My new best friend- the dryer sheet!

Because recently our schedule has been hectic to say the least, my husband and I have been a little more lax about cleaning than usual (not that we are usually particularly neat and tidy people...). Our bathroom was in pretty bad shape. We had just ran our of my dollar store shower cleaner, and our shopping budget had already been maxed out. My mom kept telling me about all her pinterest cleaning projects that she had been trying. One of which was the dryer sheets that I had already heard so much about. I decided since I had a box full of dryer sheets, and no money to buy new cleaning supplies, I might as well give it a shot.
I ran the water from the shower head for oh, about 5 seconds just to dampen the surface. As I started to wipe it all down with the dryer sheet I was amazed! It easily cut through nasty soap scum that my previous cleaning agent couldn't. It removed the ever so hideous "pink ring" from around the drain with ease. It even shined up the metal very nicely! I felt a surge rush through me, so excited about all the possibilities! A dry dryer sheet attracted hair, lint etc off of the floor and removed stains from make up residue. It dusted off the counters, and even cleaned the mirror up nicely. Not to mention, my bathroom now smells AMAZING!

I used the Snuggle brand, but I've heard that any brand (including generic) works just fine! This multi-functional item is definitely a bargain! You can even use them after they've gone through the dryer with your clothes (I've heard it actually works better this way).

What are some common house hold items you have that are a good "2 in 1"?? Comment below :)

Baking Substitutions

I can't always afford to keep a pantry stocked with everything I might need for any given recipe. Even before I was out on my own I was always experimenting with substitutions for common ingredients. Here is a great list for you to keep handy for when you just can't find what you're looking for in your pantry!


Cream of Tartar  (1/2  tsp)                    1/2 tsp of white vinegar or lemon juice

Heavy Cream      (1 cup)                   2/3 cup milk plus 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter

Honey                                                 3 parts maple syrup 1 part white granulated sugar

Butter milk (1 cup)                             1 tbs lemon juice 1 cup milk, let stand for 5-10 mins

Ricotta Cheese                                    Cottage Cheese

Freshly Ground Ginger Root    (1 tbs)    1 1/2 tsp dried ground ginger plus 1/2 tsp lemon juice

Bread Crumbs (1 cup)                            1 cup cracker crumbs, crushed potato chips, ground oats
                                                                          matzo meal or crushed cornflakes

Unsweetened Chocolate (1 oz)             3 tbs natural cocoa powder plus one tbs unsalted butter,
                                                              vegetable oil, or shortening

Sour Cream (1 cup)                              1 cup plain yogurt

Marscapone   (1 cup)                           3/4 cup cream cheese beaten with 1/4 cup heavy whipping
                                                             cream


Well, these are my top 10. What substitions have you used that work well? Or failed miserably? Comment below!

                



                                                               

My twist on Baked Apples

Most of my recipes are very customizable to whatever you have in your kitchen. This is one example. My husband and I ALWAYS have apples. We love dessert, but are really trying to watch our figures, so this recipe is our go to. Granted it's not "good" for you, but it is better than cake and ice cream. I like to say if it has fruit, it must be sorta healthy.

The only 2 things you really need for this recipe are the apples, and oatmeal. Everything else, just pick and choose based on what you have. If you have something that might be good in it, go ahead and throw it in. Experimenting is fun!  This recipe will serve 2 people.

Filling:

1.5 cups of oatmeal

3 tbs brown sugar

Half a stick of butter (cubed)

Pinch of Nutmeg

Pinch of Cinnamon

Small Handful of Raisins

Caramel Syrup


Preheat oven to 400.

Mix together all of the filling ingredients in a medium size bowl. Set aside. Slice apples (2-3 depending on size of apple) to desired size. I just keep mine the "traditional" apple slice size! In a  small baking dish first lay down the apple slices, then top it off with filling. Add about 3 tbs of wated to baking dish. Cook for 35-40 minutes, or until apples are soft.

Easy as that! If don't mind a few extra calories, serve a la mode. Happy Eating!

A dolla makes those lashes holla!

Before I moved out and got married, my make up budget was rediculous. I mean it! I literally spent hundreds of dollars on cosmetics each month. So, even though we are poor now, it is still important to me that I can look good, and feel good about myself. 

We all have a feature that we love to "play up". Some girls are always rocking crazy lipstick colors, others have amazing cheek bones that they like to enhance. For me, I like to play up my eyes. It's hard to get a good mascara in my price range that really can compare to what I used to have! So, the other day I was looking through Target in the make up aisles and I spotted it. 1 dollar eye lash curler! It is E.L.F brand (one of my favorites). I decided to give it a try! Let me tell you, it was one of the best dollars I ever spent. It's really amazing how much difference it can make. My eyelashes looked va va voom! It really just opens up your eyes, makes them look bigger, and just beautiful!


Before and After Pictures:

 

 

 

You can buy one on amazon here, but not for as cheap as I found mine at target!

What dollar beauty finds have you stumbled upon? Comment!

First Post!

Hey There!

Welcome to my site. My name is Jessica. I wanted to give you a quick intro of who I am and what my blog is all about.

I have been married for about a year and a half to my wonderful husband, Travis. He is currently a full time college student (majoring in history to become a High School History teacher), and a part time custodian at the local community college. I am a nanny for 2 wonderful kids. I love working with kids, but my ultimate goal is to be able to be a stay at home mommy some day. I hope that by sharing my tips on how we manage to live simply, but happily, can help me support my family as a part time career that I can do from home!

I have divided my site into a few different sections:

-Cooking

-Keeping up the Home

-Beauty

-Kiddos

I hope that you enjoy! I know that I am very excited to be starting this new little chapter in my life.

Sincerely,

Jessica Waldo