Gift Giving Ideas on the Cheap

It is approaching that chaotic time of year where consumerism is at an all time high. Skip the jam-packed malls (at times I've spent as much time circling the parking lot as I've spent in the actual stores). </p> Make your own cards or gift tags. Glossy index cards cut to the geometrical shape of your choice coupled with the following, creates a personal touch: scrap paper, gift wrap, colored tissue paper, gold-toned string, and mod podge. Get out your hole puncher and ribbon for personalized gift tags! </p> Hit up your local thrift stores (preferably legit not-for-profit, ahem). You might be surprised to find fully sealed candles, eye masks, toys, and the like. The savings are nothing to scoff at. </p> Call health food stores in your area to see if they carry dried lavender, orris root powder, and essential oil. If they do, snag some sheer fabric from a craft store on your way home. Sheer night gowns or curtains can also work. </p> Sachet instructions: 1. Cut two squares to desired size. 2. In a large bowl, mix lavender, a little bit of orris root powder (its sole purpose is to preserve the smell--no need to go crazy). 3. Add three drops essential oil for each sachet your intending to make. Some considerations are: lavender, rose, lemon, and vanilla. 4. Mix all ingredients. 5. Lay mixture between the two squares. 6. Carefully stitch or glue around the perimeter.

Scrap Fabric and Decal Turned Baby Hair Clips

Have some cotton yarn? Ribbons? Tulle? Python/Gorilla/hot glue + dollar store hair clips can transform these extra items into cutesy little clips for a special little girl!  :-)  Old Navy and Gap frequently add dainty fabric flowers to their sweaters...my gut told me not to part with them (so glad I didn't). Also, I never toss ribbons from the wrapping my gifts come with! Please don't replicate these specific designs for profit as they're my own.  :-) Happy gluing and/or seeing my crafty friends!

Modern Chain Necklace

I found part of a chain in my basket of craft material. More precisely six inches. I coupled it with a shiny, silky string that came in a button repair bag I inherited. Easy peasy cute hostile. <3 pops of color!

Pretty Floral Tote--Made From a Skirt

Chances are some of you have a collection of free/cheap totes. I get free totes every time I buy from a particular vendor at the farmers' market. Practical to have? Yes. Cute to wear? Not so much... .

DIY Organic Face Mask Recipe

After ready the very inspiring book Forever Chic, I was hurriedly trying to whip together a face mask in the kitchen. The goal was to make something gentle, moisturizing, and full of antioxidants. Admittedly, I have not used--let alone made a face mask in about a year. Brizzle saved the day via the final ingredient! Combine: 1/2 t plain yogurt, 1 t mayo, 1 1/2 t turbinado sugar, and 4 red grapes.   :-)
Tres bien!

Green Living FTW

Brizzle and I have made some green living changes that have proven to benefit in at least one of the following ways: health, waste prevention, or space saving. In another post, we filled you in on what went wrong... so for a glass is half-full approach, I am here to tell you what went right. 1. Utilizing empty Argo Tea glass containers to contain our beverages. 2. Replacing our toxic plastic no. 5 water filter pitcher with an empty voss container and Japanese charcoal stick (I sometimes forget I'm drinking exchanged Socal water). 3. Strange looks don't prevent us from bringing our own glass jars to fill with bulk items. 4. Mesh bags keep our produce fresher longer than plastic bags ever did. 5. Brizzle's bus commute extends the life of our car, reduces pollution, and reduces the need for spending mpney on gas (is the price ever stable enough to actually budget with complete accuracy?!?!) . 6. Vinegar and/or baking soda clean most surfaces effectively. 7. Borrowing rather than purchasing books means more money for the kids. 8. Eating meat/poultry a few times a week has made our eldest learn to like vegetables, seeds, and nuts a lot more. 9. Upcycling existing clothes has led to a deeper appreciation for what I have and gently worn fabrics have lower levels of pesticides. Do you have any simple  strategies for reducing your carbon footprint?

Green Living Epic Fails

     After reading the popular book Zero Waste, and pondering how unnecessary our materialistic culture has become, I've felt increasingly inspired to 'go green'. Despite the best of intentions, there have been many, many epic fails along the way!
1. Replacing dry shampoo with carob powder= off-putting smelling hair.
2. Using a miswak stick instead of my normal plastic toothbrush rendered tartar galore ('bristles' were too short and pliable to get the job done)
3. A concoction of coconut oil/baking soda/cinnamon/peppermint- infused liquid stevia instead of my normal fluoride-free Tom's of Maine toothpaste left my mouth feeling less than refreshed.
 4. My own shampoo rinse (which was inspired by many recipes) made of vinegar, honey, and baking soda equated to a stuck together, dried out hot mess of a mop!
5. Brizzle and I donated Medela and Playtex bottles in favor of one stainless steel sippycup/bottle per kid, but the nipples lasted a few weeks max. (the kids bit right through them).
6. Exclusively using cloth diapers on our youngest resulted in multiple doctor visits and four prescribed tubes of medicated ointment to treat a painful rash.

Bring New Life to Baby Clothes

Having two children poses me with the dilemma of what to do with ALL of those outgrown/stained baby clothes. It's a nice idea to post items with little wear on Craigslist, Freecycle, or what have you. Below are two ideas for items you want to keep for sentimental reasons--or articles that have seen better days. My projects are incomplete as I am planning to add more fabric as my daughter outgrows her present clothing. If you know how to crochet, cut the items into slender yet lengthy strips, either tying the pieces (for an edgier look), or lightly stitch to make fabric yarn. If sewing a patchwork quilt is more your thing, more power to you. Rug or blanket, your child will enjoy for years to come. (:

Yummy Low-Inflammatory Breakfast

Organic: poached egg, taco seasoning, greens, drop of mayo and mustard.

Tips For Upcycling Clothes

• Oversized Cardigans: cut a thick strip of material out of the center of the sweater (the buttoned fabric and possibly more). Overlap the top portion to create a v-neckline. The middle/bottom maybe stitched diagonally to somewhat resemble a wrap top. Or if you have the desire and adequate excess fabric, make a wrap top!
•  Tops with Tiny Holes: sporadically place thin lace and/or contrasting mesh placed beneath and/or on top.
• Unflattering Pockets: pull out that seam ripper!
• Bold Hems: remove existing stitches and replace with thread that matches the garment.
• Boring Tees: convert long sleeves into 3/4s, short sleeves into caps, scallop the trim, reduce the width of the neckline... .
• Sweater shavers and a knowledge of natural dyes might be additionally advantageous to your wardrobe. Happy threading!

Shabby Chic Headband

While it's admirable to want to donate your used clothing items, a large percentage of used clothes are placed in our landfill via the thrift stores we donate to. Unless your items are in pristine condition, see if you can upcycle (or in other words, find a new use for them). My mother recently gave me shirts, skirts, and sweaters she no longer wanted. I took in a 90% cotton, 10% Spandex gray/black shirt. I cut a few inches off the length, cutting across horizontally. Then cut that piece once vertically, and cut those two pieces down the middle horizontally again. With the four strips, I took three and tied a rubber band around one end. I held the secured end between my knees (use your teeth if you're feeling particularly barbaric). I then proceeded to braid the three pieces of fabric together, conjoined the two ends by tying a knot with the fourth piece and removing the band. I made sure the fit was up to par before securing the knot with a few stitches. Trim ends if desired. Voila! Shabby chic headband.

Portion Controlled Grain & Dairy Free Breakfast

1 T. Sunflower Butter + 1 T. Applesauce mixed. Half a glass of almond milk mixed with coffee. Not completely anti inflammatory, but aren't we all a work in progress?

Favored Cloth Diapers

If you are in the market to buy cloth diapers, econobum, and kissaluvs are good options to consider. Why? They will grow with your baby. That means not having to worry about replacing S, M, or L every few months. Unbleached is better for the environment and your baby. If you don't know how prone your child is to diaper rash, make the necessary considerations before parting with your hard-earned moola!

Green Contraception

If you're truly monogamous and looking to save money (in the long run) on contraception, consider Ovuview, Pearly, Lady Comp, or lambskin condoms which can be thrown into the wash and used until they crumble. The last one doesn't sit completely well with me in theory, but the concept of cloth diapers, diaphragms, menstrual cups, or gladrags isn't much different. Anyway, Ovuview is a free app made available to android users. Make sure your thermometer isn't faulty, and have a backup method until you are given the green light.

How to Extend the Life of Your Shampoo

Do you ever feel guilty buying that overpriced (but still somehow containing harmful preservatives) organic shampoos that only last 1-2 months? In a large mason jar, pour in shampoo, liquid castile soap, water, and a drop of argan oil until the shampoo has the consistency of egg whites--or comfortably watered down shampoo. Lol.

Homemade Moisturizer

My skin tends to be dry most times of the year. I don't see a point in spending $7-50 on 'moisturizers' that contain drying ingredients such as alcohol. Don't get me started on dyes, fragrances, or parabens. First you take a clean glass jar such as an upcycled baby food jar, add a tablespoon of coconut oil, a couple drops of the following oils: olive, argan, apricot seed, evening primrose, and jojoba. Mix in some aloe vera gel for good measure.

Great Alternatives to Plain Water

Brizzle likes to buy mint from the farmers market. A sprig of some mint, couple slices of cucumbers, a few grapes and some ice=heavenly drink. Tazo teas are hands down, a clear favorite in our home. Cinnamon Spice, Passion, Zen, and Refresh are very soothing to drink on cold winter days.

Baby Weight

Hi there, I'm Phonix. Well, not really. It's a nickname my husband endearingly gave me during our courtship. My interests include fashion, money-saving, and health. I've given birth to two beautiful children during the course of roughly two years. I was quite happy with my weight before becoming pregnant with my eldest. Post birth, however, is another story entirely. After some simple changes, I am happy to report that I am a mere eleven pounds away from my goal weight! :-)