DIY Life

Quick! It's your last big camping trip of the season before the weather turns cool and schedules turn [very!] busy. You forgot the charcoal and gasoline, and are in major need of some S'mores. Turns out a single potato chip can burn for over three minutes if you can scrounge up a lighter to give it a jump start. Simply throw a few chips among some brush and braches, light the chip, and you've got a campfire you can snuggle around.


Food On Fire - Funny blooper videos are here

Amazing, right? Of course, there's always the old-school method of starting a fire, but I have a feeling this is way more fun.

Don't have a campsite in mind, but want to brave the great outdoors anyway? Use your own home with these handy tips for camping in your backyard. Or, better yet, fake an evening under the stars with our fake campfire tutorial.

You'll be singing Kumbaya in no time -- with or without the roasted marshmallows. Happy camping!

I've lived in my sleepy Midwest town all summer long and just realized the locals host a Farmer's Market each Wednesday. How exciting? I can't wait to tackle the aisles next week, especially now that I have these foolproof tips from Howcast!:

A few quick tips:

1) Walk around the entire market before buying anything. There's no sense in splurging for the $0.25 tomato when you can get six for a dollar from another vendor.

2) Never visit a farmer's market hungry! You wouldn't do it at the grocery, so don't do it at the market. Otherwise, you're likely to head home with bags of foods you'll never eat.

3) Try hitting the farmer's market late in the day. Vendors typically hate heading home with extra produce, so you're more likely to score a good deal on that pound of grapes. (Hint: If you want the best selection, visit the market early to avoid picked-over produce.)

Ready to tackle your local market? You'll be a produce connoisseur in no time...

1. Cute-shaped hard-boiled eggs. Visit Nature Moms blog and discover how to cook eggs in molds in the shape of cars, bears and bunnies. Irresistible to younger kids.

2. Munchies ... because kids of all ages love to crunch! Try rice cakes, tortilla chips, nuts (such as almonds, cashews, or pecans), breadsticks, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, pita chips, popcorn and pretzels. Check out this recipe for cinnamon popcorn. Mmm.

Sure, there's a million-dollar industry that thrives on offering all-natural cleaning products for your home, but did you realize you could get one of the most natural cleaning agents in the fruit section of your local market? Lemons are acidic and packed with antibacterial properties; here's how to transform the fresh fruit into a universal cleansing solution:

Cut one lemon into two halves, sprinkling baking soda on the first half. Use the lemon itself to scrub dishes, countertops and sinks. Next, squeeze the second half into a clean bowl to mix with vinegar for a natural cleansing spray. Clean your appliances and wooden cabinetry with the solution.

When finished, simply drop both lemon halves down the garbage disposal for a fresh scent that will fill the kitchen. Amazing, right?

In fact, you may want to grab an extra lemon while you're at the grocer -- you deserve a spritzer for your ingenuity!

I've been watching re-runs of The Office for days now, so naturally, I have coat racks on the brain today. Today, I thought it would be fun to round up a few of my favorites from across the web. Some are very DIY-able with a bit of creativity, so be sure to look at these options with an open mind!:

1. Twig Coat Rack (DIY!)
A wooden model pays homage to nature's first coat rack: the tree.

2. Coral Coat Rack (DIY!)
This coral-colored coat rack is surprisingly chic with fewer branches in its earlier stages. The look works in any space, whether unfinished or not!

3. Baby Doll Coat Rack (DIY!)
Quirky and weird but oh-so-cool. Verrrry diy-able. You know, if you're into dismantling baby arms, of course.

4. Kate's Coat Rack (DIY!)
A coat of lime paint makes this industrial rolling rack into a show-stopping entryway piece.

5. Branch Coat Rack (DIY!)
Oh, to be a fly on the wall of this coat rack. Wait...

6. Ivy Coat Rack
There's not a tutorial for this, but I'd bet you could figure out how to re-create it with some ingenuity...

7. Peg Coat Rack (DIY!)
I love this rustic version that would look smashing in a country entryway. The tutorial is very thorough, so get to it!

8. Garland Coat Rack (DIY!)
A coat of metallic paint makes a kiddie coat rack into a glamorous statement piece.

9. Knife Hook Rack
I'm sure you could re-create this with a few kid swords and/or knifes, and your guests would kill for the aesthetic.

10. Pipe Rack Coat Rack
I can't help but think this reminds me of Super Mario in the best way possible.

Not a fan of coat racks? I love this idea from Apartment Therapy of mixing old and new coat racks to create a coat wall. You can find an assortment of coat hooks, both vintage and antique, on eBay. Or, you can re-purpose an old trellis into a unique set of DIY hooks of your very own (also via Apartment Therapy).

The possibilities are endless, and the above ideas should give you more than enough inspiration to get started! Have fun!

Stephen Fanuka of TV show Open House to the Rescue dishes on contractor/client relationships. The "contractor to the stars" also shares his list of essential tools everyone should own. -- Shelterpop

Mmm. Make your own vanilla extract. Specifically, make lots, pour it into funky glass bottles and let it steep for a few weeks. You'll have a wonderful (and thrifty) holiday gift lined up for all your friends and co-workers. -- Bethany Actually

Speaking of cooking: Learn how to make authentic southern-style backed beans. The Pioneer Woman offers up step-by-step instructions along with luscious photos. Darn tootin.' --The Pioneer Woman

Dust off unused terracotta pots and turn 'em into a mighty budget-friendly birdbath. All you need is glue! This one's posted at Tipnut, but the concept is originally from Patricia's Pots. -- Tipnut

I celebrated another birthday this week, so I've got party decor on the brain, and this is one of my favorite tutorials from Ms. Martha herself (do I need a last name here?). Swizzle sticks are a surefire way to add a touch of elegance to your table setting, whether you're hosting a dinner party or entertaining a simple gathering of friends.

The tutorial includes a super easy-to-use template and requires just a few handy materials like tissue paper, floral tape, scissors and stamens. That's it!

And while we're on the subject of drink decor, here's one of my favorite spritzer recipes from Real Simple. Or, you can throw a fun margarita party with these great tips from ShelterPop. Lastly, while we enjoy just a few more days of summer, why not check out The Scentual Life, DIY Life's round-up of summery drinks. After all, you don't need a party to enjoy a refreshing drink -- all swizzle sticks aside.