BEAUTY | eyelash extensions.

Hi friends! 
Today I wanted to talk about my experience with eyelash extensions. The process, the commitment, the expense, the upkeep, etc. I have had a lot of friends asking me questions since I have gotten them so I figured I would designate a blog post to answering all of those questions. 
First of all, do I think they are worth it? The short answer: yes. 

Yes, I love them, it makes getting ready in the morning much easier/quicker. I feel prettier going out without any make-up, and just overall they make my entire look look even better. I will say though, if I had other commitments (i.e. children, extra bills, etc) these would definitely be the first "luxury" to go. In the mean time, while I am young and have some extra money I am going to keep them.
With that being said, if you do decide to get them here are some things you should know beforehand. 

First - The cost.  This is definitely something that you need to know prior to making the commitment to eyelash extensions. And yes, that's right, it's a commitment. The first application costs between 100-300 depending on where you live - honestly it could get even more expensive in more affluent parts of the nation. After the first application you then have to get the lashes refilled every month (the length of time your natural lashes fall out) and that is usually between 50-100 dollars. 

Second - The process.  The first application took me about 2 hours. Here's the run down on what happens exactly. You go into the little room, lay down, the beautician puts some sticky eye things under your eyes so she doesn't have to worry about your lower lashes getting in the way, and she begins applying each individual lash extension to your natural lash with a super strong eyelash glue. It's definitely a process, so if you are a mover and a shaker - this probably isn't the thing for you haha. Some people fall asleep and others, like myself, make some small talk with the beautician. Regardless, you are laying down for an extended period of time and you can't really move around.

Third - Upkeep.  The thing that scared me the most about eyelash extensions was that it is recommended to not wear any eyeliner/mascara with a certain kind of chemical in it because it will mess around with the glue in some scientific way that I do not know how to articulate. Listen folks. I'm an eyeliner girl. I love a cat eye. So this was very worrisome to me. BUT you know what I did? I searched long and hard for an affordable all natural eyeliner that could do what I needed, I couldn't find one I was happy with, so I just used my normal eyeliner. And you know what? My lashes stayed on so crisis averted haha. BUT - I never wear mascara (ok I did on my wedding day but that was because I needed to be extra) or waterproof makeup. I also take my makeup off with a normal make up wipe as well, I am just extra careful when taking my eyeliner off so I don't tug on my lashes. So yea, I don't really follow all of the rules to keep the lashes on longer, but I've been happy with how long mine stay on, so I'm not changing anything. Also - you are supposed to brush them at the beginning and end of the day with a normal spooly brush (mascara brush) which really isn't difficult at all. Just keeps them in their place when they decide to go crazy after a night of sleep. 

My experience with the extensions has definitely been positive and worth the money I have spent. Here is a link to the lovely lady that does mine if you are from around my area - I definitely recommend her. 
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. I'm sure I didn't answer them all, so if you have them shoot. 
I will leave you with a cute puppy picture. Have a great rest of your weekend. :) 

If you like this post, please make sure to follow me via GFC  or Bloglovin' to stay up to date with posts.  PS: Disregard my lack of editing of the photos - I wanted to make sure you guys saw the actual extensions without filters. My eyebrows are a hot mess and I have a zit. The struggle but that's okay.  :)

INSPO | last minute costume ideas.

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Hi there loveys! 
I was debating on what to post - torn between either a DIY costume post, easy lo mein recipe, or last minute costume ideas for Halloween. 
WELL - luckily I do not have to work on Friday's so I designate my Friday's to running errands, appointments, cleaning the house, etc. Turns out, my best friend (whom decided to move 9 hours away from me) called me so we decided to talk for about 3 hours and I lost track of time and failed to do any of those things. 
You know what, I lied, I DID hang up my laundry (I know, I know, way to go Rach). 
Since I spent so much time talking to her I decided that I was going to just turn today into a lazy day, watch scary movies, blog, and catch up on writing my thank-you notes from the wedding. 
With that being said, 2 of those 3 blog options listed above required me to actually get up and make something, where as one of those options only requires me to brainstorm and put it onto the internet. So, as you can see, the winner is the last minute costume idea's. 
I'm such a good blogger. HA. 
But, if any of you are like me, you need this post.  You need it simply because you had all intentions of coming up with a beautiful, elaborate costume...but then you look at the calendar and you have less than 24 hours before you need your costume. Well this post is for you. Your welcome, and no, no, I don't need your money - keep it and  buy a drink on me ;) I'm doing this simply out of the kindness of my heart because I love you. :)
Without further adieu, here are some ideas. 
A SUPER ADORABLE BAT 

I've been a bat for literally 3 years in a row because this outfit is not only simple, but cute. And if you are like me and tend to walk aimlessly around college towns in the cold on halloween night, it's a good one to stay comfy and warm with. You can do cartwheels, dance without worrying about something slipping out, and you make really good friends with the vampires for some reason.  I posted a couple years ago on this DIY - check it out. 
A PIECE OF SUSHI

This one was on the list of options for me this year. Ultimately the gypsy won out, but that was only because I couldn't find the right scarf and I didn't want to run to the store. Yes, I am lazy, I know. Don't rub it in. 
GYPSY

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Like I said previously, this is what I am going to be this year. I have a gypsy heart so I only find it fitting I am a gypsy this year. All you need is a beautiful off the shoulder shirt, a long beautiful flowing skirt, a head scarf, and minuscule make up skills. Perfect.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN

If you have long hair and are willing to sacrifice the "cute" factor of Halloween, this is a perfect idea. It's hilarious, clever, and SUPER easy. You just need a top hat and a pant's suit. Bonus points if you have a walking stick. Tie your hair in front of your face to make a "beard" and BOOM, sup Abe. (Sorry Ken)
A SEA ANEMONE

Yes, I did have to look up how to spell that. BUT - aside from that, this was another one of my sister's costumes a few years back. She carried around a clown fish and it was adorable. 
BANANA

Or you could just go spend the 20 bucks at Walmart and be a banana. That's always a good go-to. Do the splits and you're a banana split. Man, am I clever or what?

What are you dressing up for this year? Anything clever? I can't wait to see all of the outfits! 
If you like this post, please make sure to follow me via GFC  or Bloglovin' to stay up to date with posts. 
Much love,  Rach

TASTES | garlic thyme chicken noodle soup (with dumplings).

Hi friends! The weather is getting colder so you know what that means. Soup time. 

With that being said, I have really been craving some chicken and dumpling soup lately so I decided to come up with a new recipe that ties in some new, yet classic, flavors to keep my palate interested. 

Let me tell you, it turned out amazing, too. It was simple, quick, and super easy to make as well! 

Read on if you are interested in trying out this new recipe! 

Soup ingredients

48 oz of chicken broth

Egg noodles

2 chicken breasts

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped celery 

3-4 garlic cloves

2 stems dried thyme 

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

First up - grab a big stock pot and fill 'er up with your chicken broth. Get it nice and boiling, then we can begin to add some ingredients. 

Now here is the key to this recipe, the garlic. Grab 3-4 cloves of garlic, peel them, then take the side of our knife and smash them. (Yes, just smash them.) Thrown 'em into the broth, let it stew.

Take your veggies, give 'em a rough chop. I like them with a little body left to 'em since they will be cooking in the soup for awhile. I like to be able to see the chunks of veggies, and not have to worry about them disintegrating. Add 'em to the soup, let them cook for 5 minutes.

Then add the noods and chopped, cooked chicken. You could go with thick egg noodles, thin, long, short, etc. Your preference entirely. Just make sure the are egg noodles. Cook for about 20 minutes on medium heat or until your noodles are soft but not too soft. El dente as the Italian's say. 

While your soup is stewing away, it's dumpling time. 

Dumpling ingredients

1 cup flour

2  teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon sugar

1 table spoon butter

Salt/pepper to taste

1 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup milk

Mix your dry ingredients and butter. Make sure the butter is cold. Cut it in until there are just small little pieces of butter within the dry mix. 

Add your milk. 

Mix until it is combined. It should be a slightly sticky dough.

Add in your thyme. I usually error on the side of more since I like some flava' in my dumplings, but your call. You do you. 

Mix it all together. 

Ball it up. I like the dumplings to be about an inch in circumference, but some people like them smaller, some bigger. Again, your call. 

Drop it into the soup, and make sure the soup is hot, if not boiling.  Put the lid on the pot and simmer the soup with the dumplings for 10 to 15 minutes. Until they are cooked through. They should still taste a little doughy, but not sticky. 

And wah-lah! There is your garlic thyme chicken noodle soup. Let me tell you, this is BOMB. Please try it, and if you like it let me know! I love soup season, so I'm hoping to try making some new soups as the months get colder. 

Hope you all enjoy it as much as this loser did. 

Much love, 

Rach. 

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