Hey there! I’m Dusty Pyatt, owner of Cupcakes by Dusty. I have 4 chilldren, 2 cats and a very large dog. I’m a self classified foodie. I love being in the kitchen. I sometimes find myself standing in there to watch tv, or help with homework or talk on the phone….nothings cooking, it just feels right. I love cooking and food so much that I realized while coming up with my favorite things to share, they were all kinda food related!
COCOA POWDER: It’s not just for baking people! Hear me out….I am very busy on any given day, and sometimes washing my hair is just not happening! Dry shampoos are a great time saver but often leave my brunette hair looking a bit grayish and brittle. My solution is a combination cocoa powder and arrowroot. I mix 1/2 cup cocoa powder and 1/4 cup arrowroot in a container and use an old (clean) make up brush to apply. A little goes a long way so play around with it a bit to find the right amount for your hair. You’re welcome!
EASY LUNCH BOX SYSTEM: I’ve been using this system since my 5th grader was in Kindergarten and now that I’m packing for my 2 sweet girls, it makes it that much easier! The containers are very inexpensive, but last! (I still use the original set!) The only thing we have updated is the lunch box itself because a little girls “favorite color” changes each year apparently. And this system eliminates all those plastic throw away baggies.
MISE EN PLACE: Fancy French word (pronounced me-zahn-plahs) that basically translates to ‘set in place’ or ‘everything in it’s place’ depending on who you ask. It may seem simple, but my house wouldn’t function without this rule. It’s everything from the coffee made the night before and ready to just turn on in the morning (life saver, by the way), to the girls knowing that if they don’t unpack their lunch boxes, put their ice packs in the freezer and dump uneaten food, you don’t get a homemade lunch the next day…true story. I take time on Sundays to make a huge pot of brown rice (in the oven, best thing ever), a big pot of soup which happens to be chicken tortilla right now because I’m addicted, and I chop all my veggies for the week and store them in Snapware containers for easy lunch packing and cooking. The brown rice is a fast healthy side dish, a great soup extender, and with whats left, you can make a mean veggie stir-fry at the end of the week with all them left over vegetables! Yum!
SILICONE BAKING CUPS: These little things are amazingly versatile! Funny thing is, I don’t bake in them! I use them in the girls lunch boxes to separate pickles from hummus, or a chocolate treat from apple slices. At home we put ranch or ketchup in them for dippin’! I hear they’re also great for cupcakes, muffins and things because they’re non stick. Again, another item that is long lasting! One of these little suckers got in the garbage disposal…and survived!
THE KITCHEN IS CLOSED DRAWER: I’m sure that title says it all, but let me explain. My 7 year old can eat a full dinner, and then an hour later (once the kitchen is clean) be starving! Although I love being in the kitchen, I do have other things to attend to, therefore I found myself getting snippy with her…poor thing right? Insert eye roll here. This is how ‘the kitchen is closed drawer’ came to be. I bought an inexpensive white basket that fits in the bottom drawer of the fridge and I keep it stocked with all things she can do herself. Things like squeezy fruit pouches, single serve pickles, go-gurt, olives, apple slices and the little 8oz Horizon Chocolate Milks. Nothing that requires a spoon or adult assistance. Done! One stress from my day averted!
TERVIS TUMBLER: They have a lifetime warranty, they don’t sweat, they hold hot or cold beverages add in a lid and a straw and you’re getting in your 8 glasses of water a day for sure! I have a tumbler with me at all times, seriously. After coffee in the morning, my smoothy goes in one, then I switch to water and then later in the afternoon, I sometimes have an iced coffee. Want to increase your kids water intake? Buy them a cool cup with funky designs or order a personalized one from Tervis and its a guarantee. Lid and straw are a must!
Follow along with Dusty:
Website: www.cupcakesbydusty.com
Blog: www.cupcakesbydusty.com/cupcakesbydusty
Instagram: @cupcakesbydusty
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THE SIMPLICITY SERIES features busy gals, in different stages of life, making what matters happen and tips and tricks they’ve found to be helpful. Simplicity is about building margin into your life and spending time on and with that which fuels your heart. While we love to share products and services that help us day to day, but simplicity is about HEART and intentionally choosing the thing that matters most (your TREASURE) more than anything money can buy. We wear many hats and we know you do too, so we’d love to hear your thoughts as well!
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34
