Once your kiddos have transitioned into full-size beds, and your family's baby days are officially over, every mom faces the question of what to do with their very first sleep space. You may have seen our gallery of the best ways to repurpose your crib, but then there's the question of what to do with that miniature mattress. Here, we've rounded up 10 clever ways to give your crib mattress a new life — from a dog bed to a reading nook, and beyond!
Style Your Staycation: Backyard Movie Night
If globe trekking to attend film festivals wasn't part of this year's travel agenda, then try throwing a miniature version of the cinematic experience in your own backyard. Crafting your own movie screen is easier than you might think, and most decorative props can be culled from pieces you have around the house. So, rally friends and family together, and curate a list of Summer classics before the season ends!
Source: Pottery Barn
How to Remove Red-Wine Stains From Carpet
It always seems to happen — friends come over, and at some point, a glass of red wine tips over onto your carpet. Instead of freaking out, gracefully fix the problem with a few steps that will have your rug looking like new in no time. And this quick DIY uses basics you already have on hand and is considerably cheaper than paying for a pro to come clean the mess. Read on for step-by-step directions.
Make Your Own Cool-Girl Studded Belt Inspired by Isabel Marant
Isabel Marant is easily one of the coolest designers on the market these days. Her designs capture the effortless art of Parisian dressing, and for this season she delivered a laid-back collection filled with a surprisingly Western flair. In today's DIY, we're taking inspiration and creating a tribal belt similar to what we saw on her runway, take a look!
No Way! 33 Incredible Things You Never Thought You Could DIY
Anything is possible in the DIY world. Take inspiration from some of the most amazing projects these regular people have taken on. Many of these projects were done for the first time by crafters. You'll never believe what these people have made until you see for yourself!
DIY: How to Create Easy Custom Pop Silhouettes of Your Kids
We're excited to bring you a new post from mother and actress Tori Spelling and her ediTORIal by Tori Spelling blog. This week, Tori shares a fun DIY project.

Crafting is more than a hobby in our house. It’s a way of life! As you might recall, I even carry twine around in my purse. Ha ha. We love to craft together as a family. The kids and I usually craft together at least 2-3 times a week. I find it very therapeutic and the kids love it.
Related: Take a Tour of Tori's Store — InventTORI
Today I have some exciting news to share with my fellow craftistas… I recently launched my very own {styled} by Tori Spelling line of jewelry making supplies with Jo-Ann Fabrics and Craft Stores. I am so excited to partner with Jo-Ann and even more excited about the special sweepstakes they are running to go along with it. One of you can win a trip for two to L.A. to craft with yours truly. It’s going to be a ton of fun and I can’t wait to get crafting. So make sure you enter.
But first, I wanted to share my Vintage Pop Silhouettes project that Jo-Ann Fabrics recently featured as a part of their Creativity Made Simple campaign. Check out this super cute (and easy!) project and then enter to win the trip to L.A. to craft with me at a Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft store.
Keep reading for the easy DIY instructions!
Homemade Eco-Friendly Ant Killer

Keep pesky ants away with this easy DIY ant killer that's sans harsh chemicals. This ant hitman attracts pests with its sweet flavor, keeping them away from the rest of your home, but eventually wipes out whole colonies thanks to borax. A natural mineral that is often used as a cleaning booster, borax not only smacks down ants, but it is also safe to use in your home.
Supercute! Easy DIY Bottle-Cap Candles
![]()
Save your bottle caps and candle ends for making these adorable minicandles. Pick up candle wicks at your local craft store for only a few bucks, which makes this DIY just about free. Personalize the set by using tops from your favorite beverages, and you've got a unique gift that's fitting for any occasion. Perfect for lighting cozy outdoor areas or packing for camping, these bottle-cap candles burn for about an hour before running out of wick.
Homemade Drain Buster For Clogged Pipes
![]()
If your drain isn't flowing as easily as it should, then it's probably a bit clogged. Instead of paying big bucks for chemical-filled concoctions, try fixing the problem yourself with a homemade drain cleaner.
This eco-friendly DIY costs basically nothing to make and can be used weekly to help prevent buildup. Safe to use in the bathroom or kitchen, the drain-buster will have your sink or tub flowing freely in no time. Have a really plugged pipe? We've even found the solution for seriously stopped drains.
DIY 100-Calorie Snack Packs For Summertime Travel
Summertime is vacation time! If you're heading to the airport anytime soon, then along with your bikini and flip-flops, be sure to pack some snacks. Since airport food is notoriously pricey and unhealthy, bringing food along will save you money and unwanted calories.

Eating before and during your flight will maintain your metabolism and can help prevent the dizziness and headaches sometimes associated with flying. Snacking will also keep your energy levels up (and your crankiness levels down) so you won't have to dose up on caffeine, which tends to make jet-lag symptoms worse.
Grab some Ziploc baggies and make these 100-calorie snack packs prior to boarding the plane:
- One Horizon organic mozzarella cheese stick: 80 calories
- Three cups of air-popped popcorn: 93 calories
- One Lundberg Organic Brown Rice Cake (70) smeared with one tablespoon of hummus 23): 93 calories
- Two large red bell peppers cut in strips: 85 calories
- Eight Food Should Taste Good Sweet Potato Chips: 93 calories
- One date (66) paired with five almonds (35): 101 calories
- 28 baby carrots: 98 calories
- 2/3 of a Barbara's Blueberry Multigrain Cereal Bar: 90 calories
- One medium pear, washed and sliced: 103 calories
- 17 unsalted peanuts: 99 calories
- One small banana: 89 calories
- Five Triscuits: 100 calories
- Half an Odwalla Sweet & Salty Peanut bar cut up into bit-size squares: 95 calories
What kind of snacks do you bring when you fly?


