Leah Tackles

How-To Make a Hot Cocoa Bar | DIY Gift Idea

November 15, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

For the past several years I have been making a DIY Hot Cocoa Bar and a personal friend asked me to share what I use for my hot cocoa bar, so today I am going to share how to make a hot cocoa bar. This hot cocoa bar is also a great DIY Christmas gift idea that would be perfect as a Christmas gift basket.

How To Make a Hot Cocoa Bar

I slowly collected things over time, mostly from the Target Bullseye Playground (a.k.a Dollar Spot) but will link as many items as possible below.

Hobby Lobby Items:

Tier Tray (but linking from Amazon for a great price!)

Gingerbread galvanized signs

“Hot cocoa box”

“Hot chocolate” sign

“Cuddle in a cup” sign

Hot cocoa spoons

Santa espresso cups

Target Items:

“Hot cocoa” sign

“Cookie house” cookie jar

“Believe” ornament

Tea towels/Decorative towels

Gingerbread mug

Mrs. Claus ceramic trivet

“Mrs. Claus” ornament

“Mrs. Claus Bakery” ornament

Paper straws

TJ Maxx Items:

Santa bowl

“Gingerbread” cookie jar

Walmart Items:

Sugar canister

Gingerbread measuring spoons

Gingerbread measuring cups

“Cocoa” canister

Gingerbread house candy jar

Cocoa mixes, syrups, Cocoa Hershey Kisses, K-Cups, and Marshmallows

Dollar Tree Items:

Peppermint edible spoons

Family Fare Items:

Holiday tea

Meijer Items:

Holiday mini whisk

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Have you made a cocoa bar? What is your MUST-HAVE item?

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Sorel Explorer Carnival II Review | The best winter boots for women?

November 8, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

Well, it’s that time of year! And we have hit a record here, over a foot of snow within a day in November! I ordered the Sorel Explorer Carnival II.

Sorel Explorer Carnival II

I do have a great pair, but they’re super heavy and clunky, and I only wear them for when I’m sledding, making snowmen, or doing other snowy activities with my family. I wanted a pair of warm boots I could wear daily that weren’t Uggs. My friend told me about the Sorel Explorer II Joan last year, but they were sold out in my size. This fall, I was planning ahead and fell in love with the Sorel Explorer Carnival II with the adorable, cozy shearling and white, slightly chunky bottoms.

These boots are so comfortable, warm, and lightweight. When I slip them off my feet, I am marveled by how much colder I instantly become.

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My Boots

This pair is gorg!

I can’t get over this pair! SO CUTE

A classic

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Just Fab Block Heel Pump | The Perfect Holiday Heel

November 1, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I needed a pair of black pumps with a block heel, and because I had a credit at Just Fab I started there. I purchased these heels for a costume, but I am so thrilled and I have already lined them up for several of my looks for the upcoming holiday season.

Block Heel Pump

These heels are so comfortable, and even have a bit of cushioned arch support, and the thick 3 1/2 inch block heel makes them easier to walk in. I wish they had them in more colors!

My feelings on Just Fab are sometimes a love/hate. The shoes are SO cute, my favorites are the boots, and I typically have great luck with fit and comfort. I set up reminders on my phone, and *almost* always remember to skip the month, so I end up purchasing only about 4 times each year. I do get frustrated when I have a credit for months I forget to skip and get charged (valued at $39) and can’t use it towards more expensive items or use it for a less expensive item. I have noticed lately that the shoes I like are either $10 more or less than that value. I won’t sugarcoat it, that is annoying.

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Daphne Block Heel Pump (my shoes)

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Beauty Hack | How-To Get All the Powder Out of Loose Powder Containers

October 25, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

In the summer I shared an easy hack for getting concealer out of the product when the wand can’t reach anymore but you know there is more product left (read that post here) and today I want to show you the easiest way to get every last bit out of your loose powders, powder foundation, and powder makeup products.

How-To Get the Rest of the Loose Powder Out of the Container

This is super simple to do! When you tip your compact over and nothing comes out despite your tap, tap, tapping, it is time to grab a pair of needle-nose pliers and put them on the edge to remove the part that has the small holes where the powder comes through. Some of the containers are easier than others, but I have yet to find a product this won’t work for.

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3 Cozy Christmas Gift Ideas For Her From Amazon | Holiday Gift Guide For Her

October 18, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

It’s too early for some, but with the way shipping is looking for the 2021 holiday season, it’s really time to start thinking about holiday shopping and holiday gifting. Today I want to share 3 cozy holiday gift ideas that you can snag easily on Amazon.

Amazon Gift Ideas For Her

Fuzzy Slide Slippers

These are SO adorable! [I want them in blush] And the price is right!

Sherpa Throw Blanket

We own two of these and they are the first to be grabbed when we have family movie nights.

Fleece Hooded Bathrobe

I LOVE my bathrobes. I put it on every morning and wear it until I get dressed, and one of my favorite parts of the day is when I take off my makeup, toss my hair up in a claw clip, and put on my robe [This may or may not happen around 5p.m when we don’t have activities or plans, judge away]

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*NOTE: Yes, I love the color blush pink, it’s a neutral for me, but all of the above options are available in several wonderful colorways.

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Happy Trails Project | Anti-Hunger Organization

October 11, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

Do you remember those [possibly illegal] chain letters? Do you love the excitement when you get some happy mail? A friend of mine sent me a Happy Trails Project bracelet and today I had to share it with you.

Happy Trails Project

What is the Happy Trails Project?

Happy Trails Project is a project that hopes to spread positivity and create a positive impact. Happy Trails Project donates 10% of all proceeds to Feed The Children, an anti-hunger organization.

How does the Happy Trails Project work?

You can continue a trail (if someone sends to you) or start a new trail. Or, both!

I love that you can also track your trail.

You get an adorable, bright yellow bracelet with a small smiley face and a sticker (which looks so cute on a water bottle!) along with a postcard so you can track your trail.

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Cute and Affordable Chelsea Boots | Just Fab

October 4, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I have been a fan of Chelsea boots for years, in fact here is a post from three years ago about them. I think they’re super cute, and THE BEST PART? I can slip them! No lacing or buckling is required and when I’m rushing out the door or want to run outside with my kids, I can do so easily. I’m not alone here, am I?

Vernetta Chelsea Boots

I needed to spend a credit with Just Fab which I’ve been upfront about my thoughts: “It’s sometimes a love/hate. The shoes are SO cute, my favorites are the boots, and I typically have great luck with fit and comfort. I set up reminders on my phone, and *almost* always remember to skip the month, so I end up purchasing only about 4 times each year. I do get frustrated when I have a credit for months I forget to skip and get charged (valued at $39) and can’t use it towards more expensive items or use it for a less expensive item. I have noticed lately that the shoes I like are either $10 more or less than that value. I won’t sugarcoat it, that is annoying.

UPDATE: I love these boots so much. However, they did get a scrap that peeled off a small 1/2 inch spot with pretty minimal wear. Great boots, go with everything, but that is something worth noting.

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HOW-TO STYLE A CROPPED SWEATER | JUST FAB

September 27, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I remember in high school when cropped sweaters were popular but we wore them with cami tank tops under them. Now, crop tops have been popular for the past couple of years, and this fall I’ve been seeing cropped sweaters cropping [get it?] up everywhere. I snagged a super cute cropped cardigan from JustFa b and wanted to share how I style it.

I have been a member of JustFab for years and to tell you the truth? It’s sometimes a love/hate. The shoes are SO cute, my favorites are the boots, and I typically have great luck with fit and comfort. I set up reminders on my phone, and *almost* always remember to skip the month, so I end up purchasing only about 4 times each year. I do get frustrated when I have a credit for months I forget to skip and get charged (valued at $39) and can’t use it towards more expensive items or use it for a less expensive item. I have noticed lately that the shoes I like are either $10 more or less than that value. I won’t sugarcoat it, that is annoying. HOWEVER, because of this, I have found several sweaters over the last year that I love.

This cropped sweater has precious pearl buttons. I think this sweater would be cute alone, but I prefer to wear it with a light nude-colored cami tank top that I tuck into high-waisted jeans so you can’t see it.

Cropped Cardigan

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Where do you shop for sweaters? Let me know in the comments!

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How-To Wear a Sweater Vest | 3 Ways to Wear the Sweater Vest Trend

September 19, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

One of the trends in 2021 that I saw a bit in the spring and is now EVERYWHERE this fall is the sweater vest. Today I want to share three easy ways to wear a sweater vest.

How-To Wear a Sweater Vest

Wear a sweater vest alone as a sleeveless top

2. Wear a sweater vest over a long sleeve button down

3. Wear a sweater vest over a t-shirt

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My sweater vest

I am OBSESSED with this one:

Super cute and classic:

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10 Minute Makeup | What I’m really using 2021

September 13, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there, Happy Monday!

I have talked a lot the past couple of years about how I wear very minimal makeup [for me, anyway, it’s all relative isn’t it?] especially compared to the 2016 heyday when I knew every palette release and bought an entire line of lipsticks. Today I want to share the products I’m really wearing on a day-to-day basis and apply in about 10 minutes flat at 6 a.m before the kids are at my heels.