McDonald’s Dirty Soda Hack

🥤❤️ McDONALD’S DIET COKE HACK: LOW CARB DIRTY SODA 🤩

Have you tried a dirty soda yet? The craze is sweeping the nation! Both of my girls are fans, but we don’t have a place like Swig near us in Los Angeles, so I had to create my own dirty soda🥰

This is a low carb hack you probably didn’t see coming, but trust me, sis! I went through the McDonald’s drive-thru and ordered a medium Diet Coke and asked them to add 1 pump of sugar-free vanilla. For this dirty soda hack, you’re going to need two McDonald’s creamers and pour them right in!

You won’t believe that this only has 40 calories and 2 carbs! It seriously tastes like you are drinking an ice cream float. This is how you make Swig at your local McDonald’s!

What soda would you try it with? Comment and LMK 😍

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Drugstore Makeup Dupes!

💄NEW: DRUGSTORE MAKEUP DUPES 👯‍♀️ BETTER THAN SEPHORA 🤯

Did you know there only around 7 big beauty manufacturers in the world? So it stands to reason both luxury brands and drugstore makeup often come from the same place. Here are the products I truly believe are better than their pricey counterpart at Sephora 😉 I wear these everyday and have for decades 💕

One of the biggest questions I get is how I do my eye makeup, specifically my wing! I’ve tried all the fancy eyeliners and keep coming back to this L’Oréal product. This is not sponsored at all… I truly use this product everyday: L’Oréal’s Felt Tip Black Eyeliner. It costs about 64% less than the high end brands and works even better!

FELT TIP EYELINER:

L’Oréal- $13
Lancôme- $36

One of my favorite things to do is take a clear mascara and use it as a brow gel. Clear mascara from any drug store is going to cost you about $8, but over at Sephora, clear brow gel can cost you up to $30!

Brow Gel:
Cover Girl- $8
Kosas- $28

Despite what a lot of people think, I don’t wear any false eyelashes! My secret is to use a lash primer. I use L’Oreal’s lash primer every single day, and it truly makes a difference! No need to spend a fortune on high end lash primer when this drug store dupe is the answer.

Lash Primer:
L’Oréal- $10
Lancôme- $30

This is my setting powder secret! This Physicians Formula setting powder is better than any high end setting powder out there, like Guerlain’s setting powder that costs over $60!

Setting Powder:
Physicians Formula: $16.50
Guerlain: $62

What drugstore product is always in your basket? Comment and LMK 😍

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Costco’s Secret Switch

🍦🤫 COSTCO’S SECRET SWITCH 😮

Did you know Costco stopped selling their fan favorite food court chocolate ice cream?! 🤯 Instead, they’ve switched gears and are going after the McDonald’s Shamrock shake crowd, specifically the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry folks. It’s a shocking and IMO, a risky move they didn’t really advertise. Mint isn’t as universally loved as chocolate, but ‘tis the season 🌈☘️ Will the Luck O’ The Irish be with Costco? Or should this be left to Mickey D’s? 🤔

Costco now only offers two flavors- vanilla ice cream and mint ice cream (no more chocolate). Costco’s mint flavored ice cream is a copy cat of McDonald’s signature mint flavor that gives us the infamous Oreo shamrock McFlurry. Even better, Costco is offering a new mint chocolate sundae that seems to be a dupe of McDonald’s Oreo Shamrock McFlurry.

McDonald’s Oreo Shamrock McFlurry
450 Calories
76 carbs
$4-6 (prices vary)

Costco’s Double Chocolate Mint Sunday
800 Calories
90 Carbs
$3 (requires membership)

I had to see for myself how the two compare! Both Costco’s mint sundae and McDonald’s Shamrock Oreo McFlurry are 12 ounces, despite how they may look. Sundae, McFlurry… both places are offering pretty much the same thing!

In terms of taste, the McFlurry is giving more of a thin mint cookie vibe while Costco’s sundae is creamier and gives more of an ice cream feel. Costco’s mint flavor isn’t as strong!

I’m a huge fan of Costco, and I have to say their double chocolate mint sundae is a pretty good dupe. However, McDonald’s is a WINNER for me! Costco… bring your chocolate ice cream back!

What do you think about Costco’s move to mint ice cream? Comment and LMK 💚

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Money-Saving Grocery Hack

🛒🤩 GROCERY HACK: SAVE MONEY + TIME + NO LIST ❌📝

Do you make a list when going to the grocery store or do you just wing it? Making a list and meal planning can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! I’ve been using this grocery hack for years and it’s a game changer! QUICK, EASY and STRESS FREE🧘‍♀️ Here is my guide to weekly grocery shopping with no complicated list to save you time and money!

Introducing- LORAfied’s 5️⃣4️⃣3️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ SHOPPING METHOD:

5 Veggies 🥬 *of your choice*
4 protein 🍗 *of your choice*
3 fruits 🍎 *of your choice*
2 Breads 🍞 AND 2 Starches 🍠 *of your choice*

1 sweet treat 🍫*of your choice*

Above is the formula for what you are going to pick up at the store! The beauty of this hack is that it works whether you are feeding just yourself or an army. You will be SHOCKED at how many meal combinations this grocery hack gives you- 240 combinations to be exact, just by picking a variety of your favorite things!

TIP: Picking a variety of frozen options will save you the most money, especially in the protein section! You can save BIG on frozen beef and fish.

LIFE HACK: Yes, I use my laundry basket to put all my groceries in! Trust me on this one, sis!

Lastly, here is my combo I bought this week! Remember, you can pick anything you like:

5 Veggies 🥬 (butter lettuce, asparagus, broccoli, corn, spinach)
4 protein 🍗 (ground beef, chicken tenders, chicken thighs, salmon)
3 fruits 🍎 (apples, berries, oranges)
2 Breads 🍞 AND 2 Starches 🍠 (sweet Potatoes, pasta, sliced bread, flat bread)
1 sweet treat 🍫(chocolate peanut butter cups)

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Kitchen Hacks You Will Actually Use!

👩‍🍳🤯 KITCHEN HACKS 🤩

What’s the fastest way to thaw meat? If you haven’t tried this way, it’s a goodie! Plus four more EASY KITCHEN HACKS you’re actually going to use 😉

1. FAST Defrost

Forget to thaw your meat? You NEED to try this hack. All you have to do is place your frozen meat in between stainless steel or aluminum. For example, place in between pans, baking sheets, or anything you have on hand! This hack takes anywhere from 15-45 minutes and is even BETTER than using air or running it under water.

NOTE: when thawing meat, flip it every 15 minutes and make sure your pan or baking sheet on top are making good contact, add a little weight on top if needed.

2. NO Mess Honey

You know how when you need to measure honey, some of it ALWAYS ends up sticking to the spoon. Instead of pouring the honey in the spoon and making a total mess, try this hack instead. In the bowl you are already using, make an indentation with your measuring spoon. This way, you have an exact measurement and don’t even need to make contact with the spoon!

3. Easy Open

I know these guys are supposed to be easy to open, but let’s be real… they aren’t! To make your life in the kitchen easier, try this hack instead. Take your spoon, thread it through the opening tab, and pull her back!

4. Hands Free Straining

When it comes to draining, using your spoon to make a hands-free system works great!

5. Heating Pad Melting Pot

If you’re working with chocolate and you don’t want it to seize up on you, this is the answer. Take a heating pad, cover it with a towel, and stick your chocolate on top. This will keep it nice and melted!

Which one is your favorite? Comment and LMK! The heating pad hot plate is mine, you know I’m a HUGE chocolate lover 🍫 💝

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Germ-free Laundry Hacks

🧺🤩 LAUNDRY HACKS 🤯

Did you know the latest cold and flu virus has the ability to live in your laundry hamper for up to a month? It can even survive the washing machine IF you’re not washing it the right way 😳 Here are some tips on how to do your laundry the right way to make sure your clothes are germ free!

✅Use chlorine bleach when you are dealing with whites

✅Use peroxide or chlorine-free bleach for colors

✅Use the HIGHEST heat your clothes can handle

✅Warm water is better than cold water

✅Dry clothes on HIGH for 45 minutes

✅Run your kids’ laundry separately to avoid germ contamination

✅ Wash underwear separately- these guys have the most germs!

✅Disinfect your laundry hamper- spray down and wipe!

EXTRA TIPS:
✅ 45 minutes of drying on high is the minimum time. Make sure clothes are completely dry and not still a little damp.

✅ Wash Hands after loading clothes in machine AND after transferring wet clothes to the dryer

✅ When the weather is nice, using a clothing line in the sun is the best disinfectant.

✅ You can use any detergent, just make sure to use the chlorine or chlorine free add-ins.

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The Best Cake Mix Hacks

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Do you have a box cake mix in your cabinet? I currently have at least five, I say at least, because there’s good chance I have a couple others hiding behind those 🤭 They’re just SO EASY and with these little hacks, they taste homemade! This cake turns out SO MOIST it’s crazy, not a crumb in sight! Here’s how to get all the credit with a fraction of the work 💕

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🎂🤩 CAKE HACKS: BOX MIX ➡️ HOMEMADE 🤯

You’ll need:

1 box cake mix (any flavor, 15.25 oz)
1 box instant pudding mix (any flavor, 3.4 oz)
1 cup milk (I use buttermilk), room temperature
4 large eggs, room temperature
½ cup salted butter, melted
½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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LORAfied Cake Mix Hacks (In Order!) ✨

Skip the water. Replace it with milk or buttermilk for a richer cake.
Use 4 eggs instead of 3 for a more bakery-style texture.
Make sure eggs are room temperature. If needed, place them in hot water for a few minutes.
Add vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
Add sour cream or Greek yogurt to keep the cake ultra-moist.
Swap oil for melted butter for a richer, homemade taste.
Add a box of instant pudding mix. The biggest game changer for moisture.
Mix wet ingredients first, then dry for a smoother, more consistent batter.

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🔥 VERY IMPORTANT: Room Temperature Ingredients: If your eggs, milk, or sour cream are cold, your cake will not turn out the same. Cold ingredients don’t blend properly and can mess with the texture.

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Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line pans with parchment paper.
Mix wet ingredients first, then add cake mix and pudding mix until smooth.
Place cake pans on a cookie sheet before baking for even heat.
Bake 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

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Baking Tips I Swear By ✨

Parchment liners are my favorite. I promise your cake will release in perfect condition every time.
Place a cookie sheet under the cake pans while baking to prevent the bottoms from burning.

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PS: This cake does not crumb! No one is going to believe this came out of a box 😉

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What cake mix & pudding combo would you use? Comment and LMK! Devil’s Food with Chocolate Pudding is AMAZING 😍

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6 Ingredient Chili Hack

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Do you like beans in your chili? Two of my three kids won’t touch a bean or a tomato and although I like both, I don’t like ‘em in my chili ☺️ THIS is the chili of my childhood, the one my dad made, and boy did he know food, as the owner of a chain of restaurants, he was pretty picky, especially when it came to beef. I’m so excited to share this one with you as a sneak peek of the EASY and DELICIOUS recipes you’ll find in my new cookbook 👩‍🍳

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PREORDER THE LORAfied COOKBOOK HERE!

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🤩🥣 CHILI HACK: ONLY 6 INGREDIENTS👩‍🍳

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Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 (1-ounce) packet chili seasoning (Williams is traditional, but use your favorite)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon crushed garlic (not a tablespoon 😉)
1½ teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
2½ cups water
¾ cup saltine cracker meal (about 20 finely crushed crackers)

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Directions

Place the ground beef in a Dutch oven or large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the chili seasoning, cumin, garlic, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned, about 10–15 minutes.

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Add the water and cracker meal, stirring to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and the flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

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To serve the traditional way: Skim off some of the grease that rises to the surface of the chili as it cooks and toss with the spaghetti noodles. Place a mound of the noodles on each plate and top with the chili, cheese, onions, and pickles. Serve with saltines on the side.

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This recipe is featured in my upcoming cookbook, available for preorder. There’s so much more inside and I can’t wait for you to see it!

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PREORDER THE LORAfied COOKBOOK HERE!

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Dupes from Costco, Trader Joe’s, & Aldi!

🤩🚨DUPE ALERT: COSTCO + TRADER JOE’S + ALDI 👯‍♀️

Are you a name brand buyer or a best deal buyer? The difference is important to big companies who are becoming increasingly worried their strong hold on the marketplace is in jeopardy, so much so, they’re started suing over the copycats! Here are the dupes that are SO GOOD they’re being sued 😉

Let’s start with Costco. Let’s just say that Lululemon isn’t too happy with them… Costco is currently being sued by Lululemon regarding four different duped products.

First up is Costco’s dupe for the align jacket.

Lululemon: $128

Costco Dupe: $22

Costco is also duping Lululemon’s infamous scuba pullover.

Lululemon: $128

Costco Dupe: $17-30

For men, Costco is duping Lululemon’s abc men’s joggers.

Lululemon: $128

Costco Dupe: $20

If these dupes are catching your eye, we are just getting started! Next Stop is Trader Joe’s because you have to check out their dupe for Smucker’s Uncrustables. Not only do they look the same, but the taste is just as good.

Aldi also has some GREAT dupes I had to share. Specifically, they excel in duping cookies like Oreos, Chip’s Ahoy, and Oreos.

NOTES: (at time of posting)
✅ Costco’s Spyder Women’s Yoga Jacket and Jockey Ladies Yoga Jacket, dupes for Lululemon’s DEFINE jacket, are still showing on Costco.com
✅ The men’s Kirkland 5 Pocket Performance Pant, a dupe for Lululemon’s ABC Pant, is also still showing on Costco.com
✅ Danskin Half-Zip Pullover, a dupe for Lululemon’s SCUBA pullover, is no longer showing on Costco’s site, but is now listed on Amazon.

Stick around for more dupe hacks!

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Trader Joe’s Beauty Dupes: Sephora Copycats

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🤩🚨DUPE ALERT! Have you seen TJ’s personal care isle lately?? It’s on fire 🔥 They started upping their game a couple years ago and have now taken it to the next level! They are turning out incredible beauty dupes at a fraction! They are so close to the name brand products, I’m shocked 🤯 Take a look at the standout dupes below!

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TRADER JOE’S COPYCATS 👯‍♀️ SEPHORA BEAUTY DUPES Pt. II🧴💄

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Trader Joe’s Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer
Comparable to Clinique Moisture Surge

If you love a lightweight, gel-cream moisturizer that delivers instant hydration without feeling heavy, this Trader Joe’s find is a standout! At $9 vs. $64, this is one of those dupes that’s an easy save.

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Trader Joe’s Supreme Hydrating Eye Cream
Comparable to Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment

This lightweight eye cream is great for everyday hydration, helping smooth and moisturize the under-eye area without feeling greasy. At $6 vs. $40, it’s a budget-friendly option if you’re looking for simple hydration without the splurge!

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Trader Joe’s Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream
Comparable to L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

The L’Occitane hand cream is a crowd favorite! At $5 for the Trader Joe’s dupe vs. $32, it delivers serious moisture at a fraction of the price.

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Trader Joe’s Honey Hydration Day & Night Cream Duo
Comparable to Farmacy Honey Halo

This rich, nourishing cream duo is perfect for dry or dehydrated skin. The packaging and texture will look very familiar to Honey Halo fans…and at $8 vs. $48, this is an impressive budget-friendly alternative!

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Trader Joe’s Lip Butter Balm Duo
Comparable to Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

This ultra-nourishing lip balm keeps lips soft and hydrated throughout the day…at 2 for $7 vs. $24 each, it’s an easy swap if you love that cushy, hydrating lip balm feel without the splurge!

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Trader Joe’s Hair Oil
Comparable to Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil

This lightweight hair oil helps smooth frizz, add shine, and soften ends without weighing hair down. At $6 vs. $30, it’s a budget-friendly alternative if you’re looking for shine and smoothness without the splurge!

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Trader Joe’s Leave-In Conditioner
Comparable to OUAI Leave In Conditioner

This lightweight leave-in helps smooth frizz, soften hair, and add moisture without weighing it down. If you’re a fan of the Ouai conditioner, you’ll need to check this one out. At $6 vs. $32, it’s an easy, everyday alternative if you want hydrated hair without the splurge!

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Trader Joe’s Cacay Oil Body Butter
Fragrance vibe similar to Baccarat Rouge 540

This rich, whipped body butter deeply moisturizes while leaving behind a warm, subtly sweet scent that feels luxe and elevated. At $7 vs. $80, it’s an easy way to get a similar scent experience for a fraction of the price!

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Have you tried any yet? If not, which one are you the most interested in trying? I can’t get over the Summer Fridays lip balm dupe, I absolutely love it 😍

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My Fancy and Frugal Cheese Hack

🧀🤩 CHEESE HACK: FANCY + FRUGAL✨💰

Where is the mystery section in your fridge? Mine is my cheese drawer 🤭 It’s shocking how many little tidbits I collected in there…all wrapped in plastic, missing identifying labels 😳 So what do we with all this still good cheese that wasn’t free, but is no longer attractive enough to put out on a tray with crackers? This is an old hack the French do that’s kind of hard to get your head around, but WOW, does it ever work! I truly can’t wait for you to try this one 🏆

Step 1: go grab all of that half-used mystery cheese! The French call this cheese hack the “fromage fort.” For this hack, we’re not measuring, we’re not worried about if they are hard or soft, what flavor they are… everything is going in the food processor!

To that, add a teaspoon of garlic (or one clove if you are feeling fancy) and a splash of apple cider vinegar. At this point, you are probably wondering what is happening, but trust me on this one, sis! All you have to do is turn the food processor on and watch (and taste) the magic happen. Whatever cheese ends up being in there, this cheese hack somehow always works!

NOTE: You can sub white wine, apple juice or grape juice, even a splash of heavy cream for the ACV. The amount you’ll need will depend on the amount and type of cheese you’re using. Add a crack of black pepper or other herbs if you desire ♥️

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A Hair Hack You NEED to Know!

✂️💇‍♀️ HAIR HACK: SHOULD YOU HAVE SHORT OR LONG HAIR? 🤯

Have you ever cut your hair short and regretted it? 🙋‍♀️🫣 Or maybe grew your hair out and couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t looking right on you? 🤔 It turns out, it has nothing to do with your ability to style it, but more about the distance from your earlobe to your chin 🤩 Here’s a helpful hair hack to tell which style is best for you 🎉

The answer is in one measurement! Place anything under your chin and another one by the ear. These will be perpendicular, and we are looking for the point where it crosses- specifically the distance from your earlobe to your chin.

If your measurement is over 2.25”- LONG HAIR is your best look!
Mine is 2.5” and that explains why I can only pull off long hair! If your measurement is under 2.25” you can pull off short hair! You are a lucky girl!

Do you have short or long hair? Comment and lmk 😍

XO,
Lora

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McDonald’s Dirty Soda Hack

Drugstore Makeup Dupes!

Costco’s Secret Switch

Money-Saving Grocery Hack

Kitchen Hacks You Will Actually Use!

Germ-free Laundry Hacks