Have 10 Minutes? Clean Your Coffeemaker

Last weekend I deep cleaned my coffeemaker...for the first time. So gross.

Here are the steps I took to deep clean my coffeemaker. Now, keep in mind that the total, overall length of time to do this will be 10 minutes, but it will only take about 10 minutes of your time to actually set it up for the cleaning.

#1 - Empty/clean out the filter basket and coffeepot.
#2 - Fill your coffeepot with 1 part white vinegar, 2 parts water and pour it into the coffeemaker. Put a new paper filter into the filter basket to catch all of the loosened junk.
#3 - Brew the water and let the coffeemaker run through the full brewing cycle.
#4 - When the cycle finishes, unplug the coffeemaker and let it sit to cool down (about 15 minutes).
#5 - Dump out the water/vinegar mixture from the coffeepot. Throw away the paper filter.
#6 - If the inside of your coffeemaker has brown coffee stains all over, now would be a good time to clean these (if you want). The water vapor inside the machine has vinegar in it, making it a good cleaning solution for the stains. I used a Q-tip to clean the hard to reach places, dipping the Q-tip in the hot water/vinegar mixture that was in the coffeepot.
#7 - Repeat the cycle with water only two more times to clean out any vinegar that was left behind. You may continue to see more crud come out into your filter, so you can put in a new one if you want. I don't use paper filters, so I only have the 3 that came with the machine. I didn't want to waste it, so I just cleaned out the filter basket after the two water-only cycles.
#8 - Run your coffeepot and filter basket(s) through the dishwasher.

Okay...so it may take you longer than 10 minutes...but it's worth it. =]

How I... Edit My Photos

I often receive comments/emails asking how I edit my photos or how I add my blog name to each photo. I used to use Picnik. I absolutely loved Picnik. I even paid for their premium service. But then Google closed them down. I found a replacement which is slowly getting better and better. It's called Pixlr Express. It doesn't take as long to load/edit the photos as Picnik did.

Here's an example of the process I go through to edit one photo. It takes me about 2-3 minutes to complete per picture.

#1 Open a photo. Pixlr gives you the option to open from your PC, a URL, or webcam.

#2 Under Adjustment, I resize my photos to make them the perfect size for my blog posts. I always set the width to 525 - it doesn't matter if the photo is landscape or portrait. When you change the width, it will automatically change the height for you. Changing the file size makes the pictures load a lot faster on a blog as well. After resizing, there's a button you can click that will automatically zoom your photo back in to the perfect viewing size. Then I use the Auto Fix option to change the color.

#3 I change the color effects next. I always use Sanna, found under Subtle.

#4 Next, I add a border. I use Normal under Rounded Corner.

#5 I add my blog name manually to each photo. I haven't found an easier way to do it yet, but it doesn't really bother me since I'm editing the photos anyways.

#6 After adding the text to the photo, I'm all done. I save the photo and then close it to start editing the next one.

Pixlr also has a full version online that is free to use. It appears to be like Photoshop and has more options for editing. I haven't used the full version yet, so I don't know how it all works or if it's any good. I'd imagine it probably is since their Express version is good.

How do you edit your photos?

Friday Favorites: Fonts - Part 8

I LOVE fonts. I use all sorts of fonts to create things for my classroom and to create my printables. Back in November and December I shared 30 of my favorites. I now have more to share. I'll be sharing a new batch of 10 weekly, until I run out of faves. I keep a list, similar to this one, in a Word document so I can see what the font looks like with the name of the font so I can easily see which font I want to use for each project. (Not all of the fonts listed below are free, but most are.)

 Elizabeth Skinny :: GeosansLight :: Impervious :: Irezumi :: LD Cotton Candy :: LD Elementary :: LD Hand :: LD Handy Hand :: LD Little Piggy :: LD Shelly Print

April Challenge: Coat Closet

This month's challenge is closets. I shared my "before" pictures on Monday. Some people commented/emailed me and said it doesn't look messy/unorganized. I wasn't insinuating that it was. My biggest issue is that my closets are currently not functional for our needs, not that they're messy/unorganized. I don't want anyone to be under the impression that I'm calling these pictures either of those things.

With that being said, here's my before picture for my coat closet. This closet functions as a space to hold jackets/hoodies, stockpiled items (laundry and cleaning supplies, dog supplies, flavored water [when we have it], etc.), winter accessories, tools, and extra folding chairs. For me (and my husband agreed), it felt too busy. Too much going on in here. We weren't able to keep up with a system for this closet because it's constantly changing - not that it's a problem for a closet to be like this, it just wasn't what we wanted.

While clearing things out of the closet, I found that we have an overstock of dog treats. I don't think we'll need to buy more for a year (at least). The dog treat container was getting low, so I decided to refill it.

Because we have a small dog, we give him small treats. Many need to be cut up. We mostly do this to save money. He only gets a treat when he comes inside if he goes to the bathroom.

I didn't do all of the bags, just two, but it filled up the container enough to last for a month or two.

I obviously have an addiction to candles, Wallflowers, oils, Scentsy, etc. {Am I really going to use all of this?} My box is overflowing.

I had an empty storage box under my bed which fits everything perfectly. These items are being relocated to under my bed.

Here are the insides of the baskets that sit on the top shelf (after they've been cleaned out/reorganized).

cleaning supplies

sports equipment/dog toy/baby supplies (for the future)

napkins/toilet cleaner/light bulbs (in the container)

Hanging on the door is an over-the-door shoe organizer. We use it for the following (see the image for the text).

Command strips

Here are some close-ups of the shelves.

Okay, so it doesn't look a lot different than the before photo, but I can definitely tell the difference. I got rid of a bag full of junk, relocated some things, and cleared out some coats for donation/to sell on eBay. It was hard for me to part with some of the coats...although I'm not sure why. I haven't worn them in the last year, hence why I'm getting rid of them. I know it's for the better. =]

If I were "allowed to", I'd paint the inside of the closet or stencil it to give it a nicer look, but our contact says we can't. Boo.

Do you have a coat closet/multipurpose closet that is driving you crazy? If so, your challenge this weekend is to clean it!

Moving Tips

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Moving can be stressful...especially if it's your first time or if it's been awhile since your last move. None of us want to be pros at moving. The only thing I like about it is the chance to totally clean out my entire home. I'm able to get rid of things I truly do not want. Who wants to move anything they don't need to?

Many readers seem to be moving soon or have just completed a move. Many have just bought a house (congratulations!) and others are relocating for jobs. It's something that we all do at one point or another in our life. So why not make things easier?

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Lucky for you, I've been collecting tips from readers over the last few weeks. (Thank you to everyone who contributed!) I have a moving checklist, moving tips, and some box labels for you.

Overwhelmingly, many readers suggested color coding and labeling boxes. I couldn't agree more. Many ideas were given (view them all in the moving tips document), but I really love the color coding idea. On the box labels I created, there's a spot for a sticker. The stickers you could use are garage sale stickers (the .75" diameter colored stickers that are blank). Each room gets it's own color sticker.

Here's a preview of the labels I created.

The first set can be printed on regular paper and taped to each box. Below is a sample of what it may look like when you write on it. (None of the labels have "The Nest Effect" printed directly on the label.)

two labels per sheet
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two labels per sheet
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The next label can be printed as is and cut up into 6 labels, but it's made for use with Avery Shipping Labels #8164. It may be easier to print 6 labels per sheet on stickers so you don't have to tape each label on each box.

6 labels per sheet
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Another tip suggested by several readers is to create a moving binder/notebook. Keep track of account numbers, important moving info, quotes, change of address requests, etc. all in one place. I think this is such a good idea, especially if organization isn't your strong point. This is one way you can make your move a little more organized and a bit less stressful.

You can download the moving checklist here and the moving tips list here. Both are in black and white to save you ink on something that (hopefully) won't be long term. After all, once you move, the boxes are going to be history anyways.

I hope this post has been helpful. Bookmark or pin this post for future reference!

Have any tips to add? I'd be more than happy to add them to the list!