Oh hullo there 😀
1. First and foremost, Happy Birthday to my favourite Sprinkle! Make sure you head on over to Sam’s blog and wish her a happy birthday. I had the pleasure of meeting this girl at HLS, and she’s just as wonderful in person as she is on her blog — so go tell her that!
2. My life is complete. Remember my pig and cow mugs? I finally came across the last mug in the series. Say hello to my little sheep:
3. This may go down as the strangest thing I’ve ever had in my purse…
A lemon. Why did I have a lemon in my purse? Because I “borrowed” it [with no plans on giving it back] from my mom when I made a pit stop at my parents’ house the other day for a recipe I wanted to make. Only this isn’t a recipe for your belly — it’s for your face…
4. Using half a lemon, squeeze out the juice into a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil, and 1/2 Tbsp. of honey. Mix, mix, mix, and what you’re left with is my favourite DIY face mask/scrub.
I can’t even tell you how amazing this mask is… The lemon helps even out skin tone and tighten pores; the sugar acts as an exfoliator and removes dead skin cells; the honey helps hydrate, heal, and remove impurities; and the olive oil acts as a natural moisturizer. I use this mask about once or twice a week and it’s made a huge difference in my skin. All you do is gently rub it on a freshly cleansed face, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, and then wash it off with warm water. Your skin will feel amazingly soft afterwards, and you’ll notice a lot of improvements in tone with regular use.
5. While we’re on the topic of recipes, you’ll have to allow me a minute to gloat… Remember my Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal Bars? They’ve officially become my most popular recipe with over 2k pins and a feature on Greatist. Happy dance? You betcha 
6. Oh, and a good handful of people asked about the recipe for the cheesy quinoa dish I showed in yesterday’s WIAW. It’s really simple — I just cooked up a batch of quinoa like normal and stirred in some shredded cheese towards the end when all the water was absorbed. Easy peasy. I’ve also tried mixing in a few wedges of Laughing Cow before, and that works quite nicely as well.
7. There’s been some road construction going on outside my home for the past week or so, and I’ve been having the strangest urge to bake some cookies or muffins and share ’em with the workers. Is that weird? Do people still do that? I have no problem pawning off my baked goods to people I work with, but strangers? That’d feel a bit odd.
8. You know what else feels odd? The fact that it’s late October and we’ve been enjoying temps in the double digits (high 40’s to high 50’s for you Americans). Here. In Edmonton. I’m pretty sure we already had snow at this time last year, so this is kind of a big deal. And now that I’ve said that, watch it snow…
9. Another funny video this week, this time for my fellow Game of Thrones lovers. And even if you’re not a fan of GoT, please, please do yourself a favour and watch this take on bad lip reading — I was literally in tears.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Krz-dyD-UQ&w=560&h=315″]
10. And because no post is complete without a little bit of randomness…
1. I can’t even come up with an idea as to why that would be 😯
2. That sounds both glorious and extremely uncomfortable at the same time…
3. So… if you hold up a picture yourself in the mirror, it’ll look better?
4. Confession: I am sometimes among those 99%… and don’t act like you aren’t!
5. Ohhh The Simpsons. Definitely a teenage favourite.
Have a happy Thursday! 😀
. – . – . – .
What’s your weather like? Warm and fallish, or getting cold?
Do you have any favourite at-home beauty treatments?
Be honest: Do you ever type LOL with a completely straight face?!?
October is my month. This year it was a really weird month though. It started with temperatures of 30-32 degrees (Celsius!), I last went to the beach on my birthday in the middle of the month and then it suddenly got cold. Now it’s just undecided. It doesn’t know whether it wants to be warm or cold so one day it’s nice and sunny and on the next it’s really dull and chilly.
Lol? All the time. Even in a very bad mood. The voice in my head reading it is extremely sarcastic.
I always want to share baked goods with strangers… I don’t know why. Maybe validation that I’m a good baker?
First and foremost, congratulations on the recipe accomplishment! That’s definitely a great reason to gloat, no shame 🙂 Plus, I already bookmarked that recipe and plan on recreating it as soon as I can.
I love love love homemade facial scrubs and masks! Some of my favorite masks are the simplest: clay and oatmeal (not together though). I honestly think that homemade beauty products are the route to take – not only can you control the quality of the ingredients but you can also use them happily knowing that you’re not slathering your face with nasty chemicals.
We had snow last week!!!! But yesterday and today are all good. Cool, but sunny enough I finally got around to planting my garlic. It’s my first time so cross your fingers it works. The garlic scapes will be my first real sign of spring so is a lovely seasonal metaphor. Buried at the first sign of winter and resurface come spring.
The GoT clip is too funny. I laugh every time I watch it. Jamie’s whisper might be my favorite or Tyrion’s gangsta voice.
I wish I had a lemon in my purse so I could make this mask. I’m intrigued and I’m also drying out with winter on the horizon.
Congratulations on the pumpkin pie oatmeal bars. That is great news so happy dance away. Throw in some jazz hands while you’re at it.
Congratulations on the pumpkin feature on greatist! Aren’t you just freaking fabulous?!! I totally think you should share some of your baked goods with the workers. it may be weird, but it’d be so sweet… just watch out- they may come back expecting more baked goods on a daily basis. If that happens – tell them you’re sorry but you have to share with your friend, Jessie =)
Birthday month: July
LOL Question: I’m not quite sure, I know most of the time I truly am laughing.
I’m already done with the cold lol (and I was smiling when I typed that, I am the 1%!) The only time I don’t mean lol is when something is awkward and lol seems like a safe way to get away from it (90% of the time, its accurate).
Congrats on your pumpkin pie oatmeal bars!! thats so exciting! and here its been unseasonably nice out lately until basically yesterday when it was like bam. winter. oh well, i kinda love the cold (ha ask me again in feb i might be singing a different a tune) but for now i love it 🙂 and i have never said “lol” with a straight face per se- its always with a smile, or at least a smirk 🙂
If I type LOL it usually means that I’m smiling but if something really does make me laugh then I’ll probably type something like LOL! LOL! Hahaaaaa! heehee! hahaaaa!!! 🙂
Great list, and those bars, OMG. Your blog is great! I’m just getting serious about mine. If you have any SEO tips, I’d love learn from you!!
SEO is actually something that I’m still trying to wrap my head around myself, but what I do know is to: tag your posts with keywords, use headings, and don’t get too creative with your post titles — make sure they’re clear as to what your post is about.
Oh EM GEE how COOL about your recipe! I still have Thanksgiving coming up and now I know for sure this is a recipe I will make for it. Will of course let you know how it turns out 🙂
That GOT video just made my morning, thank you for bringing it to my attention! Off to share on facebook… more of the public needs to join in the hilarity
Ok, so I’ve never seen an episode of GoT, but now I want to! I know it has nothing to do with that video, but omg, that was freakin’ hilarious! Sexy studmuffin? Kitty meat?! Lol <- And I'm NOT lying…this time! 😉
Congrats with the recipe feature and all the pins! That is awesome, girlie! Woo hoo! And I've GOT to try out that face scrub…the weather has taken a complete nose-dive over here in the last week or so and my skin has gotten so dry! I'm way overdue for a good at-home spa night…maybe I can talk my girlfriends into it tonight when we come back to the house for drinks after dinner!
I actually baked cookies for the service center when I brought my car in haha! They loved them!
I’m from Wisconsin and live in Texas, and it’s SO weird to have 80* days in October – it’s snowing in Wisconsin now!
I love that mug it is way too cute!! I want to start a collection now too, although my first one would need to be a cat. Now you just need a goat one to add to your collection 😉
It is Spring here in Australia and meant to be warm but it is windy, cold and raining. Bring on the warm weather I say.
My birthday is in April.
Happy Friday!
Bonus points if it’s a cat with a carrot on its head 😉
Love those odd and random facts in your Friday posts. They kinda remind me of the ‘fun facts’ on Libra pads. My husband always knows when my period’s come because I walk out the bathroom each morning saying “did you know…” .. 🙂
PS: awesome news on the recipe success!!
I kind of really like the idea that we think we look bad in pictures because we only ever see a mirror version of ourselves. If that’s true… I don’t know what, but that’s pretty cool 🙂
Eep! Congrats on the enormous success with the oatmeal bars. They looked like a winner to me from first glance and apparentally the people at Greatist and I have the same brain waves or something. 😉
Yes. to the question about LOL. I kind of use lol and haha a lot even when I’m not laughing. I smile a lot in person so it’s kind of my way of conveying that without bombarding a reader with smiley faces 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
It’s getting cold here! Yesterday my dad texted me and said that one of his students told him it was snowing up at my college… two hours away… So I looked outside and it was indeed snowing. LOL. (<<< I wasn't laughing BEFORE I typed that, but I am now!)
It’s weird… Sometimes I’ll type LOL because I’m laughing in my head, but I have a completely straight face. Aaaaaand now I just sound crazy 😆
It’s actually hard to believe that so many places are getting snow before us…
I saw a similar face mask the other day that I have been planning on trying it soon, so thanks for the reminder. And congrats on your recipe going viral! That’s awesome!!!
Those mugs are toooo cute! And I would totally bake cookies to pass out to strangers. 🙂
that’s what mom’s are for, right? to borrow.. i mean steal produce that you don’t have. I do it all the time and chips!
Isn’t this alberta weather just wonderful! In Calgary it’s currently 20! To be honest tho, I do love wintery snowy days and nights 🙂
That face mask looks like something I need! I’ve been on the road all week and forgot my face wash, so I’ve been using hotel bar soap. I know, terrible! I can’t imagine if it were snowing where I live this early, I’d probably move, I’m terrible with cold!
Now, granted I’ve not tried your bars yet ( as canned pumpkin isn’t really sold here), but I’m a little surprised they overtook your no-bake almond butter fudge! That stuff…it’s a self-control THEIF I tell ya.
No real at home beauty treatments from me, but i do like cucumber slices on the eyes, refreshing & soothing .
I’ve used Lush’s fresh face masks. It is quite risky though, having to store them I the fridge, when they mostly resemble some sort of hummus, or chocolatey pudding. I can see myself tucking into some face mask during a hungry lapse of concentration :p.
Okay, so this is my own ‘Thinking out Loud’, what does Amanda think of the song ‘Of The Night’ by Bastille ?, if you don’t mind me asking:).
I love it, but I’m told I have bad taste in music, LOL<- and no I didn't actually laugh out loud there.
Xxx
I hadn’t heard it before, but I like it! I love the tribute to the 90’s 😉
HAHAHA oh my gosh that Game of Thrones video is the greatest thing ever! Made. my. day.
That DIY mask sounds fantastic. One time a few years ago my friends and I got together and made a bunch of natural masks, moisturizers, etc, but I haven’t made any since. I’d love to get back into doing it because I’m sure this natural mask is way better for me than all the chemicals in the Neutrogena scrub I use!
If I say lol, I’m saying it with a pretty straight face. If I say LOL, I probably smiled. If I say HAHAHA I’m probably laughing my butt off (see above).
PS. Congrats on all that success and recognition from your recipe – that’s awesome! 😀
Congrats on the credit for those pumpkin bars- well deserved- Although I stand by as the almond protein fudge as being my fav spoon-vention.
I love the sound of the quinoa mixed with cheese- but where are the carbs in that 😉
Not even going to bother explaining melbourne’s weather. Its unpredictable. At home beauty treatment- putting cucumbers on eyes…not really I’ve seen that in movies.
I must be oblivious, I just realised those facts aren’t WOW facts but WoW facts LOL!!!!! (I wrote that giggling, FYI).
The carbs? I was trying to make a magazine acceptable meal 😉 And stop saying WoW… I haven’t played in a month and I’m trying to stay away 😛
PS – I need to get back to your e-mail… doing that, stat.
Take your time my friend- no rush.
Moo.
I am DEFINITELY trying that scrub – you can tell I’m a teen by looking at my skin and I really want to change that!
you should do a “whats in my purse” post 😛
do you collect mugs? so cute!
Hmm. I wouldn’t really say that I go out of my way to collect them, but I have a small collection of them, if that makes sense?
Thanks for the birthday love!! <3 and that's fabulous about Greatist, congrats! They do look epic though, so I can't say I'm surprised.
Whenever I leave my parents' place I always come home with something weird in my purse. Last time it was two containers of mango chipotle seasoning.
And considering that I had to scrape frost off my windshield this morning, I think it's safe to say that I'm jealous of your weather. That is just uncool.
Doooooon’t worry — you’ll be the last one laughing when we’re dealing with -35 in a few months 😕
i need to bake that soon- congrats on being featured. I am a March baby 🙂
You are much kinder than me, when there is construction near my apartment all I want to do is tell them to quiet down…whoops haha. My mom is constantly bringing home lemons and limes (and now persimmons!!) from her work, so I always snag some when I drop by.
I totally need to try that facial mask! I love that it’s natural and can be made with household ingredients. And hooray for such a pinnable recipe! It really does look amazing.
I never say LOL anymore (I say “hahaha!”), but when I used to in, like, middle school, I was nearly always lying. The only time I say LOL now is if I am truly laughing out loud!
My birthday’s in September- the 27th to be exact. For some reason, I’ve always wished that my birthday could be in May- I don’t even know why, but May has always been my favorite month of the year.
The weather here in Mid-Michigan this week was part rainy and cold, part sunny and a little nippy. Today, it’s a lovely autumn day.Sunny, not too cold, but not warm either. Perfect fall weather.
Y’know, when I was younger in middle school, I used to have to do all kinds of things to my face. I had really bad acne through puberty so I’d use the face scrubs, prescription creams and rubbing alcohol. I even used toothpaste for my zits sometimes. But thankfully, for the past three or four years, my skin’s been really easy going. I don’t flake or dry up like I used to, and zits are really rare. The only thing my skin can even take right now is Dove soap and water. Pretty low maintenance- which I’m perfectly fine with 🙂
I don’t really use lol much when I text, mostly I use lmao, or lmbo when I’m trying to watch my language 😉
Congrats on the pinning for your recipe. It definitely looks delicous!’
<3
See, and I’ve always wished that my birthday could be in a month like September… I’m a January baby, and everyone always seems to be pretty cranky around that time of year. And then there’s the weather 😕
I need to try number 4! My current favorite face mask is by Apivita (amazing.) but I’m really intrigued by yours with the exfoliation as well. I love face masks/scrubs 🙂
Also, I too get the urge to bake and share goodies with strangers, but then I always chicken out and don’t do it because I think that they’ll be weirded out.
The weather is weird here too! I was freezing in the flat today but outside it was warm and sunny. I actually want it to be cold, I don’t like it when the weather doesn’t do what it’s suppose to! So glad you posted that face mask recipe, I often make an olive oil sugar scrub but I’ve been neglecting my face. Have a great rest of the week!
There’s a reason that recipe has blown up… it looks freakin’ delicious!! I wish I had some spare time to do any kind of baking right now. I could really use some pumpkin in my life! 🙂 xo
If only I could FedEx some to you!
Don’t think there’s anything weird about sharing baked goods with strangers. I used to make sandwiches for a homeless guy who hung out near my flat. Not quite the same thing as baking for construction workers perhaps, but I think it’s a great idea, I’m sure they’ll really appreciate it! If everyone had your attitude the world would be a better place. 🙂
I’m totally pinning the face mask to use this weekend! Thanks!
Congrats on the recipe, that’s huge! Understandable as it sounds amazing. I brought cookies to work all the time and think nothing about it, never done it for strangers but I’m sure they would like them. It’s so cold here, like below average can’t get warm no matter how much hot lemon water I have kind of cold.
First – thanks for sharing your face scrub recipe! I use an oatmeal/yogurt one but think yours would be way more beneficial! And
CONGRATS!!!!!! on the 2k pins and the feature on “Greatist”!!! WOOOHOOO!!!!!
Nice to hear SOMEONE is having a warm fall – its been in the 40’s here in Lawrenceville, Georgia – lows supposed to be in the 30’s this weekend 🙁
My birthday was in September – so happy it was warm then! When is your bday?
Actually – I am very, very quick to laugh or smile – sometimes when no one else is – and looks at me wierd (but thats another story)…so 99% of the time when I type LOL – it’s more like ROFLMAO! Bahahaha!
Thanks, Shashi! I’m the same way with the LOLing! I guess I’m just easily amused 😉 And you’re lucky to have your birthday in September! Mine is in January and it’s always cold and dark and people are grouchy 😡
Ohhh then that definitely means I need to try out your recipe!!!! 😀 and I’ve been loving at home “remedies” for the skin, and ebb very now and then I use baking soda+warm h2o to cleanse and tighten pores because I’ve been bad at washing my face at night~hah! Sometimes it’s the last thing I want to do 🙂 oooppsss