Snack Attack

Today, an easy re-purposing idea.

This is an item from the FEED for Target collaboration two years ago. I'm a big supporter of reusable products and this one fit the bill quite well. I really like the design and happy yellow print. It's light and made of BPA-free material. Plus a portion of the proceeds funded meals for undernourished children.

However, after many months of use, it started to leak. I found a wet spot inside my bag, not just once but a few other times. Yikes.

Instead of exchanging goodbyes, I decided to use it for something else...

I'm now using it to store snacks! Right now, I have chocolate sandwich wafers, but I use it for cookies, trail mix and chips, too. 

It holds a good amount, it has an air-tight seal (at least for non-liquid contents), the handle makes it easy to carry around, and it snugly fits in car's cup holder.

How's that for blah to TADA!?

A Shiny New Year

Happy New Year once again dear friends! I'm now back to regular programming. I like to escort the New Year with thoughts of optimism and plenty, thus the positive words I shared with you in the previous weeks. I hope they gave you that little push to make 2012 the best year yet.

Let's see. What have I been up to? Well, I've been fighting jet lag after a memorable holiday trip to see family. When I'm awake in the wee hours of the morning, I make lists -- grocery lists, things to do, books to read, movies to see, blog ideas...I've even updated my Christmas gift list already. I also made a list of things I hope for this year. They're not New Year's resolutions -- I don't really keep the ones I make. But the few items on that "hope list" require something powerful: COURAGE. As I've told you here, I can be a worrisome mess, and I'd like to change that because I know, everything will be okay.

As for blah to TADA!, I'm working on new ideas about crafting, recycling, thrifting, shopping, even cooking/entertaining, and little things you can do around the house to make Mama Earth smile.

One thing I'm doing at home is using up whatever commercial cleaners I have in my cupboard. These, while very effective, can be harsh and smelly. So blah.

I'd like to go back to basics.

I've started using white distilled vinegar and

baking soda for cleaning. TADA!

They're inexpensive, environment-friendly,

non-toxic and they get the job done.

The acetic acid in vinegar can kill most mildew, bacteria and germs. I combine 1 cup distilled white vinegar and 1 cup water in a spray bottle and use it like any regular cleaning product. You'll find more tips on using vinegar for cleaning, laundry and gardening here.

I keep baking soda on hand for my baking needs, but I buy extra cartons to put in the fridge and freezer {to keep odors away} and another to use for cleaning. I pour the contents in a re-used plastic container {TADA!} with a tight-fitting lid and label accordingly. I use a tablespoon to scoop out the amount I need to bring back the shine to stove tops, faucets, sinks, handles, cutlery and even jewelry. You can also use this with the vinegar-water solution as a scrub for stubborn stains. Check this out for more ways to clean with baking soda.

My dear friends, whether you are new visitors or have been with me since I started blogging in 2009, thank you for visiting! Thank you for your comments, e-mails and showing my little blog some love. Let's make this New Year TADA!, okay?

Just Some Snacks

How quickly this week went by!

Before I say farewell to my beach trip,

I've got to show you one more thing that

I packed in my floral beach tote.

I took along some snacks packed in a plastic container

I saved from a Chinese take-out dinner.

Let's see...there's fruit, crackers & some chips.

I take my own water too. The beach has a

concession stand and a few restaurants nearby

but when sprawled on the sand, getting a tan,

hearing the waves & reading a good book,

it's a blah to leave this heavenly spot.

Have a spectacular weekend!

Nature in a Jar

Let's give it up for Friday because it's finally here!

This week I had a ball turning these glass

containers from blah to TADA!

With carefully selected rocks, twigs and plants,

I made some really cool covered terrariums.

I read that these "thrive on neglect". They make use of

whatever moisture is in the jar, allowing the plants to

survive. No constant watering needed. Yahoo!

I got to reuse some blah plastic containers

to collect my materials, too.

And if I may digress, can I show you

some springtime photos; a souvenir

of the day I went hunting & gathering?

You have to love all this spring time bounty!

Wish I could preserve fresh flowers inside a bottle.

Anyway, back to my project:

I used this blah jar.

And turned it into a TADA! terrarium.

I think this will find a good home on a desk

or bookshelf {near a sunny window}.

I just had to take a family portrait

of my handiwork.

Have a sweet weekend ya 'all!

Hunting & Gathering

Hello Lovelies!

I just made my own terrarium and

realized how easy the process was,

so I'm making a few more.

I also liked how I was able to use

a lot of stuff from my recycling bin:

Bottles and jars make splendid vessels.

Paper and plastic containers come

in handy when scavenging for

items to put inside the terrarium.

Plastic utensils for digging up sand, dirt & plants.

Chopsticks to help assemble things inside

the glass containers.

Now that we've got the tools, let's hunt and gather!

It's a good thing sunny skies and warm

temperatures are upon us.

The backyard, neighborhood park and

beach are great places to explore.

Just some of the things I found:

Twigs...

and rocks...

and tiny plants like ferns & moss.

And how about this cute soda bottle, huh?

I cleaned it inside and out & removed the

sticky label.

Fashion a funnel out of paper and slowly

pour in some sand and pebbles.

Add the plant and anchor the roots

in the sand & between the pebbles.

{Chopsticks come in handy for this!}

Add a generous spritz of water

from a spray bottle, allow to sit

overnight and replace the cover.

TADA! A handsome terrarium if I do say so myself!

Bedside Essentials

It's all about plastic this week and how we can

turn them from blah to TADA!

This container once held sushi:

Without the sushi, it's so blah.

But clean it up and add some of your favorite things:

TADA! It's now a tray for your bedside essentials!

Part of the Family

Plastic is still very much part of our daily life.

Because total elimination is not yet an option,

let's put plastic to good use.

blah: a plastic & Styrofoam take-away container

Let's use the black Styrofoam plate today.

TADA! It's frame to hold silhouettes for members of the family -- people or pets!

Learn how to make your own silhouettes here. Add a ribbon {attached with hot glue} for easy and decorative hanging.

Pear Containers

Happy Monday Everyone!
I hope you all had a fun-tastic Halloween weekend.

Let me tell you about these Asian pears I get at Costco. They are sweet, crisp, juicy and after all have been eaten, I am left with this plastic container. Instead of dumping it in the recycling bin, I'm turning them from blah to Tada!

After washing and drying the plastic container thoroughly, I use it to transport homemade cupcakes to a potluck party.

The cupcakes can be frosted beforehand or left plain if guests will be decorating their own.

I save a lot of these plastic containers so I can use another as a cover. I simply seal the edges with clear tape to keep the top on. Cool right? My cupcakes will be safe, no matter the weather outside!

When I get to the party, I can remove the cover and use this to hold all the sprinkles and decorations for the party. I might even bring a few of the bears with me!

Candies Galore!

Halloween...that day when kids are allowed to take candies from strangers. And a lot of candy that will be, requiring them to carry a bag for all that loot! Yesterday, we made a bag from an old tank top. Today, we'll make a bucket out of these:

An empty ice cream container and yogurt tub...blah!

Clean it. Dry it. Cover it with felt (attached with a glue gun).

Tada! Easy, homemade candy bucket!

Have a great weekend everyone!