Guilt-Free Bread

I had to post this recipe I tried today because I'm so excited about it! It's a recipe for almond-flour bread! I love bread, and I can get feeling a bit guilty about eating too much of it. Ya know, carbs and too much gluten/wheat isn't real good for you. Well this bread is gluten and guilt free! It also doesn't have very many carbs and is packed full of protein and other nutrients.

Here's a link to the recipe. I used honey instead of Splenda. 

It's a bit dense, so I'm going to try making some banana bread with almond flour to get a moister version. I think I want to try making breads out of other healthy, guilt-free things too. Maybe oatmeal bread? I don't know I there's such thing, but I like learning and experimenting.  

Inspiring Pictures November Week 1

Here's me weekly collection of inspiring pics...

Love these little bra tops. I've been wanting to try and make some that go straight across at the neckline so I can wear them under lower-cut shirts. Plus, look how cute they look all hanging in a row! 

Wildflowers from my friend Debra's house.

Teapots!!! I love tea sets... I'm starting to collect mismatching plates to hang on my wall.

FollowUp on My Homemade Essential Oils

I told you I would let you know how my homemade essential oils turned out. I burned my first batch the other day, and I'm happy to say I could smell it in the room! It wasn't as strong as I'd hoped for, but I'll keep learning and experimenting. I burned mostly orange oil with a bit of clove in my oil burner thing. I can't find the glass dish that goes with the base, so I used this little plate instead. Maybe the aroma would be stronger if I used the right dish... 

I need to research more about making oils so I know I'm storing them right and everything, but I'm really enjoying making them! My cat apparently likes them too, as I caught her liking the oil out of the dish. Weirdo. 

Lemons! Who knew?

I'm SOOO happy I have a lemon tree in my yard! I've been using lemons for cosmetic purposes a ton lately. Here are two super easy recipes to get you skin and hair looking lovely! 

Ok the first recipe is for a skin-lightening face mask. It evened out my skin tone and dried up some zits of mine that otherwise would probably have been there for weeks. It does actually lighten your skin a bit too, so if you're trying to have a tan, even though I've never really understood why people feel like they need to have a suntan in winter, it might not be what you're looking for.

1 egg (whites only)

Juice of 1 lemon

Mix it together, rub it on your face, leave it on for 15 minutes or so, wash off with warm water, and store the remaining in the fridge for a few days. 

The second recipe is so so easy, and it's really only for blondes. I've heard this all my life, but finally tried it: lemon juice will give you natural highlights. It seriously worked after just one rinse and didn't turn my hair orange like that "Sun-In" stuff! I've tried it two different ways...

1. Mix 1-2 tablespoons in a gallon of warm water. Pour it on your head in the shower after washing your hair. Don't rinse and style like normal. 

2. Mix 1 part fresh lemon juice to 4 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray on your hair every day. 

For all you non-blondes, here's a link to some natural hair-color recipes.

Fashion Inspiration November Week 1

Here are a couple fashion-related pics I've loved and collected this week...

Funky hair color mixed with vintage. Love it!

I'm seeing hints of fancy collars these days. Whether it's an actual collared shirt with a decorative collar, or these necklaces that look like collars, I'm liking! I think I'll try making some out of fabric then decorating them with something I find in my craft drawers. I'll let you know how they turn out! 

Also, I regret not taking a picture of this, but I pinned one of the fancy little bows I made and posted weeks ago to my collar like a bow tie. I thought it turned out really cute, so you should try it out.  :D

Early Birthday Fun

Henry took me out vintage shopping for an early birthday present today! He's always so thoughtful. I had some fun taking pictures. Hope you enjoy!

Nice Henry!

I loved this scene.

I'm so excited about the new glasses he bought me!

I bought two other things, but I'll put up pictures next week after I come up with cute outfits for them.

After shopping, we went to our favorite place to eat called "Thai in LA." I always get the yellow curry and he always gets the Pad Thai.

Thanks baby!

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On Monday, we had our every-other-weekly Armenian Group "Family Home Evening" (FHE). Henry and I are part of the "Armenian-Speaking Group" in our church. No, Henry is not Armenian, he's Arabic, but nonetheless he was called to be a part of the group. We've grown to really love the Armenian people, and we've seen many miracles as the work moves forward! Anyways, this week at FHE they celebrated Antonia, Elder Morrel, and my birthdays. It was also the year anniversary of the formation of the group!

Antonia, me, and Elder Morrel being sung to. 

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An "incantation" that I've been saying to myself for the past two days that has really helped and empowered me is... "I choose my life, and I'm choosing to enjoy it!"

Do you ever feel like your life controls you instead of you controlling it? I realized again this week that I don't have to let my "to do's" rule my life, I don't have to settle for anything less than the life I dream about, I have the power to change things right now if I don't like how they're going!

Music of the Week: Muse

I seem to go through phases each week of what I'm really into listening to while I clean and get ready. I've recently been really into listening to Muse. They're so out of this world! I imagine their concerts are unreal. Take a listen to one of their most popular songs called "Uprising"...