Coconut oil!

I have read numerous articles about coconut oil and how it does wonders.  I tried it out in my hair while focusing on the ends.  When I say my hair is great and then goes to crap it's  true!  It is either really voluminous and pretty or flat and stringy. I personally blame it on our water because we are basically the frack capital in PA. Gross. 😢  

Always There Designs~Review~

www.AlwaysThereDesigns.etsy.com

Interview with Ann, from Always There Designs

"As an engaged bride-to-be, I understand what it is like to try to find beautiful items for myself and my wedding without spending a fortune.  I create all of my jewelry to be affordable so everyone can enjoy it."

• Favorite type of jewelry to make:  Stamped jewelry.  It is so cathartic to be able to come home after a long day and be able to sit down with a hammer and make something beautiful.  There is something special about being able to put so much of myself into a piece of jewelry.  I literally start with a piece of metal and, by the time I'm done stamping, oxidizing, and polishing, I have made that piece of metal into a work of art.  And each piece is different.  There will never be two that are exactly the same.
• Getting started:  I have always been a creative person.  My mom is a professional photographer so I guess it runs in the family.  I've tried every type of craft out there, from sewing to scrap booking to pottery.  I always really enjoyed making jewelry.  I officially started doing stamped jewelry about a year ago when went to buy a piece myself and all I could find was sterling silver.  I knew that if I didn't want to pay that much, other people didn't want to as well.  So I set out to start making affordable versions myself and fell in love with it.  I played with several metals until I came upon aluminum and I've never looked back.  I prefer it over sterling any day and it really makes it affordable so everyone can enjoy stamped jewelry.
• College:  I actually haven't graduated yet!  I will be finishing up the last of my pre-med/human biology degree next year.  I had planned on going directly to PA (physician assistant) school after graduation but now I'm holding off indefinitely on that so I can continue with my jewelry.  I have found something I really enjoy doing with the jewelry and I can see myself doing it for years to come.

---- 

When I received my necklace I was so excited that it was a pearl - I love pearls!  Ann was so nice to talk to and discuss options, which is important to many brides or brides-to-be! One reason I instantly was drawn to her shop was the prices.  As she stated in her interview, she knows what money is like when you are planning a wedding and trying to actually "save" some for when life really begins. Yes that is me in my cute necklace!  Love it!  She "hammer stamped" Bride and added a cute Swarovski pearl to it.  Lovely! She makes ones that say 'Engaged', but 'Bride' does last longer ;)

Ann may give you something extra special at  Always There Designs if you mention that SAHM&TW(2b) sent you! 

Country Bobs - Yum!

Country Bobs 

All Purpose Sauce

We use this sauce in everything, well almost!  

We use it in our hamburgers, steak marinade, chicken marinade, noodle sauce, and whatever else you can dream up! 

We will let you in on our secret to making yummy hamburgers and chicken marinade that make you look like a star!  Be warned that we were both taught to "Eyeball" the measurements and not to actually use the measuring spoons.

Bobgers

1 lb. of hamburger meat 

Country Bobs

Steak Seasoning - can be similar to Montreal

Onion flakes - dried

**Put it all together in a bowl, make your patties, and grill the babies!  

Housewarming Gift

I keep trying to think of a present that would be personal and also go with a new house.  I hate getting people gifts that they will not use, unless I can use them of course :)

I saw this cute saying and decided to do this.  This gift can be used for many occasions. How wonderful!

Bread so you'll never go hungry. 

Candles so you'll always have light through the darkest times.

 Honey so you'll always enjoy the sweetness of life. 

Olive Oil so you will be blessed with health and well-being. 

Salt so there will always be flavor and spice in your life. 

Wine so you will always have joy and never go thirsty.

Include some of my favorite things (send it my way please!) - Italian bread, Yankee Candle, Organic Honey, Italian Olive Oil, Sea Salt, and Barefoot Moscato wine!  Put it into a big basket with a hand towel that will be used in the kitchen.  Everything will be used one way or another!

Teal Mason Jars!

'Ello! 

A few of you asked how I created this pretty mason jar that I plan on using in my wedding, as well as others!  I did a few wine bottles in different gold and gold/glitter colors and decided I was going to try it on some mason jars. I know there are probably easier ways to do this, but all I did was get a big glass of my favorite drink and spray paint away.  This is MANDATORY!  Optional is 90's Rap on Pandora - never gets old.  :)

Just a tip - go to your discount thrift stores because they can usually be found there! Or if you want to be extra thrifty just use your spaghetti/pickle/salsa jars! As for the spray paint, well I just thought it was a great color! As an added bonus engine enamel can get to a higher temp. if I decided to put a candle inside too!

1. Wash and dry your jars!
2. Go outside on a nice day that has no chance of rain - it dries faster!
3. I did not mind getting a little paint on me (Acetone takes it off BTW) so I stuck my hand in the jar and did a light coat around it a few times (probably 3 times).
4. I then let it dry a little by sitting it on an old garbage can from my college dorm room - yeah, it was from a little while ago !
5. The easiest way I found to spray the Mason Jars was to just walk in a circle and make your way up the jar - creates the even coat you want without having "clops" of it! 

Need help?  Just ask me below and I'm sure I can think of an answer!

Betty Crocker Summetime Cakes!

This summer is filled with MANY parties and I usually try to take something fun with me! I wanted to share some recipes with you! Summer is one of the best times to be creative - people are so hungry from sitting in the sun it does not matter if you mess up anywhere! · Ice Cream Cone Cakes – Kids of all ages will love personalizing these single-serving cakes! · Flip-Flops Cake – Personalize these edible summer wardrobe favorites with candies and fruit snacks – transforming a sheet cake into footwear that looks (and is) good enough to eat. · Watermelon Cake – Your family’s favorite fruit is about to get even more popular. This melt-in-your-mouth cake offers a surprise in every bite, with chocolate chip “seeds” and a green jelly bean “rind.” · Cookies n Cream Cupcakes – Perfect for family picnics, these cupcakes taste like your favorite ice cream without all the mess! · Butterfly Cake – This beautiful, and fun, cake transforms a traditional birthday cake into a beautiful butterfly perfect for outdoor summer parties. While I was at Betty's website trying to pick out some recipes to try out I discovered that they are actually pretty straight forward!

With school ending tomorrow I have been writing my "TO TRY" list : make a cake for everyone's birthday, make a giant diamond ring cake, make a cupcake cake of a baby, get a tan, etc. (:

Angel Food Cupcakes

Fish Cake

Be sure to go to the website for more amazing ideas!  As soon as school is out for the Summer I am going to try the cute fish cake!    

Although this was a sponsored post, I love it! <3

625th Post!

Hello 625th post!  

I've decided on a color theme for the wedding and took it upon myself to try out a wine bottle centerpiece idea I had.  I love ombre stuff and tried a gold effect on an empty bottle of wine. 

Goat Milk Stuff Giveaway!

Kara is a loyal body wash user. You will almost never catch her using bar soap. You can imagine her skepticism when she found out she would get to try out some goat milk soap from Goat Milk Stuff. However, she is always excited to try a new product. It was no different with this product, despite the hesitation.

Kara received vanilla, clean cotton, Luv Spell, oatmeal milk & honey, pink sugary, baby powder, purity, and patchouli. Goat Milk Stuff has many other scents as well. It was fun choosing which ones to try. Goat Milk Stuff is primarily run out of a rural southern Indiana home, just a few short hours from where Kara currently resides. It is a family business with a mom, dad, and eight kids each contributing in their own ways.

Not only does Goat Milk Stuff carry soap, they also have insect repellant, lip balms, lotion sticks, and more. The products have many benefits, which Kara discovered were completely accurate after trying out the soap. The unprocessed goat milk they use contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids, which aid in removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Goat milk also contains vitamins, minerals, and cream. You won't find the chemicals that are in other soaps. The soap is great for those with excema and psoriasis. Be sure to read Kara's full review of Goat Milk Stuff products on her blog, Kara's Deals and Steals.

Sign up for the Goat Milk Stuff newsletter and you will receive a 20% off coupon code to try their stuff yourself.

Goat Milk Stuff has been kind enough to provide a $25 gift certificate to give away to one lucky winner. The giveaway will run from 9/29-10/13 and is open to U.S. residents. Please enter on the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: Kara's Deals and Steals received free products through Sublime Media Connection for review. This giveaway was brought to you by the Sublime Media Connection. The participating bloggers cannot be held responsible for the delivery of this item, as that is the responsibility of the sponsor. If you have any questions regarding the delivery of the prize please email pr@sublimemediaconnection.info.

We decorated for Halloween!

My toddler is really into making decorations.  It is almost weekly now that we have "birthday parties" and she makes me decorate and make party hats.  So last week I busted out the glue sticks and construction paper and we made some fun stuff.  Here are some pictures of a few things we made.  We also made a Mickey Mouse bat mobile and other small bats and ghosts.  Mind you, these were made by a two year old!

(I made this.)

Chili Cheese Fries

Chili Cheese Fries - Gluten-Free :)

I can not wait until it is dinner! While I was learning what my good/bad/trigger foods were I always defaulted to potatoes. They are filling, easy to make, and fun to cut. I would be the strange kid who loved peeling potatoes! Tip: My dad and mom always gave me the carrot peeler to peel potatoes. I never got the real, true knife. To this day I would rather use the carrot peeler!

Be sure you have the following – as with any recipe you can substitute what you want and do not want!

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 3 russet potatoes, peeled
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 tablespoons grill seasoning
• 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

How to work your magic:

1. Oven- Center rack at 425 degrees F. Line 2 pans with parchment or foil.
2. Mix together cornstarch, chili powder, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, cumin.
3. Rinse potatoes and peel with a carrot peeler! Use a big person knife and slice around a 1/4-inch piece off the potato lengthwise – now it is your bottom! Continue to slice potato into 1/4 to 3/8-inch wide planks.
4. Stack ‘em in piles 2 to 3 planks high, and slice lengthwise into 1/4 to 3/8-inch fries.
5. Toss your ‘fake fries’ around in olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and whatever grill seasoning you have. Sprinkle the cornstarch mixture over the potato slices like snow. Grab a pair of tongs to evenly coat everything.
6. Spread potatoes in a single layer across the pans. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes – mix 2/3 times during cooking to get every side crispy.  Remember to add the cheese on top if you want before you are ready to serve!

Enjoy ‘yins fries!

Champagne Sherbet Punch

Champagne Sherbet Punch

One of my favorite baby/bridal/housewarming party drinks! 

 

1 container of Orange or Raspberry Sherbet
1 two liter of Ginger Ale or Sprite
1 bottle of Champagne

1 frozen pack of Raspberries

 

Mix it all together and enjoy!  

It honestly could not be better or easier to make :)

Blueberry Banana GF Bread!

Growing up with a Polish grandma has taught me one thing - measuring is done with the eye.  :)

1 1/2 cups GF Flour - Gluten Free Pantry

1/4 cup canola oil2 whole eggs + 3 egg whites

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup mashed ripe bananas  - I used all our bananas, like 3

1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Nielsen-Massey :)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon Coco Powder

1 cup blueberries - Rinse them!

1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks - Enjoy Life Mega Chunks

1 tbl. Yellow Dog - Mom's Gourmet 

1.Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a pan with butter - I used a glass baking dish. 

2.Whisk together all ingredients except for blueberries & choc in mixing bowl until combined.

3.Gently fold in blueberries & chocolate chunks.

4.Pour batter into prepared baking pan.

5.Bake for 45-55 minutes or until top is no longer wet and a knife comes out clean from center.

Remember: Allow to cool before removing from pan and slicing and add some butter slices on top :)

Yum! GF Blueberry Banana Bread!

Dollar Tree Wedding Ideas!

I literally just got this in an email from Dollar Tree, Inc.  It includes many great ideas for weddings - from walking down the aisle to leaving the reception with a favor.  Be sure to check it out! If you make anything from there let us know too :)

Dollar Tree Wedding Ideas! 

PiixlWixCandleCompany

"Effervescent and powdery this is a perfect springtime fragrance."

If you wondered why I put that in here it is because this perfume is called Dream Weaver!  Plus you have to love Wayne's World and Cassandra!

Oh my goodness this roll-on perfume smells wonderful! I honestly was the weird person who would smell their wrist while walking though the grocery store .. I loved it!

Debbri Etsy Shop~Review and Giveaway

It seems like in the last few months all of my friends are getting married or pregnant. Hopefully there will be one more friend to add to that list too...ahem Trista :)  I was looking for a unique gift for everyone.  Not that I didn't appreciate all the gifts from our registries, but it is hard to remember who bought you dish towels or a spatula!  Why not give someone a truly personalized gift?  Then I found one of my new favorite etsy shops, Debbri!  Here is just one option for a great wedding gift...

Or for a new baby!

Now don't think that you have to only buy these as present; there are plenty of plaques for every spot in your house!  As a pooch lover, I really like all the dog inspired ones! 

Want one of your own? Debbri has generously offered one of her best-selling plaques for one of our reader, the Winnie the Pooh Wooden Plaque!  Can't wait to see if you won and need one of your own right now? Make sure you check out her shop. 

Natural House Cleaning Products ~Review & GA~

What did I think? I LOVED Trashy, Stinky, and Flushy!
They became my best friends and we are on a first name basis.  I told Trashy, no not my friend  ----- ;) , but the product that I was so excited to be introduced to it!  Who else could destroy smells from the FLU?! We all just made the "ew" noise in our head because we remember what it smells like :(      Anyway, Flushy does a great job too.  I swear it seemed like my toilet did flush a little better ... it must have cleaned out the system!

I tried them for for 4 weeks and decided they were well worth the wait!  You will get a 30 day supply like I did.  The products are non-toxic, probiotic cleaning agents. Natural House products are strong enough for commercial clean-up, yet safe and gentle for all of the members of your Natural House.  

Watch the super cute video below for more info :)

Here's a little more info about why our all-natural cleaning products are superior to those currently on the market!

• The products use an eco-friendly cleaning method of probiotics that create a beneficial, odor eating ecosystem to naturally drive out and digest odors at their source.
• Natural House's plant-based ingredients are eco-friendly, non-toxic and biodegradable to naturally fight the toughest problems you face in your house.
• Sinky and Flushy even break down and digest fats, oil, grease, and solid waste to ensure your disposal, pipes, drain lines or septic tank run smoothly.
• The cleaners contain good probiotics which continue to scour, clean, consume odors, grime, grease, and germs, and they continue to do so until your next weekly treatment!
• We earned the coveted Retailers’ Choice Award” at the 2011 National Hardware Show!

Check them out  on Facebook and Twitter for some extra discounts like coupons and contests. 

Want to buy them?  Well go to their website or Amazon 

FYI: When using your Natural House products be sure and let it foam first to release the cleaning agents before going to the next step on the package directions.

Laundry Detergent!

I am trying to make laundry detergent at this very moment... I Googled a lot of recipes and finally decided that they all sound the same and to just go with the 1-1-1 ratio :)

Ingredients: 

• Fels-Naptha 
• Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
• 20 Mule Team Borax
• Old Laundry Detergent Jugs 
• Bucket to mix
• Wooden spoon 
• Knife/Board
• Food Processor or Magic Bullet
• Pan
• Funnel

1. Start boiling 3-4 cups of water in a large pan
2. Cut your Fels-Naptha into small chunks, just like when you cut a potato
3. Put into food processor to chop up so you do not have to grate :)
4. Pour into boiling water.  You may have to wait awhile! Mine was around 15 mins.
5. Fill 1/3 to 1/2 bucket  with hot water
6. Transfer soap water to a safe area  and pour into bucket
7. Add and mix together 1 C. Borax & 1 C. Washing Soda. Stir until dissolved
8. Funnel into your containers approximately 1/2 full and top it off with water
9. Begin washing your tools - they will have soap stick to them
10. Wa-la! You can make more than toast and eggs now you kitchen magician!

Alright, so I have become a little obsessed with Pinterest and to make it easier if someone wanted to PIN THIS (wink wink) I made a little progression chart of what I did using pictures! 

Have fun!

Trista