Chic and Green

Thrifty & Fabulous! Record Bowls!

2012-01-28T11:05:00.000-05:00

Wanna do something fun? Let's do something fun!

It's time for our first foray into a thrifty, and absolutely fabulous project together.

Vinyl records are nostalgic, retro, sleek, shiny and cool.

I have a record player, but, you might not.

You might, however, have a big box in the attic full of Elvis, the Stones, maybe Frank Sinatra.... and for whatever reason, might not be ready to part with them. I do have a great idea for you... and it's either free or wouldn't cost you more than a buck!

Grab those records from your attic, OR get yourself to the local Goodwill or Salvation Army where you can pick up a record for $.50. Grab your cookie sheet, a couple of metal or glass bowls, turn your oven on to 200' and let's do this!

Record Bowls!

Step one: Preheat your oven to 200'. And turn on your vent... the fumes are minimal, really, but, best to turn it on.

Step Two: Get yer bowls (the 2 bowls should be similar in size) and cookie sheet out.

Step Three: Grab yer record and place it on top of one of the bowls.

Step Four: Put them in the oven!

Step Five: Watch and wait. It doesn't take long. Could be as little as 2 minutes, as many as 5. You'll know it's time when the vinyl begins to get all warp-y and wonky.

Step Six: Remove everything from the oven, place the second bowl over the record and press down. The bowl will sink with the soft vinyl into the bowl underneath. Like so!

Step Seven: Take the record bowl out and let it cool. This literally takes mere seconds and voila!

You can use these for almost anything. Mine are on a table near the front door as a catchall for keys and such and one holds our various remotes. Being record vinyl, I wouldn't put food in them. Maybe something with a shell or peel, otherwise, no. But, lined with a cloth napkin it would be a great chip server! Really, the possibilities are endless.

So are the ways you can tweak these to your individual tastes! I use the bowl in bowl method, but you can shape these by hand, arranging the "ruffles" to your liking... or, using another, oven safe, shaped dish. A small square cake pan, for instance, turned upside down and shaped by hand, would be great looking. I've shown colored vinyl here, but, obviously, regular black vinyl records are excellent, too!

Have fun! Be creative! There's really no right answer here, and very little to lose.

Catch you next time!

For more by Elizabeth, be sure to visit her at Chandelierious and on Facebook, too.

Keep Calm

2012-01-27T14:29:00.000-05:00

It has been an exhausting couple days. I've been feeling a bit unlike myself these past few days with some numbness in my arms and hands and pain in the right side of my chest. I've been uncomfortable and just feeling "blah". My hand numbness made me drop my flat iron while straightening my hair the other day and that was just one of those things that triggered the "this isn't normal" response. Thankfully I had a good EKG and am awaiting results from all the blood that was drawn this morning and a chest x-ray from earlier this afternoon. I am by nature a bit of a worrier, but I've learned always to trust your inner voice if it tells you something is off. I learned that lesson 3 years back when I kept making excuses for my off feelings then.

Talking with you all always helps to keep me grounded and more calm. And, speaking of "Keep Calm", here are some Etsy finds:

Decal from WallStar Graphics

$55

Pillow cover from Jael Studios

$23

Print from Retro Love Photography

$10

Print from France's Magalerie

$25

Coasters from MableMae

$14

Print from DigiMarthe...I might order this one!

$11

For the knitter by Jennie Gee

$18

Etsy Love: SOTU Edition Part 2

2012-01-26T13:03:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, we used First Lady Michelle Obama's stunning sapphire blue color as inspiration for an Etsy Love feature. Today, we're going to use the Secretary of State's skinny headband as inspiration for our post. Hillary Clinton's headbands never used to be that on trend, but she rocked it the other night with a skinny Chanel-esque band for her longer bob.

Photo credit Evan Vucci, Associated Press

Bethany Lorelle
$38

Leather Blossoms
$45

Peacock feather & abalone band from Loubird's Nest
$16

Red & houndstooth band from Darling Handmades
$19

Pretty in pastels band from the WynBrit Boutique
$15

Imagine this for a wedding...gorgeous!
From Bridal Skies
£65.00 GBP

You can also make your own vintage-inspired headbands quite easily. I plan to show you how using blank skinny metal headbands as an upcoming DIY project. Stay tuned!

Etsy Love: SOTU Edition Part 1

2012-01-25T14:32:00.001-05:00

You wouldn't have looked to the State of the Union Address for fashion trends too many year ago, but I'm always eager to see what our First Lady is wearing. From her trademark aubergine dresses to last night's bright royal blue, I generally love what Michelle Obama chooses to wear. She's a beautiful lady.

I was surprised, though, to be impressed with Hillary Clinton's headband choice last night. I think she looked particularly lovely last night and adored her skinny headband!

Using these two strong and intelligent women as inspiration, I thought I'd do a special Etsy Love: SOTU Style Edition! today, we'll look at Michelle Obama's sapphire blue and tomorrow we'll look at the Secretary of State's skinny headband.

Photo Credit here

Michelle Obama's Sapphire Blue

Earrings from my shop, Loubird's Nest

$15

Brooch from Dr. Brassy

$24

Custom wedding shoes from Design Your Pedestal

$155

Pillow cover from Sierra Pillows

$40

Clutch from Fallen Sparrow

$45

Fingerless gloves from Filo Fashion

$20

Earring holder by Barb Pots

$29

Hello, there!

2012-01-24T16:35:00.001-05:00

Hello, Chic & Green-ers!

Please allow me to introduce myself....

I'm Elizabeth: Friend to Karley. Mommy to Ellie. Family to many. Blogger to my readers at Chandelierious. Sometimes a singer/actor. Always a lover of incredibly thrifty finds or projects! As a newly single mom, that last part, being thrifty? That's now sort of a necessity.

And I know I am not alone in that! Even before that, though, I found much more joy and satisfaction in the thrill of the hunt than in the ease of buying a mass-produced end table at Target. (That said, I love me some Target, and probably do have one of their end tables somewhere. I digress.)

Finding something at the Salvation Army for a couple of dollars, for example, and turning it into a personal, one-of-a-kind conversation piece is really, really fun. And easy! And you can absolutely do it, too. All you just need is a little time (and, believe me, I understand that novelty), an imagination, and maybe some paint and a glue gun. It's amazing what you can accomplish with a little paint and a glue gun!

I crave discovery, creation, transformation, repurposing, making things beautiful... and doing it all on a budget. That's what I'll be sharing here as Chic and Green's new 'Thrifty and Fabulous" editor!

I will be back soon with something fabulous up my thrifty little sleeve!

Etsy Love: Very Vanilla

2012-01-24T14:56:00.001-05:00

As I sit on on this chilly winter afternoon sipping vanilla tea, I thought I'd pay tribute to my favorite scent with these Etsy finds:

Pure Vanilla Extract from Binx Goods

$12

Vanilla candle from Folky Art Studio

$15.95

Vanilla Almond soap from the Sitting Tree
$5

Vanilla honey from Honey Tea Thyme

$7.50

Vanilla cream tea from The Cozy Leaf

$15

Vanilla spiced lavender artisan sugar from Orcas Alchemy

$8.75

Vanilla lip balm from Veve's Handmade

Made From Earth $75 Skin Care Giveaway!

2012-01-23T12:14:00.000-05:00

Made From Earth is a natural skin care company I've told you about before here on the blog. They offer some really lovely products for face and body -- in fact, I've never tried one that wasn't lovely. They have recently come out with a new product called Vitamin Enhanced Moisturizer.

With a silky and lightweight texture, the cream is suitable for all skintypes and is packed with beneficial ingredients such as Rooibos Tea Extract, polypeptides; vitamins A, B, C, and E; as well as other collagen boosters to help your skin. There is also white willowbark, a natural form of salicylic acid. This is beneficial for skin renewal.

This cream has a retail value of $74.99 and one of my readers has a chance to win! Enter below with Rafflecopter. Note that you MUST comment on this post to be fully entered.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Currently}

2012-01-20T14:03:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite blogs to read is Lemonade Makin' Mama by Sasha B. She is also a fellow Etsy artisan. Please check out her shop here. Sasha had a really fun post yesterday about things she was doing right then and there called Currently.

Here's my version for this chilly Friday. Have a nice weekend, everyone!

Currently loving... life. I truly love each day of this life, whether difficult or joyous! I try to savor each moment, even these lazy ones.

Currently reading... today's special coverage in the paper of the Kodak bankruptcy (I live where the HQ is and it's a huge part of our community)

Currently waiting for... 3pm to arrive. I miss Nick and Ben and want to smother them with hugs after school today!

Currently excited about...a wonderful dinner with friends newer and older tomorrow night.

Currently missing... my dad. It'll be 7 years on the 29th since he passed away and I truly miss him each day.

Currently trying... to decide which ingredients to order. I want to make loose leaf tea for my friends and me.

Currently working at...future blog posts.

Currently enjoying... my cup of coffee. I added a cinnamon stick to the filter when it brewed. YUM!

Currently snacking on... the most delicious cookie dough ball (no eggs!) recipe found via Pinterest

Currently using... Spotify on the computer...I love listening to music online

Currently wearing... dark boot cut jeans, a black scoopneck and black toggle cropped 3/4 sleeve cardigan...and a fun infinity scarf from Etsy.

Currently planning...to get my rear in gear and go downstairs to get the laundry out of the dryer (rather than simply rehitting start)

Currently singing... "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"...I mentioned it the other day on the blog and I've been finding myself singing as I remember my friend Bernie.

Currently needing...to schedule a massage. I feel a huge knot in my shoulder blades and think I should treat myself to something nice.

Currently learning... that I should spend less time on Pinterest when I am trying to get something done.

Currently listening to...Etta James (she passed away today and I just thought I'd play her beautiful music) on Spotify.

Currently wishing... that the special people in my life who are struggling in one way or another or who have endured loss can one day smile again.

Currently doing...laundry....although I can't seem to get the motivation to fold it right now.

Currently dreaming of... my next weekend away with my husband. We had such an incredible time when we went to the William Henry Miller Inn for our anniversary and I want to go again in the spring or summer.

Hair Abuse!

2012-01-19T12:48:00.002-05:00

I have put my hair through lots of trauma (and chemicals) over the past 24 hours. I am an at-home colorer. I'm no stranger to doing my hair--I've done it since college. Dark, light, foils, lowlights, highlights, I've done it all.

So when Deanna posted that she was thinking of changing up her blonde to red and posted some pretty pictures, I thought that I could use a change as well.

As a porous blonde from repeated highlights, I knew I would need a little "filler" first. I used a semipermanent shade from L'Oreal called Healthy Look in Light Red Brown. I then planned to add a golden brown over it and add some highlights. The Healthy Look took in 3-4 minutes. My hair came out deep eggplant. So I REALLY needed to tone it down and throw in those highlights. First, I threw in Revlon Colorsilk in Medium Golden Chestnut Brown. Then I added Revlon Frost & Glow.

The result:

Anyway, after some brutally honest opinions from my boys and the fact that it took 90 minutes for Tom to say anything (as in, "As long as you like it, I like it), I went to bed planning to change it again today. My skin is very cool with lots of pink and blue undertones. The red simply clashed...

After my morning coffee, I went to Walmart and headed back down the hair color aisle. I knew I needed to tone down the bright red tones. I used L'oreal Excellence to Go 10 minute color in Light Ash Brown.

I left it in 8 minutes and it really toned the red down. I dried it for the second time today (hair, I am so sorry for this abuse!) and then applied Revlon Frost & Glow in the Platinum Kit, leaving it on for 40 minutes.

I rinsed it out and got out my hair dryer for the third time today. I feel so much more like "me" but with a slight change from what it was pre-red. It's weird. When I was in college, I could change up my hair color or style every few days. As I grow older, I get less daring :)

There's lots more dimension, though, and I am much more content. Remarkably, with all the stuff I put on it, I spend a grand total of $28 on hair color. Not too bad!

I have to say that my hair is silky and soft and that is because of my secret weapon: Original Moxie Intense Quench. I applied this liberally today. My hair should feel like straw. Heck, it probably should've started coming out in clumps with the damage I put it through. I am in love with this deep conditioner and it has kept my hair feeling strong and looking shiny!

Here it is now:

Introductions and a Valentine gift idea

2012-01-18T13:33:00.003-05:00

Hello all,

I'm Deanna, one of the new contributors of Chic and Green. Karley knows how much I love handmade, American products. When she asked me to cover the Handmade in America section of C&G, I replied, "heck yeah"! So here I am. I've been compiling a list of handmade Valentine's gifts available on Etsy to share with all of you. I'm so excited to share today's items.

Without further ado, check out Twisted River Claywork's heart-themed mugs. The first set is my favorite. I bought them for my husband, Frank, and me this past Christmas. Admittedly they would make a perfect gift for you and your sweetheart for Valentine's Day but they would also be lovely for anniversaries, birthday, Christmas, wedding showers, weddings, Ground Hog Day...um, yeah, sorry. I overdid. I see that now. Sorry. I just really, REALLY love these. I adore custom items so I had to be different when I purchased our set. I had the mugs read, "D+F" on one mug and "F+D" on the other. As per the shop notice, to ensure Valentine's Day delivery orders must be made on or before January 20th.

Custom made Enchanted Memories
initialed heart mugs, $50 per pair

This next set is also made to order and are pretty darn cute as well! Even though they have a red heart on them they don't scream "VALENTINE'S DAY". Their cool faux bark look will appeal to guys and girls.

Enchanted red heart mug set, $56

If you are interested in these sweet mug sets don't forget you only have until Friday, January 20th to get them for Valentine's Day. Tell Ron & Char hello for me!

I have plenty more Valentine's Day gifts to share with you all in the coming days. Stay tuned!

~Deanna

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

2012-01-17T14:40:00.000-05:00

Today my friend and I attended a memorial service for our friend Bernie. She is the spunky woman I told you about last month who passed away. She had no family, so there wasn't a dedicated memorial service, but there was a group ceremony held for patients at the independent living senior center she belonged to.

One of Bernie's requests was for the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to be played. As a tribute to my friend, I'd like to showcase some beautiful rainbows on this cloudy day:

Tissue garland from Pipsqueak & Bean

$9.50

Mu-Yin Jewelry

$60

I am quite sure Bernie didn't listen to Lady Gaga, but she surely would've loved the message of this one.

From LMG Creative Designs

$18

Bracelets from Hippie Kingdom

$65

Hair fascinator from For Your By Me

$36

Thank you notes from Rainy Day Colors

$5.99

Window stars from Harvest Moon by Hand

Monday Pick Me Up

2012-01-16T13:22:00.000-05:00

I love Silk Naturals. I have told you about this fantabulous company located in Trumansburg, New York before. Readers Amy and Lavanya were the two ladies who first introduced me to this brand and I've been in love with their lippies ever since.

I had a credit balance (you earn points when you shop) and decided to use it while re-ordering my most favorite lip color ever, Amplifying Lip Glaze in Captivate, and trying their eye shadow quad for the first time. I am about out of my existing Captivate. I've worn it every single day since it arrived in the mail--it is that fabulous. It's the perfect plummy raisin shade. For the eyes, I chose the Elegant Brown kit. For daytime use, I generally stick with neutrals and the four shades are a good deal for under $14.

Looking for a little Monday pick me up or just want to change up your routine? Try Silk Naturals! They really have some lovely items and Karen Stark (the owner) is a dream to buy from. I'd also like to add that I've not been compensated or received freebies for saying this--I just adore high quality, affordable makeup!

Look of the Golden Globes: Red Lips

2012-01-16T12:56:00.000-05:00

Photo credit

Red lips were everywhere on the Red Carpet at last night's Golden Globes and I thought I'd show you some natural red lipsticks instead of the chemical-laden alternatives on the market. All of the ones below are also carmine free!

Here are some C & G tried and tested red lipsticks:

Tango from Silk Naturals

Cerise from Silk Naturals

Boysenberry Lip Glaze from 100% Pure

Tarte Lip Tint in Lust

Pretty in Pink Giveaway Winner!

2012-01-14T09:09:00.000-05:00

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{warm and cozy cocoa}

2012-01-13T13:46:00.000-05:00

Well, now this is January in the Rochester area. Windy, cold, lake effect blowing and drifting....we've been so lucky to have one of the least snowy winters ever, but it's here now.

I'm home with a boy with a bit of a tummy bug today. He's snoozing and covered in blankets and I'm listening to the wind.

Today is the PERFECT day for hot chocolate...with extra whipped cream, of course!

Are you in need of some warmth and coziness? Here are some HOT COCOA pins of mine from Pinterest:

source

Pin, Pin, Pin!

2012-01-12T17:44:00.000-05:00

Are y'all on Pinterest yet? A couple months back, I told you all about my new fascination of "pinning" things. I've been hooked & now have over 40 boards going....

Soon to debut C & G writers Deanna and Elizabeth are also both on Pinterest. Check out their boards!

Other favorite pinners include: Sarah from My So Called Junky Life, my friend Angie from Festive Party Ideas (she joined today!), and the Nester.

If you need an invitation to come join Pinterest, please do let me know and I will send you an invitation.

What's In It Wednesday: Another Look at Cetaphil

2012-01-11T11:07:00.000-05:00

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser has been an In Style and Allure magazine beauty award winner for years. Doctors recommend it for children and for adults with sensitive skin. What's in it that makes it such a favorite?

Today's edition of What's In It Wednesday may look familiar to some of you. Our very first What's In It Wednesday piece five years ago was on Cetaphil. This is one of my blog's most viewed posts according to my stats, as people using Google to research the safety of Cetaphil find the original post. This is still such a popular product and I would like to reexamine it.

Here is the Ingredients List for Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser:

Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Stearyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben.

Water is ingredient #1. I don't think we need to discuss this one at length, so let's move on.

Cetyl Alcohol is actually nothing to be worried about it in this. Unlike harsh alcohols like SD Alcohol 40 (very drying on hair and skin), this is simply a fatty alcohol used as a skin softening ingredient. In many cases, this comes from a vegetable source, but many times it is from animal sources, so be sure you know how it is sourced if this is a matter of concern to you.

Propylene Glycol is used in conjunction with other chemical ingredients as a preservative. It is also found in products to make it easier for other added ingredients to penetrate the skin. This ingredient has been shown in studies to aggravate skin conditions such as eczema. This derivitave of mineral oil is considered a petrochemical. There are many different grades of PG: industrial grade is found in anti-freeze. Some will tell you that skin care products with propylene glycol just like anti-freeze. This isn't true--the kind in cosmetics is cosmetics grade. That being said, can cause contact dermatitis, especially in such a very high concentration.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate was once rumored to cause cancer. While this has been proven false, SLS is a highly irritating detergent known for creating a lather. Scientists do not recommend using SLS at a rate of 15% of a total product, and at that amount only because it will be diluted with water and rinsed out. What is so very, very bothersome to me is that on the back of the Cetaphil cleanser bottles it says that you can massage it in without rinsing and simply tissue off. I did that once. I wondered a while later why my face hurt so much. It was the SLS that hadn't been rinsed off.

Stearyl Alcohol is another fatty alcohol. It's a thickening agent and skin lubricant. Animal lovers may find it bothersome that this often comes from sperm whales. Vegetable stearic acid is a much more animal-friendly alternative. While this is a pretty benign alcohol, it is recommended to avoid the eye area because it's a potential irritant.

Now we're on to my friends, the parabens. Not quite. I am floored that the folks at Galderma decided to put in 3 forms of parabens in this cleanser. While all of the negative effects of parabens are not yet known, studies originating in Japan link buytylparaben and male birth defects. In the toxicology papers, it was stated that butylparaben "adversely affects the secretion of testosterone and the function of the male reproductive system..."

This is because of the fact that parabens have repeatedly been shown to interfere with the body's hormone function. This is exactly why parabens continue to be under fire for their potential cancer causing properties. Would I use a paraben on my boys? No. Never again in a million years. Would I use a paraben on my own body? No. This house has been paraben free now for over 5 years and will continue to be.

The Bottom Line:

I used to use Cetaphil. The moment I started using handmade soaps, cleansing oils, and other natural skin care products from my favorite brands (such as 100% Pure), the drugstore best-seller went out the door.

Our pediatrician used to recommend Cetaphil. Nick had eczema. It made it worse. Why is is so highly recommended? Is it the free samples given to hundreds and thousands of doctors' offices the way heartburn pill trial packs, formula samples, etc. are? When you look at Cetaphil, you're looking at fatty alcohols, potential cancer causers, a petrochemical and irritating detergent.

Would I recommend that for baby's skin, much less for an adult? Never. The best thing you can do is research your labels and make informed decisions with whatever you put on your children or on yourself...

$65 Pretty in Pink Giveaway!

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

Do you have the winter blahs? Never fear! PINK to the rescue! Add a little pop of color to your life and you'll feel perky once again. All of our lovely Chic & Green readers have the chance to win fabulous natural beauty products by Vapour Organic Beauty, 100% Pure, as well as a ring from Loubird's Nest on Etsy.

One lucky reader will receive the Aura Multi Use Blush stick in a pretty shade called Spark. This product is 70% organic and is cruelty free, gluten free, chemical free, and contains no nanoparticles.

Vapour is truly a green company, as the ingredients are biodegradable and the product was made with wind power. That's pretty cool, don't you think?

I've tried the Aura sticks before and what I love is how creamy they are to give it superior blendability, but without feeling greasy or heavy on the skin.

This is a a full sized product retailing for $28.

The winner will also receive a ring from my jewelry boutique. This is an adjustable antiqued silver filigree band with a dainty vintage style pink cabochon mum. Value of $12.

Lastly, the winner will receive a full sized 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Strawberry Blush in a shimmery pink compact. This lovely blush is just stellar. It adds a pop of color for a fresh look and is vegan, gluten free, and all natural. This retails for $25.

Earn multiple entries! Entering our giveaway is simple with Rafflecopter. This allows us to manage the giveaway much more easily and track entries in a more efficient manner.

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DIY Monday: Oh My Aching Back!

2012-01-09T11:07:00.000-05:00

Here's a muscle soothing DIY to start our week:

The past couple days, I have had this crick in my neck and soreness in my upper back. I think I have either slept wrong or else just somehow have found myself out of whack.

I have no problem taking a Tylenol if I need it. I try not to take medicine if avoidable and some pain relievers (such as Ibuprofen) I can't take with my blood pressure medication. I always try to see if there is something I can do holistically for issues that aren't emergencies or something I need to rush to the doctor for. Today is one of those days.

Today we're making an Aromatherapy Blend for muscle aches. This is a recipe I've made before and used on another day when I've clumsily injured myself or just wake up feeling like I have slept wrong. Please remember that this is not a substitute for any kind of medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, etc. any kind of problem.

First, you'll need a bottle. I use cobalt or amber glass dropper bottles. I happen to have several on hand from when I used to make and sell facial serums. You don't have to use a dropper bottle. I just think they're very useful. Then you'll need some essential oils. If you have a Whole Foods, you'll find them there. We do not, so I go to the Nature's Marketplace section at Wegmans and a local place called Lori's Natural Foods when I want to buy essential oils on the same day. Otherwise, I order them online. A good place to start is Mountain Rose Herbs.

Back Pain Relief Blend (Recipe is for a 1 ounce bottle)

Put 3/4 ounce of carrier oil into a bottle. Today I am using grapeseed oil. Any oil will do. I recommend apricot, avocado, sunflower, safflower, jojoba, macadamia nut, and olive. There are many options.
Add 5 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil.
Add 5 drops of Ginger Essential Oil.
Add 5 drops of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil.
Add 15 drops of Lavender Essential Oil

Combine the above ingredients. This formula should be stored in a cool, dark place. It'll last for several months if the cap is secure.

How To Use:

You have a couple of different options. I will be doing both. Tonight, I will add some of this to a very warm bath. The warm water always seems to help.

What I already have done is use this blend right on my back with a compress. I took a small towel, soaked it in hot water and the oils, and then applied it to my upper back and neck. This helped to alleviate the discomfort. I plan to do this a couple more times today as needed.

I hope this works for you!

Coming Attractions

2012-01-06T13:21:00.000-05:00

I posted a few weeks back about adding some new members to the Chic & Green team. As a major control freak who has always done everything myself (so much of a freak that I even made all the bouquets and centerpieces--along with the bridal makeup-- for our wedding because I cannot let go!), this is a VERY big step for me.

Over the past 4.5 years, the blog has really grown. I am so thankful for this. I put my heart and soul into making this blog just the way I want it to be and am super proud of the press it's gotten over the years. It is time, though, to add a couple of ladies to my team who share my passions (but have their own unique voices).

Joining us over these next few weeks are a Handmade in the USA editor and Thrifty & Fabulous editor. Deanna from Michigan is someone I've known for a few years now as a reader and former skin care customer from my old skin care line. She loves Etsy and all things handmade and locally made and is the perfect person to have a regular Handmade in the USA feature. She's warm and charming and you will adore her.

Elizabeth is a fabulous (and thrifty) woman right here in my town. She blogs and I met her when our now thrid graders were 4 and in the same preschool class together. She is a singer, actor, decorator, and thrift shopping genius with a love of Pinterest. She is great at doing DIY projects and you'll love her sparkly personality!

I'll introduce you to these ladies again and I know you'll enjoy their posts!

One more thing--are there any male readers out there who love to talk skin care and grooming? If so, shoot me an email! I have been receiving more and more products for men and my hubby is not at all interested in trying most of them or reviewing anything at all.... I would love to be able to have a product-hound gent out there on the C & G team as my men's reviewer.

HAPPY WEEKEND, my lovely readers!