Big Red

I probably spent too much time on Pinterest today... Being that I'm off on Mondays, I told myself I would only pin for ten minutes because I had to do some house chores. And as my fellow pinners can attest to, once you pin there really is no stopping! All this to say that I came across a homemade mask with three basic ingredients that you have at home.

Honey, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg are the three ingredients

I did give it a taste, and it was much like a stick of Big Red chewing gum. 

Hence, why I'm calling this mask Big Red! LOL 

I followed the recipe from the pin: 

1 tsp. honey

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

> mix until it looks like a chocolate paste

(recipe calls for a tsp but if you need more then do 2 tsp, thats what I did!)

you want a chocolate color and a thick consistency

Leave on for about 30 minutes. If it tingles try it for 15 minutes but it shouldn't be bothersome. 
I did the full 30 minutes and was fine. 

The only downside, which really isn't a downside, (because this is a honey based mask) it can be a bit slippery on the face and drips (but not much) if you're moving or doing house chores like is was doing. Big Red is the perfect mask for days that you could sneak 20-30 minutes on a hammock or a couch enjoying music, a good read, or a quick nap. 

And with any good DIY tutorial a ridiculously funny picture needs to be included: 

Viola! Ha! Ha! I look great, don't I? 

The UPS truck parked at my house while I had the mask on. I freaked out, but they were delivering across the street. That would have been an awkward yet hilarious interaction. 

I removed the mask in the shower. It can easily be removed with a washcloth or over the sink with water. The cinnamon and ground nutmeg can be used as an exfoliant when removing the mask, targeting black heads and acne prone pores.  

My face was smooth, glowing, and blackheads gone! The results are evident to me. I will be using this mask quite often and highly recommend this mask. 

Benefits of Honey: 
Acne: Honey is naturally antibacterial, so it's great for acne treatment and prevention. Aging: Full of antioxidants, it is great for slowing down aging. Complexion boost: It is extremely moisturizing and soothing, so it helps create a glow. Pores: Honey is clarifying because it opens up pores making them easy to unclog.

Benefits of Cinnamon:

Cinnamon is an antiseptic, astringent, anti-fungal, meaning it will help reduce bacteria on the surface of your skin to aid in the prevention of pimples and even help dry out existing pimples. It also stimulates and revitalizes the skin by by drawing blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the surface of your skin, leaving it glowing. Cinnamon is great exfoliant and stimulates the pores, which helps the nutmeg and honey to work better! 

Benefits of Nutmeg:

Reduces the look of blemishes and exfoliates the skin to remove blackheads. It is an anti-inflammatory used for skin problems like rosecea and excema. If you suffer from acne marks, nutmeg can also help your scars be less noticeable. 

This is a power house mask!

Lyrical Friday - Control

Today's Lyrical Friday post comes from JJ Heller, one of my favorites! Control has ministered to me in a way that I didn't even see coming. I don't struggle with cutting myself, never have but I know girls and guys who do. If that is you dear friend, know that God loves you and He cares for you. Hold on to the hope that is found in Christ! 
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No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 
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He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
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Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things, 
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:2-5
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If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 
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I would be typing in vain, if I didn't lead you to the one who can free you, that's Jesus. He WILL forgive you, heal you, redeem you, crown you, satisfy you and renew you! He is a mighty comforter and yes, He will bind up your wounds. No need to be ashamed, for we all have scars (even Jesus has scars), different scars but scars none the less. You can have control in Christ, you can do all things through Him who strengthens you.  
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You may never know the depth of anyone's pain, till you listen to them. At times, it will be a silent cry for help or the drip of agony that is poured from a vein... People are hurting and God has placed us in their lives for such a time as this: to be pillars of light, salt to the earth, a holy priesthood, messengers of hope and valiant shepherds. Let's shepherd the flock to Jesus! May we never be to caught up in the affairs of this life or be too distracted doing ministry that we end up overlooking the needs of others.
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Control, JJ Heller 

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The cut is deep, but never deep enough for me
It doesn’t hurt enough to make me forget
One moment of relief is never long enough
To keep the voices in my head from stealing my peace
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Oh, control
It’s time, time to let you go
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Perfection has a price, but I cannot afford to live that life
It always ends the same; a fight I never win
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Chorus
I’m letting go of the illusion
I’m letting go of the confusion
I can’t carry it another step
I close my eyes and take a breath
I’m letting go …
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There were scars before my scars
Love written on the hands that hung the stars
Hope living in the blood that was spilled for me

Lyrical Friday - Grace

Hi Friends! Happy Friday to You.
These past few days it seems as though the message of forgiveness and grace keeps coming up... I think God is trying to say something! This morning as I checked my Twitter account, I read a song suggestion from my friend Estela: Grace by Phil Wickham. Even though this is a song that I know, that I have known, it is still new to me. I've been walking with the Lord for 14 years, nevertheless, grace is very new to me. I pray that through these lyrics, you may be drawn into grace.

God's grace has taught me that I don't have to do life on my own strength, but in His strength.
God's grace has taught me that we all fall short, therefore we must keep our eyes only on Jesus.
God's grace has taught me that my shameful scars can be a beautiful picture of His redemption.
God's grace has taught me that despite my past mistakes I can still be used by Him.
God's grace has taught me that I will continue to make mistakes, and He'll continue to pick me up.
God's grace has taught me that nothing will ever separate me from His love.
God's grace has taught me to love God, to love people and to love myself.

Grace, Phil Wickham


The sky is grey and the light is far
The sea is a rage within my heart
I turn my sight to the crashing waves
I cry in the night just to be saved

I need eyes to be my guide
I need a voice that’s louder than mine
I need hope I need You 
Cause I can’t do this alone

Grace I call Your name
Oh won’t Your smile fall over me
I’m cracked and dry on hands and knees
Oh sweet grace rain down on me I need You grace

I pray for dawn a new day to live
I pray for mercy only Jesus gives
Though darkness falls and a million cry
I believe over all there’s a greater light shining for us

Come down and save me

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9