Easy DIY Make-Up Brush Cleaner

I've been SEARCHING and SEARCHING for an easy way to clean my make-up brushes. I've been researching, but nothing seem right. I don't have witch hazel just laying around my house, and I don't want to use chemicals or spend a lot of money for special cleaners. Finally, I came up with a solution, and it worked amazing.

If you're wondering WHY you should clean your brushes, here is one big reason. B-A-C-T-E-R-I-A. They're living and thriving off your brush which contains natural skin oils, and they think it's delicious. Bacteria can cause skin break outs, rashes, and infections. Your brushes can become smelly, too! You're probably ready to start cleaning - if not your brushes your entire house!

Here's what you need:

• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons antibacterial dish soap 

Here's how to clean your brush:

In a small bowl combine vinegar and water. Heat in the microwave until it's warm.

Combine the olive oil and soap on a small bowl or plate (I used a Styrofoam plate. Don't use paper, it will absorb the oil). No need to try to mix them together. They'll separate, but that's ok.

Dip your brush in the water/vinegar mix. Swirl it around a bit. You'll see little make up bits coming off, nothing to get excited about....yet. Take out your brush and gently squeeze out any extra liquid.

NOTE: Keep your brush bristles down at all times - even in the next few steps. If you put your brush bristles up (handle pointing down) before they are 100% dry, liquid can flow up the handle and dissolve the glue holding everything together. No Buenos.

Now, the gross part...Gently swoosh the brush around the olive oil and soap mix. Make sure to swoosh all side, uses a soft painting motion. You'll see the make-up falling off your brush!

Once you think you've removed all the gunk, rinse in a steady stream of cool water (remember, bristles DOWN!) Water should run clear. See picture to the left of my bronzer brush - before and after!

Gently arrange/mold bristles back to their original shape. Dry on an angle on a towel or paper towel. Roll one end of the towel to help prop up the handle. Allow brushes to dry completely before storing and/or using.



TIP: If you have any essential oils, you can add a little of your favorite to your oil/soap mix for a light scent.

Need to Catch some Zzzz's?

Here's your solution: ZzzQuil! Yes, I received this in another VoxBox (see the Goddess VoxBox post for more information of VoxBoxs and Influenster. To join Influenster, go HERE)

As a mom I'm often up late finished tasks and constantly on the go, which makes difficulty sleeping very frustrating. Sometimes, I need a little help and I turn to ZzzQuil. It's just the help I need! It does not create dependency and helps you stay rested. It's a great product and you should try it, too! For more info, here's a link to there WEBSITE.

Goddess VoxBox

Who has two thumbs and received another VoxBox? This gal!

If you haven't heard of a VoxBox and Influenster, here's a quick break down. Basically, you sign up and connect all your social media accounts. I mean ALL. The more impact on social media you have the more points you get. The more points you have the more stuff you get, got it? Then, review products. Review, review, review! Eventually, you will receive a survey and will *hopefully* qualify for a box! Follow the instructions and finish tasks to qualify for more boxes and possible free stuff. Interested? Sign up HERE

So, to continue my review. I received Cutex nail polish remover, Dickinson Witch Hazel Toner, Sinful Colors Nail Polish, Always pads, Pantene Shampoo/Conditioner, Downy, and Ebates stuff.

I really loved all the products. Cutex is great, it works on the toughest polishes - like those with glitter - and really help strengthen your nails.

I've never used toner before, but thanks to Dickinsons I'm now hooked!

Sinful colors is one of my favorite brands.  I love their color selections, I wish they had a quick drying option. I don't like that they're not part of the Kardashian empire. Not a fan of the Kardashians.

The Always pads were part of a new flex line. I really like them, you can hardly tell you're wearing a pad - even if it's the overnight pad. I do wish they were a little longer, but they have great absorbency.

In the past I haven't cared for Pantene. It's still not my favorite. I really just don't care for the scent and it makes my scalp itchy.

Last, Ebates. I'm not sure why this was in the box? I don't get it - they want you to sign up and it's cash back for shopping. I tried it and didn't get my cash back, so I would say it's bogus and to for go this when trying to save.

Well, that pretty much wraps up the Goddess VoxBox! If you haven't try Influenster!

Hello Fresh

Of the four meal programs I tried, Hello Fresh was in my top two (enter code J8M7HX
for $40 off your first box). I have to say they had the best packaging and organization of all the programs! Everything came well labeled and in neat little boxes separated by meal. It made cooking SO much easier!

Here are a few quick pointers, some pro and some cons, of Hello Fresh

Absolutely  LOVE the packaging and organization! 

• Good variety of menu choice, however not as many as Home Chef (Click here for $35 off a Home Chef Box!)
• Great packaging and organization
• Meals were delicious and fairly easy - like Home Chef I'd like to see more difficulty range
• Recipes could have been a little better, I noticed a few areas where steps could have been changed to make the process faster. 
• Amazing portion size! Ordered the two person program, and we still had enough for our toddler to have dinner! 

I would order from here again - the price is about the same as other programs - and the food was worth the money spent. Food was good, the choices all for you to try new items but within a comfort zone. Nothing "too" weird or complicated! 

If you only want to try Hello Fresh once, it's very easy. You can cancel at any time, or skip weeks to fit your needs. 

If you're interested in trying Hello Fresh (and you should!) enter this code to receive $40 off your first box! J8M7HX

A note to all of the dinner subscription box programs: ENOUGH with the kale and roasted veggies! Change things up a bit! 

Post Response

Wow! Looks like there are a few readers out there! Exciting!

My Home Chef post received a few hits - which is great. I love this service! Don't forget this link $35 off your first box! (Click for $35 off!) Or enter code Nicholef44 Soon I'll be posting reviews for the following meal box subscription services (some better than others):

• Marley Spoon 
• Blue Apron
• Hello Fresh

In the mean time I'll be posting some awesome recipes. Did you see the egg post from the other day? awesome ideas! All of which I've tried myself. 

I'm really enjoying getting into blogging! Feel free to add comments and questions on posts for some discussion! Keep in mind I do screen the comments to prevent spam. Can't wait to hear from you (the reader!) 

Great Eggs - Not Just for Breakfast!

I've recently been on an "egg" kick! Here are some of my favorites, these can be for any meal, not just breakfast. Here are some great ideas. Personally, for omelettes and fritattas I prefer two egg whites and one whole egg - but you can use whatever you'd like.

1. BLT Omelette - Bacon (or sub turkey bacon) chopped, tomato, arugula, and fontina cheese. Chop the bacon, cook until almost crisp, then add the tomato and arugula. The bacon grease is used instead of oil. Cook until arugula is wilted - and eggs. Cook, add cheese, and fold. Volia!

Zucchini Omelette

2. Zucchini Omelette - Roasted red peppers, shredded zucchini, and mozzarella. In heated olive oil, sautee peppers - add fine shredded zucchini. This is burn quickly so just cook until heated. Add eggs. Cook, and cheese, and fold! YUM!

3. Chicken and Spinach Fritatta - Fritatta is basically an open face omelette, but you toast it under the broiler and dont fold the eggs. Chicken, spinach, red pepper - sautee chicken and red pepper, and spinach until wilted. Add eggs - just before cooked place under broiler. When cooked, top with cheese and put back under broiler until cheese is bubbly! Bon Appetite!


4. Gluten Free or Low Carb Eggs Benedict - Instead of an English muffin make extra crispy hash browns! Poach egg(s) (this is really easy, here's a YouTube Video I like to add apple cider vinegar to my water, organic unpasteurized ACV is also high in probiotics!) Saute ham or Canadian Bacon, place ontop of hash browns. Place poached eggs on top of ham/hash browns and top with Holandaise. the Holandaise will be the most difficult part, here's a recipe on YouTube.

Gluten Free/Low Carb Eggs Benedict

5. Last, have you ever had a basted egg? You'll LOVE these if you like over easy eggs - and these are not healthy but so good! Add about 3Tbs butter to pan and melt, add egg(s) once whites are almost cooked (about where you would flip an over easy egg) begin to spoon the hot butter over top of the yolk/whites until it's cooked to your desired doneness. If you tun out of butter you can always add more! Basted eggs are great on a sandwich or burger.

So there you have it - some great egg ideas! YUM!!!

Country Crock #MakeItYours

Recently I received one of my awesome VoxBoxes from Influenster! This was a smaller campaign with only one item - a coupon for a free tub of Country Crock! I was super excited, as I already use this brand. I love their varieties - from original, to extra calcium, and honey butter (great for biscuits). Country Crock original is my personal favorite as it's more versatile. I used it in everything, from bread, to veggies, to cookies, to toast!

Here's a link to my PINTREST where I have added some great recipe ideas, including my favorite "Mix In Cookies". This is a base cookie recipe (NOT A COOKIE MIX! 100% Homemade cookies!!!!!) you can add whatever you want into the cookie batter to make any flavor you can think of, and don't forget to follow my Pintrest for other great ideas.

Go buy a tub of Country Crock and try one of the recipes!

Door to Door Organics

As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm review a few of those "subscription box programs". They're a current fad in our society - definitely a trend. Who knows if it's here to stay?

The first of my reviews is for Door to Door Organics. Oh my goodness - I LOVED this box program! I have to say of all the programs I tried, this is my absolute favorite! Basically you receive your groceries on your door step once a week. You have a base subscription which you can add to each week.  Here's the break down.
   

You sign up for their program - you choose what size box you want to receive, all veggies or all fruit? a mix? Totally up to you. Weekly or bi-weekly deliveries?

Each Friday between noon and 2pm you're able to edit your box. You never now what fruits or veggies you will receive! You have a maximum number of substitutions you can make. Then you can add what ever you want! Milk? Eggs? Bacon? You got it! ALL organic! This includes cheeses, deli meats, chips, salsa, hummus - almost anything you can imagine! Keep in mind the more you add, the more you pay (prices are listed on each item. 

You have until 10pm the night before your deliver to make changes to your box - then Viola! It's on your door step! A lot of the items are local, and your order is so fresh that it's not even delivered by UPS, FedEx, or USPS! How awesome? 

I've never had an issues with any of my items, I've order fruits, veggies, meat, cheese, spices, oils, yogurt, and snacks. Not to mention the Artisan bread! All were delicious and great quality - some of the fruits/veggies were under ripe, but I can wait a day or two for something to ripen. I'll often but less ripe items at the grocery store to help them last longer.

The red pepper hummus I received was fantastic - probably some of the best I've ever had. The artisan bread from a local bakery, Zingermans, was just Ok. There's another local bakery I like better. Like I mention, everything was of superb quality!

Some of the items are a little pricey, but the box subscription it's self is decent. $19.99 for the smallest box + $5 shipping (so $24.99). Keep in mind these are all organic and it's conveniently delivered to you!

The best part of Door to Door Organics is the delivery, especially if you have two little ones like me. I don't have to worry about the three year old asking me for items, or worrying about getting home before the seven week old needs to eat. Plus the excitement I see on my daughters face is priceless. She loves opening the box and seeing all the fruits and veggies. It's a great opportunity for her to learn and try new things, like fennel and fresh ginger!

I'm sure the variety changes from area to area - if you live in a large metropolitan area, you probably have more options - especially for fresh breads, meats, and dairy. The more rural of an area, the less options. But that's ok - it's totally worth it!

Overall, I'd say this is a great program for off season produce - when there are no farmers markets with fresh produce. Once Farmers Market season is up an running, I'll be hitting them up for my produce. This will be even more local and Door to Door Organics, and cheaper. Until then, I'll keep ordering!

*If you would like to try Door to Door Organics and would like a code for $15 off your first order, please comment with your e-mail address and I can send you a special code which you must enter before completing  sign up. All comments containing e-mails are private and will not appear on this blog*

The 3 "R"s

*RATE* *REVIEW*  *REPEAT*



I've been really into these "box" programs recently. I'm not sure what is so intriguing about them - perhaps it's the convenience of delivery or the surprise of not 100% knowing what you are going to receive.


Personally, I love to try new things which is part of the reason why I've joined sites like Influenster.

-Free *full size* stuff?
     Heck yes!
-All I have to do is leave a review?
     You got it!

The more I review items, the more I read reviews before purchasing items. I've even begun to stand in a store and look an item I'm debating about to read reviews! Not for groceries or things like that, but baby stuff, for example. Making sure an item is safe for my family or not going to fall apart after I use it a few times is VERY important to me!

These next few post will be dedicated towards the services I have tried - Door to Door Organics, Hello Fresh, and Home Chef. Each of these had something great to offer. Each have a few things they could work on. Either way, I've enjoyed trying these new services!

I'm not sure how many people actually come across these blog posts, if anyone actually READS the posts - but I hope they help! Even if it's just helping to make a final choice between two different products!



In addition to reviewing these sites I will also be posting personal referral links with each review. Each of these links will give you a percentage off or dollars off your first order. I have yet to pay full price for any of these services!  Keep your eyes peeled for the next few posts!

Kids!

Pretty sure I have one of the most hilarious toddlers (and sometimes creepy)!

She's one goofy girl.Here's a few of the things she's said and done recently:

"Mom, Can I have this?" shows me a fortune cookie - we haven't had Chinese in a week or two Me: "Where did you get that"? Turns out she stashed about 6 cookies in various toy bins.

Attempting to get dressed in the AM  Me: "You need to get dressed for Montessori" Her: "But I can't! I need help! I don't know how!" Proceeds to have tantrum. Mind you she goes up to her room ten times per day to change her clothes...by herself...

A creepy one; Climbs into my bed one morning, around 6:30am first thing she says "Mommy, the scary man was talking to me last night" only a little creepy, right? 

Her little brother is following right in her footsteps. Often times I can't tell if he's making sounds or if it's the cat making the sounds. He seriously purrs. Not to mention his funny faces, which he has no clue he is making!

Cheddar Ranch Tater Tot Casserole - an origional "Ore Ida Totchos" recipe!

A while back I received a coupon from Influenster for a free bag of Ore Ida tater tots. I had always heard about tater tot casserole, but never made (or ate!) one before. So, I created my own! Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients:

1 regular sized bag of tater tots
1/2 yellow onion
1/2 green pepper,
1lb cheddar cheese (shredded or a black to shred yourself)
2lb ground beef
1pkt ranch dressing seasoning mix

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 425

Dice onion and green pepper. In saute pan, cook ground beef. When beef is about 2/3 cooked, add onion, pepper, and 1/2 of the ranch packet. Cook until beef is just about cooked thoroughly (it will cook more in the oven!). Remove from heat, drain, and add 3/4 of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well  so it's not too clumpy.

Spray a casserole pan with non-stick spray. Spread beef mix evenly in pan.

Open bag of tater tots, pour in remained ranch seasoning to bag. Seal the bag and shake so the seasoning reaches the tots at the bottom of the bag. Top beef with the tots followed by remaining cheese. Bake in pre-heated oven for 35-45min, tots should be golden and crunch. Let set for 3 min before serving, if desired top with ketchup!

For more Ore-Ida Totchos recipies, go here: Kraft Recipes Totchos Hub

#OreIdaTotchos #Contest

To Join Influenster, click HERE!!

Easiest Crockpot Taco Chicken EVER!

This was SO easy - great for tacos or nachos!


Ingredients:

4 Chicken Breast - thawed
1 14oz Can Chicken Broth
2 pkts Taco Seasoning
1 15oz Jar of Thick and Chunky Salsa (yes - it need to be to thick and chunky! I would avoid fruit salsas - just use a nice normal everyday salsa)

The nice thing about this recipe is you can adjust the heat - buy hot taco seasoning and hot salsa if you like it spicy! Or keep it mild - you can always add diced jalapenos later or another spicy pepper of your choice.

Directions: 

Pour can of chicken broth into crock pot - add both packets of taco seasoning. Mix well - place chicken in pot, top with salsa. Cook on high for 5-6 hours. Once chicken is tender use a fork to shred. Voila! That's it!

TIP: If your sauce is getting too thick, add a little water while it cooks.

Current Baby Clearance Deals from Meijer

Currently, we're expecting another little one (mid February) So I hung around a Meijer store in Michigan today and found a few really good deals!

• Clearance clothing has an additional 25% off! This includes Carter brand, I snagged sleepers for under $3! 

• Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper pail - 50% off - making it $14.99! Refills are also on clearance. 

• Several Playtex Brand bottle nipples on clearance

• Summer infant Swaddles  - pack of two clearanced at $10 for two! 

• Huggies diapers - not on clearance but when you buy $30 in Huggies (diapers, wipes, training pants, or Little Swimmers) you receive a coupon fro $10 off your next purchase! Make sure you separate your purchase if you plan on buy $60/$90/$120 etc in Huggies as only one coupon will print!  Pair this with $2 off coupons from Coupons.com or Huggies.com if you're a member. This is also a GREAT way to earn some Huggies Reward Points! 

• Don't forget to check the end caps of the isles as there are several random clearance items in these areas, including Gerber brand 2pk sleepers.