Weekend Flair: Wall of Plates

I randomly would see ideas for Plate Walls on Pinterest, and loved the simplicity, patterns, and COLORS!  I  began collecting plates from thrift store adventures and after several months, decided to give it a try!

Honestly, I didn't measure. I'm terrible at measuring. I organized the plates on the table below, and then starting with the one in the middle, started attaching them to the wall with simple plate holders.

It took about an hour, however I really love the results. I love that I can switch it up, really anytime I find a plate I like more.

Super easy weekend project!



What creative project will you be doing this weekend?

Weekend Flair #16 - Chair Fix Up

I LOVE fabric, however really do not sew.  The patterns, textures, colors... oooh. Just makes my heart pitter patter. Add my love of fabric to my long no-so-lost secret desire to reupholster something, and this little chair didn't stand a chance. ;) 

I decided to start with something small, figuring if I wasn't successful, no huge loss.

I found it for a mere $6.00 at a local thrift store. It was already pretty darn cute, however this fabric needed to go. It also was on some sort of swivel mechanism what was wobbly, and screeched.

Just this last week I found the perfect fabric and decided it was time.

I got it taken apart, and started pulling staples.

The fabric I had was not going to work with the black, thus spray painted it white.

Note: I'm not good at spray painting. Yeah. I don't know how it can be so difficult, however somehow I make it one heck of a challenge

While that was drying, I started cutting and tacking down fabric.

The seat was actually fairly easy to cover. The back, not so much. 

I finally gave in to the fact it wasn't going to be without a little bit of wrinkle. Thus, the perfectionist in me made sure the wrinkles were even.

Okay, now typing that, I sound crazy! :)

and...

TA DA!

I'm super happy with how it turned out! 

Chair - $6.99

Paint - $5.99

Fabric - $10

Ugly chairs, watch out!

Have you ever completed a chair makeover? 

Link ups I'm participating in

I {heart} Target Clearance

Every time to go to Target (or really, any retail store) my favorite places to browse are the back end stands. You know, those shelves on the back side of the shelves? :)  They always have the best clearance there.

On a recent Target adventure, I noticed a ton of white frames. I immediately was super excited! They would go perfect in my scrapbook room! However, upon looking more closely, they were scuffed up pretty bad. I stood there a moment, and then walked away.

Fast forward a couple Target stops later.

The frames were still there. $1.25 for a 4x6, and $1.49 for an 8x10! I couldn't pass it up this time. I stacked a bunch in the cart, and then made a bee line to the cleaning supplies. I picked up a box of Magic Erasers, and went home.

The erasers worked like a charm. Amazing.



I have already started filling them with photos and art! :)

Craigslist find of the week!

... and for only $5!

Crazy Day!

We are still trying to put things back together after our (well, my) scrapbook room make over! The make over actually was a mini make over for the laundry room as well, as the wall between them moved, so my mess was double in size! It also halted our washing of laundry, for several days. Now I am so far behind!

I'm hoping to have a post up this weekend about the make over. Plus some fun giveaways in celebration of the make over! Woo Hoo!

My seasonal allergies are back. yeah. I am starting to wonder if my allergies are more the norm and I have seasonal non-allergies. :-)

Don't forget to visit Wine on the Keyboard to vote for you favorite photo!

Oh, yeah... By the way, we saved $72,000 + today. Tee Hehe! yeah. Sounds crazy! Well, really we got a call from our mortgage person, he hooked us up, and Ka Zamm! We refinanced! :-) Our monthly payments are a bit less, which helps immediately, however the overall picture of saving on interest is AMAZING! Sweetness!

On a sad note, one of my bestest friends, Tink, is moving. :( I have 3 really good friends. My husband, K, and Tink. I'm quite sad, and not sure how to process it yet. I have known for some time that she would be moving, however today I found out she was offered a job and is moving earlier than expected. Additionally, she is moving out of the country. I'm worried I will never see her again...

Anyhow. More later. I just wanted to quick update! G'night!

think green

"Green" seems to be all the rage these days. I like being green! and though this kind of green is fun, it isn't quite what I'm talking about this time :-)

Saving money, and leaving minimal environmental impact whenever possible is what I have in mind. Unfortunately, these 2 thing do not always walk hand in hand. Sometimes being green costs a bit, particularly upfront. However with a little research, and diligence, in the long term, it will pay off (both in your pockets and for your planet!).

Today, I'm sharing a combined green topic, hitting in both areas of green!


Husband and I recently (well about a month or so ago), purchased a couple rain barrels. They had the upfront cost (about $99 each), however we figure they will last long enough to pay for themselves over and over. I was at first concerned they would look tacky, however now, they seem to blend in nicely.

They were fairly simple to install (though it does involve cutting your drain to attach - see black item on 2nd photo), and filled quickly with our first rain storm. Holding 57 gal. each, they last awhile, and each time it rains, I'm almost disappointed I cannot store more water!

I have been using the water for indoor and outdoor plants, minus our garden. It is easy to either take the lid off to access water, or to attach a garden hose. There is a variety of opinions out there on if one should use collected/stored rainwater for veggie gardens, however I decided if I would not drink it, I do not want it being dumped on my lettuce and strawberries! My main thing is, that I have no idea what is on my roof (seriously, think about it... dirt, bird droppings, leaves...). Anyhow, the water works greats on the plants that I do not eat.

It has been great, and I say well worth the investment. I like being able to water on "non-water" days, and saving the money and water by not using "tap".

Have you used a rain barrel? Thinking about it?
What are you doing to "think green"?

Only took a month!

I want to thank Amber, tootie, Sharla, John Deere Mom, Brittney Kaye, and daisy .... for guessing on my "What a Deal" post, all the way back from April 21! Holy cow!



I can't believe no one said... "hey, Crazy Daisy... tell us what the heck you bought for $22.99 that was originally priced at $229.99! Geez, how long does it take?"



Well, I guess it takes me just under a month. Sorry. I kept meaning to post it, however there is so much going on! And with so much going on, I have so many things i want to share, however haven't had a chance!

Okay, Okay.. anyhow, on to my awesome purchase!

Here it is...



Isn't it just grand! Not worth $229.99, however very much work $22.99!

I actually purchased 2! One for the guest room, and one for the master bedroom!

i love summer and savings!

We only have strawberries, tomato, and now lettuce coming up! I was so surprised and pleased to see this over the weekend! I can already taste fresh strewberry pie! mmmmm!




With us purchasing our home just in November, I had no idea what all flowers, plants and what not would appear. I have had my surprises of what all has sprung up! Most of the spouts have turned out to be foliage, however this one put a smile on my face!




I also try to go through coupons on Sunday. Husband and I made a quick run to Target, picked up a few groceries and between coupons and sales (and some items had both), we did super well!



I clip and save each and every coupon (well, minus a couple I send my family). Yet, I always end up with many that either I don't use because we don't use the product, or because it is just something we don't need. What do you do with your extra coupons? I hate tossing them, however really don't know what to do? I have now sorted out all my 'May' coupons and there are so many I won't be using!

What a Deal!!!

I found this amazing deal today at Kohls!!! We are still 'decorating' our new home. We are in no particular hurry, just finding things as they are on sale, or clearance...

I was so excited and it fit perfect perfectly once I got it home...

Care to guess what it is?

Freebies and Samples

Trying to save as much as we can, I have been searching out coupons, samples and such. Here are my recent finds!

$2.00 off coupon for Febreze Laundry oder eliminator
Free sample of Pantene hair product
Crest samples/coupons
$5.00 off Blue Buffalo Natural Dog food
Free sample of Quaker Oats
Free sample of Total cereal
Free sample Fruit and Nut granola bar
Free coupon for Quiznos!
Free Coupon for Kashi frozen Entree
Cheerios Coupons
Free Walmart Samples

Have you found any cool deals lately?

Another random update

How was your holiday? Ready for the New Year?


We have had a lot going on, with the holiday, still unpacking from our move, work, Dakota... plus Husband and I have teamed up and been working on a little bloggy surprise... life is busy!


Husband and I traveled to South Dakota to visit family. We had an adventurous time, especially with puppy Dakota. He decided the comfy back seat with his pillow and blanket wasn't good enough. He instead sat between us nearly all the way home. The last hour, he crawled in the back and seemed quiet. Needless to say, he ate our Nibs.



On the way back, during one of our puppy stops, Dakota found a good pile of snow, ran up it, lay on his back, and slid down the hill with his feet in the air. Over and Over. It was hilarious!



Husband and I exchanged gifts after Christmas once back home. He couldn't have done better. First, I opened this:






Then, my handbag weakness was fed with this beauty:






Even Dakota got me something:







We also hit up the local stores trying to find after holiday deals. Michaels and Target were the best. I got these for 60 cents each at Michaels.





This ribbon was also only $1.00 each! Amazing!






Sunday night, we grabbed takeout... Dakota LOVED it!





On Monday, the 29th...

• Dakota ate through the laptop computer cord
• Dakota chewed through a 2nd collar
• Husband and I went to Marley & Me. When we returned, Dakota had excaped from his kennel... he didn't make any messes, or tear apart anything... however after we were home for 5 minutes, he make a huge mess...
• We also attempted to take our photo next to the Christmas tree. Husband and I have taken our holiday photo next to our tree for several years as part of the holiday tradition. This year was no different. Well, almost. Many, many, MANY photos later, we still didn't have a photo with Dakota looking at the camera. The last shot somehow startled him. He ran under the tree and, well, below is the very last photo

Stay tuned for more updates!

Tuesday Updates!

Wow! My life has been crazy lately. Here is a bit of what is going on!

• I am in the process of applying to another position. It would be a super position... keeping my fingers crossed!
  
• Our apartment lease was going to be up in October. We had been planning to move out at this time, as we had figured I would have a job, or be starting one soon, and we would be able to have a new place...With this not being the case, we signed on for an additional six months. I'm sad. I really wanted a house, however I know it will come. What is six more month?
• If you were following my Twitter last week, you most likely noticed my conference planning is in full force! It is crazy and I'm overwhelmed. It is a great experience to be involved, but I'll be happy when it is over!
• I went to Office Max yesterday to pick up a couple new dry erase markers. I have been saving my ink cartridges per my discovery, and thought this was the perfect time to use them. I went to Office Max only because of the $3.00 off. Well. in order to redeem the $3. off purchase in exchange for each ink cartridge, they now require one to sign up for their 'rewards' program which now and then sends out a newsletter, in which may have a coupon for one to use with recycling ink cartridges, allowing the $3.00 off. I ended up going to Target for the markers. I need another rewards card like I need more clutter. Ugh. Now I'm torn and frustrated. I still would like to recycle the cartridges. However whether Office Max gives me a discount on my purchase or not, I wonder if they are getting money for recycling them ? (wow...did that make sense? I re-read it, and it almost made my head explode) :-)
  
• Today, I'm in the process of cleaning out our mini pantry. It seems though we have several food items, very few of the items go together to make a meal. Thus, I'm reorganizing and writing a grocery list to compliment what we already have!

Have a great day!

What would you do?

Tonight we went out with one of my husband's high school friends. He called to let us know he was in town for a conference and wanted to meet up for dinner. We enjoy when people visit. It is always nice to see family and friends while they are in town.(It is always frustrating to hear people were in town after the fact.)

When he called my husband asked if he had anywhere in mind he wanted to try. Maybe something he didn't have back home. He named a place downtown that we hadn't been to before. We knew it was a bit more expensive, but wasn't sure how much more expensive, and really couldn't then say we didn't want to go there.

We went, had a nice time, and enjoyed catching up with an old friend (and interestingly enough, this friend is married to my cousin). However, just for my husband and I, the bill was around $60.00. This didn't include the appetizer (as our friend insisted he pay for it), or the tip. We also didn't have dessert. This only only for the one plate of food we each had! It wasn't like we ordered the most expensive thing on the menu. We were actually almost as frugal as we could be without sharing something (which in hindsight may have been a good idea). Our friend's bill was nearly as much as ours, however he did pay for his meal, the appetizer and his dessert.

Now, I understand some people make more money than we do (which in his field is very likely). Additionally, some people may not be as frugal as we may be. In either case, that is fine. However, this friend plans to visit us again, bringing along his wife, and wants to return to this restaurant. Maybe they can afford this, however we cannot afford $60.00 meals. Additionally, we are not comfortable spending this amount of money on one meal, even if we could!

Don't get me wrong, we do our fair amount of spending on eating out and fun stuff. However, our splurging on dinner is usually around the $25-35 range (not $60). Plus for things that cost more, such as a concert, vacation, or other larger item, we save for it! We are not okay with relying on our credit cards.

We are by no means set financially, however are financially okay if we stick to our budget. So what do we do? Do we buck up and put it on the credit card, or basically save up for it? Or do we sheepishly admit we don't have the money and ask to go somewhere a bit cheaper? We don't want them to feel bad and pay for it for us, or "report" back to other friends of family that we aren't doing okay . Thoughts?

Frustrations and Downfalls

The list I made yesterday... well, let's just say I was not very successful in completing it. Instead I will work on it the rest of the week. I was over ambitious in planning.

(*Live blogging... my husband is pouting that I'm "ignoring him". I say, "I'm blogging, not ignoring you." Now, he is crowding me on the mini couch we have and inhibiting my typing abilities. I apologize in advance if this ends up being a mess of a story!)

Yesterday, I received a call from my accountant. She insisted that we owe $1500. in taxes! WHAT? Seriously. I know nearly zip about taxes, but I know better than that! Basically, when I started to ask questions, she didn't care to answer, making a reference to us making enough money. I'm not sure if she was saying we could afford to pay it, or what. Either way, I was insulted and ticked off (We make very little money. I'm in school full time and we pay a ridiculous amount in rent). So we are looking to figure out this mess, and for a new accountant.

I got home, and started making Potato-Veggie Frittata (which, BTW was AMAZING). As I started looking through our freezer, we are actually getting low on some stuff! Generally, we have plenty flour, rice, and such. The dry stuff. However running low on chicken, fish, sauces, etc. Remembering my goal to not buy any stuff (that I talked about here and here), I added several things to my list. We could have made it through this week. However after talking it through with my husband, we decided to go ahead and buy groceries. We had a couple Costco coupons that expire at the end of the month, and had the time to go. So, I didn't make it the entire month with out buying groceries and other stuff. However I feel good about making it a solid three weeks. Last Saturday, I walked through Target just to feed the shopping urge. I thought it had given me my fix. Guess not :-)

This morning I proceeded with my routine... Wake, not want to get up, go back to sleep, husband wakes me again, I get a drink of water, start shower... jump out of shower! With in 2 minutes of starting my shower, it went to 100% cold. NOT OKAY. I jumped out. My husband, in our 2nd bathroom had just done the same. He at least had the shampoo rinsed out. I, on the other hand, had not! We have had this issue before, however our apartment continues to insist the problem is fixed. Hum. Nope. I was almost an hour late for work. Luckily I only missed my prep time and not appointments. Our lease is up in September. Thank goodness.

So, between my frustrations and the downfall of my 'No Shopping in March" it has been an interesting start to the week. Do I dare ask what tomorrow will bring?

Going through shopping withdrawal

This no shopping thing is harder than I thought it would be. Of course I'm motivated by having a tidier (that is a funny word) apartment, and saving money, yet I am still feeling the urge to shop.

This project is forcing me to examine my need for things, and shopping. If I am just as happy with a walk through the park looking at waterfalls as going through the mall, why does my car usually end up in the parking lot of the mall?

Is't it fascinating how there is a culture of having stuff? There isn't anything in particular I want, or need. I suppose it makes me feel good to buy new things. A new toy can be fun for awhile. Yet, then it finds a home on a shelf, or in a box, and is forgotten about.

Even as I sit here on my couch and look around there is junk are treasures everywhere. This is a great time for a change. It might not be an easy 2.5 more weeks, but it is time to move beyond the notion that I need new stuff. I may just have to extend my ban on stuff. We will see...

No New Stuff!

Over the last year, my husband and I have been trying to downsize our stuff. We have stuff everywhere in our small 2 bedroom apartment . . . boxes, shelves, totes, and closets full of it. Our apartment has been overtaken.

There has been a trip to goodwill, boxes of treasures given to friends and family, and many things listed on craigslist. Though things are getting better, we have found that we not only need to rid ourselves of stuff, but shopping bags full of new goodies need to stop.

We have found some success with buying less. Yet there is always a sale here, or clearance there. We might need that someday, how can we pass up something that is only a couple dollars.

While blog surfing a couple days ago, I found an interesting blog entry about a recent Oprah show. Jessica over at Serenity wrote about the show on Freeganism. I also found Amy at Crunchy Domestic Goddess wrote a great post exploring Freeganism.Jessica made some points that really hit home for me including:

• "Do I really need more scrapbook supplies and craft stuff?"
• " Most likely my life will go on just the same if I don’t get an item I am wanting"
• “...might come in handy”, does not mean that I need to buy it"

Jessica ends her entry by promising not to buy anything she doesn't need for the Month of March.

Interesting. I think I will join in this challenge, with my own twists.

For the month of March,

• I will not purchase any new craft supplies
  
• I will not purchase any new pens, pencils, notebooks or other school supplies
• I will not purchase any groceries that are not on sale, or have a coupon for - other than milk and bread (we tend to buy food, even when we have plenty. Our stock pile is getting a little to big).
  

Well I suppose, to put it simply, I will not be buying anything, other than milk/bread, and gas for our car.

And now, I pass the challenge to you. What can you do in the month of March to improve the world you live in?

Office Max clearance and ink exchange...

I went to Office Max today in search for push pins. I found this great box of 250 colored push pins for $0.90 (reg $2.79) ! I also found a box of 20 jumbo push pins for $0.70 (reg $1.00)! In addition, they have an additional $20% off all clearance through February 2nd! With tax, I paid $1.37 for both boxes! What a deal! I was very temped by their other items on clearance, but really didn't need anything else, so I looked the other way! :)

I also noticed they have an 'Ink Exchange' program. For each used ink cartridge (only Lexmark and HP) brought in (up to 5 per purchase), they give you $3.00 off the total purchase. It seems the money can be used toward any purchase, that is same day, even clearance! I am pondering going back now...!

Long, cold day

Living in the midwest has its perks. I must say the cold is not one of them. I am all for winter sports. I enjoy skiing, sledding, and ice skating. However, there is no reason for it to be THIS cold!

I feel sluggish today. Other than the cold, I'm just tired. Left the house at 7:30 am, and didn't get home until 10 pm. I guess part of it was my own doing. I met a few friends for dinner to celebrate my birthday. It was nice, but maybe not such a good idea with so much going on this week. In addition to work, school and meetings, I just feel worn out. I think I'll save my homework until tomorrow. Most likely, this isn't a good idea, but it will have to work.

Between everything, I did some quick shopping. Shopko has basically all winter clothing on sale! I find this insane as at this moment, as it is -7 degrees, but I suppose, makes it a better deal for me! I got my husband 4 pairs of socks for $6 (reg over $6 for 2)and a fleece jacket for $15 (reg $50).

I am thinking with my photo 360 challenge, I'll make a separate photo blog, or something. Then I don't have to upload my photos each night. Instead I'll do a once per week upload. Look for that this weekend!