Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Finishing Off Unwanted Products

Happy Sunday all!

I hate when I buy a product (shampoo, makeup, etc) and it ends up being not so great, after I've spent all this money on it.  And we all know how hard it can be to take things like that back for a refund.  Also, when you go to the store and forget that one thing, like deodorant or toothpaste.  I could just kick myself when I do this, especially when it's actually ON the list (don't judge me..)!  And it's not just the wasted money aspect, it's the wasted product. I always feel bad throwing things out when we're talking a half full, or more, bottle of shampoo.  So, this week's post is going to have a few tips on how you can find alternate uses for those leftover products, or what to do in a pinch when you forgot to buy something!

• CONDITIONER 
• If you have a bottle of conditioner that just isn't working for your hair, but you don't want to just toss it, use it to shave your legs.  I know what you're thinking, but hear me out. It's conditioning, so it's no worse for skin than a regular, mass produced shave gel.  Probably better, actually.
• SOAP
• Ya know how you get down to that last little bit of bar soap, and it's so slippery, etc it becomes hard to use?  Alot of times we just end up letting it dissolve and go down the drain, but that's wasteful.  And in this economy, I think we're all watching our pennies!  One way to still get some use out of them is to take those leftover "scraps" of the bar soap, pour some boiling water over, and make liquid soap!  This does work; I've done it.  You could even do this with an entire bar of soap that you've never gotten around to using. Just stir constantly, watching the consistency.
• SHAMPOO
• Do a 50/50 mix with your current shampoo or a shampoo you like.  (You could even do 60/40.)  This way, you're using the product, but by mixing it with something you like, you're diminishing the affects you didn't like from the bad shampoo that caused you not to use it in the first place.
• TOOTHPASTE
• We've all done it.  You're to the point that you practically have to put the tube in a vice to get anything out, when it happens.  It's gone and you haven't gone to the store.  Here's an effective alternative: Baking soda.  Wet your toothbrush, get alittle of the baking soda on the bristles, and go for it. Baking soda will help to clean your teeth in a natural way.  It won't taste great, but you can also add abit of Scope or other mouthwash if you have it to the toothbrush to "flavor" the baking soda.  
• LOTION
• This is actually a two-prong tip!  If you're down to that last bit at the bottom of the bottle and you can't quite get it out, add a bit of water to the bottle, and shake.  This will loosen up the lotion at the bottom of the bottle so you can use it up.  
• If you're just out of lotion, you can take alittle body oil, massage oil, or even a tiny amount of olive oil, and use this instead.  It's actually really good for your skin, especially when you first get out of the shower and your pores are still open.
• UNDEREYE SERUM
• If you're out of your usual depuffing serum or gel for those lovely dark circles, here's an alternative that works almost as well as many over-the-counter solutions.  Keep a bottle of aloe in the refrigerator.  Put a small amount on a Q-tip and apply lightly to the undereye area. 

Most of these are things I wouldn't do every day, but if you're at the last bit of a product, or you need something to get you through a day or two, these are some ideas to try out!

Candace

RedSunflower Designs

Choices

Happy Sunday all! 

I've been trying to decide what to write about this week ALL MORNING.  Should I do another home beauty recipe?  You're probably getting alittle bored with those, right?  Maybe I should discuss the benefits of a specific essential oil or plant; feels alittle too much like lecturing for my mood.  So I've decided today will be more like a journal entry about me and my life. 

There comes a time when you have to decide what you want out of life; I mean what you really, truly want your life to be.  Then you have to figure out how to make it happen.  Sometimes this means changing directions on your path, or choosing a different path completely.  (I can hear the panic now.  Don't worry, I'm not leaving.) It can be really hard to make the decisions that we know we need to make.  Will things work out if I do this?  Am I making a big mistake?  What if I do X for Y purpose, and it back fires?  

These are thoughts we all have when we realize we are at a crossroads in our life path.  I've recently made a big decision to let one part of my life go in order to pursue the life I truly want.  It was a really hard decision in some ways, but in the end it was a huge relief to have chosen to take that step.  And I'm really happy about my decision.  I won't say I don't have moments of doubt.  Of course, I do.  But I've made the decision that I know is best for me & the direction I want my life to take.  Sometimes you just have to have faith;  faith in yourself, faith in life, and faith in God/the Universe/whatever.  So, I'm taking a big leap to see what the future holds. 

Take a look at your life.  Is there something holding you back that you need to let go of in order to become a better you or to have the life you want?  If so, don't be afraid to make the decisions that will help you get there. 

Natural Blessings, 

Candace

RedSunflower Designs

The Pros & Cons of Small Business Ownership

I was recently asked what I like & dislike about being a business owner, and thought this would make an interesting post for anyone considering starting their own business.  

I guess you could say I come by the "entrepreneurial spirit" naturally.  Both of my parents have their own companies, and have been self-employed in some capacity for most of my life.  My mother told me from a young age that the only way you'd ever get to where you want to be in life is to work for yourself.  I guess you could say I took this to heart ;)!

Of course, I (like pretty much everybody else) have had the day job, both full- and part-time. And I've often found working for other people to be really frustrating, to be honest.  Now I'm not saying that owning your own business is a cake-walk -- far from it.  But for me, the benefits outweigh everything else.  So, how can you know if being an entrepreneur is for you?  Read on to my list of likes and dislikes for being a business owner.  

First, a dose of reality:

1. Business owners work on average 5-10 hours more per week than their "employed" counterparts.  (My average work day is 10-12 hours a day, at least 6 days a week.)
2. It's all on you.  It doesn't happen if you don't make it happen. 
3. There are no sick days. 
4. I have to work really hard to be able to finance my company.  I have a commitment to only use my own capital to build my business; I don't intend to work with other investors.  Even if you do, getting investing for a small start-up can be VERY difficult. 
5. Freedom -- you have complete freedom to succeed or really screw up. 
6. Personally, I don't have any employees, and at most will probably only ever have an assistant.  But for many business owners with a "brick & mortar" locale, they have to hire employees.  Turn over is usually high, there are tons of taxes that must be paid, and you have to carry insurance on every single employee, even if they just sit at a desk. 
7. On the subject of taxes, small business owners are taxed (and audited) more stringently than large corporations.
8. As a business owner, particularly of a small start-up, you are: CEO, CFO, COO, Public Relations, Human Resources, Marketing, Research & Development, Sales, Customer Service, Manufacturer (in my case), Accountant, and so much more. 

So, with all of this, why would anyone in their right mind do this??  For everything above, there are so many great things...

1. I can set my own hours.
2. I can roll out of bed, make coffee, and sit down to work in my PJs :)
3. I have complete control over how the business is run.
4. I get to spend my day being creative and innovative without only the limitations I give myself. 
5. I decide the impact my business will make on the world every day. 
6. It gives me an outlet to contribute to the charitable causes of my choice. 
7. No office politics. (This is BIG to me.)
8. Freedom (let's be honest...)
9. I have a much closer connection to my customers.
10. I have the opportunity to network with many amazing entrepreneurs.
    
11. I go to bed at the end of the day happy.

Basically, owning your own business can be really stressful, I won't lie.  The secret to being successful and making all the stress, time drain, etc worth it is finding what you're passionate about.  Because if you're not in a business you're passionate about and could talk about all day, you're going to be miserable.  Also, the rate of businesses still in existence 10 years after start-up is 30%.  Why?  Because the business owner didn't take the time to explore enough to find something about which they are passionate. 

I hope if any of you are considering starting your own business, this has given you something to think about.  Also, if you are a business owner, please comment and let us know anything I may have forgotten. 

Remember to enjoy the journey!

Candace

RedSunflower Designs