Keeping plants alive

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I love plants. I've killed a couple but I've also kept the plants I have alive for quite some time. For me, it was all trial and error and of course research. Knowing what to do and what not to do is important, but it's also important to do what works for you. I don't do everything for my plants that I've read. I've taken things from here and there and also things that I know and I created my own routine. I've figured out what works for the plants I have so I'm sharing my tips with you. These are in no particular order.

Give them names.

This is something that not everyone does, but I like giving my plants names. I don't know why this matters (it probably doesn't), but I think that it's good for a plant to know that it's loved.

Talk to them, play music.

I talk to my plants. I play music for them. I give them encouragement to grow. I usually do this when I think about it, which isn't everyday.

Know when to water.

A general rule of thumb is to water when the first inch or two of the soil is dry. For some plants it's a little longer and for some it's shorter. I check all my plants once a week and if they're dry I water them. If not I wait a week. For my jade and snake plants, I don't check them every week because they don't need frequent watering. 

Have a schedule.

I check my plants on Friday morning. I like to have a set day to do this that way it's easier to keep track of. I always water in the morning.

Quick Tips:

(special things I do for my plants)

1. Water with rainwater.

2. Water once a month with 1 tablespoon of Epson salt mixed with one gallon of water.

3. Group plants together to increase humidity.

4. Mist with water every other day.

5. Rotate plants every day.

JaToya Reviews: Kristin Hannah, Firefly Lane

Summary:

In the turbulent summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the “coolest girl in the world” moves in across the street and wants to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all---beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever; by summer’s end they’ve become TullyandKate. Inseparable.
So begins Kristin Hannah’s magnificent new novel. Spanning more than three decades and playing out across the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, Firefly Lane is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the bulkhead of their lives.
From the beginning, Tully is desperate to prove her worth to the world. Abandoned by her mother at an early age, she longs to be loved unconditionally. In the glittering, big-hair era of the eighties, she looks to men to fill the void in her soul. But in the buttoned-down nineties, it is television news that captivates her. She will follow her own blind ambition to New York and around the globe, finding fame and success . . . and loneliness. 
Kate knows early on that her life will be nothing special. Throughout college, she pretends to be driven by a need for success, but all she really wants is to fall in love and have children and live an ordinary life. In her own quiet way, Kate is as driven as Tully. What she doesn’t know is how being a wife and mother will change her . . . how she’ll lose sight of who she once was, and what she once wanted. And how much she’ll envy her famous best friend. . . .
For thirty years, Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship---jealousy, anger, hurt, resentment. They think they’ve survived it all until a single act of betrayal tears them apart . . . and puts their courage and friendship to the ultimate test.
Firefly Lane is for anyone who ever drank Boone’s Farm apple wine while listening to Abba or Fleetwood Mac. More than a coming-of-age novel, it’s the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It’s about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you---and knows what has the power to hurt you . . . and heal you. Firefly Lane is a story you’ll never forget . . . one you’ll want to pass on to your best friend.

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My Review:

Okay can I start off by saying this book made me feel all the feels. All of them. I cried and I cried and I cried some more. This book is sad. Not all of it is said, but really it is so sad. It spans over a period of decades so it allows the reader to experience life with the two main characters Tully and Kate. It's a long read that took me a while to get into, but once I did there was no turning back. I enjoyed seeing the girls turn into women. I enjoyed reading about their problems and how their childhood shaped them. Neither of them were perfect and I found myself loving and hating parts about each woman. The thing I loved the most however is that even though they came from two different worlds, had two different personalities, and they had their differences; they always had each other's back. They were true best friends in every sense of the word and that to me is so beautiful and rare. I didn't agree with the way they handled some things (there was some betrayal) but that's what made the characters and the supporting ones real. They were relatable. Like I said, the book is sad but it is worth the tears. There is also a sequel that I can't bring myself to read because I loved this one so much, but it's on my list. If you're looking for a book to make you laugh, cry, think, and feel all while being entertaining, then this book is for you. I highly recommend. You can thank me later.

DIY Splatter Nails

It's #manimonday. I love doing my nails so on Monday (not every one) you can expect a post that's nail related. This time I'm showing you how I did this splatter, speckled, marbled (???) manicure. I saw a variation of this on Pinterest and I decided to make it my own. That's what I love about doing manicures at home, you can make them unique by choosing different colors.

What you'll need:

At least 2 different nail polish colors. *I used 4 (one as a base color and 3 for the splatter effect)

2 straws *I cut 2 straws in half because I worked with 4 colors

Top coat and base coat *Optional (I didn't use either for this look)

Cotton swabs *To clean up because it can get messy

Paper towel *To rest your hand on so nail polish doesn't get everywhere

Nail polish remover *Again to clean up

Step 1

Apply base coat (optional)

Step 2

Apply 2 coats of whatever color polish you've chosen as your base (I chose Essie Playdate)

Step 3

After both coats of your base color is dry, it's time to splatter. Lay your hand on a paper towel to prevent polish from getting every (a flat surface is ideal). Next, using a straw, dip one end into the color of your choice. Using the other end lightly blow into the straw to splatter the nail polish onto the nail. Repeat on all fingers.

*Optional

You can just use 1 color to splatter but I used 4. The process is the same. Just dip one end of the straw into the polish and blow into the other end. This creates the splatter effect. You can use as many colors as you want, but make sure to use a different straw for each.

Step 4

Clean up any polish that may have gotten on your cuticle with a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover.

Step 5

*Optional

Apply top coat to seal in the design and allow to dry.

Step 6

Enjoy your work!

I think this looks really cool and I love that each nail is different. I can't wait to try this with different colors. Hope you enjoy!

*There may be other tutorials like this elsewhere. I am aware that I didn't "invent" this technique. I just thought it looked easy and I wanted to try it out for myself.