Domestic Bliss: Vinegar

                                       Source: imperfecthomemaking.com via Ooh on Pinterest

So today we will take a closer look at what we can do with Vinegar, besides the usual salary dressing and marinade...

Speaking of salad dressing have you tried EVOO, white wine vinegar, salt, pepper and diced onion? D-I-V-I-N-E! And low in calories as well!

But I digress.

To make it easier, let's divide the uses into categories, shall we?

Kitchen

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Clean your dishwasher! The other day my dishwasher was a bit smelly I must say. This is caused by the hard water film as well as food debris. Simply pour a cup of vinegar in the bottom and run the dishwasher. 

Since we are cleaning why not clean out your coffee maker? Use equal parts vinegar and water and run it through the brew cycle. Finish it off by running through the brew cycle again, this time using only plain water.

Laundry

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To remove stains, mix equal parts dishwashing liquid, water and vinegar in a plastic squirt bottle. Squeeze it onto stain and leave it for several minutes before rinsing it.

Remove yellow age spots by sponging them with a mixture of one tablespoon of vinegar and a pint of water.

Beauty tips

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Vinegar can do wonders for your hair! Mix a half a cup of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of warm water and pour over your freshly washed hair. 

Apple cider vinegar is really good for oily skin too! Spritz it on after thoroughly cleaning your face and let it air dry.

Housekeeping tips

When mineral deposits build up inside your shower head, simply soak it in a bowl of vinegar. This will soften the deposits. Brush them away.

I have a pretty stubborn glass top coffee table. The only thing that will not leave streak marks is white vinegar. It smells so nice and clean as well! 

Pour white vinegar into your toilet bowl and let it sit for about 1 hr. It will be as good as new!

                                                               Source: tidymom.net via Ooh on Pinterest

Earlier this week (and you would know this if you followed me on Twitter) I had a clogged sink (it turns out you should never ever throw artichoke leaves in the garbage disposal). Pour 1 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of hot white vinegar down the drain. Wait a few minutes and pour boiling water. 

Attack and "kill" soap scum. Use 4 parts water to 1 part vinegar! 

Do you have any tips you would like to share? Or any household products you would like to know more about? Leave a comment below or email me at oohleela{at}gmail{dot}com. 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Laptop sleeve

I have finally gotten around to finishing my laptop sleeve. Hey, it only took me 7 months, but I am proud to say that this UFO (unfinished project) is done! Woo-hoo!

I used Amy Butler's Temple Tulips in Azure/Soul Blossoms that I got for 7.99/yard. I lined it with some yellow flannel that I had on hand and to make it extra sturdy, I used fusible fleece. It was a bit bulky, but my 100/16 needle made it much much easier to get the job done. 

I used velcro for the closure....

Is this one of my own patterns you might ask? No, I used Sew Mama Sew's pattern. You can find it here.

A few notes about the pattern:

• I love the measurement part and how you can customize it to fit any laptop. The formula looks a bit daunting at first, but it is super simple and it works. 
• The pattern has lots of pictures and they definitely helped me since I am more of a visual learner.
• The instructions are clear for the most part, but I must admit that I got confused at times and ended up fusing the fleece to the wrong panel.... An easy fix, but a frustrating experience nevertheless....

I love how it turned out though! It took me about 2 hrs., from start to finish. A perfect "mind candy" type of project.

PS: have you seen my new blog signature?!? Andee Eve from Bearing Fruit inspired me! Check out her blog for awesome blogging tips and tricks!

Thanks for stopping by!

Domestic Bliss: The coffee filter

I was absolutely amazed to learn that coffee filters can be used in so many different ways!

                                     Source: lovelygirlsweddings.blogspot.com via Ooh on Pinterest

You can make beautiful light fixtures and wreaths....

                                    Source: thevirginiahouse.blogspot.com via Ooh on Pinterest

They make excellent covers when cooking. No more oily and messy splatters!

Why spend lots of $$$ in paper towels when you can use coffee filters to clean windows and polish your shoes? They are lint free!

                                                    Source: Uploaded by user via Ooh on Pinterest

How about those expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters.

                                                    Source: sp.life123.com via Ooh on Pinterest

Put a few on a plate and put your fried bacon, french fries, chicken fingers, etc on them. It soaks out all the grease.

Use as a sewing backing. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliquéing soft fabrics. Now this is thrifty! Much cheaper than stabilizers too!

                                                            Source: google.com via Ooh on Pinterest

Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.

Use it to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car. Good luck convincing hubby though! Guys can be so set in their ways!

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Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and to clean up small counter spills. I feel liberated! I am no longer the queen of paper towel land! Hooray!

Instead of using tons of different bowls (and having to wash them later) use it to hold dry ingredients when baking.

Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.

                                                      Source: weheartit.com via Ooh on Pinterest

Needless to say they can also be used to brew your favorite cup of coffee, lol.

So what did you think? Did you know that these guys were so versatile?

Be sure to come back next week, when we will take a closer look at our dear friend Mr. Vinegar.....

We hope you have a great weekend!

Domestic Bliss!

                                                                       Source: Uploaded by user via Ooh on Pinterest

Although I love taking care of my home, domesticity doesn't always come naturally to me. Let's just say that instead of cleaning the bathroom or doing other household chores, I much prefer to spend my precious leisure moments watching the Housewives of {insert location here}, a night out, sewing, kissing my pooch, driving hubby crazy by criticizing his favorite football team.... You get the idea.

                                                                              Source: Uploaded by user via Ooh on Pinterest

But I must admit that a clean & organized house makes me happy and allows me to be more creative. So I am always thrilled when I learn about housekeeping tips that are cheap, creative and make my life a whole lot easier.

                                                                               Source: squidoo.com via Ooh on Pinterest

I have been carefully researching and collecting cleaning tips & testing said tips for about a year or so. Now that I have had a chance to test each and every one of them, I am ready to share them with you!

Thus the new blog series: Domestic Bliss! The first tip I have to share is how to look this sexy when you clean your house:

                                                                              Source: Uploaded by user via Ooh on Pinterest

Not really!

But seriously, I hope you will join me every week, starting tomorrow when I share uncommon uses for our beloved coffee filter!

Do you have any cleaning tips you would like to share? Email me! oohleela{at}gmail{dot}com.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Halloween project ideas

Hello blog friends! This is my 100th blog post, so I'd better make it extra special!

While browsing the interwebs I came across these cute Halloween projects and had to share!

TP rolls party favor pillow boxes by Crissy Crafts

Felt trick or treat bags by Homemade by Jill

Easy pipe cleaner spider by Homemade by Jill

Pumpkins carved with a drill by Crafty Nest

Do you have a fun Halloween project you would like to share?

Xoxo's!

Meet Boo, the girlie ghost

October is Think Pink month. We celebrate Halloween in October. That got me thinking.... Why not make a coffee sleeve/cup cozy with a pink ghost on it?

Let me introduce you to Boo, the girlie ghost:

I used osnaburg on the outside. Osnaburg looks very similar to linen.

The hand cut ghost applique was done in a super cute pink/white polka dot fabric, with 2 black buttons for her eyes and a pink bow (because every girlie ghost has got to have a pink bow).

I used a super cute floral back on the inside. You may remember seeing this fabric on the blog before. I used it in the fabric bunting I made for the baby shower.

20% of all sales this month will be donated to support Breast Cancer Awareness.You can find Boo here.

Have you made any new items to celebrate Think Pink month or Halloween?

Thanks for stopping by. Leela says hi!

Think Pink BNR

And we are on! Come say hi! Ooh Leela is donating 20% of all sales proceeds to help support Breast Cancer Awareness and Research.

We have a very special BNR tomorrow!

Prayer box by Maranda

 I have recently discovered the joys of participating in a BNR. What is a BNR you ask?

BNR stands for "BUY AND REPLACE." Someone creates a treasury on Etsy and if you want your item featured in this particular treasury, you have to buy one of the items featured in the treasury. It is so much fun: you get to meet a lot of wonderful sellers and it is a great opportunity to get some exposure.

If you are not an Etsy shop owner, it is still fun to participate because sellers usually offer tons of discounts, so you may end up getting a great deal that you would not haven gotten had you not participated. 

Based on my experience, if you are a seller, the key to a successful BNR experience is:

1. Great product photography
2. Don't have the most expensive item in the treasury. You want to see what the other items are priced at and try to stay in the lower end if possible
3. Participation is super important: when I am able to participate and interact with the other people who are participating in the BNR, I sell more items.
4. BNRs are a great way to get hearts. Don't forget to heart other sellers' items and add them to your circle!
5. If people invite you to attend a BNR (and chances are they will send you invitations after your first BNR experience), go and say hi! Even if you can't play, people do appreciate the fact that you took the time to visit and favorite the treasury.

Why am I telling you all this?!?

Because tomorrow, my dear Etsy Angel sisters and I are hosting our very first BNR! We are raising money in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

I would love if you joined us between 5pm EST - 8pm EST tomorrow, Thursday 6th, 2011.

Would you like to learn more about Etsy Angels Team? Please click HERE.

Please feel free to leave a comment or email me in case you have any questions.

Thanks for stopping by. Xoxo!

Welcome October! Think Pink month!

The more I think about it, the harder it is to believe that we are in October! October? October? Yes, siree.... October indeed.

I am particularly excited this month because my Etsy Angel sisters and I will be working hard to raise money to support a great cause: breast cancer awareness.

This month, I will be donating 20% of all  sales proceeds to this worthy cause. I will be adding new items to the Think Pink section throughout the month, so be sure to stop by often.

Some great Pink items by some of my sisters:

Sharla, aka Beaded Tail, will donate 25% of all sales proceeds in the Think Pink section of her shop. You can find this beautiful bracelet here.

What about this beautiful owl sewing kit? I got this one last week and I absolutely LOVE it. It sits next to my sewing machine and it sure makes me smile every time I look at it. Melana, aka Ozarknana, will donate 50% of all sales proceeds in the Think Pink section of her shop.

Mona, aka the Sewing Granny, will donate 50% of all fleece blanket sales.

Oh, and I love this car charm. Our newest member Kim, from justbyou, is donating $2.00 for each charm sold.

Here is one of my Think Pink sleeves:

We are always looking for great causes to support. If you have any charities/organizations that are near and dear to your heart, please let me know! You can leave a comment below or send me an email - oohleela at gmail dot com.

We are always looking for new Angels to join our team. If you are interested I would love to hear from you.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Xoxo's