It's time for Monday Mini's!

Monday Mini's

Little Tips to Start Your Week

For this week, Monday Mini's will focus on home DIY remedies! We'll talk about corns, morning sickness, and much more. Enjoy!

Mini #1

Corns are no fun. They hurt like the devil and are really unattractive. Of course, there is a very simple DIY for them and you probably have the remedy in your kitchen. Banana peels and duct tape! Yup! Use your kitchen scissors and cut a piece of banana peel big enough to cover the corn and duct tape it around your foot to secure it. I owe this Mini to my friend at school Julie. She has actually done this and it took that corn away. Gone. The science behind it can be found online in many places. This website explains it and other remedies for corns.

Mini #2

Dandruff is very annoying, looks like you don't care about your appearance sometimes (even though you do, of course), and is uncomfortable and itchy. There are some simple ways to combat this pesky problem. 1.  Aloe Vera; rub it into the scalp and leave it on for 15 min and then rinse out. 2. Baking soda; apply a thick paste to scalp. Leave on for about 5-10 min and rinse out well. Or, add a spoonful to your handful of shampoo. 3. Tea Tree Oil; apply a few drops to your handful of shampoo and scrub away. Make sure to rinse well. 4. Garlic and lemon paste; apply directly to the scalp and rinse well after leaving on for about 5 minutes. 5. Shampoo twice; you can do this in combination with the others. The first shampoo loosens all the flakes while the second really dislodges them.

Mini #3

Grow longer hair faster, the DIY way. Of course, coconut oil is the answer! Give yourself a hot oil coconut oil massage and leave on for about an hour with a towel or something to keep the heat in. Rinse well and shampoo afterwards. It will deep condition and encourage hair growth as well.

Mini #4

Morning sickness plaguing you? Here is a natural remedy; safe for you and baby. Drink spa water; easy to make and easy to get down for most pregnant women. Add a few pieces of fruit (strawberries, etc) or cucumbers to your ice cold water.
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Mini#5

Is insomnia killing your productive time during the day? Well, you can get better sleep at night with a DIY. Add 2 tsp of honey to a glass of water and drink it down. You'll sleep like a baby.

Now, it's your turn! What would you add to this list? Add it in the comments below!

 

DIY Blogs I Like to Read

My Favorite DIY Blogs

It is a DIY paradise

DIY blogs and websites are popping up everywhere on the internet these days. How do you know which ones to read? Which ones to follow or comment on?

Here are the ones I like to read and follow. I frequently link to them and I read them regularly.

 1. One of my all time favorite websites is One Good Thing by Jillee. This page will take you to her newest post on apple cider vinegar. I use ACV for a lot, like my hair rinse/conditioner. This blog post taught me quite a bit. Check out more of her site like the recipe and the craft sections!

 2. My second favorite is Little Ms Robinson: DIY for heart and home. This site is where I got the recipe for my all purpose spray cleaner. I use this magic stuff everywhere. She has 5 homemade cleaners on this page, complete with printable labels! She has great information, but I have noticed no updates since April of this year. I do hope she updates soon!

 3. Next up is Budget 101. I've got your link set to open up to one of my favorite pages on this site. One of my main goals for me and you, my readers, is to save money. This page will help you to do just that by making mixes you'll use for cooking. Everything from cocoa mix to the, now popular baking in a cup mixes. Browse around her site and make sure and bookmark it or better yet subscribe.

4. My merry messy life is a great site with wonderful and useful ideas. Read this page on room freshener. Not only does it have a great recipe, but it is quite enlightening. 

5. Check out Delighted Momma for so much information, you could read all day. Her cocoa mask is heavenly.

Brush and Whiten in One Step

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It is so easy to make your own toothpaste with whiteners!

Get the pearly white smile you really want! The DIY way!

What you'll need:

Coconut oil (organic is best) 3 tbsp
Baking soda 3 tbsp
Peppermint essential oil (or any oil you like, *try cinnamon*) 25 drops
Vegetable glycerin 2 tsp
Hydrogen peroxide 1tsp

What you'll do:

This one is super easy. Add your baking soda to your coconut oil and mash into a paste. Add the glycerin and peroxide and mix well. Add your essential oil. You are done. Store in a covered container in your bathroom.

 

 Notes:

The original recipe for this toothpaste I found here.

I adapted it because I didn't like the Stevia and I wanted to add the extra power of peroxide. I love this toothpaste. My teeth have never been this white.

Check out her site though, because if you love DIY, you'll really love it.

DIY Fails: Been there, done that

Check out Amazon for your DIY supply list!

Top Reasons DIY's Fail

 And how to be smart about them

1. Ingredients are impossible or difficult to find
2. The method is hard to follow for the average person
3. It simply does not work for everyone (and you are that someone)
4. No one has actually tried it; just re-posted it everywhere and it doesn't work, period.
5. It is more expensive to make than to buy and not as effective
6. It is extremely time consuming; not worth the effort
7. It causes allergies or break-outs on skin
8. It ruins something; furniture, carpet, you name it
9. Directions are unclear and/or pictures inadequate
10. The DIY'er failed to follow directions

All of these have happened to me at one point or another when trying some type of DIY project, be it beauty, home, or health. So why is the public obsessed with DIY'ing? Why do I have this website? Why do I and others continue to DIY when there are so many FAILS? 

The reason is simple. When it goes well, it is so worth it. When you do a lot of them, like me, it is amazing, fun, and saves me money among other things.

Also, people like to DIY. They like feeling of being industrious and clever. 

Of course, the fails are frustrating. But, don't stop trying! Just be cautious. Below are some cautions on DIY experimenting.

1. Don't jump into the deep end. Try one DIY at a time. 
2. Do buy supplies as needed at first. Example: You like beauty DIY but instead of buying everything at your health store all at once, invest in an item or two at a time. 
3. For beauty DIY, go easy on your skin. Test items with unfamiliar ingredients on less sensitive parts of your skin first before you slather things all over your face
4. Price things out for cost-effectiveness before you buy. 
5. Search for fails online for the DIY you want to try and then be objective about what you read

 Notes:

What are your funniest or worst DIY fails yet?

Leave them in the comments below!  

Container Repurposing Series: Part III

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My Favorite Repurposed Containers

A little here, a little there

Liquid Creamer Containers

These babies could be used for any number of things around the home. Here are just a few: drink bottles, cereal or snack keeper for your kiddos, homemade salad dressing, baking needs that you don't want to keep in bags like baking chips or chopped nuts, make-shift bowling pins (fill w/sand or rice) and many more here. Here is a great birthday idea! Any other great ideas for these flip-top sturdy containers? Leave it in the comments below!

Spice Jars

Use these  handy containers for all sorts of crafty items like beads, sequins, glitter (especially good with the shake-top lids), embroidery floss, etc. Small items belonging to your children like crayons, marbles, jacks. Re-use for your own dried spices. Keep one with baking soda in your bathroom to clean, brush teeth with, deodorize. Any others?

 Salad Dressing Bottles (with and without squeeze top)

For bottles with a squeeze top: fill with pancake mix and make pancake time so much easier, fill with vinegar after buying in the economy size bottles

For bottles w/or w/o: remove cap and use for a small vase 

What can you think of?

Small Glass Jars

You might have seen people uses baby food jars for magnetic spice jars, hanging planters, etc. Well, you can do the same thing with these minced garlic jars (and others). Use them to hold screws or nails in the garage. Paint them and store crafty items in them. Decorate with Washi tape and use them for homemade cosmetics. 

Other squeeze-top bottles

Examples of these are mustard, ketchup, dressings, syrup, jelly, and the list goes on. You can re-purpose these for your own homemade versions or use them for sour cream or vinegar. Use them for squeezing icing on a bundt cake. How about powdered sugar? Is your mind reeling yet?

Cocoa Containers, etc.

So many food items come packaged this way! Strip the label off and use for toys, crafts, sewing, other food items that are packaged in bags or unsealable boxes (rice, chocolate chips, potato flakes).

Notes: 

Here is an easy and chemical free way to remove labels from glass or plastic...peanut butter! And, it is finger lickin good!

Please leave your comments below for ways you repurpose or upcycle!

See parts I and II for more great ideas!

  

Introducing Monday Mini's

Monday  Mini's

Little Tips to Start Your Week

Today I'm starting a new segment to start off your week (and mine) on a positive note! It's called Monday Mini's. Every Monday, I will post 5-10 quick tips for home or beauty. These will be things you can do yourself in just a few minutes to make your Monday better. Enjoy! 

 Mini #1

I found the cutest little teenager (girl?) on Pinterest and followed her over to YouTube. I had heard about the Kool-aid lip stain trend and was searching on that when I discovered this video. She explains how to make both a liquid stain and a balm. I'm not a fan of the balm, only because I don't like using Vaseline. But, the stain is so fast and easy! And I'm in love with it.

Basically, you mix Kool-aid (I used cherry) and water until the sugar crystals dissolve. I put mine in a little jar and just keep it on my make-up table. I put it on with a cotton swab and wow! I have tinted lips for quite a while. It tastes good too, although avoid licking because it will dry your lips out! **it really would be best to exfoliate your lips first because it shows up darker on chapped areas. See how here.**

Mini #2

Although I make most of my cosmetics myself, eye make-up is one thing I do splurge on. I especially like Sephora eyeliners in the fat stick. They are amazing. Anyway, I use bright colors most often. I found a way to make those bright colors pop! I have one of those sticks in white. If you color your whole lid in white, and let it set, it will make those bright colors really stand out! Check out this and many other tips here.

Mini #3

Beets? Yup! For a little natural color on your cheeks, cut a raw beet and rub it's juices on your cheeks. It will give you a rosy glow the DIY and natural way. *works on lips too*

Mini #4

Pour a beer over your hair after your normal poo and rinse routine. Both hops and yeast are great for adding volume and shine. An added bonus; the acidic content of beer will help remove product build-up!

Mini #5

Blenders are not just for smoothies and margaritas ( although that is a great idea). Mix up some home concoctions for beauty! Watch for recipes here or search Pinterest! 

Mini #6

Use this silverware tray as a jewelry organizer after hanging on the wall. Check out pics and more great ideas here! 

Mini #7

Got this idea on Pinterest but no directions. Right in time for Halloween, some brown make-up with a bit of a C-curve with eyeliner and you will be looking all leopard. Might do this one myself!

Mini #8

Three body refreshers; hair, face, and feet! Easy to make and wonderful to use.

Mini #9

Need Christmas gifts (or any gift for that matter)? Try mixes in mason jars (or up-cycle some other food jars). Find loads of recipes online. I found a fantastic website that does just that.

Mini #10

Halloween party this year!? Oh yes, pumpkin DIY decorations!

Have fun DIY'ing!

 

Make Your Own Scented Lip balm

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Make it fruity, or minty, or whatever you like!

It's up to you!

  

What you'll need:

Organic raw honey 3 tsp

Organic Coconut oil 3 tbsp

Shea butter 3 tsp

Essential oils (if desired)

What you'll do:

In a double boiler or a bowl on top of a small saucepan, heat your ingredients until liquified, except for essential oil(s). 

You'll notice the honey will settle a bit at the bottom; that is perfectly okay. Take the liquified ingredients in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. It will get semi-solid. Take your hand mixer and use until fluffy. Add essential oils and spoon into container(s).

Notes:

This mixture smells divine and sweet without any essential oils. If, however, you add them do this: add a few drops and stir each time, adding more as you go until you achieve the scent desired. Organic honey is powerful smelling so you may need to add several drops.

I used different oils since I was making the balm for different people. If you do this, you can add your oils after you separate the mixture for your different containers.

This balm feels great on your lips and tastes good too. Its not sticky and lasts a good while. 

You could also pour it into tubes if you have empty ones. I plan to experiment with this later.

If you don't need as much lip balm, cut the recipe in thirds to make one small container or tube.

  

The Wonders of Baking Soda Part III

Baking Soda Throughout the House

 10 Ways to freshen up

What you'll need:

Baking soda

Assorted other common ingredients

Shampooing your carpet 

1/2 cup baking soda w/ 1 gal warm water in a bucket. Sprinkle additional baking soda on specific stains. *always test for colorfastness*

Carpet Stain Removal

Sprinkle the stain immediately with baking soda. Leave on until wine or other liquid absorbed, then vacuum up residue.

Fresh those carpets!

Monthly, sprinkle plain baking soda before going to bed and vacuum in the morning. Or for an overnight deodorizing, add this to your carpet: 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup cornstarch and 15 drops of your favorite essential oil.

Rid fleas from your carpet

Sprinkle one cup baking soda with 15 drops of rosemary, pennyroyal, or citronella pure essential oil and leave on overnight. Vacuum in the morning.

Prevent ice slips and falls

Sprinkle baking soda on your front steps and walkway. It will provide traction and melt the ice.

Maintain pH in your septic tank

Wash a cup of baking soda down your drain one a week. pH is important to break down waste and liquify. Also it helps prevent concrete corrosion.

Eliminate smoke odors on upholstery in car or home

Sprinkle generously with baking soda and let set for several minutes before vacuuming.

Freshen mops and household rags

Mix 4 tbsp of baking soda per quart of warm water to soak mops and rags, rinse and let dry.

Keep your suitcase fresh inside

Sprinkle inside of suitcase with baking soda before storing away for your next trip

Reduce ashtray odor

Sprinkle a small bit of baking soda in the bottom of the ashtray

Notes:

Tips from Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought of by Vicki Lansky 

 Part IV Coming soon and involves the closets and laundry. Subscribe so you don't miss it!

 

DIY's I Want to Experiment With

D  I  Y

  1. Gel facial moisturizer similar to my Garnier one that they don't make now

  2. Baby wipes

  3. Stick deodorant

  4. Flavored lip gloss

  5. Fresh face mist

  6. Several different face masks

  7. Poo spray for the potty

  8. Lip balm in a locket

  9. Nail polish

10. Powder blush and other things made from dehydrated veggies (like beets)

What are some of these you'd like to see? Do you have any other DIY's items you'd like me to give a go to?