I’ve shown you guys this Cupcake Courier before. It’s been awhile, but I still love it and I wanted to show you a couple more ways you can enjoy it.
First and foremost, it carries cupcakes.
It can hold 36 cupcakes. Or 24 or 12 or any amount in between. Just remove the stackable trays to suit your need.
Perfect for larger batches of cupcakes or taking them to a holiday party or get together.
And if you remove all three trays…
Then you can use it for cakes. And pretty big ones, too.
But here is the best part. The real reason I have fallen deeper in love with this carrier. It allows me to do much more when it comes to carrying my baked goods.
I am talking specifically about cake pops here. Yep, because the courier is so tall, it triples as a handy dandy cake pop courier, too.
It serves multiple purposes. One… it simply allows you to store them upright without having to wrap them in treat bags.
And two… it allows you to carry them more easily to happy recipients. With or without treat bags.
Here … let me show you what I mean.
Tah dah. Perfectly protected pops. Of course you’ll have to imagine them made for full effect. I just used sticks and styrofoam to illustrate the idea.
If you use 6-inch paper lollipop sticks (8-inch sticks would be too tall) and some styrofoam, it will fit just fine in the base of the courier.
Styrofoam blocks come in many sizes and one of the common sizes is 4 x 12 x 2 inches high. Grab two of them and place them side by side on the base and then make 12 holes in each block. You can then easily carry 24 cake pops. And if you can’t find the styrofoam in that size, then cut down a larger piece of styrofoam to 8 X 12.
Either way it’s a great way to get more out of an already handy product. You can find them on amazon.com.
Hope that helps all you guys that are cake popping and cupcake making… and of course, carrying.
And to celebrate finding ways to do more with less, here’s a fun giveaway.
- This giveaway starts November 15 and goes until November 29, 2010. Time’s Up! Winner Announced below.
- To be entered in the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post and describe something you’ve found to be more productive or some way you do more with less. That’s it.
- One winner will be chosen at random using random.org and announced on this post at the end of the contest period following verification. See complete rules for details.
- The prize is one (1) Windows Phone 7 (all features and details of the phone will be determined by the Sponsor.)
Okay, here’s the winner, chosen at random.
Congratulations Wendy! Have fun with your new phone.
And thank you everyone for so many great ideas to do more with less. You guys are really resourceful. I’m impressed.
This giveaway is brought to you by the new Windows Phone 7. Less tech tired. More tech trendy: Learn about Windows Phone online and see it in person at local T-Mobile stores today.
Well, see, I have only one mouth and yet I’ve found multiple activities to do with it. There’s eating, talking, eating, singing, eating, attempting to whistle (haven’t quite figured that one out yet), kissing, and did I mention EATING? Yup, so many uses for one little thing. =)
I know a lot of people have already said it, but if I want to be more productive I have to make a to-do list!
And I thought I was handy making my 24 cupcake carrier, hold 24 standard, pus 24 mini cupcakes…I sure could use this, so that people at work don’t have to settle for the mini size. (P.S. 3 day weekends are so much more productive than 5 day work weeks.)
Lists lists and more lists!
Oh, and stepping away from the internet, but that is no fun :)
I have found my calendar on my phone to help me be more productive..It keeps me on track LOL
I’m always using that rubbery shelf liner for other things. It’s great for putting under plates and dishes when my 6yo is being crafty, less chance for a accident. I also have the Cupcake Courier and I put a piece under the serving dish when I put a cake in the courier so it doesn’t slip and slide in transport.
I’m most productive when the computer and t.v. are off and the kiddos are asleep!
I use a flower nail instead of a heating core when baking. You can see what I mean here. http://www.thatreallyfrostsme.com/2010/11/baking-cakes-with-flower-nail.html
Love it! I’ve learned so many things so far: I don’t eat cheetos, but if I did, I will certainly use chopsticks from now on =P
1. I recently discovered that the cardboard disc that frozen pizzas come on are PERFECT for making cupcake towers or cake boards. I bake Digorno pizzas all the time and cutting my own circles are such a pain. Since the pizzas are frozen, the circles stay pretty clean by the time you open the package. Cover in foil/paper and you’re set! And you’re recycling!
2. Post-its… everywhere. Something will sink in if I see it enough times right?
3. Google reader – I can see all my favorite blogs, real-time, in one snapshot.
Whenever my pantry and/or fridge gets low on groceries and I’m trying to wait until my next paycheck to go to the store, I get very creative with dinner just using what I have on hand. I will concoct some really strange meals, meatloaf but with cheese quesadillas on the side and the remnants of the last few bags of frozen veggies, just mix them up for some off-the-wall medley. It gets the job done!
I have a 3 drawer storage bin that I use for the girls arts. Top drawer is Abby’s, middle drawer is Maddy’s and the bottom drawer is where all the coloring books and paper goes. They know if they can’t find something to look there first!
I’ve learned that I can be much more productive when I ask for help with the things I can’t figure out… Learning to complete my tasks in the best, most timely & correct way=efficiency!
I recently found new uses for a deconstructed stitch holder when I lost my cable needle. (Knitting lingo)
Since my coat closet is hardly used but to store “junk”…I cleaned out the junk this weekend…installed shelves and organized my craft supplies in there. I may not have a craft room, but I now have a craft closet! Yay!!!!
BTW…I have that carrier and I LOVE it! I have used it to bake up cupcakes for my son’s classes these past couple of years. Hwwever now I have to pick another one up because although he’s now in Jr. High and not keen on Mom’s cupcakes at school anymore, my two younger daughters are now in school and I can bake for their classes! I love this and especially the tip for cake pops. Thanks!
I have found that I more productive around the house when it is clean!
I have a job that lets me work from home, which is VERY nice, but I find when I go into the office, often in the evening when no one else is there, I get so much more done.
hmm, let’s see….to get rid of nasty ol’ zits on my face I like to put a dab of toothpaste on it and i also like to use straight baking soda on my tooth brush to whiten up my teeth…pretty much it :D
I like to use mini cupcake pan when making cakepops. I scoop them into the tin then roll into balls that way I can keep track of how many I am making without counting :) I love the courrier!!
I can’t think of anything, other than being more productive when I’ve got some cake to motivate me!
I use my silpat for cooking and baking. That way, I don’t have to use parchment paper and my cookie sheet doesn’t get dirty!
I am more productive if I do not sit down first thing in the morning, just dig right in!
Awww, I thought you’d give away a cupcake carrier…but a phone is nice!
I am more productive with awesome Clorox and Windex wipes in a can!! I have one of each under every bathroom sink. When I think the sink or toilet need a little wipe, I don’t have to go find products, brushes or gloves. I also do a little cleaning while supervising the kids brushing teeth!
I save big and small glass jars (and sometimes plastic) from jams, pasta sauces, etc. I peel off the labels (remove any sticky residue with peanut butter) and use them to store opened bags of pastas, opened bags of candy (like M&Ms and chocolate morsels), and craft supplies (like beads and buttons)!
I just started making my own laundry detergent – it takes some getting used to but overall – it is great! I make homemade jelly and bread and give it away for Christmas gifts! I love the carrier! Thanks for offering this
My best multi-use tip is to use white vinegar for cleaning. It is cheap, non-toxic, and mixed with varying amounts of water it works for glass, tile, countertops, bathrooms… you name it.
I use my reusable grocery bags for everything! I have a small one that doubles as a “purse” and larger ones I use as an overnight bag if I’m going on a car trip. If I bring something to a friends house it gets transported in my grocery bags. They make excellent laundry bags for separating out the delicates.
The Stage and Screen music channel. Show tunes and 70’s TV theme songs are actually quite motivating when I’m Swiffering.
I buy Venus Embrace razors and I LOVE them. However, they are pricey. So I wipe them with a Magic Eraser (LOVE those too!) after each use. It keeps the blades sharp and gunk free so I can use them for many more times than I could otherwise.
We don’t have a television on the main floor of our house. Our daughters, age 4 and 5 find lots of creative ways to play together when a television isn’t involved. We also reuse glass jars for drinking glasses, homemade jam or cranberry sauce, vases for flowers or votive or tealite candle holders.
Keep the tv and computer off’
I find q-tips are extremely helpful when cleaning – they’re great for cleaning out dirt from small spaces!
I have used old spice bottles for many uses in the kitchen including my own spice blends, toothpicks, salad dressings to go and for craft projects.
I’m most productive when I use my planner to write down EVERY little thing I need to do… but I’m too lazy to keep up with it!
Use peas/beans for pie weights! :)
When we redid our kitchen, our “summer” kitchen only had a stove so we grilled a lot, even Chocolate Chip Cookies (Which were very yummy)
I have found out that a music allows me to be way more productive, plus it makes everything more fun :)
I am trying to be green and make less waste. So I make my own homemade cleaner. Then I turned that idea into making my own taco seasoning, lemon curd, and more. It’s amazing the difference when you make it yourself! Thanks for the giveaway!
I am always looking for old items that I can turn into new beautiful items for my kids. Either with paint or sewing it saves lots of cash.
I am able to be most productive when I get up early in the mornings.
I use the butter wrappers to grease my pans!
I am most productive when I use websites for free shipping coupons when purchasing things online. RETAIL ME NOT! =]
I have found that when I block out the mess in my house, I can have sooo much fun playing Candyland with my 4 and 5 year olds!!!!
I use an assignment notebook to keep all of my school assignments in order! It makes me so much more productive! :)
Since I have decided to make all homemade gifts this year for Christmas due to lack of funds there are lots of things I am discovering have so many uses…for example you can use magazine pages, old photos, or package wrappers to decoupage a homemade clock! Or turn a cute scarf into a purse!! Or an old decorative tray can be turned into an adorable photo collage wall hanging!
Taking the time to teach my kids to do their part, dishes, bathrooms, their own rooms, etc.. A little time up front, but it pays off in the end.
That and costco rotisserie chickens. A good base for many dinners.
I like to use every last scrap of fabric I order to make a quilt. I even like to use the scraps on the backside of the quilt that no one sees, just to use up all the fabric I bought!
I hate the idea of wasting paper, so I usually take cover sheets (page that indicates user name) left over at printers @ UCSD and use them as scratch paper. :)
I’ve found duct tape to be able to do anything. I’ve used it to hold my car together, keep surgical wounds dry in the shower (didn’t think that one all the way through), make wallets, keep small children under control….. (just kidding!)
Whenever I make cookie dough I always make a few extra batches, then scoop them onto cookie sheets and freeze them. Once they are all frozen I pop the little dough balls into a ziploc bag and keep them in the freezer. That way I always have my favorite cookies ready to thaw/bake whenever family or friends stop over… or if Im having a chocolate craving :)
I have a large tupperware “that’s a bowl” bowl that I use for mixing bread, chex mix, air popped pop corn, etc. But it doubles as my cake cover, plate of brownies/bars cover because it fits perfectly over one of my dinner plates!
a julienne peeler is fasted way to shred papaya! saves so much time. my friend makes fun of me for being asian and using a rice cooker but that’s what my parents used too and it’s so easy to use
i found cutting out television enables me to study better.
This will be my 6th year making cake balls to send to friends and family at Christmastime. They are perfect for shipping! I make at least 5 different flavors so, yeah, that’s a lot of cake balls. A couple of years ago I finally got a clue and started on them in November to save my sanity at the last minute. I make the cake mixtures one day and put them in the freezer. Then when I have time I’ll get it out and form the balls then place them back in the freezer. Then when it’s time to get the packages ready, they are ready to dip and ship!
I found my kitchen aid mixer to make me more productive, especially when i did my girlfriend’s wedding cake and cupcakes! :)
studying in the tub… i get clean and smarter at the same time :)
Small ziploc style bags that I purchased for storing/organizing jewelry making supplies (beads, chains, clasps, etc.). They happen to be the perfect thing to sort out the hundreds of pieces that are used in some of my husband’s board games.
I think using what I have in my kitchen makes me more productive! I have found ways to substitute ingredients and use up the food I do have rather than taking a trip to the grocery store!
i find so many things to do with my little pizza cutter it cuts cookie dough beautifully
I LOVE my silicone baking mats. My husband and I are currently making a gingerbread house (all from scratch) and these mats have come in handy with the baking portion… we roll the dough out right on the mat and cut our house pieces and they go straight into the oven from there. EASY PEASY!
I use the emty toliet paper rolls to whined my flat iron and blow dryer cords in. I do sort of a loop and keep looping it around and then pull the toliet paper roll over it. It keeps all the cords from getting tied up together.
I am a day planner/to do list kind of lady. I love putting all my thoughts and plans on the page so that I never forget anything and it all gets done. Plus, it feels great to cross off all the accomplished tasks!
I found that white board markers are a huge help when I’m baking, I write things on my counter top and don’t have to worry about it staining :) great when my hands are messy and paper isn’t around to jot down my latest creation. Works well for phone messages,now no one can say they can’t find a piece of paper!
Probably my mini-cupcake/ muffin tin has come in handy so many times. It was originally purchased to help bake cupcakes for my own wedding reception but I’ve used it for so many different and cute recipes from appetizers to peanut butter cup cookies…and of course the old standby – cupcakes. I use it at least once a month.
I am a total list maker. If its written down, I am good to go.
Newspapers. I use them to clean the windows, wrap gifts in, let my daughter tear up when she’s bored. It can be used for anything.
Since having a DVR, I’ve realized how much time I used to waste in front of the TV. Now I just record want I want to see and watch it whenever it’s convenient. Sometimes it’s weeks later! Plus I get to skip the commercials which saves 10-20 min. depending on the show length.
I run two miles every morning, which makes me feel good. So even if I’m not productive, I feel okay about it.
I couldn’t decide which one I wanted to post, so I’m posting them both!
1st..after chopping/dicing/slicing onions, I sprinkle salt onto my hands and rub it in (like soap), then rinse off in warm water..it eliminates a LOT of the onion odor! (and the salt acts as an exfoliant)
2nd..I use cheesecloth on my turkey..simply unroll cheesecloth, cut in half and fold to fit over top of turkey..then, as you baste the turkey while cooking, you pour your turkey juice over the cheesecloth and it just bakes into the turkey! MMmmm..soooo moist!!
Reusable groccery bags!!! I use them when I go to the groccery store. I use them to haul wet towels and bathing suits from the pool. I use them as gift bags to give gifts in. I use them to organzie toys in my kids closets. I use them for EVERYTHING!
I love taking my reusable bags to the grocery store! Taking ing 6-8 bags is sooooo much better than the 30 plastic bags! The ones from GNC are the BEST! They are twice as big as the grocery store ones!
Folding clothes fresh out of the dryer means almost no ironing. If I can’t fold them, I at least make sure I straighten them and put them in a neat pile rather than just gthrowing them in a laundry basket. I keep rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle to clean mirrors, windows, faucets and some counters. I suppose vinegar works just as well but I would rather smell alcohol.
For holidays I bake and decorate tons of sweets, then I make packages of goodies for my friends and families. They are much cheaper and less time consuming than buying individual gifts and people like them so much better!!
I’m trying to think of something that I’ve found multiple uses for…and really can’t think of much! I use vinegar a lot as a cleaning solvent (as a rinse aid in the dishwasher, and as a pet-area cleaning product), so I guess that works!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I am always looking for ways to do more with less.
My favorite thing is re-purposing furniture. I recently broke my bookshelf (it was a cheap one) in half trying to move it. I kept the top half that was not damaged and re used it as a tv stand for my daughters room. It works perfect to store her movies on the shelves and the tv (smaller flat panel) fits perfectly on top.
I use gallon ziplock bags for everything – frosting, batter, etc. Fill them – zip the shut – cut end off (I’ve used them instead of frosting bags) and squeeze out. No mess. I’ve also started giving baskets at wedding and showers with everything they need to make a cake including a engraved pan from That’s My Pan website. Put the couple’s name on it and no matter where they take it, everyone knows where to return it.
Wow you do so many giveaways Bakerella!! Thank you for that!!
When I make sugar cookies, I roll it out between parchment and wax paper. When it’s time to cut out the shapes, it’s super easy and just ready to go…you can slide the parchment paper right onto the baking sheet and into the oven!
dehydrated and freeze dried fruits and vegies have made things so much easier. I don’t have to worry about spoilage, only use what i need, and I always have “out of season” fruit to bake with. :)
I love my Farmers Market basket… I take it to the grocery store too, so I don’t have to touch the grimy carts!!
I plan my meals out bi-weekly and buy the meat in bulk that I can use several time in different ways to save money!
I’m more productive if I exercise first thing in the morning…. if I don’t get in at least an hours worth I find I’m a lazy butt all day long.
organizing can make all the difference in being productive or not!
I have discovered so many uses for spray paint….I can repurpose anything now!!!!
With a 1 year old daughter, my time seems to be so limited. I try to be organized and really try not to sweat the small stuff. Less stress means Happy Mommy and Happy Baby. I’m always looking for baby or kitchen gadgets that have duel functions, I live in a small house so I try to not to over clutter the place.
We’ve been purging left and right instead of trying to buy things to organize our things. It’s easier to put away less than to remember where all the clutter needs to go back into!
The best thing that I’ve repurposed is a garlic press. I love to use it to juice lilikoi (aka passion fruit) seeds. It’s simple, and keeps that tartness of the seeds from ruining the juice!
I’m with #88! I was excited for a cupcake holder.
I find that if I would learn to say no, I’d be more productive. I sign up for too many things. There are so many hours in the day… yet I fill them up. I need to learn to dejunk. Less stuff — less time spent dejunking.
I do love Windex (and I’m not even Greek) and those Mr. Clean Erasers.
One way I do more with less is to make soup. You can really stretch a buck by throwing a bunch of veggies and broth into a pot… and you can make it so delicious too! Yum! (And, hello, aren’t soup leftovers amazing?!)
Hmm, I save the lint from the dryer, leftover candle wax & empty egg cartons (cardboard) and make fire starters for our fire place.
I Oh, and I save the crusts in the freezer from the sandwiches I pack for Hubby & Munchkin and make bread pudding!
i’ve decided, if i don’t turn the tv on first thing in the morning, MIL does that and hubby got me started with it, i get alot more done. i tend to sit and watch rather than do and listen.
since pastry bags can be a little expensive, i buy ziplock bags instead to pipe designs on my cupcakes. regular ziplock bags are ok, but the freezer bags are more sturdy! i buy the store brand ones and they work like a charm and save me some money at that.
I’m most productive when I turn off the internet…
I slide ice cube trays into my top dresser drawer to hold jewelry, and (my favorite) I fold all of my sheet sets together into their coordinating pillow cases – so I only have to grab one thing out of the linen closet and I know everything is there!
I use toothpaste and an older toothbrush to clean my rings, makes them sparkle!!!
I am big on saving money…others probably have seen this or use them too. But I use clear plastic baseball sheets protectors to sort and organize my coupons. They make it so much easier to find coupons while I am shopping.
starting my day with prayer – and NO internet — definitely helps me stay on task and be productive.
Thanks!!
:)
I do much more for my help when I eat less ;)
We are doing more with less this year for Christmas by capitalizing on our church’s free toy trade! We all have toys sitting around (used and new) that get ignored – parents get together to trade and viola! Free Christmas!
I use Binder Clips all the time to make a bib out of a kitchen towel that my son can’t pull off!
I like to save money by buying flax seeds in bulk and using them instead of eggs in baking. I spend less this way and it is also more multi purpose, since no one in my house eats eggs (unless they are hidden in baked goods, of course).
I use rice bags to warm up our beds which allows us to turn the thermostat down. I made a rice bag for each of my kids beds, pop it in the microwave at night and they snuggle up to it happily when they drift off to sleep. It has saved us a ton on energy costs.
One thing I like to do is put a bunch of frozen chicken breasts in the crockpot with some barbeque sauce. Then I shred it up and use it for dinners and lunches for the next couple of days! Makes mealtimes super easy!
i run a small business from home and whenever i get a cookie order i never cut the recipes. i always make full batches and freeze the extra dough. i have an 11 month old so when i get last minute orders it’s hard to get things done, this way i have several kinds of cookie dough already ready. all i have to do is bake and decorate!
I put on my MP3 player to block all the distractions out and get to work. Works wonders.
I’ll go with the others with the music bit, but with my own personal spin on it.
Not only do I love to cook, I love to sing and write my own songs as well.(: Just listening to random songs blindly will pique my creativity and act as a muse, which makes me write or start fathoming recipes, which I can later use to make others smile and/or (be) happy.
How’s that for getting more for less? :P
It’s not profound, but I purchase large bags of nuts from Sams Club and I chop them myself for recipes. I just chop up the entire bag at one time and measure them out into cup-size bags to pull out from the freezer when needed for recipes. Saves time and money in the end!
I’m forced to do more laundry when I have fewer clothes. I used to hate it when i can easily let the laundry pile up so high because i rarely run out of things to wear- so i purged my closet!
okay… so it’s probably a no-brainer. but kitchen shears are the best thing ever. i cut everything… meat, cheese, green onions, spices, twine, and so much more.. and then just get to throw them in the washing machine. i guess most people already knew about how fabulous these things were… but they changed my life when i was given a pair as a gift! lame right?
i do best when i can jam out to music and then i blow through household chores and have a bit of fun!
I’ve made a ribbon holderj/dispenser out of old shoe boxes by placing wooden dowels inside (lengthwise) and poking small holes out of the sides. It allows me to see all my ribbons in one organized, color categorized way!! :D
I use the cardboard tube from my foil as a dough roller…….free!! and disposable
I cook about 3 meals worth of meat at one time. I only use 1/3 of it that night and put the rest in the fridge, saving it for some other meals that I will prepare in the next couple of days! It saves time and money!
Wow! I recently found the idea to use a normal photo frame, wrap some cord around it and put your earrings on it – Looks great and is awesome to help you organise your jewelry. This is a beautiful way to make more out of a normal frame, I think, and I’ll do it in just a little time.
It sounds silly, but since I bought a Roomba (robot vacuum) I have a lot more time to do things other than vacuuming!
I have a large, flat deviled egg plate (holds 18). I use it to serve stuffed mushrooms, small stuffed tomatoes and various other appetizers. My favorite thing is to see the face of my guests light up when they see that I thought outside the box (or egg)!
I use my laptop in many ways! I speak to other adults in the outside world, check email, follow fun recipes, do finances, get cleaning ideas, watch movies, and shop of course. I would be lost without my laptop! :o)
The library. I can check out cookbooks before buying them, stay current on my favorite mystery series, even find favorite movies. And free is definitely less!
Who makes this carrier. I think I would like to add it to my Christmas wish list. I have a cupcake carrier now, but at most I can only carry 18.
When I was younger, I used to laugh at people who kept lots of lists. Ha! The joke was on me. Now I can’t live without my lists. Lists and zip lock bags.
I save yogurt and apple sauce cups. They are especially great for arts and craft projects for my son and my nursery kids. They are the perfect size to divide up materials for each kid, and for paint and glue, etc. I also use them as little snack cup on the go. Their uses are endless.
I let a friend move in with me to save us both money. We are both learning to make do with less space!
less is more! organizing and spring cleaning every other month lol, makes me feel lighter and i get more done!
I do all my shopping on one day to prevent overspending and impulse buys!
I use inexpensive flexible cutting boards found at the dollar store to make indestructable templates for my cookies. Just trace the design on it and cut it out. Use template to cut out cookie shapes and then just wash with hot water and store for next time. One large sheet of cutting board makes many templates.
Not sure if it’s much of a short-cut, but I using fishing line to cut desserts like cheesecake. It makes for a clean presentation, no dirty knives, etc. It’s just so much prettier!
I’m trying to learn how to make things out of tshirts. I have a billion of them, and so far, I’ve made a necklace and several headbands. Next up is a hat for my baby boy, and maybe even a tshirt for him? We will see…
My crockpot helps me make better use of my time and with two small kids, saves some of my sanity around dinner time.
Vinegar! I use it instead of fabric softener in the laundry, I make my own all-purpose cleaner with it, it can be used with baking soda to clear clogged drains, it cleans windows streak free and it cleans jewelry to all sparkles! It’s a must in my house!
Pretty awesome post! I am going to run and get me that traveling cakedome asap! You are so smart Bakerella!!!
I recently purchased the “Flytta” kitchen island from Ikea and use it for papercrafting. It’s perfect because it stores my accucut die cutting system and dies (which are huge) but I can push the cart behind my door when not in uses. And then pull the island out when I need it. Completely functional storage!!!
I find I am way more productive when I am happy. Scheduling time for fun and excitement, or even doing something creative really helps me plow through the work.
I’m more productive when I spend less time on Facebook ;)
since my husband lost his job, i have become very surprised at the variety of ways one can eat rice and beans.
Until I got my cupcake carrier, I used to use the boxes that soda came to the grocery store in to transport my cupcakes.
5 gallon water bottles. My husband hides them around the house (empty ones waiting to be filled) and has my daughters play hide and seek with them (ages 3 and 1). At least a good 20 minutes of fun/distraction while I get the dishes done!
I’m most productive at night, when everyone else is sleeping and can’t bother me!
blocking out all distractions helps me be more productive. like blogs (I’m obviously not being productive now).
where can I buy one of those cupcake carriers? The link just has wholesale info.
I am becoming a coupon queen. My boyfriend teases me because every time he wants to do something or needs something, I’m like “wait, I have a coupon for that!” Most recently I got him a full arsenal of get-better supplies for $13 (kleenex, DayQuil, Orange Juice, Welch’s grape juice, Progresso soups, and some other things). I guess he’ll stop teasing now!
It’s been a tight year so I decided a few weeks ago to make holiday gifts as I love to craft and bake so a no brainer :) However, I didn’t have a ton of dough for supplies but I was recently given a box with a ton of my great grandmother’s costume jewelry. I have been having a great time deconstructing the clip earrings and necklaces and salvaging those beads to make beautiful gifts for the lovely ladies in my life.
i love using my cookie scoop for anything that involves scooping like meatballs, muffins, cleaning out seeds. it is a great tool!
I use a baby bottle brush to clean water bottles out and tall coffee travel mugs. Works great!
I found that I can be alot more productive when I ask for help. My kids and husband make the mess, eat the food and dirty the clothes, it’s only fair that they help out.
I do all of my weeks’ cooking on Sundays. Its soothing, time saving and I don’t have to think again for a whole week what I’ll be taking for lunch or making for dinner.
And that cupcake carrier featured is amazing. I use mine for anything that will fit into it. If you don’t have it I recommend you get it.
I do more for less when I blowdry my hair and skip the flat iron by putting my warm hair in a bun for 30 mins. When I take it out I have natural curls!
Conditioner to shave my legs. I don’t need to buy another product and it leaves my skin nice and soft.
i’m throwing a small party for the new ‘harry potter’ movie/my birthday, and i wanted something cute and special to give the people who come. but i’m a college student with no budget and no time! so i found an online tutorial for making magic wands using only paper, glue, and paint. they are look SO good they could be real! here is the tutorial: http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-an-awesome-Harry-Potter-wand-from-a-sheet-of-/
I keep a small steno pad by the phone and take it with me wherever I go. That way I don’t forget something and I have to make two trips to town.
I have started doubling or tripling my dinner recipes, and using one meal that night, and freezing the rest. I have found so far this works really well with soups. I even freeze them in some individual portions so my husband and I can just grab one out of the freezer for lunch that day. :)
(LOVE the carrier!!! That thing is amazing!)
My husband has been enjoying gardening lately. Whenever I cook veggies, the parts that don’t make it to the meals, get thrown into a bowl for the garden to help the worms and soil grow. Does that make sense? :D We also have been using the seeds from the fruits and veggies that we eat instead of us buying seeds from the store and growing them.
Hard to choose, I am not a stuff person, so I use lots of things for multiple uses… I would say my kitchen aid blender is one that I have been using a lot lately for different things, grinding, chopping, mixing… I love it!
i listen to the harry potter audio books when im in the kitchen. it has become a routine now. i find i get distracted and some times confused if im not listening to my harry potter audio books!
by the way i have that cupcake carrier too! but mine is a martha stewart blue color! as is everything else in my kitchen!
I know it’s not unique, but I use a vinegar/water solution in a spray bottle to clean almost everything in my house (windows, counters, toilet, tub). It works great and the smell of vinegar dissipates quickly.
Whole wheat flour. You need a grinder, but if you have wheat on hand 1 cup of it will grind into 1.5 cups of flour. That little tidbit makes us happy and healthy!
When I feel like cheating in baking… using a can of sprite and boxed cake instead of making from scratch! Half the fat and full of boxed tasty goodness.
I use a seam ripper to remove rubber bands from my daughter’s very complex hair styles. Saves time and minimizes doing any damage to her hair! :-)
My husband has been unemployed for 10(!!!) months now, so we’re working hard at doing more with less… One thing I’ve loved is tearing dryer sheets in half- a box will last twice as long, and my clothes don’t come out with that strong potpourri smell they sometimes used to get.
I find if I make realistic to do lists, I’ll get more done. I start the day with a short list of things to do and am always amazed at how much I can get accomplished if I don’t overwhelm myself.
I do not open facebook or start reading my blogs until I am halfway done with my to-do list at work. It keeps me from getting distracted and makes me work faster bc I cant wait to visit Bakerella!!!
I definitely don’t cut corners but I am ALWAYS looking for ways to save time. I kill many birds with one stone haha.
I have been drooling over one of these for a while now! I hope I win!
I don’t multi-task. I make a list of everything I need to do in the order of importance and do one thing at a time.
I use citris fruits – lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit – to “wash away” stains and dirts on the kitchen counter.
That is the best carrier I have seen! Great job with using so many different ways….
Now for my many uses on one item – Diaper wipes….Of course they are used for my two girls diaper changes…but when they fall asleep in the car and I am left listening to them sleep, I use a baby wipe to clean up my car. Those work great on cleaning up juice spills or wiping off the dust that has built up on my dashboard :)
I’m a stay at home mom, so I started mystery shopping with various companies. By doing this, I can still afford to take my family out to eat once in a while – by simply reporting how my visit went.
I use the large (2 1/2 gallon) ziplocs when I am knitting a project. When I start the project I put the skein of yarn in the bag and place it on the floor next to my chair. As I knit the yarn comes out of the bag and stays off the floor. When I take a break or stop for a while I put the piece I’m working on and the needle in the bag, zip it up and put it in my work stash. Works great for me, as I usually have several projects going at once. I always have what I need for each project all together, in case I want to grab one to take with me for working on somewhere other than home.
I am more productive when I put things in proper order, according to importance. At work, I have 3 piles: have to get done today, have to get done this week, can wait until next week… It helps me get the important things done and not be totally overwhelmed by the rest of it.
I would love this phone!! :)
I have a cookie scoop I use for everything…cupcakes, meatballs, cookies (of course!)…I love it!
There’s nothing like a good list to help me stay productive. Being able to cross off a task when it’s done keeps me motivated to do more.
I use my Longaberger basket with a divided protector (I think it’s for utensils, plates and/or napkins on the desk in our study. I use it for pens, pencils highlighters, markers & small tablets. It keeps everything organized and looks cute too!
we didn’t have a tortilla press or a rolling pin when making tortillas so we just used an unopened wine bottle. Didn’t quite come out as well as we would’ve liked but it worked!
I have started using coupons at the grocery store. You would be amazed at how much use save with coupons & the bogo deals.
We also have a $25 limit on Christmas presents. It forces you to be creative- like finding something sentimental on Ebay or something the person has always wanted at a thrift store.
I clean almost everything with vinegar… it’s cheap… cleans, deodorizes and disinfects at the same time… and it’s environmentally friendly!
I recently started reusing my plastic zip bags. I’ll just wash them, let them dry and use it again. I don’t reuse it if there was something in it that might contaminate other items, but for snacks such as pretzels, there’s no point in throwing it away after one use! I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me before. D’oh!
I have the Cupcake Courier in turquoise and use it ALL the time! Love it! As far as productivity, I find making phone calls while doing things like laundry and dishes is a great way to multitask!
A way to be more productive is to get up early instead of sleeping in on weekends and getting my kids to help me out.
We like to use old Christmas cards to make little boxes. Fun to put truffles or small gifts in.
i’v just been very productive and read everyone elses tips on being productive to see if i can catch up on the productive…ness….
^.^
I’m more productive if I get away from my computer or TV! If I turn on some music then things start getting done!
I recently started using an old expandable file to hold stickers, craft sheets, coloring paper etc for my two boys. There’s even a little compartment at the top of mine to hold small “prizes” (bouncy balls, stamps…) It’s a start to getting organized.
I have found that I am most productive when I call in sick to work and stay home when the kids are at school!! Its amazing how much mommy can do when I have no help!!LOL!!
Just gotta say I LOVE your website…have found TONS of great ideas for treats for the kids’ school parties…mine usually don’t look near as pretty as yours, but usually 5 and7 yr olds don’t really care as long as they taste good!! Thanks for all the great tips!! And I would LOVE LOVE LOVE the cupcake carrier…have one that holds 27, but it is difficult to get the cupcakes in and out of, this one would be AWESOME!!!
We gave up cable/satellite TV years ago, and instead either record our favorite network shows on the computer or watch them online. We can watch when it fits our schedule and skip 90% of the commercials.
I use ziplock baggies to put my kids puzzles in. I cut off the picture and put it in there and they take up much less space than those big boxes!
I’m probably the worst person when it comes to using something to it’s full advantage and more. When it comes to baking, I make a huge mess and use way more dishes than probably need be. I try to recycle as much as possible, and my grandfather uses many glass jars that jelly, etc. comes in for many uses around the house and little odds and ends. Everything in this house has at least three purposes, big or small, no matter what was in it before. Less waste in our garbage can!
My phone? Why? I save all my recipes on there so I have “go to” grocery lists when I need them.
I’ve really enjoyed Google Calendar lately. I used to have a planner in my purse, calendar at work, calendar at home, etc. Now I combine all my paper calendars into Google Calendar and it’s all together whenever I need it.
I’m a college kid and I recently started cooking to have leftovers rather than cooking small meals. Saves me time, energy, and money!
I really hate cleaning house. I hate scrubbing floors on my knees, dusting, cleaning windows – but those are things that have to be done, especially if you are a full time housewife… And whenever I am especially lazy, I turn on music – really loud hard rock or something else to sing along loudly – and just pick my lazy butt off the couch and do it. It’s much easier if you try to add a little music to your chores. When I was little, my Grandmother (who died last Tuesday, may she rest in peace!) always sang – during cooking, cleaning, doing dishes, knitting… the whole day long. She was a very cheerful woman, and I try to copy that whenever I can. It really makes life more fun.
I use an ice cube tray to hold all my daughter’s different colored pony tail holders. Keeps everything seperated and easy to find!
When cleaning, focus on one room at a time. It’s so easy to get distracted- when you find something that doesn’t belong in that room, you take it to the room in which it does belong then you see something there and forget all about what you were doing in the previous room. Take an empty laundry basket & anything that doesn’t belong in the room you are cleaning, put it in the basket. Once you have finished with that room, start putting things back in their place.
Also, you can donate greeting cards to:
Helpers of the Mentally Retarded
2626 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94118-4026
I use an old cleaning caddy for all the kids homework supplies, works great to hold all the markers, crayons, pencils, scissors and what-nots that are needed to complete homework in the afternoons, it’s all in one place and super handy to carry to and from the table.
My daughter chews everything (she’s 14 months). I put the crib guard rails that didn’t fit on her crib properly, and used them on the window sills.
No more bite marks in the window sills!
I reuse my grocery bags for the bathrooms…simple
I love how well my old bead organizers now serve me doubly well to store all my sewing supplies! It makes cross-stitching so much simpler and faster when all my thread is neatly labled and wound, and my scissors, favorite pencil (lame, i know), and fabric are all right at my fingertips. It goes on all trips with me!
I have a cookbook called ‘The Big Cook’ that has amazing frozen dinner recipes. And not those nasty fake meat microwave ones- these are legit. You save money by buying in bulk, put it all together on a day you have time, and when you are super busy, you can just grab one and throw it in the oven or slow cooker and you’re set!
I use my KitchenAid blender for everything from baking to mashing potatoes! I’d love to get all the attachments that go along with it especially the ice cream maker :)
I needed a container large enough to brine my turkey yet small enough to fit in the fridge. Last year, I finally found my perfect solution – a 6.5 gallon Rubbermaid bin that I had used to store clothes. Just needed to wash it out well before and after.
Yes!! I love that carrier too! I picked up mine from Williams-Sonoma. I even overheard my husabnd commenting to someone that he rolled his eyes when I bought it thinking it would never get used but that we use it all the time. 10 points for me!
For me putting together the folded bed sheet, fitted sheet, and pillow cases, as a set so it will be ready to be use when I change the dirty sheets for the week!
I am more productive when I have background noise. I can be cleaning, working, sleeping, anything…it just helps!
I think it helps to make a list, and prioritize what needs to get done. Then work through the list and cross things off as they get done!
We had a baby shower at work last week. I was going to make the corsage with flowers from Wal-Mart. but they all looked yucky!! So the morning of the shower at work, getting a corsage had totally slipped my mind. I took baby print ribbon, a pacifier, a garbage bag twist tie and a paper clip and made a corsage. And, amazingly, it didn’t look like a 3 yo made it. lol
Thanks for your blog! Love reading all the time!
I’m totally in love with that cupcake carrier!
I’ve been using my old candy molds to make new cool shaped crayons out of! That way, I get rid of the old broken ones and my kiddo gets to enjoy crazy shaped coloring fun!