Friday, December 28, 2012

Whipped Shea Butter


I am going to sound like a typical Italian cook. I didn't measure. Yep you read that right. . The ratio of butter to oil depends on taste and weather. During warmer months the shea will melt faster. It will be harder during the winter which would require more liquid oil. Some don't mind the greasy feeling, which does sink into your skin. You can add dry flo or cornstarch. Just a little, not too much. I used my whisk attachment for my hand blender used only for my lotions.

Soy Candles-CT River Candles



I have a wonderful opportunity to review and giveaway a Soy candle from CT River Candles. They are hand poured using 100% natural soy wax-Made in the USA. Soy is a renewable resource and burns much cleaner. The wax has a lower melting point therefore it's burns longer & cooler with less soot. Check out their available scents here. What would you choose?

Disclosure: This website often reviews products and receives compensation from
the retailers of the products it reviews.

Thyme tea & Herb grinder




Do you grow you own herbs? Here is a great deal on a Herb grinder on Amazon.  Did you know Thyme contains thymol, a powerful antioxidant? I have no medical background. I have researched online about essential oils and herbs. I have found drinking a tea of thyme, rosemary and lemon soothes my sore throat, opens my mucus membranes and eases my chest congestion & cough. The flavor of thyme is unique. Lemon is a great addition to the flavor. This is only my personal experience, not a medical fact.

What is your favorite herb?

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Tips and Tricks Thursday




Beautiful centerpiece with two clear vases. The candle is in the center vase. Place crinkled plastic wrap in the outer vase. Fill with water and push the plastic wrap down. Now you have created a faux icy Centerpiece.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Australian Natural Soap Giveaway



Welcome to the Australian Natural Soap Event brought to you by Lisa from The Consumer Adviser and promoted by a topnotch group of bloggers.





Saturday, December 15, 2012

Solution for Tiny Gift Card Balances

Awesome tip from my friend Renea. Use up those gift cards with tiny balances by purchasing Amazon E-cards! I just used 8 cards to get $13.

 



Thursday, December 13, 2012

Christmas Storage



Every year we dread going into our designated closet for the Christmas Decorations. Mom kept many of her Mother's stuff. She has her own style and then My husband and I moved in with our style.

It starts out organized. Then day after day we find another thing we missed. It gets to the point you can't open the door without stuff falling.

We have so much stuff it would take a week to complete. This year I put 1/3 of the items out because I didn't want to go through the mess.






  1. Outside decorations
  2. Mom's (will need 1-2 more)
  3. Our decorations
  4. Christmas tree decorations

The best time to get organized is now. Since the room was half empty I was able to move things around and see everything. I made sure to pick out clear bins. $5.98 at HomeDepot.

2013 Update

Keeping things organized is always an ongoing project! We successfully kept it organized but we still have a lot of dejunking to do. Before storing the decorations I am sorting each bin and removing what we haven't used.

 

 You may also like:

http://mbella77.blogspot.com/2013/05/bookcase-remodel.htmlhttp://mbella77.blogspot.com/2013/12/refrigerator-organization.htmlhttp://mbella77.blogspot.com/2013/02/stockpile-organization.html

Gift for Bakers-Vanilla Extract ...


Do you have a baker on your Christmas list? Need a housewarming gift idea or wedding shower gift? Put together a basket or glove of goodies. First and foremost Vanilla Extract is a MUST. I made these last year for Christmas following Reclaiming Provincial's how to. I purchased my beans on Amazon-Premium Bourbon-Madagascar Vanilla Beans  $11.49.


Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Tips and Tricks Tues 12/11

I discovered this super awesome and easy tutorial on making a gift box from 12x12 craft paper. Ready for my reveal? I have to say I am in LOVE with this concept.



I stamped 4x4 card stock in 3 colors and adhered them to the main paper.

Crayola Mess Free

Did you know Crayola makes mess free coloring products? I just love the Color Wonder. The markers only show up on the special paper. It's like magic my son says. These make wonderful stocking stuffers. I am ordering for my little cousins for Christmas Eve gifts.





Thursday, December 6, 2012

Hostess Gift


WINE CHARMS

 
I admit I have a minor *cough* addiction to Pinterest. Since becoming a SAHM 3 years ago I am slowly getting into crafts. Some days I wonder when did Martha S drop by. I never thought I would be that Mom making animal shaped cookies and cardboard houses. Yep it happened but not over night.
 

Alex Toys

Amazon Deal of the Day

60% off Alex Toys Select items

Here are my two favorite selections

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Simple and Elegant decorating on a budget.

In August 2012, we planned a surprise birthday party for my Mother in Law's surprise Birthday Party. The theme was Simple & Elegant Tea Party. I searched Pinterest for ideas and this is how it turned out. We were restricted from attaching anything to the walls.

 


Wordless Wednesday-My Son's Birthdays

1st Birthday




Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Fleischmann's Simply homemade



Do you ever have a craving for freshly baked bread but don't want to break out the bread maker? You have to try Fleischmann's Simply homemade no knead Bread Mix.

These are products I purchased on my own behalf. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this post.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

TropTraditions Review & Giveaway

Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil - 32 oz.

Win 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!
 
Disclosure: This website often reviews products and receives compensation from
the retailers of the products it reviews.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Amazon Lightning Lego deals

 Today's Amazon Lightning Toy deals is on LEGO!
 Can't wait, click on the waitlist to reserve a spot.

  • LEGO Whitecap Bay (4194) 12 Noon EST $46.99 (41% Off)
  • LEGO City Mining Truck (4202) 1pm EST $22.99 (34% Off)
  • LEGO Star Wars Ewok Attack (7956) 2pm EST $14.99 (50% Off)
  • LEGO Star Wars Anakin’s & Sebulba’s Podracers (7962) 3pm EST $51.99 (42% Off)
  • LEGO Cars Mack’s Team Truck (8486) 4pm EST
  • LEGO Super Heroes The Hulk (4530) 6pm EST
  • LEGO DUPLO Cars Siddeley Saves The Day (6134) 7pm EST
  • LEGO City Off Road Fire Rescue (7942) 9pm EST

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Shore Fellowship Needs your help

I am very proud of my cousin Lisa Birge Price! She is a
Volunteer Coordinator at Shore Fellowship Egg Harbor NJ. They need your help!



With millions affected by the recent storm, we want to help provide relief for those who desperately need it.  Shore Fellowship provided temporary housing for the more than 350 residents of the Atlantic City Rescue Mission.  Now, we continue to help provide for the needs of many in our area who have been impacted.

Vapor rub on feet?

Have you ever put vapor rub on your feet and then socks before sleeping when sick? Sounds crazy but it worked for me the other night. I used my homemade rub found on Crunchy Betty's page.


Sunday, November 4, 2012

My Hair Care recipes



My winning conditioner recipe for my curly hair type.

JASON® celebrates Earth Day!

Our Pure, Natural Restorative Shampoo gently cleanses as it restores healthy strength to weak, damaged hair. The thickening properties Biotin and Vitamin B5’s revitalize hair’s elasticity. Ginseng and lavender extracts help repair split ends and minimize future breakage. Fortified with energy, your hair looks healthier and grows stronger.-JASON®


Burt's Bees® & Klout Perks

Burt's Bees® Gets Intense About Hydration 

 Clary Sage, a remarkable botanical that thrives in its harsh environment because of its ability to retain moisture, is the inspiration behind Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration, our natural ode to soft, supple, revitalized skin and our best natural anti-aging solution. Our cream cleanser leaves your skin incredibly soft while our day lotion, eye cream and night cream help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Add the treatment mask for an immediate dose of hydration to give your skin a revitalized look.-Burt's Bees® 

 

Saturday, November 3, 2012

DIY Beauty Care!



I love Swift's blog for home made beauty products. I now make my own conditioner, lotion, deodorant, hair gel, body wash and sugar scrub.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

WII U Console

Choice Your U Event

Hosted by Mom Powered Media and Iowa Mom

Prizes: Wii U Console {2 units = 1 a month}

Event dates: 11/2-11/30 & 12/2-12/30

Free Blog Event! Sign-up here, BLOGGERS WANTED

Don't forget to mention Crazy for Savings sent you.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Christmas Cash Event




Christmas Cash Event hosted by Mom Powered Media



Prize: $500 Visa Gift Card OR $500 Paypal Cash OR $500 Amazon Gift Card {winner's choice}


Event dates: 11/7 - 12/5


Free Blog Event! Sign-up here, BLOGGERS WANTED

Monday, October 15, 2012

Tropical Traditions CO




Time to open my jar.

Tropical Traditions has a ton of boards on Pinterest. Did you know the gold label has the highest levels OF antioxidants? It is also hand made and by family producers.  What should be the first recipe I try?

Beauty is in the Eye....


Pinterest

Pin it to Win it Contest

 

I love my cuttlebug & original Cricut!!!  

 

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Vitacost-Sports & Fitness


Did you know that Vitacost sells Sports & Fitness products? They have 3 specialty shops for Fitness and Weight Loss, Strength and Development & Endurance and Training.  

 

Friday, October 5, 2012

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Last year while baking my recipe called for Pumpkin Pie Spice. Oops we didn't have any. Did you know you could mix your own? This is why I love Pinterest.

 Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons nutmeg
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground allspice
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves 

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Halloween Inspiration

I always had a creative side. I just need some inspiration. Pinterest is my place of inspiration.


This year I have a Haunted Halloween scene on my bookshelf. I purchased a black tree from Kohl's. I believe it's a Martha Stewart design.