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}

<a href="http://midwesterntouch.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://sites.google.com/site/midwesterntouchblog/files/makeovermonday.png" /></a>

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?