Thursday, June 18, 2009

Nontoxic cleaning kit

IMAGE BY NATURAL HOME MAGAZINE
Found this great article from www.naturalhomemagazine.com. You can clean your house from top to bottom with just eight simple ingredients. To save time and money, buy the ingredients in bulk and make cleaners in advance.
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INGREDIENTS

1) Baking Soda: A truly multitasking cleaner, baking soda is a perfect substitute for cleaning powders that scour sinks and tubs without scratching. It’s also great for wiping down and deodorizing the fridge. Combined with an equal amount of vinegar, baking soda can freshen drains and prevent them from clogging.

2) Borax: Combining equal amounts of white vinegar and borax will banish mold and mildew from hard surfaces. This natural mineral can also clean your toilet. Pour 1 cup of borax into the toilet bowl and let it sit for a few hours before scrubbing to eliminate stains and odor

3) Distilled White Vinegar: This pantry staple cuts grease, eats away lime deposits and destroys odors. Because of its neutralizing properties, white vinegar is also good for washing windows, sanitizing kitchen counters and shining bathroom fixtures. Simply dilute 1 part vinegar in 4 parts water. A natural antibacterial because of its high acid content, vinegar is an effective alternative to caustic cleaners on toilets and floors.

4) Hydrogen Peroxide: Typically found in the medicine cabinet, this disinfectant can also be used as an effective bleach alternative in the laundry room. Because it’s also a powerful oxidizing agent, it works especially well on food, soil, plant, blood and other organic stains. Just make sure to spot test in a discreet area because, like bleach, hydrogen peroxide may lighten fabrics. For each average-size load of whites, add 8 ounces of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide after you have filled the washer with hot water.

5) Salt: Perfect for cleaning grungy ovens, this natural abrasive is also great for soaking up fresh carpet stains such as red wine, coffee or ink. Pour salt on the wet stain. Let dry, then vacuum.

6) Vegetable Oil (Castile) Soap: This natural soap is great for floors and all-purpose cleaning when combined with vinegar, borax or even warm water. For an all-purpose cleaner, add 1⁄2 teaspoon of soap to either 2 cups of water or to the “All-Purpose Cleaner and Disinfectant” recipe below. For floors, combine 2 teaspoons of soap with 3 gallons of water. Make sure to rinse well to remove any dulling residue.

7) Washing Soda: This old-fashioned laundry booster cuts through tough grease on grills, broiler pans and ovens. Because washing soda is a strong alkaline, it’s perfect for tackling dirty linoleum floors. But because it’s caustic and strong enough to strip wax and peel paint, wear gloves when using—and use sparingly. Adding just 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon of washing soda to 32 ounces of hot water will tackle the toughest grease.

8) Lemons: Lemon’s citric acid content cuts stubborn grease and makes your home smell fresh. Lemon juice is also a natural bleach, especially when combined with the sun. Freshen cutting boards by rubbing a cut lemon over the surface. This is especially effective for banishing fish odors. Undiluted lemon juice can also be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CLEANERS

1) All-purpose cleaner and disinfectant. Just as effective as popular antibacterial cleansers, this formula is perfect for kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

2 cups hot water
¼ cup white vinegar
½ teaspoon washing soda (similar to, but more caustic than, baking soda)
15 drops tea tree essential oil
15 drops lavender essential oil

Combine all ingredients in a reusable spray bottle and shake well. To use, spray on surfaces, especially cutting boards, countertops and toilets. Wipe with a dry cloth.

2) Lemongrass dustcloths. Whether you’re using microfiber cloths or old cloth diapers, these do-it-yourself dusters offer the convenience of disposable furniture wipes without the guilt of contributing to the landfill. Make several dustcloths at a time.

1 cup water
1 cup white vinegar
¼ teaspoon lemongrass essential oil
Dustcloths or rags
Freshly cut lemon peel

Combine water, vinegar and essential oil in large bowl. Soak dustcloths in the solution for 30 minutes. Squeeze out cloths, leaving them slightly damp. Lay cloths flat and place a couple pieces of lemon peel on each one. Fold each cloth in half or thirds and roll up. Place each cloth in a glass jar along with an extra piece of lemon peel. Cap tightly with a screw lid. To use, unfold cloth and discard peel. Dust as usual. Launder dustcloths when dirty and infuse again with essential oil and lemon peel.

3) Creamy nonabrasive cleaner. Perfect for acrylic and fiberglass surfaces, this smooth cleanser won’t scratch tubs, stovetops or laminate countertops.

¼ cup borax
Vegetable oil-based liquid soap (also known as castile soap)
½ teaspoon lemon essential oil

In a small bowl, combine borax with just enough liquid soap to create a thick paste. Add essential oil and blend well. To use, scoop a small amount of cleaner onto a damp sponge. Scrub surface and rinse wel

4) Pre-vacuum carpet freshener. This fragrant odor eliminator will leave your home smelling fresh without posing a danger to pets or children.

1 cup dried lavender flowers
2 cups baking soda
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops rose geranium essential oil

Crush lavender flowers and mix with baking soda, breaking up any clumps. Add essential oils and blend well. To use, sprinkle on carpets. Wait 30 minutes, then vacuum as usual. Store leftovers in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Outdoor Evening Decor

String a few LED lights to transform your outdoor space into something special.

IMAGES BY APARTMENT THERAPY
Solar Powered Lanterns. Perfect for summer outdoor festivities, because they can be hung anywhere without bothering with cords or regular batteries, as they are powered by the sun. Available at gardenbasket.com

Love this...


IMAGES BY MAMAMADE
Adorable sandwich/snack bag. Best thing is...it's REUSABLE!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Photo Wall Gallery

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALLISON



Been wanting to create a photo gallery along our empty walls. Found some great do-it-yourself instructions off the web...

Equipment:
Black/white foam board – $4.99 each
Tacky Spray/3M Photo glue
Large Metal Ruler
Mat, cardboard, paper bags, or newspapers (to protect floor, if needed)
Rolling Pin/clean paint roller
Razor Blade
Command velcro strips
Pen
*Items can be purchased from Michael’s Craft Store & Home Depot

Mounting photos on foam board:
Place photo on the foam board, and then mark edges with a pen (generally only two edges, using existing straight cuts). Then use metal ruler and a sharp xacto-like knife with the break-off ends. Having a VERY sharp knife is important so you don’t end up dragging and tearing the paper on the foam board. Then in the garage spray photo with 3M Photo glue, wait 2 minutes and pressed one edge of the photo, checking other edges to make sure they match. Once you get it aligned, use a clean paint roller to carefully attach the photo to the board.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Life Moments

My girls and our kids. From clubbing to play dates. I wouldn't have it any other way...

Asian Delights


IMAGES BY WHISKIE BITS
Black sesame cake, ginger, wasabi with ginger-wasabi, white chocolate buttercream frosting. Vietnamese coffee cake with Vietnamese coffee-condensed milk buttercream frosting. Who can resist??

loving metallics

IMAGES BY NANTAKA JOY
Pretty metallics to show off your latest inspirations.

Cupcake Bliss

IMAGE BY GOURMET TRAVELLER

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Love this...

Butter by Nadia convertible dress! It's one dress that can be worn countless ways! So versatile it can be worn elegant and fancy or just cute and casual. You can wear it strapless, backless, cocktail length, with sleeves, like a kimono, etc... Plus it's buttery soft jersey! Comfy & flattering. Can't wait to get mine!

Color Cravings...

Color Cravings...

IMAGES BY CREATIVE MINT

Friday, June 5, 2009

Homes

IMAGE BY DWELL
The ultimate dream house. Natural wood, high ceilings, huge windows... Reminds me of the Cullens house. Perfect. :)

Beautiful settings


IMAGES BY KELLY MCKAIG
Kelly is a photo stylist trained in both photography and fine art. Love her color combinations.

Obamitas

IMAGES BY NEO BRAND
How cute is this! Not sure how I feel about eating the head of our President {even in cookie form}, but they do look scrumptious and delicious!

Cupcake Heaven

IMAGES BY kylie lambert (Le Cupcake)
I'm a total fan of Kara's Cupcakes, but these are extravagant!

Daily Loveliness


IMAGE BY IS PHOTOGRAPHY

Life Moments

The joys of childhood. It's amazing how simple things can make them so happy.

Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you should ever stop having fun. Uncle Tony- Thanks for the reminder. :)