If you rent or are in any kind of temporary dwelling where you can’t “install” garden beds, a great option is simple container gardening.
Here’s how we took old water bottle tubs from our wedding and turned them into a staple of our garden for growing zucchini. PLUS, a few garden tips and a tour of what we are loving.
Truly, ANYONE can garden!
*This is not a sponsored video. All opinions are genuinely my own.*
It’s a great time of year for Crisglist scores and FREE activities with your kids. Garages are opening up as summer starts, and people want to get rid of those big ticket items for kids. Because seriously, who wants a giant power wheel taking up all that room?
My best Craigslist tips are:
Also in this video, I’ll share with fun weekday activities to do that are new, different and free. Triple-threat! We visited our local fire station for a free tour and spent hours in a playscape showroom (free and cool!).
Hope you enjoy the video! xo!
*This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are genuinely my own.*
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!
Check out how to make this beautiful mirror and 3 other simple DIYS!
Here are some awesome organizing products that I just scored at the Goodwill. $15 spent….over 83% savings. That’s how I roll, people. Budget friendly and simple systems. (I love seeing how people actually use the finds they score around their home, so I wanted to share with you!)
Enjoy!
I love gardening, and it really can save a lot of money. Added bonus: feeding your family fresh, healthy, organic food!
The “Bible” of the Square-Foot Method
The biggest keys to getting started with successful gardening are having a container/garden bed, knowing when/what to plant for your zone, and having the right soil composition. We use a space-saving method called Square-Foot Gardening because you can really control the soil and you can grow so much in such a little space. We wouldn’t do it any other way! If you’re looking for ways to decrease the space being used by your tools and furniture, you could store your garden furniture in a plastic container.
Before we started gardening, I was pretty intimidated by the whole thing, and quite honestly, the first year you garden, don’t expect it to be awesome. In fact, our first year I would have given us a C-. But the next year I think we earned a C+. By year 3, we were at a B+ garden. It didn’t help that we didn’t start with much, and but things definitely changed once we got a small greenhouse to help with our garden. Don’t be afraid to try out new techniques and new products (like these nutrients – https://agron.io/products/b-52) Experiment, learn and ask questions!
*I walk you through the first steps of gardening in this video so you can get set up with perfect soil.*
Here are some plants that we have had tons of success with in the square food method that are abundant producers. You don’t want to plant something that is only going to give you very little fruit, because the amount of time just isn’t worth the pay-out:
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!
I”m all about sharing with you guys what works. And I tend to get a lot of the same questions over and over about organizing. If you have taken the time to write me a note or email, THANK YOU! The top questions you ask me are: how do I get started organizing, how do I beat procrastination, what do I do if I don’t live near a Dollar Store, why can’t I stay organized even when I try, and what label maker
So, I answer all of those questions and give my best, practical advice in this video. Not the “magazine tips” but the real deal. Things that I know work. Why? ‘Cause I’ve tried ’em!
This just a little heart-to-heart video about living on a budget. Y’all…living on a budget, living within your means, getting out of debt (learn about debt consolidation loans), saving for the future…it’s all becoming COOL again. I’ll just come out and say it…. it’s becoming trendy. I feel like people finally woke up to reality. Hello budget options and cheap or FREE organizing solutions. <3 But with a wealth of information about there and tons of Dollar Tree equivalents of items that were once just sold at pricey organizing stores, a new danger has arisen: sometimes these cheap, free, and cutesy options pose a danger to real organization. The organization that sticks and works. Wake-up call: it’s not about a cute bin!!! In this video I explain why, and here are the two ways I make sure that what I’m bringing into my home and the products I’m choosing to use (no matter how budget friendly they are), are going to work TOWARD me becoming more organized. A better home and a better me. Cheers!
I’ve looked all over the web for a place that honestly and candidly reviewed the clothes and fashion accessories that Dollar Tree carries (or at least most of them), and I couldn’t find it!
So as a part of my Dollar Tree Review Series, I decided to review 10 types of clothes and give you my two cents. Honestly, I was more impressed than I thought I would be.
Rules: I had to wear and use them, and I had to wash them before weighing in. That way you would get an accurate assessment!
Here are my findings…
1) Fashion Scarves: A+ These guys are thin but well made and come in tons of cute patterns. Great for teens and gifts!
2) Sunglasses: A+ I’ve found these to be pretty on par with a $12 pair of sunglasses from Walmart or Target. I always keep a spare in my car just in case.
3) Winter Hats: A++ Oh my, you MUST pick up some of these! The quality is amazing. They are thick and lined. They don’t have any cute designs or patterns that I have seen (just standard grey), but they are really worth it!
4) Gloves: ?? I’m still deciding on these. Carson FINALLY wore them the other day and they seemed pretty good so far.
5) Flip Flops: B+ Comfortable, good longevity, but the pattern ones will chip. So stick with solid colors.
6) Footie Socks: C- They seems great (they are a nylon), but they really got messed up in the wash. They fit well, I just wish they lasted more than one wash 🙁
7) Women’s Athletic Socks: C+ They are pretty good and hold up well, but they are thin.
8) Kids’ Socks (18-24 months): A These are great, hold up well, and they will last as long as you need them to with as fast as those little feet grow!
9) Men’s Athletic Socks: B- Comfortable, not quite as nice as Hanes, but seem to hold up well after a wash.
10) Men’s Dress Socks: A- These aren’t high-end socks, but for what you are paying they are pretty good! Worth it if you only wear suits occasionally!
Happy Valentine’s Day! In honor of this day of love, I want to share with you our love of food and easy week-night recipes!
*CLICK HERE TO PRINT THESE RECIPES!*
Here are two easy, go-tos for busy weeknights in your slow cooker. Just 10 minutes to prep. Really. It’s that easy! Enjoy!
