Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Baby Bib Giveaway
Friday, January 20, 2012
Best Sleep Ever
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| Sleeping Couple by tastes orangey |
Do you ever wake up feeling like you didn't sleep all that well and your neck feels strained? This happens to me every time my pillow gets worn out and flat. This Christmas I asked for a new pillow since I had reached that point with my current one. A friend recommended The Company Store. They have very high quality bedding and it's made right here the U.S. in LaCrosse, WI. I'm all for buying American made stuff so I decided this time I would get my pillow from them.
They make a lot of bedding and bath products for the luxury high end customers, but also some more affordable products for the middle class shoppers. There is also an excellent kids line of products that includes furniture, toys and clothing.
I was told they use their own mix of feathers for the down pillows so that they don't get pokey. I looked over all the pillows and decided on a down alternative pillow. I narrowed my choice down to 3 pillows and told my husband to buy the one that fit what he wanted to spend on me for Christmas. He chose the Dream Mate Wool Pillow. I guess it was a popular pillow because he ordered it a week before Christmas and it just arrived this week, having been on back order this whole time.
I am very happy with this pillow. Usually it takes me about a week or so to get used to a new pillow, but I slept extremely well the first night. No matter what position I sleep in (and I'm mostly a belly sleeper), this pillow doesn't strain my neck. I find it most comfortable when sleeping on my side, but sleeping on my back works just as well too. The wool fluff on the inside shifts easily to accommodate any position I
choose, yet holds it's shape and gives excellent support. It is so
soft.
When I'm ready to buy a new pillow, I am definitely going to The Company Store again.
P.S. I would have included photos, but their website doesn't allow me to copy any images over to here.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
How to Make Laundry Soap
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| Laundry Day Nicho by Retablos |
One day while watching 17 Kids and Counting the family did an episode on how they cut back on expenses. One of the ways they save money is by making their own laundry soap. I did a quick Google search and came across a very helpful site with a variety of recipes to try. They offer both the liquid as well as the powder recipes. I prefer liquid soap so here is a tutorial on how to make liquid laundry soap, which is recipe #1 on the site.
List of ingredients and tools:
*1 bar of natural handmade soap - preferably unscented
*Box of Borax (Laundry area of any store)
*Box of Washing Soda (Can be difficult to find, I found mine at Woodman's here in WI, also in laundry area)
*10 gallon bucket with a lid (I found mine at Home Depot)
*Long wooden spoon
*Cheese grater
*Large measuring cup
Altogether I spent $20 on the bucket, bar of soap, borax and washing soda. With the exception of the bar soap, these materials will make a few batches.
Begin by measuring 4 cups of water and pouring it into a pot. Bring to a boil.
Grate the bar of soap which should come out to 2 cups.
Pour the soap into the boiling water and stir until it has completely melted.
Pour the hot, soapy water into the bucket. Add 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup Washing Soda. Stir until dissolved.
Lastly, add 2 gallons (or 32 cups) of warm water into the bucket and stir.
If you want to add a scent to the soap add 10-15 drops of essential oil after you've added the 2 gallons of water. Be sure to get real essential oils, such as from a natural foods store. Oils used for diffusers and air fresheners are made with synthetic chemicals that could cause an allergic reaction.
When you are done fill an empty laundry soap container and shake before every use. Be sure to stir the bucket before refilling the container. Store soap with the lid secured air tight. Use 1/4 cup of soap per load.
Not only is it super easy to make your own soap, it also saves a ton of money. Plus it's safe to use on baby diapers and in high efficiency washers. Since it is very low sudsing it will make the water look dark, but it is working.
An off topic tip about the Borax; if you have a plexiglass shower or tub and you get that nasty yellowing at the bottom, sprinkle some borax and scrub with a sponge. It works wonders on removing the yellowing.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Sweet Somethings
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| The Cross Typography |
In high school and into college I spent a lot of my social time doing church related activities. I grew up with a lot of religion, but not a lot of spirituality. The youth group I attended in high school offered the meaning in church that I lacked growing up. Whenever I visited the homes of friends who were raised in this church I always noticed how much God was a part of their lives by the bible and inspirational quotes throughout the house.
One seller on Etsy reminds me of the art displayed in these homes (as well as the love the families shared with each other). The shop is Sweet Somethings and Rebecca's specialty is typography. She will happily create a piece of wall art for you in your favorite bible quote if you don't see it in her shop.
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| Christian Typography Wall Art |
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| Christian Wall Art |
You can also find other art in her shop such as photographic prints. She is quite talented at her charcoal drawings and also offers custom tattoo designs.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeckyTDesigns
Monday, January 2, 2012
Dreaming of Snow
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| Snow Globe by Airth and Olson |
Now that January is upon us it's time for the annual dump of snow. Amazingly we haven't had more than an inch of snow at a time. So I created a treasury list with a dreamy white winter wonderland on my mind. Here are a few of the items I featured in this treasury list:
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| Llama Print by Lucy Snowe Photography |
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| Snow Angel Charm Bracelet by Princess by Design |
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| Snow Princess Tutu by Atutudes |
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| Snow White Silk Baby Shoes by Bobka Baby |
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