How to Dry Your Hair 80% Faster Than Normal

I decided to grow my hair out several months ago. Now that it is longer, I am afraid of the damage that blow-drying causes since it takes so long to dry. I tried multiple products to speed up the process, and here are two of my favorites.

I found an odd looking brush from Goody at the drugstore called the Quickstyle Paddle Brush ($6.99 on Amazon). What makes it different is that this brush has microfiber stuffed between the bristles to absorb excess water. The brush claims to remove 30% percent of water from your hair. At first I was skeptical, but then I decided that it was inexpensive and worth a try. The brush is not amazing, but it works.








What really works great and is amazing is KMS Quick Blow Drying Spray ($15.50 on Amazon)! The spray dramatically speeds up the time it takes your hair to dry.  I usually use it when I'm going to use a hair dryer, but sometimes I use it just when letting my hair air dry.  The spray claims to speed up drying time by up to 50% (I definitely agree), provide heat protection and condition lightly. Another plus is the great smell.

I recommend the spray if you have longer hair or if you are like me and get cold from having wet hair hanging on your back. Combine the spray with the brush and you will spend minimal time using the blow dryer and save your hair from unnecessary heat damage.

Miracle Balm

You will never guess what I discovered for my chapped lips. Nipple balm. Yes, nipple balm!!! When it comes to makeup, I've never been one to stockpile, but where lip products are concerned, I do tend to have some hoarding tendencies.

I recently gave birth to my daughter and at the hospital I was given a very small tube of Lansinoh HPA Lanolin (1.41 oz - $9.48). Lanolin is just a fancy term for wool grease (yes, like sweater wool). It is supposed to soothe and protect sore, cracked nipples. So I figured it would be great as a Chapstick, right?!  I tried it and immediately fell in love!  It works better than any Chapstick I've ever used before.

Unlike other Chapsticks I've tried, more than just moisturizing my lips, it actually heals them.

Apparently I am not the first person to figure this out. A month later, in my Birch Box (more about that in a future post) I received Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips (0.5 oz - $14.50). It says it's 100% natural. It's great because it has no odor & is a multi-purpose miracle balm for everything from your lips, cuticles, feet, and even your nipples.

In the end, all things equal, since Dr Lipp and regular Lanolin are exactly the same thing, just go to the baby aisle of any grocery store and save yourself a few bucks.

Scrub scrub baby

I don't know about you, but I'm obsessed with exfoliating! I have very oily, acne prone skin, and exfoliating is a lifesaver. Whether you have oily, dry or combination skin, it is really beneficial to exfoliate. Exfoliating helps improve your skin texture and tone, reveals healthier & smoother skin, and improves the ability for your beauty products to do their job.

There are 3 main types of exfoliators:

1. Scrubs which contain grainy particles to physically remove dead skin cells
2. Chemicals which contain alpha-hydroxy acids dissolve the dead skin cells
3. Enzymes that often come from pineapple and papaya also dissolve the dead cells, but tend to be the gentler solution for sensitive skin

Depending on your skin and the product you choose, you should exfoliate at least once a week and sometimes up to 3 times. Here are a few general guidelines. Always start with clean skin, avoid scrubbing too hard or tugging your skin and always finish your exfoliation with a moisturizer.

Over the years, I've tried several products and find that the chemical exfoliators are too harsh and enzymes are too gentle. However I find that scrubs are the perfect fit for my skin. It's so satisfying to scrub away dead skin cells and be left with really smooth skin.

As I age, I want to make sure I take care of my skin and that my skin is prepped for the various creams and treatments that I invest in. I have tried many products over the years, I'd like to tell you about just a few.

Arcona's Cranberry Gommage ($44 for 3.4oz) is one of my all-time favorites and was the winner of Allure magazine's 2011 'Best of Beauty' award for Best Natural Exfoliant. It smells amazing. It doesn't smell like cranberry, it kind of smells like artificial grape candy in the best possible way. When you use it, you can feel it decongesting your pores. It is supposed to even minimize pores with cranberry and raspberry enzymes, and I noticed smaller pores myself.

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion ($120 for 3.5oz) is a lot more expensive than the Gommage, but another one of my favorites and smells more lemony clean. The thing I like best about it is that your skin feels so fresh afterwards.

For those on a tight budget, don't fret! For many years I used St. Ives Apricot Scrub ($2.99 for 6oz) and really enjoyed it. This is also a great option because you can easily find it at any drug store. However, I have to say that after going with the higher end exfoliators, I would not go back.









For an newbie at exfoliation, it can definitely seem like a splurge and hard to justify spending the money for, but I assure you that they are worth every penny!  You might not realize it until you try them, but you only need a pea sized amount and only use an exfoliator a couple times a week so usually even a small bottle will last you a very long time (for me, it's about a year)!

So whether you want to invest in the most economical option or go for the splurge, I think you will definitely be glad you are taking care of your skin and taking a few minutes to relax and pamper yourself.

Easy Dutch Oven Pancakes

What is the tastiest breakfast you can make with 1 apple, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup milk? If you said Dutch Oven Pancakes, you are right!

These pancakes are way simpler than they look, they are made to impress, but take very little prep time and taste fantastic. I base it on the Betty Crocker Cookbook: Bridal Edition recipe. That book is my bible for cooking, easy recipes with simple ingredients that always come out great.

The recipe for Dutch Oven Pancakes in that book is good, but not great. It has one note that let me make a few modifications to put the simple recipe over the top. It mentioned that Dutch Oven Pancakes are a lot like popovers. Popovers are another simple delight that use just a bit of eggs and flower and milk, but Melissa d'Arabian has some killer tips to make the perfect popover in the video she has of making popovers.

These three modifications to Betty Crocker's recipe make the perfect Dutch Oven Pancake:

1. Use a large non-stick pan with high sides instead of a pie pan
2. Pre-heat the pan in the oven with 2 tablespoons of butter for 8-10 minutes before putting the batter in the pan (most important tip, getting the pan hot before putting the batter in creates the best final pancake that won't deflate)
3. Pre-cook the apple slices for 5-10 minutes on low with butter and sugar and cinnamon before putting them in the pan with the batter to the oven

Without further ado, here is the recipe:

• 1 Apple (Red Delicious is great, but any will do)
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Compacted Brown Sugar
• 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 Cup Flour
• 1/2 Cup Milk
• 2 More Tablespoons Butter
• Sprinkle of Powdered Sugar

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Put a large pan in the oven with butter.

First, peel and thinly slice the apple. Put it in a small sauce pan with butter, sugar, and cinnamon on medium heat for 5-10 minutes (until they are soft but not cooked through yet).

While the apples are cooking, beat the eggs and then add all the flour and half the milk and mix until smooth but not over-beaten. Add the rest of the milk and mix again until smooth but not over-beaten. When making pancakes of any kind, mixing the ingredients with half of the liquids first will always be easier than mixing all the ingredients together at the same time. It avoids the flour from clumping.

Take the hot pan out of the oven, add the batter and then place the apple slices on the batter and put it back in the oven for 30-35 minutes.

These spectacular delights are best within minutes of the oven, so have everyone seated and ready ahead of time and get ready for the compliments!

I Dream of Paris

“The best things in life are free. The second best are very expensive.” -- Coco Chanel 

Hello, my name is Madeline! I'm starting a blog to talk about fashion, beauty, DIY, travel and all things beautiful.

Let me tell you a little about myself. More than anything, I love to spend time with my amazing husband and two beautiful children. We love to travel, go on adventures and watch T.V. in bed. As my blog title hints at, I am obsessed with the French! Paris is my favorite place to be and I dream of moving there.

Also, anyone that really knows me will tell you that I adore free things and treasures that are almost free. I make treasure hunting into a game to see how much I can get for very little & few things make me as happy as scoring a great deal.

On the other hand, I believe in the importance of investing in quality items that you will enjoy for a long time to come. So yes, Ms. Chanel nailed it, “the best things in life are free. The second best are very expensive.”  I invite you to come along on my adventures of treasure hunting on the cheap and enjoying the little, and not so little, luxuries that life has to offer.  In the meantime, let's dream of Paris!