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January/February GOOD T H I NG S
QUICK FIX
On-the-Spot Solution To pretreat clothing stains without having to hoof it to the laundry room, hang a mini kit in your hamper and stock it with a small bottle of acetone (it helps remove grass and grease), detergent (for collars), and vinegar (great on mustard, coffee, and more). For more stain-removal tips, go to martha stewart.com/stain-chart. Woven hamper, $165, brookfarm generalstore.com. Bamboo utensil holder, $8, containerstore.com.
PLANT NOW, PICK LATER
INSTANT UPGRADE
What Lies Beneath Whether your dressing area is tiny or you just firmly believe that there should be a place for everything, this trick will be music to your ears. Repurpose a piano bench into a vanity seat by painting it to complement your space and adding a cushion (we covered a piece of foam in fabric and Velcroed it to the wood), lining the built-in storage bin with paper, and filling it with clear trays to hold hair products and tools. No more curling irons junking up the place—bravo! Cameron & Sons Unfinished Duet piano bench with storage, $80, discountmusicaloutlet.net.
Scatter poppy seeds (like Papaver somniferum ) directly on bare winter ground— even on top of light patches of snow. The seeds need weeks of cold to germinate, and plants will begin to emerge in spring.
