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!

 

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

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Goodwill Haul! (Organizing Products Galore)

by Filed Under: Money Saving

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!

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Simple Square-Foot Gardening!

by Filed Under: Money Saving

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:

  • Zucchini (I would allot two plot for one plant. They get big, but you will be eating them all summer long)
  • Lettuce (Amazing producer, likes a little shade)
  • Cucumber
  • Cilantro
  • Parsley
  • Basil
  • Spinach
  • Green beans (we have had huge success with these!)
  • Eggplant
  • Peppers (green)
  • Tomatoes (all types, we love cherry tomatoes, need a trellis)
  • Raspberries (these bushes grow HUGE and often rogue. They are best planted in a larger area)

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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!

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Organizing Questions Answered!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Money Saving, Organization

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 do you recommend? 

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!

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Danger of “budget organization”

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Organization

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!

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Dollar Tree Clothes Review

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Money Saving

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!

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Secret Thrifting Weapons!

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Money Saving

Here are my favorite thrifting weapons of all time for home furnishings.  Most items I bring home need some love, and these are my favorite go-tos!

My top three are:

1) Dollar Tree Fix-All Adhesive (can literally super-glue almost anything together!)

2) Quick Erasers (I have used these for cleaning so many Goodwill finds…from furniture to kids toys!)

3) I also love Wood Scratch Fix Pens and Stain Markers (The key is to match the color right and assess the type of dent/mark.  For scratches, I love the scratch fixers, and for chucks of wood that have come out, I love the stain pens.  I’ve used a Sharpie before, but it looks best when you match the wood color exactly.)

What are your on a budget thrifting go-tos?  Would love to know!

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BULK BREAKFASTS: Home-Made Keurig Oatmeal Packets

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Recipes

Screen Shot 2015-01-31 at 5.19.06 PMAfter I shared this Mexican shells in bulk recipe, you asked for more.  Here’s an easy way to make your morning simpler (I’m all about that….our mornings are always so hectic over here!)

We love the Quaker oatmeal quick-heat packs you can buy, but they are expensive.  And honestly not all that healthy.  For the convenience without the price and additives, you are going to LOVE these DIY Oatmeal Packs that you can use with your Keurig!  Breakfast in 30 seconds and no hassle!

I originally got the idea on from A Few Short Cuts blog here.  Here’s a breakdown of the recipe (it makes about 12-15 servings):

10 cups of quick cook oats (6 cups whole, 4 cups powdered)

1 tsp salt

3 tsps cinnamon

1.5 cups brown sugar

1 cup coffee creamer or powdered milk

Mix ingredients together and put in snack baggie or disposable cups.  Put 6 oz of water in your Keurig or put it on the 6 oz setting.  Put oatmeal into the cup and run a water cycle.  Mix and let stand for 2-3 minutes.  Instant oatmeal!!!

See how I make and store them here (all on the cheap of course!)

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