HUGE Dollar Tree Back to School Haul & Giveaway!

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Money Saving, Organization

Back to school suppliesYou asked… so here it is!  Back to school supplies are already out in full force at Dollar Tree.  To get your kids ready for this school year (or just fulfill your own office-supply loving desires) here are my favorite finds of 2016.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are genuinely my own.  Giveaway ends August 10th, 2016 at 12:00 am EST.  Open internationally.  One (1) winner will be chosen.  Winners must be 18 or older or have parental permission.  Winners will be selected randomly by Rafflecopter within a week of the giveaway ending and be notified by email. Winners have 72 hours to respond before a new winner is selected.  My opinions are my own and were not influenced by any form of compensation.  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, and Youtube are in no way associated with this giveaway.  By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone.  I will use your information only for the purpose of contacting the winners.*

How to make money decluttering!

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Online Deals, Organization

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Example of a picture collage to sell your item quickly!

Have lots of STUFF hanging around your home?  Taking the first step of decluttering and getting rid of the excess is the single best way to help you get organized.  Studies prove it!

Donating is great because it supports your local community and offers tax benefits, but many times you can make extra cash for your family selling what you don’t to someone else who CAN use it.  Garage sales are a LOT of work, so here’s how I make money decluttering.  I’ll show you how I use social media and VarageSale to make sales, how to make your posting stand out, and what sells well.  I’ve sold over $100 worth of “junk” this month along and it feels so good!

Looking to sell on VarageSale?  Download the apps (they are completely free to download and use!)

Apple App
Android App

You can also check out my friend Jen’s social media “store” if you are in the greater Charlotte, NC area: Jen’s Facebook / Distressed Dragonfly Designs

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*Thanks to VarageSale for Sponsoring this post.  All opinions are my own.  I’ve made hundreds of dollars for my family using this app so I was really excited to partner with them!  Decluttering statistics source.*

TARGET HAUL & HACKS | Organization and more

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

folders from targetBullseye’s Playground at Target (the $5 and under section right when you walk in the store) has TONS of great items for this back to school season.  The kids’ supplies, teacher gear, and dorm essentials are all ROCKIN’ this year.  Here are two videos showcasing some of my favorite organizers and toddler learning materials.  Everything is $5 and UNDER.  Score!

Hope you enjoy!

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

Dollar Tree Hack | Mason Jar Luminaries

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

Mason Jar LuminariesLooking for an elegant way to spruce up your back patio or decorate for an event?  Here’s a a quick Dollar Tree Hack for making Solar Light Lanterns.  The glow is beautiful!

P.S.  If you are having trouble finding solar lights at your Dollar Tree right now, check the garden section at Walmart!  They are 98 cents 🙂

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

Amazing Avocado Ice Cream! (Dairy Free)

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Recipes

This is a delicious, dairy-free avocado ice cream.  It’s healthy, quick, and you don’t feel guilty indulging!  (Make sure you use dark chocolate topping to keep it dairy-free!)

INGREDIENTS:
14 oz coconut milk
2 avocados
1/3 cup honey
juice of 1/2 lemon (optional to prevent browning)

DIRECTIONS:
Put coconut milk in fridge overnight.  Puree the avocados in a blender or food processor until smooth.  (Add lemon juice to prevent browning).  In a mixer (free-standing or hand-held) scoop out fat from refrigerated coconut milk.  Do not use liquid.  Mix until stiff peaks form.  Fold in avocado and honey.  Place in an ice cream container or a freezer safe container and freeze until solid.  You may have to set the container out for a few minutes before spooning to allow to soften.
This is also great with coconut and slivered almonds on top!

Looking for the dairy version?  Try this recipe!

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

Dollar Tree Gift Packs | Perfect for weddings, showers, and housewarming

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

Are you headed to a shower, wedding, or need a housewarming gift that isn’t tacky or corny?  Don’t have a lot to spend?  Then this video is for you.  The first gift rings in at just $9 and the second is under $15.  These are so easy to put together and something the recipient will love (basically the best of Dollar Tree!)

CLEANING CLOTHS FROM DOLLAR TREE:

* Microfiber Cloths: great for dusting and cleaning stainless steel/appliances.  Dust and polish most surfaces as they are lint free.  Use wet or dry.

* Dish Towels: Great for anything, especially scrubbing and deep cleaning (you can never have enough).  The red ones are pretty enough to keep out, we save the white ones for the grimy stuff!

* Clean Life Multi-Purpose Cleaning Cloths: Ideal for wood, glass, leather, electronics, and auto.  Use wet or dry.  (These are also made from recycled materials)

* Reusable Wipes (blue): Ideal for cleaning countertops, dusting, dishes, and windows.  Wash and use over and over!  Always hang dry.

*Super Absorbent Kitchen Wipes: For versatile cleaning.  Extremely absorbent.  Can be used dry or wet for washing, absorbing liquids, or for dusting and general cleaning.

COUNTERTOP CLEANING SPRAY:
50/50 Water Vinegar Mix
10-12 drops of essential oil

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

Cheap cleaning tips!

by Filed Under: Cleaning, DIY Projects, Money Saving

In this clean with me video, I’ll show you my favorite tips and hacks for deep cleaning your kitchen.  I use all natural items and supplies from the Dollar Tree to get the job done right!  Check out Brittany from VasseurBeauty to see some great tips to speed clean your home.

CLEANING RECIPES:

* Kitchen Cleaner:
50/50 Water-Vinegar Solution (Optional a few drops Essential Oil)

* Floor Cleaner:
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup vinegar
1 squirt Dawn
1 splash rubbing alcohol

* Clorox Mop (my exact model is discontinued)

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

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.*

Closet Organization Makeover!

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Money Saving, Organization

Don’t know where to start on your organizing journey and feel overwhelmed?  Don’t have a lot of on money to spend? Have a small master closet?  This video is for YOU!   Let me take you through the ENTIRE process from start of finish of simple closet organizing ideas that you will love seeing every morning.  The best part is these systems aren’t novel.  They aren’t earth-shattering.  Just easy organizing ideas using what we already had on hand, a few simple solutions, and Dollar Tree products!

Want to see more start to finish organizing?  I recently collabed with What’s Up Moms to help Elle transform her space.  Check out her video on their blog!  Be sure to subscribe to their YouTube channel for more content (they have almost reached 1 million subscribers!  YAY!)

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

NURSERY CLOSET ORGANIZATION….on a budget!

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Organization

When baby #2 rolls around, you resolve to re-evaluate what actually worked.  Not what you thought would work on some idealistic planet (that you quickly discover does NOT exist!)  With our first, we learned a lot and we had so much success with this style of closet organization.  I knew I needed to implement it this go-around.  Ain’t nobody got extra time with two kids 😉

Here are my best secrets to organize a baby’s nursery closet on a budget!

  1. Get an OVER THE DOOR SHOE ORGANIZER.  These are LIFESAVERS in the closet as they create extra storage (especially for pacifiers and teethers).  You can’t mess this system up!
  2. Don’t go big or go home if you need a new closet organizing system.  You can purchase UNDER $100 CLOSET ORGANIZING SYSTEMS for a FRACTION of what you pay at more custom stores.  Install to the ceiling to maximize vertical space!  We purchased a system for a 3-6 foot closet.
  3. NURSERY CLOSET DIVIDERS are the BEST.  We keep the current size clothes and the next size up in the closet and divide them out so they are easy to find.
  4. Create a no-fold system!  We just use bins and throw stuff in.  Pants, blankets, burp cloths.  They stay organized without the hassle.  Trust me!  We got our bins at Aldi, but you can find similar options are the dollar store.
  5. Need more space?  Try undermount organizers for extra blankets or swaddlers.
  6. Store extra diapers and next size up clothes at the top of the closet.
  7. Keep a laundry basket in the closet for clothes that no longer fit.  As you notice an item is getting snug, toss it in– you are sorting and updating your closet as you go!
  8. Cube shelving units are PERFECT for small closets (and you can utilize bins on the top).   The best place to find these is Walmart.  We fill them with Dollar Tree bins and don’t fold anything.  Just toss in and you are on your way!
  9. Keep white onesies separate from the rest of your clothes.  This sounds insane, but it is really helpful.
  10. Keep toys on the bottom bins so they are easy to take out and later easy for your kids to put away.
  11. Utilize side walls with extra hooks and invest in a corner laundry organizer to maximize space (we got ours at Target for less than $20!)

I hope these ideas were helpful.  And I really hope they were simple….because having a kid sure isn’t 😉

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*This is not a sponsored post.  Links contain affiliates.*