Easy Fan Transformation

I live in southeast Georgia, where it gets miserably hot during the summer, well, actually during all seasons but winter. So, in order to save on the A.C. costs, keeping a fan around is a must.
Though it's finally cooling down around here, I completed this a little while ago, so I figured I should go ahead and share. 

This is an easy project that will turn any regular tabletop or standing fan into a cool, somewhat retro looking, and overall nicer looking fan.

Now for the complicated instructions: just spray-paint it!
Yep, a coat or two of spray paint will turn a  raggedy, cheapo, white-plastic fan into something you won't mind leaving out while company's around.



For mine, I chose to use Rust-Oleum Specialty Hammered Paint For Plastic in Black. I like the hammered texture it gives, plus I got it for only $2 at Big Lots. But, any basic spray paint should work. Test it on a small area to be certain, if you'd like.

And Voila!

From this (something like this actually).......

                   

......to this!

Close Up, so maybe you can see the hammered texture
(click on it to enlarge it)

Quick Tip: Cheaper Alternative to a Popular Kid's Drink (Adults love it, too!)

Delicious!
I usually get the yellow-orange(citrus) one in a container
that looks the big Sunny D containers.

If you enjoy the delicious sweet zing of Sunny D, then this if for you. I usually buy the generic or store brand version of just about everything, but I haven't been able to find a store brand version of Sunny D where I shop. However, I did discover Tampico! It tastes almost just like Sunny D, but a gallon of it is at least $1 cheaper. At my local Walmart where I shop for groceries, it can sometimes be a bit tricky to locate because it's not always right near the Sunny D, like most generics would be. Sometimes it will be in a totally different area on the non-refrigerated shelves with the regular juice, whereas the Sunny D will be in the refrigerated area with the milk and orange juice. Anyways, Tampico also comes in at least two other varieties, which I haven't tried yet but have heard are good. No matter which flavor you choose, it's a great value. And, to save even more money, water it down some. Once you get used to drinking it watered down you won't even notice that it's diluted. Plus, it will be healthier for you and help you to get in more water and less sugar. Happy Tampico drinking!

How To: Homemade Magazine Holder

Here's something cheap & chic to hold your magazines. It's the perfect size for holding magazines, it's a way to recycle, it can make for a fun craft project, & once it has been painted or decorated, it also looks great.
Get an empty, large powder detergent box(other boxes might work, as well) & paint or spray paint the outside. You could also glue pictures all over it or paint an image or design on it. You could make it match with your favorite bedspread or paint it to look like wood. Use your imagination! If you're like me, you have waaayy too many magazines and will need a lot of these magazine holders, so you better start saving your boxes!

How To: Dry Flowers

If you've received flowers as a gift, simply bought some pretty ones yourself, or if you've been lucky enough to grow your own and would like a way to preserve them, then drying them is the perfect solution. One of the easiest ways to dry flowers, including roses, is to first arrange them how you would like them and then hang them upside down in a place that isn't warm or moist. I usually put a rubber band around the group of stems & then put another rubber band around them & use it along with a clothes pin to connect them to a clothes hanger to leave hanging in my closet (after I've cleared an area of course. And my closet doesn't seal completely so it gets some fresh air in it). It usually takes about a week for most flowers to dry, but it does vary so just check them and use your own judgment. Once they're completely dried, carefully hold or place them right-side-up and make sure they're still arranged the way you want. The final step is to spray them with aerosol hairspray, which will help to kind of "set" them, just as it would your hair. Now they're ready to be used to decorate with or simply preserved to save the memories. Just remember, they are still very delicate so handle them with care.