good for me

After sitting in my house for the bulk of the day due to snow and cold weather, cabin fever started to take over. Out of boredom, I headed to my kitchen and begin whipping up several beauty products.  Less than two hours later, and straight from my kitchen, I had an avocado scalp cream, avocado facial moisturizer, brown sugar scrub, and a cocoa body polish.  All great for the body and perfectly edible!  I used both the facial and body scrub on myself, and the scalp cream for my daughter.  This morning, my skin looks and feels good, and my child's hair is shining. Now, if you are not quite into homemade beauty products just yet, here are some natural products/brands that I've tried over the years and loved.  They are safe to use, earth-friendly, and winning products if you have sensitive skin. I have listed my favorites, but these lines consists of many more great products.  Check out the individual websites for additional information on the companies an...

Just as the trends are changing in fashion, similar updates are being represented in the home furnishings/interior design industry.  You see the same patterns, textures, and colors being displayed because the two arenas tend to draw from the same inspirations; art, media, society, customer's needs and desires. See how two companies that contribute to home interior trends (Pantone and ICI Delux) came up with their 2011 colors of the year.  Honeysuckle, Pantone's color, is believed to be bold and uplifting, perfect for this economy.  They found Honeysuckle is a color that will create a healthy glow when worn by men and women.   ICI Delux picked Citrus Yellow.  According to ICI,  Citrus combats fatigue and depression as well as minimizes stress and anxiety!  Both are bright, fresh, and feel good colors. Already being seen in the apparel world, incorporate some color to your home or closet with these trends and see how your mood changes. Click on the ...

It's hard keeping up with the trends and changes in fashion these days.  I have to tell you that fewer and fewer things are falling into the 'toss it' category.  Many looks are simply here to stay because we love them so much and they just work! Looks like just about anything goes now! Right? Loose or fitted, feminine or masculine, hearts or polka dots, mini or maxi, skinny or wide legged, zippers or chains! Seriously?! The key is to understand your style and your body. Well, I can help you by keeping you in the loop on what to wear and what to toss (or should I say recycle later, pack away for a later day). Unsure of how to wear a trend or what works for your body?  Ask me!  I can provide you with helpful advice that can in turn simplify your life when it comes to figuring it all out.  Let me help you master your wardrobe headaches.  Be Inspired!  Here are a few of my favorite links that I visit regularly for inspiration.  ...

It's simply amazing how many uses we can find from items that are straight from nature; harmless to the environment and safe for you! Crisco, for example, is natural, actually made of soybeans.  If you are running low on lotion or in need of a double duty moisturizer, try rubbing Crisco on your body.  And yes, I mean straight from the can.  If the smell reminds you too much of 'Crisco,' then add an essential oil of your choice or perhaps a bit of honey. I have falling in love with Cinnamon, Honey, and Baking Soda, and I choose to keep all three stocked in my house at all times.  These three powerful, but totally natural items are multitasking  miracle workers on so many levels. Natural Health Remedies: Cinnamon and honey can help soothe a toothache and calm an upset stomach.  I found a link listing some of the many health issues cinnamon and honey can treat. http://alislaah4.tripod.com/moreadvices2/id18.htm Natural Beauty Remedies: Ba...

Looking to get some extra energy or necessary vitamins?  Fuel your body with these superfoods and feel the difference. whole grains: bread, rice tomatoes green tea dark green veggies: collard greens, spinach, broccoli orange veggies: sweet potatoes, squash red berries dark colored grapes blueberries fish: salmon, sardines (2 to 3 times weekly) nuts: pistachios and almonds low fat yogurt Take this list with you the next time you go grocery shopping!  Great additions to getting you feeling good, inside and out.

If you are searching for some simple, inexpensive ways to clean green, read on! All Purpose Cleaner 4oz each of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice Glass/Window Cleaner 1 cup rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) 1 cup water 1 tbs white vinegar Furniture Polish 1 cup olive oil 1/2 cup lemon juice Mopping Solution mix 1/2 cup vinegar with 1 gallon of water Toilet Bowl Cleaner pour pure white vinegar in toilet and let sit for 30 minutes Carpet Freshener sprinkle baking soda throughout house prior to vacuuming Carpet Stains rub rubbing alcohol over stain in a circular motion with a cleaning rag Freshen Drains Grind orange or lemon peels in garbage disposal or fill ice tray with vinegar and freeze.  Once frozen, dump ice cubes down drain.  This will help absorb nasty odors vs. covering them up. Clean tough spots by making a paste mixing baking soda and water or baking soda with lemon juice and applying to stains for toilet, tub, sinks, or floors.  To sc...

So who enjoys climbing into a bathtub that still has the gritty residue of Comet lingering?  Or how about using Pine Sol that can be so strong, you have to evacuate the children from the cleaning area?  And what about sneezing, coughing, or just the urge to sit down right after you've tossed 'carpet fresh' throughout your home? When using certain cleaning products on the market, it's actually suggested that we use them in a ventilated place.  If a child were to get hold of it, their insides could burn, possibly make them blind, or be deadly.  There is a long term effect to using toxic chemicals, particularly when dealing with infants and young children, whom are especially vulnerable. Where you aware that there are many alternative products (many sitting at your house now) that can be used to clean, disinfect, and freshen up your home in a safer manner? It's your home, so why create a toxic environment for your family.  This is especially important for...

So the warm weather is surely coming soon and I'm anxious to pack away my boots and tights, and excited about rearanging the closet and pulling out sandals and open toe pumps!  Are you ready?  No, I don't plan to do much shopping because that's not in my budget.  I am, however, able to update my wardrobe by mixing some things up.  Try adding a belt, lightweight scarf, or reinventing an old blouse by pairing it with something unexpected.  This simple trick gives me the feeling that I have gone shopping, or have added something new to my closet.  Not quite as good as shopping, but close.  I'll tell you now, building a functional wardrobe is all about being a smart shopper.  It takes time, but very little money, if you do it right.  If shopping is something you struggle with, let me help!  I can teach you a lot about being a savvy budget shopper without having to co...

I am so happy to finally get this blog up and running.  My mind runs in so many directions, thoughts and ideas bouncing off the wall daily!  That is why I have decided to offer several subjects within my blog.  I can almost guarantee that just about anyone that reads this blog will find some interest in what they find, or perhaps, (and I really hope) will expand their interests.  My main goal is to help simplify your life.  If you are a women out there struggling to make it through because of the many demands you face, than I'm here to help.  With that in mind, I would also like to share some tips on being healthier and moving towards a natural way of being.  The topics that you will find here include: Good For Me :   Everything I know and learn about ways to be natural, from health and beauty to cleaning up your household.  My little one struggles from asthma and allergies and I have really tried hard to maintain a natural lifestyle in...