Note to Self: Clean Those Brushes!

While perusing the Internet one day, I came across an article stressing the importance of cleaning make-up brushes on a weekly basis.  I thought to myself, "mine are not that bad"!  Though, I could not remember the last time I had actually cleaned them. 

 

So, I took a look at my set of make-up brushes and was astounded!!!  WOW!  How did I let them get like this?!?!?  I believe it's mostly due to the fact that I am lazy half asleep in the wee hours of the morning when my make-up is applied.

Here is my collection in all of it's glory.

And if you need to see those gross handles up close...here ya go!

This poor little brush is the one that I use to apply a flesh color eyeshadow only.

My blush/bronzer brush.....

My powder foundation brush...

This was going to be a job in itself so I gathered my trusty Shaklee Basic H cleaner (this stuff is gentle yet super effective) and regular household vinegar.

In a shallow container, I mixed a splash of vinegar, a few drops of Basic H and some hot water.  I'm not big on measuring if you can't tell by now!

Here is that poor eyeshadow brush again.  The original color of the brush is the orange hue way down at the bottom towards the base.  Oh and just look at that water back there..gross!!! 

Note: I emptied and refilled my container several times throughout the process. 

I swished it around in the mixture like I did with all of the other brushes but for some reason this brush gave me a fit.  Can you see how the eyeshadow turned into an ooey-gooey paste?

With a few drops of Basic H in my hand, I rubbed the brush on my palm and almost instantly the paste liquefied.

Oh my word!!!  It looked like it was brand new again!

After I finished with all of my brushes, I placed them on a clean towel to dry.

*Do NOT use the brushes until they are completely dry...
believe me on this one!  Unless you are trying to achieve the "I let my 4 year old use my face as a paint canvas" look.*

Alright, so once they were all dry, I was amazed at how "clean" my brushes were. 

 

 

 

Can you see the sparkles in the bristles?

I can not forget to show you these shiny handles.....

Clean, disinfected and good as new!

 

If you are interested in learning more about the fabulous Shaklee Basic H organic cleaner or purchasing some for yourself, visit my shop at: http://lifeonasleepylane.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=00015 

And while you are there, check out all of the items available from this amazing company.

 

Here's to creating health and happiness within your home and family! 



 

 

Not Your Boring Spaghetti Dinner

My family loves pasta but we get tired of the same old plain spaghetti.

In attempt to end the boredom, I have concocted a recipe that

keeps 'em coming back for more! 

 

Begin with the following ingredients:

                           - mushrooms                  - jar of spaghetti sauce         

- spaghetti noodles         -french bread

      - block of cream cheese (I used neufchatel cheese)

- 1 can of italian style diced tomatoes

- 1lb of grounded beef or turkey

 

Preheat oven according to the directions on the bread.

We love Pillsbury's Simply Rustic French Bread.

Begin boiling water for your noodles.

 



Saute the tomatoes in a small skillet.

 



Melt in the block of cream cheese.

Once oven is preheated, begin cooking your bread.

 



 

Brown the meat in a large skillet and drain the excess grease.

Stir cream cheese & tomato mixture until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

 



 

Combine the meat and cream cheese sauce in the large skillet.

Add in the entire jar of spaghetti sauce.

 



 

Stir sauce until mixture is creamy and ingedients are incorporated.

Add noodles to the boiling water.

 

Heat some olive oil in a small skillet and saute your chopped

mushrooms until they are soft and heated.

 



 

Add cooked mushrooms to the sauce and stir one last time.

 

 

Look at this delicious loaf of hot french bread......

 

Serve over noodles with a side salad and a slice of bread and you have yourself a delicious meal that will become a family favorite.

 

 

**The photos show that I used italian seasoned ground turkey in this

recipe.  However, I did not like the taste because I felt like the

seasoning overpowered the other ingredients.  In the future,

I will stick to plain ground turkey or lean beef.**  

 

Crib Bed Spring Redo

    When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, we began to transition my son into his "big boy room".  By doing that, I had spare parts of his baby crib lying around.  One piece in particular was the bed spring. 

I wanted to use it as a display piece of sorts but it was too "perfect" for me!  

 

I brought the shiny white piece outside and began to *age* it. 

 

 

I sprayed it with a coat of Krylon Fusion spray paint in

Hammered Copper to cover the white base color. 

Once that dried, I sprayed it with Rust-oleum in Autumn Brown to

give it a rusted texture.  It was not perfect!  Some of the

original silver of the springs showed through and I liked the look so...I left it!

 

It looked nice but *NICE* was not the look I was going for. 

I wanted it to appear old, aged and loved on...like it had been

around for years and had many stories to tell.  So, I took

out my trusty ASCP in Old White & Duck Egg and applied it

 with a sea sponge.  There was no rhyme or reason to the

 application of this part. 

 

(Sorry I didn't take pics of this part.  Sometimes I get so zoned into what I'm creating that I forget to snap pics....I'll try to do better!) 

I layered the paint until I got it just right. 

I think it looks pretty good if I do say so myself!

 

 Here it is on the wall in all of it's glory.  It is the perfect place to hang

all of the cards, invitations, and craft projects that, otherwise, would

take over my poor refrigerator.