DIY Lotion Dispenser

   I always see the super cute soap dispensers made out of canning jars and I wanted one for myself, to hold our lotion in the bathroom. I could never find them in stores though! So I decided I could make one myself.

    I took an empty, cleaned spaghetti jar, drilled a whole in the top, and used the lotion squirt pump (had to trim the tube to fit) to make it. I then painted the lid black and took the "cocoa butter" sticker from a previous lotion bottle, cut it to size, and put it on the jar! It may not be as cute as a canning jar or the ones I've seen online but I think it turned out alright :) 

 

Temporary Kitten Box

Our temporary box for the kitten...We thought he was little enough to not climb out of this but nope..He jumped right over this big cardboard box wall as soon as he was put into it! lol. So now it's my son's play box haha...the kitten has a kennel now :) But I wanted to share the cute job hehe... Here's all sides of it.

Our Kitten& DIY Cat Toys

   We finally got our kitten, on May 25th! He (We're hoping he is really a he and not a she!!) was born on April 17th...the person we got him from said his mother was feral and he was just ready to give the kittens away (there was 3 of them)  so we got him at 5 weeks old :) He is adorable and FULL of energy. Quite the little booger right now lol. But he's a cutie ...we named him Mr. Bumpus. We got the name from a book my son got from the Library called Robobots by Matt Novak. One of the characters was named Mr. Bumpus and it just seemed to fit :)

Here is our Mr. Bumpus:


In our wait of bringing him home, me and my lil man made the kitten some toys! The feather stick is made from a tree branch stick, with yarn wrapped around it securely, and feathers tied to the end. So simple and free-we used what we had on hand! And it's one of the kittens favorite toys! The next toy, lil man made. Its a ball of yarn wound up. I made sure it was secure.. which I thought it was, until we actually brought this kitty home and he played with it lol...
Anyway, he's been having fun with our DIY kitty toys. :)

End Table Re-Do

    Awhile back, I had posted about a jewelry box I had that I re-did and I was pretty pleased with how it turned out, so my next project was to attempt re-doing a little end table.

It started out as a dark cherry wood color, pretty, (minus scratches) but it just didn't suit my home decor. I wanted to paint it a nice red but I ended up painting it white instead because red doesn't seem to suit my decor either lol. I used the Easy Liquid Sander Deglosser again (so much easier then sanding, and no particles flying in the air!). But old fashion sanding would have worked so much better, in making the paint stick, but this will do for where I'm at now :)

BEFORE:

 In the process of painting:

 And the finished. :) I'm pretty happy with it.

Reese's Chocolate Stuffed Cupcakes

Reese's Chocolate Stuffed Cupcakes

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 1/3 cups sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 large eggs

(I cut this recipe in half and made 14 cupcakes)

I sprayed the muffin tins then dumped in some batter, placed a piece of Reese's chocolate candy on top, then put another dollop of batter on top of that and baked at 350 degrees for approximately 20-25 minutes. 

While the cupcakes were baking, I made some peanut butter chocolate frosting by mixing butter, powdered sugar, cocoa, and peanut butter together til it reached desired flavor. 

Once cupcakes cooled, I placed frosting in a piping bag and decorated the cupcakes. 

They were delicious!  

Puffy Oven Pancakes

Puffy Oven Pancakes

   This recipe is from the Betty Crocker Cookbook, made as a sweet pancake fritter, 

to top with fruit but I had the idea to turn it into a meaty yumminess pancake!

I followed the recipe:

2Tbs of butter

2 Large Eggs

1.2 C of Flour

1/2 C of Milk

1/4 tsp of salt

And mixed as follows. I then added in some of Torani's Bacon Syrup and a handful or Sausage Crumbles. Then mixed all together and poured into a greased glass pie dish and baked at 400 degrees for about 25-30 minutes.

  Top with cheese and eat immediately to enjoy its warmth. So good!

Measurements With Pom Poms

A fun at home school project my son had a lot of fun with. We picked several items- all different sizes, And I found clipart for each item to make him a worksheet. For each item, he measured how big it was with pom poms. Then he got to measure it with a tape measure. On the worksheet he wrote the amount of pom poms it took to make it's length, and the size of it in inches. at the end, we traced his hand and measured it the same way as all the other items. He really enjoyed it :)

My Target Bag Sample

Got my Target bag :)

Contains inside the cute makeup bag:

• Nivea Extreme Moisture Lotion
• Pantene Color Hair Solutions Shampoo
• Neutrogena's Visibly bright facial cleaner (which works great at brightening your face in the mornings and helping with under eye bags!!)
• Simple sensitive cleaning facial wipes
• Loreal's Magic Lumi-light infusing primer which is suppose to illuminate your face but i didn't find it doing much for me..
• And of course, a booklet of coupons.

Lovin Target :)

Cleaning Floors with Natural House MOPPY

A new review on the wonderful Natural House cleaning products!! 

This time I got to review MOPPY which is... can you guess?? For the floors!! :) :)

Moppy is a pro-biotic cleaning agent that cuts through dirt and grime one your floor. It doesn't leave any residue behind and it keeps odors away as well! Each bag contains a 30 day supply for mopping, which is 4 soluble packages, 1 for each week. The package foams up in water and has an orange mint scent; nothing over powering, just a light hint of it. Moppy is safe to use on multiple surfaces including high-gloss surfaces, terrazzo, marble, slate, vinyl, tile, and finished hardwood surfaces. It is also Eco-Friendly, non-toxic, biodegradable, so great for our Earth :)

   I just love the little package for Moppy. Makes it so convenient and mess free, being able to throw it into your mop bucket, filled with water. It's always fun watching the product foam up too! Kind of reminds me of being a kid, excited to see Vinegar and Baking Soda foam up...although I still enjoy that  And it's great for small storage spaces. You don't have to store a big chunky bottle of floor cleaner...You just make a small space for the Moppy packets and you have so much more room!

   You can purchase Moppy, and all the other Natural House cleaning supplies at their website and also on Amazon. Also check them out on Facebook and Twitter!!

One of my lucky readers will win their own package of MOPPY!! Enter through Rafflecopter... First entry is mandatory, leaving a comment. Good luck!!  (Giveaway is only open to U.S. Residents)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* I received Moppy through Natural House Products, in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Friendship Bread" Book Review!

  "Friendship Bread" written by Darien Gee ...... I wanna start this post off with saying...

I LOVE LOVE LOVED this book!!!

Amish Friendship Bread brings three women together, all in just the right timing, forming a life long friendship with each other.  This book is really heart-felt and sweet. It had some drama in it, which made it feel like a drama movie or chick flick...which I loved;  But there were times I didn't like reading about cheating or tempted husbands, but once that was over with, 

I completely fell in love with the book.

It begins off by, a grieving mother (named Julia) and her 5 year old daughter finds a loaf of Amish Friendship Bread and a starter bag, on their porch, and the daughter convinces her mother to make the bread together and share it with others. Julia finds herself walking in to a Tea Salon, not caring to socialize, but shares her Amish Friendship Bread starters with two new comers of the town and finds herself having good conversation and actually enjoying life again. They each are facing similar emotional tragedies in life, which helps them relate to each other even more and 

build their friendship stronger.

   There's so much great stuff that goes on in this book, I can't even begin to write it all... It is really touching though and also made me crave Amish Friendship Bread so bad! haha. I will be making it soon and I will be sure to post when I do. I hope to find others to share it with and 

maybe make some new friends too!

I can not wait for Darien Gee's next book which will be coming out soon!!

   I highly recommend this book to women looking for a good read..and even men too, if you like this style of books :) You can read more about it at the Barnes & Noble site or on Amazon.

   Please do, as I'm sure you'll love it just as I did :)

  I received "Friendship Bread" through The Family Review Network, in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Update on Garnier's Triple Nutrition

 I posted a few days back, my review for Garnier's new Triple Nutrition shampoo and conditioner 

that I received through Bzzagent and wanted to give a quick update

 for my husband's use in it as well as a few extra tips.

     My husband is still satisfied with these products (and I wish I could be using them..I'm jealous! :P ); he says they are a great set of shampoo and conditioner, still helping with his dry scalp, and getting the job done. I have used them on our 4 year old son as well, and he enjoys the smells. They leave the hair soft and smelling good, no greasy after textures or anything of that.

   I have found that the conditioner works really well for a shaving cream substitute :) It makes shaving even the smallest stubble's, easier, and also leaves your legs feeling so soft and smooth. I love that!

I forgot to mention before, that you can print out coupons for $1.25 off any of the brand’s new high-performing formulas. Check it out HERE.

And don't forget to follow Garnier Fructis on FACEBOOK  to stay up to date with them, as well as enter in Giveaways they occasionally hold! Also make sure to follow them on TWITTER!

This post is made possible by Bzzagent. You too, can try out products in exchange for your opinions at Bzzagent, just sign up at http://www.bzzagent.com

Let's Make Homemade Cloud Dough

   Looking for a fun indoor activity? Let's make Cloud Dough!! 

   It's such an easy activity and kids will loving squishing on it! To make Clough Dough, you mix flour and baby oil together until you get a dough like consistency. That's it! 

   This activity becomes a wonderful, soft, great smelling dough to play in! You can get your kids to help you make it, or you can pre make it yourself and set up a fun sensory box for them to enjoy. 

Konsyl Senna Prompt for Overnight Relief

All throughout life, people come and people go...but in the end we are the one who has to live with our own body...We have to make sure we, ourselves are happy and taken care of. That we can feel good and live our dream of making our future become our present. To do this, we must stay healthy; And being healthy is the best things you can do for yourself!   

Konsyl Senna Prompt is a good way to help you with that.

It works as a great source of Psyllium Fiber that our bodies need; Which is approximately 25-38 grams of fiber per day for adults. *Studies have shown that 7 grams of soluble fiber from psyllium husk, taken daily as part of a heart healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease by helping to lower cholesterol.

Here are some facts on Konsyl Senna Prompt:

• Relieves constipation and promotes regularity (even while pregnant)
• Relieves various gastrointestinal disorders and reduces risk of developing hemorrhoids
• Enhances weight loss
• Decreases blood cholesterol levels, which can reduce risk of heart disease
• Aids in healthy blood glucose and insulin levels, thereby assisting in the management of diabetes 
•  It's sugar and gluten free
• All natural, Made with 100% pure psyllium, a soluble plant fiber
• Safe for celiac patients, people with diabetes, pregnant and nursing mothers
• Available in powder, capsule and single-serve packets 

I'm really happy I was able to try Konsyl for myself. In the past, I've had issues with not getting enough fiber in my system, but since using Konsyl, I can feel secure that I'm getting good amounts of fiber in me :) As mentioned above, Konsyl comes in powder, capsules, or single serve packets...I reviewed the capsules because it seemed better to just swallow pills then taste the powder, until later, I found that you can actually add the powder in to recipes! I love that idea!  On the back of the Konsyl capsules, it says you can take 1-5 pills, 1 or 2 times daily. I didn't know how many I should start out taking, so I just started with one, the first day. Then two the next, and so on, until I found that 3 pills, one time a day, works great for me. It doesn't come instantly, as the instructions say you will feel the results withing 6 to 12 hours. I was thinking Konsyl would be like a laxative and make it instant, but thankfully it's nothing scary like you might be thinking :) You can still do your normal activities, just make sure you do have access to a bathroom when you need to go ;) I have been using the Konsyl pills for about 2 weeks now and I'm loving the results. I feel like I'm on a more regular "schedule" now and have even noticed my stomach being less bloated! It really helps with build up, trapped in your intestines.

   If you or someone you know could use some more fiber in their diet (which I think everyone should try Konsyl!!) You have two chances to win your own bottle of Konsyl Senna Prompt Capsules!! The first one being the Konsyl Four for Four Fiber Giveaway which goes til June 1st and you can check it out here: http://platform.votigo.com/fbsweeps/sweeps/Konsyl-Fiber-Friday-Freebies

You can also enter my giveaway!! (Closes May 24th)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 I received Konsyl Senna Prompt , a natural fiber supplement, through Konsyl, and The Family Review Network, in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dryel 30-min in Dryer Cleaner Review

 Disclaimer: I received the following product(s) in exchange for my review. All opinions my own.

   Dryel is said to be an excellent way to do your own dry cleaning straight from home! Or in my case, our apartment laundromat :) Dryel is made for "dry clean only" clothing, or clothing you want to keep looking brand new..

   Now I know we all want to keep every piece of our clothing looking brand new, but that would be a lot of Dryel to go through, if we were to do that ;) But if you have a pair of jeans you want to stay dark, or a sweater you don't want shrinking, then a nice 30 minute dryer Dryel session will do the job. It cleans special clothing that requires hand washing, including wool, linens and cottons. It does not contain harsh chemicals so your clothes will stay the color and shape they're meant to be! Dryel also contains an advanced cleaning technology that removes stains and eliminates perspiration and odor, while getting right down to the fiber, to keep clean!

    I used my Dryel kit on my husbands Dry Clean Only, suit jacket. I began by spraying the "Booster Spray" throughout the jacket and especially on the neck and armpit areas. I then put the jacket into the fabric protection bag and threw in the ultra cleaning cloth. Zipped the bag up and put it in the dryer on medium heat, for 30 minutes. Just as the instructions said. During the 30 minute wait, I imagined how the suit jacket would come out, looking nice and smelling fresh...but that was far from what happened...

 

   I was really disappointed. The jacket came out damp and wrinkly! I believe the dampness was from the ultra cleaning cloth, because the jacket came out more damp then it was when I put it in the bag. It also had a unpleasant smell. I wouldn't call it stinky...more so, just the smell of the booster spray mixing with heat of the dryer, causing an odd scent.  I'm hoping it just needed some more dry time, because the idea of Dryel sounds really great! I will try it out again and hope for better results, as well as sharing it with others to see what their experience comes of it. On a positive note, the Dryel fabric protection bag is a decent size so you can fit 1-4 pieces of clothing in and have fresh clothes that look newer longer. If it works that is ;)

Don't forget to visit Dryel on their Facebook page, you can get a $1 Off coupon to purchase your own Dryel Cleaning Kit!!

This post is made possible by SheSpeaks and their Rate & Review Program. 

Garnier Frucitis Triple Nutrition Shampoo & Conditioner

  Do you have dry or damaged hair? Garnier Fructis' new Triple Nutrition hair care just might be for you! Triple Nutrition is made with 3 nutritive and weightless fruit oils: Olive, Avocado and Shea. It comes in shampoo and conditioner, and hair treatment lotion and spray. There bottles are made of 30% recycled material and PET which is the most widely recycled plastic!

   

Triple Nutrition is made to help dry and damaged hair, by using the fruit oils to nourish, as well as strengthen your hair and give it an over all healthy shine from the inside out. 

They have an amazing tropical smell that can lead you to day dream while showering ;)

   I was excited to try out a new Garnier Fructis shampoo and conditioner because I have used their Pure & Clean shampoo, in the past, and found it to be pretty good. I make sure to use shampoos free from sodium lauryl sulfates and Garnier is helpful with that. I love that they are becoming more and more Eco-friendly. But I have to admit, I was slightly disappointed with them this time. But aside from the conditioner being a bit greasy and hard to wash out,  I don't think it is Garnier's fault; I think my hair is just picky. It seems I can only use certain shampoos, because my hair falls out too much with others! And in this case, it fell out more, when I used this shampoo and conditioner :( I guess I have to stick to my usual, Organix, otherwise my hair isn't happy. But because of this, I had my husband use the Triple Nutrition shampoo and conditioner to see if he had the same results of hair loss. He didn't! So I know it's just my hair being picky lol. My husband is African-American and has thick curly hair, but a dry scalp. When he used the shampoo and conditioner the first time, he loved it! He said it not only has a great smell, but it has been helping his scalp to not be so dry, as well! And he wants to continue using it! So this can be a great product for certain people -including men :) - as there are a lot of other great reviews on it, just wish my hair wasn't so picky ;)

You can follow Garnier Fructis on FACEBOOK  to stay up to date with them, as well as enter in Giveaways they occasionally hold! Also make sure to follow them on TWITTER!

 

This post is made possible by Bzzagent. You too, can try out products in exchange for your opinions at Bzzagent, just sign up at http://www.bzzagent.com