fixin' to mix it

Friday, before my trip to Chicago, my ELPer (Early Learning Program...fancy name for 4K) had his Spring Sing. It was his first time on stage in front of an audience. He decided not to sing...or open his mouth the entire time. He swayed side to side with the beat. He made most of the gestures. And he was AMAZING! Cuter than I could've imagined! Makes a mama proud! Here's what I wore:

LE Polka Dot Scarf (Bargain Nook) $7

Teardrop Necklace (Jane) $3.99

LE Leopard Cardi (gift...thanks, mom!) $0

LE Button Tunic (LE Friends & Family Sale) $2

Vera Wang Jeggings (Goodwill) $1.99

LE Canvas Chucka Boots (LE Warehouse Clearance Event*) $7

Outfit Total: $21.98

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.

*Lands' End: Can we get the 2014 dates, please?

MACKanese monday: caperon

Welcome back to MACKanese monday!

Mack is always my partner in baking. He's in training to be just like his Uncle Mike! Last week we baked Daddy his favorite breakfast cookies and Mack was aghast I forgot our "caperons". Oh, how I love his explainations!♥

caperon
/kāp·rən/
noun

1. A cape you wear as an apron.
2. Usually while baking delicious cookies.
3. Because when you bake cookies you're a SUPER MOM!

Mack: "You look like a super man with your caperon on!"
Me: "Do you think it gives me special baking powers?"
Mack: "Surpely, Mama!"

diy rural chic

"Rural Chic"...it's a new thing, I'm pretty sure. Not really.

I made this shirt for BarrEn Camp 2013. Our good friends, the BARRetts, stay with us, the hansENs, most years for opening weekend. I don't hunt but the other three adults in our quartet do, yet I may be the most excited for the weekend. It's a good excuse to decorate the house with clever deer paraphernalia, eat delish food, and (attempt to) stay up too late enjoying our friend's beer company;). I made two shirts, one for me and one for my huntress friend, using this tutorial. Easy peasy lemon squeezy! AND they turned out pretty great, if I do say so myself.

I can always tell who slimed the mirror based on the height...this one's courtesy of Donovan, my littlest:)

SO Boyfriend Cardigan (Kohls last year) $11

a.n.a Deer Shirt (Goodwill) $3.99 + $5 craft supplies

Paris Blues Skinny Jeans (Goodwill) $6.99

Lands' End Canvas Wedges (LE Warehouse Clearance Event...you're going, aren't you; I knew it!) $7

Outfit Total: $33.98

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.

MACKanese monday: marshlittle

Welcome back to MACKanese monday!

I feel a tish like a fraud; "Mackanese" is a real thing! Who knew? Google, that's who. My creative pride is chipped a bit but this is a wonderful reason for the pieces to fall.

Here's this week's word:

marshlittle
/märsh·litl/
noun

1. A marshmallow that is little.
2. Not the jumbo roasting marshmallows used for smores.
3. The little marshmallows commonly put in hot cocoa.

Mack: "I love marshlittles in my snack bowl! Thanks, Mama!"

happy mother's day!

Drawn by my talented, selfless, funny, beaUtiful, FUN, generous, AMAZING mom...I wanna be just like her when I grow up!

making $oap outta...$oap

We go through three bottles a week, easy. We may not be the firmest parents on every issue but hand washing is non-negotiable.

I think it was my Cousin Peter's wife, Melissa, who showed me (via her then blog?) how to turn gel handsoap into foaming soap. Tot brill and a hefty $avings we've been pocketing for four years-ish. Nice!

I started with Equate gel handsoap but soon realized a Target Card gets me 5% off and free shipping, making Method a convenient, cost effective, still thrifty option.

Using Method Gel Handsoap per bottle fill-up cost is $.14.

Using Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap per bottle fill-up cost is $.56.

Of course, my calculations are dependant on the purchase price of the handsoap. Dr. Bronner's comes in gallons reducing the per bottle fill-up cost to $.43! And occassionally I find Method on sale for around $3 reducing the per bottle fill-up to $.09! Wowzas!!

The Dispensers:

I recently bought the fancy stainless steel joby for $11 from Zulily and I'm not in love. I prefer the plastic Dial foaming dispensers (purchased initially with Dial foaming handsoap and refilled with diluted Method gel handsoap). They last at least a year. Methods foaming dispensers look prettier but only last a few refills.

The Soap:

I like Method and Dr. Bronner's. Method is cheaper and feels more "traditional". I use it in the bathroom as that's where the littles wash; we go through two bottles a week there. I use Dr. Bonner's in the kitchen. It's very enviro-friendly but costs almost three times as much (although still only $.56 a refill) and rinses quickly which I like. I'm considering exclusively buying the scent free Dr. Bronner's by the gallon and adding my own essential oils. 

The Recipe:

2T gel handsoap (most any brand will work)

1c water

Shake...the soap, not you;)

The Result:

Can you guess my fave color? :)

Happy washing, Party People!! Hope you like it!

red cup

Every October we spend at least a week in Gills Rock with my in-laws. It's a highly anticipated trip; we all love it...a lot! Grandma and Grandpa have usually been there for a week before we arrive so when we come with our chaos in tow, they are rested and ready, always welcoming. Most years we get to hang with "Annie Weesa" (Auntie Leesa), too. She makes the vacay over the top! She puts the F·U·N in fun, always!

When I think on it, it's pretty cool (and unusual...amazing...fernisheral) that all of us get along well enough to WANT to spend a week together, sharing space and privacy. Believe me when I say I do not take my relationship and love for my in-laws (all of you Hansens!) for granted.♥

The last two years while in Door County we took the ferry over to Washington Island. The first year husby and I did it alone (and by alone I mean all five of us...no grandparent assistance to move our defense from zone to man-on-man);  an accomplishment that pushed our "we can do this!" confidence a notch higher. Year two we convinced Grandma and Grandpa to come with us. The water and weather were perfect. We explored the island as much as time allowed. Possibly our best discovery that day was the cutest coffee shop ever, Red Cup. It's an eclectic mix of vintage furniture, local artesian products, delicious baked goods, and of course, killer coffee. Simply, it's swooney! In fact, it's a major reason we decided to rent a little diddy on the island for a few nights this year. If we all come back unscathed, this too, will undoubtedly be another "we can do this!" upward movement.

Anyhoo, I'm babbling. Bottom line: I liked the coffee joint so much I bought their $18 t-shirt right then! Wait, nope. Pretty sure my ever generous in-laws picked up the tab on that one, too. THANKS, B&J!

Red Cup t-shirt $0 (gift:)

Shade Clothing polka-dot shirt $5

Decree distressed jeans (JC Penney) $11

Outfit Total: $16.00

I'm not wearing any Lands' End! So weird.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.

MACKanese monday : surpely

Welcome back to MACKanese monday!

Sometimes Mack's words aren't entirely made up; sometimes they're a slightly different, always more fun, version of the common English word we all know.

surpely
/sher·pel·lē/
adverb

1. surely
2. yes
3. OF COURSE!

Me: "Mack, can you do me a favor and put this in the garbage, please?"
Mack: "SURPELY, Mama!"

I surpely hope you had a wonderful weekend, Friends!

i want you all to have them

Remember this post? Where I talk about these?  I want you all to have them.

I've cleaned my bathroom three times now with microfiber cloths and they're life changing. Did you get that?  LIFE CHANGING!  Not only do I feel like my cleaning time is practically cut in half but my bathroom is crazy sparkley AND I don't feel guilty for killing a tree or contaminating the environment! Wahooo!

Needless to say, I wanna share it with the world! Well, with you anyway.

Before we get started, a few things:
1) I must really trust you people because I'm about to show you my dirty bathroom...after a week of a house full of sickos. Sorry, in advance.
2) I realized later that the before and after pics probably didn't need to be labeled. Yucka.
3) I am not affiliated with, nor paid by Kohler, Zwipes, Amazon, Walmart, the vinegar people, the water people, or the dried pee people. This is straight up all me.
4) Technically, I am affiliated with the makers of dried pee; however, they are definately not paying me to say that...or this.

The supplies.

Zwipes $22.22 + Mainstay Spray Bottle $0.98

1c. water + 1c. vinegar...let's just call it a nickle.

Start-up Cost: $23.25

The sink wasn't terrible because I use my face washcloth for wipe-downs every morning (after I wash my face, of course).

 But the toilet...oh dear.

Can we still be friends after seeing that?

The results.

Isn't this the prettiest? Found online, printed on cardstock, hung with washi tape. Happiness every time I open the door!

So much better than a pile of paper towels.

And it only took me this long!

Clearly, I still need to reseach an enviro-friendly toilet cleaner.

Suggestions?