As Seen on the Today Show: Uncommon Uses for Common Household Objects

Brit Morin
Jan 07, 2014

You know we love us a good repurposing hack on the items you already own, which is why I popped over to the TODAY Show again this morning to show the folks there a few new ways to use objects you likely have lying around the house. Ever wondered what to do with all of those pool noodles in the winter? Dozens of sharpies lying in your drawer? Leftover thumbtacks? We’ve got just the tricks.

Let’s start with one of our favorite household items — Sharpie markers!

1. Sharpie Dishware: We suggest planning out your designs beforehand, but doodling is fun too. It’s up to you, but the simpler the better. Once you’re in a rhythm, it’s easy! We used regular Sharpie markers and basic white ceramic dishware. Once you’re done drawing, just bake your finished pieces for 20 minutes at 250F to seal your designs. Custom, affordable dishware!

Sharpie Wall Art

Inspired by this string art sign by Vintage Revivals, we created this sign in preparation for Valentine’s Day! Start with a 3 x 4 foot canvas, then trace the outline of the heart. Then use painter’s tape to outline the “LOVE” letters. Now, using a ruler and your sharpie, draw lines across the heart. Remove the tape and voila! We used one color for our heart, but this simple DIY is an easy way to add a custom color pop to any room!

Speaking of simple color pops, one of our all time favorite DIYs here at Brit HQ is this collection of color block candles.

3. Color Block Crayon Candles: That’s right, crayons! We combined bold crayons with standard candle wax to create colorful collection of votives. The results? Pretty darn awesome. All you need is a microwave, the right colors, and you’re halfway there.

Use Ice Cube Trays for Storage

There have been so many ideas of how to use this common product all around the web, but these are my three favorites: 1) to store all those knick-knacks (this is my secret trick for storing DIY supplies!), 2) as an easy-to-clean paint tray, or 3) as a miniature herb garden. So handy! (image via WikiHow)

Another clever use for a common object is using thumbtacks to create art!

5. Thumbtack Wall Art When we first created thumbtack wall art, we created a simple gold design. For today’s creation, I incorporated my own popular family slogan: Dream Laugh Love. We made this simple piece using a basic canvas, a few coats of paint, and thumbtacks. And all for less than $10 — now that’s affordable art!

Thumbtack Sunburst Mirror

For this next DIY, I was inspired by Kara Paslay Designs. You can also give that basic wall mirror a design boost by simply using thumbtacks to create a frame. This works well with photographs too.

Pool Noodle Wreaths

A big thank you to Fox Hollow Cottage for my original noodle wreath inspiration. Simply tape the ends of a noodle together and cover with your favorite fabric, yarn, ribbon to make these chic pool noodle wreaths. Use these wreaths all year long by simply switching out the decorative touches. Simple felt hearts, fabric flowers or even this awesome laser cut sign we made just for the folks at The Today Show. I think I know a perfect place for this ORANGE ROOM wreath ;)

Pool Noodle Race Track

Okay, I know these pool noodles can also double as swords… but we were also inspired by blogger Passionate Penny Pincher who made this awesome kid-friendly DIY pool noodle race track! Simply cut one of the larger noodles in half, use toothpicks to attach the “tracks,” prop on a chair or counter, and race away!

Sorry 'Landman' Fans, [SPOILER] Didn't Make It Out Of The Finale Alive

Landman fans, how we feeling? The first season of Taylor Sheridan's new drama came to a close on January 12 with the season finale, "The Crumbs of Hope," and it provided viewers with plenty of to think about as tensions between the cartel and M-Tex Oil came to a head — and one character suffered a potentially-fatal medical emergency.

Here's everything you need to know about the Landman season finale, including THAT (potential) character death.

What happens in the last episode of Landman?

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

The last episode of Landman opens after Monty's (Jon Hamm) ruptured aortic aneurysm in episode 9 lands him in the hospital for a heart transplant...if they can find a new heart in time. (I'm getting flashbacks to Dan's heart transplant catastrophe in One Tree Hill). But based on the fact Monty flatlines and Cami (Demi Moore) and their daughters cry over his bed, things aren't looking hopeful.

Meanwhile, Tommy (Billy Bob Thornton) takes over as M-Tex Oil president, and as he works on smoothing things over between the cartel and the oil company, he gets kidnapped by the cartel, who also blow up an oil tank and drive a nail into Tommy's leg for good measure. But just when it looks like Tommy might meet his end, cartel leader Galino (Andy Garcia) wipes out the other members and helps him escape.

Billy Bob and Andy have actually been friends for awhile, but this is the first time they've acted onscreen together! "Andy is such a great guy and great actor, and when we did those scenes at the end of the last episode, it felt so good, because we kind of had us two old veterans going head to head,” Billy Bob Thornton told Variety. “It was quite an experience, and I have to say every moment of it felt real. Tommy’s dealing with someone now who is really smart. The other guys were hired to work for him, but now Tommy’s talking to the man himself. There are advantages and disadvantages to that. Since he is so smart, who knows what Tommy is going to get tricked into?”

How did Landman end last night?

Landman season 1 ends with Tommy returning home with a proposition (er, more like a friendly demand) from Galino that the oil business and the cartel become allies. After all, the cartel's interested in taking part in the industry — and seeing what it has to offer.

“The cartel and the oil industry are kind of these odd neighbors living side by side in West Texas,” co-creator Christian Wallace tells Variety. “Now Andy’s character is thinking he is going to make a change and utilize that proximity in a way that could benefit him.”

Hopefully Paramount+ greenlights Landman season 2 so we can see just what happens between Galino and Tommy in the future...and if Monty makes it out of the hospital alive.

What did you think about the Landman finale? If you're a Taylor Sheridan fan who's still reeling from those final moments — and the Yellowstone finale — check out 17 TV Shows Yellowstone Fans Should Watch Next.

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'A Simple Favor 2' Director Has The Best Response To Rumors Blake Lively Delayed The Film

It Ends With Us has quickly become the most memorable movie of Blake Lively's career after rumors of drama between her and costar & director Justin Baldonimorphed into a full-on legal battle. And after the feud was uncovered, the internet has spiraled over what Blake Lively's relationships with her other costars are like — and whether what's happening behind the scenes of her movies are going to delay them. Well, A Simple Favor 2 director Paul Feig had the perfect response to rumors that another feud between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick caused Amazon to shelve the movie.

Here's exactly what A Simple Favor 2 director Paul Feig had to say about Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively's relationship.

Paul Feig offers a very promising update on 'A Simple Favor 2'

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- YouTube

When a viral tweet claimed that Amazon had indefinitely delayed A Simple Favor 2 because of a feud between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, director Paul Feig stepped in to clear up the rumors.

"Despite glowing test screenings, Blake Lively’s refusal to promote—amid her messy legal battle with Justin Baldoni—and growing tensions with Anna Kendrick have derailed the sequel," X user Eric B tweeted on January 10. "Anna is furious. Paul Feig is disappointed. Hollywood is in shock. This isn’t just a movie—it’s an implosion."

"This is total BS. Sorry," Feig said in his retweet that same day. "The movie is finished and coming out soon. Don’t believe anything you read on social media these days."

And Anna Kendrick says reuniting with Blake Lively was "lovely."

Anna Kendrick also spilled on reuniting with Blake Lively, claiming that working together felt "a little bit like riding a bike."

"She lives on the East Coast, I live on the West Coast, so we don't get to see each other often," she told PEOPLE. "But it was lovely, and I think that those characters have such weird chemistry that it's so fun to just get the gang back together."

We don't know many details about the plot just yet but we do know it involves a destination wedding — and Blake Lively's Emily in a very fancy wedding dress. Stephanie and Emily "head to the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, for Emily’s extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman," according to the movie's synopsis (via People). "Along with the glamorous guests, expect murder and betrayal to RSVP for a wedding with more twists and turns than the road from the Marina Grande to the Capri town square."

Sign me up!

Check out The Best Blake Lively Movies to get ready for A Simple Favor 2.

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Here's What Hit '90s Show You Should Rewatch Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Are you anxiously waiting for new TV shows to debut this year? Me too, particularly Meghan Markle's series With Love, Megan (January 15). But, we at Brit + Co have the perfect buffer that'll hold you over — revisiting the '90s.

Instead of trying to cram the likes of Dawson's Creek or Sex and the City into one weekend, we have the best show you should watch based on your zodiac! We've already made cozy plans to curl up with a cute blanket from T.J. Maxx so we can watch endless reruns of the shows associated with our signs, and we hope you join us!

Scroll to find the '90s show that perfectly matches your zodiac sign!

Brit + Co

Aries (March 21 - April 19): Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Bold, fearless, and always ready for a fight, Aries will love Buffy's courageous spirit and kick-ass attitude. She's got all the makings of a fire sign who means business.

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Taurus (April 20 - May 20): Friends

Taureans appreciate stability and comfort. Friends offers warm, familiar characters and a cozy, sitcom vibe. If you really want to tap into this vibe, call your besties and have an impromptu watch party!

Brit + Co

Gemini (May 21 - June 20): Felicity

Curious and ever-changing, Geminis will relate to Felicity's journey of self-discovery and her endless quest for knowledge. There's also the inevitable complicated relationship Felicity has with Ben and Noel that's hard to resist.

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Cancer (June 21 - July 22): Moesha

Cancerians are nurturing and empathetic. They'll connect with Moesha's family-oriented values and emotional depth. Though she didn't get everything right, Moesha always tried to remedy things whenever they went wrong — just like a true Cancer.

Brit + Co

Leo (July 23 - August 22): Beverly Hills, 90210

Leos love the spotlight and drama. 90210 delivers glamorous characters, high-stakes situations, and plenty of over-the-top moments.

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Virgo (August 23 - September 22): The X-Files

Virgos are analytical and detail-oriented. The X-Files offers a perfect blend of mystery, science, and a touch of the paranormal. What's not to love?

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Libra (September 23 - October 22): Sex and the City

Libras appreciate beauty, balance, and social connections. Sex and the City explores love, friendship, and fashion in a stylish and sophisticated way.

P.S. We won't be shocked if some of you discover you're more of a 'Charlotte' than a 'Carrie.'

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Scorpio (October 23 - November 21): Charmed

Intense and passionate, Scorpios will be drawn to the supernatural world of the Charmed Ones, filled with dark magic and powerful sisterhood.

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Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21): Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Adventurous and optimistic, Sagittarians will enjoy the Fresh Prince's witty humor, vibrant personality, and knack for getting into trouble.

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Capricorn (December 22 - January 19): Dawson’s Creek

Ambitious and disciplined, Capricorns will appreciate Dawson's intellectual pursuits and the show's exploration of complex relationships and coming-of-age themes.

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Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): Daria

Quirky and independent, Aquarians will identify with Daria's unique perspective and her ability to see through societal norms. It's also not surprising that Daria has what some call a 'black cat' personality because Aquarians can have a dry sense of humor that's borderline sarcastic.

Brit + Co

Pisces (February 19 - March 20): Sabrina, the Teenage Witch

Dreamy and imaginative, Pisces will love Sabrina's magical adventures and her ability to navigate the challenges of adolescence with a touch of magic.

Revisit your weekly horoscope to see if our predictions for your zodiac came true this week!

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