Cost Cutting Household Recipes

Thanks to Angie Freel of the Saline County Cooperative Extension for sharing these money saving household recipes!

Foaming Hand Soap

Empty foam dispenser (either buy one or have someone save their container for you).

3 Tablespoons liquid soap - any kind

2/3 cup warm water

Add ingredients to container. Swirl to mix.  Do not shake.

Stainless Steel Cleaner

2/3 cup vinegar

Few drops dish washing soap

1/3 cup water

Add to spray bottle and use soft cloth to wipe cleaner off all stainless appliances.

Homemade Febreze

1/8 cup liquid fabric softener

2 Tablespoons baking soda

Hot tap water

Use spray bottle and add first two ingredients. Finish filling bottle with hot water. Shake well.

Special thanks to http://fakeitfrugal.blogspot.com

5 Worst Beauty Mistakes

In case you missed some of the tips from Augusta's segment last week, here are the 5 beauty mistakes and how to avoid them.

1.  Wearing foundation on flaky skin!  Always make sure you prepare your skin properly before you put makeup on.  Exfoliate your skin with the proper scrub.  Always moisturize your skin with a formula for your skin type whether it be oily or dry.

2.  Forgetting to blend your makeup!  When it comes to foundation, eyes, and lips, always remember to blend, blend, blend.

3.  Using concealer that is too light for your skin!  Pink-toned concealer is used to brighten while a peach-tone will help to cancel out the blueish hue of under eye circles.  Always use a creamy concealer that matches your skin tone.

4.  Applying too much shine!  Who doesn't want to have that dewy look that is so popular?  However if you have oily skin, do not use luminizer as it can highlight acne.  Choose a certain area to highlight like your cheekbones or bridge of your nose.  As for normal to dry skin, you have many options.  Just don't layer too much shine, or it can make you look greasy.

5.  Lip liner that doesn't match your lipstick!  Make sure the two are the same shade.  If you choose a red lipstick, don't use your favorite nude liner.  If you want to look dated, that will definitely do the trick!  So go out and find your perfect liner to match your lip color.

You can find Augusta at B. Barnett in Little Rock.

12 Days of Giveaways (Repost)

******REPOST*****

This was getting buried on the blog scroll, so we decided to repost.

Since Christmas is fast approaching, we thought we'd help you with your Christmas list, or give you the chance to win yourself something special. 

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment with your name and contact information. The comments are not published.

December 6-21, 2012 we'll draw a new winner each day. 

This is the growing list of things we have to give to you.

We will continue adding to the list of items as products come in.

Here are some of the items up for grabs:

***New prize from puppetpandemonium.com***

A full body girl puppet


Plus, 4 strands of beautiful flower lights handmade in Thailand.

Thanks to The Learning Express for adding this Razorback Barbie ($39.99 value) to the items up for grabs!

The Promenade at Chenal Prize Package:

$50 Promenade Gift Card

$50 Bravo! Italian Gift Card

Four Chenal 9 Theatres Movie Passes

Perfume Max Cologne/Perfume Gift Set

Package value $245!

Gift basket of monogrammed goodies 
from Mrs. Polka Dot valued at $100 

2 Cajun Injector Propane Fryers

2 Cajun Injector Electric Fryers

$100 Gift Card for Ava Bella Christmas Special

Iron Man prize pack with mask and "Tri-Power Repulsor" accessory

VeggieTales: The Ultimate Christmas Collection DVD

& The Original Christmas Classics DVD

Several family 4 packs to Arvest on Ice! which is open through January 6th!

Rita's Twice as Nice Gifts: Gifts That Give Back

Thanks for Rita for sharing this list of gifts that keep giving!

Here are my favorite "twice-nice"gifts:

*The Red Sari offers luscious scarves and luxury color hand-knit gifts to help 3rd world women achieve income and independence. This product is sold at Beyond Cotton.

*Broken China is an accessory line actually crafted from broken china pieces to benefit the Women's Shelter of Central Arkansas. These unique jewelry pieces are at Beyond Cotton, as well.

*The Clinton Museum Store proceeds are a perpetual fund-raiser for the Clinton Foundation, PLUS, they sell a gift rice-bag from Riceland that supports the Rice Depot.

*Barbara Graves and other merchants sell the Humane Society Planner; proceeds go to our no-kill certified Pulaski County Animal Shelter.

*Market Place Pharmacy and All Around the House sell tea towels from Glory Haus to support bereft orphans and widows in Southern India.

*Besides their own Village Gift Shoppe, Heifer Project has a gorgeous catalog of choices for those who wish to support an at-risk community by buying animals or shares of animals, starting at $15.

*Ten Thousand Villages has an eye-popping array of one-of-a-kind craft gifts to benefit low-income communities all ove the world. To them, "Each gift sale supports a miracle.".

Those are but a few of the offerings available for us to feature for our segment; We wanted to get this info to you.

Rebecca Ward & the Magic of Christmas

Blog entry by therapist
Rebecca Ward

As I write this, my holiday house is just about ready for company. Garlands, ribbons and lights are down the staircase and my Santa Claus
collection is displayed in its customary spot. Candles here and there and other Christmas paraphernalia is strewn somewhat artfully about though it's hard for me to know that for sure. I've been doing just about the same things to "deck" my house for many years. It looks okay to me but it just might be that it looks familiar. We cheated on the tree this year, lighting up a tall live tropical looking tree in the living room rather than hauling down the big one from the attic. My granddaughters will roll their eyes and say "Seriously?"

Everything else is out and festive and I love looking around and seeing all the familiar stuff,  Most have little stories attached to their origins, where they were bought or from  whom they were gifted and how old they are and so forth. I love having them around and the house warmly lit with white lights and candle glow. Add a cozy fire and Norman could almost paint a picture! Except for the tree deal. I feel a little guilty that I'm not doing the whole expected thing but not enough to change the plan for this year. The house is adorned sufficiently to announce the season and looks fetching if I do say so.

Each year I vow to do less and enjoy more and now I'm really getting there. Some of it has to do with being older and knowing what's really important is not what but with whom. What I remember about Christmas' pasts is the time spent laughing and talking and really connecting with family and friends. One year my significant husband gave me a swell watch and I remember how surprised I was. We were newly married and still thinking about the presents we were getting for each other instead of the presence of mind to enjoy our time with folks, some of whom are no longer here. Now we know and focus on making enough time to be present and not about presents you have to buy. It makes for a different focus and much more meaningful holiday season. Thankfully most of our friends feel the same. Opening a bottle of wine and settling in for a long winter's visit is just about the best part of this whole time of year!

While the magic of Santa Claus and flying reindeer and gifts being delivered down the chimney was absolutely wonderful, there is other magic to be found and enjoyed through the month of December. Look around you...it's there and no need for ribbon and scissors. Spend your time with those you love and you'll find what I'm talking about! Do less and "be" more! Magic!!

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways

Since Christmas is fast approaching, we thought we'd help you with your Christmas list, or give you the chance to win yourself something special. 

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment with your name and contact information. The comments are not published.

December 6-21, 2012 we'll draw a new winner each day. 

This is the growing list of things we have to give to you.

We will continue adding to the list of items as products come in.

Here are some of the items up for grabs:

 Thanks to The Learning Express for adding this Razorback Barbie ($39.99 value) to the items up for grabs!

The Promenade at Chenal Prize Package:

$50 Promenade Gift Card

$50 Bravo! Italian Gift Card

Four Chenal 9 Theatres Movie Passes

Perfume Max Cologne/Perfume Gift Set

Package value $245!

Gift basket of monogrammed goodies 
from Mrs. Polka Dot valued at $100 

2 Cajun Injector Propane Fryers

2 Cajun Injector Electric Fryers

$100 Gift Card for Ava Bella Christmas Special

Iron Man prize pack with mask and "Tri-Power Repulsor" accessory

VeggieTales: The Ultimate Christmas Collection DVD

& The Original Christmas Classics DVD

Several family 4 packs to Arvest on Ice! which is open through January 6th!