Dollar Tree finds...

My TOP 25 items that I regularly buy from The Dollar Tree:

1. Nail Polish- Carson and I go crazy with the LA Color choices.

2. Toothbrushes -Crest, Colgate

3. Toothpaste- Crest, Colgate

4. Floss-get extra for stocking stuffers too!

5. Pump Hand Soap- Soft Soap Cucumber Melon

6. Whole wheat bread- I buy and freeze 12 at a time

7.  Pretzels -Honey Whole Wheat

8. Gum & Candy-for the minions 

9. Glass Containers- I have some for cotton swabs, cotton balls, buttons, coins, etc...

10. Office Supplies- paper clips are my fave

11. Greeting Cards- I also buy the packs of 6-8...such a deal!

12. Party Supplies- from tissue paper to gift bags

13. Plastic containers- great to organize on a dime!

15. Pens- even Sharpies!

16. Mailing supplies- I always buy my bubble mailers, packing tape and envelopes here

17. Mugs- great for Teacher gift or personalizing

18. Microfiber cloths and dusters- such a deal

19. Frozen fruit and veggies- I stash 'em for smoothies, casseroles and to feed my chickens!

20. Tony’s Pizzas-these are for Porter

21. Shower curtain liners- can also be used as drop cloths for projects

22. Scrub brushes -dishes, floor, and toilet

23. Candle melts-they carry some yummy smelling ones

24. School snacks- Cam and Carson like their granola bars and cracker packs

25. Sunday Newspaper

Do you shop at The Dollar Tree? What are you fun finds?

September 20th...

Got some distressed frames for cheap!

Lauren Face Timed all of us as a Family and we sang Happy Birthday to Mila before she had her cake and pressies. She was looking mighty tired, but adorable. They took her to the Zoo. Nick put in for leave in October for 10 days. Hoping we get to see them. Missing my daughter, son-in-law, and grand daughter!!! — feeling hopeful.

Photo Album
^
(click on above link)
Mila's First Birthday Outing and Party

milk glass...

I don't know why, but I love milk glass.
I am always on the 'look-out' when at thrift stores.

Love this stuff!

another year, another party....

Being a Brand New Year, many people find themselves clearing out the old to make way for the new!


So, with that in mind…I am planning on Hosting another....

'RECYCLE PARTY'
(last year's was a huge success)


date: Saturday January 21st
time: 10am until 2pm

This is where you bring anything you don’t want anymore and give it away, and while there, pick up items other’s don’t want. (FreeCycle idea).


Ideas of what you can recycle:

Glass jars, Tupperware, Dishes, Clothes, CD’s, Books, Purses, Jewelry, Containers, Décor, Frames, Craft items, Fabric, Furniture, Pet Supplies, Non-Perishable Food, Garden Supplies, Tools, Games, Appliances….and more. It should be in good enough condition to be re-used…no broken junk.

I’ll provide coffee, cocoa and donuts. You bring bags to carry home your new found good in.

Starting off the new year with a bang!

~ Peg
(email me for my address....if I know you)

Ten ways you can use a mason jar...

I LOVE my Vintage Blue Ball Mason Jars....and the Atlas jars and glass jars...and so on. I have about 16 Blue ones...but really don't fill them with anything right now (I leave that for the clear jars). I use the clear ones for photos, sewing kits, shells, etc...So, I thought maybe I should start actually USE these jars.

Got this info from: http://hubpages.com/hub/Ways-to-Use-Mason-Jars
1.Flower Vase: Mason jars are perfect for a quick flower vase. Cut your flowers to the length of your jar and add water. For an added touch, tie a ribbon around the mouth of the jar.

2.Drinking Glass: It's not the conventional cup, but who can resist the charm of lemonade in a mason jar on a hot summer's day? Collect an assortment of jars to make as an alternative set of glasses for your dinnerware to give a causal, summery feel.

3.Gifts: Mason jars are the perfect, yet smaller alternative to a gift basket. The holidays give the perfect opportunity for using mason jars as quick gift wrapping, particularly if your gift is food. Just drop some Christmas colored M & M's or Hershey's Kisses, close the jar, then cut a fabric circle and tie with a ribbon to attach it to the jar. Now you have a gift that doubles as a seasonal decoration!

4.Candle vase: It's simple and quick. Just set the candle in the vase and light it up. If you want to add a little seasonal flair add sand with a few shells for summer or a ribbon with a bell or ornament for Christmas.

5.Food Mixes: Have you been wanting to send a care package to that college student you know with some good home-cooked food, but don't have a recipe that will make it through the USPS? Then layer the dry ingredients into a jar, print the recipe, use a ribbon to tie the recipe to the jar, and you could even stick a little cash in an envelope to cover the cost of the perishable ingredients and the student will be thanking you soon! You can use this with soup mixes, cookies, pancakes, or even nuts and granola.

6.Party Favors: Mason jar glasses are the perfect size to use as party favors. Add some erasers, stickers, candy, or even a yo-yo or other small toy and you're good to go. Decorate it with a ribbon or sticker that goes with the theme of the party and they're ready to enjoy.

7.Change jar: Just have one sitting on the counter where you drop your keys and drop your spare change in it as you walk by. At the end of the year (or when the jar is full), see how much money you've saved!


8.Craft Kits: Use a jar to hold a craft kit for beading, soap-making or candle making, or embroidery. Just make sure you include all the supplies--or at least all the supplies that will fit!

9.Organizational Containers: Since mason jars come in varying sizes they can make great containers for organizing everything from your craft supplies like buttons, brads, and ribbon to tacks, paper clips, nails, and even bathroom supplies like cotton balls.

10.Canning: And, of course, mason jars are perfect for their original purpose of preserving food.

And there you have it, ten simple ways to use mason jar glasses today!

I'm hosting a RECYCLE PARTY!!!!

Being a Brand New Year, many people find themselves clearing out the old to make way for the new!
So, with that in mind…I am planning on Hosting a:

'RECYCLE PARTY'date: Saturday January 22nd time: 10am until whenever...

This is where you bring anything you don’t want anymore and give it away, and while there, pick up items other’s don’t want. (FreeCycle idea).

Ideas of what you can recycle:
Glass jars, Tupperware, Dishes, Clothes, CD’s, Books, Purses, Jewelry, Containers, Décor, Frames, Craft items, Fabric, Furniture, Pet Supplies, Non-Perishable Food, Garden Supplies, Tools, Games, Appliances….and more. It should be in good enough condition to be re-used…no broken junk.


I’ll provide coffee, cocoa and donuts. You bring bags to carry home your new found good in.
Starting off the new year with a bang!

~ Peg

(email me for my address....if I know you)

thrifting in the new year...

It's a new year tomorrow and that gets me thinking about how to 'do better' financially. One way I do this is by being frugal and thrifting. Here's a great post by mollyirwin :: on thrifting
_____________________________________________________________________
SOME THOUGHTS ON THRIFTING

1. Buy only what you absolutely love. This is my most important rule. I won't just buy something because it's inexpensive; I apply the same standard that I do on any other purchase -- new or not. Admittedly I've made a few mistakes, like the fabric I got home and decided I don't love it after all. Oh well ... little spent; little lost.


2. Be super selective with items that need an update or overhaul. Re-upholstery, re-finishing, painting etc. has an associated cost, whether it be out-of-pocket for hire, or in your own sweat equity. Then there's the TIME factor, so be sure you believe that piece will (when finished) satisfy the love itrule. Lately I've minimized big project purchases like furnishings, with the exception of the little boudoir chair I'm having covered for my closet. It was the perfect scale and proportion for the space.


3. Second-hand items add instant history. The Patina of an old mirror, or the classic graphics on your 1970s board games bring a familiar warmth of a well-loved, inhabited space. Details like this add character and charm, especially to new drywalled spaces like apartments.


4. You will find truly unique things.I love Ikea, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel etc. for certain foundational basics, but a few funky or special items can lend instant personal style and fresh life to an otherwise basic decor.


5. The hunt + bargain high. The satisfaction of shopping on 25% off day, on top of what are already super cheap prices is nothing short of thrilling to me.


6. For those with crafty ingenuity thrift shops are a great source for materials. Consider alternative uses for things. This patchwork quilt made entirely of blue pinstriped dress shirts, at Inchmark Journal, is a great example of reconfiguring something in a fresh way.


7. It's very much hit or miss. Sometimes I come away thinking why would I ever buy new again? while other times I'm deflated and kind of grossed out by the whole thing. You just never know what you're going to find, which is what keeps me going back again and again.

shabby chic shelf...

love vintage flower brooches....

 by lovesmenot

a few tea cups in my room...

sew cute...

my sewing buddies on the wall above my sewing machine.

framed...

i finally put those old window frames to good use...