House fires are one of the most devastating accidents, and a home in our neighborhood was recently victim of a fire that started in their garage. Luckily, the young couple had a fire safety plan in tact and practiced it often. It sounds corny, but saves lives. View the below video for additional tips to keep you safe in the event of a fire in your home:


Keep in mind, although two-thirds of American households have a fire escape plan, only about a third of those have practiced it. Practice makes perfect. I know you're probably thinking, "I don't have time for that" or "Are you kidding? I have better things to do" but the truth is, you can't afford not to practice your fire escape plan with your family. Shoot for a memory refresh every six months. You'll be glad you did if a fire ever starts in your own home.

Be safe, DIY-ers!

As I bid my backyard evenings farewell and welcome cool, crisp weather, I'm dreaming of one last outdoor party, complete with Frank Sinatra tunes, light appetizers, fresh mint spritzers... and these adorable craft lights, of course. I love how simple this project is and can't wait to try it myself!:

A project that uses grocery items always sets my heart aflutter, and I can't believe how easy (and kid-friendly!) this craft is. Why not round up the family for scrambled eggs one evening and decorate your own carton lights to hang outside? Or, be proactive with the holiday season this year and get started on those tree trimmings!

And, when you're finished with your project and have a few egg cartons left over, why not re-purpose them with some of our great ideas right here at DIY Life. Think boot trees, ice-cube maker, drawer liners and more!:
-Recycling Ideas for Egg Cartons

Today's how-to video comes from Home Depot, and I love some of the tips shared in this helpful tutorial. Although I'm not a massive fan of sponge painting or glaze, I love the look of color blocks, argyle and stripes using just a bit of chalk and painter's tape. Check it out!:


My favorite decorative painting technique? Stripes on stripes. Choose your favorite shade of paint in both matte and hi-gloss and tape off some vertical stripes using painter's tape. Alternate between hi-gloss and matte paint for a beautiful effect that adds both dimension and drama to the room. The look works great in a home that may need a boost in architectural elements.

The possibilities are endless with a can of paint and a few tools, and paint is one of the fastest (and cheapest!) ways to transform a room. Get to work!

Clean your kitchen, bathroom and other nooks and crannies with just two ingredients? Unheard of! Until now. Howcast shows us how to tackle grease and grime with the same everyday relief you get from Alka-Seltzer and water. Take a look!:

See? It's true! You can clean your toilet, cookware, sink and even shine your jewelry with this handy over-the-counter medication. Because Alka-Seltzer is no more than baking soda mixed with citric acid and acidic aspirin, it creates a chemical reaction worthy of even the toughest grease and grime.

Hint: Did you realize that in addition to cleaning your home, you can use Alka-Seltzer to soothe an insect bite? Dissolve two tablets with water, soak a cotton ball and press firmly onto the bite for instant relief.

Curious for more household items that work double-duty? Check out DIY Life's "Unusual Uses" column for our favorite multi-purpose items.

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...

I have two dogs, and although neither of them could fit into a sock, I just had to share this cute tutorial for all of you pet-lovers everywhere. And although I don't necessarily promote the act of dressing your animals as if they were human, I suppose the cooler weather could cause a tiny sock-sized dog to shiver:



Adorable, right? And sooo easy to do! If you're looking for a cute sock to use for this project, might I suggest Sock Army (everything is 50% off at the moment!)? I'd love to tackle the tutorial with this cute pattern, or perhaps this design for the preppiest of dogs.

And if you're looking for a few other fun pet-inspired projects, check out How to Sew a Dog-Collar Pouch, and of course, Help Your Dog Rise to the Occasion with a New Tie! OK, I now officially draw the line at dog-friendly formal wear...