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Modernize Your Boring Desk with this DIY Giant Wood Block Calendar

by Brittni Mehlhoff

Modernize Your Boring Desk with this DIY Giant Wood Block Calendar

Photo: Brittni Mehlhoff

In an effort to get organized early in the new year, I've been making myself little desk accessories to get excited about computer work. And I'm happy to say, it's actually working. So, I thought I would share one of the projects that I recently made, for a jumbo wood block perpetual calendar. The larger size makes this calendar a statment piece and adds a fun playfulness to the typically bland work station. Click...

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Tried And Tested: Do These 10 Pinterest Organization Hacks Actually Work?

by Faith Provencher
10 Pinterest Organizational Hacks Tried And Tested
Faith Towers Provencher

Pinterest is filled with organizing hacks, promising to help you achieve your wildest organizational dreams. But just how good are they? I set out to test 10 of them, and today I'm sharing the results with you. Click through to compare their versions with mine, and to read my thoughts on the functionality of each one.   

 

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Make This: Simple Clothesline Basket

by M.E. Gray

Learn to make these minimal clothesline baskets.

If you're anything like me, you have a running list of projects you want to try. Things you save repeatedly on Pinterest, ideas you scribble down in the back of your planner, or maybe you just keep a mental list in your brain. Clothesline baskets have been on my want-to-try list for forever, and this week I took the plunge. After conquering the first one, I want to make a million of these clothesline baskets. A million! Additionally, I'm loving the simple stripe in this basket. We're exploring all things Scandinavian this month, and this basket fills the bill with equal parts monochrome and texture.        

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Tame That Junk Drawer! Make This Roll Organizer!

by M.E. Gray

Organize your life with this DIY roll tool organizer!

Clean out your junk drawer and keep it in this easy rollup organizer.

It's the season of organization and purging, and it's high time to get real with ourselves. Let's talk about the junk drawer. You know the one I'm talking about. The drawer that holds everything and anything: takeout menus, a few rubber bands, hardware from that IKEA chair you bought two years ago, and an orange-handled pair of scissors. Maybe you are one of the blessed few who has managed to avoid the never-ending pit that is the junk drawer. Good for you - gold medal in adulting. If you are an actual human being like the rest of us, or just need a place to put all your tools, why not roll'em?    

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No Tag? No Problem! Print These DIY Holiday Gift Tags

by M.E. Gray

Free printable gift tags for your holiday wrapping needs!

I literally never remember to purchase gift tags at Christmastime - and I'm not using the term "literally" for extra drama here. I actually cannot recall a single time I've ever picked up gift tags at the store, put them in my shopping basket, and taken them to the register to check out. What usually ends up happening when I'm wrapping presents is I realize my mistake, try to find a nice-enough piece scrap of paper, scribble the recipient's name on the back, throw on a little Scotch tape, and call it a day. Janky, I know. Hence why I love printable gift tags!           

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Give the Gift of Self-Care with Bath Salts That Smell Like a Christmas Tree

by Rachel Jacks
Make DIY Christmas tree bath salts
Photo: Rachel Jacks

Though the holidays are supposed to be a relaxing, fun time, for many of us they end up being stress-fests. Between shopping for gifts, preparing holiday meals and treats, and managing family interactions, it can be too easy to end the year feeling worn-out and frazzled. But that's where self-care comes in. Taking the time to give yourself a break can make a huge difference, and if that break takes the form of a hot bath for you, you can incorporate the rejuvenating scent of evergreens via these Christmas tree bath salts. Or package these bath salts up with some other bath luxuries, and give them as a gift!    

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DIY Ugly Sweater Christmas Garland

by M.E. Gray

Ugly sweater garland

When did we all decide to stop wearing ugly Christmas sweaters ironically, and switch to wearing them sincerely? Either way, I love a good ugly sweater during the holidays. The tackier, the better, in my opinion! I have my own that I whip out for parties, decked out in kittens and distractingly noisy jingle bells. I decided to celebrate this kitschy theme by making a decorative garland out of mini little sweaters. Turns out, shrinking things only makes them cuter, not uglier!            

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How to Make a Sweet Modern Advent Calendar Village

by Alicia Lacy
Wood Block & Test Tube DIY Advent Calendar Village
Photo: Bruno Bornsztein

It's advent calendar time! As I write this post, the Midwest is being walloped by a snow storm. Nothing inspires holiday decorating like many inches of snow, and to stave off decking all the halls, I created a little diy advent calendar village for our children. Read on for the full tutorial.

Using blocks of wood and test tubes, I assembled a village full of tiny treasures to help our family celebrate the season...

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Thanksgiving Crackers: Conversation Starters that Really Snap!

by M.E. Gray

Thanksgiving cracking bon-bons

When it comes to the holidays, there are lots of things that I look forward to. The seasonal desserts, the quirky traditions, and the festive decor, just to name a few. There is one thing that I dread, however, when family and friends gather: small talk. Maybe it's because I'm an introvert, or maybe it's because chatting about the weather makes me want to barf and yawn at the same time, but the idea of casual chatting-while-eating gives me anxiety. Now, the whole notion of conversation starters might make you want to groan, but what if those conversation starters were paired with a bit of mystique and excitement? Enter these Thanksgiving crackers.         

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DIY No-Sew Felt Wine Glass Coasters

by Faith Provencher
DIY No-Sew Felt Wine Glass Coasters
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

Drinking wine and crafting are two of my favorite pastimes, and today I'm combining them into one fun, super simple DIY project. I'm sharing an easy no-sew felt wine coaster project that functions as both a coaster and a wine marker so you don't drink someone else's wine by mistake. Win win! Keep reading to check out the full tutorial... it's surprisingly easy!   

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The Ultimate Halloween Music Guide: 80 Tunes For Every Mood

by M.E. Gray

The Ultimate Halloween Playlist Guide | 3 Different Playlists, 80 Songs Total

Candy is great, and costumes are fun, but what about the music? Whether you like jammin' to Monster Mash or prefer to get down to Thriller, music plays a big part in this spookiest of holidays. But there's more to listen to than just the Ghostbusters theme song (although that is a good one!). Here are 80 songs to get you in the spirit for spirits. From classic haunts to alternative rock, there's a Halloween playlist here for everyone.                  

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DIY Some Self-Care: How to Make a Soothing Chai Spice Tub Tea

by Marlene Sauer
How to Make Chai Spice Tub Tea
Images by Marlene Sauer

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

No, I don't mean the Big C. My absolute favorite time of year is -- fall!

Every year when autumn hits here in New England, my senses come to life. Crisp, clear air; leaves to crunch through; snuggly scarves; cozy lit windows on dark, chill nights; there are so many little daily luxuries to savor.

And this year I'm adding another one, which will also help in my goal of better self-care: DIY chai spice tub tea!

Keep reading to see how easy it is to make your own chai spice tub tea!          

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Try This: Mulling Spice Simmer Pot Recipe

by M.E. Gray

How to make your home instantly smell like autumn with this fall simmer pot recipe

We're getting to that time of year where two different things are happening: parties are picking up, and the cold weather is forcing us to spend more time indoors. So... basically the perfect combination for some cozy aromatherapy! The fall season has so many distinct smells associated with it - like crisp winds, earthy leaves, fresh rain - and one of the most recognizable scent combinations is that of mulling spices. Whether you have a dinner party coming up, or simply want to flood your home with the scents of the season, this quick fall simmer pot is sure to do the trick.         

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Seriously Useful Apartment-Friendly Closet Organization Ideas for Renters

by Erica Young
Seriously Useful Apartment-Friendly Closet Organization Ideas for Renters
Photo: Elena Elisseeva/Shutterstock

 

Most beautifully organized closets have one thing in common - built-ins. Whether it be custom shelving or even IKEA installations, a little (or a lot) of construction is needed. But what if you're a renter, and you can't make any permanent changes to your closet? Are you doomed to a single hanger rod and basically a hot mess? Luckily we have some solutions that don't require a power drill. Read on for renter-friendly ideas that will keep your closet nice and tidy.

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130+ Halloween Costume Ideas If You Have No Idea What You're Going to Be Yet

by M.E. Gray

128 Ideas on What to Be for Halloween

As an adult, you've got a lot of important decisions to make every year, but one of the most important is what to be for Halloween! We're only kidding - but sometimes it does seem like an overwhelming responsibility! If you're still scratching your head as to what to be, take a scroll down this list and see if anything tickles your fancy. We have costume ideas for couples, whole families and groups, or for a party-of-one. Asking yourself, "What should I be for Halloween?" Look no further. Happy Halloween!        

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Organize It!: How to Make Two Types of Drawer Dividers

by M.E. Gray

How to make a wood drawer dividers

Whoever invented drawers was a genius. A compartment where you can throw your stuff inside, shut it, and forget about it? Sign me up. What the inventor of the drawer did forget to consider, however, was organization. Toss your stuff inside a drawer, and you're sure to have to dig to find it again. You can buy traditional drawer dividers and organizers from the store, but what if your drawers are too small (or too big)? You're in luck - DIY drawer dividers are really easy to make yourself.            

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How to Fold Everything in Your Dresser

by M.E. Gray

How to fold everything in your dresser

There's nothing quite like the frustration of trying to find a shirt in a dresser drawer packed full of balled up clothes. There's no order, and everything is kind of just shoved in there. While it may be tempting to just close up your dresser drawers when they start to get chaotic, being able to have everything nicely folded and visible will make getting ready in the morning a million times easier. So, rather than just tossing that tee in the back of the drawer, fold it properly the first time so you can find it when you need it. Keep reading for the best way to fold shirts, pants, socks, even underwear!         

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