Lovin' the Salvation Army

When Hannah was just a baby, I can remember showering her with clothes. As she grew older I was addicted to Gymboree and Baby Gap. Everything from her hair bow to her shoes matched…ALL the time!

I would resale her things twice a year at or cities Just Between Friends Sale. Thinking I would NEVER put my child in “used” clothes. What a FOOL {snob} I was!!!!

Fast forward five years to the birth of our second child. It was then, that I slowly aloud myself to let them where clothing that had been worn by someone else. I’m not sure why this ever matter to me. Then one day it hit me. Was I being a good steward with what He had given me?

So I began shopping the JBF sales.

That reality check put everything in perspective. My children now proudly wear gently loved clothing. This allows us to funnel money into something else. Like savings, travel or giving back. It also allows me to invest more into their coats, shoes and book bags, items that get lots of wear and tear.

We are blessed that we are able to provide new clothing for our children. And don’t let me misslead you. They still wear lots of new clothing and are happy and content with what they have. But, have you been to Salvation Army or Goodwill lately?

Just this past week, I was looking through the clothes trying to find some “fabric” for another appliqué shirt I wanted to make. And I started to really look J.Crew, Lacoste, Gap, Mini Boden… Hello! I decided these where just too good to pass up! It was half off day and I scored all that you see here for $21.00!!! My best guess is that it all retailed for about $350.00 plus tax.

Funny thing that I learned on the way, I was teaching my children a valuable lesson, especially Hannah. We all know that today’s society is centered on materialistic items. It seems to reassure us that we are secure, that we have a place in this world. Hannah has cued into that already at the age of 9. This is just another way for me to show them it’s not about what you have, what you wear or where you live. It’s about being a good steward and understanding that life is not about the materialistic things that we have. It’s about living a life full of Christ. It’s about struggling with what we all struggle with, coveting thy neighbor.

And did you notice? Even my trip to Salvation Army was materialistic. It didn’t dawn on me until just now! All my “loved” items are name brand names. So, I continue to struggle, just like us all.

 I am linking up to Bedlam and Beauty today make sure to stop by as she will have lots of great finds to show today!

Hole- In- The- Wall

It started, like all things do, when I could no longer fit the vacuum cleaner back in the closet. We all have that beloved kitchen junk drawer, or two.

I also have this…


A nice quant little hall closet.

That is until you open it.

Last week I had succumb to the realization that I no longer could allow this to go on.

So, while dinner simmered on the stove I proceed to remove everything form this hole- in -the- wall.

Yep, there is that never ending red burlap bolt, broom and junk in the bottom.

Fourteen winter coats, for two grown adults.


I will add that I live in Oklahoma where the weather is downright CRAZY!!!!


A large box stuffed with wrapping paper and bags.

And look at this… who knew if you didn’t move anything, out of a closet for 5 years, that little bunnies would make a home. Who am I to destroy all their coziness?


That’s the main water shut off for our home. It was in such an easy place to get to!

Needless to say, that in under an hour, I had donated 8 of the fourteen coats. Whittled the paper and bags down to a tiny little box. Stashed the burlap and junk where it needed to be. And moved the dust bunnies down the street. Parked my vacuum cleaner with enough room that I didn’t have to lean on the door for it to shut!


Now, only if it will stay that way. Don’t all kitchen junk drawers after a good clean out? Ha!

Get Your Shine On!

One day, a few years back, while cleaning some wood furniture in my home; I read the back of the Pledge bottle. I am really not sure why , guess I was tired of reading the Windex bottle… but so glad that I did.

{ before}

{After}

You know what, it worked fabulously! And I have never gone back. However, I have moved over to the best generic wood /leather cleaner there is, and it’s from Wal-mart. So now I get even more bang for my buck!It suggested  it works great as leather cleaner. At the time I was using a leather conditioner to clean our leather furniture. So I decided to give it a try.

This cost me about $1.77 and works great for both my wood and leather. Give it a try it Works for Me!

Oh My Vanity... Top 10!

Let’s face it! We all have at least one “vanity” product that we can’t live without. And, it seems my list get’s longer with each passing year. So, today I want to share with you a few of my “must haves”. I could only hope that someone would pay me to talk about their products, but that’s not the case here.These are just items that I have personally used for years and wanted to share them with you!

Revlon Beyond Natural Skin Matching Makeup

I could never seem to match my foundation to my skin tone. Until I stumbled upon this a few years back. Revlon Beyond is a fabulous light foundation. My skin is very dry and this also helps moisturize  as well. It's great year round blending to my lighter skin in winter and my sunkissed skin in summer.


Retails for $8.99

Lancôme Definicils


I have been wearing this mascara sense high school. And let’s just say that’s been a few years! Yes, it is a bit pricey for a mascara, but well worth every penny. Black is my old standby and I do not recommend the waterproof version. Unless you are willing to wear it for about a week until you can get it off. Trust me!


Retails for $24.50

Sephora Cuticle Care Pen


My cuticle’s have never been the same after applying this to them. I do my best to remember to put it on nightly. And oh the aroma…


Retails for $12.00

Olay Definity Illuminating Eye Treatment


Ok, so I have only been using this for about a year. Those dark circles under my eyes had gotten fierce. And believe it or not this stuff really has made a dereference in the color and texture under my eyes.


Retails for $23.99

Nail Life Revitalizer

This product found me about 10 years ago. When I had stopped wearing acrylics and just had my first child. My nails were thinner than paper. Applying this once a day, right before drying my hair, keeps my nails strong and healthy.


Retails for $7.99

Gold Bond Healing Foot Therapy Cream

What can I say…It’s winter my feet are a mess…this stuff makes them all better!


Retails for $7.99

Mistral Almond Milk French Shea Butter Soap


Doesn’t that just sound all fancy? This smells heavenly in the shower and leaves your skin felling fabulous. Outrageous price, but a nice treat for yourself.


Retails for $8.00 {a bar}

Bobbi Brown Lip Balm SPF 15


The richest, smoothest lip balm you will ever use! I keep this in my purse at all times and we refer to it as our “family” gloss. Bonus is that it has SPF 15 mixed right in.


Retails for $17.00

Bobbi Brown Tinted Lip Balm in Hazelnut


No need for a mirror for this stuff. Works like a lip balm with a tint of color. Fits nicely in my pocket when we are out and about. Because I am at that age where my lips are fadding away.


Retails for $18.00

Bobbi Brown Long- Wear Gel Eyeliner

Can you tell I like Bobbi Brown’s line? However, I have tried her facial line and it didn’t work so well for me. But her color products are unmatched! Most of the time I wear the shimmer black, this winter I am trying the Black Ink Plum and I love it. You also have to buy the Ultra Fine Eyeliner brush to apply it. Trust me I tried all other kinds before buying hers.


Retails for $21.00 {brush for $25.00}


I would love to hear about anything that your "vanity" just can’t live without. So leave me a shout out and let me know what you can’t go without.

Suprise!

I got a new look! But, it's still the same ole' me.


Jessica, over at The Frilly Coconut, has been hard at work for me. She has answered my many, many questions and held my hand the entire way.


It's nice to know some people out there still have an awesome work ethic. Are more than willing to answer any question, and change the smallest detail over and over.


SO, if you are in the market for a new look give The Frilly Coconut a visit!

Adventureland!

OK, if you happen to be so lucky, and are traveling to Disney World… say tomorrow you won’t want to miss this!

It all happened for us last August, in Adventureland.


We were hot, sweaty and did I mention stinky. Even Splash Mountain could not bring us relief. There is nothing like an August day in Florida!

Just as we exited the Swiss Family Tree house we decided it was time to cool down. So, we walked over to the Dole Pineapple ice cream store. Ryan and I both ordered a pineapple float. It was the BEST thing we ate on the entire trip.

And for the last five months I have had a 6 pack of these in my pantry.

Just waiting until I could find this…Hallelujah!

Who knew it would be so hard to find pineapple ice cream/ sherbet in Oklahoma.

Scoop as much ice cream, as you can cram, into the biggest glass you can find. Then pour a chilled can of Dole pineapple juice over it.


DELISH! Small chunks of pineapple along with the frosty ice cream is to die for.

Here is what it will look like in under 60 seconds.


Ryan and I finished the gallon in just 3 days flat. Lucky for me they had more when I went back!

I know that I have talked a lot about food this week. But it's slim pickins' at my Goodwill this time of year. I hope to have a fabulous before and after to share next week.

Fourtune Cookies to Go!

My kids LOVE fortune cookies, what kids doesn’t?

And, I had a stack of these leftover from an after July 4th sale. They have been around long enough to collect dust!

So, I was determined to give them a try this year.

I googled for funny kids fortunes then typed up, and printed off a few sheets.


Using Paula Deen’s recipe I got to work.

Surprisingly it takes very little ingredients to make these little goodies.

A great tip is to allow them to cool in a mini cupcake pan so they hold their shape.

I tucked a sheet of parchment paper in my take out box and stuffed it full!

Not so sure I would take the time to make these for an entire class, maybe just for friends and family.

Here's where I will be linking up to today! Bloggeritaville - The Shabby Chic Cottage -

L.O.V.E.L.Y Strawberry Bread

I am going to share with you the BEST Strawberry bread to ever grace your taste buds.

Cross my heart {sick a needle in my eye}!

This yummy dense bread can stand on its own, but top it with the Strawberry Butter and you will consume more carbohydrates than you ever imagined. I would show you proof, but it’s hard to take a picture of one’s own backside.


Gather up all your goods.

Mix together the strawberries, eggs and oil.

Stir in the flour mixture until moistened.

Pour into your desired pan. I am using heart shaped ramekins to make mine a Valentine treat.

Bake @ 350* form 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the shape of your pan. How easy is that!

For the Strawberry Butter beat butter, strawberries and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. And store in refrigerator.

I packaged my heart shape loaves with a tiny jar of strawberry butter. All for the one’s I love {smile}

XO- XO- XO

L.O.V.E.L.Y Strawberry Bread

1. Mix together

          a. 2 10oz. frozen strawberries, thawed

          b. 4 eggs

          c. 1 ½ cup veg. oil

2. Sift together

          a. 3 Cups flour

          b. 2 Cups Sugar
          c. 1 tsp. baking soda
          d. 1 tsp salt
          e. 1 tsp cinnamon
3. Combine
           a. Strawberry mixture and flour mixture. Stir until   dry ingredients are moist- Don’t over mix
4. Pour
           a. Into greased and floured 2 9x5
5. Bake at 350* 1 hour until toothpick comes clean

Strawberry Butter

1 10oz frozen strawberries, thawed
1 Cup unsalted butter, softened
1 Cup powdered sugar


Combine all ingredients – whip until pink and fluffy- store in refrigerator

I will be linking up to these other great sites! Stop by in your free time! We are THAT Family- Blue Cricket Design- Beauty and Bedlam