mimi's house

They're BAA-AACK!

2011-06-07T12:08:00.000-04:00

But don't be frightened, we're talking FREEBIES from Allure Magazine. Each and every month Allure gives away full sized freebies and who doesn't love that? They give away somewhere between 250-1000 of each. That's a lot of product. Find the product of the day, check beside the photo to see how many and a what times they will be given away. Fill out their form completely (or it will not go through) and kind of hang out for a few minutes, watch the clock, and at the specified time of give-away, click the submit button.

With that said, I won't keep you any longer. Head on over there to get yours! (must be 18 and live in the U.S. to be eligible).

Oooh, so pretty!

Summer Time Printables

2011-05-24T17:20:00.001-04:00

Start planning your summer time fun with these printables. You'll find paper crafts, stickers, coloring pages, activity sheets, paper airplanes, 4th of July streamers, and plenty more where those came from. Check out Disney's Family Fun for more Summer Camp, Beach Themed, Patriotic Printables, and Nature Themed fun.

Click here for more.

Since my grand-daughters are coming for vacation, I will be doing a lot of printing! They are all so darn cute!

Enchilada Sauce Substitute

2011-05-17T13:51:00.000-04:00

Three years ago, I took a trip up north to help my daughter when she had her second daughter. While trying to figure out what sounded good for dinner, we decided we'd like to have some enchiladas and I thought we had everything we would need. Ahhh, but wouldn't you know... we didn't. She lived out in the country, it was cold, and I didn't really have a lot of time to drive into town to the grocery store. Besides, I didn't want to leave her alone, having had a C-section, or take the babies out in the cold either, and her husband wasn't home yet. So, with my "make it myself" attitude, I started trying to figure out how I could make a substitute and have it taste good. I scanned through the inventory and came up with two items that I thought just might work. Now, it's the only way I make it and I never buy it anymore. It uses two ingredients and they are always in my pantry anyhow. I'm willing to bet they are in most pantries as well. Oh how I love simple!

Enchilada Sauce:

1 can of tomato sauce
1 package of taco seasoning

Pour both in a sauce pot, whisk, and warm on medium heat. Voila!

Homemade Creme Fraiche

2011-05-02T06:00:00.002-04:00

Making Creme Fraiche is incredibly easy to do. It can be expensive and I can't say the last time I saw it on sale. All you need is two ingredients...

1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup buttermilk

1. Pour both ingredients into a sterilized jar, seal, and shake to mix.

2. Allow mixture to sit out for 24 hrs. at room temperature, allowing creme fraiche to develop.

3. Stir and place in refrigerator.

The lactic acid bacteria in the buttermilk will ferment the cream, causing it to sour and thicken.

Bubble Refills

2011-04-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

I so wish I could have thought of this! Obviously, I didn't. It has got to be one of the most clever and frugal ideas I've ever seen. Laura from Come Together Kids created this bubble "refill station". I don't know what it is about bubbles that makes us spill it every time, but now, they can just "fill'er up" and keep right on playing.

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Homemade Chocolate Syrup

2011-04-15T06:00:00.001-04:00

My boys might be a lot bigger than me now, but that doesn't mean they've outgrown their love for chocolate milk. As a matter of fact, it is nothing to go through 3 or more gallons a week. It would be closer to 5 if I had that much in the house. Now that I've learned a lot more about healthier eating and what role foods play in our bodies, I try to offer my family healthier and I emphasize "er" options. Thankfully, A Heart For Home has got me covered on this one!

Click here for the recipe. Thanks A Heart For Home

Vinegar Saves The Day

2011-04-14T06:00:00.003-04:00

Ok, so I'm in my new home in my new town and I'm loving it. I only have half of my belongings until this weekend when the rest of them show up. Yeah, we actually planned it that way and it's been kinda fun. I already have the first half put away and I've made room the the second half. We have beds, cable, internet, dishes, towels, and such, so we're pretty comfortable. I have been hand washing the dishes so far since I mostly have plastic and paper plates for now. It almost feels like being on vacation! Last night I finally cooked and had some pots and pans along with the rest of what we used so I decided I'd use the dishwasher. Well, I was a little nervous because the dishwasher is a BOSCH and the manual says you HAVE to use a "rinse aid" which are usually expensive for what they are, in my opinion, nothing but chemicals, and I didn't have any.

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Olive Garden's Black Tie Mousse Cake

2011-04-13T06:00:00.001-04:00

Yes, I'm a copycat, and I do try to recreate things that I love. I think love is an understatement where this cake is concerned. It actually looks more like a cheesecake. When my good friend Lauren and I went to Olive Garden ,we decided we'd have dessert. We had Lauren's adorable and sweet twins with us and so as you can imagine we pretty much shared everything. Her little girl was sitting with me and I think she had as much of that cake as I did! It was scrump-dili-icious!!! Well, I went looking for a copycat recipe on one of my all-time favorite sites and low and behold...I found it! I have made lots of the recipes on here and they have turned out well. So, go ahead, find your favorite restaurant recipe and try your hand at making it yourself! Check out Just Me Cookin for the Olive Garden's Black Tie Mousse Cake and tons of "kopy kat" remakes.

Make Your Own Capiz Shell Chandelier!

2011-04-12T09:43:00.000-04:00

Who doesn't love Capiz Chandeliers? They are gorgeous! When I saw this do it yourself project for one made out of wax paper and parchment paper over at Thrifty Decorating, I knew I had to share the love. It is definitely going on my to-do list!

If you'd like to make one of these for yourself, hop on over to Thrifty Decorating for the easy to follow instructions along with step by step photos. I think it is a magnificent piece myself!

Homemade Floor Cleaners

2011-04-11T16:02:00.004-04:00

I thought I'd add to our "Green Clean" list of natural and safe cleaners with a few recipes, if you will, for cleaning our floors. I don't like to spend more than I have to and I get especially annoyed when it's nothing more than a bunch of chemicals that I don't want in my home anyway. I'll let you in on a little secret: I get excited when I think I've outsmarted the big companies by creating something on my own, thereby, saving my money! I hope you can appreciate the savings in these simple and economical floor cleaning solutions.

Lost For Days

2011-04-05T06:00:00.013-04:00

This week will be short since I'll be moving into a new home. (Well, new to me). My husband has accepted a new job offer as the first ever U.S. Safety Specialist for Habitat For Humanity, International. Did I mention it's for the entire United States! Wow, what a huge, but very meaningful job! He loves safety, and he's good at what he does. Go Baby!

With that said, we are moving to a new city and I will have so much to do. I could be lost for days in a sea of boxes. Please, someone come looking for me if you don't hear anything from me by next week! There is one thing, however, that I fully intend to implement as soon as I can find the printer again. It's something that I think would benefit everyone out there. Oh no, not the "O" word again. Yep! Organization! This time, I found a better, more efficient, and more delightfully colorful way. This will make organizing feel like playtime. Some of you may have seen the button on my site called IHeart Organizing. You can't miss it, it looks like this...

Well, you have got to check it out. It's owner is Jen, and she has the cutest and most fun way to create Household Binders.

See how fun it looks?
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Blog It Forward

2011-04-04T06:00:00.002-04:00

I'd like to give a shout out to Kristin from Ink Blots & Polka Dots. She has created this new "featured" button for me out of the kindness of her heart! She knows I'm new at this and trying to find my way as best as I can. I'm still learning (and boy, is there a lot to learn). I am not doing everything the right way or the easiest way, but I still keep trying! Kristin has given me words of encouragement, has been compassionate to the newbie confusion from which I suffer, and when she offered these beautiful buttons (yes, she created another one for me that I will be adding to my site), I was totally blown away!!! I am so extremely grateful to her for taking time out of her busy schedule to do something nice for a stranger. Kristin, you are AWESOME! A million thanks to you. You have inspired me to "BLOG it forward". I will explain to whomever I pay it forward, why I'm doing whatever it is that I can do, and encourage them to pay it forward as well. Who knows, maybe we can start a new grassroots movement called BLOG IT FORWARD! Let's help our fellow bloggers, strengthen the blogging community, and really do something nice for the fabric of the bloghood that I'm so happy to be a part of. I have been so proud of my new buttons and the fact that Kristin has done something so generous for little ol' me that I've been telling everyone I know and showing them these adorable buttons!

My adorable new buttons!

Please head on over to Kristin's site Ink Blots & Polka Dots and see all the clever things she does there; she is so creative, and how about adding her button to your site. Most of all, tell her that what she did was such a nice thing to do for a stranger! Hugs to you girl!

Kristin's blog button:

I have also just read that Kristin's drop cloth ruffle pillow has been voted "Best Of March 2011" on Saturday Mornings. Congratulations to you Kristin!

Turbie Twist Fairy Tale (I Mean Review)

2011-04-02T06:00:00.033-04:00

I know this product has been around for years, but I never bought one, ever! I have always been one of those people who see commercials and think how cool something looks, or how helpful it could be, but then my skeptical side kicks in and I'm talking myself out of it. I have never been an impulsive, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of person. I have always admired those people though; does that count?

...back to my story. Last Christmas I received some little token gifts along with my larger gift from Mom. One of those tokens was the original Turbie Twist. I had wanted one a long time ago, but as the years went by, I (dare I say) forgot about it.

April Fools' Food For Fun (try saying that fast 3 times)

2011-04-01T06:00:00.002-04:00

Here are some last minute April Fools fun recipes I found at Disney Family Fun. They have several recipes for imposter food. You'll have as much fun as the kids. Create this fun holiday craft with them and turn this into an awesome memory they'll cherish for as long as they can remember!

This one goes out to my girlfriend Susan (who loves her some sushi).

See larger photo

Instant Blackboard

2011-03-31T08:50:00.000-04:00

I guess I've been out of the loop for a while because I didn't know you could buy adhesive "blackboard" paper! Evidently, you can get "whiteboard" paper too. You know, like contact paper, shelf liner, that sort of thing. This makes life so much easier than painting it on. Kristin from Ink Blots & Polka Dots came up with this clever and adorable project after finding the blackboard paper in her local dollar store. When you get a chance hop on over to her place, she has lots of really cool things there, (maybe you can even vote for her ruffle pillow like I did).

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Cornstarch Hero

2011-03-30T13:19:00.000-04:00

I am a sucker for simple and add saving money to that and I'm so giddy I can't stand it. Here is a money saving, cosmetic stretching, natural tip that I've used for a couple of years now. I happen to use loose face powder as a finishing touch and to set my makeup and after reading an article about the ingredients, I had one of those "light-bulb" moments. So, I set out to stretch my makeup.

photo by: theperfectpantry.com
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Green Clean

2011-03-28T06:00:00.004-04:00

Green Clean simply means a "safe for home" and "safe for environment" cleaner. We all deserve to have safe homes and natural and clean environments. We can make these cleaners ourselves, saving us money, and maybe saving our health. I urge everyone to try just one homemade cleaner. Let's toss those old toxic chemicals and be proud to go natural! To get us started here are some kitchen cleaners. Be sure to clearly label those spray bottles or containers if not making a one time application.

Neck Warmer

2011-03-24T06:00:00.019-04:00

I have an old neck injury that occasionally acts up if I'm stressed or it's really cold and damp outside. I had long admired the microwavable "sock" filled with rice that my sister would wrap around her neck from time to time. I kept thinking "I could do that". Sometimes I would heat hers up and just lay it on my feet in the winter time, noticing that my toy poodle "Murphy" would come creeping whenever I had it warmed up. Then I thought I might just make him a "bed buddy" so he could stay warm. Well, I haven't made his yet, I am the alpha dog here, but I do intend to make him one. I'll post that when I complete it. I'll just make his in the form of a pillow instead of a sock. For now I thought I'd show you what I did for mine.

Money Saving Tips

2011-03-22T06:00:00.003-04:00

One of my long time newsletters comes from TheDollarStretcher.com. It has so much information on saving money and it has served me well over the years. I love this site! They have tons of archived articles on everything from A to Z, no, literally. They offered these tips from some of the top frugalistas (is that a word?). Love the characters too.
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Easy Nail Polish Removal

2011-03-22T06:00:00.002-04:00

I love nail polish and I always have at least my toenails painted, but I have to admit, removing the darker colors (which I'm very fond of) can be messy and a pain. I used to have to wait until I had a good half hour to an hour if I was doing a full pedicure. Then I learned about this tip and now I look forward to doing it without any mess or hassle. This works especially well for those dark colors that always seem to smear or stain your fingers and toes. The next time you get ready to remove polish, get the polish remover on your cotton ball and place it on your finger or toe for 30 seconds maybe you could sing twinkle, twinkle, little star, and then wipe off. If you waited the full 30 seconds, it will come off cleanly and without smearing.

Homemade Tartar Sauce

2011-03-21T06:00:00.003-04:00

I'm not a big tartar sauce fan, but my family is. With only three ingredients, it takes all of 2 minutes to make.

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 to 1/2 cup pickle relish
a couple of drops of ketchup

Mix all together. Any and all of these ingredients can be increased or decreased to suit your taste.

Oreo Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

2011-03-19T06:00:00.000-04:00

Don't these look delicious? I think Ashley from Read It & Eat was reading my mind when she posted this recipe. I can't wait to make some of these wonderful Oreo Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies! Chocolate, Oreos, Cream Cheese, Brownies... all of the above! It doesn't get any better than that.

INGREDIENTS:
8 tbsp. unsalted butter
¾ cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
½ tsp. salt
2 large eggs
¼ cup milk
1½ cups coarsely chopped Oreo cookies
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
½ cup confectioners’ sugar
1½ tsp. vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line an 8×8″ baking pan with aluminum foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and sugar. Bring to a boil, whisking frequently. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder and salt; whisk together to combine. Add the eggs to the pan with the butter-sugar mixture and whisk until well blended. Whisk in the milk. Transfer the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated. Fold in the Oreo cookie pieces. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.

To make the cream cheese mixture, combine the cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on medium-high speed until well-blended and smooth. Drop the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter in dollops. Use the blade of a knife to gently swirl the cream cheese mixture together with the brownie batter, creating a marble effect.

Bake for about 22-24 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing and serving.

Source: adapted from Annie's Eats and Sugar Plum

Simple Tutu

2011-03-18T06:00:00.002-04:00

Plumtickled has made it so easy to create these adorable tutus for all the little girls in your life. I have three that would love it, so I need to get my supplies ready to make their little hearts, well, plumtickled! I can see it now, all dancing and twirling, Nutcracker bound.

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St. Patrick's Day Printables For Kids

2011-03-17T06:00:00.001-04:00

Keep the little kiddos happy and busy with these free printables from Disney Family Fun along with games, recipes, and crafts for St. Patrick's Day

Leapin' Leprechaun Puzzle for St. Patrick's Day

Seasoning Packets For Pennies

2011-03-14T06:00:00.014-04:00

I know how convenient those little seasoning packets can be and over the course of my adult life I've used enough to start my own spice store. I have a "thing" for all those cute and scrumptious spice bottles. If I never bought another bottle, I'd probably have enough to last me until I retire (and then some), so I think I'm going to follow Mary's advice and set aside some time to make ahead some of my own spice packets for mere pennies!

Taco Seasoning

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

Mix all ingredients and use right away, or store in an airtight container. To use: In a skillet, brown one pound ground beef; drain. Stir in the taco seasoning mix and 2/3 cup water. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Serve in shells with taco toppings.