Friday, February 7, 2014

DIY Bath & Body Works Foaming Hand Soap

copy cat bath and body works make your own foaming hand soap refill peppermint
My sister gave me Twisted Peppermint Foaming Hand Soap from Bath and Body Works for Christmas. Mmmmm! It smells SO good and lifts my spirits every time I use it!

Did you know that Peppermint oil has been shown to increase energy and mental clarity? Um, yes to both please!

So as the bottle began to run low, you can imagine my feelings of woe, never wanting this magic bottle of foaming hand soap to end....so when I stumbled upon this great DIY recipe for foaming hand soap, from Wellness Mama, I knew I'd hit the jackpot!

Bath & Body Works Peppermint Foaming Hand Soap DIY


By combining simple ingredients like distilled water, Peppermint Castille Soap (liquid)  & a dash of oil (I used jojoba oil since it's what I had on hand), the perfect copy cat version of Bath and Body Works Twisted Peppermint foaming hand soap was born! No more crying, now I have a lifetime of refills! And energy to boot!

Be sure to check out the recipe - it's so easy to make! Other DIY foaming hand soap recipes use vegetable glycerin instead of a colored oil and I think I'll do that next time, since it does leave a little yellow jojoba oil floating on top. But nothing a little shake-shake can't help.

I love using DIY skin care products and household cleaning products when I can, because I know exactly what I put in them and always look for gentle ingredients that won't irritate my sensitive skin. My next batch will be using Lavender Castille Soap to make my own foaming shower soap! It only seems to work in a foaming soap container, so don't throw them out when you're done with the bottle!

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Monday, February 3, 2014

Decorating with a cream couch: budget-friendly front room make-over

redecorate on a budget with cream light colored leather couch
Once there lived a man and his wife who finally decided it was time to be grown-ups and buy a couch of their own.

And so the story goes, they lived happily ever after...and became a couple of lazy couch potatoes.

The End.

Decorating with a Cream Leather Couch

You may be hesitant to decorate with a cream or light-colored couch, but it has the potential to turn your drab and dreary to downright dreamy.

I was very skeptical, myself. "STAINS!" was all I could think about. And leather? "Am I even a cream leather couch person??" Enter: mini-crisis of re-discovery.

But since the day it was delivered, we can't be more in love with it. It's like butta baby!! So soft and so comfortable. It not only brightened up our room a million times over, but it brought some grown-up sophistication to our front room decor (and no, I did not tag team that off of Katherine Lowe's wedding theme "grown-up sexy"). In a nutshell? We. Love. It.

Okay, take a look (if you haven't already jumped)

Front room make-over reveal: Cream Couch

BEFORE 
(don't even say it)
redecorating on a budget with a cream light colored couch
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AFTER decorate with cream couch light colored couch make-over after
before and after room make-over reveal with white, cream, light couch area rug decorating cream couch makeover

Decorating on a Budget | Front Room Make-over Details

Determine a budget

Re-decorating on a budget is definitely do-able, but the trick is taking your time and doing your research to find great deals. We wanted a new couch for a long time, but it took a while before we found the right couch at the right price. Take advantage of holiday sales, 0% for a year pay-off deals, discounted items, gift money, even thrifted items if in good condition. You can save a ton and still get what you want. Just be diligent and patient.

Creating a palate

Decorating with a cream or light-colored couch is the perfect way to bring in lots of color to compliment your neutral base. You don't want colors all over the map, so decide on what kind of feel you want in your room and what colors would compliment best. I went for Beachy Chic and splashed around colors like aquas, blues, sea greens and sandy tans, to compliment and brighten the space.

Choosing a Couch

Choosing a neutral base was important for us, so we could brighten our space and build color around it. By choosing leather, it made the space feel a little more modern with a touch of sophistication, without being stuffy.
-Couch from Macys Furniture Store, style: Alessia Leather Sofa - Pearl - *Black Friday Sale


Choosing an Area Rug

Choosing the right area rug for your room can literally transform it. It's important to make sure the size and color work for the space. Not only did the blue and cream Moroccan Trellis Rug tie everything together, it helped to anchor the couch and coffee table as a defined space, allowing the other areas of the room to be have their own space.
-Homespun Moroccan Trellis Rug - Spa Blue - from Rugs USA - *80% off 


Adding Accessories: Pillows & Throws

One of the really fun parts of decorating with a new cream sofa is adding throw pillows and blanket throws for pops of color. Each item brings in its own unique touch, while creating a sense of cohesion.

Keeping with our chosen palette, I decided on light aqua, soft, faux fur throw pillows (20"x20") which not only brought in the soft brightness of color I wanted, but also brought in a great texture. Don't forget texture is an important detail to integrate into any space!

THE SOFT FAUX FUR BLANKET THROW is a deeper color within the same color family - more along the lines of sea foam green and compliments the pillows, rug and couch perfectly to give the room that Modern Beachy feel. Plus it's so cuddly soft that it's actually something we love to use, instead of something we just look at.
-Faux Fur Pillows and Throw from HomeGoods - *holiday gift card


decorate with bamboo sunburst mirror wall art

Bamboo Sunburst Mirror Wall Art

I made the Bamboo Sunburst Mirror a few years ago. It was easier than I thought it would be, with stunning results! See this post on how to make your own DIY Suburst Mirror
-DIY ~$14.00 total materials cost




Coffee Table

We didn't splurge on a new coffee table, (although I'd love one!), but this thrifted, 60's style coffee table is perfect for our space at the moment. I tied in accessories that brought color such as aqua glass, texture: rope tied nautical balls, woven & bamboo baskets/trays, and a touch of antique with a thrifted antique mirror used as a tray.
- Thrifted


decorating with a light colored couch accessorize with colors and nature

Other Accessories to add color and texture to a room

Make your space personal with framed photos, wall pictures, candles, lamps, + don't forget to bring the outside in! Plants, rocks, sand, grass, shells, wood, flowers, etc. bring freshness and variety from nature's own textures, colors and diversity.

We still have a long way to go, but it's definitely a good start. I'd love to replace our bookshelf, side table and lamps, but a girl only has so much cash! I reeeeaaaalllly had to hold myself back.

I love how it turned out. It makes me happy every time I walk in the room!
And after almost 2 months, no stains! (knock on wood!)

Update: still no stains after 6 months and counting! Woohoo!


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Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Clear Skin Tip: from Fairface Washcloths™ for sensitive skin

clear skin tip help keep skin clear with clean pillow cases
{photo courtesy of marin, freedigitalphotos.net}
I love sharing Clear Skin Tips from Fairface Washcloths™ because let's face it, who doesn't want clear skin??

Clean Pillow Case = Clearer Skin

Did you know something as simple as changing your pillow case more often can actually prevent break-outs and help maintain clearer skin?

Think of all the things that are on your pillow case throughout the night. Every night. Lotion residue or other skin care products, breath, saliva, skin oils, hair oils, sloughed off skin, hair dander, pet dander (if you let pets sleep with you. I cringe), dust mites and other allergens. Need I go on?

If you re-use the same pillow case over and over again, it stands to reason that some, if not all of these irritants, will effect your skin in one way or another by irritating your face and clogging your pores.

Flip your Pillow Case for Clearer Skin


If you don't have 7 pillow cases on hand for a fresh one every night of the week, this simple trick helps minimize the number of pillow cases used while maintaining cleaner skin.

Clear Skin Pillow Case Schedule

Night 1: Use a fresh, clean pillow case
Night 2: Flip pillow over to use the clean pillow case side
Night 3: Use a fresh, clean pillow case
Night 4: Flip pillow over to use the clean pillow case side
Night 5: Use a fresh, clean pillow case
Night 6: Flip pillow over to use the clean pillow case side
*Launder and re-start the schedule

This is the pillow case schedule I now live by! I tried it a few years ago and quickly noticed how much fewer break-outs I had and how much better my skin looked. Even while *traveling, I bring a few extra pillow cases so I never have to worry about keeping my skin clear.

(*laundry services at hotels use bleach and other harsh chemicals to wash bed linens. I always bring my own pillow and pillow cases to keep my sensitive skin safe from redness and irritation brought on by these harsh detergents)

Check out this post where I share my favorite silk pillow cases that are soothing to my hair and skin.

A few last quick tips

  • I'll share a tutorial with you on how to make your own quick pillow cases out of an existing sheet if you need to make your own instead of invest in a few. 
  • For sensitive skin, like mine, it's not only important to use soft fabric pillow cases, it also helps to wash them in hypoallergenic detergent and dry them without any fabric softeners or opt to use hypoallergenic fabric softeners to prevent skin irritation.
  • Don't forget to change and launder your sheets regularly too, to prevent those same bedroom allergens and irritants in your sheets from affecting your clear skin!

Wishing you many days ahead of happy, clear skin!



This Clear Skin Tip brought to you by: Fairface Washcloths
the best soft washcloths for sensitive skin

soft flannel face cloths for clearer skin

Available at FairfaceWashcloths.com



Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Remove yellow shirt stains + ring around the collar with hydrogren peroxide

natural bleach alternative get ride of yellow collar stains mens shirts
I often get obsessed with things, and then leave them in the dust for the next big thing. I'm fickle that way. Right now I'm all about "DIY Green Cleaning" my house and laundry.

You should see my Practical/Useful Pinterest Board! It quickly turned into a mass of vinegar, baking soda, lemon, essential oils and hydrogen peroxide cleaning recipes. And it's official. The next obsession has begun.

Don't even get me started with DIY green house cleaning tips, or I'll have you here til midnight, so lets save that for another post. 

[*Disclosure: This post contains Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]


Today, I'll share a whitening non-bleach alternative laundry tip that saved us $200 in men's dress shirts! It's truly a miracle cure for removing yellow shirt stains and ring around the collar from my husband's dress shirts. They are like NEW!

Remove yellow stains + ring around the collar

Okay, lets give you the before and after again. Just for the shock effect.
BAM!
using hydrogen peroxide in your laundry to whiten yellow shirts
It's totally real. Not just photoshopped. It will change your life. It will save you money. Let me tell you how its done.

I stumbled upon this miracle cure for removing yellow shirt stains on One Good Thing, by Jillee. If I could hug her, I would. She has a great blog with lots of fantastic tips.

Non-Bleach Alternative for removing yellow shirt stains

What you'll need (*includes product links for easy access):
Small bowl to mix
Scrub brush (mild enough for clothing)
Surface to scrub (inside kitchen sink works well )

Ingredients:
1 part blue Dawn liquid dish soap (*I used 1 Tbsp)
2 parts Hydrogen Peroxide (*2 Tbsp)
1/2 part Baking Soda (*1/2 Tbsp)

Instructions:
Mix together Dawn, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Baking Soda
Gently spoon/pour mixture onto yellow areas
Scrub mixture into shirt with scrub brush
Leave untouched for about 2 hours (that worked for me)
Launder as usual

use hydrogen peroxide to remove yellow collar and mens shirt stains

My husband was shocked and amazed when he came home to see his "new" white dress shirts!
I didn't spare him any details on how I had miraculously saved the day. ha!

*Update: FOR COLORED SHIRTS: I tried it on my husband's light blue shirt and it worked about half as well as it did on white. However, it did remove enough of the stain to make the shirt wearable, so good enough for me!
green laundry using hydrogen peroxide to whiten and remove yellow collar stains

*This post contains product links through Amazon.com and as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Linked to: http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/, http://www.livelaughrowe.com/, http://www.thecraftyblogstalker.com/, http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/, http://www.iheartnaptime.nethttp://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/ http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com,  http://www.flamingotoes.com,  http://www.niftythriftythings.com/,  http://www.thegirlcreative.comhttp://diyshowoff.com/,  http://www.linesacross.com/,  http://www.sewcando.com/,  http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/,  http://www.skiptomylou.org/,  http://www.madincrafts.com/,  http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/, http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/ 

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Monday, January 6, 2014

Win a set of Fairface Washcloths™! The softest washcloths for sensitive skin

When I created Fairface Washcloths™, the softest washcloths for Rosacea and sensitive skin, I had no idea how many people I would be able to help. I thought I was alone in my world of high-maintenance sensitive skin, but I was wrong.

rosacea skin care softest washcloths for sensitive skin
{Fairface Washcloths: softest skin care washcloths for Rosacea and sensitive skin © SSorensenDesigns}

Since developing Fairface Washcloths™, I have heard from many people across the globe who suffer from sensitive skin conditions, like Rosacea, Eczema, Dermatitis, and painful Acne. But what I didn't know, was that Fairface Washcloths™ have also been able to bring calming relief to even more than the traditional definition of what sensitive skin is, which includes people going through dermatology or chemo treatments, pregnancy skin changes, painful facial neuralgia, mens sensitive face shaving, burned skin, healing skin, and more.

{New} Fairface Washcloths™ ~ Delicate

There are a lot of people out there with sensitive skin who need pampering, and with that in mind, this year I've decided to expand my Fairface Washcloths™ line to offer an even softer option. Fairface Washcloths™ ~ Delicate

softest washcloths for sensitive skin, rosacea skin care, eczema, acne, pregnancyFairface Washcloths™ ~ Delicate comes with 2 sides of plush, soft flannel for an even softer, more soothing option for cleansing sensitive skin.

*No irritating textures, just smooth softness for optimal comfort and gentle cleansing
*Comes in convenient sets of 2
*Size: XL (~ 9"x9") for optimal coverage
*Pre-washed in hypoallergenic, perfume & dye free detergent.



rosacea washcloths, eczema washcloths, acne washcloths, sensitive skin washcloths
{Fairface Washcloths™ ~ Delicate: softest option for cleansing even the most sensitive skin © SSorensenDesigns}

Of course, the Original Fairface Washcloths™, a.k.a. the best all-in-one washcloth for sensitive skin, with a super soft flannel side + an absorbent terry cloth side are still available!

rosacea washcloths, softest face cloths for sensitive skin, rosacea skin care
{Original all-in-one Fairface Washcloths™ : softest flannel + absorbent terrycloth | softest way to wash sensitive skin © SSorensenDesigns} 
Which one is right for you? You decide.



{Win} a set of Fairface Washcloths

Required Entry:
Like Fairface Washcloths on Facebook + leave a comment here on my blog letting me know you did.

Additional chances to win:
Once you've liked us on Facebook, you can give yourself a few more ways to win.
*1 time each additional entry only.

  • Tweet this post including @ShannonSews1 
  • Share Fairface Washcloths website with your Facebook followers + leave a comment here letting me know you did
  • Tweet a post from Fairface Washcloths including @ShannonSews1


Thanks for your support and best of luck!
Winners will be announced February 1st!
THIS GIVE-AWAY IS NOW CLOSED



Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Oh Baby! Just Stay Little Minky Blanket for Baby Girl or Lovie

I can't believe it's already the last day of the old year...and mere hours to the new! Hope you are enjoying this holiday season while it's still here!

Just wanted to give you a quick peek at the newest item in my shop. The fabrics from Sarah Jane Studios are so sweet, aren't they? I couldn't resist making a minky blanket with her "Just Stay Little" fabric from her Children at Play Collection.

Makes the perfect lovie or child's blanket to cuddle up with or the ideal baby shower gift for a new mom. Snuggly soft and oozes sweetness.

Available here
It also goes with this matching sweet little pillow
girl lovie, blanket, bedroom decor or nursery baby girl from handmade blanket I'm looking forward to sharing a few of my favorite things I've been learning about lately and DIY projects for 2014!

Stay tuned and try to stay awake to ring in the new year (as for me, I'll be upstairs asleep) ha!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! ♥
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