3 tips: home remedies and such, that you may just love

Well, today I have 3 tips for you- but first I have a tip for my newly blogging self! Don't say what is going to be on your blog next unless it is already DONE!  My wood poster is taking some time as the hubby has to cut my mount and has not been around much due to work.  So, that is all I have to say about that!

Todays tips- better coffee, better tables & better tummies

Tip No. 1 - This is one that I discovered, may or may not be new.  For those coffee drinkers out there who like cinnamon in their java, I got tired of sprinkling it in and it not mixing.  So one day I just added it to my grounds- fantastic!  Everyone who comes over for coffee loves it, even when I am just using Meijer brand. I add a couple scoops, add some cinnamon, the rest of the scoops, add more cinnamon to the top.
Voila!

Tip No. 2 - This one my mom taught me.  If you have nice wood tables, I am sure you have had the issue of someone putting a beverage on it without a coaster.  Then you get those nice sweat rings...As soon as you see one, just take some mayonnaise and spread a medium layer on the ring.  Let it set awhile (I have even forgotten mine overnight because it turns opaque) then wipe it off.  Again, Voila!  Ring is gone.  So far, this has always worked for me.

Tip No. 3 - This is another that my mom taught me, and is somewhat on a personal note. Have you ever had those pains in your stomache so bad you are basically doubled over?  ummm...Gas pains technically?  or serious indigestion that hits quick and hard? 
Solution: Take some warm/hot water, about 4 oz, and add a heaping tsp of baking soda to it.  Stir and drink fast (not the best tasting stuff, but you can charge through it!).  This may be followed by a series of burps, but in no time you will feel like a million! (and you will amuse your children).  Trust me, I have used this one several times, and its never failed.



Those are my tips for today! Hope at least one of these are new to you and you get a chance to try them out! 

DIY cleaners- all purpose, laundry wash and laundry softener

Happy Valentines Day!

Since my big plans for Valentines day will be cleaning, let's check out this DIY cleaning stuff.
I am cheap. It's true. I love to spend less on....anything! One thing I despise is spending it on laundry detergent now that I have 3 boys! I go through it like water.
So I've seen these creative ideas on other blogs and decided to try it myself.
I am fairly impressed. I'm not easily impressed when it comes to cleaning stuff.
So, I gotta share the feedback and recipes.

*First up was an all-purpose cleaner. I found lots of recipes, but one appealed to me the most, so I tweaked it. You can thank Www.bigboxdetox.com for the basis of this recipe. It works super for general wiping down, toilets, counters, doors, and....even mirrors! Yes, even our mirrors and glass. Although I still love my good old vinegar and h2o for that. )
Heres what you need:

- 1 tsp of liquid dish soap
- 1/2 tsp of baking soda
- 2 tbspmof white vinegar
- 2 cups of water
- a touch of tea tree oil (added this myself as an anti, so just added what I felt worked!)

Voila- put it in a large spray bottle and I was off to work!

*Next up, laundry detergent. Not so easy for me- I prefer liquid form but next time around may go dry. The "liquid" recipes I found were all over the map, and mine came out like thick pea soup. Doubled my water and will double my amount per load, but here's basics. Again my basis for the recipe was found all over the net, but I narrowed it down to this:

- 1 bar of Fels Naptha (Meijers, like less than $2)
- 1 cup of Arm & Hammer super washing soda (Meijers, under $4)
- 1/2 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax (again, Meijers, under $5 I believe)
- 4 cups of water (if liquid version)

For liquid version: You will need a 5 gallon bucket, this makes enough for like 200 loads....

Grate Fels Naptha with a cheese grater- the finer the better, especially if your leaving this dry version.
Mix Fels Naptha and all ingredients together. If using dry version, that's it! Put it in container and use 1/8 to 1/4 cup, depending on machine. HE machines require less.

For liquid, use the 4 cups of water and heat that with Fels Naptha over stove til dissolved. Add into 2.5 to 3 gallons of water and rest of mixture. (my husband loved this! He did all the mixing)

Mix, voila! Use 1/4 cup per load.
Keep it in the bucket if you have the room, or buy a smaller container.


Here's where it gets tricky- mine got so thick I'm stirring it often. Also have no room for a 5 gallon pail,sitting out. So I take and 1/2 water, 1/2 solution in a jug and mix. Works better and I use 1/2 cup per load. Takes practice and tweaking, but I have so much laundry soap now, I seriously think it will last months!

*Next up, I figured I would try the fabric softener too- since I read so many versions using vinegar which gets out odors and cleans better. SO EASY! Thanks Www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com.
What you need:
- 3 cups of water
- 1.5 cups of vinegar
- 1 cup of hair conditioner (obviously you can pick your scent)

Mix em. That's it. Use what you would regularly use in your wash....
OR get crazy like I did, and use the sponge method. Cut up some regular sponges(like in half) and put the pieces in the mixture. Every time you put a load in the dryer, ring out a sponge to damp and throw it in like a softener sheet. Love it.

Whew. I'm tired. Realize I missed some pix, but still learning people! You can figure it out I'm sure! ;-)

That's it for today. Next up- my wood poster and coffee table redo. Yay!

What is your definition of done?

I am working on a few projects this week- cant wait to share them! I am so close to done, but need today to finish up all the info.

Coming this week:
-DIY cleaning supplies....I have done 3 different cleaners and am excited to give recipes etc.
Laundry detergent, fabric softener, and all purpose cleaner. So far results are looking good!

-I also finished up my "wood poster", just gotta mount and show the photos!

-I'm also finishing up a coffee table that is going to be, um, interesting hopefully- and beautiful.

In the meantime on this fine Monday, after a hell week last week, I want to reconsider my need for "perfection". I found this on a blog from Pinterest, and love it in some odd demented way.
Read it yourself- it may or may not apply for you, but it sure does to me!




found on brepettis.com


Ok, off to work I go- tending to 3 boys, trying to clean, and trying to be as productive as I can be and learn to be satisfied with what I DO get accomplished. Happy Monday folks!

Seriously?! That's what I say to the gal that I see In the wine glass reflection.

So I had every intention, again, of doing various projects today...then as the boys were playing this morning, my youngest twin ran right into the corner of the wall, and all mayhem ensued. I let them run after each other- mostly because I become awful tired of constantly yelling at 3 young boys. My husband on the other hand (who isn't home as often) proceeded to tell the boys not to run the house- while I explained to him that I let them, we heard the THUD and saw the youngest bounce off the corner of the wall.
I panicked, because thats what I do- I freak out. I am not the picture of calm, no matter how much I'd like to be. Can you really learn "calm and patience"? I ask myself this at least once a day. If you have the answer, Share it!!!!! Instead, I tend to drink wine.
Anyway, he needed stitches we believed, so I texted my neighbors to see if they could come, and thank the lord they arrived quickly. It took 3 of us- my husband, myself and the nurse- to hold him still while he got stitched. Otherwise Tag was the picture of toughness. This kid is crazy strong and a total ramrod. Daredevil doesn't sum it up- so this does not surprise me, nor do I think it is the last of our "episodes". However, that does not make this easier. This week really sucked. There is no other way to put it- father in the hospital all week (in another state!) eldest with a fever for 4 days under quarantine, husband unable to help for a day or 2, due to his procedure (snip, snip) and then today the urgent care visit for stitches. This and a nightly episode of nightmares.
I am currently drinking large amounts of wine, I cannot lie. I am stressed, exhausted, frustrated and....more... All at once. However, I am thankful all my kids are ok, my husband is ok, my father is ok, and I have the ability to move on from all this. Also, I did find time to start a few projects. You know, to keep my sanity! So you can look forward to those on Monday. Homemade cleaning products, and an awesome wood poster. Say tuned. Oh, and hug and kiss your kids.

Friday, already? This parenting thing can really bite.

Well, 4th day of fever and quarantine- finally took the eldest to the pediatrician this morning for an antibiotic as the snot came on fast, and out of every possibly spot. Yeah, TMI... but once your a parent, nothing is really off limits. He was up all night with fever, shakes, he was a little out of his mind and so cranky I can barely keep my patience.
So, this has put yet another hold on a couple projects. I hope to work on them this weekend, and do a reveal, ASAP. I am doing a "wood poster" and also doing a paint job on a couple pieces I got recently, one being an Amazing coffee table...
On that note, I also acquired a couple items on the online auction yesterday. Some stools, and a really cool cabinet. All which will be shown here and up for sale on Etsy soon.
Happy Friday! Until next time-

Sickness, faux mercury glass, & other projects mixed in...

So my week has basically been spent tending to my sick child and attempting to keep him quarantined from the twins. I was so motivated on Monday, but by 2 am Tuesday morning, that all changed with a fever of 102. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent running between my gated off bedroom and the twins in the living room. Today he still has a fever and now I am getting sick...again.

Our linen cabinet in our bedroom!

Not sure what's up with this Michigan weather but I have been sick more days than not since October. Since December 18th I can count on one hand how many nights I have slept "through" between getting up for 3 kids and myself. I am getting tired of it all. So yesterday of course I was frustrated with not being able to get any work done and decided to update a few vases laying around.
One I thought needed to add some color. I'm not in love with the final result persay, but it works for now.
I taped it off quickly, and unevenly, and painted some stripes which I then stenciled numbers on. 5, since that is the magic number in this house :-) Forgive me, these photos all taken with iphone, so not the clearest...and this was way up on our cabinet.

Then I had 2 other vases that I love, that were a smoked glass look, but the color had chipped off the outsides and I needed to cover that up somehow. I attempted the "faux mercury glass" look.
You spray water onto the vase til it just forms drops (not so much that the water runs- easier said than done) then you take Looking Glass spray paint (the kind that makes a mirror finish) and spray over the water droplets. Personally I like the running a bit. Also I believe this would work much better on a textured type vase. Either way, it's done, and they are kinda cool
looking!

So that is how I deal- I create something. Sometimes in haste and not sure I like the end result, but at least I attempted it! Like I said, I am a doer. Have to be doing something!
Today I will be watching various items in an online auction; check it out yourself if you never have : www.1800lastbid.com
Repocast is the local auction here in grand rapids, and although I've never purchased (I am cheap, or frugal if you want the nicer version) I do love to dream.

New week, fresh start!

So it is going to take some practice keeping up with a Blog, starting this Etsy store, and having 3 kids at home. Especially when other things get thrown into the mix.
My parents left for Florida Tuesday, and by Friday morning I got the call he was in the hospital. He has COPD, as well as battling constant sickness and Multiple Myeloma Cancer. He is a tough guy but it has been difficult with them being there, and us here waiting for updates. I got the word today from my mother that he is doing much better. Time will tell and if need be, there may be a trip to Florida!
So, I'm realizing yet again, I need to stay busy to remain sane. So this weekend we were in project mode. Trying to finish my office space and get my store products under way.

I bought some cabinets off Craigslist ( big surprise!) and did some revising if you will. A little graphite chalk paint and some distressing/waxing, and we are blending the new wall in with other furnishings.

Remember, this is in progress! I still have to paint walls, put the trim on the countertop and shelving, and get a sweet chair. Hope to show all finished very soon....and get to some working!

Wish I would have gotten a before shot of the bare wall with only a computer armoire...I'm learning!