Huzzy's AT

Huzzy goes away for AT every summer, leaving lil' ol' me home by myself with pups Blaine and Lilly. This year, I'll be working FT (as some of you may already know) so I'll be keeping busy during the day for sure.

This year I intend to journal less, which is my go-to when the hus is away, craft some JIC gift packages, and keep up with my diet & exercise! 

With the diet and exercise, I'm hoping that any changes I'll make will be noticeable to someone who hasn't seen me in two weeks... As day to day progress takes a month or longer for anyone to notice! If my work & puppy schedules allow it I'll be posting a daily update of my progress and activities! That'll include recipes or craft how-tos if I did one that day! If this interests any of you, let me know in the comments or on my Twitter (in the Contact Me section!)

Have a fabulous August!

xoxo- Sorority Housewife

Homemade Fabric Softener & Dryer Sheets

A couple days ago, I posted my Homemade Laundry Detergent and I feel it's only fitting to follow up with Fabric Softener & Reusable Dryer Sheets to complete your homemade laundry experience! (Exciting note- you only need two extra items for the dryer sheets!)

This is a rather simple recipe until it comes down to adding scents. Truthfully, I'm still looking for the perfect blend of essential oils to mask the vinegar smell AND be appealing to me... So trial & error may be your friend!


Fabric Softener-

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

🔅 White Vinegar (Tip- buy a gallon jug. Vinegar is useful is so many ways!)

🔅 16 oz. Hair Conditioner (Cheap fragrance-free or an appealing fragrance will do to save money, or if you want to go organic, this is a fave of mine but it's $8- not as cheap as VO5 or Suave, but all natural/vegan-  and only lasts for one full sized batch)
🔅 6 c. Water
🔅 Mixing spoon (Not a whisk!)
🔅 CLEAN Jug to hold your fabric softener (recycle old fabric softener jugs or a milk jug, etc. to save money)
🔅 Bowl for mixing & funnel (you can make one out of aluminum foil)
🔅 Essential Oils (if desired)


LETS GET STARTED!

1. Mix 3 c. vinegar, 2 c. conditioner, and 6 c. water in your mixing bowl. STIR until blended! Do not whisk or put straight into the jug and shake. Doing this will cause it to foam excessively and that's not something you want!

2. If the conditioner you've selected does not mask the vinegar smell to your liking, now is the time to add 20-30 drops of essential oils. If you used fragrance-free conditioner, making your scent will be easier, if you have scented conditioner, use oils that compliment and enhance the fragrance you already have. You can get essential oils right here on Amazon. Eucalyptus & Peppermint mask pretty well and I enjoy the smell. However the brand I linked has many blends that are VERY relaxing.
3. Stir the mixture again to mix in the oils thoroughly.
4. Use your funnel or makeshift foil funnel to slowly pour your fabric softener into your jug or container (make sure it has a lid!)
*VERY IMPORTANT* LABLE your container so no one gets confused as to what it is!

Congratulations! You've just made your own Fabric Softener! Use 1/4 c. during the rinse cycle (if you don't have an automatic dispenser and your laundry will be nice and soft!

DRYER SHEETS-

As easy as the fabric softener was, the dryer sheets are even easier!

YOU WILL NEED:

🔅 Your Fabric Softener

🔅 A lidded container (possibly 2)

🔅 Pack of bar mop towels (cheap at Walmart)

🔅 Scissors (Sorry, 3 items, not 2)

YOU MAY ALSO CHOOSE TO ADD:

🔅 Vinegar

🔅 The essential oil(s) you used in your Fabric Softener

GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!

1. Cut your bar mop towels into squares. 4x4 at least... You could even be a rebel and cut rectangles! Just don't make them bigger than 6x6 or so or it'll just be too much.

2. Put 4-6 of your squares into the lidded container & pour your Fabric Softener over it, enough to submerse them. 

That's it! Your done! Throw one "sheet" into your dryer with your laundry and you're set! Replace the dry sheet to its container after the cycle is complete.

Except- every once and awhile the vinegar in the fabric softener isn't enough for the load... For me it's when I try to do too much laundry at once. This is where the optional vinegar mix comes in.

1. Take 2-3 c. of vinegar and stir in your essential oils 10-20 drops should do it.

2. Pour into your second container over 2-3 bar mop squares.

Use these in large loads or loads that tend to have more static, like towels, along with one of your dryer sheets. Yes, they look identical. No, it does not matter which container you return it to.

Now you're all set to save money and make your laundry process all-natural! Happy washing!

-xoxo Sorority Housewife

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

Making my own laundry detergent saves SO much money! I make 5 gallons at a time and store the excess in a pail ($2-3 at Walmart or a hardware store if you can't find a bakery to give you one of their extras.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

1- 5 gallon pail with lid

1 gallon jug of some sort for storage/use... Refill as needed

1 Cheese Grater

1 Pot to melt the soap shavings

1 Bar Laundry Soap (I use Zote, found in the detergent aisle)

1 c. Washing Soda (Arm & Hammer, also w/ the detergent)

1 c. Borax (20 Mule team, you guessed it, detergent aisle)

4.5-5 Gallons water

Essential oils (optional)

MAKING YOUR DETERGENT

1. Start out by grating your Laundry Soap. It's VERY easy, so not a lot of elbow grease required.

2. Melt these shavings in 2 quarts (8 cups) of water over medium high heat, stirring constantly. This takes a bit of patience so don't get frustrated!

3. Fill the 5 gallon pail with hot water from the tub (4-4.5 gallons... I always eyeball it and use a little less than 4.5 gal just in case)

4. Mix your borax and washing soda into the bucket of water until dissolved.

5. Add soap water to the jug and stir until completely mixed.

6. Put the lid on the bucket and let sit overnight. In the morning, shake the jug as one final mixing effort and add your essential oils (30-60 drops depending on the oils and how strong you want it to smell!)

See? SUPER simple! 

Use 1/4-1/2 c. per load of laundry (depending on load size)

Enjoy!

-xoxo Sorority Housewife

PS- will update with pictures!

Up next- Homemade Fabric Softener & Dryer Sheets!

Etsy Shop of the... OMG LILLY!!!

As like many a prep, I have what we'll call a "mild" obsession with Lilly... and an obvious addiction with Etsy!

So I've decided to review a shop this week (I'm trying to make this weekly!) that is new, preppy, and Lilly inspired!

Our shop is:

www.etsy.com/shops/LifeLoveLilly

You might follow her on twitter @LifeLoveLilly! I've only followed her a short while and I'm already in love (with her AND her shop!) I was also graced with the opportunity to give her a short interview, so let's dive in, shall we?

When I first received the follow request from @LifeLiveLilly_, I did what I always do, skipped her profile and went straight to her shop! (The cold truth, I'm materialistic 😆) 

Well I certainly was not disappointed! As a new shop, Life Love Lilly has only ten items listed, SO FAR, however, certain custom painted orders are already accepted!

I've already got my eye on some of her adorable wine glasses! 

The question is, a matching set or different colors to make get-togethers simple! I'm basically in love! (You can even get them monogrammed!!!!!!)

I also love her Lilly monogram paintings and she even has my favorite Lilly quote on a painting!!!

Hashtag GetOnMyWall!!

Her other pieces include: 

Like, I can't get over this shop! I want it all AND some customs!

Our shop owner runs the shop on her own and, as a student, does all her work around her classes and school work! I admire the time management skills, here! 

When I asked her what inspired her to open this shop after some friends convinced her as she was always getting asked if she sold her paintings. (Now that's talent! I couldn't paint Lilly-inspired to save my life!) They urged her to transform her love of painting Lilly, which she's been doing for a few years now, from a fun hobby to a labor of love in the form of an Etsy shop!

What's to come? I asked what we can expect to see in her shop in the future and learned that, "The next items to be added to our shop will be hand-painted wooden letters and coolers! So stay tuned!"

You can bet I'll be staying tuned!

Follow her Twitter @LifeLoveLilly_ and check out the shop! I'm already filling my shipping cart!

Happy shopping!

xoxo- Sorority Housewife

Summer Cocktails

Summertime, when all you want to do after work is chill on the patio, play lawn games, and drink a beer. Well, I've got some fun cocktails. Why? Because sometimes you just don't want beer and drinking out of a Mason Jar is heaven.

Also, they're fun for get-togethers, parties, grill outs, etc.

So let's get our booze on 21+ guys and gals!

💗🙆GIRLS NIGHT IN🙆💗

Glass: Fishbowl Glass, Large Sangria Glass, or Mason Jar

MIXOLOGY:

3 oz./parts Bubbly Muscato

1 oz./part Vanilla Vodka

1 oz./part Strawberry Soda

Rimming Sugar

Strawberries

Use Rimming Sugar to rim the glass, if desired, then fill with ice. Pour in each ingredient and stir to mix. Don't shake it or it'll be flat and gross. Then garnish with Strawberries!

Note- I recommend making the individually and not in mass because of the carbonation!

💛🍑Twisted Peach Palmer🍑💛

Glass: Hurricane Glass or Mason Jar

MIXOLOGY: 

1-2 oz./parts Peach Vodka

7-8 oz./parts Iced Tea (I prefer unsweet here)

7-8 oz./parts Lemonade

Lemon

Ice for blending

Blended, shaken or stirred, made individually or in a pitcher (For unblended: refridgerate then when serving, I put the pitcher on ice and don't put ice in it). 

Unblended: Pour into a Mason Jar with ice and (a) lemon slice(s) or wedge garnish.

Blended: Fill glass with ice for every glass being made and por into blender. Add your alcohol & blend. *NOTE- May require extra ice!* Pour into Hurricane Glass with lemon wedge garnish.

❤️🌜Moonshine Tea🌛❤️

This one is great for sitting on the porch, grilling, and playing yard games with friends. I make pitchers-full and put the pitcher in a bucket of ice once chilled when entertaining!

Glass: Mason Jar

MIXOLOGY

1 oz./part Bar Syrup (I make my own)

1 oz./part Lemon Juice

1 oz./part Peach Purée (I make my own)

2 oz./parts Sweet Tea (Again, I make my own, otherwise Gold Peak is my go-to!)

2-3 oz./parts Moonshine (Old Smokey's is my go-to!)

Lemon(s)

*NOTE- you CAN sub out the Peach Purée for Peach Moonshine, will taste different, be lighter in color, and thinner; but still amazing*

Mix Peach Purée and Bar Syrup. Add all the liquid ingredients, shake or stir, then pour over ice into your glass! Garnish with a Lemon Wedge.

Enjoy!

xoxo- Sorority Housewife

RumChata Cupcakes!

These are my FAVORITE cupcakes in the world. Probably because I decorate them with Snuckerdoodles and I LOVE RumChata... and my KitchenAid Stand-Up Mixer. 😂

And guess what? You'll be making home-made frosting! So light, fluffy, and delicious!!!

I don't recommend cutting any of the recipes in half until you've made them at least once!

Also, be prepared to hand wash some dishes during this recipe!! Here's a reminder of pre-cooking tips: http://sororityhousewife.blogspot.com/2013/10/tips-for-easier-cooking.html?m=1

That Aside, you probably want to know the recipe!

TOOLS:

Mixer

Rubber Spatula

Icing Bag/Tip of choice

Spatula

Cooling Rack

Cookie Sheet

Muffin/Cupcake Pan

Extra Mixing Bowls

Whisk

Butter Knife (for cutting butter & cream cheese)

Measuring Cups & Spoons

Liquid Measuring Cup

Wooden Spoon

Apron

Paper Cupcake Baking Cups

Spoon(s) (Miscillaneous uses)

Stuff for Hand-washing Dishes

SNICKERDOODLE INGREDIENTS:

(I use Betty Crocker's recipe ☺️)

Can be viewed here http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/snickerdoodles/7ffc92a9-d847-4869-9ecb-99de3b751b14

Or you can be lazy and just read on:

1 1/2 c. Sugar

1/2 c./1 stick softened butter (or margarine, but really, butter)

1/2 c. Shortening

2 Eggs

2 3/4 c. Flour

2 tsp. Cream of Tarter

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1/4 tsp. Salt

1/4 c. Sugar

2 tsp. Cinnamon 

BAKING INSTRUCTIONS: (Yeilds approx 30 cookies, more than you need, but gives you selection)

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix together Sugar (1 1/2 c.), Butter, Shortening, and Eggs together until completely blended.

Continue mixing while adding Cream of Tarter, Baking Soda, Salt, and Flour.

*Congratulations, you just made Sugar Cookie dough*

On a small plate or bowl mix the rest of the Sugar and Cinnamon (for rolling balled dough through)

Ball the cookies into 1" (I differ from BC here) round balls.

Roll each ball you make through the Cinnamon Sugar then place onto the Cookie Sheet approx 2" apart.

Assuming the oven is pre-heated, bake for 8 minutes. (No more! No one likes eating cinnamon rocks!) Possibly 7 minutes depending on your oven.

Let the cookies cool on a Cooling Rack.

Hand-wash your dishes/utinsils, unless you have time on time to let the dishwasher do the dirty work.

CUPCAKE INGREDIENTS:

1/2 c./1 Stick Butter (Softened/Room Temp.)

1 1/2 c. Sugar

2 c. Flour

2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 c. RumChata

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

4 Egg Whites

BAKING INSTRUCTIONS: (yeilds 18-24 cupcakes depending on how big you make them.)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Ferenheit and line the Cupcake Pan with the Paper Liners. 

Beat the Sugar and Butter with your mixer until it's both fully mixed and fluffy.

In a separate bowl, mix together Four, Baking Powder, Salt, and Cinnamon and set out of your way.

In yet another bowl, mix together the RumChata and vanilla... and set out of your way.

While mixing, slowly add the dry & wet ingredients you'd set aside, alternating between Flour mix (start & finish with this) and the RumChata mix.

*Make sure everything is completely mixed! There's nothing worse than filling the liners and finding sugar clumps*

In yet ANOTHER (or the RumChata) bowl, whisk (if you don't have a handheld blender) the Egg Whites until they're frothy & peaks form.

Fold in the Egg Whites, it's recommended to use a spatula and be done, but I always blend one more time at the end for good measure.

Now you may fill your Cupcake Liners.

Bake your Cupcakes for 20 minutes (they should be springy when you gently poke them.)

Let them cool before icing & topping!

Of course wash your mixing supplies... I use the blender over a whisk & wooden spoon for extra fluffiness or you can whisk it, it is a challenge to blend by hand, really, but works.

FROSTING INGREDIENTS: (This MAY be too sweet for some peoples' taste, so use less frosting if it is.)

12 oz. Philidelphia Original Cream Cheese almost room temp. (blocks, not in tub)

1/2 c./1 Stick Butter at room temp

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

5 tsp. RumChata

1, 2lb. Bag of Confectioner's (Powdered) Sugar

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN FROSTING:

(Or you can be lame and get a spray bottle of cream cheese frosting, less delicious & I'll judge you.) This yields a LOT, you may have leftovers to freeze, or you could cut the recipe in half.

In mixer (or with wooden spoon & whisk) completely blend together the Cream Cheese and Butter. (If doing this by hand, mix well with the wooden spoon, then  whisk until fluffy.

Slowly add the Confectioners Sugar until the entire bag has been used. The mixture will be THICK. 

Add the Vanilla and 4 tsp. RumChata while mixing. Based on the thickness of the icing, add RumChata 1/2 tsp. at a time until you've reached your desired, fluffy thickness.

When cupcakes are cool, fill the icing bag and use them to frost the cupcakes!

FINISHING TOUCHES:

Take the Snickerdoodles (cut in half if they're too big) and stick them in th icing to decorate! (You may also sprinkle a PINCH of Cinnamon Sugar on the icing for color & decorative purposes.)

Then, clean up. Your kitchen is a mess by now!

And there you have it, DELICIOUS RumChata Cupcakes your friends and family with go crazy for!

xoxo- Sorority Housewife

Bows for days!

As a preppy former sorority woman, I LOVE hair bows... Boarderline addiction actually.

I know many of you who follow my twitter feel the same way, and are always on the lookout! 

Sure I find a bow here or there at stores and such... But Etsy is my go-to. It doesn't matter if I'm looking for something specific or just looking for a bow to catch my eye.

Well, last night, I shared my secret shop on my acct! Tita's Hiding Place! www.etsy.com/shop/TitasHidingPlace

This is where I've gotten ANAZING deals on SO many beyond adorable SUPER HIGH QUALITY bows. On top of all this? The shop owner has some of the best customer service I've ever had in person, online, over the phone, anywhere. She's literally amazing. I advise you all to check out her shop!

Below are just 21 of her 473 prints currently on her site! Talk about selection! I've chosen these because of spring and Easter... Though this is just the tip of the iceberg!

I sincerely hope you enjoy browsing the shop (and buying!) as much as I do! 

Happy Shopping!

xoxo- Sorority Housewife

Spring on a Budget

Want cute spring dresses but don't want to pay the price? Shoes? Accessories? 

I was DIRT poor in college and a fellow sratter passed on this secret gem to me, which I'll pass onto you.

A website of clothes and such, WHERE EVEREYTHING IS $10 OR LESS!! (And having shopped there, not bad quality either!) 

*NOTE: I AM NOT AFFILIATED NOR AM I ENDORSED BY THIS COMPANY, THIS IS MY PERSONAL ENDORSEMENT*

Here is a sneak peak of some spring dresses I found just this morning:

Cute, right?! I NEED the white & blue one 😍😍

And here are a few shoes if I haven't sold you on the dresses:

Yes, all of these shoes can be yours for $9.99 a pair!

Ready to know my secret?

www.10dollarmall.com

Not kidding. This is a ridiculously crazy site! Sometimes I don't find what I like or it's not in my size, other times I find WAY too much!!!

Happy shopping!!

xoxo- Sorority Housewife

ADDENDUM by a fellow #DressPorn Tweeter:

5dollarfashions.com I already found thing I need!

In GA

It has been a whirlwind of a couple months, but I find myself in GA, finally, and plan on resuming my blogging! Expect plenty of "bored crafts" and Crockpot recipes as I'm living sans kitchen on an Army base.

If you have any suggestions or requests, don't hesitate to speak up!

xoxo Sorority Housewife