I’m starting a column that I’ve been wanting to do for a while. Whenever I figure something out or have a clever way to do something I always joke and follow it up by saying “Pro-tip by Jordan Ferney.” I thought it would be great to have a place where people can share things they come up with. Just small details that make life a bit easier. Here is the first one.
When I worked for Stanlee Gatti, the event planner, we used twinkly lights all the time. He would store each strand wrapped up in a ball. It’s genius because they never get tangled. You just start at the side without the plug and then wrap it up over and over onto itself. It’s important to leave the plug side free because otherwise how will you plug them in and take cute photos of you and your family with glowy balls of lights?
oliviating
December 27, 2010
Ok, that is pretty awesome, but I am still not sure how to make it a ball.
MsAmanda
December 27, 2010
That's my favorite of your tips. I've been doing it since the first time you posted about them. And the best part is that you can plug the balls in for easy decorating
nicole
December 27, 2010
great tip.
jordan
December 27, 2010
@oliviating I promise its not tricky, you just start rolling. 😉
Grace
December 27, 2010
Great tip!
Lissa (The Wedding Bistro at Bellenza)
December 27, 2010
Love the whole idea of a column of "simple tips"! Looking forward to learning a lot from this. All the best in 2011.
Colleen
December 27, 2010
He is so adorable! Cute tip.
Melissa
December 28, 2010
Love the tip!
My husband's super power is organization, so he teaches me all sorts of great ways to stay organized. HOWEVER, I did teach him an organizational tip once.
When washing dishes with a dishwasher I like to store my flatware in groups. Knives with knives, spoons with spoons. After all, I typically put each utensil in the dishwasher one at a time. THEN, when they're clean & I'm putting them away all I have to do is grab each group in one handful & put them in their spot in the drawer. It's not a huge time saver, but I like this trick a lot.
Cati Basmati
December 28, 2010
Great idea (column AND light ball)! I am looking forward to reading your tipps as much as I love seeing your pictures!
Jessica
December 28, 2010
The plug out part is important. I started storing my lights in ball form after you mentioned it a few Christmases back, but I didn't pay attention to what end I started at. This year I had to unroll all the balls just to check if the lights still worked, ha. I rolled mine back up last night, making sure to pay attention this time.
@oliviating- I wrap the strand around my hand a few times, then slip my hand out and keep wrapping sort of perpendicular to my first few wraps. Then you can go sort of willy-nilly, round and round.
kh
December 28, 2010
Especially cute pics with stripey jammies! And helpful, easy tips are always welcome in my book. Thank you, thank you.
wishful nals
December 28, 2010
a great tip! and what adorable photos.
HudsonandCo.
December 28, 2010
Great idea for a column! (One of my nicknames in high school was "Tips", for the same reason!)
Lisa Long
December 29, 2010
Genius! Thanks for sharing!
Lily
December 29, 2010
Your boys are so gorgeous! The striped pj's are so precious. Aww, these pics just melt my heart.
What I Say Matters!
January 5, 2011
great Pro-tip!!
Mark
What I Say Matters