.

Bronzer:

Prestige Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Terra

Love this stuff. I've used it for 5 years [!!!] now and I will probably never change. It lasts forevverrrr because it's huge! like four inches across. It is the perfect amount of pigment, not orange, and layer-able. 

I dust on my temples, tip of my nose, chin, and edge of my cheekbones [near my hair line]. Sometimes I just do this, on days I am super rosy. On days I'm not...

Blush:

 "Fair skin looks great with fuschia blush!" -girl at the MAC counter while helping me choose wedding makup.
I did not believe her. Then I tried it... my life has forever changed.
MAC Sheertone Powder Blush in Coygirl [not on the website! boo!]

I never pick bright blushes so this was hard for me to even try. Remember, I told you I am set in my ways! But I really really love it & it doesnt look so obnoxious on me! It really does look pretty with fair skin :)


Some other favorites include: 
CoverGirl Cheekers in Party Peach

and 

BareEscentuals Rose Radiance

And if I'm really goin' the extra mile, I will use an illuminator/brightener/highlighter powder. It's truly magical...

Highlighter:
MAC Pigment in Vanilla

Like honestly, heavenly. Dust a little on the tops of your cheekbones and inside your eye.. amazeballs.
Also a pretty eyeshadow :)


***********************************************************


Here is a picture of me wearing the bronzer, MAC blush, and pigment on our wedding day. [also the foundation & skin routine from past weeks!] I think it looks alright!

Well girls that's all I've got for you today! Can't wait to see what the rest of you use! And again, thanks for linking up!


PS: Next week's topic is in honor of Valentine's Day. "Pucker Up!" Share your favorite lip shtuff!! Yay!

Juice Fast and Blogger Meet-Up!

Welp tomorrow starts our 7 day juice fast. I keep saying juice fast, but I actually mean raw fruits & vegetable fast. I will still eat bananas and make smoothies from frozen fruit & orange juice I made tonight.   Just no dairy in them. But I am super stoked and ready to start this cleanse and see how I feel at the end of it. I'll keep y'all updated, and I will definitely need some encouragement! I've never done anything like this. We were starting to get the "clean eating" thing down before we moved, and since then camp food has taken over. Somehow I've managed to lose weight while being here but I think that's just because my job is so active. Anyways, this is a huge deal for me. I love food! This week will be a huge test of my discipline. I know I can do it, I know I can do it.

It really does look delicious though, doesn't it? And so colorful!

Luckily Ashley is hosting this whole thing & there will be lots of encouragement through that group along the way.

Speaking of Ashley, I got to meet her and a handful of other bloggers today. Namely Jamie, Julie, Meg, and Hollie. I've gotten to know these girls via their blogs, emailing, twitter, and texting but it was SO COOL to meet them in person and actually hang out! I met a few other girls too but I was mostly excited to hang out with the girls I already have a relationship with because I was meeting them for the first time today. Maybe next one I'll try to mingle more :)

Jamie & Julie 

I am so mad I didnt get a picture with Meg! (Mine and Hollie's will hopefully be posted soon!) Just means we'll have to hangout again soon, Meg :)

I also won this awesome print from Orange&Park. They have tons of cool prints of California and other places like South America, Africa, & stationary too! 

****************************************************** 

I loved meeting these girls and feeling like we'd been friends for a long time. Seriously, you guys are amazing. Now lets set up some hang-outs chicas!

PS. Thank you to the girls who hosted today's meet-up, y'all did an amazing job & it was so nice to be included!

Don't forget to linkup on Monday with your favorite Blush, Bronzer, etc! :)

This Monday's Theme

<a href="http://midwesterntouch.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://sites.google.com/site/midwesterntouchblog/files/makeovermonday.png" /></a>
If you haven't linked up with us for Makeover Monday, Please do! It has been so much fun hosting this with Molly & getting to see all y'alls beauty secrets. I am pretty set in my ways and even I have picked up a thing or two! Please join us this coming Monday [2/6] to show off your favorite
Blush, Bronzer, and any Accents [think highlighter, etc]
We hope you join us!
xoxo

Please allow me to confess...

My mind's been a-wandering since I've been working alone all week & had tons of time to think. Allow me to confess to you some of the things I dwell on while makin' all those beds and vacuuming all those meeting rooms! Don't judge me, friends.

• Pinterest: While I agree that Pinterest is super duper handy and convenient, not to mention tons of fun & overwhelmingly full of amazing ideas on the web; I am inconsolably envious of you engaged ladies [or ladies who will be engaged at some point] who have Pinterest to act as your personal wedding planner/idea board. The rest of us old married women had to use sticky notes, "bookmarks", and actual binders. I loved looking at ruffledblog.com when I was planning our wedding & had to search that site hundreds of times to find that one picture of that one cake or that one hairstyle. You honestly have no idea how many bookmarks I had on my computer at work. You are SO LUCKY to have Pinterest to help you keep all your random ideas in one cute little organized place. End rant. [yes I'm talking to you, Molly] And yes, I do dwell on this 7 months after our wedding. Oh! happy 7 months of marriage today, babe :)

• SoCal Blogger Meet-Up: I can't believe I will actually get to meet some of the girls that keep my sane while living atop this mountain. Like I've said, I did not intend to make friends by blogging, I just wanted to clear my head through writing. Well one thing led to another and now I'm in love with it & also with the friends I have made. Like real friends! [atleast they better be real!] Saturday I get to meet a few of the girls that live down here and I can't stop talking about it. Even though my coworkers think I'm weird for going to a "blogger meetup". But to be honest, [cue confession] I am soooo nervous. I am very confident behind the computer screen, but here I can think about what I type.. back up and re-type, etc. I get social anxiety when I am around new people and I have been praying all week that this doesn't happen! I know these girls already love me so I dont know why I am so nervous, but just had to be honest here people.
• Balance: While I am on the subject of blogging; I just want to confess that sometimes I don't have the time to write out everything thats in my head. Sometimes I just love reading what all you bloggers have to say and usually I find myself encouraged, inspired, and come away refreshed. So, thank you. Thank you for finding the time to write out what's on your heart. Because it really does touch me.
• God Time: I am not good at making time for God. It has always been a struggle for me ever since I realized I could have a relationship with Him. Waking up early is just not realistic because I hate mornings. After work I get distracted and honestly, just forget. I've really been convicted about this lately and so I've been searching for a remedy. I finally ordered Beth Moore's Believing God study workbook and honestly, it has been amazing. In just a few days of going through her lessons, I have seen so much growth. It encourages me and excites me for the next days' lesson. I am beyond thankful for this right now!

Source: weliveforjesus.tumblr.com via Danielle on Pinterest


• Juicing: This is my last confession. For today atleast. We bought a juicer a few weeks ago after watching Fat Sick & Nearly Dead and a few other documentaries on Netflix. So far, Zach has used it every single day since we got it & I have used it exactly once. And of course I documented it with a photo. I did commit to doing a 7-day juice fast starting on Monday [thanks to Ashley ] because I really do believe in the effects and I want to see the health results. I just dont think it tastes that good. I'll have to deal though.

Liebster Award

*Disclaimer: This post is way overdue*

I started this blog for no reason other than to occasionally write when my head felt like it was so full of thoughts it was going to burst. I had NO idea where it would take me and how much I would fall in love with blogging. I also had no idea how many incredible friendships I would make along the way and how dear to me these girls would become! 

With all that said.... I am incredibly honored that not only one, but two people awarded me with a Liebster Award! 

Renee blogs at This Wont Hurt A Bit and I am loving getting to know her recently!

Victoria blogs at Vibrantly Victoria and I have so much respect for this girl.. she's on a serious weight loss journey & is so inspiring!

Thank you sooooo much Renee & Victoria. It honestly means so much to me!

......and as I was writing this post and reading my friends' blogs I noticed that Jamie  [News From LaFuze] also sent this my way. Seriously, love her.  I get to meet her on Saturday and I just might pee I'm so excited. I was about to give her the award but she beat me to it :)

So I guess I got three awards. I'm like about to cry... I've never felt like I was "good" at anything before and this whole blogging thing just brings me so much confidence and the best part? It's confidence in me.  I do this for me, I write about me, and whats on my heart. SO THANK YOU LADIES!! Seriously, you are making my week!!

Ok... moving on :)

Liebster is German for loved, beloved, dear, favorite, or something like that.

and this award is given to bloggers with less than 200 followers to bring attention to their blog.

The rules to this award are as follows:

#1. show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.

#2. award the award to five of your favorite bloggers with less than 200 followers & link them.

#3. post the award on your blog.

#4. bask in the love from the most supportive people on the internet - other bloggers of course!

#5. and best of all - have fun & spread the LOVE.

This is really hard to choose.. but here goes:

Ashley [christian wife life]

Laina [recycled interiors] *she just had a baby! thismorning.

Beth [Until Only Love Remains]

Ali [Not Hip Enough To Blog]

Lauren [lauren darlings]

Allyce [Riemenschnieder Ramblings]

Love those girls. Their blogs are worth your time. Plus I like to think that they are my 

friends, and I like to show off my friends :)

Until next time! Yes I broke the rules and picked 6. I just had to, okay!?

PS: Fun facts.... Allyce was actually my manager when I worked as a restaurant host a few years ago (and I got to do her wedding hair), and Laina was friends with Zach in high school and he introduced me to her blog! Crazy, huh.