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by Angela on April 21, 2012
{Photo from Upcycle Magazine}
In honor of Earth Day (April 22nd), we’re thinking a lot about how to recycle and upcycle common household items once they’ve outlived their original purpose. Today, let’s take a look at some creative ideas for old light bulbs and where you can recycle light bulbs if you don’t have time to be crafty.
{Photo from Art Drops}
No matter what kind of light bulbs you use, they should always be recycled rather than tossed, as they often contain traces of mercury. Although one tiny light bulb may not seem like such a big deal, collectively the mercury from the thousands of light bulbs thrown away each year can cause big problems for the environment!
That’s where LampRecycle comes in. Check out their website for information about recycling light bulbs (both personal and commercial), including information about local recycling laws and recycling centers near you that accept light bulbs.
{Photo from Trahy Wench: The Queen of Creative Reuse}
You can also find light bulb collection bins at most IKEA, Home Depot, and Lowe’s locations. These recycling centers often take a variety of light bulb types, from small lamp bulbs to large fluorescent tubes, but check with your nearest location to verify before hauling in your light bulbs. Each store has different recycling policies.
Of course there are tons of neat ideas for repurposing your old light bulbs too like the ones seen above from Upcycle Magazine and Art Drops. There are a lot of great creative ideas on the Trashy Wench blog, so if these photo’s have inspired you check out her page for more inspiration.
Happy recycling!
by Angela on April 19, 2012
Get rid of unwanted documents and do your part for the environment just in time for Earth Day! The Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) semi-annual Secure Your ID Day is this Saturday. The BBB is hosting these free shred events across the country, so click here to find out if they have a location in your state or city.
As written on their website, “BBB Shred Day is an opportunity for local consumers and businesses to prevent identity theft and help the environment through free on-site document shredding, as well as paper, cell phone and computer recycling. BBB Shred Day is held in communities throughout BBB’s service area.”
In Austin/Round Rock, BBB’s Shred Day will be held:
On: Saturday, April 21st – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
At: Dell’s Round Rock Campus (Building #8 at 2401 Greenlawn Blvd)
For more Texas times and locations, check out the Central Texas portion of BBB’s website.
by Angela on April 7, 2012
If you’re looking for a quick way to lose a few pounds of clutter, then get ready for the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Shred Day. The BBB is hosting these free shred events across the country, so click here to find out if they have a location in your state or city.
As written on their website, “BBB Shred Day is an opportunity for local consumers and businesses to prevent identity theft and help the environment through free on-site document shredding, as well as paper, cell phone and computer recycling. BBB Shred Day is held in communities throughout BBB’s service area.”
In Austin/Round Rock, BBB’s Shred Day will be held…
On: Saturday, April 21st – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
At: Dell’s Round Rock Campus (Building #8 at 2401 Greenlawn Blvd)
For more Texas times and locations, check out the Central Texas portion of BBB’s website.
by Angela on January 25, 2012
Happy organizing! This is the fourth and final post in my Jewelry Organizing Series. Please click here if you missed Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3. Today I will be sharing some all-in-one pieces to organize all your baubles and bangles. Above is a small but mighty jewelry organizer. As an all in one it has ample room for earrings, short and long necklaces, and rings. There is not much room for bracelets, but depending on how much you have that might not be a problem. I could not find where this exact piece came from, but I found two similar ones at Brookstone and Improvements. This jewelry box is nice because it is hidden behind a mirror and is small enough it can hang in your closet, bedroom, or bathroom.
Wow! Can you imagine?! What a great idea: a jewelry organizer behind a full length mirror in your closet! Love this, want this look from Weaver Custom Homes. Remember is you are a DIYer you can recreate this look in your own space! This has ample hooks for necklaces and the fabulous trays for earrings, bracelets, and accessories.
Another take on the jewelry box hidden behind a full-length mirror. This free standing option may be better for someone in a smaller space who does not have extra room in a closet. I hate to even say where you can get it, but in case this would be the perfect solution for you you can find it at QVC. Just don't go crazy and buy more jewelry while you are there.
Finally, here is a fun and smaller version of the full length mirror jewelry organizer. From PB Teens this jewelry organizer mounts to the wall and measures 4 feet tall. Personally, I like this mid-size version the best in regards to size. I also love the fun interior fabric. The jewelry organizer is picture above open and below closed. The PB Teen site says this one is no longer available, but if you are interested I would keep checking their site as they release new products regularly.
I hope this jewelry organizing series gave you lots of ideas for your own space. As always please share your thoughts by posting a comment below or sending me a note.
by Angela on January 24, 2012
Did you know that January is Get Organized Month? If you are ready to get organized this month, have I got the event for you!
It’s that time again–Saturday, January 28th is the 6th annual NAPO-Austin ‘Clear Your Clutter Day’ sponsored by the Austin Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO).
This year the event will be held at Bethany United Methodist Church 10010 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750.
Drop off for FREE — ONE CARLOAD PER HOUSEHOLD of:
- Up to three boxes of paper to be shredded
- Women’s new or gently used career clothing and accessories
- New or gently used shoes (men’s/women’s/children’s)
- Discarded flattened moving boxes
- Used cell phones and computers and electronics
- Useable unwanted items (furniture, books, clothes, rugs, art, etc.)
- Non-useable unwanted items** (a/k/a JUNK)
- Mobility assistance devices (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, shower chairs, etc.)
Click here for more information and a list of what you cannot bring. IF you do NOT live in the Austin area visit the National Association of Professional Organizers web-site calendar for Get Organized Month events in your area.
Happy clutter clearing!
by Angela on January 18, 2012
Organizing jewelry can really be fun, especially if you incorporate your beautiful jewelry into you decor. Last week in Jewelry Organizing Part 2 – Necklaces I showed you some creative ways to organize necklaces. In this post I’m going to show you some creative things you can do to display and organize bracelets and accessories.
Pictured above is a simple wooden crate with two glass bottles used to hold bracelets. What a fun and eco friendly idea! If you are worried about the glass bottles falling I would recommend attaching something to the bottom of the bottles like the 3M Command Frame Stabilizer Strips. The Command products can typically be removed easily and are not supposed to damage surfaces. This fun idea comes from Decoratrix.
Another fun idea that anyone can do is paper towel holder re-purposed into a bangle or cuff bracelet holder. This is nice because you can find paper towel dispensers in many different styles just about anywhere. You can even use this in a kids room. I love how easy this is.
In the picture above from Show Me Cute is another example of using fruit, cupcake, or cake stands stacked on top of each other to hold jewelry. In Jewelry Organizing – Part 1 I showed you another gorgeous example of using stacked stands to hold necklaces, rings and more. Love this idea and so easy to replicate.
Last but not least is the ultimate headband organizer for the DIYer. Lysssa Beth covered an oatmeal can with two sheets of scrapbook paper and attached it to a candle stick with a hot glue gun. Instant headband organizer! The inside of the canister can be used for bows or other hair accessories too.
Next week will be the last post in my Jewelry Organizing series so stay tuned! As always let me know if you used any of these ideas or how you are organizing your jewelry.
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