Current Obsessions: July

I thought it would be fun to start a monthly feature about things that I am currently loving/obsessing over. I'll tell you about products, recipes, activities, etc. that I just can't seem to get enough of. The list may seem kind of random, but it will include several different things that I currently feel like I couldn't live without. 

Here are a few of my July obsessions:

1. Garnier BB Cream

Can I just say, this stuff rocks my world!! Apparently this stuff {BB Cream} has been around for awhile in Korea, but is just picking up popularity in the US, and I'm so glad! I would describe it as a mix between moisturizer and foundation, but sooo much better than tinted moisturizer! It gives your skin a pretty glow {which mine never has on it's own} and smells oh so good. I seriously love it!

2. Carmex Lotion

Who knew Carmex made lotion?! I found this stuff while browsing Dollar General of all places, and had to try it out! I personally love the smell of Carmex, but hate the taste and feel of it on my lips... this stuff I love!! It has the yummy vanillay-mint smell of Carmex and leaves my legs sooo silky! My favorite part: I usually can't put on lotion {for like a day} after I shave because my skin is so sensitive and I end up with razor burn... I used this lotion about 20 minutes after I shaved the other day and had no irritation whatsoever! Sold.

3. Homemade Iced Chai {from this recipe}

I LOVE iced chai! It's my happy place. But I'm always so conflicted at coffee shops because I know a lot of them just pour it from a concentrate and add milk. Lame. I found this recipe earlier this summer and it. is. awesome! It also saves me from going to Starbucks as often as I usually want to. Double plus! The recipe says to use 4 tea bags/ quart, but I prefer 5 so it's nice and strong. Do yourself a favor and use good quality chai, I've tried Tazo and a Coconut Chai I found at World Market, and they both get 5 stars in my book!

4. Kristen Billerbeck books

Heard of her? She's a Christian Chick-Lit author. Let me tell you, her books are the epitome of a beach read: easy to read, funny, and a little bit predictable. They're not very deep, but definitely entertaining! I think I've read about 6 of her books at this point and I just keep going back for more.

5. My new iPhone!!!

This might sound materialistic, but I just love Apple products! I had an iPhone 3g back in the day, but when we switched to Verizon I had to get a Droid {they didn't have iPhones yet}. I've spent the last two years annoyed with my phone and am happy to say I finally have an iPhone again! I honestly don't think I would have mined having a Droid if I hadn't had an iPhone first, but I just couldn't get used to it. 

On that note, I also spent about a week and a half without any phone whatsoever {my Droid had a run-in with some Dr.Pepper :/} How in the world did we ever live without this technology?! I felt like an invalid and constantly noticed that it was missing. Our society has become sooo dependent on technology, but I'm just as bad as the next guy, so I won't even begin to lecture on the injustice of it all!

So there you have it, my current must-haves. What things are you obsessing over this month?

Wearing: Scarf Style

My name is Jamie and I'm a scarf-aholic. I seriously could not tell you how many scarfs I own. Well, I could... if I counted them. But I'm choosing not to. I'm pretty sure any normal person would say it's too many though, so stay out of my closet! :) 

Scarves: Charming Charlie's, Sunglasses & Shoes: Target, Shorts: American Eagle {though they're actually hand-me-downs from way back in high school :)}, Shirts: Forever 21/ Target

The problem with summer is that I always feel slightly silly on the days that I give into my addiction. I usually try to wear them with really summery things, like tank tops so that the fact I'm wearing a scarf in 100+ degree weather is balanced out. That makes sense, right?

Anyway, while I was in Dallas, shopping with my sister-in-law, we decided to take a stroll through Charming Charlie's. I've had a gift card to that place for over a year, but I always feel overwhelmed when I go in... so many shiny things! 

One of the first things I noticed when I walked in was a mannequin wearing a scarf perfect for summer... knotted at both ends and draped over the shoulders. Loved it! So began my mission to distract myself from everything shiny and look solely for some cute new scarves {like I needed them}, and it was just my luck that nearly every one I found was on sale! Most likely because it's summer and normal people are not interested in draping themselves with even more fabric. Their loss, my gain I say!

Bangles: Windsor, Scarf: Charming Charlie's

With the gift card and the sale, I got both these bad boys for $4! Not too shabby. I also just got these bangles from Windsor online... $2.50! And that's how it's done, folks.

p.s. don't mind the fact that I'm wearing the same shorts and shoes in both outfits, I'm just cool that way.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy! 

Chex out this recipe!

Yesterday my church had a pool and dessert party... a party celebrating two of my favorite things! Since Derek and I had been gone the past two weeks {first in Santa Fe and then in Dallas}, we weren't aware of the planned festivities until we got to church yesterday morning. 

That meant scrambling for a quick dessert to make. Preferably one that called for ingredients I already had on hand, because while I definitely need to go grocery shopping, I just wasn't in the mood yesterday. 

So, what's a girl to do when she needs a quick and easy recipe?? Check her Pinterest boards. Duh. 

How did anyone ever survive without Pinterest?!

I quickly decided on Cake Batter Puppy Chow.

{originally from here and slightly adjusted to my preferences}

What you need:

- 6 cups of Rice Chex

- 12 oz. Vanilla Almond Bark

- 1 1/2 cups Yellow Cake Mix

- 3/4 cup Powdered Sugar

- Rainbow Sprinkles {cause they make everything more happy}

I like to have all of my ingredients ready to go. Here I have the Rice Chex in one bowl, the Cake Mix+Powdered Sugar+Sprinkles mixed thoroughly in another bowl, and the melted Almond Bark in the last bowl.

When the almond bark is melted, pour onto the Chex until coated. I tried using the Ziploc bag method at first, but honestly, I think it was easier just to use a good ole' bowl and spatula. 

I've gotta tell ya, the melted almond bark was a lot more difficult to coat the Chex than the peanut butter+chocolate mixture used in traditional Puppy Chow. Becky recommended adding a small amount of oil or shortening to the almond bark, but I always feel like I can taste the oil when I do that {all in my head, I'm sure}. 

After the Chex are coated, add the dry ingredients in small amounts until the Chex are no longer sticky. I found that I had way more of the dry mixture than was actually necessary, so you might want to cut it down, especially if you have any other recipes that call for partial amounts of boxed cake mix. 

The results:

I must say, I do prefer the traditional recipe over this one, but I'm also a diehard fan. The hubs and I thought this recipe was a little too sweet for our liking, but it was a big hit at the pool party!

If you're looking for a new treat or need to throw something together fast, I would definitely recommend trying this recipe. Especially if you have kids. There were only adults at the party yesterday, but I'm pretty sure kids would love this!