September Survival Kit From Don't Look Under The Rug

Welcome to my "Survival Kit" - a short list of my favorite items on my radar this month. I lovingly call it a "survival kit" because to be honest, life can try to push you around, but sometimes it's the little things that can help keep you positive and kick ass everyday!

#happycleaning, Amy Bates

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1.My Car Cache - no more melted lipsticK

I am always in a hurry and often rushing around in my car. After having my purse dump onto the floor of my car for the 5,475th time, I decided to begin a quest to find a solution.  You know how it goes, your purse is either setting off the airbag sensor (not that mine is that heavy…) or it's being stepped on by those you are transporting. While I have a handbag cleaner that is phenomenal (stay tuned!), I still loathe having my precious lipstick lost under a seat and melting in the Oklahoma sun. Along comes the Car Cache. The sling that keeps your handbag accessible and off the floor! It comes in two shades (black and beige) and works like a dream. What do you need to make it work?  A headrest post and a center console, five minutes to attach it, and you are in business! It doesn’t cramp the kids in the back seat and won’t set off your airbag sensor as it isn’t resting in the passenger chair. Perfection.  

2. GreenScreen by Better Life

There are many things about me that gross out the children. One of the worst offenders is… my phone. I must have lotion on my hands at all times, but the consequence is a greasy phone. While I often have a favorite small-sized microfiber in tow, sometimes I need something with a bit more gusto! Enter Better Life’s Green Screen electronics cleaner.  While I would never directly spray it on my devices, it is amazing. I clean flat screens, phone screens, laptop screens (really ANY electronic screens) and know that they will look better, and most importantly, keep working when I am done. So I can go about my day sporting lotion covered hands and nobody will be the wiser (unless they shake my soft hands)!

3. LIVING PROOF - CURLY HAIR's BEST FRIEND

So my hair is wickedly straight.  Growing up, my Mom would take her curling iron with the white handle and orange barrel and have me sit on the stool while she curled it.  The magic number was 10 and for each curl I counted to ten in a different language to style my hair in a perfect bob. German, Spanish, and so on until we made it all around my head. Had I known then how many times my Mom has burned her own neck, I would have counted in terror!

So when I was old enough to choose my own style, I wore it straight.  Perfectly straight.  But eventually, I just felt the calling of the curl coming back to me.  So I curl my perfectly straight hair each day, but instead of counting each quick curl, I get help from Living Proof amp instant texture volumizer. It keeps my hair set for hours, adds texture and separation, and keeps it from getting frizzy and flat.  According to my friends, it also works on perfectly straight hair Who knows, maybe I will try it soon! 

4. Laksa SOUP Recipe

I am always anxious for the first time I can make soup, and Fall is my absolute favorite season to get the soup pot out and start simmering! Laksa has some citrus making it a fabulous transitional soup.

Ingredients:

To Serve:

Directions:

  1. Soak the noodles in boiling water for 5 minutes.
  2. Drain and set aside.
  3. Put chillies, garlic, ginger, coriander seeds, fresh coriander and oil into food processor and process to a coarse paste.
  4. Slice the chicken breasts diagonally.
  5. In a large saucepan over medium heat add the paste and fry for 1 minute, stir well.
  6. Add coconut milk and stock.
  7. Bring to boil, simmer gently for 10 minutes.
  8. Add fish sauce and chicken and cook for 5 minutes.
  9. Add lime juice.
  10. Divide noodles between bowls and ladle soup over them.
  11. Sprinkle with mint leaves, green onions,bean shoots and lime wedges.

See the recipe on food.com