Browse Tag

DIY

5 best ways to preserve your travel memories

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The trip is over and you are on your way back to reality. Your mind is filled with travel memories and part of you wants these experiences embedded in your brain forever.

So, how do you preserve your travel memories?

Here are five Kajo-approved ways to document your travel memories for you to look back one day and say, “I’ve had the time of my life”:

1.Create a travel scrapbook
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Collect your travel memories and put them in your scrapbook. Credits: Unsplash.

The best part of making a scrapbook is that you can just let your creativity flow freely without any restriction.
Put anything, write about everywhere and scrap everything out of your travel memories.

Make a listicle out of new foods you have tried for the day and paste your receipt next to it. Pick up a travel package brochure, stick it on your scrapbook and jot down your experience of the day.

Press a flower or a leaf using your hotel iron and insert it in your scrapbook to remind you the what kind of greenery surrounded you during your travels.

There are so many ways to make a travel scrapbook.

If you are travelling with your partner or in a group, pass the scrapbook around for them to put their memories travelling with you. If you made a new friend on the road, let that stranger put a word or two in your scrapbook.

2.Make a travel photo book
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Come home and publish all your travel photos in a book. Credits: Unsplash.

A travel photo book is still one of the best ways to preserve your travel memories.
Just take tonnes and tonnes and photos during your trip and once you reach home, send them to a professional to make a photo book.

This idea is a lacking a bit of personal touch but you can rest assured your travel memories are well kept and preserved.

3.Write a personal travel journal
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Jot down your feelings while travelling. Credits: Unsplash.

Writing a personal travel journal is like having a time-out on your own. A private journal will always be your personal space where you can write down your thoughts.

Journalling can help you to get it out of the way of what you are feeling at that moment while travelling. Do you feel mellow while on the way from the airport to the hotel? What do you think about the stranger who sat next to you on the plane?
This way you can capture every travel memory in your own words and it is fun to read it back after a few years.

4.Send yourself a postcard
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You can write on your postcard, “Dear me, you rock!” Credits: Unsplash.

Sending a postcard to your loved ones are a common thing to do when travelling. But how about sending yourself a postcard?

Send yourself a postcard from every new place you visited for the first time.

You can write something quirky to yourself on the postcard like, “Hey you, your eyebrows are on point today – good job!”

5.Buy the same souvenir wherever you go
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A good old fridge magnets as a travelling souvenir. Credits: Unsplash.

Souvenirs can be overrated but not if you pick the same souvenirs from all over the world.

If you want to play safe, you can always buy the usual souvenir such as keychains and fridge magnets.
Nonetheless, there are other souvenirs out there that help to make your travel memories more personal.

If you love music, how about buying a traditional percussion from every country that you visited?

Or you can buy local crafted cider, wine or liquor and that way you still have a taste of your travel memories.

For bibliophiles, you can try to purchase your favourite book published in the local language. Imagine having Wuthering Heights in 20 different languages in your collection!

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5 ways coconut oil makes a good travel hack

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Every traveller appreciates a good travel hack so here is one from KajoMag. Save more space in your toiletries bag and carry a bottle of coconut oil.

Here are five reasons why you should bring a coconut oil with you when travelling:

1. It moisturises your skin

Most people like to use coconut oil as a natural moisturiser. There are different ways of applying iton your skin.

One of them is to apply coconut oil all over your body after showerIng to lock in the moisture.

There is no need to worry about the greasy feeling because it tends to absorb quickly into the skin.

You can also apply it generously to your feet before going to bed to reduce cracked heels.

If you are suffering from sunburn when travelling, it can work as a remedy for your inflamed skin.

Thanks to its moisturising effect, it also can help to hydrate chapped lips.

2. It works on your hair too

Forget to bring hair conditioner? Use coconut oil instead. This natural oil is known to contain vitamin E which helps to give you that silky hair you always wanted.

Just use it the way you use the usual hair conditioner or leave it overnight as a hair mask. 

3. It replaces your makeup remover and eye cream

Dab coconut oil on a piece of cotton pad and remove your makeup. You can also leave it underneath your eyes overnight to help remove those annoying dark circles.

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Coconut oil will solidify when it is under 30 degree Celsius. Here in Malaysia, a tropical country, it is usually in liquid form. Credits: Pexels.

4. It works as a shaving cream

Apply coconut oil on your face, underarms, legs or bikini area and start shaving. While it helps to reduce ingrown hair problems and redness , coconut oil also keeps your skin moisturised after shaving.

5. Boost your oral health

Have you heard of oil pulling? It is an old Ayurvedic remedy to whiten teeth and boosting oral health.

You can use sesame or sunflower oil but coconut works well too.

Just swish around two tablespoons of oil in your mouth for up to 20 minutes. Do not swallow the oil after oil pulling.

It can also help to relieve mouth ulcers.

So by packing one bottle of coconut oil, there is no need for you to carry skin moisturiser, hair conditioner, make up remover, lip balm, eye cream, shaving cream and mouthwash.

Besides cutting down on your exposure to chemicals, you are also cutting down on excessive plastic packaging!

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10 adult art projects to try for non-creative people

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Italian poet Eugenio Montale once said, “In reality art is always for everyone and for no one.”

As comforting as it might sound to non-creative people that art is for everyone, the reality is there are people out there who are just not artistic at all.

Having said that, non-creative people sometimes find ways to channel their inner creativity and craftiness.

Of course, the results might not be as good as those who are artistically-inclined and sometimes even far from being sell-able.

If you are looking for adult art projects to try own especially when you are feeling crafty, here are few suggestions:

1.Collage

To make collage art, you can use everything under the sun, from magazine and newspaper clippings to photographs and old postcards.

You can even recreate a famous art piece such as Van Gogh’s Sunflowers.

Watch the video here.

2.Hand lettering

If you love quotes and poems, this is an adult art project for you. Pick up a brush or a calligraphy pen to practice your hand lettering.

Once you get the hang of it, move on to create a homemade card or a quote display as a gift or just hang it in your room.

Watch the video here.

3.Photo embroidery

Forget about conventional embroidery, embroidered photographs is the in thing now.

Take your favourite photos and embroider something on it. Maybe put a pair of wings on the photo of your mum or a pair of horns on your least favourite teacher.

4.Origami
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How about giving origami a try? Credits: Unsplash.

All you need for origami is origami paper and of course tutorials which can be easily found online.

Once you master the art of origami you can turn them into wall decorations or simply as a gift.

Watch the video here.

5.Mod podge craft

The art of decoupage was originated in France in the 17th century. Now with the existence of mod podge, the craft of decoupaging has never been this easy.

Known for its fine finish and strong adhesiveness, you can use mod podge on flip flops, coasters, wooden boxes, cake stands and even table tops.

Watch the video here.

6.Tie-dye

If someone told you that tie-dye was for hippies, don’t believe them.

Widen your imagination and you can tie-dye almost everything, from a bag to a curtain and your short jeans.

Watch the video here.

7.Fabric Marker

Unleash your inner craftiness by drawing on a plain T-shirt with a fabric marker.

Draw a random asymmetrical design or write your favourite quote. You can also use fabric marker to personalise your own shoes, tote bag and cushion cover.

Watch the video here.

8.Vegetable printing

Vegetable printing are not just for kids. With the right materials, you can make your own cushion covers, coffee mug, paper wrappings and gift tags.

As for what vegetables you can try, see if you can use potato, carrot, celery and winged beans.

Watch the video here.

9.Washi tape

The Japanese people are a source of tons of brilliant ideas, one of those ideas including washi tape.

This decorative tape can be used for anything you can imagine.

You can decorate your book, table, computer keyboard, plastic cups for a party, even use it as wallpaper.

Watch the video here.

10.Beading

Beadwork can be easy if you stick to the basic of stringing beads together with a thread to produce a necklace, lanyard, or bracelet.

If you want to challenge yourself, you can also move on to harder beadwork skills such as bead crocheting or 3D beading.

Watch the video here.

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10 DIY blogs that will inspire your crafty side

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These 10 DIY blogs will inspire you to grab your glue guns, make a trip to the craft store and make something new.

Ten DIY blogs you must follow
10 DIY blogs you must follow. Credit: Pixabay.

About six years ago, I aspired to be a DIY blogger. I stalked a whole host of DIY Bloggers, tried their step-by-step instructions and got down to creating my own DIY piece-of-art.

However, that dream didn’t last long. I simply didn’t have enough creative juice and my frustrations over failed projects quickly dampened my drive to be a DIY blogger.

But the stalking continues.

Here are my 10 DIY blogs to follow; some I have followed from six years ago and some which recently made me a new fan:

1. I Spy DIY

 

A post shared by Jenni Radosevich (@ispydiy) on

I spy with my little eye and I see an amazing DIY blog called I Spy DIY.

Its founder Jenni Radosevich uses glue gun, jewellery pliers and a sewing machine to make fashionable items she sees in the magazines and on the runway.

According to her, everyone including high-end designers respond to pro DIYers.

Jenni stated in her blog, “I think if someone really wants to buy the designer version, they will. I don’t really think it competes with high-end designers.”

2. New Dress a Day

 

A post shared by Marisa Lynch (@newdressaday) on


My love for DIY projects started after I quit my job in the retail line. Perhaps that was why I could identify with Marisa Lynch from New Dress a Day.

After she was laid off from her editor job, Lynch suddenly had a surge of creativity drive while watching Julie & Julia.

So Lynch challenged herself, making 365 items for 365 days on a $365 dollars budget.

Unlike most bloggers who look demure or elegant in their photos, Lynch posts herself pulling quirky poses and funny expressions in her blog.

Since 2009 when she first started her blog, Lynch continues to make a new dress a day.

3.Wild Amor

 


Wild Amor was formerly known as Studs and Pearls, but the creative mind behind it is still the same.

The founder, Kirsten Nunez identifies herself as a lifestyle journalist, editor, and author.

Through her blog, Nunez shares how to DIY crafts, home decor, fashion items and recipes.

With a Masters degree in nutrition under her belt, you can count on Nunez for healthy, wholesome recipes.

4. A Beautiful Mess

 


A Beautiful Mess has come a long way from being just an ordinary blog. It was first started by Elsie Larson before her sister Emma Chapman joined.

Now, the team has expanded to even include positions like staff writer, community engagement manager and business development manager.

Plus, they even founded an app company called A Color Story, teaching online classes and publishing books.

Talk about expanding your business!

5. Lovely Indeed

 

A post shared by Chelsea Foy (@lovelyindeed) on

She used to make macaroni necklaces as a child and now she makes things for adults and children alike.

Chelsea Foy is the founder and editor of Lovely Indeed.

She even has contributors adding on creative contents on this DIY blog.

Additionally, you can visit her print shop online to see if there is any art print you like; they are lovely indeed!

6. HonestlyWTF

 

Erica Chan Coffman is the founder and editor of HonestlyWTF.

She also founded HonestlyYUM, a website circling on food, cocktails and entertaining ideas.

Besides her love for making things from bracelets to bags and belts, Chan Choffman also enjoys exploring the world.

She pens down her thoughts on traveling in her blog and contributes to Conde Nast Traveler.

7. Almost Makes Perfect

 

Clay wall hangings, floral bath salts, minimal soap bottles, leather cat litter scoops, copper circle earrings – Molly Madfis from Almost Makes Perfect makes almost everything you can think of.

She named the blog Almost Makes Perfect because she could never do anything perfectly, something most of us non-crafty people can relate to.

8. P/S I Made This

 

A post shared by @psimadethis (@psimadethis) on


Erica Domesek believes in the concept “I see it. I like it. I make it”.

No wonder Elle Magazine once dubbed Domesek the “Fashion Queen of DIY.”

The highlight of her blog is her Craft Math where she simplifies DIY tutorials with photos and math equations.

9. Paper & Stitch

 

Brittni Mehlhoff quit her job as a high school art teacher to fully dedicate her time to Paper & Stitch.

Besides giving how-to for crafts and gifts, Mehlhoff also provides plenty of revamping idea for your home.

On top of that, she shares travelling tips and her love of road trips.

A DIY website and a travel blog combined; Paper & Stitch is definitely a must-follow.

10. A Pair and a Spare

 


A Pair and a Spare was created by Geneva Vanderzeil in 2010 as a journal for her DIY projects.

From there, the blog grew to become a DIY and how-to website publishing tutorials, recipes, interviews and studio tours.

You can also follow Vanderzeil’s adventure on her Instagram while she spends most of her time between Hong Kong and Australia and other exotic locations in between.

Time to grab new tools to DIY everything. Credit: Pixabay.
Time to grab new tools to DIY everything. Credit: Pixabay.

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