Spare Dollars

Line Drying Clothes… Why I Like It

Megan — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 20:20:12 +0000

If it isn’t obvious by now, I am all for anything that makes life a little greener. Recycling, reusing and just making our world a better place. Regardless of any political issues, I really don’t see anything wrong with any of those.

One of my favorite things to do is hanging laundry and I will encourage anyone out there to do the same. Not just for the eco-friendly reasons you think.

The following are my reasons why I love hanging laundry. Seriously love it. Even inside in the winter on drying racks.

1. It relaxes me. Whether it be outside in the sun, or inside in the winter, something about hanging and sorting each individual piece is calming. It’s almost a form of meditation. Really, you should try it sometime.

2. It does save money. Anything that helps you not use your appliances will save you money.

3. They smell nice.

4. Going old school. As I sit here typing on my Mac laptop with my various other electronic equipment scattered around the table, I realize how we often forget to teach our children and ourselves that we do not NEED all of this stuff that we have to do the things we need to do. I can live without a clothes dryer.

5. It keeps clothes nicer, longer.

6. If you do it outside, Mr. Sun is the best disinfectant.

7. One last favorite reason… You can’t beat a 20 month old running through the sheets on the line and laughing. So yes, line drying your laundry can be fun too!

So if I haven’t convinced you yet, just go ahead and start with one piece of laundry and see how you like it!

If nothing else, you know that you are doing something good for the earth. Turning on one less appliance is never a bad thing for Mother Nature, or for your wallet.

If you don’t have a place to hang a line, don’t worry, you can still do it. My line is hung from my deck to my fence. I also hang socks and washcloths on the edge of the laundry basket and set it in the sun. You can also get yourself a laundry drying rack online or at any discount store. Alother idea is to put a shirt on a hanger and hang it somewhere in the sun.

It’s as easy as that!

Green Eggs and Ham Sliders!

Megan — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:49:34 +0000

In honor of Dr. Seuss, these will be on my table this evening…

I always have grand ideas of what I want to do for and with the kids to celebrate each little unofficial holiday during the year, but as we moms and dads know, life gets in the way.

Today is Dr. Seuss’s birthday and my kids love all things Dr. Seuss. This time, although I missed my opportunity for green eggs and ham for breakfast (let’s face it, we are lucky to get lunch made and have time for a breakfast bar!), I really am looking forward to dinner.

Tonight, thanks to Pinterest, I am making Green Eggs and Sliders! I found this idea (picture (courtesy of www.annies-eats.com) from a totally cute Suess-Themed-Birthday party for a 2 year old. I then did a search for ham and cheese sliders and found this great recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything. I can’t wait for dinner!

Mophie juice pack air® – iPhone 4 & 4S Battery Case

Megan — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:57:25 +0000

This is item was Hoda’s Favorite thing yesterday on Today with Kathie Lee and Hoda, and I thought I would add it to the blog and share with all of you.

It is the Mophie Juice Pack Air Case and Rechargeable Battery for iPhone 4. It is an iPhone case that houses a rechargeable battery that gives you a ton more time to be able to use your phone. If you are like me, I get one day out of it and if I don’t charge fully at night, then I can guarantee my phone alarm is not going to be ringing in the morning.

This would be fantastic for me when forget my cord or forget to charge it up.

Since I am not great with technical details, I am just copying this straight from Amazon, where you can get it for about $75, depending on the color you choose (red,black,white).

* Compatibility with both Verizon & AT&T iPhone 4
* Rechargeable smart battery concealed inside of a low-profile, light-weight, soft-touch, 2-tone matellic case; made for iPhone 4
* Adds up to 6 hours of talk time (up to 12 on 2G) and 5 hours of Web browsing on 3G (up to 9 on Wi-Fi) to your iPhone
* Protective form-fitting case with an ultra-thin, light-weight, low-profile design
* Integrated LED status indicator on the bottom tells you exactly how much juice is left at the push of a button
* Charge and sync your iPhone to iTunes without removing it from the juice pack air by using the included USB cable

Argan Oil: Hands Down, The Best Moisturizer I Have Found!

Megan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:23:21 +0000

I found it on Amazon for only $10!!! Click on the Text links or the picture below for that Deal...

Now if you know me, you would know that for a long time I have been a no-fuss kind of girl when it came to my skincare and makeup. However, when I hit a milestone birthday last year – no, I am not telling which one – I discovered that the easy life wasn’t happening anymore. It was time that I started paying attention before it was too late!

Now when you live in a cold-snowy-winter climate like I do, the rough, dry weather can wreak havoc on your skin. Literally, one second it feels good and the next it is screaming at you with a shrieking voice of pain. “Moisturize for goodness sake!! Don’t you love me anymore!?!?!”

So, that is where I am at with both my skin and my hair. Until, a little birdie friend popped up on Facebook and mentioned how she just loves Argan Oil …

Then, I looked that brand up.

She of course goes for the fancy one from a line of products that shall remain nameless because frankly it is way too darn expensive.

All well and good for her if she chooses, but I on the other hand am saving my what? That’s right, my Spare Dollars. I can’t spend $40 on a tiny bottle of oil.

So I went to my local grocery store (It’s about $1 cheaper on Amazon.com too!), which thankfully has a wonderful natural products selection and to my great luck they just that day got a shipment of new oils in and one of the brand new ones that they were starting to carry that very day was argan Oil, and guess what??? It was ONLY $11!!!! Can you believe it??? I totally felt like I was getting away with something! But nope, it was just my lucky day!

I of course immediately took my un-moisturized self home, washed my face and tried it out and it was FANTASTIC!!! I really do like it a lot. Not greasy, very smooth and it rejuvenates (according to argan oil experts!). Perfect. Rejuvenation is exactly what I need! Especially after a rough patch with some post-pregnancy acne that is still showing it’s effects.

I really must say, the argan oil definitely works far beyond what any of the moisturizers on the market have ever done for me. I have tried so many and so many have not lived up to the what I have seen in just one week with the Argan Oil .

Plus, it’s natural. I love anything natural that really works. Who knows how all of the chemicals in all of the products we were always told to use can affect our skin?

So you know what to do now… pick yourself up some Argan Oil and give a pump or two before bed and when you wake up and you will be all set!!

Dough Bowls, Breadboards, and Bread…. my new love.

Megan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:09:15 +0000

Before the end of my life, I wish to have a collection of dough bowls and breadboards that I myself have made. Until I learn how to use those tools necessary to make those much-loved boards, I must just admire those of others…

Here are a few I have found that are perfect in size, shape, and “rustic”appearance that I am looking for.

My goal is to find some that are unique,
and primitive looking. I would rather not buy some straight from the store that have been factory made, but in some cases, that might be necessary if they have the right look.

They also have to be seasoned properly so that they do not get rancid after food prep. I’m pretty sure a good rub down with mineral oil takes care of that, but I do have to read up some more on that.

As far as bread goes. Well, it is my favorite thing to make now. Since “Red”, my new best friend came into my life.

I have transitioned from desserts, to bread. I keep telling myself that the bread is better because it doesn’t contain the butter and sugar amounts that desserts do. But then again there is the massive amounts of flour in the bread. I’m still in denial about that though.

One thing at a time, one thing at a time…

I have found some great recipes for some easy, great-tasting bread. I thought I would share with you -

Today I am trying this recipe for a soft honey oat bread from the Bakingdom blog and it is fantastically simple to make.

This bread was made from the Bakingdom recipe I mentioned above. I would make this every day if I could. It the MOST YUMMY bread I have ever tasted. Seriously.

12 Days of Christmas Activities With The Kids… Day 12: Felt Christmas Tree

Megan — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:59:24 +0000

I have started doing the 12 days of Christmas countdown with my kids and instead of gifts, I have been giving them time. Time to be creative, time to bake cookies, time to make and play with things like felt Christmas trees!!

Felt Christmas tree for the kids

I have been thinking of doing this for so long, because of all of the adorable posts I see that other bloggers have made about there felt Christmas trees. So I finally got around to it!

Not only was it so easy to make, but it was so incredibly cheap! I went to the craft store and got 1 yard of green felt for $5.99 /yard (which I have heard is cheaper at other places even). I then went to the craft section and got several sheets of felt squares in different colors. The basic solid colors are 4/$1.00. I did find a pack of 50 felt squares on Amazon that is almost the same as what I paid. That excited me so much that I bought way more than I needed. However, I am sure I will need it all for other projects.

Luckily, in case you didn’t realize, felt sticks to felt (I didn’t know this since I am just learning this craft stuff as I go along ). That means the only other supplies you need are scissors, a permanent marker(s) for decorating ornaments, and things to trace shapes. I traced the shapes with a pen, because the marker marks would be too obvious, but the pen worked well.

You will also need to decide how you will hang the tree on the wall. I have seen them hung on brick walls with a hot glue gun, which I hear works great. Also, you can probably try using painters tape, since it won’t leave marks on a painted wall. I used the command strips for posters, which when using them all, seems to hold the tree pretty well. Let’s just hope the 16 month old doesn’t get a little crazy with it and it should last through the season.

This was a really great project! The kids just love playing with it and it is great for teaching the younger ones shapes too. Surprisingly, the older ones like it better than the younger. My 7 year old son was actually placing the shapes in different ways to create robots.

Enjoy!

A Dollhouse Deal I found on Amazon… 72% OFF!!!!

Megan — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:00:20 +0000

Just checkin in to share the awesome deal I just saw on Amazon for a Wooden My Home Playset 48 Pieces. Now, as you know, I just posted the other day about a great dollhouse for girls that I ended up purchasing for my two. If only this deal was around then! Ours is already shipped, wrapped and waiting for Christmas.

This Dollhouse and the pieces that come with it are 72% off… now $29 (plus maybe $4.99 SH). Unbelievable! I just had to share it with you all!

Wooden My Home Playset 48 Pieces

Kringle Candles Are A Great Gift for Mom!

Megan — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:20:32 +0000

I posted last year aboutand because I love them so much, I am posting about them again!

Kringle Candles are a special and unique line of candles created by the founder of the Yankee Candle Company. not only are they gorgeous to look at, but they burn beautifully for 95 hours at least and provide wonderful pure scents.

According to Amazon:

Kringle Jar Candles are created by the Kittredge family of Yankee Candle fame. The ultra-fragrant Kringle Jar Candle line unites the best of the traditional and the new with exciting jar candles designed to mesh with virtually any decor. Kringle Candles uses only the finest perfumers to create an array of robust, realistic candle fragrances. Kringle’s all-white candle concept not only blends perfectly into all backdrops, it emits the purest, brightest light possible. Kringle Candles offer over 40 wonderful scents including Botanicals, Fruits, Foods, Spices, Aromatics, Herbs and Holiday Favorites.

These are a great gift for mom, grandma, family, teachers, etc. They come in various sizes and smells as well.

Using Reclaimed Wood… My Barn – Wood & Hooks For Backpack Storage

Megan — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:01:47 +0000

I am so thrilled about our latest project! I have tried for the longest time to find the perfect set of hooks to put into my newly decorated dining room. I have gone from a blood red, more elegant dining room, to a more casual, family friendly room with an updated modern style.

It is so hard to find unique hooks that are strong enough to hold the massive backpacks that the children bring home. The really cool and decorative hooks that I like are never made of high quality metal and are likely to break easily.

These cast iron hooks, I got at a craft store and are super strong. You can find the same thing on amazon.com though for cheap!

This wood obviously has some imperfections, but that is what I love about it. Since I went from a fancy, red with gold accent dining room, to a casual light blue room, I wanted something that featured the laid-back nature of the room. Wood knots and all! I think there is even a paint splatter or two on there as well!

Kathie Lee and Hoda’s Favorite Things, Along with Sara’s Favorite Thing

Megan — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:43:22 +0000

I am giving props to Sara today from The Today with Kathie Lee and Hoda. While Kathie Lee and Hoda’s favorite things today were rather minor in the grand scheme of things, Sara outshined them all with her bracelets that are made to profit an organization set up after a young girl died.

The organization is called the McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation and here is the summary from their website..

Liv-N-Grace bracelets started out as a small act of love from a mother to her daughter in a time of need and healing due to the loss of a very special friend. The bracelets were created not only to help heal but to honor a young lady who embodied faith, love, hope, peace, and transformation.

These virtues are represented on each bracelet with a cross, heart, flower, peace sign or a butterfly. Each bracelet was handmade with love!

Profits from your bracelet purchase support the McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps young people recognize their full potential. With the purchase of each bracelet, you are helping make a difference in young peoples’ lives!

If you are interested in finding out about Kathie Lee and Hoda’s favorite things, you can find them at the following links….

Vitacare Cool Mint Whitening Gum, Key Lime
and here…
Amazon