Okay. I know what you are thinking. I'm all for "greener" choices, but this seems to be going a little too far. I personally can't take credit for even considering this recipe. Doug's cousin mentioned it to me, and I thought it sounded cool but Doug was kinda against it.. thinking that it wouldn't be good for the machine.. At that point I kinda dropped it, and them out of no where 2 other ppl mentioned it to me. After reading online and watching some youtube videos. (I particularly like  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=lvBqold9ekA
)

I convinced Doug to let me give it a try! I intend on letting you know how it works out! I am particularly interested/concerned on how my sons skin will tolerate it! He has baby eczema and suggested to use Ivory soap which incidently is an ingredient in this recipe!

The recipe comes from the Duggar's website. (Yes, those Duggars!)

• 
  Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
  
  4  Cups - hot tap water
  1  Fels-Naptha soap bar
  1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
  ½ Cup Borax
  
  - Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
  
  -Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
  
  -Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
  
  -Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
  
  -Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
  
  -Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
  
  -Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
  
  *Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
  
  

Once I make it, I'll update and review! :-)

Ever get overwhelmed with the amount of baby stuff you need to buy for your little bun in the oven?  Or maybe you are an experienced mom who did in fact spend a bundle on your bundle of joy but realized how quickly the little ones grow out of their clothes! (Often times a small baby will only wear an outfit 1 or 2 times before outgrowing it! These outfits are still in like new condition with minimal wear!)

If you fit into either of those scenarios, consignment sales can be for you!  For the buyer, consignment offers new (don't we all have that baby outfit with tags on we forgot about and is too small now?!) or gently used clothing and accessories for a fraction of retail prices!

For mamas out there who have a ton of great baby pieces that are sitting around but you don't wanna give away for 25 cents at a garage sales, consignment can be a great money maker for you!  When you consign your items, the company promoting the sale displays your merchandise and your asking price at their widely marketed sales. The consignment company charges either a flat fee or percentage of the asking price.

Some tips to remember about consignment shopping/selling:

1. Places like Craigslist and your local mommy boards post sales in advance! Check listings regularly. Most consignment sales are in the Spring March-June.
2. Presales Presales Presales! Because Consignment shops are first come first serve, getting a golden ticket in for presales can be highly beneficial! People consigning their items almost always get presale admission, and often times new moms or moms to be get in on the magic too!
   
3. Last Day of the Sale = BIG SAVINGS! The goal of a consignment sale is to get the merchandise moved!  Most sales offer 50% off the asking price of items (if the consignor so chooses to include their merch in this sale) on the last day or a bag of clothes for X amount of $.
   

Below is a video series showing a recent shopping (binge) and the estimated savings!

Video 1 of 4. 
This video showcases 0-3 month clothing.
Paid $24 Retail Value around $100+

Video 2 of 4 Showcases clothing sizes 3-6 months.
Amount spent: 32$ Estimated Retail: 125$+

Video 3 of 4 showcases clothing sizes 6-12 months!
I paid $12  Estimated Retail $100+

Our final video! Size 18-24m and accessories! (Are you bored yet?!)

I paid $9 estimated retail 100$+

Overall I am really proud of our finds!  Part of greener parenting is using our resources (in this case, money) wisely!  We generated an incredible savings on new and gently loved clothing!  (Now it's time to convince my darling boy that I should use some of this savings on more cute cloth diapers!)

I'd love to hear of your awesome finds at sales and any tips you might have to share!! :)

Ash.

My Amazon purchase of Dr. Alan Green's book "Feeding Baby Green" came in today! I can't wait to read it! Will post review once I'm done!

He was recently a guest on My Baby Experts!

My fiance Doug has always teased me a bit, claiming I am a hippy at heart.  Greener living has always been important to me, and as he puts it, "Ashlee dies a little inside everytime a can or bottle is thrown away".  Doing things that are better for the environment haven't always fit into my lifestyle (or let's be honest, budget) but I do try to do what i can in little steps where possible!

I'm hoping to post articles I come across and common sense ideas how we can all go a little green without a huge change in our routine both in parenting and life in general!