Shall we solve each other’s simple problems?

[Merryoldgoat]

So. I have a whole load of shit I’m dealing with that cannot be easily solved.

However I also have a variety of very straight forward issues that I could do with people helping with - so how about we all solve each other’s simple stuff??

Things I need help with and would appreciate answers from people who know:

1. How many towels do I need for a family of four?
2. What is the best way to keep Tupperware properly organised?
3. What shoes do I need to be smart in all weather?

TIA?

I'm sorry to hear that but I'm glad that you got a seat on the next one. There is a freezing rain situation going on in Southern Ontario right now, but it's not severe, it should be ending in the next couple of hours.
Safe travels to you

Can you get one of those mirror with a shelf thingys?

My Tupperware tuppenceworth:

I have some flat square boxes (600ml Lock & Lock are good), that hold 2-3 portions worth of cooked food. When they are frozen I take them out the boxes, place in ziplock bags and stack vertically in an Ikea box in the freezer, thus saving space. This creates a food library, whence dishes can be easily selected as required.

(Extra points if you place them in the fridge to defrost the day before, as this will keep your fridge cool and save on electricity).

The other thing I do is to freeze gravies and sauces in a plastic bag placed in a round container, removing the container once frozen. This means I never again have a "Is it gravy or is it a casserole? dilemma.

Re: What should I use in lieu of a dressing table in my bedroom? I’m limited space-wise as DH works in there but I have a lot of beauty products that create clutter.
How to keep all my stuff but also maintain a facade of organisation?

I know this looks kind of cheap but how about one of those rectangular sometimes on wheels multi drawer plastic totes that people sometimes use for organizing children's toys or craft supplies. They usually have four five or possibly six pull out drawers, they're not heavy, they're not large, and they can fit into a small space such as right next to the bed. Personally I would be tempted to take the wheels off so that it doesn't accidentally roll around if you kick it with your foot as you get in and out of bed.

They do come in different colors, you might be able to find one that fits your decor, or, failing that. You could paint it to match your bedroom or you could use a type of Mac attack like a wood grain or something, so it doesn't look like a laundry room / kids room organizational plastic tote but instead looked kind of nice. You can put items on top like eyeglasses, your phone and charge cord, your water glass whatever you would like to put on a night table, and the various drawers would keep all of your stuff organized.

I’m wondering if going to London tomorrow with dc (primary age), where shall we go? Free, cheerful and not too busy. We haven’t been to the Maritime museum but travelling from Herts to Greenwich feels a bit far… is it worth it on a cold, short day when you can’t have a nice walk about.
Shall we just go the South Bank and see what’s left of the Christmas markets and hope it’s not so busy?

Some cracking advice here.

My own two small problems;

1. Should I buy a full length riding rain coat for wet weather when its only 10 odd weeks of the year?
2. How do I store my daughters... paw patrol, sylvanians, playmobil and peppa toys - too many for separate boxes imo. We have basket boxes for d(large) dolls, train set, food toys and magnet tiles.

Thanks!

These drawers with a lift up lid with a mirror may solve your dilemma. They have a very small footprint, but will hold loads of stuff. You could put your everyday products in the mirror section and others in the top drawer underneath.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/malm-chest-of-6-drawers-white-mirror-glass-70403593/

Almost any colour goes with grey, but I'd say red, orange, yellow, or teal

1. i think towels depends if you use them for anything else too, we usually have one each for swim/gym bags so 2pp wouldn’t be enough.

1. I don’t like being wet and it feels like it’s raining every other day so it would be worth it for me.
2. we have the ikea trofast storage but if you have the space leaving them out in view is the best for little children - there’s little rotating bookshelves that would be good for displaying and keeping tidy.

My daughter uses one of these from ikea. She has a few of those ikea clear plastic storage boxes to keep everything organised. Would you have room for one of those?
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/raskog-trolley-white-00586789/

@randos I think Greenwich is a good call - the Maritime Museum is ace, you can look at / go into the Cutty Sark and the Royal Naval College, and there are food stalls and places to get hot chocolate around there and sit down. I also always think being by that bit of the Thames is good - you could also get the Uber Boat over for a bit of glamour!

Is it OK to have Baileys after having had a Margarita and after a Dry Martini?

Technically, they are all spirits and it's not like the old adage: "Beer before liquor, never sicker. Liquor before beer, you're in the clear."

I wasn't planning on having any beer tonight.

I also do that plus

I also have a plastic basket in the utility room the sort that has holes in the sides

When I get plastics out of the dishwasher, they go in this basket if they are still wet. Later in the day when they are dry, put their lids on and put them into the big drawer.

The Southbank will be heaving with confused tourists and the Christmas market will be full of tat. All that ugly grey concrete is really depressing. I think the Southbank is one of the ugliest buildings/areas and is overrated and a bit of a White Elephant.

Greenwich is so much nicer! Next to the Maritime Museum is Queen Anne's House. All the Georgian architecture, like the Naval colleges is breathtaking. Greenwich Park & the Observatory. The market is fun to browse in, and there are lots of delightful pubs and restaurants in the area. The Trafalgar is just fab!

Do not store Tupperware with the lid on - even the sales people used to tell you that! It can smell, it needs to be open to the air.

I use a Sharpie and mark box and lid with the same letter or symbol. Easy to match up then.

My tupperware is from lakeland, the containers are all the same size in diameter but different depths, small medium and large so all lids fit each other and they all stack together including in the freezer.

Don't feel I've explained that very well 😂 but essentially I love them.

1. Six or eight towels of each size. They won't all need washing at the same time and towels can take up a lot of space.
2. Have a dedicated cupboard or just a shelf, and stack containers of the same size towards the back of the cupboard with their lids piled in front.
3. 1 pair each: waterproof boots, ordinary boots, court shoes, smart trainers, posh sandals, flip flop type sandals.

You're welcome. In return:

1. Should I give back to my sister the green and yellow sparkly jumper she gave me for Christmas? She wears that kind of thing, and if I pretend to like it she may get me another one next year.
2. Where can I buy clothes pegs that don't fall apart with a pinging noise after a few months?
3. Is there any way of keeping rice cakes for more than a day without them turning into damp cardboard?

Thank you.

Re: the Tupperware issue. This will sound weird, but hear me out. I normally swear by sistema or Joseph Joseph…but my friend suggested buying a packet of the takeaway style clear, rectangular Tupperware containers. I started freezing my batch cooking into single portions this year (thanks to friend suggesting it), rather than in two or four portion amounts. My DC are older and it means that we can each select what meal we want for school/work etc…ergo less waste. I’ve kept some of the larger Tupperware containers but mainly have the single portion sizes -all stackable and easily stored :)

@Charlize43 the moment may have passed but I'd be wary of a Baileys / Marg combo because of the dairy cocktail / fresh citrus cocktail and curdling??? That said, everything's just down in your stomach anyhow.

@UxmalFan 3rd answer / unhelpful - can you say more about the jumper? Sounds potentially up my street.

My problem is my dishwasher no longer closes properly because my child fell on the open door. Is it worth try to replace the hinges?

1. Should I buy a full length riding rain coat for wet weather when its only 10 odd weeks of the year?

Yes. I don’t ride but I do walk a dog and my Baleno riding mac brings such joy. I use the funny lap cover to sit on wet benches. Sometimes I consider taking up riding just so I can get some knee boots to go with it. Also global warming, it’s getting wetter all the time. Your horse will thank you.

2.Wooden clothes pegs have been much longer lasting for me, I’ve replaced all my plastic ones with wood, as they pinged apart or the plastic snapped.

3.For rice cakes, a long, tall container for spaghetti works well. I have one that has a lid with a push button seal, and it works well.

And I agree with another poster about using takeaway tubs for leftovers - lids all match, good size for one person, can write on the lids in sharpie to show what is in them, go through the dishwasher. I also have a few big containers for batch cooking, but the takeaway boxes are best for leftovers.

Oops forgot my question. I love the colours in my bedroom but I’ve already redecorated once in the same colours, so 12 years of sage green and cream. Should I go slightly lighter and swap the proportions or try something new. It must be done- cracks in the ceiling, torn wallpaper from deceased cat and oil stains from stupid spray on moisturiser. And I don’t want to change bedding, lampshades or curtains which are cream /yellowy green.

@UxmalFan

Definitely give back the jumper. Just be honest about it. As you said you don’t want another one.

I find wooden clothes pegs the only reliable ones.

Rice cakes keep best in my experience in one of those Tupperwares that have the kind of rubber seal that make them watertight.

Thank you for the shoe advice. I’m going to make a list of clothes I need and get cracking. I need to get a better grip on how I look for work as I want a new job soonish and I will probably need to smarten up.