Frugal beauty: dry shampoo

You know how some people have combination skin? I seem to have combination hair. My scalp tends to get oily, yet the rest is dry. I've been making an effort to wash my hair every other day (instead of every day) to remedy the dryness, but then I get oiliness near my temples.

A friend of mine mentioned dry shampoo. She uses it on the days where she doesn't wash her hair. I tried it and liked it quite a bit, but at $25/small bottle, it's not something I can justify.

After doing a little research, I found that Sally Beauty Supply sells a brand called Batiste that retails for about $7/can. I've seen some good reviews and decided to try it out the other evening. I didn't have anywhere important to go, so I figured if it didn't work, I wouldn't be a huge embarrassment to myself. ;)



Since this comes in an aerosol can, it tends to come out heavily. The trick is to apply just a little at a time. Simply spray, wait a few minutes, massage in and then brush out.

Results: very pleased! My hair was instantly refreshed. So much so, that the next day I skipped washing my hair again (I had a lot of work to do around the house and was going to wait until the evening to wash) and yet it still seemed clean.

I think my friend's $25 version may have been a little bit better as far as results go, but for only $7/can, Batiste is worth it, especially if you are in a pinch and need a quick refresher.

A little bit of domestication thrown in for fun

So I was a little inspired this week. I don't know why. I should check my temperature and make sure I don't have a fever. Because not only did I bake, but I baked from scratch. AND! I made enchiladas for dinner twice. From scratch. Go me!

But this is such a good, tasty recipe that is especially appropriate for this time of year. It all started with two mini muffin pans I found at a garage sale. I was going to use them for paint wells, but decided to try and use them for their intended purpose.

I saw a recipe online (complete with video with a crazy old lady) for mini pecan tarts. Here is the result.



And if you want to make them yourself (and I know you do!), here's the recipe. If I can do it, anyone can do it (this coming from the girl who caught her stove top on fire. Once.).

Shells:
*3 oz. cream cheese (I used fat free so there'd be less guilt as I shovel these into my mouth)
*1/3 cup butter
*1 cup flour

Mix and put in fridge for an hour. Make little balls and spread out to fit mini muffin tins.

Filling:
*1 egg
*dash of salt
*3/4 cup brown sugar
*1 tbsp soft butter
*1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup chopped pecans

Mix and fill shells (about a spoonful of filling each). Add a whole pecan to the top of each one for cuteness.

Bake at 325* for 20-25 minutes.

Makes 24 tarts.

This has been a good week for thrifty treasures

(my good camera had dead batteries, so I had to use the little cheapy camera to take these pics. so you'll understand why they stink. not that I take great pictures with the good camera...)

Between hitting up a schmancy neighborhood community garage sale and a few thrift stores, I got a few cool things for almost no money.

Friday morning I hit up a few sales but didn't find much that I needed/wanted. I did see this pair of nesting tables and pounced on them, even though I knew hubs would roll his eyes and say that we don't have room for any more furniture (which is exactly what he said when he saw me unloading them from my truck).



But I loved them so, and they are solid wood and oh so cute. I couldn't pass them up for $10. I admit I stood there for the longest time debating on whether to bring them home, because I didn't know where I'd put them (it's true, we don't have any more room for furniture). Then I remembered there's a perfect spot in our master bathroom between the cabinets and the tub. I can put a basket with rolled up towels on the little table and it will be perfect.

Unfortunately, our master bathroom is halfway gutted right now, so until we finish that project, I put the nesting tables in the corner of my dining room with a couple of plants on them. It works for now.



I saw this mirror at a g-sale and it was half price, so I paid $5. It's hard to tell from my picture, but it's quite large and is one of those old mirrors...you know those heavy, wood-backed mirrors that would kill you if it fell on you.



I was lucky and found another piece of vintage Pyrex. This pattern is called Town & Country. It's a large sized bowl and was only $1. Yay! I've never seen this pattern in the thrift stores.



I found two cloches and another floral frog that I'll use to make my beaded wind chimes.




Even though I was out late on Friday night, I drug my sore, tired old bones out of bed at 7am to make the schmancy neighborhood garage sale on Saturday morning. They hold it twice a year (spring and fall).

My FAVORITE find is this pair of lamps. I thought they were so cool and funky. They are glass with a neat etched pattern. It's pretty difficult to photograph these, especially with a stinking cheapo camera. I have absolutely no idea where to put these, but I had to have them. They were only $3 each. I consider my style to be eclectic, but even so, I don't know how these will fit in with my decor. Eh, what do I care, I love them! And isn't that what really matters? :)





I was able to find another piece of Fiesta. I know some folks just collect them, but I use these as my every day dishes.



I love these ceramic candlesticks. There are actually three of them, but the small one had been broken and glued back together. It's still usable, but I don't need it right now.



Not pictured: a tripod for my camera, a linen table runner that is the perfect shade of green for fall ($2.50), a super cool pearly-type beaded scarf-style wrap necklace (love my description, don't you?), a Nordic Track that hubs has been wanting forever (got that for $10...he's used it twice, so I guess we've already gotten our money's worth..ha), a smaller camera bag for $1, and some really cute clothes...too many to take pics of...

Did you have any luck this week thrifting?

My new etsy shop!

I love making art. I love crafting. It's in my blood and I've been doing it for years. And even though I'm not a shy person, I'm sort of timid when it comes to putting myself out there with these things. I know what I like, but I always think it's not going to be what other people like. I'm not a traditional art kind of girl. While I can appreciate a still life and the landscapes, I'm just more into bold colors, all things funky, crazy and whimsical.

While I've been on "hiatus" from the corporate world (which, by the way, doesn't look like it's going to be ending any time soon, and that's freaking me out), I've been able to spend more time in my craft room. And I've been enjoying it quite a bit!

So after much encouragement from my hubs, I'm putting myself out there. Maybe it will be good, maybe not, but at least it's giving me a reason to continue to do something I enjoy, which I'd put off for a very long time. :)

Take a peak if you have time!



My etsy shop

Time to dig that box of fall stuff from your attic

My housework is done for the week, and since we've had a lot of rain the last two weeks (as in I'm-going-to-trade-my-xterra-in-for-a-boat kind of rain), I'm in the mood to pull out my fall stash. Something about dreary weather screams fall to me.

Here's some inspiration for you from Better Homes and Gardens as well as Pottery Barn. Everything here can be copied/made easily yourself for very little money.

How cute are these pillow cases? All you'd need is a stencil and some $.59 craft paint from Michael's. You could also do this on napkins, table runners, etc. If you wanted to decorate your bathroom with a touch of fall, how about taking an inexpensive white shower curtain and stenciling brown, orange or green leaves on it (or a brown shower curtain and white leaves)? Seriously, that would be so cute and super easy. I came up with that idea myself. :b



Little leaf buttons simply attached to plain white napkins.



I love this wreath. It's neither fancy nor colorful, but it's natural, and that's what I like about it. Wrap a styro foam form with ribbon, glue nuts and you're done.



Same idea as the acorn wreath, but with leaves. I think you can never have too many wreaths. I hang them all over...on the front door, from the pantry door, the back door, my windows....so get cracking and make a few to spruce up your space!



This little cutie could be easily made using one of those dollar store tin pails and a little paint. How cute!



I adore Halloween...it's my absolute favorite. This tray is awesome, however it's $25. Instead, buy a thrift store tray, spray paint it black and silver, then decoupage a skull (or other "character") to the top. Seal it up and it's ready to go!



Candy corn topiary...we all need one of these. Use paper, rick-rack and a dollar store pail.



A ribbon and leaf can really add just enough oomph to a simple napkin. Love this.



If you have any ideas, please share! Happy crafting and decorating!

A request

My friend Diana's 10 year old daughter Regina passed away today from brain cancer. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.



Regina's Story

Vintage glass flower frog turned wind chime

My mom and I have been collecting vintage glass flower frogs for several years now. We've made quite a few wind chimes from them. This is one I made one for my neighbor for her birthday.



I used glass beads and a ceramic "B" for the center since their last name begins with a "B."



It's so funky and charming, don't you think? I'm such a great neighbor to have. :b



I love the clinkety-clink sound it makes in the wind.



I used my secret spy ninja skills to creep into her backyard this morning to take these pictures. =) She wouldn't mind though. We are really close friends. ;)