The Best Fall Yard Hack

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Laura Mercier Powder Dupe

Money-Saving Drugstore Beauty Dupes

Have you noticed how crazy makeup prices are these days? With a teen in the house, I can’t help but notice lip gloss can cost more than a shirt these days, but it doesn’t have to! Here are some incredible dupes that will save you a ton! I will admit, these aren’t all carbon copies, but they are so close, to me, they’re worth the savings ?

Drugstore Makeup Dupes

Nars Blush Dupe

Nars Price: $34

Milani Price: $11

Laura Mercier Price: $47

E.L.F Price: $6

Mac Lip Liner Dupe

Mac Price: $21

Maybelline Price: $7

Urban Decay Eye Shadow Dupe

Urban Decay Price: $59

Covergirl Price: $13

Nars Concealer Dupe

Nars Price: $32

NYX Price: $5

Fenty Gloss Dupe

Fenty Price: $21

Revlon: $8

Nars Foundation Dupe

Nars Price: $52

L’Oreal Price: $13

Benefit Mascara Dupe

Benefit Price: $29

E.L.F Price: $6

You can shop all of these drugstore makeup dupes here!

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The Best 3 Layer Cake Hack

Have you ever tried to bake 3 even layers? Without that hump that forms, which you try to trim off? Or maybe one of the layers is either too thick or too thin? This SUPER SIMPLE baking hack is the answer! It’s truly one of my favorites and I hope you love it, too ?

LORAfied 3 Layer Cake Hack

Ingredients

4 eggs
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 cup avocado oil
1/2 cup milk (I used 2% milk)
1 tsp vanilla
1 box devil’s food cake mix
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 small box Jello instant chocolate pudding mix
1 bag chocolate chips

Directions

Beat eggs, then add: yogurt, oil, milk and vanilla, mix until combined.
Mix in cake mix, cinnamon and pudding mix.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Spread on to prepared pan, the batter will be thick.
Bake 350F 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let it cool completely before frosting.

Layer Hack

Once it’s completely cooled, grab your cake ring (I use an 8″ ring) and start making circles. Make two circles, diagonally across the cake, then use the rest of the space to make two half circles. The two half circles will be our middle layer, since we can hide the crease with the frosting!

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

2 Cups butter, softened

6 Cups powdered sugar

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

6 Tbsp heavy whipping cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. salt

Directions

Using a mixer, beat butter for around 3-5 minutes.
Add sugar and beat another 3 minutes.
Continue mixing, adding in cocoa, vanilla and salt.
Add in cream at the end and blend until smooth.

With your butter cream, simply spread the frosting between layers. Use the rest on the outside and decorate as desired!

How easy is that!? This cake hack is one of my favorites and makes the perfect 3 layer cake in no time!

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Low Carb Diet Pizza Takeout Tips

Do you ever feel guilty after eating pizza, thinking you could have made a better choice? Me, too! But honestly, it’s so convenient and affordable, it’s a super easy choice, especially when you’re tossing some kids in the equation on a busy night or game day. Here’s how to make one of our favorite foods a little healthier and lower carb ?

Tip #1: Tomato Sauce is a carb killer

Tip #2: Go with the thinnest crust possible.

Tip #3: Stick to low carb toppings like most meats, cheeses, and veggies. Skip out on onions, pineapples, and sweet peppers

Bonus Tip: While cheese is already super low in carbs, we switch the mozzarella with provolone. It doesn’t have any carbs at all!

What to order
Dominos: Thin & Crispy crust, white garlic pizza sauce, provolone cheese (instead of mozzarella). Italian sausage, olives, spinach. Approx. 11 carbs a slice.

Pizza Hut: GF crust, Alfredo pizza sauce, chicken, olives & mushrooms. Approx. 15 carbs a slice.

For your wing order, go with the plain wings BONE IN! The boneless wings actually have more carbs. At Domino’s, go for the ranch. At Pizza Hut, we grab the butter garlic sauce.

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Must-Try Cinnamon Roll Cheeseburger Recipe

Introducing the cinnamon roll donut cheeseburger. This EASY 3 INGREDIENT RECIPE is my quick and delicious take on one of my favorite things: The Donut Burger. The best part? These guys come together in less than 5 minutes.

LORAfied Cinnamon Roll Donut Cheeseburger Recipe

1 lb. Ground meat (I used beef)
1 can cinnamon rolls (grab the regular size, not the grand)
Sliced cheese of choice

Heat donut maker.
Cut cinnamon rolls in half, roll into thin strips and connect ends, making a circle.
Place in donut maker and “bake” for about 2 minutes, each machine is different, so check at about 1 and half minutes in, you don’t want to over bake them.
Remove and set aside.
Divide meat into 12 balls.
Poke a hole in each one using a wooden spoon.
Sprinkle generously with my Magic Seasoning
Place in machine and cook until your desired temp. I cooked mine for about 2 mins.
Top with cheese, place on buns and drizzle with frosting packet from canned rolls.

NOTE: If you don’t have a donut maker, bake cinnamon rolls according to the directions and fry or bake your cheeseburgers as you normally would ? Here is the one I used!

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TJ Maxx Shopping Hacks

Do you ever shop at TJ Maxx? I love finding a deal and this store is a pretty good spot for that on most items, but which ones are really a bargain? Here’s how to navigate this off-price retail store ?

Let’s start with prices. The items with red tags clearly have been marked down, but you can actually find the original price by looking at the last four digits on the tag. Purple tags are designer items, and yellow tags are final clearance.

What to buy: pet supplies and their food items are a go- they are great quality and have the best discounts. Luggage is also a must-buy here! You can find major deals on some of the best luggage on the market.

Be careful with designer items and make sure to inspect them – they usually have been reported for quality issues. Their cosmetics are usually a skip as most items have already been turned into samples.

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The Easiest Comforter Laundry Hack

When’s the last time you washed your comforter? Honestly, I used to dread it! It’s big, bulky and always ended up in a tangled mess, but not any more! Here’s how to wash your comforter, and it’s easier than you thought.

LORAfied Comforter Laundry Hack

Before you even take your comforter off the bed, start by spot treating just like you would with any piece of clothing. The most important step is folding- instead of picking it up in a big ball, fold it accordion style and head to the machine.

The secret to make sure this guy doesn’t bunch up in the wash is to place it in vertically. When it comes to laundry detergent, use half the amount you would for a normal load.

Use cold or warm water, but not hot. Go with the heavy-duty setting, and tumble on low.

How easy is that?! Here is the link to my favorite comforter, and it’s on sale!

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Easy Potato Chip Pork Chops

Who grew up eating pork chops? I loved them as a kid and still love them, especially when they’re encrusted in potato chips ? I know, it sounds crazy, but trust me, this combo is delicious! My family loves this recipe and I hope yours will, too!

LORAfied Potato Chip Pork Chops
4 boneless pork chops approx. 1 inch thick
1 cup ranch dressing
4 Tablespoons grated Parmesan or pecorino Romano
1 bag Doritos chips (7.5 oz – 9 oz bag) or your favorite chips

Preheat oven to 425F
Pour ranch dressing over pork chops, turning to coat, set aside.
Using a food processor, crush the chips into the consistency of breadcrumbs.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper, then top with baking rack.
Cut an additional 4 small sheets of parchment paper a little larger than the pork chops.

Taking one pork chop at a time, dip in chip crumbs, coating on sides and edges.
Place each piece on a small piece of parchment paper on top of the baking rack.
Bake for 20 mins or until the pork reaches and internal temp of 145F. Let rest 3-10 mins before serving. Temp will continue to rise as it rests.

NOTE: When serving, pickup each piece with the parchment and slide onto your plate ?

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The Best Target Shopping Hacks

Even though I love Target, there’s a few things I won’t buy. Here is my guide to shopping at Target, including the products to skip on and save.

Let’s start with the stuff we all need. Toiletries like body-wash and toothpaste can definitely be found at other stores for much cheaper. In most cases, Walmart beats Target by a mile. And generally, store brands are a really good deal, but Target’s diapers have not done well in testing. I suggest Costco for those.

When it comes to gift supplies and party items, dollar stores are way more affordable. If you are looking for higher quality, head to TJ Maxx or Ross. And if you are looking for affordable decorative bins, check out Home Goods, TJ Maxx, or Marshall’s.

Attention pet owners: skip out on Target’s pet food and supplies. You can find better deals at Costco, Sam’s club, and online. And finally, when it comes to electronics, unless it’s a blowout sale, you can usually find better deals at Best Buy or Amazon.

Stay tuned or more easy shopping tips and the best ways to save.

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My 6 Ingredient Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding

My cinnamon roll bread pudding is going to be your new favorite way of eating cinnamon rolls. You don’t even need to turn on the oven. It’s so good and simple you’re going to love it! The best part is, it’s less than a dollar per serving.

LORAfied Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding

SLOW COOKER BREAD PUDDING

2 cans cinnamon rolls (12 oz cans) setting frosting packets aside
4 eggs
1/2 cup half & half
3 Tbsp. maple syrup
2 tsp. Vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon

Spray your slow cooker
Cut rolls into quarters, covering the bottom of your dish
Pour 1 packet of the frosting (which comes in the can) over the pieces
Whisk together the 5 other ingredients and pour on top
Slow cook on low 3.5 – 4 hours
Serve with the remaining frosting packet

P.S. Here’s the slow cooker I use and love

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LORAfied On-the-Go: Low Carb Diet Fast Food Guide

How often do you find yourself eating on the go? Now that school and sports are in back in full swing, I’ll be rolling through drive-thrus more than I’d like. As someone who tries to eat low carb, fast food can be a tough, here are some of my favorite orders!

LORAfied Low Carb Fast Food Guide

McDonald’s

What to order: Double quarter pounder with cheese, no bun, and no ketchup.

42 g protein, 4 net carbs (with no sauce), 540 calories

To make it more exciting, make a sauce by mixing buffalo and ranch. This sauce is low carb and SO tasty!

SKIP: Sauces can be tricky and add unnecessary carbs. The sweet & sour, hot mustard, tangy bbq, and ketchups aren’t low carb friendly.

Chick-fil-A

What to order: 12 count grilled nuggets

38 g protein, 2 net carbs (with no sauce), 200 calories

Mixing their zesty buffalo sauce with their house sauce is a delicious low carb hack.

What to order: Cool wrap in a bowl

42 g protein, 5 net carbs (with no sauce), 350 calories

By ordering the bowl option, you are saving a lot of carbs!

SKIP: The spicy chicken sandwich… believe it or not, it actually has more carbs. The Polynesian sauce is a no go if you are watching your carbs.

Taco Bell

What to order: Chicken Power Bowl

21 g protein, 4 net carbs (with no sauce), 240 calories

This is one for the easiest fast food restaurants to eat at, and they have a ton of low carb options! Most of their sauces here are a go… even the nacho cheese sauce.

A few extras…LOW CARB SKIP LIST:

Bread, Wraps, Biscuits – ask for a lettuce wrap or in a bowl
Anything fried: chicken, fries, desserts
Rice
Beans
Chips
Watch the sauces, 2 Polynesian sauces at Chick-Fil-A has as many carbs as a bun!

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