Homemade Mocha Light Frappuccino & In Need of Some Time Wasting?

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Casey

I really hope procrastination is something that I will grow out of…but I am having a pretty bad feeling that it will just be a forever ~~charming~~ trait of mine. The other day as I was being productive on Pinterest (as everyone ALWAYS is), I stumbled across another great website that truly will increase my knowledge and broaden my horizons. Yes. Iwastesomuchtime.com. Very appropriately named.

One of my favorite pictures I saw was this one.

Wait for it…

(Source)

So if you are ever in a crunch and need to waste some time, I have the hook-up for you! Iwastesomuchtime.com, trust me, you’ll regret clicking, but then you’ll be happy you clicked it, but angry, but happy. It’s a vicious, emotional circle of feelings.

On a side note, I have more to share with you than a leaping sheep (that appears to be on the same road that Forrest Gump ran on).

I happen to be a pretty big Starbucks fan. Starbucks, also known as that place where all your money magically disappears. I am here today to help that little disappearing money dilemma. Also, you don’t have to put a real bra on, turn your car on, brush your hair and do all those laborious tasks that are necessary to go to Starbucks, instead you can make these babies in the comfort of your own little kitchen!

We got this little individual serving blender from some family friends for Christmas and let me tell you, this baby is a gem! I love it!! So perfect for me (the only coffee drinker in the house) when I want to whip up my own little frap. You can, of course, also make your frap in a regular blender if that is what you have in your house, either way it will taste the same.

One last thing, to make this frap extra wonderful, you are going to want to pick up some of your own chocolate syrup. Not the Hershey’s kind of syrup, it’s like the kind of syrup Starbucks uses when they make their fraps, so be sure it is the syrup that is thinner and more of a liquidey consistency. You can find these syrups on-line, or in World Market, or Walmart. I believe other places sell them, but those are the ones I know for sure. In addition to the chocolate syrup, we have bought the vanilla and peppermint. Vanilla is great because it is actually cheaper than vanilla extract, so it rounds out the recipe, and the peppermint is awesome to get you in the wintery spirit. Plus, I am a total peppermint junkie, so I can see myself enjoying it all year long.

Mocha Light Frappuccino [at home!]

(Makes 1 serving)

1 cup ice

1/3 cup brewed coffee, cooled down

1/4 cup milk (I used skim)

2 shots of mocha syrup (I used the sugar free)

1/2 shot vanilla syrup (I used the sugar free)

In a blender combine all ingredients and blend until you don’t hear the noisy ice being crushed, and the frappuccino is a smooth consistency. That’s it! Enjoy

Random Fact of the Day: An iceberg contains more heat than a lit match. That doesn’t make sense.. hm, I trust the internet. That’s where I met my french model boyfriend.

Woman To Eat Only Starbucks Food For One Year (huffingtonpost.com)
10 irregular Starbucks drinks you should try (guangyic.wordpress.com)
Happy Summer! (havadenglish.com)

A Super Easy Infinity Scarf and a Dilemma

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Casey

I have come to the horrible realization that next year, I will not be having the same type of access to a kitchen and ingredients that I have been enjoying all my life. For those of you who have been frequent, long time readers, you probably already know that I am a senior in high school and will be heading off to college next year.

I am super excited to move onto college life, but cooking will definitely be a new challenge and keeping up with the blog will for sure be difficult. I have not made my final decision on where I will be going next year, as I have not heard back from all the schools I have applied to, yet , so it is hard to say right now what kind of access I will be having to a kitchen. Even if I do have optimum kitchen time, it will still be difficult to buy and pay for all of the ingredients.

Now I know this whole introduction may not be the most exciting thing for you to read, but it really would help me if some readers would participate in my poll that I have in this post.

Because cooking and baking will most likely be a challenge next year, I need your help in figuring out what else should be shared on Beautiful Disasters. Now, I have been doing a TON of sewing and actually started crocheting over the past couple weeks, so sharing projects and tutorials could become an option. In addition to sewing, some more pinterest-esque DIY projects could be shared on here with tutorials. I could also share some of what is going on in my ~~weird, boring~~ life. I could share funny pictures that I find as I am ~~wasting time~~ being super productive, more on that later this week! Or maybe you just like my cooking or baking recipes and are like “BAKE OR DO NOTHING CASEY!”. Or..I..could…stop….blogging *tear* :`(

So please, cast your votes. Participate, because contrary to popular voting belief, Your vote DOES matter!!!

P.S. You can select more than one option in the poll AND I know I spelled the second tutorials wrong in the poll..

AAaanndd here is the infinity scarf tutorial! Please cut me a little slack because this is my first time doing one of these sewing, craft tutorials, so I may have forgotten to mention some helpful details. Feel free to ask plenty of questions!

Here is the original post that I based mine off of from Sweet Verbena

Here are some things you should know before you start, size of materials and what the dotted lines mean on my little diagram that comes next.

whatyoushouldknowforinfinityscardtutorial_zps4b757c6a

infinityscarfmeasurementsandsewingguide_zps17d10c36

And now here are the steps to making your infinity scarf!

StepstoSuccesspage1_zps4c6501d5

page2_zps4f5b42cf

This is what the final product should look like when you have turned it right side out. Sorry for the low quality pictures, not too easy trying to take a picture of yourself at 6 in the morning!

Random Fact of the Day: In Singapore, it is illegal to sell or own chewing gum. They are extremely clean there!!

unique and personalized gifts (redenvelope.com)
Crochet Granny Infinity Scarf and Cowl (mymerrymessylife.com)
More Scarf Jewelry Tutorials and Inspirations (beadinggem.com)

Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Casey

Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope Santa was good to you all My family will be doing what we love to do every year, opening presents, relaxing, watching football and movies, and looking at Christmas lights. Today is a great day to appreciate all your blessings, family, and friends. Also, remember those who are less fortunate, keep them in your prayers, and try to do something for someone else today.

Thank you all for being such kind readers, I am so appreciative of all the comments and feedback I get from everyone of you. Once again, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Random Fact of the Day: A cow gives nearly 200,000 glasses of milk in her lifetime.

Merry Christmas From BellaSugar! (bellasugar.com)
Merry Christmas – Now get the heck out! (loveyourdivorce.us)
No Merry Christmas (naplesgirlblog.com)

HooRag Review

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Casey

I don’t know why, but December 26 always is a little bit of a downer to me

I always thing…”oh, well another 364 days ’til Christmas!”

And then everyone starts taking down their festive Christmas decorations and I don’t know what it is like in your neighborhood, but in mine, it gets SUPER dark and reallllyyy spooky without the Christmas lights on. I vote we keep some sort of lights up all year! Let’s get a start on this movement. Anyone with me?

Anywhoooo about a month ago, I was contact by HooRag, to try a hoorag and share what it is to all you guys!

What is a HooRag you ask?

Well, it’s a a head wrap that can be used in many, many different ways to hold your hair back, or keep your head warm.

It would be something that, I think, would be absolutely perfect in especially a restaurant setting in the kitchen.

I tried mine, using it as a headband, when I was in the kitchen, and it worked great. It fit me perfectly, and is stretchy enough to fit most heads.

If you’d like to learn more about the HooRag, you can visit their site here.

PONY TAIL RAG

If you want to keep your hair out of your face, and not look like a tiny Chewbacca, try Pony Tail Rag style. Use your Hoo Rag to tie up your hair, and rest assured that you are rocking the sweetest possible pony tail accessory on the market, and do not resemble a Wookie.

FACE RAG

Perfect for desert journeys, ranching, and paintball, Face Rag style boasts extreme versatility and protection. Cover your mouth and nose with your Hoo Rag to prevent dust, dirt, and non-toxic paint from getting into your lungs.

ALICE RAG

Who needs a beret when you can simply wear Alice Rag style with the design and style of your choice. Wrap your favorite Hoo Rag around your hair to keep it up and out of your face, all while lending to your air of mystery and sensuality.

BALACLAVA RAG

For maximum protection from the sun, or maximum anonymity, Balaclava Rag style takes care of business. Cover your entire face except for your eyes and achieve complete Hoo Rag ninja status, a new breed of ninja that wears sunglasses.

HEAD BAND RAG

Nothing says sweetness more than rocking Head Band Rag style with your favorite design. Wrap the Hoo Rag around your forehead to keep hair and sweat out of your eyes, and make yourself look like John McEnroe. Which is awesome.

NECK RAG

Sure to drive the boys crazy ladies, is the classy and sassy Neck Rag style. Wrap your stylish Hoo Rag around your neck to draw some attention, and immediately transform into a cowgirl or Daphne from Scooby Doo.

PIRATE RAG

There’s a little bit of “Arrrr Matey” in all of us, which is why you rock Pirate Rag style. Pillage and plunder in a friendly and responsible way by wrapping your Hoo Rag completely around the top of your head, and covering your skull.

THE NECK WARMER

Perfect for partying outside on cold nights, or when shredding on the slopes, The Neck Warmer style is the perfect way to look stylish while keeping your neck and throat warm. No one likes having a frozen neck, we feel your pain.

Images compliments of HooRag.com

Random Fact of the Day: It is illegal NOT to smile in Pocatello, Idaho!

Hoo Rag Review & A GIVEAWAY! (happykaylieplace.com)
911 days to Machu Picchu…Whoo Hoo! (vickitravels.wordpress.com)
The versatile bandana has gotten more versatile still (greenreview.blogspot.com)

2012 Christmas Treat Round-Up

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Casey

Okay, here it is! The round-up of the treats I have made this year to make your Christmas as merry as it can be!! I hope you all have a fabulous Christmas and that your holiday season is full of cheer.