Homemade Deodorant

For years I used high dollar deodorant. I tried every kind out there it seemed. Clear gel, solids, clinical strength, I tried them. (The one kind I didn't try was men's though. I just didn't want to have that manly deodorant smell.). I noticed that the cost of the deodorant had nothing to do with it's effectiveness either.  Admittedly, I'm a sweat-er and I was in search of something strong and functional. So, a few years ago I went on a search for a diy deodorant. There had to be something out there that worked better than what I'd bought, right?
In my research, I learned how the aluminum in commercial deodorants is not safe for our skin and bodies. There are mixed views out there on this topic. Do the research and decide for yourself what is best for you to use. I prefer my homemade deodorant mostly because it WORKS! It has passed the test on 100°+ summer days. That is enough proof for me to keep using it.
The ingredients are not hard to find and many of you probably have these on hand anyway. I use Bob's Red Mill baking soda.

The recipe for homemade deodorant:
1/4 cup baking soda (shouldn't have aluminium)
1/4 cup Arrowroot powder
5-6 Tablespoons of coconut oil (can add more depending on the consistency you are looking for)
Several drops of essential oil of choice (tea tree and lavender are my favorite right now)

Combine baking soda and arrowroot powder

Slowly add in coconut oil. I stir in three tablespoons at a time.

After all the coconut oil has been combined, add your essential oils

The consistency should be like frosting.  Don't eat it. ;-)

Now store it in a pretty jar

 I apply my deodorant using my hands. This does not bother me at all, but I know it will gross some people out. You can buy clean deodorant containers or clean an old one out and just fill it with your handmade mixture. I have tried this and it did not work well for me. It may work for you, but I'm going to keep slathering it on with my hands.

Just a note** This deodorant can and will melt in warm temperatures. It is OK and does not ruin it. This is because of the coconut oil. If this should happen to you, put your container of deodorant in the fridge until solid again. You can leave it there , but it needs to soften a bit before using.

Guest Room Makeover

*Warning--- lots of pictures!*

I have already blogged about our guest room once before. I was looking for ideas then to spruce up that room. That was a few years ago and this is basically what the room looked liked up until a couple of weeks ago.

We actually had been dealing with a leak for a few years. After several "repairs" and numerous contractors over those few years, we were finally able to determine that the cause of the leak was coming from the window in that room. So naturally we had to have the window replaced. Well, it sounded like a great opportunity to make-over that room----again!

This time I really wanted to make the room brighter and more calming. I want my guests to feel relaxed and well rested. In order to brighten the room, the navy roman shades need to go and the furniture needed a face lift. That chest of drawers was my husband's grandmother's. I had to really convince him to let me paint it. 

The bed did not have a headboard and we could never find one that we loved. Then we came across an old bi-fold door that I knew would work perfectly.  All it needed was some paint. I had been holding onto a can of Annie Sloan Duck Egg Blue chalk paint for months..just waiting for the perfect piece to use it on. 

This is  the door before I painted it. 

 And here it is after, used as a headboard.

See that chest of drawers...I love it painted in Duck Egg blue! Painting just that piece brightened the room so much.

I took out the old nightstands and added these vintage suitcases. They make pretty cool bedside tables. 

Old books

Found an older fan in the perfect color for this room.

Chocolate for my guests :)

Sweet corner to rock and read.

This picture used to hang above the bed. I found it at a thrift store years ago and still like it a lot. I just moved it to another wall. 

Looking into the redesigned guestroom.

A better look at the painted chest of drawers.

Crisp and bright.

There are still a few more things left do. We want to rip up the carpet and install laminate wood flooring. We also need to touch up the paint in a couple of spots. I might even hang some white plates on the wall above the suitcases. We really like how the room turned out. Hope you did too!

Cutting Mats or Place Mats?

I learned about these plastic cutting mats on a TV cooking show. They were showing how to use two of them to flatten meat. It is a lot less mess than sandwiching your piece of chicken between plastic wrap. I thought it was such a great idea so I went right out and picked up a pack of three.

Well after I got home and opened them up, I thought they would be GREAT to use as place mats. Especially for outdoor dining. They can wipe right off easily, they are the perfect size, and they come in three bright colors. So...the next time I was at the store, I purchased two additional packs. I store them separately from the ones I do use as cutting mats. (the knife marks are quite visible)

 It did not take us long to set the table outside with some fun color.

 Blue mason jars are always a fun addition to any table.

Just thought I'd throw in a picture of a yummy salad :-)

Another shot of the table with the sun shining down.


So go out and grab some plastic cutting mats....they make terrific place mats!

Porch Sitting

We have a pretty partial wrap around porch on the front of our house that we just don't use often enough. Why---I don't really know!  The sides of the porch are wider than along the front which allows for a little more variety. I had been wanting to create a cozy outdoor sitting area for a long time. A place where  we could use for school, just relaxing, or entertaining our friends with a cup of coffee or glass of tea. I really did not spend a lot of money either. I love that I was able to repurpose a few items I already had on hand.

This is what the porch area looked like before.

And here is the completed after photo.

It turned out so cozy and pretty. We have really enjoyed this new space.  It has been nice to sit out here for homeschool or just taking a break and reading a book. Many mornings I've come out here for my quiet time to read the Bible and devotions. My daughter has even mentioned having her birthday party out here..complete with a sleep over on the porch!

Tree stump my husband cut for me. 

Another tree stump--used as a side table. The lamp is an old  one I had hiding in a closet. So glad I kept it! 

This is an old army cot my in-laws had stored away. A few pillows and a blanket make it a great napping place. These pretty yellow pillows are from Angela of Button Bird Designs.  If you have not checked out her blog and Etsy shop, do so now!  She has awesome ideas and she is a sweet heart too. The rug was being used inside. Glad to repurpose it for the porch. 

What porch is complete without the latest issue of Southern Living?

And old window gives an otherwise boring corner a little character. I took a wooden apple crate I've had for years and spray painted it. Now it holds magazines at the bottom and a plant on top. 

I found these curtains on the clearance aisle at Walmart. Less than $5 each! My husband made a curtain rod and now we welcome the warm, gentle breezes.

And that's the porch tour. It was a lot of fun putting this space together and I love how the whole family enjoys it too!