I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser. #WalgreensOlogy

Is anyone in the mood for spring cleaning? I recently took a look at my cleaning supplies and tried to weed out anything harmful. I feel like now that I have kids, it's my social responsibility to keep my home chemical free for the most part! I've compiled a list of very basic things to keep my house in tip top shape using more kid friendly ingredients.

In addition to my homemade cleaning supplies, I found some new all purpose cleaner from Walgreens with no harmful chemicals. I thought I'd give it a try since Reid isn't a fan of my homemade all purpose cleaner.

There is actually an entire line of products by Ology which I'm excited to try!


Anyway...back to the checklist! I like to keep my cleaning products all in one spot. I found this basket at the dollar store.

I also like to just keep a few items and not be overwhelmed with tons of different cleaners for specific jobs. I love ones that will clean multiple surfaces!

This is what is in my basket:

1. Microfiber cloth - works much better than a regular cloth in picking up dirt. Use for windows, counters, wooden surfaces, electronics...anything!
2. Microfiber dusting mitt - I love this little thing because my girls think it's fun to use. I can quickly dust without using any dusting spray. Just wipe down any surface that needs dusting!
3. Rubber gloves - I find I do a much more thorough job as long as I'm wearing gloves. I found these cute ones at Marshalls.
4. Baking Soda - This stuff cleans anything. I sprinkle it on sinks or counters for an abrasive cleaner.
5. All Purpose cleaner - Either make your own or buy a bottle that is chemical free!
6. Vinegar and Water - Use for windows, wood floors, bathrooms...really anything! Add some essential oil if you can't stand the vinegar smell.
7. Old toothbrush - this is a must for getting in those hard to reach spots!

Want more ideas for DIY cleaners? Check out all of my recipes!
Homemade Cleaning Wipes
All Natural All Purpose Cleaner
Homemade Wood Floor Cleaner
All Natural Fabric Softener
Liquid Laundry Detergent
Homemade Foaming Soap
Grout Cleaner

$20 DIY Spring Doorstep Makeover

‘This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and All You Magazine, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #lifeforless http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV.”

My doorstep was in dire need of a spring spruce up but I wasn't willing to spend much money. I decided to make use of what I had around the house and come up with some fun and colorful spring outdoor decor! Stay tuned for a chance to win a $50 Dollar General gift card at the end of the post!!

I headed to Dollar General to grab a copy of All You magazine. I found some super cute money saving tips for spring!

I love the challenge of changing something up while spending the least amount of money possible. I got to work finding stuff around the house.  This was my blank canvas.

I grabbed a garage sale planter that needed a little TLC...

As well as this old red chair that was also a garage sale find from a very long time ago

I used some chalk paint that I already had on hand and gave the chair and planter a new look. Combine that with some flowers and this little portion of the makeover was about $5!

Next, I grabbed this plain doormat for $6 at the hardware store.

I stuck on some painter tape in a zig zag/chevron pattern

And after using some leftover white spray paint, I had a new and cute mat!

My favorite part of the makeover is definitely the giant chalkboard. I've had this huge empty frame sitting in the garage for years. It was in someone else's trash and I knew it had potential.

We got a scrap of drywall from Lowe's for $5 and spray painted it with chalkboard paint, gave the frame a new coat of white spray paint and we were done!

It will be fun to change out the message from season to season.

And finally, I hung my spring wreath (that used to be a fall wreath) on the door.

Not too shabby for less than 20 bucks!

Be sure to head to Dollar General where ALL YOU is available nationwide to get more money saving tips. And here is a $1 Off Coupon just for you!

And you have a chance to win a $50 Dollar General gift card! Yay!! Enter below: 

Entry-Form

RECIPE: Chocolate and Caramel Cream Cheese Egg

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #EatMoreBites #CollectiveBias

Get ready for a super yummy and somewhat naughty dessert or appetizer that is perfect for your Easter celebration.  Your guests' taste buds will thank you. 

I headed to Walmart and picked up some Milky Way Simply Caramel Bites which are perfect for this carmal chocolate creation.

The other ingredients you will need are:

1/2 Cup Softened Butter
1 8oz Package of Cream Cheese 
2 Tbs Brown Sugar
3/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
1/2 Cup Chopped Milky Way Simply Caramel Bites
1/2 Cup Mini Chocolate Chips

Obviously you could make this into a simply ball shape if you weren't serving it for Easter. Or you could do a tree for Christmas...or a football...or any other shape your heart desires. You could also get creative with other dippers. I used green apples, pretzels and animal crackers because that's what I had on hand. I loved the apple slices with it. The crisp tart apple with the sweet cream cheese and chocolate is the perfect combo.

And it just looks so cute and festive, doesn't it?

Don't waste any time, go out and make this today!

And, I am happy to share 2 coupons with you so that you can save a little cash while making this tasty treat!

{Natural} Winter Beauty Essentials

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #WalgreensBeauty #CollectiveBias

I don't know about where you live, but here in Kansas City, winter has been brutal. I already have pretty dry skin and hair, but this harsh season has not been kind to me! I headed to Walgreens in search of some more natural beauty products to help my poor body (and my kids dry skin) cope! Here's what I picked up:

1. Maybelline Fit Me blush in light pink
2. St. Ives Daily Hydrating bodly lotion
3. Covergirl Outlast nail polish in Ever Reddy
4. Organix Renewing Argan Oil
5. EOS lip balm in Honeydew
6. Jason Tea Tree treatment shampoo

I was surprised at the natural beauty options at Walgreens. I saw brands that I normally see at Whole Foods or Sprouts.

I picked up these 2 hair items because I wanted a deep moisturizing treatment for my dry hair. The Organix Argan Oil leaves my hair feeling really soft. I've used it about 2x a week. I grabbed the Jason tea tree oil shampoo for my girls. They struggle with super dry and itchy scalps in the winter and I know that tea tree oil is supposed to help with this. I also love that it's all natural. So far it has made a bit of a difference and I've used a few times as well.

The St. Ives daily hydrating lotion smells SO good and works surprisingly well. It's all 100% natural with no parabens or Phthalates so I can use it on my girls. Jane has some eczema in the winter and this has worked great for her.  The EOS lip balm is just so cute and smells SO good! I love the packaging. It's also an all natural lip balm option.

Ok, these 2 products are not "all natural" but I needed some color to brighten up my super pale skin in the winter. The Maybelline fit me blush is a very light color (I got the color light pink) and natural looking. Next time I actually might try a darker shade because it's almost hard to see on my skin. The Covergirl nail polish is a really fun orange-red color. I usually don't go for colors this bright but I'm actually really loving it and my girls have like it as well.

Here it is in action on Lula's toes! It's just cheery and bright!

What beauty products are essential for you in winter?

Winter {Natural

Tips for How to Make the Perfect Cup of Pour Over Gourmet Coffee

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Last September, I bought Reid all the pour over coffee basics for his birthday present. We've been hooked on this method of coffee making every since. It's definitely a little more time consuming and probably high maintenance, but the extra few minutes are SO worth it. I cannot rave about how much I love this method of making coffee. We usually freshly grind our own right before brewing a cup, but I decided to try it out with Gevalia's ground gourmet coffee. The results were tasty and it was nice to know that you could still brew a decent cup of you have some ground coffee around and didn't want to take the time to grind it yourself.

The Gevalia gourmet coffee can be found at Walmart, but any of your favorite beans will do. The pour over method extracts tons of flavors from the beans, so don't be surprised if the end results taste a lot different than what you are used to - even if it's the same coffee you usually drink.

The basic tools that we use (there are many to choose from) are a Hario Coffee Drip Kettle, Hario v60 Coffee Dripper, Hario V60 filters, food scale, glass carafe and a burr grinder. (we currently have this one from Cuisinart)


The first step is to grind your beans. It's best to do this right before you make your coffee...and a burr grinder is a must. This one we have is pretty inexpensive and it does the job.

Here is where your food scale comes in. For 2 cups of coffee, we measure our 38 grams of beans (or in this case, grounds since I was trying it out with the pre-ground coffee. But usually I'm measuring beans and then grinding them)

Next,  put a filter in the dripper and fill with water and let it drain out. This wets the filter and it sticks to the dripper better. It also claims to get rid of any slight taste the paper filter may have.

This is how the set up looks. (oh, and you should be boiling some water in your slow drip kettle in the meantime)

Once your water is boiling, take it off the heat and let it sit for about 30 seconds. Make sure to zero out your scale because you will now be measuring the amount of water that is poured into the coffee filter.

Slowly pour about 50 grams of water into the filter, trying to only stay in the center. The coffee should "bloom" out (kind of froth and puff up)

Wait about 30 seconds

Now pour the rest in a slow circular motion until you reach about 480 grams of water total.

After all the coffee has dripped out, you are ready to enjoy your amazing cup of heaven.

Purists insist on only drinking this method of coffee black. While I can tolerate it black, I do add some cream and sugar to mine. But even if you think you hate black coffee,  just try a sip of it plain. It really is delicious and so flavorful!