DIY: May as well be my middle name!!

Admittedly, I am a bit of a DIY freak!! I'm a big believer in a can of paint, it can fix just about anything in my book. Sometimes my ever so frugal hubby loves it, sometimes he wishes I would just let him buy something new already. But I can't help myself, I was born this way! When we need more storage, I don't buy a console table or hutch, I find an antique four drawer dresser for $25 and show it some love! 

Dresser before..

Dresser after!

Beat up old dining room table?? 

Nothing a 220 grid sanding sponge and a can of furniture paint won't cure! 

Dining chairs just needed a little sprucing with some paint and new fabric! 

Desk looking haggard???

(Are you noticing a pattern yet?)

Desk before...

Desk After!

You can give your entire house a little facelift with a little bit of creativity and a lot of patience from your spouse! Personally I love keeping pieces in my house that have history, what's the fun in having your personal space look like a Target catalog? They don't make furniture like they used to anyway.

My DIY addiction also happens to feed my thrifting addiction.. BONUS!! 

I'm sure I will have plenty more to share on my DIY journey! As always...

Essentially yours, 

Erika

green baby fair time!!!

The Green Baby Fair is coming to Miami!! 

Twice a year, The Gathering Place presents The Green Baby Fair. This is the first year I will be attending and I'm so excited to see all the awesome vendors with so many of their "green" baby products!

The Green Baby Fair will be held at the Little Haiti Cultural Center on April 5th from 10am - 4pm. General admission is $10 online or $15 at the door. Children 13 and under are free, this is a family friendly event. For more information, visit Green Baby Fair online.

Good news!! The wonderful people at The Gathering Place  are generous enough to let me raffle off a free ticket to one of my lucky readers!  Just enter to win below! 

Can't wait to meet you there!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Essentially Yours,

Erika

Homemade: Laundry Detergent

I've been making my own laundry detergent for a little over a year now, and I don't think I can ever go back! I can't describe how satisfying it is to walk past certain aisles in the grocery store silently whispering to myself, "I don't need you, or you, or you." 

When I set out to make most of my own laundry/ cleaning products, I did it because it was a part of us really cutting back and becoming more aware of what we consume on this planet. I also LOVE the idea that I wouldn't need to be fearful of my boys coming in contact with any nasty chemicals. Sure, I had cut out any meat fish or poultry with any antibiotics or fillers. (Even though you still have to be concerned with Chlorine soaking when it comes to poultry, more on that later) it just didn't make much sense to me that I was trying to feed my family safely, but all the while still allowing them to come in contact with harsh chemicals in almost every other way. 

Off I went on a complete overhaul of our cleaning supplies as well as our medicine cabinets! I tried a couple of recipes before I found the perfect fit. So here it is, it's so simple & cost effective! (Bonus!)

You will need:

4 cups of Zote soap shredded

You can use either the pink or white bar, depends on the scent you like most.

I use the grater blade on my food processor to shave it down, then the regular chopping blade to shred it into tiny pieces.

If your really lucky you can find the kind that comes already shredded into tiny flakes.

You can also use Fels Naptha. 

I recently gave this a try and was not disappointed. It's a much stronger scent though, depends what you like really.

Then 2 cups of 20 Mule Team Borax

2 cups of Super Washing Soda

Mix ingredients well in a bowl and store in an air tight container (we use glass, just my preference), and that's it! It's so simple and takes no time at all!

Hope you enjoy, we definitely have!

Essentially Yours,

Erika

Tip of the day: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Leftover jam, jelly or pickle jars??? Put those babies to work! I wash mine and reuses them as glass Tupperware. Last year I banned all plastic Tupperware from our home, but replacing with good quality all glass alternatives can get a bit pricey. (I had ALOT of Tupperware) 

In order to keep up with my rambunctious boys and their full schedule of outdoor time, I make their food in batches so I can have their meals ready in a flash. So I need LOTS of glassware! Don't get me wrong, I love all the awesome cutesy and durable products like wean glassware, but at $5 a pop for 5oz jars? We're talking MAJOR commitment here for a full overhaul.

So my thrifty nifty mommy brain kicked in and I decided to reuse what was right in front of me! Isn't that what it's all about anyway? Reduce? Check! Reuse? Check! Recycle? Check! (Except for the hubby, he's still working on it)

Essentially yours,

Erika

Products I Love: No more tears...

I am loving the shampoo and conditioner by Nature's Baby Organics. Both of my boys have curly hair so they tend to need conditioner to keep the frizz down. (especially in this South Florida humidity!)

I'm always on the hunt for an all natural option for the boys. I figure it makes no sense for me to remove all harsh chemicals from our home only to use chemicals directly on their scalp! Trouble is, not all organic shampoos work well with curly hair. They mostly dry it out. These are delicate, but still very hydrating.

I chose the lavender scent because I usually bathe them in the evenings after dinner. (If you are a mom of boys, I need not explain why) I use lavender EVERYTHING! Soap, lotion, I even sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil in their bath water to help soothe them and transition smoothly into dreamland. 

Hey, I need all the help I can get!

Essentially Yours,

Erika

Essential Oils: On The Go!!

Minivans. Who doesn't love them?? I'm personally a huge fan, having two boys 15 months apart, my minivan quite possibly saved my life... Or at least (what's left of) my sanity. 

Did I mention my oldest son was only 15 months old (wasn't walking yet btw) when I brought my little nugget home? So yeah, I frickin' love my minivan! It makes me sad to think of the day we grow out of it.

However, there is essentially more space which means more cracks and crevices in which I find stinky socks, old snacks, etc... I need air fresheners in the worst way! I'm a big believer in Aromatherapy - and I don't know about you but I just can't function in a stinky or stale environment. 

When I first laid eyes on the essential oil car diffuser, I squinted as they glistened a bit and I managed to whisper "Hello Lovah". (Quote Carrie Bradshaw much??) I just about died and went to heaven! 

My husband was constantly buying those stinky trees from the gas station that give me a headache! 

Warning!!! Side Note:

Ever since I banned all chemical ridden cleaning products and detergents from my home and started making my own, (more about all my natural  homemade cleaning products soon!) my sense of smell has become so sensitive! I can't even smell a burning Yankee candle without immediately sniffing out all of the petrochemicals in it. I used to love those candles!

A gift and a curse really, I can't go anywhere without my nose being completely offended. I've heard over the years in the "natural community" that all of these chemicals we inhale on a constant basis not only are unhealthy but that they can de-sensitize your nose to the point where it becomes normal and adapts to the stank. I will take my newly offended nose any day of the week! (No offense old nose) 

This week I'm burning Grapefruit essential oil in the car and it is divine! 

 Pressed from the rind, Grapefruit is more than just a fresh scent, its cleansing and invigorating properties have made it a favorite among essential oil lovers like me! Grapefruit’s fresh and invigorating aroma is sure to uplift the mood and please the senses. When used aromatically it helps balance and uplift  your mind and reduce anxiety. I need all the balance I can get with these two little guys in the back!

I'm always on the hunt for new natural car scents, I'll keep you posted!

Essentially Yours,

Erika

Essential Oils: Rooty Tooty, Fresh & Fruity!

One of the biggest surprises about essential oils, is that you can safely ingest them. (Some, not all) This Fruit Dip recipe is a favorite with my boys, it's light fresh flavor as well as scent makes it a great sensory experience for them as well!

All you need is:

8oz pack of cream cheese

8oz of sour cream

1/3 cup of honey

2 tsp of vanilla extract

3-5 drops of Lemon essential oil

It won't disappoint!

Essentially Yours, 

Erika