I posted earlier about Greening up the Shower. Well, I overused the baking soda and dried out my hair. Then I tried to condition it with EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and that was a mess. I used too much and it took days, and some regular old shampoo to get it out.
My hair has been a mess! I went "no-poo" for over a month and my hair was just a rat's nest. So, I'm back to using shampoo and being extremely unhappy with my hair.
I have also stopped using the oil cleansing method for my face. This is really due to sheer laziness. I think I'll start back up again at home. Since stopping my face has broken out like crazy! There were a few hectic weeks where I barely got a shower in, so my poor face was left untended as well. I started washing with a warm washcloth and applying lime juice to my face once at night and it is beginning to clear up. I might start using the OCM only once a week and use the lime juice daily. It's yummy, refreshing, and it smells good!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
On being a "perfect mama"
Being a mama is hard. It uses up the majority of your brain power and fills most of your day. As a mama you are constantly criticized, not only by other people, including strangers, but by yourself. I know that I can be my harshest critic. I am constantly worrying about the choices I am making for my family. I spend hours doing research, planning, and worrying. It's never ending.
Oftentimes I turn to other mamas, usually through the internet. I subscribe to mama blogs and I belong to a mama message board. Sometimes that makes me feel better and sometimes it makes me feel worse.
It's great to hear that there are other mamas out there who make the same mistakes I do. Some days I don't get the house cleaned, sometimes I sit my child in front of the television, and sometimes we eat McDonald's for dinner. Sometimes mama just needs a break.
And then I see the model mama blogs. As inspirational as they can be, sometimes they just end up bringing me down. I see mamas who craft and cook healthy food from scratch, mamas who seem to spend so much quality time with their perfectly behaved children. When I try and do those things I end up feeling like a failure.
I think that most likely, those mamas aren't posting about the messy house, the TV time, or the fast food. And that's ok. But I need to remember that.
I think that I try too much to become a different mama when instead I need to learn what kind of mama I am and spend time nurturing my natural abilities. But I need to remember that.
I think that I have the potential to be a great mama and make great choices. There is no such thing as a "perfect mama." But I need to remember that.
My reminders for today:
Dear Me,
Remember to be mindful.
Remember to enjoy what you have.
Remember that you are the best mother for your children.
Remember to focus on the fleeting, the internet will be there later, but your children are growing.
Remember to live in the moment and be happy, for you are truly blessed.
Love,
Me
Oftentimes I turn to other mamas, usually through the internet. I subscribe to mama blogs and I belong to a mama message board. Sometimes that makes me feel better and sometimes it makes me feel worse.
It's great to hear that there are other mamas out there who make the same mistakes I do. Some days I don't get the house cleaned, sometimes I sit my child in front of the television, and sometimes we eat McDonald's for dinner. Sometimes mama just needs a break.
And then I see the model mama blogs. As inspirational as they can be, sometimes they just end up bringing me down. I see mamas who craft and cook healthy food from scratch, mamas who seem to spend so much quality time with their perfectly behaved children. When I try and do those things I end up feeling like a failure.
I think that most likely, those mamas aren't posting about the messy house, the TV time, or the fast food. And that's ok. But I need to remember that.
I think that I try too much to become a different mama when instead I need to learn what kind of mama I am and spend time nurturing my natural abilities. But I need to remember that.
I think that I have the potential to be a great mama and make great choices. There is no such thing as a "perfect mama." But I need to remember that.
My reminders for today:
Dear Me,
Remember to be mindful.
Remember to enjoy what you have.
Remember that you are the best mother for your children.
Remember to focus on the fleeting, the internet will be there later, but your children are growing.
Remember to live in the moment and be happy, for you are truly blessed.
Love,
Me
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
I really stink at this blogging thing
I've been a little preoccupied at my parents' house. I'm staying here so my mother doesn't have to worry about my father while she is at work. DS and I are essentially living here until January. I haven't had much time for crafting. I've done a bit of knitting for a precious baby girl due in February (pictures coming soon) and a little knitting for hubby (I hope it fits him!). I'll be sure to post some pictures and updates soon.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Dying silk scarves
I had posted about dying some silk scarves previously, but forgot to update! They turned out beautifully!
It was so easy! It was a tad messy though. The hubs helped me. We had a blast!
It was so easy! It was a tad messy though. The hubs helped me. We had a blast!
Greening up the shower
I've recently decided that typical hair care products aren't working for me. Not only are they not helping my hair, but they aren't good for the environment (either in their production or in their waste). I heard about the "curly girl" hair washing method and decided to try it. I have been shampoo free for over a week now and my hair and scalp have never felt better! My scalp is nice and clean and my hair is curly, bouncy and shiny!
Today (after days of not showering for lack of someone to watch my son) I made a paste of baking soda and water and used it to really scrub my scalp and hair. I rinsed really well with water, then I did a second rinse with a mixture of 1/2 apple cider vinegar and 1/2 water. I didn't smell like vinegar after!
Another way I have made my hygiene routine a little more green and a little less chemical laden was the "Oil Cleansing Method" for my face. I have a small bottle that I fill 3/4 of the way with extra virgin olive oil and 1/4 of the way with castor oil. My skin is so clear and smooth! And it is so much cheaper than any fancy face wash!
Check out this site for more information: http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/
Today (after days of not showering for lack of someone to watch my son) I made a paste of baking soda and water and used it to really scrub my scalp and hair. I rinsed really well with water, then I did a second rinse with a mixture of 1/2 apple cider vinegar and 1/2 water. I didn't smell like vinegar after!
Another way I have made my hygiene routine a little more green and a little less chemical laden was the "Oil Cleansing Method" for my face. I have a small bottle that I fill 3/4 of the way with extra virgin olive oil and 1/4 of the way with castor oil. My skin is so clear and smooth! And it is so much cheaper than any fancy face wash!
Check out this site for more information: http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/
Monday, November 2, 2009
Babysnazz contest
Babysnazz.com is having a contest right now to win 20 pairs of baby leg warmers. It's this month's contest. Just thought I'd share. Good luck!
http://www.babysnazz.com/contest/
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http://www.babysnazz.com/contest/
Thursday, September 3, 2009
It's been a while!
I've been pretty busy lately, going back and forth to MI. But I'm home for a while now and Wesley's first birthday is coming up!
I'm currently in search of some used and safe pots, pans, and cooking utensils for him to play with. Mine have a slightly sharp edge on them, so I'm getting him his own for his birthday. He loves to play with them at Grandma's house, so I know he'll love them. I did pick up some nesting bowls at the local thrift shop. They're all washed and ready to be played with.
In addition, I bought some silk scarves that I'll be dying. I really want Wesley to have some playsilks, but they're so expensive! They run about $10 a pop! So I decided to dye some myself. I'll be embarking on my dye journey tomorrow.
As for simplification, I recently spent some time going through all of my fabric, sewing, and crafting notions and definitely lightened the load. There wasn't much to be donated, really. A lot of the bulk was unfolded fabric, ribbon gone wild, and trash. I've completely reorganized my craft area (ie a corner of the dining room) and it looks so much better. I've even starting making things again! I'm making some diapers, a costume for Wesley for Youmacon , some rugs and reusable grocery bags.
My next simplification steps are the laundry room and Wesley's toys. I'm aiming for next week.
Among those projects are my knitting/crochet projects. I'm currently knitting a scarf for my brother who recently got into MSU! Go Kevin! I am also going to be knitting a similar scarf for his friend. AND I'm going to knit Wesley a pair of longies.
Whew! I am a busy woman!
I'm currently in search of some used and safe pots, pans, and cooking utensils for him to play with. Mine have a slightly sharp edge on them, so I'm getting him his own for his birthday. He loves to play with them at Grandma's house, so I know he'll love them. I did pick up some nesting bowls at the local thrift shop. They're all washed and ready to be played with.
In addition, I bought some silk scarves that I'll be dying. I really want Wesley to have some playsilks, but they're so expensive! They run about $10 a pop! So I decided to dye some myself. I'll be embarking on my dye journey tomorrow.
As for simplification, I recently spent some time going through all of my fabric, sewing, and crafting notions and definitely lightened the load. There wasn't much to be donated, really. A lot of the bulk was unfolded fabric, ribbon gone wild, and trash. I've completely reorganized my craft area (ie a corner of the dining room) and it looks so much better. I've even starting making things again! I'm making some diapers, a costume for Wesley for Youmacon , some rugs and reusable grocery bags.
My next simplification steps are the laundry room and Wesley's toys. I'm aiming for next week.
Among those projects are my knitting/crochet projects. I'm currently knitting a scarf for my brother who recently got into MSU! Go Kevin! I am also going to be knitting a similar scarf for his friend. AND I'm going to knit Wesley a pair of longies.
Whew! I am a busy woman!
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