Monthly Archives:

March 2015

DIY Fossilized Eggs!

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Calling all parents! As Easter is soon upon us, and so many stores are currently promoting deals on eggs,  today’s Tutorial Tuesday Post is all about the egg!  Here is my DIY Fossilized Egg Tutorial. Here’s how to make them:

Materials:

  • 1 dozen large eggs
  • Several packets of Kool Aid.

Here’s how to make them:

  1. Hard boiling eggs, for 10 minutes,
  2. Remove the eggs from heat, when they have began to show signs that the egg shells are cracking; 8-12 minutes for a complete crack to come over each egg.
  3. Then pour a mixture of one packet Kool Aid, mixed with 1 cup warm water, then pour the mixture over the eggs!
  4. Let your eggs soak for 10 minutes, then carefully remove the egg shells, and voila fossilized eggs!

These eggs make create awesome breakfast items for Easter morning, and are always a favorite in my home!

Here’s to Easter!

misty1

DIY Grapefruit Counter Top Cleaner!

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Good morning, savvy savers! Happy New Year! So this past week at my home, albeit low-key, have been jammed packed with DIY projects and freezer cooking sessions! With all that cooking, comes a whole lot of cleaning, and for me that means whipping out my commercial for keeping my counter tops cleaned, Method Grapefruit Spray! That spray rocks!

As much as I love the cleaner, I am also looking to further cut my bankbook strings in 2015, so I decided to try a DIY version this year! With that said, for the past few days I have been using apps savings from Snap by Groupon, to save on Scarlet Grapefruits at my local Sam’s Club (shopping scenarios to come in the next few days), and instead of composting the Grapefruit peels, I started the first steps to making Homemade Grapefruit Counter top Cleaner!

With the outrageous cost of commercial glass cleaners, I created an organic, non-toxic, child and pet-safe all purpose cleaner which can be for under $5.00 for a years worth of cleaner! As the average cost of a bottle of store-bought orange cleaner is 3.89, and I use a bottle of spray a month, that’s a savings of $48.68 a year! Here’s how to make this!

 Ingredients:

  • 1 Clean, dried mason jar
  • The peels of 3 grapefruits
  • 2 Cups Distilled, white vinegar
  • 10 drops Essential Grapefruit Oil
  • 1 Empty Bottle
  • 1 Funnel
  • 1 Plastic Bowl
  • 1 Sifter

Instructions:

  1. Obtain a clean mason jar, and fill it with 16 ounces, 2 cups, of distilled white vinegar.
  2. Place the peel of three grapefruits in the mason jar with the vinegar.
  3. Add the 10 drops of essential oil to the top of the jar.
  4. Secure the cap and ring on the mason jar.
  5. Store the jar in a cool, dry place for 14 days; I have stored the jars in both my pantry and garage without issues.
  6. On the 15th day, open the jar and strain the contents into a sifter, over a plastic bowl.
  7. Return the solution to the mason jar with a funnel; label your jar as cleaning concentrate.
  8. Open a spray bottle and add 1/4 cup of the solution, 2 ounces, to 5 cups water.
  9. Seal the bottle and shake gently.
  10. Use in conjunction with newspaper to clean most glass surfaces, including counters.

This is an awesome cleaner! I hope you will think so, too!

Enjoy the clean!

misty1

1 Comment

Easter Candy Cones!

Chandler Brisson

Hello again, savvy savers! With Easter quickly upon us, today I wanted to share with you all my Easter Candy Cone! This project is super simple, made up of stockpile and gift closet staples, purchased at the end of the last Easter Season, stashed in my stockpile. Check it out!

For this project I used the following materials:

  • An Easter basket; on hand.
  • Edible Easter Basket Filler; $0.10 for 20 ounces; purchased at Dollar General after Easter 2014.
  • Easter Candy Bags, $0.10 for 40; purchased at Dollar General after Easter 2014.
  • Easter Candy Carrots, $0.10 for 40; purchased at Dollar General after Easter 2014.
  • Easter Candy Pops, $0.10 for 12; purchased  two packs at Dollar General after Easter 2014.
  • Easter Salt Water Taffy, $0.10 for 40; purchased at Dollar General after Easter 2014.
  • Easter Ribbon Spool, $0.10 for 20 feet; purchased at Dollar General after Easter 2014.
  • Ice Cream Cones; $0.60, using Coupons.com Coupon at the Dollar Tree. 
  • Twist Ties; came with treat bags.
  • Clear packaging tape, on hand.

Total Cost: $1.30 for 24 cones! 

I just love how simple, clean, and inexpensive this project was. I simply take ice cream comes, filled with edible basket filler grass, and added Easter treats, are individually wrapped, and placed vertically, by the dozen, for the upcoming Easter Season! Each cone is secured by twist ties that came with each back of treat bags, and any gaps in the cones can be secured with clear packaging tape, if needed. The treats can last for some time, so I am making several baskets for neighbors, church, and school for the family! This project is one of my favorites this time of year! 

So, seriously guys, how fun did this turn out?  Again, super simple! 

Here’s to creating on a budget,

 

 misty1

5 Comments

Spring Gardening To Lose Weight!

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Hello again, savvy savers! Today I am starting another new blog series, Battle Of The Bulge, Budget-Style! I will be focusing on ways to live a healthier, more active lifestyle while be able to afford clean, organic, obtainable foods! I believe this series can be worthwhile for many, who like myself, wish to get more in shape, not through crash-dieting but by small attainable lifestyle changes!  

All of the changes I propose will be free or affordable, and most meals and plans will contain couponed savings or deals! Fads are fancy, but coupons are a commitment! With that said, here is where I am currently: I have a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. I am looking to lose 60lbs., find affordable non-gym membership options for working out, and change the way I consume food; this includes meals, snacks, and splurges!

Today I am 32years young, I am 5’6”, and weigh 187 lbs; I am down one pound since last week. I walk my dogs but beyond this am not terribly active. My lifestyle causes sedentary behaviors; I work-from-home, blog, run two internet businesses, and perform advocacy work online as well. I am an internet-based excuser! Today this changes! Spring has sprung, and so shall I! I have taken up yoga, and have started working out with a pedometer on as well!

For my 8th post, I wanted to discuss a new measure I have implemented to help in my healthier lifestyle choice, gardening! Did you know that according to the American Heart Association, gardening 1 hour daily will burn up to 400 calories, and considering that the average weekend project tales 4-6 hours, and that maintaining your yard weekly, in warmer weather, will take nearly 1 hour a day, you would, on average burn upwards of 2,400 calories a week! An entire days worth of calories! This is a staggering number! For me, I make sure to water the plants, lawn, and mow as often as I can, as its no longer a chore for me, but an exercise! I love that performing tasks for  hobby can lead to better health!

How awesome is that? For a small, simpler routine,  here is my suggested, and used, gardening workout routine:

  • Pull weeds in 1 flower bed for 10 minutes
  • Rake mulch back into place in all beds, as needed, for 10 minutes
  • Fertilize roses, bushes, and low-lying shrubs for 10 minutes
  • Manually edge 30 feet of driveway, sidewalk, or straight-edged areas, 20 minutes
  • Water front flowers beds, 10 minutes

Also, adding the additional several hours per week that will be consumed by raking, gathering, and bagging Autumnal leaves, will help you lose an additional 150 calories, per two hour session! 

So, by my routine, all of which I can accomplish before 8 am, or after 6 pm, and will burn 400 calories! No gym membership or lawn service needed! This is an awesome way to put on a few podcasts, listen to a cd, or just have some time to yourself, and your yard, for nothing more than time! I also keep my Shih-Tzu, Sassy with me while gardening to lose weight; I have metal screw-into-the-yard hooks in various places in my yard, which I leash and harness Sassy to, and move her from area to area; so I can bond with my fuzzy-love, lose weight, and clean my yard at the same time!  This is one of my favorite ways to burn extra calories, while creating a more serene home for my family and myself!

Also, if you are looking for other ways to save money, lose weight, and maintain your yard, beds, and landscaping, be sure to check out my frugal garden tips, here! 

Here’s to the Journey!

niki

Edible Easter Baskets! #SCBH2015

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Good morning, savvy savers! Spring has sprung, as have the myriad of Easter-themed projects around the net, and The Lady Prefers To Save is no exception! Today, I wanted to share my Edible Easter Basket Project as part of the #SCBH2015 !

For this project you will need:

  • 4 Theater Boxes of Candy
  • 1 8″ Square of Cardboard
  • 1 Pack of Tubed Easter Candy, for Handles
  • Recycled Paper Shreds or Edible Paper Shreds

To make this project:

  1. For this project I simple hot glued four theater candy boxes together.
  2. Next, hot glue a small square of cardboard beneath the basket for stability.
  3. I then used tubed Easter candy for handles.
  4. The basket is filled with Dollar Tree goodies, and filled with recycled paper shreds!

And that’s it, voila! I was able to make this basket for $4.00! This basket would make a great addition for young children, neighbors, friends, family, teacher, and co-workers! The customization options for this basket is endless. 

Here’s to crafting!

misty1

 

 

Spring Craft Blog Hop

Welcome to the third in a four-part spring craft blog hop challenge for the spring season! This hop will run from March 18th – May 25th and will be the longest and biggest of the hops. We’re challenging you to create a craft project that reflects Easter, recycled crafts, Earth Day, Mother’s Day, Teacher’s Day, May Day, Cinco De Mayo or a General Spring theme.

Please join us in this challenge and link-up your crafty creation at the bottom of this post and have it shared on 19 blogs!

Meet all 19 hosts!

Each host will be sharing their own craft to kick off the Spring Craft Blog Hop challenge, so make you visit each host to see their fabulous creations!

*Please follow your hosts on at least one or more social media platforms of your choice. Let us know you’re following from #SCBH2015*

Spring Craft Blog Hop 3 Line 2

Spring Craft Blog Hop Line 3

Spring Craft Blog Hop 3 Line 4

Grab a button and help us spread the word!

My Pinterventures

Spring Craft Blog Hop 3 – Easter, Mother’s Day, Teacher’s Day, Earth Day, Cinco De Mayo, May Day, recycled crafts, or a General Spring theme

RULES

  1. Link-up your craft or DIY tutorial that fit the themes of the Spring Craft Blog Hop. Links that do not fit the themes will be deleted.
  2. DO NOT link-up food or recipes.
  3. DO NOT link-up round-ups unless all the craft posts are yours.
  4. DO NOT link-up Etsy items or things for sale
  5. Link directly to your post and not your blog.

Show us what you’ve created and be seen on 19 blogs!

If you would like to help host the next Spring Blog Hop 4- Sign-up HERE

[Tweet “Join the Spring Craft Blog Hop! Share your craft on 19 blogs! #SCBH2015”]

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Wednesday Ways To Save: Free Budgeting App From Dave Ramsey!

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Dave Ramsey Budgeting Software

Hello again, savvy savers! Happy Humpday! For this weeks Wednesday Ways To Save, I want to share with you an exciting new budgeting freebie available to you all, the new Dave Ramsey launched a brand-new budgeting software and app this week called EveryDollar; the new basic version is free. The EveryDollar iPhone app makes it easy for you to track transactions on the go or even check your budget at the grocery store—you know, just to see if there’s room for an extra box of cookies.

iPhone App Features:

  • Update your budget quickly. Any time. Any place.
  • Know how you’re doing with your money at a glance.
  • Track new transactions on the go.

Sign up for the free EveryDollar Budget Software and App here.

Here’s to saving,

misty1

Easter Porch Reveal! #SCBH2015

Spring Craft Blog Hop

Welcome to the third in a four-part spring craft blog hop challenge for the spring season! This hop will run from March 18th – May 25th and will be the longest and biggest of the hops. We’re challenging you to create a craft project that reflects Easter, recycled crafts, Earth Day, Mother’s Day, Teacher’s Day, May Day, Cinco De Mayo or a General Spring theme.

Please join us in this challenge and link-up your crafty creation at the bottom of this post and have it shared on 19 blogs!

Meet all 19 hosts!

Each host will be sharing their own craft to kick off the Spring Craft Blog Hop challenge, so make you visit each host to see their fabulous creations!

*Please follow your hosts on at least one or more social media platforms of your choice. Let us know you’re following from #SCBH2015*

Spring Craft Blog Hop 3 Line 2

Spring Craft Blog Hop Line 3

Spring Craft Blog Hop 3 Line 4

Grab a button and help us spread the word!

My Pinterventures

NOW OPEN 

Hello again, savvy savers! I am so excited to share with all you my Easter Porch Reveal! One of my favorite parts of our home is the fun porch, and I have been more than excited to decorate it seasonally!  So, when I was asked to be apart of the Spring Craft Blog Hop, I totally jumped all over it!  My theme was wandering, as I think Spring is the perfect time of year for a long, explorative walk in a meadow, field, or in the country to see all of nature blooming with new life!

easter porch reveal

The porch centers around a small, rustic school chair found the side of the road in my neighborhood, and with the help of a can of Kelley Green spray paint, I had a new porch stand!  Please note, I didn’t bother making sure I got perfect coverage on either coats, because I knew I was going to do some sanding and wanted a lot of layers to show through. To finish it I sprayed it with a Polyurethane to finish up my colored layers. And, although the chair was cute by itself, I knew I wanted to use several new finds I picked up after the holidays in town to use in conjunction with a with a basket, a few lanterns, banners, and themed stuffed animals I had on hand to finish the look. 

For this project I used the following materials:

  • 1 Rattan Wreath Forms; on hand.
  • 2 Wreath Stands; on hand.
  • 2 Bunny Hangers; on hand.
  • 1 Easter Egg Holder; on hand.
  • 6 dozen plastic Easter eggs; on hand. 
  • Antique Watering Can; on hand. 
  • 2 Spring Ceramic Lanterns; on hand.
  • Burlap Ribbon; on hand.
  • Vintage 1990 Crayola Bunny; gift from my husband. 
  • 2 Spring banners; on hand.
  • 2 Stuffed rabbits; gift from my husband. 
  • Hot Glue Sticks; on hand.
  • Chair; on hand.
  • Hanging Shamrock Mobiles; gift from my husband.
  • Stuffed Scentsy Duck; on hand.
  • Hanging Sign; on hand; I created a duplicate sign I saw in town with items in my craft room for my home office.
  • Rattan Swag; on hand. 
  • Black ribbon; on hand. 

Total Cost: Free!

I just love how simple, clean, and inexpensive this project was. What’s better than free, no? With the cleaner lines, empty spaces spring holidays give us, its almost a breath of fresh air! What really speaks to me is the “Wandering sign and wreath on my front door, duplicates I copycatted from something I saw in-town, with items around the house for free! The sign fits right into this porch-scape, too! I also love the vintage, 1990 Crayola bunny my husband found for me on eBay; this was a replacement for one I received on my 7th Easter, which even still has it’s hang-tag and original, wrapped trio of crayons, and I treasure it! The design, effort, and concept was an simple as it comes! 

So, seriously guys, how fun did this turn out?  I am so beyond happy with it! I am so happy with how my porch turned out!  

Here’s to creating on a budget,

misty1

Spring Craft Blog Hop 3 – Easter, Mother’s Day, Teacher’s Day, Earth Day, Cinco De Mayo, May Day, recycled crafts, or a General Spring theme

RULES

  1. Link-up your craft or DIY tutorial that fit the themes of the Spring Craft Blog Hop. Links that do not fit the themes will be deleted.
  2. DO NOT link-up food or recipes.
  3. DO NOT link-up round-ups unless all the craft posts are yours.
  4. DO NOT link-up Etsy items or things for sale
  5. Link directly to your post and not your blog.

Show us what you’ve created and be seen on 19 blogs!

If you would like to help host the next Spring Blog Hop 4- Sign-up HERE

[Tweet “Join the Spring Craft Blog Hop! Share your craft on 19 blogs! #SCBH2015”]

9 Comments