Category Archives: DIY Health

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How To: Make a Compost Bucket

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As you may of noticed, I’m a big fan of super simple projects – the simpler, the better. It’s been a while since I composted and I’ve really been wanting to start again. It’s amazing how many food scraps one creates throughout the week! This project only took about 10-15 min, and this was with little Elise helping!

Supplies:
•A large plastic bucket
•An electric drill
•Compost (your carbon & your nitrogen, i.e. Dried leaves, straw or torn up newspaper/paper bags & food scraps)

If you want to learn more about composting or other types of compost contraptions, I highly recommend reading the book “Urban Homestead“, or the Commonsense Homestead. There are a ton of resources out there!

The Steps:
1. Find a large bucket or container. We used a storage container. It should be something you can drill in to. Make sure it has a lid because you’re going to need to close it so critters don’t get into it.
2. Drill holes all through out the bottom of the container. I drilled five larger holes and many, many small holes. I keep the container outside directly on the grass in the back of the house. This is so there is still a little air flow and so that beneficial buggies (specifically, worms) can help break down the scraps.
3. And that’s it! Now it’s time to put in your compost. First, your carbon. We used torn-up paper bags from Trader Joes. The bags say they are compostable – so they’re perfect!
5. Then put in your food scraps. We compost pretty much everything except meat and dairy. That stuff requires a more sophisticated composting system, so we steer clear. And then mix! Make sure you’ve put your lid on tightly. You don’t want a nice yucky mess popping out – that’s one way to discourage you from doing it again! We just turn the container over and over a handful of times to mix everything up.

Ta da! You’ve got yourself a simple composting system. Composting takes quite a bit of time to be ready to use in your garden – so have patience!

I hope this encourages anyone who’s been toying around with the idea. I know this hasn’t been the prettiest post – but it’s at least been practical!

Big hugs!
❤

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Simply easy DIYs for a Simple Wonderful Weekend

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Sometime in my life I started appreciating pink and shades there of. (I personally think it was sometime around when little E was born – people can’t help but get little girls pink clothes despite the protests of this mother). Recently I’ve realized that this initial tolerance turned into appreciation and more lately it seems I really like it! Not a lot of it, grant you – but pops. 

Below, you’ll notice this trend throughout these photos. C’est la vie.

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DIY Clothes Hamper

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Pretty Pink Calligraphy

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Homemade Margaritas

The weekend is here and it’s beautiful again. I shall be taking deep sips of the above drink and relaxing on my porch while I soak up the fresh air. What are your weekend plans, lovelies?

❤

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Going Basket Crazy

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This may seem a little random, but I’ve been obsessing over fruit baskets lately.

Sometime over this weekend, I spotted one that I adored and thus began the etsy search for the best fruit basket around.

The two kinds I really like are the hanging baskets and the tiered stands. Now, the tiered stands are typically used for cakes but I think using them to store and display fruit would be a really nifty use, too.

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– 1 – 2 – 3 –

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– 1 – 2 – 3 –

How do you store your fruit? We have a basket now, but I think we need one a little bigger with a little more visibility. Warmer days mean more fruit eating for us!

❤

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Hello! I am still alive & crazy about DIY!

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I know it’s been a while but I did mention that it might take me a while to get back into the blogosphere after starting back into the 9-5 grind, didn’t I? 😉

Well, I’m back now, so here we go.

Picture One: I’m totally in love with this picture of my little E. She has gotta be the most tenacious, strong willed little girl I know. Since I’m back to working full time, I’ve realized just how much I enjoy being with her, watching her grow and learn and be the most amazing person in the world.

Picture Two: I know I’ve shared this photo-quote before, but it is definitely my daily mantra these days. (I’m so sad to report that I can’t find the original link right now.)

Picture Three: This St. Patties Day themed cake is so past due, but ohmygawh, isn’t the prettiest and tastiest-looking thing?

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Picture One: I really, really adore backdrops, and really pretty, frilly ones especially. But the texture of this is to dyi for – har har. I would seriously decorate my apartment with this!

Picture Two: So I’ve made dough ornaments before but I’ve never tried my hand at magnets. Same concept, just a different use.

And Picture Three: Ok, so it seems like I may be really jonesing for something sweet, eh? These beautifully-colored doughnuts should be in my tummy. Now.

So I hope you’re still around, friends, because I really appreciate you stopping by. It’s nice to have some company to talk about the pretty, precious things in life.

Have a fabulous day! ❤

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DIY Health: Homemade Cough Drops

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I’ve been on the mend this week. I caught a nasty bug from the hubs. My throat has been on fire and so I’ve been living on throat lozenges. And while the kind I use are great, I’d love to try my hand at making some of my own.

I found this great recipe & tutorial for making cough drops. If they turn out well, I might add these to my holiday gift list.

What natural remedies do you use when you’re not feeling well?