Make room when packing for your all natural favs

As someone who comes from a family with history of autoimmune disease, I feel lucky that I have been struggling with some of the things the people I love have. But with the territory often comes other symptoms such as extremely sensitive skin and for me especially -my scalp. I respect and often use the brand Giovanni for both skin and hair but I find even the most sensitive products can sometimes cause irritation. Products I tend to overall shy away from are dry shampoos or powders that claim they add volume. Any of these products within a few hours will irritate my scalp. I have also found that fragrant oils especially those that smell beautiful are also detrimental to my skin. When looking for oils to heal my scalp and increase my hair's shininess I tend to go for neem oil and coconut oil. Aragon oil, along with other fragrant oils, tend to also bring along with them breakouts. Eventhough though expensive, I have found that finding the most natural ingredients with the least amount of fragrance saves my hair, my scalp, my sanity, and my pride. For someone with sensitive skin, I have found that aloe vera, neem oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter in its purest forms are basic wonderful go tos.
        In the spirit of saving money and divvying your budget, I always recommend caving and using the extra space when packing to pack the items you desire, such as your natural products. If you don't do this you'll be like me and have to run to the store to find something to fix and sooth your skin because you attempted to use the products given to you at the local hotel -so save yourself the trip and the hassle and bring them with.

Hot Socks Worth It

A part of my blogging process is to evaluate which of my purchases have been worth their price and which have not. Also, looking at what should be purchased name brand, at least for me, and which products can be made at home or substituted.

This fall, I recently splurged the $5.00 to purchase a Hot Sock for my dryer. This is designed to replace the defuser at the end of the dryer.  I love it!   It has helped my sometimes hectic mornings along greatly!

1) When drying hair, the hair no longer blows every which way, I can style it as I dry it with precision.

2) This also cuts down on frizziness as again, its almost mimicking using a dryer hood at a salon.

3) If I choose to use rollers in my hair, the Hot Sock is a great addition to either set the rollers with gentle heat, or dry the rollers if beginning with wet hair.  Again, because it mimics a dryer hood, very limited frizziness.

4) As a travel a lot, all I need to do, is take the Hot Sock with me.  I no longer feel the need to pack my entire hair dryer-yet I can get a pretty good blow out or set with just the Hot Sock and the hotel provided hair dryer!

Would It Have Been Better....?

This week as I prepared to move in with my Husband in less than a month--I began sorting.  Sorting for me involves a pile that is designated for Trash, a pile that is designated for Donating, and a pile that is designated for Selling.  As I finished my closet-and only my closet-my bag count totaled to this: Trash: 3  Donate: 4   Sell: 2.   HMMMM.  It appears that the items I buy are not worth very much to me.  This got me thinking.  At first I was pleased that earthly possessions did not mean a whole lot to me.  In my moving process, it didn't bother me to have to let go or separate from items.  Then, I began to realize that I had spend the money God gave me on worthless things.  SIGH....
What would those bags have totaled up to originally?  Would it have paid off a debt?  Would it have been better used to give it to someone who needed it-after all, in the end I was just giving it away anyway?

My future husband gave me the New Testament on CD, so that I could listen to it on my long trips.  It just so happened that I came across a scripture that mirrored my thoughts well - Luke 12:18 (NIV).

18 "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do.  I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I will say to myself, " You have plenty of grain laid up for many years.  Take life easy, eat, drink, and be merry."' 20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.  Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

Am I Charitable? What is charity anyway?

As I continue to follow this path of divvying my funds the way that God calls me, I find there is an urge to learn not only more about budgeting, but about how others see their resources.  What do I take for granted?  This can be an uncomfortable state of awareness in many ways.  As I am introduced to and reminded of the different ways that charity can present itself, I am also compelled to not only take note of my own lack of taking advantage of moments to be charitable, but to also take note of the town, neighborhood, peer base, and world I live in.  It means taking a moment to listen, acknowledge, and recognize my part when encountering those who would benefit from a charitable person.  This can happen daily!  Overwhelming when considering all the opportunities that present themselves in daily routines and interactions.  These opportunities we often train ourselves to be blind to-why?  My own realization is that embracing those moments may lead me to feel that I can not meet someone's needs, may ask me to give up something I cherish, or to look at myself in a different context.  

I have recently began reading the book Thrift Shop Saints by Jane Knuth.  One particular chapter has caught my attention an it illustrates the three common ways that charity often presents itself in our society.

1) We have extra resources, or specifically something we do not want or need and it makes us feel better to find someone who could use it rather than throw it away.

2) We have the means to provide a need for someone.  We either donate habitually in the form of goods or money or do so when the opportunity presents itself.

3) We have something we need (or thought we needed).  It is our only one.  We come into contact with someone who needs it to, and give it to them.  They now have what they needed.  

I have a pretty strong feeling that the third option is what God would define and recognize as Charity.  I have a long way to go.  How about you?

Curling irons and Flatirons are found to be thriftworthy

Curling irons and Flatirons are found to be thriftworthy



I enjoy high quality items, but even more than that, I love sharing a great deal.   Something can only really be described as a great deal if you are getting something of value for a good price.  Getting Junk for a good price, is not a great deal in my book. 

Thrifting is a way to find these deals.  You do not always need to be a "digger" to benefit from thrift shopping.  You may need to be patient though for the right item to come in. I choose the shops I frequent carefully; they are clean, well organized, and often carry things that meet my desires.  A shop's manager or donation base can all have an affect on what makes it to their sales floor.  Its also great to find a not for profit thrift store.

Curling irons and flatirons are often something I have found worth thrifting for.  I more often than not find them for under $5.00 a piece.  I can experiment with size and curl type, and as long as the previous owner took care of the item, this is a household item that holds its use for a long time.  I have been able to find everything from Conair to HotTools--and all in great working condition!

Baking Soda Microderm Abrasion

I travel often for work and different water pH's along with a disruption in routine always does a little damage to my skin. I have found a budget friendly routine I can bring with wherever I go.  My favorite facial scrub is baking soda.  It can be used before or after any cleanser or mixed with your favorite cleanser. When I mix in the baking soda with my cleanser as a way to eliminate steps I just lather my current cleanser in my hands and add baking soda.....scrub scrub scrub! I have sensitive skin and for me it has not irritated or dried my skin out.  Of course-I apply a great moisturizer afterwards.

One of my favorite benefits to using baking soda as an exfoliator is that if I forget it...it costs about $1.00 to pick some more up and I am on my way with my facial routine.

Tip: I store my baking soda in a Tupperware spice shaker.  It keeps the baking soda dry in the shower and travels well also!

Christmas Joy is only true in your heart

This Christmas came and went in a flurry as can be expected, but we had moments that I am still reliving that in hindsight will draw the happy memories to a longer finale.  Our two year old nephew learned that cookie playdo was actually edible and the remaining sugar cookies decorated by his enthusiastic hand just as beautiful as those done at the local store.  Our three year old nephew enjoyed "taking care" of the visiting pets while cuddling with aunt Laura and " wrestling" uncle Nate.  These an many other Christmas blessings is what I remember most as I rethink the last month.. Not the stress that is added financially or the expectations to meet everyone else's expectations.  This is what I fjnd myself praying for most during our celebration of Christ.  Not that I received the gift most wanted or that I found the perfect gift but that my family and those I have never met find a way to extend true Christmas joy through the moments celebrated amongst ourselves and the lasting smiles it brings.