Homemade Baby Wipes

This is really quick and easy.  Even for a new, first time mom like me.  I made them in the first week I was home.  The only thing you have to watch out for is, due to the fact that these are all natural with no preservatives, they can mold.  This really isn't a problem considering that you go through a batch of them in about a week.  Just don't make multiple batches and store for later.

I love these wipes.  When we brought Blake home I used Pampers wipes.  I was paranoid about diaper rash and I did notice her skin was a little irritated.  I don't know if that was just a normal newborn thing and normal new mom obsessiveness but when I switched over to my homemade wipes, which are really moisturizing, her skin looked way better.

All you have to do is mix the water, coconut oil, and baby wash together in a bowl.  The coconut oil is solid at room temp but has a really low melting point.  Making these in September in southern California, my coconut oil was already in a liquid state but if yours isn't, just use water that is a little warm and it will melt.

Cut a roll of Bounty Select-A-Size** paper towels in half.  It can be a little bit messy and use a big serrated knife.  Save the other half for the next batch.
**You must use Bounty.  Other paper towels will fall apart.

Stick the half roll of paper towels in the bowl of liquid and let it soak it up.  I turn it over once all the liquid is absorbed and let gravity do the rest.  In about an hour it will be all absorbed and you can pull out the cardboard center.  Put in an old wipe box or container of your choosing and pull from the center to dispense.

I made a sticker label to cover the Pampers label and done and done.  So easy :)

New Dining Room Chairs

My new chairs from Target came!  I'm so happy to finally have somewhere to sit for meals.  No more eating at the coffee table.  We can act like civilized grown ups :)  They were super easy to put together and I think they really add something to the room.  I could have gone with plain chairs, just in case, which is always my first instinct but it really pays off sometimes to go with the riskier choice.

This little bud vase was such a good find.  Clearance rack at Bed, Bath, & Beyond for $1.99.

And a picture of my fur baby because he's just so darn cute!!

And finally this is Kyle's "seriously Mara put the camera down and get in here and relax" face.

Babe on a Budget

These days I'm on a pretty tight budget and it's going to get even tighter in the upcoming months when Kyle goes into his fire academy and can not work for 10 weeks.  That being said there are some luxuries in my life that I just refuse to give up.  One of those luxuries has been my Moroccan Oil.  I have long hair and if you want long hair, you have to take care of it.  But lately I've been thinking, there has to be some product out there with the same or similar ingredients for a lot cheaper.  Moroccan Oil has been on the market for a while now so plenty of companies must be copying it.  Considering that a 3.4 oz bottle costs $40-$50, depending on where you buy it, it was definitely worth looking around.  

Today, I was at Rite Aid and noticed a bottle of Argan Oil (main ingredient of Moroccan Oil) being advertised on a display by the front door.  I picked up the bottle, Googled Moroccan Oil ingredients and compared them.  It was basically the same but for $20(a significant savings).  As I browsed the store and held onto the bottle I picked up I decided to check the hair aisle just in case there were other brands.   Low and behold, what do I find... Renpure Originals Argan Oil.  Almost the exact same ingredients, not tested on animals, made in America, a family company, the bottle is larger (3.75oz), it even smells the same as Moroccan Oil. What more could I ask for????  How about a price tag of $5.99 !!!