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MAD 4 PLAID

Fall is my favorite season and is shortly upon us (probably longer for us in Los Angeles, UGH), and nothing is more perfect for fall like PLAID!!

Here are a few of my favorite plaid pieces for transitioning out of summer into fall!!

This is a great late summer skirt!!

Asos, Plaid Quilt Mini Skirt (ON SALE) $33

Love this with a pair of army boots and maybe 

some knee high socks!

Forever 21, Plaid Button-Front Dress $18

Perfect for work!

Forever 21, Windowpane Print Shift Dress $20

This is totally 90's!

Forever 21, Plaid Button-Down Midi Dress $23

Bring back your inner Cher from Clueless!!

Forever 21, Tartan Plaid Pleated Skirt $16

MY TOP PICK!!!!!

This poncho is the bees knees!!

Nasty Gal, Good Girl Gone Plaid Jacket, $60

Your fall wardrobe is NOT complete without this furry cardigan!

Nasty Gal, Motel Check Me Out Cardigan, $85

Disclaimer: All information provided on http://lipsticksnstones.blogspot.com is read of your own free will.  All opinions are my own,  I do not work for the above companies.  All the information provided is based on my own opinions and preferences! ;)

Top 10 Tips for Traveling

Hey! I know it's been over a month since my last post, but I have been in Europe on my honeymoon!! My husband and I were married September 1, 2013, but hadn't had any time to go until a month ago!

We did 3 countries, 6 cities in 19 days! It was amazing as well as exhausting! 

I wanted to share some of the things I learned on this trip to help you with your further travels, to make your experience a less complicated one!!

1. Cut the amount of clothes you want to take in HALF.  Packing can quite overwhelming. You would bring your entire wardrobe if you could, trust me, I tried. You will end up shopping, you're a woman, it's inevitable. So the less you bring, the more room you will have, and the less your bag will weigh. 

2. Roll your clothes. Once you eliminated HALF, yes, I'm serious, HALF your wardrobe, roll your clothes. In doing this, you will have tons more room. (When I traveled from place to place, packing was a freakin nightmare. I had way tooooo much clothing and it definitely put a damper on my trip.)

3. Rain Coat. Do a little research on the places you're going, to know exactly what to pack. In Europe it was humid and rainy for most of our trip, total bummer, but luckily we were prepared with light rain coats to keep us dry! The hotel offered umbrellas, which was awesome as well, but it's kind of a pain lugging them around, especially when you have to check it at every museum. (The North Face Resolve Jacket, $90.)

4. Comfy Shoes. This saved my life! We literally walked a minimum of  5-10 miles a day, exploring the cities, and I literally would have died with walking shoes. (Actually they were running shoes, which helped even more cause I felt like I was walking on air!) I also bought a pair of Birkenstocks and these were amazing as well. (Nike Free 5.0, $80. Birkenstock Sandals, $90.)

5. Portable Steamer. This is the best invention EVER! Even with your clothes rolled, they will wrinkle, unfortunately! I purchased a tiny portable steamer at CVS for $20! You add water, plug it in, and VOILA...STEAM! Your clothes will look freshly pressed with out using an annoying iron and will take less than 10 minutes*! (*Depending on the garment of course!) (Compact Fabric Steamer, $27.)

6. Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover. This little bad boy helps to remove those annoying, unwanted stains from all the delicious food you will be eating while on vacation. It's especially great when you don't have access to a washing machine! BUT, be careful with your whites. Too much liquid can add a yellow stain. :/ (Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover Liquid, $3.)

7. Under Eye Revitalizing Moisture Strips. Nothing is worse than traveling across the world and look like you just traveled across the country! These strips give a cooling sensation, depuff, and get rid of your under eye bags!!! (You will need to use your under eye concealer, but just not as much!) (DHC Revitalizing Moisture Strips, $16 for a 2 pack.)

8. Mark your bags "Fragile". By marking your bag with “fragile”, airport staff will often load your luggage on top of the others—meaning yours will come out first at the baggage claim. Read this little tip on a travel site and it actually worked in 2 out of 3 airports!!

9. All in One International Adapter + USB. My husband bought this great life saver. It has 3 international plug adapters and covers more than 150 countries. It also has 2 USB ports to charge cell phones and/or iPad! One adapter = less to pack! Score! (International Adapter, $14.)

10. Use GPS on your phone. This was something my husband taught me, that was a life saver. After checking into your hotel, connect to wifi and open your Maps app. Open it to your exact location and then move it so it shows the country. This will help you when away from your hotel. It will give a broader spectrum of the city. It will also help when looking for a specific location because you can pin where you want to go, and you can navigate yourself there, without wifi! 

I hope you all find these tips helpful!! 

Bon Voyage!!

Healthy Dishes for the 4th of July!

July 4th is almost here!! Let’s celebrate America’s independence and our long weekend with healthy patriotic dishes!

Let's bring out the red and blue with colorful berries!!!! 

Here are a few of my favorite healthy recipes:

Fresh Fruit Pizza

Ingredients:

• *Non-stick cooking spray
• *1 can thin pizza crust (you can buy store-bought or make your own)
• *1 (8oz) tub whipped strawberry cream cheese
• *2 kiwis, peeled and thinly sliced
• *1 cup raspberries
• *1 cup blackberries
• *1 cup blueberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425F. Spray sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Spread the pizza dough onto a greased pan and bake 8-10 minutes, until golden brown

3. Remove crust from oven and let cool to room temperature before continuing.

4. Spread strawberry cream cheese over the entire surface of the cooled pizza crust and then top evenly with all fruit.

5. Slice into 24 pieces and serve room temperature.

Note: I serve this with the crust at room temperature, but I do like to chill the berries before topping.

Prep time: 20 min Cook Time: 10 min Serves 24 

Calories: 85 Fat: 3.5g Protein: 1.5g Carbs: 12.5g Fiber: 2g

(Source)

Easy 3 Step Fruit Popsicles

4. EAT!!! Yummy!!!!

Quinoa Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

*2 cups cooked quinoa

*1 peeled and chopped mango

*1 cup strawberries quartered

*1/2 cup blueberries

*2 tablespoons of pine nuts

*Chopped mint for garnish

For the lemon vinaigrette:

*1/4 cup olive oil

*1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

*Zest and juice of 1 lemon

*1 tablespoon of brown sugar

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, mango, strawberries, blueberries and pine nuts. 

2. To make the vinaigrette, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon zest and juice, and sugar in a small bow. Toss into the salad. 

3. Garnish with mint leaves and serve!!

(Source)

...and we can't forget about desert! ;)

Red, White & Blue Jello Shots

(for those 21+)

Ingredients:

*1 6-oz package strawberry Jell-O

*Blueberry vodka

*1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk

*2 envelopes unflavored gelatin

*1 6-oz package berry blue Jell-O

*Whipped cream

*Red, white and blue sprinkles

Directions:

1. Combine strawberry Jell-O and 2.5 cups hot water in a large bowl. Stir. Add 1.5 cups blueberry vodka. Stir. Use a spoon to fill your shot glasses 1/3 of the way. Place in the fridge to set for 60-90 minutes.

2. Combine 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin and 1.5 cups hot water in a large bowl. Stir until the gelatin has dissolved. Mix in sweetened condensed milk. Stir. Use a spoon to fill your shot glasses 2/3 of the way. Place in the fridge to set for 60-90 minutes.

3. Combine berry blue Jell-O and 2.5 cups hot water in a large bowl. Stir. Add 1.5 cups blueberry vodka. Stir. Use a spoon to fill your shot glasses to the top. Place in the fridge to set for 60-90 minutes.

4. Top Jello-O shots with whipped cream and sprinkles. Enjoy!

Pop out the sparklers, toss out the frisbees, and enjoy lounging on the grass, or by the pool, as you dig into these colorful and fun dished. Nothing says patriotic like red, white, and blue!

Enjoy!!! Have a safe and healthy 4th of July!!!!

DIY Unicorn Jewelry Dish

I'm kinda obsessed with unicorns! Found this idea while browsing on Pinterest one day and knew I had to make it!!

It was super easy and I had a ton of fun recreating it!!

Supplies: Cute plastic unicorns, super glue, gold spray paint, and porcelain dishes! (I got mine at a Japanese store here in Los Angeles, but creme brûlée dishes would work great too!)

Step 1: Spray paint your unicorn! (You can always use any medium sized plastic animals and any colors you want too!) I used gold spray paint with a hint of rose gold on top!

Step 2: Once your unicorn is dry, glue the tail and hind legs and place it on your desired spot on your tray. 

Step 3: Once the unicorn is firmly glued to the tray, place your jewelry whenever your heart desires! ;)

Voila! I'm obsessed!!

Check out another one of my DIY Projects here!!!!

Coconut Oil is the Sh*t!!

I'll say it again, Coconut Oil is the Sh*t! As you've read in my previous posts I'm kinda obsessed with the stuff!!

Here are 52 things you didn't know about the best stuff EVER:

1. Boosts energy.

2. Body scrub. (Just add granulated sugar or salt!)

3. Super conditioner. (Apply to dry hair, leave in as long as possible sand then shampoo as normal.)

4. Anti-frizz serum.

5. Lip mositurizer.

6. Natural sunscreen!! (Read more here!)

7. Cooking and baking.

8. 'Magic Shell' ice cream topping. (Apply as a liquid on top of ice cream and watch it turn hard right before your eyes.)

9. OIL PULLING!! (Click to read more here!)

10. Natural deodorant.

11. Shaving cream.

12. Add to your bubble bath for a moisturizing soak.

13. Make-up remover.

14. Soothes chicken pox, shingles, or other rashes or skin irritations. 

15. Treat athlete's foot, ringworm, or other fungal or yeast infections.

16. Helps with absorption of vitamins.

17. Heals burns and cuts.

18. Improve thyroid function.

19. Adds nutrition and flavor to smoothies.

20. Helps to prevent wrinkles.

21. Base for homemade toothpaste.

22. Massage oil.

23. Diaper rash or cradle wrap.

24. Prevents/reduces stretch marks.

25. Prevent cracking and irritation on nipples during breastfeeding.

26. Helps to increase milk flow when consumed.

27. Base for homemade lotion.

28. Improves digestion.

29. Coat inside of nostrils to prevent nose bleeds.

30. Heals and soothes hemorrhoids.

31. Reduces/eliminates migraines.

32. Vapor rub.

33. Heals bee stings and bug bites.

34. Insect repellant. (Mixed with peppermint, lemon, rosemary and tea tree oil!)

35. 'Goo Gone'. (Mix with baking soda.)

36. Detoxing.

37. Metal polish.

38. Leather moisturizer.

39. Season your cast iron pans.

40. Yeast infection relief.

41. Replace with WD-40.

42. Personal lubricant!! (Don't mix with latex!!)

43. Helps with heartburn, acid reflux, and digestion.

44. Furniture polish! (Mix with lemon juice.)

45. Popcorn topping!

46. Smooths cracked or rough heels.

47. Strengthens cuticles and nails.

48. Base for homemade chocolate candy.

49. Helps overall immune function.

50. Removes gum from hair!!!

51. Libido booster!

52. Treats lice.



If you don't already have some, you're totally missing out!!

WTF is Oil Pulling??

Oil pulling is an age-old remedy, from India, that cleans and detoxifies the teeth and gums.

The practice of oil pulling started in India thousands of years ago, and was first introduced to the United States in the early 1990s by a medical doctor named Dr. F. Karach.

It’s been known to whiten the teeth and is beneficial in improving gums and removing harmful bacteria.

The oil is swished in the mouth for 20 minutes and the amount of time is crucial. Oil has the ability to remove toxins without harming the teeth or gums.

I've been practicing oil pulling for a few weeks now, and it doesn't get any easier let me tell you. I have a bad gag reflex (insert smirking emoji here), so I can only swish for about 10 min max...and that's ok too! Do what your body tells you!

The many benefits of OP:

1. Whitens teeth.

2. Prevents bad breath.

3. Strengthens teeth, gums, and jaw.

4. Prevents disease.

5. Increases overall health.

6. Relieves headaches.

7. Supports kidney function.

8. Reduces insomnia.

9. General detoxification.

10. Reduces hangovers! WOO!

How to do Oil Pulling?

Swish a couple teaspoons of a vegetable based oil, (coconut, sesame or olive) in the mouth for 20 minutes and then spit it out and rinse well. Make sure to spit it out in the trash and not into the sink to prevent clogging the sink. Oil pulling is best done in the morning, before eating or drinking anything.

Put 1-2 teaspoons of oil into the mouth. 

I prefer to use organic coconut oil, it has a sweeter taste than the other oils. I scoop out one tsp as a solid and let it melt in my mouth before swishing. Swish for 20 minutes (or as long as you can take it). The oil will get thicker and milky as it mixed with saliva and will be creamy-white when it is spit out. Spit it directly into the trash can. It will be full of toxins that shouldn't go into the sink. Also, DO NOT INJEST IT! All of the toxins you are getting out of your body will be in the oil, so you don't want it going back in!!! Then brush your teeth and go about your day!!

Our ancestors, as well as indigenous cultures, knew the health benefits that can be gained through the use of plants, cooking and kitchen supplies, and as it turns out, our using oils, such as coconut, sesame, and olive, help to moisturize the body, and as it ends up, our kitchens can also offer cleaner and brighter smiles. ;)

If you want to read more about all the many health benefits, the best resource I’ve found is Oil Pulling Therapy by Bruce Fife.

(Another use for coconut oil can be found here!)