Stain and Germ Smackdown...

I cannot believe how excited I was yesterday for the FedEx truck to arrive.

I was actually giddy.

As a stay at home Mama with two very messy (and one pottytraining) younguns, I'd say these are pretty giddy-worthy:



On your left is the Eureka Enviro Steamer Hard Surface Steam Mop, 303A. I purchased mine here.

On the right is the Bissell Little Green Portable Deep Cleaner. I purchased mine here.

SO, STINKIN excited! My beautiful wood floors take a daily beating. As in milk drips from leaky sippy cups, being peed on (sad but true), trudged on with muddy shoes, sneezed on, sat on by toddlers with leaky diarrhea diapers, food squashed onto (and dried!) and other random disgusting grossness.

I hate to mop. As in hands n knees with a bucket of soapy water and a rag mop. Up till now I haven't really found any other cleaning device that is as effective as the old fashioned way. But THIS steam mop!? Cue the hallelujah chorus. Drips, smudges, etc just melted away effortlessly!

Here is a before/after shot of my kitchen floor:

Yes, they really ARE gleaming!

The ultimate test, the corner where Lil Chicks' high chair lives:


Smooth as buttah! And all it took was WATER....and killed tons of nasty bugs, because that steam? 220 degrees. Twice as much as the Shark one.

Before deciding which steam mop to get I read reviews like a crazy lady, and especially the seven steam mop comparison review on Amazon.com. I was most concerned about reviewers saying it leaked all over the floor the first time using it. Not at all! Smiled like a techy dweeb the entire time I used my new fave cleaner.

Hey now, don't forget about my cutie lil green machine! I've taken it out of the box and kissed it, but haven't used it yet. I have a list of about 10 pillows, pieces of furniture, places in my car and carpet spots that I'll be using this baby on. Can't wait for the stain smackdown to begin!

Ah yes, I must truly be a Mama to be THIS excited about cleaning appliances....

Amanda

***Oh yes, I should probably say that I've received NO compensation, was provided NO tester products or given anything except for a smile ole fat smile for this post...it was all me baby.***

VintageDutchGirl on FACEBOOK :)

Favorite Find Friday: Bra-lets

Want a good deal? Of COURSE you want a good deal.

Should you hide the girls from prying eyes? Of COURSE your should you hide them from prying eyes.

Are you breastfeeding and need easy access to the girls? Ok, you may or may not be breastfeeding, but if you are these can help.

This is what I'm talking about:

I call them Bra-lets. Why? I don't exactly remember right now. They are half bra, sorta tank top and all sorts of wonderful. They are perfect for layering without adding a ton of bulk to the midsection (cause we all just loooooooove extra bulk in the midsection, right?).

They are designed to be a sports bra in and of themselves, but I choose to buy them a bit big and wear them over my regular bra as a kind of camisole when wearing deep V or flashing tops (you know the kind...where you lean too far forward and the world gets a show) to keep my modesty intact. With 2 littles running around I can't always stand in my perfect model pose. I'm usually crouched down wrestling the squirmy crying 2 month old into the car seat, hiking up my jeans and blowing my hair off my face and telling Bubbalu to JUST HANG ON! JUST ONE MORE MOMENT!! all at the same time.

Leaving the house is a chore y'all. It takes about two hours. Seriously. Just typing that makes me shake my head in disgust. TWO HOURS. Why why WHY did I schedule their pediatric appointments for 8 in the morning 1/2 an hour away? Because I'm all sorts of crazy, that's why.

Anyways, back to the bra-lets.

You can buy a 3-pack for only $9.88. That's a deal folks, a REAL deal.

Also? They come in multiple color packs and different styles as well....

Pinks:



Crisscross in Blues:



Racerback in pink, grey and white:



Crisscross in Black, White and Red:



And where to find these multiple colored and styled wonderful low priced bra-lets? Why, do you even have to ask?

DUH.

Have a wonderful weekend...

A

Favorite Find Friday : Community Wide Garage Sales

Oh yes, we are going to get our thrifty on this weekend!

Tomorrow, I am heading up north a bit to attack a large community wide garage sale extravaganza. I am embarrassingly excited. My always-up-for-a-garage-sale thrifty sister and my thrifty mentor and original Queen Bee of the art of Garaging, my Mother, are driving down from their part of the world to experience the community wide garage sale phenomenon with me. Last year at this phenom there were over 170 participating garage sales! 170!! I know!

Here is what is on my garage sale wish list:

• Board Books - Who doesn't love a good board book!?

( I don't know about fellow Mama's, but why do I feel Bubbalu only has 10 books that we read over and over and OVER?! I know he has a big stack of books, but I get sick of them! But hey, nobody ever said literacy is a bad thing. Also, Bubbalu has developed a disturbing habit of eating his books. I DO feed him...really!! Guess he needs more fiber? Most of his board books have nice Bubbalu-mouth-sized chunks missing from the edges. Do any other Mama's have this kid eating books problem? I keep grabbing the book away from him, "Bubbalu, that is NOT FOOD!!". So, we need some uneaten board books. )

Mkay, got a little distracted there, but here's the rest of the list...

• Toddler Boy clothes - Bubbalu shot up in height these last few months (45% to 75% over 3 months...hmmm, maybe it was all the books he was eating?) and we are close to being out of clothes. I'll probably be looking for cute, 'OK to get messy' playclothes. No, not like the curtain play clothes from Sound of Music; shorts, T's and such.
  


• Sandbox/outdoor toys - I am guessing when we (hopefully) buy our first house later this summer I will want outside toys for Bubbalu to play with.

I especially want one of these:

• Vintage ceramic cake stand - I'm ALWAYS on the lookout for these. I would really like a few in different colors/heights.

Here is an example:

• Vintage Cutco knives - Anyone else sell them during college to make ends meet? My hubby did, sorta. We LUV Cutco knives, they are the best.



• Old big frames - to repaint and frame whatever I feel like. Usually fabric. I'll show you sometime. It's a cheap and beautiful way to freshen up a wall.



• Ammo Boxes - Cause Hubby and my Papa are BIG-TIME geocachers.



• Some new underwear for me - Joking. Please, if you thought I was serious, get some help. I REALLY don't understand how some Garagers think that selling/buying old used underwear is OK. It is just...ewww.

That is all I can think of right now, I'll list more as I think of em. I hope to do a 'look what I got!' post after all the craziness of tomorrow is over...

Now, go get your thrifty on!

A

Favorite Find Friday: Franklin School Bus

We have a VERY popular toy around our house. I bought it at a garage sale last summer for $2.00, then took it home and cloroxed the snot out of it. It's been used nonstop since Bubbalu turned eleven months old.

Now presenting....the Franklin School bus :

On the dash are buttons in the shape of Franklin's friends who profess their love of school and learning.

"I want to learn about shapes."

"School time in FUN TIME.

...and my personal favorite:

"I love lunchtime!"

Amen little Franklin friend. Lunchtime was MY favorite part of school as well. Who cares about colors and shapes? Give me the FOOD.

Our Franklin School Bus has seen better days. My Bubbalu has an affinity for sticker peeling, and Franklin is looking naked in some areas, as evidenced by this picture :



Actually, that picture isn't too bad. Since it was taken last week he has removed 3 more stickers from the opposite side.

There is one button that plays the 'Wheels On the Bus' song. If you don't know that song, just wait until you have a kid. You'll know all 37 verses by heart. Really, I'm not kidding.

STILL need to hear it? Click Here.

The song button is Bubbalu's favorite one.

Sometimes, our Franklin School Bus gets LOST. Yep, LOST. We can't find him for HOURS at a time. It is a tragedy. We do manage to find other things to play with, but when we finally "find" the missing Franklin School Bus, happiness and smiles abound.

At least from one of us, that is.

A

Favorite Find Friday : Old Navy Flip Flops

Thought I forgot about Favorite Find Friday, huh?

OK, for the find of the week I am choosing Old Navy Flip Flops. The basic colors run $3.50 each, or 2 for $5.00 and at that price, you can have an assortment without breaking the bank. Old Navy has just re-styled them so they are sleeker and don't look as grungy (if that's possible).

Now, I realize flip flips are not the pinnacle of style, but they are functional. I am a realistic Mama who needs to throw on comfy cute footwear to run out of the house.

I refuse to call them thongs anymore, for obvious reasons, despite using the term throughout my entire childhood. I am pretty sure my mom still calls them by their derogatory name, and it makes me giggle when she says that. (I Love You MOM!)

Anyways, I like Old Navy flip flops because they come in so many colors and now patterns!

I love these ones:



...and these:



...and my favorites:



Do I own all of those wonderful pretty patterns? Nope. I own these ones:



I decided they make my toes look tan. See?


Ok, maybe not, but I still luv them.

I may not be able to wear them at home ( where it is currently raining and 45 degrees) for a while, but they are waiting in my closet for me. Yesterday in a brief moment of insanity brought on by unexpected sunshine I threw them on for a jaunt to the swingset.

My toes are STILL cold.

A

Favorite Find Friday - Infant Meds

Why? Well, I've got a sick baby over here, and it is something I can do to help him.

That, and unending cuddles, snuggles and sippy cups of juice.

A

Favorite Find Friday : Measuring Tape

WHAT???



I know, it sounds weird, and I WILL explain. Stick with me.

I had a baby almost 15 months ago. Is it an excuse? No. Is is a reason? YES.

My body dramatically morphed in the last 2 years. ( No, I'm not a stick thin person, so lets just call me an average pear shaped woman. ) Pre-pregnancy I was running 10 miles 3 days a week, had great tone and was overall satisfied with my body. By the end of my pre-eclampsia ridden pregnancy, I was NOT thrilled with my body. It looked so different to me that it was almost alien. Who stole my body? Where did THIS one come from?

Colic didn't exactly assist with my postpartum weight loss. I made it a point to get out and walk/run, despite Bubbalu screaming the entire time. People gave me sideways concerned looks on the trail, and I would just smile. I couldn't talk to them because my baby silencing headphones were in. What they must have thought...oh well.

Anyways.

Despite some infant related challenges, I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight at six months. STILL... Who stole my body? Where did THIS one come from? Those of you who have had a baby understand this. Where is my muscle tone? What is with this poochy lower stomach thing? Same weight, NOT the same size. Shifted doesn't even begin to explain it. Granted, I was still breastfeeding, and I know the body holds on to some extra poundage in interesting places because of it.

OK. So measuring tape. Thought I forgot, huh?

I have always built muscle up rather quickly and would be frustrated when the scale refused to budge after weeks of diet and exercise. I started taking my measurements about four years ago and haven't stopped. I keep a notepad (I'm not telling you where) that lists the date, current weight and current measurements.

The reason I love measuring tape? I lost 8 inches in the last month...and the scale stayed the same. Clothes fit better, and I am almost bikini ready.

How to use? Keep a running list of your measurements and check monthly or quarterly.

• Bust
• Under Bust
• Waist (smallest part)
• Belly Bulge (hehehe, that's for postpartum only )
• Hips/Behind (largest part)
• Under Behind
• Upper leg/Thigh (largest part)
• Above Knee
• Calf (largest part)
• Upper arm
• Forearm

No, I don't look the same as I did before pregnancy, but that's ok.

I paid a small price for a huge blessing.

A

Favorite Find Friday : Car Care

How many of you have a dirty, dusty, grimy, gross car dash? We do.

OR DID.

Yesterday evening Mom and I were out running errands (aka going to Dairy Queen for PBP's). I had about 15 minutes to kill while waiting for Mom. So I sat and sang along with Sara Evans, watched people unload a moving truck...blah.

Then I remembered how dirty my windshield wipers were...as in useless. So, I opened my glove box and pulled out this little powerhouse:

Oh yes, I luv to clean my car. Travel size multi-surface wipes are my friends.

First I used a wipe to clean my windshield wipers (FRONT AND BACK! Saying it just like Ross). The wipe was pretty grimy, so I grabbed another one and attacked all dashboard surfaces. My car was dirrrrty.

Eww.

I also cleaned the rear view mirror and my side mirrors, because you can use them on glass & mirrors! See? Multi-surface. It's a beautiful thing.

I had a clean fresh car paired with new vanillaroma tree thingy.... I was proud of my accomplishment.

Mom got back in the car and I HAD to show her my hard work. Seriously, I turned on the overhead light and pointed out the grime on my used cleaning wipes. She was moved. I could tell.

AND...I could see out my windshield. It's nice to be safe driving at night while it's raining.

If only they made a wipe big enough for me to clean the OUTSIDE of my car.

But I'm not sure they would fit in my glove box.

A

Favorite Find Friday : Egg Perfect Egg Timer

Favorite Find Friday is new blog feature for VintageDutchGirl. Enjoy.

I LUV me some eggs. I am always looking for ways to get more tasty protein without powders or specialty drinks. Eggs help me with that, and they are tasty. Ok, slightly high on the cholesterol and fat scale, but more on that later. Hard boiled eggs are convenient, portable and easily stored. I can lose track of time easily and I used to have ugly green rings on my hardboiled egg yolks....

Enter the Egg perfect egg timer...



The claim "cooked perfectly every time" is TRUE.

Instrutions : You just pop that dealy thing into the pan with however many eggs you want. cover with water and put over heat. The timer changes color so you know when to take them off heat for perfectly cooked eggs. The color changes from the red shown in the picture to a burgundy to show how cooked they are (or denaturizing of the enzymes, which is irreversible. Impressed that I remember my cell bio? I am! ). I wait for complete burgundy, take em off heat and put em into a cold water soak. I leave the egg timer in the pan for the cold water soak. It changes back to red when the eggs are cooled, so I know how long to soak them. Brilliant.

I use hard boiled eggs on my salads for protein. ( I have been known to throw interesting foods over shredded romaine. Cut up chicken nuggets anyone?)

Oh yeah, to decrease the cholesterol content, just pop the center out and eat the egg white only. According to wikipedia.com :

• The egg white consists primarily of water (87%) and protein (13%) and contains no cholesterol and little, if any, fat.

So there you go. Protein perfectly cooked without cholesterol.

That being said, I'm hungry for lunch. I'm gonna go whip me up a funky salad.

A