Someday it will all make sense...

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Frugal Face Wash

I don't know what ever possessed me to try this, but I am so glad I did.

Cleaning your face with oil may sound counter-intuitive, but you can read about how and why it works at Simple Mom and Simple Organized Living. 

It is so simple to make and very inexpensive. My skin feels fabulous and looks so much better. The process is so relaxing, I like to think of it as my mini-spa treatment.

The two ingredients are: castor oil (to clean) and a second oil to moisturize. I am using olive oil. I was able to find castor oil at Walmart. The four ounce bottle shown above cost less than $3.

I am using equal amounts of castor oil and olive oil which is the recommendation for normal skin. If your skin is oily, you may need more castor oil. If your skin is dry, more olive oil.

Pour both types of oil into a small plastic bottle, shake it up a bit, and you are ready to go. Here's what you do:

1. Pour a quarter-sized amount of your face wash on to a dry hand.
2. Massage the oil onto your face for about one minute.
3. Run a washcloth under warm water (as warm as you can stand without being uncomfortable).
4. Use the washcloth to cover your face. Gently press the cloth onto your face for about one minute.
5. Rinse the washcloth. Then use the cloth to remove any remaining oil from your face.
6. Rinse the washcloth and repeat if necessary.

Still not convinced? Take a look at this great video tutorial from Keeper of the Home. This video is what convinced me to give homemade face wash a try.

This DIY face wash works better than anything else I have tried for a fraction of the price. Can't beat that!

Heard Any Good Books Lately?

I have been making the most of my time in the car by listening to audio books. I don't have an overly long commute, but over the course of a week it's amazing how much time I spend in the car. I also listen to audio books when exercising on the treadmill.

Since I don't have as much reading time as I would like, I have found that by listening to books, I am able to experience many more books than I would otherwise.

Audio books may be purchased in a variety of formats so that you are able to listen from your phone, computer, ipod, or other mobile device. I purchase my audio books for use on an ipod. That way, I can listen both in the car (using a speaker) or on the treadmill (using ear buds).

Since an audio book's reader can have a huge effect on your enjoyment, I always listen to the preview clip available from many online retailers. I have purchased the majority of my audio books from audible.com (a division of Amazon). At audible, you can listen to a 5 minute sample of the book. By listening to the sample, you will know whether you will enjoy that particular reader before you make the purchase.

Here are some the audio books I have listened to over the past several weeks. Watch for detailed reviews of my favorites coming soon.

168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam
Quitter by Jon Acuff
EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches by Dave Ramsey
18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done by Peter Bregman
A Mind at a Time: America's Top Learning Expert Shows How Every Child Can Succeed by Mel Levine

I would have never found the time to read these great books. But, over the past 6 weeks, I have had plenty of time to listen to them. I have even listened to a few of them more than once! 

Wise Men Still Seek Him

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Pretty Punch Ice Ring

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Now that I have a "new" punch bowl and glasses, I can't wait to make our family's favorite punch.

To make the punch more festive, I like to make a pretty ice ring. Simply place cranberries, grapes, or cut citrus fruit in a ring mold or bunt pan. A bunt pan is nice because it is usually deeper, making a thicker ring that will not melt as quickly.

Place the fruit of your choice in the pan, filling about 1/3 of the pan. Pour in punch or water to just cover the fruit. You want the fruit to stay at the bottom of the pan. You don't want it to float.

Place in the freezer until frozen solid. To make the ring thicker, add punch or water about an inch at a time and refreeze. Repeat until the ring is the desired thickness.

To release the ring from the mold, let it sit an room temperature for about 20 minutes, or run it under warm water.

The best part is that you can make this well in advance of your event. Simply release the mold and store in a freezer bag.


Here is the recipe for our favorite punch.

Zippy Cranberry Cooler

2 pints cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
12 ounces frozen lemonade concentrate
4 cups cold water
1 quart orange sherbet
32 ounces ginger ale, chilled

Combine cranberry juice cocktail, lemonade concentrate, and water.

Just before serving, stir in the orange sherbet until it melts. Add a large decorative block of ice.

Carefully pour ginger ale down the sides of the punch bowl.

Makes 7 cups.

This post is linked to the Chic and Crafty Party.

I will honor Christmas in my heart...

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Frugal Rinse Aid: Vinegar in the Dishwasher

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Did you know that you can use vinegar in place of a (much more expensive) rinse aid? Simply pour it in the dispenser just as you would the rinse aid.

I have been using vinegar in the dishwasher for years with great results at a fraction of the price.

Click here to read about how I save money using vinegar in the laundry.


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