UsedEverywhere.com

Get the Smell Out!

I needed a couch for my apartment, and as luck would have it I found one on the side of the road. It looked like it was in pretty good condition; it was just a little dirty from being outside. I gathered some friends together and we forced it into the elevator up 7 floors, shimmied it down the narrow hallway and finally placed it in my apartment. It wasn’t until the next day that I noticed the smell. It was musty, dingy – sweaty almost – and sickly sweet all at the same time. The vacuuming and Fabreze showers didn’t seem to be helping and by Day 3 that couch was back on the side of the road.

I don’t ever want to know what caused the couch to smell so badly, I’ll settle with the fact that it must have been something horrifyingly disgusting and carry on without the details. For some pieces of furniture, a bad smell is just the end of them. But some can be saved by some clever cleaning!

Creative Commons Image | Courtesy of Sarah G...

One of the most common culprits in stinking up the furniture is cigarette/cigar smoke. What is a good way to get smoke smell out of a couch, a cabinet, a faux bearskin rug, you ask? Onions! A halved onion placed on, near, or if possible, inside the item will absorb that smoky smell!

Another guilty party in the case of putrid bouquet? Pets. This is an important one for people who have allergies to cats, dogs, and chinchillas – ask ahead if the seller has a pet! (And sellers, it’s nice to mention these things to buyers as well, not only in case of allergies, but some people don’t find Fido as cute as you do, and might run away when he greets them at the door!)

A good quality lint brush will get pet hair out of fabric. For a more heavy-duty job, I recommend wrapping duct-tape (sticky side out) around your hand and using it just like a lint brush. Any super sticky tape should do the trick, but some tapes leave gum adhesive behind, so be careful! If you have a super awesome vacuum, it is also a great tool for getting at pet hair in fabric.

And what about pet smell? The old baking soda and vinegar combo should do the trick.

First, you sprinkle baking soda everywhere, in every nook and cranny.

Second, scrub it in, get out a nylon scrub brush or something similar and really work it in. Obviously, don’t do this if it would damage the fabric.

Third, let the baking soda sit for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight so it has lots of time to absorb the nasty odors.

Fourth, vacuum up the baking soda.

Fifth, put white vinegar in a spray bottle and give the furniture a quick spritz and then let it dry. (I have always considered this step optional – wouldn’t it just make your furniture smell like vinegar? Has anyone tried this?)

In some cases, a professional cleaning might make your furniture salvageable instead of trash worthy.

Do you have any tips for getting the stink out of furniture?

Weekend Warrior

As many of you may be aware, I’m doing my very last semester of studies this summer. This hasn’t stopped me from having a little fun and taking some (very, very brief) vacations!

This past weekend I was in Seattle with my lovely friend Michela; she got tickets for us to see the hilarious stand-up stylings of Chelsea Handler at the Paramount Theatre.

After that, it was far too much shopping (definitely had to pay taxes and duties at customs on the way back, that’s a whoopsies), a trip to the Pike Place Market and the very first Starbucks and this mythical place I had only heard tales of… Chipotle!

Before we knew it we were back on the Victoria Clipper for the trek home (definitely recommend, only about three hours from downtown to downtown).

Do you have any weekend getaways planned for summer? Do tell!

Summer = camping

Are you a camper? Or a wannabe camper? Maybe you want to dip your toe in the water and don’t quite know where to begin. I’ve been there, and I know it can be overwhelming. The aisles at Canadian Tire are filled to the rafters with gear. Do I need a special container to store eggs? Do we need to buy an axe? Bear bells? What’s the best way to avoid getting eaten alive by mosquitoes?

Here’s a tip, if you’re just starting out I suggest you buy a few lightweight sleeping bags and then beg, borrow and buy the rest of it secondhand for your first time out. You never know, you might just hate camping. I hate to be blunt, but let’s face it, camping is not for everyone. (And just for the record, we love camping. We’ve been going with the kids ever since they were two.)

Here are a few ideas of some of the things you can snag from UsedOttawa. CHEAP.

Tents:

Boats and canoes:

Trailers and transportation (in fact, there are plenty of campers and trailers on the site right now – look!):

Camp stoves. Get one with a couple of burners (you know, in case you can’t get that fire started and your kids are STARVING):

A source of light (because it gets pretty dark in the woods):

A backpack for when you hit the trails:

Folding chairs for when you return from the aforementioned trail, exhausted:

Fishing equipment:

And a place to store your perishables:

What else am I missing?

Are you a camper? We’d love to hear what’s on your “must bring” list (besides the beer of course).

Top 10 Gifts for Your Grad

Graduating is always a big deal – it marks the end of a period of our lives, and the beginning of a new one. By the end of June most kids have already had their prom, college and university graduates have already been to their commencement. Whether graduating from Grade 8, from high school, or from college or university, it’s important to mark these celebrations of academic success. The best way to show your kids that you are proud of their academic achievements is by giving them a gift. Why not something used? Lucky for you I have compiled a list of suggestions!

1. There is no animal more proud that a polar bear. Except for maybe a lion. But a polar bear portrait gets the same message across: “I’m proud of you son/daughter, let this portrait inspire you to charge at life, stand up tall, and smack down those opportunities before they swim away under the ice.”

2. Get the kids something they really want: a Wii with games. They actually deserve it now after proving they can work hard and get through school, so now they have a summer full of time to play and relax! And build character, friendships, and hand-eye coordination skills.

3. I would be lying if I said I fully understand what this is. What is a poster book? The important thing to take away from this gift is that it is about Titanic. Life lessons from Titanic include: 1. be humble; 2. dream big; 3. sometimes you have to go with your heart instead of your head; 4. Billy Zane should not be trusted; 5. expensive jewelry is no good to anyone at the bottom of the ocean, don’t do it Rose, don’t do it.

4. Now that school is over, it is time to start real life, and real life means a real job. But when a real job can’t be found, it’s time to make the kids’ learn the accordion and send them to hang out downtown. And who knows, they might just find their passion.

5. Several Seasons of Seinfeld I learned the hard way that Seinfeld is important to being socially acceptable in today’s society. If you can’t quote directly or recall every episode your kid will have a much harder time fitting in at University. Do them a favour and take them to Seinfeld School this summer.

6. A Horse! I’m sure a lot of your parents are thinking about getting your recent grad (depending on their age) a car. Well let me inform you of an even more desirable means of transportation for today’s youth: Equus ferus caballus. Trust me on this one. The kids will never forgive you… I mean… thank you enough. Did I mention it is much more economical? Gas prices these days, sheesh!

7. An electronic bidet. Welcome to adulthood.

8. This next gift falls into the category of hobbies that can double as a career if things don’t really work out with this whole school thing. Hit two birds with one stone with a brand new (slightly used) …..Loom!

9. I WISH my parents bought me a popcorn maker when I graduated. This is one of those gifts that you will guarantee you a confused-face from your offspring upon opening. Its true value can only be understood after use. It is perfect for the high school grad going off to university since most nights it will be popcorn for dinner anyway!

10. This book is for some serious inspiration. Please, allow Bill Gates to help prepare your graduate for The Road Ahead.

Something Different

I’ve decided to switch things up and get crazy today. No, I’m not going to paint myself  fluorescent yellow and jump in the UVic fountain, tracking sunshine all over the campus. I’m not that crazy, c’mon.

Since it’s the first official weekend of summer, I thought I’d post something super cool. So sit back and enjoy this rad video from one of the coolest websites on the planet, and learn about science, robotics and making cars that blind people can drive (how amazing is that?!).

Used Around Town: Cabin 12

Courtesy of Cabin 12

Cabin 12 is a little restaurant here in Victoria that has truly built itself up with materials from UsedVictoria.com. Owner Corey Judd started the restaurant with a particular vision in mind, and a lease found on UsedVictoria.com, over 2 years ago.

When Eden and I went for breakfast there, Corey sat down with us and told us the story behind Cabin 12. Inspired by camp and community, he wanted the restaurant to embody that feeling of summer camp: carefree kitsch, grassroots, friends and comfort food. Corey achieved this not only through the restaurant’s décor and welcoming atmosphere, but also through the management of his staff. Like summer camp there is a hierarchy structure, but one that is based on mutual respect, which Corey says has been very successful and makes the staff at Cabin 12 feel more like a family than anything else.

Courtesy of Cabin 12

The eclectic décor of the Cabin is also best described as campy. Rather than a mish mash of random oddities, the various art and objects that decorate the restaurant all seem to have a story and unique value. Everything from the tables and chairs to the record player, couches, and lamps were pre-owned. Most of the treasures that now reside at Cabin 12 were found on UsedVictoria.com (as did most of the furniture in Corey’s apartment, he revealed!). However, one of the most interesting items I found, the shadow-box tables with pictures of athletes tucked inside, were uncovered while cleaning out the basement of the restaurant after Corey took on the lease.

All of the mugs at Cabin 12 are used, too; most of them came from Value Village. Some of their mugs have a more interesting history though. During the 2010 Vancouver Olympics Victoria became a bit quiet. Corey and the gang decided to bring some more attention to the Cabin by sending a call out for mugs from afar! They received an official mug from the United States Embassy; a mug from the United Arab Emirates; and Chile, slightly confused, sent hats. All of these are proudly on display today!

Courtesy of Cabin 12

Perhaps more than anything, Cabin 12 is all about community. This is not only obvious from their use of UsedVictoria.com and plethora of used, donated and refurbished furnishings and fixtures, but also from how they use and more importantly let customers use the space as well. The walls are covered in art for sale from local artists; they have a “take one, leave one” bookshelf; and the restaurant plays host to a number of charity and community events in the evenings.

Corey told us a story about the restaurant front being vandalized – the front façade is made up of two giant windows, and one had been smashed. At the time fledgling Cabin 12 couldn’t afford to repair it, but the community came together to get the window fixed. Corey understands the importance of community intimately, and his appreciation for Victoria and the people who live here, or who are just passing though, is built-in to the foundations of his restaurant.

Thank you to Corey and the rest of the Cabin 12 team!

Cabin 12 is located at 607 Pandora, Victoria BC. You can find them online at www.cabin12.ca, on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Cabin12, and on Twitter: @Cabin12Victoria

Officially… Summer Time

It has arrived, my friends. Rather, it arrived yesterday: the very first official day of summer. The sad news is the longest day of the year is now behind us. The good news is that we have until September 23rd to enjoy the glorious summer.

With the hockey season officially behind us, the temperatures are climbing, skin is tanning and hair is lightening. Kids are nearly out of school, the air smells of tasty BBQ’d treats, and there are many, many fun activities to fill up your time!

Now unlike some of you, I actually have work to do. But you crazy kids get out there and enjoy the weather on my behalf!

Summertime treats for coffee lovin' folks

I started making coffee popsicles a couple summers ago. If you like coffee, and if you like sweet things, and if you are a parent like me who wants to survive the oppressive summer heat with your sanity intact you will definitely want to try these. Trust me. They are perfectly portioned mouthfuls of frozen caffeinated deliciousness.

(I hope I don’t need to remind you that you don’t want your kids getting at these, right?)

Note: I eyeballed the quantities because of my tiny molds, which are actually fancypants ice molds for summer beverages (but perfectly fine for this purpose). You might have to tinker to get the ratio a way you like it.

For this recipe you will need approximately 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk and 1/3 cup hot espresso. That’s it!

1. Brew your coffee. (I use an espresso maker, but a french press works great too. If you have an ordinary coffee maker just brew a very strong cuppa joe.)
2. Combine the hot coffee with the condensed milk in a measuring cup and stir until it’s well combined.

I have a secret tip, do you want to hear it? First, a confession. I’m a huge spiller. I can never get my popsicles to the freezer without them sloshing, so I put the empty molds in the freezer first and THEN fill them.

HA HA to you, sticky floors!

Anyway, fill your molds and leave to freeze overnight.

They are delicious. They taste like frozen coffee candies, best served when your spirits and energy are flagging and you can’t afford the time/energy/money for a trip to Starbucks or Bridgehead.

Let me know if you try this recipe!

Do It Yourself: Desert Terrarium

It’s no secret that I kind of love terrariums. Like all sorts of other vivariums, a terrarium is an enclosed case that you raise “life” in, in this case plants. But in the case of the Desert Terrarium, it’s for desert plants, and other desert things, like sand. After finding a bunch of magical desert terrariums online, I decided to make my own. All I had to go out and buy for this project was the sand.

In true Katie-style, I didn’t bother looking up how to do it properly. I just went for it and made it up and it turned out okay. So clearly this is one easy DIY!

Step 1: Adopt unwanted Cacti from a friend. "Stabby" is on the left, and "Sticky" is on the right.

Step 2: Gather other necessities, such as your clear terrarium container (in this case a repurposed big 'ol mason jar), soil, and sand.

Step 3: Put some potting soil in the bottom. It has lots of nutrients for your plants and I happened to have a bag on hand, so why not?

Step 4: Add some sand on top of the soil layer, and make a ditch where you want the plants to sit.

Step 5: The hardest step! WITH GLOVES ON, nestle your cactus(es) into the ditch you made.

Step 6: Fill the rest of the terrarium up with sand until it reaches the base of your cacti. Add whatever other decorative items you please (or can fit)!

Sticky and Stabby thrived in their little terrarium and outgrew it in about a week or two. To give you an idea, Sticky was almost poking out the top of the mason jar, and Stabby was squished up against the glass when I repotted them. Now they have their own pots and are very happy! But a warning… it was near impossible getting them out of their container! Working with cactus ain’t easy.

A Story About a Dad on the Sidelines

I’ll admit it, I’ve been Daddy’s Little Girl since the day I was born. Literally the day I was born, since I happen to have been born on my dad’s 29th birthday. As I’ve described previously, my relationship with my dear old dad tends to revolve around our birthday and two more things: Business and Sports. If I’m being honest, it’s mostly sports.

Besides teaching me how to skate at age five and launching my fun but lack-lustre figure skating career, my dad was there when I traded in my toe-picks for a sport that has stuck with me ever since: soccer. Growing up in BC, everyone plays. It seems like everyone also starts playing around age six, so when I decided to break into the game at nearly 14 years old, there were some hurdles. I was in pretty decent shape and I found myself with some natural ability, but that was only going to take me so far. Overly-competitive as I am, this simply would not do. My dad had quit playing soccer at age 12, but was a competitive rugby player for most of his life. If there was one thing he knew how to do, it was kick a ball.

creative commons image courtesy of woodleywonderworks

And so it began, many evenings, weekends and summer days spent on grass fields, gravel fields and turf fields working away, just me and my dad. And lo and behold, I got pretty good. I did it quickly too, and people noticed. I only ever got cut from one team I tried out for. I tried out for probably eight, nine or ten teams. When I had a disappointing season in high school, I came back and played for the same coach a year later. At the end of season team dinner, he gave me the award for most improved player, citing that he barely recognized me when I stepped back on the field after only 12 months.

I definitely had some off games, I made some mistakes. One coach decided to play me as a sweeper for one game and after four goals I stormed off the field. I was done for the day in my mind, but dad told me to get over myself and go back out. Sounds a little harsh, but he taught me that letting fear take over and self-actualizing on your moments of low confidence can ruin you.

I’ve been out of the house for four years now; still playing soccer, still working to get better, still hearing his voice in my head. He’s not on the sidelines too often these days, but he gave me the foundation to play a sport I love. I know he’s still proud.

Happy Father’s Day to you and your dad!

PS. If you still need a gift, KB has some fun suggestions!