Gardenia-Lime Sugar Scrub

To keep the momentum going, Dixie Crystals decided to give-away 3 tickets to next year Bloggers University 2017 and to enter you had to create your own sugar scrub.  So..  I decided to give it a try.  I love gardenia and wanted to use that in my creation.

It was so simple – and here are the ingredients:

  • 1 cup of Dixie Crystals sugar
  • 1/4 cup grapeseed oil
  • 6 drops of White Gardenia essential oil
  • zest of 1 lime grated

Mix all the ingredients and find yourself a nice bowl to keep in the bathroom ready to use

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I used an antique silver miniature coal scuttle sugar bucket.  These are normally used for sugar cubes but I think it’s perfect for the scrub

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The buckets usually come with a scoop but unfortunately mine didnt’, which is why I got it for $3.00.  I lucked up and had a baby spoon and it makes a good scooper.

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This scrub has  the right blend of floral/citrusy smell and after you use it… the gardenia scent lingers on your fingers without being overpowering.

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It’s a great alternative to liquid soap and leaves your hands feeling soft and smooth

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So, go ahead, give it a try…you’ll have skin so-soft.

 

Scuttle buckets are  found at several estate sales and yard sales, but you can also find them here.

Until next time, happy hunting and enjoy thrifting your house into a home!

Smooches!

Jamala

 

When Bloggers Bond

Good morning everyone!  It’s been a bit of a whirlwind week for me, but I must say well worth the hustle.  Remember I entered a contest for a chance to go to the Blog Life University Conference in Atlanta, well I … Continue reading

Zenfully Yours

Cheers to a wonderful new week ahead of us.  I’m excited for two reasons, one – I’m headed to my first bloggers’ conference and two- I’m looking forward to meeting many of my blog-buddies and enjoying all there is to offer and learn.  Before I head off, I wanted to share one of the most fabulous make-overs by a FBF.  Last week while I was in the midst of perusing my Facebook newsfeed I stumbled on a picture of her outdoor zen-spot.  You know me – I’m always enthused to see beautiful Rest-Havens and when I spotted Keisha’s outdoor creation I had to share it with you.. Thank you Keisha for allowing me to share your haven.  Grab you coffee, tea and vittles because you’re gonna want to see all what’s in store and see how she created it.  Let’s look at where she began.

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I know you’re probably excited, like me, to see how she did it all on a budget of $500.00 – Let’s begin where she started.  Keisha cultivated a personal vision for her garden and began to think of ways to incorporate her style while maintaining natural elements for a zen-oasis.  The space was no where near easy to work with, and having a tree in the center was even more challenging, so she decided to make that her focal point and build around it.

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Her desire was to have a warm, welcoming area to enjoy entertaining her family and friends for outdoor festivities.  We all know that pallets are free and there are many, many, many projects you can use them for.  Keisha took full advantage of the freebies and that laid the ground work for her oasis to be created.

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With some help from her father and a friend,  they dis-assembled them and made the floor for her raised deck.

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Lots of sawing, cutting, measuring and patience went into this project, but as you see, it was well worth it.  Here you can get a visual of the framework and how the pallets became the wall around her space

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More pallets are assembled and laid to encompass the tree

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Bricks are lined to design a pattern

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She added flagstone for another natural element in the space

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Filled the area in with small stones and gravel

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This bench was a roadside special.  Luckily she found it and gave it a new life (keyword – BUDGET)

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Old bowling balls spray painted silver are being used as garden art

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She used red mulch around the tree for a pop of color

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She stained the pallets to weatherproof and give them color

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Next up was adding the plants.  She found an old ladder to use as a plant stand and the boarder pallets were used as as planters

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Nestled between these two sunshine yellow adirondack chairs is a table she made from a tree trunk

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Isn’t it gorgeous!!  I love the redwood color and blended with the jewel tone vase was pefect

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What a warm, welcoming environment she created.  By being creative, resourceful, diligent and patient, she was able to achieve her goal and accomplish a zenful retreat for her after work and weekend entertaining.

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Using pallets as the gateway separated the haven area from the garden, while still balancing the artful flow into the  haven.

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Last but not least – it was time to add the cushions and pillows for the seating area.  She covered foam and added an array of brightly colored pillow to finish the space.

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A piece of driftwood is another artistic element added to the area.

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I hope you all stand with me and give Keisha a round of applause for creating such a restful retreat – all on a budget of $500.00!!!

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Meet the beauty behind the brains of this creative garden Zen Oasis..

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And she did it her way…..

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Do you have a project that you’re working on and would like to share with my other readers?  If so, email me and you’ll be my next featured guest.  Also be sure to follow me on the blog, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest

Until next time lovies!!  Remember – it’s not what it costs but it’s how you style it.. Create your own style and design on a dime

Smooches!!

Jamala

Fruit Cocktail Bread Pudding

Yum
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Fruit Cocktail Bread Pudding w/Frangelico Carmel Glaze

I am excited to share with you that in two weeks I’ll be headed to Atlanta, Ga connecting with other bloggers who share the same passion as me at the Bloggers University Conference.

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This is my first bloggers conference and I’m skipping happy about it.  I started blogging for fun and now it’s turned into my passion.  I’m headed there on a volunteer ticket – but that’s cool because I get to share in on the fun and learn even more about this thing we call “Blog” world.   For my ticket I had to enter the Dixie Crystals Sweet & Southern Recipe Contest (talk about under the gun – I had to do this within 24 hrs – YIKES!!!)   but I’m happy to say I accomplished that goal.. – A girl on a mission..

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I’m sharing my version of one of the oldest southern classic recipes that will satisfy the after dinner sweet tooth for everyone.  Thanks to Dixie Crystal for having this contest where I’ll be competing nationwide with other bloggers submitting their Sweet & Southern Desserts.

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For the recipe of this delicious bread pudding you’ll need:

  • 1 loaf of white bread (I used Sunbeam giant loaf)
  • 5 oz evaporated milk
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 large can of fruit cocktail (in heavy syrup)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 3/4  cup Dixie Crystal pure sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp lemon flavor
  • 1 1/2 stick of butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.   In a 9×13 glass baking dish melt butter (do not let it burn).  Tear bread apart and put in large bowl

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Pour both milks on top of bread and let it soak in.   Stir in fruit cocktail (with the syrup), egg, sugar, extracts and cinnamon.  Give a good stir.. I know.. (looks like lumpy oatmeal.. )

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Add melted butter and give a good stir.  Pour batter into dish (you melted the butter in) sprinkle top with a little cinnamon

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Bake for 30-40 minutes..     Let rest approximately 10 mins before cutting.  Drizzle with Frangelico Carmel Glaze (optional)

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Frangelico liqueur is a is a pale gold colored liqueur made of Tonda Gentile hazelnuts. It is distilled in the Piedmont region of northern Italy from an alcohol and water infusion of the nuts. Natural flavoring extracts such as cocoa and vanilla are added before blending with alcohol, sugar and water to meet the bottle strength.

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The glaze adds a bit of a nutty flavor to blend with the fruity flavor without having something crunchy in the pudding.  But for those who prefer your pudding plain, its just as yummy.

 

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For the glaze:

  • 4 tblspns butter
  • 1 cup light Dixie Crystal light brown sugar
  • 3 tblspn Frangelico liqueur
  • 3/4 cups half&half

In a small saucepan melt butter, add brown sugar, liquer and half&half.  Whisk until smooth  – drizzle warm glaze over warm bread pudding and enjoy

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As always – cooking is easy with “TLC”  Enjoy!!

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Thrifty Thursday

Forgive me guys, I know I’m suppose to continue the Victorian Charm home tour, but I wanted to interrupt it with a quick post of thrifty Thursday.. I have to say one thing for sure …. it’s been a freaking thrifters’ paradise out here.   I can envision us (fellow thrifters) sitting in the anonymous cyber circle and admitting to our guilty pleasure of being a “thrifterholic”, meanwhile showcasing our fancy finds,  giving the reason behind the addiction.  So with that being said.. My name is Jamala and I’m a “thrifterholic”.   Anyone else ready to step inside the cyberbox and confess with me?  Don’t be afraid..there’s a lot of love in this group… chuckles…. we’re birds of a feather that flock together… 🙂

Okay.. now that’s over and done with.. let’s jump to all the goodies that were found!

I heard about a new Goodwill that opened in Lancaster and decided to take a visit.  Glad I did, because I found this loveseat for $50.00.  Excellent condition – no stains, smells or damages.  So this came home with me for my son’s house.  He just purchased his first “starter” home and he’s pretty excited.  Woohooo to him!!  This will be perfect for his living room.

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I’m no wine specialist or sommelier but when we popped into another off the beaten path thrift store, I stumbled upon what looked like swizzle stick with a cork thingy..and did a quick research and found out it was a Winecicle.  They sell for in the range from $8.00 (without an Aerator) to $50.00 (with an Aerator).  If you’re like me and hadn’t heard of them, you simply freeze it approximately one hour before using your wine.  Once frozen, place the icicle in the bottle to keep your wine perfectly chilled  Wait for 10 mins and it is ready to pour at right temp.  They’re easy to wash and clean and it’s dishwasher safe.

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The one I found has an Aerator and it was $4.00.  A perfect accessory for the bar cart

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If you’re following me on Instagram, I posted this gorgeous crystal cut pitcher that was another thrifted find for $2.00  –  They make my fresh cut hydrangeas look so beautiful

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another look… because they’re just so darn beautiful… (I loooooves me some hydrangeas!!!)

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insert another smile   🙂

I got an email from the Goodwill Blog letting us know of another Goodwill grand-opening in West Columbia. Me and my musketeers got up early and headed there and boy are we glad we did.  I found this set of Threshold gold flatware for $10.50.  They had 6 boxes  – so needless to say… you know what I used my contest giftcards on (yippppeeeee !!)

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A thrifting diva Toni found this snazzy club chair for $12.46.  I can’t wait to see what she does with it.. High-5 Toni!

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and fellow Instagrammer Marla found this fabulous pair of metal & lucite lamps at a local thrift store.. (She really peeped these bad-boys out!!) she spent a whopping $6.00 on them..lol..  High-5 and a hip bump to you girlfriend!)

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and last but not least – Up next – is one of the grandest mirrors found by another thrifting diva Shelly and it was “THEEEE best” $45.00 spent.  You know my mouth dropped open and eyes got big as pool balls.. lol… She gets 2 high-5’s, a hip bump and a heel kick on this score.

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She’s using it in her boutique and as you see, it adds the perfect chic-ness for her decor- WAY TO GO Shelly!!!

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Now you see why I was soooooo excited to post a Thrifty Thursday???  It’s really fantastic seeing all the gorgeous finds out here and how everyone is thrifting their house into a home.  As always, it’s not what it costs, but how you style it.   Happy Hunting and have a wonderful weekend!  (up next is the Victorian Charm home tour continuation 🙂

Smooches!!

Jamala