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organizing | diy | frugal living

Do It On A Dime

Organize a nursery on a budget!

by Filed Under: Decor & Furniture, Money Saving, Organization

Here is baby boy Owen’s nursery room tour!  We were working with a really tight budget (I spent only a few hundred dollars out of pocket to make this space come together).  I’ll share how we keep the room organized, how to make your own crib skirt and mobile, toy rotation, and more!  Can’t wait to meet you, Owen 🙂

**Watch the closet tour here.**

CRIB MOBILE SUPPLIES:

BEDDING:

OTHER ITEMS MENTIONED:

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

One Ingredient Fruit Roll-Ups!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Recipes

In this episode of Cooking with Carson, we share how to make fruit roll-ups (fruit leather) using just ONE INGREDIENT… apple sauce!  Here’s how easy it is an this recipe is a must-try with your kiddos.

Supplies:
Baking sheet
Silicone Mats and/or Parchment Paper
Apple Sauce (any flavor!)

Directions:
Heat oven to 190 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Pour over a thin layer of apple sauce and shake pan to spread.  Bake for 3-5 hours until leather-like and sticky to the touch.  Transfer to parchment paper, cut into strips and roll.  Tie with baker’s twin to hold together and store in mason jars.

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

Dollar Tree Garden Haul!

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree

In this Spring 2016 haul, I share my FAVORITE tips & finds from the Dollar Tree for gardening (even if you live in an apartment or are renting).  Some of these items are so good I can’t believe they even sell them at DT!

If you are looking for some tips to attract humming birds to your garden, here are my favorites!

  • Place your humming bird feeder out when spring weather arrives and hummers migrate to your area (keep in mind southern regions of the US may have hummingbirds year round.)
  • Tie some bright red ribbon to your feeder to help attract them.
  • To ward off ants, add a little vegetable oil to your feeders hanger every week or so.
  • When you fill your feeder with nectar (see recipe below), be sure to tilt the feeder after filling so it goes into the bottom well.
  • Change water/nectar ever 4-7 days and clean with a mild soap and a toothbrush.  Change more frequently when hot.  Mold is harmful to hummers.
  • One you place out a feeder and notice hummers, you MUST keep out the feeder with fresh water during the entire season as this becomes their food source (and they will probably have a nest nearby).

 

Humming bird “nectar”
4 parts water
1 part white table sugar  (ONLY use table sugar.  Here’s why!)
(Store extra water in your fridge in mason jars for up to a week NEVER add red food dye to your feeder)

MORE LINKS AND VIDEOS:

 

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

Quick Toast Hacks!

by Filed Under: Recipes

In video Carson and I share our favorite quick toast hacks for easy and healthy snacks (or breakfasts).  You have to give these quick ideas a try– they are so simple but make you feel like you are eating something special!  Check out Lainey’s video @ Simply Bakings here!

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

NO ONE CARES! {Organizing Motivation}

by Filed Under: Organization

Here’s the side of the camera you don’t often get to see but I think is so important to share.  None of us have a perfect home…not even “professional organizers.”  You are an authentic friend and person because of who you are and how you treat others, not because of what your house looks like.  No one cares as much as you think they do.  Not even me…and I do this for a living. 😉  Here’s my take on what realistic organizing actually looks like and why I think you are doing a great job.  Organizing is important, but we can all drop the perfection part.  Especially when there are some beautiful kids running around.

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

BEST Dollar Tree Toy: Giant bubble maker!

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Teaching

I’m a huge fan of the learning resources at the Dollar Tree, but I don’t usually buy toys.  However, when I spotted the giant bubble maker wand, I just had to pop it in my cart, and I’m so glad we did!  It’s just as good as the DIY version, and no DIY or much cost involved.  Here’s our review of this awesome product!  You definitely have to try it 🙂

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

2nd trimester recap!

by Filed Under: Advice & Vlogs

Is my second trimester already over?  With the second baby, things seem a whole lot different this go around.  In this video I cover my labor fears, struggles and joys of those middle months, and my maternity photo shoot (outside of my comfort zone but so glad I did it!) Also, a little cameo from Carson!

If you are in the Charlotte, NC area, you can see more work from my photographer (and good friend) here.  She’s awesome!

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

Fridge Organization & Easy Bulk Meal Ideas!

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Organization, Recipes

Keeping your fridge organized and having quick and easy bulk meals are two things that can make your week a whole lot less hectic.  And honestly, I don’t have time for all the frills, so here’s how I keep it really simple.  These hacks and quick solutions keep us eating well and prevent us from wasting food.

DOWNLOAD IBOTTA HERE (IT’S FREE!) and get a $10 rebate when you sign up!! Once you register, link your Facebook account, and you’ll be added to my team!

19425-200**CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FEATURED RECIPES HERE!**

Fridge Organization Bulk Meals 3 3" x 5"

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*Thanks Ibotta for sponsoring this video!  YouTube has been such a blessing, and I am fortunate to get to work with many brands that I love and use daily!  I have been using Ibotta since 2013 and have saved hundreds using this app.  As always, all opinions are 100% my own.*

Are you a hoarder?

by Filed Under: Organization

In this declutter vlog I share the 3 things that many people hold on to that they don’t actually need.  Why?  These items are so easy to accumulate and we feel wasteful getting rid of them.   But in reality, they are actually turning to clutter and making organizing our homes more difficult.  We save them because we think we need them, but we are in turn making spaces we could truly love a chaotic mess.  Happy spring cleaning and I hope you find the motivation you need to PURGE & DECLUTTER!!

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

What’s in Carson’s Easter Basket?

by Filed Under: Teaching

Every year I like to share a short clip about how we are celebrating Easter.  It’s a casual year at home (no travel thankfully!), and I spent under $15 on Carson’s basket.  I shopped primarily at Five Below and Dollar Tree for a few simple toys and learning activities I know he is going to love.

I was also really excited to use our Resurrection Eggs for the first time.  If you haven’t heard of these, they tell the Biblical story of Easter.  Kids find eggs and each one contains a small trinket about each part of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ.

Take a look at our Easter celebration!

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*


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