Using a Skateboard as a Shelf :: Make a Personal Statement in Your Home Decorating

Looking to make a bold decorating statement in your home? Think outside the box and take a look around your garage for treasures!

My hubby was an avid skateboarder back in the day, and when we needed a shelf for a speaker in our living room, he suggested using one of his old skateboards that was just collecting dust in the garage.

The other half of this project, the shelf brackets, were also collecting dust in the garage. I had picked them up at Restoration Hardware on clearance for just $5 each several years ago, with the intention of doing something cool with them... well, they finally found their home! Check it out!



I think this turned out SO awesome!

Please ignore the fact that the Meowna Lisa is not centered in the photo... I keep forgetting to fix that... :)

Cheers!

Easy Mother's Day Craft :: Use a Child's Painting to make a Card for Mom (and Nana and Grandma)

I hung mine on my cork board in the kitchen - I LOOOOVE it!

My kiddo loves to paint. Watercolors are her chosen medium.

I went to our local newspaper office and purchased an "end roll" (last bit of paper left over from a news run - but it's actually a TON of paper!) for just a few bucks, and we've been using it as watercolor paper. She has so many paintings that I don't know what to do with them all. Seriously, this kid LOVES to paint.

I have photographed most of her paintings, so when the time comes, I can recycle them... or, I can upcycle them! Today, I had the brilliant idea to use a couple of her paintings to make cards for Mother's Day for myself, my mom (Nana) and Jim's mom (Grandma).

For my card, I used a sheet of white card stock, scissors, a hole punch, yarn, and a painting. I simply cut a section of the painting down to about 7.5x10, laid it on top of the card stock, punched holes all around, and then sewed them together with yarn. SO. EASY! Look at how it came out:

For Nana and Grandma, I simply cut out a piece of each painting, cut into a shape (heart, rectangle, etc). I then punched two holes at the top and ran a piece of yarn through each hole and tied it in a bow so that the card could be hung. I used a purple sharpie to write "Happy Mother's Day" on each. Again, SO EASY, even a Dad could to it... *wink*

This could easily be done for any occasion. Which means I'll be saving ALL of Lily's paintings so I can upcycle them for special occasions!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms out there! Hope you had a lovely day!

Cheers!



>^..^<

The Truth About Cloth Menstrual Pads

If you are one of my male readers who is normally here for the beer stuff, I’m warning you right now – STOP READING and come back for more beer stuff later. The following is GIRL TALK, and you WILL be grossed out. Cheers!

(Did the gentlemen leave yet? Ok…)

Helloooo, ladies! Let’s talk about menstruation!

(…if the gents hadn’t left before, they sure as shit have now!)

So, down to business.

I have a confession to make. In several parts.

One. I use tampons. Stop the mother-freaking presses! Yes, yes, I know, so do millions of other women. But I feel guilty about it. Every time I flush a pipe mouse (did you know that’s what plumbers call them? With their cute little tails… clogging pipes…) down the toilet, I feel like I am polluting the environment.

But I rationalize with myself. I tell myself, “hey, it’s just like poop, right? I mean, they’re flushable! If I had one extra snack today, I’d have pooped about the size of a tampon… and this flush water goes through heavy treatment… so, therefore, tampons are FINE for the environment…”

Rational thinking for the win.

However, in reality, I have no idea whether or not my rationalization has any truth to it, and I’m kinda scared to research it because I am just not ready to try a menstrual cup (yet) so I have to keep on keepin’ on with the tampon rationalizations.

Don’t judge.


Two. I use cloth pads. And I LOVE THEM. I hear you thinking “Whaaa?” No really, they are fantastic!

However, I don’t use them alone. I still wear tampons. And I don’t wear the pads without a tampon. Yes, I have to wear both. Because I CONSTANTLY and CONSISTENTLY forget to change my tampons and end up leaking, and who wants that to happen at WORK? Not me. So I double up.

But here’s the thing. Though I rationalize myself out of thinking that tampons are bad for the environment, I can’t do that with pads. They aren't flushable. In my mind, they are similar to disposable diapers (though I’m sure there are different components in each), and I've actually researched how bad disposable diapers are for the environment… and yes, I cloth diaper, if you didn't know this already.

So cloth pads it is.

Don’t judge.


Three. I am telling you this because I want to convert ALL of you to using cloth pads. (YOU being the ladies, cause really, if any dudes are still reading, I’d be really floored... and a little impressed)

Why cloth? Because they are SO much more comfortable than disposables. The environmental part is a total bonus, as well as the cost savings over time, but those aren't the real reasons that I want to spread the good word about cloth pads. The truth is that I fricking HATE how chafey and uncomfortable disposable pads are, even the pantyliners that feel like “cotton” or whatever – I can’t stand any of them. They were obviously designed by men who have never worn them and have no clue as to how horribly awful they really feel. Cloth pads feel just like underwear – soft, comfortable, invisible. I almost forget the pad is even there. Which sucks when I also forget about my tampon, and feel that burst of leakage that signals to my brain to RUN (which is nearly impossible to do with your legs pressed together to keep the flow at bay), terrified of red stains on my pants, only to be reminded once in the bathroom stall that I did, in fact protect myself with a comfy little puffy cloud of security.

Don’t judge my brain’s moments of forgetfulness. I blame the proverbial “mommy brain” for this.


Four. I wash my cloth pads with my clothing. My hubby was grossed at first, but he got over it once I reminded him how many times I ran jeans through the wash with huge spots of period leakage, and he never batted an eyelash then, so what’s the big deal now.

Rational thinking for the win, again.

Plus, they can be soaked in a bucket of water first, rinsed in the garage sink to get most of the red out, then run through the laundry. It REALLY isn’t a big deal. Trust me.

Alright, so whether you are convinced about cloth pads or not, I double, no, TRIPLE DOG DARE you to try just one cloth pad for just one day during one period. There are really inexpensive ones on Etsy. Just try it. It will change your world and rock your panties.

Cheers ladies! Thanks for listening. Go forth and wear cloth!

P.S. If you can't tell by the photos, my favorite cloth menstrual pad brand is Charlie Banana.

>^..^<

The Thrifty Momma ~ Gearing Up for Baby Without Breaking the Bank

I am a lover of thrift stores, garage sales, hand-me-downs, repurposing, recycling and paying it forward.  Through thrifty shopping and the generosity of family and friends, becoming a mom has not been nearly as expensive as it could have been!

Clothes
Lily's wardrobe is extensive, but it didn't cost a fortune!  I have purchased very few new items (and really, the only new items I have purchased were out of adoration of their cuteness, not out of necessity) and received some new clothing as gifts.  But the bulk of Lily's wardrobe is recycled.  While I was pregnant, I scoured thrift stores and garage sales for baby items in good condition.  Most things cost about a buck or less, and looked like they had never been worn (which most mommas will know is a real possibility!).  I received hand-me-downs from my friend Tanya, my cousin Melissa, my friend Majica, and my friend Jenny.  Bags and bags of clothes, hats and blankets.  I kept what I wanted, all organized by size in labeled cloth bins from Ikea (I have clothes up to 24 months!), and the rest is being handed down to other girlfriends.  What they don't want will be garage saled or donated to thrift.  So the cycle continues...

Used Baby Gear
I am unbelievably thankful for the generous hand-me-downs from my friend Anne, my friend Jenny and my niece Raina.  I received a carrier/car seat base(s)/stroller combo less than a year old, 2 full size swings, one travel swing, a vibrating bouncer, a jumper, 2 ring slings, a backpacking carrier from REI, 2 Bumbos, and several toys.  That easily saved me over $1000.  My mom scored garage sale finds of a jogging stroller (granted, it's ugly, but functional!) for $20 and a pack and play for her house.  I repurposed an old rolling kitchen cart that we had stored in the garage into an organizer for diapers, wipes, baby hygiene supplies, etc.  Oh, and my mom and I bought numerous books at garage sales and thrift stores.  Lily has a huge library already!

As long as these items aren't worn out when Lily is done with them (one of the swings and the stroller are really on their last legs), they'll get a new life with another baby.

Things I Got New (luckily, they were gifted!)
My mom and my Aunt Rose spoiled Lily with new furniture.  A crib, armoire and dresser with hutch.  The crib converts into a toddler bed, then into a double bed.  These items will be her furniture until she moves out, and she can take them with her even then.  So the value of these items was worth it in the grand scheme of Lily's life.  Jim's mom purchased a mattress for the crib.  My dad purchased a full sized pack and play and a mini pack and play bassinet, and my Uncle Tommy purchased a high chair. 

I also received lots of other baby paraphernalia at my baby showers, thanks to my lovely, lovely ladyfriends.  But a lot of these things (boppy, blankets, books, toys, etc.) I would have been just as happy to receive as hand-me downs!

I know that I am a very lucky person to have such generous friend and family support.  However, all of these items could have been purchased used.  If it hadn't been for family, I would have continued to scour thrift stores and garage sales for used items within my budget.

Things You MUST Purchase New
I had to return to work when Lily was 3 months old, so my dad generously purchased a breast pump for me - this is an item I would not have purchased used, as it is not recommended by doctors.  I could consider a used pump from a friend who I knew had taken good care of the pump, and I'd purchase replacement attachments, but I couldn't take a used pump from someone I didn't know. 

Pacifiers and nipples must be purchased new.  Period.  The materials used in these items degrades over time and can tear (especially if boiled several times to be sanitized), posing a choking hazard.


I'm sure there is something baby product related that I didn't cover here, but the end point is that there are so many ways to be thrifty when preparing for a baby.  Whether you get items that are gifted, handed down, repurposed or recycled, you can be a thrifty momma!  Don't be shy to ask for help or hand-me-downs.  You'd be surprised how generous people are when it comes to little bundles of joy!

~~~

P.S. Be sure to check for recalls before purchasing used baby equipment!  http://www.recalls.gov/ is the official US recall website, which also has a mobile app for recall information.  Fancy!



>^..^<