Get this Look for Less!: DIY Candy Striped Nails

DIY Candy Striped Nails

In Cosmo's June 2014 issue, I happened to come across these awesome Candy Striper nails!  I fell in love with the colors so I had to try it out for myself.  I've learned however, to let the lacquer completely dry before going onto the next color, this is why my lines are not straight!  Any who, the brands mentioned in the article include Michael Kors, Rimmel London, Channel and Opi Nail Lacquers but I wanted a more budget friendly version!  Why pay high dollar prices for products when you can get the same results with more affordable products!?  Get these awesome DIY Candy Striped nails for less! 

See how below:

The Expensive Version for Candy Striper Nails: 

• Michael Kors nail Lacquer in Charmed 
• $8 at Macy's

• Rimmel London 60 Seconds Nail Polish in Blue-Eyed Girl 
• $2 at Drugstores

• Channel Le Vernis Nail Color in Pink Tonic 
• $27 at Channel

• OPI Nail Lacquer in Sorry I'm Fuzzy Today 
• $9 at Ulta

Expensive Version Grand Total: $46

The Budget Friendly version for Candy Striper Nails:

• Wet N' Wild Megalast in I Need A Refresh-Mint (218A) {the mint color}
• $1.89 at Walgreens 

• Pure Ice in French Kiss (538CP) 
• $1.97 at Walmart {the dark blue color}

• Wet N' Wild Wild Shine in Lady Luck  (461) {the dark pink color}
• $0.99 at Walgreens 

• Wet N' Wild Wild Shine in Tickled Pink (402) {the light pink color}
• $0.99 at Walgreens 

The Budget Friendly Version Grand Total: $5.84


In conclusion the Budget Friendly Version is saving you $40.16!! Not too bad considering it's almost exactly the same color as what is shown in the article, not to mention that you wont fork out all that money on nail lacquers that might go out of style in the near future!  

Crochet: Color Inspiration

Pure Color Inspiration

Some color inspiration from Color 'N Cream!

Recipe: Easy Homemade Sponge Cake with Icing

Sponge Cake Ingredients
1/2 cup margarine
 1/2 cup white sugar
 2 eggs
 1 cup self-rising flour

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8 inch cake pan and line with a circle of parchment paper.
Beat the margarine and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Add the eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the margarine mixture before adding the next. Fold in the flour until only small lumps remain; pour into the prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Recipe from All Recipes

Momma G's Simple Icing Glaze
2 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 Cup (1 cube) Butter
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 egg  (or use egg replacement)

Mix all ingredients together, cover sponge cake and put back into oven for about 10 minutes to cook the egg ingredient.  If using an egg substitute, there's no need to put the cake back into the oven.

DIY Cleaners & Laundry Detergent

DIY Recipes for things you can use around your house. 

LAUNDRY DETERGENT

First, lets take laundry detergent for example.  Even with coupons, I find myself shaking my head when purchasing laundry detergent.  So after a lot of research and calculations, I've discovered a safe alternative! For only $6.79 for natural, safe, laundry detergent with a Grade B Toxicity Level, I can have both Safe and clean clothes that I can purchase from the store!  However, I took it a step further and discovered if I make my own laundry detergent, it's about the same price but with a better Toxicity grade and better outcomes!  You can learn more about Toxicity Grade Levels here at EWG!

Let's break this down:

$6.97  Store Bought -Liquid Laundry Detergent (for 50 ounces)

so that's about $0.14 per ounce (6.97/50=0.1394)

I have to use 1.5 ounces per load to clean laundry

so that's about $0.21 per load (0.14*1.5=0.21)

So for $6.97 you get a total of 33 loads

This particular detergent is a Grade B for Toxicity! 

$6.71 DIY Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent ( for 135 ounces)

so that's about $0.05 per ounce (6.71/135=0.0497)

For Small loads I use 2oz 

so that's about $0.10 per load (0.05*2=0.10)

For Large Loads/ Stains, I use 4oz

so that's about $0.20 per load (0.05*4=0.20)

So for $6.71 you get a total of (33.75) approximately 34 loads 

This homemade version is a Grade A Toxicity Level! 

Conclusions:

When it comes down to it, both the store bought liquid laundry detergent AND the homemade powdered laundry detergent have about the same price when all said it done, however, if Toxicity is a concern, the homemade version is better!  Plus with the homemade version, I have found it actually cleans much better and actually gets rid of smells instead of covering them up like store bought brand detergents.

Simple & Easy Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent Recipe

1 Box Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (55oz)

1 Box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (80 oz / 5lbs)

Mix the two ingredients together and place in an air tight container or mason jar.  Scoop out 2 oz per load for small loads or 4 oz for larger loads. 

HOMEMADE ALL PURPOSE CLEANER

Another way we save money is by making our own all purpose cleaner.  It not only cleans better, but has a much better Toxicity Grade Level along with multiple uses!

Simple & Easy Homemade All Purpose Cleaner

Any amount of Hot water (the less amount of water the more concentrated)

1 tbs Baking Soda

1 tbs Liquid soap (Dish washing soap, use a less toxic brand!  Find one HERE!)

Mix all ingredients into spray bottle.  Use as needed.  I've found that this is a great alternative to ant and insect spray!  Less toxic chemicals too!S

Really, Really Simple All Purpose Cleaner

1 Bottle Hydrogen Peroxide

Yep, that's it!  It's also good to put a spray bottle nozzle directly onto the hydrogen peroxide bottle itself.  NOTE: Take Caution when using on wood!

HOMEMADE DAILY SHOWER CLEANER

Simple, Less Toxic Homemade Daily Shower Cleaner

1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide

1/2 cup rubbing alcohol

1 teaspoon liquid dish soap

1 tablespoon dishwasher rinse aid (like 7th Generation free n clear rinse aid)

3 cups water

32 oz Spray Bottle

Pour peroxide, rubbing alcohol, dish soap and rinse aid into a spray bottle. Slowly add the 3 cups of water and tilt the bottle back and forth to mix the ingredients.  After you shower, spray down the walls and let it be.  You don't have to wipe it down.  Remember Hydrogen peroxide breaks down in the light so store your spray bottle in a dark place or use a dark colored spray bottle.

Sewing: Easy Rag Quilt

Easy Rag Quilt

Here's an easy tutorial on how to make a Rag Quilt at The Wonder Forrest!

Beading & Jewelry: Safety Pin Bracelet

Safety Pin Bracelet

I am totally in love with these colors and the fact that it's made out of safety pins!  Find the tutorial over Pinterest by Julie.

Sew a Simple Skirt

Easy Simple Skirt

Here's a great tutorial to sew a simple skirt at Shrimp Salad Circus!

Crochet: Simple Crochet Bows

Simple Crochet Bows

Here's a really neat set of crochet bows!  Now I just need to find a project I can use them with so I have an excuse to crochet them!  Find them at Adaiha!

Crochet: Moogly Chroma Crochet Bag

Moogly Chroma Crochet Bag

I totally fell in Love with this Chroma crochet bag from Moogly!  I really like the stitches and the colors are gorgeous.  I definitely need to make one!