5 Unique Ways to Use Coconut Oil

I am obsessed with coconut oil. I really think that it might just be the cure to everything. Just kidding. Well, maybe. I have only used it a couple of ways, but I am willing to try all of the uses below (although I am highly skeptical about some of the claims - I'll keep you updated on my results).

Face Wash Yes, I wash my face with coconut oil. I read about another blogger's skincare routine (wish I remembered where) and she raved about coconut oil as face wash. I had some in the pantry and ran out of face wash, so the only logical thing to do was try it. I'm hooked.
Oil Pulling I just recently tried this one. Just recently being yesterday. Essentially, it's using coconut oil as mouthwash. You just swish oil around in your mouth like you would mouthwash for (ideally) 20 minutes. Not hating it so far. We'll see how I feel about this in a month.
Energy Booster There are multiple claims on the internets about this one. The most common recommendation that I have read is to mix 1 tablespoon of coconut oil with 1 tablespoon of chia seeds and ingest for a quick energy booster. One website even warns not to do this at night. Interesting. Looks like this tired momma will have to try this one in the morning.
Helps Avoid Sunburn Not totally sold on this claim, but I'm willing to give it a try. It's actually recommended that you eat a balanced diet (including coconut oil) to see the full benefits, but coconut oil is also said to have an SPF or 4… couldn't hurt to try it. Coconut oil can also help prevent peeling after you get a sunburn.
Weight Loss Would love it if this one was not a myth. Again, I'm skeptical, but willing to try it out - for the sake of science, of course. Miranda Kerr has even raved about coconut oil in the past. Now, I know she probably also has genetics + a personal chef + a trainer on her side, but… again, it's worth a try. 
There are endless possibilities of coconut oil uses it seems. My favorite everyday uses include cooking, using as lotion, and use as face wash. There are also a couple of kookier uses that I might try some day like use as a creamer substitute in coffee and a natural deodorant.
Do you use coconut oil? What's your favorite way to use it?

Blog Design Inspiration

Christmas is long gone, but things are still rather Christmasy around here. I think it's about time my blog is due for another design overhaul. New year, new design. Sounds about right.
I have about a million images running through my head and no idea how to incorporate everything I love into one cohesive blog design. Things would be a lot easier if I had gotten that design tablet I had on my Christmas list. (sigh) some day.
And don't think that I forgot about you blog design winners! I am far too embarrassed that it has taken me this long to get my act together. You all will be getting an email from me shortly and nothing on my blog will get redesigned until you have a new design first. No need to worry. Your blogs + blog designs are very much still on my mind. They will be completed this weekend (hopefully). Thank you for your patience and I hope you're still on board. 
I digress. Here are a few of the many images that I have managed to get down on paper the screen(?). Please let me know if you have any clue how to incorporate this mess into one design.

1. Glitter + Metallics. Do I really need to justify a love of all things shiny?
2. Real Flowers. Maybe it's because we're in the dead of winter, but I am craving fresh flowers lately. I'd have a house full of them if I had all the money in the world or I could keep plants alive.
3. Watercolor. Love. This one has been on my mind for 6 months, at least. I'm just having a hard time thinking of how to tie it into a blog design and still keeping the design fresh.
4. Mason Jars. Seriously. I don't think I could call myself southern if I didn't have an unhealthy obsession with mason jars. They will be in my design… somehow.
5. Ostrich Sans Inline. I've seen this font (or similar) everywhere lately. Get if FREE here.
6. This Fabric. I bought this fabric for my oldest daughter's crib skirt before she was born. I am still obsessed with it. If you love it as much as I do, you can find it here (P. Kaufmann - Hip Dove).
7. Geometric Prints. Anything with a geometric print is welcome around these parts. Particularly loving triangle at the moment.
8. Color. I took this picture with my iPhone of the inside of my 2 year old's homemade kaleidoscope. All of those different colors just make my heart happy. I think I need more of those happy colors in my blog life.
9. Bombshell Pro. I know this font has made it's way around blogland, but I still love it. I can only dream of handwriting that pretty.
10. Chalkboard + Striped Drop Shadows. Are chalkboards still in? or is that something we need to leave in 2013? Not sure about this one, but I would love a striped drop shadow font. 

So, there it is. Some day soon, that mess of an inspiration board will be translated into a pretty new blog design for Kimchi & Sweet Tea. Any thoughts on the direction I should run towards would be forever appreciated.

The Multitasking Momma

1. The insane ability to pick any object up with your feet.
2. Negotiating with terrorist toddlers under highly intense situations.
3. Knowing every single word to 100 kid songs and being able to sing them all at a moments notice.
4. Speaking of singing… Ability to turn any request into a song.
5. Ability to survive a week with ONE 3 minute shower and very little sleep.
6. Extremely good hearing.
7. Ability to creatively disguise vegetables in toddler meals.
8. Bilingual and most parents can also claim to be trilingual with most toys now offering a Spanish option. What? Toddlerease totally counts as a language.
9. Master scheduler! Even if your little one has not joined any activities or isn't "on a schedule", you are still responsible for daily naps + feedings on top of feeding yourself + shopping + cleaning etc.
10. The power to persuade… without a doubt, moms have mastered the power of persuasion. How else do you think a mom goes to the store without buying every toy in sight?!

Top Ten Tuesday | Dealing with an Difficult Boss

I've been having issues with my boss lately. I try so hard to get through the day without angering my boss, but it seems that I am always doing something wrong. Here are my tips for dealing with a easily angered boss.

1. Help out, but don't help too much.
2. Don't EVER look them in the eye.
3. No talking unless you have permission.
4. Whisper when talking to coworkers about the boss.
5. Download google translate to help you communicate with your boss… I still haven't found my boss' native language, but you just have to keep guessing until you get it right.
6. Start singing or tell a joke to try to diffuse the situation.
7. Hide away in the bathroom until your boss' anger subsides, if necessary.
8. Don't take anything personally.
9. Whenever possible, spell out words like I-C-E C-R-E-A-M and B-E-D-T-I-M-E.
10. When all else fails, give them a big hug and tell them you love them no matter what.

If you haven't figured it out by now, this is my boss…

… being the parent of a 2 year old can sometimes feel like you are under the rule of a tiny dictator, but then you realize that you are the one in control and laugh at these silly everyday dramas.

Top Ten | What to do with Old Toothbrushes

The general rule for toothbrushes is that you should replace them every 3 months… at least that's the rule in my head. However, I am a bit of a hoarder penny pincher and I find it a little hard to toss my toothbrush when it's bristle are still intact. I see you judging me! 

Don't worry, I have now replaced my 6 month oldish toothbrush with this fancy new one. By fancy I mean, it cleans my teeth better with less effort and I am sure that tons of research and all sorts of new technology went into it… but I just know that it cleans my teeth well and I don't feel like I have just had an arm workout after scrubbing my chompers. Love my new toothbrush!
So, now what do I do with my old toothbrush? I have come up with a few simple ideas, so go get a new toothbrush and put these ideas to use with your old one:

1. Exfoliate your lips.
2. Repurpose as an eyebrow brush.
3. Potato scrubber.
4. Ring / jewelry cleaner.
5. Scrub brush for your cheese grater.
6. Scrub your shower drain or faucet or tile grout.
7. Use to help remove tough stains on clothing.
8. Remove scuff marks on shoes.
9. Root touch-up brush for dyed hair.
10. Use to clean the track of your sliding glass doors.

Just don't use one old toothbrush to do all of these things in this order. :)

This post was brought to you by Colgate #SlimSoft. All opinions are 100% my own.

How to Use LinkedIn

I just joined LinkedIn… Help! I don't know the a whole lot about using LinkedIn. It is kind of intimidating and it will probably be weeks before I post something on the site, but I am feeling a little more comfortable after reading about 2 dozen or so articles on the do's and don'ts of using LinkedIn.

Here are the top ten takeaways from all of the articles I read:

1. Don't treat LinkedIn like Facebook or Twitter. This site is all about business, so please no pictures of you partying the night away or status updates about your upcoming weekend shenanigans.
2. Have a Profile Picture. Personally, I don't mind if you don't have a picture up. Just don't expect me to add you if I have no clue who you are or how I know you.
3. Personalize Connection Requests. This goes along with #2. You shouldn't treat LinkedIn like a popularity contest. The people with the most connections does not benefit the most, this is about building quality business relationships. Start the relationship off right by telling the person specifically why you are connecting with them.
4. No SPAM. This should not have to be explained.
5. Once is Enough. Posting something business related about once a day is enough, please don't post something every hour (see #1).

Like I said, I am new to LinkedIn and I have much to learn about the ins and outs of using this site. I will continue to share everything I learn, but it might take a while.

If you have any other tips or unwritten rules that I need to know, please share! Then, maybe I'll feel a little more confident about using LinkedIn.

Living without Cable TV

We haven't had cable for the last 2 ½ years (with the exception of a short period of time when my sister-in-law was living with us). My husband may feel a little differently than I do, but I honestly don't miss it one bit. I'll admit that it was a bit difficult to give up some addicting reality TV, but I quickly got over that as my time filled up with all things baby. 

Yes, we still have a TV and watch it regularly. In fact, I get all of the channels included in a basic cable package for FREE. ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS (a must with kiddos) - we are able to watch them all for free! 

So, for today's Top Ten Tuesday, here's my list of how we do cable-free TV:

1. Get an antenna. The old rabbit ear antennas will work perfectly fine, but there are much more discrete options out there now. We have a flat antenna, called the Mohu Leaf. It blends right into our white walls, but you can also hide it right behind a photo or painting.
2. Hulu. Any shows I miss can be watched (for FREE) on Hulu. There's no need to pay money for  Hulu Plus. CBS shows aren't on Hulu though. :(
3. Watch Online. Okay, so technically this covers #2 also, but it's my list & I do what I want. :) For any CBS shows or others not on Hulu, I just go to their website and the shows are normally up within a week.
4. Amazon Prime. So this one costs money, but it's minimal and we had it anyway because we order so much from Amazon (can't live without my favorite coffee).  I actually didn't realize that you could stream movies + TV shows from Amazon Prime until recently.
5. Netflix. We also pay for Netflix, but I don't watch it too often. It's used more by John and once a week during family movie night.
6. Apple TV... or another way stream video on your TV. This is key to fully enjoying Netflix or Hulu Plus. It's nice to see things on the big screen (as opposed to your computer screen) whenever you want.
7. Watch Sports at a Restaurant. Sure, it's not always ideal, but you can see any game / match / event for the price of a dinner that you don't have to cook. That's a win win in my book.
8. Buy Instant Downloads. Even before we dropped cable, this was on my list. Just buy the last season of your latest obsession and let the binge watching begin.
9. Redbox. With lots of websites offering free movie codes for red box (like this one), you can enjoy a movie that's not offered on your other services.
10. When all else fails, go to a friends house and watch their cable. :)

Linking up with Emily from Manhattan Emily for Top Ten Tuesdays today.

Top Ten Tuesday | Happiness

Monday night was a rough one. An overtired toddler and a fully awake baby made for a tear-filled bedtime. Y'all, I'll be real. Monday was just one of those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days! Although I'm dreading the day ahead for fear of another awful day, I'm trying hard to be positive and start off on the right foot. So, I'm looking for the happy spots in my day. 

Happiness (to me) is. . . 

1. a good cup of coffee. One of those elusive cups of coffee that I get to enjoy in it's entirety without warming it back up in the microwave is especially nice. 
2. a toddler running down the hallway and yelling "It's wake up time, Mommy!" I would welcome an extra 5 minutes of sleep, but I do love her enthusiasm for the morning and I hope this means that I won't have to drag her out of bed when she starts school in the future. 
3. chubby baby faces. Who doesn't love fat babies (besides Lyle Lovett)?
4. coloring. My daughter much prefers taking the paper off of her crayons and then breaking them all to coloring in her coloring books, so I relax and use broken crayons to color while she's busy making a mess. 
5. taking a walk outside. With the distractions of today's technology, a nice walk through our neighborhood usually means peace and quiet. Bonus points for seeing our neighbors and starting a friendly conversation. 
6. the convenience of a digital camera. Sometimes, I hate technology. Then, the digital camera makes me fall in love with all of the simple advances we've made. Instant gratification at it's finest. 
7. having a dance party in the middle of the day. This tradition will continue until my daughters are aware that my dance skills should be an embarrassment. Until that day, I'll continue to rock out to the 90's greatest pop hits. 
8. seeing my girls bond as sisters. Having 2 sisters of my own, I know all about the instant friendship you gain with a sister. My girls love each other deeply already and my heart smile each time Ellington runs to comfort her crying sister or Winsley laughs hysterically at her big sister. 
9. seeing life's everyday miracles through the eyes of a child + learning something new each day. It's been a long time since I've stopped to think about the amazement of a plane flying in the sky or the simple task cooking dinner. My toddler is constantly questioning 'Why?' - which can be annoying until I pause and think. . . I don't know 'why'. 
10. hugs and kisses from two adorable little ladies all day long.

What brings you happiness everyday?

Linking up with Emily from Manhattan Emily for Top Ten Tuesdays today. 

Top Ten Tuesday | How to Get a Job

Did you miss me last week? I'm sure most of you have lives of your own and barely noticed that I didn't post anything last week. Regardless, I'm back! Hello again blogworld. :)  Lack of sleep (see here and here) is a major part of why I was absent, but I also snuck away from the keyboard to reclaim part of my sanity…  
... I maybe went and got myself a job. 
It sounds crazy that reclaiming my sanity equals getting a job, but any stay at home momma will agree that taking care of your own kiddos all day every day can make you, well, crazy. I'll talk more about this job thing in a few weeks. For now, I'll leave you with my Top Ten things to do when preparing for your 1st interview in 3 years.

1. Refresh your resumé. I don't mean just adding new information or updating your address. Redo the entire thing and adapt the wording / skills to each specific job to which you are applying. It takes some extra time, but your efforts will be well rewarded with this tip.
2. Dress to Impress. My grandmother is one funny lady and often says things unfiltered, but her advice usually comes with a little bit of truth behind it. One thing she taught me is that it's always better to be overdressed for any occasion! God really doesn't care if you wear jeans to church on Sunday, but there I am trying to find my church clothes in the closet each Sunday. The same goes for an interview. Sure, working for the local grocery store does not require a suit, but you should dress up anyway and maybe they'll think you're there for an executive position instead. :)
3. Research the Company. As soon as you find a job that you think you'll like, start researching! Know everything about the company. Not just to prepare for the interview, but also to find out if you think you'll really enjoy working there. 
4. Know your Product. Every job contains some sort of sales aspect. Find out what 'product' you will be selling and get to know it. It could be actual sales of a tangible item or maybe you'll be selling an idea (think motivational speaker). Whatever it is - make sure you know the product / market / competitors. 
5. Be Prepared to Sell Yourself. You will most definitely get asked the question 'Why should we hire you?' in some form. So, answer that question before the interview and make them want to hire you on the spot. 
6. Bring Samples of your Work. Not every job requires you to show your past work, but bring something anyway (if you have work to show). Even if you don't think it is relevant, there might be an opportunity to show off your work and wiggle your way into your dream job. 
7. Write out Your Answers. This goes along with number 5. Research questions that the interviewer might ask and then write out your answers. Going over the potential questions and your answers before the interview can help you remember what to say in all the nervousness of your actual interview. 
8. Ask Questions. While you're researching the company and job position, write down any questions you have. If you draw a blank during the interview, you can always pull out your notebook to remind yourself of what you wanted answered before taking the job. 
9. Get Excited! That's right. Appearing excited about the position you are applying for can really benefit you during an interview. You should be genuinely excited and show it by maybe presenting some big ideas that you would bring to the position. It will show that you are passionate and eager to start working for the company. 
10. Follow Up. Send a thank you note or email the next day. Emails are completely acceptable in today's techy world, but it couldn't hurt to drop a note in the mail along with your email. 

Good luck job hunters! :)

Linking up with Emily from Manhattan Emily for Top Ten Tuesdays today. 

Top Ten Tuesday | Mommy Needs Sleep

Did I ever tell you about this amazing new blogger named Emily? Well, she lives in NYC and  has blogged over at Manhattan Emily for the past few months. Her enthusiasm for life and blogging is quite contagious and really love that all of her posts contain a top ten list. Today (and every Tuesday), she has invited the blog world to participate in a new link-up called 'Top Ten Tuesday'. I love a good list, so I just knew I had to be in on this one. 

The plan was to write a completely different Top Ten list, but after these past few sleep-deprived weeks - this one seemed much more fitting. 

1. COFFEE! No explanation needed. 
2. Wear your PJs on for entirely too long. Sometimes a morning spent in your pajamas is not a horrible idea. 
3. Extra TV shows are encouraged. I'm not one to leave the TV on for my kids. My daughter usually gets to watch a show in the morning because I have brainwashed her into thinking that her shows only come on at 9:00am. For some reason, she thinks that Daddy can make her shows appear at any time of the day, but she still thinks that they only come on at 9 when she's just with me. On sleep deprived days when I need a little extra quiet time, her 9 o'clock shows magically stay on for the entire morning. . . she 's smart and never questions this phenomenon - she just sits and watches as the next show comes on and I don't turn off the TV. 
4. Have a Dance Party. This is one of our favorite activities. Everyone gets moving and I get to dance & sing to my favorite 90's hits. 
5. Get outside and go for a walk. I'm not always motivated (or dressed) to get out and walk with the kiddos, but I always feel a lot better after a nice walk. I promise that you won't regret it!
6. Let the kids help make their own lunch. When I super sleep-deprived, I often let my 2 year old decide what she wants for lunch and help make it herself. Yesterday, it was pizza. We just got a tortilla out of the fridge, I let her sprinkle on some cheese, and she placed a pepperoni or two on top. Simple and less prep for me. 
7. Make art. Art doesn't have to be complicated or messy. We like to color often, but yesterday I broke out the paint. I taped down some trash bags + threw daddy's old tshirt on Ellington + propped up a canvas with some watercolor paints. She LOVED it! Throughout the day, she spent about 2 hours painting on and off. I loved it too because she didn't want me to help out once, so I had a free moment to rest. 
8. Bath time in the middle of the day. Yep. I've done this a few times. When everyone needs a no fuss activity, I fill the bath up and let Ellington just play for a while. If nothing else, momma gets to sit down for a second. 
9. Let them eat cake. Cake for breakfast - why not? It's not like the kiddos are going to have less energy without all of the sugar. Seriously, I don't know where kids get all of this energy!
10. There's always wine… of course, this is after daddy comes home and you hand the kids off for him to deal with bedtime.  

Linking up with Emily from Manhattan Emily for 'Top Ten Tuesday' today. Stop by her blog if you are interested in joining in on the fun.