Work On It Wednesday:12 Steps To Closet Organization

I kept saying "when I get more baskets I will organize my closet", and it had sort of just turned into an excuse. So, I finally decided I can at least organize the closet into the systems I wanted to use, and then decide how many baskets I needed, and purchase those after the project. I like the way it turned out with the items I use most in the middle, and other items on either end. Now I need to find some cute and affordable baskets, or find a cool way to DIY them myself! 

This was the system I implemented, that worked best for me:

On shelves above hang rack I made neat stacks of-
1. graphic t-shirts
2. solid colored t-shirts
3. tank tops
4. cami tops
5. solid color leggings
6. printed leggings
7. all colors of denim (blue jeans, leopard printed denim, jeggings, etc.)

Hanging-
8. evening or "dressy" and skirts
9. day dresses or long shirts
10. earth tone shirts and cardigans
11.cool colors and dark printed shirts and cardigans
12. sweaters and outer wear

How do you organize your closet space?

Trendy Tuesday: Rockabilly Fashion Staples (for less)

Rockabilly fashion is by far my favorite. It encompasses my love of vintage, rock n roll, and country. You can be as modest, or as flirty with this style as you choose. It is nothing like what you will see on a runway, and for me, that's great. I have found pieces to fit this mold at various thrift stores, vintage shops, and even many "big box" stores. They aren't always the easiest pieces to come across, especially on my budget, but I love the thrill of the hunt. This fashion and lifestyle is gaining ground though, and is becoming more main stream and easier to come across. For me there are a few staples you need in your wardrobe for this look.

MY MUST HAVES:

• a nice vintage (or vintage style) "housewife-esque" or day dress
• bandanna 
• hair flowers and bows
• chunky round plastic necklace
• cardigan
• high waist jeans/shorts, or extra long jeans you can roll up
• anything and everything in plaid, polka-dots, leopard, or stripes
• pencil skirt
• classic white tee

Some etsy.com shops with great rockabilly staples for under $30:

rockabilly-pinup-love-heart-necklace

cotton-skull-button-embellished-cardigan

red-high-waist-dress-pants-six-button

black-and-white-gingham-headwrap-bandanna

60s-pin-up-mod-cat-eye-sunglasses

perfect-white-silk-rose-medium-single

vintage-dress-red-and-white-striped

*All pictures used belong to the shop links below each picture.

Make Up Monday: Minimal Make-Up Makes A Difference

Even though I am a stay at home Mommy, I have been trying to make an effort every day to wear make up and get dressed. I know this may sound boring, but I find it helps me to be more productive than if I just throw my hair up, and stay in my sweat pants all day. I feel more confident, and more motivated. I have had to streamline the make-up process though, since I have a little person waiting on me to feed, change, play, etc. Instead of my "usual" pre-work make-up routine, I have been sticking to a more natural and time saving make-up mantra. 

1. mineral foundation over entire face

2. mineral concealer for under eyes, around nose, and any red areas on cheeks and chin

3. bronzer for contouring on nose, forehead and neck, plus blush for highlighting cheeks

4. some shimmer cream for added highlighting on cheek bones, brow arch and inner eye

5. shadow, one light color for entire lid, and one darker color for crease

6. brow pencil used very lightly on entire brow

7. mascara (my can't leave home without staple)

8. some basic pinkish gloss

And there you have it, a quick, 5 minute make-up routine. If I can do it, so can you! You will look better, and more importantly, feel better! 

Frugal Fridays: Aldi Goes Organic!

Since frugal is my middle name, passed down from my awesome Mom, I am an Aldi addict. The closest store since moving last year, is a 25 minute drive, so I do all of my grocery shopping only twice a month/every two weeks. I am always amazed at how much money I save by shopping at Aldi. I have been to many locations, and while not all are created equal, I am thankful mine is a great one. Now I have yet another reason to love Aldi, as they have slowly started introducing organic options around the store!

Organic Aldi items I have tried, loved, and keep stocked in my pantry:

• Spaghetti Sauce
• Salsa
• Cherry/Grape Tomatoes
• Honey
• Agave Nectar
• Soymilk 

V-Day On A Budget

Valentine's Day used to be one of my least favorite holidays (other than all the pink and red), because for me it only brought great expectation, and a great let down. Because of this feeling on both our parts, my now husband proposed to me on V-Day and forever changed our feeling on the matter. I do love the holiday (now), but I still don't think that a ton of money needs to be spend to make someone feel special, romantic, and sexy.

I wanted to share some great ideas for that special someone, while staying on budget, and these etsy shops and items are here to help! If you bought every thing on this list, you would spend $100 (less than a night at many resaurants), but don't feel like you need to buy them all. A couple specialized gifts can make a huge difference. You don't have to go with these items, but I hope this post inspires you to think a little bit beyond your average Valentine's Day of dinner at a crowded restaurant, Whitman's Sampler, and flowers that will die in a week...though if those are your thing, then by all means, enjoy every second of it!

• Start with a cute card to show your someone you care.

Adorable Card

• A picnic lunch is the perfect way to avoid Valentine's Day crowds at the restaurants (especially since this year the holiday is on Friday)

Love Sandwich 36 Picnic Recipes

• Follow your picnic with something sweet, like...chocolate covered strawberries (my weakness)!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

• My guy doesn't wear much jewelry, so this personalized stamped card for his wallet is just perfect!

Personalized Wallet Insert

• After a long day, a nice glass of wine, or any other adult beverage with some candles is a nice touch. 

Mini Mason Jar Candles

• I am a massage therapist, so my husband LOVES to get massages from me, but you don't have to be a pro to make a loved one feel special. Any shoulder rubbing is always a bonus, and don't forget to trade out...this is no one way street! :)

Love Potion Massage Oil

• After your massage, you and your man will probably need to wash all that oil off (or its at least a good excuse for bath time, hehe), and this not-so-fem bubble bath is just right for the job!

Moonshine Bubble Bath

• After your bath, you can "slip into something a little more comfortable"...

Lovely Lingerie

• Finally, curl up together, and sleep sweet. 

Cute Couple Pillowcase





What is your ideal Valentine's Day with your someone special?

*all photos are from the links posted above them.

Therapeutic Thursday: Home Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is the use of water for therapeutic purposes. And, by Thursday every week, this Mommy is in need of some therapy! I don't have the time, or money to visit all of the lovely spa's in the area, and since I am not working as a massage therapist myself these days, and can't trade services, I had to find other means of relaxing at home. In come's home hydrotherapy. Taking a long, hot bath can have great benefits to both the body and mind. Add a few simple touches, and your ordinary bath tub can become your oasis of pleasure and relaxation. 

Items needed: 

• clean bath tub (reclaimed from baby tubs, bath toys, baby shampoo, and the like)
• hot water (not so hot you have 2nd degree burns or anything)
• foaming or bubble bath (try to find some that isn't too fragrant, as this can have adverse effects)
• glass of favorite wine (my new favorite is a sweet pink Mascato)
• hand towel (to roll behind your neck)
• a good magazine (if you can keep your eyes open, and the room isn't too dark)
• a sleep mask (keeps you from looking around your bathroom at what else can be cleaned)
• favorite mints or candy (make all of your senses happy)
• fake and/or real candle  ( in a scent you enjoy and relaxes you, like lavender)
• relaxing music (I used my cheap little MP3 player)
• a good magazine (one that isn't full of super skinny women that only depress you when naked)
• pumice (after a long hot bath is the best time exfoliate those feet)
• a babysitter or awesome hubby (there is no point in all this, only to be interrupted in 5 minutes)
• Fluffy bath robe and best towel for when you get out (keep the spa experience going)
• a quality body moisturizer (your skin will be extra dry after a long soak, especially in hot water)

First, reclaim your tub! I had to get rid of bath toys, baby shampoo, brushes, and tiny person tubs to get to the bottom of (what used to be) my large tub in the master bath. 

 Then I added in some items that make me happy!

Finally,  just dim the lights, take a few relaxing breaths, and enjoy. 

"When Mamma ain't happy, ain't no body happy"-What do you do to unwind? 

Work On It Wednesday: Vanity Organization

I finally got my vanity in order (it only took me 6 months after the move), and I wanted to share! Having an organized home is key to new mom survival. Since I use my vanity every morning, with a wiggly little person on my lap, I had to find a way to streamline the whole process, and make it less of a daily ordeal. Now, I have everything I need at my fingertips...with the one hand that isn't holding my little wild man.

Top Left: hair rollers, hair flowers and bows

Middle Left: hair burshes, and products

 Bottom Left: bobby pins, head bands, hair bands

Middle Drawer: unused/new products

 Top Right: make up I don't use much (I still need to go through this better and toss anything too old)

 Right Middle: hair dryers

Bottom Right: curling irons, wavers, etc.

How do you organize your vanity?

 Is there anything more than a year old, that you need to throw away?

Makeup that is old could be full of gross bacteria!

Trendy Tuesday: Pregnancy frocks for less

I was very worried when my belly (and everything else) started to grow, that I would either have to give up my personal style, or pay through the nose to get what I wanted, but thankfully I was very wrong! I was so pleasantly surprised to find MANY bargains at my local thrift shops and even some "big box" stores. I just had to think outside of the maternity box. Almost all maternity items I ever purchased (and their weren't many) were jeans, and they all came from thrift stores, at a total (for all 4 pairs) of just $8! The one splurge I did give myself was a pregnancy bathing suit for $30 from Target, as I was pregnant all summer. Here are some examples of outfits I wore throughout my prego days, and the cost of it all. 

• $1 skull headband from Walmart
• $5 XL t-shirt from JC Penny's (from the juniors department)
• $2 maternity jeans with full belly stretch band from thrift store
• $4 jewelry from Claire's

• $2 XL tank top from Rugged Warehouse from women's department
• $2 maternity full belly stretch band capri jeans from thrift store
• $5 Jewelry from Claire's

• $10 t-shirt from Whole Foods.Whole Body (softest tee's on the planet)
• $2 maternity stretch full belly band skinny jeans from thrift store
• $6 jewelry from etsy

• $4 vest from Kohls women's department
• $6 cami tank top from Kohls junior department
• $2 maternity full belly stretch skinny jeans from thrift store
• $4 jewelry from Claire's

• $3 vest from Rugged Warehouse
• $6 cami tank top from Kohls Juniors Department
• $2 maternity stretch full belly band capri jeans 
• $5 jewelry from Claire's

I was pregnant all summer, so my hair was up in a bun pretty much every single day! So I had to accessorize to take some of the attention away. 

Make-Up Monday: My Acne Battle

Cystic acne runs in my family. My father has battled with it his entire life. I thought I was free from this fret, as in my teens I didn't have many skin issues. However, the combination of moving across the country, planning my wedding, and the normal hormonal fun that comes with being a woman, created the perfect storm for my skin. I broke out, and broke out bad! I started doing research and came across a fantastic website that was more than tips, but was also a skin support group, called Acne.org. This site has been around for over 13 years, and is full of personal trial and errors with numerous over the counter and prescription treatments.

After some experimenting with my own concoctions, I decided to try "the regiment" from the site's store, and the results are just... WOW! It is a little more than over the counter potions you may find at your closest big box store, but it also lasts longer, and is of much higher quality. For under $45, you will get all three products in the regiment to last you for about 40 days.

I have been using the regiment now for three years, and every time I stopped using it (because I thought I knew better), the skin storm returned. So for me, this is THE STUFF!

The regiment is three easy steps, done twice daily, with a few added tips to make sure it works to its fullest potential.

First is the cleanser. We your face, and then with wet hands, add one pump of the cleanser, and get it nice and foamy. Wash for 10 seconds, any longer you just start drying the skin. It works very well to remove even the best make up, but if you have any issues, wash again, with just one pump, and for only 5 seconds, and every trace of make up will be gone.






Then comes the treatment. After your face has completely dried (about 5 minutes) apply the treatment, but don't rub too hard, apply it as gently as possible. The active ingredient in this treatment is benzoyl peroxide. I had used this in the past and it was extremely irritating. However, this is just enough to be potent, but not so much as to aggravate your skin. The 2.5% is JUST right. I am an advocate for going natural whenever possible, BUT when you are truly battling with your acne, this is the best place to turn, in my experience. PLEASE NOTE:





Finally, the moisturizer. Moisturizing is so very important. Because benzoyl peroxide can be very drying, following it up with a quality moisturizer is extremely important. This lotion is noncomedogenic, meaning it will not clog your pores. It is made with extract of liquorice root, which is very healing. 

I still have some scaring from old break outs, that left little red marks that I am trying to deal with, but overall, I now have what I call "happy skin".

Have you had to battle with your skin? What worked for you in the end?

Awesome Article On American Rockabilly Lifestyle

I just read this fantastic article on the American Rockabilly community, and the awesome lady who is photographing their life. You can follow the link below to this article, and see some of Ms. Greenburg's absolutely amazing pictures, and read her interview. One of my favorite quotes from the article was "At first I thought the culture was about fashion...then I realized it was much, much, more than that. I realized that this was a culture of people who functioned as a community." This is a must see article if you are at all into the Rockabilly and vintage lifestyle.

 The people who are STILL living like it's 1951: 

Captivating portraits take a look inside America's Rockabilly community

A picture of myself in one of my favorite vintage dresses :) Now I just need the car and house to match! Hehehe