January Craft Time

Alright, my first craft of the new year!  I perused my Pinterest account looking for something easy and quick to make since I started my new job and don't have as much time (yet) during the evenings.  I found a few things but then saw an infinity scarf that my aunt made.  I LOVE the whole scarf trend and love to do basic sewing so I figured this would be it!

For a quicker look at how to make an infinity scarf, check out this video detailing this step-by-step.

The Infinity Scarf

What You'll Need:
-fabric in color/pattern of your liking
-matching thread
-scissors
-pins
-sewing needle
-sewing machine (optional)

*Note: for the fabric, I'd suggest getting it cut at the fabric store so you don't have to do any trimming and measuring.  I'd get 24-32 inches (a little less than a yard) per scarf. Remember: the more fabric you have the longer and bulkier the actual scarf will be.  Also, the heavier the fabric, the chunkier/bulkier the layers.  If you're looking for something Spring-y or Summer-y then I'd suggest a light jersey knit or gauzy cotton.  For Fall or Winter a good sturdy cotton or even (if you're feeling bold) wool.

I chose a cotton fabric in a nice pastel stripe to use for Spring.  It can also go with neutrals since it's a tad bit sturdier than a gauze.

Step-by-Step
1. Iron fabric.
2. Take fabric and fold long ways, face to face (or pretty side to pretty side).

3. Measure 4 inches from each side and pin.  Continue pinning length.

4 inches

Pinning

4. Sew length (you can use whatever seam allowance you like. I just used the foot pedal on my sewing machine).  Make sure you back-stitch the ends to keep them secure.
5. Turn inside out (here the seam should be inside).

(Yes I know it's uneven...but since it's to be worn and looped, I doubt anyone would notice)

6. Take both ends (the 4 inch non-sewed ends) and pin the forks seam to seam.

Fork

Seam-to-seam (pretty side to pretty side)

7. (This is where it gets weird) Next, you'll take the ends and pin face-to-face (pretty side to pretty side) and sew.  In doing so, you'll make this almost circle.  You'll leave the actual fork part unsewn (for now).  **NOTE:  The fabric bulks a bit here so make sure you're JUST sewing the edges and not any other material. Start from one corner and arch to the other.  Again, make sure to back-stitch each end to keep them secure.

See how the pins make this kind of circle?

Note that the bulk of the fabric is pulled away from the circle so that I can sew the edges.

8. Once sewn, you'll flip the edges inside and all that's left is this little pocket (fork) to hand sew and then you're DONE!

Pocket to hand sew

It's just a big ol' loop of fabric!

One loop, no wrap.

Two loops, one wrap.

After maybe 20-30 minutes you now have your very own infinity scarf!

So that's it!  I made two from a yard of this fabric so I could gauge the length and bulkiness I wanted.  I love them!

Happy crafting!

My First Week at the New Job

My 4 month respite of being unemployed and scared of future job opportunities is FINALLY over!  Yesterday ended my first week at my new job!  It feels incredibly amazing, I can't even lie.

How am I feeling you may ask?  Overwhelmed, elated, nervous, excited, challenged, humbled, and flattered.

I don't have much Excel experience and yet they hired me...knowing this and knowing how much Excel is used for my position.  I have no working knowledge of sales or insurance and yet they hired me...knowing this and knowing how much this is needed for my position.  They have high expectations.  So do I.

I am so thrilled about this!  I have come into an office at the beginning of a new year where I can learn so much and have time to do it.  Our office is getting a pretty large re-vamping from what I understand so I'm glad I'll get to be a part of that.

One week down.

SUCCESS!

Wasteful Practices

I have a bad habit of wasting things.  Time, money, perfume, food, etc.

Now I need to clarify. I don't waste these things in the typical manner.  I instead cling to them, refusing to (usually) use them how they're meant to be used.

Let me give you examples:

Time-I try to micromanage my time every day.  This means I try to fit in as much as possible in any given day so that I feel both accomplished and caught up.  Some of you may be wondering how this is wasting time...well I've come to realize that when doing this day after day after day I am cramming so much into my days to get things done that I'm not always enjoying what I'm doing.  While yes, I am managing my time by making sure a lot is getting done so that I can enjoy time LATER...sometimes later doesn't come for quite a while.

Money-I have always been a money pincher, saver, miser almost.  I grew up without much of it and saw the struggles my family had and (in retrospect) the sacrifices they made in order to ensure we had food on the table and clothes on our back.  I am forever grateful for this because I've learned to manage my bills really well and budget accordingly for the things we both need and want.  BUT...I have a habit of seeing any money that comes to our family as a bill. Seriously.  I recently graduated and when I first got some money I thought "I need to stick this in my savings for my student loans".  This isn't a bad idea by any means but I also realized that this was free money that was given as a gift for my accomplishments and should be used how I wanted to.
**Please note that I would NOT have spent money willy-nilly if we legitimately needed it for bills or savings.  Thankfully we're in decent shape.**

Perfumes/body washes/lotions-I love these things and the ones I find really amazing I hardly ever use.  I usually use them on special occasions and then they gather dust until another special occasion comes up.  Because of this, I have like 10 bottles of perfume/body sprays, 5 big lotions all about 1/4 empty, and oodles of body washes.  How silly!  Interestingly, my family also passed on the habit of using things to the last drop (so we don't waste the other way) but when Christmas and birthdays roll around I tend to get a load of these things (one reason why I rack up so much)!  When I really sit and think about it I can totally see consumerism and the Western (read: American) tendency to hoard and have multiple things just for the sake of having them, of having "choices".  Some of you may wonder why this is an issue.  Let me explain: most perfumes, for example, have alcohol in them.  This means that after a certain amount of time the mixed scents (artificial or natural) will wear off and most of the scent smells like decayed and diluted rubbing alcohol.  So you spend $50 on a perfume you use maybe 4 times a year and after about 2 years you are really just spraying yourself with an alcohol and chemical base!  No thank you.  Lotions and body washes are a bit different but after time they too change scents and consistency.

Unfortunately, many of us live in a culture that does things in excess. Wastes times, money, food, energy, goods in another bad way: by disposing of things when we're done with them instead of recycling, reanalyzing, and reworking.  I am glad I'm not a waster along these lines but waste is still waste!

So what have I taken from this introspection?  I need to actually USE! Use my time (and enjoy having it), use my money for some pleasure AS WELL as for savings and bills, use the body washes and such on a daily basis instead of for a special occasion, light the fancy candles, wear the fancy clothes, and ENJOY it all...because everyday is special!

I urge you to reassess your habits and see if you're wasting things in either of these ways.  It can save you time, money, and energy not to mention add happiness, balance, and possible good smells!  =]

2013-Another year to enjoy!

Another year means another chance at change, excitement, and adventure!  It's the start of something very different for me so I am anxious (in a good way) to get it started!

So what do we have planned for 2013?  Check it out!

-Make our lifestyle greener: After an adventure in making both my own face wash and laundry detergent along with reading a few blogs about making greener and healthier food changes I really think we can do it. By making our diets cleaner, our cleaning products both eco friendly and chemical free, and just making good decisions regarding our everyday living I think both D and I can do it!

-Bust my ass at my new job: I've got a new job which is to be incredibly fast paced and high stress.  I hope to not only manage but work through any issues I have and come out a champion by years end!

-(Attempt to) travel: Because of said new job, I'm not sure how/when I'll be able to do any traveling besides small weekend excursions.  If, after 6 months, things are going well and I can request time (and we have the funds), D and I will find somewhere to go and enjoy a new slice of the world.  IF we get to, here are a few places I'd like to visit if possible: New Haven, CT (to visit Shelley which in turn could lead to a quick visit to NYC), Gatlinburg, TN, Chicago, IL, and/or Redlands, CA.  I still want to see the Biltmore Mansion and Graceland but those may be a lot more "doable" since they can be quick weekend getaways.

-Purchase at least 1 work appropriate piece per paycheck starting with my first check in February (this includes accessories).  I was so fortunate to be given some funds for graduation and they REALLY helped me start gathering more work appropriate (and professional) pieces.

-(Really) learn French: Although I had more time without a job, I didn't find the proper motivation to go further than part 1 of my French Rosetta Stone.  So 2013, I will!

-Attempt at least 2 vegetarian or vegan days per week.  After attempting a meatless month I'd really like to progress into that.  I think January will be tough since I've got to wait until the very end of the month for my first check but after that...bring it ON!

-WRITE MORE! I find such solace and relaxation in writing and I want to do a LOT more of it this year.  Whether it's poetry, fiction, journaling, or research I just want to delve in and really do it.

-Save more money: With this new job I plan on putting more in my savings account than I had previously.  If I keep it up and don't mess with it I can really rack up some funds for a big purchase later in life!  With this also comes the start of paying off student loans.  While it's intimidating to me, I know we can manage it and really start chipping away at it, slowly and steadily.

-Make a list of stuff I want for the home: If we decide to stay in our apartment for the next few years (which we may do), I want to add new things to it.  Since it has been quiet some time since I updated about our home, I figured I might as well get the other stuff I want to really show you what it's become over the past few years =]

-Craft more:  My goal is to make at least one craft a month.  This does not include making the greener stuff (unless I come up with something truly unique).  I'm excited!

This is all I can think of right now and WOW-what a list!  I hope to blog about my do-it-yourself stuff and update you all on the progress to these goals throughout the year.

Cheers and HAPPY 2013!

2012 in Review

Well well...2012 has come and (is almost) gone and it has been a doozy!

I started 2012 with a few overall goals I wanted to achieve and then I got too excited and came up with a few more.

So what did we do this year?  Well a bit of everything!  And it was A.W.E.S.O.M.E!

1. We traveled a LOT! We went to California, Hawaii, and Orlando this year.
2. We graduated from college!
3. We celebrated our birthdays AND our anniversaries!
4. I lost my job (not good) BUT found a new one which I will start in January!
5. I attempted a change in my diet and mostly enjoyed it.
6. I kept up my love for donating and organizing and started to pay it forward.
7. I read 50 books this year!
8. I worked on some home projects.
9. I worked on getting back into writing.
10. I worked on re-vamping my style, fashion, and closet.
11. I successfully defended my thesis!
12. I made new friends!
13. I have grown up a bit more.
14. I got to spend a lot of time with my family.
15. I have (slowly) become healthier in mind and spirit (although working out took a back seat again and I NEED to get my body healthier).

Though they may seem small, these accomplishments have been awesome and have made 2012 an even better year than I anticipated.

I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store.  It's always so much fun seeing the days, weeks, months, years unfold!  Just a few more days!

Cheers!
J

The Oil Cleansing Method

Okay so as of late my skin has broken out and dried out SO much.  I don't know if it's due to the screwy TN weather this year or just stress (probably both) but I'm HATING it, especially so close to graduation and pictures for the holidays.  I haven't changed any of my face products either so I'm really frustrated.

So naturally, I complained about it on the ol' Facebook and a lovely woman suggested I try the oil cleansing method.  I remember very vaguely my sister saying something about the oil method a few years ago but this woman reminded me.

-The Oil Cleansing Method-

This method uses natural oils to help balance out the oils in our skin.  "Like dissolves like". This is also a more eco-friendly way to take care of your skin and rid of the chemical products we often use to rid of acne, dry skin, grease, etc.
Depending upon your skin type (dry, oily, combination), a certain blend of oils will be combined and applied directly to the face.  Suggested oils are castor combined with olive, sunflower, or grape seed.  

For similar recipes and information, check here, here, and here.

For dry, combine more castor than the other 2:1, for oily, more other than the castor 2:1, and for combination a 1:1 ratio.  For my personal ratio I combined 1 part castor oil and 1 part olive oil.  I also have some tea tree oil to add a drop or two in for whenever I'm feeling a tad dry.  I purchased a small bottle in the travel size section of my local store to try this out for a few weeks.  I also purchased small bottles of the oil so in case it doesn't work, I don't have a ton of oil just laying around.

1) Apply approximately a quarter size about of mixed oil to palm of hand.  Rub together to make "warm", blended.
2) Apply oil directly to face.  That's right...just slather it right on there.  If you've got make-up-DO IT!  The oil should get it all off.
3) Gently rub oil in pores all over face and neck.
4) Wait about 1 minute.
5) Apply a pretty hot (but not scalding) wash cloth directly to the face (lay it over).  Leave on until cool.
6) You can rinse it and reapply a warm cloth again if you're not feeling confident.
7) After it's cool, gently wipe face and neck of all oil.

**PLEASE NOTE: I've read from many different sources and from first hand accounts that your face will go through a phase of getting zitty again.  DO NOT FRET! That's your face getting in deep and pulling the impurities from way down up and out of your skin.  Just leave them alone, keep up the method, and between 3-7 days they should leave and your skin should be back to its awesome, blissful stage...and STAY there! (at least from what I've heard and read)

I started it on Sunday and tried it out for a week.

Day 1 (Sunday)
Before the "wash": I haven't washed my face today nor have I applied anything to it since yesterday.

(You can see my T-zone is especially zitty lately)

After the "wash": My skin feels pretty silky and not dry.  It was kind of bizarre just slathering oil all over my face but it came off well and my skin feels hydrated.  Nothing else is on my face!

(I know it doesn't look different (YET!) but it feels different)

Day 2 (Monday)

Before "wash": I hadn't done a thing to my face before washing it besides getting in the shower.  It got a little wet but I dried it really well before "washing".  I did notice this morning, however, that my t-zone zits had gone down in inflammation. SCORE!

After "wash": It still feels silky smooth and the whole process is kind of relaxing. I can dig it.

Day 3 (Tuesday)

Before "wash": I put on a full face of make-up today and it went on SO well!  No flaky parts, no spotty foundation, nothing!  (Unfortunately I forgot to take a before picture...maybe next time?)

After "wash": E.V.E.R.Y bit of my make-up came off AND my face still feels amazing!

Day 4 (Wednesday)

Before "wash":  I woke up to a tiny amount of dryness on my upper lip and upper eye lids.  I also have a few zits in my eyebrow...but the zits from day 1 have gone WAY down in both size and inflammation.  I wore makeup again and it went on fine.

After "wash":  I had a bit of a hard time getting all all of mascara off (in part because I had a ton on) so I used a tad of Vaseline to finish getting it off.  Other than that it all came off and my skin feels like a baby's =]

(Ignore my hair-I just got out of the shower)

Day 5 (Thursday)

Before "wash": I've got a few more zits...I don't know if it's due to the method, my upcoming cycle, or stress.  Besides those zits my skin feels hydrated and soft.  I didn't wear any makeup today so maybe that will help out a bit too.

After "wash": Everything went well, as usual.  I added a tad of tea tree oil to my zits afterwards so the skin around it won't dry out and peel when I put on makeup.  Maybe tomorrow things will start looking better?  Maybe this is my "bad" stage and things will clear up again?

Day 6 (Friday)

Before "wash": I have broken out more BUT now I realize it's probably more due to my monthly cycle than the method.

After "wash": I actually "washed" my face in the morning instead of at night so that was different but my skin held up and didn't get dry all day (even under my makeup!) 

Day 7 (Saturday)

Before "wash":  I slept in my makeup from the night before.  I was trying not to do that but alas...I did.

After "wash": Since today was INCREDIBLY busy, I "washed" again in the morning instead of in the evening.

So yesterday, on the 8th day, did I keep it up and see any difference? YES!  I plan on using this method at least until my little bottle of the mix is gone.  After that I'll decide whether I want to go back to using a billion different products to make the "perfect" combination...and spend a small fortune. Ha! As of now, unless something horrible happens I see myself using this method.

If you use this, let me know how it goes for you!  Any problems, any awesome results.

If something bad comes about from this I'll post an update.

Happy "washing"!!

Growth

I sit back and am overwhelmed by how much I have grown.  For that, I am glad.

I am glad I have overcome much of my earlier narrowmindedness,
glad I have grown into a real love with my spouse,
glad I have grown into my own beliefs and morals,
glad I have worked hard,
glad I have grown to love donating and helping people,
glad I feel more comfortable about what I want to do with my life,
glad I have learned SO much, which (obviously) helped me grow leaps and bounds,
glad I have worked to accept myself more for who I am and what I want to be,
glad I have met some people who have changed me for the better,
glad I have continued growth and passion for literature and writing,
glad I have a place to call home, where my growth can form at its own pace,
glad I have a family who nurtures my growth and path,
glad I have recognized many of my weaknesses and want to work on a lot of them,
glad I have undergone such metamorphosis with some truly incredible people alongside me,
glad I have grown-up, down, in, and out.

I am so proud of myself and SO excited to grow more.