How to get Paint OFF of Hinges, knobs, etc.

I have found over the years, that Baking Soda, Vinegar, & Hydrogen Peroxide can pretty much do everything! :) They have been Green for years! lol

So here's a quick tip that you might need someday.

I don't know about everybody else, but many times I'm starting a project I'm in a hurry, i'm always squeezing stuff in, in my life.  Like recently I decided to paint my vanity in my bedroom & my hutch. I did not have time to talk someone in to moving them for me, & I really didn't care about the pieces enough to truly prep them. Both are things that I have been wanting to get rid of for years, so any improvement in the items great.

One thing tho, I tend to change my mind OFTEN.  I like such a gamut of things that I tire of things easily, and my creative mind always wants to try something different.

So this tip is how to strip paint OFF of hardware, hinges, screws, knobs etc.  Anything that you might of decided to paint over without the necessary prep work, because at the time you didn't really care and it wasn't going to show anyway. 

All you need to do is...

Put a quart of water onto the stove, add in 1/4 cup of Baking soda & let it boil.
Drop in your hardware with paint, it will most likely start to fizz & you will feel like a mad scientist doing a science project! ;)  Wait about 15minutes, and then use tongs to pull out the first piece. The paint should show signs of peeling.  lay it on a paper towel, & allow it to cool for a few minutes.  Trust me that metal gets HOT - don't touch! Once it feels cool enough, You should be able to peel the paint right off.  If not, do the process over. 

This trick is something my Grams has sweared by for years. 
Her favorite motto (& mine too!) ... If it doesn't move - Paint it! lol :)

Blowing thru the JASMINE in my mind...........

I'm not sure anyone really knows how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE the smell of fresh Jasmine.  There is something about that scent that is completely intoxicating to me.  For some reason it reminds me of vacation.  As soon as I smell it I perk up and am in a better place. 

Awhile ago when shopping for vitamins, I found they also sold essential oils there.  Low & behold they had the Jasmine Essential Oil.  Open the cap and Mmmm the smell takes me to that place instantly.  It was 7.99 fo the bottle, which at first glance might seem like a lot, but you only have to use drops or half drops when putting it on. At first I was rubbing it on my wrist everyday, crazy I know but if it makes you happy well... you know the rest. DO IT

So yesterday I was at Michaels picking up more silver paint for my hutch redo, and I found these little spray bottles.  I immediately thought, perfect size.. I can make some homemade air freshner!

So in literally less than 5minutes this morning. I gathered a 3 items, the bottle, vodka, & the Jasmine oil.

I put about 20drops of Jasmine oil in the bottom of the bottle, then I took some old cheap Vodka, and poured it in the same bottle, shake well, and let sit for a minute. 

Voila, a really inexpensive air freshner or perfume, that I can't get enough of.  :)

The awesome thing with this recipe is, essential oils come in all scents.  Many have aromatherapy benefits.  Choose the one you love and follow the steps above. 

These would also make inexpensive hostess gifts, etc.  Get a pretty bottle, make a nice label, a little bit of ribbon. Today I went down the Vodka aisle at the grocery store and found you can get quite a nice size bottle for 3.99.  A bottle that size along with some essential oil could make several dozens of these. 

I so love this project. My whole house smells like fresh vacation.  I'm thinking I'm going to go back and pick up some lemon oil.  Another clean fresh smell I love.  Lavendar would be great in guest room, as Lavendar provides a cozy and restful benefit. 

If you try this, let me know what scents of essentials oils you love best.  Now I'm going to start looking for some pretty bottles, so I can keep this all over the house.  Can you tell I'm in love. :)


NOTE:  Another quick way to use a few drops of essential oil is to put it on a cotton ball and then wipe on to your lightbulbs. When your turn on the light, it will emit the smell.  Also works on candles, sprinkle a little bit and when you light them, it will also give off the scent.

Great Green way to freshen up your home.

Ten + One Surprising Uses for Lemons

In my home, I almost always have a big bowl of bright yellow lemons. Partially just because I love the way they look, they just bring a little "zest" into a space. Really lemons, aren't just for show- lemons serve a million purposes around the house from cooking ( I use the frquently) to cleaning. Here are just some of the myriad things you can do with them.

This is my favorite tip as it can be a real life saver, so I'm calling it THE Plus One Tip:

Truly it is one of the best tips I have ever come across, as I used to have chronic ear infections. My Allergist (Dr. Kriendler) once told me to mix equal parts of lemon Juice & Rubbing Alcohol, and put into my ears after I bathe, or swim. I started using this so much that I put the mixture into a little squeeze bottle, & kept it in the medicine cabinet. I stopped having ear infections ever since, and when I feel one coming on, I start using this immediately. The Lemon juice kills the bacteria, & the rubbing alcohol dries any water in your ear canal. This worked for my niece at Disney a few years ago, when they couldn't get to a doctor fast enough, my kids, and countless friends.

1. Sanitize: Lemons are acidic enough to kill most types of bacteria. Rub a half a lemon over a cutting board, countertop, or butcher block to sanitize and disinfect without putting nasty chemicals near your food.

2. Whiten: Add a 1:1 mixture of water and lemon juice to fade tough stains (like those yellow underarm ones), or add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the washer to whiten a whole load.

3. Shine: Sprinkle half a lemon with salt and scrub to shine up the insides of copper and stainless steel cookware or sinks.

4. Soothe Your Throat: Mix a 1:1 ratio of lemon juice and hot water for a tea that will soothe a sore throat. Follow with a teaspoon of honey.

5. Freshen Your Breath: for an impromptu mouthwash when you feel like you've been sucking on dirty gym socks, rinse your mouth with lemon juice- the acid will kill the stinky bacteria. Afterward, be sure to rinse with water to protect your teeth from the acid. Or, chew on a bit of the rind.

6. Clear the Air: When you follow your nose to find last month's Chinese leftovers in the back of the fridge, or the garbage can starts getting rank, soak a cotton ball in lemon juice and put it in the fridge or can. After a few minutes the bad smells will have disappeared.

7. Highlight Your Hair: Mix a 1:3 ratio of lemon juice to water and wet your hair with it. Sit in the sun until your hair dries completely. Results will be subtle. (Not recommended for brunettes).

8. Drive Away Pests: Wash your floors with a 1:10 ratio of lemon juice and water to drive off ants and roaches (no, it won't make the floor sticky).

9. Heal Bug Bites and Cuts: Rub lemon juice on bug bites to kill the sting or itch, or into cuts (if you can stand the pain) to disinfect and heal.

10. Fix Up Your Hands: Rub a lemon wedge on your hands to remove the odor from cutting onions or garlic, or stains from beets or berries. This also works to whiten fingernails that are yellowed from polish.

In other words, when life gives you lemons, clean your house, beautify, and heal yourself. Or, you could just make Lemoncello, I will post this recipe next time! :)

Lemon Body Scrub

I love the idea of the this Lemon Body Scrub. 
It's just perfect for the summer season we going into.

Lemon and Honey Body Scrub

• 6 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 5 drops of lemon juice
• honey 

1. First mix sugar and salt well.
2. Add lemon juice and honey to get a thick paste




You're ready to go you can use this scrub all over your body it makes your body soft and sweet smelling! Great for feet & heels too.

BATH JELLY

Bath jelly is a fun alternative to bath gel and can be found in all the popular bath shops such as Lush.  This soap recipe is perfect for kids and although it is not an actual Lush recipe it is a great bath jelly recipe.  Kids love the process of making it.  Great for gift ideas to do with them too.

1 packet of Unflavored gelatin 15g (1tbs)
1 tsp of Salt
1/2 cup of Liquid soap
3/4 cup of Water
Food Coloring
Fragrant oils or essential oils
Plastic storage jar with lid



Empty the packet of gelatin into a bowl and set aside. Boil 3/4 cup of water using a saucepan or kettle.
Carefully pour the hot water into a mixing bowl and mix it with the gelatin powder. Let the gelatin dissolve completely.

Next pour the liquid soap into the gelatin mix.
Add 2 drops of food coloring into the mix and also add your fragrance oil. Add about 5 drops and stir it very gently so the bubbles do not become too agitated.

Add any remaining ingredients.
Pour the mix into a clean storage container and allow to set for several hours in the refrigerator.
Add a small toy into the Jelly before it sets to give the kids an incentive to get to the bottom of the Jelly soap.

Dispose of the jelly after several weeks or if mold is present. Avoid mold by keeping it in an airtight container in a cool place at all times.  Add a plastic spoon to the jar to make use easier.

HOW TO USE :  Place a small amount of jelly under warm running water to use.
For firmer Jelly that you can slice. Add 3 tsp of gelatin to the above ingredients.