coasters

For less than $5, you can transform a set of plain cork coasters into funky-cool drink accessories with materials you already have around the house. Keep the finished coasters for yourself or package them up for an impressive holiday gift. And what's really fun about this easy DIY is you can personalize the coasters with favorite colors and get creative with the design.

Keep reading for the fun and simple directions.

Here's a post from Lovely Little Vignettes member Taylorrenee:

I  couldn't find a single set of coasters that I liked for my living room so I decided to take matters into my own hands. With just four 12 cent tiles from Home Depot, I crafted myself some adorably bright coasters. The total cost of the project was less than $8, including supplies I'll use again. To learn how I did it please check out my blog! I also made the candlestick in this photo from a $3 milk glass lamp by taking out the wiring and bulb and putting it back together with some glue. I hope you like it!

Have you completed any decorating projects lately? Be sure to post a photo and details about your arrangements in the Lovely Little Vignettes group! Plus, if you submit a vignette by Nov. 5, you'll be entered to win a Canon Digital Rebel SLR XSi camera!

I have a terrible problem. It's an addiction really. I sometimes fall in love with items I have no use for but I buy them anyway. I recently found some tiles that were begging to jump in my shopping bag, so I forked over the cash and packed them in my suitcase. I couldn't figure out what to do with them until I watched an episode of Parenthood. One of the props on the counter was a stack of pretty little drink plates. A quick trip to the craft store and I've got myself a pretty new set of table coasters!

To see how to make them, just read more

If you were stoked to see your iPhone apps move from your handset to your fridge, don't let the party stop there — migrate them from your fridge to your table with these iPhone App Icon Coasters ($39). But here's the deal: you get the entire set of 17 icons (like weather, camera, phone, maps, and Safari) for one price. Next time you have a bash at your place, you've got your table (and every other surface) covered from water damage.

Who knew that there are just as many geeky necklaces as there are geeky coasters?! If you're just as dependent on Bloglines or Google Reader as I am then have a peek at this colorful 16 piece RSS Coaster Set. Made from MDF plywood these tech-inspired coasters may also be the perfect gift for those hard to buy for geeks on your list. I'm not loving their $45 price tag, but considering there is 16 I could split them up into multiple gifts — just don't tell anyone!

• 21 desserts that celebrate Fall. — Bon Appétit
• Why are doctors selling out to Coke?— The Atlantic
• Learn how to paint your kitchen. — The Amateur Gourmet
• Scenes from the 2009 Los Angeles Chocolate Salon. — Daily Dish
• Andrew Carmellini was crowned the Meatball King at the New York Wine and Food Festival. — Grub Street NY
• Scary or practical? Coasters that detect if a drink is spiked with date-rape drugs. — Eat Me Daily
• Ferran Adria is rumored to be opening a restaurant outside of Spain. — Eater
• Taco Bell is currently testing cupcakes and smoothies.— OC Register

Getting reminders that there are predatory men out there willing to spike your drink with date-rape drugs kinda keeps me from ever wanting to leave my apartment again, but at least for the brave bar flies out there, there are now coasters that can be used to detect two "popular" date-rape drugs, GHB (aka "Roofies") and ketamine.

Some bars are willing to fork over the 40 cents-per-coaster to hand these out to women so that they feel safe enough to drink at their bars. It's pretty shocking that this is common enough that a whole industry has been built around it. In case you didn't know, there's also the lip gloss that detects date-rape drugs. Sigh. To watch a news clip about a reserve law enforcement officer who was busted by a bartender using one of these coasters, read more