I was standing in my kitchen the other afternoon, washing dishes for what felt like the millionth time that day, when a warm breeze came through my window. I enjoyed every second of it and once it stopped, two things became incredibly clear.

One: I suddenly and desperately needed to clean the last hangers-on from the Great Purge of 2013 and continue with the organizing my life spree.  And two: I had a physical need for everything in my world to smell as clean and as fresh as lemons.

Weird? Yes. If any of my friends told me this story my immediate response would be “Are you prego?” I’m not, but the story is true. Something about the warmth and the sunshine and the breeze reignited my cleaning fire and made me lemon obsessed. In fact, within days I went out and bought lemongrass essential oil to add to all of my DIY Green Cleaning Recipes.

Like a lot of the other ingredients I’ve been using, this one has a bunch of awesome qualities (it’s an antidepressant and is antibacterial, antimicrobial, insecticidal, fungicidal, antiseptic, deodorizing… the list goes on and on!). I also bought a big old bag of lemons and turned to the internet for ways to complete my mission.

I’ve put together a list of 20 of my favorite tips for cleaning with lemons…

1. Fill a glass jar with lemon peels then fill the jar with white vinegar. Let this sit for 2 weeks, strain and use as a cleaner (via The Greening of Westford).
2. Clean brass and copper by sprinkling salt on a lemon half and rubbing it on the metal, then rinsing thoroughly. (via Real Simple)
3. Cut a lemon in half and use it to scrub the hard water stains on any fixture. (via Broccoli Cupcake)
4. Clean your microwave and remove odors by placing 3/4 cup of water with a couple tablespoons of lemon juice in the microwave. Heat to boiling. Don’t open the door for another 10 minutes. Then just wipe away food particles with a clean cloth and dry. (via Mother Nature Network)
5. Dip the cut side of a lemon half in baking soda to tackle counter tops; wipe with a wet sponge and dry. Don’t use on delicate stone, like marble, or stainless steel (it may discolor). (via Real Simple)
6. Mix 1/2 cup lemon juice (or sliced lemons) with one gallon of very hot water. Soak white clothes in the solution (don’t use for silk, it’s best for cotton and polyester). Let the clothes soak from an hour to overnight, depending on how badly it needs bleaching. Remove the clothing from the mix and pour the mix into the washing machine and wash as usual. It’s impossible to over-bleach using lemon juice. (via DIY Network)
7. A dilute lemon juice rinse for your hair cuts soap residue and leaves hair softer and shinier. (via Mother Nature Network)
8. To remove tough food stains from light wood and plastic cutting boards, slice a lemon in half, squeeze onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing. (via Real Simple)
9. Clean mineral buildup on tea kettles and coffee pots by boiling lemon slices in the pots. Allow the mixture to sit for an hour or two, and then rinse and dry. (via Mother Nature Network)
10. To clean stubborn soap scum from shower doors, dip a halved lemon in baking soda and scrub. Rinse with water once you’re satisfied to remove any left over baking soda residue.
11. To tackle grout stains add lemon juice to 1 or 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar (an acidic salt that acts as a natural bleaching agent) to make a paste. Apply with a toothbrush, then rinse. (via Real Simple)
12. To clean windows and mirrors put a few tablespoons of lemon juice and water into a spray bottle. It works as well as a vinegar solution and smells better. (via Mother Nature Network)
13. To get rid of unpleasant smells in your kitchen, heat the oven to 300 degrees F and place a whole lemon on the center rack. With the door slightly ajar, let the lemon “cook” for about 15 minutes; then turn off oven. Let the lemon cool before removing it. (via TLC)
14. If your hands smell from chopping garlic or handling raw fish you can rub them with lemon juice, which will neutralize the odor. (via Real Simple)
15. To remove dried-on food or detergent from the chrome inside your dishwasher by rubbing it with a piece of lemon. Rinse by wiping with a damp cloth, and then rub dry with a clean, dry cloth. (via TLC)
16. To bleach tomato sauce and other acidic-food stains from dishwasher-safe items, rub lemon juice on the spots, let the items dry in the sun, then wash as usual. (via Real Simple)
17. Scrub grills and grates with lemon juice and salt. (via Mother Nature Network)
18. Make your wooden furniture gleam by mixing one part olive oil to one part lemon juice, then rub the liquid in with a soft rag. The same mix will also give sparkle to your wooden floors. (via Quick & Simple)
19. Remove rust stains from cotton and polyesters by making a paste with lemon juice and cream of tartar. Rub the mixture into the stain, let the item sit for about a half hour, and then wash as normal (test before use). (via Mother Nature Network)
20. When you run out of dish soap, slice a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on top, working the lemon half like you would a Brillo pad. Watch as the citric acid cuts, loosens and then dissolves grease, giving your pots and pans a shiny glow. (via iVillage)

Do you have any tips for DIY green cleaning with lemons? I’m always up for new cheap and easy ways to clean!

Hello, my name is Jen and I have a problem with mason jars. I realize it’s cliche and expected at this point, but that doesn’t deter me. I love the things. So when I came across a plethora of DIY colored mason jars, I had to be in on it.

First, I would like to say that I’m pretty sure my husband hit up my stash and threw a few of them out (not cool, dude). That had me a little leery to try anything new with my beloveds. So I turned to a stash of dollar store glass that I had leftover from a photo shoot I styled last year.

I found a couple of different colored glass tutorials, so I decided to give both a try. I dug out three candlesticks and a plate and got to business.

Let’s be real, my friends. My hubs and I? We’re not made of money. We don’t have the extra cash to go out regularly or to plan big trips (in fact, in the last seven years the farthest we’ve gone was a three hour car ride to Mystic, Connecticut). We’re working hard to get there, but right now romantic getaways and regular date nights aren’t really in the cards for us.

Still, there’s no arguing with the fact that one-on-one bonding time is essential for a healthy relationship. If it’s all kids and work and stress, how can you enjoy each other’s company? With that and my limited budget in mind, I decided to put together a list a five super cheap date ideas.

Last Monday Alison at Get Your Pretty On! did a post called “Oprah’s Favorite Things– For the Rest of Us.” I thought it was a fabulous idea. Oprah has some great taste, but I’m pretty sure us normal girls can’t exactly afford most of her favorites–and if we could they might not be the first things we spend our new-found fortune on.

I decided to take Alison’s cue and bring you my version of Oprah’s favorite things. I went through her list and picked out seven of my favorites. Then I looked around to see if I could find options that were both comparable and affordable. Here’s what I came up with:

Bougainvillea Boutique bangle, $39 / H&M 30-pack set, $5.95

I love the bohemian vibe of Oprah’s favorite bangle, but if you’re on a serious budget you can get more of an arm party for your buck by heading on over to places like H&M or Forever21. I’m especially loving the texture on this particular set.

Josh Groban, Noel / Holidays Rule

Sorry kids, but Josh Groban’s not really my scene. While he has a lovely head of hair, his kind of classical crooning just doesn’t do it for me. But The Head and the Heart, The Shins and Fun? Count me in.

Rowallan jewelry trunk, $525 (21×11.25×10.5) / Diamante White 6-Drawer Jewelry Armoire, $169.99 (40×13.63×10.25)

When I first saw this I couldn’t really believe there was such a thing as a $525 jewelry box. I figured, OK O. You probably have a nice stack of jewels at the mansion. I don’t have as many, so I don’t need a box as big as yours. But you know what? I found a bigger box that’s totally prettier for less money. The quality may not be the same, but it will definitely do.

Lafco Chamomile Lavender soap $17, 8.5 oz / Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Original shampoo and wash, $14.99, 21 oz

While fancy soaps with fancier sounding scents are nice and all, sometimes you just can’t beat a classic. I am madly in love with Burt’s Bees Baby Bees shampoo and wash. Not only does it smell amazing, but it leaves your skin softer than a baby’s butt. For serious. I’ve conducted scientific studies on this subject.

P.jamas, $160 / Xhilaration pajama set, $24.99

Alright, Oprah. I’m sorry, but I’m not dropping $160 on something I’m just going to roll around my bed in (and possibly drool on a little). Soft and flannel with cute polka dots is good enough for me!

Michael Kors Metallic Glam Studded High-Top, $195 / TOMS gilded herringbone classics, $54

I love metallics. I love sparkle. I love Michael Kors. But gold studded high tops? Not so much. I’d much rather take a comfy pair of gold herringbone TOMS and know that a pair of shoes went to a child in need–although the zipper detail on the high tops is pretty awesome.

Ralph Lauren sweater, $198 / Old Navy chunky cable knit sweater, $29.94

I don’t have $200 to drop on a sweater. If you do, more power to you. But I’d rather save some money and take my girls on vacation than spend so much on a sweater (and I definitely don’t have the money to do both). Old Navy is a perfectly acceptable substitute. It may not last as long, but when you don’t have the money it works!

What do you think? Did I do good? Did I do terribly? Would you substitute one of my picks for something else? Would you stick with Oprah on any of these? Do tell!

I have a real soft spot for plaid and tartan fashion. Call it being stuck in my 90s grunge rock obsessed youth. Call it a product of current trends. Whatever you want to call it, I am obsessed.

I usually start getting plaid crazed in September. The fall automatically turns my brain towards plaid (I guess it’s the whole back to school thing, even though I was never forced to wear a nicely pressed skirt/button down shirt uniform combo). But this year, my little obsession has really dug in and seems to be intent on riding out the winter.

I’ve been finding myself drawn to tartan holiday pieces more and more. At first it was just “Oh that’s cute. Ooooh that too!” until I suddenly realized that any tartan piece I saw was getting that reaction. I just love the pop of pattern and the color combos. It’s so perfect for the season, don’t you think?

Since I love a good deal (read: I’m seriously cheap) I went on a hunt for lower priced options for a bunch of high-end tartan pieces–because for some reason tartan seems to equal high price.

Dolce & Gabbana pants, $725 / Topshop pants, $76
Alexander McQueen tartan jacket, $799 / Merona blazer, $34.99
Oscar de la Renta, $325 / Chaps dress, $62
Cut25 dress, $460 / Tommy Hilfiger dress, $149.50
Drakes London scarf, $300 / Gap scarf, $29.95

Obviously there are times when the investment is totally worth it. If there’s a piece you can see yourself wearing regularly for a long time, go for it.

But something like a child’s holiday dress? Yeah, I’d rather just set the $300 on fire. It’s a much easier way to get to the same ends. Because if I put this child in an expensive dress, you better believe she would destroy it before I managed to get a non-blurry picture of her in it.

What are your thoughts on this trend? Are you feeling it as much as I am?