Easy DIY Carpet Cleaner for Pet Stains

I would be lying if I said I wasn't completely head over heels in love with my little pooch, Teddy. But ever since adoption in April '12 he has had serious anxiety issues. The first few months I let him get away with everything, and I mean everything, partly because I was a new pet parent and didn't really know what to do, but mostly because I thought he was so stinken cute. Well, after a few months of bad behavior, including many potty accidents I got sick of it!

seriously, how can you resist this!

After moving into my current, fully carpeted, apartment in August '12 Teddy started having many accidents. Like I said the whole apartment is carpeted, minus the bathroom and kitchen, so messes are usually made on carpet. Not to mention the carpet is a weird, grayish blue color (so gross, I hate it) so stains easily show up, and it gets stinky.

At his worst point, Teddy would have one poop accident a day and at least 2 pee accidents per day. One day after "psycho cleaning" I call it, that I randomly went and rented a rug doctor because I was so disgusted seeing pet stains all over my carpet. We purchased the pet carpet cleaning solution for the rug doctor, and it took all the stains right out! Fabulously!

Since I don't have regular access to a carpet shampooer I decided to make my own cleaner! Since the pet carpet cleaning solution worked so great I mixed about 2 capfulls of that with hot water in a squirt bottle and whallah! Worked better than any other carpet cleaner I had used, and costs a lot less. I spray the solution on the stain, let stand for a few minutes and then blot it out with a paper towel. It works miracles on both pee and poopstains, you can't even tell there was a stain there. And it takes out the smell completely too!

**One negative thing is that the initial purchase of the carpet solution is kinda spendy (about $20) but it will last you forever! It smells wonderful and it totally worth it.

What You Need:

1 empty spray bottle (I got mine @ The Dollar Store)

Bissell full-size machine pet formula Solution

Hot Water

How to:

Step 1: Measure two cupfuls of pet formula solution into empty spray bottle.

Step 2: Fill spray bottle with Hot water until full. 

Step 3: Mix spray bottle

Step 4: Generously spray solution onto stain and let stand for 3-5 minutes

Step 5: Blot with paper towel, if stain still visible, repeat.

Chic, Cheap DIY Storage

I live in a one bedroom apartment and am always looking for storage ideas. There is never enough storage and I'm finding myself coming up with smart storage solutions. I'm still a college student so you know I don't have a budget, let alone much extra money! (haha, seriously) I came up with this crazy great idea of wrapping an empty can with rope! Who would have thought how chic it looks. I plan on saving all of my cans, coffee tins and anything that could work covered in rope!

I put my make-up brushes in this one but I want to create more and fill with craft supplies, bathroom "stuff" such as cotton balls, nail polishes, or any other bathroom junk. These are really easy to make, (this one took me 10-15 minutes to make) and it turned out really cute! Next time I would try to apply the rope peices closer together so there isn't so much silver space showing in between. But other than that this DIY project is really easy, cheap and cute. There is always room for storage and this is a quick, easy fix for those small things that need a place or even as decoration. They are cute on their own, especially if there was an arrangement of different sizes. 

Supplies Needed

Empty can 

(coffee can, soup can etc..)

Hot Glue Gun

Rope 

(available at any craft store this was only $4.00 and will cover lots of cans)

How To

Step 1: Clean out your can and rip off label

Step 2: Scrap off excess adhesive. Make sure dry before starting glue process

Step 3: Start applying hot glue starting at top of can (sorry I don't have step by step pictures, I got to excited!)

Step 4: Keep applying glue, while adding rope. Work your way down the can. Make sure to apply enough glue and apply rope tightly together.

Step 5: Finish off rope at the bottom. 

Step 6: To add a nice finish, I added a layer of the top of the can so it covered the ends of the rope and added a nice looking touch (if that makes sense)

On the Pursuit of Happiness & a Healthier Lifestyle

Lately, I have been trying really hard to not just "eat healthy" but to live a healthy lifestyle (and no not just because it's a new year!) Changing habits, especially your whole lifestyle, takes time and can't be done overnight. The reason why there are so many yo-yo dieters and fitness fakers, as I like to call them, is because they don't re-work their lifestyle. Don't get me wrong I have never, and will never, count calories, I eat whatever I want, in moderation, and I don't work out hard everyday. But, I do eat lots of veggies, fruits, lean meats and nuts. I wouldn't call myself some a health expert, I just eat normal healthy foods that are accessible to everyone. 

I'm a goal setter and believe in a healthy lifestyle. So, I combined the two with this fitness calendar. I created this calendar for myself because I know myself and I know if I have planned out a fitness schedule that I would actually do it. I enjoy crossing things off the list and my workouts are no exception. I have been on the lookout for a basic, all over body workout calendar for some time now and you wouldn't believe how hard it is to find! I didn't want a calendar of just abs, just legs, or some crazy workout that is hard to follow. I wanted your average, basic, do arms this day and cardio this day, fitness regimen  So, I created my own and here it is. 

Notice the top right hand corner says Goals:________, __________, _________. These goals are not necessarily fitness based but instead lifestyle based. I am trying to eat more raw veggies, incorporate stretching and stop eating after 8pm. I know myself and I know if I created some sort of crazy hard goals, that I wouldn't achieve them. Instead, I created goals that are small steps to a better lifestyle  These are attainable and achievable and once I reach them it makes me feel that much better. The key to becoming fit is being consistent so I'm hoping this calendar helps me begin that and I hope it helps you to!

**NOTE: This is a basic fitness calendar. When it says arms, legs, cardio etc. it is just a label for you to plan out how many reps, equipment needed, and moves you will pursue. No shame if you are a beginner, ease your way into it and work your way up. That is the beauty of this calendar! You can use it for all levels!

DIY Glitter Jar

There is never enough glitter, glam or glitz in my life. I figured since it's New Years Day I had to celebrate with some glitter. What's not to love about starting a fresh new year? It's a new start to a new you and so why not include a DIY glitter project to kick it off? I don't know what's better.

This glitter jar is super easy to make and adds a little happiness to the home. Add make up brushes, paint brushes  flowers, pens or even use it as a candle votive. There is some room for creativity with glitter colors, how much glitter you would like to use and what type of glitter to use. I had jems, sequins and glitter stickers but I decided to keep it simple with just gold glitter. Follow my tutorial to create your own glitter happiness in a jar.

Supplies Needed: 

Jar 

(use whatever empty jar you have. I used a pickle jar but you could use a mason jar, spaghetti jar or whatever you have depending on the size you would like)

Glitter 

(I happened to have thick glitter but you could use thin glitter for a more "clean" look)

Modge Podge

Paintbrush

How To:

Step 1: Take whatever jar you are have, clean and scrape off label. I used warm soapy water and a dish scrubby and the label tore right off) You can see my jar had an expiration date printed on it. A little acetone wipes that right off.

Step 2: Let your jar dry before applying Modge Podge.

Step 3: Make sure you have paper toweling underneath your work space otherwise you will have glitter all over! Start applying Modge Podge! I ended up applying the Modge Podge in sections, to make sure it didn't dry before I applied the glitter

Step 4: I found it best to apply a thin layer of glitter first, and then do another layer over the top of the first one. Applying a second layer of Modge Podge added a nicer looking texture and more of a "glitzy" look

Wallah!