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JORD Wood Sunglasses Review & Giveaway

Erin — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 10:00:39 +0000

This post is sponsored by JORD Watches. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Everyone loves shiny new sunglasses, but how about some carved wood sunglasses? JORD not only makes hand crafted wood watches but also sunglasses!

The days may be getting shorter but there’s still plenty of sunlight from which we need to protect our eyes. I actually think we appreciate the sunlight more when there is less. So I was excited to find out that JORD now makes unique wood sunglasses.

I’ve already told your all about JORD watches and oddly enough just like watches I used to not be good about wearing sunglasses. I think growing up wearing glasses didn’t promote me enjoying the idea of having more pairs of them, especially because it meant remembering to carry around a case with them because it was the days before transitioning lenses.

It wasn’t until after I had surgery for my strabismus in high school that I was able to get contacts and then I got into sunglasses. I kind of went off the deep end to be honest with all shapes and colors, but they weren’t very high quality. This pair of JORD louie style sunglasses is my first! It’s my first time having polarized dark gray lenses in addition to spring hinges, ultra-light titanium frame, acetate finish, and JORD’s signature stacked wood.

Just like their watches, they offer a variety of frame styles for both men and women but I think some could be unisex. And if you’re into other accessories they also have apple watch bands and baseball caps.

Of course I’m not going to sit here and rub it your your face so of course I am also doing a giveaway! Think of it as an exclusive accessory sale because anyone who enters will receive 10% off any of JORD’s accessories, and one lucky winner will get 50% off. Click HERE to enter.

Five years ago: Chocolate Peanut Butter Bacon Bark

Six years ago: Winter Wheat Berry Power Salad

Seven years ago: Homemade Funfetti Cupcakes

Eight years ago: Red Beans and Rice

Wooden Wrist Watch

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Luke’s 6th Birthday & Rice Crispy Sushi & Sashimi

Erin — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 10:00:53 +0000

I don’t make sushi often, but when I do it’s made of puffed rice, gummy worms, and fruit roll ups! Introducing the candy version of sushi made with rice crispy treats.

Rice crispy treats are one thing that everyone loves. Seriously, I can’think of anyone who would turn one down barring being on a diet. So it came as no surprise that after the lego crispy treats I made for my nephew Luke’s 5th birthday last year, I was called upon to make another crispy treat this year. This time however, the inspiration results in something that’s almost a April Fool’s Day joke – sushi made from rice crispy treats, fruit rolls ups, and gummy worms! I also made sashimi with Swedish fish and little strips of fruit roll up. They were to fit the theme of his party which was held at his Karate class. P.S. When did fruit roll ups stop imprinting cut-out shapes into the sheet and opting for printed on images instead? Super lame.

It’s fairly simple really, make a batch of rice crispy treats but make them thinner by spreading into a sheet pan with edges. After that, it’s a similar concept to my cinnamon roll crispy treats but instead of a cinnamon swirl it’s wrapped around a fruit roll up and gummy worms! As if rice crispy treats weren’t sweet enough right? Funny fact, when grocery shopping for this adventure I had no idea how much of the gummy ingredients I would need so I bought 40 roll ups and 6 smallish bags of gummy worms. I only used 12 roll ups and 16 worms. Can you say overkill? The closest estimate I made was buying two bags of Swedish fish for the sashimi when I only needed one.

What happened with all the excess “ingredients”? Well, when you are shipping a box of rice crispy treats to California in a flat rate box you stuff as much as possible into that thing. Yup, they were all shipped off to California! Well, almost all because Bob pretty much demanded we keep a few. And I did steal a two sashimi to give to a friend for her birthday because she, like me, is still a kid at heart and I figured she’d enjoy them as well.

I’d like to point out that these were so popular with the birthday boy (and his little brother, and their friends) that during the “Happy Birthday” video shared online you can see him paying more attention to the sashimi just within reach than the cupcake in front of him. #AuntErinFTW!

Luke’s 6th Birthday

Younger brother Griffin showing that Swedish fish who’s boss

Three years ago: Monster Cookies

Four years ago: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Five years ago: Cake Batter Cinnamon Rolls

Six years ago: Dark Chocolate Nonpareil Peanut Butter Cookies

RICE CRISPY SUSHI & SASHIMI

Makes 39 sushi and 40 sashimi

Ingredients:

8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided

8 cups (two 10.5 oz. bags) mini marshmallows, divided

2 tsp vanilla extract, divided

12 cups puffed rice cereal, divided

8 whole, unrolled fruit roll ups

18 gummy worms (makes 3 rolls, 6 gummmies in each)

4 whole fruit roll ups, cut into seven 1/2-inch rolls, unrolled then cut in half again

40 Swedish fish

Directions:

For the sushi: Coat a 13×18-inch rimmed sheet pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over low heat. Add one bag of marshmallows and 1 teaspoon of vanilla stirring frequently, until melted and smooth. Fold in 6 cups of the cereal until well combined and coated. Transfer sticky cereal mixture to the prepared pan, pressing down until the top is level. Allow to cool completely.
Slice into 3 rectangles (6×13-inches). Place 2-1/2 unrolled fruit roll ups side by side up across the top of one of the rectangles, leaving a small bar section on the bottom-long edge. Place 6 gummy worms, two at a time side by side, on top of the fruit roll ups.
Starting at the gummy worms, gently roll the entire piece until it comes to the end and gently seal the rice crispies together. Roll the entire roll along your work surface to smooth it out. Using a serrated knife cut the roll into 1-inch thick pieces. Repeat with remaining two rectangles.
For the sashimi: Coat a 9×13-inch dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt the remaining butter over low heat. Add the remaining marshmallows and vanilla stirring frequently, until melted and smooth. Fold in the cereal until well combined and coated. Transfer sticky cereal mixture to the prepared pan, pressing down until the top is level. Allow to cool completely.
Keeping them in the pan, cut the rice krispies into small rectangles just barely larger than the large swedish fish (about 1×2 inches).
Cut a wrapped fruit roll up into seven 1/2 inch strips and then un-roll, removing the wrapper. Cut each strip into half, resulting in 14 strips. Using one half, stretch it over the fish, sealing it on both sides. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Serve immediately or store in an air-tight container.

Source: Adapted slightly from Thyme In Our Kitchen.

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Surber Hog Farm Visit

Erin — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 10:00:13 +0000

This post is sponsored by the Ohio Pork Council. All opinions are my own.

Awhile back I told you how I got to visit a pig farm and promised to tell you all about it. Well, I’ve finally sat myself down to tell the tale!

Food blogging has allowed me to do more than just create recipes for which you to drool over. I’ve had the opportunity to the meet master chefs behind creative menus, inspired entrepreneurs creating their own food products, and even farmers ensuring the well being the animals under their care before becoming your dinner. Honestly, getting this up close an personal with my food has been the most enlightening and I’m excited to share my visit to the Surber hog farm after first meeting them back in September. Families like the Surbers really have a passion for what they do and truly care for their animals.

First thing you need to know about visiting a pig farm: you will need to shower in and shower out. What does that mean? Simply put, you will need to shower before entering and again upon leaving. Specifically, the clothes you wore before entering must stay outside, which means you change into another set of clothing after showering. Upon leaving, that set of clothing stays inside to be cleaned for a later visit, and yes you then shower again before putting your original clothing back on. Keep in mind that you more than likely have more than one barn to check up on in a day which means all the showers! Why all the showering? It’s all for the piggies. We can carry germs on our hands and feet which may not affect us, but can affect the pigs. By showering we are limiting the exposure of these pigs to disease, keeping them healthier and thus requiring less antibiotics. With someone doing a walk-through at least twice a day to check on and socialize with the pigs this is very important.

This also brings up the fact that yes, these pig farms are indoors. At first this may seem off-putting but again it’s honestly better for the pigs. Their living spaces are cleaner, they have fans, misters, and heaters to keep their environment comfortable year round, and by being inside they are less exposed to those pesky diseases from which we are trying to reduce their exposure to by showering in and out. When a pig does get sick, a vet will administer antibiotics. But never fear, they are always tested prior to entering the food supple to ensure it has been cleared from their system. As a microbiologist who has experience researching antibiotics I am all about reducing the amount of prophylactics we use on both ourselves and our livestock, using antibiotics only when needed. (I’ll save you from my soapbox speech, for now.)

Once I was properly cleaned head to toe, I pulled my hair into a bun, got dressed, and pulled on some thick rubber boots. Rebecca suggested I tuck my pants into my boots unless I was prepared for the pigs to chew on my pant leg. A piece of advice I quickly was grateful for upon entering my first bay of pigs. Evidently they explore the world with their mouths and thus spent most of their time exploring my feet, nudging and gnawing on protruding pieces. But when they did look up I got to feel their snouts which feel like thick smooth rubber.

Each bay of pigs had their own personalities. Some would startle easily, running away from you, but would quickly warm up and come check you out. Others were practically jumping over the gate to say high to you. See exhibit A below of a brown and blue eyed piggie desperate to say hi to me. How can you not be excited to hang out with pigs when they clearly are so happy to see you? I ran out of questions to ask because my mind just was yelling “they’re so cute!” the entire time.

All of the pigs I visited with were being raised to become mothers. But only the best of the best become mothers, chosen based on having correct feet and leg structure and being sturdy enough to carry a litter of piglets. They become mothers at the young age of 6 months and weigh in at around 280 pounds! Those that do not pass the test? Bacon.

Did visiting a pig farm make me not want to eat pork products? Quite on the contrary, I was impressed by how well they are taken care of, their eagerness to interact with you, and how much the farmer’s care about their overall well being. It makes me feel that much better about the food I am putting on my plate. I’m also excited that I was invited back to see piglets another time! I might have to bring Bob with me, he’d be in literal hog heaven.

Since I wasn’t allowed to bring in anything on which to take notes (cause you can’t really wash paper as part of the shower in and out process), I e-mailed Rebecca after our visit to remind me of some of the facts I learned while playing with all the adorable pigs. See below for more info! Thank you so much to Rebecca Surber, the entire Surber family, and Ohio Pork for allowing me to have this experience!

Q&A with Rebecca Surber:

What do they eat?
- We specialize their feed for each size and stage of growth. Piglets drink milk for the first month. They grow so quickly that they soon need solid food. They transition to a milk based pelleted feed similar to what you would feed a rabbit. After a week on the pellet the pigs start eating ground feed which consists primarily of corn and soybeans with trace amounts of a vitamin and mineral mix.
What is the temperature inside?
- Depending on the size of the pigs and the season, the barns start at 77 degrees and we lower the temperature slowly as they grow. By the time they are 280 pounds it may be 62 degrees.
How many pigs are in each room?
- Our barns can be different sizes and have different sizes of pens. So, there are several variables. This also depends on the age. More smaller pigs fit in a pen than full grown pigs. A typical room that you saw would hold 500 pigs.
How old are they when you receive them/how much do they weigh?
- All of our barns are specialized. The mother barns are where the mama pigs give birth and nurse the piglets for about a month until they are too big to drink milk and need solid feed. Once the pigs are weaned they go to a special barn called a nursery that has special equipment to help small pigs transition to solid food and keep them extra warm. The pigs stay in the nursery until they are 50 pounds. Then they go to a growing or finishing barn until they are 280 pounds.
Any other info that I haven’t asked that would be interesting/important for people to know?
- We completely wash, clean and disinfect the barns in between every group of pigs.
- I used to work at a bank, but when my daughter was born I wanted a job where I could work and take care of her. So, I started taking care of a pig barn. We put a baby swing and play pen in the barn and my daughter started coming to work with me when she was two months old until this day. She is now 16 and can check a barn and take care of pigs on her own. We work with our family and our responsibilities and involvement in raising pigs has grown over time.

The post Surber Hog Farm Visit first appeared on The Spiffy Cookie.

October 2017 Stitch Fix #25

Erin — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 10:00:40 +0000

Sometimes I just need new pieces for the changing of the seasons. Other times I am looking for an outfit for a specific event. Either way, I know my Stitch Fix stylist has my back.

We are taking a break from the food today for my latest Stitch Fix! As our engagement photos are this weekend I asked for some pieces to wear such as cozy sweaters and hopefully a turquoise maxi dress because we will be returning home to Rochester, NY in hopes of catching some fall colors. Here goes!

P.S. Some of the jewelry I am wearing is from my other favorite subscription, Rocksbox. To try it out, use ERINBFF367 for a free month! You can wear and return as frequently as you want every month and you can buy the ones you want to keep!

1. Cupcakes and Cashmere Mia Dress / S / $108: While this isn’t a maxi dress it is turquoise, but unfortunately shorter than I wanted for our engagement photos. Also, undefined waists are not flattering on me. I tried it with a belt but didn’t feel like it worked. RETURN.

2. Pink Clover Alysse Cross Back Pullover/ XS / $48: I really wanted to keep this sweater, but I envisioned all the thread pulls that would occur from necklaces like the pendant one I am wearing in this photo which is notorious for doing such things to sweaters like this. And I am about to go full purple for my hair on Thursday and I’m not sure I need more purple on my person. RETURN.

3. Mello Day Rizzo Mock Neck Pullover / XS / $46: This sweater was so stinking soft and cozy! I don’t usually like turtle necks but this shorter mock neck kinda works. However, while I’m not opposed to dolman sleeves, I felt like it should have been one or the other. On the other hand, my friend loved it so I kept it for her!

4. Boom Boom Jeans Julianna Cargo Skinny Pant / 2 / $48: Soooooo I have more than one pair of black pants. But dang it these fit so well and felt great and such a great price too! Not to mention the zipper pockets which if they weren’t there I probably wouldn’t have bought them. I’m a sucker, KEEP.

5. BC Footwear Ringmaster Faux Suede Bootie / 7.5 / $80: I really like the top stitch on this bootie but something about them shape wise seemed off to me. I ended up finding a similar colored bootie for cheaper at Nordstrom Rack anyway. RETURN.

What’s your verdict of this month’s fix? Make sure to tell your stylist if there’s anything you want to see in your next fix!

For more details on Stitch Fix and how it works, check out my post from December 2014 or my past fixes listed below. There is also Stitch Fix for men! I bet there are plenty of men in your life that would rather have his clothing mailed to him than have to go to the store (or even shop online).

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post! I pay for these clothes on my own. However, this post does provide referral links for new sign ups which gives me a little credit to go towards my next box. Join me in the journey by signing up HERE.

Two years ago: Chocolate Chip Peanut Pie

Three years ago: Homemade Peanut Butter Goo Goo Clusters

Four years ago: Crispy Gnocchi

Six years ago: Butternut Squash Soup

The post October 2017 Stitch Fix #25 first appeared on The Spiffy Cookie.

August 2017 Stitch Fix #24

Erin — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 10:00:03 +0000

Looking for an outfit for an event or just need everyday pieces? The stylists at Stitch Fix have you covered.

Sydney returned to me for this month’s Stitch Fix! Hooray! She gets me more than any stylist I’ve had over the years and last month was a bust without her. As usual she did a great job referring to my note and my style board and picked out pieces that were clearly inspired by them. Let’s take a look shall we?

P.S. Most of the jewelry I am wearing is from my other favorite subscription, Rocksbox (except obviously for the necklace I got). If you wanna try it out, you can use my code ERINBFF367 for a free month! I promise it’s addicting. Or maybe that should be a warning? Either way worth trying for a month for free!

1. Collective Concepts Carrina Dress / S / $74: While I appreciated the fulfillment of my request for a strappy dress, I was totally not digging the cut, print, or the crochet that I keep saying I don’t like. It was not flattering at all and does nothing for my waistline (which I work my butt off to maintain and I’m not about to make it disappear). But there always seems to be one item in my fixes that is just off the mark. Maybe I need to uncheck the box that tells my stylist to include a piece outside my usual? RETURN.

2. Papermoon Sandie Knit Top / XS / $34: In case you didn’t notice I asked for strappy things and my stylist totally delivered! Pardon my laziness to not change into a better bra for this (a bralette would be cute), but I really love how this top looks. However I’m undecided about the fabric. It’s a smooth, stretchy polyester which I have a few dresses in and love but I’ve just experienced it in shirt form. It’s really comfortable though. Maybe? See front shot below.

3. Margaret M Lani Short / S / $68: I also requested dark printed shorts and while my stylist clearly delivered on all my requests, I would have preferred something darker. But regardless of hue, I’m totally not digging the print. They are super comfortable, although almost too comfortable and feel like I should be wearing them to bed. Granted if they had been in a better print/color that would not be an issue. Alas. RETURN.

4. Bay to Baubles Remmy Fringe Pendant / $34: Guess what, I also requested a silver pendant necklace! When I first pulled this out I was in love. But then I put it on and the metal fringes kept getting out of line when I moved around and they jingled a bit. Not that I don’t have other necklaces that do these things, I’m just trying to decide if it’s worth $34. Maybe?

5. Papermoon Pensacola Strappy Halter Blouse / XS / $28: I saved the best for last! This strappy tank was a winner the moment I took it out of the box. I didn’t even have to try it on to know I wanted to keep it but of course I did just in case. And holy crap that price is just too good to be true! My favorite piece in the box by far and a definite KEEPER!

What’s your verdict of this month’s fix? Make sure to tell your stylist if there’s anything you want to see in your next fix!

Two years ago: White Chocolate Chip Key Lime Pie Oreo Cookies

Three years ago: Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

Four years ago: Single Serving Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie

Six years ago: Eggplant Veggie Burgers

The post August 2017 Stitch Fix #24 first appeared on The Spiffy Cookie.

June 2017 Stitch Fix #23

Erin — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 10:00:33 +0000

Whether you are heading on vacation of looking for everyday pieces to fit into your wardrobe, Stitch Fix has you covered.

For this month’s Stitch Fix, my usual stylist was not available so Laura filled in for her. While she wasn’t able to locate the exact items I pinned (which is not unusual) she did pull inspiration from my style board and picked items for my trip to Key Largo this weekend. I’m still without a kimono but one of these days I will find a bright colored one dang it! I’ve searched stores as well as tend to only find dark or neutral colors. If you have seen one let me know ;-). But I digress, this month’s fix wasn’t my favorite. Some of it had potential but just didn’t quite make the cut. What do you think?

P.S. Most of the jewelry I am wearing is from my other favorite subscription, Rocksbox. If you wanna try it out, you can use my code ERINBFF367 for a free month! I promise it’s addicting. Or maybe that should be a warning? Either way worth trying for a month for free!

1. Papermoon Wadsworth Crochet Back Knit Halter Top / XS / $38: Purple! We all know I love purple and although I’ve said that I’m not a huge fan of crochet/lace time and time again I actually didn’t mind it here (please excuse the exposed bra straps I was kind of in a hurry and didn’t feel like changing bras). However, as luck would have it I already have a very similar tank top. As in I have a purple top with an incredibly similar print and cut and therefore it makes zero sense to keep. Alas, RETURN.

2. Alice Blue Johnson Crochet Detail Tank / XS / $44: I just can’t. This top is all sorts of wrong for me. First off, again with the crochet? I wouldn’t have necessarily minded those details on the bottom hem but having them on two other layers was just no good. Speaking of those layers they are completely unflattering. No hesitation, RETURN.

3. Your Story Donta Ruffle Trim Mixed Material Top / XS / $48: While the color of this top was pretty, I was again not a fan of the ruffles. I’m not 100% opposed to girly features in my clothing but when you are 32 and yet sometimes get mistaken for 18, you tend to shy away from frilly things. Besides the fact that in general I don’t find myself drawn to them in the first place. If this had had clean cut hems or some kind of studded or zipper details I would have been all over it. Instead, RETURN.

4. Level 99 Jenny Cargo Skinny Pant / 2 / $108: These pants had fun details and were so close to finding a home in my closet but I wasn’t completely sold on the cargo pockets. I probably would have gone up a size if I had decided to keep them but at the same time they had some stretch to them and may have stretched out with wear. I enjoyed the darker gray color and that they were soft/comfortable but in the end the price was the killer, RETURN.

5. Adorne Ayden Jersey Maxi Dress / S / $88: Bob loved this dress. Sure it fits me well, had a fun slit, and was a great material for a trip to Key Largo but dang it I just don’t like the print! You are probably all out there thinking I am a crazy person but I know what I like and don’t like and unfortunately the dislike of the print outweighed the approving fit. Even if I kept it I doubt I would have worn it again after Key Largo. Sorry Bob, RETURN.

What’s your verdict of this month’s fix? Make sure to tell your stylist if there’s anything you want to see in your next fix!

One year ago: Chorizo Breakfast Burritos

Two years ago: Boozy Ginger-Lemon Fruit Salad

Five years ago: Baked Blueberry French Toast with Streusel Topping

Six years ago: Chick’amole Salad Sandwich

The post June 2017 Stitch Fix #23 first appeared on The Spiffy Cookie.

Living with Unnatural Hair Color: the truth & how to keep it vibrant

Erin — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 10:00:37 +0000

Want to know my secret to keeping my unnatural hair color vibrant? After two decades of dying my hair, here’s a list of tips including my secret weapon – oVertone tinted conditioner!

This post is not sponsored. However, this content does contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

In case you were unaware, my favorite color is purple. In fact half (or more) of the hair on my head has been purple (or other colors – currently blue) for the last 2 decades of my life.

During that time I’ve gotten countless questions about it: Do you have to bleach it first? Is it permanent? How often do you redye it? Have you ever tried mermaid hair?

I get stopped no matter where I am: the gym, the grocery, random passerbys on the sidewalk. So I’ve finally decided to write it all down for those of you searching the internet for those very questions, sprinkled with photos of my hair in different stages over the years. I hope you enjoy!

I’ve been dying my hair since I was in the 6th grade (1996 if any wants to do math). Granted, it was just with a bottle of Sun In spray hair lightener but I was almost blonde after how often I used that stuff. In fact I think it continued to lighten even after I stopped using it based on friends comments at the time – and yes I remember things said to me in 6th grade. But I digress.

Since then, I’ve tried black, black cherry, highlights, lowlights, red, blue, and most frequently purple hair (as you will notice from the photos throughout this post, I have few photos that are not purple).

Within each color I’ve done different styles of it such as highlights, tips, just the bangs and framing pieces, just the underneath, a combination of them all, or my entire head of hair.

After two decades, you could say I’ve learned quite a bit. Friends, family, and strangers who comment on and ask about my hair are often are surprised when I tell them about the maintenance.

Permanent “natural” hair dye is a much more common area and requires less discussion so I’ll be focusing solely on “unnatural” hair dyes.

First thing to know, if you have dark hair, you’re going to need to bleach it in order for the color to show. I get away with only bleaching it every 6 months if I only have color on the underneath and front. But when I have allover color I touch up my roots much more frequently, every 2 months if I’m on top of things.

If you have blonde hair, while I enjoy being a brunette, I envy the ease at which you can dye your hair fun colors, especially because when I did the entire thing it took two rounds of bleach to lighten it enough!

The first time I bleach my hair from brown it turns yellow/blonde but after it’s dyed purple and then re-bleached it is stripped down to a pink or blueish hue (depending on the type of dye I used at the time). I always joke with my hairdresser that I am going to just keep it that way and not redye it purple.

Second, even though that bottle of beautiful dye says “permanent” there’s no true permanent unnatural hair dye (if you find one please tell me).

The pigment particles of these colors are surface dyes, coating only the exterior of the hair. Meanwhile, the more natural colors are smaller and can seep into your hair, resulting in lasting color. As a result when you dye your hair bright purple (for example I like Scruples), it will slowly fade every time it is washed (see example photos below).

And due to it’s quasi-permanent behavior, it gets on everything so you better stock up on dark towels and pillows. Other things that can cause your color to fade? Heat, UV rays, sulfates in your shampoo, and chlorine from the pool are common suspects. So what do I do?

Only wash hair every other day at most
Always wear a hat/hood when in the sun
Use sulfate-free shampoo, conditioner, and styling products with UV protection
Minimize the use of hot styling tools
Wear a cap in the pool

The biggest one for me is avoiding UV exposure.

My friends make fun of me and my constant need to have a hat or some kind of covering even if only in a the sun for a few minutes (no joke I’ve wrapped a shirt around my head). In the summer I carry a hat folded up in my purse because hello, sunny patio weather!

But seriously, I’ve watched it fade while spending a day in the sun and I had just redyed it the day before. Talk about frustrating! But after investing in a few hats and also a good spray-on UV protection for my hair I’ve minimized the effects of UV rays on my purple hair.

One obvious side effect includes pasty skin as you can kiss that tan goodbye. Although with skin cancer in my family I tended to avoid the sun already.

Which brings me to the fact that probably shocks the most people – on average I used to dye my hair every 2-3 weeks depending on diligence (picture below is how hot I look during this process).

Remember that thing I said earlier about it not being truly permanent? I wasn’t kidding, unnatural hair color is a commitment and is the only thing high maintenance about me. Oh but wait didn’t I say “used to” as in the past tense?

Yes used to, because I have a secret and no it’s not the discovery of a permanent purple hair dye (I’ve tried every brand I can get my hands on, they’re all the same just different shades of color). After I discovered the magic that is oVertone tinted conditioner, I now only dye my hair every 2-3 months!

Every time I wash my hair (only every couple days), I use a conditioner that has purple pigment in it to freshen up my color (it stains my hands a little but washes away). I let it sit while I go about the rest of my business in the shower and once I’m done, the conditioner gets rinsed out just like normal conditioner.

While the tinted conditioner is great, it only slows the fading process, it does not halt it completely. In order to do so, I supplement with tinted deep conditioner. It can also be applied to wet hair after shampooing, it just needs to sit on your hair longer just like any other deep conditioner. But this baby requires the use of gloves because it has a much higher pigment concentration and hence the longevity of my hair color.

Eventually I do dye it for real because some spots just don’t get as much conditioner as others over time – even though I comb it through, it’s just the reality. I follow this routine for maintaining a silvery-lavender color as well, mixing their less pigmented silver/purple conditioners together.

Other than my kick ass hairdresser, oVertone is the greatest thing that ever happened to my purple hair. And no they are not paying me to write this post, heck they probably don’t even know I exist beyond my order history.

And yes they have other colors besides purple. In fact, in addition to having all the colors, they have 3 shades of every color so you can get the look you want and keep it: pastel, vibrant, and extreme (which is what I use). So to recap, here’s my revised list of how I keep my purple looking bright:

Only wash hair every other or every 2 days
Use oVertone tinted conditioners
Always wear a hat/hood when in the sun
Use shampoo, conditioner, and styling products with UV protection
Minimize the use of hot styling tools
Wear a cap in the pool

P.S. You know all that beautiful “mermaid” and “rainbow” hair that’s all over the internet? Unless you’re prepared to go to your hairdresser every 2-3 weeks to have the color reapplied, don’t waste your time wondering if you have the balls to do it. I’ve actually talked to my hairdresser about this and she confirmed my statement. When all those beautiful colors start to fade, are you going to reapply all those colors yourself? If you’re lucky you have a really nice friend who is willing to help you separate each section of hair out to do so at home – every 2-3 weeks. I did green/blue/purple once – it was beautiful but once was enough maintenance! As magical as I think oVertone is, you still have to separate out your hair colors every time your wash and condition. oVertone actually just posted a video on how to maintain two hair colors, which could be manageable but if I want multi colors I think I’ll just stick to clip-in extensions. That being said I have dabbled with using their pink and blue deep conditioners to add a little dimension to my purple and it’s quite nice!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post! I just genuinely love oVertone and am trying to spread the word to all my fun colored hair friends. But I do have Amazon referral links to other products embedded in this post.

Two years ago: German Chocolate Larabars

Three years ago: Peepsters Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Six years ago: Double Cake Batter Truffle Ice Cream

The post Living with Unnatural Hair Color: the truth & how to keep it vibrant first appeared on The Spiffy Cookie.

April 2017 Stitch Fix #22

Erin — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 10:00:12 +0000

I love seeing what my stylist picks out for me in my bimonthly Stitch Fix boxes, because sometimes I just don’t want to do my own shopping.

Once again my stylist Sydney did a great job looking through my Pinterest board and finding items inspired from those I pinned, or sometimes an exact item I pinned! It always nice to know that someone actually makes use of something you spend time on and update regularly. The only request I had this month was a bright colored kimono and then let her know my birthday was coming up, but my plans are probably going to be casual. Unfortunately the kimono was not in the cards this month but she still put together a great box. This may actually be the first month where 4 of the items I was send could be worn together in one outfit. I don’t really require that as I’m pretty good at mix and matching with pieces I already own, but it was a fun feature.

P.S. All of the jewelry I am wearing is from my other favorite subscription, Rocksbox. If you wanna try it out, you can use my code ERINBFF367 for a free month! I promise it’s addicting.

1. 41Hawthorn Affeldt Embellished Neckline Blouse / XS / $58: I’m starting to notice a trend that every box I receive has a black top in it. Sadly, even though I’m a huge fan of black tops, I’m not quite liking this one although it’s better than the crochet top I got last month (which I gave to someone else). For sleeveless tops I think I need a lower neckline or something with more shape. The embellishment at the neckline is pretty but I’m just not sure how much I’d wear it. However, it did pair well with the pants, shoes, and bomber jacket. Then again I think almost any black top would work in that situation.

2. Just Black Blake Scissor Cut Hem Skinny Jean / 2 / $88: Stitch Fix is slowly convincing me to let them send me pants more often. I used to request anything but pants because I have too many but dang it they have some cute stuff lately and I had actually pinned a similar pair. But when I first saw the words “scissor cut hem” I was apprehensive. I’ve received cut hem jeans in the past and returned them because I didn’t dig it. These pants however were such a fun color and so incredibly comfortable that I’m not sure the hem situation is a big factor anymore. I’m not going to talk about how many pairs of colored denim I already own because that’s for me to worry about. All you need to know is that I did not yet have this color. KEEPER.

3. Apricot Chandlar Bomber Jacket / S / $68: While I have a couple jackets pinned, one being a blueish-gray bomber, I wasn’t too excited about this jacket at first glance, mostly the blush color. With my pasty white skin I feel like it kind of washes me out. I did love it paired with a black top and the light green pants and it felt nice, but I can’t decide if it’s fun or if it’s totally awful haha. What do yo think?

4. MIA Nona Laser-Cut Flats / 7.5 / $49: Once again, Stitch Fix is convincing me to buy things I probably don’t need. I have tons of shoes but I’ve been eyeing these MIA Nona flats since last summer and I had them pinned. Granted I really wanted them in the orange color but I was actually in the market for a new pair of black flats as mine are starting to get a bit worse for the wear. Bob though that these flats were weird but I love them – silly boy. KEEPER.

5. Papermoon Wigan Shoulder Zip Knit Top / XS / $48: Oh look an item I had pinned! As you know I love zipper details so this top was right up my alley ad the fabric was very soft. It did bug me that the zippers didn’t lay flush with my shoulders, giving a bit of a shoulder-pad effect, but I’m hoping it’s just due to being folded up and that it’ll ease up. Fun fact: No the zippers are not functional. Could make for a cool concept for an optional exposed shoulder top though. KEEPER. P.S. I hope you enjoy the cat photo bomb, although he wasn’t much of a bomber as Bob purposely got him in the frame.

What’s the verdict this month? Make sure to tell your stylist if there’s anything you want to see in your next fix!

One year ago: Mini Cinnamon Bun Oreo Cheesecakes

Two years ago: Redheads

Three years ago: Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole

Six years ago: Funfetti Cheesecake Pudding Dump Cake

The post April 2017 Stitch Fix #22 first appeared on The Spiffy Cookie.

Luke’s 5th Birthday & Lego Rice Crispy Treats

Erin — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 10:00:05 +0000

Rice crispy treats are always a hit but they are extra special when made to look like Lego bricks for a Lego themed 5th birthday party!

After my self-proclaimed epic failure to make fire hydrant shaped cake ball truffles for the last birthday (no I will not share photos), I was feeling a little unconfident when I received an e-mail from my brother and sister-in-law asking if I would be game for creating a Lego-shaped treat this year for my nephew Luke’s 5th birthday. However, my heart lifted when the words that proceeded it were “rice crispy treat”. Now that is more my speed. Granted I’m fairly certain that even the lop-sided fire hydrants were devoured with gusto by all the kids in attendance last year, not caring for one second that they weren’t perfect, but I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to baking alright?

I’m telling you, I can make all kinds of crazy awesome flavored things and decorate them decently well, but creating shapes (other than buckeyes which are supposed to be imperfect) is not my forte. You would think it would be after years of creating animal and flower shaped pizzas growing up but alas that is not the case. But square rice crispy treats, dyed red, green, blue, and yellow, with corresponding colored M&Ms on top? We are in business! I actually originally intended to coat the tops with a layer of colored chocolate as well but realized too late that I had ran out of a few colors and didn’t have time to go buy some. I think they came out pretty cute and would definitely be easy to make with any kiddos in your life.

P.S. In my rush to make sure these arrived in time for the party, all the way in California, I didn’t have time to take any photos! So all the photo credit goes to Kate and her mother Ilona. Below is a photo of Griffin, Luke’s younger brother enjoying a yellow brick!

Two years ago: Tidy up with #OXOSpringCleaning

Four years ago: Strawberry Stuffed Cupcakes

Six years ago: Eggplant Parmesan

LEGO RICE CRISPY TREATS

Makes 64

Ingredients:

8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided

8 cups (two 10.5 oz. bags) mini marshmallows, divided

2 tsp vanilla extract, divided

12 cups puffed rice cereal, divided

Food coloring (red, green, blue, yellow)

M&Ms (separated out red, green, blue, yellow)

Directions:

Coat 4 8×8-inch pans with nonstick spray, set aside.
In small pot over low heat melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add half a bag of marshmallows and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and a few drops of red food coloring. Add 3 cups of cereal and stir until well coated.
Spread mixture evenly in one of the prepared pans. Using buttered spatula, waxed paper, or greased hands, press mixture evenly and firmly.
Immediately top with red M&Ms (I did 4 M&M’s grouped together 16 times per pan).
Repeat with remaining ingredients and colors.
Cool completely before slicing and serving.

Source: Adapted from all over the internet.

The post Luke’s 5th Birthday & Lego Rice Crispy Treats first appeared on The Spiffy Cookie.

February 2017 Stitch Fix #21

Erin — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 11:00:19 +0000

While I consider myself capable of shopping for my own clothes, it’s fun to see what my Stitch Fix picks out for me. Check out my bimonthly fix!

Fix #21 is here an I can’t believe it’s been two months already since my last fix. This time around I was hoping for a top with shoulder cut outs, a button up printed top, a necklace or bracelet, and a top for two bachelorette parties I have coming up. I requested Sydney again after the awesome job she did last month and, despite the deceivingly small package it came in, sure enough she hit it out of the park again!

While I didn’t get the specific cut out top I have had my eyes on, or a printed button up, I think Sydney found plenty of other pieces that fit my style. After all, it is a styling service, not a shopping service. Obviously it’s awesome to get a piece requested, but sometimes those items are just not in stock and that’s reality. But Sydney was able to find other things that I enjoyed just as much, inspired by things I had pinned! Oh and BTW I think this was the lowest price fix ever – $162 after the 25% discount! Below you will find the note I left and her response.

P.S. Some of the jewelry I am wearing (except obviously the chevron necklace) is from my other favorite subscription, Rocksbox. If you wanna try it out, use my code ERINBFF367 for a free month!

1. Romolo Genevieve Stacked Chevron Pendant Necklace / $28: I had pinned the Romolo “Danna” version of this necklace but this is a pretty damn good substitute. While I admit I like the style of the Danna better (or even the duo tone version of this one), I still enjoy this necklace as it is very versatile and definitely my style and can be worn with a variety of outfits. KEEPER.

2. Le Lis Jonesman Cut Out Detail Knit Top / XS / $34: I love that this top is basic with a little edge. It’s one of my favorite pieces in this month’s fix! I foresee this being worn a lot. I may need to invest in a new multi-way bra to avoid strap sightings but it’ll be worth it. It also was perfect paired with my other favorite piece in this fix seen below. KEEPER.

3. SP Black Kelli Army Printed Skinny Jean / 2 / $68: OMG these jeans. While I have in my profile not to send pants unless specifically requested, I did pin a pair of army skinny jeans and I’m so excited that Sydney spied them. Again not the specific ones but I totally love them, the zipper detail at the ankle, and the price! They are cheaper than the ones I had pinned by $20, so in reality I like them ever more than the ones I had pinned. This is why Sydney rocks. KEEPER.

4. Le Lis Ryla Cold Shoulder Knit Top / XS / $48: Another cut out top! If I had to pick, I like the other one better, but the material of this one is so incredibly soft. I did however have a moment of uncertainly whether it was a 3/4 sleeve of full length because with the shoulders cut out you could pull the sleeves down further, but that caused extra fabric in the arm pits which looked not so great. 3/4 length it is! I’m probably going to end up keeping it although at first I was unsure. It’s growing on me. Besides, keeping it would further justify that multi-way ;-).

5. JELLA C Hemant Crochet Detail Top / XS / $38: Pardon my ghostly whiteness, it is winter after all. This is the only piece in my fix that I wasn’t excited about because I’m not a huge fan of crochet on my clothing, with a few exceptions that are piece specific. While trying it on I liked the exposed back but I was not a fan over all. And it fit large. I have to admit looking at the pictures makes me dislike it less but not enough to keep it. Just not my style. Conveniently I have a friend who does want it which cause now I can keep all 5 and get 25% off!

What did you like or dislike? Is there anything you would want for yourself? Make sure to tell your stylist!

For more details on Stitch Fix and how it works, check out my post from December 2014 or my past fixes listed below. Also, they now offer Stitch Fix for men! What dude would pass up the opportunity to have clothing sent to him, that didn’t require going to a store or picking them out? I’m surprised they didn’t set this up sooner.

One year ago: Zabaglione Triffles

Two years ago: 14 DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Three years ago: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Peeps Cupcakes for Two

Five years ago: Cinnamon-Blueberry Bread Pudding

Six years ago: Asiago Bagels (with Chipotle Pepper or Garlic & Chive Cream Cheese)

The post February 2017 Stitch Fix #21 first appeared on The Spiffy Cookie.