Do It On A Dime

Easy Salad in a Jar | Organized Lunches!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Dollar Tree, Organization, Recipes

Making lunches can be a pain (I mean really…we have to do it EVERY DAY??), and making healthy choices is even more time consuming.  Washing, cutting, peeling, prepping.  That’s why I’m loving my salad in a jar.  They are so easy to prep at the beginning of the week, so you can eat healthfully all week long but not have to worry about the time commitment.

Here is how I prepare and serve them along with my favorite home-made Italian Dressing.

 Italian Dressing

  • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • (Red pepper flakes for a little kick…my favorite part!)

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

Dollar Store Furniture and Decor

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Dollar Tree, Money Saving, Organization

There are a couple main player in my eyes in the Dollar Store game: Dollar Tree (where everything is $1), Family Dollar (where things are more than a Dollar, but still very inexpensive).

Here are some of my favorite organizational and decor products in recent weeks from these two stores.  Easy, inexpensive, functional, AND beautiful!  What more could you ask for?

signature

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

Space-Saving Dollar Tree DIYS

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Dollar Tree, Organization

The majority of the messages and comments that I receive are those of you asking how to organize small spaces.  You don’t have a walk-in closet and you lack storage options.  I want to keep providing you ideas and inspiration for making the most of what you have.  Small spaces are NOT a curse, they really can be a blessing.

Here are two quick ideas that we use around our home:  The first is turning Dollar Tree bins into drawers and the second is a tank top organizer.

IMG_0736

Inexpensive and easy.  Watch the video below to see how to make them!

Tools needed for Pull Out Drawers:

  • Dollar Tree bin with a lip or ledge
  • 1/4″ Aluminum Trim Channel (comes in 4 ft lengths), cut to size
  • #6 1/2 inch screws
  • Power Drill (with a drill bit slightly wider than screw, and a bit about 1/3 the circumference)

Tools needed for Tank Top / Scarf Organizer:

  • Wooden hanger
  • Dollar Tree shower rings
  • Scarves and tank tops!

signature

Dollar Tree Decor | Pottery Barn Dupes

by Filed Under: Decor & Furniture, DIY Projects, Dollar Tree, Money Saving

Is anyone else as obsessed with Pottery Barn as I am?  They have such classic, timeless decor and such exquisite presentation.  My catalogs have drool on them.  But overpriced stuff just isn’t my jam.  I just “shop” inspiration.  It’s free after all 😉  Besides, getting the high-end look for less gives me a high.  Charlie laughs at me, because I’m easily over-excited by super glue and jute twine.  It’s sort of a problem.

Here is one of the looks I was wanting to recreate.  My favorite of all is this Egan Paneled Mirror that retails for $300.

The re-creation of this look has been floating around Pinterest for a while, and many versions involve particle board.  But that’s a lot of work (and requires tools I don’t know how to use), so I knew that with some creative thinking I could make it happen completely from Dollar Tree.  As in, no product from any other store…and I succeeded.  You can literally create a $300 mirror for just $12!

 

IMG_0269

Check out how to make this beautiful mirror and 3 other simple DIYS!

signature

 

Toy & Playroom Organization

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Organization, Teaching

Toys.  Everywhere.  When you have kids it’s the truth!

There are a few things that we do to cut down on toy clutter throughout our home, and I hope that these tips are helpful to you!  This is part of a collab video with Jady A and OrganizedClutterbug!

1) GET AN ORGANIZING SYSTEM…YOU REALLY CAN SCORE THIS FOR UNDER $60!  I love these organizing cubbies to store toys in the playroom paired with canvas totes.  

 

 

 

2) LIMIT THE NUMBER OF TOYS your child has access to.  Sometimes, we live under the mentality that more is more, and our kids seem to tire of toys easily.  I find that when they have less options (that are rotated out) they do worlds better!  Store them in sets that are easily put away.  Plus, with less, you can clean up faster.  We love the chalkboard labels from Michaels and chalk pens.

3)  STORE YOUR PUZZLES (or items with loose pieces) IN PENCIL POUCHES.  You will love this.  They are virtually indestructible and save so much space.
4)  HAVE AN ALWAYS-OUT BASKET TO PLACE NOT-IN-USE TOYS.  This way you are constantly purging and only the toys that your child likes will stay out.

5) GET CREATIVE.  I made a DIY lazy susan for Carson’s art supplies using a cheese platter (and I turned the table into a chalk table!).  You can see more on that here.

6)  MAKE USE OF HIDDEN STORAGE AROUND YOUR HOME.  We use everything from large tote baskets, small burlap baskets (with cute labels) and storage ottomans that can serve a dual purpose to store toys.

7)  STORE TOYS IN BOOKSHELVES.  If you can stand to part with a few books, move up the bottom rung of your bookshelf and put in canvas bins.

What do you do to tame the toy clutter?

signature

Small-Space Organizing Hacks

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Organization

Organizing in a small space means you have to get creative!  Here’s some simple solutions I used to create extra storage.  They will be especially helpful for those of you living in tiny spaces!

Some staples for organizing that are super versatile with a little creativity are hanging shoe organizers, paper organizers (that you can attach to your cabinet with command hooks) or wall-mounted coat rack organizers.  And don’t forget to hit up your local thrift store…so many of these items I was able to find there.

All of these items are under $20 (most featured are under $10 and $5!) and they make a huge impact.

signature

 

Dollar Tree Pedestal Organizers

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Dollar Tree

With just $5 (and a little spraypaint of your choice), you can make two gorgeous pedestal organizers.  And one of these retails for at least $20 at Target.  Not even kidding.  Talk about savings (without sacrificing beauty!)  They are stunning in any area of your home, whether you are organizing your bathroom, jewelry, or throwing a party.

Here are is how easy this DIY is!

signature

Customize Dollar Tree Bins

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Dollar Tree, Money Saving, Organization

Here are simple ways to make $1 bins from the Dollar Store have a fresh look in your cabinet or on your shelf.  I’m all about the easy (and I was able to complete this project in under 15 minutes).  I actually did it for my mom’s closet.  I thought they needed a cleaner look.  Sometimes simple custom changes can make a huge impact.  Since only the front of the bins are visible, I just focused my energy there, but you could just as easily do this to all of the sides!

If you are looking for more ideas, here are a few that I found around the web that I really liked.

You can over the bins all around (but I would be nervous about spills or them getting dirty.  They are hard to clean and might not have the longevity that a simple covering does, but how cute are these?

Click for source

Have you up-cycled any organizers lately?  Would love to hear what you have tried!

signature

 

Dollar Store Wreath: Under $10!

by Filed Under: Decor & Furniture, DIY Projects, Dollar Tree

Here’s how I took $10 worth of supplies to create a beautiful spring wreath.  We are just loving it.  These retails for hundreds brand new!

Supplies:

  • 7 Dollar Store sprigs- $7
  • Wreath form (thrifted)- $1…. they do sell these at the Dollar Store, but they are smaller!
  • Tulips on hand-  Free!

Total: $9!

P.S.  Do you want to see some fun toddler ideas using Dollar Tree Products?  Click here!

signature

Love it? Subscribe!