nest notes{current fave health products}

 

   

last year it seemed we were sick every single week.

SO FAR, this year we have been fortunate enough to maintain our health for most of this cold & flu season.

a couple of weeks ago we had our 1st sniffles of the season, nothing to bad though other than a mild sore throat &nasal yucks.

we got a jump start on the season with these products

(& healthy foods!)

1. yogi echinacea immune support tea (Fresh & Easy) & tons of hot liquids.

 

2. emergen-c (Costco size jumbo pack)at least one pack a day.

 

3. clean well warm vanilla hand sani spray. (Fresh & Easy) cleans hands & kills germs without all the yuckie ingredients. (actually smells more like thyme)

 

4. fisherman's friend lozenges(Amazon)these concentrated tablets are amazing at clearing nasal passage ways & soothing sore throats.

 

5. LOTS of raw garlic thrown into everything possible (paired with (olive)oil or fat to prevent stomach upset).

i even used both of these both of these raw garlic methods to cure an ear ache. within 20 minutes of using the whole clove in my ear the pain subsided & with the garlic oil it was almost completely gone the next day. super happy about this one since i get a earache with my hormone induced migraine every month.

 

other tips:
*decreased sugar consumption
*warm brothy soups with raw garlic added last, ginger & fresh herbs
*hot liquids i even drink mugs of warmed water, lemon water, ginger water or combination
*plenty of rest
*layering & bundling up
*sunlight & fresh air (open windows for a few chilly minutes, or go for a walk in the sunshine & fresh cool air).

 

fave winter beauty products here

nest notes{my current fave winter beauty products}

my current fave winter beauty products.

 

 

1. nail tek II (sally's beauty supply. use after the primer)this winter made my nails so dry that they would not stop splitting & peeling. CURED! this is such an AMAZING product!

 

2. gud vanilla flame (target) by burts bees. i'm in LOVE LOVE LOVE with this subtle warm vanilla scent for winter (or anytime really). i can't handle strong fragrances & this one isn't overpowering, it moisturizes & i smell super delish w/out all the yuckies!  

 

3. neutrogena naturals (target)i just started experimenting with this line but so far i'm loving it. basic, gentle, clean & again not so many yuckies.

 

4. boots radiance renewal night serum (target) my winter skin was extremely dull & extremely parched. although it's not AS clean as i'd like, this serum under my moisturizer has help brightened me back up! (along with homemade scrubs with ingredients such as honey, oatmeal, avocado, brown sugar & facials oils with vitamin E, jojoba, olive oil, etc...)  

 

5. shea moisture (target) both of these products have helped moisturize & condition our dry brittle winter hair. no yucks & we love the yummy smells!

 

6. nature's gate tea tree & blue cypress deodorant stick (whole foods i think???) i switch deodorants during the seasons (i think it helps product to not lose the effectiveness btw). this is my fave for winter when my body doesn't perspire much. it does the trick, it's clean, again i love the smell & no yuckies!

 

nest notes {roasted brussels sprouts with garlic aioli}

Source: lifestylethreesixfive.com via brownsugarhoney on Pinterest

WE HAVE A NEW FAVE!
 
i made this for dinner & it was sooo fantastic!!!
 
the brownsugars love love love brussels sprouts & this garlic aioli was a great dip (we spread it on our french onion turkey meatloaf even). i used fresh raw garlic & lemons from our grove. i also used olive oil instead & let it sit a couple of hours before serving.
 
a quick, easy & SUPER tasty way to get your veggies in! it will def be one of our fave snacks. i will experiment with other veggies... but the girlies are already asking for more!

nest notes {weekending}

cute new iPad cover & a hot mug of green tea.

i have a grey kinda boring screen cover flap thing but excited i found this super cute iPad carrying case. It's cushy, has compartments inside for all the little accessories i always worry about losing, a ring for keys & is already the color of dirt. LOVE & just in time for a little road trip test. hubby & the brownsugars are in a wedding this weekend & we are hitting the road. i'm happy my little iPad will be traveling in style as well as being doubly protected.

i've been super fatigued the last few weeks & thought i must be coming down with something. then i dawned on me that with this cold weather i was drinking more coffee than usual. which for me was only one small cup (not huge mug) but the problem was it became daily. coffee & me are an odd pair. sometimes & i never know when but it makes me instantaneously feel like i have taken a sleeping pill. weird.

i used to only drink green tea, but now sometimes i just really like the taste of coffee & usually only drink it during the winter. but the taste is really about it...i don't NEED it. i still love tea the most though. tea makes me feel so much better & doesn't have any of the crazy affects that coffee has on me. so, two days later coffee free & some extra self care, just in case & i'm getting back to good.

ok so...yes goodbye to coffee & yes i am rambling when i should be packing.
ok bye.

HAPPY WEDDING!!! HAPPY EARLY WEEKEND!!!

hello 2013...more unplugging & more enjoying.

warning: this post is a little long so grab a cup of tea, make yourself comfie  & enjoy!

 

this was last Friday.

the girlies happy little zombie faces were glued to their brand new handheld video games all day every day since they got them.

i was on the internet on various screens for hours doing my yearly bargain stock up shopping online along with trying to keep up with everything & everyone else online. bleh.

 

after breakfast the Saturday morning of our unplugged gadget/technology detox i lit a candle, poured some tea & sat in front of my kitchen window with a years worth of magazines i was always too busy to get too & began purging. peace.

 

i was EXTREMELY giddy when i came across this article about the Unplugging Lifestyle in Sunset Mag, January 2013 issue. YES! i didn't realize this unplugged-ness i was craving was an actual thing, like an actual movement! as much as i would love my entire household to be this unplugged, it's a dream. but as for myself i have no problems with & look forward to powering down.

love this quote "i think TV and internet and phones become such a time suck that people feel that they don't have time for anything else..." Corliss.

 

i also love this post Do You Ever Think About Breaking Up With Your iPhone. as much as i LOVE my iPhone, the novelty of my cool new iPhone has worn off (Phaby my phone baby as i named "her" when i 1st got her) & i've been having these EXACT same thoughts. realistically going back to a non-smart phone is also a dream. aside from being a phone (if you even dare call it that, i rarely use it as an actual phone), it has been a handy & sometimes necessary device ex: fab educational apps, paperless organizer (list maker, calendar, alarm, reminders), being able to look up directions or recipes immediately, answer questions or important messages immediately, take photos & work sample etc...esp all on the go.

 

BUT i limit the amt of apps, games, etc & as a result i have the most boring iPhone ever. i have become disciplined with the amount of time i spend on it & about putting it on the charger in the closet, in the gadget basket during the day & checking it only a few times.

 

& i also love this post Does Your Life Need A Good Edit? (timely as i have spent the last month purging, cleaning & getting tons more done in general, but i applied it to technology too).  

 

don't get me wrong, i think technology is fascinating, very useful & even necessary at times, but i HATE having a lot of it, depending on it (except my GPS!) always being connected, accessible, or having a electronic device or screen of some sort in front of my face or in my hand (my poor wrist).

 

i also love connecting with, keeping in touch & seeing what's going on with everyone online all in one place, especially since i live so far away. BUT i've learned that i just cannot keep up with every single status update, tweet, IG pic (& liking them all), each pin on pinterest, blog posts, etc. & for me just TRY is super anxiety producing let alone time sucking. nor do i feel the need to share each of my life's details or thoughts etc with everyone...so i don't anymore. & also i now don't allow myself to feel guilty about being a bad friend (cyber or real life)...it's just impossible & its ok.

 

a few days before i started the hello...2013 posts i considered shutting this blog down for good. i'm too busy, there are sooo many other ways to share, i had bloggie writers block blah blah blah...maybe i was just done.

 

but then i came to a few conclusions:

 

*i'm just not a consistent blogger & never will be. that's that & that's ok (no pressure).

 

*i will no longer doing super long detailed homeschooling work sample posts. they take forever & i never looked forward to them. it's much faster to print out a pic & do a handwritten write up. easy.

 

*this is just going to be my little space to share whatever. i love this the most. posting whenever i want, whatever i want & not what i don't.

 

*i'm just gonna enjoy my little bloggie with my few followers & my few regular readers that drop in from time to time (according to the stats)...& I THANK YOU ALL!

 

hello...2013.

here's to more unplugging & to more enjoying.

if that makes any sense.

nest notes{seasonal favorites}

seasonally flavored teas are one of my fave things this time of year! during these cooler months we seem to have a hot mug of coziness in hand thru out the day. cozied up on the couch, knitting, snuggling, reading (esp a cup of herbal Honey Vanilla Chamomile in quiet after the girls bed time) watching a movie, etc...the brownsugars & i have tea in the afternoons sometimes with a sweet treat & maybe a little cream. if visitors stop by i love to have a hot cup of tea to offer.

last year i became obsessed with the Nutcracker Sweet tea but couldn't find it again this year. i tried the Trader Joes Vanilla & Cinnamon black tea & was super surprised that it came pretty close in flavor!

the very next day of course...i found my teas at my fave local grocery store & stocked up! {bummed i didn't realize the Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea wasn't gluten free & didn't get to try it...was so looking forward to it!}

*testing out mobile posting with the new update :)

nest notes {perfect cheeseburger soup *pseudo socal fall* weather}

 

Source: tasteofhome.com via brownsugarhoney on Pinterest

i haven't been in much of a blogging mood lately. BUT yes, we've been busy quietly doing stuff & living life.

this week we've been having what i call "pseudo" socal fall weather in that it has been chilly hoodie, hot tea & snuggly blanket weather. complete with perfectly chilly mornings & nights & actual thunderstorms. combine it all with football & me having my 1st pumpkin spice latte of my fave season...
i'm in fall-loving-happy-girl heaven!

i have been anxiously awaiting the perfect weather to make this Cheeseburger Soup & last night was it!
i made a few changes such as:
substituting ground turkey instead of ground beef & i browned it with the veggies.
i used real cheddar instead of Velveeta.
i added other seasonings to taste(onion powder, celery salt, etc...)
i would have also substituted plain yogurt for the sour cream but 
i had neither sour cream nor plain yogurt & it was still delish.
i would also add broccoli next time.

my fam LOVED LOVED LOVED this soup!
i was a huge HIT & even better today for lunch!!!

*i decided the *farm notes* thing wasn't working for me & that *nest notes* fits me better. i think it gives me more room for a wider range of topics & inspiration.

thrifty bargain{i love this everything}

i love:

this girl & her own little style.

this cute & easy summer play dress

($1 Gap Kids that i dont worry any about her playing in or ruining).

this everything!



thrifty bargain{kid crafted beachy summer happy}

super excited about this weeks thrifty bargain!

love my new kid crafted necklace from one of the

kiddies "store" at our co-op's 1st day of summer Kid's Market.

the happy little fishy & the bright summery bursts of color,

esp my fave beachy turquoise & melon-y orange combo,

were calling my name & i snatched it right up!

to make it officially summer ready i need to add crimping beads to secure the string to the clasp since they were just knotted on, 

but still cannot beat my $1 kid crafted bit of beachy summer happy!

thrifty bargains{bright color fun}

me & my beautiful brownsugars

this was supposed to post yesterday &

today my 1st day off summer post wont publish...so pooh.

i wore this new Old Navy dress Sunday to our congregation meeting.

I ABS LOVE LOVE LOVE IT

& it is now one of my new faves! 

& at $12 it is also one my new fave thrifty bargains!

i usually go for neutral colors (khaki, grey, black...),

but i am ABS LOVING this bright summery citrine color more than i thought i would. received tons of compliments even.

i could not help having a big bright smile in this color

& neither could everyone around me.

love that!

i'm def liking this getting out of my comfort zone

& adding more color to my wardrobe business.

soooo much fun!

* and yes i know my stinkin' bra strap is sticking out in every single pic...Grrr!

world oceans day {day 2}

 

 

 Friday the girls & i spent World Oceans Day at the Carlsbads Inn.

since Hubby was with us for the weekend we decided to make a weekend of it.

1st we hit the REI members only sale in Encinitas.

(sooo glad we did! thrifty bargains coming soon)

after lunch we hit one our favorite beaches:

Moonlight Beach.

it was so nice to have Hubby off for the weekend.

so glad he finally had some time to relax.

he deserves it.

 we decide to grab ice cream at The Forum shopping center before heading home.

i was such a happy girl!

Anthropologie, Free People, Urban Outfitters, H&M,

& many more fab stores in one shopping center!

with a super short time limit,

 i took off to the shops while the fam enjoyed their ice cream.

*HEAVEN*

guess which store i spent most of my time in.

anthropologie

i could live in Anthro forever

& miss living less than 10 minutes away from one of my fave stores.

 i came home with lots decorating inspiration & a long wish list.

(poor hubby)

                free people                

urban outfitters

bummed i only got a quick look around at

Free People & Urban Outfitters.

i miss living less than 10 mins from UO too.

sooo much fun stuff but i needed more time.

even though she still hates shopping, i keep telling my oldest brownsugar how much she NEEDS to go to Urban Outfitters.

i think it may change her mind ;)  

farm notes{cute & thrifty repurposed teachers appreciation gifts}

(pix taken before i added rocks from my yard on top of the soil. accidentally deleted the after pic)

this year for our charter school teachers thank you gifts

we made cute low maintenance repurposed mini succulent garden mugs.

this is one of our new fave gifts to give!

the succulents are from our gardens propagated succulents (instructions here) 

that we have gathered either from

succulent plants growing in our community

or cuttings shared by friends (it's a hobby).

the brownsugars & i went to our fave local thrift store

(it is run by mentally challenged members of our community.

cannot say enough about how fab this store & this program is!)

the girls picked the mugs they liked for each teacher.

we brought them home & potted & tagged them.

THE TEACHERS LOVED THEM!

the entire project took about 10 minutes total to assemble. 

easy peasy.

local, personal, natural & repurposed materials

& costs less than $5 (including a 4th mug not shown!).

*happy girl*

a few other teachers gifts we have given here here here

this morning i wrote like mad {new inspiration & decisions for my soul }

*WARNING THIS POST IS ENTIRELY TOO PERSONAL,

COMPLETELY SELF REFLECTIVE & INDULGENT...BUT TOTALLY CATHARTIC! 

IF WOMEN HAVE MID LIFE CRISES...THIS MAY VERY WELL BE MINE*

i know it's supposed to be {unplugged sunday}

but this morning my mind, heart & soul have been stirring & i could not hold it all in anymore.

i have been writing it all down like mad.

i miss writing...i used to write alot of things

like poems, stories, daily journaling,

but this morning

i wrote thoughts.

i wrote feelings.

i wrote dreams.

i wrote plans.

& i FINALLY for the first time in a long time

i wrote my own decisions.

recently some things have greatly inspired & impacted me,

these are some of the ones i wrote down:

1. maybe i need to lower or let go of my expectations of others [that are never going to happen] & raise & change my expectations of myself.

2. never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be an option. someone who has always had time for everyone & everything else BUT you [me], always will (1) & never will (2).[this one i need to listen to the most]

3. you [i] need to find support where you [i] always have & with whom you [i've] have always found it. those are the ones who truly love you [me] & that you [i]can truly depend on.

4. make changes & sacrifices to achieve your [my] own goals & dreams, instead of changes, sacrifices & EXCUSES to only help everyone else [but me] achieve theirs.

5. give yourself [myself] permission to be self loving, self serving & self motivated also instead of always self sacrificing for others. pulling back & not giving so much away is sometimes necessary to protect ourselves from hurt. these are all different than being selfish.

6. my kids are old enough. it's my turn. & it's ok...i asked them ;).

7.the sun rises & sets for me too. i deserve it!

8. it's time to let go of alot things [old

dreams,plans,obstacles,etc...] & make a new reality [my own].

it's crazy. it's scary. it's new. and it's ok.

along with writing this morning,

i looked thru my old "self image" journal

& idea boards from 10 & 20 years ago.

*mirrors into my own soul*

& to my great surprise i still LOVE all the same things!

 life has changed, but i am still the same old soul.

the difference is that now i am lacking these things that brought me & my soul joy & made me ME, as part of my current life. 

it is time to bring those things that brought my soul joy 

back into my life

& in a big way.

among the fun things that have gotten lost along my way

are my life goals & dreams.

i desperately need to bring that ME back (I LOVE that girl)!

i'm overdue, ready & i'm the only one who can do it.

so as my list of inspirations says, i need to make changes, effort & sacrifices to make my own dreams & goals come true (instead of excuses).

& i also need to surround myself with people that really do support me.

and i have already started.

thrifting{write your own story}

before we left on our trip

i mentioned that i found some fun thrited finds.

i was super excited to find this "write your own story" mug!

i love the inspiration in this saying, the vintage typewriter, the whole thing!

i saw one i wanted exactly like it on Pinterest for @$15. 

 i found this one in great condition

at my fave thrift store for 50 cents!!!

*HAPPY GIRL*

ironically, below it is my tweet from last Thursday.

today makes 2 weeks coffee free.

it really hasn't been that bad.

 i do miss the taste,

but i'm not constantly day dreaming about it anymore.

i'm more focused & i'm no longer constantly fatigued & jittery.

i usually only drink one small cup of coffee a day in the cooler months & stop drinking it in the warmer weather 

so the timing is perfect actually.

a while ago i started having super sharp chest pains around my heart when i drank coffee & no clue why.

 i thought it went away, but the Thursday before this tweet i had an episode that was so painful it lasted 3 days with me in agony couch.

so no coffee in my new perfectly perfect thrifted mug

but tea is still my friend so im good & i love it.

especially the perfect vanilla chai latte

  

farm notes {spring}

even though we have lived in this house over 3 years

we are still finding new surprises, especially in the spring.

we discovered this young volunteer loquat tree last year,

but the fruit is so much better this year.

we love picking them right from the trees

& popping the sweet, almost tropical,juicy little fruits

 right into our mouths.

this has been one of our favorite surprises yet :)

current love {agrarian}

my friend [thanks N] shared this link with me & i'm LOVING

the williams-sonoma new agrarian line.

in case anyone wants to buy me a gift...

each & every item in this new line is on my wish list!