Category: life

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Avoid These Common Packing Mistakes for a Smoother Vacation

The most dreaded part of any vacation is always packing. From trying to stuff that extra pair of shoes in to figuring out a way to fit your laptop and electronics, packing a suitcase can be an exhausting and, frankly, emotionally draining effort.

Staying organized and practical are imperative in the suitcase stuffing packing process. But while we should strive for perfection, here are five common, easily avoidable suitcase packing mistakes that could turn your vacation into a messy disaster.

Overpacking

Having options is one thing, but bringing your entire wardrobe for a three-day cruise is just crazy.

Many people make the mistake of trying to fit too much in their suitcase; they simply get overwhelmed with trying to pick out the appropriate amount of clothing, shoes and accessories to bring on vacation.

The best way to avoid overpacking is to choose a few pairs of pants or shorts that are versatile enough to pair with a few more different tops. You could also opt for a color scheme that you want to coordinate throughout the trip.

Waiting Until The Last Minute

Procrastination doesn’t just apply to homework and cleaning the house.

Vacation-goers often wait till the night before (or sometimes the morning of) to take care of packing. According to Dacy Gillespie, a personal stylist, “You end up packing too many options and don’t have what you need.”

If you have to rush the packing process, you can often overlook important items or pack way too much out of desperation.

Never Fold When You Can Roll

 

Folding clothes may be the traditional way to do it, but you should really roll with the times.

When it comes to maximizing a small amount of space, rolling your clothes up is the clear-cut choice. Start by folding the article of clothing lengthwise before rolling it tighter than a Chipotle burrito.

Store heavier items along the bottom of your suitcase before layering in lighter items on top. You’ll thank me later…believe me.

Keep Your Toiletries Contained

Nothing is worse than opening up your suitcase only to find your favorite outfit ruined by an exploded shampoo bottle.

Toiletries like lotions, mouthwash, toothpaste and deodorant can easily spill inside your luggage (if you’re flying, remember: the cargo hold is unpressurized) and cause serious damage. Store all non-solids inside plastic bags to ensure your clothes are safe and your vacation will start off on the right foot.

Throwing Out Your Packing List

Organization is the key to packing, and writing everything down on a list can be a helpful strategy.

However, many travelers make the mistake of throwing out their packing list after the final zipper has been pulled. Instead, store your packing list inside your suitcase so that you can verify you have everything when you pack again at the conclusion of your trip.

Any other tips you’d recommend? Share them below!

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This Artist Turns Everyday Objects into Stunning 3D Creations

One Japanese artist is taking the idea of “recycling” to a whole new level, and it is awesome.

Haruki, or @02ESyRaez4VhR2l on Twitter, is an expert at the Japanese art of kirigami. Kirigami is similar to its more well-known cousin, origami. But while origami only involves folding paper into creative shapes, kirigami also involves cutting the paper.

Haruki’s kirigami creations are extra-impressive because he uses the packaging from everyday objects, rather than just regular paper.

He used the box from a Starbucks coffee pod to create a dragon. He even turned the Starbucks mermaid from the logo into a dragon-tamer.

And he turned the packaging from five Pringles cans into five men in suits with Pringles logo faces.

Haruki also turned a couple of Cup Noodle cartons into a full astronaut. Look at the amount of detail in this little guy!

Some of his creations are simple, while others are larger and more elaborate. Once, he made a whole miniature village, complete with storefronts and staircases and people. It required 16 boxes of Charlotte’s chocolates.

Haruki uses packaging from Japan, of course. But you could easily (well, maybe not so easily) use his techniques to make your own unique creations using whatever old packaging you have in your own home.

If you want to get in on kirigami, Haruki uploads step-by-step videos to his YouTube channel and Twitter account to help you along.

Time for a new hobby?

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You Won’t Shed a Tear When Chopping These Special Onions

Chopping onions can really make the waterworks start flowing. It’s so annoying that home cooks and professional chefs alike have tried to scheme ways to overcome the tear-jerking effects of preparing onions for their final resting place.

From soaking your onions in water to sharpening your knife like you’re being sent into battle to practicing proper breathing techniques, it seems everyone has an answer to the crying question. Unfortunately, many tips and tricks simply don’t hold up over time.

But if you want to be rid of oniony tears forever, now you can be. That’s been made possible by Sunions.

I swear I’m not making this up. The Sunion is a cross-breed of two other onions and looks no different than the ones you have used in dishes for years. However, because Sunions do not have lachrymatory-factor synthase (the chemical that makes your eyes burn), they become milder and sweeter while in storage.

Of course, the hype surrounding a tearless onion seemed too good to be true. Luckily, an editor from Taste of Home tried out Sunions first hand and the results were fascinating.

“I held the chopped onion up to my eye to see if I’d tear up, and nothing,” the editor said.. “They don’t even really have much of a smell. We could definitely taste the onion on our tacos, though, which is what we were hoping for.”

If you’re looking to spice up your cooking without the customary crying, retailers like Walmart, Costco and Kroger all carry Sunions. The next time you go on a grocery run, skip the tissues and simply stick with Sunions.

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Chrissy Teigen Revealed Her ‘Night Eggs’ Habit and It’s a Very Strange Insomnia Hack

Chrissy Teigen is in the spotlight for a lot of things: being a model, writing best-selling cookbooks, and publicly roasting her husband John Legend. And now, she is also famous for eating eggs in the middle of the night.

Chrissy revealed her “night eggs” habit on Twitter recently, and it drew a lot of attention because, hello — WTF are night eggs? She just casually dropped them into a tweet about Reddit.

Of course, people had questions. So many questions. In a follow-up tweet, Chrissy answered some of them.

“I can’t sleep without being overly full,” she explained. “I take two hard boiled eggs to bed every night and eat them when I randomly wake up. It used to be beef jerky but I’d wake up too puffy.”

But this answer led to, um, more questions. Where does she keep the eggs? Isn’t it annoying to peel them half-asleep? What if she doesn’t wake up to eat them?

But she always does, apparently. Chrissy added that she wakes up for at least 30 minutes at least four times a night. Phew!

This isn’t the first time Chrissy has mentioned her night eggs. In December, she posted photos of them in bed with her. As you can see, the eggs are already peeled, so that answers one question at least.

Look, the idea of a midnight snack is obviously not new, nor are the struggles of insomnia. Chrissy’s mentions filled with people naming the snacks they like to eat when they wake up: apples, cheese and pistachios. But eggs?

EGGS?!

Apparently, there is some scientific justification for doing this. A naturopathic doctor told Well + Good that “a little bit of protein at night before you got to sleep — maybe about 6 grams of protein, which is the equivalent of an egg — it gives you a nice blood-sugar balance through most of the night.”

That’s just one doctor, but hey. If it works for Chrissy…

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These Things Were Probably Designed by a Genius

There are impressive inventions, and then there are products that are so brilliantly simple and totally useful that you turn green with envy, unable to believe that you didn’t think of it first (and you aren’t the one now making bank).

Inventing things is harder than you think, though, and there’s a good chance the minds behind these 15 things are truly unique.

15. Tablets to clean your water bottle or travel mug.

Image Credit: Amazon

Reaching the bottom of those things and getting all of the gunk scrubbed out is a pain – but these biodegradable, chlorine-free tablets do all of the work for you.

14. Touch-up razors for on the go.

Image Credit: Amazon

Easily swipe away peach fuzz or stray hairs on your chin or eyebrows, and with built-in guards, no worries about cuts, either!

13. A cream that will tame your flyaway baby hairs.

Image Credit: Amazon

Those annoying hairs that ruin your perfectly sleek updo will be gone for good – victory!

12. Charcoal air fresheners for your shoes or bag.

Image Credit: Amazon

They’ll banish lingering smells wherever you leave them by absorbing excess moisture and preventing mold, mildew, and bacteria buildup. Best part? They can last for up to two years!

11. A setting spray to give your makeup a professional finish.

Image Credit: Amazon

The lightweight spray sets your makeup and makes everything look perfectly matte, no matter how humid and sweat-inducing your day.

10. A must-have snow removal tool.

Image Credit: Amazon

It’s long handle lets you remove snow from your roof, the top of your car, or tall bushes without using a ladder – or getting a face full of snow.

9. Cuticle oil that targets weak nails to restore strength.

Image Credit: Amazon

It’s made from jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E and will also soften your cuticles.

8. Tablets to clean your dishwasher, not your dishes.

Image Credit: Amazon

Lime and icky smells can build up in your machine and reduce their cleaning capabilities – that’s where these babies come in.

7. Ice trays that will let you make ice that fits neatly into your water bottle.

Image Credit: Amazon

These stackable trays make stick-like cubes that fit easily into your insulated bottle, and the silicone material makes for easy ice removal.

6. This jewelry cleaning brush.

Image Credit: Amazon

Hallelujah, because having to take your jewels into the store to get them to shine is annoying.

5. Clips that go on your car vents so you never have to eat ketchup-less fries again.

Image Credit: Amazon

The clips work with horizontal or vertical vent slats and hold packets from all major fast food chains. Need.

4. This portable LED sensor light.

Image Credit: Amazon

You’re bound to feel more secure with this magnetic, waterproof light detecting motion up to 13 feet away.

3. This ice-scraper that’s totally extra.

Image Credit: Amazon

The SnoShark removes snow and ice without scratching the glass, and can extend to 39-inches long while still folding down to a compact storage size.

2. An insulation kit to bulk up your windows.

Image Credit: Amazon

The crystal clear film is easy to install and keeps cold air out and warm air in. Boom.

1. A thermal windshield cover.

Image Credit: Amazon

If you park outside in the winter, this is the product you’ve been waiting for – the side panels tuck inside your front doors, so it can’t be stolen, it keeps your windshield (and your side mirrors!) free of ice and snow, and securely attaches.

 

I definitely wish I’d thought of these things, but I know in my heart I never would have, no matter how much time I had.

Have you ever invented something? Have you ever had an idea “stolen” by someone who got there first? Tell us about it in the comments!

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Thrift Store Finds That Might Turn You Green With Envy

I didn’t grow up in a family where thrift stores were much of a thing, although we did love a good garage sale on a summer morning. It wasn’t until recently that I became aware of what truly amazing (and creepy and weird) stuff people find secondhand.

These people are clearly no strangers to the hunt, though, and they’ve come up with some pretty intriguing treasures.

16. Definitely seems like the best place to find cosplay pieces.

Finally gave this gem a night out it deserved. This was perfect for Harry Potter Yule Ball event that hosted at my favourite little geek themed bar.

Posted by Kirbie Humber on Sunday, December 15, 2019

15. A hare on a Victorian chair.

I see your tiny pets with mini furniture- I give you “my giant hare on a Victorian chair!” I found this Victorian…

Posted by Ali Ann on Sunday, December 22, 2019

14. We will hear no more arguments on the matter.

Found at an antique shop. The prototype for toilet paper showing that it clearly is supposed to be OVER ?

Posted by Loren Lockmiller on Thursday, January 9, 2020

13. Shared for the adorable granny.

Update: because everyone loves her so much we’ve set up an Instagram for you all to follow her crazy little ass a round and give you all some much needed Joy and granny spam ? Her username is nanny.maureen and we’ll be using it to log and post how much of a joy she is so make sure to follow ? Everyone is sharing their mini finds, here’s my 89 year old grandmother and her “camera” she is also a mini find as she is she is 4ft 5 inches in height ??? Edit wow I can’t believe how everyone fell in love with her she is the most amazing women alive and too many comments to reply to lol, Her name is Maureen, my nanny and to her great grandchildren they call her big granny ? she’s 89 lives here in little old Dublin Ireland with my grandfather Thomas married over 60 years and she loves life and everyone in it Also she will adopt everyone asking ❤

Posted by Orla Mahony on Monday, December 23, 2019

12. I really want to know why such a thing exists.

Posted by Michayla Hanson on Friday, December 20, 2019

11. Because you just never know when the apocalypse is coming.

Pardon my ridiculous "I just paid $20 for full chainmail" face.Edit to add: woah this blew up! Just in case anyone is…

Posted by Maddox Marcus on Wednesday, December 18, 2019

10. She should wear this whenever possible.

My grandmother passed this year and my aunt was kind enough to give me her school uniform from the 1940s. It fits! I…

Posted by Johanna Willis on Thursday, January 2, 2020

9. Taking the ugly Christmas wear to a whole other level.

Merry Christmas.. Found my dress for the Christmas Party..?

Posted by Keeli Dollar Russell on Saturday, December 14, 2019

8. Wow, those are really something!

The other day i saw someone post some really cool Limited Edition Doc Martens, so I would like to raise you these…

Posted by Nicole Beckett on Thursday, January 2, 2020

7. These hedgehogs are fancier than I am, even though the teacup is second hand.

Update: omg, you are all so wonderful! Thank you so much for your kindness!? I am completely amazed and overwhelmed that…

Posted by Shana Couillard on Wednesday, December 11, 2019

6. Make sure to read the whole story.

Not a great photo but a good story! 2015, I found this lovely and large portrait in a local 2nd hand story.The card on…

Posted by Susan Frazee-Kurner on Sunday, December 22, 2019

5. Well that is awkward and funny.

Was looking through the ugly sweater section at goodwill, and found the sweater, I was wearing !! I definitely got a good laugh out of it, and so did the people around me !!! ??

Posted by Jena Wolkens on Monday, December 16, 2019

4. Steampunk winner.

Found at the Goodwill Dunn Ave. Jacksonville, FL

Posted by Kelly Kaler on Friday, December 13, 2019

3. I still don’t know what it is, but the connection is cool.

Posted by Jason Smith on Monday, January 13, 2020

2. You are now ready for any costume party ever.

Posted by Jackie Kristine on Tuesday, December 10, 2019

1. Pets lounging on tiny furniture is my new favorite niche of internet pics.

Since we're doing tiny couches, I found this beautiful chaise for 6 dollars at a church thrift store.It was my cat's favorite and when she passed we retired it to a shelf in our library in her honor. ?

Posted by Rich Kiska on Monday, December 9, 2019

I’m going to have to make more time for thrifting – this history buff is salivating!

What’s the coolest thing you’ve found secondhand? Share it with us in the comments!

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A Clever Guy Turns His CPAP Mask into an ‘Alien’ Facehugger

There’s not much that’s funny about having to wear a CPAP mask in order to be able to breathe through a good night’s sleep.

That said, any time you can use your necessary medical equipment to turn your face into an attacking alien facehugger…I mean, you’ve gotta do it. I honestly can’t believe it hasn’t been done before now.

Jared Grey, the genius in question, is an author and self-described Tinker Gnome. He’s also a science fiction fanatic, so when he was thinking about ways to make the inconvenience of sleep apnea more bearable, he came up with the idea of turning the machine into a life-size foam Alien Facehugger replica.

Grey describes the process step-by-step on his social media, and honestly, I think he could also get work on science fiction sets if he’s ever hard up for cash.

A twisted idea who's time has finally come.

Posted by Jared Gray on Friday, April 27, 2018

What’s even funnier is that he’d joked about what he would do if he ever had to have a CPAP, even before being diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Image Credit: Jared Gray

“I’ve been joking for years that if I ever ended up needing a CPAP mask, I’d incorporate it into a facehugger. Because obviously…I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, and now have my own CPAP torture machine. Seriously, these things are awful and create as much discomfort as they prevent. So I may as well have some fun with this thing while it’s intruding on my life.”

Image Credit: Jared Gray

I say that’s a pretty healthy outlook to go along with some pretty amazing creativity.

This is the worst ConCrud I've had in a long time. I can't breathe, I can't see. I've got this lump in my throat and a…

Posted by Jared Gray on Monday, May 28, 2018

Would you ever imagine something like this? Would you be able to pull it off? Tell us what you think in the comments!

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People Talk About Whether They’d Return to the Past Knowing What They Know Now

Everyone has thought about this question at some point in their life – if you could drop your life, go back in time (in this case 8 years) and redo the last decade with all of your current knowledge, would you?

For me, that would be no, since the last decade brought me my husband and my boys, but it gets trickier for me to answer if you offer to let me go further back and just, you know. Tweak a few things.

These 15 Redditors all stood up and answered, and some of their responses just might surprise you.

15. Just to have a bit more time.

Oh yeah. My mom passed away in 2013.

14. There’s gotta be one.

I’m the bitcoin investment comment.

13. Any time spent on worrying what other people think has been wasted.

Yes, those were the skinny years I wasted thinking I was fat.

12. So many of these sad posts. Go to the doctor, people!

I would tell my dad to get regular scans so that they catch his cancer before its too late. I miss you dad.

11. 8 years experience really is a big selling point.

Absolutely.

I’d never give the poor excuse of a boyfriend I had a chance that year.

I’d save more money use it wisely and I’d be a hell of a lot more confident mostly because I’d keep the extra 8 years experience.

10. Never put off until tomorrow what you could do today.

In a fucking heartbeat.

My entire life crashed because of one decision I made in 2012. I don’t care about the money, I just want the chance to fix myself and be ok.

9. Sounds like he might have a good reason.

That was 6 months before i got seriously injured for the fist time… I think i’d take it.

8. A travel buddy is always nice to have.

No.

I would have 8 years of memories with my husband that he wouldn’t have.

Plus I’d have to live through him losing has dad again, and that was brutal.

But if we could both go back, then yes, absolutely.

7. Definitely a temptation.

Yes. With everything I know now, I could easily go back and be a millionaire.

6. To live on your own terms.

Definitely.

Ten years ago I was grumpily dragging my feet up the stairs when my mom woke me up in the middle of the night.

Now I’m sitting here thinking about how, for almost all of the past ten years, I’ve been trying so hard to be who everyone else wanted me to be that I don’t even know who I am or what I want to do with my life.

If I could go redo it, I’d live my life for myself instead of those around me.

5. I mean…you still have some youth left though.

I turned 21 in 2011.

You’re saying I could redo my 20s, with a 29-year old brain and experiences?

Hell yes I would.

4. High school can be rough.

11th grade?

Fucking absolutely, with the confidence and personal peace I have now? Oh my lord.

I found my old phones from high school a few months ago while visiting my mother, and it was pretty bittersweet looking through the old texts and photos. I was such an angry kid, I thought everyone hated me, and I missed every signal any girl would put out. Hindsight would’ve been such a great fucking cushion to hold onto.

Breathe, drink a little water, rice instead of fries, and look them in the eyes, and I would’ve completely skirted past the mental health issues.

Great question by the way OP. It’s something I think about often.

3. I mean…maybe you just think you will.

Yes because I would be able to have a fresh start

2. Money is a big motivator!

Yes, because:

  • Bitcoin
  • Stop myself from making certain stupid financial decisions (that cost thousands and gave my phone number to scam agencies from whom I still get calls on occasion) in 2012.
  • Take my twenties more seriously in general.
  • Bet on the Cubs winning in 2016, even though I don’t really need the money from that because bitcoin.

1. You can always use more parenting time under your belt.

My kids are teenagers now, so I’d get to have another 8 years of them being little kids, and I’d have the chance to be a better parent to them. They’re doing fine, really, but having an extra 8 years of parenting under my belt would probably help me do a little better.

And those were great years. I loved it.

Also I’d have my dog back—he passed away last summer and I’d love to have a few more years with that colossal dumbass.

Also purchasing lots of Bitcoin.

They make some decent arguments, don’t you think?

What would your answer be? Why?

Tell us in the comments!

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Woman Edits People’s Toxic Exes out of Photos for a Cheap Price

Now this is a brilliant business idea!

A Twitter user who goes by the handle @hexappeal has become quite popular lately because she will perform a very important service for you for an incredibly reasonable price.

She’ll use her impressive photo editing skills to remove your terrible ex from old photos. For only $15 a pop, you never have to look at awful person ever again! She originally started out with a $10 fee, but as demand grows, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Here’s a little message about the price increase.

 

Here’s another great example of her work.

Boyfriend? What boyfriend? I don’t remember that guy. It’s like in Back to the Future when Marty McFly’s family is slowly disappearing from that snapshot. Except this time it can be permanent!

I’m sure a lot of us could do a halfway-decent Photoshop edit to try to remove those toxic folks from our memories forever, but this woman has some serious skills, so why not throw a little cash her way and she’ll do a bang-up job? Don’t be a cheapskate, okay? You’ll thank me later.

Sometimes, social media can really be used for good.

Is this a million-dollar idea, or what? Heck, it might even be a billion-dollar idea…

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Frequent Napping Has Health Benefits, Including Reducing Stress

This is great news for me! As a self-described expert napper, I’m always looking for a good reason to take a quick snooze. And I can do it anywhere. Couch, chair, floor, under tables, in cars. Whatever you got, I can make it work.

And I know I’m not alone; there are tons of people out there who love the napping life just as much as I do. Well, research shows that not only are naps enjoyable, but they are good for you, too.

Nap

A napping habit can help you have sharper brain function and hone your problem-solving skills. A short slumber can also help you deal with stress better, regulate your blood pressure, and even assist you with maintaining a healthy weight.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, there are three types of naps that they suggest taking:

1. Naps that you plan before you get tired. These help out with tiredness and fatigue.

2. Emergency napping is when you are too wiped out to do your everyday work and activities. These are good for people who deal with fatigue and drowsiness.

3. Habitual naps describe ones that are taken at the same time, each and every day. A lot of babies and elderly people are on this schedule.

Nap

Napping is frowned upon in the United States because of our hectic work schedules, but in other countries, it’s very common to take a nap during the day. A study from Greece – where napping is culturally much more accepted – found that napping three times a week can lower your risk of developing a serious heart condition by up to 37%.

Nap time

The amount of time you nap has benefits for different aspects of your health. If you nap for 20 minutes, you can look forward to enhanced memory and mental alertness. A 20-30-minute nap can help boost creativity and memory. Snoozing for 30-60 minutes helps you optimize memory and decision-making skills. And if you want to nap for 60-90 minutes, you’ll experience REM sleep, which will help you to reset your brain and can improve your problem-solving skills.

Take that, anti-nappers!

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