How to Get Rid of Stains on the Cheap

Stains...the bain of my existence.

Ok, that might be a little dramatic.  But seriously, who couldn't use a few easy and cheap ways to prevent/get rid of pesky stains?

1 - To prevent underarm stains on white shirts, sprinkle a little baby powder on the underarms of shirt and iron.  That should set in the powder to prevent yellowing.


2 - To get deodorant marks off a shirt, use a baby wipe to more easily remove marks and be ready to wear.


3 - To get out a darker stain like wine, stretch the shirt over a bowl and sprinkle with salt.  Then pour boiling water over it to lift the stain.  Then wash as regular. 


4 - This is one of my favorite tips.  To remove stains from couch cushions, use a toothbrush to lightly scrub regular laundry detergent into fabric.  Then wash in cold water and air dry.  This trick prevent bleach marks or rough wear to the fabric. 
 

Pinterest Inspiration for a New Kitchen

I just love this idea I found on Pinterest from Apartment Therapy for how to creatively use paint, hooks, wheels, and a paper towel rack (plus a few other things) to make your own kitchen island. 

We're moving in a few weekends (and still have so much to do!), just across the city, but we have a much bigger kitchen to look forward to there, and I love the idea of putting an island in that could roll to the center or out of the way.  I'll be hunting Salvation Army now to find a dresser to fit the bill!

5 Ideas for Repurposing Pillowcases

If you're like me, my pillowcases seem to be mismatched and a variety of hand-me-downs, with the exception of our nice pillowcases that match our best sheets, of course a gift from our wedding registry.  We love these sheets and usually wash them over and over again so that they're the sheets we (almost) always have on the bed.  So I already own several pillowcases that I just don't really use.  I love these ideas for how to re-purpose a pillowcase.

1- Keep your underwear under wraps.  

• When traveling, no one likes to have their bag opened and have underwear laying out (or especially flying out!) in a crowded suitcase.  Tuck your intimates in a pillowcase so they are more discreetly packed for your next trip.

2 - Protect your dresses.

• Cut a hole in the top of a pillowcase and slide it over a hanger for a DIY slipcover to protect your nicer dresses.

3 - Protect your small appliances from dust.

• Slip a pillowcase over a sewing machine or other infrequently used small appliances that could collect dust in its crevices.

4 - Make lettuce last longer. 

• For more on this, check out my earlier post on this topic!   

5 - Make a child's smock.

• Cut a large neck hole in the top of a pillowcase and two smaller holes in the sides for arms.  Gather the fabric between the neck and each armhole and tie with a ribbon to fit smaller shoulders.

Feeling the Winter Blahs? Update your life without breaking your budget.

If you're like me (and this author), the long winter months can lead to restlessness and a desire to change, update, and reorganize.  These great tips from SavvySugar can help a frugal person beat the winter blahs by updating little parts of your life by reusing or repurposing what you already have.

Update Your Life Without Emptying Your Wallet

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Every so often, I find myself feeling a little restless with some aspect of my life or another: my wardrobe, my apartment’s décor, my Friday night routine. The problem is, if I bought an entirely new wardrobe or redecorated my crib every few months, I’d be broke. So, I’ve come up with a few savvy ways to change things just enough without ending up penniless.  

Read on for 7 tips for how to update your life without breaking your budget.

Painting Mason Jars

Mason jars are instantly charming to use as drinking glasses, planters, or as holders for gifts, dressings, and candles.  They are also easy to find at Salvation Army or a good hand-me-down to ask family members, friends, or church members for.

Painting Mason jars is an easy craft for a rainy (or snowy) day and requires a short list of materials:

- Spray paint (easier) or acrylic paint and a brush
- Mason jar(s)
- Newspaper for setting jars on to paint and dry

The steps to creating these fun decorations are equally simple:

1. Set out newspaper on a flat surface.  
2. Set the jar upside down on the paper and spray (or brush) paint in a single, even coat.  Let dry for about 5 minutes.  
3. Add at least one or two more coats until paint looks solid and even and is the shade of your liking.
4. Let dry over night (or at least 8 hours) and then you can be creative with its use!  I use mine as bookends, pen holders, and flowerpots.  They also make great gifts when used as a flowerpot, to hold a back-to-school survival kit stuffed with pens, pencils, and bookmarks, or as a pretty jar.  

Note: Once painted, do not use for food!

Wall Art on a Budget

"The man is richest whose pleasures are the cheapest."  

Henry David Thoreau

Wall art can be expensive.  For this reason, our apartment walls have been pretty white for the almost two years we have lived here.  Last spring, we finally added our first print to the living room walls, with wedding and travel pictures following soon after.  Even one print makes a big difference, but I crave more art and color on our walls, so I stay on the lookout for prints that could be printed and framed for cheap, DIY wall art. 

Below are some of my favorite printables and ideas that could be used for fun, creative wall art.

Maps Art/Crafts

 

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/house-tours/beach-house-on-a-budget#slide-4

http://sincerelykinsey.blogspot.com/

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com

 

Frame-able Prints for the Kitchen

http://www.njsdesign.on.ca/howtosetatable.htm

http://alwaysamrsforeverakidd.blogspot.com

Frame-able Prints for a Workspace/Desk

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71062449/insecurity-knocks-from-time-to-time

http://madamecupcake.tumblr.com/page/6

http://imgfave.com/popular/page:2

Frame-able Prints for the Bedroom

http://www.designsponge.com/

Frame-able Prints for the Hallway/Entryway

http://foxontherun.tumblr.com/post/17260810945

DIY Painting/Wood Wall Art

http://madebygirl.blogspot.com

I hope you find inspiration from all the creative opportunities there are to print, create, and frame your own wall art, on a budget!

3 Ways.... to Use an Empty Wine Bottle

1 - As bookends.
Use a pair of wine bottles to hold a small library/book collection on a side table, shelf, or by your bedside.  To brighten them up, add flowers or stalks of wheat for interest.  

2 - As a rolling pin.
Use an empty wine bottle as an impromptu rolling pin to spread out bread, pizza, and pie dough.  

3 - As a boot-shape-keeper.
Put a pair of empty wine bottles in tall boots to keep their shape while they're in the closet.
 

3 Ways to Use Uncooked Spaghetti... (and Cooking Isn't One of Them!)

Who knew spaghetti was such a versatile food?  Here are 3 ways to re-purpose uncooked spaghetti for a few other useful purposes!

1.  To keep a cake's icing intact while covering it.  Pushing a piece of dry spaghetti into the top of the cake will keep plastic wrap or a box lid from sticking to the frosting.
2.  To mark your page in a cookbook.  Keep a piece of spaghetti in your page while you flip back and forth!
3.  To light candles.  When your matches aren't long enough to light a deep candle, use a piece of spaghetti to reach and light the wick.

spaghetti picture source.