Friday, July 16, 2010

13 Items IHeart: July

As part of the whole blogitty blog update thing, I also wanted to add some different content.  And one thing that IHeart about some of the other blogs I check out, are their quick recaps of things they are totally digging at the moment.  I think it gives you a great sense of a persons style and what makes them tick.  

So, I thought I would hop on the old "What Floats My Boat" bandwagon and pick things that I am totally crushing on at the moment.  Whether it's something I use frequently, something that has caught my eye, a concept or something that will never be more than a dream, I am going to do a quick monthly top 10 Items IHeart post.

So, without making you wait any longer... in no particular order:


1.  Sparrow Clothes Pins


Oh my goodness these are just the cutest things I have seen {next to my boys of course!}  I just love their shape and colors and the fact they could be used in more than just the laundry room, clipped on a bowl or in an office or hung across the kitchen window to dry out plastic baggies....


2.  Hibiscus Stay on Coasters:


First of all, since I don't have a little girl of my own, I think I am typically drawn to things of this nature, that I can use as small girly pieces of decor within my abode, without over doing it or causing my husband to pack his bags.  Second, totally digging the fact that you don't have to pick up the coaster and take it along with your glass.  Third, they identify who's glass is who's, which is kinda like a label, and we all know IHeart labels...


3.  Homemade Cleaning Products.


I finally got around to finishing up all my many bottles of all purpose cleaner {I had a little collection, I am a slightly obsessed with cleaning} so as promised, I whipped up the recipe I received from a fellow blog reader:

Mix together:
1 tbsp of Borax powder (find it in the laundry aisle of your supermarket)
3 tbsps of white vinegar
2 cups of water
1 tbsp of dish soap
1 drop of essential oil such as peppermint for fragrance (optional)

It IS fantastic and I wish I would have known about this little moola saver eons ago.  I was always a little nervous if it would really do the job, but so far it hasn't let me down!


4.  Jewelry Stand:

This little beauty had me at hello.  It's just so feminine, pretty and functional!  Although typically meant for catching jewelry, it could also be used in a kitchen, an office, laundry room or bathroom {think wash clothes on bottom, soap on top} to corral anything and look good while doing it.  Although the price is a little steep for this gal, I am sensing an urge to DIY up something similar in the near future...


5. Reusable Produce Bags:


These genius earth friendly products are totally hot right now!  I am seeing them everywhere and can't wait to snag some up for myself.  They are reusable produce bags, which get brought to the grocery store with your other green bags, and back home, straight to your fridge.  They are also washable and can be reused forever, and by using just three bags once per week can save as many as 150 of those plastic produce bags from entering a landfill, which definitely is a purchase you can feel good about time and time again!


6.  Mason Jars.


Who doesn't heart these?  I mean really, there is nothing that doesn't look absolutely adorable in a mason jar.  From bath salts to M&M's to pens and pencils, floating candles or as a vase, these jars can organize just about any little thing you could want, and are flexible enough to be used in any room in the house!  Gotta love a multi-tasker like that!


7.  Flower Measuring Cups.


Sorry for the repeat, I already spilled all the juicy details about why IHeart these beauties, yet, I am still crushing on them and find myself using these frequently because they look so amazing measuring out sugars and spices. 


8.  Totes.


Totes are by far one of my most favorite accessory.  But I use them for more than just a day out on the town or at the beach.  I can frequently be seen sporting a tote to soccer and baseball to hold water bottles and snacks, they are great for toting all my bath essentials between our two bathrooms {brushes, hair irons, sprays, etc..} and using the same already packed toiletry tote for a quick vaca away.  They typically hold stacks of books and magazines for me to take into the car on longer road trips.  Anything and everything, a tote is typically around.

9.  Ice Bags.


After going through about 17 leaky soft gel ice packs and trying to wrap up hard plastic ice baggies in wash clothes, this ice bag has come to my and my boy's rescue more times than I would like to admit.  Hey, I have three rambunctious little men that get a boo boo of some kind on a daily basis, and these ice bags are the only ones that can stand a chance with my gruesome threesome.  They are lined, and have never once leaked.  And, once filled with ice and water, they are very soft and tender to the touch.  Bonus: they are cute!


10.  Retro Suitcases.


These pretty paper suitcases are offered by Pink Loves Brown, which is run by the amazing author of Making It Lovely, one of my absolute favorite blogs.  I am pretty sure one of these suitcases would look extremely fantastic in my pink and frozen pond blue office, holding my favorite catalogs and inspirational photos.  One will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine...

And that's a wrap.

So what do you think?  Should I do this on a monthly basis?  Is it too much info, not enough?  What things do you heart so much at the moment, that have you drooling in awe?

13 comments:

  1. I really liked this post! Definitely put it in rotation as a regular feature.

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  2. I enjoyed and would read these posts!!

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  3. I loved this post!! I think I need 1 of each item. :) I'm off to mix some of the homemade cleaner now...

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  4. I love a good round-up of favorites post!

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  5. I love this post! Posts like this make me go buy things...uh oh.

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  6. So cute! Loved this post, and would love to see it regularly. :)

    p.s. those stay-on coasters totally rock my socks! Awesomeness.

    ~Chelsea

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  7. Love it!

    Um, those stay-on coasters are genius. One of those little things that makes a huge impact. Bookmarking this post for shopping ideas! :)

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  8. Hi! thanks for the homemade cleaner idea and it seems so simple in comparison to other recipes I've seen. What do you clean with it? Bathrooms, Kitchen? etc? I know it's multipurpose, but I still wondered how multi it can be? Thanks!

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  9. Hi Jess!

    I have only used the cleaner in the kitchen so far, but it's done great on everything from appliances to the sink and faucet to counters and tables and cabinet fronts. I haven't seen any streaking either and am pretty confident it could be used in the bathrooms as well! I have heard for glass that just a combo of white vinegar and water works fantastic. I will be trying that next as I use the remainder of my glass cleaner up.

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  10. Where did you find that jewelry stand at? I love/need/want it!

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    1. It was from Urban Outfitters, sadly, it's since been sold out/discontinued.

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  11. Hello Jenn, I love a clean house too. I have been tempted to try natural cleaners, but I am always wondering about wether or not it also disinfects, as that is important for me as well. Right now soft scrub with bleach and Clorox wipes are my best friends. But if I can find a natural cleaner that will do the same trick then I would be a happy camper.

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    Replies
    1. We have done both the making of our own cleaning products and purchased green products. There is a lot of great information on the web about natural disinfectants {such as vinegar} and also many of the green cleaners will state on the bottle if they have disinfectants in them. We have been really happy with green cleaners and their effectiveness, and it gives me a peace of mind that we don't have harsh chemicals in our home.

      xo!
      Jen

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