How a Band-Aid Can Improve Your Manicure!

Do you want a great manicure but don't have the time or money to waste on a day at the spa? Then try this great tip!

French Tips with a Band-Aid

What you'll need:

- 2 different nail polish colours (or you can just use classic white and clear polish)

- 1 Band-Aid

To start, paint your nails with one of your 2 colours (use a clear polish if you are doing a classic french manicure)

Next, Place the end of the Band-Aid on your nail leaving the tip exposed. 

Now, take your second colour and paint the exposed tip. (If you are doing the classic style, here is where you use white)

Peel off the bandage and there you have it! A perfect manicure every time. You only need one bandage to do all your nails so it is very cost effective! I also suggest sealing it with a layer of clear polish to finish it off. 

You Can also Try using the Band-Aid to paint polka-dots on your nails by painting through the little holes on the bandage! 

Pumpkin Bundt Cake!

Yesterday I found a great recipe for Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake.
You can find it on this blog here: http://www.dinnerwithkirsten.com/2008/11/23/pumpkin-bundt-cake/

I was so impressed with the pictures that I decided to try it for thanksgiving dessert. I was absolutely delighted about how it turned out. Everyone had seconds! It was super moist and delicious. Usually bundt cakes turn out dense and dry but not this one!

To get in the holiday spirit I made two Pumpkin Bundt cakes and stacked one on top of the other (one right side up, the other upside down) to look like a pumpkin! I also jazzed it up by adding a "stem" and leaf in the middle. The stem is a twisted piece of paper bag and the leaf was drawn by hand and attached to the stem with tape. Here is how it turned out:

Natural VS. Chemical: Grout Cleaner

I found a recipe for natural grout cleaner and decided to put it to the test against a brand of grout cleaner that is chemical based. Which one worked better? Let's find out!

All Natural Grout Cleaner VS. Zep Grout Cleaner

Here is the recipe I found for the natural grout cleaner:

- 7 cups water
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup vinegar

* I used about half this recipe. It makes a lot! 


Bellow is the chemical product Zep. Make sure you wear gloves if you use this product! It will burn your skin. 

Bellow is the "before" for both products:

Before Zep Cleaner

Before All Natural Cleaner

Bellow is the grout with the cleaners applied:

I applied each cleaner to the grout and left it for 2-3 minutes 

Zep Applied to Grout

Natural Cleaner Applied to Grout


    The after shots:
After leaving the product on for 2-3 minutes, I scrubbed both products with a corse sponge for the same amount of time. Here are the results:

Zep After Shot

Natural Cleaner After Shot

The Left Side of the Picture is the Tile Cleaned with All Natural Cleaner. The Right Side is the Tile Cleaned with Zip

Conclusion: The Natural Recipe Won!

As you can see the natural cleaner actually worked really well! If you put some elbow grease into it, you will see some really great results. I'll be honest I didn't think it would beat the chemical product but I was proven wrong. This recipe not only is good for the environment and your family, it saves you money! To be fair the chemical product did produce some results, but I just didn't think it was worth it. The chemicals were dangerous, messy, and not as effective. So when it comes to grout, natural wins! I will definitely use this recipe again in the future. 

Because there is baking soda in the recipe, it does leave a residue on the tile so make sure you clean your floors afterwards. I like to use this all natural product to clean tile:

They may have a floor cleaner but I like to use this one.

Be Your Own Hero!

Day 30

Today was the last day of September. I am happy with what I have accomplished so far but still have a lot to improve on for October. This blogging experience has been challenging but it has really helped me organize my thoughts. I've realized that motivating others is really what motivates myself. Putting my personal thoughts and goals out into the universe gives me the courage to follow through.

If you want to continue with your journey, keep a journal and write down some of your thoughts and aspirations. You will find that once you write them down they become permanent and give you that spark you need to move forward. Those words will always be there to look back on and excite you over and over again. Your own words will inspire you.


* It is now the beginning of October so it is time to start fresh. Tomorrow is a new month and a new day. Push out any negative energy you may still be carrying from last month so that you are starting with only positivity. This month my goal is to be my own hero. Stop waiting around for others and take back the reins on my life!