#449 – Put an end to duvet wrestling

As a result of my Eye Yi Yi! experience, I spent time waiting at the doctor’s office, which is where I found this tip.

Question: what can you find in abundant supply in a doctor’s office?

Answer: magazines!

This tip is coming to you, courtesy of the April 29th issue of First for Women magazine.

If you’re like me, you don’t look forward to the struggle that ensues when you put your duvet into your clean duvet cover.

The article I read suggested that you can end your duvet wrestling—my word, not the author’s—by using bull clips to hold the top corners of the duvet in place, while you stuff the rest of the duvet into the cover.

The bull clips were too hard to squeeze open, however. Luckily, I found the solution in my my husband’s tool box.

A 1 ½” clamp that is a dream to use. (What goes around comes around – little did I know that that I’d be using them when I bought two of these as stocking stuffers for my husband one Christmas! )

#447 – Don’t Burn the Bra, Ban the Wire

There may be times when your hands refuse to cooperate, your sternum hurts, or when you’ve hurt yourself. You may feel like burning your bra, but don’t worry, the girls don’t need to run wild when you are driven wild by the pain.

For those just in case times, stock your lingerie drawer with a bra that is  not only wireless, but also features a front-closure.

I’m sorry ladies, I was hoping to be able to offer a giveaway of a wireless front-closure bra, but my request was denied.

Since I couldn’t find an appropriate picture of an over the shoulder bolder holder—remember that term?—I know you won’t have any trouble finding one that suits you.

#440 – Joint Ventures in the Kitchen

Image courtesy of Julien Tromeur. | http://www.jt-book.com/

If you like to cook, but find some recipes too daunting, check out the unique rating system on Tanya‘s blog, Mom’s Small Victories. She warmly welcomes you to her RA Test Kitchen, where she has devised an RA Ease of Prep Rating System.

You’ll find categories ranging from breakfast right through to dessert. Tanya invites you to send in your family favourites, making it a true joint venture. This section will be a work in progress, expanding as she tests new dishes. (Hopefully, it’ll only be the list that expands!;) )

Bon appétit!

#438 – Avoid this bathroom reno mistake

Sometimes you end up making a decision which sounds (and looks) good at the time. Ten years later you’re cursing. At least I am.

When we did a renovation to the ensuite bathroom, I chose to put tiles in the shower stall. Big mistake for someone who has trouble scrubbing a flat surface.

The grout, which looked so good in the beginning, is now proving to be a battleground. “Mildew and mold appear to be forever gaining,” I exclaim, as I choke on the fumes of the latest and greatest cleaning product. Tools such as this help, but extra force is needed to keep the grout clean.

If I had it to do over again, I would choose a prefabricated shower stall. Either that, or bring in daily staff. Yeah, wouldn’t that be nice?