WFMW - Everyday Items Everyone Needs

It’s time for Works for Me Wednesday again!

As I sit here looking around my house, here are some things that I know we couldn’t do without. They’re all of the daily life objects that…well…work for me!

For Your Lips

  • Blistex - I will absolutely NOT use any other brand on my lips.  My lips get extremely, horribly, and mortifically (HA!  a new word!) dry…dry as the Sahara in Summer.  Blistex comes in a squeezy tube, and it’s creamy white.  It adds terrific moister!  No waxy feel…just wonderful moist lips, period.
  • Carmex - got fever blisters?  This medicated salve in a round white and yellow tub works great, and heals those buggars within a day or so.  It’s also great for daily lip soothing
  • Lanolin Nipple Cream - ok, don’t laugh, but this provides wonderfully coating THICK moisture for extremely dry, cracked lips.  And it’s safe (hey, babies eat it…if it’s good enough to touch my baby’s lips, it’s good enough for mine.)

For the Kitchen

  • Quart and Gallon Freezer Bags - use them to store leftovers of anything.  I never use tupperware.  It’s too bulky!  You can store anything in a freezer bag! (Lay soups down to freeze flat to save room).  Also use them as snack bags to store cut up veggies and fruits for the fridge.
  • Labeler - the $19.95 DYNO labeler from Walmart is a God-send.  Use it to label those freezer bag contents (don’t forget to add an expiration date!), label where everything goes in cabinets (for those forgetful husbands) and anything else that strikes your fancy.
  • Whistling Tea Pot - nothing says homey than a whistling tea kettle.  Heating up water for tea or hot chocolate is a breeze (you don’t even have to watch the clock).
  • Big Bowl for the Fridge - Keep a bowl in the fridge to store snacks.  The bowl, filled with fresh veggie snack bags, will look enticing and encourage you to grab-and-go.
  • Electronic Can Opener - I will never, ever, ever break my hand trying to twist a manual can opener again!  This thing is a life saver.
  • Small Food Processer - you can get one for about 10 bucks at Big Lots or Walmart.  Use it to make small quantities of baby food, bread crumbs (from the ends of the loaf!) or crush up nuts to use as a topping for cassaroles.

For the Entry Way

  • Decorative Mirror - so you don’t end up going out of the house looking like a frazzled, frumpy mom with hair sticking up and pepper in your teeth.
  • Key Hanger - this one is a no brainer.  Everyone needs a place to put their keys!  Install hooks on the wall beside the door or get a pre-made key rack.  We have a wooden key-shaped key rack with 3 hooks. 

For the Living Room

  • Small, Empty Basket - place it on a side table where tiny bits of clutter tends to collect.  Make it known that small items go strait into the basket.  That way, even if the basket gets full of “junk”, the table still looks neat.  Be sure to clear it out occassionally!
  • Reading Basket - store a small wicker basket beside the chair you read in most often.  Books you are currently reading go in there!
  • Library Bag - Keep library books in one bag (a nice canvas tote or even a laundry basket will work).  Only remove one at a time.  That way when the books are due, you’ll know where they all are.

For the Bathroom

  • Hand Towel Bar Beside the Sink - this one sounds like another no brainer, but I have been in plenty of houses where a hand towel was no where in sight!  Get a silver or wooden dowel type of hanger and just place it on the wall closest to the sink.  Hang up a nice hand towl, and enjoy the convenience.
  • Basket for Rags - Need a place to store rags?  We keep ours folded in a cute basket on top of the toilet back.  They’re easy to reach for, handy, and guests don’t have to ask where our rags are.  If you’re worried about them falling forward into the toilet, my mother did it when I was growing up, and I do it at my house now and have only seen a basket of rags fall in the toilet 3 times in 25 years.
  • Large Handheld Mirror - Stand with your back to the vanity or sink mirror.  Raise the handheld one to your face and look through it.  You’ll be able to see the back of your head!  Use this when you style your hair or make sure your curls are even.

For the Closet

  • Short Shower Stall Rods - Hang them from front to back in small closets to create more storage space!
  • Hanging Metal Shoe Rack (on the Door) - Use to hang hats as well as shoes on the inside of your closet door.
  • Light - one of those battery touch lights will be just fine.  A lighted closet aids in picking out your clothes, and it really does lift your spirits.