Weenies Potato’s and Cheese (oh my!)

This is a family favorite and easy and inexpensive!

So you take a pack of Hot Dogs and boil them. Get about 3 cups finished dehydrated mashed potatoes. And ½ lbs of grated cheddar cheese. Put the hot dogs in the backing dish and cut them down the middle lengthwise (but not all the way threw) and spread it open. Then scoop up some potatoes and fill the middle of the hot dogs. Now evenly cover the mashed ‘tatoes with the grated cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 mins at the min to melt the cheese and for crispy cheese about 30-40 mins. Add frozen microwave green beans and poof dinner is done.

This is really a kid pleaser!

10 Suggestions for Successful Parenting

1. Take time to always be at the crossroads in the lives of your children, whether they be six or sixteen.
2. Take time to be a real friend to your children.
3. Take time to read to your children.
Remember what the poet wrote: You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be— I had a mother who read to me.
4. Take time to pray with your children.
5. Take time to have a meaningful weekly family nights. Make this one of your great family traditions.
6. Take time to be together at mealtimes as often as possible.
7. Take time daily to read the scriptures together as a family.
8. Take time to do things together as a family.
9. Take time to teach your children.
10. Take time to truly love your children. A mother’s unqualified love approaches Christlike love

-Ezra Taft Benson

Making your own Jewlery

OK this is so on the wants only list - but anything to help save money on the wants is a good thing! I warn you that while this can save money - you can also get addicted, so keep your spending in check. I could easily spend $100 in a bead store in under 10 mins. And since I don’t have $100 for beads - it takes me about 1 hr to pick which ones are going home with me! :)

If you want to start up jewelry making it will cost a bit to get the tools that you use and some good storage for the beads and findings that you don’t use. You will always have leftover’s (that is better then being one short on a project!)

Why I like to bead for myself. #1 I get to make it and for some reason this just makes me happy. #2 I get exactly what I want. #3 I pick every color and shape #4 It matches what I want perfectly! Also my FAVORITE reason for making my own jewelry, I can make matching earrings, necklace and bracelet all at the same time. I feel like a million bucks when I wear it! "I love it when a plan comes together" - Hannibal Smith

Depending on what type of beads you buy it can be cheap or expensive. I recommend the middle ground. Its nice but won't break the budget.

Here is what I have made so far this year, for me to keep anyways - the stuff for others has already gone to its new home(s).
One night a church we had an activity to make some bracelets, and that is where I got the above and below bracelet. It was a wonderful activity!

I actually made this bracelet first for my grandmother for Christmas, but loved it so much made on for me with the leftovers. :)

I Made this to go with an awesome pair of shoes I own that needed something to match it! The shoes are an awesome metalic green pair of flats that match the center bead.

I found a black and white dress with one small line of red that looked good on me, and needed to be altered to be perfect. I figured if I was going to all that trouble with a dress I might as well make jewelry to match. I call this my custom dress outfit.

The Find

I added a link to the right side ... its a web site called "The Find" Its pretty neat you go there and type in your keyword and they bring up that search in TONS of stores ... so you shop a lot of stores at once. I found it on accident shopping for jewelry findings and google keeps pulling up THERE results and sending me there. I figure if that is where google is sending me, why don't I try it? And it has some stuff I didn't find on google. SO next time you are online shopping try it - you may get what you are looking for faster!

Instyle.com's Insider (secret) Cheapies

I was going to post the link, but I am not sure how long they will keep the info up ... So here it is.

Tight times demand smart moves, right? So we asked three bargain-hunting beauty experts to show us the best drugstore choices for our dollars

Ken Paves, Hair Stylist
When given the task of stocking his kit with inexpensive styling essentials, Ken Paves hit the ground running -- straight to beauty emporium Ulta. "Some of my favorite products I discovered as a result of lost luggage and my tools not getting to a shoot," says Paves, who works with Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson. Before you shop, he suggests taking inventory and making a list. "If not, you might waste money on things you don't need."
Paves's Picks1. VO5 Hot Oil Treatment, $4 "A cheap treatment that has always screamed luxury to me. It guarantees a great hair day."
2. Vidal Sassoon No Crimp elastics, $3 "They give you just enough hold without damaging your hair."
3. Ulta Ultimate Size travel blow-dryer, $25 "Enough abusing your hair with a dryer that's professional grade! This is lightweight and gets the job done."
4. DCNL Organics Natural Wood hairbrush, $9 "It gives lift and volume without creating static."
5. Woody's Big Stick Style Stick, $18 "Great for defining layers and adding texture to your blowout."
6. Ken Paves Healthy Hair Try Me kit, $34 "The perfect travel sizes for your weekend getaways."
7. Karina small claw clips, $5 each "I find these tiny ones are easier to use than pins when securing updos."
8. Bellissima headband, $10 "This gives a chic, classic look that can instantly transform limp hair."
9. DCNL Porcupine Cushion hairbrush, $25 "Works just as well as other mixed-bristle brushes that are far more expensive."
10. Göt 2b Defiant Define + Shine pomade, $6 "A little goes a long way to smooth flyaways. One tub will last until you're 115."
Doesn't Scrimp On…
Shampoo: "Some inexpensive ones give that squeaky-clean feeling that isn't always best for your hair. Look for sulfate-free formulas; they are less aggressive."
Conditioner: "This is the foundation of your hairstyling. The best products make hair smoother but don't coat it with heavy silicones."
Defrizzer: "Anything that contains a high amount of dimethi-cone is worth the splurge. Otherwise, you end up with a watered-down version that doesn't perform as well."

Kristofer Buckle, Makeup Artist
Kristofer Buckle, who works with Lindsay Lohan and Renée Zellweger, isn't shy when it comes to declaring his love for drugstore products: "The packaging isn't fabulous, but that doesn't mean you won't get a fabulous lipstick or mascara inside." Shopping the Wal-Mart beauty aisles, he stocks up on old standbys and new favorites.
Buckle's Picks
1. Johnson & Johnson Lavender baby oil, $5 "Gives skin a gorgeous high-gloss look. I love that it doesn't smell tropical."
2. Maybelline N.Y. Colossal Volum' Express mascara, $8 "Gets right to the point, making lashes thick, black and long with just one coat."
3. Max Factor Color Genius Mineral bronzer in Sun Kissed, $9 "Not heavily pigmented, so you can really layer it without turning the color of a penny."
4. L'Oréal Paris Infallible lip gloss in Dulce de Leche, $10 "I can use this on everyone, from Christina Aguilera to Mary J. Blige."
5. Dove Deep Moisture Foaming Cleansing cloths, $7 "Perfect for removing makeup at night."
6. New York Color Cheek blush in Riverside Rose, $2 "This shade creates a natural-looking flush."
7. Max Factor Lipfinity 3D in Midori Glam, $9 "The color stays put but doesn't dry like house paint on your lips."
8. Cover Girl Eye Enhancers 1-Kit in Shimmering Onyx, $4 "It's iri-descent, so you can do a charcoal eye without it looking too harsh."
9. Alcon Naphcon A eye drops, $9 "They make you feel like you've slept hours, even when you haven't."
10. L'Oréal Paris True Match Blendable makeup, $11 "A versatile formula with a wide range of shades for every complexion."
11. Burt's Bees Beeswax lip balm, $3 "I love a balm that's not shiny. This one is moist and nourishing—and there is a bonus: It tastes like peppermints."
Doesn't Scrimp On…
Makeup Brushes: "The first thing you should do when you buy a blush or shadow is toss that little nylon brush. It's too small and won't blend well."
Translucent Powder: "A finely milled formula gives even the quickest makeup job a professional finish."
Eyelash Curler: "I've never found a cheap one that I love. Either the shape is wrong or the mechanism doesn't apply enough pressure."

Doris Day, Dermatologist
With all the ritzy ingredients turning up in skin-care jars (diamonds to brighten; gold to stimulate collagen!), most women think they have to spend a fortune to clear up their complexions. Not so, says New York City dermatologist Doris Day, who likes to stock up at CVS and gives her patients a shopping list that doesn't require a platinum card.
Day's Picks1. Olay Pro X Hydra Firming cream, $42 "It contains retinol, pentapeptides and niacinamide. I wish I could dip my whole body in it!"
2. Neutrogena Healthy Skin SPF 30 Glow Sheers, $13 "Two steps in one: sun protection and light coverage."
3. Aveeno Positively Radiant cleanser, $7 "Cleans skin without drying it. And it has soy, which helps even out skin tone."
4. Nature Made Vitamin D liquid soft gels, $11/90 "Vitamin D has been shown to be important in helping to prevent sun damage and calcium loss."
5. Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting serum, $22 "Its amino peptides and humectants improve fragile skin around the eye."
6. Revlon Colorstay Undereye concealer, $10 "With SPF 15 it assures adequate daytime protection for delicate skin."
7. Cerave moisturizing cream, $15 "The ideal texture: rich and creamy. But it sinks in very quickly."
8. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Rejuvenator, $42 "Exfoliation is an essential step in an anti-aging regimen. I like the consistency that using a device provides."
Doesn't Scrimp On…
Scrubs: "Exfoliators with natural particles like nutshells can be too abrasive and cause microscopic scratches that make your skin look dull."
Peels: "The problem with buying a peel at the drugstore is that you don't know what concentration you're getting. Chances are it will be too mild."
Mineral Makeup: "Check the ingredient label for talc -- some products use it as a filler, which makes it less expensive but can clog pores."

My verdict on Stenciling t-shirts

OK I had fabric spray paint that I tried on the turquoise shirt and I thought it might have bleed because the fabric was too stretchy, so I tried it on a regular t-shirt. NOPE it bleed again. I say 100% do not waist your money on fabric spray paint it doesn't work!

Notice how light the black gets after just one wash (the actual design!) the shirt on top has only been washed once!

This is after one washing too. The turquoise shirt has a stencil by paint brush on top (I don't like the looks that much) and the fabric spray paint on the bottom. ICK ICK ICK!

This is the Krylon indoor/outdoor flat black spray paint, after one wash! PERFECT!
This is the Krylon indoor/outdoor flat black spray paint, after two washes! STILL PERFECT!

And this is the whole reason I started this journey ... I wanted to make this t-shirt. And after all that I messed it up! LOL its OK it was a good lesson. Because the stencil is so intricate the plastic is thin. I needed to spray MORE adhesive to the back of the stencil so it would stick better to the t-shirt AND it was windy when I was taping off the shirt with newspaper and it got folded and wasn't flat and that pulled the t-shirt just enough to lift the stencil and allow the over spray that you see instead of a crisp line. So I am OK with this boo boo cause I learned a very good lesson! And the t-shirt is a craft one, so its not totally expensive! I will remake it right the next time!

The moral of this story is use indoor/outdoor spray paint, take your time with the adhesive and make sure that all you paper lays flat while you are taping it down. Be patient with the many coats you have to do .. and then it will come out alright!

To Buy Real or Fake’s?

OK I am assuming that I am talking to people who are struggling to pay for the things in life that they “want.” I will start this out by saying that most of us think we need things that are really wants, myself included.

I live in SoCal, that is snobbish fancy talk us Southern California-ners call ourselves. I live in a city where we have down on 1st street homeless shelters, and government housing/section 8 housing. By 30th street getting closer to the beach the houses start going for close to a million depending on your lot size and view. And with in 5 miles up the coast houses, check that … town homes, in a golf course on a cliff next to the ocean are “starting at the low 2 millions”.

So I see the whole spectrum of income levels around me. Before getting my degrees in firefighting I was pursuing a degree in fashion design (huge switch I know). So I have a better then average knowledge of fabric/clothing and the industry.

And I observe the people around me. Do you want to know what I see? I see the poor people saving up to buy really nice name brands. I hear them in the discount stores saying, “Oh that is an expensive name brand, you should get it” Then on the isle over I see some people with quite a bit more money, also shopping for discount name brands.

Also a lady I used to work with would bring in catalogs of her moms for me to look at. Her mom has TONS of money and VERY rich snobbish person and I always admired her jewelry. Well one day one of the catalogs she brought in was her jewelry catalog, I was overjoyed to just look at it. Guess what?? It’s all FAKE! I asked her about it and her mom always buys fakes whenever she can find it and it doesn’t LOOK fake.

So I want you all to think about that thing you want. Name brand – sometimes they are good because you will get quality. Sometimes you are just paying more for a label. On day I bought something from Victoria’s Secret (a sweater) that night I went to Target and saw the exact same sweater for 50% less at Target! Even the brand label was the same! SHIESH!

Also consider that in down town LA we have the clothing factories that make the clothes. And it’s not for special brand, the shoppers for that brand go around and pick out what they want, buy it take it to there business and sew there label on it and then sell it to you! So a big name brand (VS) and a cheaper company (Target) will be buying the same thing and selling! Every company is different but do some research on the brands you are buying; know what you are buying and where it made

I know a jeweler, he was telling me that most couple are buying CZ’s for there big stone in there wedding rings. Then on a later anniversary they replace it with a real one. Then on the other hand I know a few friends who have spent big money on nice rings … then after a few years of abuse being a stay a home mom they hit it just right and the lost the stone. And what did they do? Replaced it with a CZ because its just too expensive to replace.

So think about it the next time you “want” something. First do you really need to buy it? Second can you get the same thing/ quality some other way? Know how the “rich” people could afford it? Because they hold onto there money too!

Home Made PJ's

Well I am not sure if this is time saver or a money saver. But why I made home made PJ pants is because #1 I think they are much higher quality then store bought ones (I hate it when the fabric start to pill) and will last threw more then one kid (have you notice how thin the fabric gets after a few washings?) or at least a lot longer on that one kid and #2 I think they look a lot better and #3 they are more comfortable then store bought PJ's (the seams always feel to tight on me for some reason – PJ’s are supposed to be super comfortable!)

So our family likes Snoopy/Peanuts fabric and that is what I used on this lot O PJ's. That fabric is sort of expensive even with the 40% off coupon. But you can find 100% cotton fabric on clearance and make it a deal. Then I buy the craft t-shirts in matching colors (on sale naturally) and use the left over fabric from making the PJ's to appliqué something on the front to match the theme of the pants. And I always make the pants bigger, like 3 sizes bigger, then the person, this makes them extra comfy - even if I have to shorten all the pants cause they are too long. I do the elastic at the right length and they will fit just fine. Same with the t-shirt we go bigger for comfort. Also I look for the PJ patterns that make each leg out of one piece of fabric (instead of 2) ... So I only have to cut 2 pattern pieces out of each pair of pants (instead of 4!)! Less work for me! If you need more help on how too, just comment and I will do another post about it!

My Stenciling Journey!

Well the other day I saw a stencil that I loved in my favorite magazine. Altered Couture. (I know you have heard that one before!) LOL Anyways ... So I found the exact stencil I fell in love with but didn't want to do it on the shirt I wanted on the first try .... I wanted some practice.



Ok the teal shirt is try #1 and try #2 neither of which fared very well. The flor de lit on top was done with a stencil brush. It came out dark in places and lighter in others with a thinker line around the edge of the stencil. Not even at all. So try #2 is the row of Flor de lit's with a fabric spray paint and 1) I don't think it works with super stretchy t-shirt 2) i sprayed too close to the fabric and didn't let it dry enough between sprays. So it didn't work out. I will be trying the fabric spray paint again on a different kind of T using better coverage with more time in between sprays. See how it comepairs to my next try ........
Try #3 is this lovely design. I looked all over the web to fine what people use to make there own t-shirt. I was very surprised to find that most people used reg spray paint. And why not ... you have to wear grubbies when you work with it because it doesn't come out! But how to make it look nice! Well i was patient this time and used a regular T-shirt. I think that helped. I will post again when I try with the fabric spray paint one more time.

Upcycling - your kids cothing

OK I saw this upcyced or altered jean jacket in my favorite magazine called "Altered Couture". I fell in love with the swirlies on the sleeves. I have a jean jacket like that an I never wear it becuase its not on the favorites list. I firgured I would enjoy wearing it more if I tried this. Only problem was that I had never really painted much freehand stuff before on any medium. But I was determind.
So I went to the thrift store with my dad one evening and he bought my 2 year old these overalls. I figured - what better way to try it out then on a 2 year old who doesnt care one whit what they look like - so I was under no pressure to be perfect. I did my own desing and just went for it. And I really like it.

and the back .....

So $1.25 for the overalls. $2.00 for the paint. $3.50 for the brushes. Viola! Chic Baby! What do you think?