HomeMade Bathroom Spray

If you've never heard of poo-pourri spray...well, here it is. It is a natural "before-you-go" air freshener for your bathroom. Their web site says that "Poo-Pourri is not a chemical cover up! Based on aromatherapy principles, a squirt of two into the bowl forms a protective layer of essential oils that prevents nasty smells from showing up..."

Ok, so I first heard about this from one of my favorite bloggers Jill over at One Good Thing By Jillee. But just like her, and probably many of you, I believe in the power of essential oils, and I didn't want to pay $14.95 for a 4 oz. bottle of this spray, just in case it didn't work. So here is what I used:

15 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil

15 drops Spearmint Essential Oil

6 oz water

small spray bottle

(it's ironic that my spray bottle says "I Go")

Fill the spray bottle with water, add essential oil drops and shake.

As you can see, I've already used mine quite a bit!! 

Now to use, Jill's instructions were spot on...

BEFORE nature calls, shake bottle to mix well, spray your toilet 3 or 4 times, then "do your business". The oils will disperse over the water creating a vapor barrier and trap any offensive smells.

I had to try this and let me tell y'all, it works, and it works good! I can't believe I didn't know about this before now. Thanks Jill!! I've even mixed a teeny-tiny spray bottle to keep in my purse for those "away from home" bathroom visits! Okay, enough about this subject...Thanks for reading!!

Spiced Tea Recipe

When it comes to cold weather here in Texas, we have an on/off relationship. It's probably the reason why my family seems to always have the sniffles and sneezes. Our bodies don't know what to get used to.  

Anyway, my favorite cold weather, warm-me-up-drink is this Homemade Spiced Tea. I bet I've been making this since my ex-coworker Bill's wife gave me the recipe way back in 2001. If you're not a coffee drinker, which I am not, this tea is perfect for you. I've adjusted this recipe to my taste several times. I'm sure you will too. So here goes...

1 jar Tang

2 jars Country Time Half Lemonade & Half Iced Tea

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 6 oz bags red hot candies

1 tbsp ground cinnamon

1tbsp ground cloves

1 tbsp ground allspice

1 tbsp nutmeg (not pictured)

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight container. Beware, it is an all powder recipe, so this mixing stage will seem like a dust storm!!

Makes about 14 cups

Now just add 2-3 tbsps to one cup hot water and serve!

You will know its the fall/winter season when you hug your mug and breath in this sweet aroma. The Cloves and Allspice are perfect in this tea. Smells like Autumn potpourri! Enjoy!! 

(Side Note: not all spices will dissolve completely (notice some of the allspice & cloves pictured in the mug above. The more expensive brands of spices dissolve better, but I chose to use what I had on hand!)

Thanks for reading!!

2 Epic CDs Released in One Day...

Today marks an epic day for these 2 women in the music industry...

In my personal music library, both Rihanna and Nicki Minaj are a mainstay. I love them both...Rihanna's hard edges & her "I don't give a f***" attitude along with Nicki's wild and craziness are perfect for me, especially when I need a little "pick me up".

Both albums were released to today...

Now for a few personal thoughts...I previewed both ladies' CDs on iTunes...

Unapologetic

This girl can spit out some cuss words! Whew! "Phresh Out The Runway", the very 1st track is amaze-balls!! But the track every one will run to for sure is "Nobody's Business" featuring Chris Brown. It sounds so old school, very nice to groove out to. However, I'm sure critics will be super analyzing the lyrics to this one, just because C-Breezy is on it. I think my personal favorite will be "Loveeeeee Song" featuring Future, partly because I get to actually hear Rihanna sing a bit, and I like Future too! Nonetheless, some of her lyrics seem kind of unsettling, but doesn't it make you curious to listen? It's like getting a small peek into a side of her that she doesn't show to the public. 7 albums in 7 years and only 24 years old!!

Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded The Re-Up

Let me just say I was a huge fan of "MixTape Nicki". Then she went mainstream and...ugh! Everynow and then I hear bits and pieces of that underground flow she used to have. And I must say, for this album, I can hear even more of it slipping out. Come on out Nicki! We mix tape lovers miss you! After watching her TV special "Nicki Minaj: My Truth", I'm ready for this album. "High School" featuring Lil Wayne starts with that old Nicki that i grew to love "spittin" straight out the gate. It got me excited!! But Ladies...I must tell you, my favorite track is absolutely going to be "I'm Legit" featuring Ciara! The hook got me! Here's a snippet..

...I'm the s*** with no makeup

don't have to curl my hair up...

...I know I'm cute, I know I'm fly, 

you ask me why, cuz I'm the s***...

Ok, if you are not a fan of either one of these young ladies, then this post probably didn't interest you at all. I do apologize if this makes you feel any kind of way but happy...either way, thanks for reading!! 

October "Nail Photo A Day" (part 2)

It's TopCoat Tuesday!!

As I promised, here is the other half of my October nail photos. I must say, this was fun! As a reminder, here are the nail design challenges for each day...

On the 2nd half of this month, I have to say the most challenging days were 21 and 26. Drawing the puzzle pieces took soooo much time! And I re-did the Dreamcatcher about 6 times because it just didn't look right to me...still doesn't.

I really enjoyed days 23, 25 and 31. As you can see, I did about 4 different accent nails for day 23. Day 25 was an idea i got from Ericka over at Chloe's Nails. She did an awesome job, and mine look great too! And day 31...oh my goodness!! Soooo much fun!! I got this idea from a blogger too but I can't remember which one (sorry). I hope you enjoyed all of my October manis. I had a blast doing them!
Thanks for reading!!

Homemade Exfoliating Lip Scrub

Cold Weather is coming...

Along with ashy elbows, and feet that look like they have been walking in a bed of hot coals and flour, some of you will have dry, flaky, cracked, crusty lips.

Well, try this homemade remedy and you will be sure to have soft, moisturized (and kissable) lips!

All you need is..

1tsp granulated sugar

1/2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp honey (not pictured)

(adjust ingredients to your needs)

Mix ingredients with your finger and scrub on your lips. Continue until your lips feel soft and exfoliated. I suggest doing this step over the sink, just in case it gets messy. Repeat as needed.

Next, cover your lips with a hot wash cloth (careful not too hot!) for a few seconds, then wipe away scrub. 

And that's it! Your lips should feel soft, plump & juicy! It makes my lips look naturally more pink & the olive oil adds a bit of shine...and it not only feels good, it tastes good too!!

Now that you're done, add your favorite lip balm, lip gloss, lipstick, or whatever, and don't be caught this year with the crusties! 

This small recipe makes quite a bit, so you can share it with a friend, or store it for later use. I wouldn't suggest keeping this mixture for more than a day or two though. I usually make more every 2 or 3 days and store it in this cute little dish...

BEFORE

AFTER

NOTE: There is no product on my lips in "after" pic. I licked them right before I snapped the pic because there was sugar still on them!)

Thanks for reading!!