DIY: Dry Shampoo Spray

Dry shampoo. Have you tried it? Its what you use when you need to wash your hair yet don't have time to take a shower. I think everyone has encountered this dilemma once or twice.

Today, I'm going to teach you my rendition with 3 simple ingredients you should already have. If you don't, then they can be found in any grocery store.

This recipe came to my mind a couple days ago when I realized my hair needed a spruce up, yet I didn't have the time for an actual hair washing. It felt like a AHA! moment, as a little lightbulb turned on in my head. 

I have to say that this Dry Shampoo isn't dry at all. But like the name says, it's a spray. I kept the dry part in because its a familiar name/product and it gives the same results.

What you need:

1 tbsp of cornstarch

4 tbsp of water

1 tbsp of rubbing alcohol ( I used ethyl, found it at Walgreens) 

small measuring glass, cup, bowl...whatever.

a small spray bottle (shown in first picture)

Mix it all together, pour it into your spray bottle and shake it up!

To Use:

Spray in on your scalp, in your hair and anywhere the your hair needs to be de-greased. You do not need to drench your scalp, just dampen it up. 

Side note: cover or close your eyes, alcohol in eyes is not fun. Also, if you don't like to the use of alcohol in your hair products( i.e. hairspray) then this DIY might not be for you.

Run a comb or your fingers through your hair to distribute it evenly.

Let it air dry or quickly blast your scalp with a hair dryer, which is my favorite method. We are going for speed here. 

Repeat if necessary.

 All done. Rejoice! you can go another day without washing your hair, and no one will notice.

Why it works,

Both alcohol and cornstarch are de-greasers. Cornstarch does not dissolve fast so you will notice that after the water has evaporated the cornstarch will still remain. Pretty neat, huh!

I hope you like this. Let me know how this worked out for you. 

After-thought: I only recommend using this at max once a week. You know, for the day you really should've taken a shower but didn't. We've all been there.I'm also working on a couple of different versions of that don't include the alcohol, so stay tuned, or come back again. 

Little Lavender Dryer Sachet- add more excitement to your laundry!

We actually haven't used dryer sheets in a while, close to three years. We decided along time ago that dryer sheets was not a must have item in our household. Mostly because of the film it leaves on the fabric. It blocks some absorption from the material, and frankly, when I get out of the shower or wash my hands I really want my towel to wick the moisture away the first time.

So this little dryer sachet came about while I was doing laundry (of course!). I re-found my lavender today and remembered that I have wanted to make one of these for a while. So while my clothes were a washing, my sewing machine was a sewing. 

• This project is easy!
• It takes around 1-11/2 hours!
• Perfect for when you want to be creative but don't want to start a major project! 
• Use your fabric scraps!

Get Started 

I am going to show you the basic instructions. The little details like bear applique and shape of sachet can be changed to your liking.

List of materials 

1. Two different coordinating fabrics, cut in a half circle (use a medium sized bowl)
2. 3/4 cup of lavender flowers and 1/4 cup of flax seed ( more or less depending on the size of your actual half circle)  
3. Wool applique. Use real wool, it will help eliminate static
4. funnel and or spoon
5. sewing machine

Looking mighty tough with his tattoo heart

First you need to sew your applique on one side of your sachet. Tip! Sew slow, you will have a better result with your applique. Now place the right sides together. 

Make sure you sew all along the edges about 1/4 inch, and make little cuts so when you turn it right side out it with have a smooth form on the inside.  Now turn it right side out and fill.

 You might have to also use a spoon for the lavender, like I did. Fill until there is about 1/8 of empty space left. Pin the little opening together and sew shut.

There you have it! Extremely easy and you can feel accomplished for making something in a couple of hours. And its practical!

 This would be great sewing project for a young child while you are teaching them how to do their own laundry. Make several to give as a gift. 

This one is bigger then the ones Trader Joes sells. They say each one should last 3 months. This one will last longer. Squeeze several times in hand before throwing them into your dryer, to re-release the fragrant lavender flowers. 

Happy Sewing!

Danielle

Coming Soon:

See how I will remake this ugly find into vintage trendy. Stay tuned to find out how!

Makeup/ Wash your face bib.

The front

The back with a snap

This is for all you ladies that like to wash your face in the sink. Of course this idea came to me while I was scrubbing away at my face and trying to keep the wash towel tucked into my shirt. It kept slipping and I thought  "wouldn't it be nice to have a towel made into a bib so I wash my face with ease." And then I thought "It would work really well for applying make up and keeping my shirt clean."  So my gears started turning and I came up with this!

Calling all pattern testers....or maybe just three

I've been working hard making a new pattern/tutorial for my Etsy shop. I would like to know if anyone of you lovely readers would like to "test" it out and give me feed back.

Different flowers, same technique.

I need three volunteers, so the first ones to comment with there email on this will get the "tester" tutorial. I will also have questions that I would like to have answered concerning the tutorial.

Having a sewing machine is really helpful but is not necessary.

Thank you for helping me out!  

Vanilla and Lavender Body Lotion

 I decided to make my own lotion the other day. It is so easy to make ORGANIC body lotion, packed with good stuff like Shea Butter and Coconut Oil. This recipe only has 3 ingredients, besides kitchen tools.

Here's what you need:

3 Tablespoons of Shea butter  

2 Tablespoons of Coconut oil

1/4 cup of fragrant infused oil 

* I made my own lavender and vanilla infused olive oil, and I'll tell you how too*

1 squirt lotion bottle

a double boiler

a funnel

This is so simple and it takes less then 30 minutes.

Double Boiler from smokymtntreasures

1)In your double boiler melt the 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and the 3 tablespoons of Shea butter

Infused oil from Glorybeherbals

2) Once the oils are melted, pour in your 1/4 cup of infused oil.

( I made my own two months ago and I'll tell you how. I took a cup of dried lavender buds, 1 vanilla bean and stuffed them in a glass jar. I then poured olive oil in until it covered the flower buds. It needs to sit for at least 2-6 months and be shaken occasionally to allow the herbs and oil to "marry", as the cooks say it)

3) Gently stir until all of the oils are blended

4) Pour the liquid through a funnel into the lotion jar

Remember its hot! So use pot holders.

5) put it in the fridge to cool

6) Use it and smell great!

I seriously smell like a baked good, hot and fresh from the oven whenever I use this. Its the combination of coconut, lavender and vanilla bean that makes it smell so good.

Some awesome benefits of Coconut Oil and Shea Butter

This was given to me from a friend who got it on the website heartofwisdom.com

Coconut Oil

Painting from aidamarkiw

Studies show that virgin coconut oil completely heals, eliminates, reduces or protects against these ailments:

• liver disease
• kidney disease and bladder infections
• yeast that causes candida, jock itch, ringworm, athlete’s foot
• skin infections psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis
• bacteria that cause pneumonia, earache, throat infections
• bacteria that cause dental cavities, food poisoning, urinary tract infections
• bacteria that cause meningitis, gonorrhea, and dozens of other diseases
• benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
• breast, colon, and other cancers.
• periodontal disease and tooth decay
• hemorrhoids
• cystic fibrosis
• excess weight
• osteoporosis
• epileptic seizures
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots
• dandruff, and the list goes on and on

Shea Butter

Unrefined Shea Butter from beijaflores

Shea butter info taken from treasuredlocks.com

Shea Butter can provide relief from everything from just dry skin to many minor dermatological diseases (if you have a serious skin condition, you should see a doctor).  It has been clinically shown to provide benefits.  Here are some of the benefits of Shea Butter for the skin:

Daily skin moisturizer (face and body) Dry skin relief Dry scalp Skin rash- including diaper rash Skin peeling, after tanning Blemishes and wrinkles Itching skin due to dryness Sunburn Shaving cream to reduce razor irritation Small skin wounds Skin cracks Soften tough skin on feet (especially heels) Stretch mark prevention during pregnancy Minor burns Eczema Sun and wind protection Even skin tone Reduce blemishes and scarring Eliminating scalp irritation from dryness or chemical processing Preventing bumps after shaving Reducing acne (especially in combination with African Black Soap) Absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue Helps restore elasticity to skin Restores luster to hair

Have fun making this and let me know how you smell from this wonderful body lotion.

The In Season/ Out of Season Sweater Makeover

 Since I had several people tell me they liked the first sweater makeover, I decided to do another sweater makeover.  This one I'm super happy about because I got two makeovers out of one sweater.  Boot socks for winter and a super cute tank for summer.

Lets Start!

Heres the sweater and I know that your thinking "Stripes?!". Ok maybe I was thinking that. I've gotten a lot of wear out of it but I was feeling that it needed to have a new look.

 

So I placed it on the floor took a picture while Lincoln wasn't stepping on it. Lincoln has this thing about stepping on anything and everything I place on the floor. I cut around were the sleeve meets the shoulder ( around the border) and around the armpit.

See that little foot, thats Lincoln about to pounce on the separated sleeve.  Cut across the sleeve were the  tip of the armpit curve is.

 

Slip them on and wear them with your cool new boots you got from Goodwill. Aren't they rad! Only 10 bucks friends.

More cool sock and cool boot pictures

If you notice a slight "fuzziness" to the picture its because I realized I forgot to dust my mirror half way through the photo shoot. The boots are still awesome despite this though.

Second Makeover

Remember how I just removed the sleeves? Well that left me this cool, fresh, easy to look awesome in tank top. 

The sweater color is faded in this one, but its the best shot.

Not the best shot but the best color and I like my face in this one.

I should also say that the back of the tank also looks like the front of the tank. I'm going to take it to the next level and crochet a tiny border around the arms so it can have a nice finish and look more professional. I'll show you when I'm done with that.

I would love to know what you think of this!

Thanks!

Danielle

Boba Milk Tea- Refreshing and Delicious

Also known as Bubble Milk Tea, but whichever way you say it the drink is always delicious!

My husband first introduced me to this drink 6 years ago. I remember slurping up huge tapioca balls through an equally huge straw thinking this was the best thing ever. When I was pregnant with Lincoln I would crave the Avocado Boba Milk Smoothie!! Does avocado in a smoothie sound gross to you. Yes probably, but it tastes SOOOO good, rich and creamy. I also might add that Lincoln does love avocados now, I drank so many of them he had no other choice but to like them.

The Recipe

* This is the recipe I use, its not necessarily like other boba recipes*

Single cup recipe 0f tea

1/4 cup of cream

2-3 black tea bags (depending on how strong you want it*

1 1/2 cup of hot water

1 tablespoon of honey 

(you can also use sugar or a sugar/brown sugar mix)

*put it in the fridge to cool before pouring the boba in*

Boba Pearls

1/4 cup of boba pearls

2 cups of water

Bring water to boil, slowly stir in the pearls, keep stirring on and off so they don't stick to the bottom of the pan. You know when to take them out when they have doubled in size and are soft on the outside and slightly chewing on the inside.

Scoop boba into the bottom of a cup pour the cold milk tea over it, pop in a huge straw and drink willingly. 

Also, did you know that you save half of what you would spend if you made boba yourself? I spent 2.29  on the supplies which was boba pearls and straws.

Enjoy!

P.S. I will also share the Avocado Boba Smoothie with you at a later date, for those brave souls who really want to try it.

Easy Peasy Homemade Pesto Tutorial

Have you ever tried making homemade pesto, or even tasted fresh pesto? I had my first opportunity to taste pesto from the garden 6 years ago from a co-worker where we both worked at a garden center. She had a abundance of basil that year and decided to can it. When I first saw it I actually didn't know what it was ( silly huh!), but when I tasted it it was like a pesto party in my mouth. I soon began to dip anything I could find into the dip just so I  could continue to eat it.  I received the recipe after asking and have been enjoying it since. 

                                          

The Ingredients 

2 cups of fresh basil

1/4 cup of olive oil

1/2 cup of parmesan cheese

 ( get a good kind, you will taste the difference )

1/2 of pine nuts

4 cloves of garlic

salt and pepper to taste

                                                   

Make sure you pack your basil to 2 cups

USE PINE NUTS!!!!

These are not pine nuts in case your wondering. I forgot to buy them at the store and had to use walnuts instead. Pine nuts are better.

Put it all together and BLEND!

Check out the think consistency of the pesto. Its probably best to let it sit a couple of hours in the fridge  to let the flavors marry before using. If your not going to use it right away, can it for up to 2 days. I actually can it longer, 2 days is just what the recipe says.

Heres an idea, mix 2 tbsp's of pesto with 2 tbsp's of cream to make creamy pesto salad dressing. Serve on  tea cup saucer plates for a cute presentation of a side salad. 

Make it, its easy and people will say oh la la when you bring it to a party.  

A bundle of Scarf's!

I seem to be slowly collecting scarfs with out being aware of it. I actually have more than this but I decided to show off these one. The first is just a thin knit. Knit is so easy and basic when making a scarf. You basically cut a long strip and thats it, you don't need to hem it or fawn over it because it doesn't unravel.

The third is a basic crocheted scarf in a wool blend yarn in a variegated color sceme of green. This was a skien and half of yarn, not much or very long, but enough to get a couple of wraps around the neck and very pretty.

The middle scarf I wanted to do a mini tutorial on it. Its very chic and in style right now and very easy to make. My sewing machine is in storage awaiting a home in our new house we should be moving in to soon(er). This makes me sad because I don't ever want to part from my sewing machine, even for a short time. But alas, I don't want to bring it to my temporary home (aka my parents house).

Do you see the edge of the scarf on the second picture? Its not sewn! I used Heat and Bond permanent iron on fusible adhesive. You can use any fabric to make this scarf really, except I would stay away from fleece. Stretch knits would be a little harder but still do-able.

What you need:

• 9-12 inches of 60 inch fabric ( 9-12 inches in width x 60 inches length)- if you pick a fabric that is already 60 inches wide thats great, you can use that width to be your length and just have the fabric cutter cut 1/4-1/3 yard of fabric for you.
• Permanent Heat -N-Bond- 3/8 inch fusible tape
• Scissors
• Iron and Iron board

1. Lay your fabric down on the ironing board and lay your heat-n-bond down on the length of one side of the fabrics edge, about an inch from the actual edge (fusible side down, paper side up). With your iron on wool setting, iron on the paper side of the tape. Also make sure you read the instructions on the fusible tapes package for how long you need to iron.
2. Cut off excess and pull the paper backing from the fusible tape and fold the edge of the fabric over the tape( You are essentially making a hem. If you've ever made a hem before then you know this is easy, if you haven't then you'll soon find out that its easy). Iron the fabric over the fusible tape making sure that it has fused the two sides together. If it hasn't, no biggie, just go over it again until it does fuse into a permanent bond.
3. Cut off excess and repeat on the other side ( length side of course)
4. Now you have the two ends of the scarf that haven't been fused yet. Fold the scarf so the right sides of the unfused fabric are together. Fold one side back and iron on the fusible tape to one right side of the edge, place the other side of the fabric back on top of the other side that now has the ironed tape and iron fusing both sides together.

Your Done!

This makes your scarf into a loop in which you can loop around your neck for a comfy, chic scarf.

Of course after it was all said and done, Mr. Man also wanted a mug shot. Who could blame him he's cute!

Until another post!

Danielle Renee