This is where I'll share with you Decorating Tips and idea's, as well as new ways to Reuse/repurpose.  I'm always looking for easy, fun and inexpensive ways to update my decor, and new ways to Resuse/Repurpose.  If you have any decorating or Reuse/Repurpose ideas you would like to share*, please submit them through the "BKB contact" email form.

Don't recycle that empty tissue box, repurpose the box to hold your plastic grocery bags or used dryer sheets*.  What do you do with your *dryer sheets (white,scented or unscented) after they soften your clothes?  Use them to scour dishes, pots, counter tops and sinks.  Always test to make sure they won't scratch the surface.  Use them as bath & shower scrubbies and to scrub the shower & tub including the sliding doors, and to scrub the sink and fixtures.  They work great to remove soap scum and hard water marks.  I keep mine tucked in a repruposed tissue box under the bath room sink.

From now on use a single piece of dry (not cooked) spaghetti to light your candles.  From birthday candles to tapers there's no longer a need to purchase costly candle lighters that can't be refilled or recycled.  Go Green, use Spaghetti!!!  You can use the same piece of spaghetti over and over.  Be sure to store it in a safe place so it doesn't break into small pieces. 

Decorating Tip:                                                                                                                                        Want to update your home décor &/or add some color to a room or two. Maybe enhance a certain area of the Bagua when you Feng Shui your home. Don't have a lot of money, no problem, use tassels. I love tassels and they add a touch of color and glamour to any room. Hang them on door knobs, drawer pulls, light and fan chains. Use to tie back your drapes, or gather up your drapes and tie with a tassel. Hang tassels on your drapery rod on either side of your drapes. Hang on a picture frame, mirror or from a lamp switch (I have them hanging on the switch for my floor lamps). Sew some on a pillow, on the corners of your comforter or a throw, or the hem of a valance. I have them hanging on my bar stools and my wine bucket stand. Like I said, “I love TASSELS!”

You'll find a wide selection of ready made tassels or cording and tassels to make your own at your local fabric/craft store like Joann or Michaels. Watch for sales, I've seen tassels for 50% off at Joann fabrics. I've picked up a few gorgeous tassels at my local thrift store. Another way to be “green.”

I've made my own with a finial (need to have a hole through the middle), I've used small wooden flower pots and painted them to match or coordinate with the fringe trim I used. You can use yarn, crochet thread, embroidery floss or fringe trim. You can use cording for the hanger/tie back or use the yarn, crochet thread or floss that you use for the tassel as a hanging loop. Tassels can be made in many different ways, so use your imagination and make your own. You can find tassels and kits for making Tassels on ebay.                   Google "tassel pattern" and browse through the choices.  You can find tassels made of ribbon, feathers, yarn, cord, thread and beads.  They come in any color you can think of and just as many styles.  They come in all sizes from tiny to gigantic.  Layer different colors and styles of tassels.

On two of my doors I have layered a long green double tassel made of yarn, a shorter gold made of shiny cord and an even shorter purple tassel with a purple bead made with thread.                                                See below. 

These tassels brighten the area all around the door.    

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*The "Tips" & "Tricks" are excerpts from my cookbook, "Vegan to Shrimp."