Tips and Tricks Ive been working on this post for awhile now, as I find these neat tips and tricks I wanted to keep them all together and be able to share them with all of you lovelies! I have tried all of these, so I know they work. Just call me Martha Stewart- you know, sans the jail time. If there is no picture, then I have no idea where I heard it- or I would cite it! 1. HOLY CRAP. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. If youre into nails, you have to check the awesomness out that is her blog. 12. via 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. via 22. 23. Head on over to I {heart} Nap Time and see some awesome recipies, craft ideas and overall awesomeness. 24. via 25. 26. 27. 28. via 29. 30. via 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. via That's all for now, lovelies, if you have any tips and ticks please feel free to pass them on! Tips and Tricks Part 2 is up and running- check it out here!!
"One Good Thing" by Jillee: Make Your Own SIMPLE Moisturizing Lotion I have been wanting to make my own lotion for a LONG time! But I haven’t been able to find QUITE the right “recipe” for me. There are as many formulations for lotion out there as there are fish in the sea it seems! Heavy, light. I found this semi-homemade version on PatchworkTimes.com and thought it sounded like just the ticket for me. The original recipe called for: 16 oz. baby lotion; 8 oz. But after consulting with my staff of advisors (my sisters), we decided to try replacing the Vaseline with Coconut Oil. My sisters and I immediately started slathering this stuff on and my oldest sister said it reminded her of her favorite Burt’s Bees lotion, but at a FRACTION of the cost. So here is the revisedHomemade Moisturizing Lotion: 16 ounces baby lotion 8 ounces coconut oil (solid form, not melted) 8 ounces vitamin E cream Mix together with handheld mixer until it resembles icing. Store in air tight containers…keep it for your own supply…or slap on a quick little label for gift-giving! Ready?
Homemade Laundry Soap!! Sick of buying laundry soap?? Me too. This stuff is awesome because it is way stronger then the store bought laundry soap. You only have to use 1 Tablespoon per load. This recipe makes a huge cookie jar full of soap and is going to last a life time, well maybe not quit that long. I originally made mine in July and I still have a ton and I do at least 8 loads of laundry ever week. Here is what you need: 1 4 lb 12 oz box Borax (2.15 kg or 76 oz) found in the detergent isle 1 4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (1.81 kg) found in the cooking isle 1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz (3 lb 7 oz) found in the detergent isle 3 bars of Fels-Naptha soap, found in the detergent isle (if you use Zote bars use 2 bars instead, Zote can be found at Home Depot) 2 small containers of Oxy Clean or store brand Oxy Clean (try to get about 3.5 lbs total (1.58 kg)) found in the detergent isle. (this is optional, I added it into mine because I have pretty messy kids and the cleaner the better) Linked to:
Twelve Surprising Uses for Vicks VapoRub - Page 2 1. Decongest Your Chest The most common use of Vicks is to decongest your chest and throat area. When applied to the upper chest, it provides excellent relief of cough and congestion symptoms. 2. On Your Tootsies Applying Vicks to your feet provides nighttime cough relief. Generously rub VapoRub all over your feet and cover them with socks. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. According to WebMD, there have been a few complications in children when Vicks is used inappropriately. Even though its strong stench may cost me a few friendships, I am definitely heading to the nearest drugstore to stock up on this little blue smelly bottle.
"One Good Thing" by Jillee: Easy Cheesy Enchilada Casserole There are several things I REALLY liked about this dish! #1. It reminded us of an old family favorite, Fireman’s Goulash, that we rarely make anymore since Celiac’s entered our lives. #2. and #3. Easy Cheesy Enchilada Casserole adapted from Get Off Your Butt and Bake! 1 pound ground beef 1 large onion, chopped (or season with onion powder or minced onion) 2 1/2 cups salsa (I used Blender Salsa I’d made that day!) 1 can (15 ounces) black beans or red kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1/4 cup reduced-fat Italian salad dressing (I didn’t have any Italian Salad Dressing, reduced-fat or otherwise, so I improvised and added about a tablespoon of dry ranch dressing mix and a couple tablespoons of oil. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the salsa, beans, corn, dressing, sour cream, taco seasoning and cumin. Spoon a generous layer of meat mixture on bottom of 2 quart baking dish. Repeat.
Garden planning « Our Heavenly Homestead It’s another sunny and beautiful day here. A decent couple of snows would be welcome anytime so it would feel like winter. It has hardly been cold enough to use the wood burning stove. I savor the time we have to sit in front of the fire to read, sew, craft, chat, play games. I truly am enjoying the lovely winter we have had so far but in all honesty it concerns me a bit. However, the sunshine is also really putting me in the mood to plan my garden!! My favorite garden planner is the Gardener’s Supply Company website. Here is a sample of what you can do with the garden planner at Gardener’s Supply Company. Have you started planning your garden yet? Planting instructions: This post is linked to the Frugal Tuesday Tip, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Encourage One Another, Simple Lives Thursday, Works for Me Wednesday and Seasonal Celebration Sunday.
11 Unusual Household Uses For Food Items That Will Save You Money | MintLife Blog | Personal Finance News & Advice photo: charles chan * The next time you find yourself in need of a household product like stain remover, shower cleaner or ant deterrent, check the pantry before heading to the store. You might just find what you need, in the form of a common kitchen ingredient. From a green perspective, going the DIY route eliminates some of the harsh chemicals in your home, reducing your family’s exposure to them. It can also save you money. Post your own tips below, and try these household uses for common foods: Baking soda * Jan Patterson of Cotati, Calif., uses it to remove “stubborn sticky stuff of any kind” from furniture and other household items. * Add vinegar, and the mixture works well as a drain cleaner, says Leslie Reichert, a.k.a. * “Use it as your first treatment when you spill fruit juice or wine,” says lifestyle consultant Joshua Duvauchelle. * Mix with vinegar, and the resulting paste is powerful enough to clean grout, says Maureen Smithe of “Homemade Mothering.” Bananas Beer Cayenne Pepper
Stain Removal 101: Busy Mom's Guide For Cleaning, Laundry, And Stains Antique Central - an Information Resource on Collectible, Vintage & Antique Porcelain, Glass, Pottery, Silver, Antique Clocks, Lamps, Chandeliers Asian & Oriental antiques, antique.com, antiques.com.