THE HIP GIRL'S GUIDE TO HOMEMAKING

Simple instructions for how to make the household apron fit the frame of your life.

Proving that you don’t need fancy equipment or a doctorate degree in home economics to be a successful homemaker, Payne gives easy-to-follow advice. This eclectic, if sometimes dry, guide is a starting point for anyone struggling as a homemaker. The author shows how home décor can be both practical and economical when you rediscover the versatility of common household items, such as mason jars and clothespins. Cleaning does not have to be stressful, costly or dangerous when you are armed with confidence, knowledge and basic products like vinegar, baking soda and salt. Dining in is as exciting as going to a fancy restaurant when you are not afraid to undertake new endeavors such as canning, baking and entertaining. Payne discusses how she was able to feed eight guests a three-course meal for $70. She provides essential household survival lists such as a basic tool kit, which she hopes will encourage “creative problem solving, helping you to conjure up your inner Girl or Boy Scout.” The author expands outside of the confines of the house and into the garden with tips that can be useful even if you don’t have the space or patience to cultivate. With a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt—“You must do the thing you think you cannot do”—Payne effectively summarizes her own approach to homemaking. Useful dos and don’ts for the domestically disabled.