I love my ceramic knife for the same reason as yours only I don't have to sharpen it. But it can chip. Also I love Corelle plain white, round dishes. I can save a ton of room in the cupboard If I stack a set of 6 placesettings in two piles, one small plates and cereal bowls, one large plates and serving bowls that we use for pasta, salad, soups, popcorn etc. They rarely chip and I can use them for any season, with different napkins or placemats. Now I just have one colour of placemats, silver, with white napkins and sikver napkin holders in the shaoe of entwined leaves. Then I add colour on the table with flowers, candy, seasonal cookies etc so it gets eaten or used. I used to have a whole drawer just for napkins and placemats, this is so much simpler.
I have a few things that have changed my life as well. 1. Dr Bronner's castile soap. I use it for almost all my cleaning needs....both myself and my home. I wash my hair, face, body with it. All my kitchen (including the dishes) and bath surfaces, my floors, I make a very weak spray for less water-based cleaning such as dusting. I also use it in the laundry sometimes. 2. Tea tree oil. I don't have a certain brand but it is an essential in my first aid kit and it is a great household disinfectant. You can also use it in your toothpaste or mouthwash, or to sanitize your toothbrush if you have been sick. 3. Mega roll toilet paper. It is like having 4 rolls in one. 4. Gladware recyclable/reusable plastic containers. These are perfect for organizing cabinets and freezer. I love the 13 cup size, if you have the standard size of stock cabinetry in your kitchen, you can fit six of them on each shelf of an upper cabinet (2 high three across) and use them for canister type items...flour, sugar, rice, pasta, beans, etc. They are so perfect. I also use the deep dish size for smaller. These fit 2 high x 5 across on a standard shelf of stock cabinets. 5. Dishpans. I use these things all the time. Some uses include sorting items that you are organizing, hiding hand washable dishes, soaking or hand washing laundry, sick bucket, toy organizer....but the thing about dishpans is they are PERFECT for use as drawers in lower cabinetry. You can divide things like tupperware, childrens dishes and sippy cups, dish towels, utensils, blender or food processor attachments, etc. Anything where you wish you had another drawer. It keeps things from being lost in the back, too....everything in my cabinets is IN another container so I can pull out and put back, sort, wipe the cabinets, etc without moving a bunch of individual items. 6. Coconut oil. This is an ideal moisturizer! I use it to make my own toothpaste, and I use it to condition my hair. It is also a very healthy cooking oil.
is it possible to put a link for the specific flatware containers you mean? are they the ones that are cheap and disposable? are they the ones that are round or square? I'd love to find out. I love to buy food from the bulk bins but have really struggled with organizing it!
Megan, sorry for the delay in replying to you. I have several sizes that are very handy. Yes they are the cheap disposable kind, they are not perfectly square, they have rounded corners, but they are not circular at all. Gladware makes an XL square that is 13 cup and it is sort of my canister system for things like rice, lentils, beans, pretzels, coffee, tea, maybe even sugar, some pastas. How you would use them really depends on the size of your family. It is the largest size of container I need to store anything and I live alone. I also stack them in my freezer for certain things that I buy all the time like chicken breasts and tater tots. If I could post links or photos, I would show you. They fit 2x3 in stock kitchen cabinetry (uppers) and I stacked four in my freezer with room on the sides for ice trays. Then I have what is called "deep dish" which is good for leftovers, I even used to use it as a lunch box. These fit 2x5 in stock kitchen cabinetry (uppers). Another size I have found handy is the The key thing is to buy ONE brand and stick with that brand for each size you use. Ziplock makes them, Glad makes them, and all the stores have their own brand of similar sizes. But if you start mixing brands and they all get jumbled in your kitchen then the lids and containers will not mix and match across brands so you will find yourself in that familiar hunt we all hate going on. I also use a shallower but longer container which is nice in the freezer. if you go to walmart, it has a shamrock on the container. and the last size I have used is the 24 oz It is rectangular in shape and a bit larger than a pound of butter or a box of herbal tea.
The oil cleansing method change my life for the better. I used to spend so much time and money on buying skin care products and make up removers. Now all I use is caster oil mixed with either almond oil or extra virgin olive oil to remove my make up and cleanse my face. follwed by Apple cider vinager/water to tone. I use coconut oil for moisturizing and essential oils like sweet orange essential oils. my skin has never been so good and after 3 children I used to break out a lot. its not perfect as I'm still working out what works best for me but 1000% better than before.
I have been wanting to make my own face cleanser, and this looks great! What ratio do you use for your caster oil to olive oil? Do you find that you have to use really hot water to get the cleanser off?
I covet that vacuum haha The product that changed my life is the Kindle. There are thousands of amazing & free books in the public domain, and the device is so light and takes up no space at all! I'd recommend the Kindle to anyone interested in minimalism / loves to read. :)
Melody, Thanks for the great review. I have the Shark cordless vacuum and LOVE, LOVE it. I love being able to whip that thing off the charger and vacuum my kitchen tile floor-picks up all the little things that fall off the counter. You also don't have to go over and over something until it finally picks it up. Awesome purchase. WELL worth the money. My thing that I cannot live without is Aloe Vera gel. I use it on anything that irritates my skin or any cuts, abrasions, sunburn. It is very soothing after waxing the upper lip as well, and gets rid of redness quickly. I am a registered nurse and this is my go-to first aid product. Of course, any larger injuries require different treatment, but for minor skin issues, it is fantastic.
Can't get enough of your videos!I hope you upload many many more :) Love OXO products, I discovered them some months ago and although they're pricey I've been recommending them to my friends&family, they are such a good investment. I am thinking of buying a little oxo container for my face cotton pads also. BTW I would love to see how you organize your makeup and beauty/hygiene products, pretty sure I can get some ideas from ya. Lots of love!
+Sui S. We are kindred spirits. Half my kitchen is OXO! The best way to organize beauty products is to use the stick-on organizers that go on your medicine cabinet door or to keep them in one velvet bag. I will have a minimalist zen bathroom video soon with more great tips!
+LC88Chavez You will love it! I forgot to add, it's super lightweight! The swivel, weight, and fact that it was so easy to empty were such pleasant surprises :)
I like the idea of a cordless vacuum, but I'm not sure about this style. I"m used to the vacuums that have the brush at the end of a long stick and you pull the container after you as you go along. I find that very useful because as it's on a long stick I can remove cobwebs with it, and also change the attachments and vacuum the car as well or go along skirting boards. Is there a cordless version of those available too?
bras can be expensive! I just got the pasties and I'm really excited to use them! I'm only a 34A so i don't really need a heavy duty bra. Thank you for featuring them on your video! My life as a lady will now be more comfortable
Ok iI had to add my fave product since I can’t be the only one who has only recently discovered these amazing videos, for me Pyrex products changed my life. I only bake in the glass So I use the loaf pan, square dish and the casserole sizes. My favourite Pyrex product is the 3 cup rectangular storage containers which stack so beautifully in freezers, fridges and the smallest of cabinets, next is the 2 cup round and the 7 cup round Pyrex storage bowls( we use the 2 cup,for all small quantities of things and for burger patties frozen. The 7 cup round Is perfect to stack in my small kitchen cabinet for rice and pasta and the 4 cup are great for everything. I love that they are glass and strong ( Anchor Hocking are not as safe - I had one shatter ) and freezer, fridge and oven safe. Also, they stack nicely when empty too and the lids are effective ( frozen can be a bit challenging). I too though am a huge fan of the “ disposable” food containers made by Ziploc, Glad etc and use these to hold things like frozen and fresh berries, homemade dog food etc. The Pyrex are expensive and heavy so I appreciate the light weight of the recyclable food containers. My Vitamix and Omega juicer are essential to our breakfasts and lunches.
So glad I discovered your channel! I'm binge watching your vids and reading through your blog haha. Btw you should consider linking the products you mention to a referrer account and get paid commission since you're taking the time to film, edit, and post vids. I am always watching minimalism vids (that's how I found your channel) and hope you continue to upload more vids. ;)
What kind of wipes do you put in the warmer to clean with? And do you keep it heated or just use it as a holder? I didn't understand what changes you make to use it for cleaning.
+Rikki Tremblay I have been debating a Kindle for a long time now. It will be easier on my eyes. Glad to know it works so well for you. I am hoping they will come out with a Kindle Glass one day so that I can turn pages and read hands-free!
Melody I think you and I are channeled to the same soul. When I watch your videos I find myself saying YES and AMEN and I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME! I have being doing many of the same things that you talk about in your videos and I have found and love a lot of the same products! I also have that Shark vacuum cleaner but I ended up having to buy another unit (black and decker handheld with attachments) to supplement it because it doesn't have ATTACHMENTS! it was an oversight when I bought the shark, that there are no attachments on it and I have found it really falls short in corners and edges. Do you have any suggestions to make that Shark work better? You are correct however, that cordless vacuuming is theeeeeeee way to go! I also use an OXO brush at the sink. I like the one that fits in your palm, that you can fill with soap. I store it upside down because the soap feeds into the bristles when it is right side up.
+Ashley Severino Hey Ashley, I used to buy Burt Bee's baby wipes, but I'm going to switch to Whole Foods 365 wipes because they're a lot more economical.
Yes all blades dull but that is why you need a simple wet stone. I saved more money on not buying new knives with a wet stone that lets me resharpen my knives for the rest of my life. I own two knives and will never have to buy another ever. I bought my daughter the same knives and wet stone when she moved out.
+Cca Hey CCa, I use the Burt's Bees Chlorine-Free Wipes. I tried the WF brand, but I liked the Burt's Bees ones a lot better. They're fragrance-free as well and all fit in perfectly.
I rarely comment on YT, but you post valuable content and I want to pay you back somehow. Please look deeper into the research about bras. It's a myth that breasts can support themselves and after the initial "breakthrough" and the popularity of just one research results saying so, there's been a ton of how this was a lie. It was just one case of research vs. all the rest. Once stretched, the collagen strings cannot go back.
+aczikere Thanks! I appreciate you picking my vid to comment on! The fight against gravity is a losing war haha I do still own a wire-free bra, but I don't use it frequently because I do not work outside of the house. So sad to hear about that study since I thought research was at last validating my lifestyle! lol
I love my ceramic knife for the same reason as yours only I don't have to sharpen it. But it can chip. Also I love Corelle plain white, round dishes. I can save a ton of room in the cupboard If I stack a set of 6 placesettings in two piles, one small plates and cereal bowls, one large plates and serving bowls that we use for pasta, salad, soups, popcorn etc. They rarely chip and I can use them for any season, with different napkins or placemats. Now I just have one colour of placemats, silver, with white napkins and sikver napkin holders in the shaoe of entwined leaves. Then I add colour on the table with flowers, candy, seasonal cookies etc so it gets eaten or used. I used to have a whole drawer just for napkins and placemats, this is so much simpler.
I'm on a binge watching your videos, great tips! I'm getting my first home soon and I can't wait to organise my new space with ur tips.
I have a few things that have changed my life as well.
1. Dr Bronner's castile soap. I use it for almost all my cleaning needs....both myself and my home. I wash my hair, face, body with it. All my kitchen (including the dishes) and bath surfaces, my floors, I make a very weak spray for less water-based cleaning such as dusting. I also use it in the laundry sometimes.
2. Tea tree oil. I don't have a certain brand but it is an essential in my first aid kit and it is a great household disinfectant. You can also use it in your toothpaste or mouthwash, or to sanitize your toothbrush if you have been sick.
3. Mega roll toilet paper. It is like having 4 rolls in one.
4. Gladware recyclable/reusable plastic containers. These are perfect for organizing cabinets and freezer. I love the 13 cup size, if you have the standard size of stock cabinetry in your kitchen, you can fit six of them on each shelf of an upper cabinet (2 high three across) and use them for canister type items...flour, sugar, rice, pasta, beans, etc. They are so perfect. I also use the deep dish size for smaller. These fit 2 high x 5 across on a standard shelf of stock cabinets.
5. Dishpans. I use these things all the time. Some uses include sorting items that you are organizing, hiding hand washable dishes, soaking or hand washing laundry, sick bucket, toy organizer....but the thing about dishpans is they are PERFECT for use as drawers in lower cabinetry. You can divide things like tupperware, childrens dishes and sippy cups, dish towels, utensils, blender or food processor attachments, etc. Anything where you wish you had another drawer. It keeps things from being lost in the back, too....everything in my cabinets is IN another container so I can pull out and put back, sort, wipe the cabinets, etc without moving a bunch of individual items.
6. Coconut oil. This is an ideal moisturizer! I use it to make my own toothpaste, and I use it to condition my hair. It is also a very healthy cooking oil.
is it possible to put a link for the specific flatware containers you mean? are they the ones that are cheap and disposable? are they the ones that are round or square? I'd love to find out. I love to buy food from the bulk bins but have really struggled with organizing it!
grrrr. auto-correct. I meant gladware
Megan, sorry for the delay in replying to you. I have several sizes that are very handy. Yes they are the cheap disposable kind, they are not perfectly square, they have rounded corners, but they are not circular at all. Gladware makes an XL square that is 13 cup and it is sort of my canister system for things like rice, lentils, beans, pretzels, coffee, tea, maybe even sugar, some pastas. How you would use them really depends on the size of your family. It is the largest size of container I need to store anything and I live alone. I also stack them in my freezer for certain things that I buy all the time like chicken breasts and tater tots. If I could post links or photos, I would show you. They fit 2x3 in stock kitchen cabinetry (uppers) and I stacked four in my freezer with room on the sides for ice trays.
Then I have what is called "deep dish" which is good for leftovers, I even used to use it as a lunch box. These fit 2x5 in stock kitchen cabinetry (uppers).
Another size I have found handy is the
The key thing is to buy ONE brand and stick with that brand for each size you use. Ziplock makes them, Glad makes them, and all the stores have their own brand of similar sizes. But if you start mixing brands and they all get jumbled in your kitchen then the lids and containers will not mix and match across brands so you will find yourself in that familiar hunt we all hate going on.
I also use a shallower but longer container which is nice in the freezer. if you go to walmart, it has a shamrock on the container.
and the last size I have used is the 24 oz It is rectangular in shape and a bit larger than a pound of butter or a box of herbal tea.
if you send me a link I will directly respond to you with photos and links of my stuff, the way I am using these items, and links to purchase.
The oil cleansing method change my life for the better. I used to spend so much time and money on buying skin care products and make up removers. Now all I use is caster oil mixed with either almond oil or extra virgin olive oil to remove my make up and cleanse my face. follwed by Apple cider vinager/water to tone. I use coconut oil for moisturizing and essential oils like sweet orange essential oils. my skin has never been so good and after 3 children I used to break out a lot. its not perfect as I'm still working out what works best for me but 1000% better than before.
I have been wanting to make my own face cleanser, and this looks great! What ratio do you use for your caster oil to olive oil? Do you find that you have to use really hot water to get the cleanser off?
When I use oil to clean my face, I use a wet cloth (just squeeze it) to clean my face off. Never hot water.
I covet that vacuum haha The product that changed my life is the Kindle. There are thousands of amazing & free books in the public domain, and the device is so light and takes up no space at all! I'd recommend the Kindle to anyone interested in minimalism / loves to read. :)
Melody,
Thanks for the great review. I have the Shark cordless vacuum and LOVE, LOVE it. I love being able to whip that thing off the charger and vacuum my kitchen tile floor-picks up all the little things that fall off the counter. You also don't have to go over and over something until it finally picks it up. Awesome purchase. WELL worth the money.
My thing that I cannot live without is Aloe Vera gel. I use it on anything that irritates my skin or any cuts, abrasions, sunburn. It is very soothing after waxing the upper lip as well, and gets rid of redness quickly. I am a registered nurse and this is my go-to first aid product. Of course, any larger injuries require different treatment, but for minor skin issues, it is fantastic.
Can't get enough of your videos!I hope you upload many many more :) Love OXO products, I discovered them some months ago and although they're pricey I've been recommending them to my friends&family, they are such a good investment. I am thinking of buying a little oxo container for my face cotton pads also. BTW I would love to see how you organize your makeup and beauty/hygiene products, pretty sure I can get some ideas from ya. Lots of love!
+Sui S. We are kindred spirits. Half my kitchen is OXO! The best way to organize beauty products is to use the stick-on organizers that go on your medicine cabinet door or to keep them in one velvet bag. I will have a minimalist zen bathroom video soon with more great tips!
I LOVE that vacuum!!! It is incredible!
+Deidre Plotts It is! The swivel is unreal! Shark really nails vacuums.
Omg I love the cordless vac idea!! Christmas gift for sure!
+LC88Chavez You will love it! I forgot to add, it's super lightweight! The swivel, weight, and fact that it was so easy to empty were such pleasant surprises :)
I like the idea of a cordless vacuum, but I'm not sure about this style. I"m used to the vacuums that have the brush at the end of a long stick and you pull the container after you as you go along. I find that very useful because as it's on a long stick I can remove cobwebs with it, and also change the attachments and vacuum the car as well or go along skirting boards. Is there a cordless version of those available too?
bras can be expensive! I just got the pasties and I'm really excited to use them! I'm only a 34A so i don't really need a heavy duty bra. Thank you for featuring them on your video! My life as a lady will now be more comfortable
Ok iI had to add my fave product since I can’t be the only one who has only recently discovered these amazing videos, for me Pyrex products changed my life. I only bake in the glass So I use the loaf pan, square dish and the casserole sizes. My favourite Pyrex product is the 3 cup rectangular storage containers which stack so beautifully in freezers, fridges and the smallest of cabinets, next is the 2 cup round and the 7 cup round Pyrex storage bowls( we use the 2 cup,for all small quantities of things and for burger patties frozen. The 7 cup round Is perfect to stack in my small kitchen cabinet for rice and pasta and the 4 cup are great for everything. I love that they are glass and strong ( Anchor Hocking are not as safe - I had one shatter ) and freezer, fridge and oven safe. Also, they stack nicely when empty too and the lids are effective ( frozen can be a bit challenging). I too though am a huge fan of the “ disposable” food containers made by Ziploc, Glad etc and use these to hold things like frozen and fresh berries, homemade dog food etc. The Pyrex are expensive and heavy so I appreciate the light weight of the recyclable food containers. My Vitamix and Omega juicer are essential to our breakfasts and lunches.
So glad I discovered your channel! I'm binge watching your vids and reading through your blog haha. Btw you should consider linking the products you mention to a referrer account and get paid commission since you're taking the time to film, edit, and post vids. I am always watching minimalism vids (that's how I found your channel) and hope you continue to upload more vids. ;)
+H Lee I can tell you love minimalism just as much as me!
What kind of wipes do you put in the warmer to clean with? And do you keep it heated or just use it as a holder? I didn't understand what changes you make to use it for cleaning.
I hate bras too!
The Kindle changed my life; I read even more now, felt comfortable to get rid of nearly all my physical books, so awesome.
+Rikki Tremblay I have been debating a Kindle for a long time now. It will be easier on my eyes. Glad to know it works so well for you. I am hoping they will come out with a Kindle Glass one day so that I can turn pages and read hands-free!
My Fitbit Flex!!!! I've been much more active and started to eat health and control my weight! Love it!!!
Melody I think you and I are channeled to the same soul. When I watch your videos I find myself saying YES and AMEN and I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME! I have being doing many of the same things that you talk about in your videos and I have found and love a lot of the same products!
I also have that Shark vacuum cleaner but I ended up having to buy another unit (black and decker handheld with attachments) to supplement it because it doesn't have ATTACHMENTS! it was an oversight when I bought the shark, that there are no attachments on it and I have found it really falls short in corners and edges. Do you have any suggestions to make that Shark work better? You are correct however, that cordless vacuuming is theeeeeeee way to go!
I also use an OXO brush at the sink. I like the one that fits in your palm, that you can fill with soap. I store it upside down because the soap feeds into the bristles when it is right side up.
I just bought that same vacuum cleaner after watching this video. Thanks for the suggestion.
Hi Melody love your channel. About OXO good grips, do you always buy the wipes? If so, do you always go with OXO brand wipes?
I missed you Melody
I always save shoe boxes. I use them to organize things in my pantry, in the bathroom cabinets, etc. And they are free (ish)
Love your videos! Shark is not available in where I'm living. Which other cordless vacuum would u recommend?
I have a dyson cordless that is great!
sorry if you have already answered this, but, what brand of scanner and cordless vacuum do you use?
Definitely interested in that vacuum.
Do you make your own wipes or do you ourchase wipes and place them inside your oxo wipe container?
+Ashley Severino Hey Ashley, I used to buy Burt Bee's baby wipes, but I'm going to switch to Whole Foods 365 wipes because they're a lot more economical.
Fabulous items!
can you tell me the type of wipes you use?
Good Job Girl! Great video! Do more!!!
Yes all blades dull but that is why you need a simple wet stone. I saved more money on not buying new knives with a wet stone that lets me resharpen my knives for the rest of my life. I own two knives and will never have to buy another ever. I bought my daughter the same knives and wet stone when she moved out.
Hi Melody, do most any type of wipes fit into the dispenser? which wipes do you purchase the most? Thanks
+Cca Hey CCa, I use the Burt's Bees Chlorine-Free Wipes. I tried the WF brand, but I liked the Burt's Bees ones a lot better. They're fragrance-free as well and all fit in perfectly.
I have the same vacuum! 😬
I rarely comment on YT, but you post valuable content and I want to pay you back somehow. Please look deeper into the research about bras. It's a myth that breasts can support themselves and after the initial "breakthrough" and the popularity of just one research results saying so, there's been a ton of how this was a lie. It was just one case of research vs. all the rest. Once stretched, the collagen strings cannot go back.
+aczikere Thanks! I appreciate you picking my vid to comment on! The fight against gravity is a losing war haha I do still own a wire-free bra, but I don't use it frequently because I do not work outside of the house. So sad to hear about that study since I thought research was at last validating my lifestyle! lol
please look into the camera. love ur videos :-)
+jane gomez I am going to make it a point to stop staring into space! haha Stay tuned.
I like your videos but please breathe and stop after a sentence. sometimes it looks like you're choking. otherwise keep up the good works