This is just an example…you can add more expensive items, less expensive items, use paper products, mix and match….have fun, set the mood, and make your guests feel comfortable. Use what you have, add what you need and celebrate life!
Inexpensive Easter Basket Ideas – From the Thrift Stores
This year I decided to see if I could make our grandchildren’s Easter baskets from the thrift stores or at least get the bulk of the items from there. I went to Goodwill and here’s what I came up with:
Fun & Delicious NCAA National Championship Snacks
I will be on FOX21 Living Local this morning during the 9:00 hour with some fun and delicious recipes perfect for the NCAA National Championship tonight. These are all super simple to make and budget friendly. Plus I’ve included some cute ideas for serving snacks. In the south, eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s […]
Homemade Lemon Ice Cream – SO Refreshing & No Ice Cream Maker Required
I love the taste of homemade ice cream but I haven’t owned an ice cream maker in years and haven’t felt inclined to buy one. Because we don’t eat ice cream that often, I haven’t wanted to spend the money on a new ice cream maker and then there’s the issue of storing it. Over […]
Memorial Day Table Decor Ideas…..(Casual but “Grown Up”)
This is our last post on table setting ideas for Memorial Day (at least for this year!) This table decor uses real dishes, wine glasses, silverware and linens. Nothing disposable in this one!
Throw An Inexpensive But Fabulous Baby Shower!
Hopefully this will give you some ideas for a party or shower you might be hosting in the future. Using what you already have in a different way (like the football dish), and picking up paper products and little decorations from a dollar store can really help you save money.
Oven Baked Pickles (And More Recipes) For Super Bowl Snacking…
I could eat fried pickles until I burst, if they are GOOD fried pickles that is, cause I’ve had some bad ones that are greasy, soggy and/or not properly seasoned. But I really don’t like frying food in my kitchen because the odor bothers me and plus, well, we all know frying isn’t that healthy, though […]
Last-Minute Fun Holiday Place Settings…
I personally like making place settings for our holiday dinners so everyone can be seated quickly and there’s no confusion over who sits where. Place settings can be as easy as a simple candy cane with a name tag tied around it or a pretty ornament with your guest’s name written across it or again, […]
Fun & Delicious Holiday Cocktails…As Good As Dessert! (And 2 Affordable Red Wine Picks)
Though I haven’t tried any of these cocktails personally…they all look delicious and would make for a nice addition to holiday get-togethers. You don’t have to have an entire bar set up with hundreds of choices when hosting a dinner. One “signature” drink for cocktails is just fine. Here’s 17 recipes for something a little different […]
Dollar Stores….Consumer Reports
I’ve read a lot of articles that talk about how junky and poorly made items are that you can pick up at dollar stores and while I agree that you have to double-check expiration dates (like I do even at the grocery store) and that toys can easily break (just like at any other store), for the most part, I enjoy shopping there and find great buys.
Discover (Or Rediscover) Colorado Springs
Hope you get the book, have some fun exploring and get out of the house….take time to enjoy life, even if you’re on a budget!
A Beautiful Summer Brunch – A Few Budget-Friendly Tips, Ideas, & Delicious Recipes
Entertaining really can be fun and stress-free, where not only are your guests enjoying themselves but you actually are too. I find that when I plan ahead and keeps lists, everything seems to go smoothly. I also like to keep some aspects simple, and put more of my energy into whatever it is I really want to […]
Be A Fabulous Hostess….without spending a lot of money or time
Having guests over, whether it’s for an intimate dinner for 4, or a cocktail party for 50, it doesn’t have to be stressful, expensive or intimidating: anyone can do it with a few simple guidelines.
A Hostess Gift Basket For Under $10 And An Outfit For Under $20….From My KKTV Interview
As you probably know, I was on KKTV’s Moms Everyday on Friday, the 24th (how could you not–we plastered it everywhere!) and I took the host, Jen Lennon a hostess basket with goodies I made and found at Goodwill and the Dollar Tree…here’s the recipes I used and the items I bought that you could find at a local thrift store/dollar store….all for under $9.00….which would be the amount you’d spend on a bottle of wine (or more) or a bouquet of flowers.
Celebrate Life Now
“Special Occasions” When I was a little girl about the age of eight, I read a particular advice column article that has stuck with me to this day. The letter was written by an adult granddaughter who was cleaning out her grandmother’s house after her death. She found drawers full of beautiful linen tablecloths and […]
Host A Hot Dog/Ice Cream Bar….Easy & Inexpensive..And A Hungry Bear!
I recently read an article about Nora Ephron (she wrote, among many screenplays, When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, Julie & Julia). A lot of the quotes I read from her friends talked about the fun parties she threw. And one particular party was mentioned most…when she threw a cookout and served hot dogs with lots of different toppings. And then had to throw my own hot dog party.
Salmon En Croute
This is my all time favorite “go to” recipe for when we have company over or I want to cook a special meal for my husband. I have been using this recipe for the last nine years but don’t know where I got it from because it’s copied on a piece of notebook paper. It’s elegant looking, super easy to make, fairly inexpensive (depending on salmon prices) and delicious!
Set A Patriotic Buffet Snack Table……And Make Dessert for Around $3.00
So now when we have a big group over, I make cupcakes….easy, inexpensive and fairly quick. And anyone can make them….whether you mix your own batter or buy it in a box. You can whip up your own frosting for next to nothing or buy it in a can.
Set A Festive Table….Inexpensive & Easy Napkin Ring Ideas
I think napkin rings just add an extra touch to any holiday (or everyday) table. It’s been a long time since I’ve bought any new ones though because they can be expensive. Now I either buy them at garage sales, thrift stores or make my own. Here’s some quick, easy and very inexpensive ideas…from spooky to festive…..and most of these can also be sent home with your guests or used in other ways around the house. Love double-duty items!
Two Easy Yet Elegant Appetizers…And Fairly Inexpensive
The first appetizer I decided on is something I make every summer. It’s super quick, easy to prepare and can be presented in many different ways. For my second appetizer I wanted to do something a little fancier, using shrimp (that was on sale).