Especially for Boots

I have spring cleaning fever! I find it so satisfying to de-clutter and clean, especially now that the warmer months are on their way. This means sandal season...woohoo!

Time to put away my boots that have gotten so much mileage during the winter. Some pairs will be stored in their boxes, while one or two still have room in the closet. But droopy boots are blah.

I found this solution at the store -- boot shapers that look like thin bolster pillows. But why buy, when we can D-I-Y?!

via Real Simple

Our first option is to use empty and clean wine bottles to keep the body of the boot upright.

Another option is to make our own boot shaper: 

I'm using these complimentary airline socks. Because one size fits all, there's no heel and it's shaped like a tube.

Stuff it with fiber fill, add a long ribbon to join both shapers and hem each open end.  

 Then put them in your boots!

The ribbon will make it easier to remove the shapers with just one pull, and you'll be sure they're always a pair.

No more droopy boots ever again. 

For regular shoes, I have a shoe shaper 

right here.

Perfectly Polished

Hip, hip, hooray...we made it to Friday! In the past I shared with you little kits that I like to assemble such as the emergency kit and the first aid kit.

I thought of putting another one together. Something that can be kept in the car or office desk drawer because...well, because you never know. Let's call it the "Polished to Perfection" kit. 

1/2/3/4/5

Here's what I'll put in it: (1) a stain remover pen to magically remove that coffee or ink stain; (2) a sewing kit to mend a hem or attach a loose button; (3) pain medication because a migrane is blah; (4) a lint roller to clean up a dark top from fuzzies, and (5) a toothbrush with minty toothpaste because facing bosses and clients is always TADA! with sparkly teeth and fresh breath.

I'll reuse this plastic zipper bag. It was packaging for a set pillowcases in its past life. It's always a good idea to recycle!

Instantly, I have a bag for my "Polished to Perfection" kit! TADA!

Have a terrific weekend, folks!

Mom on The Go

Thanks for stopping by today!

If you've been tuning in since the beginning of the week, I've been turning these plastic zipper bags from blah to TADA! They were once used as packaging for bed linen like shams and pillow cases. I just didn't want to throw them away.

They're wonderful to use as a bag inside your bag. If you're a busy mommy, it can keep wipes, ointment, hand gel, an extra diaper or kiddie outfit...things you can't leave home without.

You can also put in small toys, a favorite book and snacks. No more digging inside your purse to find what you {immediately} need for baby.

Projects in a Packet

It's all about being organized this week.

These are plastic zipper bags, a packaging solution for sheer curtains I bought many years back. Here's another way to turn them from blah to TADA!: 

Stuff it with pens, crayons, drawing paper and coloring books for the kids. Take this everywhere you go to keep them entertained when waiting at a restaurant or during a flight. Clean-up will be easy because all they have to do is put these back inside the bag.

If you have your own current projects like knitting, crocheting or sketching, this bag can keep all your essentials together. TADA!

Winter Scarf Storage

It's that time of year when a light jacket is all I need whenever I go out. Time to put away the winter wardrobe!

And that includes my thick scarves. 

This will be their temporary home until I need to take them out again at the end of the year. It's a plastic zipper bag that was once occupied by a brand new thermal blanket. The blanket gets used often, this bag -- not at all.

I roll or neatly fold the scarves, put them in this plastic bag and tuck it away at the back of our coat closet. 

Now, if a big travel opportunity comes up in say, Iceland or Antarctica {I'm exaggerating, I know!}, and I need to pack some cold-weather essentials, I can easily find which scarf I want to bring because I can see through the plastic. I think that's blah to TADA!

Spring Cleaning

Hello and Happy Monday! I've been doing some spring cleaning, getting rid of blahs so I have more room for TADAs. 

When I buy linens like curtains, comforters or bed sheets, more often than not, they're packaged in plastic zipper bags. 

Once I use the linen, I have a pile of these bags left. But you know that I don't have the heart to throw them away, right? Here's what I do:

I use them as a storage solution. This is where I keep pieces that we don't use as often, like formal table covers or placemats for "grown-up" entertaining.

I make sure to label each bag. That way, I know exactly what's inside. 

Even if I store these at the top of my closet, in a basement or attic, I won't be worried 

because the plastic protects the contents from dust, and {God-forbid!} any critters or water-damage.

A blah to TADA! idea, don't you think?

Happy Mother's Day

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four 

pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces 

she never did care for pie. - Tenneva Jordan

To all you selfless moms, you deserve a break today. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Wrapped in Flowers

Hooray it's Friday!

Today, let's turn this empty tissue box from blah to TADA! 

I'm using some of these cherry blossom-print rubber stamps. 

I got them at an awesome sale.

The stamps have sticky backs that are to be attached to 

this clear block.

I made some blue blossoms...

...and some pink ones.

Then I cut around the flowers.

I liked the stem-print on the box. I thought a few blooms

{secured to the box with mounting tape} would 

make it TADA!

For handles, I added ribbon on two sides of the box with hot glue.

With tissue paper, wrap a gift like a candle, 

luxurious soaps or a bottle of perfume and

put it inside the box.

Now you've got a gift for Mother's Day 

with flowers as a bonus. TADA!

May you all have a delightful weekend.

To all the moms out there -- wishing you a 

Happy Mother's Day on Sunday!

A Spring Wreath

Howdy everyone! Ready for a blah to TADA! transformation?

Our blah -- a wire hanger.

Mold it into a circle. 

Using these pretty cherry blossoms as our peg...

 ...let's make flowers out of pink tissue.

To make a flower, three pieces are layered and secured

at the center with all purpose glue. 

 Once we have enough flowers, we can attach them to 

the wire with a glue gun. Fluff up the petals to make 

them look lifelike.

TADA! -- a wreath to decorate your door!

Handmade Greetings

Today, let's get our craft on and make a handmade card.

I'm inspired by the pink cherry blossoms against 

a clear, blue sky. 

 I'm using baby blue card stock and white envelopes.

{I got these on sale at Staples}.

 My impression of cherry blossoms rendered in watercolor.

I painted a few more blooms on a separate sheet and 

once dry, cut around the flowers. 

Then I attached these on the painted branches with 

mounting tape. 

That way, some blooms are raised, giving the 

card a two-dimensional effect. 

All I need to do is write an inscription inside, then it 

will be ready for mom for Mother's Day!

Blossom Bowl

If you look in our cupboards, you'll see that my husband and I like white dinnerware. Our dishes, platters and mugs are all white. Similar to how they do it in restaurants, we want our plates to be a canvas for appetizing-looking and delicious-tasting meals. 

White is also easy to replace in case we break a piece. And even if they're mismatched {as long as they're white}, there's a sense of harmony on the dining table.   

Here's the white bowl we use for everything from breakfast to dessert. Honestly, sometimes, I feel it's quite blah. Especially if I'm eating by my lonesome.

When I came across this bowl at a homeware store, it was love at first sight.

I was drawn to it because of the cherry blossom print. I think cherry blossoms are TADA! They represent new beginnings, the changing of the seasons, the quick passing of time, and that it's necessary to stop and admire the flowers sometimes. 

I bought this bowl without hesitation and it has officially become my breakfast bowl.

I use it for oatmeal {there's some apples, cinnamon and raisins in there}. 

I use it for a fresh fruit salad with a slice of banana bread on the side. 

I've also used it as a noodle or rice bowl for a solo lunch or dinner.

This bowl is a simple joy that turns my busy day from blah to TADA!