6 Surprising Uses for Lemons

Lemons don't just belong in your fridge! You can save money by using this fruit from head to toe in place of expensive beauty products.

1. Freshen bad breath. Gargle with lemon juice and water to kill odor-causing bacteria, or suck on the lemon wedge served with your water.
2. Soften skin. Combine lemon zest with sugar and soak the mixture with olive oil for 30 minutes for a homemade body scrub. Give a little extra TLC to dry patches on the elbows, ankles and knees.
3. Add sunny highlights. Want to lighten your tresses a notch or two? Mix lemon juice with your favorite conditioner and apply to damp locks before heading out to catch some rays.
4. Fix a streaky tan. To lighten a botched self-tanning job, rub a halved lemon over the area.
5. Whiten yellow nails. Soak fingers in lemon juice for five minutes. To prevent stains in the future, apply a clear protective base coat before nail polish.
6. Zap Zits. Try lemon juice on blackheads at night to clear up skin.

The acid in lemons has antiseptic properties and a fresh scent, making it a natural solution for your household chores. Save money by using this citrus fruit to replace costly cleaning products.

• Kill microwave smells. Fill a heat-resistant bowl with water and half a lemon and zap for five minutes.
• Bust dust particles. Mix 10 drops lemon oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and a few drops olive oil in a spray bottle. Spray onto surfaces; wipe with a cotton flannel cloth.
• Attack a stain. Add ½ cup lemon juice to a load of white laundry, then let dry in the sun.
• Polish wood. If it's varnished: Add a few drops of lemon to ½ cup warm water. Spray onto a slightly damp cotton cloth and wipe furniture. If it's unvarnished: Mix 2 teaspoons each of olive oil and lemon juice. Apply to a soft cotton cloth. Use wide strokes to distribute evenly.
• Clean in the bathroom. Put lemon juice on a sponge and wipe shower doors to remove soap scum.
• Sparkle and shine. This natural bleach and disinfectant cleans brass and copper. Sprinkle salt over half a lemon, rub it over the metal, then wash clean.

From Allyou.com Posted by Mags

Cool Desk Item

he work week sometimes seems to go on forever, and for good reason! You probably sit at your desk 40+ hours each week — so why not make it fun? Try one of these cute, quirky desk accessories that are sure to keep your space lively, even during the longest of weeks.

1. Drinklip Cup Holder ($6): This handy accessory clips onto your desk, table, or any other work surface creating a place for you to rest your glass of water or cup of latte without fear that you'll knock it over and spill all over your computer's keyboard.


Posted by Smooches

Courtesy: hellobrit.com

Graypants Scrap cardboard Lamps

We posted about Seattle-based Graypants' Scrap Lights back in 2008, and we're quite happy to say that they are not only still available to purchase, but a few new models have been released. Scrap Lights are pendant lamps laser-cut from repurposed cardboard boxes, hand assembled in Seattle.

Courtesy: betterlivingthroughdesign.com

Clever ID Tags

yankodesign.com

Braille Electric Plug Tags are Velcro fastening labels that identify a plug using Braille, embossed icon and English abbreviation of products. The concept is backed by the research that many independent visually impaired folks find it difficult to identify their appliance/gadget plugs, especially when many of them are hooked on a multi-socket power board. Clever and easily reusable, the concept is good for regular folks too. 

Courtesy: yankodesign.com

Wine Storage

Here is a cool way to store and cool your wine.  This was feature on www.bottlenotes.com

www.bottlenotes.com

Yes, you like to drink your wine, but as an enthusiast, maybe you’d like to make it part of the décor of your home. That way, your guests can see it, enjoy it and admire it as they would art. A Los Angeles company is creating some truly unique cooling rooms, with custom-designed glass doors, special racking systems, and perfectly tuned humidity and temperature controls in the strangest places.

They are using front hall foyers, kitchen pantries, and even main rooms-- you name it-- to create wine storage rooms for clients. The rooms aren’t just about design, though; they are truly functional. (Basements are often too cool for wine storage.) If you don’t have a room to spare, a closet can be fitted as well.

The price tag? Well, that depends on what you’re looking for. The company has built “cellars” for $5000 and for $50,000 and a lot in between.

So clear out the toy room, the office you don’t use or a closet full of old sports equipment, files, or last year’s Jimmy Choos, and make space and art out of your vino collection.

Read more at: www.bottlenotes.com