It’s finally over; Kate’s dress has been revealed, she and William have sealed the deal, and we can all stop talking about the royal wedding (let’s hope).
Archives for April 2011
How to throw a successful garage sale
Summer is upon us, which means it’s almost garage sale season!
Growing up, my family ALWAYS had garage sales. We made them big family events, inviting my cousins and aunts and uncles. We pooled together all our stuff to create a mega-sale, and then we ate a big meal together at the end of the day to celebrate our earnings. I have very fond memories of those days.
When we wanted to get rid of something in our house, we put it in a “garage sale” box; taking something to Goodwill was completely foreign to me until my adult years. Although preparations can be a hassle, I still firmly believe in selling your used goods as opposed to just giving them away (nothing against you, Goodwill).
If you haven’t had much experience throwing garage sales, or if you’ve tried and been unsuccessful, follow some of these that I’ve picked up over the years (thank you mom). You’ll be rolling in dollar bills in no time.
Budget trends: Spring stripes & maxis
Last weekend, I was on the search for affordable options to some of this spring’s hottest trends. H&M is one of my favorite places to find budget-friendly trends, and after browsing the store, I confirmed that stripes, mini florals, and maxi dresses and skirts were must-haves for the season.
I was able to find some great items for under $100. Here’s what I snatched up:
Springtime Craft: Beanbag Chicks
I put together some Easter baskets for the kids of our closest friends and wanted to give them a little handmade goodie. I stumbled upon a tutorial for chick beanbags at MarthaStewart.com, and loved how easy they looked and how adorable they were. They ended up being really simple and I was able to use scraps of fabric that I already had.
They would be perfect to decorate your house with for spring, or to give as gifts to kids. Check out the tutorial over at MarthaStewart.com.
Some facts in honor of Earth Day
In honor of Earth Day (April 22), I thought I would share some interesting facts that I came across and what you can do to help save the earth bit by bit…
Fact:
Did you know that 38 billion plastic water bottles end up in landfills each year? That’s enough to circle the globe 150 times. What’s worse? They take 700 years to decompose.
Free Photo Overlays: Days of the Week
I’ve been using these photo overlays for my current Project Life album so I can keep track of what day each picture was taken. I made the frame myself, and the font used is Becky Higgins’ free font from her site.
I wanted to make my overlays accessible to you in case you were also PL-ing, or just wanted them to document your everyday photos. To download, click on the link below. The zipped file contains overlays for each day of the week (monday-sunday), in both .psd and .png formats. Anyone can open a .png file, but .psd files are only for those with Photoshop. Enjoy!
This season’s must-have: Striped tee
It’s my new obsession… a three-quarter sleeve or long sleeve striped tee. It’s always had a nautical feel, but lately it’s becoming more versatile as a closet staple that can be used in any outfit. I love the idea of wearing it with jeans and some Toms for the weekend, a skirt and flats for a weekday, or (my favorite) under a strappy summer dress (since the weather’s still a bit chilly). Can’t picture it? Here’s some inspiration:
Make frames with scrapbook paper for under $2
Last Christmas, I used a tutorial I found on Craftily Ever After to make frames covered with wrapping paper and filled them with a family photo for my parents. Since then, I’ve adapted the process a bit and used some different materials to create fun frames that add a bit of character to any room. They’re great to give as gifts, and only cost about $2 each to make, assuming you have some of the materials (they’re even cheaper if you buy materials in bulk and make multiples to have on hand).
Turn one flower bouquet into three
I love fresh flowers, but I can never justify spending money on something that withers and dies three days later. So I came up with a way to get the most out my money when it comes to buying flowers.
How to make your own croutons
I hate wasting food. My mother hates wasting food; if there were two pieces of broccoli left on my plate at a restaurant, she gave me “the eye” until I asked for a to-go container. Every time I save 3 pieces of corn from my daughter’s plate (o.k., that may be a bit of a hyperbole), I curse my mother. That aside, I do believe that a fridge full of leftovers equals money saved.