Guest Groups: Mugs to Suit Every Taste

There’s nothing like a cup of herbal tea or cocoa, especially when the snow is falling out. Since I’m still in the holiday mood, I piled up a couple fun mugs for winter. The traditional white mug is still my favorite, but the variations I found will keep things interesting. — Brittany from One Charming Party

Etsy

Oregon Coffee Mug by Daily Grinder – $15

Are you feeling nostalgic or are only a fan of where you reside? This mug is available featuring every country, and you can also customize it to have your favorite town in bold.

Williams-Sonoma

Gold Monogram Mugs – $9.95

This mug was a gift from a friend, and it’s rapidly becoming a favorite. I love the gold detail and personalization of the monogram. Plus, it holds a complete cup of hot cocoa.

Anthropologie

Solaria Mug – $12

All mugs do not have to be white. This cup gets rave reviews and can be a bit of art all by itself.

Anthropologie

Monogrammed Mugs – $8

A traditional black and white monogram is always in style.

Etsy

Custom Mugs by Brooklyn Rehab – $65

These custom made shape mugs are personalized according to your image. They are the ideal his-and-hers gift.

West Elm

Heart Mugs – $8

These dainty mugs are much more adorable in person. With hearts as adorable as these, they’ll be used yearlong.

Tiffany & Co..

Fifth Avenue Mug – $35

There’s something about this particular mug from Tiffany & Co. that grabbed my eye. It is whimsical and chic all at the exact same moment.

Etsy

Fantastic Morning Beautiful Coffee Mug by Love Toast – $18

Who wouldn’t wish to wake up to this mug?

Crate&Barrel

Graphic Red Stripes Mug – $4.95

A traditional red stripe changes from Christmas to Valentine’s Day, then back again.

Crate&Barrel

Cafeware II 16-Piece Dinnerware Set – $49.95

These are, hands down, my favorite dishes, so I could not only incorporate the white mug. I have had this set for a decade and counting.

Crate&Barrel

Hayes Mug – $7.95

I love this cozy gray mug. Is it wrong that I wish to keep it in the bathroom to hold my toothbrush?

Macy’s

Martha Stewart Collection Dinnerware Lisbon Black Mug – $12

This black and white mug by Martha Stewart is a immediate classic. I adore this design’s elegance and simplicity.

Cost Plus World Market

Chalk Talk Mug – $3.99

Chalkboard mugs are all the rage. You can even make your own using unique paints. There are tons of tutorials out there.

Contemporary Mugs – $6

The small white bird perched on the handle is a sweet addition to this simple white mug.

Pottery Barn

Mason Jar Mug, Set of 6 – $26

Mugs do not have to be used just in the winter. This Mason jar has just the right amount of old-fashioned allure.

Cost Plus World Market

Yellow Pig Mug – $7.99

I’m not typically a fan of cutesy cups, but I can not resist this clever little yellow pig.

West Elm

Enamelware Mugs – $24

I love, love retro enamelware. This black and white mix from West Elm is perfection and makes me want to snuggle up near a campfire.

Pottery Barn

Cambria Mugs, Persimmon – $32

Just for fun, I thought I’d throw in an unconventional colour. This mug has deep fall hues that are fantastic for early spring too.

IKEA

Julfint Mug – $4.99

This inexpensive mug doesn’t disappoint. The gray design appears like snowflakes or flowers, depending upon the season.

Target

Threshold Stoneware Decal Mugs With Gold Zigzag – $15.99

No collection would be complete without bold mugs in a golden pattern. These striking cups will bring out the hipster in everyone.

Next: Hot-Drink Stations Hit the Spot

See related

How to Restore Antique Frames

Should you chance to get an original Monet or Rembrandt, any damage to the frame is priceless proof of the job’s history and should be preserved — not restored. But less auspicious old frames are not so valuable and will gain in attractiveness, not lose value, when you restore them into appealing condition. As soon as you’ve determined it’s secure to restore your antique frame, consult with an expert framer for a costly heirloom, or choose the appropriate repair method for this fantastic old frame from the loft.

Loose Joints

An antique frame is old — a little loose at the joints and worn around the edges. Clean up it carefully, to avoid further damage, by draining the frame with a clean paintbrush, then wiping it down with a soft cloth dampened with nonflammable solvent. Test the cleaner on an unobtrusive part of the frame first to be sure that you won’t damage or remove the finish. Label the parts of the frame and then gently disassemble it so that you can scrape off the dried, useless glue, reapply clear carpenter’s glue and fit the pieces back together. Measure to be sure the frame is perfectly square; frame straps will maintain the corners in place as the adhesive dries. Heavier frames may require metal corner braces to reinforce them — brass won’t discolor the old wood.

Gouged, Chipped and Cracked

A frame fancier than a wedding cake, with a couple of bits missing, demands prosthetic assistance. Create missing segments in sculpted and carved frames with gesso or tape glue. Materials a crack or a lost chunk with the compound, and copy the detail on the undamaged part of the frame. Use a toothpick, painting knifeor your fingers to mold the new piece. Once it dries rock-hard, a fine nail file smooths off any rough edges. You are able to replace a larger missing section by making a silicone putty mold of a similar, undamaged piece of the frame, filling the mold with resin and then gluing the resin replicate into the gap.

Straightforward Scratches

Do not tear the frame apart and reconstruct it if it’s just scratched or dented a little bit. Simply touch up it — evidence of wear is part of its charm. Dust and wash out the frame, and then dab on fitting wood stain or a liquid scratch remover on any distress to the varnish or lacquer. Use a fine artist’s brush or a cotton swab to apply the correct; cover your own finger with a sterile cloth to wash off excess end. You may require a touch-up with some glossy or matte varnish so the repaired segment mimics the glow of the remaining part of the frame.

Dirty Gold

Gold leaf is fragile and tricky to use, but you are able to wash an antique gold leaf frame that period has dimmed with a half-and-half mixture of ammonia and water. Proceed carefully, working the solution to cracks, corners and carvings with a delicate brush. Shake the frame above a trash bin to release any dirt. Proceed over the cleaned place with a different brush and plain water, and then shake it again. Rubbing gold foliage could remove it from the frame, so allow the washed framework dry naturally. Dab wax gilt finish from the art supply shop on any scratches to cover them. Extensive scratches may require a reapplication of the golden leaf, likely a job for an expert. If you’re able to handle it yourself, make sure you match the antiqued quality of the gold colour as closely as possible with fresh silver foliage.

See related

Water Stain Removal for Knotty Pine Paneling

Knotty pine is known for its bold grain and vibrant knots. Pine paneling has light undertones that reveal stains badly. A little water stain can ruin an whole walls of paneling if left untreated. There are lots of procedures for removing water stains from your paneling. The method employed for fixing the stained area depends upon the kind of stain that you have in your knotty pine paneling.

Iron Method

For white or muddy spots in your paneling that haven’t penetrated all the way through the timber, a hot iron can be used to improve the overall look of the spot. Fold a clean, soft, cotton cloth and place it over the spot. Plug in and turn onto a household iron to its greatest setting. Position the hot iron over the water stain and press firmly. Permit the heat to permeate through the cloth into the finish for at least 60 minutes. Remove the iron and cloth. Visually inspect the spot and reapply the iron needed.

Hairdryer

Another method of applying heat to snowy or hazed water stains from pine paneling is to use a warm atmosphere source. Two okay tools to supply heat to the area are a hairdryer plus a woodworker’s heating gun. For a hairdryer, place it to the highest setting. For a heating gun, set it to low. Start the gun and point it in the area from a few inches away. Apply heat to the area for a minumum of one minute. Permit the area to cool, then visually inspect the stain. Reapply the heat as needed.

Toothpaste

For deeper stains with discoloring, a light abrasive such as toothpaste can be used to polish the stain from the finish. Apply a small amount of toothpaste into the affected area and rub it in with a sterile cloth. Polish the place with the cloth to buff out the water stain. Use a clean cloth to wipe the the toothpaste in the surface. Reapply the toothpaste as needed to finish the stain removal process.

Strip and Bleach

For severe stains which have ruined the paneling’s finish and penetrated into the timber, stripping and refinishing are often demanded. Tape off the area and employ a gel stain with a soft brush. Permit the stripper to work for the time recommended on the package label. Use a nylon scraper to scrape the stripper and old finish by the taped-off location. Rinse the area with sterile mineral spirits. Allow it to dry. Sand the area lightly, using a rotary tool with a sanding tip accessory or sandpaper. Apply an all round stain and clear finish in a walnut color which matches the surrounding area, using a soft brush.

See related

How to Clean Film on Glass Tables

A sparkling-clean glass table provides a clear, elegant look to any room in your home. Over time, however, clear glass may create a filmy or muddy look. Sometimes, you can make the movie wash off more than soap and water. For filminess, you might need something tougher, but you don’t have to rely on chemical cleaners. Many household staples, such as baking soda and vinegar, tackle cloudiness as efficiently as store-bought glass cleaner.

Moisten a microfiber fabric with hot water and a few drops of dishwashing soap. Wipe the table together with the cloth to eliminate debris and mild stains. Wet a microfiber fabric and wash the table to wash it. Microfiber cloths contain fibers that are small, so they attract dirt and dirt better than a rag that is regular.

Blend 1 cup of rubbing alcohol, 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Mist the table together with the option, then wash it off using a sterile cloth. The vinegar and rubbing alcohol option cuts through film and provides glass a streak-free shine.

Make a paste of two parts baking soda and 1 part lemon juice or vinegar. Apply the mixture to the table using a damp cloth. Let it set for 10 minutes, then rub the glue into the glass using a sponge or brush. Rinse with a clean, damp cloth.

Smooth a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the glass. Let it set for one to five times, then wash it off using a damp cloth. Petroleum jelly can occasionally help remove light calcium buildup caused by water spots made by condensation leaked onto the table from glassware.

Spray the table with tile cleaner or carrot peel in case any movie or cloudiness stays after eliminating petroleum jelly. Let it set for a few minutes. Using a soft cloth, rub the cleaner into the glass with small, circular motions.

See related

How to Paint a Vintage Aluminum Tray

Your menu, such as most items made from aluminum, has a distinguishing all-natural silver colour. If any colour is current, it is usually because the alloy was anodized or abraded to provide it microscopic pores with colored dye injected into them. Aluminum is typically not painted because when it rusts — into a clear or black whitened patina — the rust appears almost invisible, and unless removed or chemically altered, it prevents proper adhesion of paint. If you wish to paint your aluminum prepare it correctly.

Planning

Use 280-grit medium-fine wet/dry sandpaper with water to sand each inch of this tray carefully to eliminate traces of oxidation and supply a slight tooth into the surface for paint adhesion.

Follow with 400-grit fine wet/dry sandpaper with water to eliminate the deeper scratches left from the first sanding, while retaining a slight tooth for mechanical adhesion of the paint.

Submerge the tray in a sink or tub of warm water to which you’ve inserted a couple drops of dishwashing liquid, then with a sponge or cloth to scrub the tray and eliminate any remaining grease, oils or wax. Scrub the tray in clean water and allow it to air dry.

Put on your rubber gloves. Scrub the tray, with a disposable rag or paper towelwith a 90-percent option of isopropyl alcohol or 1 part household-strength white vinegar to 3 parts water as the final rinse in eliminating previous oils and finishes.

Painting

Lay out several layers of newspaper outdoors on a windless dayaway from pets and kids. Place the tray on a block of wood.

Don all appropriate safety equipment, including safety goggles and the respirator.

Shake the can of epoxy primer vigorously to mix the paintthen spray a light coat on one side of the tray. Allow it to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions before turning the tray over and coating the other side. Repeat with a second, and possibly third, light coat until you’ve got complete and uniform coverage. Allow the tray dry.

Sand the surface with extra-fine wet/dry sandpaper, 600 grit or finer, to smooth out irregularities. Follow with wet 0000 grade, or nicer, steel wool before the tray is smooth.

Scrub the tray with water to eliminate paint dust and allow it to air dry.

Spray a light coating of harmonious enamel metallic paint in your colour selection. Spray another coat to cover the tray. Allow it to dry for 24 hours to reach maximum hardness of the paint coating.

Coat the tray with a compatible transparent topcoat to finish.

See related

The Ideal Approach to Etch a Concrete Garage Floor

Whether you use your garage for storage, a workshop or simply to park your vehicle, employing an epoxy coating to the ground can alter the appearance of your garage while incorporating a layer of protection to the concrete. Before installing a concrete coat, but the surface must be properly prepared to be able to ensure adequate adhesion. Acid etching is the method that’s used to provide the suitable surface for coating applications.

Wear rubber boots, protective gloves and safety glasses when working with acid etching chemicals.

Wash start the pruning process. Etching solutions do not wash the concrete. They are used to abrade the surface. Sweep the floor to remove all dust and debris. Use a tiny stiff brush or paintbrush to get into the corners where dust can accumulate. Remove in the cement using a solution.

Add the etching solution to water in a container after the instructions of the manufacturer. With a watering can will permit you to pour the solution onto the ground in a uniform way. Use a container made in an acid-resistant material such as polyethylene.

Wet the entire floor using a garden hose with a sprayer. The surface ought to be moist but with no standing water.

Apply a small amount of the etching solution to a test area to determine whether you’ve got the proper strength. It ought to bubble vigorously. If not, add more acid.

Pour over areas of the ground at one time. Scrub the distance using a stiff-bristled broom at a back-and-forth direction. Then repeat by massaging the area going from side to side. Scrub as you move, and squeegee each region.

Scrub small areas at a time until you have etched the entire garage floor. The concrete should have a roughened appearance and feel like rough sandpaper, which will enable coating to adhere properly.

Rinse the floor using a garden hose. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear.

Permit the floor to dry for at least four hours prior to applying a coat to your garage flooring.

See related

How To Care for Outdoor Glass Top Furniture

While glass-topped furniture designed for outdoor usage is designed to withstand the elements, it’s neither indestructible nor resistant to dirt. Standard maintenance of glass furniture tops entails washing them with non-abrasive cleaners, such as a standard glass-cleaning spray.

Clear, Clean Glass

A glass surface such as a patio table outdoor end table typically attracts more dirt in a indoor glass surface. Rain, pollution and wind add dirt, dust and debris to outdoor furniture, which soon render that once-pristine glass surface to a table in dire need of cleaning. Wipe it first with a dry, soft cloth to pick up loose dirt, then spray along with your favorite glass cleaner, wiping with a soft fabric. Skip cleansers or unpleasant scrub pads which may scratch the glass. The underside of an outdoor glass tabletop also wants a thorough cleaning from time to time, although potentially less often. If stashing the furniture off during the winter, then cover the furniture with a canvas dropcloth or old blanket to stop both dirt and damage.

See related

How to Get Very Sticky Shelf Paper Away Cabinets

Shelf paper provides a protective and decorative element for cabinet shelves. Its adhesive backing was made to stick so well that there’s no uncertainty of it dropping its stickiness over time, or of corners curling and peeling up prematurely. Due to this, the shelf newspaper could be somewhat difficult to remove when it comes time to redecorate or revamp these cabinets. Warmth, in the kind of water or atmosphere, helps loosen a stubborn adhesive’s grip on the shelf.

Fill a spray bottle with hot tap water. Spray the water over one area of this shelf liner, focusing on a front corner that’s easiest to achieve. Permit the water to sit down for a moment or 2.

Slide the blade of a utility knife or craft knife below the corner of their shelf paper till you are able to hold the substance between your fingers. If the corner won’t appear, slice through the material and pry it up close to the corner with the knife blade.

Grip the shelf newspaper with one hand, pulling the newspaper upward and back over itself to peel it off. Spray water in which the paper meets the shelf to loosen the adhesive as you pull the newspaper, ongoing until the shelf paper comes off.

Wipe the top surface of the shelf newspaper dry with paper towels if it becomes stuck somewhere during the peeling process. Hold a hair dryer set to a warm putting a foot or so away from the shelf newspaper, heating the places nevertheless stuck to the cabinet as you pull in the shelf newspaper with your free hand. Move the hair dryer as you work to prevent melting the vinyl in 1 spot. If the adhesive still has a strong grip on portions of the cabinet, jam a putty knife between the newspaper along with the cabinet surface to loosen the bond. Keep on heating and pulling until the paper comes from the shelf.

Put some vegetable oil to a paper towel or rag. Rub the oil over the sticky residue left behind on the shelf, and let it sit for several minutes. Scrape the residue away with a putty knife or scrub brush. Wipe the oil off with dry paper towels, then clean the cabinet surface with a damp sponge.

See related

How to Make Holes in Flower Pots for Water to Run Out

Locating the ideal flower pot in the shop, and then picking it up only to discover there are no drainage holes in the grass is a disappointing experience. Drainage is critical for plants to allow air movement around the roots and keep dirt from getting waterlogged, drowning the plant. Once a plant’s roots begin to rot, there’s usually nothing which can be done to save the plant. Fortunately, if you can use a drill, you may produce your own drainage holes, expanding your potting chances.

Determine the proper bit for your planter. Use a normal bit for plastic and metal pots, a masonry bit for unglazed ceramic pots and a glass or tile bit of glazed ceramic pots. Insert the proper 1/2-inch bit into the drill.

Expand paper on a level drilling surface. Set the pot upside down on the newspaper.

Mark the spots you plan to drill. You need a minumum of one drainage hole, which is usually put in the middle of the grass base. You may add more holes to get large-diameter pots, like three holes arranged in a triangular pattern. Keep holes at least 1 inch from the edge of the grass, and about 2 inches in the other holes.

Press a little indentation into the marked place having a nail to stop the bit from slipping away from the place on a smooth surface. If you are drilling a glazed ceramic pot, cover the drill place with a bit of painter’s tape or a couple of layers of masking tape to help keep the bit in place.

Put on safety goggles to avoid debris or dust of the grass from getting into your eyes as you drill.

Put the drill bit in the indentation you made, holding the drill so the little bit is perpendicular to the grass base. Apply light pressure as you drill at the slowest speed. Do not try and drill too fast, or you risk damaging the grass and the drill bit. Duplicate for each hole you wish to drill.

Remove the tape if you used any. Wash the drilling deposits from the pot holes.

See related

Fruit Trees Which Flower Pink

Whether you are interested in fruit trees to their ability to attract wildlife to your garden or for their own delicious, edible fruits that blossom in a shade of pink is an added bonus. From trees so coated with blooms they resemble snow to people with warm-hued blossoms, the significance and interest pink flowering fruit trees bring to your outdoor space is enormous. Consider your options and make the decision that best matches your distinct landscape needs.

Fragrant Flowers

Japanese apricot trees (Prunus mume) bloom in white, red or pink, fragrant flowers. Pick a pink cultivar, such as”Dawn” to make sure pink blossoms. These trees reach a height of 10 to 20 feet. The fruits measure about 3 inches in diameter and attract birds. It is primarily prized for its value, though the fruit is edible. Japanese apricots thrive in full sun to partial shade and function best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9. Star magnolias (Magnolia stella) create multi-petaled, pink, fragrant blossoms on cultivars, such as”Pink Stardust.” In addition, these deciduous trees take on a oblong to round shape with foliage which takes during the fall to a yellow hue that is gentle. This tree reaches a width of up to 15 feet and a height of up to 20 feet. Star magnolias thrive and function best in USDA plant hardiness zones 4. The fruit attracts birds.

Drooping Branches

Yoshino cherry trees (Prunus x yedoensis) develop into a vase-like shape with drooping branches while displaying plenty of pink spring blossoms in cultivars such as”Daybreak.” The berries that are tiny are inconspicuous, but often lead to a trip from birds. Having a height of up to 45 ft and spread of up to 40 ft, this deciduous tree grows most successfully through 8a. Peach trees are prized for their flowers, which bloom in cream, red and pink along with big yellow to blushed fruit. Peach trees reach a height and spread of about 15 to 25 feet with fall foliage branches and a rounded shape. These deciduous plants function best in USDA plant hardiness and thrive in full sun zones 5b.

Bold Red Fruit

Flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida) bloom in spring, followed by little red fruit during the fall season. Cultivars, such as”Rubra” display pink to red-tinted blossoms. This deciduous tree offers a shape as well as added interest with foliage which becomes purplish-red during fall. Flowering dogwoods attain a height of up to 25 ft and prefer full sunlight to partial shade. In USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 15, grow these dogwoods. Flowering crabapple trees (Malus species) are known for their abundance of pink showy blossoms and 1/2-inch diameter, vivid red fruit which brings birds into the landscape. To enjoy this deciduous shrub in your backyard, choose a crabapple that performs well in your region, such as the”Prariefire” crabapple (Malus x”Prariefire”), which thrives in full sunlight within USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 8a. These smaller trees, using a height and spread of 15 to 20 ft, add powerful interest.

Delicious Fruit and Green Leaves

The frequent flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) provides showy, 2-inch, yellow-green fruit that is often utilized to make marmalade. An abundance of pink blossoms develop on cultivars such as”Cameo.” The foliage of this tree may start bronzed, but becomes green fall color change without developing. This deciduous shrub to small tree thrives in full sun and grows to a height and spread of 6 to 10 ft. Grow flowering quinces in USDA plant hardiness zones 4. The Barbados cherry tree (Malpighia glabra) also produces pink flowers that show up through April through October. Having a height of up to 12 feet and a spread of up to 15 ft, this little evergreen tree foliage stays green through fall. In addition, the tree produces delicious red tomatoes that are cherry measuring 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter. Barbados cherry trees thrive through 11 in full sun to partial shade with development that is greatest in USDA plant hardiness zones 9b.

See related