JoaS

So, it's been a minute. With school starting back, wedding season winding down, and football starting up, we have been mighty busy over here. I hope everyone enjoyed the Labor Day weekend and I pray everyone will stay safe and no homes will be harmed in the path of Hurricane Florence. I thought I'd play a little bit of catch up and just share some of the things I've been trying, enjoying, or working on over here since my last post. A little mash up, but hopefully entertaining and/or informative for someone out there. First of all, I have been trying out and very much enjoying these new items from Amazon to make iced tea, herbal tea, and iced "coffee." (My husband is the coffee drinker--I stick pretty strictly to my Teeccino Dark Roast grounds from this post , but it works the same way for both.) I bought this Large Teapot with Extra-Fine Infuser and this deliciously fragrant Orange Lemonade Loose Leaf Tea Blend , both Tealyra brand, on Amazo...

I have found a few more items I am pleased to add to the list of products we have switched out for clean options. I found a clean hairspray! I've heard a couple of women on Instagram recently calling for suggestions, as effective and clean hair styling products seem to be among the most difficult to find. I am pleased to announce that Carina Organics appears to have delivered in their Fast Drying Unscented hairspray . My only qualm is that I ordered through the company's website and shipping took a very long time and was not cheap. I will continue to look for an effective, clean hairspray that is easier to access, and I have my eye on the Free & Clear Firm Hold next. The Natural Family Co. Sensitive Toothpaste on Amazon I found a clean,sensitive toothpaste. My teeth/gums are very sensitive and the only toothpaste my dentist has ever recommended to me was the Colgate Sensitive paste. Unfortunately, this product is not clean. I was using Tom's Sen...

My system does not handle coffee--or caffeine, or acid, or most things--very well. So hot tea has been my favorite comforting drink for many years. I thought I'd share some of the different drinks I've learned to enjoy making for myself at home, rather than wasting $4 per beverage at a fancy coffee shop or chain. Of course, I started out with plain old tea bags and sugar, still a favorite in which I indulge on the regular. I did get an electric tea kettle a year or so ago and have never looked back. It's a real game changer, and I love that the temperature is consistent every time and the base will keep the kettle warm for me if (when) I want another cup. It's so nice, and quick. Plus it frees the stove top for more actual cooking. I have this Hamilton Beach  kettle. I purchased it from Bed Bath & Beyond with a gift card, but I saw it's currently on sale for $39.99 and you can receive 4% cash back right now if you order online through Ebates...

Redecorating, or decorating your home for the first time, can get very expensive very quickly. As a newlywed, I made the mistake of going crazy in Marshall's or IKEA and spending way too much on things we didn't even really need or appreciate. I just wanted our new home and life to come together quickly and perfectly. That approach really just leads to a lot of frustration and lack of funds for other things like vacations, date night, or gifts - things that actually contribute to your marriage in a more meaningful and long-term way. So over the years I have found that when I'm feeling the itch to redecorate my husband and I very much enjoy just locking ourselves in the house for a weekend and rearranging furniture or displaying things that hold a lot of meaning to one or both of us that maybe hadn't previously been visible to enjoy every day. Above, you'll see our wedding cake topper, our favorite wedding photo, and my grandparents' phone that h...