The Mighty Futon

All-Purpose Disinfectant

Here is a great recipe for a disinfectant spray that can be used for anything from cutting boards to toilets.

2 c. water

2 or 3 drops natural soap

12-15 drops of tea tree essential oil

12-15 drops of lavender essential oil

Mix the ingredients in a bottle and spray away!

Inexpensive Picture Wall

I am in love with this picture wall.  I actually showed my mother one similar to this one and said, “Someday I will have that in my house!”  Well, my three kids are there, my family is there, my idea is there, but that  is NOT my wall.  The beauty about my mom is that she actually follows through with the ideas she gets.  Me. . .Not-so-much. 

I wanted to post this, not only because it looks so darn fabulous, but also because it is a really inexpensive way to fill up a blank wall. 

The frames are available at IKEA for only $2.99 for a set of 2 9×9 frames.  

Then, all you have to do is  print some pictures that you love.  I sent these to Costco.  Since the frames were 9×9, and they didn’t print 9×9 photos, I simply put a 3 inch border around the picture and had them printed 12×12 then cut the border off.  The prints were only $2.99 as well. 

I really LOVE this idea, and I can’t wait to get one up in my own house, that is if I ever follow through:)

Sew Cheap!

I made this skirt for my little girl for less than $0.75!  For a full tutorial on how to make one of your own, click here!

Happy New Years!

I just wanted to wish everybody a happy and safe holiday!  I know this is a bit last minute, but if you’re a procrastinator like I tend to be, check out this great article for ways to throw an inexpensive New Year’s Eve party!

Inexpensive Home Fragrance

Here is a great way to keep your home smelling delicious during the holidays!

Directions

• Bring a saucepan full of water to a boil, then add the ingredients from a recipe of your choice.  Bring the water and ingredients to a boil, maintain the boil for a few minutes then turn down the heat and simmer all day.  Just be sure to add water as needed. 
• Caution: Set your timer for 30 minutes so you remember to top up with water. You don’t want the pot burning dry. Do not leave the house with this left heating on the stove.

Recipe 1- Christmas Potpourri Simmering Pot

3 sprigs evergreen or handful pine needles
2 cinnamon sticks
2 TBS whole cloves
2 bay leaves
2 pieces orange rind
2 pieces lemon rind

Recipe 2-

Cinnamon sticks
Apple peels
Orange rinds
Whole cloves

Recipe 3-

Peel from 1 lemon
Peel from 1 orange
2 bay leaves
3 cinnamon sticks
2 TBS whole cloves

Recipe 4-

Apple juice
Cinnamon sticks
Whole cloves

Recipe 5-

Whole cloves
1 tsp nutmeg

Recipe 6-

5 to 6 cinnamon sticks, broken
1 tbsp. lemon peel
1 tbsp. orange peel
1/2 c. whole cloves
1 tbsp. nutmeg
1/4 c. whole allspice
1 tbsp. bay leaf pieces
2 slices dried apples, optional

Recipe 7-

Peel from a whole orange
Whole cloves
2 Cinnamon sticks

Recipe 8-

Recipe 9-

6 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp vanilla

Recipe 10-

2 sticks cinnamon
Peel from one lemon
Fresh rosemary
Whole cloves

Adorable Post-it Note Holders

Look at how ADORABLE these custome post-it note holders are!  I absolutely love this idea becaue it is inexpensive, practical, and SO cute!  Check out the full tutorial at sistersstuff.blogspot.com, and if this isn’t enough, make sure to check out Whitney’s cute cookie mix neighbor gift idea.

Pottery Barn Inspired Wreath

I know, I know, how GEOURGOUS right?  Well, if you have an extra $80 buckaroos to smack down at the Pottery Barn, this little beauty can be all yours! 

Yeah, me neither!

Well, another alternative I found is this STUNNING d.i.y. version. 

Head over to Made with Love and Glue to see the tutorial.  She managed to make hers for a budget friendly $4.00!!  I would TOTALLY spend that to have something so fabulous hanging on my front door!

Oh, and a side note.  I know I have already posted about  the gifts in a jar, but I found this cute idea to go along the same lines:

Click HERE to see the full story!

Giving Thanks

First of all, I want to say Happy Thanksgiving, and I hope that you save bundles of money this weekend on all of your Christmas wants and needs.  Second of all, I wanted to share a few thoughts about Thanksgiving :

Is it just me, or does it seem like this year the Christmas decorations began popping up BEFORE Halloween was even over?  The commercialism of the Christmas season seems to be overpowering many beautiful things about the Holidays, including Thanksgiving.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the Christmas season, but I think it’s a little bit sad that we skip over the one holiday that is dedicated to being mindful of the things we have to be thankful for.

I believe that celebrating Thanksgiving as a time of reflection and maybe even soul searching about the things we are truly thankful for, is vital.

I am willing to bet that for one reason or another, this year has been  hard for many people.  I know it’s been hard for us at times.  But I have found that it is during the hard times that being thankful is the most important.

I am thankful for having to tighten our belts a bit when it comes to spending.  That has helped me learn the value of hard work, and more importantly, it has shown me what things are really important.  Most of the time the things that are important aren’t things.

I am thankful that my husband has been working long hours to provide for our family.  That has helped me realize how much I love to have him around, and what a valiant man he is.

Finally, I am thankful that my kids argue, while politeness is a virtue, I am so glad that they are passionate people.  When channeled in the right avenues, I know that will take them far.

I’m thankful for the noise that accompanies that passion because it reminds me that my hous isn’t empty and I’m not alone.

So, I would like to encourage youto think about the things that might be making your life difficult, then think about how you can learn to be grateful for them.  It may just change your life.

Money Saving Solutions

I know that by now most everybody has heard about “Black Friday.”  The day after Thanksgiving when people brave the cold to stand in line for hours in the wee hours of the morning in order to get elbowed, stepped on, and sworn at.   Why on earth would they do such a thing?  Money, Money, Money.  Shoppers everywhere save loads of money by heading out early in the morning on Black Friday to get their Christmas shopping done.  Crazy?  Yes.  Worth it?  Perhaps.

But have you ever heard of Cyber Monday?  Cyber Monday is the following Monday, and traditionally that is the day that many online retailers slash their prices, offering great savings.

One company, which only occasionally has sales is The Diaper Bag Diva.  Sources say that their popular JP Lizzy line of diaper bags will be dramatically reduced which could make for a great Christmas present.

Or, you could try, The Diaper Bag Center  which offers a ton of great ideas for baby gifts.  Perfect for the expectant mother, or little baby on your shopping list.

Be on the lookout for bargains!