Clean 2014!

One of my New Year's resolutions is to clean up my house! A new year means its time to replace my old cleaning chart with a new 2014 chart. This cleaning chart helps me keep track of tasks that don't have to be done very frequently (in my household). I came up with this system because I kept asking myself, "Did I clean the fish tank this month?" or "When am I supposed to change the water filter?"

So here is my old cleaning chart:

and here is my new cleaning chart:

Ok, let me explain a few things...

• This chart works for my household, you can change the tasks and frequency to fit your household. Once I have completed the task for the month or time period I mark an "X" in that month's column. 
• Deep cleaning/ shampooing the carpet I try to do once a month. 
• Cleaning Pablo's tank is also once a month. 
• I used to wash the linens once a week but now I try to wash them every two weeks.
• I always forget to check the fire alarm/smoke detector so I added that to the chart. Notice the little battery in March's block? That is my reminder to change the battery. I know that fire prevention month is October but I chose to put my reminder in the month of March since it's (usually) not a busy month. 
• Cleaning/organizing my desk and deep cleaning the fridge are both done every-other month. I used to deep clean the fridge every week but I switched to every-other month because my fridge doesn't really get that dirty. My fiance words: "Why are you cleaning our fridge this is already clean?!"
• The windows & fans get cleaned quarterly along with the patio & garage. 
• My year is broken into 4 quarters: December-February, March-May, June-August, September-November. This is because I felt too stressed to clump all the busy holiday months into one quarter. Got this idea from the fiscal year ;)
• My washer and dryer gets deep cleaned twice a year.
• I change my Brita water pitcher filter every 4 months. The instructions say to change the filter approximately every 2 months but here in Hawaii the water is fairly clean so I don't change it as often. (Plus it saves some money.)

And...for continuity I my wanted my chart to match the labels in my pantry cabinets since I post it up on the inside of my cabinet door! 

Feel free to use my cleaning schedule template or customize your very own by using the blank template:

 I wish you all Good Luck with reaching your New Year's resolutions!

Monthly Tooth Brushing Chart Printable

As my daughter gets older, I feel like I need to be more organized in order for our daily activities to run smoothly and efficiently. This is why I have created a chart to keep track of when she brushes her teeth. I love this cute chart so much that I printed one for my fiance and myself too.

 I made the chart cute and easy to use. I also made it monthly so I wouldn't have to print out a new one every week. The first column of circles is to mark brushing your teeth in the morning. The second column is for brushing your teeth at night. And the last column is to mark down that you've flossed at least once a day. When my daughter is older I want to offer her an incentive at the end of the month if all the circles are marked.

If you want to purchase this Monthly Tooth Brushing Chart, please visit my TPT shop HERE

Modular Mates - How I Did It

This is how I measured, calculated, and figured out which shape and size to get. The easiest way to do this is contact your local Tupperware consultant, let them figure it out for you, place and pay for your order, then wait for a big Tupperware box to arrive. But wait, I am a Tupperware consultant *face palm* Actually it's not that hard lol. This is how I did it...

Square or Rectangle? Oval or Super Oval?

This depends on your shelf depth. 

If the depth is 11" or longer you have these options:

 -Super Ovals & Rectangles

 -Ovals & Squares

Note: Keep in mind that the Super Ovals & Rectangles are exactly 11" so if your cabinet is exactly 11" the cabinet door may not be able to close.

If the depth is shorter than 11" you have these options:

 -Ovals & Squares

Note: Ovals and Squares are exactly 7.25" so if your cabinet is exactly 7.25" the cabinet door may not be able to close.

If the depth is shorter than 7.25":

- You could use Ovals or Super Ovals but they would fit sideways (not with the clear side facing forward)

How many can be stacked?

This depends on your shelf height.

Each Modular Mate has a number on the bottom of it which corresponds with its height. Ovals, Super Ovals and Rounds are numbered 1 through 5. Squares and Rectangles are numbered 1 through 4.

I used this equation to calculate the height of my shelf in Modular Mate Units:

Height in inches ÷ 2.25 = Modular Mate Units

My example:   11 ÷ 2.25 = 4.89

 Round down to nearest whole: 4

 So my shelf is 4 units high.

I can use any of the following combinations because it adds up to 4:

 1+1+1+1=4

 1+1+2=4

 1+3=4

 2+2=4 

 4=4

I'm I making any sense? Remember if you have any questions, contact your local Tupperware consultant or feel free to leave your questions in the comment section. I will try to answer as best as I can.

How many stacks (columns) can fit?
Add up the widths of your stacks to equal the width of your shelf. Also remember that 2 Super Ovals can stack side by side on a Rectangle and 2 Ovals can stack side by side on a Square.
I made this Modular Mate dimension chart to help: 

Which number Modular Mate do I need to fit the amount of contents I have?

Tupperware has this detailed chart to determine what size will fill your specific needs:

Custom Kitchen Planning Storage Chart

I went by the quantity I by my food in. For example, I buy all-purpose flour in 5lb bags. I used the chart to find out that I should buy a size 2 in the Rectangles. I only had 2lbs left from the bag that was already open but I got the Rectangle 2 because when I use up the 2lbs and open a new 5lb bag, the entire new 5lbs of flour will fit.

Other things to think about:

- The contents may determine the shape of container you get. It's hard to scoop sugar and flour out of an Oval and Super Oval because they are narrow. That's why I went with a Rectangle.

- I think that Ovals and Super Ovals are easier to grab (especially off a high shelf). But the taller the Oval, the more chances of it getting knocked over. Can you imagine 5lbs off flour getting knocked over? Yikes!
- Think about how you will stack your Modular Mates. I try to put the items I use the least on the bottom. Modular Mates are like Lego's for adults! If you are a visual person (like me), draw a sketch of your pantry on a piece of paper. Then write each item on a post-it note. Use this to plan by adjusting/moving around your items and hopefully prevent you from purchasing the wrong size Modular Mate.   

- Tupperware sells an additional cover, the Pour-All Seal, which have a flip-top for the Ovals and Super Ovals.

- You can use different color lids to distinguish the contents. For example, two different brands of cereal.

- The color of the Modular Mate lids do occasionally change. Also sometimes Tupperware has monthly specials that come in exclusive colors for a limited time. 

So here's an overview of my Modular Mate planning:

1. Measure shelf depth - 11.75"
    Use Super Ovals and Rectangles (I could use Ovals and Squares but to utilize the maximum cabinet space I want to used the full depth. Also I didn't want extra space in the front or back of the containers because I knew that could eventually lead to the blocking or hiding of items.)

2. Measure shelf height - 11"
    Use equation 11 ÷ 2.25 = 4.89

    Round down to nearest whole: 4

    Shelf is 4 units high
3. Think about contents and quantity, then refer to Tupperware's Custom Kitchen Planning Storage Chart

It's that easy! I hope my blog post helps you all! Have fun organizing!

Tupperware Modular Mates FAQ

After trying to organize just one cabinet in my kitchen with Modular Mates, I'm writing a post on Modular Mates (MM) in general and also include my thoughts on designing an efficient pantry. I am fairly new to  Modular Mates (only been a Tupperware consultant for one year) so if you're not sure, please contact a Tupperware consultant in your area. They will be able to work with you to customize a Modular Mate system that suites you and your home.
So let's get started!...

1. What's so good about them?

• Stackable design helps utilize maximum cabinet space
• Virtually airtight and liquid-tight (insect-proof!)
• Saves money (that you would've spent from food spoiling or buying things you already had that were hiding all the way in the back) 
• Easily customizable to any shelf
• Containers are clear/see-through
• Lifetime warranty
• Dishwasher safe (I recommend hand washing)

2. Isn't Tupperware expensive?

    I'm not gonna lie, they are more expensive than Ziploc and Rubbermaid...but Tupperware is an investment! Their lifetime warranty is easy and worth the initial price. Modular Mates are very excellent in quality so you will not be purchasing replacements every month like with the Ziploc containers. My best advice is that if you are not in a hurry to organize your pantry, wait for Modular Mates to go on SALE! There are usually new sales specials every month that offer unbelievable savings! Another option is get them for FREE by hosting your very own Tupperware party! :)

Still skeptical?
Check out this blog post: OXO vs. Tupperware - Which is Better?
She has an awesome video that goes over the pros
and cons of both! - LOVE IT!!!

3. How do I know which shapes and sizes to get?

    Ahhh, good question! I stood in front of my cabinets thinking the same thing lol. Tupperware has a nifty 

→CUSTOM KITCHEN PLANNING STORAGE CHART←

   You can also check out my blog post HERE to see how I figured out which Modular Mates to purchase.

Pantry Make-Over

After following a trail of tiny ants on my counter to my pantry cabinets, I realized it's time to organize and clean kitchen! In my house there is no walk-in pantry (maybe one day) so we use the cabinets to store our dry-goods and can-goods.

       ↓ Very vulnerable to ant and other nastiness!!                                                                         Not quite done, but much better! ↑

Basically I didn't have a organizing system before. I would just put things wherever there was space. That had to change!!! I've been selling Tupperware for over a year and I've always overlooked their Modular Mates. I think I was focused on the bright colored Tupperware hehe. My mistake! I wish I had gotten the Modular Mates when we first moved into our house, then I wouldn't be throwing away opened food!

I created these cute labels →
I found some printable pantry labels on Pinterest but they were more of a "classic" look and I wanted a "kawaii" theme (to match all of my other labels).

Here's the close up of my label. →
It bothers me when I transfer a perishable into a different container and then I can't remember the expiration date! So my solution was to make cute labels! For my flour and sugar I placed the label on the back of the Modular Mate, and for my corn starch and salt I put it on the bottom.

To purchase these labels, click here ↓

I still need to order more Modular Mates for my powdered and brown sugar. I also need to order the Tupperware spice containers so that's why my pantry make-over is not entirely complete.

Hope you all are having a awesome Monday and stay tuned for an upcoming posts that will be all about Tupperware's Modular Mates! 

For more organizing ideas click here:

Ant Killer (Actually Works)

Many pins on Pinterest have the words "actually works" in their description. After trying countless number of pins with those reassuring words, I have come to find that "actually works" really means "may actually work."

I recently discovered tiny ants marching on my kitchen counter. When life hands me these types of lemons I search on Pinterest for a solution. I found many ant poison recipes that basically had the same ingredients: borax, sugar, and water. So I choose a pin that had those infamous words...and it REALLY DID WORK!

↓ Here's the pin I used from Pinterest

A few things I would like to note:

* I made a smaller batch using 1/3 cup sugar, 1 Tablespoon borax, 1/2 cup warm water

* I would skip the cotton ball on a lid step and just drip a few drops on the counter (where you see ants), none of the ants actually crawled on to the lid, they just drank the drops spilled on the counter.

* There were actually no visible dead ants. I left the poison on the counter and I saw a gathering of ants drinking it so I left it for about 3 hours and when I came back to check on it there were no ants. I'm not sure if they went into hiding and died or got sick and didn't want to go back near the borax solution. Either way I feel it worked because there are no longer ants running around on my counter. 

So...if you find life handing you the "pesky kitchen ants" lemon, go ahead and try this solution!

 

Review: Lint Lizard

Let's just say my curiosity got the best of me haha. After seeing the Lint Lizard at Target a few weeks ago, I thought about it and had a "why not?" moment. This product has mixed reviews online so I decided to find out for myself. As I mentioned, I picked this up at Target for $10.99. 

↓ It comes in 3 parts, simple enough.

↓ This is my dryer. One thing that I was concerned about was the picture on the box has a dryer with the lint trap in the front, mine is in the back corner. (I made this dryer cover with a sign that reads "check lint trap before using" and my fiance still forgets to clean the lint trap!!! and he accidentally spilled bleach on it! *sigh*)

↓ So pretty much all I did was assemble the pieces attach it to my vacuum then stick the clear hose part where the lint trap goes and this is what came out...

My verdict:  ○○○♥♥

My thoughts: The clear plastic tubing is not very flexible so it's a little hard to maneuver. I am surprised that the suction was very strong although it may vary depending on the vacuum cleaner. It didn't remove the huge amount of lint that was shown on the infomercial but it did put my mind at ease to know that my dryer is not clogged. I would recommend this product if you have $10.99 to spare or you are paranoid about dryer fires like me. Also I would suggest checking your dryer duct before purchasing the Lint Lizard to if there is lint buildup, then go ahead and buy one if you need it. The cashier at Target did tell me that I could return it if I wasn't satisfied.