Make Your Own: Play Dough!

After spending a small fortune on play dough and accessories, I finally put my foot down and stood up to the opportunity to take matters into my own hands, no pun intended! As a new mom, finding D.I.Y recipes or ideas that are worth while is a full time job! Luckily with my 3 year old starting preschool and being asked to help out by making batches of play dough for the class, the perfect formulation landed in my lap! Before that, I had tried a few different versions and this is by far the best. With this recipe there is no more food color explosions on hands and clothes, it lasts a good while in a Ziploc bag or Tupperware, there's room for creative expression, it's super cheap, makes for great gifts, less worries about pitching grimy stuff after awhile, and it smells like memories of your own childhood!!! Perfecto!!! Bring on the imagination and hand dexterity!!!

Straight from Jake's Preschool to your home,

Make Your Own Play Dough:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup salt

2 teaspoons cream of tartar (buy in bulk- it's cheaper and you WILL need it!)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup water

1 package of unsweetened Kool-Aid mix

glitter (optional but awesome!)

Add dry ingredients to a heavy pan or dutch oven. Add water and oil to combine. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until dough forms into a thick, creamy mashed potato consistency. Don't let sit unattended or hard clumps will form. Remove from heat, let cool a few minutes. While still warm, take out of pan and knead a few times to bind. Cool completely and then store in an air tight container.

I usually make 2-3 batches at a time to have enough for sharing, tossing, taking baggies on the road for eating out!!! It's fun to let your child pick out the Kool-Aid packet choosing the color and then deciding on a coordinating glitter color. It makes it more special and custom!!! I also keep any play dough containers and add my own dough. Reusing butter containers is an option too!! Plus, as a gift it goes great with a small rolling pin, some cookie cutters, and cute plastic place mat!

Have Fun. Be Creative. Bond with your kids. Let yourself Play!!!

Beauty Buzz: Budget Battle #1

In the middle of The Great Recession, what's a lady to do when she needs to buy a face lotion? Not just any lotion, but a magic in a bottle, change my life, skin enhancing potion that costs more than your newborn child or at least the stroller baby will ride in.  I love-Love-Love La Mer face creme. Especially, this time of year! It's decadent, it really does affect the skin, and even though I know there are healthier products on the market, it has that revolutionary, burn healing, yummy "Miracle Broth" that makes my skin glow like a teenager! Plus, my husband noticed a difference in my skin after just one day of using this delicious creme! Isn't that enough? Shouldn't that be enough?

Well, it's not.  Priorities. Priorities. And unfortunately uber expensive beauty products aren't on the top of that list.  So, instead of sulking at the beauty counters hoping someone will throw a sample at me, I have decided to seek out cost effective equals or at least runner ups!  These beauty on a budget buys have been tested, compared, and reviewed with surprising results! So wipe those budget blues away and step up to my No Need to Sell Your Baby Beauty Bar!!!

BUDGET BATTLE #1: 

La Mer: Creme de La Mer; $130 for 1 oz  VS   

Origins: Make a Difference Ultra-Rich Rejuvenating Cream; $36 for 1.7 oz

While visiting Denver Diva, I was in the process of healing myself from the Bottom of the Bottle Breakout so lotion was of topic.  Luckily, I was reintroduced to Origins via the beautiful new global store and Pekoe Sip House.  I had used Origins years and years ago and it was fun to partake in a full circle beauty product journey!  I was instantly reminded of all that I loved of Origins: "natural and certified organic ingredients, 100% natural essential oils, free of: parabens, phtalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, PABA, Paraffin, DEA, animal ingredients, and animal testing", and to boot products that work!!!  I was overjoyed by the reminder of this company's commitment to health, beauty, and our environment!  So, of course, I went home with a product or two, including the Make A Difference Ultra-Rich Rejuvenating Cream.  

All I can say is: WOW!!! This new Ultra-Rich version of Make a Difference is amazing!!!  Instantly, it's incredibly soothing, hydrating, healing and yet, so luscious, and light!! A lot of super emollient creams are heavy and after a few hours can start to "melt" off your face.  This cream feels like a night cream designed for the daytime!  It seems to really be healing my skin as much as it's hydrating it!  Plus, at this price I feel like I can apply a nice coat without feeling anxious!  Though you don't really need it!

This product, is completely able to hold it's own against the Creme de La Mer! It seems lighter, spreads with ease: so a little goes a long way, has an equally pleasant aroma, has no nasty preservatives, and has a MUCH better price point. It makes my skin feel and appear smoother, plumper, dare I say younger, and overall healthier.  With this cream my skin feels protected against the elements and even more so layered on top of Origins: A Perfect World White Tea Skin Guardian.  Even though I will always accept gifts of La Mer, Origins Make a Difference Ultra-Rich Rejuvenating Cream will from here on out be my day cream of choice!!! 

With all that said, I can gladly announce the Budget Battle #1 Winner is Origins Make A Difference Ultra-Rich Rejuvenating Cream!!! Yeah for beauty on a budget! Who says you can't have it all?