Five FriYAYs

Friday, Friyay! Here are my five favorite things this week.

//1// I Said Yes: My Story of Heartbreak, Redemption, and True Love by Emily Maynard Johnson

I read this book in 3 days and loved it!

Emily is best known for trying to find love on camera, appearing in Season 15 of The Bachelor and starring as The Bachelorette on the show’s 8^th season.  Prior to seeking love on reality TV, she lost her fiance, NASCAR star Ricky Hendrick, in a tragic plane crash when she was just 18 years old. Days after his death she found out she was pregnant with his child, her now 10 year old daughter Ricki. After both of Emily’s TV romances (yup, 2!) ended in failure, she abandoned her desire to have men choose her, and found the joy and love she was seeking in God.  In I Said Yes Emily discusses her life before and after her TV gigs and why she left fame in favor of faith and serving God.

Guess what? I've loved it so much I'm giving away a copy today! (See the end of the post to enter).


Cheers to a giveaway!

//2// The weather.

It was 60 degrees all week except for Thursday. This weather is not typical for Michigan in March and I hope it's not just teasing us. It rained for a sort period on Wednesday, saturating the ground which allowed me to do some yard work that night after work.



Can't wait for those ugly hedges to go!

We have planned for awhile to completely overhaul the existing landscaping that the previous owners had done. They were really into all that, and Nick and I are really not. We're planning to rip out almost everything and overall downsize- making a smaller bed and adding a lot more lawn.

Nick and Scout had a lot of fun outside too.



Nick worked on his bike in the garage in this nice weather!

//3// New pictures of the Royals. 

How cute!

//4// I voted!

The primaries took place in Michigan on Tuesday. I've always talked about the importance of casting an informed vote on this blog. I'm all about women voting too. We've only had that right  since 1920 (less than 100 years!) which is pretty wild when you remember that our nation was created in 1776.

//5// Words of Wisdom

Enter to win a copy of Emily Maynard Johnson's I Said Yes!
Giveaway ends on Friday, March 18!

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5 Ways to Use Almond Oil

Almond Oil has become my favorite holistic beauty product! There are so many things you can do with it. Here's 5:


1. Oil Facial

Slather almond oil onto your face and gently massage in circular motions.

Saturate a wash cloth with hot water and place over your face. Leave the washcloth over your face for 5 minutes, or until it becomes cool.

Remove the cloth and use it to wipe the oil from your face. Your face will most likely feel slick, but your skin will absorb the extra almond oil. A pro to this is that you won't have to moisturize!

With an oil facial you are dissolving and wiping away the bad dirt and oils from your face and replenishing it with clean, nourishing oil. There are no harsh chemicals involved and no suds – nothing that strips your skin. When you strip your skin of its sebum, it goes into overdrive and tries to create more. This causes clogged pores which leads to blackheads, whiteheads, and irritation.

Try adding essential oils to your facial – Frankincense for aging skin, Purification for acne prone skin, or Lavender for a calming effect. All of these come in the Young Living Premium Starter Kit!


2. Make Up Remover

Almond oil contains large amounts of monounsaturated fats, which promote healthy cell membranes in the skin. It's a common component of natural anti-aging products because healthy, hydrated skin stay younger longer! Almond oil is a light and less greasy option that acts as an ideal makeup remover. Almond oil effectively opens the pores and ensures all makeup is properly removed. It also reduces the odds of acne and pimple occurrence and can be used for all skin types. It's great around my eyes. Every eye makeup remover I have ever tried has irritated my eyes. I can slather on the almond oil and not worry about my eyes burns and itching.
  

3. Nail and Cuticle Treatments

Nail and cuticle treatments containing almond oil can help keep nails strong, hydrated, and less prone to peeling and breaking. Pure almond oil can be used in place of cuticle oil to massage and care for rough, ragged cuticles, and can also help to deliver fatty acids and replace the moisture balance lost during cold or dry weather or from the effects of soap.

4. Eye Serum

If you are looking for a natural solution to get rid of dark under eye circles, almond oil is most suitable. Simply apply the oil before going to bed and allow it to work while you sleep. For optimum results do so regularly for a couple of weeks at least. The treatment will help you get rid of dark circles as well as reduce dark eyelids and crow’s feet. Add eucalyptus essential oil to reduce puffiness.

5. Long and Healthy Hair

Almond oil is a rich source of magnesium which is used in a variety of hair products. Deficiency of magnesium can result in heavy hair fall. Apply almond oil once or twice a week to moisturize the scalp. This reduces hair fall and improves hair quality. After massaging, soak a towel in hot water and wrap your hair with it. This ensures better absorption of the oil.

Do you use almond oil or any other natural beauty products?

Back to Blogging

Hi to anyone who is still out there and/or anyone new who might stumble upon this blog.

As may have or have not noticed, I've taken a long, three month hiatus from blogging - and for one simple reason. I didn't have time. I took a position at my job and ended up work 43-45 hours in a 4.5 day work week. I loved the challenge and the opportunity, but it left little time for spending time with my husband and keeping up with my hobbies.

Recently I decided to go back to my old position which keeps me closer to 40 hours in a 5 day work week - pretty much 8-5. Doing that will allow me more time with Nick. The additional time will also allow me to get back to blogging!

Today is the official relaunch of A Cute Angle! I hope you'll follow along.

Since I've been gone...

The holidays were really good and relaxing. For Thanksgiving we hosted our Canadian friends for an American Thanksgiving. It was just me and Nick, our friends Samantha and Mike and their two small children. It was full of relaxation and good food. We also hosted Christmas at our house. Nick's mom, dad, and oldest brother joined us. My sister flew in from Pennsylvania for Christmas which was the highlight of the end of the year. She was supposed to stay only 3 or 4 days, but ended up with us for about 6 because her flight kept getting canceled. That was such a treat for me! She's my bestie.

Nick got me Rosetta Stone for Christmas so I've started to learn Spanish! Again, that hasn't been touched in awhile due to lack of time, but I'm really excited to pick that back up! 

The New Year has rolled in with not many changes! Both of us are just working and living every day life. We have a small summer jaunt planned. We'll be going to Cincinnati in August for 4 days. We're heading back to the Western & Southern Open. So excited!

Scout still his amazing little self. So sweet and loving, and I'm still totally obsessed!

Nick and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary last week! He's such an amazing human being and I feel with every year we grow closer and closer (sappy, I know, sorry!)!

I'm really looking forward to sharing some great stuff as I get back into blogging. Watch for Cooking Downtown Abbey, giveaways, Blogging the Bachelorette this spring/summer, style posts, product reviews, Dream Destinations, book reviews and more!