Sunday, November 17, 2013
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Saturday, November 16, 2013
No. 13: Buy A Big Girl Dresser
The two places I lived prior to buying my house spoiled me. Both had huge closets. It was glorious. I loved it. However, when I moved into my house with a closet with less space than an airport lavatory (yes, I went there), I knew I had a problem. I had some old crates from college that served as my dresser for the past four years. It takes me a long time to make big decisions, especially decisions that affect the aesthetic and feel of my home. I can easily spend hundreds of dollars on clothing, but spending hundreds of dollars on something to keep those clothes in makes me anxious.
I finally decided that I wanted a mid-century style of dresser. I love the clean lines of this period, and most of all, I love the legs. I found the most beautiful one from West Elm.
It was perfect. What was not perfect was the $999 pricetag. So with the West Elm version in mind, I started hunting.
I scoured Craigslist. The Springfield market often didn't have a good selection so I would look in STL or KC. Mid-century furniture has become quite popular lately, which has driven up the price on these pieces. Occasionally I would find one in my price range but it wouldn't work logistically.
So, I started hunting at local thrift stores. One day during my lunch break, I popped in at one of my favorites near work, Urban Flea Market. I found three possible options.
I want to remind you, it takes me forever to make any large decisions. And a dresser is large, not just in price, but size. So, I took some pictures and thought it over.
I kept on my search, both looking for new knock-offs of the style at chain stores and looking for originals at flea markets.
One Saturday, I bumped into one of my pals at a flea market while on the hunt. I had sent her the pics of the ones I had found a few weeks earlier as she also loves the mid-century style (and has a beautiful piece). She told me that if I found a dresser she would help move a dresser if it would fit in her SUV.
So, I went back to Urban to review my options. One of the dressers had already sold. Upon further inspection of another, the body and bones just weren't in that good of shape. However, the third was better than I remembered it. Although I did want something with knobs and pulls I could refinish, this dresser was in pristine condition. All the drawers pulled in and out with ease and there wasn't a scratch or nick on it. And the price was right.
I called Lindsey, scheduled a time we could bring it home, pulled out my Visa and it was purchased.
After a good scrubbing with vinegar and water, it found it's proper home in my bedroom. At the thrift store I knew I liked it, but once it was in it's forever home I realized I was in love. I swoon over it daily.
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| Look at 'dem gams |
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
No. 7: My Hippie Life
Okay, I'm not a hippie. Not even close. However, what I am about to tell you might make you think I have went off the deep end.
I have not been washing my hair, as I alluded in my 30 in 30.
My hair (and skin) is something I have struggled with my entire life... or at least since I was around 10 and started caring about hair and skin. In the past five or so years, I have tried to conciously choose what I put in my body, and have been more selective in the past year or so. Yes, I still splurge and love me some tacos and nachos (and occasionally a McDonald's cheeseburger) but what I make at home is much more selective. Once I started paying way more attention to labels, I also started thinking about what I put on my hair, my body, and with what I clean my house. I am far from perfect. I eat and use a million 'harmful' products everyday, but here are some of my small steps, from hair to body to cleaning.
Hair
Around my birthday in July I gave up on conventionally washing my hair. I have never had luck with my fine, curly hair. I would like to eventually get away from the blow-drying and straightening routine, but have never found a way to embrace my curls. I still blow-dry and straighten, but hope to get away from it in the next year or so.
I now rely on a routine of baking soda/Apple Cider Vinegar, Chaz Dean Wen Cleansing Conditioner, and a vegan/wheat & gluten free shampoo and conditioner that excludes parabens and sulfates (it does have a million things I can't pronounce). I have never been an every-day-wash girl. I almost always go every other or every third day.
So my routine: Depending on my time, I try to stick with mainly baking soda and AVC, however, this does take more time for wash and rinse. I make a 'shampoo' with about 1/4 baking soda and 3/4 water. I massage this into my scalp and rinse very well. This is a change from the normal shampoo routine. Much harder to scrub in, as it doesn't lather and tends to sort of dry on the scalp. I just add a bit more water and give my head a good massage. Once I get it rinsed, I have a spray bottle of about 1/5 ACV and 4/5 water (maybe a bit more ACV). I spray it in my hair and let sit like conditioner. Yes, it smells like vinegar, but that goes away quickly. Then rinse. The result is super soft, shiny hair with body. Yes please.
About every third wash, I just use Wen Cleansing Conditioner, yes, like the infomercials. I bought mine from Sephora and don't have to do an automated plan. For my short hair, one $30 bottle is going strong for over 5 months now.
During this transition, I kept going back to conventional shampoo and conditioner when I was short on time. So I eventually decided to spend the money on Dessert Essence brand of shampoo and conditioner (I did just find a better deal I linked). I use it about once every week and half.
I still dye and damage my hair. I still use a hair glaze in between hair appointments. But, my hair is MUCH more healthy and growing much faster since switching to the non-conventional method.
Body
I have had EXTREMELY dry skin my entire life. I remember in 3rd grade a friend telling me that my legs looked like a reptile. My dry skin made me lucky though. I have never had a major acne problem. I can slather my face with any and every lotion and not have a problem, except flaky, dry, rough skin. I can remove my makeup with baby oil and not have a break out. In fact, I used to use baby oil after every shower to help combat dry skin, but it often made it worse and a messier shower.
About two years ago, I stumbled upon one lotion that actually worked. However, as I tried to eliminate harmful products from my body, I thought, why not my skin, the largest organ of them all.
This is a new venture, only a few weeks old. I started using coconut oil on my hands, feet and lips. I was too frugal to use it all over. I came across a post from Elizabeth Walling of The Nourished Life to whip it. Yep, just like heavy whipping cream. Throw a cup or two coconut oil (solid) in a bowl, whip it with a mixer and it become fluffy and easy to spread (and makes it go farther). I store it in a tupperware container. So far I have had luck with it making my skin soft and getting rid of redness.
Face and Lips: For the past few months I have used a couple of treatments on my face. The first is mixing lemon juice and sugar and rubbing on my face. I take a cotton pad and squeeze with lemon liberally, then dip in sugar and rub all over my face. I have not experienced burning or tingling. My face is super soft afterwards. I will disclaim that I have never used anything except makeup remover and water on my face as most facial washes are much too harsh and further dry out my skin.
For my lips, whenever I notice them getting rough I use this treatment. I mix honey and sugar together to make a pasted and exfoliate my lips. Rinse and dab a light coating of olive oil on them.
House Cleaning
So I have a migraine problem. I get them. They are debilitating. I hate them. And the weird thing is, I almost always get them on Monday morning. I normally blame my migraines on the weather/barometric change (they also come with a bloody nose most times), however, really? The weather changes a lot more than over Sunday nights. Recently, I have been wondering about the correlation between my cleaning-ritual on Sundays to my migraines. This is by no means proven, but it got me thinking about my cleaning routine. Tons of chemicals cleaning my floors, sinks, tubs, toilets, floors and mirrors. (And yes, I realize the migraines might also be ignited by dust.). What could it hurt to get rid of these chemicals? So slowly but surely, I have tried to get rid of my household cleaners.
I have always cleaned my wooden cutting boards with lemon and salt, but took it further. I continue to use lemon on surfaces, but I also add baking soda (I buy the big bags in the cleaning aisle) and white vinagar. I use this mixture for all bathroom cleaning and kitchen surface cleaning. I haven't delved too far into floor cleaning, window cleaning, etc. But again, it's a start.
So, there you go. None of these are new ideas and have been used for decades if not centuries, and have been circulating on blogs for the past few years. However, they are simple, easy changes I have made to help clean my hair, body and house that I have found much more affordable than conventional means, not to mention better for your health and the environment. Another tip is adding a few drops of essential oils to all these mixtures to give scent as well as health benefits. Again, I have a million not-good-for-me products in every drawer of my house, but I'm trying to take steps where I can. I am open to all of your tips and tricks to make your (and my) life easier, cheaper, and healthier.
I have not been washing my hair, as I alluded in my 30 in 30.
My hair (and skin) is something I have struggled with my entire life... or at least since I was around 10 and started caring about hair and skin. In the past five or so years, I have tried to conciously choose what I put in my body, and have been more selective in the past year or so. Yes, I still splurge and love me some tacos and nachos (and occasionally a McDonald's cheeseburger) but what I make at home is much more selective. Once I started paying way more attention to labels, I also started thinking about what I put on my hair, my body, and with what I clean my house. I am far from perfect. I eat and use a million 'harmful' products everyday, but here are some of my small steps, from hair to body to cleaning.
Hair
Around my birthday in July I gave up on conventionally washing my hair. I have never had luck with my fine, curly hair. I would like to eventually get away from the blow-drying and straightening routine, but have never found a way to embrace my curls. I still blow-dry and straighten, but hope to get away from it in the next year or so.
I now rely on a routine of baking soda/Apple Cider Vinegar, Chaz Dean Wen Cleansing Conditioner, and a vegan/wheat & gluten free shampoo and conditioner that excludes parabens and sulfates (it does have a million things I can't pronounce). I have never been an every-day-wash girl. I almost always go every other or every third day.
So my routine: Depending on my time, I try to stick with mainly baking soda and AVC, however, this does take more time for wash and rinse. I make a 'shampoo' with about 1/4 baking soda and 3/4 water. I massage this into my scalp and rinse very well. This is a change from the normal shampoo routine. Much harder to scrub in, as it doesn't lather and tends to sort of dry on the scalp. I just add a bit more water and give my head a good massage. Once I get it rinsed, I have a spray bottle of about 1/5 ACV and 4/5 water (maybe a bit more ACV). I spray it in my hair and let sit like conditioner. Yes, it smells like vinegar, but that goes away quickly. Then rinse. The result is super soft, shiny hair with body. Yes please.
About every third wash, I just use Wen Cleansing Conditioner, yes, like the infomercials. I bought mine from Sephora and don't have to do an automated plan. For my short hair, one $30 bottle is going strong for over 5 months now.
During this transition, I kept going back to conventional shampoo and conditioner when I was short on time. So I eventually decided to spend the money on Dessert Essence brand of shampoo and conditioner (I did just find a better deal I linked). I use it about once every week and half.
I still dye and damage my hair. I still use a hair glaze in between hair appointments. But, my hair is MUCH more healthy and growing much faster since switching to the non-conventional method.
Body
I have had EXTREMELY dry skin my entire life. I remember in 3rd grade a friend telling me that my legs looked like a reptile. My dry skin made me lucky though. I have never had a major acne problem. I can slather my face with any and every lotion and not have a problem, except flaky, dry, rough skin. I can remove my makeup with baby oil and not have a break out. In fact, I used to use baby oil after every shower to help combat dry skin, but it often made it worse and a messier shower.
About two years ago, I stumbled upon one lotion that actually worked. However, as I tried to eliminate harmful products from my body, I thought, why not my skin, the largest organ of them all.
This is a new venture, only a few weeks old. I started using coconut oil on my hands, feet and lips. I was too frugal to use it all over. I came across a post from Elizabeth Walling of The Nourished Life to whip it. Yep, just like heavy whipping cream. Throw a cup or two coconut oil (solid) in a bowl, whip it with a mixer and it become fluffy and easy to spread (and makes it go farther). I store it in a tupperware container. So far I have had luck with it making my skin soft and getting rid of redness.
 |
| Recipe HERE and Pictures Credit to The Nourished Life |
For my lips, whenever I notice them getting rough I use this treatment. I mix honey and sugar together to make a pasted and exfoliate my lips. Rinse and dab a light coating of olive oil on them.
House Cleaning
So I have a migraine problem. I get them. They are debilitating. I hate them. And the weird thing is, I almost always get them on Monday morning. I normally blame my migraines on the weather/barometric change (they also come with a bloody nose most times), however, really? The weather changes a lot more than over Sunday nights. Recently, I have been wondering about the correlation between my cleaning-ritual on Sundays to my migraines. This is by no means proven, but it got me thinking about my cleaning routine. Tons of chemicals cleaning my floors, sinks, tubs, toilets, floors and mirrors. (And yes, I realize the migraines might also be ignited by dust.). What could it hurt to get rid of these chemicals? So slowly but surely, I have tried to get rid of my household cleaners.
I have always cleaned my wooden cutting boards with lemon and salt, but took it further. I continue to use lemon on surfaces, but I also add baking soda (I buy the big bags in the cleaning aisle) and white vinagar. I use this mixture for all bathroom cleaning and kitchen surface cleaning. I haven't delved too far into floor cleaning, window cleaning, etc. But again, it's a start.
So, there you go. None of these are new ideas and have been used for decades if not centuries, and have been circulating on blogs for the past few years. However, they are simple, easy changes I have made to help clean my hair, body and house that I have found much more affordable than conventional means, not to mention better for your health and the environment. Another tip is adding a few drops of essential oils to all these mixtures to give scent as well as health benefits. Again, I have a million not-good-for-me products in every drawer of my house, but I'm trying to take steps where I can. I am open to all of your tips and tricks to make your (and my) life easier, cheaper, and healthier.
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