The weather is heating up, but before we all skip outside and run toward the sun, we’ve got delicious, summer-inspired ideas for making memories inside. So let’s head into the kitchen and get ready for some tasty treats that sneak a little learning into fun culinary tasks.

Who knew a little food coloring could make breakfast, snacking, and even sandwiching so bright and fun? Well, get ready to introduce your family and friends to the edible masterpiece that is… Rainbow Toast! All you need is some milk, bread, food coloring, and a little imagination to create photo-worthy food moments with a side of education in color mixing!

Add food coloring to each cup of milk as follows and stir:

3 drops red and 3 drops blue into cup #4 to make purple

3 drops red and 3 drops yellow into cup #5 to make orange

3 drops blue and 3 drops yellow into cup #6 to make green3 drops blue and 3 drops yellow into cup #6 to make green

Using a clean paint brush, “paint” stripes of each color onto one side of each slice of untoasted bread

When each side of bread has been painted, cook in a toaster on medium heat or place the slices on a cooking sheet in a conventional oven for 6–8 minutes at 350 degrees Farhenheit

(Just make sure to have plenty of FIORA® paper towels on hand because we’re working with liquids, and as careful as we want to be, spills are almost a guarantee with this one.)

One of the sweetest ways you can foster exploration and creativity in your little ones is through baking — and we’ve got the perfect project for pint-sized beginners. Bring on the banana bread!

As easy as it is delish, it’s filled with fun tasks handmade for kids, like mashing, mixing, and (the yummiest of all) taste testing — fresh from the oven! “Knead” we say more? Sorry! We couldn’t resist.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Farhenheit

Combine the sugar, egg, melted butter, and bananas in a bowl until mashed

Mix baking soda and salt together in a small dish and then stir it into the banana mixture

Add the flour to the bowl and stir until the batter is combined

Pour into a loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes to an hour

Another easy way the kiddos can help in the kitchen is to create your very own prep station for washing and chopping veggies and fruits! Keeping a very close eye, of course, give your little ones kid-safe “knives” (like the one pictured below) and line up a wide variety of stuff to cut up. They’ll have a blast honing those fine motor skills, and you can take the “fruits” of their labor to make the only kind of salad they’ll actually be excited to eat.

This one’s super easy! Take all those chopped-up fruits and throw them in a bowl. If you’re feeling a little extra sweet, you can mix in a splash of orange juice or drizzle honey on top of each serving.

Suggested fruits: pineapple, strawberries, bananas, kiwi, grapes, blueberries, apple

We don’t know about you but we’re even hungrier now than we were when we started, so we’re going to get to snacking. We hope you enjoy this kitchen fun and that maybe there’s a pot of gold — or at least some gold family moments — at the end of your rainbow toast.

…share kid-friendly kitchen activities with you?

Mother May I…

See what we did there? ROLL-ing On The Floor. You know we love a good TP pun — especially when it provides the perfect setup for a little April mischief. See, normally our blog is dedicated to helpful hints around the house, but after all the fun we had around our own houses with April Fool’s Day this year, we thought you’d get a kick out of some helpful hijinks instead.

It’s important to have bathroom reading material handy. And it’s even better when it’s funny, so we’ve compiled a list of jokes — some bathroom-themed and some just general funny business — that you can write on toilet paper at home that will give everyone a good laugh when they’ve gotta go. Just unroll some TP, write one joke per square, then roll it back up and wait for the laughter to ensue.


What did one piece of toilet paper say to the other?


Poop jokes aren’t my favorite. But they’re a solid #2.

LOL! We are on a ROLL! But we have to stop ourselves and move onto the next prank.

Toilet Paper! And it’s funny because this is basically a “knock knock” joke in physical form. All you need is a roll of TP and some scotch tape. Simply tape strips of TP from left to right across the door frame in a zigzag pattern, securing the pieces on each side with the tape. Run your zigzag from top to bottom for full coverage and the most hilarious effect.

Pro Joker Tip: It’s best to set this one up at night outside someone’s bedroom door so they can wake up to a “surprise” when they open the door in the morning.

Now this one is probably funnier for the jokester than the joke-ee, but we absolutely howled over it when we tried it at the office. You just might want to be a little mindful of pulling this on anyone that has a true phobia of spiders. Otherwise, grab a toilet paper roll and a sharpie and get to drawing!

And finally, an oldie but goodie for your kids, spouse, or roommate. Sneak into their closets and stuff toilet paper into the toe end of all their shoes so they’ll think their feet grew overnight or all their shoes shrank. Either way, it’s a classic prank that’s fun for the whole family!

Whatever you end up doing, we hope your inner prankster has a great time and gets some good laughs. We sure had a lot of LOL moments while doing “research” for this blog, so we feel confident putting our own little “Fun Guarantee” on them. Let the good times roll!

With bathroom jokes that’ll have you ROTF

April Foolin’

If you’re wondering why there’s a little 

 in our step these days, it’s because the cleaning season has sprung, and we’ve been busy tidying up just about everything we can get our hands on. So without further ado, we give you FIORA®’s FRESH & FAVORITE SPRING CLEANING TRICKS!

Okay, so we know we promised lots of cleaning tips, but we’re going to start with one that feels a little counterintuitive to the traditional concept of cleaning. Because anyone with a cast-iron skillet knows you’re 

 supposed to clean it. But it turns out that there’s actually a very specific way to “clean” cast iron that doesn’t compromise its seasoning and is actually pretty easy. So put the soap away and follow these steps to protect the integrity of your beloved cast iron:

After cooking, rinse the skillet with warm water to remove any leftover grease or food particles. But remember: No scrubbing.

Next, add some salt and gently wipe the pan with a FIORA® paper towel before rinsing with warm water and placing on a towel or dish rack to dry.

And you should. Frequent cleaning keeps the germs at bay, and it’s way easier than you think. Just fold a paper towel, open the can opener arms, and insert the folded paper towel in between the turning wheel and the sharp wheel. Then clamp down, turn the handle, and pull the paper towel through to remove excess gunk. Voilà! It’ll shine like new! (If it’s extra dirty or the gunk is stubborn, try soaking it in dish soap before doing the paper towel trick.)

What do we want? Non-greasy oil bottles! When do we want them? NOW!

We sure love our cooking oils, but we do NOT love the inevitable oil drips that run down the sides of the bottle. So we have a simple solution to save you from those slippery grips! All you need is a paper towel and a rubber band. Simply fold the paper towel, wrap it around the bottle, and secure it with a rubber band, and you’re ready to cook without the drips!

Now you’re going to love this one because it will save you time AND money. If you run out of spray mop cleaning pads, you can use paper towels instead. Mind blowing, right? It’s true. You might have to double up on the paper towels to get more cleaning power out of them, but with FIORA®’s unbeatable value, it’s still a smart, cost-saving option.

And finally, this one isn’t about cleaning, but it’s one of our favorite paper towel tricks. If you're reheating leftovers — pasta dishes are a big favorite around here — draping a wet paper towel over the plate or bowl is key to making sure your food comes out moist and delicious. How does it work? Well, science, but it basically creates a little steam dome for your food and locks in moisture. Pretty smart, eh?

Don’t you just love the smell of a fresh roll of paper towels? We sure do. And we’d love to share more fun tips for you after all this cleaning, but we’re ready to head outside and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. We hope you do the same! Until next time, enjoy!

And clean like you mean it!

Time To Shine

It might be cold outside, but our hearts are warm because Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and we’re definitely feeling the love here at FIORA®. So don’t mind us as we blush, gush, and crush over these precious projects that are sure to put a little love in your heart and a big smile on your face.

Nothing says “I love you” more than toilet paper, right? Well, more than toilet paper 

 — when you use them to make these super cute ‘n' crafty Valentine’s Day cards! Full of whimsy and creativity, you’ll have as much fun making these little love notes as you will giving them.

3–4 sheets of construction paper in different colors

1. Fold one piece of construction paper in half to make the card.

2. Flatten the toilet paper tube and cut excess off the top or bottom to the desired height of your envelope. To create the 'V' front panel of the envelope, cut the left and right sides descending until they meet in the middle. Then finish off your toilet paper envelope by doing the opposite to the back panel for the envelope fold, cutting the left and right corners to create an A-frame.

3. Use double-sided tape or glue on the flat, bottom-half pieces to keep the envelope closed.

4. Grab some of your favorite shaded and textured paper materials to cut out assorted heart shapes (you can even use FIORA® toilet paper!).

5. Glue or tape down the hearts and add any other fun details to make it FIORA® fabulous!

Now this DIY activity really is the sweetest treat! Why? Because it won’t melt 

 it’s delightfully simple, so everyone can join in on the fun. Just cut toilet paper tubes down one side, roll the bottom part into a cone shape, and tape it to hold it in place. Then you can paint the tubes whatever color you like — just be sure to let them dry — and fill the cones with pom poms. If you want to get fancy, you can add some glitter to the top rim of the cone for some fabulous FIORA® flare. You’ll just want to do that 

 you put the pom poms in, though, to avoid a glittery mess.

If you do accidentally make a mess (because let’s face it, it’s glitter), a wet paper towel works wonders, so just have some FIORA® paper towels and water handy to wipe it all away.

Here’s an easy but endlessly fun activity that the whole family will love: heart-shaped stamps! All you need for this one is some toilet paper tubes, paint, and a bunch of paper, so the everyone can stamp until their little hearts are content.

Just fold the tubes into a heart shape, dip the ends in paint, and press them onto a sheet of paper or a card. Easy peasy and little hearts everywhere!

Are your hearts going pitter patter yet? Are you inspired to put it all on the line and declare your love to your one and only? Okay, well, maybe we don’t have to be 

 dramatic, but we do hope that these heartfelt ideas and adorable acts of love make Valentine’s Day more fun for you and all the special people in your life.

And it feels oh-so fresh with FIORA®

Love is in the Air

If you’re anything like us, the end of the holiday season and the promise of a new year has you looking around the house for fun, new projects to freshen things up a bit. And you’re in luck! We have some ideas you might not have thought of that are top of mind for us here at FIORA® — paper towel and toilet paper storage ideas, that is!

Go ahead. Grab some supplies and take notes because those pantries and closets aren’t going to re-organize themselves. The best part? Using these creative tricks will help you minimize clutter and maximize space — all in fresh FIORA® style.

Sometimes the best ideas can be found in the most unexpected places. Like this one… Did you ever think your home office would be home to brilliant bathroom storage solutions? Well, it turns out magazine racks and file folder holders are about as wide as a roll of toilet paper.

Impressive, right? Not only do you get to put a unique spin on one of life’s greatest necessities, but repurposing office supplies can also save you money compared to traditional storage solutions found in the bathroom aisle of your favorite home stores. Combine that with the money you already save on your smartly priced FIORA® toilet paper and you get a real savings win-win!

Now that we’ve got you thinking outside of the box, let’s think about actual boxes and how you can upcycle and dress them up to turn them into decorative pantry storage for FIORA® paper towels and toilet paper. All you need are a couple of extra boxes and some burlap, contact paper, or any other extra fabrics you might have lying around the house after the holidays are over.

Just take a square section of your selected fabric and lay it out flat. Then place the box on top, in the center of the square, and wrap the fabric up and over the sides of the box. Secure the fabric inside with pins, staples, or a glue gun and, voila!

And if you want to take your new box-wrapping skills a step further, grab some extra fabric and turn smaller boxes into paper napkin holders so your napkins will look good, as well, in the pantry, on the kitchen counter, or on the dinner table when guests pop by.

If the Shoe – er – Roll Fits… Store It!

 because this hack is the best of both worlds. Imagine our delight when we discovered that the compartments in these hanging shoe racks are a perfect fit for a roll of toilet paper OR paper towels! The easiest hack of the bunch, the hanging shoe rack works almost anywhere! All you have to do is take it out of your bedroom closet and put it in your bathroom closet. Or the kitchen pantry. Or wherever you want to store your extra rolls of FIORA® paper towels or toilet paper. It’s really that easy!

Feeling more organized? We hope these clever storage ideas get your creative wheels turning as you roll into a new year full of possibilities. Cheers to the happy days ahead!

Make a Fresh Start With Unexpected Storage Solutions

New Year, New View 

They don’t call it “The most wonderful time of the year” for nothing. The holiday season has everything! Family, friends, food, fun, jingle bells, twinkling lights, and so many other merry little things that make December special. Like… presents! And this year, our gifts to you are some fun and easy, yet smart and sustainable, ways to spread lots of cheer around the house.

You could say we’ve been on a “roll” dreaming up these cheerful crafts, wintry wrapping hacks, and deck the halls-worthy decorations.

Admit it… when Frosty came to life in that classic holiday cartoon, you were filled with feelings of joy and holiday magic. Well, so were we. Which is why we wanted to create a little Snowman family of our own that could live inside all season long. We call our crafty little crew “The FIORA® Snowman-tle Family” and think they are the perfect complement to the stockings we’ve hung by the chimney with care.

And you can make your very own Snow Fam with a few simple steps. To make it even more fun, dress them up and add accessories so they resemble your relatives and friends. Or better yet, invite them over and have them create their own Snowman selves.

3 sheets of white 8.5×11-inch paper (for 6 rolls)

Cut the sheets of paper in half (the long way)

Glue the sheets to the outsides of the rolls

Cut and tie felt/fabric scarves (save some felt/fabric for hats)

Glue felt/fabric to interior of the cardboard tubes to make hats

Cut felt/fabric strips to make rims for the hats and glue them on

Glue button stacks to the top of the hats

Place your Snow Fam on your mantle for all to see!

Sure, walking in a winter wonderland is a wonderful thing. But you know what’s even more wonderful? A whimsical winter wonderland! And the best part is, it’s so easy to make! With just a few simple steps and a mix of FIORA® Paper Towel and Toilet Paper tubes, you can create a holiday landscape of tall and short spiral-y trees that would make the Whos in Whoville hold hands and sing. 

To start, paint a collection of paper towel and toilet paper tubes in a variety of colors and let the paint dry. When the paint is dry, cut a wide spiral along the bottom of each tube, so it’s stable at the base. As you keep cutting in a spiral shape up each tube, you can make your spiral a little thinner to create a pointier top. Once you have all your trees cut, it’s time to decorate! Break out the glitter, paint, stickers, sequins, and stars to make your FIORA® festive forest really sparkle.

We all know good things can come in small packages, so we’re showing you two holiday wrapping hacks that will let you tuck little treats on the tree and inside stockings and hide tiny surprise trinkets around the house.

For the first wrap hack, take FIORA® Toilet Paper tubes and pinch the sides to create small gift boxes. Once a gift is inside each one, pick a wrapping paper and finish the look with ribbon or a bow. Don’t forget the name tags, so the curious recipients can have fun shaking them and guessing what’s inside!

The second hack will turn any toilet paper or paper towel tube into a holly jolly candy decoration that you can hide actual candy inside. Simply fill the tubes with treats, wrap them up with wrapping paper, and add a layer of colored cellophane over the wrapping paper. Then tie off the ends to complete the candy look and delight family, friends, and guests as they discover there’s more than meets the eye with these holiday decorations.

Feeling warm, fuzzy, and ready for the holidays yet? We sure are! And we wish with all our hearts that your hearts are full of magic, wonder, and love all season long. Happy holidays and a joyous new year!

We’ve got FIORA® Festivities that are fun for everyone!

Ready to Be Wrapped Up in Holiday Spirit?

Our favorite meal of the year is here! But more than just a big, bountiful table full of goodness, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to gather with your nearest and dearest and show them how much you appreciate them.

And the FIORA® family member we’d like to give thanks to this year is… our beloved Paper Napkin. Always so versatile and hardworking, we’re dedicating this post to the mighty napkin and showing you just how much love these understated beauties can bring to the party.

So grab a fork and pass the potatoes because we’re setting the table for family, friends, and fun with FIORA®.

Sure, the obvious star of the show on Thanksgiving Day is the turkey, but with a few simple yet well-crafted centerpieces, you can serve up a side of beauty with that decadent spread that will set an easy and whimsical tone for the celebration.

All you need are some old mason jars, vases or empty bottles, a little bit of twine, and a handful of pinecones to create these lovely up-cycled centerpieces. Neatly fold a few FIORA® paper napkins, add them to the mason jars, and place them up and down the table to keep extras within reach for your guests.

Forks on the left? Knives on the right? And spoons go… where? Don’t fret. There’s a way to keep it simple and elegant. We call it the “FIORA® Fold and Roll.” And when you pair this smooth move with traditional Thanksgiving herbs, you get a table setting that’s fit for a foodie photo shoot.

Simply wrap a fork, spoon, and knife in a FIORA® paper napkin; place a sprig of rosemary, thyme, parsley, or cinnamon stick on top of the napkin roll; and tie it together with a small piece of twine to create a beautiful and fragrant silverware holder for each place setting.

Looking for ways to keep your little “turkeys” busy at the kids’ table? Here’s a fun activity they’re sure to gobble up!

To get them started, place a stack of FIORA® paper napkins; some red, orange, yellow, and brown markers; clothespins; and googly eyes on the kids’ table. Then fold the napkins in a fan shape, pinch the center of each fan with a clothespin, and draw colorful lines on the napkins. Once that’s done, add small droplets of water to the napkins so the colors bleed and set them aside to dry. Once they’re dry, add the googly eyes for the finishing touch, and place them throughout the dining areas for a more playful decor.

Wow, between the creativity happening in the kitchen and at the table, we’re stuffed. But before we turn on the game or settle in for a nap, we want to give thanks to all of you and let you know how much we appreciate the inspiration and love. We couldn’t – and wouldn’t – do what we do without you. Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you brought an appetite for fun!

’Tis the Season for Giving Thanks!

There’s something about fall and the chill in the air that really gets us in the mood to do some arts and crafts, so we’re treating you to some fun Halloween tricks! All you need are FIORA® paper products, some easy-to-find art supplies, and a little creative spirit (Ha! We did it again!) to get you rolling.

For kids, we have four simple yet spooktacular projects, and because we know adults love to get in on the Halloween fun too, we have one project that’s a little more advanced. Make one or make them all, and transform your home into a haunted house in time for the big day!

Empty FIORA® Toilet Paper and Paper Towel tubes

Colored papers like wrapping paper, construction paper, notebook paper, etc.

A collection of decoration items like stick-on googly eyes, pipe cleaners, ribbons, feathers, and any other fun accessories you can think of

Hot glue gun (for Creepy Craft #5 and adults only, please)

These are fun to have “flying” around your house. Just take a few empty toilet paper tubes, paint them, and let them dry. When they’re dry, fold down the tops of the tubes to make the ears. Use a marker or pen to draw smiles, make wings and teeth out of construction paper, and glue them on. Then, finish the bat faces with stick-on googly eyes.

Under normal circumstances, we use FIORA® Paper Towels to clean up messes, but it’s Halloween, so we’re going to use them to make a mess. “Messy Mummies,” that is. First, paint empty paper towel tubes black. Next, trim the tubes into the individual sizes you want your mummies to be. Cut paper towel sheets into strips with scissors, apply glue to one side of each strip, and then wrap the strips around each tube in a haphazard way (because we don’t know of any mummies with perfectly lined up wraps). NOTE: This one requires scissors, so kids should ask their “mummies” to help. (Sorry, we just can’t help ourselves with these puns!)

Your own little “monsters” will LOVE this one and so will you because you can use paper towel AND toilet paper rolls to make different sizes. You can also go wild with a variety of paint colors, googly eyes, paper accessories, and markers. Really use your imagination to create happy monsters, scary monsters, or even nerdy monsters with pipe cleaner glasses. Bonus: Pipe cleaners also make great hair, arms, legs, and tentacles.

Who knew napkins could be so spooky? Well, they are when you make scary ghosts out of them! All you need to do for this classic Halloween creature is take one napkin and ball it up. Then, unfold a second napkin and drape it over the ball. Tie a ribbon just below the ball to create the ghost’s head and body, and then draw eyes and a mouth to make the face. Hang several of these ghosts around the house for a real “haunting” effect.

And finally, our more advanced undertaking for the teens and grownups. To get started, rip the top off a paper towel or toilet paper tube to create a rough edge. Next, using a hot glue gun, carefully make a series of drips around the top of the tube. Then, paint it black. Once the first coat of paint is dry, go over it with a dry brush of gray paint to bring out highlights. Once THAT coat is dry, fill the candle (tube) with crumpled bits of paper towel to support the “flame” you’ll make using a rough bit of paper towel painted gold, folded into a flame shape, and placed into the top. See? We told you this one was advanced, but we’re sure you can candle it. Oops. We mean handle it.

With so many fun projects, you and your family will be busy little decorators, so make sure you’ve got plenty of FIORA® paper products on hand. That way, you can make everything on the list and really up your “scare” game this year. Happy Halloween!

Get it? Spirit! Let’s get ready for Halloween!

CRAFTING WITH SPIRIT

The first semester of college is in full swing, and whether your kids are cohabitating on campus with new friends or old friends, it’s always good to establish “roommate rolls” for keeping their new shared spaces clean. So The FIORA® Resident Advisor is here to help.

Let’s be real. Living with someone who is not a family member is no easy task. So as important as it is to make a good first impression when they reach their new home away from home, boundaries must be set, sacrifices must be made, and ground rules must be followed. Having these conversations from the start is key to a successful roomie experience, and it’s good to remind them that things that were normal for them growing up could seem super weird to their new roommate.

There are two very distinct schools of thought when it comes to how toilet paper and paper towels are placed on the roll. “Over or under?” is the million-dollar question because the answer can put people at odds, so it’s best to set expectations for replacing the rolls.

The good news is that whichever their preference, FIORA® has affordable options for toilet paper and paper towels that will be soft, strong, and absorbent no matter how they put them on their holders. So keep both items well stocked and keep that fun debate going all school year long!

Presenting a Textbook Case for a Chore Schedule

Now this one’s really important. A clean home is a happy home, so it’s probably a good idea to make a pact early on to keep the place clean. Dorms and apartments can quickly become sticky and smelly when they’re home to two or more busy college students, so they should make a chore list and schedule and then pinky swear they’ll stick to it.

And because we know money can be tight as students pursue their academic dreams, our paper towels are the budget-friendly way of taking care of business when things inevitably get messy.

As daunting as it can be to share a dorm room or apartment with another person, sharing a bathroom is a whole other thing. And while figuring out a bathroom schedule is a must, this is one place where the cleaning code of conduct will be crucial. Bathrooms get gross fast, so in addition to making sure they have plenty of TP on hand, stash a roll of our paper towels under the sink or in the linen closet for easy access to a valuable and dependable cleaning tool.

Ooh, this one is tricky. Setting rules and expectations here could really help both parties avoid some serious conflicts, because while some of us are happy to share our snacks, others guard them with their lives. So even if it’s an awkward conversation, roommates should be upfront about what they feel can be shared and what should be kept on individual shelves.

If they’re the sharing kind, offering up one of our paper napkins with the banana bread that Grandma sent will not only show that they were raised with good manners, but it will also help catch crumbs that could leave a mess. Two birds. One stone. Looks like someone’s been paying attention in efficiency class.

It’s no secret that college opens a whole new door to rooms filled with people, loud music, food, and beverages, so the pre-party chat is instrumental in maintaining a harmonious habitat. They don’t have to be so serious as to sign a party contract, but set some ground rules about when it’s cool to have guests and who’s going to clean up the mess when the party’s over.

And if they’re the ones throwing this shindig, it would be super thoughtful to spring for some FIORA® party napkins and paper towels so they’ll have everything they need for the “cleaning” party that follows.

Finally, let’s talk money. Sharing a space means sharing some expenses. Things like paper towels, soap, tissues, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies can add up over time, so this is definitely something they’ll want to figure out at the beginning of the school year. Whether they go even-steven on the bills or trade off buying household items each month, making a plan will keep them from having to hide toilet paper under the bed because the person who shares the roll doesn’t share the cost.

Well, now that the FIORA® Campus Life Basics course has been completed, there will be more time to focus on studies, cheering on sports teams, going to parties, or just laying on a blanket in the Quad if that’s more their speed. Either way, they have everything they need to be a good roomie and have a great year!

Helpful hints for divvying up dorm room duties.

FIORA® CAMPUS LIFE BASICS COURSE

Back to school means back to packing lunches, buying school supplies, traveling to sports practices, and lots of homework sessions. Here’s how FIORA® products can earn an A+ with you.

Is that the school bell ringing? Let’s get to class.

 Let’s talk supply and demand. Schools are asking parents for more supplies than ever before. Facial tissue, paper towels, and toilet paper are tops on more and more back-to-school lists. These costs can really add up.

To meet your school’s demand for supplies, we have affordable toilet paper in Mega Rolls and Double Rolls (in two scents), paper towels with 70% more square feet than the leading brand’s regular roll, and facial tissues in designer boxes that will brighten up kids’ classrooms. Smart choices.

 For kids, lunch is a study in social society. For you, it’s an exercise in patience and economics. Lunch prepping is essential. WITH your child, choose a variety of acceptable (to you both) lunch items, like fruits, vegetables, chips, cheese sticks, etc. Pre-package them on the weekend and let your child make selections each morning. For greens and cut veggies, take note of a past tip on our blog and slip in half a sheet of our paper towels to keep them fresh longer.

Keep a drawer of lunch bags pre-filled and pre-labeled with your child’s name. Fill with a FIORA® napkin and a sheet of our paper towels. Why both? The towel serves as a simple placemat. We were kids once. A paper placemat is sanitary and also helps your child designate a space on a crowded lunchroom table. (Remember, this is social studies.)

 You’re back to go, go, go! Sports practice. Band practice. Theater. Scouts. There’s just no stopping you now! Give our paper towels a prime spot in your car. We know that snacks-on-the-go are inevitable. And so are spills. A paper towel roll is easy to hand from child to child. (Passing a roll also builds that hand-eye coordination, too!)

 There’s no time to spare this season. Prep for the test and be “pre-spared.” Place a toilet paper roll and facial tissue box (with at least one more to spare) within reach in all bathrooms. Position facial tissue in every room and on every person’s home desk. Place spare paper towel rolls in every car (see “P.E.”), in the garage, in bathroom cabinets, under the kitchen sink, and in kids’ closets. Independence is a lesson in and of itself, and kids will learn to clean up after themselves … if we make it as easy as possible.

Phew. That was quite the school day. Now, it’s time for homework. Make your back-to-school list and place FIORA® products at the very top to earn your status as Teacher’s Pet.

Gold stars for everyone! Now, class is dismissed.

We’ve got your back-to-school lesson plan.

GO TO THE HEAD OF THE CLASS.

Is a picnic the perfect date? It can be. Whether it’s a date or a family affair, here are a few smart tips to help you make any picnic deliciously picture perfect.

 Don’t grab one off your bed. Grass gets wet. That’s what makes it look so beautiful in your photos. No one wants a wet bottom. No one. So, choose a blanket made for the job. The best blankets feature a water-resistant side and a softer, more colorful side. Choose a camera-friendly color or pattern that will contrast with your basket.

Family outing? Grab a picnic table. Cover with your blanket and shoot from above or at the corner to capture shapes and angles.

 If you pack a triangle of cheese and bread, pack a cheese knife, a bread knife, and a cutting board. (Or, slice ahead.) Sunny day? Don’t forget the sunscreen. Staying until dusk? Remember the phone charger — and the bug repellent. You get the picture. That is, you will, because charcuterie boards with fresh fruit, cheese, and bread look great in picnic photos.

 Is grass green? And wet (trick question)? Today’s picnic baskets come in many shapes and sizes. Some are even backpacks. Wicker is traditional. Yet a soft carrier can be very photographic — and they’re often insulated. If you’re making your selection for an Instagram-worthy moment, make sure it “pops” on your blanket, too.

 Check your blanket. Is there a colorful contrast in your picnic spread that a camera can capture? Look for any messy spots. Find one? Cover any with your cutting board or plates. Check your lighting. Natural light is already best. Avoid squinting into the camera or shadows. Softer, afternoon light is great, and sunset can be magical.

Do your foods look fresh? Sprinkle a little water on fruit for a dewy look. Check your background. Twice. Look for people, objects that don’t belong in nature, or roads that can spoil the look.

Pro Picnic Tips from your FIORA® family.

Paper napkins are picnic must-haves. They’re good for wiping down wooden tables, too. Use them instead of plates with a more casual charcuterie menu.

Paper towels can help keep picnic staples like lettuce, veggies, and deli meats fresh. Just after you cut and wash veggies, place them in a plastic bag with a paper towel. It’ll keep them fresher until picnic day. Pack deli meat between cut sheets of paper towels.

Tissues. The joy of a picnic can trigger a few emotions. Or, allergies. Be prepared for both. Our floral-design boxes look great in an outdoor setting.

Toilet Paper. When nature calls, nature calls.

Check out last month’s blogs for even more pro tips for the great outdoors!

Make it an afternoon to remember — and capture it beautifully on camera, too.

THE PICTURE-PERFECT, INSTAGRAM-READY PICNIC.

If you love paper napkins as much as we do, you may have etiquette guru Emily Post to thank. She is credited with the mainstream acceptance of paper napkins when she famously asserted, “It’s far better form to use paper napkins than linen napkins that were used at breakfast.”

 best. But when it comes to etiquette, you can turn a napkin “no-no” into a napkin “why not?” Here’s how.

 Yes. Why? Because otherwise people might think you don’t know how to set a table. And you do. Besides, your fork might get a little lonely. That said, if you’re setting an outdoor table and the breeze kicks in, it’s perfectly acceptable to use your forks as napkin paperweights.

 Although Emily might shake her head, you do you. If you made a juicy burger and got a little heavy-handed with the ketchup, why shouldn’t you protect your new dress shirt? Lift your chin and tuck it right in! If your date doesn’t mind, why should we? (Lobster fests make a fortune on tucking napkins!) That said, it’s always acceptable (and likely preferable) to keep it on your lap.

 Does the napkin holder belong on the dining table or the kitchen counter? Our vote goes to the table. Soft and strong FIORA® napkins can face any messy eater. Yet finger foods like fried chicken may call for reinforcements. Napkin holders are attractive and keep extras in reach.

. You don’t have to be an origami master to fold a paper napkin. A triangle? Fun. Rectangle? Classic. Try out new shapes and mix it up on the same table. Fall down an internet rabbit hole and explore napkin folds. You may even find a rabbit fold!

 Some say paper napkins shouldn’t be used to pick up spills. Who’s making all these rules? If a toppled glass of water formed the Mississippi on your table, grab anything at hand. But it doesn’t hurt to have a roll of FIORA® paper towels nearby.

 Why should cloth napkins have all the fun? Napkin rings add wit and whimsy to any table. The best news? You can make your own. So, break out that craft box. (We know you want to.) Leather bracelet lace, ribbon, and large beads all make great napkin rings. Do you know what else makes great napkin rings? An empty paper towel tube. Cut ours into smaller rings. Cover them with tape or decorate them any way you’d like. You can even write names on them and use the napkin rings as place cards!

Embrace the fun (and utility) of the paper napkin without the fuss!

Emily Post wrote the rules, and we invite you to challenge every one.

NAPKIN ETIQUETTE: WHAT TO FOLLOW. WHAT TO IGNORE.

The great outdoors is waiting for you. Here are a few tips to guide you through when you love it, but …

You love the outdoors. But sometimes it just blows you away.

The beauty. The light. The WIND! Don’t let a strong breeze ruin your picnic … or take your paper towels away. Let nature be your towel holder! Find a leafy branch, slip on your roll, and voilà! The branch holds it firm, and the leaves keep the sheets from catching the wind.

You love the outdoors. But there’s just one thing that bugs you.

Bugs. They’re everywhere. And they should be. It’s their home, too. Remember, there are natural ways to keep bugs away. Apple cider vinegar and fresh lemon are both scents you might love. Ants? Not so much. Wipe down an outdoor eating surface with a spray or squeeze of these scents. Camping? Soak a tissue in the scent and block the small opening where tent zippers come together. And note that mosquitoes don’t adore the lovely scent of our lavender-scented toilet paper.

You love the outdoors. But it doesn’t love you.

Don’t you just hate one-way relationships? If allergies are a problem (and they are for so many), it’s important to be sure you have any medications you might need … and FIORA® brand tissues when you venture outdoors. Keep a tissue box in the glove compartment or trunk. And slip a few tissues in your pocket when you leave to go hug a tree.

You love the outdoors. But sometimes it seems like you must pack for a week!

Enjoying the great outdoors shouldn’t mean taking the great indoors with you! Many things you carry can serve double-duty. Chopsticks are light, thin, and take up very little room. Eat with them. Stir with them. Mark a trail. They make awesome drumsticks. And they have been known to start a good campfire. Here’s another fun campfire hack: make a fire starter with a used toilet paper tube. Fill it with dryer lint and fold in the sides. You’ll be roasting marshmallows in no time!

Get out there … but don’t leave home without FIORA® products!

HOW TO LOVE THE GREAT OUTDOORS

When Liam, a 12-year-old in Los Angeles, was told he’d be going to school from home this year, he – like many kids – wasn’t thrilled. But as the weeks went on, he developed a new, meaningful way to keep things fun: helping friends and family learn everyday actions they could take to live more sustainably and protect our planet.

How do FIORA® toilet paper and paper towel products fit into Liam’s story? As he explained to us in a Zoom interview recently… in a pretty big way!

Several months ago Liam’s mom brought home a large pack of FIORA® Toilet Paper Mega Rolls from the grocery store, and Liam noticed a label on the package that read: “

 and committed to sustainable sourcing practices.” He wanted to know what that meant. 

, he discovered that a PEFC certification means the company follows strict guidelines that help protect forests.

His mom was a little surprised by his interest. “It’s like he had a realization,” she explained, “that if it was possible to help the planet by just buying a specific brand of paper towel, there were probably other easy things people could do every day, too.”

And so began Liam’s journey to help make a difference.

Here’s what Liam had to say when we talked to him.

Q. Liam, it’s great to meet you. We were excited to hear how FIORA® got you interested in helping the environment. Can you tell us why that’s important to you?

A. Well, I spend a lot of time outside hiking and camping with my family. I also love all animals — I have two dogs, a cat, five fish, a guinea pig, and a lizard — and would like to work with animals when I grow up. All of these things have to do with nature, so it’s important to take care of nature, and the planet.

Q. You learned about FIORA®’s sustainable practices from the side of the package, is that right?

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