Recycled Pallet Furniture

So last night I found 2 pallets by the dumpster at work. Later that night I started to google things to do with unused pallets. I thought these little wood platforms were re-used by companies over and over again, but little did I know, at least 150,000 of them are thrown into a landfill each year. Some are made of wood that are hard to work with, but some are made of good old fashioned oak. Being the daughter of a carpenter, I grew up with a love of power tools, and only as an adult do I understand why my father didn’t let me use the band saw as a 12 year old girl. I would love to take a wood shop class, but also have a fear of sharp things like knives and exacto blades, so I don’t know how good at that I would be. I guess I’m a walking contradiction, someone who loves to build, but fears the sharp edge of a hand saw. I guess some fears are meant to be conquered, especially if I’m meant to turn those pallets I threw in my van into something cool. Here are my inspirations…

Green Eco Services has some awesome ideas, like this hutch made of pallets. This would take a little more skill than I have, and probably the help of some family members.

These coffee tables look easy enough. You wouldn’t have to take the pallets apart, just add some casters and a piece of glass to fit.

Wouldn’t this book shelf be great with kids? Or just an awesome record, comic book, or magazine collection?

This is a cute little chair that LOOKS easy enough to make.

You Paid More Than Me‘s blog has some great ideas, like this twin bed. Be sure to sand so you don’t get slivers!

Wall shelves. So cute for an entryway.

A little record collection storage. View the tutorial here.

How about this for a buffet or bar? Add spacers to store wine bottles. How about using all of those wine corks you’ve been collecting for spacing between those wine bottles?

Tell me you don’t want to take a nap here.

Why not lay a cute mis-matched floor for a back porch or mudroom?

This is a little extreme, but hey, why can’t we dream big?

Yes, I plan on making this using pallets and casters, and some cable wire to house my boyfriend’s CD collection that is now aimlessly strewn about the apartment. This one here is  73″wide x 79″high. I plan on making one that’s 24″-36″ wide x 42″ high and will hold about 350-400 CD’s. I will document that venture and post it here for you to view!

Next time you see a poor helpless pallet on the side of the road, stop, pick it up, and give it a good home!

Happy up-cycling!

Save on a Road Trip

So a few weeks ago my boyfriend and I returned from a 10-ish hour road trip to Omaha from Green Bay to celebrate the college graduation of his younger sister. Me, the avid list-maker that I am budgeted out every last penny, from food, gas, hotel costs, drinks, gift buying, and shopping allowances. It was a small road trip but still, I was on a tight budget having just broken my hand and having to pay out-of-pocket for doctor bills, I was left a little strapped. I’ll give you a few pointers on how we saved money, and still had a great trip.

The Open Road…

• Plan to eat breakfast in the hotel, (free waffles!) and if your hotel doesn’t offer breakfast, hit a grocery store for bagels, cream cheese, orange juice, and make instant coffee in your room. Much cheaper than going out every morning.
• For dinner think about the grocery store option too. Delis in grocery stores are much cheaper than fancy restaurants. If there’s a place you’ve been dying to try, by all means, go get some grub! Otherwise, great ways to save are always delis (fruit salad, mashed potatoes, taco dip, AND desert), Deli Sandwiches,  GOOD fast food like Arby’s (Market Fresh!), Subway, Jimmy Johns, Taco Bell (Fresco Menu and non alcoholic Margaritas)  and a list of others, depending on where you are going. Check out my next tip about using Foursquare to find a bar, same works for finding a restaurant.
• At night we found out where there were drink specials using an app on our phones called Foursquare. Foursquare is available for the iPhone and Android Phones. You “check in” to places, and get specials at some bars that participate with the app, like free shots, 2 for one, or a plain old free drink. No $9 martinis for me, just a $2 Tall Boy of PBR. You can also see which bars in your surrounding area have drink specials just by being on FourSquare, see tips left from other users (try the home-brewed Stout!) ,and you can see who is “checked in” at other bars too.
• Google the area you are staying in, and their Night Life. You should be able to find cheap shows to see, bars to hang out at, and best of all, Karaoke.
• Think about what the important things are to spend money on, and save on other things. Are you a souvenir collector? Do you NEED that snow globe with the city and state for which you visited? Then set aside money for that, but don’t get what you don’t need, or can’t fit in your vehicle.
• When thinking of shopping: Budget that money in last. You need gas, a place to sleep, and food, but do you NEED to shop? Is it something you can get at home? Think of necessities, then think of fun money. You can still have plenty of fun for low dough.
• Shop around for hotels before you book. This is a real “duh” thing, but sometimes people just book what’s near their destination. Go on websites like Cheaptickets.com and Hotels.com and look for a good deal. So what if you have to drive 20 extra minutes, you just saved like $40 a night on a hotel. And avoid kitschy Bed and Breakfast’s. They are way more money than hotels.
• Look around for gas. There are apps for smartphones like “GasBuddy” or AAA’s “TripTik”  that will tell you where to find cheap gas. Those pennies add up when you are driving long distance.
• Stock up on snacks. Go to a grocery store and get peanut butter, crackers, bottles of juice, granola bars and even some candy (preferably not something that will melt in a hot car) and keep it in the front seat area. Then you have something to munch on instead of paying gas station prices for the same item.
• Bring a buddy! Everything seems cheaper when you split the cost of things.
• Make sure you have road side assistance, it’s like $2 a month or so to add it to most phone plans and includes unlocking a locked up car, a tow, and gas. Or get AAA for all of the same benefits, plus you’ll save on hotel rooms.
• Can you camp out instead of staying in a hotel? That may be an option for you outdoorsy people.
• I’d give ideas on how to have fun for low money, but it’s different where ever you go. Are you camping? Visiting family? Following a band around the country? Taking a random adventure? It all varies on how your money will be spent, and what activities will be taking place.
• Get the car ready by checking tire pressure, fluid levels and make sure things like the wiper blades work.
• Make a list of all you need, check it twice, and make sure you’ve packed! You don’t want to have to get MORE toothpaste and deodorant once you hit the road. And load up your MP3 player so you have plenty of tunes to listen to. And don’t forget those chargers for electronics. You don’t want a dead laptop, or to have to shell out $30 to get another charger…

I hope you have a safe and fun road trip, budget wisely, and save money while still having an amazing time! Take lots of pictures! Happy Trails!

For Love of Twinkle Lights

As an adult, and a designer, I struggle with the urge to use twinkle lights in home design, but hold back. It’s childish, I know, but they are so pretty. In a child’s room, outdoor garden, wedding, or for the Holiday Season, they are more than welcome. I mean when I was younger, I had them up in my room, in many colors, and still held out in the belief in fairies. You can laugh, some people believed in Superman and monsters under the bed, so I think it’s ok to believe in something harmless that can make you fly with a sprinkle of dust. Blame the Northern Lights, Fern Gully, and the dream of the most perfect fort ever built. I watched magical movies littered with little lights, sparkles and beautiful treetop houses. Here, as an adult, I still have a love of “Fairy Lights” and hold back the urge to staple them to every surface of my apartment.

How about a lovely tea party outside? Check out my first blog about the Lampshade Garden for more ideas on how to use lights outside.

This is Karen Gillan from Doctor Who. There’s a scene they show her getting out of bed, and there are twinkle lights wrapped around the headboard. A great night-light.

Turn a boring little patch of trees into a magical dinner party.

A great place to read a big old novel.

Wrapped on some twigs, white lights look quite magical. In a Lord of the Rings, Bilbo’s birthday kind of way.

This is a creative use of lights, poked through a canvas.

I know there are many other uses out there, and I even dare to make a neat little fixture of lights, wire, and sheer fabric… that blog is to come soon! Happy Dreaming!

Boho Chic Home Design

After many, many attempts to google a perfect combination of words that would give me a multitude of pictures that were not only beautiful, but inspirational, I think I’ve nailed it. Those magic words are “boho chic house” and “boho chic home design”. It’s bright, colorful, is full of ideas on repurposing old fabric, furniture, paint, plus a few thrifting items, and hey, makes my green velvet sofa not seem so bad. I have also come to realize that my living room is lacking… color. I know what me, my sewing machine, and my 35 gallon tub of extra fabric are doing tonight.

Amazing teal bathroom wall. Way to start the morning.

Anthropologie. My home planet.

This room belongs to actress Amanda Peet. Now I have one more reason to envy her.

I love the chalkboard side of the cabinet. Be careful not to rub up against it.

This is an excellent eclectic mix of colors, textures, and accessories.

What’s NOT to love here? Sunshine, a fire-place, and fun colorful art.

This pic from “Pretty Little World Fashion” is simple, colorful, and eclectic. And it has a dinosaur.

What I LOVE about Boho Chic Home Design is that it blends my favorite things together. Color, antiques, thrift store finds, and the style doesn’t have to be from all one genre, it can be a mix of things you love. Re-using things you find in your home like fabric, picture frames, furniture, and sprucing up things with a coat of paint doesn’t hurt. It’s eco friendly, and just brightens up your day from the moment you wake up and see bright welcoming colors, and fun playful accessories. It’s a positive design style. May be seen as childish, or pop-cultur-ish, but hey, if you can’t live in the moment, where are you living?

Happy Designing!

Farmer’s Markets: The Best Food Ever?

When you think of Farmer’s Markets, do you think fresh? Organic? Locally Grown? Healthy? Well, what’s wrong with that? Other than the price, and you pay for what you get, a well groomed selection of fresh foods, dairy, produce, baked goods, and floral arrangements. But can just anyone grow a tomato plant in their back yard and call it locally grown and fresh, and sell it at the market? Let me hit you with some knowledge.

Holy Produce Batman!

The Skinny on Markets:

Farmers’ markets have been around for a LONG time. Think mideval times.  However, today’s farmers’ markets are more complex. In the past, it was mainly fruits and vegetables. Now, food is processed, cut open to be displayed, and given as samples to entice buyers. With the increased complexity of the merchandise at farmers’ markets, health departments have become more involved in ensuring food safety.

The state classifies a farmers’ market as a temporary food establishment, which is defined as a retail food establishment in conjunction with an event, operating for no more than 14 straight days, and with the approval of the organizers of the event. Food is treated as it is in a restaurant for that fact. Utincils are washed, open food is covered, meat and dairy is refrigerated and kept cold, and everything is cleaned up and stored properly afterwards.

Vendors who cook any product at a farmers’ market must either make sure it qualifies as a sample or demonstration, or must obtain a temporary restaurant license. But small samples of cooked foods prepared at market may be offered free of charge to customers without obtaining a temporary restaurant license, for promotional and educational purposes.

Cooked just like your local Diner does it.

A permit is also needed to sell food at the Market. Much like a driver’s licence, you need to apply and take a test to get this permit. And you can get it taken away if you don’t follow the rules.

Baked goods, dairy products, jams, jellies, preserves, salsas, vinegars, oils, salad dressings, frozen berries and cherries, dried herbs, and dehydrated fruits and vegetables are examples of common farmers’ market products that must be processed in a licensed facility. Home kitchens that meet requirements may be licensed as domestic kitchens for some food processing activities.

Made in MANY great flavours!

The Best (Safest) Food To Buy:

Produce: Fruits and veggies are a clear choice on what’s best at the market. Make sure to wash your hands, and your food before eating.

Milk and Juice: Don’t buy milk at a farmer’s market unless you can confirm that it has been pasteurized. Same goes for juice and cider.

Make sure it’s chilled, and you’re good to go.

Eggs: Make sure that eggs are properly chilled at the market. FDA requires that untreated shell eggs must be stored and displayed at 41°F. Also check for broken or dirty eggs.

Meat: If you buy meat, make sure it is properly chilled. Take it home in a cooler or freezer cold bag and don’t let it touch your other food. Meat sellers must have a licence to sell at the Farmer’s Market, and the meat must meet USDA inspection requirements, so you know you aren’t buying just anything.

Honey: Licenses generally are required to extract honey, but an exception is made for operations with 20 or fewer hives. Honey in combs is not extracted and thus does not require a license.

Madison, Wisconsin’s famous Honey Guy!

Fish: Seafood can be sold smoked, frozen or fresh, but vendors must make sure they are using appropriate packaging, chilling, and labeling for their products.

Baked Treats: Some products are not potentially hazardous but need extra protection. Baked goods are the most common example. Vendors have two options: packaging these items in a licensed facility or selling from enclosed bulk containers.

Expect to see lots of cows in Wisconsin…

Herbs: If someone did the rough part, and started growing them for you, why not buy them fresh? Don’t be afraid to ask if pesticides were used or where they were grown.

Flowers: Sold typically in groupings, this is a great place to find a fresh arrangment.

The Farmer’s Market in my opinion is the best place to sample, buy super fresh produce, grab a morning coffee and chat with locals. It’s a great way to fill the fridge, but bring extra cash, you’re sure to run into more than you thought you would. Happy Marketing!