Top 10 Life Hacks For Summer

10. Make DIY ice cream sandwiches the easy way!

Source: www.complex.com

9. Pick a perfect avocado.

Visit Source Site: (Disclaimer: four letter word in title)

8. Stop a mosquito bite from stinging.

superslyskillzmcfly.tumblr.com

"Dab a cotton ball in vinegar and hold it over the bite. This works best if you’ve just been stung. The itching and swelling should dissipate and NEVER COME BACK. Orajel works too." Thanks, Buzzfeed.com

7. Freeze aloe vera to heal a sun burn.

"Freeze aloe vera for summer sun burn." Source: sojasmine.com

6. Make the perfect iced coffee.

source: lifemadesimple.tumblr.com

5. Pick the perfect bikini bottom.

Via reddit.com

"The fabric will stretch a half size bigger once you get in the water, resulting in that common but dreaded Saggy Butt Syndrome." Thanks, Buzzfeed.com

4. Use baby powder to get the sand off.

Source: www.fullpunch.com

3. Make natural bug repellent.

Lime and cloves- it actually smells good! Source: www.complex.com

2. Make a secret beach stash bottle for your valuables.

Source: www.complex.com

1. Make an instant slurpie.

"Shake up the soda while it’s still sealed and set it in the freezer for 3 hours and 15 minutes. Loosen the cap to let some of the pressure escape and turn it upside down. IT BECOMES A SLUSHY. But you really should watch the video [below] if you don’t want a soda explosion in your freezer." Thanks, Buzzfeed.com

Do you have any summer life hack tips?

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17 Ways To Use Bread Tabs

Bread tabs. I know you have a handful of them stuck in a junk drawer. Here are a few ways to use those babies...

Organize your cords

Source: thedailydigi.com

Store spare hair pins 

Creative Commons savingwithselena.blogspot.com

 Stitch marker

Source: http://pjsallday.com/2012/04/wfmw-knitting-trick/

Reusable quilt marker

Source: http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2010/04/tool-time-tuesdayanother-freebie.html

Label spare keys

Source: http://wholelivingdaily.wholeliving.com/2010/06/10-re-uses-for-those-little-bread-tags.html

Wall art

Source: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AoDuU-2RUrmoLqXffY9-LDpETjShzj62LsXYUxYJ9Q8?feat=embedwebsite

Source: http://www.kapshow.com/pinkos/archives/2007/03/bread_tab_debs.html

Source: http://www.greencricketsalvage.com/2011_08_01_archive.html

Guitar Picks

By DaGoaty

Make these mini monsters for Halloween party bags...

Source: http://planetforward.ca/blog/tag/bread-tabs/

Wine Glass charms for parties- you'll never mix your drinks up again

Source: http://www.yeswecoupon.com/frugal-projects/wish-i-would-have-thought-of-that-1-5-uses-for-bread-tabs/

 Bingo Chips

Source: http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/2010/09/reuse-plastic-bag-ties-play-bingo.html

Make this necklace

Source: http://www.michlinla.com/2011/04/slap-another-post-with-dueling-crafters.html

Or these earrings

Source: http://earcandie.com/recycled.html

Source: Wizzy Bliss Jewellery. Earrings.
www.wizzybliss.com/breadtag_earrings.jpg

Make a dress

Source: http://johannachambers.deviantart.com/art/Bread-Tab-Dress-53838523

Fix your flip flops

Source: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/bread%20tabs

Mark the end of the tape without wasting it.

And of course.... ;)

*Original sources are unknown for all photos above without sources listed. If the above are yours, please let me know and I will gladly add credit where credit is due.*

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You Will Never Look At A Toilet Paper Roll The Same Way Again

Beleive it or not, although there is a snow storm in the North, it is almost seed starting time here in the South. This life hack got me looking for more ways to recycle and reuse toilet paper rolls. I didn't realize there were so many ways to reuse something I tend to toss!

As a seed starter... 

 

Impromptu iPhone holder...

 For organizing cords...

 

For keeping wrapping paper from unrolling...

For wrapping small presents... 

Source: http://factorydirectcraft.com/factorydirectcraft_blog/upcycling-toilet-tube-gift-box/

Add fabric for a jewelry tray...

Source: http://blah-to-tada.blogspot.com/2012/04/jewelry-tray.html

For the birds...

Source: http://fortytworoads.blogspot.com/2012_02_01_archive.html

To manage bathroom appliance cords... 

Source: http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2010/05/from-the-tips-box-security-questions-bathroom-cords/

Fun for  your little pets...

Image source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090305171903.htm (Credit: Image courtesy of University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio)

For Teh lulz...

Source:

http://www.yousaytoo.com/glove-gun-4-teh-lulz/2804068

Now that we've looked at the practical, what about the beautiful?

 Yuken Teruya has some very beautiful paper craft works of art...

Source: http://www.yukenteruyastudio.com/projects via http://senseandgrace.com/?p=2429

So does Anastasia Elias...

Source: http://www.anastassia-elias.com/view-album/10

What about mini masks by Junior Fritz Jacquet?

Source: http://www.boredpanda.com/weird-toilet-paper-roll-art/

How about something a little less refined but just as fun for the kids? Make a circle or heart stamp for Valentines Day! Use the stamp to make cards and wrapping paper from newspapers!

Source: http://www.aprettycoollife.com/2012/02/weekly-pinterest_18.html

Source: http://www.parenthacks.com/2012/02/toilet-paper-roll-heart-stamps.html

Source: http://creativecarmella.blogspot.com/2012/07/toilet-paper-roll-paintinga-diy-project.html

Christmas Poinsetta Wreath!

Source: http://www.darkroomanddearly.com/2012/12/10th-day-of-christmas-poinsettia-wreath.html

Another crafty option... Everybody loves owls!

Source: http://www.tonyastaab.com/

Just because...

Do you have any awesome ways of reusing paper rolls?

*Original sources are unknown for several of the above photos. If the above are yours, please let me know and I will gladly add credit where credit is due.*

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Zero Waste: Citrus Fruits: Part 1

One of my favorite snacks is fresh fruit. I love the taste of a freshly peeled mandarin orange and the scent is divine. A lot of people forget the nutritious value and benefits of citrus rinds, and toss them directly in the trash.

We don't eat citrus rind very much in Western cultures, probably because of the bitter flavor in the white portion of the rind. With access to food, 24/7 who can blame us? But citrus zest is a great addition to desserts and not to mention can be used to make yummy lemon, orange, or lime curd for pies or pudding flavoring.

Clean your fruit first!

Before you can work with the peel, you need to make sure the fruit is clean.
Try my recipe for vinegar fruit and veggi cleaner here.

A diagram of a lemon. Photo by André Karwath aka Aka, creative commons. Diagram by Amanda Wedvik

How to Peel Fruit to Save Citrus Rind:

 1. Using a vegetable peeler or sharp knife, carefully peel away the thin layer of colorful rind, leaving the bitter white flesh intact. 
2. Don't worry you can scratch off any residual white pith if you accidentally peel it too deep. 
3. Continue until the whole fruit is peeled down to the white flesh. Set the peels aside to use or refrigerate or freeze.
4. Peel away the white flesh (pith) and discard. The fruit is ready to eat and there is very little waste.

**Another option: use a zester for finer grating for recipes requiring citrus zest. A zester looks like a cheese grater but has much smaller teeth.

 Check Out Part 2 for a tasty sugar free chocolate orange tea recipe!

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