Sunday, January 1, 2017

The Old Days




The “Old Days”



Generations before us used things like Liquid Blacking, Liquid Bluing, Powdered Whiting, Rotten-Stone, coal oil, soda and pearlash for household cleaning.



They made suet pudding, ate with silver off china plates on linen tablecloths while wearing pantyhose or stockings. People boxed their hats, darned their socks and hung their laundry out to dry.



We often feel that life today is so complicated - but my research has helped me to appreciate how simple things are today. The products and terminologies that I have come across have had my fingers scrambling through Wikipedia, without so much as leaving my couch. We have devices smaller than a graham cracker that offer us access to anything known to man with a few slides and taps. Yet we use them to take crappy pictures of our kids and pets, and update our status from “Sleeping” to “Begrudgingly Awake”. I am currently using mine to expand my vocabulary by playing Words With Friends with people that I don’t even know while texting abbreviations like ROTFLMFAO! No, it’s not in the Scrabble dictionary.



But I digress. These hints and tips have come from countless sources, I wish I could formally credit them all. Fact is, I really don’t remember where they all came from. I have read Heloise to Martha Stewart to handwritten notes from my 2nd grade lunch lady to hands-on training by friends and family. If your great-great grandmother once told you the best way to clean wallpaper was with a slice of bread, then God bless her. If your best friend’s uncle’s cousin taught you to polish a tortoise shell with a paste of rotten-stone and linseed oil and finally some rouge - more power to them! I intend no harm and claim no ownership of most of the ideas in here. Most. You’ll know which ones are mine, as I have marked them slyly as *****MINE*****.



I hope you find something useful within these pages, if not, you at least enjoy the read.





~PEACE~



Gina



Let's stay OFF of Hoarders in 2017!

I don't much believe in resolutions - no point setting myself up for failure. But the new year always brings with it the desire to organize my life. Which isn't a complete disaster...I shouldn't be on hoarders or anything, with the exception of my studio/workshop/garage and my clothes. Honestly everything could use a little neatening up. The trick is to start small, with one area, one drawer, one closet, one shelf, whatever works for you. I think the first thing we should do, (ladies, or guys) because we use it/see it every day, is clean out our makeup drawer. This doesn't just apply to the girls, guys have a drawer too.

While you are tossing, fill your sink with luke warm water and a little borax or dawn dish soap, add a little rubbing alcohol or Vodka to sterilize. Throw your makeup brushes in to soak. Sponges too if you use them.

Now to the drawer (or whatever you use to store your makeup)...good things to have on hand, Lysol Wipes (or your preferred brand), a vacuum if your drawer is full of hair and powder, and last but not least a trash bag.

Throw these things away without even thinking about it: Do it! With wild abandon!
1. Anything that hasn't been used in a year
2. Anything that is outdated (recommended life cycles below)
Bad Nail Polish 
  • Eyeshadow: Every two years for powder, once a year for cream
  • Mascara - every 3 months
  • Eyeliner: 3-6 months
  • Foundation: Once a year
  • Concealer: 12 to 18 months
  • Blush & Bronzer: Every two years
  • Lipstick: Once a year
  • Lip Gloss: 6 months to one year
  • Makeup Brushes: One to five years
  • Makeup Sponges: At least once a month
  • Nail Polish: After one year 
  • Time frames borrowed from allyou.com click HERE for full article

3. Anything dried up, broken or unusable in its intended form
4. Anything that doesn't look good on you (I mean come on, really? what's the point?)  
5. After you have everything removed, give your drawer(s) a good wiping (with your wipes of course) Vacuum first if there's a lot of hair and powder. 
7. Put your stuff away, NEATLY.
6. Here's my before and afters! Garbage bag full of crap in the center! I was able to go from 2 drawers to 1! I'm proud of myself! I use my Walgreen Balance Rewards to buy my makeup. So it's usually free! 






GUYS! Throw away the:
Old razors and blades
Half used deodorant
Cologne or aftershave you never wear
Old shaving cream
Old toothbrushes

Everyone! Toss all the toothbrushes! Clean the toothbrush holder, and replenish with fresh clean brushes