Show Us Your Life -- Hair and Beauty Tips

This week over at Kelly's Korner, we are sharing our hair and beauty tips. I am not a huge beauty guru, but I do have a few tips I can share.

1. Wash your hair every other day:
This is not for everyone, especially if you have an oily scalp, but if you have normal to dry hair, it's best to try and wash it every other day, especially in the winter. It takes a little bit of time for your scalp/hair to get used to washing it every other day, so I started by not washing it one day on the weekend. Then I would try not washing it on a weekend day, and then another day during the week. Now I only wash my hair every other day, and its just normal routine. A couple of times when it is really dry, I can go 2 days, but usually that is on the weekend if I am not going anywhere important.

It's funny because I typically plan my hair washing on the days after I go to the gym. It's funny how I can plan my week around my hair washing schedule. The best thing about this is 1) it keeps your hair from drying out, 2) it helps your color last longer because you are not washing it out and 3) you can save money on shampoo and conditioner, which helps if you buy really expensive shampoo and conditioner.

2. Exfoliate and moisturize everytime you shower:
Do you ever get those little bumps on your arms and/or legs? I used to, and then I started using those loofahs with shower gel everytime I showered, and then immediatly moisturized after getting out of the shower. I love Bath & Body Works lotions, but they are not moisturizing enough, so I mix them with the generic brand version of Vaseline Intensive Care lotion and slather that on after every shower. I have been doing this no lie for about 10 years, and I haven't had those bumps since. I totally swear by it!

3. I would love to say drink lots of water and get lots of sleep, but I totally can't follow my own advice on this one, but it really is the best for you. Oh, and eat lots of fruits and veggies!! Ha!

Some of the products I love are:

I have been using this stuff for a couple of years now, and I totally swear by it. If I do not use this, my t-zone area is like an oil slick. But even on the hotest days, this will keep my face pretty matte. It also helps to keep my breakouts to a minimum because it controls the oil (which is the biggest cause, besides hormones for my breakouts).

Although I do have a pretty oily t-zone, the rest of my face is really dry, especially in the winter. I slather this all over my face day and night (even my t-zone) in the winter, and I typically use the Dramatically Different Moisturing Gel (by Clinique) in the summer months when the humidity gets out of control.

I just started using this about a month ago, and so far I like it. I have a huge problem with my ends getting frizzy and they always seem to have split ends. The last time I got my hair cut/colored, I mentioned this to my stylist, and she suggested I try this stuff. It's about $20, which is a bit much considering the bottle isn't that big, but you only use a pea size amount (if that), so it is going to last me a while. I put this on my ends only after I dry my hair, and then I go over my ends again with a blow dryer and round brush, because the product kind of wets my hair a little. So far I am liking it, but we will see how my ends get in another month or two.

I am seriously obsessed with OPI nail polish. Its the only polish I use. It seems to last longer than many other polishes (especially drug store brands), and I just love the funky colors and the names. I totally need a new nail polish for spring, so if you have any suggestions let me know.

Any amazing products you would like to share? I am always looking for beauty/hair advice. Especially for my nails which always seem to be breaking/splitting.

Tips Tuesday: Paint Toes (or Nails) & Save Lives

I am dedicating this Tips Tuesday to a very special cause. I have seen this on a couple of blogs last week (Life of Meg and Handbag Obsessed) and thought it was very important and pretty cool. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and to help raise awareness, paint your toes (or in my case your nails) teal.

I have had a lot of people comment on my nails last week, and every time they do so, I state I am doing this to bring awareness about ovarian cancer.

OPI Ski Teal We Drop

If you aren't sure about painting your nails teal, paint your toenails. My feet are in some serious need of TLC, so they are currently in hiding (or as I have been saying, rehab...ha!!).

But in all seriousness, ovarian cancer has historically been called the "silent killer" because the symptoms were not thought to develop until the chance of being cured was poor. Recent studies have proven this to be untrue, and the following are some symptoms likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer:

-- Bloating
-- Pelvic or abdominal pain
-- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
-- Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)

Women with ovarian cancer report that symptoms are persistent and represent a change from normal for their bodies. The frequency and/or number of such symptoms are key factors in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Several studies show that even early stage ovarian cancer can produce these symptoms.

Women who have these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks should see their doctor, preferably a gynecologist. Prompt medical evaluation may lead to detection at the earliest possible stage of the disease. Early stage diagnosis is associated with an improved prognosis.

Ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of death among U.S. women, but if diagnosed early there is a 93% chance of survival rate.

Visit http://www.tealtoes.org/ for more information and to find even more resources about ovarian cancer.

Tips Tuesday: Good Foods/Bad Foods for Dogs

About a year and a half ago, my pup Abby got really sick. She became anemic and still to this day they are not sure why. After about 6 months of tests and being on prednisone, she was finally declared ok, but there was no official diagnosis of the cause. She was just deemed a “Medical Mystery.”

During this time, Abby was very hungry and gained about 10 pounds (on a 30 pound dog that is a lot!) and this was all due to the prednisone. I actually sat down with my vet and we went over nutrition and a plan to help her 1. feel less hungry during the treatment, and 2. be able to lose the weight after treatment.

During this time we reviewed “People Food” that was both healthy and not healthy for dogs. Believe it or not, there are actually some foods that are good for dogs, and help fill them up, but are very low in calories. I am not sure if you are aware, but some dog treats can range up to 200 calories per treat. That can add up if you are giving your dog a few treats a day. So sometimes it is best to supplement with other foods that are good for them, and fill them up.

Let’s start with the BAD foods first since those are the most important. Do not let your dog eat any of these. Even a few can cause risks, especially in smaller dogs. Especially call your vet if your dog has eaten these in abundance.

BAD FOODS for Dogs:

• Grapes and Raisins: Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. As little as a single serving of raisins can kill a dog.

• Onions: Onions destroy red blood cells and can cause anemia.

• Chocolate: Chocolate can cause seizures, coma and death. Baker’s chocolate is the most dangerous. A dog can consume milk chocolate and appear to be fine because it is not as concentrated, but it is still dangerous.

• Coffee, Coffee grounds, tea and tea bags: Drinks/foods containing caffeine cause many of the same symptoms chocolate causes.

• Macadamia Nuts and Walnuts: Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, muscle tremor and paralysis. Limit all other nuts as they are not good for dogs in general, their high phosphorous content is said to possibly lead to bladder stones. Exception to this rule seems to be PEANUT BUTTER. However- always use Salt/Sugar free ORGANIC Peanut butter (sugar encourages cancer growth) free . Use only ORGANIC peanut butter as regular peanut butter has lots of toxins and is full of pesticides!

• Animal fat and fried foods: Excessive fat can cause pancreatitis.

• Bones: Cooked bones can splinter and damage a dog’s internal organs. Raw Bone should always be supervised as a piece can always break off and cause problems. Try frozen oxtails or frozen knuckle bones then take the bone away before the dog can swallow a final small piece whole. It's a good natural way to clean teeth too.

• Tomatoes: Tomatoes can cause tremors and heart arrhythmias. Tomato plants and the most toxic, but tomatoes themselves are also unsafe.

• Avocados: The fruit, pit and plant are all toxic. They can cause difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation in the chest, abdomen and heart.

• Nutmeg: Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures and death.

• Apples, Cherries, Peaches PITS and similar fruit are great for your dog - HOWEVER, the seeds of these fruits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs as well as humans. Unlike humans, dogs do not know to stop eating at the core/pit and easily ingest them. It can also become lodged in the intestines and kill the dog in 24 hours with no warning.

• Raw eggs: Raw eggs can cause salmonella poisoning in dogs. Dogs have a shorter digestive tract than humans and are not as likely to suffer from food poisoning, but it is still possible. BEST to use ORGANIC EGGS if you do raw. Scrambled lightly is best!

• Salt: Excessive salt intake can cause kidney problems.

• Mushrooms: Can be deadly- never let your pets chew on mushrooms found in your yard. Only safe "food" mushrooms are shitaki, maitake and reishi.

• Xylitol (Sugarless Gum): even a small amount can cause liver failure and death. This can be found in sugarless gums which can be very deadly if a small dog gets a hold of a pack of sugarless gum.

• Sugar and Corn Syrups. EVEN ORGANIC IS BAD! (this does not include Honey or Molasses though they should only be in small amounts and never for cancer dogs)

Like I mentioned above, there are some foods that can be GOOD for your Dog. Obviously check with your vet before changing up your pet’s diet, and make sure they don’t overindulge on any food (pet or human).

GOOD FOODS for Dogs:

• Meats: Meats should be boneless and it’s best if the skin is removed. Some people like a RAW diet. Some people rather cook. If you cook meat do not over cook. Keep it 'rare' so you don't kill the enzymes. ESPECIALLY FOR SICK animals. However all Fish and Pork must be well cooked. Also note - totally Raw and cooked diets should never be mixed at the same meal as they digest differently. Examples include: Skinless, boneless chicken breast, Skinless, boneless turkey breast.

• Fish: do not feed TUNA as high mercury content - be careful of small bones.

• Do not feed 'cold cuts'. They are high in salt and nitrates. Can lead to kidney and digestive problems.

• Vegetables: They are GREAT for your dog and they should have them! Dogs have shorter digestive tracts than humans and cannot digest most vegetables whole or in large chunks. It’s best to put them through a food processor before giving them to your dog- best veggies for your dog are:

• Carrots (for healthy dogs) (not for cancer dogs though as high in sugar)

• Green Beans

• Lettuce

• Yams

• Grains: Grains should not be given in large amounts or make up a large part of a dog’s diet, but these foods are generally safe in small amounts: Rice, Bread (not white breads or anything sugar or that converts to sugar) remember the simple rule feed no WHITE colored foods!

• Dairy products: Use caution with dairy products as they are high in fat and can cause pancreatitis, gas and diarrhea. Usually, nonfat plain yogurt is safe in small amounts as is cottage cheese in small amounts

When Abby was sick I gave her lots of raw carrots and green beans. They have lots of fiber, so they filled her up, and a ½ cup of green beans is only 20 calories. She also loves green peppers (although really Abby would eat anything if I let her.)

I also started putting nonfat plain yogurt in her bones (they are like Kongs), and then put them in the freezer. I always give Abby a bone with frozen yogurt in it before I leave the house. It gives her something to do, helps with her separation anxiety, and she loves them!! I used to put peanut butter in her bones, but that has a lot of extra calories and fat, which I am sure helped with her weight gain, and the vet suggested the nonfat plain yogurt.

To find out more:

Bad Food/Good Food
Dog Treat Calorie Counting

Tips Tuesday: Scarves Display/Storage

So I came across this cute tip the other day on a blog that I have recently started following and wanted to share. I thought it was totally appropriate with Fall coming. I have recently started to love wearing scarves. I have purchased a few of them over the last year, and I have been keeping them stuffed into a bottom drawer of my nightstand. Not a great way to see what I have, and I tend to forget about them stuffed in the drawer.

Amanda over at Kevin & Amanda suggested hanging them on a hanger. I think it not only is useful to keep them all from getting tangled up, but it allows you to see what you have at a quick glance. And it's cute!! I can either hang in my closet next to my tops, or I could even hang it up in my bedroom as decor.

Also, check out Amanda's blog as she has a cute tutorial on 5 ways to wear a scarf. I am totally going to try them all out! You may see some scarves coming in the next few weeks of my 30 day clothes challenge!

Tips Tuesday -- Food Processors

I haven’t done a Tip’s Tuesday in a while, so I thought today would be a good day to bring it back.

I have been doing a lot of cooking and baking lately, trying new recipes for my recipe blog (Sweet Pea in the Kitchen), and have come to love my food processer. I actually have 2 of them, a regular sized version and a mini version. I have found this to be very useful in chopping/dicing, and it can help keep the mess to a minimum (within the bowl). So here are some of my favorite things do to with a food processor:

1. Dice onions and other vegetables – I hate dicing onions. They make my hands smell, and sometimes with the red onions if I don’t wash my hands enough, they make my fingers burn (anyone else ever experience this?). I love cutting an onion into a few pieces and then throwing into a food processor to finish the job.

2. Pureeing – the food processor is great for pureeing things like bananas and other fruit. I especially love to puree bananas instead of mashing them for breads and cookies, especially if the banana is not very ripe and a little tough.

3. Making salsa – I LOVE salsa, and have this new obsession with trying different kinds. It’s great to just throw all the ingredients into the bowl, and you don’t have to even chop some of them, and then just pulse it a little to chop and mix everything together.

4. Baking – I am seeing more and more recipes that use a food processor instead of a mixer. I have always heard about making pie crust in a food processor (helps cut in the butter), and the other day I saw Paula Deen make Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins using a food processor. You can check out her recipe here. They look very tasty, and I totally want to try them out.

5. Making flours – I have had a couple of recipes that called for oat flour or almond flour. These are hard to find in the store, so I make my own. Just take the oats or the almonds and put into the food processor and let it go until it grinds it up into a find powder. You have to be careful about the almonds though because if you puree it too much it will turn into almond butter. You might also want to sift it before using in your recipe to get out any of the clumps.

I typically use my big food processor for making things like salsa and of course you would need to use it for the muffins or pie crust. My mini-food processor is great for dicing up small amounts of onions/vegetables, and of course to puree only a few bananas. Plus I think the mini one is easier to pull out, use and then clean.

As you can see, there are many uses, and I am sure I will come up with more. Anyone else love to use their food processor? Any other gadgets out there we should try? Please share.

Also, if anyone has a great tip you would like to share, let me know and I will post it and give you credit. Leave me a comment and I’ll get in touch with you.

Tips Tuesday: Product Review

This week, instead of a tip, I wanted to share a product review. First off I am not getting paid for this review, nor am I getting any kick-backs.

Source

Over the weekend I picked up this cute little caddy with Caldrea cleaning products from Target, and I am in love with them! They come in 3 different scents, but I love the Herbs of Provence scent. The caddy includes hand soap, dish soap and kitchen spray. The kitchen spray is my favorite because it makes your kitchen smell like wonderful lavendar. If you have a Target nearby, I would totally recommend this. Let me know your thoughts and if you have tried any of the other scents: Citron Ginger and Olive Oil.

Tips Tuesday - Workout Motivation

For this week’s Tips Tuesday, I thought I would discuss some things that help to motivate me to work out. Of course I am not a doctor, nor a personal trainer, but just wanted to share what helps me.

You are not a professional athlete/supermodel
First of all, it’s important to remember that we are not supporting our families by working out. Nor is this a life or death situation. So do what you can, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, and learn to enjoy it (I will admit, I am still learning how to enjoy it…ha!). Luckily for us our paycheck doesn’t rely on how fast or how many miles we can run, or if we can fit into a size 0 swimsuit (and thank the Lord for that!!).

Set realistic goals
As I mentioned above, this is not our profession, so set realistic goals, and you may even want to set milestones or mini-goals to reach your goals.

For example, my big overall goal was to tone my legs. I decided to start running because I felt that would help me tone my legs. I then set a goal to run a 5K. It’s good to set goals because they help keep you motivated knowing there is an end you are trying to reach.

I’ll be honest, I hate to run, and have never been very good at it, so my first mini-goal was to run 1 mile. I started out running/walking that first mile. Running 2-3 mins, then walking 1 min, until I reached that first mile. I then continued to walk until I reached a total of 3 miles.

I then made it to running a half a mile, walking a couple of mins, and then running another half a mile. Finally I made it to running 1 mile straight.

I then kept adding to my 1 mile. At first it was running 1 mile, walking a few mins, and then running another half mile. Then I got to the point of running 2 miles straight.

Right now I am working on that last mile. I can run 2 miles straight, then I walk a few mins, run another half mile, walk a few mins, and then run that last half mile to get me to 3 miles. I know a 5K is slightly over 3 miles, but I like I said, set those mini-goals.

Remember to start slow also, especially if you haven’t worked out in a while. You may not even be able to run. Walking on the treadmill, or riding a bike, may be the best you can do, and that is ok. If you try too much at once, you will hurt yourself, and that defeats the whole purpose of working out.

It’s ok to rest
If you need a breather, it’s ok to take a min or 2 to catch your breath, get a sip of water. Just make sure that you don’t stop completely. They actually say if you slow down for a few mins, and then start back up again that it actually helps you burn more calories because you trick your body into thinking it’s slowing down, and then you get going again.

Find your motivation
I find I enjoy running inside the gym more than running outside because of 1. air conditioning and 2. because each treadmill has a little mini-tv attached. I tend to schedule my gym time around some of my favorite shows. Also, I love to bring my favorite magazines to the gym to read. I try and get my running over first, and then I can read a little while I am walking it out. I save my favorite magazines so I can only read them at the gym (makes me then want to go!).

New clothes/shoes are very important
Cute new gym clothes make you not only feel comfortable, but they can also be a great motivation to get you to the gym. Also, new shoes are very important to keep you supported. I found that I was having knee problems because my shoes were old. You should replace them at least once a year (some may suggest every 6 months, but then again, we are not athletes, just replace them when they start feeling worn).

Every Little Bit Helps
I try to get to the gym at least 2 times a week (once on the weekend, and once during the week). Sometimes I might even make it 3 times. I don’t beat myself up if I can’t get there though. I figure even if I only get there 1 time that week, it’s better than not going at all.

Mix it up
Sometimes I take classes at the gym. It keeps things interesting so I don’t get burned out. Also, I have a few DVD’s at home that I like to try when I can’t, or don’t feel like, making it to the gym. It no excuse if you have the tools at home.

I hope you enjoyed my tips, and if anyone has any other tips to share, feel free to leave them in the comments below.

Tips Tuesday -- Homemade Kitchen Cleaner

Over the weekend I ran out of kitchen spray, and of course forgot to add it to my grocery list. After a little research online, I found a simple homemade kitchen cleaner using white vinegar and water. You just mix 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water, and put into a clean spray bottle. When you first spray it you do smell the vinegar, but the smell does quickly disappear.

Source

White vinegar is great for cutting through grease in the kitchen, and cleans hard water stains in the bathroom. It's also a great deodorizer and you can actually use it to get pet smells out of your carpet (if you can stand the smell; you kind of have to spray a lot to get the carpet really wet, so it does take a little time for the smell to go away.)

I also found out from the May/June issue of Cooking with Paula Deen that you can freeze the white vinegar in ice cube trays, then put them in your disposal, turn it on, and it will help deodorize your garbage disposal. I tried it this weekend, and I belive it helped (the disposal was getting kind of smelly, and so far, so good.)

What's great about using white vinegar is that it is cheap, and I already had it on hand, so there was no need to go out to the store to buy anything. Sometimes just having things on hand is reason enough to try it. I am going to continue to try out my new cleaning spray and I recommend you to try it as well. Let me know what you think.

Tips Tuesday -- Splenda Mint Simple Syrup

A few months ago I participated in a weekly blog hop called "Tips Tuesday." Each week, on Tuesday, we shared different tips about whatever the topic was of the week. I loved these posts, and although that blogger is no longer hosting it, I thought I would go ahead and bring it back and make it my own. Therefore, each Tuesday I am going to try and share a different tip of my own, or a tip that I have come across during that week.

I have also put together my own little "Tips Tuesday" button (I am sure you are all impressed...lol) which is located in the upper right hand corner of my blog if you want to go back and reference any tips I may have posted.

Ok, so just to side track a little, the other day I was making potato skins, and I couldn't find  my recipe, so I just went to my blog and looked it up. I thought, isn't that funny I am referencing my own blog for something.

So this week's tip is making a mint simple syrup out of Splenda. I LOVE sweet tea, especially when it has a little mint in it, and I could probably drink it by the gallon. But sweet tea = like a million calories. Therefore I was curious if you could make, and get the same results, by making simple syrup out of Splenda which would cut the calories down to almost nothing.

After a little Googling, I found that you can make simple syrup out of Splenda pretty much the same way you make it with regular granulated sugar. Just heat up 1 part water and then mix in 1 part Splenda until it dissolves. Then add in a handful of mint and let it steep until it cools.

One thing to note, Splenda dissolves rather quickly and I actually just heated up the water in a measuring cup in the microwave until it was boiling (took about 2 or 3 mins), and then added in the Splenda, and it dissolved immediatly. Also, I think that Splenda is a little sweeter than regular granulated sugar, so I would start off by adding a little bit at a time. I think I only needed about 1/4 cup of the simple syrup (1/2 cup if you are making a really big pitcher of tea). I would make maybe a 1/2 - 1 cup but then add only a little bit at a time until you get the taste/sweetness you are looking for. You can keep whatever else you make in the refrigerator and use it later.

Splenda does have a slightly different taste than sugar (I am not going to lie there), but I think adding the mint to it helps a lot and makes it taste a little fresher. I am starting to get used to Splenda, so I don't automatically notice the difference. I think you do need to experiment with it a little and figure out the correct amount to get the sweetness you desire, otherwise it is going to taste a little funky. If you get it too sweet it just doesn't taste right, where as if you put in too much sugar, it just tastes even better!! =) Overall, if you are going to have people over, splurge on the sugar, but if you just want something to sip by the pool, try the Splenda, you might even like it.

Also, I have posted a few recipes using mint simple syrup, so I am sure you can use this for any of them. You can check them out here:

Mock-Mint Julip

Pomegranate and Mint Sorbet

I hope you enjoyed this tip, and I look forward to posting even more each week.

Show Us Your Life -- Money Saving Tips

This week's Show Us Your Life topic over at Kelly's Korner is Money Saving Tips. Being a single girl, it's hard to be fabulous on a single income, especially in this economy. So I am always looking for ways to save money, especially when it comes to fashion and beauty.

My biggest tip is that in order to save money, you have to shop smart, and sometimes you have to hold out for deals. I of course always want instant gratification, so it’s hard to hold out until things go on sale, but it’s totally worth it in the end.

Coupons – I am a big fan of coupons, and am always signing up for email and mailing lists where I can get great coupons. I don’t think I ever go shopping for clothes, crafts, or even beauty items without a coupon.

Store Cards/Reward Cards – Store credit cards are great because you can get awesome rewards and coupons. Also, I think the sales people tend to treat you better and help you out even more when you are using a store card or coupon. Does anyone else ever feel that way?? It’s like, oh you have our card! Now I will be your best friend and show you amazing deals!! They probably think you will or have spent a ton, which I typically have!! Just make sure you pay them off every month, because paying interest kind of defeats the purpose of saving money =)

DIY – One of the best ways to save money is to do it yourself. I know sometimes it’s quicker and easier to pay someone to do things, but in the end it’s always costlier. I have been doing my own pedicures and manicures for years. I actually taught myself to do a French manicure, and it actually looks pretty good (years later!). I bought a lot of the True Blue Spa products at Bath and Body Works to do all of this at home and they have some great products for your feet. It all probably cost me the same amount as one really good pedicure, and the products typically last me all year. I also think it’s important to buy good quality nail polish. I only use OPI, and it’s what they use in the salon anyway. It’s a little more expensive but the bottle lasts a long time and it tends to not chip so quickly. I can typically get a week or so of my nails looking pretty good before they start to chip.

Mix expensive with inexpensive – By mixing expensive items with inexpensive items, you can still feel like you are being pampered, but at the same time you won’t be broke. One example of this is that I always mix my expensive scented body lotion with some inexpensive scent-free body lotion (like the generic brand of Vaseline Intensive Care). I am very dry, especially in the winter, and if I just used the expensive scented kind, I would go through a bottle every other week! By mixing it with an inexpensive lotion (which I buy in the largest bottle possible!), I can stretch out the scented lotion, and it’s actually more moisturizing for me. And I still smell good!

Hopefully you can use some of these tips, and I actually have even more tips here. You can also head over to Kelly’s Korner for even more money saving tips.

Happy Earth Day!

Image source

I have been trying my best to incorporate “Going Green” in my home. Some of these things are rather simple and easy, and actually not only helps the environment, but also helps save money as well!

Energy saving light bulbs – about a year ago, I replaced all of my light bulbs with energy saving light bulbs. Now my electric bill was never really high to begin with, but I did see a small decrease in my bill after the switch. Plus they last a really long time, so that keeps me from having to stand up on a ladder or chair to replace my ceiling lights =)

Turing off the lights – I am really good at turning off lights, but I do need to work on unplugging chargers. I have heard that this uses 5 watts of energy per hour when they aren’t recharging a battery.

Recycling – I have been recycling paper, plastic and glass for about a year now. It’s amazing how much this cuts down on my trash. I actually now have a little trash can under my sink for trash, and I only have to take it out a couple of times a week. I used to have a large trash can, but I found that the majority of my trash was recyclable, so now I just have a Rubbermaid bin that I use to hold my recycling. Luckily I don’t have to separate my recycling, so I just throw it all in together.

Water bottles – I installed a Brita water filter on my kitchen faucet, so I just keep filling up my water bottles instead of drinking bottled water. We also have water filters at work. This helps to save a TON of money on drinks throughout the day. I started buying those Crystal Light drink packets also to flavor my water. They are only about $2 or $3 for a pack of 12 and are very tasty.

Gardening – The last couple of years I have been growing my own tomatoes. Last year I attempted bell peppers and cucumbers, but they didn’t grow very well because I can only grow them in containers. This year I will try the tomatoes again for sure, and I am going to start my own herb garden as well. I love growing my own vegetables. It makes me feel proud that I can actually grow something that I can then eat!

Paying bills online – I no longer get any paper statements, which helps keeps the amount of mail I have to go through down as well. I actually pay everything online, and utilize http://www.mycheckfree.com/ to pay some of my bills. They have a wide variety of utility bills that you can pay online, and they email you when the bill is due. With only a few clicks, you can pay you bill easily each month.

I am sure there are a lot of other things that I can be doing to help the environment, but I feel that every little thing counts. If you have any "Go Green" tips, please share! I actually found even more tips on Southern Living's website.

Tips Tuesday -- Make your Own

This week's Tips Tuesday (hosted by Leslie at Lamberts Lately) is Making Your Own.

I really love when I can make anything on my own. It not only helps save money, but it just feels good to be able to accomplish something. Some things that I like to make on my own include:

Fake-out Take-out: I love to try and find ways to make restaurant food at home. Some of my favorite things to make are my Fake-out Chipotle (see below for recipe) and I also like to make CPK BBQ chicken pizza (I found a great recipe on Pioneer Woman that is a great fake-out for this). I also found some great Girl Scout Cookie fake-outs here Samoas and Thin Mints which I want to try.

Fake-out Chipotle:
-- Bird's Eye Steam Fresh Mexican Corn
-- Minute rice
-- Salsa
-- Cheese
-- Sour cream
-- A little hot sauce
-- I also make homemade pita chips by cutting up pitas into little triangles, spraying with either spray butter or a little olive oil, sprinkling some sea salt and then baking at 350 for about 7 mins or until slightly brown

Dog Items: I have made dog treats before, and although they were very easy, and the majority of the ingredients I had on hand, they did take a little time. You have to bake them and then let them sit in the oven a couple of hours to cool down and harden. My Grandmother gave me some fun dog bone shaped cookie cutters, so they turned out to be very cute though and my pup loved them. I need to make some more and give them away as gifts.

I also like to make my pup bandannas out of fun fabric (especially for the holidays) and my Mom likes to make her dogs’ toys. She takes strips of fleece fabric, and braids them and then ties the ends in knots. My pup doesn't really like them because she would prefer to tear the stuffing out of toys, but if your dog loves to play tug-of-war like my parent's dogs do, then your pup will love them!

If anyone has any great Fake-out food tips please share! I love getting new recipes. Also, check out Leslie’s blog for even more tips.

Tips Tuesday (on a Wednesday) -- Clothes Shopping

This week's Tips Tuesday (hosted by Leslie at Lamberts Lately) is Tips for Clothes Shopping. I have been traveling all week, so unfortunately this is going to have to be a Tips Wednesday for me =)

First of all, my favorite stores right now are The Limited and Ann Taylor Loft. I also sometimes go into the Gap, but haven’t been there in a while. I don’t really like big department stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom because I feel like they are too big, but I have been known to shop there every once in a while (especially for shoes!!). I really love small boutique type shops. I also love DSW for shoes (and I totally have a problem there).

I love shopping and getting great deals on clothes. I have what they say champaign taste on a beer budget, but I do find ways to find nice clothes without breaking the bank. One thing I try to do is never pay full price. It may take some work, but in the end you can typically get whatever you want, and still have some money left over.

Coupons – Of course, whenever I can I try and use coupons. You can typically get these by signing up on store email and mailing lists. I know at Bath & Body Works every time I go in there they ask for my email address. One time I asked them, why do you keep asking, I am already signed up, and they said that every time you give them your email address, it bumps you up in the system to get even more coupons. Also, if you get coupons in your emails, print multiple copies so you can use them more than once. There is not typically a code that lets you only use them once.

Store Cards – I know many people are against credit cards, and I try not to have too many, or too much of a balance, but for my very favorite stores I’ve signed up for store credit cards. I never carry a balance and pay them off every month, but every time I use them I build up store credits which equal free money. I also pay attention to my statement date and if you play it right, you can actually go about a month and a half before you have to actually make your payment. For instance, some of my statements end around the 7th – 11th of every month. If I go shopping on March 15, I won’t have to pay my bill until the first of May. I try to work it that way so that it makes paying off my bill in full much easier.

Email Lists – I love being on email lists for my favorite stores. Now it can get overwhelming sometimes, so you need to make sure to only sign up for things you like, or you will get a million emails. But some stores are great and will email you when things go on sale. For instance, I love Ann Taylor Loft, and they will email me when certain items are half-off or even more. I got a great sweater one time, reg $49.50 for only $20!! I saw that email and immediately when out to get it.

Stalking – Yes, I admit to stalking sales on certain pieces. I used to do this a lot at Gap. Never pay full price, because it will go on sale at some point in time. I live and work very close to shopping plazas, so this is easy for me. If I find something I truly love, I will go back to the store once a week or so and see if it is on sale. Maybe you will think I am crazy, and I probably am, but I have gotten some great deals that way. You can check online also. Sometimes the sale prices are the same, but not always, so be careful. I have called the store before to confirm if something that was on sale online was on sale in the store, and then I typically have them hold that item for me until I can get out there to get it. A little research never hurts when you are looking for a great deal!

Become Friendly with the Store Associates – The Store Associates can be very helpful. Many times they want to help you out. For instance, at The Limited, they are always very friendly, and are always saying, check this out, it’s on sale. Also, if you ask them, they will help you maximize your coupons to get the best deal. Sometimes if you really click with them, they will let you combine coupons, which is not supposed to be done, but I have gotten away with it a couple of times. They typically want to help (although, yes there are a few who don’t care), but for the most part they do.

If you have any great tips please share. I am always looking for ways to find a great deal. Also, check out Leslie’s blog for even more tips.

Tips Tuesday -- Tips for Decorating

This week's Tips Tuesday (hosted by Leslie at Lamberts Lately) is Tips for Decorating.

I love decorating, and sometimes I wish I would have gone into decorating as a career. I am not sure though if this post will turn into tips, or just things I like, but I think that either way hopefully it will bring some inspiration to try new things in your home. I am also going to include some pictures of my home so you can see what my style is like.

Inspiration -- I like to look at nature, gardens, food, etc. to find inspiration for colors and textures when I decorate. Sometimes nature can help you pull together a great color pallet for a room because everything just comes together naturally. I also like to find inspiration in magazines (love Martha Stewart Living, BHG and Domino), tv shows (love many HGTV shows such as Design on a Dime and Divine Design), or many decorating websites (there are so many!!)

Neutrals are key -- Especially with major things such as cabinets, flooring, fixtures, etc. I love bold colors (which is my next point), but that doesn't mean that when you sell your home that the next person will love it. Try to keep things that are hard to replace neutral to keep your home value up.

Go bold -- I love bold colors on accent walls (especially for really bold colors), or even the whole room if it is small and the color isn't too crazy. Paint is something that can easily be changed, and isn't too expensive (unless you have a really big room). I also like to add bold colors to pillows, candles, lamps, and other accents.

Chocolate Brown -- Love this color, expecially for furniture when you have kids and dogs! The dark color seems to hide dirt and stains, and if you find a really good texture, it tends to hide the dog hair!

Family photos -- I love to fill my home with family photos. I have a ton of photos of my nieces and nephew, my boyfriend, friends, dog, etc. It just helps to personalize the space, and I'll be honest, they also make me smile, especially when I miss all of them.

Homemade accents -- I am lucky that I have a talented family. My grandfather is great with woodworking and has made a lot of things for my home (see above for DVD cabinet). My mother also one time painted a picture for me (see below). These are great because they are personalized and they remind me of my family.

Sewing -- If you are able to sew, this is great because it will allow you to make things you love, and will also help save you money. I have made pillows, curtains, coasters and table centerpieces to name a few (see below for dining room curtains and above for bedroom curtains).

Above all, go with your gut and whatever you like is what you should do. You should always fill your home with things you love!

Tips Tuesday - Organization Tips

This week's Tips Tuesday (hosted by Leslie at Lamberts Lately) is Tips for Organization.

I actually have OCD, so this was a great post for me. I have actually been trying to overcome some of my OCD (now it is totally not that out of control, but something that can drive me nuts), so I have found a few organization tips that seem to help keep things organized, but doesn't require a lot of dedicated time.

I am a huge fun of keeping things in bins, buckets, containers, etc. And I have them EVERYWHERE (in closets, under sinks, in drawers, on shelfs). All of my drawers are divided up by some type of container. Now of course you can get some pretty nice (and equally expensive) ones at the Container Store, but I use those cheap tupperware containers that you can get at Walmart. I find small ones in different shapes and sizes and place them side by side in my drawers to keep them from getting out of control.

This is actually one of my kitchen drawers, and it pretty much stays this way...no I didn't clean it up before I took this picture =) The little containers help keep everything in place so it doesn't get all stirred around.


Here is my jewelry drawer. These are actually boxes that I got my Lia Sophia jewelry in (I just realized this shows how bad my obsession with Lia Sophia jewelry is!) Anyway, this helps keep everything visible so I know what I have, and keeps it from getting tangled.

This is how I store my earrings. I recieved this as a gift from one of my previous supervisors. It's an antique frame, and she put a screen (you know like a door screen) in it, and you hang your earrings through the little screen holes. It helps keep your jewlery organized, and it's cute!

Keeping with the bins, this is my laundry area, and I have some plastic kitchen bins, and some cloth bins (which I got at Walmart for really cheap) to store odds and ends. I pretty much know what goes in each bin, so it helps keep things organized, but allows you to just toss stuff in a bin. I have bins for cleaning supplies, dog food, misc. laundry items, a dog bin, and a bin for one of my friend's personal/beauty items who comes and stays with me often.

Books: I read a TON of books, so I started a spreadsheet of all of the books I have read. This helps me keep from reading books I have already read, and it's nice to look back at books that I have previously read. I have actually emailed my spreadsheet to friends who are looking for recommendations. I also keep a list of books I would like to read so that when I am reserving things from the library I know what books I want to read.

Magazines: I don't have a ton of room to store books and magazines (which is why I tend to rent books from the library), so in order to save space, I have started binders for ideas I have found in magazines. I am starting tabs for beauty tips, fitness tips, and home ideas. This allows me to keep the ideas I like, and then I just recycle the rest of the magazine.

Mail/Bills: As for bills, I have started getting paperless statements through my email, which helps cut down on mail! If you go to Mycheckfree.com you can actually get an email reminder to pay your bill. With one click, you can log-on and pay your utility bills, and even some car/loan payments. All other mail items I immediatly go through and recycle all the junk mail. I have a little basket that I keep everything else in, and once a month I go through the basket and throw away anything I don't need, and deal with all the rest.

Shoes: I actually keep all of my shoes in their original shoe boxes, and stack them on the top shelf in my closet. I actually have a ton of shoes, and had to start a 2nd closet -- but my boyfriend doesn't know that yet =) This helps keep them organized, but also keeps them clean and from getting dinged.

I could go on and on, but I'll spare everyone with my organizational obsessions! If anyone has any organizational tips you would like to share, please do so. Otherwise, head on over to Leslie's blog for even more tips.

Tips Tuesday: Tips for Doing Laundry

This week's Tips Tuesday (hosted by Leslie at Lamberts Lately) is tips for doing laundry.

I don't have a bunch of ground breaking tips, but here are a few things I do when I am doing laundry. I really don't care for doing laundry, especially ironing, so you may call them the lazy girl's guide to doing laundry =O)

Wash in cold water -- I typically wash all of my clothes in cold water. I do this for 2 reasons: 1. it keeps my things from shrinking and 2. I only have to pay for hot water (I don't understand it, but my leasing office confirmed it). Therefore, to save my clothes, and my water bill (and gas bill for the water heater), I wash everything in cold. Sometimes I'll wash towels and bedding and what not in warm if I think they need it.

Hanging to dry -- I hang the majority of my clothes up to dry. All pants, nice shirts, skirts/dresses, bras, etc. get hung to dry. My washer/dryer is in my guest bath, so I typically just hang everything up on the shower rod to dry. This also helps the things I do dry to dry faster since there is not as much in the dryer.

Fluffing for wrinkles -- I hate to iron, therefore I try to fluff whatever I can in the dryer first, and then go over it with an iron, but only if really needed. I especially do this to all things that I hang to dry. I throw them in the dryer for a few mins after they are completely dry just to fluff out the wrinkles. Luckily I can wear jeans everyday to work, so I hardly ever iron.

Folding -- I typically fold my clothes right out of the warm dryer. This helps keep them from getting wrinkled, and keeps me from having a large basket of clothes that sits there and daunts me. I know it takes time, but it's going to take the same amount of time anyway, and it is easier to break it up into smaller chunks.

Dry cleaning -- I don't dry clean. If the item needs dry cleaned, I either don't buy it, or I try and wash it. If it says dry cleaning recommended, then you can typically wash it out by hand or in the delicate cycle. If I had to take clothes to be dry cleaned, they would never get there.

Removing grease stains -- One time I had this really cute silk type shirt, and I ended up getting neosporin on it. I tried washing it several times, tried soaking dish soap on it, and nothing got it out. I almost had to get rid of this really cute shirt (that I had only worn 2 times!!) when I came across an article online about using babypowder to remove grease stains. I didn't have baby powder, so I tried flour (yea, the stuff you bake with!) instead. I laid the shirt on the counter on top of a towl. I put a handful of flour over the stain, laid another towl on top of the flour, and then put a heavy object on top of it for about 20 mins. I went back, shook off the flour, and some of the grease was gone. So I repeated this about 2 or 3 more times, and the flour soaked up all of the grease. That is the only time I have tried that, but that one time made me a believer. Hopefully you will never have to try it though!

Hope you enjoyed some of my laundry tips, and if you have any you would like to share please do so. And check out Leslie's blog for more tips.

Tips Tuesday: Tips for Cleaning

This week's Tips Tuesday (hosted by Leslie at Lambers Lately) is Tips for general cleaning.

I actually enjoy cleaning (maybe it's my OCD coming out). Even though I live by myself, I clean every week. It's funny because when I was 15 years old, I used to clean my parents' and neighbors' houses during the summer. I was so desperate for my own money!!

Typically I do the majority of my cleaning on the weekends, because I just don't have time during the week, but I do try and keep things picked up throughout the week. This allows me to focus on the major cleaning on the weekends and keeps my time down to a few short hours.

Every weekend I clean the bathrooms and sweep. I clean out the fridge and clean the kitchen on Thurs or Fri after I go to the grocery store. As for dusting, moping, and other really heavy duty cleaning, I tend to do that either every 2 weeks, or maybe once a month (it just depends on when it needs it).

Tips/products that I typically use include:

1. Commet -- I use this for cleaning bathtubs, toilets, the kitchen sink. It's a great general cleaner, and is really inexpensive.

2. For counters I tend to use a spray cleaner, typically whatever states it will kill germs and is on sale. Right now I think I am using Lysol bathroom cleaner.

3. Mr Clean Magic Eraser -- This is so wonderful to get scuffs off floors, walls, etc. If you don't have one, go out and get one!

4. Swiffer and Mr Clean -- I use a swiffer to mop, but I actually use Mr Clean in a spray bottle instead of the swiffer refill. They got so expensive to replace, so I bought a large bottle of Mr Clean and put some in a spray bottle with water and use that instead. I think the bottle of Mr Clean I bought has lasted me about 2 years now.

5. Organizing cleaning products -- I have all of my cleaning products stored in a little bucket with a handle (see pic below). This helps keep everything together, and the handle makes it easy to carry from room to room.

6. A clean smelling house is a happy house -- I am a big fan of candles and airfreshners. It really helps to keep things smelling clean, especially if you have pets. I am in love with the Bath and Body Works Wallflowers and I also love their Slatkin & Co. candles. My favorites in the winter are Fireside, Spice, Cranberry and Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin. For the spring and summer I really like the floral and tropical scents.

If anyone has any great cleaning tips, please share. Otherwise, head on over to Leslie's blog for even more cleaning tips.

Tips Tuesday -- Tips for Cooking

This week's Tips Tuesday (hosted by Leslie at Lamberts Lately) is Tips for Cooking. When I first saw this topic, I kind of laughed. I am not the best cook (I am a great baker though, and am in the process of learning how to cook), so I wasn't sure how many tips I would be able to share. But I have been thinking about it all week, and have a few that might be helpful.

1. Burning soup/sauces/other items on the stovetop -- I actually saw this on the Rachel Ray Show last week. If you are cooking something in a pot on the stovetop, such as soup, sauces, etc., and it starts to burn, DO NOT STIR! You should just quickly remove from the burner, find a pot similar in size, and dump into a new pot. Whatever is burnt will just stay stuck to the bottom of the pot, and you will save whatever is not burnt. If you try and stir, you will end up mixing in all those burnt pieces, and will probably ruin whatever you are making.

2. Cutting board help -- I saw this on 2 shows last week also (Rachel Ray and Barefoot Contessa). Put a damp papertowl under your cutting board, and it will help keep your cutting board from slipping around.

3. Test drive those cookbooks -- I love cookbooks, but hate when you end up buying a cookbook (especially online) to find out you only like a handful of recipes. I have started borrowing cookbooks from the library. I can read through them, test out a few recipes, and then if I really like the book, I will then buy it. If I only like a few recipes (hopefully I won't get arrested for this!!) I just make copies of them and then take the books back.

4. Online recipes -- I have gotten a ton of recipes from foodnetwork.com, kraftfoods.com and bettycrocker.com. I always print them out for easy reference, but then I end up with a stack of recipes.

I ended up putting together a binder of recipes that I had printed off online. I even decorated a cover page for the binder and divider pages for each of the sections. My binder is getting really full, so I might have to start a second one.

Some of the divider pages.

5. Jen's special tip -- My very special tip of all times is....if all else fails, just put a bunch of cheese on it! Works everytime, especially if you really like cheese!

If anyone has any great cooking tips to share, please let me know. Otherwise head on over to Leslie's blog for even more cooking tips.

Tips Tuesdays – Grocery Shopping

Leslie over at Lambert's Lately is having a blog hop on grocery tips. If you're interested in seeing more, check out her blog.




I have a few tips that I use when grocery shopping:

1. Determine a budget – I think it is important to determine a budget right up front. I am such a geek and have a spreadsheet that keeps track of all of my expenses. After determining all of my monthly expenses, I determined how much I could afford for grocery shopping. Right now my budget is $50 a week and that has to include everything from food, to cleaning products, to dog food. Sometimes I go over that budget, but I try and make up for it the next week by coming in under budget. It helps to keep me from going out of control at the grocery store.

2. Make a list – I always have a list of things I need to get hanging on my fridge. I start the list at the beginning of the week (I typically shop on Thurs or Fri), and write down things as I run out of them, or things that I think of during the week. I also use this list to track what I am spending. Instead of checking things off my list, I write down next to them an approx cost (I always round up or down to make it easier to calculate in my head). This helps me keep track of what I am spending and I can determine if I am able to splurge on something fun that week.

3. Check out the unit price – Sometimes buying the bigger size item is not always cheaper. Sometimes the smaller size item can be on sale, and sometimes it is just cheaper (I think they try and confuse us sometimes). Either way, I always check the unit price to see which item/size is cheaper per unit. I then know which item/size gives me the better deal.

4. Buy store brands – I don’t use a lot of coupons because I typically buy store brands for most items. Now don’t get me wrong, there are some name brand items that I like much better than store brands (i.e. cereal, some canned veggies, boxed dinners, frozen meals, etc.), but for the most part I buy the store brand, especially for staples such as milk, bread, sugar, flour, some cleaning products, sandwich bags and trash bags, over-the-counter drugs, etc. Sometimes they are even cheaper than the name brand product with the coupon. You just have to check and see what gets you the better deal, and if you are willing to try the store brand, go with it. They are getting much better than they were years ago.

5. Meal planning – If you sit down and plan out your menu for the week, you can sometimes buy items that can be used for multiple meals throughout the week. For instance, maybe you cook with chicken one week, or you incorporate rice, cheese and certain veggies into multiple meals. This helps to ensure you aren’t wasting items you buy every week, and helps in instances where it pays to buy in bulk or in larger sizes.

This takes some thinking, but I have found a wonderful site that can help out. I love the Kraft Foods website. Yes, they typically promote their brands of foods, but they have some great recipes that are easy and aren’t too expensive to make (and you can substitue other brands). They have this one section of their website called 1 bag, 5 dinners. This section has meal plans and grocery lists for making 5 meals with ingredients that can fit into 1 grocery bag (I’ll be honest, this has to be one of those large paper bags, because I can go into a store and buy 5 items and end up with 5 plastic grocery bags, but I digress.) Anyway, check it out here.

Those are the tips I have for now. If anyone has any tips you would like to share, please do.