March 2020 – The Hustlin’ Homemaker

Products I’ve Used Up | Quarterly Empties

Hi everyone! I hope all of y’all are doing well. Things are a bit different right now, but I want to get back into blogging like normal. These past few weeks I’ve had both of my girls home with me (which I admit, I love), but it’s a little bit hard to find time to work on my blog.

Currently in my county in Texas, we aren’t under any stay at home orders, but my girls and I haven’t been anywhere (other than a car ride) in 16 days now. My husband has still been working (his business is considered “essential”). I’m scared of us getting the virus, so we are voluntarily staying home. We live in the country so we are outside a lot and have a lot to do. It’s actually not that big of a change for me, seeing as I am always home, but the girls do miss seeing their friends and going to school. Hopefully things will go back to normal soon.

Anyway, I have some empties to share. I’ve been accumulating them since the beginning of the year, so here they are!

Let’s start with haircare.

This is my favorite drugstore shampoo and conditioner duo, the Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner. The smell of this is amazing, and it makes my hair so clean and the conditioner really helps to soften and detangle. My girls also use this and they have really long hair as well. Already repurchased both!

I’ve got a bunch of skincare empties!

Garnier Micellar Water – I love this to help remove my makeup at night. It takes everything off and doesn’t leave an oily residue. Already repurchased.

Origins Original Skin Resurfacing Mask With Rose Clay – this mask is just a typical exfoliating mud mask. I did like it, but for the price I wouldn’t repurchase. You can find something at the drugstore that does the same thing.

Clinique Gel Moisturizer – I love this moisturizer and use it daily. The only thing I don’t like about it is that it doesn’t contain SPF. I have to use a sunscreen along with it, but I don’t care cause I love it so. It doesn’t leave me greasy and works really well for my normal/dry skin. Already repurchased.

Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser – I use this cleanser with my Clarisonic every single morning in the shower. Does a good job of cleaning my face and doesn’t strip my skin. Also doesn’t break me out. Already repurchased.

Lastly, some man empties. I leave these in because maybe you know a guy that needs something new!

Clinique For Men Oil Control Moisturizer – my husband JJ really likes this because he has oily skin, and it really helps with controlling oil and it looks nice on the skin because it is mattifying. He puts this on every morning, so we have already repurchased.

Clinique For Men Face Scrub – he uses this in the shower a few times a week and it is a super minty and (pretty harsh to me) exfoliating scrub. He really likes this, so I have repurchased.

Now, the makeup.

Bare Minerals Bare Pro Powder Foundation – y’all know I love this stuff, this compact lasted me over a year, and I use it every single day! It has the light coverage I love and is so easy and quick to apply. Already repurchased.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rose – I feel like I have one of these in every empties post. This is basically a tinted lip balm with such a pretty hint of red color. It is so moisturizing and smells SO GOOD. I have a back up of course.

Fenty Beauty Lip Gloss in Fenty Glow – I really like this lip gloss, it is a nude color with a golden shimmer. It lasts and isn’t sticky. I would definitely repurchase this one.

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer – this is THE BEST concealer EVER. This stuff is so good at covering my dark circles and you only need a tiny bit. It lasts all day and doesn’t crease. I’ve already got a new one.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Lipshine in InTime – this is a very sheer and hydrating lip color that was a mauve purple color. It barely showed up on my lips but was very hydrating. I probably wouldn’t repurchase though, because it’s pretty expensive for a tinted lip balm.

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara– this is my favorite high-end mascara. It holds a curl, lengthens like crazy, and separates the lashes perfectly. I love this stuff. Would repurchase.

Benefit They’re Real Mascara – this is also a really good one. It doesn’t lengthen quite as much as Roller Lash, but the brush is so big and so easy to apply, so it is still a really good pick. Would repurchase.

L’Oréal Lash Paradise – my faaaave. I have raved about this mascara because it is perfect. It is does everything Roller Lash does, but at drugstore price. I have several backups.

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray – I’m not a fan. I don’t like this setting spray because I don’t like the stiff way it makes my face feel. I don’t have problem with makeup staying on anyway, so I won’t repurchase.

Onyx Professional Acetone Nail Polish Remover – this stuff is the jam and I will never be without it! It takes off everything so quick and easily (even glitter) and the big bottle lasts forever. Already have a backup.

Alright, so that is it for the empties! What have you been using up?

Thanks for reading, and stay safe out there! Here are a few of my previous blogs that you can do to help fight the boredom. 🙂

xx amy

How To Keep Kids Busy | Our Homeschool and Daily Schedule

Hello! It is a crazy time in the world right now, and the kids are out of school! So far in my area of Texas, the schools are canceled this week, but to be honest, I don’t see them going back to school for awhile.

I have a 5 year old in Kinder, and an 8 year old in 3rd grade. They love to “play school” together, so I thought right now was the perfect time to try homeschooling.

At this time, we aren’t leaving the house, and if you have kids, you’ll know that it is really hard to entertain them ALL day at home without leaving. Unlike summer break, where we can usually leave for awhile, we can’t right now. We need routine and a schedule if we are going to be here all day.

My girls have been staying up pretty late, so they’ve been waking up around 8. The longer they sleep, the better!

I decided to start homeschool at 10 am, because, what is the rush? We have all day. I’m not doing it because I’m afraid they will get behind, I’m doing it because we’re gonna get bored.

Before school, they:

Make their beds
Clean up their rooms
Brush their teeth
Get dressed
Brush their hair
Eat breakfast

At 10 am school starts. I’ve made time blocks for the different subjects/activities for us to do.

10:00 Reading

The girls take turns reading a small book or a chapter or two from a chapter book. After each one reads, I ask them reading comprehension questions about what they read. Setting, main characters, main idea, problem, solution, favorite part of the reading, etc. I will switch this up daily and ask different questions, and sometimes I will read to them and then ask questions.

10:30 Writing

I give them 30 minutes for free writing. They each have a journal, and I either give them a topic to write about or they can pick. If they have time after writing, I let them illustrate what they wrote about on the back of the page.

11:00 Math

I make them up worksheets to do for the math time block. Allie is working on multiplication/fractions, and Ashley is working on adding/subtracting/word problems. We grade the worksheets together when they are finished. Also, my 8 year old likes to use our dry erase board to give Ashley some math problems, so we do that too.

11:30 Workbooks

I have workbooks for them to do that are full of all kinds of worksheets and activities. I get one grade level up from the grade they are in so that they are challenging. The girls love doing these.

12:00 Lunch

I prepare lunch while they are doing their workbooks and then it’s time to eat!

12:30 Art Time

The girls love art, so we have devoted a whole hour to art. watercolor painting, drawing, coloring books, origami, crafts, etc. I choose one activity per day.

Today was painting.

1:30 Science/ Social Studies

I prepare a science experiment or a lesson on a certain topic and then we do a quiz on the topic afterwards where I ask them questions about what we learned. You can find tons of ideas online. Today we learned about honeybees and butterflies and had quizzes on those. Brainpop is a great resource.

2:00 Recess

They love to play outside at this time!

2:30 Snacktime and Movie

They usually like to watch a movie in the afternoon. It takes up a while and allows them to rest. After the movie it’s pretty much a free for all till dinner. This time is usually spent outside.

5:30-6:30 Dinner

We usually have dinner during this time, depending on when I start cooking!

7:00 Bath/PJ’s

We will do showers/baths and they’ll put on their pajamas.

I’m not too strict about bedtime, seeing as we do not have to get up early. I let them play and have a sleepover or do whatever they want. They usually go to sleep around 9 pm.

So that is it for our schedule! Without a schedule, we get bored, and it’s hard to come up with things to do. When the girls are on a schedule, it helps with arguing about what to do, and also keeps them busy.

What are some activities and things you like to do with your kids?

Thanks for reading! xx

The BEST Blush

Hello! Today we are talking about blush. More specifically, my favorite blush of ALL TIME. Seriously. Nothing beats it.

This color works all year round, works with all skin tones, and works with any look.

Have you guessed it yet?

It is the famous NARS blush in the color Orgasm. I recently repurchased this blush, and I remember why I loved it so much.

So, this blush is one of the most bestselling blush colors EVER, and I know why.

It is the most perfect, peachy pink color with a golden sheen. No chunky glitter, just the perfect amount of glow.

This blush lasts all day, and is especially pretty in the summer. It is pigmented, but not so pigmented that you have to be careful with your brush. Love the sleek NARS packaging; love everything about it!

Do you love this blush too?

What’s your all-time favorite blush? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks for reading xx

EAT | Allie’s Favorite Green Beans

I HATE green beans. I remember when I was little, I used to pass my green beans to my little sister underneath the table so she would eat them for me. As I’ve gotten older, I know that they’re good for me, so I choke them down (especially if my kids are watching).

My girls are not like me, though. They actually aren’t picky when it comes to food, and they really like veggies! My oldest daughter, Allie, who is 8, loves green beans. They are one of her favorite foods, and I even eat them this way. Here’s how I make them!

What you need:

One cup water

About one pound of fresh green beans
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup slivered almonds

First, we need to toast the almonds. This MAKES the green beans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place almonds onto a baking sheet. Bake for about 5-7 minutes or until they are slightly brown. Toasting is necessary.

Next, I like to cut up the green beans into bit size pieces.

Heat up the water and sugar into a pan and bring up to a boil.

Add the green beans in, and then lower the heat to simmer and cover them.

After about 10-15 minutes they will be ready. Transfer them to a serving bowl and then top with sea salt and almonds.

Super easy! Everyone likes these, so if you like green beans, I’m sure you will too! 🙂

Follow me on Instagram and Goodreads for more fun!

Thanks for reading! xx

EAT | DIY Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato

Hello!!! Today I am sharing a super easy DIY Starbucks drink. The Caramel Macchiato is one of the most popular and best selling drinks at Starbucks, but since Starbucks is expensive ($5.57 for a Venti), I like to make my own at home!

Here’s what you need: