Eeking out the last of a product

I had a tube of moisturizer that I couldn't unscrew the pump top from - I knew there had to be more cream in there, even though it wouldn't pump out. I cut the top off! There was at least 1 1/2 teaspoons worth in there (which is a lot considering you only need a few drops!). I'm so glad I didn't throw it out!

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You can use this technique on many things; lotion, toothpaste, food items, and many more. Even a tube of toothpaste with a large opening will leave some product behind. Cut it open and scrape it out and save yourself some change!!

p.s - I like this moisturizer with SPF15 by Boscia. It scores fairly well on the toxicity scale and is mostly natural. Does anyone else have a great daily face moisturizer with SPF that scores better? I'm always looking for one! Only caveat: it can't be scented.

Time saver - easy labels for school photos

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It's that time of year again where we pass out school and sports photos. If your family is like ours, we have quite a few pictures to mail, and lots to hand out. A few years ago I started doing this trick, and I'll never go back to hand writing on the backs of photos again! Use small return address labels (like Avery 5267), print your child's name, age, and school year on each one, and put on the back of school pictures. This has lots of benefits:

• It's quick! Each year, you can just edit the label document with the new information
• It's neat! No smudges, illegible handwriting, or mistakes
• It's safe! No ballpoint pen pushing through to the front of the photo, no permanent marker bleeding through
• It's easy! 

Have you done this yourself? Share any tips or techniques you have found!

Ironing board covers add some pizzazz!

Well, maybe I'm new...but I just discovered patterned ironing board covers! I've spent the past 1/2 hour browsing Etsy to find the one that's just right for me. I've been wanting to add some *spunk* to my laundry room (it's very small, so not many options), and not sure what to do. I have my boring silver padded ironing board hung on the wall. Well, no more!!!! (You can see the extent of my laundry room decor on my post here.)

It's true, it's really not a major breakthrough, but what a fun way to add a little something to a space! I had no idea people were even making these until I saw a patterned cover on a blog about laundry room organization, and started searching.

Here's one I'm eyeing from Compelled To Craft:

You can find lots more by doing a search on Etsy.
Once I get my new cover and some other things settled, I'll post an "after" picture!

Scentsy: a great gift idea!

I was introduced to Scentsy from my friend, Emily, who has become a Scentsy consultant after being won over by the product herself. I can see how it happens! I'm now hooked as well. These are great products, and they make great gifts (hint hint) for those "hard to buy for" people who have everything!

Basically, they are wickless "candles", and melt scented wax over a light bulb. They also double as a night light! Learn how they work here. My current favorite scents are Cinnamint, Sunkissed Citrus, and Christmas Cottage.

Here's what I love about them:
1. I don't have to worry about my house burning down
2. I don't have to use harsh chemical room fresheners
3. The scent permeates the whole room
4. The scents are easily changed out depending on my mood
5. I like how they look!

So, needless to say, I have 3 warmers in my house (2 of them are the plug-in version, which is great for small spaces because they don't take up counter room, and I can keep them away from the kidlets), and I think I might need one more. The Scentsy folks do tend to change the scent line periodically, so if you find something you love, you may want to stock up! If you are near a consultant, they have little samples of each scent that you can smell before ordering. Or, you can contact Emily and she'll be able to help describe them! You also don't need to have a "party" to get the product, you can just order directly!

My trusty friend - the neti pot

Ok, it may sound weird, but I have to say that I LOVE my neti pot! I have spent much less time being sick in the past year than in previous years, now that I have started using it. (And believe me, with 2 boys in preschool, we get some nasty germs around here!). Here's what it looks like:

What IS it? It's basically a container with a funny spout used to flush out your nasal passages (a.k.a. nasal irrigation)
How do you use it? You tip it slightly upwards while holding the spout to your nostril. It pours the warm saline solution solution through your nasal passages, flushing out germs and irritants on the way out. (you can use plain water and salt, but bottled *ack!* purified water and non-iodized salt may be less irritating).
Why would you use it? Germs tend to grow in places like your nose...don't let them stay there and get a chance to multiply! Also great for sinus issues and allergies.

Tips: 

• Don't use too much salt! The lining of your nose is very sensitive
• Use warm (body temperature) water 
• Do not tip your head upside down - you'll wind up with a "summersalt in the pool" feeling in your nose. Only slightly tip your head, but tip the neti pot upwards instead.
• Don't get sucked into buying all the "special" additives...water and salt work just fine! 
• Practice, practice, practice...it takes a while to learn the right angle of your head and the pot, as well as the right saline solution mixture. 

Here is a video if you'd like to see it in action (I am NOT this graceful, and would never video myself...it's not this pretty!)

Another thing that I swear by to help with cold-busting is Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE). 2 tablets twice a day when I start to feel a cold coming on (or canker sores), and it really helps!

EASY Eco tutorial: Make a reusable coffee filter

Here's a simple way to reduce your daily waste stream: use reusable coffee filters! You can also use filterless systems, permanent reusable filters, or a french press, but some people prefer the taste of coffee that has been filtered. The great news...you can make one in less than 10 minutes with minimal sewing experience (and save some trees while you're at it)!

(Note: this tutorial is for the cone shaped filters. I haven't experimented with the basket shaped ones yet!)

Using your existing paper filter as a pattern, place one edge along a folded piece of pre-washed NATURAL 100% cotton muslin (avoid bleached or dyed materials). Add an extra 1" along the top edge if you want a finished edge.

You will wind up with something like this when it's unfolded.

Sew a hem along the top edge of the open fabric (if desired) - I made my first one without any hem and it works perfectly fine!!

Fold your filter in half again on the fold line (with right sides together if you've done a hem. If no hem, it doesn't matter which side is out). Sew along the 2 open edge seams.

... and PRESTO CHANGO, you have a new 100% reusable coffee filter!

Here is the finished product (less than 5 minutes start to finish!). Use the finished side IN so that the coffee grounds don't get stuck in the seam.

Here's my original one after a few week's use (notice my un-finished edge still is working fine, just not as pretty!). Just rinse out, and lay out to dry. It dries very quickly and ready to use again the next day, however having two is probably better to rotate through. Since it's cotton, you can also machine wash and dry it if you want to.

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My husband is the coffee drinker in our house, and I'm the greenie - so we make a perfect pair with this set up! He says he's never had grounds in his coffee, it tastes great, and is so easy to rinse out. It stays put in the coffee maker and we have no waste after composting the grounds. Give it a try! (I was going for function and ease over looks, but you could add seam binding or a straighter hem to the top for a finished look as well. :)

If you are lacking in the sewing skills area or are without a machine, search for reusable coffee filters online. My sister said they used something called a "coffee sock" when living in Costa Rica which was basically the same idea, just without the coffee pot. So, not such a unique idea, but easily implemented nonetheless!

Capture those fruit flies!

If there's one thing that annoys me is fruit flies hovering all around the kitchen. You go to the farmer's market and stock up on produce, only to invite the pesky guys in as well. I finally found something that works to get rid of them - and its all natural!



You'll need:
- apple cider vinegar (NOT white vinegar)
- dish soap
- jar with a lid
- something sharp to poke holes

1. Carefully poke some holes in the lid.
2. Fill the jar with some apple cider vinegar (1/4 - 1/2 c.).
   
3. Add a drop of dishwashing liquid and swirl it around a bit.
   
4. Cover the jar with the lid.
   
5. Sit patiently and wait.

My Trap:

See them floating in there?:

My catch after 3 days (after emptying most of the vinegar):

Tips:

• Make sure your counter compost container is emptied regularly (its a haven for fruit flies).

• Just a drop of dish soap is all you need - it breaks the surface tension.

• Although my holes were kind of large (and I saw some flies go in and then out), I was still a successful hunter!