DIY Laundry Detergent

While in college I learned a lot of tricks, such as how to make the best fried chicken and create the perfect French braid. However my favorite trick was how to spend under $25 for a year supply of laundry detergent. In school I shared the detergent with two people and we each did at least one load of laundry a week, and still had some left over when the school year ended. Since college is starting up I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share this money saving recipe.

DIY Laundry Soap
Ingredients
2 tablespoons for a regular load
3 tablespoons for a large load
1 (4 lb. 12 oz.) box of Borax
4 lbs. Arm and Hammer Baking Soda
1 (3lb. 7 oz.) box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
4 bars Fels Naptha Soap, grated (on a cheese grated)
optional: 1 (3 lb.) container Oxy Clean free – I liked to use it as an extra stain remover

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a large heavy duty garbage bag. Be sure to securely close the bag and shake it back and forth until completely mixed. Scoop out into containers.

Notes: I like to add some Downy or Downy UnStopables to give my laundry more of girly scent. You could also add two containers of Downy UnStopables to your laundry soap mixture. HE washer friendly.

1950’s Pink Popcorn

Old-fashioned ice cream parlours use to be the “in thing” in metro Detroit. However overtime, many of these places faded out, but the memories remain. One of my parlours sold fresh popped popcorn coated with thick pink sugar, creating the ideal sweet and salty combination. Recently I was given a 1950’s cookbook, and one of the recipes in the book was old-fashioned pink popcorn. Immediately I had to give the recipe a try, and the result was pink perfection

1950\’s Pink Popcorn
Ingredients
2/3 cup popcorn kernels, popped (or two bags of popcorn)
2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup half and half
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
¼ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
pink food gel (a little goes a long way)

Directions
Place popped popcorn in a large bowl also lay out waxed paper on the counter.
In a large saucepan combine sugar, half and half, corn syrup and salt.  Cook over medium high heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Heat mixture to 230 degrees, stirring occasionally. Immediately remove from heat – add vanilla and food coloring. Drizzle mixture over popped popcorn and gently stir until popcorn is evenly coated. Pour mixture onto waxed paper and allow to dry for 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container.
Note: pink popcorn is best when eaten the day it is made

Spicy Dream

While summer has a loud approach to fashion with bright colors, fall is all about sophistication. Spicy Dream is Jessica Cosmetics fall collection filled with six enticingly sophisticated and whimsical colors perfect for 9-5 or a night out with the girls. What do you think of this collection?
 {pumpkin delight}
Pumpkin Delight is the perfect burnt orange combined with red and gold glitter. Creating the quintessential fall polish. 

 {gingersnap}
Gingersnap is a deep golden hue with flecks of red and orange glitter – this polish screams autumn.
 {champagne bubbles}

Champagne Bubbles is a white/silver base with gold and silver glitter, and is my new Sunday brunch must have polish.

 {crimson tattoo}

Crimson Tattoo is a vampy purple/red jelly. The color reminds me of OPI’s Linkin dark after dark but with a moodier tone.

 {cinnamon kiss}

Cinnamon Kiss is a vampy red over a blacked base with a subtle touch of simmer.  

{brown sugar}

Brown Sugar is a hot chocolate brown with the subtlest silver simmer.

Crave or Save: Polka Dot Sweater

My weekend was made up of going from one mall to another in an attempt to construct a fall ensemble with the best deals of the season. One of the items on my list was a sweater that would make a statement and I found the perfect look at J.Crew. On the other hand the 268 dollar price tag was not as appealing as the sweater was. Continuing to shop I came across an almost indistinguishable sweater at Old Navy for only $25, which was, a $243 reduction from the one I saw at J.Crew. Which would you buy?

Five Things

 {new fall booties that compliment the stitching on jeans perfectly}
 {new doorstop from my mum}
 {glitter collection for card and nail designs}
 {hudsonville orange pineapple ice cream with matching manicure}
{sunset manicure to savor summer}