Thursday, October 28, 2010

Blog, You Look Marvelous, Again!

Last year I wrote a post about some free blog background sites I love to use. Since then, I've found a bunch more and decided to share them with you because they were not easy to find. Sure, it's easy to find a ton of sites with freebie backgrounds, but to find cute ones that aren't cheesy looking is not. I've compiled a lonnnng list of blog designers who offer free backgrounds and blinkies so I'm going to split it up and post a few links at a time. In no particular order, our first group is Smitten, Welling, Allie Brown and Izzie Grace.  Each site has its own instructions for using their backgrounds, so look for those and have fun redecorating!  Note:  Welling Blog Designs has recently closed shop, but they are keeping their free backgrounds up so you can use them.








Photobucket


Izzie Grace Blog Backgrounds

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Silly Bee's is Treasured!

Thanks to a couple awesome Etsy retailers, my pincushions have been featured in Etsy Treasuries! If you haven't been to my Silly Bee's Chickadees shop, find the link on the right sidebar and take a look! Grab some Christmas pressies before the mad rush!


Bottom row, last item-Strawberry Sweet Spoonful




Second row, last item- Strawberry Sweet Spoonful

Friday, October 15, 2010

Silly Bee's Beauty Tip- Revolutionary Shaker Thingy

Today's tip is a no-brainer, but it still took a Sephora guru to clue me in.  When she told me, I totally had a "duh" moment in the middle of the Benefit Cosmetics section!

Problem: Powder Sabotage



Have you ever opened your loose powder only to be greeted with a huge puff of powder smoke? I have and I owe it all to the revolutionary state-of-the-art powder shaker thingy.  Sometimes, it's so bad there's more powder on top than underneath!  By the time I tap and shimmy the container to coax the powder back down through the holes, I have powder all over my lap. When I give up, dunk my brush into the giant powder mound, I end up wasting a bunch of it while tapping off the excess.


Solution:  Duh! 



Resist the urge to yank off the entire sticker covering the holes on the shaker--I know it's fun, but resist. Instead, get a pin and poke through the seal to expose just 4 or 5 holes in the center. Wiggle the pin around to make sure the hole is big enough for powder to go through.  Then, when you're ready to use the powder, just tap some of it onto the inside of the lid. Voila! You'll get just enough powder and minimize waste. Makeup is expensive, y'all!  You can also peel back part of the sticker and cut it off exposing just a few holes. I prefer the pin prick option because the powder will fall from the center and it's less likely to end up in the edge of the cap where sneaky powder falls out to coat your makeup bag.




Hold up.  You tossed the sticker months ago and now have a giant powdery mess? Not to worry. First tap the powder sitting on top of the sifter onto a piece of paper. Then, pull out the divider and pour the powder back in. Next, grab your toner or rubbing alcohol, dab some onto a cotton ball and use it to wipe the shaker piece (I thought of that part all by myself!) Let it dry completely.




Grab some tape, cut a few pieces off and cover some of the holes.  Leave a few in the center. Now, snap your shaker back into the container and you're good to go. Easy peaty, powder cheaty.  (I just made that up.)

Now, why don’t those package designers just put 5 little holes in the center of the sifter in the first place and be done with it? Duh!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Clara's Spice Bars


Yay! Autumn has found her way to us! I have been holding on to this recipe until her arrival because, with their warm spices, I think these are perfect for this time of year. This is Grandma Clara's coveted Spice Bar recipe and you are very lucky that I am sharing it with you! Whenever we visited, Grandma had a big Tupperware full of these yummies waiting for us, so I guess you could say they are one of my favorite comfort foods. One taste and they just may become yours, too!





Bars:
1 3/4 c plus 2 T sugar
1/2 c honey
2 1/4 c shortening
1 egg
1/2 c molasses
2 t cinnamon
2 t ginger
1 t ground cloves
4 1/4 c flour
1 T plus 1 1/2 t baking soda
1 c raisins

Glaze:
2 T water
1 t lemon juice
1 c confectioners' sugar

Method:
1. Cream sugar, honey, shortening and egg.
2. Add molasses.
3. Sift all dry ingredients and add to mixture.
4. Stir in raisins. (I prefer my bars without.)
5. Measure out 1-cup batches. Roll into logs 2" in diameter.
6. Place 2 logs onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Press with fingers to about 1" thick.
8. Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes.
9. Mix glaze ingredients.
10. Glaze bars while still warm.
11. Cut along a diagonal to create diamond shapes.
12. Serve with a cup of Friendship Tea. Enjoy!

Click on the recipe card below to print out your very own!




Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Bling Out Your Blog


Want some fun blog accessories to dress up your blog? I sifted through dozens of cheesy blog bling sites complete with sparkling fairies and kittens with huge eyeballs until I found some cute ones that I think you may like. Click the links below to go directly to their buttons and blinkies pages!



Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Silly Bee's Beauty Tip- mygiftwithpurchase.com

Welcome to my first Silly Bee's Beauty feature!  I've been watching a bunch of youtube makeup and beauty videos lately and I decided it would be fun to include some fun beauty tips on Silly Bee's Chickadees!  Today's post is a shopping tip for beauty products!

Mygiftwithpurchase.com is my latest awesome find. The blog lists cosmetics "gifts with purchase" deals from department stores and beauty boutiques both online and in-store! Awesome, right? No more searching through endless amounts of store circulars to find great beauty deals. Plus, it's updated daily so you can get your foot in the door right away and not fall victim to "while supplies last".

From the blog:

"I am just your average gal who loves a great deal and a certified Gift with Purchase fanatic.  I wanted a simple way to find the BEST gift with purchases available and was not satisfied with getting one free gift with my purchase.  So, I post only the best beauty gift with purchases I can find and leave out all the fluff. Why get one small item with your $25.00 or $50.00 beauty purchase when you can get more...so much more.  Mygiftwithpurchase.com concentrates on beauty gifts with purchase that give the most bang for your buck and conveys that information in a concise, efficient way."

Gifts with purchase are great when you want to try out new products or colors, or when you are looking to stock up on some trial-size beauty supplies for a trip.  Plan your Christmas shopping ahead of time-- buy your mom a bottle of her fave perfume and keep the GWP yourself!  Some items are available online only, but they may also offer shipping discounts, so don't overlook those!

Here's a great tip from the website:

"Know what foundation shade you are for VARIOUS brands. Next time you are in the mall, have the sales person help you to find out your perfect shade then ask for a sample to try. I know what shade I am for many companies, that way when a promotion comes up I am ready to purchase. Keep a running list and when its promotion time you can buy online with no problems!"

So, go have a look-see and plan your next beauty purchase!  Oh, I almost forgot to mention, I love Bobbi Brown and Benefit and I love floral perfumes. You know, just in case you need to unload a GWP! Have fun!