Dry Erase Washer

There has been so many times when I have moved clothes to the dryer so that I could wash my clothes and shrunk someone's favorite shirt or pants. My brother is 6'6" and has trouble finding clothes that fit him the way he wants. Last Christmas, I decided it would be a good idea to put all his favorite shirts in the dryer. It was kind of funny, but when they came out they looked like they were meant for a 16 year old girl. I felt so bad!! He would never admit it, but I think I saw a tear in his eye. We ended up having to rewash them and stretch them out by hand while they were hanging so that he would have something to wear while he was here. I am going to have to start having people do this for the stuff they do not want moved to the dryer...

It is so simple and a really good idea...It would also be a good place for any other random notes.

Better Shape Up

Someone showed me this today and I can't help but share it...

It is so cute how excited the dog is throughout this routine! It almost looks like he is playing in some parts. I am curious exactly how she did this and how long it took?! 

Here's the original for comparison:)

Smores Bar

I was on Pinterest and came across a S'mores Bar. I am surprised these are not more popular! It's such a good idea for a wedding or any other type of celebration. The amount of ways to set up the bars to match a party theme is endless. I could see one of these in a casual or formal setting.This would be so easy, fun, and inexpensive to make!

Living Walls

I love when houses have ivy crawling up the sides of them. I "stumbleuponed" a picture of an interior vertical garden and got really excited. After researching vertical gardens I found Green Over Grey Living Walls and Designs. Most companies that make vertical wall gardens  do so by using multiple modular boxes. Green Over Grey uses a different approach and imitates ivy walls, providing water and nutrients at the base instead of multiple spots attached throughout the wall.  The company's Living Walls are water efficient, soil-less, and light. They also have a long list of other benefits including...

• improve indoor air quality 
• reduce stress and enhance overall well being 
• block noise
• are pretty:)

I think a vertical garden would make a really cool accent wall for a house!

The Best Stuffed Animal EVER

Wendy Tsao, the woman behind Child's Own Studio, makes stuffed animals from children's pictures. I would have been ecstatic if I would have gotten one of these when I was little! Even if you don't have any need for one of these, it's funny to look at the stuffed animals she has made.
Gallery

Personalized M&M's

The idea of personalized M&M's isn't new, but I have not tried it until recently. If you haven't tried to make your own, you should, it's fun!

make your own M&M's

There are three steps. The first, you pick the colors you want. I was surprised at the amount of colors they had. Next, you ad the text or picture you would like. The picture can be clip art or a photo. Last, you pick the packaging. You will be surprised at the amount of options there are for packaging. They even have a kit for business cards that comes with tins with a slot for a business card. I picture someone putting their face on the M&M's or "hire me!". The only thing I was disappointed about is that there is only Arial and Comic Sans fonts to choose from. Despite this, the amount of options makes for an endless amount of possibilities for a party, event, or unique gift. 

Hidden Rooms

One of my goals in life is to be able to build my own house one day. I have always thought it would be cool to have a hidden room. Not like a creepy hidden dungeon, but a room with windows that has a door that blends in. I felt a little crazy for wanting this until I googled "hidden rooms" and found that people actually have these! I also found some on  Pinterest! Here are a few I liked...

Savannah Cats

I love animals. I have always thought it would be cool to have an exotic pet but don't think it is ethical. I was so excited when I was introduced to Savannahs while watching Cats 101. A Savannah  is a cross between a Serval and a domesticated cat. They are sweet, intelligent, act similar to dogs, and... are twenty thousand dollars. One day when I am rich and famous I am getting one!

Animals in Translation

I came across a book called Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior today. The author, Temple Grandin, is autistic and has spent her life with/studying animals. I found a list of some of of her ideas online...

• argues that language is not a requirement for consciousness--and that animals do have consciousness
• applies the autism theory of "hyper-specificity" to animals, showing that animals and autistic people are so sensitive to detail that they "can't see the forest for the trees"--a talent as well as a "deficit"
• explores the "interpreter" in the normal human brain that filters out detail, leaving people blind to much of the reality that surrounds them--a reality animals and autistic people see, sometimes all too clearly
• explains how animals have "superhuman" skills: animals have animal genius
• compares animals to autistic savants, declaring that animals may in fact be autistic savants, with special forms of genius that normal people do not possess and sometimes cannot even see
• examines how humans and animals use their emotions to think, to decide, and even to predict the future 
• reveals the remarkable abilities of handicapped people and animals 
• maintains that the single worst thing you can do to an animal is to make it feel afraid

I have a nephew with autism and a golden retriever mix. In a weird way, I understand what she is talking about. I have not read much of it yet, but I am excited to.