30 days if 30: day 2

.Today's focus is kids.

 My kids are awesome! They amaze me more and more everyday..

 When I was in high school I did not want kids. I just felt like I was one of those people who were not ment to have kids. When you meet the right person tho that all changes. 

 They both have big hearts and can light up a room with just a smile. They are both so smart and are excelling in school.  I could not imagine my life without them. They have taught both my husband and I a lot about life. 

 I will post about them individually so you can get to know them too. Thanks for stopping by.

-Mj 

30 Days of 30: Day 1

.Today is my birthday, I'm 30 years old.

 I have really been thinking a lot about life these days. I mean, I'm 30 that's big!! I am so grateful for what I have and the person I have become. 

In light of this mile stone I thought 30 days of 30 would be interesting. I tend to get distracted easly and I want to stick to my guns this coming year! So this series of posts will be about what I have learned , what I love, and how I have grown in 30 years. I hope you will stick around!

Mj 

Pumpkin spice cookies with frosting !!!!

As soon as I saw the first pumpkin spice item in the store I knew fall was on its way and I couldn't be happier! The heat is so exhausting here in Arizona we can't wait for that feeling of fall!!  I bought a box of pumpkin spice cake mix and thought, maybe I could turn it into bars. Or maybe I could make cookies out of it. The cookie idea won.

1 box cake mix

2 eggs

1/2 c vegetable oil 

   Mix ingredients well. Roll 1 in balls and place  about 2 in apart. Bake @350 for 8-10 minutes. Let cool completely .

   Spread a small amount of vanilla frosting on the bottom of one and place another on top. Enjoy!!!

 In a valentines post I made cake mix cookies and this is the same recipe just with pumpkin spice cake mix and since they did not get very flat I put some leftover vanilla frosting in between 2 and they wound up looking like acorns. They were delicious!! 

How are you enjoying fall? Live romantically 

-Mj

75 Likes Giveaway!!

I have done it!! 75 Likes is awesome so I decided to have a giveaway on my Facebook like page! Check it out and enter !!! 

Facebook.com/mjssweetthings

Fall is in the air !!

I am super stoked for fall!! So excited I decided to have a sale in my store !! 15%off any order of $5.00 or more with coupon code : SWEETSALE !!

Etsy.com/shop/mjssweetthings

I'm also super excited that I have reaches well over 75 likes on my like page a d am on my way to 100 !! So I'm going to have a giveaway in Friday!! What do you think earrings or hair clips fall inspired of course!! Make sure you like my page a d pleas comment below what you would want to win!! 

Facebook.com/mjssweetthings

Stay tuned for fall fun!!! 

Mj

Baby blanket.

So last week I decided it would be fun to start a you tube channel! Eventually ill get a link in the side bar but I want to tell you a little about the subject of the video ! It was titled "what am I working on Wednesday " I was working on a blanket for my brother and his wife's baby! I was very happy with how it turned out and it went pretty quickly too! 

The baby shower was yesterday and they loved it! I also made a few more goodies .

Some burp cloths . The fabric is so soft and easy to clean!

And a changing pad that can be folded up!! 

I'm so excited to be an aunt and to meet her!! 

For the blanked I used a simple granny square stitch. With a size I needle and 2 skeins at a time. Made 16 squares and stitched them up! 

-Mj

The Luau

We had a Luau!!  

It was a party with mixed emotions. We had a lot of fun decorating and making food but the actual party was not what we thought it was going to be. I still want to show you all the goodies we put together!

Yes, those are a washer/dryer set disguised as a table with a skirt! I made pulled chicken in the croc pot and we put it on fluffy hamburger buns. We also had fruit salad and chips.

The lanterns: we were very pleased with how they turned out! The party was pushed up to 12 so we didn't need to light them . They still looked great!

Above is our picnic table that we put a plastic table cloth on with bananna leaves taped to the side for extra ambiance .

Our tiki men ( their were 2) they coveted the awning posts so well I might just leave them up!

Our beach cupcakes. These were a picture from Pinterest that we found and liked! My sweet daughter helped me with every step of them !! 

Our picnic bench is old and we have never sanded or weathered it. Sometimes it pokes and gives splinters. I took an old comforter and some fabric to cover the bench part so people could sit comfortably! They were a hit!!

Any occasion where flowers are involved hair clips are involved too!! These were the ones I made for the guests! The bottom left was for the little girls, bottom right was for the birthday lady , and the top were for everyone else! We had a lot of fun putting this all together !! The little kids loved the water balloons!! All on all it was a successful luau! 

Hope you enjoyed it!!

Mj

Luau: lanterns

As promised here is a tutorial on luau decor !! 

Things you will need : 

- colored paper

-tape

-stapler

- scissors

- baby food jar with wire wrapped around it .

- children to do the cutting ( not pictured)

I'm a hair dresser you would think I love cutting ... Not so much . So I folded a colored piece of 8.5 x 11 paper and cut 5   3-4 in slits. With another color I had the kiddos cut petal shaped pieces to make flowers . 

I then stapled the top and bottom together with the jar inside. I used a small piece of tape to keep the wire in place so the jar would be right in the middle of the lantern . 

I attached the flowers and ta-daaa!!!

I will have flame less candles to put in them and they will be on our mulberry tree !! I promise I will take pics Sunday!! Hope you like!! 

-Mj

Sunday inspiration

My husband and I are throwing a small get together for his grandmas birthday next Sunday. Naturally I had to pick a theme! I chose luau ! The super hot weather here is great for a luau and an excuse to use our mysters!  So I have scrolled Pinterest and my craft closet to find fun and inexpensive ideas. The kids and I will be making stuff all week. Decorations, games, and food. This will be at least a 3 part series. 

Hope you enjoy !! 

Mj

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Pinterest : http://m.pinterest.com/mjhelsel/

Instagram: mjssweetthings 

Romantic item(s) of the week.

I have made so many beautiful hair creations in the last few years. I enjoy sitting down with a cup of tea, a bag full of gems, and an armful of silk flowers to make beautiful hair accents. When I first started it was just to make them for me. Then people started asking about them so I opened my etsy store. With back to school right around the corner more orders are coming in and I couldn't be happier!!  I have a few stocked up but it's time to make a flower run!! Here are a few and some other fun creations I'm hiding . 

(Above: a crochet collar. ) 

(Above: silk hair flower clips)

(Above: crochet flower hair clips)

I love hair accents as they can make your face shine even if your not feeling well or it's too hot for anything other than a pony tail. (Link to my Etsy store is in the side bar -->)

Time to get back to work but I thought you might like a sneak peek in to what will be in the store!! I will be having a bank to school sale soon, stay tuned!!

Mj

Back on track .

I am so excited to get back to where I was 4 months ago! Life can get crazy with kids at home and I have been slacking!! Tomorrow is a new day and I'm going to take advantage ! I have challenges lined up and lots of great ideas going through my head! I will be getting back on a regular posting schedule and I am stoked!! Hope you will stick around for the fun !!

-Mj

75 like giveaway !!

When my page reaches 75 likes ill have a giveaway so if you haven't already please check it out!! 

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=242461695825775&ref=logo&m_sess&viewtype=public&__user=619428061/?

Fitness photo challenge

One of the most amazing things I have learned from my Beachbody coach is accountability. It really changes the way you think , act , and what you do. I have some friends in a small accountability group that were up for a challenge. I'm going to post my daily photos on here. 

Hope you enjoy them.

Day 1 workout clothes !!

Day 2 breakfast 

Day 3 treat

Mj

Morning juice

A couple weeks back I started juicing . I really enjoyed the taste as well as the benefits but, like always , I got distracted and stopped juicing. I also started eating carbs again.... Bad Idea! So this weekend I was really feeling crappy, even after my awesome week of workouts. I decided it was time to get back on track. 

Today I want to share with you my go to juice recipe. It is pretty quick and tastes clean ! 

Ingredients: 

- a hand full of parsley or cilantro 

- 1/2 a grapefruit

- 1/2 a cucumber

- An apple 

- 2 carrots

- 2 celery ribs

- 1 tsp chia seeds

I rinse all my goodies and juice. I add in the chi after. 

I love the colors!!

Last add my chia seeds and give it a good stir !

Yum!! Have a great Wednesday !!

-Mj

Hair fun

So I feel like I'm getting frumpy and need a fun change!! I always fall back on my hair for that!! I like the length but want to change up the color . Pink or purple? What do you think?

Work out!

This week I challenged my self to burn 500 calories a day!! The first day was not as great as I hoped to I added in to it! The rest of the week I crushed my goal every day!! I never thought it could burn that many !! 

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

It was really amazing !! I love working out and it is great for my kids to see me doing it! Will be sticking with 500 for next week too !! Have a great Sunday!!

Mj