Don't miss this weekend's 100% Pure GWP

You may recall my recent post about visiting an actual 100 Percent Pure store. If you are lucky enough to live near one, I highly recommend stopping by this weekend for the start of the 100 Percent Pure's Mother's Day In-Store Promo Event.

From Friday, April 10-Sunday, April 12, 2015, costumers can come in for mini makeovers, makeup tips, motherly glow facials and this free gift with any $40 purchase (while supplies last; limit one per customer).

From Friday, April 10-Friday, May 1, 2015, you also can enter your mom to win a 100 Percent Pure $250 shopping spree. I was the first to enter at the Annapolis store, so I'll probably get lost on the bottom. That's more luck for the rest of you :)

My daughter and I were both excited about the adorable bunny bag (it's also available in this gift set) and facial brush (she's always trying to run off with the one I've had for a while now; it's free online with the purchase of select cleansers at the moment), but I was especially appreciative of the Organic Lavender Honey Facial Cleansing Foam and more of the amazing Super Fruits Reparative Cream (love this stuff). I have yet to try this particular cleanser, so I'll post a review when I do.

I took advantage of a mini makeover from the lovely Dana Delikat. We were on a hunt for makeup that really pops, as my hubby likes to visually see what I've purchased on my face (he doesn't seem to get the no-makeup makeup look; I guess it doesn't make a lot of sense now that I type it). I had hoped to get the Fruit-Pigmented Pomegranate Oil Anti-Aging Lipstick in Narcissus, but unfortunately, it was all sold out (I need to get on that waiting list; may I also recommend Poppy, which is my fave, and Foxglove). Instead, we tried on a variety of lip products and shades, so what I'm wearing in this photo is my own personal mix. LOL. Dana actually is wearing Narcissus.

I ended up getting another Lip & Cheek Tint, this time in Cranberry Glow (I got Peach last time). I'll review and swap it in my next post. I also got a Tinted Moisturizer in Peach Bisque (mine is almost completely gone, so this was a makeup emergency), and this cute Neopolitan Body Scrub Gift Set (it contains Strawberry, Vanilla and Chocolate Body Scrubs).

Together with my gift with purchase, I came home with quite a haul.

Dana also gave me some samples of these shimmering bronzers to try at home. I'm not sure if I want the light or the dark one. They provide that J.Lo. glow. Dana even recommended mixing it with a body lotion to make your legs look their best when they are bared to the world (shorts and skirt season has arrived).

I hope to make a decision on the bronzers before the end of the Mother's Day event, as there is another promo available Friday, April 17- Sunday, May 10, 2015. Check out the 100 Percent Pure blog for more information.

On another note, how pretty is this store? It's really worth the visit.

Babe on a Budget: #SavetheDate Bracelet

Check out the hashtag #SavetheDate on Twitter and you might find Emma McKinstry's stylish way to save the date that's important to you (on a necklace, of course). It could be the date of your birth or your child's birth (I thought about getting two; one with my son's birthday and the other with my daughter's), but probably the most common use for this necklace is to proudly display a wedding date.

Emma McKinstry's Silver Save the Date Necklace
as pictured on Emma McKinstry's Instagram page

My sister is getting married next month, so I immediately thought of her when I saw the necklace (the above pic is from the Emma McKinstry Instagram page, so credit goes to her). I had been meaning to order one, but unfortunately, time got away from me (her shower is this weekend). Therefore, I opted to make it myself, which is perfect for a "babe on a budget."

I headed straight to the craft store and purchased a pack of number charms for only a few bucks (this pack contained 20 charms, which equaled out to two of each number 0-9). I also changed the design to a bracelet when I saw this fun 5-pack for $4.99 (that's only a dollar per bracelet, so I can make more).

I opted to use the bracelet with the sparkles and white stones. It was the most bridal of the bunch. The stones also acted as markers to help me determine where to attach the numbers, which I laid out, as shown.

I started by attaching the center number with the use of a jewelry-making tool. She is getting married on the 30th, so I attached the 3 to one side of the center stone and the 0 to the other side of the stone.

Next, I moved on to attaching the 5 (for the month of May) to the side of the first stone.

Lastly, I attached the year with the 1 to the left of the last stone and the 5 to the right of the stone.

Now your bracelet is all finished. I plan on giving it to my sister in one of these note cards with a personalized message from yours truly. I hope she likes it ... and that she doesn't check out my blog before the shower. Thank goodness I have another surprise gift for her.

Emma McKinstry's Heart Stud and Arrow Stud Earrings
as pictured on Emma McKinstry's Instagram page

If DIY isn't really your thing, consider purchasing the inspiration for today's project from Emma McKinstry's site (it is better quality than my version). I think the necklaces would be great for Mother's Day (they also come in gold), and there are some other cute options available for any occasion (I like the stud earrings in a heart and an arrow). Emma didn't ask me to say that; I'm just sharing what caught my eye with you :)

Soap = Hope

I love the idea of buying one item and giving another to a person in need. You may be familiar with TOMS, the popular shoe company that gives a pair of shoes for every pair you buy, but you might not yet know SoapBox.

I recently found out about SoapBox via a giveaway on Everblossom.net. I was lucky enough to win a box of the company's soap, which included a body wash, liquid hand soap and bar soap. I got to pick which ones I wanted.

First up, I selected the Black Soap Body Wash, as that was the one Kylie, the founder of Everblossom, highlighted on her site. I thought it might be good for my preteen son, who's the age when breakouts start, but I also was drawn to its detoxing properties (it contains activated charcoal and sea salt). To my surprise, this body wash is not drying at all and has a delightful scent (I'm not sure what it smells like, but I imagine it to have a hint of black licorice).

With each purchase of SoapBox Body Wash, SoapBox donates a year's supply of vitamins through its partner, Vitamin Angels.

For the Liquid Hand Soap, I had to go with the Tea and Ginger. I love ginger, but what really sold me was this review of the Tea & Ginger Body Wash on the SoapBox site. It's too funny:

Verified buyer Scott, who gave it 5 stars, said: When I get out of the shower, I take a deep breath and say to myself, "Gee, Scott. You smell lovely. Is that the fragrance of tea or ginger?" To which I reply to myself, "Oh, it's both and its spectacular."

The Tea and Ginger Hand Soap does smell amazing and is quite moisturizing, as far as soap goes. With each hand soap purchase, SoapBox donates a month's supply of clean water through its partner, RainCatcher.

Lastly, I just had to try the Cinnamon All-Natural Bar Soap. My hubby loves a good cinnamon bar soap, and I love it when he smells like cinnamon. This soap actually reminds me of red hots. It's so good.

This bar soap contains oats and cinnamon, which provide a gentle exfoliation, similar to Lush's Buffy the Backside Slayer. It lathers well, and leaves my hubby's and my skin soft and residue-free.

With each All-Natural Bar Soap purchase, SoapBox donates a bar to a person in need.

Just so you know, SoapBox soaps are cruelty-free, vegan-certified, gluten-free, palm oil-free, paraben-free, petrochemical-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, made in America, in 100% recyclable packaging with 100% pure hope. SoapBox didn't ask me to post this, but I wanted to spread the word. I actually saw their shampoo and conditioners at Target the other day. I'll have to try their haircare next.

Our fruit flies

What's the best way to get kids to eat their fruits and veggies? Serve it to them in a fun and creative way.

Thank goodness my kids eat fresh produce as is, but they still like to play around with the presentation from time to time. For example, we made fruit butterflies on our plates today out of fresh pineapple, strawberries and blueberries. Too cute :)

These fruit butterflies reminded me of some of the other "fruit flies" we've made in our crafty kitchen, such as these Last Minute Love Bug Brownie Bites.

We also have used Pure Bars to make yummy Pure Bees.

And, since we incorporated fresh pineapple in our fruit butterflies, I couldn't help but recall Tinkerbell's Pineapple Party Dress. Hayden can't wait to do that one again.

Does your fruit "fly?" Show me your creations. Tweet at @Rawdorable.  

Good Greens Bunny & #tbt Easter Ideas

Recently I was lucky enough to win some Good Greens Bars. You may remember me posting my first taste of their original bars a few years back.

Since then, those chocolate-covered bars have been coated in a dairy-free Greek yogurt, which makes them perfect for today's kitchen craft. These Apple Crumb bars (they also sent me some Banana Nut, Pumpkin Spice and Pomegranate Acai bars) have a nice white canvas for decorating an adorable Easter bunny.

To make your bunny, start by cutting the ears, as shown. You can see how I made a small slice down the top center of the bar to divide the ears, and cut out tiny triangle shapes to make them pointy.

Next, cut some more tiny triangles to create the rest of the bunny shape.

Decorate your bunny bar with freeze-dried fruit (I used a piece of strawberry for the nose and pineapple for the bow tie), pumpkin seeds (for the eyes), and quick and easy chocolate icing (cocoa powder, pure maple syrup, vanilla and sea salt). Use your imagination and substitute other ingredients, if you'd like.

Tweet me at @Rawdorable, if you make one.

On another note, it's also Throwback Thursday, so here are a few blast-from-the-past Easter ideas from my blog, starting with another bar-based bunny. This unbaked cupcake has a Larabar for the base.

I also like to squeeze the unbaked cupcake base to look like an egg and decorate it like the personalized chocolate-covered eggs my church used to make.

If you've been a fan of the old-school Cadbury Creme Eggs, try making them in pudding form.

Don't forget these Peep-like Banana Bunnies from the other day. You can decorate them as shown, or make them into chocolate-covered frozen banana bunnies.

And, if you want something that's not a dessert, you can make mini salads that resemble eggs in a nest.

Have a Happy Easter!

Real Freeze-dried Strawberry Blush

I already did a post for today, but I couldn't help posting just one more time after seeing 100 Percent Pure's April Fools Day tweet. I got a chuckle out of their latest fruit pigmented addition, "Real Strawberry Blush."

"Introducing Real Strawberry Blush fruit! Grown locally in California, Real Strawberry Blush fruit was developed to be used specifically as a multi color blush and lip tint. Grown using our patented Pure Soil™ organic formula, 100% Pure is the first cosmetics company to truly offer direct fruit color pigment and benefits to your skin. With food and biodegradable properties, the Real Strawberry Blush is truly the only cosmetic purchase you need for a completely natural lifestyle!"

According to the 100 Percent Pure website, all you need to do to use this amazing product is to just run the fresh strawberry on your cheek and blend. The best part is that you can eat what's left. Too funny :)

Hayden, who loves her freeze-dried strawberries, and I decided to show you how it's done with the freeze-dried variety. Simply apply finely ground freeze-dried strawberries to your cheeks using a blush brush. It may take a few applications, but it will leave you with a natural blush.

You also can use cornstarch as a powder to set your makeup, or a cornstarch/cocoa powder combo as a bronzer. It's amazing what beauty products can be found in your kitchen.

Caution: Please don't try this if you are allergic to strawberries.

Steak fries?

Do you know what these are? At first glance, they seem to resemble steak fries, but they're not. Similar to fresh apple fries (apples cut in a fry shape), they're actually freeze-dried mango pieces that surprisingly look like fries when you present them in a French fry container.

This would be fun for April Fool's Day. Are you serving up any tricky foods today? Let me know on Twitter at @Rawdorable.

P.S. Don't forget the Decorated Apple Faux-nuts. They seem appropriate for today, too. Happy April Fool's Day :)