College Dorm Apartment Storage Hacks

Dorm Life

MBE partnered with IKEA for this post

by Neima Pollak
MBE staff writer

Storage Solutions for Students

College students like easy, inexpensive things, especially when it comes to maximizing dorm space and functionality. Thankfully the product designers at IKEA have recognized this desire and have created the new Ombyte collection. The goal of this innovative line which is both practical and featuring fashionable prints is to make the transition to college living as smooth and enjoyable as possible. 

The Ombyte line-up available exclusively at IKEA stands out this season to offer convenience with a variety of fold up style products perfect for easy storage in crowded living spaces. I just love the moving cart ($49) and collapsible moving boxes offered in two convenient sizes ($3.99-$4.99) which can be reused again  and again whenever kids decide to change roommates and move to new locations. 

If your son or daughter is typical, believe me, you can count on multiple changes of address before they get their diploma. So these products can be really helpful especially when Mom or Dad aren't there to help with the latest move.

 

College Student Product Picks 

As a student in college myself, I think that the Ombyte collection is absolutely wonderful and I can appreciate how this can make moving so much easier and less stressful for me and my classmates.

My favorite product in the entire collection is this stylish Ombyte bag (pictured below), made of 100% sturdy polypropylene. The first version of this bag is narrower and taller measuring 11"wide by 15 3/4" long. It has two convenient ways to carry it: either as a handheld tote bag or to wear hands-free as a backpack thanks to its well-placed shoulder straps. This especially versatile bag is of course useful for the initial move-in to the dorm. 

Then, throughout the school year, it can also be used for carrying groceries from the store or for bringing clothes to and from the laundry machines. This style is currently available in an orange/white print and a black/clear print and it sells for $7.99 on the IKEA website. 

The second style carrying bag (pictured below), is also constructed of sturdy polypropylene but is shorter and wider and measures 31-1/2 inches long by 15-3/4 inches high by 15-3/4 inches deep. This zip closure duffle style bag is a convenient way to transport assorted stuff both on and off campus and when you head home to visit your family on short school breaks. Like the bag above, this one you see below has multiple uses and can be used to move in and out, for grocery shopping or laundry, and so much more. You'll find this bag on the IKEA website in a multicolor print as well as a white/clear print available for $7.99. 

It's cozy too, LOL! As you can see my cat loved this bag so much that he found his way inside and practically tried to go stealth as a stowaway when I was packing to return to school this fall.

Stylish Wall Hanging Storage

For in-room storage that's both chic and practical, I'm loving now is the Nordrana Hanging Storage system, a unique hand-crocheted accessory made by talented craftspeople in Vietnam. It is made from a sturdy material in a lovely shade of navy with brown bamboo buttons accenting the sides, selling on IKEA's website for $19.99. 

This three-pocket organizer features a hanging strap connected to the top pouch, and two more pouches for a total of three pouches, one of which is divided into two compartments making it a great place to store smaller items. I love the versatility of the ways this can be used. It can be hung vertically with all three pouches as shown or you can detach the pouches from each other and hang them separately using the hooks on the sides of each pouch. 

I can think of lots of ways to use this in my dorm room. The pouches help keep things organized but out of sight, such as a hairbrushes, pens, notepad, and other small items. You can even personalize this, turn it into a fun and easy crafting opportunity, like I did, to showcase your own style.

Storage Not Just for Dorms

Even if you are not a college student, you can still benefit from these fashionable yet durable and functional products. Some items in particular are great for moving into a new home, for redecorating your current living space or just creating more functionality in your home. One such item that has multiple functions is the Ombyte storage combination on casters which is available for $59. This rolling cart features two sturdy boxes, stacked on top of the other, with a removable lid on the top box. The brilliant design of this is that you can use it for your initial move, and then keep using it for years to come as a trendy home decor item or as a storage container. 

Small But Mighty

Another quick and easy must-have to help take the stress out of all the moving around students do is this colorful set of three elastic loading straps. Until I found these, I had no idea how useful these would be to us college students who seem to move more frequently than others. A small investment in a set of these for $4.99 would have been a fabulous help as I tend to pack a lot of stuff and usually end up precariously piling one bag on top of another bag hoping that nothing topples over. These loading straps are an excellent way to ensure that your bags, both big and small, don't fall during the move. An added plus is they can be used with Ombyte's moving cart or with any other cart you use to move your belongings.

With so many options to make college life run more smoothly you're not going to want to waste any time checking off all these cool lifestyle products. Be sure to check out the full Ombyte collection at IKEA and pick up some new items that will make living away at college a whole lot more simple.

Thomas Tank Engine Steam Team Train Tour

Family Fun

Thomas Steam Team Tour partnered with MBE for this post

Fun for the Family, Ticket & Giveaway Info

Kids have loved Thomas and Friends for generations. I know from first-hand experience my four children certainly couldn't get enough of friendly Thomas and Percy when they were younger. So what could be more exciting than sharing with all of you parents with little kids now that the Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour 2019 is coming to town, pulling into Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, California this November.
  

You and your little engineers are invited to join the beloved Engine #1 and Percy for a day of engaging activities and fun adventures including a ride on the Thomas Tank Steam Engine train and so much more.

Sneak a peek at what's in store for your kids

So California Stop on the 2019 US/Canada Tour

Presented by Mattel, the 24th annual Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Engine Tour 2019 features 37 stops throughout the US and Canada. SoCal residents are invited to participate in the experience locally when the traveling event arrives in the region at Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, California on November 2-3 and November 9-11 (from 9 am to 5 pm each day). 

Thomas Experience Includes

• 25-minute approx steam train ride on Thomas the Tank Engine
• Meet & Greet with Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway
• Passport to Adventures booklet for each child to track his/her journey to win a prize after completion
• New "Ask an Engineer" booth for kids to learn about trains and railroads
• Thomas-themed interactive activities like toy play, photo ops, and more fun

Where

Southern California Railway Museum
2201 South A Street
Perris, CA 92570
Museum Information/Directions

Tickets are $25 plus tax for ages 2 and up, service charges and fee may apply

Buy Tickets Here 

or 

Call Ticketweb 866-468-7630

Day Out With Thomas Train Tour  Giveaway

With such fun ahead this fall, we are please to offer your family the chance to win the memorable Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour experience when it pull into the station in Perris, California. ONE (1) lucky 4-ticket family prize pack winner will be chosen at random with winner's choice of date/time based on ticket availability. See details below to enter for your chance to win this amazing dream prize for the Thomas and Friends enthusiast in your family.

Family 4-Pack Tickets
Thomas Steam Team 

MBE Giveaway

Enter to Win on Instagram

Thanks to Thomas and Friends, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win four tickets to the Day Out with Thomas Steam Team November 2019 event in Perris, California, ARV $100. Transportation to/from event venue not included. This Day Out with Thomas giveaway is open to US residents only and qualifying winners will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends October 16, 2019 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour is responsible for providing the prize for winner to pick up at the venue upon arrival.

More About Thomas & Friends

For more information about Thomas & Friends visit the official website, as well as follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. 

Tips to Make Chores Fun for Kids

Parenting

by Neima Pollak
MBE staff writer

Getting Children to Do Chores, Happily

Let's face it, kids do not like doing chores. They will figure out ways to avoid them and if they are stuck doing it they will likely complain the whole way through. But it doesn't have to be this way! You can alter the way kids do their chores so that when it comes time to take out the trash, you will not have to go looking for your kids, rather they will come running to find you.

This post contains Affiliate Links

Easy Tips to Inspire Kids to Help More

Start with this list of five easy ways to make chores more enjoyable, adapting to your family's lifestyle, and create new ways to facilitate chores at home.

Begin Age-Appropriate Chores Early

The younger the child, the more guidance they will likely need. Although the goal of chores may be to free up your time to take care of other things, you are teaching your child how to do it now so they can do it independently as they get older. For example, to start your young child off teach them to put their own empty yogurt cup into the garbage or place their spoon in the sink. This teaches children the basics of cleaning up after themselves, something that many parents work hard to get their kids to do. 

Make Chores Entertaining

Cleaning up does not have to be a boring and quiet routine. Lighten up the mood and sing a song with your son or daughter while you are cleaning up together or play some music. Feel free to use a cleanup song you have heard before or have your child join you in making up your own lyrics to a favorite tune. No song is too silly, so do not worry because your child is not judging your songwriting abilities. This will make the experience pleasurable for you both, with the added plus that you are spending quality time with them. 

Turn Chores into a Game or Contest

Present the chore as a game or race. For example, ask your child, "How fast can you put away all the toys in the room?" using a timer to motivate them. We love this cute red fox kitchen timer for instances like this. It is a little thing that will make chores all the more fun for the whole family.

Even if you present the chore as a game, your child may say something like, "I know you're only doing this so I clean up!" Don't try and convince your child that you are purely doing this as a game, because they are smarter than that.  Instead explain to your child that yes, you are doing this to clean up, but you are also trying to do it in a way that makes it more fun. If your child does not want to engage in this chore game let them know that the cleanup task still needs to be completed and do they have another suggestion to tackle it?

Use a Sticker Chart with Rewards

Make a chore chart (either together with your child or by yourself) that has clear directions on how each chore should be done. Use a pasteboard and some markers to create a chart that has a list of chores you may ask your child to complete. Underneath each task, write out clear instructions for how the chores should be done. This will help you and your child when they are doing their chores because it will build their independence and it will also give you a few more minutes of quiet to do what you need to do.  

Not into making your own chore chart? Buy one like this cute and colorful magnetic Responsibility Chart with Stickers with pre-made chore labels or this more sophisticated dry erase Magnetic Chore Chart for older children. Every time your child completes a chore, put a sticker on the chart to mark it. When your child reaches a certain number of stickers treat your child to a reward, that you have decided on with your child in advance. 

Doing Chores, Teaching Kids Responsibility Is Easy

Using all or one of these tips will help your child have a more enjoyable time doing chores. It will also, no doubt, contribute to a better relationship between your child and chores. The goal of starting off like this is that eventually they will do their chores without all the added incentives automatically. By doing so they'll not only be developing a stronger sense of responsibility, they'll also be learning first-hand that by contributing to the family household, helping around the house can be also rewarding and gratifying. 

Mommy Blog Expert participates in the Amazon Affiliate program. So, if you make a purchase using one of the links in this story, MBE will receive a small bit of compensation at no extra cost to you.