1 Year Anniversary!!- B3beautybyblanca/ YouTube

Hello Friends!
I'm super excited to share that it has now been one year since I started my channel B3beautybyblanca on YouTube! It's pretty awesome because it was something that I wanted to do, but wasn't sure I'd be good at-because I'm not a pro. I just happened to become pretty much addicted to beauty videos on YouTube; with plenty of time on my hands thought it might be something that I could try to do.

When I started my channel I wasn't expecting to become any YouTube star, which I haven't become- and that's o.k. I asked my friends on Facebook to come over and watch me, which probably sounded pretty annoying. But I'm really grateful to those that did and continue to take the time to watch a video or read my blog. It's really meaningful to get that support and it makes a big difference.

I should explain that I didn't start my channel because I'm egocentric or even think that I'm so beautiful that I can't get over myself....that's far from it! I have always felt normal,regular, I guess?! I do however believe that doing what you like and really enjoy makes you feel good and gives you a particular satisfaction. So, even though I'm not a professional make up artist, I don't have the funds to try the millions of beauty products that I would love to try and be able to tell you how awesome they are-I really enjoy doing this!!

I started the channel in the hopes of having something positive, to keep my mind entertained and distracted from problems/life. Not that I would be escaping reality, but rather bringing some beauty to it-did you catch that ;) ? This seemed like a new adventure when everything seemed to be going wrong. I needed pretty much desperately to feel that I could create, be productive, and learn. I don't know if my make-up techniques are all that great, but I think I've developed them a bit (or I'd like to think so! you can be the judge of that! haha!). When I started doing the videos I had no idea how to edit them,NO CLUE! I won't say that I'm a miracle worker now, but I'm content with the fact that I have learned so much about how to make a video/tutorial. And it's not as easy as it seems when you see it.

When we look at a video/tutorial within the first few seconds have enough time to decipher whether it should be allowed our view or not. Meanwhile, on the other side of the screen preparing, creating, revising the project takes so much time even for a video that will only be a few minutes long.

Well, even at my inexperienced level it has taken a lot of time which I have enjoyed for the most part. I guess the joy doesn't come in knowing that thousands of people will watch the video, rather in the fact that you put the work into it and completed it! I would have loved to have done more with my channel in the past year but because of health reasons I did not feel balanced enough to continuously produce more work (because it is work even if the only thing you earn from it is self satisfaction).

O.k. so this has been stretched a bit long...I have to say THANK YOU again for being supportive!!

-P.S. official date 2/17/13-first video published on YouTube
(I had other issues to attend to this week and had not been able to post this! ahhh!)
-Oh! I saw a beautiful humming bird today in my back yard near the basil plant I like to believe they're good luck and anytime I see one I will make a wish! Hope it works!

DIY: Chocolate Covered Bonbons

Hello Friends!

Today, I'd like to share a super easy DIY: What's better than bonbons? Well, that's easy chocolate covered bonbons!! I think it can be used for any occasion just by changing up a few things like colored ribbon or any decor you choose.

You will need:
1. Jar with lid/Mason Jar
2.Bonbons
3.Chocolate
4.Large & small pot (to melt the chocolate) details below
 FYI: Both of mine are glass but you can use a regular pot and glass bowl over it
  (whichever you use make sure it's heat resistant)
5.Foil or wax paper
6.Flat board,cookie sheet (to lay the bonbons to harden the chocolate)
7. Curling ribbon, decor

Directions:
1. In a large pot fill with water about 1/4 with water and place the smaller pot inside once the water has warmed up.
2.Place the chocolate inside the smaller pot,at this point you can turn off the fire, as the chocolate will melt with the bath water (don't put the chocolate in the water)
3.Stir until all of your chocolate has melted.
4.Dip your bonbons into the melted chocolate and coat completely using a fork to move them around and to take them out of the chocolate-
5. Hold the bonbon on the fork to let the excess chocolate run and place on your foiled/wax paper sheet (where it will be cooled)
6. Place in the refrigerator 15-20 min (even less) until the chocolate coating has become hard on the oputside
7. Place your chocolate covered bonbons in your jar
8.Decorate your jar (add curling ribbon, adornments, or even write a special message on the jar)

Choose your chocolate: white, dark,milk chocolate (here I have chocolate truffles/dark)

Choose your bonbons: White,colored, small,large (these are large) Keep in mind the smaller they are the longer you will last coating them with the chocolate

Find your jar: basically any jar with a lid, mason jar, heart shaped or other. Keep in mind your choice of decor-if you're adding color/paint on the outside, give it enough time to dry before handling the jar.

Warm up your water and put the chocolate inside the smaller pot (clear of the water). Stir until melted to soft consistency. Keep in mind that you don't want to boil the chocolate,only melt it.

Drop your bonbons 1-2 at a time and coat them completely with your fork. Hold on the fork to drip excess chocolate.

Set your covered chocolate bonbons to cool and harden on flat surface/cookie sheet,cutting board. As an option you can also drizzle the bonbons if you don't want to cover them completely or if you want to do a variation with less chocolate.

Place bonbons in the refrigerator 15-20 (or just until chocolate hardens)

Once  they have been cooled place your bonbons in your jar.

Add your ribbon, decor of your choice before you place your lid on.

And you are done!! I'm sure yours will turn out awesome!! Put your personal touch, whoever receives it will love it!!

This is a very cute idea!! It's delicious and the jar can be used to save other goodies when the bonbons are gone- and that will be fast!!! So, of course you can do this for Valentine's Day! If you don't like dark chocolate, use white chocolate, choose a heart shaped jar, choose a heart and hang it on with the curling ribbon of your choice, or if you're an artist paint your jar-why not? This can be as personal as you want to make it!! Good luck!!