Uncategorized

ten things for thursday … housekeeping style ♥






i’m get super excited when it comes to making my own household products …
maybe it’s just the idea of making something yourself that doesn’t have to come from the store.  
maybe it’s all the chemicals that i know are being left out that’s comforting …
or maybe it’s just cause it’s fun to make stuff 🙂


during the summer months i want to try out a few of the recipes that i’ve accumulated on my housekeeping board on Pinterest … i’m trying to convince my hottie hubby to get on board with me and try out the homemade deodorant … 
not sure if that’s goin’ anywhere yet 🙂
here’s ten things i really really really want to make!

oh, and guys! 
if you want to pin these projects 
please do so from the original site
thanks. you all are the best.

♥ 



i’ve actually tried making dishwasher detergent before and it was a fail …
after reading up on it again, learned that whether you have hard or soft water determines which ingredients you should add into the mix … i need to give it a go again with this recipe



cleaning with vinegar is something i’m slowly getting used to … but the smell, not so much
i love this site, and i’ve gotten so many great household recipes from her that really work, so i’d love to give this a try 



now this diy i can vouch for … i’ve made this lavender spray for housewarming gifts and hostess gifts 
(if you don’t like the smell of lavender, guessing you could add any essential oil scent and it work the same)






this is one i’m excited to try … our garbage disposal gets so gross
citrus peels & ice help, but this looks like it might just give it that little boost of clean





garbage disposal refreshers – savvysugar.com

we have ceramic tile counter tops … and they’re white 🙂
looking for something to give them a little shine … this might do the trick
and i’m sure it will make the kitchen smell yummy too.


homemade lemon-scented all-purpose cleaner

lemon scented all purpose cleaner ~ simple bites







greasy hair girls need dry shampoo … unless you want to wash you hair everyday
which i do want to. but i don’t. anymore. i used to. not good for my hair.
and i do use store bought dry shampoo, but you should see the warning labels on these things! i feel like i should wear a gas mask everytime i use it … so i’m looking for a natural alternative … and i have dark hair. this one’s it. 🙂


dry shampoo

dry shampoo for dark hair ~ a step in the journey

mama’s have dark circles under their eyes
it comes with the territory 🙂 this recipe looks like fun.




my girls are most excited about this one, since they don’t like toothpaste because it’s too “spicy” ? and besides the fact that toothpaste has some of the same ingredients that are found in rat poison & industrial pesticides … ? yikes
after asking mr. google if this was true … i spent a couple hours reading stuff and getting freaked out. go. google it.

aaaaaand this i need to make because my windows are really dirty …
and i think this might just be the very best recipe. like ever. 🙂
(even if it’s not i like this picture)







the best window cleaner ~ she wears many hats







last but not least, the homemade deodorant … there are two recipes that i like.
my gal pal Ann Marie over at White House Black Shutters swears by this first one … and i trust her. since she’s hilarious …

this second one appeals to me because it’s more of a solid and the ingredients are a little different … either way i’m sure some tweaking will be required when you’re trying to make it work for you … go read both of these!

homemade moisturizing deodorant ~ the purposed heart

 i also thought it would be nice to have all these recipes i’m trying, all together in one place. 
if you decide they’re keepers, jot down the ingredients and your notes,
then it will be easy access when you plan to make more.



click here to download

i tuck this away in our household binder, when stuff’s running low, 
i know right where to find the how-to’s 🙂






ready to try some of these with me?? 
if you do or already have, tell me about it in the comments …
happy making! ♥


Uncategorized

coupon organization ideas & some printables ♥



so let’s talk coupons 
🙂 
such a touchy subject for some, i know 
… if it works for you, great.  if it doesn’t then that’s great too. 
i started using coupons last year, (as in planning & checking flyers)
and found i really save some money if i stick to it and stayed organized… 
by being able to see which coupons i have and applying them to what is on sale every week





here are some supplies i use to keep everything going with this system …
sharpies – index cards – post-it tabs
binder, binder labels, binder bands 
(from Staples) (thank you Martha)
and baseball card protectors – not pictured
and of course a super cuter pencil case (from my instagram gal pal here)
(totally not necessary, but way more fun if you have a cute pencil case)





now let me start off by saying i’m not a die-hard couponer
i don’t buy things just because they’re on sale or because they’re free even though we don’t use them
 … and i don’t go to 14 thousand stores every week  just to get a bargain. 
i generally shop at Target & our local grocery store, Wegmans
… and i am brand specific. for some things.
when you’ve found a soap that doesn’t irritate your skin or a shampoo that works great for you hair
i think you should be brand specific … just be smart about buying those particular items when they’re on sale, and preferably when they have a coupon circulating … double savings!

we also have a few heavy duty shelves in our basement that hold over-stock … 
so when something is on sale and i have a few coupons for it,
 i’ll buy 2 or 3 instead of just one since i’m getting the item at such a discounted rate 
(most weeks i buy 2 or maybe 3 newspapers to get extra coupons –
the cost of the paper is minimal compared to what i’m saving on product)

… for instance, we use dove soap, a coupon comes out for dove products once every few months. when it does, it’s usually on sale at one of the stores i shop in. so with coupon & sale combined, buying a few boxes will get us through to the next coupon and sale week (most times i always have some left, so i just adjust how many i buy for next time)

i also like to keep a clipboard (hanging on the shelves) with a list of all the products we use and how many we have left … so when i see that coupon for soap, i can just check the list to see how many are left, and then how many to buy

did you know Target has their own coupons? online… yup!
Target lets you use their coupon combined with the circular coupon! 
(well, they do here anyways 🙂
and if that item is on sale as well … it’s a huge savings.
i love Target sales… so i take a few extra minutes when i’m making my grocery list, to go check their coupons and see if any can be combined with what i have … i save a bunch in the end






so back to the binder …
i started out by making some dividers and printed these on heavy card-stock
and i wanna share them with you!

then used my post-it tabs to label the sides for easy filing
use a 3-hole punch to tuck them into that pretty binder 🙂






slip a few pages of baseball card protectors in between each divider and you’re ready to cut!
some categories have only one or two coupons in them, but i know right where to go when i get to the store and find that the yogurt is on sale this week, even though i didn’t see it in the weekly flyer

most of the coupons i use are for food items, paper products & health/beauty supplies
i make some of my own cleaning products, laundry detergent & fabric softener
so i don’t have much of a need for cleaning coupons, even though i have a section for them
🙂






i also carry a small coupon folder in my purse that holds every day coupons
 (i only bring the binder when i’m doing my major grocery shopping trip)
craft stores, restaurants, or just general shopping coupons are all tucked into this cute little aqua organizer right inside my purse for easy access, or when i’m on a spontaneous lunch date with the hubs and remembered i had a coupon for wherever we’re eating (which almost never happens … i always forget to use my coupons when i’m shopping & having fun … guess i’m only in coupon mode at the grocery store for some reason 🙂
(oh, and at the craft store … i do remember at the craft store
i’m there waaaaay to much to not remember to use coupons on stuff … oy)






so hear ya go … this is how i do coupons
🙂
i actually thought this was going to be a really simple post
but a lot goes into using coupons … and trying to decide how much time you want to invest into things based on what the results are, is also important. 

 … i’ve found now that i have a bit of a system in place, it’s a lot easier to think about using coupons to save on groceries.  once you get into a routine and figure out what works best for you then stick with that … it might be more couponing, it might be less.  

i also try to meal plan at the same time, which is a whole other long post … 
a doozy of a post 🙂 but i hope to share that as well … i’m working on it a little at a time.





my binder system is slowly taking shape 🙂
they all live on the counter in our kitchen/office area
and i’m currently working the household & meal planning binders
i’m kinda crazy with planners … i love them ♥ 
and i really big fat heart my Jen Jones planner from here 🙂
i’ll talk about that a little bit in my meal planning post
that i use more like a journal & scrapbook for me






kay, now just for fun …
 i made you guys a cuteified grocery list
cause planning a trip to the grocery store, with coupons, 
is way more fun with a cute grocery list … yes. it is.




it actually looks just like everything else i do
notes everywhere, little things here and there … all over … random
yup. that’s me 🙂

do you coupon? tell me about it in the comments … i wanna hear please.
much love ♥ and gladness in my heart
linking up here:
Uncategorized

free summer print … ♥

lately i’ve been worrying a lot about waste.
wasted time.
wasted energy.
wasted words.
waste.

it comes back to the fact that most days if my attitude could speak for it self, it would say
“i got this”
“i’ll figure it out”
“i can do this on my own”

that stinks.
cause realistically nothing can be done on my own
i can’t be the kind of wife my husband needs – on my own
i can’t be the kind of mom my kids need – on my own
i can’t even be nice on my own
really 
and some days it just feels better to be nasty. doesn’t it?
well for a while it does. then it comes crashing down later



but last time i checked
yup.
just checked…
i’m not asked to do it on my own
i’m not called to be perfect
i’m just called to be faithful
My grace is sufficient for you
 for <sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: start; vertical-align: top;" value="(B)”>my power is made perfect in weakness
second corinthians twelve.nine

and because i try to do it all by myself
it gets messed up
and it feels like waste



but nothing is waste
Psalm 139 says that God is before us & behind us
He is sovereign
to Him
nothing is wasted
in the hands of the One who redeemed my soul
there is no waste

then go and listen to this song from Jason Gray
go. do it. ♥

Uncategorized

a little bit of rambling & a shop update … ♥

coming back from vacation is always hard
going to bed late & sleeping in is waaay more fun than going to bed early & getting up early
🙂

i’ve been thinking a lot lately about time spent with my family
and how i can never get back any minute, day, year that goes by
so why do i waste?
striving to find balance in life 
i know it will never really be achieved
but i sure want to try to do the best i can
if that means, an early bedtime so i can get up earlier and have some time to be quiet, 
read, and reflect on what God has for me
if that means meal planning so we’re not eating cereal for dinner
if it means finding someone to help with the day to day of managing a household
and a small business 🙂
or if it means getting rid of all the clutter, and taking it down to basics, 
for a more simplified life…



…then that’s what i want to do
strive to do all of those things
not cause i want everything to be perfect
but because i want things to run smoothly
and i want our home to be peaceful
not perfect
but more peaceful … which seems to equate to more time
more time spent with my hubby
my girls
my Savior




i let my mind wander on this verse for a while
and made up a pretty printable version for you to have
a daily reminder of why we’re here, why we do what we do
over & over . every. single. day.





{just right click and save}
{graphics & special permission was given, to create this printable}
{courtesy of my gal pal Keren @ Free Pretty Things For You!}
{see her terms of use for all her freebies!}

so in the midst of all the post-vacation chaos this week
i’m trying to get back on track
back into the routine of things
and my mind is running at a thousand miles an hour
full to the brim with ideas for new product
that i want to get finished before next week
🙂

the shop re-opens on Monday!!
with all new inventory & a super fun giveaway!!
so don’t forget to come back and take a peek!
i’ll leave you with a few pics of what i’ve been up to today
(heehee)

taking lots n lots of pictures!

behind the scenes … take a look at my super duper fancy photo booth 🙂
keepin’ it real.

so excited to open shop with all new goodies
(and some old favorites 🙂

be back soon with some more details… happy tuesday night!
much love & gladness in my ♥

Uncategorized

free spring printable … ♥



did you know i just love & appreciate you guys so much?
i’m so thankful for your love & support here on my little bloggy blog
🙂
you all just put a ton of gladness in my ♥

here’s a free spring print!
made by me … just for you ♥
spray paint a cute vintage frame
or clip it to a clipboard and prop it up on your kitchen windowsill
a reminder to give God the Glory first thing in the morning!





here’s two versions … not sure which one i like best
so i’ll let you choose 🙂






hope you’re all off to a great start this week
i’ve got a to-do list a few pages long 🙂
spring break is just a few days away!



hope to share a few fun things with you this week & next …
my last office/kitchen re-org post 
a quick & easy magnet craft
and some more of my favorite things!


happy Monday ♥ loves

linking up here!

Uncategorized

sweet Valentine's Day gift & a free printable … ♥



i’m so thankful for all your sweet comments on Friday!
i’m kinda smitten with the new garlands
so i’m super glad you like them too

so on to the winners!!
the random generator thingy randomly selected …

comment #3 … Lisa Burger
comment #21 … TexasNeals
comment #45 … Judith

yay guys! if that’s you please jot me an email 
with your address so i can send these out to you!
{raisinguprubies@gmail.com}

now even if the random generator thingy was not you friend today 😦
i have a super sweet printable that you can take with you anyway 🙂

along with a super simple Valentine’s Day gift idea
cause i wish everyone could win
and cause i love ya ♥




i picked up a few things at Michaels the other day 
to put this gift together for a sweet friend at my church … 
the heart paint bucket was only 1.99 on clearance 
and the frame was in the $2 bins … 
i love this frame! and they had some in a pretty teal color & white 
(i may or may not have come home with some of those too)






i used PicMonkey to create an image for the frame
i was having to much fun with their new Valentines options … 
so i made three different versions 🙂 filled the bucket with chocolates 
and tied the frame to the top with some pretty ribbon 
… add a tag and that’s it!





so go! get some of those cute frames!
and use one of these images to bring some last minute sunshine to someone you love 🙂
(just right click on the image and save to your computer ♥)



happy week everyone! enjoy ♥
much love…


Uncategorized

vintage printables for you … ♥

Hi ! ♥
i’ve been excited to get this together today…
these beautiful free vintage printables were made just for YOU!
by my dear friend Kasey over at kj design

this girl is full of sweetness and love for graphic design
her focus is on custom stationery and wedding invitations …


she’s got a good eye for current designs, some with a cute vintage flair
which is right up my alley … right?!
stop over and show her some love ♥
(i’m sure she’ll love you back 🙂


so print these cuties out and let’s make stuff together… ♥
(scroll down and click on the link)


use leftovers or any bits & pieces from your stash to embellish
fabric scraps ~ stickers ~ twine~ ribbon ~ doilies ~ buttons ~ clothespin minis ~ ric rac
these make a sweet gift in a vintage tin or any sort of cute container
tied up with a ribbon … a collection of tags to be used whenever needed ♥


with some spray paint and a frame this to-do list makes me smile 🙂




add some rosettes and this makes a great handmade gift in a pinch!

i just have to share ~ this method for ruffling stuff 
found it on Pinterest… and it’s the most amazing way to ruffle ANYTHING 
without the hassle of pulling strings & spacing! 
i tried it for the first time while i was making these
you shoulda heard all the oooooh-ing, ahhhhh-ing and oh my goodness-ing up in here

thanks Kasey! for being cuter than cuteness … ♥ 
click on the images to download

much love !
Uncategorized

all craftiness aside … ♥

it’s been a whirlwind of activity around here 🙂
yesterday was the official first day of summer!
and on Friday my little girl graduated from Kindergarten…sniff


i feel sad (and old) 
sad because she’s not a “little kid” anymore
she’s a big 1st grader…ya know?…once they move on to the number grades
they’re not “little kids” anymore…they’re now just “kids” 🙂
and to seal the deal ~ a few weeks ago, she got glasses…


i couldn’t stop looking at her, and thinking how fast she was changing before my eyes…

here’s a little something for you … just a reminder
especially since it’s summer time 🙂 to enjoy your family, enjoy relationships
cause really, that’s the only thing we can take with us when life here is over ♥


click on the image to download … enjoy ♥
(vintage graphics courtesy of the Graphics Fairy)
(i just love her)
i’m still knee deep in etsy shop production
but i hope to show you a few other things this week…
a peek into my kitchen & a small project!

much loves to you
sweet parties … ♥