Laura Bear's Weekend

It was one of those really yummy awesome weekends that make Monday's oh so much harder.
My very old and dearest friend Hilary and Skylar came to visit us from nyc.
She wanted to see my belly :) Made me feel very loved.

We ate wonderful brunches and drank fancy drinks, went to the blues festival to have chicago hotdogs and bbq in the park and even fit in some shopping.

I got that floral dress, which matched the flowers at the market! and I also picked up this dress and this shirt (which I lovelove!).

All items are werkin' it for preggers summer but will be great for me when not preg. winwin!

Hope you are having a nice start to your week.

xo

Laura Bear's Beauty Essentials

I have become realllly simple with the ole' hair and makeup routine these days.
I've paired down a bit from what I used to use on the reg. But I can't go without the products I do use now... totally great.

I used this Kiehl's moisturizer for a long time, but after getting preggers, I wanted to try a natural blocking suncreen / moisturizer.
I've become totally smitten with Josie Maran's version, so I snapped up her Cheek Gel too, which is phenom!
Buildable and totally natural looking.

Concealer... seriously a life saver and this Revlon affordable option is perf.

I also have not been wearing mascara much these days...
It was like I sprouted this big belly and mascara during the day just became too loud... if that makes sense.
Just a curl and some clear to set it seems to be working. It's also amazing on the ole' eyebrows to lift em up and fluff!


and that Mason Pearson hair brush and Chanel eyelash curler... worth. every. penny.
Seriously.

That is all.
Have a beautiful Thursday!

Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer // Josie Maran Coconut Water Cheek Gelle // Great Lash Clear Mascara
Revlon Photoready Concealer // Chanel Eyelash Curler // Mason Pearson Popular Hair Brush

xo

Laura Bear Likes: Strawberry Freezer Jam

Yeay! It's jam season <3 <3

Strawberries were on sale for .98 cents a pound at Stanley's Fruit Market, so I decided it was time to freezer jam it!

I follow a really simple recipe:
- 3 pounds of strawberries washed and hulled
- 3 cups of sugar
- The juice and zest of 1 Large Lemon

Put the sugar, lemon juice + zest and 1/2 of strawberries into a pot. Let cook on low heat for 10-12 minutes.

Add remaining strawberries and let simmer for 25+ minutes or until the jam gels...
(put a plate in the freezer, draw a line on the plate with the jam and if it sticks / gels, it's donezo)

That's all! Put it into freezer safe containers. It will last 3 weeks in the fridge or up to a year frozen.

I think it makes a lovely gift for friends and neighbors. It is an especially nice gift if you wrap a jar in an old tea towel.
You can then either stick it into a pint basket or perhaps pick up some of these burlap sacks!
Cute!

I like to make tags but here are some lovely ones you can print from Martha Stewart.

I made some from the cover of an old calendar
(yes I keep old calendars... they are so pretty and make inexpensive art work if you frame the pages. Use the heavy stock of the cover for making gift tags!)

yep.. slap some butter on that bread and that jam is the jam man.

Hope you are having a great week!

xo