Using Cloth Napkins

My family has used cloth napkins for years now. They are such a blessing! They save money, look nice and are great for the environment! Do you realize that when you go to a *nicer* restaurant, you are given cloth napkins! Treat yourself at home too! Not only will your meals seem more elegant but your wallet will thank you!

I am a huge fan of ticking fabric (I love gingham too)! Aren't these blue ticking cloth napkins just lovely?

Although they aren't ironed right now, I *do* enjoy ironing our cloth napkins. It's easy to do and it makes them look so nice (especially if we are having company).

Although you can easily sew your own, if you don't want to do that...definitely check out etsy! They have some super cute ones (although you may need to search around for a good price...some of them can be kinda pricey).

I like THESE red ticking ones...or THESE green ones!
THIS set of 12 pink vintage cloth napkins are a good price!
THIS set of cloth napkins are screened with the word "eat"! How fun!
Do you like the color yellow...or lemons, perhaps? If so, check out THESE cloth napkins!
I am loving THESE black and white gingham check napkins!

We reserve these napkins for meals. To clean up spills we have other rags to use (paper towels are used sometimes for the really gross messes that inevitably happen from time to time in a family's life). Any dish cloths or dish towels that have faded from use over time end up retiring to the rag pile. They get used to dust, wash floors, windows and walls and clean up messes. :)

Eco & budget friendly!
Do you use cloth? Why or why not?

Updated Purse Organization ~ Spring 2014

I am quite particular about keeping my purse organized. I like to know where things are and have it neat. I don't like things just thrown in there...nor do I like things in there that don't belong (trash etc.).

I thought you may enjoy seeing how I am organizing my purse this spring. :) Above is the picture of my bag from the outside. I just love the huge flower!

And here is how you will see my bag on the inside (at any time...I always keep it this same way)...

What's all inside, you may ask? Well, let me show you...

 This is a small Vera Bradley wallet (which I found inexpensively on ebay) that keeps my iPod safe. I haven't had an iPod very long, but it was necessary to own since I began teaching spinning classes at our local Y...

 My phone (a simple flip phone...I don't use it for much like most people do. I don't even text! It's mainly a "just in case" phone. I am not against phones...but just don't feel like people need to find me *all* the time, does that make sense?), a couple pens, Chapstick (cake batter ~ yum!), Lip Gloss from Avon, and my peppermint essential oil roll-on for headaches or whatever I may need it for while on the go...

 My kindle case and filofax (which serves as my bill-paying-register and checkbook which I may do an updated post on soon)...

Here is my kindle. It is nothing fancy...just a simple one that I bought on super-sale from Amazon. I have downloaded loads of books for free (mostly theology) and it is great to have to read while waiting at a dr's appointment or if stuck in traffic etc. The case was bought on Etsy (I love Etsy!) from THIS store. My kindle tucks perfectly in there and then sits safely in my bag!

This little gem holds feminine products (not overly interesting, but I thought I would mention it!)...

This is my keep-all container. I keep extra Chapstick (of course) along with bandaids, tissues, ibuprofen, cough drops and extra hair things in there. I guess you could call it a "just in case" pouch...

And finally, in my bag I keep this little card-keeper. I have this one photo of my children in there along with some store cards, health insurance cards and the like...

So there you have it! And now all my items are back in my bag, just the way I had them before. It's always so nice to know just where everything is and to have it neat and tidy.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing how I organize my bag.
How do you organize yours? Feel free to share a link to your blog post about how you organize your purse! I'd love to see it!

Bible/Book Covers

 My Bible is extremely well-used and well-loved. It's amount of use has led to it starting to fall apart...slowly but surely (even though I do have a hardback  ESV Study Bible.) I previously had my Bible in a large, pretty bible case. It *was* truly pretty and all...but what I really wanted was a simple cover. I didn't want a zipper or anything fancy...just something to protect the cover and keep it all *contained*.

I perused the shops on Etsy and found one that seemed to have just what I was looking for! KIVVERS by Daisy Jane has a cute assortment of different covers custom fit for your book! I picked a faux leather cover and gave her the measurements of my Bible. Soon, in the mail, I received a cover that slid like a glove right onto my bible. It fit perfectly.

Now, if you can find something to protect the delicate pages of my Bible, I would be much obliged! Not sure that they make anything like that though! ;)

I have had to reinforce all the tabs with matte scotch tape because they were getting so damaged as well. If you don't have tabs in your Bible but *want* some...you can find them here: Majestic Bible Tabs. 

If you are looking for a simple book cover, I recommend the shop I linked to above. But if that doesn't interest you, please go check out other shops on etsy. Shopping small/handmade is definitely the way to go! :)