Let's face it: Times are tight and budgets are shrinking. But there are ways to stretch, and even (gasp!) have fun doing it! This blog is about finding ways to get more from every household dollar, and enjoy every precious minute.
With warm weather around the corner, you will likely find yourself
attending more outdoor gatherings, family dinners and potlucks. The next
time you’re asked to bring a dessert, make this recipe for Spring
Cupcake Toppers. They’re easy to make and are sure to impress the crowd!...
...Here’s a quick, inexpensive way to help create a whimsical frame prop
for your next gathering. This lightweight, oversized frame can be used
both vertically and horizontally and is a freestyle craft, so no need to
try for perfection. The hand-hewn style adds to the whimsy of the
photos...
...I’m excited to share a few ideas with you! My goal is to inspire your
inner hostess, whether you’re preparing for a fancy event, a family
dinner or just looking for some lifestyle ideas and tips. I hope I can
help you find the inspiration you need...
Frozen Chocolate-Covered Bananas will easily satisfy dessert cravings at
any age! This is a great dessert to bring to a birthday party or have
as a refreshing afternoon snack. Feel free to dip these into your
favorite toppings, such as finely chopped nuts, colored or chocolate
sprinkles or granola cereal...
Don’t you just adore those cute, little scrapbook embellishments filling
the aisles of craft stores and some department stores? There are so
many small decorations and creative temptations for scrapbooking and
many other crafts...
As a busy mom of three, I am always looking for timesaving tips,
especially in my kitchen. Here are some great, timesaving tips to
maximize your freezer space...
With school and sport pictures, as well as our annual holiday and family
portraits, the amount of picture packages my family of seven
accumulates each year is enough to build an encyclopedia! Even after we
distribute copies of the pictures to friends and family, there still
seems to be a supply...
For a twist on the typical Caprese salad, throw in some chicken and make
it a main dish! Chicken Caprese is a simple, fast and delicious
solution to the, “What’s for dinner?” question we all seem to ask
ourselves. Enjoy this dish while fresh basil is at its peak in your
garden and spring tomatoes are entering their season...
For many of us, labeling our children’s possessions is a common
practice. Over the years, I have discovered that using personalized
labels have increasingly more uses. You can order labels inexpensively
online or make your own on the computer or with a permanent marker...
Washi tape, though still fairly new on the market, has really taken off
this year and is made available by lots of craft supply manufacturers.
That’s great news as far as I’m concerned, as it’s one of the most
functional decorative items in my studio!...
As a collector of lots of fun, vintage items, I’ve done my share of
fixing up old pieces such as tables, stools and drawers, and repurposing
them into functional and decorative items. Over the years, I’ve
developed a few tricks and tips to give a period-inspired look...
Over many years of traveling, I have learned a few tricks and tips when
it comes to packing toiletries. With a family of seven, traveling can
get rough, but these tips have helped me stay organized and save money!...
My family stocks up on extra food including everything from canned goods
to boxes of cereal. Recently, we even began stockpiling fresh produce!
Below are a few simple tips I’ve found to help save money when stocking
up on produce...
Whether it’s family or work, life can be stressful no matter what stage
you are in. Between three active children and an aging parent, I have
been searching for various ways to help me relax. Below are a few of my
favorite tips that have helped me to relieve stress!...
Next time you give a gift, sell a craft or label a compartment, consider
adding a unique, handmade hang tag. Hang tags make great additions to
presents and often can be all you need for any unusual shaped gift
package. If you sell your wares at a craft fair, fun tags can add...
Spring is in the air, making it the perfect time for a light and
refreshing snack. In just 30 minutes you can prepare this Fresh Shrimp
Salad to serve over greens, with crackers or on a sandwich. This dish is
a favorite at my house for welcoming spring...