On my New Year's Resolutions list, there are always some standards: Drink more water, eat out less, exercise more, and save money. I have gotten pretty good at most of these things (with the exception of eating out less - does ordering more takeout count?), but I could always stand to save more money. Holding onto loose change is my go-to method for putting a little bit of dough away every day, but there's always the question of what to keep all those loose pennies in. If you don't feel like buying a porcelain piggy, you can turn any vase, jar, or container into a DIY savings bank in a few quick steps.
No matter how many trends come and go, there are a few classic home decor elements that never go out of style. Think of a simple round mirror, the Eames lounge chair, a quality Persian rug - designers come back to these pieces again and again.
Another essential decor item that every interior designer seems to have in their back pocket? White curtains. Versatile and classic, well-tailored white curtains can dress up literally any room; no matter the style. And here's the secret - we've noticed a lot of designers are getting their curtains at IKEA!
Generally speaking, we all want to be physically healthier, and we all want to be more financially fit. Gains in both those spheres really boost our enjoyment of life, but attaining both those goals at the same time can seem intimidating. Can you save money and stay healthy? Do the two go hand-in-hand, or do they butt heads? Read on to learn about ways that will help you improve both your bodily and fiscal fitness. Put these tips into practice and reap two-for-one benefits!
I have a hard time spending a lot of money on wall art. I feel horrible saying that. I got my Bachelor's degree in art, so I - of all people - totally understand the effort and talent that's required to create good art. Honestly, I'm just cheap. While I might occasionally splurge for a print or photo I really love, my home is hardly a museum. I can't afford to fill my walls top to bottom with one-of-a-kind art pieces. So yeah, I might be cheap, but I'm pretty dang thrifty, too! Whether it's sprucing up some existing wall art, or creating my own with found items, I can fill a wall for under $40. The best place to find forgotten and dirt-cheap wall decor is your local second-hand store (think Goodwill, Savers, Salvation Army, etc.). I set out to create a cheap gallery wall using only things I found at the thrift store, and here's how it worked out.
As Earth Day approaches (mark your calendars! April 22nd!), I've been thinking about ways to reduce and reuse the things I don't need in my life anymore. I'm pretty good about recycling what I can - cardboard, papers, and bottles go in the curbside recycling, and compost I take to the local natural foods store. Plastic bags go to grocery stores with those plastic bag bins up front, along with other random thinner plastics like cereal bags, plastic wrap, and bread bags. If you don't have access to a plastic bag recycling bin, you can reuse your plastic bags by fusing them together to create a waterproof, flexible fabric!
True story: I am a little obsessed with organization. I love my home when it's free of clutter, I do believe heaven is The Container Store, and I get a serious rush when I've folded all my t-shirts just right. Maybe I am a bit on the obsessive side, but I think we all can agree that a clean home is simply an easier one to inhabit. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by junk, or you're already on a journey towards organizational bliss, this shopping guide is for you. Today I'm sharing a few of my favorite home organization products from Amazon, all of which are affordably priced.
It can be tough to make a living in a creative field - but living a creative life can be so expensive! Oh, the irony. We get it... so today we're sharing some tips on how to live your best life on an artist's budget.
I have a secret infatuation with faux fur. I'm the gal who raids the remnant bin at the fabric store for any and all furry fabrics. What I'm saving them for, I don't know. They're just so fun! The faux fur pouf is trending, but some of the nicer onces available to purchase are over $100. With back-to-school season upon us again, I wanted to find a way to make one of these fun and furry ottomans on the cheap. Keep reading to see how I made this one for under $40!
When it comes to making design changes in your home, you don't want to spend more money than you need to - especially on the accent pieces. The cost of details add up fast if you aren't being mindful of the price tag. However, affordable furniture and home decor is out there - if you know where to look. We've rounded up 100 of our favorite affordable furniture and home decor items, each coming in under $100 each. From rugs to accent chairs, you'd be surprised how far a Benjamin will take you.
It's summertime, which means bonus free time, if you're lucky. Going to the movies is a classic way to stay out of the sun while still having fun - the only issue is that outlandish price tag! I had quit going to the movies a few years back, because the cost of admission was higher than I was comfortable with. However, after learning different ways to obtain cheap movie tickets, and figuring out how to keep my costs low, I'm back to seeing flicks on the big screen. It's still a treat when I get to go, but it's not nearly as painful to my wallet. Keep reading for 12 ways to go to the movies for less.
Ideas pop up in the most random of situations, don't they? The inspiration for this project came to me the other day when I was at the airport. I was standing in line at a Wendy's, preparing to pay $15 for a small frosty and fries (why is airport food so expensive?!), and I was absent-mindedly staring at this wall that divided the checkout lane from the seating area. The wall was made of two layered panels of glass, frosted. Each panel was painted with lots of abstract green brushstrokes, making the wall look like an ethereal field of grass. Maybe it was the jet-lag that made me zone in on this wall for so long. For some reason or another, the grassy glass stuck with me. And I decided I wanted to make some glass wall art of my own in the same style.
If your New Year's resolution was to manage your money better, we've got you covered! Money management is going to be different for every person, especially when we all have different spending habits and attitudes about money. As a 26-year-old with thousands of dollars in student loans hanging over my head, I certainly don't pretend to have all the answers, but I CAN give you a few tried-and-true tips that will trick you into managing your money better so you can enjoy financial stability.
Decorating a bathroom can be tricky business. Not only is wall mostly space occupied by unmovable objects (like towel racks, shelving, or the tub) making the space tricky to decorate, but the washroom is also the most humid room in the house! When it comes to hanging wall art, you have to find pieces that are either moisture-resistant (like metal or acrylic), or pieces that don't need to stand up to the test of time. This is where printable bathroom wall art comes in. Talk about non-committal decor! Here are two, free designs to choose from, or to hang as a pair.
If you love drinking wine as much as you love crafting, then we've got some good news for you! Those natural corks that you might otherwise throw out can be re-purposed in a lot of different ways. Here are four wine cork projects that you can easily complete in 10 minutes or less each.
Project #1: Succulent Planters
Before we get started, let's answer a question: What exactly is cork? Turns out it comes from the cork oak tree, which is native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa. Corks are made from the bark of this tree, which makes them a perfect pairing for planting succulents. Cork also has a unique ability to adapt its shape (like when it creates a tight seal in a wine bottle), which also helps with planting.
To make this project, you'll need:
100% natural corks
A craft knife
Small succulent plants
1. Start by carving out the center of a cork using the tip of the craft knife. Dig out enough cork to fit a succulent plant inside.
2. Repot the plant into the cork. Done!
If you want to display your new wine cork projects on the refrigerator, use hot glue to attach small magnets to the backs of the corks.
Project #2: DIY Cork Place Holder
Before your next dinner party, save up your wine corks for this simple DIY project. These place card holders also make great cheese labels! Fun fact: The best wines are always sealed with natural corks versus the plastic ones, so you can slyly let your dinner guests know you also have a stellar taste in wine, too.
To make this project, you'll need:
One wine cork for each guest
A craft knife
1. Hold the cork in an upright position, and slice off one rounded side of the cork. This allows the cork to lay flat on the table.
2. On the opposite side of the cork, cut a slit into the side.
3. Slide your place cards through the slit in the cork. Done!
Project #3: Floating Keychain
In addition to cork stoppers being sustainably made (the cork oak tree regenerates nine years after being harvested), cork oak bark is naturally buoyant! It's impermeable, yet the tiny cells that make up the cork release air so slowly that it creates buoyancy (or ages fine wine). Don't worry about losing your keys in the bottom of the swimming pool or lake with this DIY.
For this project, you'll need:
A 100% natural cork
An eye hook
A keyring
1. Screw a small eye hook into the bottom of a cork until it is secure.
2. Attach a keyring to the eye hook, then to your keys.
Project #4: Personalized Stamps
For this project, you'll need:
Some corks
A marker
A craft knife
A stamp ink pad or acrylic paint
1. Grab a marker, and begin by drawing your design on the end of a cork stopper.
2. Use a craft knife to cut away at the areas you do not want to show (i.e. the negative space).
3. Press the stamp onto an ink pad, or into paint, and start stamping!
Know what else we like about real cork? These forests retain nearly 14 million tons of CO2 per year! which are diverse ecosystems that provide essential habitats. And the best part - cork is 100% recyclable, and there are lots of recycling resources available based on your region.
This little kitchen was the remaining evidence of an attempted house flip gone bad. The old home had great bones, but a few serious structural issues, discovered once the previous owner/flipper opened up all the old walls. The kitchen became too much for them to handle, and that's when we stepped in.
When we found the house, we knew most of the renovation budget would go behind the walls (plumbing, electrical, structural repairs), so the kitchen finishes would have to happen on a serious budget. As you can see, this space would need everything, from the floors up. We planned on renting this home, but I always believe in making things as homey and cute as possible. We stuck to our budget by going with stock cabinets, stock countertops, vinyl floors while keeping things bright and functional. And, if I may say so myself, I think it turned out great! Read on to see how we did it.
