Savvy Brown » Home Tips

Savvy DIY Cable Organization

Savvy — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:47:47 +0000

In my continuing quest to organize stuff in our home, I had pushed cable organization to the top of the list. Both my husband and I have a couple of laptops, not mention various video game systems each with its own set of cables. I was tired of not being able to find the correct cable when I needed it, or resorting to a dusty game of twister when something blew behind the TV and spending an hour trying to find the right cord, before I could troubleshoot the problem. These ideas helped us, and maybe they’ll help you too!

image from unpluggd

Cables Under the Desk – You know those little plastic thingys that keep the bread bag closed? Well they make EXCELLENT cable holders/labelers! Put one near the outlet and another up near the top of the cord at the back of your monitor, computer, drive, cable box, video game…whatever. This negates the need to play cable roulette whenever you have to move a drive or find out why the XBox isn’t working.

image from diyphotography.com

Cables On the desk – I use binder clips for everything as you can see from [this post]. But they’re really come in handy when I’m trying to organize the cables up on my desk. Just clip one to the back or side of your desk and snake your USB, fire-wire or even your phone charger cable right through it. That way it’s always within reach, and you can avoid c”able yoga”" trying to reach around and under the desk plugging things in.

image from lifehacker aus.

Cable Storage – I’ve been using empty single toilet paper rolls for awhile now to hold the cable for the iron, the hairdryer and the toaster. But I never thought of collecting a few for multiple cord management! Take multiple empty toilet paper rolls, (or cut a few paper towel rolls into thirds), and fit into a shallow box. Like a shoebox. Fold up each cable and push through the rolls, label each roll accordingly and place in the box. We currently have an ugly wall hanger full of a spaghetti full of cables for all kinds of things. I might get another box just to hold all the game controllers. I can’t wait to try this!

What are some your cheap/handy cable storage ideas?

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Why I Put Foil in the Dryer

Savvy — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:30:34 +0000

“Hey babe? Have you seen an aluminum foil ball about yea big?” I gestured with my hands as my husband looked at me blankly and shook his head.

“Where was the last place you had it?”

“Oh, it was in the dryer. Have you seen it?”

eyebrow raise. blank stare. smirk.

“Uh..no.”

Sexy is pretty much used to my crazy household experiments, so nothing really phases him anymore. Now, obviously, the green thing to do is to hang all of your clothes dry. And…well.. We’re working on it. Right now I would say about 30% of our wardrobe gets hung dry.

The rest do get thrown in the dryer along with various implements because, well, fabric softener is kind of toxic and dryer sheets are messy, (not to mention a fire hazard). And I figured I could live with a little static cling. That is until the day the kitten decided to hop into a fresh load of warm clothes, only to get zapped so badly, his hair stood on end and he shrieked.

I’ve shared a few of these tips on the Savvy Brown FB page, but I thought I’d do a little post outlining how we dry our clothes here at the House of Brown.

Dryer balls – I love these things! They’re basically rubber balls with little round spikes on them that knock around the dryer along with your clothes, softening them up as they go. They help a bit with static cling too. You can buy some here if you can’t find them where you are.

Damp Scented Rag – I came up with this on a whim. I really like the smell of lavender in my clothes, so I took a washcloth, wet it just so it was evenly damp, and then poured about 6 or 7 drops of lavender essential oil across it. I wet it a little more and wrung it so the oil was evenly distributed and tossed it in the dryer with my sheets. They smelled heavenly, and while the dryer was running, the house did too! I use microfiber towels like these cut in half.

Aluminum Ball – Apparently, aluminum helps attract static electricity, so throwing a crumpled up ball into the dryer helps get rid of all of those socks sticking to your blankets. (I’ve been trying to find another use for the leftover aluminum foil in my house anyway, so this was the perfect excise.)
The best part about the dyer balls, the rags and the aluminum ball is that they’re all reusable!

What do you throw in your dryer?

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How to Unclog a Drain Without Killing Yourself…

Savvy — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:16:08 +0000

I am really scared of the ingredients in things like Liquid Plumbr and Liquid Snake and some of those hardware store chemicals out there. Almost all of them contain sodium hydroxide (a.k.a.-lye) which is highly toxic if it comes in contact with your skin, hair, eyes or breathing passages. Not to mention what it does to the environment once it’s out of the house, it basically kills all kinds of wildlife in its path and alters the ph balance of rivers and streams.. Some of the chemicals always come back up into the sink or tub and inevitably make it’s way on to our skin or into the air of the bathroom. Not.taking.that.chance.

For everyday sink, tub and shower clogs we do the following at the House of Brown:

1. Snake it out – The #1 cause of clogged drains in my house is hair. Mine, usually. Cuz well I’ve got a lot of it. Every now and them we take a wire hanger to the shower, tub and sink and pull out whatever is stuck there. This usually makes a difference almost immediately. A plunger or actual snake is effective as well. This is also a good way to get the water to drain so that you can treat the pipe with one of the below methods.

2. Hot water – sometimes it’s just a bit of stuck on shaving cream, lotion, toothpaste or hair product that is blocking the passage, that’s when this method works best.

3. Baking Soda/Vinegar Mix - This is what I use the most on slow drains and it’s very effective. Pour 1 cup baking soda down the drain followed immediately by 1 cup of white vinegar. The resulting chemical reaction will make the baking soda bubble and safely scour what’s around it. Leave the mixture to bubble in the sink for about 30 minutes while you go and boil some water. Next pour the boiling water down the drain to remove the excess baking soda and to clear through anything left over. This method is especially good to use for maintenance. done once a week, your drains can stay clear for quite some time.

4. Cream of Tartar Mix - Many times kitchen sinks need something strong enough to cut through grease and fat. Mix 1 tbsp cream of tartar (you can find this in the spice section of the grocery store), 4 tablespoons of baking soda, and 4 tbsps of salt in a jar and shake to mix. Then pour the mix down the drain, followed by at least a 2 quarts of boiling water, followed by cold water to rinse.

NOTE: NEVER MIX VINEGAR OR BAKING SODA WITH COMMERCIAL DRAIN CLEANING PRODUCTS. THIS COULD CAUSE A BAD CHEMICAL REACTION AND PERSONAL INJURY.

*Do you clean you drains naturally? What do you use?

Resources:

http://www.ehow.com/way_5435559_homemade-drain-cleaner-declogger.html

http://factoidz.com/go-green-with-diy-drain-cleaners/

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I ♥ Binder Clips

Savvy — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:17:57 +0000

I love binder clips! They’re cheap, come in all kinds of sizes. and can be used for EVERYTHING! I was just noticing the other day just how many ways we use them around the house. There are a million and one uses for these things, but here are 12 of my favorite…

Holding snack bags closed
holding the ends of my twists when I’m styling my hair
Keeping a towel on my shoulders when I henna my hair
Cord keeper
Put at the end of the toothpaste tube so we get out every last drop
Holding photos
Hold hair accessories together when traveling
Clothespin
Keeping index cards organized
DIY money clip
Book mark
Keeping my ID/Train pass handy

Lifehacker even showed a video of a guy who made an iPhone dock out of binder clips check it out…

How do you use binder clips?

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How to Scrub a Dirty Sink Naturally…

Savvy — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 05:41:29 +0000

I get busy. Sexy and I are BOTH busy. And sometimes the dinner dishes don’t get done till the next morning. (We’re human, it happens.)Last week I picked up my cast iron skillet which had been left in the sink from the day before and the sink looked like this…

eeewwwww.....

Now I know what most of you are thinking… there’s no way those “natural” cleaners she’s always talking about are gonna REALLY clean THAT!

Think again my friend

First I sprinkled the area with baking soda

sprinkle baking soda over the area...

then I poured some vinegar over the whole area and let it bubble up and sit for about 5 mins.

...then add vinegar and let it bubble

Then I came back and sprinkled more baking soda and used my Skoy cloth to scrub the sink until it was clean.

After 5 mins scrub clean

So for all of you who are on the fence about the strength of “green” cleaning, I give you Exhibit A.

Exhibit A

I rest my case.

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Organize Your Life Like You’re Getting on a Plane

Savvy — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:31:39 +0000

The night before I go on a trip, I check the weather for the destination’s forecast, and plan my outfits for the whole week. I narrow down my footwear to what I’m going to wear on the plane, a pair of sneakers, 1 pair of heels, and a 1 pair of black flats. I decide what size suitcase and what carry on to bring, and what will go into each. I stay up late planning, and prepping, and funneling various oils, creams and conditioners into travel-size containers with the precision of a chemist. I try to get cash and packets of oatmeal ahead of time, so I won’t have to deal with the high prices of food and $5 ATM fees at the terminal, and I reserve a parking space near the airport. This process usually works out pretty well, and I get to my destination ready to relax or work or whatever. Pretty savvy right?

BUT…

For some reason, getting up, working out, and getting out of the house and to the office by 9am on a daily basis completely eludes me. I don’t hear the alarm, nothing that I want to wear (or can fit comfortably) is clean, I can never find at least one of my shoes, my phone isn’t charged, I forget to feed the cat, (who in protest, has thrown-up on my yoga mat). Sexy is ALWAYS telling me to slow down after hearing me yelp out in pain from accidentally slamming one of my appendages into a stationary object. I walked halfway to the subway once when I realized that I still had 3 twists in a roller in the back of my head, I forgot my earrings, and the alarm company was calling me because the alarm was going off because I’d left my keys in the door and it had swung open.

Then it dawned on me.

Why not approach every (week)day as if I had to be on a plane, leaving at 9am? Hmmm. With some modifications, this just might work.

So here’s my top 10 list of how to get through the week a bit smoother. I have tried this and it actually works!

1. Plan what to wear for the week – Plan your clothes for 7 days like you would if you were going on a 1 week vacation. Check the weather, and decide what to wear. Take into account all the things you need to do for the week: Meetings, going out with friends, yoga class, running gear, the kids soccer game, etc. It’s fine if you swap things around on your list as your week goes along, but a little planning goes along way.

2. Layout what to wear the night BEFORE – If you can’t bring yourself to plan for the week, at least do this step. If it’s not clean, wash it, if it’s a new outfit, try it on. Hang the outfit up on hangers and put your shoes below it. I even hang my earrings, necklaces, bracelets and scarf on the same hanger sometimes. It’s also a good idea to plan a backup shirt or blouse in case you spill something on yourself. SAVVY TIP: No matter what you feel like in the morning, or what you think you look like, do NOT change your outfit.

3. Rewear some items – Don’t freak out. I’m not asking you to turn your underwear inside out or anything. But think about it. Why is it ok to wear the same pair of jeans twice when you’re on vacation, but not at home? Wear those jeans or denim skirt twice and quit making more laundry for yourself. You’ll save time, water and money. (You may even realize that you can give some things away after all).

4. Plan what you’re going to eat for the week – Plan your meals as if you were taking a one week road trip. Meal planning is NOT just for moms anymore (but it helps). Think about it, some of the most successful diets out there (NutriSystem, The Zone, Jenny Craig) all deliver pre-planned meals to you for the whole week. Figure it out on Friday, go grocery shopping on Saturday and cook and plan on Sunday.

5. Organize your breakfast the night BEFORE – If you have to have your steel cut oats, then stick them in a pot to soak overnight so that they cook in 5 mins in the morning, and not the 30mins it usually takes. If you want fresh fruit, cut it up and put it in a container for the morning next to the yogurt. If you have to have your coffee, then invest in a programmable coffee maker so that it’s ready when you get up.

6. Make your lunch the night before – Do this while you’re readying your breakfast. It is definitely more cost-efficient to make your lunch, especially if you’re on a diet, but it’s time-efficient too. Put everything together in a recyclable bag or pouch like XXXXXX, or just a plain brown bag and leave it in the fridge or on the counter. Keep it simple. Pretend that you have to carry that food to the airport in a carryon.

7. Put your keys in the same place ALWAYS – We have a key rack by the door, and I always put my keys there….when they’re in my hand.When you get home take your keys from wherever they are and put them on a hook, or a dish or whatever’s convenient.

8. Put all electronics in one place -At night, I put my laptop and my phone in my laptop bag or purse with their chargers attached. I put the bag or purse on a chair near an outlet and then I plug them in. When it’s time to leave in the morning, I just unplug everything and drop the phone charger in the bag and go.

9. Give yourself REAL reminders – It doesn’t ,ake any sense to do all this work just to leave your laptop on the chair and your lunch in the fridge. I put a post-it on the last door I walk through to leave the house, at eye level, with “YOGA MAT, MAIL, LUNCH” on it in big black letters. Never fails.

10. Keep things simple – Do you really need every piece of makeup that you own just to go to work? I buy travel-sized containers and use them everyday. Makeup in one pouch, and contact lens solution and case in another. Put your sneakers in your gym bag and put one of those travel sized lint rollers in your purse or bag, in case your pet decides to shower you with affection right before you leave the house. I even keep an extra pair of hoop earrings in my purse just in case I walk out without earrings that day. (Nobody’s perfect)

A surprising side-effect of putting this into practice is that I’ve realized that I don’t use half of what’s in my fridge,my closet or my bathroom! This helps when you’re trying to downsize your life like I am.

What are some of your tips and tricks for getting out the door in the morning?

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Clean Your Clogged Drains with Baking Soda solution

Savvy — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:54:08 +0000

Thrifty Jinxy posted this tip this week, and it’s right up my alley! Several of you have also commented that you do the same thing. Just mix Baking Soda and vinegar and voila! Clear Drains! For the details, click here.

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How to Sanitize Your Sponges and Wipes

Savvy — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:59:29 +0000

If you’re trying to cut back on using paper towels, then using Handi Wipes, Microfiber cloths and Skoy cloths and even sponges are a good option. However, in the kitchen we all want to reduce germs right? So what I do is every couple of days or so I wet my sink sponge, or cloth or whatever I’ve been using to wipe off the counters and stick it in the microwave on high for 30 seconds. (The item being nuked MUST BE WET , trust me on this.) Then at the end of the week, any cloths or dishtowels get sprayed with Hydrogen peroxide and tossed in the washer. Simple, cheap and..(wait for it) Savvy!

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DIY Dish Drainer

Savvy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:12:39 +0000

I love finding new uses for things I already have!

I’m lucky enough to live in New York and have a sizeable kitchen, (no closet space though, I guess you can’t have everything right?), with a double sink to boot. So usually whatever is not going into the dishwasher gets washed and drained on the other side of the sink. But sometimes there are things that don’t fit, or I’m too tired to dry them, or they’re too fragile, or well, we’re being just plain lazy. That’s when I came up with the brilliant idea of using a pan and a cookie rack as a dishdrainer. It’s easy.

Just place a “10 x 15″ cooling rack inside of a 17″ x1 2″ baking sheet like this, and voila!

Your glasses, bowls, bottles and jars all drain quite nicely.

Those are some pretty wine goblets we got as wedding presents, (thanks Vikki and Terrel!)

What are some of your kitchen DIY ideas?

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Grocery shopping @ Marshalls?!

Savvy — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:03:59 +0000

I love when I can find products with all natural ingredients, but I’m THRILLED when I can find them at a discount. Here’s the story…

My brother and I were visiting my mom and went to run some errands. He made me go to GameStop, so I retunred the favor and had him accompany me to Marshall’s. He was NOT happy about this believe me. (Apparently no self-respecting gamer would be caught dead in Marshalls). I was poking around the cookware section, looking for a small double-boiler for one of my various beauty experiments, when I saw a bottle of pure maple syrup. This wouldn’t have been strange, except for the fact, it was Pure Vermont Maple Syrup that usually goes for something like $12 at Whole Foods.

I flipped it over, and it was $6.00!

Huh?

I ran into the next aisle to determine if this was just a fluke and stopped in my tracks…

There before me, in Marshalls of all places, was an entire aisle of preserves, honey, cookies, crackers and oils of all shapes, sizes and fabulous containers. Now I had seen the cookies, and the crackers and the little Ghiardelli chocolates by the register, but THIS! Below are pics of my condiment shopping spree at Marshalls.

Marshalls loot

100% Pure Maple Syrup 12oz. for $6.00
24oz. of Mediterranean Kosher Sea Salt $3.00
34oz. of La Tourangelle Grapeseed Oil $8.50 (I’ve seen this stuff retail for $15.00!)
12oz. peach/mango preserves $2.50 (I LOVE to stir preserves into my greek yogurt, plus, it’s cheaper to buy the plain yogurt, rather than the fruit kind, besides, what do you think you’re stirring in there anyway? preserves!)
18oz. organic reduced sugar strawberry preserves 3.99 (way cheaper than the farmer’s market)
1 tin of English breakfast tea $2.99
8.47 oz of Hazelnut syrup. (This stuff tastes great in coffee, hot chocolate, even drizzled over granola, yogurt or pancakes YUM!)

PLUS I found a veggie cookbook for $5 and did you see those botles? I will keep every single bottle and tin in the bunch! I can reuse the Sea Salt container for my epsom salts in the bath, The grapeseed oil tin can hold olive oil instead of that huge can it comes in, I can keep my hair pins in the tea tin (it has a hinged lid), the hazelnut bottle I’ll use for infusing oil, and the jelly jars I’ll use for homade lotions, cream, bath salts, scrub or who knows what else?

I had enough restraint NOT to buy the organic raw honey, the organic scones mix, the truffle oil, the walnut oil, the lemon curd or the herbal tea sampler. And when I looked up, my brother was standing right next to me with a FULL cart, a bottle of maple syrup in his hand and was saying, “Marshalls?! This is so weird.” Not only did I find some GREAT stuff that I’ll use over and over, but none of it will end up in a landfill! Marshalls! Who knew?

Anybody else find some great discount stuff in random places? (TJ Maxx or IKEA perhaps?)

- Savvy

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