Apothecary Jars

What to put in my jars?

I bought these very inexpensive apothecary jars for my guest bathroom but have been racking my brain as to what to put in them. Most jars have fruit and twine balls but I just didn't think that looked right for my bathroom.

So one day I'm at Pottery Barn and I finally see something that would work - Decorative Soap.

Pottery Barn shows soap wrapped in pretty paper with a monogram sticker. How easy! So I went to Archiver's to find some nice paper. Wrapped some plain Ivory soap in the paper, added a ribbon and a monogram sticker. I think it turned out pretty nice!

I was also thinking these soaps would make nice hostess gift. Just use some cute christmas paper.

Anyway one jar is solved. The other jar I'm just going to order some colored bath salts. That jar is not as big.

Another Wall Decor Idea

Easy Wall Decor

This little project only took about an hour. The part that took the longest was deciding what design to choose. Well, I finally decided on the cute little tree.

If you want to see how I did this project check it out on my Accidental Projects Page

Wall Decor

Closet Wall Art

Still working on my bedroom and closet. Here is the latest wall decor I put up. They are actually jewelry hangers from Claire's. I saw them and thought they'd look great hanging on a wall. When you look at something that catches your eye always think to yourself where else could I use this!

30 Day Giving Challenge

Giving Challenge Ideas

How is your 30 Day Giving Challenge going?  I worked on finding items for my shoeboxes. Here are a couple of other suggestions I have that don't cost anything. The last one is my favorite!

Give a complement to a stranger - love to see them smile!

Give some items out of your pantry to the local food pantry

Give your extra change in a jar to someone who needs it (Christmas Jar)

Give a coffee or drink to the Salvation Army bell ringers - could you stand out in the cold for 6 hours?

30-Day Giving Challenge

Operation Christmas Child

My love language is giving so when I came across this challenge I didn't even have to think twice about accepting the 30-Day Giving Challenge. The holiday season is quickly approaching and this challenge is a good lead in to the real spirit of Christmas.

It's funny I didn't even know about the challenge until about 10:00 pm last night. But earlier that day I came across Operation Christmas Child and had already decided to participate by buying some dollar store items. I especially like this challenge because I can do it with my kids.

Here is more information on Operation Christmas Child. Basically its Christmas in a shoebox for the children in Africa. Can you imagine all your gifts to your kids fitting in a shoebox. And they are so thankful and love everything in it? Hmm maybe this would be a good lesson for my kids. 

I'll be posting updates on some of the ways I have been giving. Feel free to leave comments or suggestions of how you've been giving.

Carmel Apples

Disney Candy Apples

I found these fun apples at Goofy's Candy Co in Downtown Disney. They are just toooo cute! They used marshmallows to make the ears. I'll have to remember this the next time we have a bake sale! (sorry about the glare from the case!)

Halloween at Disney World

Back from fall break trip to Disney World. I've been several times but never at Halloween. Wow was that fun! The decorations at the parks are amazing! Everything was so cute with the fall colors! We went to the "Not so Scary Halloween Party". Everyone dressed up, went trick or treating and watched the parade. The rides were open as well which was cool!  The kids scored big with the candy and it was good candy like Snickers and Twix!

I'll be showing you more pics this week so check back!

Cloche

Fall Cloche

I've never had a cloche but I have to say their pretty cool. Its very fun (and frustrating) looking for different things to go in them. Since it was fall I wanted a white pumpkin to go inside. Of course, what I visualized and what I found were two different things. I was actually looking for a tall, oblong white pumpkin. Well I found a shorter, fatter one instead. Still looks nice but maybe someday I'll actually find the one I really wanted.

Hmmm - what should I put in it for Christmas? Any ideas?

Fall Display

Fall Suitcase Display

Ok, I admit it. I'm not an Autumn person. I don't get all giddy when I see the pumpkins, cider and cornstalks at the store. To me its actually kind of depressing. To me, Fall means summer is over which leads to snow, cold and lots of layers of clothes. (You'd never guess I grew up in Minnesota!)

However, I can appreciate the beauty of Fall. I do like seeing the vibrant orange and red leaves on the trees. I do like seeing my kids get excited to put up Halloween decorations and picking out their pumpkins.

So when I decorate for fall I like to add subtle touches. A couple of pumpkins here and there. Some colored leaves left around. Here is an idea I got from my friend Carolynn at This Charming Life. I bought the suitcase at The Christmas Tree Shop but I've also seen them at Hobby Lobby. I put some fall pics in the frame. The leaves have a string of lights underneath which is a nice accent.

Organizing Coupons

I'm not the best at clipping coupons but I try. I go in waves. I have months where I'll do really good at clipping my coupons and keeping the organized and then I'll have months where life just gets away from me and they pile up (see below). So since the weather is getting cooler I'm back to getting my coupons organized. Here is the system I use.

I use a three ring binder with tabs and divided inserts (these are just baseball card holders I bought at Target.) I also have a pencil pouch to hold my pencil and scissors.

I clip my coupons and organize them by categories. If I have to fold the coupon to fit in the divider I make sure the expiration date is visible. If not, I write it on the front of the coupon so I can quickly glance through the coupons to see which ones are expired.

 I don't subscribe to the Sunday newspaper (long story!) but will try to pick one up each week if I'm out. If not, there are several good coupon websites that I use.

Red Plum

Proctor & Gamble

Coupon.com

Target 
(You can also received Target coupons through a text which is nice because you just show the cashier your text and they take the amount off.)

Also check your local grocery stores. Some have the capability of selecting your coupons online and adding them to your rewards cards.

The last tip I have is if you do spend the time organizing and clipping coupons don't forget to bring them to the store! I've done this several times and its frustrating! So now I keep my coupon binder in my car.

Using Removable Vinyl

Decorating My Laptop

Ok its not that I've run out of things to decorate around my house but I just had this weird urge to decorate the cover of my laptop. When I ordered my laptop I could have chosen from many different colors and custom designs - but for an extra cost, of course. So being the frugal person I am I passed on paying the extra money to trick out my laptop. 

I decided to jazz up my laptop. I could get some vinyl in fun colors and use my Cricut to cut a cool design. I ordered the vinyl from H&H Sign Supply. They have many colors and their prices are good. I paid $3.00 a YARD for the vinyl. You can also get a discount on your first order by entering FIRSTORDER in the code at checkout.

So here's the design I made out of white, silver, light purple and dark purple vinyl. I did make a slight mistake that was fixed easily. When I put the design on the cover of my laptop was closed. When I opened the laptop I discovered my birds were upside down if someone was to walk by and look at my laptop. Easy fix. I just turned around my little birdies and voila! Fixed. Be sure to get the removable vinyl or you may be stuck with your design for a long time.

Shoe Locker

If you can't get rid of it --- hide it!

I have this area right inside my garage door where the kids come in and just dump their stuff. I know we all have it and eventually it gets to us. I didn't want to put any furniture there because it is a walk way and it would make the space narrower. However, since there is always a pile of stuff there anyway our walkway space would not change. So my plan would was to put a bench there that would at least hide their stuff and still have the same amout of space to walk through.
Let's face it if you can't get rid of the stuff then hide it!

This is phase one. I have another shelf that will go over the top I just haven't had a chance to work on it. I got the bench (its actually a tv stand) from IKEA. The kids had fun helping me put it together. (twice - of course I realized when it was
almost all done that I had one piece on backwards. Darn it! Oh yeah,
and you know it was the first piece I put together!)

Look at those dangle earrings! She's the best dressed handywoman!