Cheap Chic: Vases

photo courtesy twotwentyeight.org

Spring has sprung and that means flowers! And where there are flowers lurking, there is sure to be a vase that you yanked out from under the kitchen sink or off of a dusty shelf in the basement. Usually the flowers themselves are gorgeous enough to be the focal point, but what about after they’ve wilted and joined the leftover spaghetti and toast shards in the trash?

Clear vases are one of the cheapest, easiest, mosteye-popping solutions to a bland surface. And you don’t even need fresh-cut flowers to steal the show. Simply grab a vase (or seven) from a local craft store (Hobby Lobby has vases in all shapes and sizes starting at $1.99 each), fill with your favorite ingredient, and unleash the power of spring! Finish off your creation with a ribbon, and hey presto – beauty on the bathroom sink, kitchen island, or coffee table. Please share your ideas. Enjoy! -SMD

Great vase fillers:

1. Coffee beans (a perfect perk in the morning)
2. Sand
3. Candy (think vibrant – lollipops or gumdrops, etc.)
4. Shells
5. Pasta pieces (unbaked!)
6. Rice (mix-and-match colors)
7. Stones
8. Marbles
9. Tinted water (add a few drops of food coloring in any shade)
10. Ornaments (in springy colors, of course!)

More time-wasting treasures online!

image courtesy Bella Yarns

Because of my newfound love for all things yarn, I went out and scoured the masses for sites on stitches. Everything from how-to’s to where to buy online if you are unable or unwilling to suffer through learning. Which is the boat I am in right now. Enjoy! -SMD

For the Do-it-Herselfer:
~The Purl Bee (how to knit)
~Lion Brand Yarn (how to do all sorts of things with yarn)
~ Craftbits.com (a catch-all craft site)

For the “Where Do I Buy It” lady:
~BellaYarns
~pdxbeanies (gorgeous headwear for babies on up)
~Sunshine Grove Farms

Nesting. I don’t know why.

photo courtesy flickr

Don’t ask me why (seriously, it’s embarrassing), but I have lately taken to the idea of abandoning sun, surf, and sand dreams for hearth, home, and…chickens. I spent last weekend pouring over a book on starting a home in the country. It was 950 pages.

Bottom line: why should you care? Because of this recent fixation, I have also taken to hunting down blogs that are basically an ode to the homestead lifestyle. So for those of you who enjoy wasting time trying to find your new favorite place to waste time…you’re welcome. -SMD

Chickens in the Road

Farmgirl Fare (LOTS of adorable, fuzzy lamb shots)

Sarah’s Homestead Blog (not me)

Carpe Diem Acreage (bonus points for a bamf name)

Fast Grow the Weeds

Tiny Farm Blog

Throwback at Trapper Creek

Walden Effect

Cheap Chic with Buttons

image courtesy design*sponge

Now, I know that you have spare buttons laying around. Everything these days comes stocked with a spare envelope of buttons – from Forever 21 to D&G. So when I found this perfectly priced (free, I mean) way to furnish your home with buttons and other round-the-house notions, I jumped. Check out this super-cool DIY from design*sponge! Enjoy! -SMD

I’m a Real Girl! (Sometimes)

Apparently I have some sort of a nesting virus. It all began back in November, when I requested a sewing machine for Christmas and my mother has a small heart attack. Next, I entered my pillows into a holiday craft show and actually sold a few! Now, my fiancé’s mother is teaching me to crochet. My first project is a beautiful, (unintentionally) crooked dishcloth.

I don’t know if you like to sew, stitch, knit, or involve yourself with thread in any capacity, but if you do – check out my favorite site for  the scoop on yarn: The Purl Bee. Enjoy! -SMD

Step One: Crooked dish-cloth pattern

Up-and-Coming #3: Fabrication

O Canada cuff links from etsy's Fabrication

I love, love, love accessories. My favorites tend to revolve around big, chunky rings. My friends used to tell me my hands looked like I robbed a pirate. Arrgh. That’s why I love the newest edition to our “Up-and-Coming” series. Meet Eve, from New Brunswick, Canada, here. Happy reading! -SMD

Detox Therapy

Siiigh...the joy of cleaning!

As I’m sure other soon-to-be-brides will agree (and former brides, future brides, and never-want-to-be-brides), winter is the best time to hop off of the healthy train and simmer on the couch indefinitely. My weeks are never the same, so eating healthy feels like a pointless game sometimes. I usually lose.

BUT!

Being the internet magpie that I am, I stumbled upon Martha Stewart’s Whole Life Action Plan. The plan provides four weeks of recipes, workouts, and goals to help slowly step into a stronger, healthier you. The first week follows a great detox program, and I lost six pounds within the first two weeks. Even if you can’t follow the entire routine, the Plan offers a great jump boost of help.

Did I cheat? Yes. It advises no coffee. Sorry, Martha.

Etsy Up-and-Coming Series: #1

I am in love with etsy. Not a surprise. As a fan, newfound etsy seller, and a writer, I wanted to dig a little deeper into the stories of current sellers. So I present my “Up and Coming” series! Each article will present a new online seller and tips from them on how to succeed in the online business world. Plus, I promise lots of luscious images from their shop! Enjoy!

Vintage chic @ funretro!

Check out my interview with funretro owner, Natalie, here:

And Wedding Season Begins…Now.

Folklore Invitation

I am getting married in 105 days! Planning my wedding with my fiance is wonderful, but I also love helping others prepare for their big day on a budget. That’s why I’ve added a design element to my etsy shoppe. I’ve begun using my freelance design experience to help create wedding invites, rsvp cards, save-the-dates, and other fun paper goods. Just another way to be budget-savvy!

Print It Invitation

Do You Derby?

All about the quads

As a freelance writer, I get the opportunity to tell some amazing stories and be extremely jealous of some amazing, adventuresome lives. One such life is that of the derby girl, who I recently covered for an issue of Roller Skating Business Magazine.

With the recent “Whip It” craze from Drew Barrymore, I thought it would be fun to revisit this article (posted below), and to encourage everyone to seek out a local bout. Monstrous good times ensue at derby bouts, and they are cheaply priced fun for the whole clan. Check out the WFTDA’s site to find a derby team in your area.

Read my article, here: LEDE_32-41_lo res