September 17, 2026

Got a minute? Good.

There's something about coffee mugs that I can't pass up buying. The problem is I have a cabinet shelf of coffee mugs I no longer use and can't bring myself to get rid of: a chipped one from my mother, a souvenir with a hairline crack, a set that no longer matches anything, along with a bunch that are just taking up space.

Instead of feeling guilty about the clutter, I started giving them jobs around the house instead of donating or tossing them out.

They still get used every day, just not for coffee anymore. Below are my two favorites.

Be Well,
Anisa

PS I'm hoping by next edition I will have the new name and look finished.
Stay Tuned...

Tip 1: Give a Chipped Mug a Second Job

Photo: Anisa at her kitchen table, arranging a row of mismatched coffee mugs now holding pens, brushes, and a small succulent.

A mug with a small crack or chip is still perfectly good as a planter for a small succulent or herb (my favorite way to use), or as a holder for pens (the way I use the most), paintbrushes, or makeup brushes on a counter.

Drop in a small dish or plastic liner first if you are using it for a plant, so water does not sit against the ceramic and widen the crack.

Tip 2: Turn One Into a Candle You Will Actually Burn

Melt soy wax flakes in a double boiler, center a wick in the mug with a clothespin or two chopsticks to hold it steady, and pour the wax in once it is fully melted.

Let it cure for a full day before lighting. It makes a sturdy, unbreakable candle, and a sentimental mug gets a second life instead of sitting in a box.

Got a handy tip of your own? Reply back to me, I love reading your emails!

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