I recently had the opportunity to try out Coffee-mate® Girl Scouts® creamer in the Girl Scouts® Thin Mints® flavor. This yummy flavor took me right back to my Girl Scout days! I can remember selling boxes and boxes of tasty cookies and Thin Mints was my absolute favorite flavor… we always purchased several boxes of that flavor for our family! Nestle® Coffee-mate® is kicking off a campaign called “One Smart Cookie” which celebrates the spirit of making the world a better place through smart, resourceful ideas … which is something that the Girl Scouts are well known for! In honor of this campaign I’ve put together a Life Hack post showing you how I used Vintage and Antique pieces (from around my house) to create a Vintage Coffee Station in my new home!
I was so excited when we moved in to this house and I realized that this little end part of our kitchen was the perfect size for a Coffee Station! As you can see here it’s rather plain and needed some livening up!
We happen to have a drawer right in that area, so I looked around to find a way to keep the coffee pods organized and this is what I came up with. I used my Antique Muffin tins to store the pods in!
Now if you don’t have a drawer, you could add some vintage drawers to your countertop and store your Coffee or Tea there. You can find these at Antique shops and Flea markets. The metal ones are easier to find than the wooden ones, they are usually less expensive too, but they still look great!
I used an old basket on top of the drawers to store paper napkins in. The basket used to belong to my Grandmother.
I snagged this old Biscuit crate out of my office, it’s the perfect size to hold our Coffee Machine. I liked that this one had a lid, since it hides the cord and outlet behind the coffee maker. An open Crate or Basket would work well too.
This old Stoneware English Marmalade Jar is perfect for storing spoons (or Coffee Stirrers). You could also use a Mason jar or whatever you have in your vintage collection! The pewter sugar bowl was also my grandmother’s and works well for the Sugar Packets.
Both pieces fit nicely in the crate next to the machine, but they are cute enough that they could go on the outside of it too.
I bet you have all kinds of fun vintage pieces around your house that you could pull together for a similar look. Just think like a Girl Scout and use what you have! Now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of my labor …
with a delicious cup of coffee flavored with Girl Scouts® Thin Mints® creamer! I love that I can enjoy all the delicious cookie taste, all year long! To learn more about all the fun experiences girls and volunteers have at Girl Scouts, visit www.girlscouts.org/join And for lots of great recipes, tips and DIYs be sure and follow Nestle® Coffee-mate® on Pinterest!
Now for the GIVEAWAY!
To enter to win a $100 Visa Gift Card, just leave me a Comment below answering the Question “What are your favorite life hacks?” (Life Hack definition: simple ideas for using a product in a different way)
Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
- Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
- Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
- Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
- For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the [email protected] email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 8/26-9/30.
Be sure to visit the Coffee-mate brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
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lesley says
i use a lint roller to lift dust from lamp shades, etc.
Janice says
I picked up a stunning etched glass antique lampshade thrifting but already had enough lamps in my house. I love how the light coming thru shows the etched design. I cut a piece of plastic out of a clear office page protector and glued it onto the opening where a bulb would have gone thru. I wrapped french lace around the bottom and urned it upright. It sits next to my bathtub holding my bar of milk soap and is the most unusual and beautiful soap container!
Lisa Brown says
use a clothes pin to hold nails while hammering it into a wall
Lisa Brown says
https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/504298997800910848
steven weber says
A good one would be to put saran wrap on the end of bananas to keep them from turning brown.
ginette4 says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/ginette4/status/504308040490045440
Elena says
I like to use baking soda to clean pots, pans, kitchen counters and silverware
Elena says
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/504314538376691712
Pendra says
I can’t wait to see more of your new home, you always have such creative ideas, love this cute little corner of your kitchen. I guess I love to repurpose whatever I can get my hands on. I have an old barrel I have turned into my umbrella and cane holder by the door, I love to change up old picture frames into chalkboards, corkboards, idea boards and one I changed into a tray. I have even used old toile curtains for the backboard of my craftroom bookcases.. It’s fun to think outside of the box! What I could do with $100.00 gift card… off to ARC to look for more goodies!
Janet Kennedy says
I love this idea and have an old family “Kennedy’s Biscuit” box I could use. Nice blend of the new and old.
Lisa says
What a fun little challenge! I’ve shared the URL on my facebook feed (totally missed the FB share button beneath the post).
Kelly D says
When we travel, I use a pool noodle under the fitted sheet of the hotel bed to keep my daughter from falling out.
Kelly D says
tweet
https://twitter.com/kellysaver/status/504323634379235328
Susan says
Something I did last weekend was go into the hardware/feed store and look for things to use in jewelry making. A favorite is taking copper tubing and turning it into enameled beads! Fun and inexpensive!
E J says
I think one of my favorite upcycles is turning a Twin or Full bed into a bench, bench with storage or a planter. It’s a great way to give a new life to an old bed.
Brenda Caldwell says
I love using the flavored coffee creamers to cook with…I have included them in cake frostings, both bought and homemade, also the cakes themselves. When a dessert recipe calls for cream and I don’t have any on hand, I add the coffee creamer and it’s even better with it : )
Carmen Garcia says
Love the graphics fairy AND my sugar-free Coffee-Mate! Talk about TWO great ideas at once!!
Nancy Blue Moon says
Thin Mints have always been my Girl Scout favorite too Karen..I have to taste this creamer..YUM..Thanks for the chance to win!
Rosie says
I’m amazed at the timing of seeing this post. I was just talking with someone from long ago, we used to use old cable spools for tables when we were young, and I also recall using crates as chairs!!!! It was cute and funky. Also using old crates stacked as open cabinets!
heather says
I love to use baking soda to whiten my teeth.
Nancy Carr says
When flying to keep the seat in front of you from reclining into your lap place a water bottle between the tray and the back of the seat. Then the person won’t be able to recline in that seat.
susan says
I just watched on ABC news this morning about this incident. A guy used a product called “knee defender” to stop the person in front from reclining. The woman in front could not lean back and she was not happy. They got into a heated argument and the pilot was forced to make emergency landing mid-way. Those two people are kicked off the plane.
United Airline tells ABC news that they do not allow the use of knee defender.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/knee-defender-led-planes-emergency-landing-25125881
Teddee says
Icy Hot ointment, which is actually for sore muscles, is great for sinus congestion. Rub it on your forehead and the back of your neck. Just be careful not to get it in your eyes. I expect any ointment for sore muscles would work.
Mami2jcn says
Use dryer sheets in your sneakers to make them smell fresh.
Mami2jcn says
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/504356916068626434
Vanessa B says
Mine is Keurig too! Nothing like a steaming cup of joe at a moments notice anytime of the day 🙂 Thank You!
stephanie says
i make lipstick out of crayons!
Nicole says
I brake off the clip ends on those plastic pant hangers for chip/bag clips. Simple solution that work just as good as the store bought ones.
Nicole says
tweet-https://twitter.com/lil_lady_dz/status/504377710701850626
Laura says
I use coconut oil as a leave in conditioner to de-frizz my hair
Narita says
My favorite is hiding your money and keys in a empty deodorant container to keep them safe on a trip!
Erin Kaven says
I remove furniture rings on my furniture by rubbing them with ash from my neighbors fireplace (my house doesn’t have one._
Erin Kaven says
https://twitter.com/erin_kaven/status/504385540591214593
Laura says
I like to purchase bottle brushes for baby bottles at a dollar-type store and use them to help clean and get out lint from the lint trap holder behind the lint trap in my dryer.
Thanks for the chance to enter!
cheryl says
I had a coffee station set up in my house too. As usual, you have a good eye for design and I love mostly all of your choices…especially the old wooden file drawers for the pods. Perfect. (I use the exact same marmalade jar for my coffee spoons too although they remain inside the cupboard due to lack of counter space). The only suggestion I have is that if you get tired of the crate, use a tray instead and another tray standing on its side could hide the outlet and cord.
I so enjoy your blog and all of the images you send us. You’re so generous and it is greatly appreciated! Thank you Karen
Cheryl
Lisa says
Using a paper plate as a splash guard when using a hand mixer!
Sylvia says
I use pony tail bands to keep gift wrap rolls tidy! No reason to buy those fancy gift wrap sleeves or anything else, Just get a nice little pack of pony tail bands and keep them in with your wrapping supplies. The larger ones will work for ribbon spools, too!!!
Donna Self says
I found a old tall office mailbox sorter with all the slots and use it to store all my cake and cookie mixes in. you can see in an instant what you have or what you need to buy to keep it stocked with your favorite mixes.
Marsha Lamberth says
I love to use inexpensive contact paper in my Cricut die cutting machine instead of the much more expensive crafting vinyl.
Natalie Yarbrough says
I tweeted with twitter id @yarbr012: https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/504427128293982210.
TPowers Lady of Dunan says
Sweet I love this kind of stuff thanks Karen!
OK so I use re-purposed containers for the following: (Be sure to run them through the dish washer first).
Plastic sorbet containers with screw on lids are now home to craft supplies. They are clear and hold a large amount of beads, guitar picks, jump rings etc..
Plastic Rice Containers. Hold paint brushes and tube paints.
Plastic Laundry Containers (Pod type) Hold large supplies like rolls of material that you want to keep dust free and you can pretty all of these up with cute images from the Graphics Fairy! Yea!
Sandra Dee says
I love using pretty containers as planters. I’ve used old tea cups, collanders, whatever is available. I currently have a vintage sugar bowl (just like yours) with a succulent.
Sandy Lewis says
I use pants clips from the big box store that starts with a W to keep my chip bags and cereal bags closed. They are inexpensive, last forever and don’t have those darned springs that cause one side to fly across the kitchen at odd times. Thank you for the good reading here – picking up some wonderful tips. Thank you also for a chance to win.
Donna Hutchings says
I order to keep bacon from shrinking, I always dredge it in flour before cooking. It’s a trick I learned from the original Eloise.
Donna Hutchings says
Oops, Mea Culpa…Heloise.
Sandi Allen says
Love your coffee station! What a wonderful idea.
I use bounce dryer sheets to do my dusting. Base boards, top of DVD player, lamp shades, end tables etc….
Cat von Hassel-Davies says
I have Kayak racks on the roof of my car, the four ends above each door stick out a little to far and people are always hitting their head against them. I now use pool noodles to cover the four ends, the soft foam is enough to cushion the ends.
Cat von Hassel-Davies says
Here is the link to my Tweet.
https://twitter.com/CathyvHDavies/status/504514346098364416
Sherry says
For $1.00 at the thrift store I found a large, fancy engraved aluminium serving tray which was missing one handle. With the missing handle side facing the back, it is the perfect size to fit the narrow space on my counter next to the sink under the dish draining rack.
alicia k says
to separate egg yolks with a water bottle
pixystik4u at gmail dot com
alicia k says
https://twitter.com/pixystik4u/status/504607856528613377
Lynda Del says
I’ve been using baking soda and vinegar for many household and beauty duties.
Lynda Del says
https://twitter.com/Lyndadawinda/status/504643639323410432
Sandy says
First of all, I love your coffee bar! I recently made one in my kitchen too. can’t wait to try the thin mint coffee creamer because those are my favorite Girl Scout cookies! I use old maple syrup, glass vinegar jars and whatever else. I can find that’s glass in a cool shape and decorate them to look like fancy perfume and decorative bottles.
Sherlynn Miller says
I used a large vintage peanut butter crock with a 1940’s hospital stool to make an end table. My husband made a round wooden top for the crock so it is an end table with storage space.
Suzan says
I have a large number of silverplate pieces. I never use polish to clean them. For large pieces, I line my kitchen sink with inexpensive foil from the dollar store, add a about a 1/4 c. of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of salt and pour in boiling water to a depth of about 5 or 6 inches. In go my silver pieces and they come out tarnish free. A quick wipe with a clean, damp cloth and buffing with a dry cloth and I have perfect silver that looks like I took hours to clean. For smaller pieces like flatware, I buy the aluminum pans from the dollar store and use the same ingredients (cut by half). They are great and can be used several times before having to toss.
Birdiebee says
I tweeted.
https://twitter.com/birdiebee52/status/504755121142894594
Ellie W says
I keep a box of latex gloves in my pantry. They are very reasonably priced for a large box. I grab a pair and wear them whenever I handle raw meat or other messy job.
Ellie W says
tweet
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/504777572954013697
alisa says
i like to upcycle anything i can, reuse containers for vases or to store food in.
Brenda Newberry says
I love to look around the thrift stores and hardware stores and give items a new life as a piece of art. Currently in love with copper and metal shaping. My wire hangers are in danger of becoming yard art in the spring. Happy crafting!
Lady_D says
I use a 30+ year-old plate rack to hold an assortment of my music cds. Meant for about one dozen small plates, it holds about 2 dozen cds in the jewel cases so I can keep some of my favorite music at my fingertips.
Cindy ziliak says
I separate my bananas when I put them in my fruit bowl. They seem to last longer! I also freeze leftover coffee in ice cube trays to make coffee shakes!
Doris says
I use our old faded t-shirts as towels for my hair after my shampoo so they would not get frizzy. Works better than towels!
Dee says
tweeted https://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/505006761263128576
courtney b says
tweet
https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/505025366579085313
Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista says
I like to use cups and bowls to organize my desk and corral jewelry!
Cheryl W says
Tweet:
https://twitter.com/HeartnSoulmom/status/505104491012583424
Vincent says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/505119720719138816
One Frugal Girl says
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/505134432911495168
One Frugal Girl says
Putting a dryer sheet in the visor to make the car smell good.
Kimmy Ripley says
I like to make and freeze meals ahead of time so I can just thaw them out and heat them up when I don’t have time to prepare a meal.
amy pugmire says
use a leaf blower and pvc pipes to clean out your gutter instead of a ladder 🙂
amy pugmire says
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/505336634863153152
Erin says
I utilize the space above my kitchen cabinets by using “old” wooden crates of various sizes, textures, and colors to hold all of my holiday baking items that I use maybe once or twice a year. l try to find or make a box with a Christmas color or theme for the Christmas cookie cutters and cake pans, etc. Karen always has fantastic images to use!
Jaclyn Reynolds says
Use olive oil in boiling water to keep a pot of cooking noodles from overflowing!
Rebecca Helene Thomas says
https://twitter.com/rebeccathomasrd/status/505463804184907776
Denise says
I buy pool noodles from the dollar store, cut them up, and insert the pieces into my boots to keep the leg part from folding over and making a crease.
Mary Jenkins says
I buy those straight razors intended for eyebrow shaping and carry them in my purse for stray patches of hair on my legs. This saved me so many times during bikini season!
Honey says
I use a vintage school card catalog to store my husband’s collection of baseball cards. The best part…the card catalog is from a school where he used to work!
Amy says
Clothespins as bag clips. So cheap and they get the job done.
Jami C. says
I have a mason jar fetish, so I use them for everything—decor, organizing, vases and of course canning!
D Schmidt says
Tweeted for a second entry
https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/506616099153006592
Jessie C. says
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/506283919776710656
Cheryl says
Tweeted, too: https://twitter.com/SavingForLater/status/506925414413910016
Erika says
Someone just told me a good way to use up leftover conditioner is to use it as shaving cream!
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
Dandi D says
I shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dandidaffyhill/status/507003441634213889
Elle says
I re purpose everything – old chairs, tables, picture frames, etc… there is really no reason not to take the time to fix something up and re use it.
Elle says
https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/507597261790928896
Cheryl W says
Hmm my comment did post, but my tweet did. So here it goes again. I like to repurpose milk jugs for all sorts of crafts and storage.
rachel says
Weed right after a good rain — it’s so easy!
Gina M says
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/508352768076435456
Susan Smith says
I use diaper wipes for cleaning up spills, floors and the counter top.
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/508410987058192385
ken ohl says
love using hairspray to get out ink stains on clothes
LAMusing says
You can remove wood stain from your hands with cheese. Yep, seriously – rub a piece of cheese (I used cheddar) on you hands and that wood stain comes right off!
Norma says
I put dryer sheets in drawers and under the mattress to keep things smelling fresh.
Tina M says
I Keep bananas fresher by wrapping the stems in plastic wrap.
Tina M says
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/508792662229409792
Ashley H says
I make my own baby wipes out of coconut oil and paper towels.
anna pry says
slice cherry tomatoes by holding them between 2 plates and slide your knife through them all at once
[email protected]
anna pry says
i tweeted https://twitter.com/thepryfamily5/status/509427500431056896 [email protected]
Barbara Montag says
Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/509852591724167168
Barbara Montag says
I’ve posted a comment twice and neither are showing.
thank you
Amy S says
Rub your hands on a stainless steel sink to remove onion/garlic smell from your hands!
Katherine says
I use ice cube trays to separate my jewelry
Katherine says
https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/511147736939253761
maria cantu says
When cooking make extra to freeze for other mealtimes.
Cynthia C says
A pastry blender is very good for chopping hard cooked eggs for egg salad or topping a salad.
Cynthia C says
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/513049484310220801
Nicole says
Using vinegar and baking soda to unclog drains
Angel Jacklyn says
I use baby powder as a type of “dry shampoo” when I’m running late and can’t shower. It makes my hair not so greasy! [email protected]
Rebecca Graham says
Instead of buying car air fresheners, I throw a dryer sheet in the car.
Rebecca Graham says
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/rhoneygee/status/513570698350972928
Neiddy says
Use old dryer sheets to get sticky dust off furniture
Neiddy says
tweeted -https://twitter.com/neiddy_ruiz/status/514431723304534016
Denise L says
I put the tab from a bread package at the end of my rolls of duct and masking tape.
Denise L says
tweeted – https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/514849178657107968
Shannon says
Freezing oatmeal squares in sandwich bags have been a great help for me!
Shannon says
https://twitter.com/channynn/status/515122803125665792
Tabathia B says
I use a shoe organizer for car storage
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/515173368316694528
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Kerry says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/515287372229914624
shelly peterson says
I like to use dryer sheets in drawers and linen cupboards to keep things smelling fresh.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
shelly peterson says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/515603270363279360
cshell090869 at aol dot com
Rebecca says
I like to use vinegar as a fabric softener.
Shannon says
Wow there are some good ones on here! I use undiluted white vinegar to clean anything that gets moldy!
Shannon says
https://mobile.twitter.com/Shiebs24/status/516052985793634304
Betty C says
I like making a room smell good with eucalyptus leaves or orange peel simmering in my mini crock pot.
Betty C says
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/516131626216980480
Samantha Daleo says
TWEET!
https://twitter.com/samdaleo/status/516228228243918848
Wanda McHenry says
I add a 1/4 cup of vinegar with my laundry detergent to help disinfect germs in cold water.
Wanda McHenry says
tweet: https://twitter.com/myfolly/status/516822394254536704
Debbie B says
i posted a tweet:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/516923749510045696
Danielle says
I use clear nail polish to keep bug bites from itching!
Lisa Kubin says
OMG! Such wonderful ideas! I have saved sooooo many! My idea is to use 3M clear hangers in a row to hang up all of my jewelry (necklaces and bracelets) in my closet so I can see everything and find the pieces that match best!
Lisa K.
Laura says
I reuse cereal and granola bar boxes for storage, small ones cut in half are great for gravy packets. I use coconut oil as a lotion and leave – in hair conditioner.
DESIREE H says
I use toothpaste on a pimple if I get one on my face. 🙂 It helps the redness and swelling. Seriously.
TerriSue says
When my daughter was learning to crawl, she is now 31 but we did the same thing with her daughter who is now 7, to keep her dresses from getting caught under her knees and ripping, I would gather up her dress when she went down on the floor in the back and just secure it with a clothespin. The clothespin kept all the gathers up out of the way but was gone in an instant if someone came to the door and I wanted her to look pretty.
MARTHA says
I use cornmeal to kept ANTS away….