What i wore...

Dress Old Navy, belt Anthro, shoes Macys.

Top thrifted, jeans Joes outlets, shoes Target.

Happy Wednesday! 

Rose a' La Mode Giveaway!

Rose a' La Mode is giving away a super cute pair of Hunter rain boots for you and a friend. I entered because I love, love, love rain boots. Check it out!

www.rosealamode.com

A guest post and delish recipe!

I am so excited for my first guest blogger because she happens to be my little sis! She is such an amazing cook and baker. And her recipes never leave you feeling guilty because they are all extremely healthy. Thanks Carley!

I am so glad to be doing a guest post for Blissfully Blessed. I follow this blog faithfully and am always so impressed by how creative Nicole is! I am the resident nutrition blogger for the gym I attend, Crossfit Lakecity in North Idaho. I and almost everyone at the gym eat a Paleolithic (Paleo) diet. I use the term diet very loosely because eating Paleo is a lifestyle change, not a thing you do for a time to lose weight, although it will help with that! Paleo goes by several other names, I'm sure some of you have heard of "eating clean". Paleo is very similar to clean eating, it is just squeaky squeaky scrub it some more, clean. The basic concept behind Paleo is eating as they would have in the Paleolithic or caveman era (I've heard Paleo be referred to as dino chow or primal eating). In a Paleo diet we eat meat, veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds and natural oils. And that is it, no dairy, sugars, grains, processed foods, chemicals or dyes, beans or legumes. We call all of the before mentioned foods poison, that might be a little bit of an exaduration, but all of those things have adverse effects on our bodies and are nearly impossible for our bodies to use as fuel to help our bodies function at the best possible levels. Basically if you can pick it or kill it, you can eat it.

I have been eating a Paleo diet for 1.5 years and I love the health benefits that I have experienced! Through eating this way I sleep better, my acne is 95% gone (aside from that 1 special time of month, sorry men readers!) my performance in the gym has greatly improved, I am stronger and faster and I think the best benefit is that without even trying I lost over 15 inches in 6 months!

Some people who greatly benefit from eating a diet like this are people that have food allergies, gluten intolerance or Celiac disease. It is a little hard at first, but think about giving it a try. I assure you that you will feel better and notice changes in your body composition very quickly!

One thing that scares people away from trying a new way of eating (diet) is that they are afraid of losing their favorite foods or possible eating foods that are un-appealing to them. Cooking Paleo once you are used to it is so easy! You can modify almost anything to make it clean. Things like using honey instead of sugar, almond flour instead of flour, coconut milk instead of cows milk, spaghetti squash instead of noodles... I could go on and on! I have over 125 recipes on http://www.crossfitlakecity.com to get you started. You will find everything from homemade jerky to meatloaf to cookies and even truffles! I am also posting a recipe here for your enjoyment. I hope that you will try it and be inspired to try a new way of eating, even if it is just a few meals a week you can make a step towards a healthier lifestyle.

Fennel Slaw with Bacon and Cranberries

Dressing:

1/4 C Apple Cider Vinegar

2 TBSP Apple Juice or Cider (100% pure juice no added sugar)

2 TBSP Olive Oil

1 TBSP Honey

1 tsp Dijon Mustard (look at the ingredients for chemicals you can find clean ones!)

1 tsp Salt

Pepper to taste

Salad:

4 Green Onions

1 Medium Fennel Bulb

1 Granny Smith Apple

6 C Red Cabbage

1/3 C Dried Cranberries (look for ones without added sugar!)

6-8 Slices Bacon (nitrate and nitrite free, no added sugar I like Applegate Farms brand)

2-3 TBSP Fennel Fronds (the frilly part on top)

Make your dressing by combining all ingredients and whisking together. Set aside. Cook the bacon and crumble it. Set aside. In a large bowl slice the cabbage finely and place in the bowl. Slice the green onions fennel and apple and add to bowl. When cutting a fennel, cut it right at the base of the stalks and slice it, it will be similar to celery. You use the bottom part and not the stalks, don't forget to reserve the fennel fronds! Add the dressing and toss to coat. Add the bacon crumbles, cranberries and fennel fronds to the salad and serve!

A Goodwill score and my new baby

I found this beauty for $1..... Holla!! We had a broken light for years so I was really excited when I found this one and new in the box. 

It has been busy around here with a new puppy! His name is Jasper isn't he just precious? He is 8 weeks old and full of energy. Abby (our chocolate lab) has been giving him a run for his money though. I think they will be the best of friends.

Receiving Blanket and Onesie Cupcake Tutorial

I found this idea from littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com (great blog!) and I was so excited when my neighbor announced she was pregnant so I could make them for someone. They are so simple and sweet. If you could get your hands on a cake box to put like six of them in it, I think they would be over the top on the cute scale.

Fold.

Bunch a onesie.

Roll.

Secure with a rubber band or hair tie.

Coffee filter, ribbon, done! I told you it was simple.

I slipped a target gift card into the one I gave my neighbor.

Beach Day

Plume Pretty

I was browsing Etsy and I came across a jewel of a shop called Plume Pretty. They sell urban shabby chic style jewelry that is beautiful. It felt like Christmas when I received this cute little package in the mail and it had a bird on it..... How perfect, because you all know I have an obsession with birds!

Just look at the lovely detail of the ring. The shop owner is so sweet and I received my package right away. Needless to say it has not left my finger.

Please check out her shop at: 

www.plumepretty.com

Tech Issues!!

I am having major issues with my internet. My last post might look crazy but I cant tell because I am unable to look at my photos. I hope to have new internet on Thursday. Thank you for being patient!

We Have A Winner!!!

I am very flattered all you lovely ladies that entered my giveaway, thank you so much!! 

I don't know what the problem was but several people had a hard time commenting on the giveaway post so I gave people the chance to comment on Facebook too.

I had Deacon pick the winner.

And the winner is.......... KATHY JONES!! Congrats Kathy you have been a fan of my blog from the beginning, I am so happy you won!!

Ugly Sweaters Make Cute Tops

I am having a fabulous giveaway see post "First GIVEAWAY ever"  You might win a cute crystal drop necklace made by me!

Un-extreme Couponing.

Have you all seen that show Extreme Couponing yet? I love that show, however it is completely not a reality. I like using coupons and I have saved a ton of money using them but I don't need 100 bottles hot sauce or 50 TV dinners. And I wont spend 5 hours at the register bitting my nails. If you are saving a ton of money buying things you don't need then you really aren't saving money at all and that is a reality.

  

I was in Walgreens last night and I noticed some clearance makeup. I wrote down what was on sale and I went home an gathered up the according coupons I had.  I went back today and picked up the items I would actually USE. Here is what I got.

3 Cover Girl concealers and 1 L'oreal lip gloss. Retail price for all the items was $36.96. Want to know what I paid (drum roll)?

$3.96!!! 

If you want to coupon but don't really know where to start. Just remember Clearance+coupons= Savings! That makes couponing a no brainer for us un-extreme couponers. And before you know it you will be telling your friends how you saved $33 in makeup too. 

And one more thing. I have had lots of saving success using Safeway's website to load coupons into my club card. It is super easy and you don't need to bring a stack of coupons with you to the store. They also have personalized prices called Just For U, I have actually gotten free items through the Just For U program. My last shopping trip I got free cookie dough and a free box of Raisin Bran. 

First GIVEAWAY ever!!

I am so elated by all the followers I have gained recently I decided to have my first ever giveaway! Woot woot! Yeah I just woot wooted, thats how excited I am! I will be giving away a very special crystal drop necklace made by myself.

Here are the rules girls:

1. You must be a follower of Blissfully Blessed.

2. You must leave a comment below and tell me your current favorite color, this counts as one entry. And just maybe the necklace will be in your favorite color. I am personally in love with coral right now.

3. If you want an additional entry you must share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog. Please leave me a comment below telling me you did so, this will count as a second entry.

Please include your email address in you comments so I can notify you that you won. And since I have a small (but fabulous) following you have good chance of winning! This giveaway will end promptly on 6/12. Good luck!

Crystal Drop Necklace

I found these crystals today at the thrift store I think they came off an old chandelier. But I have seen similar ones at the craft store or even at the bead store. This necklace is so simple and fun to make. 

Trace around the crystal and cut fabric.

Paint the crystal with Mod Podge and place the fabric pretty side down on the crystal then paint over it with more Mod Podge.

Let dry. The Mod Podge will dry clear. Then poke a hole through the fabric with something sharp like a finishing nail or thumb tack.

Use a jump ring or make your own out of wire like I did here and put on your favorite chain.

I cant pick a favorite, I love them all!

I am giving one of these fabulous necklaces away!! Check out "First GIVEAWAY ever" on the side bar.