I’ve been trying to wear more of my lipstick collection lately, but I found it hard after realizing how dry my lips were. There’s really one major rule to wearing lipstick — you just can’t pull it off on dry lips!

I’ve heard great things about the Mint Julips lip scrub from LUSH, but I just could bring myself to buy it. As much as I love LUSH, I thought this was something simple that I could make myself.

Here’s what I used:

• 1 empty container
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons of olive oil (or try jojoba!)
• A few drops of honey

That’s it! You can play around with the oil and make sure you have enough after you stir it together. The oil hydrates while the sugar exfoliates, and the honey has beneficial properties as well but I just like the aftertaste it leaves. No more dry lips!

I recommend following up with your favorite lip balm before any lipstick, and it’ll look even better.

Have you ever made your own lip scrub, or do you prefer to buy?

I ran out of my Meyer’s cleaning solution this past weekend. Which is a good thing, because it was pine tree scented and it’s certainly not that time of year anymore. However, I love my Meyer’s products and I had nothing else to replace it.

It was late at night and I was still in the middle of cleaning, so I decided it was the perfect time to try a homemade cleaner with things I had around the house.

Here is the formula I used:

Pros: This stuff isn’t a miracle worker, but it does the job of a variety of different cleaners. It cleaned my counter tops, polished hardware to an insane shine, got rid of soap scum on my shower doors, and I was shocked when I successfully used it on my mirrors. It even prevented foggy windows after my shower!

Cons: There was a slight vinegar scent because I hadn’t put in any essential oils and I probably used a bit too much vinegar in my solution. Next time I will try lemon oil, which is recommended, or add another scent booster. I also found this stuff wasn’t potent enough to scrub the bathroom tub or tiles. Unfortunately, I still have to stick with my Comet for that, but I hope to soon find a less harsh alternative.

Would you ever consider making your own cleaning solution?

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How many new year resolutions have you made in your life time? How many have you followed through with?

Maybe this will give you an idea as to why I usually dislike hearing new year resolutions. People make a few mistakes when they decide upon theirs:

• Making too many. I’ve heard people promise themselves an entire bucket list. Not going to happen.
• Unrealistic wishes. Sometimes we tell ourselves we need to do something that just won’t happen, like a trip that takes years to save for or accomplishing something you know just isn’t your thing.
• Focusing on short-term. Sometimes we don’t realize long term effects of our promises, or forget them after January altogether.
• Negativity. I feel that instead of thinking about all the things in your life you want to change next year, realize how amazing your life is already. Some people scramble to find a resolution. If you don’t have one, is that really a problem? Sometimes bettering yourself isn’t a conscious process, but something that happens gradually.

Are resolutions evil? Of course not. But I think we often get carried away. Want to better yourself next year? So do I! Instead of resolutions, I recommend finding one thing you want to see a change in next year. Put your heart and soul into making that happen, but take it slowly. Want to run? Start walking every other day. Want to write a novel? Draft a few lines every day after breakfast. Want to put your life back together? Pick one little thing that would make a difference and fix it. One by one make your way to your goal. This will keep you from burning out and allow you to focus on one simple thing that will enhance your life.

What’s your resolution for 2012 and how will you approach it? And of course, wishing all of you lovely people a Happy New year!

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Living within your means is the secret to success. Right? I disagree! I think living below your means is the way to go. Be the cheap-o, the coupon-er, the deal-getter. Be conscious of where your money is going.

Josh and I drove from Florida to California to start a new life here right out of college, and it hasn’t been easy. We adjusted to living within such a small income because we had to. Since then, Josh has gotten a pay raise and I’ve also started working. But it doesn’t matter, because we generally try to live the same way we did before all of that happened.

You may think I’m crazy. Most of the time I would agree, but here’s why I think this works and how you can get there.

Benefits

• Savings. Spending a lot less money than what you’re making means you will have money left sitting in your bank account. This lets you save for essentials like emergencies (you should always have an emergency fund!) and also lets you save for goodies you may be wanting to buy in the future.
• Quality. When you’re keeping an eye on your money, you’re probably paying more attention to what you’re buying. You buy things knowing they will have a purpose and it’s truly what you’re looking for.
• Purpose. You’re not buying things just because you have the money to, while others go without. And that’s a pretty good feeling.
• Donating. Maybe you even have enough to donate to something you feel strongly about. Wouldn’t that be better than buying something you didn’t really care for?
• Smarts. I go into places with coupons and walk away paying less than the person in front of me who paid full price. I also notice a lot of people don’t read the fine print on coupons and don’t realize when stores accept expired coupons or if you’re allowed to use more than one. Know your stuff! You can end up saving a lot just being savvy.

How to do it

• Don’t adjust. Did you get a pay raise? Congrats! But still stick to your current budget. It’s easy to adjust to your income level, but once you live below what you’re making it’s easier to stick to than to stop when you’ve gone too far.
• Prioritize. Savings or credit card debt should be taken care of the minute you get paid, not at the end of the month. That way it’s taken care of. Because it is, after all, the most important thing next to food and the roof over your head. You pay rent every month, and you should pay your bank account too!
• Cut out. Look at what you pay for every month and see how you can alter or cut out some things that are keeping you from being under budget. For me this is usually subscription services and gourmet coffee.
• Save up. When I want something expensive I put money in a special place to save up for it. Paying a few bucks each month is easier than paying the entire chunk at once. Can’t wait? Sell your valuables online and see if you can make up for some difference, or try and look for a savings deal in your area.
• Treat yourself. Finally, it’s okay to buy a few things that make you happy. That is of course after you put money into savings and make sure you’re out of debt. Otherwise, those things should take priority. Once they’re taken care of for the month, there’s nothing wrong with a little indulgence! (Which in my case, probably still involves coupons.)