Day 18 - Cleaning Microfiber

This is probably by far my most favorite Pinspiration because it saved my furniture.  Not just saved it, it made it look brand new.  When I found this pin, I was really excited and hopeful that it would work because we'd been using slipcovers to cover up how dingy the furniture got.  I admit I did this pin a while back because I was desperate to get our furniture looking like new.  However, I had to call upon it again after I was eating a cupcake on the couch and dropped a lump of frosting on the arm of the couch.  Oopsies!

Source: 551eastdesign.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Here was the offending stain beforehand.

I put some rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and applied it.  Then I rubbed it in with a beige-colored sponge.

Greasy frosting stain gone!  

When I originally did this pin, I did the entire seat and back cushions, as well as the arm rests.  It took me a couple of very large bottles of rubbing alcohol and a couple days to do it all because you have to let one side dry before you do the next.  You need to really saturate the fabric and you also have to make sure that you use a sponge that is either white or the same color as your furniture.  The alcohol could transfer color if you use something that isn't colorless or similar colored.  Our couches were absolutely disgusting when I first attempted this.  There were blue water marks from spilled vase water (dyed flowers were in it), formula, spit-up, drool, sweat....they were gross. Once I saw it worked on the couches, I also attacked the gliding rocking chair that I thought I ruined when my son was about 3 weeks old and spit up all over it.  The rubbing alcohol really worked on every stain I applied it too, so much that even my husband was impressed.  Ever since, he's been hesitant to make fun of me and my obsession with Pinterest.  :)

Day 17 - French Dip Croissants

This recipe was SO good, my husband made me open a second tube of croissants to make him more.  I like finding recipes that are quick, easy, and tasty.  Both my husband and I are out of the house between 11 and 13 hours a day on weekdays, which makes eating a reasonable hour difficult at times.  A 13-month-old ruling our lives, makes eating at a reasonable hour a requirement. 

Source: mamalovesfood.com via Erin on Pinterest

I really like sandwiches, and I’ve mentioned before that my husband’s favorite food is a sandwich.  When I saw this pin, I was a bit hesitant that my husband would like it because he tends to lean more towards chicken or turkey with mostly obscure toppings on his sandwiches.  Google Chicago Bagel Authority (CBA), he’s a regular there and will often order a lottery, which is whatever the sandwich maker wants to put on it barring any restrictions you give them (for example, neither of us likes ham). Anyway…I thought this might be a tad boring for him because the sandwich consists of a croissant, a thin spread of horseradish (my favorite dressing for a sandwich!), a slice of roast beef from the deli counter, and a small cube of sharp provolone.  See the pictures below.

I used the reduced fat croissants and I saved some additional time by not making my au jus but by asking the deli counter for some.  I baked my sandwiches according to the croissant package instructions 350 degrees for 13 minutes.  While they were baking I heated up the au jus. 

Here’s how the turned out!  We will definitely be making these tasty treats again.

Day 16 - Homemade Sugar Scrub

Handmade gifts are the best kind of gifts.  I think taking the time to make something is always more valuable to me than just buying something.  I've been trying to think of a way to thank a couple people in my life for the things they do for me, ways they support me, and time they give me.  I couldn't think of a better way than to make something that would make them feel a little pampered and special.

Source: onegoodthingbyjillee.com via Erin on Pinterest

I found this pin this week and thought I would try it out.  I was a bit skeptical because it was just 2 ingredients, but my skepticism was for naught because this really turned out great.  After I was done mixing them, I tried some off the spoon and not only did I like the way the soap smelled, my hands were very smooth and soft! I will definitely be passing this treasures along as little thank you gifts. I may even make them in a couple months when our son transitions to the Toddler Room (OMG!) for the teachers he had in the infant room.

I got a 4 pack of 1/2 pint ball jars from Target.  They were about $5.00

I bought a new bag of sugar because I wasn't certain exactly how much it would take or that I had enough in my cupboard.  That was about $3.00.

I picked out a Dawn with Olay moisturizers in it according to the Pin's instructions.  I picked purple because I liked it better than the peachy pink, and lavender is one of my favorite scents.  The Dawn was about $5.00.

I filled up the jars most of the way with sugar.

Then I topped them off with the soap.

I mixed them up and just kept adding sugar little by little until it was a pasty consistency I wanted.

Then I put the lid on and tied a little ribbon!  So cute!

Day 15 - Carrot Chips

Honestly, I had my doubts about this one, and I my intuition was correct.  It seemed simple enough, right?  Thickly peel or thinly slice some carrots, toss it in olive oil and salt, bake at 350 for 12 minutes.  Simple.  It seemed like something to try for a quick, healthier snack after work/school. 

Source: saladisthemaincourse.tumblr.com via Erin on Pinterest

Okay, so I don’t know what kind of peeler allows you to peel “thick” slices of carrots, but I apparently don’t own one.  Annoyance number one.  Instead of thickly peeling, I had to thinly slice with my chef’s knife.  I enjoy cooking and baking, but as my husband can attest, I am not the most skilled with chopping, slicing, dicing….you get it.  This aspect made me nervous.

First I regularly peeled my carrots, and then I painstakingly sliced them as thin as I could.  You can see I wasn’t always very successfully at maintaining the length of the carrot.  I took my slices and laid them on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet (maybe this was my demise?).

I covered in olive oil, salt, and pepper, baked for 12 minutes at 350 and…..

Got soggy, salty, carrot slices.  Not carrot chips at all.  Pinterest….fail.

Day 14 - Mess-Free Painting for Toddlers

When I saw this, I was excited to try it with Remi.  My Mom is a pre-school teacher, and I always loved seeing what kinds of projects she would come up with for her kids to do either for fun or as gifts for their parents.  My experience at my son’s school so far is there isn’t much emphasis on artwork or creativity.  I know he’s only 13 months, but there are a lot of fun things you can do with kids this age, even if they don’t quite grasp what they are doing yet.  Anyhow, I think creating art is important, and it’s an important part of growing up for kids.  I always needed a creative outlet when I was growing up, whether it was drawing, writing, or crafting something up, I needed the ability to create something from nothing, or nearly nothing.  I guess that sort of explains this blog….doesn’t it?

Source: hippiehousewife.blogspot.ca via Erin on Pinterest

This wasn’t just a Mommy and Remi activity, Daddy got involved too, which was great! 

This pin was pretty easy to execute because I already had everything I needed to do this.  Like I said, I am creative, I have lots of things around to create things at random. 

I found a piece of white paper, but you could use anything.  I put it in the large, freezer size Ziploc bag.

I added paint, Bears colours for fun! I taped it down to the tray of Remi’s high chair and just added Remi!  Mike and I had to help him a bit, and looking back I think I would probably add more paint to the baggie, but it really was mess-free fun for the entire family.  I’m sure we’ll be repeating this activity again and maybe even figuring out ways to hang this artwork around the house.  Pinterest probably has some sort of solution for that… J

Day 13 - T-Shirt Headband

More uses for old t-shirts.  Awesome!  No-sew...not exactly.  I hand stitched this project, but the instructions said you could glue it.  I wouldn't recommend that.  I thought this was a neat idea, could make a cute gift, and could come in handy those days you want a pony tail for running errands, but have some little baby hairs you want to keep out of your face. When I first pinned this, I was fooled by the "no-sew" promise and how cute the project seemed, but quickly learned otherwise when I clicked into the link.

Source: craftgawker.com via Erin on Pinterest

I found an old maternity shirt in a pretty light blue color and began to cut away.  5 strips per the instructions.

Then I hand-stitched them together at one end.

Then I stretched out the strips the same way I did for my t-shirt scarf.

Next, I started braid/weaving according to the instructions in the link.  It was pretty easy once I got going and could see the pattern I was making with the strips of fabric.

I stitched together the other end and joined it with the first end I stitched.  Then I looped another piece of fabric and hand-stitched it per the instructions.

The headband took me about 20 minutes to complete, not long at all. I think I need to get to a thrift store and find some old tees in fun colors to make some more of these and more t-shirt scarves too!

Day 12 - Homemade Carpet Cleaner

If I can find a way to get anything in my house cleaner without having to use harsh chemicals or things that cost more, I am all for it.  I have a board on Pinterest dedicated just to Tips and Tricks where I keep these kinds of ideas to try.  The carpet in our townhouse is atrocious.  It was disgusting when we moved in and it's been a struggle to clean over and over again. We're not terribly rough on our house either, so it's a testament to how cheap and nasty the builder-grade crap is that they install when you don't get the upgrade (Thanks previous owners!).

Source: pktaswegrow.com via Erin on Pinterest

The carpet in our basement is especially gross.  Especially, after last year I threw a birthday party for my husband.  We had a bonfire in our driveway and beers were spilled in drunken sloppiness.  This led to wet, ashen covered shoes making their way into our house to use the bathroom.  Gross.  Two cats, a toddler, beer, friends, movie nights...you get the idea.  We live in our basement, and the carpet is proof.

I thought I would try this Pin out at first and if I found success, I'll attempt bigger stains on a weekend when I have more time.  I would say I found success.

So I didn't really measure anything out.  I just poured some hydrogen peroxide in a bottle, squirt some dawn soap in it and swirled.  Then I took a beige sponge and went to work.

Here's the before...

Here's the after...

Needless to say, I'll be attempting this on larger sections of yucky cheap carpet.

Day 11 – Vanilla in….Your Oven?

Okay, I’ll admit it…this is the FIRST pin I’ve EVER done that I hated.  I don’t know why I even tried it really because I’m not a huge fan of the smell of vanilla, neither is my husband.  After a stinky fridge, a stinky kid, a stinky cat, stinky sink, and stink garbage all inhabiting my kitchen at once, I decided, it might be worth a shot.  Pinterest to the rescue!  Or…not….

Here’s the pin if you’re really interested.  And if you are a realtor reading this…I really hope you don’t do this in your clients’ homes….yuck. I don’t have any pictures to share, because it was just a mug with some vanilla in it.  I think you can imagine what that would look like.

                                                                 

Source: richestoragsbydori.blogspot.ca via Erin on Pinterest

Like I said, my kitchen did not smell the most desirable and I went in for a quick fix.  I thought “Hey!  Remember that vanilla pin! I’ll give that a shot!”  At first, when my husband saw me pull out the vanilla, a coffee mug, and a tablespoon he gave me a very strange look and asked what I was making.  I quickly explained “According to Pinterest, this is supposed to make your home smell lovely.”  I don’t think he believed me.  I took 2 tablespoons of vanilla (the Costco kind) in a big coffee mug, Tinker Bell if you really want to know, and put it in a 350 degree oven.  Then I waited.

About 10 minutes later, we finished up our dinner, I started cleaning some stuff, and all of a sudden I thought “grossums, it does NOT smell lovely in here.  It smells like I burned vanilla”.  I quickly looked over at my husband, and I could tell the icky smell was permeating his nostrils just then.  I said “Welp, this is an epic Pinterest FAIL!”  We both laughed as I took my bubbling vanilla out of the oven.   Please don’t do this in your house, it does not smell lovely, even if you enjoy vanilla, it truly smells like you were baking something with vanilla in it and burned it.  Not lovely at all.   Rather, find a pin that you can make smelly candles, or maybe that one about making Febreze works (I wouldn’t know….yet.)  Whatever you do, DO NOT put vanilla in a coffee mug in your oven….ever. 

Day 10 - Breakfast Croissant

I absolutely love making breakfast on the weekends.  Mostly due to the fact I have no time during the week to make a proper breakfast, and it is my favorite meal of the day.  I have been known to eat breakfast foods three meals a day before, that’s how much I love breakfast.  My husband on the other hand, is more of a lunch person.  He likes sandwiches a lot.  When he does indulge in breakfast foods, it’s usually the savory kind.  He also really loves bacon.  I knew when I saw this pin; it would definitely be a hit in our house.  It was, and it was also pretty quick and easy to make. 

The link to the pin is below.  I actually didn’t use the link in the pin, I used the link from the blog in the pin to make it because there were more pictures and it was easier to follow.  That being my experience, I decided I would document every step for you too.

                                                

Source: navywifecook.blogspot.com via Erin on Pinterest

Here’s what you need:

A tube of croissant rolls, you can use the reduced fat kind

5 eggs, or the equivalent in Egg Beaters or any other Egg substitute product you like

1 ½ cups of cheese, any kind you like

8 pieces of bacon

I put my bacon in the oven at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes to cook instead of using the skillet.  This was my husband’s idea and it is an excellent one because it’s easy, prevents grease burns, doesn’t make your stove top a huge greasy mess, AND you can make a bunch more at a time than you can in a skillet. 

While the bacon was cooking I scrambied my eggs and assembled my croissants according to the instructions.  Make sure you use parchment paper because it’s easier to get the croissant off the pan that if you don’t.  Once the bacon was done, I reduced the oven to 350 degrees for my breakfast ring.

When the bacon was finished cooking, I placed it on top of each of my croissant triangles like so.

Then I added my first layer of cheese.  The directions said a precise amount, but I like to eyeball these things to my liking.

 

Then I added the eggs.

 

Then I added more cheese.

Then I folded in my croissant.   Don’t worry if the bacon breaks, while you are doing this step, it probably will and it doesn’t hinder the results.

I put it in the oven for 17 minutes….and YUMMY!!!

Day 9 - Baby Hat Shadow Box

Ever wonder what the heck to do with that baby stuff that you just can't use, you can't scrapbook, but has significant meaning? How about a little shadow box?  I've had Remi's little hat from the hospital sitting in a drawer in his room for over a year hoping I would figure out something to do with it.  Then I found this pin.

Source: flickr.com via Erin on Pinterest

Hobby Lobby had a sale on their shadow boxes last week so I picked one up in order to do this pin. The 5 x 7 frame was normally $17.99, but I got it for half price. After completing this craft, I wish I would have gotten a little bigger of a frame. I think it turned out well, but a square box would have looked a little nicer, in my opinion.

The background is just cardstock cut to fit the frame. To make the little birth facts card, I cut the blue piece 3 x 2 and the white piece 2 x 1 1/2. I mounted the dark blue paper to the light blue paper with those clear dots that raise the paper just a little to give a little dimension. I also used those to attach the hat to the blue paper. Now...I need to find a pin for making photo collages/gallery walls so I can proudly display it!

Day 8 - Hospital Survival Kit

I wish I had found this before I had my son because I could have used the snacks and face wash wipes for sure after delivery.  I didn't get to go to the bathroom by myself until the next morning, so being able to clean up a little while in the hospital bed definitely comes in handy.

Source: jensownroad.blogspot.com via Erin on Pinterest

I apologize for the lateness of this post, but I didn't want to take the chance the recipient of this gift was reading the blog.  :)  I found out at her baby shower on Saturday that she had been.  Good call on my part!

Anyway, the picture below are the contents of my kit and it seemed to be a hit with the Momma-to-be. I think this is a great idea especially from a Mom to a new Mom. There are lots of great ways to create this gift if you want to add your own little touches. I personally think the new Momma deserves a glass of sparkly after the birth to not only celebrate such a momentous occasion, but also cause giving carrying a baby for 9 months and giving birth is a lot of hard work!

Day 7 - Quinoa Mac and Cheese

Up until making this dish I never liked Quinoa, despite its healthy attributes.  I had it a few times when I belonged to a gym that had a café in it, and every time I was disappointed.  It turns out, it was because they were making it wrong!  It was almost always crunchy and just icky.  When I made it last night, it wasn’t crunchy at all, and in fact, was pretty tasty.  I always like finding comfort food recipes that you can make healthier versions of because I want the yumminess of having something I love but not with all the fat and calories. 

I found the pin below a long time ago and have never tried it.  Mac and Cheese is a weekly favorite in our house, but Quinoa or any new “super food” is always a gamble with my husband.  I decided that this challenge was an excellent excuse to make him eat it.  HA!  Our 13 month old absolutely loved it, which I was delighted by.  Quinoa will soon be in regular rotation in our house!

Source: aroundthetableri.blogspot.com via Erin on Pinterest

So here’s what I did, I put some oil in a heavy sauce pan, heated up my broccoli.  Then I added the Quinoa and some garlic to get it toasty for about 5 minutes over medium heat.  I added 3 cups of water, but you can add chicken broth if you like for more flavor, and some Cajun seasoning.  During this time I pre-heated the oven to 400 degrees (the instructions said 350, but I was in a little bit of a hurry as our toddler needed to eat) and prepped my Pyrex with some olive oil.  I put a lid on my Quinoa mixture and let it reduce for about 15 minutes, stirring every once in a while.  I let it cool for 5 minutes.  During the cooling phase, I mixed ½ cup egg beaters to 1 cup of milk.  After 5 minutes, I dumped 2 cups of reduced fat shredded cheddar and the milk/egg mixture into my skillet, mixed it up, and poured it into the square Pyrex dish. I topped with Panko Bread crumbs and popped it into the oven for 25 minutes. 

Here’s the yummy goodness straight out of the oven. 

Reviews were mixed.  Remi loved it and ate a lot.  Mike said it was “Ok, but it’s Quinoa” whatever that means.  I thought it was a tasty, healthier option for one of my favorite comfort foods.  I think it’s worth repeating since it wasn’t terribly difficult to make and for the three of us it leaves some good leftovers for another night of the week when we’re busy but need a healthy option. 

Day 6 - Messy Bun with a Braid

This morning, I rolled out of bed and realized it was chilly in my house, too chilly for me to want to take a shower this morning.  A quick walk to the bathroom had me questioning that choice after seeing the state my bangs were in.  Pinterest to the rescue!

Here's the link for the Pin.

The link within the Pin has lots of hair tutorials, I followed the one with the front French braid and side messy bun.  My bun doesn't look so messy, but I took about 5 minutes to complete this hair style after watching the how-to.

Here is the result!