Good to be thrifty?

As someone preparing to become a brand new mother, I figure I need to start practicing a little bit of frugality. Let's face it, becoming a new parent is anything but cheap, and if you can save a little bit of cash here and there, why not? While surfing my other guilty pleasure (Pinterest), I came across some amazing ideas on how to stretch your dollar a little further. It may cost a little more up front than purchasing the product, but in the long run you can save a lot more cash than you'd think.

I had to pin this recipe for fake Windex! I go through a ton of windex at my house, because we are renting a home with those classy mirror closet doors which always seem to be dirty! Having four sets of those plus all of my windows takes forever to clean, and a ton of glass cleaner. Here is a way to make window and glass cleaner at a fraction of the cost! 15 cents!!!

Here is what you need:

1 Empty Windex Spray Bottle
1/8 Cup (1oz) White Ammonia
1/4 Cup (4oz) Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol
1 Drop Laundry Detergent
Water-To Fill The Bottle


Another awesome recipe was for Fake Febreze! I can't believe how expensive it is at the store! I love the way it smells and how it can instantly turn a stinky room into a tropical vacation. Too bad it's like 5 dollars a bottle and it lasts for maybe a week if you use it daily in every room. FEAR NOT! I found a recipe for Fake Febreze! The best part is that you can literally turn it into any scent that you'd like by using your favorite Fabric Softener!!

This recipe fills up a 32oz bottle :)

1/8 Cup of Your Favorite Fabric Softener

2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda

Hot Tap Water-To Fill the Bottle to the Top

Shake a little and start spraying~!


This next awesome find could quite possibly be my favorite! I hate spending money on things that aren't necessarily a necessity but that are nice to use! By using an old face towel and some fabric softener you have your own D.I.Y. Dryer Sheets that last about 12 loads of laundry! Can you imagine not having to fish out those little flimsy pieces out of your laundry, that seem to pop out at all the wrong times (like from out of the bottom of your pant leg at work) lol. I can't believe how expensive it is to purchase things for laundry (it's pretty much a monopoly).

By pouring a nice size capful of fabric softener onto a face towel and letting it dry, you just toss it into the dryer and it actually does very well according to this Fake-it frugal blog! They also said that if you are having trouble with static to crumble a piece of aluminum foil up and place that in your dryer and it also helps to fight that off.

Another awesome tip that I found from http://fakeitfrugal.blogspot.com is a different way to make your dishes spotless. It stated that it is a Fake Jet Dry at less than a penny per wash. You simply put White Vinegar in your rinse agent holder in your dish washer and it supposedly makes your dishes spotless. I WILL BE TRYING THIS ONE!!

The last awesome artical that I found comes from http://www.savvyhousekeeping.com and it is a recipe on how to turn a bar of handsoap into liquid soap! I think this is an awesome and inexpesive way to refill your hand soap (I am a sucker that likes to purchase the bath and body handsoaps)!

This recipe makes about 6 bottles of soap, so you better pick a great scent that you won't get tired of (or you can make some home made gifts too).

Since this is a pretty detailed how to (yet still very very simple) I am going to post the whole link which may be a little easier for you!

http://www.savvyhousekeeping.com/how-to-turn-a-bar-of-soap-into-liquid-hand-soap/

Good luck with your new projects!

Cute Things for Organizing!

So, it's almost that time of year again for SPRING CLEANING! Another time to sit back and take in all that crap you have accumulated over the year! There are quite a few things that could use organization in my life, and this year I vow to accomplish that!




I found this awesome cork board project on Pinterest (originally) that evolves into a jewelry storage piece. The best part about it is that you are able to customize it to whatever your decor may be in the room! The picture below is from www.hellobeautyblog.com which has some amazing ideas on it! If I had more jewelry I would definintely try this (or maybe I will contemplate making a miniature version of this)!

I am pretty sure you can all relate to having 1 or two junk drawers, you know the ones that collect anything random from takeout menu's to batteries and old pencils. I found an awesome link online that transforms and organizes your junk drawer, and I will be trying this!!

This is the before picture....looks pretty familiar doesn't it? This site walks you through creating a more organized drawer, and it doesn't even look that expensive :)  http://www.diylife.com/2010/08/04/organize-junk-drawer/ 

I could definitely benefit from this drawer organizer! It could even be used in an office setting to even impress your boss!


I really wish I had a closet pantry to use this project in. I go crazy trying to bake because the cupboard is up too high and I can't ever seem to find what I need (or if I've used it already, this could definitely help in making sure it gets replenished)!

This is such an awesome idea, that I will be trying it in a future home (which I will make sure has a pantry)!!

This one is pretty awesome, however, I don't think that it will work with my "beautiful" sliding mirror hall closet doors lol.

I will be searching to find some other awesome ideas with organizing around the house, we could all use something that makes life a little easier!!

Addicted to the 80's comebacks!

I was a mid-80's baby and I love that some of the things are coming back. I loved leg warmers, awesome bright colors, lace, tie-dye, big hair, Madonna, crimped hair. I can't believe some of the cute things I found!

http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/03/diy-leg-warmers-from-promise.html

I found an awesome website that teaches you how to do certain basic folding for tie dye patterns. I want to do some onesies for gifts like this, but would prefer the more intricate patterns. What do you think?



http://www.prochemical.com/directions/Folding.htm

This site has more designed patterns and you can download different pdf files.



http://www.tiedyepatterns2k.com/2011/03/heart-shaped-tie-dye-patterns/

I Love Hair Bows!!

If there is anything I love more than ruffles it is an amazing hair bow! I love giant (I mean bigger than your baby's head) bows! Flowers are awesome too, and I love any sort of head decoration for little girls....Beanies come to mind too! Check out this awesome site that I found!!

http://blogs.babble.com/family-style/2011/08/04/make-for-baby-25-free-easy-baby-hair-clip-tutorials/?pid=2212#slideshow

http://www.themotherhuddle.com/tutorial-fabric-pinwheel-hair-clip/

      http://allison-thriftycrafting.blogspot.com/2011/02/rosette-hair-clip-tutorial.html

http://treyandlucy.blogspot.com/2010/12/pom-pom-headbands-and-clips.html


Pretty sure I am going to make one of these for me! I love headbands and can't wait to see how it turns out!!! (And you should follow her)!

http://redpunzel.blogspot.com/2010/12/anthropologie-inspired.html

This could possibly be my favorite new flower, I'm sure you could turn these into all kinds of things, headbands, broaches, flower rings, infant headbands, flower clips, maybe even a necklace or bracelet! I wish I could pull off this look.

http://www.rufflesandstuff.com/2011/05/no-sew-fabric-flower-tutorial.html

Just for the little boys

Who says that girls get to have all the fun cute things? I absolutely adore fancy little things for boys. I love bow ties and little newsboy hats. This tutorial is super cute for making home made bow ties to match with any outfit (as long as you can find the right fabric). I think this will be a must make for my friends having little boys!

http://papernstitchblog.com/2011/03/29/diy-craft-project-how-to-make-the-cutest-boys-bowtie-in-time-for-easter/

This site has some awesome stuff! I love the suspenders and matching bow tie. Perfect for church, weddings, family outings or special pictures. I can't wait to make some of these!

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2010/05/little-boy-suspenders.html

Vests are super adorable too! What better way to put to use the clothes you were going to send to good will by reusing them for fabric to make new items! You have to check out this tutorial on how to make a vest attached to a onesie! I love it!!

http://bisforboycreations.blogspot.com/2011/04/little-gentlemans-faux-vest-onesie.html

For the boys a little more grown up and out of the onesies, I found a tutorial on how to make neck ties. *DISCLAIMER* This doesn't look like it is a beginners project, I saw quite a few hard things to sew and you definitely need a sewing machine, but it is worth it if you know what you are doing! Absolutely adorable!!!

http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2011/04/faux-tie-tutorial-for-boys-guest-post.html

What little boy doesn't want to be a superhero? I think it is the biggest career choice of any little boy. This is a D.I.Y. project for an awesome cape made out of a mans t-shirt, (it really can't get any easier for home made)! Your little man will LOVE this!!!!

http://www.thesoutherninstitute.com/2011/03/super-hero-cape-and-power-cuff-tutorial.html

Fun Little Rings

I found an awesome tutorial on how to zipper rings that I am going to have to try. The best part is that there is no need for a sewing machine (although you do need a needle and thread). Zippers are fairly inexpensive, and are quite trendy right now, another plus is that they come in a ton of colors!

http://cuegly.blogspot.com/2010/08/rings-part1-zippers.html



This is another awesome idea with some fabric and a lighter or a soldering tool. You could get some fabric from Joanns, (they always have funky clearance fabric) and recreate a ring for under $10 dollars!

http://craftsnob.com/2011/05/fabric-flower-ring/

This is another awesome and different style of fabric flower ring. If you buy a package of rings you could probably recreate a couple of these styles without spending a ton of money!!

http://weheartthis.com/2011/08/24/diy-fabric-flower-ring/

I think this last one is perhaps my most favorite design that they do. I love the feminine look and the sweet pearls in it. You could do so many variations of this and it would look awesome in tulle. I want on in every color!!!

 http://mrspriss.com/2010/04/12/tutorial-springy-rings/



Happy Crafting :)

D.I.Y. Onesies

Here are a couple of sites with ideas and D.I.Y. projects for home made onesies. Some seem to be geared towards people with sewing machines. I think you can get that cute couture look for so much cheaper. I like to make these for my friends baby showers. I usually buy plain onesies at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Joanns and Michael's. (The latter of the two you can use 40% off coupons to get them at a discount).

http://www.bumpsmitten.com/2011/05/diy-tutorial-handmade-onesies.html

 

 http://doityourselfdivas.blogspot.com/2010/02/diy-baby-boy-tie-onesie.html

http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/diy-iron-on-onesies-480703.html





These are awesome! They seem super inexpensive, and the last set you just need a good pair of scissors and iron infusing paper plus fabric! The possibilities are endless!!! I think I just found my new baby shower gifts!!