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

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!

Alright, tarot lovers and manifestation mavens! Buckle up, because this week's tarot reading is serving some serious truth tea. We're diving deep into themes of completion, integrity, and mastering your own intuitive flow. Forget the fluff, we're getting real about finishing strong, spotting the smoke and mirrors, and leveling up your manifestation game. Think of this as your personal pep talk, a cosmic nudge to ditch the doubt and embrace the abundance headed your way. Get ready to decode the cards and unlock your inner power — let's dive in to your reading!

Scroll to see your weekly tarot reading for March 10-16, 2025!

10 of Wands & 10 of Pentacles:

The reading emphasizes a theme of completion and abundance. The 10 of Wands suggests that the path to your desired outcome is near, and you must persist through the final push. Giving up now would be detrimental as you are on the verge of achieving your goals. The 10 of Pentacles reinforces this message, indicating abundance in all areas of life: money, time, energy, relationships, and joy. You are nearing the end of a significant phase, described as "the end of the beginning," which will propel you forward. For some, this signifies the culmination of a project or goal, and for others, it's about finalizing the initial steps to ensure a strong foundation for future endeavors. The message is clear: complete what you've started, add the finishing touches, and celebrate your achievements. Don't rush into the next phase until you've fully concluded the current one. Focus on your personal definition of "perfect" and recognize that your own standard is sufficient.

King of Pentacles:

This card highlights themes of integrity, honesty, and truth, with a particular emphasis on discerning information. On a wider scale, it warns against blindly following authority figures, even those you respect. You are urged to conduct your own research, question what you hear, and assess how information directly affects you. There may be deception regarding finances or other matters of material value. Personally, be mindful of white lies and trust your intuition when something feels off. Rely on your own knowledge and wisdom to navigate situations, whether it's in your personal relationships or in understanding broader societal issues. The card encourages you to be discerning, to sift through "smoke and mirrors," and to ensure that you are receiving and sharing honest information.

King of Swords & Five of Cups:

These cards address the challenges of manifestation and maintaining a positive mindset. The King of Swords represents mastery and intuitive action, while the Five of Cups signifies disappointment. The message is to avoid dwelling on what isn't working and instead focus on your accomplishments and what you are grateful for. You may feel discouraged by perceived setbacks, but these are part of the learning process. The King of Swords advises you to tailor your manifestation practices to your own needs and preferences. Take notes on what works and what doesn't, and don't be afraid to adjust your approach. Avoid focusing on negativity, as it can hinder your intuitive connection and pull you away from your path to mastery. Instead, celebrate your small wins, learn from your experiences, and trust in your ability to navigate challenges. The reading emphasizes that you are learning a new skill and should give yourself grace and focus on what you know and what you have.

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The internet has a lot of thoughts about Rachel Zegler's Snow White costume. After set pictures first leaked on the internet, people had called the live-action adaptation "awkward,""weird looking," and just straight up "bad," but recently, I've seen some questions surrounding the actual construction of the dress we're all so familiar with. And since I'm a costume history nerd, I decided to break it down for you — especially since one addition to Rachel Zegler's outfit is arguably more historically accurate than the cartoon.

Here are some of the details in Rachel Zegler's Snow White costume, explained.

Snow White's costume is inspired by 1500s Germany.

Disney's Snow White has two main influences: the 1930s, when the original cartoon was released, and 1500s Germany, where the story is set. When you look at the film in that context, you can see just how much Snow White's design is influence by both periods, like her short, curly bob, which was very popular among younger girls in the 1930s (hello Shirley Temple!).

However, there's one costume detail that has confused a lot of viewers in the past: Snow White's collar. I'm one of those confused viewers, and remember watching the movie as a child and wondering what the purpose of her collar was! Well, after taking fashion history in college and doing a little bit of research, I've finally got an answer.

@historybylynny The partlet. Fashion accessory from the 25th and 16th century. #renaissancehistory#renaissancefashion#medievalhistory#fashionhistory#history#greenscreen♬ original sound - History By Lynny

Snow White's costume seems to incorporate the classic 16th century partlet, which was a lightweight garment without sleeves that women wore with their bodices. Fashion historians agree that partlets were probably used for both warmth and modesty since dresses were fairly low-cut for the period.

However, you can see that Snow White's doesn't cover her chest at all, so the Disney interpretation really seems to be more of a decoration — just like her puffed sleeves!

And the sleeves in Rachel Zegler's outfit are more historically accurate than the original movie!

It was common during this period for sleeves to feature slashing, "deliberate cutting of fabric for decorative effect" (via FIT), and its miniature version, which was called pinking. And the new Snow White design features something the original doesn't: long sleeves!

Even though some viewers admit they're not a fan of the new sleeves, FIT reports German women preferred "narrow sleeves, often with gaps where their chemises would be puffed out," so it could be argued that the live-action Snow White is more historically accurate than the cartoon. And that's one detail I never expected from this live-action adaptation.

Are you excited for the new Snow White movie? Check out our TikTok for all the newest movie news you need to know.

Yay — Olivia Culpo just announced she's pregnant with her first baby! She and her husband Christian McCaffrey have been married for almost a year, so we think the timing's perfect. Like Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson (everyone's fave modern mom and dad), the couple kept their parenting news hidden from the world until they felt ready to share their journey. And boy did they make a grand announcement we can't stop gushing over!

Scroll to learn everything we know about Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey's darling baby news!

When did Olivia Culpo share her pregnancy announcement?

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Today! The model posted beautiful photos of her cradling her baby bump while wearing a flowing, pleated dress. She looks like the picture of perfection in both images, signaling her contentment with carrying her first child. And her caption? It captures a short and sweet look at how she's feeling: "next chapter, motherhood 🤍."

Her sisters, Aurora Culpo and Sophia Culpo quickly left comments that sum up auntie energy. While Aurora said, "😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭im so happy ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ cant wait to spoil him/her forever!!!!!," Sophia wrote, "Counting down the days!!!!!🥹🥹🥹." 👀

Jessie James Decker even left a congratulatory comment! "Olivia!!!! I am soooo happy for you and @christianmccaffrey 🥹🥹🥹🥹!!! You’re going to be an amazing mama 😍 😍😍😍😍 soooo happy."

We wonder how long they've known Olivia's pregnant 👀.

Did Christian McCaffrey share his own announcement? 

It doesn't look like he personally posted this adorable reel of he and Olivia's baby news, but we still think he deserves a "Husband of the Year" award for letting it be on his Instagram page. We're not setting the bar low; we just think it's admirable when partners are equally excited about expanding their families!

Have Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey shared a due date?

Olivia and Christian haven't shared a due date just yet, but it's highly likely their sweet baby will be born this year!

How long have she and Christian McCaffrey been married? 

Olivia and Christian traded "I Dos" June 29, 2024 according to Vogue. They had a beautiful New England wedding at Ocean house and were surrounded by the love of the people closest to them. Of a funny moment involving Christian during their nuptials, Olivia gushed how much she loved his excitement. "As a bride, there’s no better feeling than your husband not being able to wait a second longer to marry you."

Prior to getting married, the couple's relationship was the result of a "blind date" orchestrated by someone they knew. Olivia said things went so well that they were basically "inseparable" from that point forward!

We can't wait to see if they'll share more news with us so stay tuned for updates!

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