What I Did in Quarantine

I head back to work full time on Monday after working minimally for two and half months. At first I hated quarantine. I hated how it made it impossible to go on my Greece trip and how it interrupted my routine. However,  I grew to love it, and I will always cherish the time I've had for myself and the extra time I've spent with Nick.



I was somewhat productive and somewhat not, but here's what I did in quarantine.

 //knitted//


// created a family tree and found out I have ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary and Civil wars //

// quality time with Nick and Scout // 


// watched crime documentaries // 

// tried new recipes such as deconstructed slow cooker chicken parmesan pasta, patty melts, salsa, coconut cream pie bars, chicken and dumplings, and Biscoff brownies.


// did a 30-day song challenge on Instagram // 

// celebrated Scout's 11th birthday //


// digitized my CDs/music //

//  broke quarantine to have Easter with my brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and niece //


// opened up and answered 73 questions about myself // 

// organized the pantry //


// blogged consistently twice a week and found and followed new blog/gers //


// read (post coming later) //

 // bought a new-to-me car //


// tried to keep up with housework and stay sane //

// fled Michigan to Indiana, a 'free-to-roam' state, and visited the famous Shipsewana Flea Market for a fun day trip //








"Self compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others."
 - Christopher Germer




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Quick and Easy Restaurant Style Salsa

A fresh tasting, simple salsa perfect for summer! 



This recipe is for hot salsa. If you like a more medium salsa sub Rotel Hot Diced Tomatoes and Habaneros with Rotel Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles or use Rotel Mild Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles for a mild salsa.

What You'll Need

28 oz can of diced tomatoes
15 oz of Rotel  Hot Diced Tomatoes and Habaneros
4 cloves of fresh minced garlic
1 tablespoon of honey
1/2 teaspoon of cumin
3/4 cup of cilantro, chopped and loosely packed
3 tablespoons of fresh lime juice (from about 1.5 medium sized limes)
1/4 to 1 teaspoon of salt

What You'll Need to Do

Place all ingredients expect for the salt in a blender or food processor.
Blend until well combined (about 1 minute).
If desired, add salt 1/4 teaspoon at a time until desired taste is achieved.
Refigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
ENJOY! 




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DIY Cellulite Scrub

Between 80 and 90 percent of woman will experience cellulite. Cellulite occurs when fat deposits push through the connective tissue beneath the skin. Awesome, right? Losing weight and strengthening the muscles may make cellulite less noticeable, but won't make it go away.


The ingredients in this cellulite scrub can temporarily plump skin and help reduce inflammation. It's the perfect scrub for summer shorts and mini-dresses!

What You'll Need:

1 cup of raw sugar
1/2 cup of coconut oil
20 drops of grapefruit essential oil

What You'll Need to Do:

Stir together all ingredients.
Rub the mixture over damp skin focusing on the thighs and butt.
Gently rinse.

Extra Tips:

The coconut oil plumps the skin temporarily.
Grapefruit oil is high in anti-inflammatory enzymes.



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Three Secrets to Softer Lips


//1// Use SPF.

 Use a lip balm with at least an SPF 30. The SPF will help protect your lips against UV damage from the sun that causes skin cancers and wrinkles.

A Cute Angle's Product Pick: 




//2// Protect your lips overnight.

The skin loses moisture while you sleep. Choose a thick, shea butter based balm to use on your lips overnight. Soften while you sleep!

A Cute Angle's Product Pick:



//3// Use an oil instead of gloss.

Use a lip oil during the day instead of lip gloss. A tinted lip oil is a lot more nourishing while still giving the same shine and color as lip gloss. Lip oils absorb fast, but offer long lasting moisture. Find one that contains nut or seed oil.

A Cute Angle's Product Pick:







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Binge-worthy Crime Documentaries

Six documentaries to watch before your state's stay-at-home order is lifted!

McMillions
Hulu


McMillions is the true story of how $24 million was stolen from the McDonald's Monopoly game from 1989 to 2001, the mystery mastermind behind the scam, and the FBI agents on his trail. For over a decade, McDonald's awarded prizes in it's Monopoly  promotional game unaware that the biggest winning tickets were being stolen and sold. An anonymous tip to the FBI in 2001 triggered an investigation which uncovered dirty dealings by ex-cons with ties to the mafia. 


How to Fix A Drug Scandal
Netflix


In 2013, Massachusetts State Police arrest 35-year-old crime drug lab chemist Sonja Farak for tampering with evidence, and that was only the beginning. Over time, details emerged that Farak had been using drugs that she was tasked with testing. Did anyone know what had been going on? When did they find out? The scope of Farak's addiction and the number of people convicted as a result of her drug testing, comes to light despite repeated efforts to suppress evidence in the case.


Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story
Netflix


In 2004, 16-year-old runaway Cyntoia Brown killed Johnny Allen, shooting him in the head after solicitation of sex went wrong. At the time she committed the murder, Cyntoia spent her days using drugs and being pimped out by 24-year-old boyfriend for drug money. The Tennessee justice system determined she should be tried as an adult, not a juvenile. When her defense failed to convince a jury that the shooting was self defense, not murder, she was sentenced to life in prison. In the years that follow, with Cyntoia being diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome, significant muturation during her incarceration, earning a college degree, a key change in Tennessee law regarding sex trafficking, and a former prosecutor on her side, her argument for legal clemency got stronger and stronger. In 2017, with a new pro-bono legal team, Cyntoia hopes to have her sentence commuted with a plea to then-Governor Bill Haslam.


The Pharmacist
Netflix


This documentary tells the story of Dan Schneider, a small town pharmacist in Louisiana, working to identify his son's killer and how this led to his gathering evidence against a prolific 'pill mill' doctor in New Orleans. The Pharmacist presents an early look at what would become a national health crisis, as the use of OxyContin rose in popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s causing an opiod epidemic. 


The Case Against Adnan Syed
Hulu


The Case Against Adnan Syed explores the 1999 disappearance and murder of 18-year-old Baltimore County high school student Hae Min Lee, and the subsequent conviction of ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed. This case was brought to global attention by the popular Serial podcast in 2014. 

Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer
Amazon Prime


This Ted Bundy documentary re-frames the infamous serial killer's crimes from a female perspective, uncovering the disturbing and profound way his psychological hatred of women collided with the feminist movement and culture wars of the 1970s. After years of silence, Bundy's long time girlfriend Elizabeth Kendall, her daughter Molly Kendall, survivors, and victims' family members discuss how Bundy's crimes changed their lives.



Make sure to check out My Favorite Streaming Finds!




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Coconut Cream Pie Bars




What You'll Need

for the crust:
1 box of white cake mix
1 box (3 oz.) of coconut cream instant pudding mix
1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted
1 large
 egg

for the filling:
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened
3 large eggs are room temperature
1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons of coconut extract
2 cups of powder sugar
2 cups of shredded coconut
1-2 teaspoons of powdered sugar for garnish

What You'll Need to Do

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly grease the parchment lined 13x9 inch baking dish.

for the crust:
In a large bowl, add in cake mix, pudding mix, melted butter, and egg.
Blend with an electric mixer on medium-low speed just until ingredients are combined.
Press the mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.

for the filling:
Blend cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute.
Add in eggs one at time and mix with electric mixer until well blended.
Add in coconut extract, powdered sugar, and melted butter. Blend until well combined.
Fold in shredded coconut.
Spread batter evenly over crust layer.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until edges are golden brown and the center is mostly set.
Place on wire rack to cool to room temperature.
Cover with Saran Wrap of foil and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
Cut into squares.
Dust with powdered sugar.
ENJOY!





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30-Day Song Challenge

If you follow me on Instagram (@acuteangleblog) you may have seen the 30-day song challenge I've been doing in my stories over the last month. Today I'm sharing all the tunes I featured during that challenge. Maybe you'll find some new songs for your quarantine play list!


//Day 1// Yellow Coldplay
//Day 2// 8675309 (Jenny) Tommy Tutone
//Day 3// California Gurls Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dog
//Day 4// FAB JoJo
//Day 5// Love Shack The B-52s
//Day 6// I Wanna Dance with Somebody Whitney Houston
//Day 7// Sexy Back Justin Timberlake
//Day 8// Ain't Worth the Whiskey Cole Swindell
//Day 9// Wannabe Spice Girls
//Day 10// Concrete Angel Martina McBride
//Day 11// Shut Up + Dance Walk the Moon
//Day 12// Always Be My Baby Mariah Carey
//Day 13// Boogie Shoes K.C. and the Sunshine Band
//Day 14// Fools Rush In Elvis Presley 
//Day 15// Killing Me Softly Fugees
//Day 16// Benny and the Jets Elton John
//Day 17// Don't Go Breaking My Heart Elton John and Kiki Dee
//Day 18// Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go Wham!
//Day 19// So Small Carrie Underwood
//Day 20// True Believers Darius Rucker
//Day 21// Help Me Rhonda Beach Boys
//Day 22// I Will Survive Gloria Gaynor
//Day 23// La Vie en Rose Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra
//Day 24// Here Comes the Sun The Beatles
//Day 25// Billie Jean Michael Jackson
//Day 26// It's Your Love Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill
//Day 27// At This Moment The Billy Vera Story
//Day 28// Home Michael Buble
//Day 29// Please Don't Go Girl New Kids on the Block
//Day 30// Good Day Sunshine The Beatles

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Fun Spring Finds for Under $20

These fun Spring finds make the perfect gift or treat for yourself as they are all under $20!





Set of 4 'Spring Floral Market' Pillow Covers // These cotton and linen cushion covers are the a great way to infuse Spring to your indoors or outdoors! // $15.69

Set of 6 BeeGreen  Reusable Grocery Bags // The flower pattern is perfect for this time of year! Each bag comes with an attached extra-large pouch and are machine washable. They are made of 100% RIPSTOP cloth and come with a 1 year no rip warranty! // $16.99

Ever Fairy 4 Pack of Women's Twisted Hair Band // These Spring-inspired patterned turban-style headbands make the ideal accessory to your Spring outfit and are amazing for keeping hair off of your face during walks or gardening! // $10.99

Artifacts Trading Company Rattan Oval Tray // Use this tray for  outdoor entertaining on your deck or patio this Spring and Summer! The tray features handles and was woven from Burmese rattan. // $19.95

Amire Dragon Fruit Exfoliating Scrub // Use this to help slough away dry, dehydrated, and dead skin cells from the body for smoother and brighter skin! Enjoy the fresh scent of dragon fruit! Infused with natural jojoba seeds. // $19.99

Kamojo Bamboo Gardening Gloves // The perfect gift for your favorite gardener! The natural
bamboo makes the gloves breathable and flexible and keeps your hands drier in hot weather and warmer in cool whether while reducing sweat. // $6.99

 Set of 4 TriPro Soy Candles // Breathe in Spring with Lavender, Lemon, Mediterranean Fig, and Fresh Spring scented candles. Each candle is 4.4 oz, burns for 25-30 hours, and comes in a portable tin. // $16.99

Woodstock Chimes Asli Arts Collection Mini Capiz Chime // Relax to the sound of chimes, or in the case, shells! Hang this on your deck or porch or wherever your like to relax outdoors! // $9.99

Primitives by Kathy Bee Happy Slat Box Sign // Reminder yourself to bee happy! This Bee Happy sign would be a great addition to your outdoor living space or three-season room. // $14.95





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