How to Keep Necklaces and Bracelets Untangled

 My husband over the years has purchased nice necklaces and bracelets for me, and I swear in the middle of the night they decide to party and get tangled.

I still can't quite figure it out, but there you have it.  I was researching affordable ways to store and keep separate my necklaces, as they seem to tangle the most.  I have found a few easy ways that have helped me.

1.  Cling Plastic Wrap

I kid you not!  Cling Saran wrap has saved the day for me many a time.  I usually hang my necklaces on a jewelry tree but they would always get tangled, especially the fine longer chains.

How to use it?

Simply tear off a piece of plastic wrap, lay it flat on the table and then lay your closed necklace on the wrap with part of it out at the top.  Fold up the bottom half of the wrap over your necklace or chain, and it seals easily!  Then hang the chain back up, the wrap stays in place.  

2.  Plastic Straws

Cut the straw to size.  Then unclasp your necklace or chain and slide one half through the straw and then do up the clasp and store.  This works well too.

3.  Tie Rack

I got this from the dollar store.  I attached it to the wall with picture hooks, and then I use the hooks to hang my larger bobbles and chains.  This works like a charm and leaves your jewelry box for your finer stuff.

4.  Small Cute China Tea Cups

Perfect to line on top of your dresser for bracelets.  Use each one for a bracelet or drape the bracelets over the edges.  A kids tea set works well too, check out the local thrift shops for cute china tea cups!

5.  Hanging Jewelry Organizer

If space is at a premium and you don't want to get rid of any pieces, then you can store many pieces in these hanging organizers!  Check out these ones online.

6. Stand Alone Mirror Storage

If you want to invest in something for your necklaces and bracelets as you have many, this is another option you could maybe add to your Christmas List! As i was researching it became quite clear that this could be an issue! I had to move last year and I thought I could simply plop my chains and jewelry into a bag and then into a box and it would get there is one piece!  

Apparently not!  I spent an afternoon with my daughter's help trying to untangle many a chain.  I love having a space for everything.  Tie Rack for the larger bulkier pieces, plastic wrap on the finer pieces in my jewelry box, and bracelets in tea cups!

Have a wonderful day :)

How to Clean a Black Glass Stove Top

 My landlord decided it was time to replace the old stove in the kitchen, and last week a brand new black glass stove top stove showed up and was installed.  Awesome!!  

So what do I instantly do???  

Spill tomato soup onto the top and it bakes in from the heat.  I know you CAN'T use glass cleaner or anything abrasive, but the dish cloth simply was not enough.

I researched ways to do this with homemade cleaner and also researched commercial cleaners and I found the best solution for me.  It all depends on what type of crusty stain you have on your glass stove top, this decides the best way to clean it.

Homemade version:

Equal parts warm water and white vinegar.

Spray on cold stove top and then wipe clean with soft cloth.

This works on smudges and other lightweight staining, but it didn't work on my tomato soup crusty spill.

I tried the expensive cream cleaner that came as a sample with the stove and guess what??  

It didn't work ether and they are expensive!!.

FOR THE NASTY CRUSTY SPILLS...

After much experimenting, researching and a few bucks less in my pocket, I found the perfect product.  

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original Cleaning Pads with Durafoam, White, 6 Count 

  

Unbelievable!!! and no scratching

It is affordable and can be reused over and over again.

Took it off right away, and no scratches.  I had never used this product before, so I purchased the basic one (you can get them for specific jobs such as bathrooms etc)  I purchased the general one.

You simply rinse it under some warm water and squeeze out the excess and it rubbed off the tomato soup crusty stain like it was nothing!

I was seriously impressed.

I know I try to lean towards homemade cleaners and ideas on this blog, but in this case my messy cooking practices beat the homemade cleaners.

The Homemade Recipe Cleaner is perfect for day to day, but if you need to get out the "big guns"  like I did, then this is one of the most affordable cleaners to keep in your house.

I think it is the type of material that actually takes the stain off, but however it works, this is now my "go to" for glass top spills.

How to Make Poached Eggs

 I love poached eggs, always have, but when I make them, they look like a sloppy mess as the egg whites go everywhere in the water. 

I have tried all kinds of ways, some people like to have the water moving and others not.  But I am here to say that I finally found what works for me and they actually look restaurant worthy!!

Step 1:  Use a non stick pot  (the best advice)

Step 2:  Fill with a couple of inches of water and add a tiny slosh of white vinegar (helps hold things together)

Step 3:  Heat the water without boiling it. (that might be the trickiest part getting to know the stove) You don't want any movement in the water.

Step 4:  Gently crack the eggs and just at the surface let them quietly slip into the water.  Don't drop them from a distance or they will go everywhere!

Step 5:  Let them stay settled in the bottom of the pot for at least 3 minutes (or more depending on the hardness of yolk you like)

Step 6:  With a non stick slotted spoon gently scoop up the egg and drain on the spoon.

 That is it!!!

I was seriously amazed at how well this worked, and how much of the egg I actually got to see!

You can also invest in egg poachers if you prefer or don't have a non stick pot.  

If you love your eggs, and have stayed away from poached because they are finicky ... give this way a try. For some reason I thought the water had to be moving, but for this process, the stiller the better!

Invest in a Decent Egg Timer

I hope you all try this healthier way to eat eggs. 

 Change up those boiled ones and give poached a try and put them on top of whole grain toast and you have a complete meal! You can also grate a little cheese on top for added flavor.  ENJOY!