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Easy Christmas Cookies – Matt’s Famous Chewy Ginger Snap Cookie Recipe

Anyone else completely skip over the first 8 paragraphs on a food blogger’s recipe blog post? Like dang! I simply want the recipe and to know what to preheat my oven to! But as a fellow blogger I completely understand why these food bloggers tell a story before they hand you the recipe at the end of the blog post! So if you stay with me here I will briefly explain why food bloggers tell you their life story before they share their recipe… or if you have no interest in knowing that skip down to Matt’s famous chewy ginger snap cookie recipe!

If you are not a blogger, Google sorts through all the internets content (including blog posts) and ranks it when it presents it to you. One of the tools it uses to do this is SEO – search engine optimization. Bloggers love to be updated and include the best SEO tactics in their blog posts so that Google will like their blog post and show it higher up in your search results.

There are many ways to make blog posts SEO friendly, and a good one is to have a lengthy blog post. The lowest tier would be 300+ words, then next tier would be 500+ words, and the best is 1000+ words.

You can imagine it’s hard to write 1000+ words on an easy food recipe… so that is why food bloggers usually include a long description about where the ingredients came from, a funny story, a life update, etc.

You can support those bloggers by commenting on their blog post or engaging with their social media or simply sharing their blog post on Pinterest! I know it can be annoying to have to scroll all the way down the screen to find the recipe, but now you know why!

If you’ve made it this far, thank-you for reading! Back to Matt’s famous chewy ginger snap cookie recipe!

Looking for the perfect Christmas cookie exchange recipe? The best tasting Christmas cookies? Hannah, from the popular Canadian mom blog Honey & Betts, shares Matt's Famous Ginger Snap Cookies! A perfect blend of cinnamon, cloves and ginger to make your home smell like Christmas. Even if you are a beginner baker! Check it out.

Hannah, from the popular Canadian lifestyle blog Honey & Betts, shares her husband Matt's famous ginger snap recipe! Everyone that hates traditional crunchy ginger snaps love these chewy molasses cookies! Check it out!

Looking for the best ginger snap recipe? Check out Hannah, from the highly recommended mom blog Honey & Betts, easy mom hack for Christmas cookies! It's hard enough keeping up with school bake sales but this recipe is so easy and simple your kids could do it themselves!

Matt’s Famous Chewy Ginger Snap Cookies

Looking for an easy Christmas cookie recipe? This is the one for you!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 20 mins

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Mix dry ingredients together in large bowl. Set aside.
Mix wet ingredients together. Pour into dry ingredients and mix until combined.
Shape into small balls and roll in extra sugar.
Place 1" apart on greased cookie sheet.
Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until cookies looked cracked on top.
Let cool for 10 minutes and enjoy!

Keyword Baking, Christmas, Cookies

Join the 1156 other modern moms that subscribe to our weekly mom hacks!

If you like this post, check out my Christmas Chocolate Covered Oreo Recipe post before you go!

Make sure you pin this post on Pinterest so you can come back to it later!

Hannah from the Canadian blog Honey & Betts shares her life.

4 Awesome, Creative Pregnancy Announcement Ideas For Social Media

If there is one thing I learned about creative pregnancy announcement ideas it is some couples don’t announce their pregnancies at all on social media – for reasons of privacy or just not being active on social media at all. For me, a lot of my family live in a different province in Canada so finding an email list or text message list of all their numbers takes longer than snapping some photos and sharing it on Facebook.

Make sure you sign up for my email list! You will even receive my FREEBIE for the 3 phone apps I use to edit all my blog and Instagram photos, hurry up and go get it! It will make taking photos for your own Instagram, or blog, or for your personal photos so much easier!

I was so tired from having my eldest daughter in her first year of kindergarten and from having intense morning sickness in the first trimester that I didn’t have the energy or inspiration to coordinate a cute pregnancy announcement photoshoot like I did with Adeline.

But that didn’t stop me from taking some beautiful photos for us to share the due date of our 4th baby on social media!

That’s right, you read it correctly, I take all if not majority of the photos on my blog and social media! With a little help from my Canon camera, tripod and phone it was possible.

A few of my favourite pregnancy announcement ideas are:

Use a letterboard | Most people are mindlessly scrolling through their social media feeds, but when you are able to include words in your pregnancy announcement sharing a cute pregnancy announcement rhyme or your due date it will capture your friends and family’s attention much faster! Check out the modern letterboard we are using in our photos, here.
Utilize your ultrasound photo | I always cherish the ultrasound photos I get from each baby, it’s that moment of relief that there is a heartbeat (I’ve had 4 low risk pregnancies and I still get teary eyed at the first ultrasound when they are able to confirm the baby is growing). Celebrate the first photo you have of your baby and use it as a prop in your photos to share with others!
Include siblings in the pregnancy announcement, if this is not your first baby | As a lifestyle and mom blogger, I don’t force my kids to pose and smile for photos. If you’re able to give up some control and capture the real life moments of telling your kids the exciting news or letting them pose with whatever emotions they feel about the news of their new sibling – you’ll be able to laugh over those memories in the future!
Find unique pregnancy announcement photo props | You can easily find these on Amazon or Etsy, depending on what your style is! I personally love the pregnancy announcement banners, or the funny t-shirts, or modern pregnancy announcement onesies! Even finding a cute, tiny pair of baby shoes (they could be little replicas of your favourite pair) will centre your photos around your baby!

If you don’t have a camera, iPhones these days are just as good in portrait mode! A lot of bloggers are turning over to it – and if your phone has the portrait mode you can easily capture some gorgeous pregnancy announcement photos on your own.

Tell me, what are your favourite creative pregnancy announcement ideas? Are you going for the sentimental style or humourous side?

If you like this post, check out my Easy DIY Gender Reveal Cake post before you go!

Make sure you pin this post on Pinterest so you can come back to it later!

Hannah, from the popular Edmonton mom blog Honey & Betts, shares 4 awesome, creative, funny pregnancy announcements for announcing on social media - from Instagram posts to Facebook posts! Check out the modern pregnancy announcement ideas she has for you!

7 Best Pregnancy Skin Care Products In Canada | 38 Weeks Pregnant Update

I haven’t chatted about my pregnancy skin care products or skin care routine in a long time – I am constantly sharing the new products I’m testing out that I often forget to do an overall updated routine post! But if you’re new to reading about my skin care journey let me share a bit about my skin type and the 10 best pregnancy skin care products in Canada!

black dress: Aerie (love this beige one, here!) | burnt orange maxi cardigan: Sweet Jolie Boutique

If you don’t know what skin type or skin problems you have, you might want to do some research before taking anyone’s recommendation (bloggers, magazines, friends, family members, literally anyone!) on skin care products for you to try. There is so much that goes into describing your skin: dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, maturing skin, sun damaged skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, normal skin (unaffected by any products they use), etc.

Before you go buying a completely new skin care routine, figure out what type of skin and what problems you’re facing with it.

I know I have sensitive, acne-prone, very dry skin. My skin reacts instantly by breaking out if it doesn’t like certain beauty products – from skin care to make-up to hair care. And if I don’t moisturize after washing my face my skin becomes super tight and dry. Then there’s the hormonal acne around my chin and jawline, that come and go with the fluctuations of my hormones throughout the weeks.

So, now that you know more about my skin…

Right now, my morning skin care and night time skin care routines are super similar – previous years I have had completely different routines but at the moment I find that the less I have to do the better when I’m exhausted at the end of the day!

Here are the 10 best pregnancy skin care products in Canada (because that’s where I am, and I’m not 100% sure they are available world wide):

Coconut Oil | If you’ve been around, you knew this one was coming and it might as well be first on the list! I’ve been using coconut oil to clean and moisturize my face for 4 years – I love that it reduces inflammation and helps healing wounds (like acne…). You can read more about how I wash my face with coconut oil, here!
Thayers Witch Hazel Toner | For years I didn’t use a toner, then I fell in love with the Wild Craft Toner and it got me started back on the toner train! Now I use the Thayers Witch Hazel Toner after realizing that most no-name brand witch hazel that you find in the bandaid aisles of drug stores or grocery stores have alcohol in them. And alcohol is not good for your skin! Make sure you are always reading labels – you will be surprised what you find in your skin care!
Vichy Mineral 89 | I love this stuff, it gives my skin that extra boost it needs in this crazy dry Alberta climate in Canada! It is packed full of goodies and is: Paraben-free, fragrance-free, alcohol-free, oil-free, non-greasy and silicone-free. All my favourite things to see on a skin care label!
Vichy Mineral 89 Eyes | What!? You didn’t know that Vichy Canada released the first Vichy Mineral 89 Eyes this year? If you love the original Vichy Mineral 89, you need this one! It brightens, hydrates, and protects your under eye area. Plus, there is a little bit of caffeine in there to make your eyes extra smooth in the morning!
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum | I don’t know which I’m more obsessed with – the price of this mineral blemish formula or the results! If you struggle with acne – hormonal or not – you will want to incorporate this easy product into your skin care routine for a flawless complexion! Use it all over your face or as a spot treatment – it’s up to you!
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream | I’ve been using this amazing face cream for a year and cannot live without it! I love how hydrated and smooth it feels on my face. There are different cream options for different skin types, but you know I need the rich cream for my very dry skin! Read more on my review of the entire Aqualia Thermal skin care line, here!
Cerave SA Lotion | This is one of my favourite drugstore brand lotions ever! You can find the Cerave SA Lotion at Walmart or Shoppers Drug Mart or London Drugs – and they even have $2 off coupons online for you to use!

On a more personal note after my Instagram post today, which is aside from skin care and more on the pregnancy topic, I had my doctors appointment today! They did check my cervix (I know, TMI) and nothing has progressed. I didn’t expect it too since baby boy is still riding high up and has not dropped into my pelvis yet.

If he had dropped it would be the beginning of my body starting to initiate those labour inducing hormones, but alas that is not what is happening with him! He is snug as a bug!

He is also quite a large baby, despite this being a low risk pregnancy, he is measuring at 40 weeks instead of my current 38 weeks. He’s estimated to be at the 95%, but I’m not concerned at all – all of his sisters were large babies and in the same percentile.

I did get a call from my doctor after he discussed induction at 39 weeks with the local hospital’s OB/GYN, and I am officially on the induction list! I anticipate on getting a call from the hospital to come in for induction next Monday, and then we will see if the induction process is anything similar to Adeline’s two years ago.

I’m super excited to finally meet him, and can hardly wait to hold him!

Tell me, what are your favourite or best pregnancy skin care products in Canada?

If you like this post, check out my What I Do To Combat Pregnancy Anxiety post before you go!

Make sure you pin this post on Pinterest so you can come back to it later!

Hannah, from the popular Canadian lifestyle blog Honey & Betts, shares how to get that perfect pregnancy glow for your skin! She is sharing the hottest and safest pregnancy skin care products in Canada. From creams, to face washes, to moisturizers, to toners, to acne products. Check it out!

The Best Cheap Drugstore Self Tanner For Fair Skin | Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Spray Vs. Cream Before And After

It feels like the biggest trend in beauty right now are beauty and make-up dupes, and for those who don’t know what those are – a dupe is a less expensive or drugstore version of a high end beauty product. And I read online that not only was Airbrush Legs a dupe to the St. Tropez tanning line, but that it was better than St. Tropez in some beauty bloggers opinions because it overall in some opinions the best cheap drugstore self-tanner for fair skin!

Is the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs spray on or cream applicator better? Hannah, from the Edmonton beauty blog Honey & Betts, is sharing her thoughts in a review for the Fairest Glow for fair skin. Check out what the best cheap drugstore self tanner for fair skin is!

Hannah, from the popular Canadian beauty blog Honey & Betts, shares the difference between Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Fairest Glow Spray On vs Cream. Check out her tips on how to avoid self tanner streaks!

For the past 3 years I have been only using Nkd Skin organic self-tanner, a safer beauty self-tanner that I think is fool proof – but when in pinch I wanted to see how to Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs worked on my pale, post winter legs.

But then the next dilemma arose when I was standing in the sunscreen aisle in London Drugs… which is better the Airbrush Legs Spray or the Airbrush Legs Lotion application? And when I grabbed both I wanted to test the out together so I could compare them on my legs.

My Right Leg | Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Lotion

Before I tried this experiment, my brain was in favour of the lotion because that’s what the Nkd Skin tanner is and I’ve had great success with it.

When I first opened the Airbrush Legs Fairest Glow Lotion (there are fair, medium and dark options so be careful which one you buy!) I immediately thought “wow, that’s pretty orange…”. Thankfully, there is a limited smell to the self-tanner – and in my opinion even less than my Nkd Skin tanner.

The Airbrush Legs Lotion spreads easily but be aware that it dries fast! I did not have a buffing mitt so I used a dark facecloth to buff out the cream in light circles all over my legs, ankles and knees.

The first layer of the Airbrush Legs Lotion was noticeable, then the second layer was even more so. I recommend only one layer for future use, the second was almost like when you apply too many coats of nail polish (head to this blog post for a few of my favourite nail polishes!) and the colour starts to look worse rather than better… that’s the effect I experience with the second layer of the Airbrush Legs.

My Left Leg – Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Spray

Like I mentioned above I went into this review thinking I was going to prefer the lotion to the spray, just from hearing from other beauty bloggers that the Airbrush Legs Spray was quite messy. But to my surprise, I prefer the spray to the lotion!

The photo of me applying the spray was the first time I used the bottle, and the bottom end of the stripe is the accurate result of the spray. I didn’t hold down the nozzle hard enough until the end so even though it looks like it’s a weak line, the rest of my leg was covered easily after pressing hard enough.

And with the Airbrush Legs Spray I felt like the product applied more even and used less product!

Same with the spray, I used a dark facecloth to buff out the self-tanner onto my legs, ankles, and knees. And was very happy with the look afterwards!

But the same with the second layer, it looked cake-y. So I highly recommend with either the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Lotion or Spray one layer is plenty.

Tips For Applying Airbrush Legs Self-Tanner

Both the lotion and the spray dry quickly, I found applying and buffing the self-tanner in sections was the best strategy.
Use a buffing mitt, or a dark facecloth! If you want to avoid streaks or looking like you have a self-tanner fail you need to buff all the areas that you applied self-tanner.
Apply sparingly to your ankles and knees, just like with all self-tanners your ankles and knees are drier than the rest of your legs so they’ll absorb more product and give that dreaded orange look if you’re not careful.
Wash your hands immediately! The Airbrush Legs dries fast and orange hands are not cute.

The next time you’re in a pinch for a cheap drugstore self-tanner for fair skin, you can achieve that glow with the Airbrush Legs!

Which do you prefer, the Airbrush Legs Lotion or Airbrush Legs Spray? Or what do you think is the best cheap drugstore self-tanner for fair skin?

If you like this post, check out my The Best Costco Beauty Products 2019 post before you go!

Make sure you pin this post on Pinterest so you can come back to it later!

P.S. if you’ve ever wondered about your skin or what products you should be using for your skin type check out my quiz below and I’ve hand-picked skin care reviews that would help your skin live it’s best life! Check it out!

[interact id=”5c9da5a160afdc00148f93ac” type=”quiz” w=”600″ h=”500″]

Before and After – Sugarlash Pro Lash Lift and Lash Tint

Eye lash extensions are the rage these days – you’ve probably seen a hundred before and after eye lash extension photos in your Instagram explore feed (or is that just me?) – if you haven’t had your own eye lash extensions, you probably know a few people who have. But have you ever heard of the less popular but just as pretty sister to the eye lash extensions? Sugarlash Pro lash lift and lash tint?

Unfortunately, if you’re like me and use face oils in your skin care routine eye lash extensions are a waste of money. The face oils will not make your extensions last, but after talking with my lash technician it looked like the lash lift and lash tint was a better option for me!

Meghan, from @megalash_boutique in Beaumont, AB, was so gentle and having my lashes done was a relaxing and painless experience. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s heard the horror stories of a bad lash experience, and it seems like everyone and anyone can be one. But after discussing this with Meghan I found out that lash technicians are just like a wedding photographers, you get what you pay for!

Meghan has her own business of lash technicians under her guidance, and she uses a local brand of lash training that is changing the lash service industry for the better – Sugarlash Pro which was started by Courtney Buhler in Leduc, AB!

I love my lash lift and lash tint – my lashes look amazing and now that I am going on week 3 since my appointment my lashes still look fresh!

Have you tried the revolutionary Sugarlash Pro lashes before? What did you think?

If you like this post, check out my The Secret To Washing Your Face With Coconut Oil post before you go!

Make sure to pin this post on Pinterest so you can come back to it later!

Honey & Betts, the Edmonton lifestyle blog, tested out and found the secret to finding the best lash technician in Edmonton. From what you pay, to lash extension vs. lash lift, to lash technician training. Check it out!

Beautycounter Canada Consultant | The Pressure To Join The Safer Beauty Movement Proves Beautycounter Is Like Any Other MLM

UPDATE As a former Beautycounter Canada Consultant, you should read my latest blog post: Why I Don’t Sell Beautycounter Anymore!

Photography by Bespoke Photography

I’m excited for the work I’m doing with my Beautycounter team and with my mentors (but really they’re my #bossbabe friends that happen to also be bloggers).

Recently Dallas and Tara came up and did a “Safer Beauty, Move Your Booty” event in Edmonton and it was a blast – so of course we had to meet up at one of my favourite coffee places in Edmonton prior to the event.

I love it whenever I get the chance to sit down with them – we set goals, there’s lots of laughter, but best of all I learn things about building my business.

We’re building a Beautycounter Babe Tribe and I’m over the moon excited being one of the women in Alberta, let alone Edmonton who are at the core of spreading the awesome news of safer beauty. Read more here about why you should try Beautycounter.

Not only do my Beautycounter Babes amaze me but the new products that launched this summer are just as wonderful!

One of my best clients has a sunscreen allergy to every sunscreen she has ever tried, nothing works for her without giving her a rash. After we discussed Beautycounter’s 60 day return policy, she took a chance on the Beautycounter Sunscreen Protection Stick and she was pleased to report back to me that it didn’t give her a rash! How awesome is that!

It was a wonderful moment for me as a promoter of Beautycounter because she trusted in me to invest in her skincare and trusted that if it did not work for her that I would deliver on helping her find the best safer beauty products for her.

Beautycounter is about growing relationships and being transparent. And those are a few reasons I had to jump in (and to be honest, I wish I jumped in a year before I formally joined as a consultant).

If there’s a piece of you interested or curious on joining my Beautycounter Babe Tribe, I highly encourage you to take that leap – it’s only $85 to enroll – whether you’re near or far the Beautycounter tribe expands from Canada to the United States.

Take the leap and join this safer beauty movement! You can make your dreams happen.

If you have read this far down after my update, check out my The Best Skincare For Dry And Aging Skin post before you go!

What To Wear This Fall | Jord Wood Watches Giveaway

This post is sponsored by Jord Wood Watches. All opinions are 100% my own.

Fall Accessories With Jord Wood Watches

Fall is my favourite season to dress for! I like the dark colours. I love the layers. It makes my heart happy. When I saw the Jord Frankie Ebony & Gold watch from Jord Wood Watches I knew it would be my go-to accessory this fall. The dark rich wood compliments and contrasts for a glamorous effect that I am obsessed with.

The best part? I’ve partnered with Jord Wood Watches to giveaway a $75 credit – enter here! The giveaway ends October 23rd, 2016.

JORD Wooden Watches

Fall Style | Floppy Hats And Faux Fur Vests

Fabulous Faux Fur Vests For Fall

Welcome September! The leaves are already turning brilliant colours and I can’t wait to start planning our family trips to the corn maze. And don’t get me started on the Pumpkin Spice Lattes (I fully accept how “basic” that makes me!), they are bliss in my mouth.

Have you hit up the latest sales for Labour Day? I always stock up on my coloured jeans, oversized sweaters, and wool floppy hats.

Newer Entries

edmonton bloggers

If you’ve made it this far, thank-you for reading! Back to Matt’s famous chewy ginger snap cookie recipe!

Matt’s Famous Chewy Ginger Snap Cookies

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

Instructions

Join the 1156 other modern moms that subscribe to our weekly mom hacks!

A few of my favourite pregnancy announcement ideas are:

Tell me, what are your favourite creative pregnancy announcement ideas? Are you going for the sentimental style or humourous side?

If you like this post, check out my Easy DIY Gender Reveal Cake post before you go!

Make sure you pin this post on Pinterest so you can come back to it later!

Here are the 10 best pregnancy skin care products in Canada (because that’s where I am, and I’m not 100% sure they are available world wide):

Tell me, what are your favourite or best pregnancy skin care products in Canada?

If you like this post, check out my What I Do To Combat Pregnancy Anxiety post before you go!

Make sure you pin this post on Pinterest so you can come back to it later!

My Right Leg | Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Lotion

My Left Leg – Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Spray

Tips For Applying Airbrush Legs Self-Tanner

Which do you prefer, the Airbrush Legs Lotion or Airbrush Legs Spray? Or what do you think is the best cheap drugstore self-tanner for fair skin?

Have you tried the revolutionary Sugarlash Pro lashes before? What did you think?

**UPDATE** As a former Beautycounter Canada Consultant, you should read my latest blog post: Why I Don’t Sell Beautycounter Anymore!

Fall Accessories With Jord Wood Watches

Fabulous Faux Fur Vests For Fall

UPDATE As a former Beautycounter Canada Consultant, you should read my latest blog post: Why I Don’t Sell Beautycounter Anymore!