Garlic an Economical Way to keep the Bugs Away

I am always looking for ways to save money and not use chemicals so I was doing some research on  natural bug repellents and learned that garlic can be an excellent way to keep mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks away. I will be trying a solution based on a product found in stores which basically blends lots of garlic with canola oil and is then sprayed in your yard. I will be sure to post the results of this little experiment when I am done. I am really hoping it works as I have children and a doggie who love to play in the yard during the summer but usually the mosquitoes are so bad that no one can stand it out there. I will also let you know if it smells like the Olive Garden which may offend some people but lucky for me I am of Italian descent and the smell of garlic is like perfume to me. The reason I am choosing to do this as opposed to trying the commercial product is I believe if I popularize the garlic myself then it will me much more potent plus the commercial preparations are expensive and you would still need to buy canola oil to blend them with making it even more costly. I keeping my smelly fingers crossed on this one.

The Art of Assemblage

If you love upcycled assemblage art and jewelry then you will definitely love Retro Chalet Studio on Etsy. There is quite the eco friendly bounty in this shop and prices are extremely affordable. Above is an awesome old wooden chip that has been carefully  decoupaged with a 1940s print and turned into a pendant. The owner of this shop, Ira, has an excellent eye for assemblage making everything from jewelry and art prints to journals and assemblage sculptures. Take a look at her shop for some very unique items that will not disappoint.

Skip the Trash and Look Fab

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The creative mind never stops thinking and this beautiful bracelet is a very nice reminder of that. Believe it or not the beginnings of this bracelet were an ordinary plastic soda bottle. It lives on in a bold new way thanks to ElectricPenguin on Etsy.  It is layered with hemp and adorned with a earthy mix of glass beads. What a wonderful way to turn trash into treasure and to make this even better it is on sale at  ElectricPenguin for only $11.00 ! This shop also has some awesome upcycled beer labels on wooden beads that would make a great guy gift. Check this shop out it is super fun and affordable.

Grab My Button Giveaway for May 17-31st

Here is the next Grab my button giveaway for all my friends. Here is how it works- If you have a blog just grab my button to the right and paste it on your blog or website  and then leave a comment. If you already have my button then just post a comment  and you are entered.  I will be doing a new grab my button giveaway every two weeks so check back often. This one ends May 31st and is done by random number generation and then the button is verified by me. Thanks to everyone who follows my blog and has my button :) This is an international giveaway and open to everyone with a blog or website.

The prize this time is a wonderful accessory for summer. Bright juicy red vintage berry beads are paired with blue wire wrapped glass drops on silver ear wires.

May's Grab my Button Winner

The winner is Shadylady Congrats and keep following as I have will have a new grab my button giveaway that I will be posting later tonight  and all who currently have my button just need to leave a comment to enter. Have a wonderful day!

Button Up Fashion

This morning I am highlighting this wonderful upcycled button necklace from TopazTurtle on Etsy. This awesome creation is made from recycled buttons and beads  floating artfully on wire. This is a wonderful style and is very popular right now so you can effectively save the plant and be stylish all at the same time. TopazTurtle is an Australian shop that  also ships to the US, UK, and Malaysia. This shop also boasts some of the best looking resin bangle bracelets around.

Cool Upcycled Skirts For Summer

I gotta say I love upcycling and recycling products and I especially love finding new and interesting ways in which people are doing it. Take for instance this awesome summer skirt it once had a former life as a business style dress. Eccentric Lilithine  is a fab  new shop on Etsy and has a wonderful concept. Take those little bitty sundress and turn them into amazing skirts designed for all sizes even plus sizes.  These breezy beauties are perfect for summer and come in all different lengths. Skirts start around 30.00 and she also has some amazing Tree of Life pendants for only 15.00

Happy Mothers Day

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Hope every mommy out there had a wonderful and amazing Mothers Day :) This is what I woke up to yesterday morning. A beautiful breakfast in bed made by my hubby and served by my sweet little Will. My husband made biscuits from  scratch and even went and cut roses from my garden. I felt like a queen not to mention my husband also made an amazing dinner and better yet, cleaned the house! My 2 sweet kiddos also made me feel extra special  and I hope all you know how special you are as well :)

A Greener and Cheaper Way to Clean

No doubt everyone has seen the many new green cleaning and household products on the market and while some of them are good they can get expensive. I have been making my own cleaner for years and it is extremely simple and cheap. Take a spray bottle of your choice and add 1/3 cup liquid castile soap, 1/3 cup lemon juice and fill with tap water. This concoction works great and and smells amazing. In my house I use this spray on my counters, cabinets, bathrooms and even floors. The pads shown in the pic above are wonderfully eco friendly as well and work with my Swiffer. I purchased them and my castille soap from Picnic Basket Crafts on Etsy. Tiffany the owner of this wonderful little shop makes a wide array of eco friendly items that are also wallet friendly, I have even worked with her on a number of occasions to make special items (like bug repellent for my pup) If you are at the store checkout Dr Bronners castile soap, it is the most economical choice on the market and available in alot of local supermarkets. It comes in several wonderful fragrances using essential oils such as almond, lavender, peppermint.

Mays Awesome Giveaway

May's Giveaway is here! This month I am offering this beautiful revamped vintage necklace made from 100% upcycled materials. A beautiful gold and rhinestone brooch is the focal point accented by sapphire blue vintage navette rhinestones on an upcycled glass rosary chain.

To enter-
Follow my blog ( all previous followers are already entered ) 1 Entry

Grab my Button- 2 Entries

Take a look at my Etsy Store and tell me your favorite piece and why- www.camelotjewels.etsy.com -1 entry

Purchase anything from my shop - 8 Entries !

APRILS Winner is.......

April's winner is BLISSFUL BEE BOUTIQUE Congratulations :)

Thanks for for entering and keep following as that means you automatically have 1 entry into EVERY monthly drawing. and for more enttries just leave comments.
Mays Giveaway will be announced Tomorrow :)