Dresser Makeover

Posted in diy, home by peppermintsandhoneybees

Happy Halloween everyone! So this post has nothing to do with Halloween but I plan on posting my Halloween costume on my next post. But for today I have some photos of the dresser I just changed up. This dresser is older than me and also looks it. I could just get a new one but I like how sturdy this one is and hey it’s practically a family heirloom. It was my mom’s when she was growing up. I could have painted it but I like the look of the wood even if it is a little banged up so I decided some new drawer knobs would jazz it up. The only problem is that knobs are expensive if you buy them all at once and I couldn’t decide what I wanted. What to do? Get all different ones and mix and match. My style is usually all over the place so why shouldn’t my dresser be too!

Have a happy and safe Halloween tomorrow!

27Oct2014

Homeade Leave In Conditioner

Posted in Beauty, diy by peppermintsandhoneybees

If you have curly fine hair like I do or if you just want a little shine and added protection to your hair you probably use some spray in conditioner after you wash your hair. I used to buy it until I figured out an easy homemade recipe that is super cheap to make!

All you need is:

An empty spray bottle
any kind of conditioner (I like to use the hotel samples I pick up)
Aloe Vera juice
Water

I don’t really measure it out since it depends on the size of the bottle but I fill the bottle up about an inch with conditioner and then fill the bottle half way up with the aloe vera juice. I fill the rest up with water and then shake it up. It’s that easy! Use after you get out of the bath or shower and before you style your hair. I like to use a generous amount on my hair, and I can with this cheap easy recipe!

23Oct2014

Honey Tahini Almond Cookies

Posted in Food, pinterest by peppermintsandhoneybees

This is one recipe that I tried from pinterest that I will definitely be making again! Not only are they healthy but they are addicting. These cookies are packed with nutrition and naturally sweetened with honey. I also added a little agave nectar to mine for a little extra sweetness.

I got the recipe from a blog called http://www.anjasfood4thought.com/2014/03/honey-tahini-almond-cookies

1 1/2 cups almond meal
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup tahini
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon agave nectar (optional)
1/2 cup sesame seeds

Combine the almond meal, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and set aside. Next combine the honey, vanilla, tahini, and agave. Slowly stir in the dry mix until everything is mixed up. Roll into quarter sized balls and roll into the sesame seeds, coating the balls. Press them down on your lightly greased cookie sheet so they are about 1/4″ thick.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 10 minutes or until the bottoms are brown.

Enjoy!

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20Oct2014

Halloween part 2

Posted in diy, Holiday, home by peppermintsandhoneybees

Here is a little bit of my Halloween decorations for this year. This month has been crazy busy and I didn’t get to make all of the things that I had planned to decorate for the holiday but here’s what I did put up.

The Bats are just made from cardstock. I traced a plastic bat and taped them to the wall. The cat is a few years old from Michaels, and the crows and pumpkin LED lights are from Dollar Tree. The glass owl is an antique bank that was given to me as a gift and the skull candy dish was given to me by my mom last year from Hallmark. Happy October!

15Oct2014

Vegetable Bean and Lentil Stew

Posted in Food by peppermintsandhoneybees

It’s been raining here by Chicago all week and with the dreary cold weather it’s starting to feel more like fall. I decided it was time to make my Vegetable bean and lentil stew for dinner. I call it this because it’s the best name I can think of because I pack it full of all kinds of good stuff. I never measure stuff out when I cook so it comes out a bit different every time but I’ve tried to put together a recipe if anyone wanted to try it for themselves.

Usually I use a little of whatever beans and lentils I have in our pantry. For this batch I used:

Black beans, pinto beans, great northern white beans, and lentils. Use enough of whatever your mix is to fill the crock pot up 1/4 of the way. Fill it up with vegetable stock so its up above the beans about an inch fill with water about three more inches. I add 1 Tablespoon of chopped garlic and about 1/3 cup of chopped onions. I use a pinch or two of salt and some thyme.
Here is a picture of everything else I added. Also not pictured, kale and onions. I let the beans and lentils cook for a bout an hour or two first before I add everything else.

Next I chop up a few carrots, stalks of celery and two or three potatoes. I add a handful of kale and let let simmer until everything is cooked. Usually a couple more hours. I let it cook all day to let the flavors cook in. It’s good for a Sunday around the house. It makes quite a bit so you’ll have leftovers too!