Garay Treasures

Happy Thursday! Today’s post is inspired by the name of this blog. For the past few weeks I have just been on “blogger burnout” and getting discouraged left and right. Many of you have just been so comforting in reminding me that”Comparison is a thief” and Jill of @dousedinpink.blogpot.com even left a comment that stood out above the rest (sorry guys) and that was

“I’m sorry you had a tough week! It’s so hard sometimes not to compare yourself to others in the blogging world and in real life. Take a step back and look at all that you have and what you have accomplished!”

It is better said than done but I just keep taking in her comment and relishing in the truth of it. We will always be comparing ourselves, to bloggers, other moms, women, friends, students when really we just have to be ourselves. This blog was started with a passion for my faith, family and fashion and while it has grown to be more of a fashion blog I wanted to just take some time and focus on what this blog started out being about and go from there: my faith in God and family, hence “Garay Treasures.”

Every Sunday just about after church my kids love to get up on the roof of our van, sort of as a “good job at church” treat. (we let them stay up there for a couple of minutes but they love it).

My beautiful daughter (a twin to Max) and her daddy (my hubby of course)- I hope you don’t mind the messy bathroom.

My son Max (twin to Elizabeth) bunched up in a pillowcase.

Nevaeh’s classic photogenic face

Xander and Max (I just adore their smiles).
My handsome boys (Xander and hubby).

Here is a list of some of my accomplishments since blogging:

-Starting “Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me” series which then led into a weekly link up for every Tuesday where I also feature my favorite 5 bloggers that linked up the week before, and in which you can still link up to here.

-Starting a “Style Collaboration” with other bloggers here and there where myself and another blogger (or bloggers) style a similar or same item. Hint: there is another style collaboration and giveaway this coming Monday. See others in the links provided: Faux Fur Vest; Christmas Wear; Mustard Cardigan.

-working and collaborating with various brands or bloggers

-Meeting like minded bloggers who just pour into my spirit or that have similar passions.

– followers have been growing in leaps and bounds here and there along with page views.

-My hubby and I saved money to get a Cannon Rebel EOS 500 DSLR camera for better quality photos.

– Saved some money to begin meeting with a graphic designer to make the switch from wordpress hosted to self-hosted blog. (Nervous and excited about this- but the name will remain the same Garay Treasures).

There are many more, but these are the few I am  PROUD of.

I want to thank many of you for following along with me and for being there for me, you guys are the best. I hope this post reveals my treasures and that I can come back to this when I am feeling discouraged as this is what it is all about, these are my treasures.

Rachel xo
Garay Treasures

You can follow my blog with the following: bloglovin, GFC, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

Linking up with: Motivational Monday, Tuesday Talk and High Five for Friday.

DIY Lipstick

While I was away from blogging for a month I intentionally did a few more activities with my kids and this DIY lipstick project was just one of those that my husband and I did with Nevaeh (who is 6 now) while the babies were asleep for the night. My husband and some facebook friends introduced me to this video here on just how to do it. Below is a list of the ingredients:

A box of Crayola (or any brand) of crayons and as many as you need or want from a pack of 12 to 100+
Coconut oil
Plastic condiment serving cups with lids
Measuring Spoons, especially a 1/2 tsp.
Saucepan/skillet
Measuring cup of about 1 in a half cups of water.
Serving toothpicks or craft sticks
Q-tips or lip brush for applying lipstick at the end

First of all pick out the crayons colors that will be used to make lipstick with and peel off the paper from the crayons (this was the most tedius part).

 

In the video in the link provided above the presenter suggests writing down the colors used (especially when using many different shades of crayons) I didn’t do this step though.

Fill a saucepan or skillet with about 1 in a half cups of water and then put the skillet on a burner and turn the burner dial to LOW.
Put the same number of plastic serving cups in the water as designated for each color used.
Next take 1/2 a tsp of coconut oil and put it in each individual little plastic cup and let the coconut oil melt

Next break up the crayons and add a 3/4 of a crayon color to each little container and let these melt into the melted coconut oil, stir with serving sticks or toothpicks. ***We made the mistake of adding the whole crayon to each which changed the results big time in the end, but more on that in a moment. ***

As the crayon completely melts stir and remove the plastic containers from the water and let these cool. Then take a q-tip or lip brush and have fun applying.

Nevaeh tried a pink crayon color

I choose a red color that I wore with this outfit post here.

Our results or findings from this project:

-This project takes under an hour to do

-You might spend anywhere from $5-$10 for supplies depending on cost and where you buy items or based on what you already have on hand.

-we placed the whole crayon into the coconut oil when really all was needed was 3/4 of a crayon.
-The lipstick made my lips itch after wearing it for an extended period of time so perhaps lip balm or moisturizer applied before hand would have helped.
– The use of too much crayon cause the lipstick pigment to harden to the point of being harder to get out with the q-tip (theory: possibly because of the adding of the whole crayon rather than 3/4 of it).

Overall it was a fun activity and Nevaeh still applies it daily, to wear to her friends, church etc. I loved getting to spend this time with her.

If you do this activity let me know how it turns out.
Have you ever made DIY lipstick or make-up?

Linking up with: Carrie, Keri, J, Molly, Whitney
Women with Intention Dawn.

Happy New Year and favorite posts from 2014

This will be my last blog post until February so that I can just rest the month of January be with God and get some other things done and meet some personal goals (see this post here to read on these).
It has definitely been a great year with blogging but I wanted to share with you my absolute favorite posts.
#1 Favorite post: God is Faithful

This post still brings tears to my eyes and love fills my heart. If you are to ever read a more personal and honest post on my past it is this one- God is Faithful.
#2 DIY Cork Boat

This post on making a toy cork boat was so much fun to make and was my first featured post ever on stillbeingmolly.com for the past fun day Monday link up (view the feature here). View it here.

#3 Marble Jar system

To understand this you just have to read the post, here.

#4: 8 cheap date night ideas on a budget

Get the scoop here and save some money.

#5 Xander turns 2

My baby turned 2 this past year- where has time gone, he will be 3 this coming April. Ahhh! No don’t grow up!!! (see post here).

#6 My first product review and giveaway with mallofstyle.com.

You can check out this post here to see which necklace I styled.

#7 On the hunt and found my Birthday Michael Kors purse.

I documented several trips and shops that I looked in to find the PERFECT Michael Kors purse, and on a budget but did not find THE ONE until this post here.

#8 My love for my Zara Blanket scarf.

I can’t get enough of this cozy, stylish, versatile scarf. Read post here.

#9 A beautiful ring and faux fur vest.

I LOVE everything about this outfit! Just sayin! You can read up on this post here. A review with Anjolee.com jewelry.

#10 I wear glasses.

Bet you didn’t know that? Firmoo.com prescription glasses review. Read up on it here.

I have so many other favorites, but I have realized that many of my favorites that you see here are reviews I personally enjoyed, or creative and neat ideas that I came up with, and honesty/personal family posts. I hope you enjoy these. You can check out my Archives section on the side of my blog to read up on some of my older posts if you like. I have enjoyed meeting many of you and making some friends, thank you for reading and supporting my blog this past year. You can still keep in touch through e-mail at Rachel(dot)garay@me(dot)com or I might occasionally post to my instagram. Enjoy! and Happy New Year! YAY for 2015!

Featured 5 Ladies from Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me link up and Christmas photos

I can’t get over the fact that tomorrow is Christmas eve! My little family will gather in the morning around the Christmas tree and open gifts to one another and then spend Christmas day with our family members for some good food, games, presents and time remembering what Christmas is really about- Christ’s birth.
The celebration of His life is so overwhelming. I am thankful for Christ coming to this earth and changing lives not only through physical healings and renewals but for cleansing our sin and renewing our lives through His ultimate sacrifice, his death and resurrection.
I know that there is so much joy in this holiday season as we celebrate His birth, but I also know there is sadness and perhaps lonliness. There are people in the world and probably reading this who have lost some loved ones whom they shared this glorious holiday with, going through financial or family problems or only God knows. But God is right there, He is the Almighty and can do all things, heal the broken hearted, lonely, hurt and outcast. If you just believe that He can then He is waiting with open arms for you to come to him with your anger, frustration, and even praise.
I could go on and on about Christmas and the reasons to celebrate but I will leave you with some family Christmas photos taken recently from our photographer Cary Elizabeth and the final five featured ladies that linked up to Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me last Tuesday.

Family Photos from the Garay’s! Merry Christmas!

These are just the cutest photos! The kids were so difficult, but some good ones came from the trouble of rounding up kids. What do you think?

The best group shot we could get!

Now for the Featured 5 bloggers from last weeks link up:

Fashion:

Dawn of @fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com linked up an adorable Aztec printed cardigan that I couldn’t help but share with you guys as I loved it. I also slightly envied her time spent at the mall and by a firepit in these photos- both sound amazingly nice right now. You can check out the original post here.

Heather of @thriftstories.me posted two very exquisite and lovely outfits that you will need to be sure to check out here. This chica even got her outfits through thrift stores too.

Jill of @dousedinpink.blogspot.com added in a post on her new cute poncho along with a childhood story on her first recollections of a poncho. You can read that story and view her nice casual outfit here.

Tina of @tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com reviewed an eShakti dress perfect for her husbands holiday party. The color and make of the dress just stood out to me, most of all Tina looks so lovely in it. You can read about the review here.

Maria of @notsofancyjustlife.blogspot.com posted a recipe that is one of my favorites to make. It’s easy, cheap and delicious. I have seen many bloggers do this same recipe alongside Maria, but I just had to share it as we do this recipe all the time at our house. You can view the recipe here.

As a reminder last weeks link up was the last of 2014. It has been a joy to host this link up and meet some new bloggers. I hope you will enjoy todays featured. I look forward to the link up to continue in February as January will be a month long break from blogging for me. Enjoy!

 

Style Collaboration: Holiday Wear 3 ways, 3 bloggers

I am excited to bring to you today another style collaboration (see my last one here) with two lovely ladies, moms, and fashionistas that I have had the honor of getting to know better through the wonderful world of blogging.

I had wanted to come up with some collaborations for some time and contacted these two ladies as they had been interested in collaborating with me. Melissa was awesome enough to come up with the theme- holiday wear with the holidays coming up and I thought it was a brilliant idea.
Through collaborating with these ladies it has been nice to be real with each other and share in the love of totally different holiday outfits. Our outfits are all pretty casual with a touch of elegance and style for those holiday gatherings that we all know can either be dressed up or down or in between. As all three of us are moms I believe it is important to look nice and have some fun as well so I hope you will stay a bit and check these ladies out, visit their pages and enjoy meeting one another.

Susan:

Susan of @charminglucy.com shows us today that you don’t have to wear heels or nice slacks and dress to celebrate the holidays but that it is just as fun in converse sneakers, boyfriend distressed jeans and layered tops and vest. Susan is a wife and mom to her 13 year old daughter and is a dog lover, here lab dog just had leg surgery.  If you could keep her family in your thoughts in prayers for their pups healing. You can visit her styled holiday post here.

Melissa:

Melissa of @missyg.com added a dressier outfit. I adore the chiffon pleated skirt paired with a graphic tee. The cardigan touch brings it all together to create a elegant formal outfit.  No doubt about it Melissa will be the talk (in a good way) of the party in her cute outfit. Melissa is a wife and mom to a 2 in a half year old son. You can view her outfit post here.

For this collaboration I am including photos taken from our personal friend and photographer Cary Elizabeth Photography. She has done 3 photo shoots for us now and because we were doing Christmas photos I asked if she could do some portraits and outfit shots for the blog and here are the results:

For this photo shoot and collaboration I choose to go with this dress I bought the night before the shoot for 50% on clearance at Old Navy. Because the dress was a bit tight and smug on me I wish I had shopped for a vest to go over it (we are our worst critics though) and the leggings were needed as the length of the dress was a bit short on me but for the price of the dress I was glad to make do and make it work for the photos that day.
I added a thrifted gold accent necklace and some golden bangles to give the outfit more personality and festive feel. I couldn’t decide on shoes that would do with the dress so I went with my leopard print shoes as leopard goes with everything.
So far I know this look would be perfect for holiday dinners and church events coming up and so I couldn’t wait to show it to you before hand. Check out below how I have also styled this dress and enter a Christmas wear challenge.

Outfit details-Dress: Old Navy (clearance)//Leggings (Old Navy)//Flats: via Plato’s Closet//Necklace: thrifted//Bracelets: Charlotte Russe// Lipstick: Maybelline//Nail Polish: Rimmel London, Red, Set, Go…

How else have I styled this dress: As a shirt, with a skirt.
It wasn’t until recently that I found a lovely white faux fur vest and so I have recently styled this same dress as a shirt under a skirt with a faux fur vest that you can see in this post here and by the photos below:

Sometimes I like to remix my closet and make more with what I have.

What about you? What will you be wearing this holiday season?

***The Winner of the $25 Target Giftcard and $25 Groopdealz Giftcard and more is Jessica W. Congratulations! Teressa should have e-mailed you to claim your prize*****

Linking up with:
Whitney with Personal Style Monday.

Andrea of Friday Favorites at momfessionals.com

Rhea for #styletoinspire

Ada

Girls (moms) night out

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Mine was wonderful and I will tell you why in a bit, but first I wanted to show you my latest obsession- this Zara plaid blanket scarf.

I believe it is DEFINITELY my new favorite scarf. It is warm and so versatile, I just can’t get enough of it.


I have already pinned a million (well not quite a million) ways to wear it too on pinterest. I cannot wait to style this scarf in multiple ways. Now on to my weekend and girl or mom talk.

I have come to learn that in every mom or wifes life there comes a time where you just want to be free of responsibilities or kids, this past Friday night it happened. For four hours I was kid-less and chose this time to spend with two of my sisters shopping. It was glorious to laugh at the wittiness and attitudes of my sisters (both speak their mind to much), as oppose to my shy personality. The quality time and good deals were also a plus.

Lately, I have been learning that moms often times feel guilty to have alone- enjoyment time, am I alone in this? I brought up this question to a group of other moms or single women alike at church the other night in Bible study and found I wasn’t alone. Even if you are not a mom, I also learned years ago that sometimes even wives with or without children need separation from the stress of life and just do things for self. Examples might be going to get a facial, go for a long drive, soak with a book and candles in a warm bath etc. I have been taking a few more hot baths lately, online shopping when I can because I have learned that I need to treat myself or the old saying comes true “If momma ain’t happy nobody is happy.”
Before I get to the details of the outfit I wore above for my girls night out. I would like to share some links of other blogging friends of mine and their take on taking a break as a mom. I enjoyed these and I hope you will too.

Keri shared on how to start a habit each week of self-care in some form, and shared encouragement on this. You can find her post here.

Keri also shared on how important it is to make time with friends without kids and some ideas on what to do with friends, like coffee, shopping, a painting or craft night, etc,. Read the post here.

Elizabeth took time away from kids, phone and social media to enjoy a good hard copy book, coffee and making short term and long term goals. Read her post here.

What are some things you do for a girls night out? What do you like to do to treat yourself?

Outfit details: Blanket scarf: Zara//Earrings: ALDO//Bracelett: gift, thrifted//Coat: Merona (via Target, old)//Pants: St. Johns Bay (old)//Shoes: Merona (via Target, old)//Purse: Merona (via Target, old).

Linking up to:
Whitney with Personal Style Monday.

Creative Mondays

Andrea of Friday Favorites at momfessionals.com