Experience the Farmer's Market.

Sunday is when our local community host's a Farmer's Market. It's a great place to find fresh, organic, and locally harvested fruits, vegetables, eggs, honey, nuts, flowers, herbs, and meats. Among the farm grown produce, you will also be greeted by a beautiful array of handmade jewelry, clothes, and artwork. The Farmer's Market is also an amazing place to find new hot sauces, spreads, breads, and juices. If you ever get the chance to go to the Hillcrest Farmer's Market in San Diego, California, check out Bitchin' Sauce. Oh man, you'll get hooked! The market even has a seperated food stand "aisle", where you are given many choices for your overally zealous taste buds. Authentic taco's with watermelon water, African jerk chicken, or even some delicious cheesecake for those dessert lovers. I can honestly say, that every type of food they have, is delicious. I've either tried them all personally or known someone to rave about an item. I couldn't personally try some of them, due to peanut allergies. 

The overall experience of a Farmer's Market, - at least the one's I've been too - is generally a very laid back vibe. Music is always playing, people sample the blood oranges, and kids get to pick out their favorite "Wacky Quackies". Everyone's just basking in the sunlight enjoying the easy going company of those all around, including the ones lounging on the nearby lawns with their chosen meals. It's a calm experience for me, which is saying A LOT since I suffer from anxiety in heavy crowds. I do go at 9am, which is when they first start, but even when the foot traffic picks up, it never feels overwhelming for me. Therefore, I keep going.

Now, many people steer clear of such events, because some vendors tend to hike their prices up, "just because the tomatoes were grown in their backyard", as I heard someone comment. What some might not know, is that this simply isn't the case with EVERY vendor. In fact, I tend to find a few things that I'd rather purchase at the market than the grocery stores. The key is to not buy at first sight. Walk down the aisle(s) to compare prices. Sometimes a bunch of strawberries can cost $4 while the vendor down a few spots, is offering the same size bunch of strawberries, for $3. It's all about being aware of your surroundings. 

This past Sunday we decided to go to the Farmer's Market AFTER lunch - only because my son was craving a burger from our favorite restaurant, Lazy Dog - so we didn't have any of the Farmer's Market eats, but we DID pick up a few of our "necessities". It's a necessity, because it's necessary for us to buy them whenever we go to the Farmer's Market. Like I mentioned before, I have bought produce at the Farmer's Market instead of at the grocery store, but I don't make it a necessity. Also, I should mention we don't go to the Farmer's Market EVERY Sunday. I like to eat too many of their desserts, which leaves me in a bind money wise, so I only take my son when it's within budget or we've eaten before hand.

One of my favorite things to buy at the Farmer's Market, is the homemade apple cider. I know you can buy apple cider at the grocery store, BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME I TELL 'YA! It's filled with this delicious flavor that brings back childhood memories of Christmas', Thanksgivings and Easters, seeing as how we only had apple cider during those times. They even have CHERRY apple cider. At $3 a pint, I can reminisce on all the memories while coating my taste buds with liquid gold.

Then there's the heirloom tomatoes. My son strongly dislikes them, but I absolutely devour them. I eat them with salt and pepper, create a flavorful sauce out of them, add them to my sandwiches, and the best of all, I make a heirloom tomato salad with Garlic oil. One bite and the deliciousness has landed!!!! Heirlooms are sold at Trader Joe's, but I only buy these occasionally or else I'll have tomatoes all week. Don't judge me. The tomato is nature's oddball fruit, just like me! So I tend to only buy them at the Farmer's Market. Plus, they give out samples of these bad boys, which I am powerless too. 

One thing I often check out but don't purchase, are herbs. I currently have three herbs that I consider my little green babies. Oregano, chocolate mint, and rosemary.I cherish them greatly. I use them constantly and they never fail me. I do think about purchasing more, but first I would need to figure out a safe spot for the new additions, seeing as how my window sill can only attend to three at a time. Possibly in the future, I'll look more into the dynamics of growing on the patio, but we have very rude birds, who like to eat whatever I put out there. So, I've avoided bringing any new plants to our home, in order to save them from outside torment, BUT I recommend checking out the herbs they have. They are all organic and ready for new homes. We had a strawberry plant from here, and it grew really well with the sweetest strawberries, and then...the birds attacked. They found out we had delectable fruit easily accessible and immediately took hold of our red beauties. RIP strawberries. You are missed. 

Another thing I don't purchase but browse, is jewelry. I'm a big DIY-er and minimalist, so buying a bunch of earrings and necklaces isn't my thing and if I do want a new pair, I create my own. I used to own a few store bought earrings, but I never wore them due to being a breastfeeding mom, whose little cub loved pulling on things. Since I didn't feel like having my earring holes ripped, I stayed clear of any "bling". I got used to it and never looked back unless it's for special occasions, but whenever I bring fellow body decorators (people who wear jewelry), they fall in love with all the unique pieces spread throughout the market. The colors and style are fit for almost any outfit and mood. Plus, the prices are not too shabby! 

The one thing my son consistently "reminds" me to check out, is Wacky Quackies. A bunch of character designed rubber duckies. He's been going to the Farmer's Market since he was a baby, and always adored his new bath toy additions. As he got older, he started to "earn" his money by doing chores, in order to pay for his new found desire. A duck collection. That's right. My son collects rubber ducks. Well, that and zombie paraphernalia. I'm so proud. Sniff sniff. He's even decided to display them proudly in his room. 

Don't get me wrong, a few of these little quackers join us EVERY bath time, rotating each "group" every time. He even cleans and dries each one afterwards. My kid's 4 and has already organized which ducks join him in the bubble pit for which days. Organization is strong with this one. I've done well. These ducks are $3 for one or three for $5. My son often chooses three. (Gee, I wonder why). They have different designs almost every week, with a few reoccurring ones. Personally I think they're adorable and would love to display them on the bookcase in the living room, but he's shown great restraint to that idea, as they are his "special ducks". I understand. I keep my special chocolate in my room, so I don't fight him on it. 

All throughout the Farmer's Market, you'll see beautiful, authentic art, with the artists themselves selling their work. I think it's an amazing place to add to your wall collection of eclectic pieces of decor. I've bought a few myself and even had my dog's face drawn to immortalize her on my wall. 

I truly think that the Farmer's Market has something for everyone. Whether you want a delicious meal for your lunch date, looking to find a new cleansing green juice, shopping for fresh fish and veggies, or just want to find a new purse for day-to-day use that's as beautiful as you are, you can do it all. You can even get a hot brewed cup of joe from the Farmer's Market, to accompany you in all your endeavors, whether your day ends at the market or not. You'll also be supporting local business owners with every purchase and I think that's the cherry on top. 

What are some things you can't leave the Farmer's Market without? 

Fuller House on Netflix, does it ACTUALLY do Full House justice?

Let it be known, on this 26th day of February, in the year 2016, I have plunged into the newest "craze", head on, with many others. What has become of me you ask? Don't worry, I have a very good reason. It's my childhood dude!

Let me start out by saying that I have, and always will, be a huge fan of Full House. It was one of the childhood shows I LOVED watching, right along with Family Matters and The Nanny. So when I first heard the news that they were creating a spin-off, I knew I was not only going to watch the series, but be extra critical. After all, Fuller House had big shoes to fill.

So, I woke up this morning with a wonderful stack of homemade french toast, and put on the first episode of Fuller House with high hopes. To give you an idea of what the show starts off with, I'll give you a brief summary of the season premier. This is where I must now warn you of SPOILERS!

We start off with the opening credits of the original Full House, including it's music, which is euphoria for my heart. The show begins in a very well known kitchen, inside the original Tanner house, where an adorable little baby named Tommy sits in his high chair. Out pops the first big cameo, Danny Tanner (Bob Saget). Ah, the neat freak that inspired me to become the person I am today, obsessed with cleaning. Next, my childhood crush, Uncle Jesse (John Stamos), comes down the stairs from his old attic abode. Uncle Jesse begins to flash his Elvis obsession, by showing off "a onsie fit for a king", which he bought for little Tommy. Two seconds later, coming up the stairs from the garage, is Uncle Joey (Dave Coulier) wearing his Bugs Bunny pajamas. Never change Joey, never change. 

Immediately after Jesse and Joey make jokes about each other's habits, Aunt Becky (Lori Laughlin) walks down the same flight of stairs that Jesse took earlier. Through the living room's door, in walks DJ Tanner, (Candace Cameron-Bure) adulting away. They grow up so fast. Apparently DJ works at a pet clinic, Becky and Danny are moving to Los Angeles to host their own national morning show called "Wake up USA", and Jesse is moving to Los Angeles, with his wife Becky - of course, to be a composer on General Hospital. We are then greeted with the infamous "how rude" girl, Stephanie Tanner (Jodie Sweetin) with an English accent, which Danny quickly tells her to knock it off in his quirky dad way. Stephanie then asks where her "little sis is", referring to Michelle Tanner (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen), to which Danny then says Michelle is too busy running her fashion empire - see photo. Nicely done Fuller House. Tackle the biggest question I had since the twins announced they would not be appearing on the show. Point for Fuller House. 

Joey then goes on to say how he's working as a comedian in Las Vegas at the Venetian. Nicky and Alex (Blake and Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit), the once tiny little twin boys who ran right into my heart, walk into the kitchen all grown up. Well, it's official, this is the oldest I've ever felt. Gasp! Who walks into the kitchen through the same back door she's burst through for many years?! Why of course, it's Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber). Still has the style of bright pubescent. 

Apparently, she's an event planner and she does things "Kimmy style". (By the way, she's a mom. That's right, Kimmy Gibbler procreated. Oi). Stephanie then explains she's a DJ, and her official DJ name is.....DJ Tanner. Down the stairs run DJ's - the real DJ, not the disc spinner - other two children. We are then greeted with the Fuller house theme song, which is a vamped up version of the original Full House theme, chalked full of flash backs. Pictures of what the actors once were, and who they became. I'll be perfectly honest, I got a little teary eyed. Sniff Sniff. The rest of the series is not greeted with the Full House AND Fuller House opening credits, just the flashback Fuller House version.

Now, there are a few more cameo's that you wont want to miss out on, but I won't give any more details, only to allow for some surprises when you watch the series. Which you should. After watching a few episodes, I have to say, bravo Jeff Franklin. Not only did the show capture the true essence of what Full House once was, but Jeff Franklin upgraded the series for the old die-hard fans who are all grown up as well. It has hilarity, passion, and heart-wrenching moments. 

DJ being a newly single mom

Seeing a single mom struggle with her new title, is something well known by myself and so many others, which is probably why I personally connected with it. Well, that and as I previously mentioned, I love Full House. It is geared more towards adult humor, but not vulgar in any sense. It is truly still family-friendly. I recommend 100%. Even if you've never watched Full House, I truly think you'll enjoy the series. Granted you may not get some of the running jokes they implement throughout the show, but it will still bring on a strong belly laugh. If they continue to maintain a common flow of modern day "issues" - like they did with Full House - with the just as much "awesome" as season one, I predict it will be a success well worth the wait. 

Have you guys seen the show? What was your reaction? Will you be a Fuller House fan? Let me know on Instagram @thewhiterockingchair

Cheap makeup for sensitive skin, that's actually worth the bargain! Plus, how to get FREE makeup!

My skin is a finicky organ. It physically shows it's complaints about specific lotions, fragrances, soaps, and of course, war paint - or makeup as most would call it. Now, I may be a mom who often goes bare faced, but that does not mean I don't indulge and relish in the added beauty of applying makeup. Whenever I have the free time, and it isn't completely over run by rampant woman on a foundation high, I even explore Sephora and MAC stores. I'm often appalled by the prices and deferred from ever purchasing anything, but sometimes it's just nice to look. Alright so I like the pretty colors and soft brushes. So what. I will say though, that in the past I've received gift cards for those makeup kingdoms, only to be greeted with breakouts, dry skin, and redness. I'd like to think makeup isn't supposed to make your skin's situation worse. Granted putting anything on your face isn't "natural", but some of us like a little glam every now and then. I just don't want my skin's condition to pay the price. 

After walking down the makeup aisles in Target, I've always been intrigued by E.L.F. makeup, due to the price, but I always avoided buying the products, because I just didn't think something as cheap as $3 could be pigmented, last long, or be safe for my skin. After a while, I finally took the plunge and decided to buy a couple different products from different brands including E.L.F.'s makeup, with the promise to return anything that upset my skin. Returning used makeup isn't something I enjoy doing, because of the return trips and wasting the makeup, but I didn't want to waste money either. Sorry Target.

After a few tries, I finally narrowed down specific products that don't harm my skin in any way, without breaking the bank. Budget friendly products that ACTUALLY work?! I shall say more. Now, I have to admit, a few of these products are "guilty add-ons" that I don't consider my "main" makeup, but I felt it necessary to include nonetheless. This is my entire makeup collection. Like I said, I'm not the biggest makeup buyer, only because I personally don't wear it a ton, but I love the little bundle that I do have. 

Below is the list of makeup products, where I purchased them, the price, and a mini review. You will notice that for mascara, I am currently using the Rimmel Lift Me Up, and that it says it was "complimentary". Well, for being the adorable humans that you are, after my list of products, I've included a few tricks on how to get extra makeup FOR FREE! You may or may not know have heard about them already.

E.L.F. - Target, Walmart, and online.
HD powder $6 : Keeps my foundation in check
Blush in Twinkle Pink $3 : Perfect for fair skin
Baked Bronzer in Bora Bora $3 : Wet your brush to create a more pigmented contour
Baked Blush in Pink Tastic $3 : This is a perfect highlighter
Makeup Mist & Set $3 : Helps keep my makeup from looking extra powdery 
Kohl Eyeliner $3 : Glides on with ease
Matter Lip Color in Tea Rose $3 : Perfect for day OR night

Guilty Pleasures:
Golden Bronzer palette in Golden $4 : I use this for all over color in the summer
Eyebrow kit in Light $3 : Perfect for quick touch-ups, on-the-go
Undereye Concealer & Highlighter in fair $3 : Another fabulous touch-up, on-the-go product

Milani - Walgreens. 

Lipstick in Black Cheery $4 : Lighter purple tones, great for daytime during Fall or nighttime 

Wet & Wild - Walgreens.
Lipstick in Cherry Bomb $1.50 : Red tones, use powder technique to help last
Lipstick in Vamp It Up $1.50 : Purple/black tones, use powder technique to help last

NYX - Target.
10 color eyeshadow palette in Caviar & Bubbles $13 : Truly is comparable to the naked palette 

Covergirl - Target.
Trublend in i2, classic ivory $7 : It doesn't smudge, feel heavy, or cause me break outs

Maybelline - Walmart.
Age rewind, dark circle eraser in Light $8 : The only concealer I'll ever use
Lipstick in Make Me Pink $5 : My summer go-to lipstick 
Maybelline Great Lash $4 (not shown) : I ran out and decided to use my freebie

Rimmel - Target.
Lift Me Up Wonderlash Mascara in Extreme Black $8 : Daytime use, not for glam makeup

Jordana - Fresca Makeup Boutique.
Eyeshadow in Brown 02 $2 : I only use this for my brows, it's the perfect shade for me

PIXI by Petra - Target.
Lash Line Ink in Black Silk $14 : Creates smooth line lines or bold thick lines, perfectly

FREEBIE TIME!
First, Sephora! Sign up for their free membership program and be sure to include your birthday. You can either go online or sign up in stores. When your birthday comes around, you'll be able to go into the store and pickup some awesome freebies! I've gotten mascara, lipsticks, and highlighters from top brands. I ended up only keeping the mascara and lipstick, as the highlighter did not agree with my face. It was given a new home with a friend of mine who adored it. Everyone's different, including their skin. 

Second, Target makeup consultants! I went into Target frustrated, because for the life of me, I couldn't find an eyeliner where the tip would actually apply the product. Most of the thin eyeliners I tried, the tip would immediately dry out and I was stuck trying to apply eyeliner with the edge. Not cool. So I asked one of the girls working in the makeup section and she recommended the PIXI by Petra. Granted I didn't appreciate the price, but I was willing to give it a try, seeing as how every other brand failed me. (If you guys know of any thin, liquid eyeliner that is cheaper, but does indeed work, please let me know!) No matter how many times I apply it, the tip never lets me down. Anyways, I got side tracked, the nice makeup consultant then handed me a FREE bag of goodies! They were stashed inside this secret drawer I never knew existed. Inside the goodie bag, I got a face scrub, gel mask, hair mask, and a full size mascara (the Rimmel Wonderlash). Plus I got a beauty coupon for $5 off my makeup purchase. Score! Whenever you go into Target, ask the consultants if they have any freebies/coupons. I don't know if all Target's have them, but it never hurts to try.  

I've been using these products for a long time now, minus the Rimmel. It isn't horrible, but I miss my Mabelline. Soon my precious, soon. The other makeup products mentioned, are my true, face-friendly, loves. I have purchased them time and time again, and will continue to do so. If my skin decides to become moody, as it sometimes does, I'll adjust my "favorites" list, but it's been about 5 years and we're still going strong! 

What are some of your holy grail, makeup items? Have you tried any of these makeup products? What did you think? Let me know here or on Instagram @thewhiterockingchair

Furnish and decorate an ENTIRE 2 bedroom apartment for under $200!!!

If you haven't read my prior blog posts or caught on that I am a bit of a bargainer, this post will definitely put into perspective just how much I love a good deal. 

A year ago my son and I started with the empty shell of an apartment that is now our home. Transforming the white walls and hallow rooms took time and patience. Being a single mom, spending a ton of money furnishing a two bedroom apartment, just wasn't something I could afford. Our bed, futon, kitchen table, dresser, and TV were what we had to start with, which gave me the opportunity to implement an idea I've always loved. I wanted to re-purpose free, old furniture and up-cycle my existing furniture. So I set a max budget of $200 for EVERYTHING I wanted and needed to turn our apartment into a home. 

Not only did I succeed, but I excelled! I was able to add a coffee table, antique chair, living room chair, small leaf table, dining bench, another bed, two dressers, tv stand, nightstand, a vintage roll-top desk with a chair, a couch for my bedroom, rugs, toy storage, a new couch for the living room, two large bookcases, a small bookcase AND decorations for the entire house, all under budget! This is how I did it and how you can too!

HUNT FOR THROW-AWAY'S
No, I don't mean go digging through the trash to scrap together some curtains, I mean curbside freebies. Near the end of the month and beginning of the month, people will leave all sorts of furniture and awesome finds on the side of the curb or by the dumpsters. They're either moving out and downsizing, or they are moving in and realized certain items don't fit. I've found a TON of my stuff this way. Some key points, is to check in areas not heavily populated by businesses or near busy intersections. Drive down roads where there are just houses, and near apartment complexes. If there is an alley, check it out. You have to ask yourself before taking an item, is it worth it. If it's been there for days, but you clean it up, will it be safe for your home? For example, desks, tables, wooden chairs, all received a yes from me. Fabric chairs, curtains, blankets, rugs, and couches all got left behind. Also, if you see a u-haul, you can always ask them if they have anything they're getting rid of. Sometimes they wait until the end to curb all their unwanted items. I've done this and ended up with a wooden TV stand, a nightstand for my room, my vintage roll-top desk, and my coffee table. Just make sure they can be easily cleaned and sanitized.

BUY AND RESELL
On craigslist, offer-up, and Facebook selling sites, I would find simple items that were cheap, buy them, and resell for more. It seems pretty self explanatory, but after doing this trick you can end up not only purchasing a new furniture piece for your home, but making extra money! For example, I was looking for a small leaf table I could use as a side table and patio table, and a wooden folding chair for my desk. I was determined to find a way to get these items as cheap as possible, if not free. After searching on re-sell websites and my local Goodwill, I found a few nightstand's priced at $5 each and ended up reselling them for $10 each. Then, I went online and found a lady selling six wooden folding chairs for $25. I didn't want to necessarily buy that many chairs, but the lady was determined to sell them all together. So I went ahead and purchased all of them, and resold four of them for $40 (I kept two, one for my desk, and one for my patio). With a $25 profit, I went to my local Swapmeet and found the perfect leaf table for $7. All in all, I ended up with two wooden folding chairs and table for a profit of $18, which I was able to use on my decor! I did this with quite a few items, and eventually saved $300 to purchase a brand new couch. It took me about three months to save that amount, but it was well worth it, since it was the last item we added to our home.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS
While I was on this quest, I decided to ask my family members and friends if anyone was getting rid of items. In doing this, I was given two chairs that I turned into a small couch for my bedroom, a new TV, a gorgeous antique chair, a brand new mattress, what is now my son's favorite living room chair and a small bookcase for our movies. You'll be amazed at how much extra stuff people have, that they are more than willing to give away. Also, I started asking for gift cards (for places like Target, IKEA, Walmart, and Bed Bath & Beyond) for my Birthday gifts. In doing that, I was able to purchase a toy storage bench ($50), and two dressers ($30).

IKEA CLEARANCE
I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say they completely avoid IKEA. The number one complaint is always, it's too crowded. I have a way around that. First off, GO EARLY! I mean "waiting for doors to open" early, then head straight for the clearance section. Trust me, you'll be grateful when you get your hands on two rugs ($20), three sets of curtains ($15), a duvet cover ($10), two large bookcases ($30), and a dining bench ($10) for under $90!!! Plus, you can always find things here to resell later and make an additional profit, decreasing the amount you actually spent!

DIY DECOR AND DOLLAR TREE
Some people don't think they're DIY savvy, and that's ok, but I would definitely recommend at least researching some easy DIY decor on Pinterest. It can save you a ton of money and help personalize your home. I created an entire accent wall out of old book pages for only $1 (see Feb. 23, 2016 post). For example, you can update old mirrors to match your color scheme, use felt or fabric to create unique accent pillows filled with fabric scraps or traditional cotton, make your own jewelry holders or cake stands, and even create your own rugs out of t-shirts. The Dollar Tree has a ton of items you can use for cheap and easy DIY projects or just simple decor pieces. For example, they have stones, vases, and fake flowers to create beautiful plants that can help liven up and brighten your home. While some people may be anti-fake flowers, Dollar Tree definitely has some bouquets that don't resemble normal fake flowers. I've received multiple compliments on my plastic friends. You can also create your own art work by framing your children's masterpieces and putting them up on a blank wall in your living room with a mix of family photos. 

RE-PURPOSE FURNITURE 
For me, buying a traditional entertainment center, just wasn't something I liked the idea of. Not just because of the price, but I didn't care for the look either. My only requirement was that I wanted something with enough space to hide away all our board games. I opted to use my big dresser that stuck with us through our transition of starting over, as a TV stand/storage unit and place an old shelf above to hold our Roku and internet router/modem. Best decision ever. It holds all of our board games, puzzles, and video games! There was even an extra drawer (it had six total), so we decided to use it as the Lego drawer. Perfect for easy clean up and organization. Sometimes you just have to think outside of the box when it comes to your home.

Furnishing and decorating the entire apartment took patience, which is necessary if you want to find exactly what you're looking for, without over-spending. It took me a total of five months to finish and I'm extremely happy with the end results. 

Your home is just that, YOURS! There are only rules if you want there to be. In our home, I am a bit eccentric. I like classic, distressed, colorful, and antique, while my son just loves putting his touch on everything, like placing his artwork in frames on the wall. I mix them all together and quite frankly, I love it. Not only do we have a home that screams "us", but it was an amazing experience to do it all with my son, without sacrificing a chunk of money. After this experience, I truly cherish every thing that we own and our home together. 

Do you guys have any awesome finds that you cherish? What are some cool tricks you used to create your happy home? Let me know on Instagram @thewhiterockingchair

$1 DIY gorgeous, easy to remove, accent wall using homemade, toxic free Mod Podge! Perfect for rentals!

Being an avid DIY-er, I tend to actively create decor with a stern budget in mind, whether it's for a party or home decor. Living in an apartment definitely has it's down-sides for the creatively minded like myself, but I use those limits to help redesign my home with different styles and techniques. One of my favorite ways to decorate, is by using wallpaper. When most people think of wallpaper, they think of granny flowers all over the wall and spending hours to attempt removing the evidence. Not with this technique.

One Saturday morning, I decided to redecorate my bedroom and saw this as the perfect opportunity to put up wallpaper, created out of book pages, on one wall. I used 3 old chapter books I had since I was a child, and thought their words, passages, and images would make for a perfect accent wall, but I knew that traditional wallpaper paste would leave my walls in disaster and fill my room with toxic smells that I really didn't feel like enduring, especially with a little one in the house. The alternative paste I chose, was the "cornstarch paste". I've seen this paste created with and without vinegar. I opted for no vinegar, as it isn't necessarily my favorite scent. 

To create this paste, you simply need to buy a $1 can of cornstarch and add water. Simple right? Yes, their is an actual process on how to make the mixture I'm talking about. Of course I wouldn't leave the directions out:

WHAT YOU NEED: 
2-3 Tbsp. cornstarch 
1/4 Cup of cold water
3-3/4 Cup tap water

WHAT TO DO:
1. Bring all of your tap water to a boil. 
2. While the water is boiling, you should go ahead and mix the cornstarch with the 1/4 cup water, until the cornstarch is completely dissolved. 
3. Once the water comes to a complete boil, mix in the cornstarch mixture. 
4. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

Once you have completed your mixture, and it's cooled down, you are ready to create a masterpiece of your own! I started out by ripping out the pages from the books I had chosen. You can choose to cut the pages out carefully with an exacto knife, if you would prefer clean edges. I chose to rip, because I found it to make a distressed look, which I like. After I had my pile of pages, I just added a small amount of the cornstarch mixture to a small area of the wall, and added each page, one at a time, making sure to smooth out each page. You don't want to add too much paste, as it can cause the pages to have a "ripple" affect. I made this mistake a couple times during impatient moments, but I didn't mind a few pages with waves as it, again, gave the wall an added distressed look. 


After roughly 4 hours and 3 books, I had finished my wall of book pages. It could not have turned out better. Over time, I plan on adding music pages and a few of my favorite poems from different poets, to my wall. I chose to place my multi-colored, DIY bedroom couch, in front of the wall, to add contrast. I think the colors really play well together. 

This paste mixture will provide you with more than enough to do a 12' long wall. Also, you can use this technique as a substitute for regular mod-podge. It works with fabric, paper, and regular wall paper. Clean up is very easy, I tested it to be sure. Simply fill a bowl with warm water, dip a rag into the water, and moisten the wall. It will "reactivate" the mixture, making it easy to peel of the paper off incredibly smooth. Afterwards, you can use soap and water to tidy up, as to not have any residue leftover. 

I've added a few pictures to inspire on how you can use this tip to personalize your home all around your house. You can also use the cornstarch mixture to update an old desk top.

You can also add a bright and colorful, artistic flare to your wall of pages. Found HERE.

One creative lady, decided to use comic book paper to add a graphic novel showcase wall in her bathroom. Found HERE.

This person decided to up the wallpaper game by using scraps of vintage wallpaper to decorate their staircase. Found HERE.

No matter what you decide to use the cornstarch paste for, whether it's redecorating a kids room, or simply doing an arts and crafts project, you'll be thankful that you knew this recipe! It will save you time AND money, two things I think everyone could enjoy. 

Did you guys decide to try out this cool trick? What did you create using the cornstarch paste? Show me your art on Instagram @thewhiterockingchair ,where you can always be kept up to date on new blog posts!

Museum memberships: total dud or sweet deal?

I am a firm believer that you don't have to spend a ton of money to have a great time. I also do my best to instill that into my son while we go on our many adventures together, because whether I like it or not, he's growing up. Too damn fast if you ask me, but then again, I'm pretty sure all parents feel that way. 

We often purchase memberships for Christmas and birthdays, which I am EXTREMELY grateful for. Not only do memberships help save money since we use them as our "adventure go-to's", but you don't ever have to feel rushed to see everything at once, which makes for a calm mommy and a peaceful day.

We've had the pleasure of enjoying a Zoo/Safari Park membership and a Seaworld membership so far. Now we are the proud owners of a Balboa Park Explorer membership or Park Pass, as some call it. Seeing as how today was a gorgeous day outside, I decided to utilize this time and pay a visit to the beautiful Balboa Park, using our new memberships. If you haven't already visited this amazing place, you're missing out. Not only does it have a wide array of museums consisting of photography, trains, science, and more, but it also displays beautiful architectural designs all around the park, two children's playgrounds close by, a photogenic water fountain, and the infamous Old Globe theater. I often come here to enjoy picnics near the koi pond and reminisce as well. We haven't explored ALL of Balboa Park yet, but now that we have this pass, we will be making quite a few trips to see all the wonderful exhibits Balboa Park has to offer. 

For today's trip, we decided to venture into The Natural History Museum, which is where my son began his quest for knowledge. It had 4 beautiful floors filled with artifacts galore. I will admit, I was a little skeptical about having this membership, mostly because I didn't want it to be wasted. I was worried that my son wouldn't enjoy himself or he would get bored easily. Toddlers, am I right? I couldn't have been more wrong. Not only did my son enjoy himself, he was absolutely fascinated by all the "cool" things he learned. He questioned me on every exhibit and I myself was taught a few things by the curators.

My son's favorite, were the fossils. He was curious as to how they looked so intact after so many years. He was also intrigued by the "giant floating animals" that the museum displayed nicely. (See above photo of "floating" manatee.) The top floor was beyond my favorite. It was filled with photography of birds. No I'm not "into" birds, I'm into photography. Seeing how the artist takes his pictures, tells a story about the photographer himself. I like to imagine the words and expressions he or she must be exuding while snapping the magnificent photos that now hang on a museum wall. 

After we finished up at this museum, we decided to walk around to view the architecture I expressed my love for earlier. I wanted to reflect on the museum visit with my son, to better grasp his enjoyment. Was he simply excited to be out? Was he happy to see it, but prefer to not go again? Or was this membership going to pan out as an added treat for us throughout the year? Again, my son surprised me. He knew that the museum would hold new exhibits every couple of months, and he was really excited to see them all. He also wanted to "visit" the dinosaurs again. He was genuinely happy and that's all I could ask for. 

I will say that not every kid may enjoy the museums as much as my son did. I saw a few youngsters with their classmates on a field trip, who seemed less than thrilled to be there. I don't expect every single child to be enchanted with the process of a volcanic eruption or the bone structure of a manatee, but I do think there is something for every child and adult for that matter. Balboa Park also makes a great eating area and has quite a few restaurant options for your taste buds. There is a little eatery beside the Casa Del Prado Theater called The Village Grill that is my favorite. Their jalapeno grilled cheese sandwich is amazingly delicious, and their ice cream is perfect for a hot day's treat. The little ones will appreciate it as well. Just grab plenty of napkins, as the portions are above average. Also, located near The Village Grill, is a bike rental stand. You can easily eat some food, and ride around conveniently with your friends, significant other, or little ones. 

For me, the Balboa Park Explorer pass is a huge score. We get to visit every museum during all the new exhibits and enjoy a nice picnic by the old 100+ year old tree, which is free. I recommend it for those parents who like teaching their children about science, history, mummies, trains, photography, gardens, technology, space, sports, or anything else Balboa Park has to offer. The annual family pass, valid for up to two adults and up to four children (ages 3 to 17), is available for $229. You can find a list of their museums HERE! Also, the San Diego Zoo is directly next to Balboa Park, so once you finish learning, you can check out the adorable animals!

Do you guys have any cool memberships that make for great adventures?

Don't forget! You can find me on Instagram @thewhiterockingchair 

Never buy makeup removers AGAIN!

I've become very comfortable going through life without an ounce of makeup on. Whenever I do feel like getting dolled up, I tend to enjoy playing "scientist" (Not Sheldon Cooper crazy. More like Amy Farrah Fowler different), with my makeup. wedding receptions, birthday parties, or even "just because" occasions. The one downfall for me though, is the removal of said makeup. Since I don't wear war paint, as I call it, that often, I don't purchase remover wipes. I simply use a baby wipe to rid myself of face gunk, and wash with Oxy afterwards, to ensure my face is filth free. The problem is, baby wipes tend to be harsh on my face, ergo, another reason I don't wear makeup often. That is until I saw a very intriguing video on Buzzfeed about a particular product that supposedly washes off the entirety of your war paint, just by adding - get this - WARM WATER. I was completely convinced there had to be some sort of chemical included in this "wash cloth". The product I'm talking about? The Original Makeup Eraser. 

As I watched the ladies of Buzzfeed wipe away their makeup by following the simple "add water" instructions, I knew I had to try this "eraser". So I set out on an adventure to the infamous Sephora. Yes, the land of makeup and YouTube "Gurus". Walking into Sephora, I felt like I had entered a Target on Black Friday, which is what I get for going on a Saturday at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. I "stalked" an employee until she was finished with her conversation on Anastasia Brow products, and pounced like a hungry lion. She graciously guided me to this "magic" product, and began telling me about how she too was sensitive to wipes. She described her struggles, which began to bring back memories, as I too suffered as she did. The lovely Sephora employee then told me how she herself uses the Eraser and it brought joy back into her life as she could finally wear makeup, worry free for all eternity...alright so she didn't exactly say it like that. Let's just say she was really happy with the Makeup Eraser and recommended I try it, risk free. If I didn't like it, I could simply return it with my receipt. Sold. 

I went home, curious as George, and opened the package to be greeted by what seemed to be an extremely soft, pink cloth that closely resembled an expensive baby blanket. Not in size, but in texture. So far, so good. I went ahead and applied a full face of war paint as if I was going to the grand ball. I created a dark smokey eye, put on fake eyelashes, added a thick layer of black eyeliner and mascara, completed a sharp contour, applied my blush, and finished it all off with a dark mauve lipstick. If I was going to test a product, I wanted to push it to it's fullest potential. I wanted to know that if for any reason I was to actually wear this look in public, I could confidently remove all the evidence that night, no problem. 

After reading the instructions, I placed my Makeup Eraser in the wash to complete a cycle. Once dried, I began the brutal test. I had so many questions, so many hopes, so many wonders! I slowly drenched the cloth in warm water, and began massaging my face with this supposed miracle, just as the directions described. I refused to look in the mirror until I had attempted to remove half the makeup from my face gently, so I wouldn't irritate my face . When the deed was done, I looked in the mirror, and what did I see? A half-bare face with absolutely no residue. Seriously guys, I thought I was doing a play where I was acting as two characters. The difference was astounding! In a good way. All evidence of this joyous crime was wiped clean. Even the stubborn mascara, that normally transforms me into a raccoon, non-existent. So I added more warm water and released the rest of my true beauty. My face was naked again. Hallelujah! I was free at last! 

Just then, I panicked. I thought, oh lord, will my fluffy pink cloth forever be tainted with this rigorous test?! Will I never again experience the soft beauty that it once was, brand new?!!! Nope. As a test, I put a small, quarter-sized amount of laundry soap on it, washed my beloved in the sink, and it looked brand spankin' new. You can throw it in the wash, or hand wash like I did, for up to 1,000 times only to be met with a clean makeup remover! Do you realize that 1,000 washes is over 3 YEARS!!! That is, if you choose to wash it every single day. That's 3 years of not having to buy makeup removes, add waste to our beautiful worlds, and avoid adding chemicals to your face! BONUS: You can take this baby into the shower with you, clean your face, apply a drop of body wash onto your cloth, and you'll have a clean cloth in no time!

The Makeup Eraser did such an amazing job, I high fived it. That's right. I high fived a wash cloth. This $20 purchase was going to keep me from having to buy any extra wipes, which in turn saves me money, and the best part? It's freaking adorable. It's the little things people. 

Have you tried the Makeup Eraser? Are you going to? What was your experience if you did?

How to have a blast on a rainy day with or without little ones.

Today started out like any other day. I was awakened by my 4-year-old whispering, "I'm hungry", which then led to us venturing into the living room, where we proceeded to open up all the blinds in order for the natural light to shine in. That's when I saw it. The gloomy clouds that lurked all around. The leftover of what was, apparently, a rainy night. Immediately I clicked the CBS app on our Roku, (if you don't already know about the Roku, check out my first blog post), and heard the weather man's prediction of a chilly day. Now, it wasn't exactly raining, but I tend to avoid the outside on cold days just the same, if I can, because I'd rather enjoy the sky's beauty from inside, where I can bundle up in my robe and drink hot coffee. 

After my intelligent son overheard the weather man, he immediately knew what it meant. We were having a day filled with loads of extra fun. I swear, I only do it for my son....alright maybe I enjoy arts and crafts after a pirate battle a wee bit, but I have never once said I was a regular adult. I am quite the unique human being overall. Since we indulge in such unconventional activities, I decided to share a few of them with you. Now, they aren't completely over the top, but I've noticed they aren't necessarily some of the more common things people do when they stay in all day. 

Also, to be completely honest, these things would be awesome to do even if you don't have kids. I'd do them regardless, but like previously mentioned, I'm "out there", as some say, and proud of it! So here are 4 of the unconventional ways we enjoy our gloomy/rainy days:

1. Create an indoor ball pit!
This is probably my favorite by far! I mean...my son's favorite...moving on! Simply inflate a medium-sized pool that wont completely overtake your entire living room -even if it does, is it really such a problem to have a giant ball pit- and fill it with a bunch of those colorful balls you used to throw at other kids while playing war in the Chuck-E-Cheese ball pit. Boom. You have yourself an awesome, clean, indoor ball pit. Need I say more? You can buy the balls at Toys-R-Us. They come in multiple sized packs. For example, 100, 150, or even 200 count. As of 02/18/2016, they have a pack of 150 balls on sale for $19.99 instead of $24.99!

2. Build a mini fort out of Popsicle sticks! 
All you need is a glue gun, Popsicle sticks, and something sharp to cut the round ends off. I used some pliers and just bent the ends back and forth until they ripped off. You can also search on Pinterest for inspiration. My son and I decided to add a felt "rug" along with a mini banner, which we created, using felt and yarn. You can buy a box of 1000 Popsicle sticks for $14.96 on Amazon, but they are also sold at Walmart, Target, Michael's, and other crafting stores. We love to create towns for his little "Trashies", and the other tiny characters he owns, out of pre-built toy houses, Popsicle stick houses, and Lego houses. Which brings me to my next one...

3. Build -or rebuild- a Harry Potter Lego set!
When Harry Potter first came out, I was knew I was born a Gryffindor who's owl got lost. Darn owl. I absolutely LOVE Lego's as well, which meant as soon as the Harry Potter Lego sets were released, I HAD TO HAVE THEM! Granted, I wasn't able to purchase all the sets, but it doesn't mean I didn't cherish the ones I was able to get my hands on. After multiple moves to different dwellings and having my son, my precious Harry Potter Lego sets were inevitably mixed in with the 1000's of other Legos we owned. I was slightly heart broken, but my son enjoyed them for his creations, so sharing was worth it. Today we went through EVERY SINGLE LEGO, and recreated the Harry Potter Lego set: Dumbledore's office. My favorite! It was a little difficult without instructions and trying to go off pictures, but afterwards, it was SO worth it. My son was amazed by how cool it turned out. The prices of the Harry Potter Lego sets have drastically risen since they first came out, but if you're interested, you can always look on Amazon. They even have our exact set HERE, although it's a bit pricey at $208.88 plus shipping.

4. Indoor soccer!
Normally, I'm against kicking a ball in the house, especially since my son has quite the forceful kick- one bad aim and there goes the living room window- but since I played soccer for over 21 years, the moment I found a stuffed soccer ball at Ikea, I knew I had to buy it. It's perfect for playing sports inside without damage. Well, it CAN still knock over things, and it is light, which means it can fly a little high, but we don't have glass or prized possessions hanging around, so we're in the clear. Now, our specific ball from Ikea is no longer available, but I've been told the brand, Melissa and Doug, carry a similar version in a pack, which comes with other stuffed sport balls, including a football and basketball. You can find and purchase the pack HERE.



I absolutely adore my son's smile, so being able to have a grand ol' time inside and making a "mess" with all his toys plus the crafts, is definitely worth the aftermath. If you'd like more unconventional fun ideas that you can enjoy with or without kiddos, just leave a comment here or on my Instagram @thewhiterockingchair

What are some of your favorite things to do when you're stuck in the house?