I Can't Believe I Didn't Know That!!

When E was born, the hospital sent us home with a bunch of these mini bottles filled with formula that was already made. See Below


The directions on these say throw away after an hour. I was fortunately able to breastfeed E until he was 5 months old and after that started using powdered formula.

Here's where the wasteful mistake began. I assumed that you couldn't use the powdered formula if it sat around for an hour, throwing away probably about 2 large cans of formula.  Finally, I read the package directions for the powdered formula. A bottle can sit at room temperature for 2 HOURS and then put in the fridge for up to 24 HOURS! Something you may not know about me, I am frugal. Becoming a mom has made me uber-frugal. In essence, in the last 3 months I have basically thrown away $80 or more

Learn for my silly mistake!

Enjoy this random post :)

What's On My Face-4th of July Edition

I recently had someone ask me what I wore for my makeup on the 4th of July. Some day maybe I'll do a video-because I actually do this look a lot, especially if I'm wearing all black and/or white clothes and I really want my face to pop.

OK so please ignore the really awkward selfie. This is just for reference!

Brows: NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in Brunette. I have patchy eye brows that don't grow in full. I like this product because there is a waxy base, two different colors, an angled brush and a spool wand to blend everything. 

Liner: I use any gel liner. Gel is really nice and smooth. The problem I have is that I have hooded eye lids so any liner tends to travel up the lid. So I top it with a black shadow using an angled brush. Here I used Creep from the Urban Decay Naked Palette (thanks Sephora gift card!), and also took it under my bottom lash line, making sure to blend it very well. To set it, I go over with any finishing powder. 

Mascara: One of my all time favorites is L'oreal Voluminous Million Lashes in black (top and bottom lashes). This really doesn't clump or flake. 

Face: Currently I am using Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in 120 mixed with a little face lotion and applied with a flat buffing brush. This product feels a little greasy, so I don't know that I will purchase it again. But it lasts a long time and I like the look after finishing with powder. 

Because I have very dark under eye circles, I use NYX High Def Photo Concealer in Yellow because it counteracts the purple color. For redness or pimples, Maybelline Lumi Touch Highlighting concealer does the trick. This product is also on my T-zone, my cupids bow (the dip above the lip) and on the tip of my chin, all blended out. To set everything, I used Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder in Light.

Cheeks: Before I set everything, I use a bronzer. Usually I use Neautrogena Natural Radiance Bronzer but because this was a special occasion, I whipped out Lorac TANtalizer Baked Bronzer which I bought with birthday money. To finish I added a light layer of pink cream blush (NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Glow)

Lips: Red is a scary color for me to wear. But Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Candy Apple has made it easier for me to be a little adventurous. These are a little mix between a tint and a lipstick, they feel amazing. 

I don't always wear this much makeup-this is more special things, and a modified lighter version for work. I have fun doing makeup. I hope this isn't too long and I hope you have fun reading this! 

Big Batch Baby Food

I have been making baby food for Everett since he was about 4 months old, but it has always been in small batches. This week I spent my 4th of July making big batches of food. Here is my experience. 

Grocery Shopping: I stuck mostly to things that were in season. My bill came to $19.33.

Prep Work: First I washed and cut my first batch. I cut, steamed, cut more, put my items in the blender, steamed more, blended, and then repeated. I found this was the fasted way to get things done. My steamer is part of the Baby Chef blender/steamer. This causes some problems as I wanted to do big batches. But instead of using the blender that comes with the Baby Chef, I used my large blender. 

Steaming: Some items need to be cut smaller as they are usually dense, firm, contain less water, etc. The Baby Chef has a steam button so I don't have to keep track of the time. Convenient but sucks because of the small amount that it holds. 

Blending: The firmer fruits/veggies need more of the steamed water in with the blender. By using the water it was steamed in, you get more nutrients. Younger babies need their food very very blended, thinner. Everett likes his foods a little chunkier. Be very careful when blending hot liquids. I put a dish towel over the lid of the blender, just in case it leaks. 

Pouring: Before putting the trays in the freezer, I leave them out to cool. I have many different types of ice cube trays. I just threw away these trays. They were awful, I could barely get the food out of them and they were starting to crack because of all the bending. My favorite trays are these, but they are expensive.  Unfortunately I couldn't find the type of trays that I bought at Albertsons. They were maybe $2 for two trays, nice and firm, and the food came out with a little warm water run on the back. 

Storing: The food stores nicely in freezer storage bags. Some people label them and put dates on the bags. I personally remember what's in every bag. Food can be stored up to two months. This month, I only made about 20 days of food so I don't have to worry about dating the bags. 

The breakdown: Each cube is an ounce. Most babies eat anywhere between 2-5 oz per feeding. On average, Everett eats 10 oz a day. 

For $19.33 I made 199 oz of food, which it turns out to be around 10 cents per cube or 20-50 cents per serving. A 5 oz package of Gerber baby food is about $1.50. For a month worth of food, I spend $30, but if I spent it on Gerber food, I would spend $90 a month. 

You have to decide if it's worth it. It is work. It took me two days because I had used up all my ice cube trays.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to accurately keep track of how much time I spent doing this because I had to stop frequently to tend to baby, but maybe somewhere around 3 hours? 

Next time: I need better ice cube trays and a bigger steamer. Since Everett isn't bothered by the sound of the blender, I'm considering making food after Everett goes to bed. 

Daily Tidbits...

• Something in my house smells like garbage... and I can't figure out where the smell is coming from! I might go crazy. 
• My week is going to be nuts. I am working Monday instead of Thursday and then leaving for my home town on Thursday. I'm trying to coordinate cleaning the house and packing. 

Growing up is Hard to Do

I know, I know. It's been too long. I've been reading lots of blogs and decided I'm probably going to be doing all things I love. That includes makeup, clothes, shoes, my baby, anything really. And I want to thank you for your patience and for reading!

The hardest thing about growing up is the responsibility. Managing finances is probably the worst part. I love being a part time stay at home mom, but less money stinks. Keeping myself on a budget is difficult. Actually browsing blogs is bad for me. It makes me want want want!

Also I wish that I could be back in elementary school doing crafts and going to recess. As much as I act like a kid, at the end of the day I am 25 and have a husband and a baby. Don't get me wrong, I love them both and wouldn't change it even if I could. But I miss when the simple things were amazing.

But there's no use dwelling in the past, so let's look to the future!


Daily tidbits...

• I was actually thankful to be at work today. It was somewhere near 100 degrees and the hospital stays nice and air conditioned. 
• My lips were really chapped from the dryness-my Korres Lip Butter seems to be doing the trick today.
• Today I put in some time off for September and November. Where has the year gone?!