Practically free DIY Jewelry Cleaner

You know things are getting slow when I'm blogging about DIY jewelry cleaner.   But hey, I was proud of myself for figuring this out last night so I'm sharing. 

As you may know, over time, your precious jewelry will tarnish thanks to the oils in your skin, grime, soap and water, etc.  When I was organizing my jewelry to put in my new jewelry armoire, I  came across a pair of Tiffany's earrings I haven't worn in forevs because they were so grimy looking. 

What's a bargain blonde to do?

Well, she Googles "DIY jewelery cleaner", durrr.  I clicked on this article, which said to mix baking soda with water to make a paste and scrub your precious metals to remove the tarnish.

I was surprised and delighted (yes, I said delighted) to see that the shish worked!   Take a look-see:

I mixed this and this as instructed:

Which made this:

The before and after:

Now they're like new and I didn't spend a dime to clean them.

Now go clean your grimy jewelry! My boss just let us go early and I have a four day week to enjoy, so peace skanks!  I mean that lovingly, of course.

To: Lindsey ... Love, Santa

This is not a "omg come fawn over what I got for Christmas because I am so awesome and privileged post" (valley girl voice).  Trust. I am not that girl and y'all should know this by now.  I use $5 shampoo and drink gas station wine like it's going out of style. I want to know what YOU got for Christmas, so I figured your pretty little faces might want to see what old St. Nick left for me under the tree.

All right, now that we got that settled, shall we take a look at my goods?

First up is the now infamous cat hat, which was quite a hit in yesterday's post.  If you'd like to embrace your inner feline, you can get your own at your local Target.  Target has it all, but we already knew this.

And to those of you saying I look like a Victoria's Secret model in the first pic: bless you.  You are blind ... i mean kind.

You might be a wine-o if ...

You get three bottles of wine, wine stoppers, a high heeled wine holder, a wine opener, magnetic wine charms, wine tissues, wine napkins and four more of your favorite wine glasses from your family for Christmas. *hangs head in shame*

I don't think I can continue on with this post any longer without showing you my new beloved.  The Michael Kors Gansevoort Large Tote in Teak. It was love at first sight and I've been coddling her like a baby ever since.

My mom and I found this Jewelry Armoire from the Cottage Collection at Target for half off, which matches my new room perfectly . Obvs i had to have.  While we're on the subject, I hope to do a tour of my room soon.  It's almost complete!

Looks like so when opened:

My grandma got me a few new gadgets for the kitchen.  A legit Paula Deen colander because my previous ones from my college days were tiny, plastic and deformed.  Look ma, I'm all grown-up with a big girl colander.

A mashed potato masher because I didn't own one and "every body knows" (Phaedra Parks) a good Southern girl needs to know about to properly mash a tater:

And because I'm obsessed with Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton and they got married on Don Strange Ranch like I want to some day, my Grandma got me this book filled with Don Strange's famous recipes as well as  personal anecdotes by the blog's author and his wife of 48 years.  

I've only had a chance to skim, but I already love it and want to try out so many of his recipes like yesterday.

Speaking of Miranda and Blake,  I also got her latest CD, Four the Record.  I cannot stop listening.  Every girl needs this CD because her songwriting is just beyond.  "The Same Old You" goes out to Lucifer, the ex.

I'm now the owner of this 10-piece baking set perfect for cooking and storing in the same dish. Loves.

Now for the beauty items.  Another new prized possession: a CHI BLOW DRYER!!  This Chi dryer dries my hair so much faster and makes it so much smoother than my old Revlon blow dryer. You don't even know.

When you have ridiculously thick and Amish length hair like me, you need this in your life.

I also got a baby curling iron to match my regular one:

My cousin got me this Fekkai Glossing Starter Kit, which I used for the first time yesterday.  I can't remember the last time my hair felt this soft, so needless to say, I'm now a believer in hair glossing.

I got a much needed refill on my face lotion, the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturing Gel.  The best for oily skin IMHO.  I don't know how I ever went without this every day.

I didn't take pictures of all of my stuff, but I also got a new set of chocolate brown sheets for my bed, all the clothes I asked for on my wish list, jewelry, VS lip gloss and pj bottoms, Starbucks gift cards, e.l.f. make-up, Clinique make-up, scarves and gloves, etc.

I am blessed beyond belief and my family did way too much.  Santa must have put me on top of his nice list this year, but really ... do you blame the guy?  KIDDING.

A Bargain Blonde Christmas in pictures (a lot of pictures)

I'm so proud of myself for finally figuring out how to take a picture of a Christmas tree like this!

I had a very blessed Christmas and I hope you all did as well!  I love, love, love (did I say love?) seeing how you and your fams celebrate the holidays, so I hope you enjoy today's post about how we, a little family in Texas, celebrated Christmas.

On "Christmas Eve, Eve", we looked at Christmas lights in a nearby neighborhood that is known for their beautiful and over-the-top lights.

That sign you can't read in the picture says to tune into a radio station.  The station plays music that the lights on this house flash to in sync.

Oh hello, Santa.  He was passing out candy to all the cars that drove by his house. 

After the tour of lights, we had presents with my nephew because he was staying in Dallas with his Mom and Dad while me and my mom and flew to San Antonio to spend Christmas at my Grandma's with my aunt, cousin and great aunt.  Here is the little Reesey Piecy opening some of his presents:

For his birthday I got him a play kitchen, so I gave him some play fruit that you pretend slice with a knife.  He was clearly excited about this gift.  

A pop-up "Dash the Dino" tent.

His very first alarm clock that barks like a puppy to wake him up. Look at his little toddler feet in socks! I die. 

And from my Grandma (his Great Grandma), an embroidered apron and chef hat to wear while playing with his kitchen. So cute!

 On Christmas Eve morning we flew to San Antonio and by 11 a.m., we were at my Grandma's in Boerne:

A little vintage bargain blonde with my brother.  Is Reese not his freaking TWIN!?

We almost immediately went to downtown Boerne to one of my favorite restaurants for the Mexican food and margaritas:

Hands down the best chalupas ever in the history of ever. 

Margarita on the rocks with salt.  The only way to go.

Later we finished wrapping presents to put under the tree:

We played the card game Canasta and I drank a dee-lish vodka, fruit juice and peppermint drink my aunt whipped up for me. Highly recommend throwing a candy cane in your drink.

We had some dessert too, which was a cake my grandma made that has apparently won red and white ribbons in county fairs.  Would you like a piece?

Reese's mom text me this pic of him on Christmas Eve night after setting cookies and milk out for Santa:

We woke up Christmas morning and had coffee and toast from homemade bread:

I don't think I have ever had homemade bread before. It was amazeballs. 

Then it was time to open all of theseeeeee. Cue the angels.


I'm saving all of my gifts for tomorrow's post, but here is a sneak peak of one of my favorites. Introducing Lindsey the cat:

Meow.  Ridiculous, yes.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.  Cats drink mimosas?

I also got my cousin a ridic hat so she wouldn't be left out on all the fun:

After presents we had lunch cooked by my Grandma.  On the menu was a Honey Baked Ham, scalloped potatoes, yellow squash from her garden and pea salad. It was yummy in my tummy.

Christmas night we watched The Help and drank hot chocolate.

The next day my cousin and I went shopping before a late lunch at Teka Molino, my favorite restaurant in the entire universe.  I have dreams about these puffy tacos and if went to death row tomorrow for shanking a ho, this would be my last meal:

You don't even know

After lunch, I was off to the airport and back to Dallas by dinner time.  Woo, wee.  Tomorrow I'll show you all my gifts, but now I'm off to read all of your Christmas recaps.  I hope Santa was good to y'all!!!