Repurposed Register Grate Garden

Repurposed Register Garden

Is this just not the cutest idea? Turn your old register grate into a unique succulent garden! No prep needed! Just fill an old register with potting soil, then plant with your favorite succulents or "steppables!" A beautiful way to upcycle!

Upcycled Register Garden

 

*Disclaimer: I can't take credit for this creative idea...I found this at The Mustard Seed Retreat in Ostrander, Ohio, ..."a special place for gardeners, writers, peace seekers & such!"


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Easy Five-Minute Layered Haircut

I am so excited to share with you an ultra-simple, super-quick way to cut your hair in beautiful layers! You can easily cut your daughter's or even your own hair in only 5 minutes!  You may never go to the salon again!

Easy Five-Minute Layered Haircut

This is what my daughter's hair looked like before  and after the haircut:

If you want to learn how to do this easy 5-minute layered haircut on yourself or your daughters, click the image below to download your FREE guide!

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How to Make Easy, Homemade, Natural Deodorant

Easy, Natural, Homemade Deodorant

 For a long time, I'd tried to get away from using commercial antiperspirants and deodorants, because for one, they are full of aluminum, which may cause cancer, Alzheimer's, and other health problems; and two, recent studies have shown the presence of  parabens in 99% of breast cancer patients. That's enough to scare anyone off of using toxic substances in such a sensitive area!

In my quest for a natural alternative, I tried numerous natural, store-bought products, such as Tom's of Maine, The Body Shoppe, Trader Joe's, and crystal deodorant stones. None worked great, and two of them gave me bad rashes! 

Then I tried a homemade version using coconut oil, but it tended to stain my shirts (although admittedly I may have used too much oil.) I had read that Dr. Mercola simply used baking soda, but I dismissed that idea, thinking surely that would not be strong enough for me!  Well, when  a friend mentioned that she, too, used baking soda with no problems, I decided to try it for myself! Lo and behold, it worked! Amazing! Whoever would have thought that something so simple and easy (not to mention cheap!) could work so well! 

Easy, Homemade, Natural Deodorant

 All you need is baking soda, a dish, and a makeup brush (a flat mineral foundation brush works great.) The one-ingredient version is simply baking soda! For a nicely scented version, you can add the essential oil of your choice. My favorite happens to be orange, so that is the one I use. Just shake several drops into the bowl of baking soda, and stir.  

That's it! It couldn't be simpler or more frugal! If you have sensitive skin, you may want to wait a while after shaving to apply. Also, some people may be more sensitive to baking soda, and might want to try arrowroot powder instead, as a gentler substitute. Enjoy!

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Lovely Lilla Rose You-Pins

I just had to share these lovely photos of my friend Stephanie, using Lilla Rose You-Pins!  Aren't  they simply gorgeous???  You can enter to win an elegant set of You-Pins for yourself this week at Pure Modesty! They are great for your summer "messy bun!"

You-Pins are also available for purchase at Lilla Rose in eleven beautiful styles!

Antique-Style You-Pins

Etched Daisies You-Pins

Copper Rose You-Pins

Princess Crown You-Pins

How to Make Easy, Homemade Brown Sugar Scrub

Have you ever tried  brown sugar scrub on your skin? If not, you absolutely must! It is an excellent exfoliator and a luxurious moisturizer...not to mention, it smells simply delicious! And if you make it yourself with a few simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, it is frugal as well!

Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp. vanilla

2 Vitamin E capsules

Simply mix all ingredients together, and put into the lovely container of your choice!

For those who love the scent of fall, here is a nice variation:

Pumpkin Pie Brown Sugar Scrub

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup olive oil

1/8 cup honey

1 Vitamin E capsule

3 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 TBS cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp nutmeg

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Repurposed Entertainment Center as Shoe Organizer

For years I struggled with what to do with the mess  of strewn shoes inside the front door. Not only was it an eyesore, but it was a hazardous danger zone! For a family of nine, coat closets and small ready-made shoe shelves just did not cut it.

Then we decided to no longer use our entertainment armoire for our TV. ..it was too big and in the way in our family room.  Being the thrifty person that I am, I could not bear the thought of just throwing it out. And  I probably couldn't even give it away, as entertainment centers are becoming obsolete with the advent of flat-screen TV's.  So, I started looking around the house for a new use for the behemoth. 

 

Then, I  thought of our front-door shoe problem! It was  certainly large enough for all our shoes. And better yet, it had doors to hide the unsightly collection! Why not? So, we got shelving to go inside of it, and presto!...We had a perfect storage solution for our shoes!

Not only does it organize our shoes, but it is a perfect "landing station" by the front door. The top shelf is perfect for holding things that need to be returned to the store or library, as well as items that need to be returned to friends.

I know that there will soon be a glut in the garage sale market of old obsolete entertainment centers in need of repurposing, so why not try a front door shoe organizer!

What item have you given new life to recently? 

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Super Moon

These are photos of the awesome Super Moon out our backdoor this evening:

The full moon came as close to Earth tonight, May 5, as it will all year. It was 14% closer to Earth and 30% brighter than when it is at its furthest point. Most definitely a beautiful sight to behold!