mr. monkeysuit

multiple mentalism

Yes, there are many multiples and yes at first glance it may seem like I am indeed a bit of a nut. But give me a chance to explain. I made Floyd five, yup five, pairs of linen pants but handily enough I have five reasons to justify them.

Reason # 1. I bought all the linen on sale at Jo-ann's last fall. Each pair only cost about $6 to make. So I am kind of being practical here.


Reason # 2. I am using up my overbearing stash and that has to be a good thing.


Reason # 3. They'll get double usage. They're short trousers this year but next year they'll be long shorts. *Genius*, right?


Reason # 4. Floyd loves them and thinks they are super comfy.(see below)


Reason # 5. Alright I admit that I've run out of reasons. I mean 5 pairs, that is kind of crazy but at least I am a-don't-need-any-more-shorts crazy person.



Oh wait! Here we go, reason # 5. They have cute pockets!!!

OK, I'll get help.

summer threads

:: shorts for Floyd - Burda pattern 9793 - same as last year!

:: dress for Cissie - Simplicity pattern 3853 - really crap pattern but the fabric and bias tape (both from  Superbuzzy) made this dress super cute.

::top and shorts for Cissie

::Simplicity pattern 4203 - a better Simplicity pattern but you know something, I just don't think they are written very well, in general. I always feel there are steps missing in them or they just don't make sense or they have worded them very strangely.

Ok off that soap box and on to another one.
So, I tried the no shampoo thing as recommended by Angry Chicken. I was more than a little skeptical about not using shampoo and conditioner. I am someone that loves a good beauty product, especially if it's all dressed up in a cute bottle, but damn it all if that baking soda doesn't completely work. Who would have dreamed it? But my hair feels clean (not at all greasy, which was my worry) and is super soft. I tried the apple cider vinegar rinse and that totally works too, with no vinegar-y after smell!
I am so excited about this and even though most of our beauty products are SLS and SLES free I am so into making a bunch of the stuff we regularly use, like face cream, moisturizer for the kids in winter, lip balm, shower gel, the list keeps growing.
I picked up this book which seems pretty informative with lots of recipes. This, this and this one also look good though I haven't actually looked through them and I found Mountain Rose Herbs for all my other supplies. This shop seems to have just about everything you can think of which is so cool.
So that is me set for the month of May. Turning our house into a mini herbal laboratory. My husband is very patient with of my little fads but he is drawing the line at homemade toothpaste.