Easy Hairstyles for a Busy Mom
I've been told by friends that I'm really good at the "quick, cute, updo". I'm not too sure about me being "good" at it, but I do try. So I thought I would share a few of my favorite styles. I don't have the longest hair, so I can't do everything. But since I live in the desert, I have to have it up during the summer. I only wish I didn't have to use my ugly mug for the pics. :) I'll try to give as detailed directions to each hairstyle as I can. Grab the hairspray girls!
1) Basic Ponytail with a bump:
Here's the best way I can explain this to you; draw an imaginary line from the back of your ear straight up to the top of your head. That's where you will grab a handful of hair and "rat" it. I find it rats better with a round brush. Then you'll need to hairspray it. Take a small amount of hair that is closer to your forehead and brush it over the bump. Make sure you are brushing very lightly so you don't brush out the area you just ratted. Then part your bangs and smooth those around the bump into the ponytail. I found a high ponytail looks much better. To finish it off, hairspray the loose hairs.
2) Messy low bun:
This hairstyle can be a little complicated. 1) I grabbed a chunk of hair right in the top front and clipped it. (You'll take the clip out later so it doesn't have to be perfect).
2) Grab the rest of your hair and smooth it into a very low bun.
3) Slide 1 thin headband over the top of your head
4) Release the clip and your hair will fall and look ridiculous! But no fret.....
5) Take those loose hairs and pin them into your bun with bobby pins. Making sure you hide the bobby pins in your bun.
2) Grab the rest of your hair and smooth it into a very low bun.
3) Slide 1 thin headband over the top of your head
4) Release the clip and your hair will fall and look ridiculous! But no fret.....
5) Take those loose hairs and pin them into your bun with bobby pins. Making sure you hide the bobby pins in your bun.
6) Slide on 1 more thin headband about 1" behind the other.
7) Hairspray the loose hairs.
7) Hairspray the loose hairs.
3) Braided bangs in a ponytail:
This is super easy and one of my favorites.
1) Part your bangs about 1" off center.
2) Clip that hair so it is out of your way. Then brush the rest of your hair into a ponytail.
3) Do a simple french braid with the hair that is parted.
4) When you get down to around your ear, stop french braiding and keep braiding your bangs until you can't anymore.
5) Pin that braid back toward your ponytail. (If your hair is long, you can wrap the braid around your ponytail and braid)
1) Part your bangs about 1" off center.
2) Clip that hair so it is out of your way. Then brush the rest of your hair into a ponytail.
3) Do a simple french braid with the hair that is parted.
4) When you get down to around your ear, stop french braiding and keep braiding your bangs until you can't anymore.
5) Pin that braid back toward your ponytail. (If your hair is long, you can wrap the braid around your ponytail and braid)
4) Basic french braid (low)
This is super easy:
1) Start with a large part so you start in the back of your hair.
2) French braid until you get to the nape of your neck and tie with an elastic.
3) Finish it off with a headband.
1) Start with a large part so you start in the back of your hair.
2) French braid until you get to the nape of your neck and tie with an elastic.
3) Finish it off with a headband.
No Clipping Coupons? No Way!
Well I went grocery shopping the other day and found yet another reason I love Safeway. One employee came up to me and I have to be honest, wasn't looking forward to whatever she was trying to promote. I thought "my little man is actually being calm, I don't have time". But then she told me about the best service. She quickly signed me up for their program Just For U. You may ask, what is Just For U? I will explain. . . .
1) Sign up with just your email address and club card at the Safeway website
2) Go through the manufacturer coupons and store coupons and click on "add" to add them to your card.
Yes! It adds the coupons to your club card! No clipping and shuffling through coupons. When you check out and use your card, the coupons are automatically deducted It was great. The employee added the coupons to my card right there in the store and I saved $100!
Another question you may ask is "how do I remember what coupons I added to my card?" Well, that's another easy solution. If you have a smart phone, you can download the Just For U app and when you add the coupon to your card, it makes you a shopping list. If you don't have a smart phone, you can simply email or print the coupon list.
This made me so excited. I love to use coupons, but haven't lately because it makes my shopping trips so long and "A" tends to run out of patience. I hope you can save time with this fantastic service!
1) Sign up with just your email address and club card at the Safeway website
2) Go through the manufacturer coupons and store coupons and click on "add" to add them to your card.
Yes! It adds the coupons to your club card! No clipping and shuffling through coupons. When you check out and use your card, the coupons are automatically deducted It was great. The employee added the coupons to my card right there in the store and I saved $100!
Another question you may ask is "how do I remember what coupons I added to my card?" Well, that's another easy solution. If you have a smart phone, you can download the Just For U app and when you add the coupon to your card, it makes you a shopping list. If you don't have a smart phone, you can simply email or print the coupon list.
This made me so excited. I love to use coupons, but haven't lately because it makes my shopping trips so long and "A" tends to run out of patience. I hope you can save time with this fantastic service!
Easy Cleaning. . . . . with Vinegar
The other day I looked inside my microwave and thought "Eek! Disgusting1"
So I thought, well vinegar cleans everything so I got out a Pyrex bowl, filled it with water and mixed a few tablespoons of cider vinegar in it. Then I thought, well, maybe I should use warm vinegar/water so I heated it up for 2 minutes (it was almost boiling), and low and behold, something happened during the cooking process and I didn't even need to use the water to clean out the microwave. It just wiped clean with a soft rag! It was so easy I was able to clean the microwave while "A" was trying to push me off the stool so he could climb on it.
Then I decided to continue using the water and it cut the grease off of our stove! I didn't even get an arm workout with these two chores. The hot vinegar water worked better cutting the nasty grease than dish soap.
I also use vinegar mixed with water in a spray bottle to clean our glass breakfast table. I hated the idea of "A" eating on a table that had just been washed with glass cleaner, so my mom suggested vinegar and WA-LA! Clean, streak free glass!!
So I thought, well vinegar cleans everything so I got out a Pyrex bowl, filled it with water and mixed a few tablespoons of cider vinegar in it. Then I thought, well, maybe I should use warm vinegar/water so I heated it up for 2 minutes (it was almost boiling), and low and behold, something happened during the cooking process and I didn't even need to use the water to clean out the microwave. It just wiped clean with a soft rag! It was so easy I was able to clean the microwave while "A" was trying to push me off the stool so he could climb on it.
Then I decided to continue using the water and it cut the grease off of our stove! I didn't even get an arm workout with these two chores. The hot vinegar water worked better cutting the nasty grease than dish soap.
I also use vinegar mixed with water in a spray bottle to clean our glass breakfast table. I hated the idea of "A" eating on a table that had just been washed with glass cleaner, so my mom suggested vinegar and WA-LA! Clean, streak free glass!!
Directions:
Fill a microwavable bowl with water
Add 3-4 tbs of cider vinegar
Microwave for 2-3 minutes
Wipe gunk out!
Be super careful with the hot water!!
Fill a microwavable bowl with water
Add 3-4 tbs of cider vinegar
Microwave for 2-3 minutes
Wipe gunk out!
Be super careful with the hot water!!
Here's to Swimsuit Season (and Eating Healthy)
Vacation is coming up very quickly for me and I'm in a bit of a panic. That means I have to wear a bathing suit SOON!! AHHHHH! So, I've decided I need to eat healthier. I've been really watching my calories, but eating healthy can take a lot more time than grabbing a carbo loaded snack. So here's what I did to make it easier:
1) I went to Sunflower Market and bought a whole bunch of fruit.
2) Instead of just throwing it in the fruit and veggie drawer (or stacking it on the shelf), I cut up all the fruit and put it in separate containers.
3) Now "A" and I have a healthy snack that is just as easy to grab as crackers (or other tasty yet not as healthy snacks). I may or may not have sprinkled a little Truvia Sweetener on it. :)
This saved me so much time. It took me 20 minutes tops to cut and prepare all the fruit, and now I don't have to prepare it everytime I need a snack!
* The mommy and baby containers look different because "A" eats only organic and I am too cheap to let myself eat organic. So my container is full of the fruits that were on sale this week.
** I placed the pit underneath the slices of avacado to keep them from turning brown.
1) I went to Sunflower Market and bought a whole bunch of fruit.
2) Instead of just throwing it in the fruit and veggie drawer (or stacking it on the shelf), I cut up all the fruit and put it in separate containers.
3) Now "A" and I have a healthy snack that is just as easy to grab as crackers (or other tasty yet not as healthy snacks). I may or may not have sprinkled a little Truvia Sweetener on it. :)
This saved me so much time. It took me 20 minutes tops to cut and prepare all the fruit, and now I don't have to prepare it everytime I need a snack!
* The mommy and baby containers look different because "A" eats only organic and I am too cheap to let myself eat organic. So my container is full of the fruits that were on sale this week.
** I placed the pit underneath the slices of avacado to keep them from turning brown.
Tuesday 3/20/12
The Best Scrubber Ever!
My sister told me about an AMAZING scrubbing stick. So I tried it, and it is amazing. It takes the ring off the inside of toilets, and the nasty crud around faucets. The best part..... it only costs about $3 (at Safeway). Be sure to check the label and test a surface before going into a scouring frenzy. Happy cleaning!!!
Cleaning Up In 10 Minutes
So I have been feeling like the house is always a disaster. I've come up with a solution that really really helps. At the beginning of each nap (A's, not mine. Haha), I set the kitchen timer and pick up as much stuff as I can. I tend to do it in a flurry. If everything is picked up, then I work on washing dishes or laundry. When my time is up, that's it. No more straightening up the house. That leaves the rest of nap time to check something off my to-do list, take a nap (rarely), or blog. :) I have found that my house is pretty clean afterward and it is much more tidy throughout the day.
Small Things that Make My Life Easier
Here are a few things I do to save time and simplify my life:
- Prepare bottles ahead of time: When A was an infant, I found it so stressful holding a screaming baby and getting a bottle ready. I would have the next days worth of bottles in the fridge ready to go into the warmer before I went to bed the night before.
- Assemble bottles and sippy cups as soon as they are clean and dry: This cuts down on the time trying to locate and match lids.
- Wipe down the highchair tray before you set your baby free: :) I get so frustrated if it's time for the next meal or it's been an hour and there is old food on the highchair tray. (I know it sounds gross, but it happens) I always tried to wipe it down after I let my little man out of his highchair, but then I had to go chasing him and all cleaning intentions were gone. If he is still in his highchair, he may be a bit cranky, but he's safe and in one spot while you quickly wash the tray. (Note: I make sure A is buckled in before I clean the tray).
- Keep a glass or waterbottle in eyesight: I find by the end of the day I get so parched! But if I leave a water bottle or glass on the counter where I see it when I rush through the house, I tend to drink more water. It usually reminds me to fill it up and guzzle it down. However now I have competition for my water. If A sees me drinking my water, he insists I share. But I don't mind. :)
- Keep baby socks together: I bought a mesh small laundry garment bag and tied it to the baby's hamper. Every time I take off A's socks, I put them in the bag. Then I throw the whole bag in the washer. When I fold laundry, I have every sock with no strays!
- Make lists: As corny as this sounds, I like to make a list of what needs to be done before I go to bed. This gives me a goal for the next day to accomplish all of those tasks. You have to agree, doesn't it feel good to cross off the last item on a to-do list?
- Start a load of laundry before bed: I like to start laundry right before I go to bed so when I wake up, I can just throw it in the drier. That's 1 load DONE and the day has just begun!
- Prepare bottles ahead of time: When A was an infant, I found it so stressful holding a screaming baby and getting a bottle ready. I would have the next days worth of bottles in the fridge ready to go into the warmer before I went to bed the night before.
- Assemble bottles and sippy cups as soon as they are clean and dry: This cuts down on the time trying to locate and match lids.
- Wipe down the highchair tray before you set your baby free: :) I get so frustrated if it's time for the next meal or it's been an hour and there is old food on the highchair tray. (I know it sounds gross, but it happens) I always tried to wipe it down after I let my little man out of his highchair, but then I had to go chasing him and all cleaning intentions were gone. If he is still in his highchair, he may be a bit cranky, but he's safe and in one spot while you quickly wash the tray. (Note: I make sure A is buckled in before I clean the tray).
- Keep a glass or waterbottle in eyesight: I find by the end of the day I get so parched! But if I leave a water bottle or glass on the counter where I see it when I rush through the house, I tend to drink more water. It usually reminds me to fill it up and guzzle it down. However now I have competition for my water. If A sees me drinking my water, he insists I share. But I don't mind. :)
- Keep baby socks together: I bought a mesh small laundry garment bag and tied it to the baby's hamper. Every time I take off A's socks, I put them in the bag. Then I throw the whole bag in the washer. When I fold laundry, I have every sock with no strays!
- Make lists: As corny as this sounds, I like to make a list of what needs to be done before I go to bed. This gives me a goal for the next day to accomplish all of those tasks. You have to agree, doesn't it feel good to cross off the last item on a to-do list?
- Start a load of laundry before bed: I like to start laundry right before I go to bed so when I wake up, I can just throw it in the drier. That's 1 load DONE and the day has just begun!