diy taco seasoning

Taco Seasoning (recipe adapted from my Dad)
good for about 1lb. ground beef

Combine spices, about 1-1 1/2 tsp. of each
Cook beef until fully browned on medium-high heat.
Drain the oil.
Place skillet back on stove, add and mix in spice mixture.
Then add about 1/3 - 1/2 cup of water to the beef. You can add a pinch or two of cornstarch to help sauce thicken. If not, just wait until water cooks off.

I grew up on Ortega taco seasonings - which by the way, is super delicious – but as soon as I found out that taco seasoning can be easily made with just a few spices, I knew that I wouldn’t buy the store-bought stuff again. It’s easier to adjust the spices to your taste and if you already use and cook with these commonly used spices, it’s cheaper too. Not to mention healthier (no more "caramel color" and maltodextrin, whatever that is).

Taco Tuesdays just got real.

what to do with dried flowers

I generally find potpourri to be kind of useless, as it fails to compete with the likes of scented candles or boiled orange peels. But seeing as how I had dried flowers left over from V-day, I thought it might be a good opportunity to give them new life by creating my own potpourri and putting it on elegant display.

And what’s more elegant than a wine glass?

Pick off the dried petals and place in a wine, champagne or martini glass. Add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil or perfume for a light fragrance.

There you have it. The easiest DIY ever.  And a quick way to add a touch of romance to the décor, whether it’s displayed on a shelf, nightstand or used as a centerpiece for a table. (dinner for two?) Personally, I think the latter is a really sweet idea.

diy glass cups (or recycling glass bottles)

Between the two of us, my boyfriend Bob is more willing to try his hand at the seemingly more complicated crafts and diy projects (I'm a simple girl myself). A while ago, on a major diy kick, he created cups out of glass beer bottles.

It sounds like something that's difficult, but I assure you, it's simple. I even made a couple. And that's saying a lot.

What you'll need:
a beer bottle with the label peeled off (unlike shown in the photos)
bottle cutter
sand paper
lighter or a match

1.) Take the cutter and position the blade around the part you want to cut. With a firm and steady grip, rotate the bottle, only going around the bottle once. You will see a thin, white score line form.

2.) Hold the lighter on the score line and rotate around, slowly. The heat will cause the glass molecules to expand.

3.) This step is important: Quickly, hold the bottle under cold running water, until the bottle breaks along the line. It will break apart easily because the shock of the cold will cause the molecules to rapidly contract. Be sure not to tug or pull on it, as this will cause an uneven and jagged break.

4.) Dry off the cup. Sand down the rim with the sand paper until smooth and even. This will take a few minutes.

5.) Clean and enjoy your new drinking glass/vase/toothbrush holder/etc!

diy natural air freshener

When I was much younger – like 5 or 6 years-old – I felt so guilty whenever I threw out a banana peel or a chicken bone or even the core of an apple in the garbage. I knew that a banana peel didn’t have feelings, but what if it did? What if it was crying on the inside and calling out for me to not throw it in the trash can? What if it wanted to be eaten, just like it’s inside (because eating was somehow better than throwing it away)? In my eyes, trashing food was the equivalent of burying someone alive.

To this day, I still carry somewhat of a guiltiness whenever I throw something away, but thankfully not as intense as when I was younger (it’s kind of a wonder how I’m not a hoarder). So whenever I find a use for something that I never thought to re-use before, it makes me feel happy and accomplished. And less wasteful.

After spotting this idea on Pinterest, I decided to fill the air in my apartment with the scent of oranges and spice as a way to freshen the place, naturally. And the cool part was finding something to do with peels that we so often throw away. Here’s how it worked:

I saved the rinds of eaten oranges in the refrigerator for up to week.

Set a pot of water to medium heat.

Placed the rinds in the boiling water.

Added a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a teaspoon of cinnamon (I also tried it with pumpkin pie spice, which had a little more potency).

If a scent could have the characteristics of being warm and cozy, then this would be it. Perhaps suitable for a lazy Sunday?

It's probably not something I'll be doing regularly, but it's nice to know there's a use for something as disposable as orange rinds. For more interesting peel re-uses, check this out.

-jillian m.

p.s. Practice caution and common sense by never leaving the pot unattended.

diy brown sugar lip scrub (or the softest lips imaginable)

‘Tis the season for dry, chapped lips. At least, for me. 

Every year, around the same time my lips start to feel super rough and flaky (attractive, I know).  Lipstick just doesn’t glide on as evenly and smoothly as it used to…and it tends to look that way too.

But for years now, I’ve had a tried and true formula for sloughing away the dead, peeling skin as gently and effectively as possible: a simple mixture of brown sugar and olive oil. It’s a natural and cheap alternative to the fancy-schmancy lip scrubs you’ll find at Sephora for $25. I could never bring myself to buy any lip scrub for that price, no matter how tempting they seemed.

You will need:
1 part brown sugar (the gentle exfoliant)
1 part olive oil (a natural moisturizer)
Soft cloth


For a one-time use, combine a drop or two of olive oil with an equal amount of brown sugar. 
Massage mixture gently on lips using small, circular motions. 
*Remove with a soft cloth.  
Apply balm on lips to seal in moisture.
Repeat about once every week, every two weeks or as needed.

I’d highly recommend this to those who like to rock bold red lips. Red tends to accentuate even the tiniest imperfections, so smooth and moisturized lips are a must.  I’d dare say my lips looked straight out of this Givenchy ad when I put on my favorite red lipstick after a good scrub-down.

Holiday parties, I’m ready for you!

Don’t have these ingredients? Try substituting brown sugar with white sugar or replace the olive oil with petroleum jelly.

-jillian m.

* Try not to lick it off. Olive oil + brown sugar is surprisingly delicious.

diy "febreze" aka fabric refresher

Whenever an easy and inexpensive do-it-yourself project presents itself, I find it almost impossible to not bookmark it. And when it's something useful for everyday life, it's an instant must-try.

Like this recipe for "Febreze" fabric refresher. I use fabric and linen sprays quite often to freshen up sheets and curtains with that nice, freshly-laundered scent. But I try to keep the spritzing to a minimum, as it's almost shocking how you can go through one bottle so quickly. However, according to Fake-It-Frugal, the diy version will save you over $5. That's what I call a super deal.


You will need:
A clean, empty spray bottle
1/8 cup liquid fabric softener
1-2 teaspoons baking soda
Warm to hot tap water


Mix the fabric softener and baking soda. 
Pour into spray bottle.
Add the water and fill to the top.

Ready, set...spray!

 Just as good, if not better, than any store brand, in my opinion.

And for a greener, more natural option, try this simple tutorial (I'm trying it next time!).

-jillian m.

diy book bookends

Since my boyfriend and I started apartment-hunting, we've been brainstorming ways to
decorate stylishly and affordably. And before I could say "DIY", he jumped at the chance to make bookends. I have to admit, I initially felt lukewarm about the idea. But after seeing the
results, how inexpensive it was and how little effort and time went into it, I was completely sold.

Supplies:
2 metal bookends
Glue
2 sturdy hardcover books that you'll never read (thrifted for $1 each)
1 paintbrush


Instructions:
1. Glue a metal bookend to the inside of the book (between the hard cover and the pages).
2. Brush a layer of glue around the pages of the book together (no need to glue each individual page - just the sides will do)
3. Repeat for other bookend.

And...bookends you've got!  Pretty neat, right?

*To see a step-by-step guide in photos, go to the original source of inspiration.

-jillian m.