by contributing writer Jasmine

I embarked on learning how to make beeswax candles after searching for an alternative to heavily scented commercial candles which would often leave me with a headache. From my research I found that beeswax candles are one of the cleanest burning candles, and they actually clean the air as they burn. I enjoy the sweet honey smell and the soft golden light. These candles seem to take me back in time to a simple life.

Supplies Needed

• Beeswax – enough to fill your container 1 1/2 – 2 times. For my large pot, I used approximately 4 pounds to fill it, but as I made the candles I added in more beeswax to keep the level near the top of the pot.
• Wicking – I found a roll of wicking on the clearance table at the craft store, so check for discounted supplies.
• Metal Nuts – small ones from the hardware store
• Container – I bought a candle making pot at the craft store, but metal coffee cans or olive oil cans would also work. Make sure the height of the can is taller than you want your candles to be.

Instructions

1. Fill container with beeswax. Place container in a pan of water and heat until beeswax is melted.

2. Prepare wicking by cutting pieces 2 1/2 times as long as you want your candles. My candles were about 8 inches long, so my wicking was approximately 20 inches long. Tie nuts onto both ends the wicking (to weigh down the wicking once you dip it into the beeswax).

3. I made a makeshift contraption to hold my candles while they were drying. I used a bar stool and a yard stick, but a broom handle would also work. It doesn’t have to look pretty.

4. Take the wicking and hold at the top, making sure to keep the 2 sides separated. Slowly dip the wicking into the beeswax. Hang to dry and repeat on the next wicking. Continue dipping until all of the wickings have been dipped. Return to the first wicking and repeat the process again. Be patient, this is a slow process, especially in the beginning. It will take a while to build up the wax on the wicking. Continue the process until the candles are the size that you would like.

Note: The wax tends to build up on the nuts. Just remove and toss back into the pot. Also, as the level of wax in the pot decreases, add more in and wait for it to melt.

5. When candles are the size that you would like them to be, cut off the nuts from the bottom of the candle and flatten the candle bottom with your palm. If the wax has already hardened, quickly dip the bottom of the candle into the melted wax in the pot. This will soften the end and allow you to flatten it.

6. When ready to use, cut the candles apart and pull off any excess wax at the top of the wick. Light and use as a regular candle.

If you want to start out small, try making birthday candles. We made some for our 2 year old and he was so pleased with his very own candles!

More posts from Jasmine

Disclosure: I’m partnering with VTech to spread the word about their awesome cordless phone. All opinions and phone bills are my own. 

I talk on the phone a lot. It’s how I stay connected with my family, friends, and most of my work involves phone calls. One of the things I love about talking on the phone is that as a mom you can do a bunch of other things while you are on the phone.

Now I know that people say multitasking is a myth, but everyone knows you can change a diaper, take out the trash, unload the dishwasher, make dinner, wipe noses, fold laundry, and mop a floor while you are on the phone.

In fact, if I couldn’t do those things I wouldn’t have time to talk to people because there is just too much that needs to get done each day around here.

Last week I received a VTech CS6859 cordless phone to try. I was excited because our current cordless phone no longer keeps a charge. If it isn’t on the charging station for most of the day and night you don’t have a phone.

I love the VTech CS6859′s sleek design and the fact it can be mounted on the wall. I plan on mounting it as soon as my kitchen is finished. It also has a base speakerphone which is awesome because my kids NEVER remember to return the phone to the base. And if I’m being honest, I rarely remember to do that either!

It also has caller ID which is a must in my house. Apparently when we moved we were given the number of some guy who hasn’t paid a bill in his entire life so our phone rings all day! With caller ID I can screen calls and don’t need to talk to people looking for the guy who use to have our number.

It also has an ECO mode which reserves energy making the battery last longer, and in my house with nine people we need it!

The signal is very clear even on the speakerphone which is a big plus for me since the phone is in the kitchen where I spend most of my day.

The phone is also reasonably priced at only $40 at Walmart and is expandable for up to 5 handsets.

Phones are one of those things that you don’t really think about until yours doesn’t work well anymore. The VTech CS6859 is a great phone for my active family.

You can win a  VTech CS6859 phone for your family by entering my giveaway! Just leave a comment sharing what you are most likely to multitask when you are on the phone. For me it is definitely dishes!

Giveaway ends June 22, 2013.

Grab all 5 eBooks for only $7.40 (almost 60% savings!) and treat yourself to some great go-to resources for creating schedules and routines, the importance of rest, strategies to help you be on time and more!

Tell Your Time by Amy Lynn Andrews

• Tell Your Time: How To Manage Your Schedule So You Can Live Free outlines Amy’s straightforward, step-by-step approach to controlling your schedule and ensuring the important things don’t fall through the cracks. It’s short and to the point with no fluff or filler. This little ebook will help you accomplish not only what’s on your to-do list today, but what’s on your to-do list for life.

Honoring the Rhythm of Rest by Daniele Evans

• In a culture where many of us are simply moving too fast and pausing less often for a break, for time off or for intentional rest, Daniele offers a better way. Honoring the Rhythm of Rest will encourage and equip you to understand the meaning of true rest; to ask of yourself ,”Am I living intense, or intentional?”; to counteract the myth of doing it all; to consider 3 intentional ways to practice rest; and to journey back from burnout!

28 Days to Timeliness by Davonne Parks

• Two years ago, Davonne began working on becoming more timely, and she decided then that if she could ever figure out how to be on time, she’d write a book about it.  Throughout her journey, she discovered what makes some people late, tips and tricks other people use to be on time and how to enjoy freedom and spontaneity within boundaries as she made significant progress in her own life. In 28 Days to Timeliness, she shares 28 short, easy-to-read segments that take just a few minutes to go over each day with a practical course of action to help you be on time.

Creating a Schedule That Works by Marlene Griffith

• In Creating a Schedule That Works, Marlene offers you the tools to help you create and implement a schedule that works for you and your life. Her simple, straight-forward approach shows you how to break your day into bite-sized pieces by scheduling four blocks of time in your day to help you meet the demands of your day-to-day life.

The Homemaker’s Guide to Creating the Perfect Schedule by Amy Roberts

• With plenty of charts, printables, examples and links, The Homemaker’s Guide to Creating the Perfect Schedule includes step-by-step instructions for creating the perfect homemaking schedule as well as a bonus section on creating the perfect homeschooling schedule. Amy shows you how to work with your unique family dynamics, how to make a schedule stick, how to delegate chores and more!

Purchase all of these Time Management for Families eBooks bundled together here.

Can we just be honest for a second? Does anyone really like cleaning the toilet? I do not. Since I have three boys, cleaning toilets is a frequent chore around my house.

This summer I’m working with Scotch-Brite to share with you some of their awesome cleaning products. I figured I would start with my least favorite thing to clean, toilets!

Let’s start with the bowl, because in a house with three boys this is actually the cleanest part of the toilet. I love the Scotch-Brite toilet bowl brush for a few reasons.

First it comes with a holder. Personally, I prefer to have a toilet brush next to every toilet. It makes for easy cleaning and you don’t have to carry a wet and dripping brush that just came out of your toilet through your house. But if you don’t have room for a brush in every bathroom, the holder allows you to carry the brush without dripping toilet water on the floor.

Second it has bristles. Whoever thought you could clean the toilet with a sponge did not live with my family. We need nice bristles that point in all sorts of directions to thoroughly clean around the bowl and under the rim. The Scotch-Brite toilet bowl brush has nice firm bristles that can get to all those hard to reach places.

Do you know how nervous I was taking a picture over the toilet? Seriously, I’ve dropped my phone in the toilet twice in the past 3 years! 

Oh, and for those little boys with really bad aim, Scotch-Brite makes a great grout cleaning tool that works great around the base of the toilet!

So here’s a few toilet cleaning tips and a giveaway for you.

Toilet Cleaning Tips

• Once a day quickly brush the toilet bowl. This should be easy to remember because your brush is right next to the toilet. I know everyone goes in there at least once a day. You don’t even have to use any cleaner. A quick swish with the brush will keep it cleaner longer.
• Once a day have the people who miss the toilet bowl the most (aka the boys) wipe down the seat. You can have them use a baby wipe, a cleaner wipe, or  a paper towel. But daily wiping makes a huge difference.

Giveaway

How do you keep your toilets clean? Share your tip in the comments and you’ll be entered to win a Scotch-Brite prize pack! Your tips could be featured on the Scotch-Brite webpage!

Giveaway ends June 24, 2013. 

I’m working with Scotch-Brite to promote their cleaning products. All opinions and messy toilets are my own.

After my back surgery I was cured immediately from my disc pain, but I still suffered from a sore back. My orthopedic surgeon said I had arthritis in my back and would probably experience lower back pain for the rest of my life.

One thing that would always trigger my pain was sleeping on a “bad bed.” I became very picky about where I could sleep because sleeping on the wrong mattress could mean I would wake up unable to stand up straight.

Last year in the middle of our move I was contacted by the folks at Sleep Number  and asked if I wanted to try one of their beds. Since I consider myself a bed snob I was interested, but I wasn’t sure I would like a mattress filled with air.

My journey started with a trip to the Sleep Number Store. If you live near a mall or a shopping center I’m sure you’ve walked by one of their stores. If you are thinking about buying a Sleep Number bed, do not skip this step!

I was greeted at the store by a lovely sales lady who proceeded to explain all the different types of beds and technology available. This was all interesting, but the best part of visiting the store is trying out the beds. This is why you cannot skip this step. A few years ago I stayed in a hotel with a Sleep Number bed, but because I didn’t understand how to find my number I did not have a good night sleep.

The folks at the store will explain exactly how you find the right number, and also help you figure out what bed is best for your needs. We ended up with the m9 bed which is part of their memory foam series.

Here’s what’s great about this bed.

Dual Settings

You like a firmer mattress but your spouse likes a softer mattress. No problem, each side is fully adjustable to your preferences.

Uses Regular Sheets

While they do sell sheets at the store you can use your regular sheets on this bed. Since you are spending a decent amount of money on a mattress it is nice to know you can save by using sheets you already own.

Temperature Balancing Sleep Surface

This is a huge deal. If you are a “hot” sleeper then some memory foam can make you even hotter when you sleep. Not with the m9 temperature balance technology. Temperature balancing sleep surface is designed to absorb excess heat that can disrupt sleep.

Dual Remotes

Let’s be honest, who likes to share the remote control?

A Great Night’s Sleep

I’ve made almost everyone who has stayed at my house sleep in this bed. I wanted people young and old to try out the m9. My daughter came home from college with a sore neck (cheap dorm mattresses). After a few nights in the bed her neck pain was completely gone.

The only complaint we’ve received is that the bed is too high for my husband’s 90 year old grandmother. This can be easily remedied by removing the risers and letting the bed sit on the floor.

Now, I realize that I talk often about saving money and finding ways to cut costs. I do not think you should cut costs when it comes to sleep. Most nights I find myself coming up short on sleep, so I want to make sure that the sleep I do get is the best possible.

If I wake up with a sore back or general aches and pains from sleeping on a bad bed my productivity for the day will be terrible. We’ve always invested in good mattresses for our family because we know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep.

If you have been thinking about a Sleep Number Bed visit your local store. The sales people are very helpful, and not too sales-y. I highly recommend trying the m9. I would also sign up for their mailing list. They are always running great specials so why pay full price when you can shop the sales?

Sleep Number gave me the m9 to review for this post. All opinions and sleep numbers are my own. 

Last week I found myself with a few extra minutes, so I thought I’d use the time wisely and clean the spare bathroom. I gathered my supplies, put my hair up in a ponytail, and checked on the napping baby to make sure he wasn’t stirring. All systems go – or so I thought.

As I walked into the bathroom, I took a quick survey of all that needed to be done, and realized I just didn’t have enough time or energy to get the job done perfectly. So rather than dig in and find my strength, I bailed.

It wasn’t that I was procrastinating, and it wasn’t that I was incapable. Somehow, though, I’d instantly determined that the job couldn’t be done to my standards, and it would therefore be a wasted effort.

I admit it: I am a perfectionist. And because of that, far too many things in my life go undone.

Overcoming Perfectionism

I’m not alone. Too many women are hindered by their perfectionism, especially when it comes to keeping a home, which many of us believe defines who we are as women, moms, and spouses.

If our house isn’t tiptop, we must not be either. And ironically, it’s the idea of being the absolute best at taking care of our homes, our children, and our work that can keep us from accomplishing those very things.

So how can a perfectionist get past the idea of being perfect and simply get something done?

1. Get Real

Whenever I’m on the verge of freaking out because something isn’t perfect, I stop, take a deep breath, and order myself to get real. I zoom out from the task I’m performing, and get a scope of the big picture instead of obsessing over that one thing I could be doing better.

If you’ve tackled a task – whether it’s cleaning the bathroom, cooking a meal, or donating old clothes to Goodwill – simply pat yourself on the back. It’s done, you did it, and that’s enough.

2. Understand the “Why” Behind Your Actions

In addition to having a mantra like “get real,” it’s helpful to ask yourself the reason you’re doing something. Is this job going to have a profound effect on you and your loved ones? Is it about keeping up appearances, like having a perfectly manicured lawn? Or is it for your own self-satisfaction like, for instance, warming yourself with a quilt you made by hand?

Having a grasp on why you’re anxious about getting motivated can be the best motivation of all.

3. Decide Which Things Do Need to Be Perfect

Sometimes it really does feel good to complete a task to the best of your abilities. It’s good for you to feel both a sense of accomplishment and self-worth. Perfectionists, though, take on too much of a burden by insisting that everything be mistake proof.

Instead, pick the one or two tasks most important to you. Focus on perfecting those skills, and then lighten up about the rest, accepting that they simply can’t be perfect. Without that self-imposed responsibility, you can approach them much more casually.

4. Prioritize

After you’ve decided what needs to be perfect in order to feel a sense of balance in your life, take the time to put everything else in order. Talk to your spouse and your children for their take on what matters most to them, and write out a list ranking your priorities.

Once you have a structure for allocating your energy, you can spend less time thinking about all those responsibilities lingering down the road and simply focus on what’s coming up next.

5. Set Time Limits

When you make that list of priorities, designate in advance how long you plan to spend on each task. When it’s in black and white, it’s easier to restrain yourself from spending a ridiculous amount of time on that tiny aspect of a task that stands no chance of improving.

Download a chore chart from the Web if you need help organizing, and, most importantly, stick to your time limits. Your chore chart can be helpful with the kids as well, if you happen to have passed down that perfectionist gene.

6. Don’t Overschedule

Are you a Yes Girl? Perfectionism takes many forms, and the inability to say no to any potential commitment gets me every time. Can you serve on three committees at both of your kids’ schools? Sure. Can you bring a homemade dessert to the bake sale and a main dish to the teacher appreciation luncheon? Of course.

This kind of attitude can stretch you so thin, and ratchet up your stress level so high, you’re likely to snap. The simplest advice is, learn to say no. Don’t be mean, just be honest. Practice it, and then practice it some more, until you free yourself from commitment addiction and feel the power of your own life again.

7. Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

In my mind, just about every mom appears to be the perfect mother – except me. That perfect mother gets everything done on time, her house is immaculate, and her kids are always on their best behavior. My house, on the other hand, looks like a tornado just twisted through it, dinner was overcooked, and my kids are throwing tantrums yet again.

When you feel like this, see number one above, and get real. How do you know those other moms don’t have help cleaning or taking care of their kids? Nobody is perfect, and if you could be a fly on the wall of that perfect mother’s home, you’d see that. Every mom struggles trying to be all things to all people. Tackle your own tasks, take care of your own kids, and stop worrying about what others are doing or thinking.

8. Seek Help

The saying is true: It takes a village to raise kids. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help before depression sets in. Offer to assist friends with errands, and they can do the same for you. Babysit for each other while you devote time to your projects. There’s power in numbers and in feeling the strength of a solid support network.

Consider hiring a housekeeper even once a month if it’s in your budget. Or if it’s cooking that nightly dinner that overwhelms you, start a sandwich night or weekly pizza party. Trust me, the kids are going to be just fine with that.

9. Realize It’s Not All or Nothing

Anything worth doing takes time. If you’re redecorating a room and you’re not getting it “perfect,” remind yourself that accomplishing tasks is not do-or-die. It’s okay to do something partway and then finish it later.

Often, taking that break can help put things in perspective and give you fresh ideas you wouldn’t have thought of before because you were frustrated or overwhelmed. Take a step back, flip through a magazine, go for a run, and reassess. And if you happen to abandon your project completely, accept that it’s for a reason and that life goes on.

Final Word

The first step to not feeling stifled by your own intentions is to give yourself a break and take some credit for what you do every day. Appreciating your accomplishments can help put things in perspective and get you to put one foot in front of the other instead of trying to jump straight to the finish line.

Make lists, plan ahead, and just breathe from time to time, and you’re going to be checking off more tasks than you ever thought you could.

How do you overcome perfectionism and procrastination?

Casey Slide is a stay-at-home mom and writer for the popular personal finance blog, Money Crashers. She writes about topics related to budgeting, lifestyle, and green living.

Have you ever attended a child’s birthday party where the child is more interested in the box and the wrapping paper than the actual toy they received?  Through my years of experience as a babysitter, nanny, and now a mom,  I have found that kids have almost more fun when they play pretend with items found around the house rather than expensive toys.

Encouraging your kids to play with items around the house saves money, cuts down on clutter, and teaches them to be resourceful.

10 Household Items that Make Great Toys

1. Flashlights

Flashlights make great toys!  They can be used to play explorer, detective, camping, and other games associated with imaginary play.  If your kids are looking for an activity, hand them a few flashlights and help them come up with a scenario for playtime.  Flashlights are items that most people have around the house anyway.  For some reason, kids love using real items when they play.

2. Laundry Baskets

Laundry baskets can be incorporated into play in a variety of ways.  With some imagination included, they can be turned into boats, cars, pirate ships or trains.  Kids can also turn them into beds for their stuffed animals or dolls.   You can also play a game of basketball and try to toss balls or stuffed animals into your laundry baskets!  I am sure there are many more games that kids can play with laundry baskets.

3. Plastic Containers with Lids

When my toddler visits his grandparents house, he usually spends most of his time playing in Grandma’s  Tupperware drawer.  He loves stacking all the different sized containers and matching them up with the lids.  A drawer of plastic containers can entertain a small child for hours!  These also make great bath or sand toys!  The only downside of turning plastic containers into toys is that you will need wash them all before using them again for food storage.

4. Old Remote Controls and Cell Phones

Little kids love pressing buttons and being able to use items like the ones mom and dad have.  When you are done with an old remote control or cell phone, take the batteries out and let your kids play with them!  You may find that they prefer these old electronics over their plastic toy versions.

5. Pillows and Blankets

Looking for a fun activity on a rainy day?  Let your kids take out pillows and blankets and instruct them to build a fort!  Then all you have to do is watch their imaginations run wild!

6. Masking Tape

Masking tape might just entertain your kids for hours!  They can make tape balls, race tracks, and create much more!  You may want to stick with tape that will come off easily.  Giving your kids masking tape should be a supervised activity.

7. Old Clothes

Old clothes can be saved and used for dress up!  Use some of your old clothes and make a Dress Up Box.  Make sure to include hats, old costume jewelry, and other accessories as well!  If you sew, you can try to re-purpose some of your old items to fit your kids. I promise that they will have just as fun wearing these old items as they would wearing a store bought costume!

8. Pots and Pans

Pots and pans are such a classic children’s toy that I had to include this on the list.  Kids have hours of fun playing with pots and pans.  They make all sorts of fun sounds!  And don’t even get me started on how fun the lids are!  Playing with pots and pans is a great sensory activity for little kids. Bigger kids can also use pots and pans to play kitchen.

9. Old Food Containers

Old food containers, such as an empty cardboard cereal box or an old milk jug can make great toys!  Kids love putting things into different containers.  Also, old food boxes can be used to stock a child’s play kitchen.   You can create crafts with many of these items, and you may be surprised the other things your kids come up with!  The best part about these food containers, is that you can just recycle them after your kids get tired of playing with them.

10. Cardboard Boxes

Spending a day playing in a cardboard box should be a rite of passage for any person going through childhood.  Kids like to crawl in them, make forts and tunnels,  turn them into cars, boats, doll houses,  and play kitchens.  They can use them to play hide and seek, use them to play games, make costumes out of them, and more!  If you purchase something that has a large cardboard box, keep it out for a few days and let your kids play in it.  They will have so much fun!

I am sure there are many other items around the house that your kids use as toys.  I think you will be surprised once you realize how few toys your kids actually need.  Using regular household items as toys is a great way to encourage creativity!

More projects from Kristen

Last year we went through 365 tips to organize and simplify your home one day at a time, which you can see the entire list of ideas here. With all of these fantastic organization tips to keep your house out of chaos, we decided to highlight some of the best to focus on each month in 2013.

It’s that time of the year when your garage and cars are getting a big workout!  Scooters and bikes are coming in and out of the garage all day, and your cars are running to swim lessons, sports games, friends’ houses, and the never-ending list of errands.  Find some easy tips and ideas for keeping your garage and cars organized and cleaned out in the June Organized in 365 project:

1. Organize Outdoor Toys in the Garage
2. Organize Scooters and Bikes in the Garage
3. Organize the Garage with an Extra Dresser
4. Organize Sports Equipment in the Garage
5. Organize the Garage by Creating Zones
6. How to Simply Store Leftover Paint (Tip: Once you’ve organized your paint, do NOT store it in the garage!  Find a climate controlled environment to store paint.)
7. Organize Your Car’s Trunk Space
8. Organize Coats, Backpacks, and Bags in the Car
9. On the Go Storage for the Car

If you are just tuning in, then be sure to see the 2013 January, February, March, April. and May organized goals as well.

For more ideas to help you simplify and organize one day at a time, visit the Organized in 365 Archives.

Have you seen all of the cute little shrugs that people are making out of T-shirts?  I knew I wanted to make one, but I decided to create an even simpler version than the tutorials I was finding.  What I came up with literally took 10 minutes to make.

How to Make a Shrug from a T-Shirt

Supplies Needed

• T-Shirt (see notes below)
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Rotary Cutter & Mat (optional)
• Sewing Machine
• Thread
• Pins

I chose a T-shirt that was fairly thick with not a lot of stretch compared to some of the T-shirts in my closet. Because of this fact this large sized T-shirt was a little snug on me so my daughter is the one wearing the shrug in the first picture.

I think a good rule of thumb would be to pick a T-shirt that is at least one size larger than you normally wear if it doesn’t have a lot of stretch.

If you choose a T-shirt that has a more stretch you should be able to use a T-shirt that is your size.

Instructions

1. Lay out the T-shirt so that the hem (the bottom of the T-shirt) is even and the T-shirt is fairly smooth.

2. Place the ruler across the T-shirt just below the sleeves.

3. Using scissors or a rotary cutter cut off the top of the T-shirt.

4. Turn the T-shirt wrong side out.

5. Place a pin 6 inches from the right side and another pin 6 inches from the left side of the T-shirt.

6. Add a few more pins in between to hold the fabric together.

7. Sew from the first pin to the last pin using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and the end.

8. Turn the T-shirt right side out.

9. Give the fabric at the 6 inch openings a little tug so the edges curl under.

10. Put your arms through the openings so that the fabric is at your back.

Here is what the shrug looks like from the back.

This was such a fun project I think I am going to have to make some more in different colors.

More projects from Jackie

My friend, Nony from ASlobComesClean.com, has released a new eBook perfect to help you do just that, Teaching Kids to Clean (Teach Your Children Basic Cleaning Skills) on sale for only 99¢ (reg. $4.99)!

This e-book contains advice and tools to help you teach your children to clean. Whatever your schedule, whatever the state of your home, you can use these checklists, charts, and ideas as resources to help you in your job as a parent who strives to prepare kids for life.

Based on her experiences teaching her own kids to clean, she shares advice, “lesson plans,” supply lists, age-appropriate task lists, and printables to help you teach your kids the skills necessary for big cleaning tasks. The tasks include laundry, bathroom cleaning, dusting, vacuuming and mopping.

Purchase your copy of Teaching Kids to Clean here.

If you don’t have a Kindle, then you can still download these eBooks to your smart phone or computer. All you need to do is download one of Amazon’s free reading apps.

Remember that Amazon prices fluctuate constantly, so verify the price before purchasing.