Category Archives: Frugal Finds

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Feathered Nest, Frugal Finds

Sunset Strip

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Time to get out the plastic crate from the garage. The one with the orange and black stuff in it!

It’s under the Spring/Easter one, so I have yet to go out there and move a few things around and dig it out.

I did, however, make another paint chip bunting for the month of October.

{do you ever choose paint, lipstick or nail polish for the name of the color? I do…one of the oranges on these cards was [sunset strip] so I picked that one over another one with not so [hollywood] names}

These are the easiest things to make. I’m addicted.

Just hung the blue and green one from my mom’s birthday brunch in the laundry room and it makes the chore a little more enjoyable.

So, run to Home Depot this weekend and pick up some paint chips and make one. Or have your husband pick some up for you…men seem to go to HD a lot.

They add an instant festive touch to any room. I hung ours above the couch in our great room and it’s the first thing you see when you come in the front door.

Now to venture out into the garage and get the rest of the ghosts, goblins and witches!

Have a fabulous weekend, friends.

Fashion, Frugal Finds

Small Fry Gets Some Skinnys

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While browsing through the racks at TJMaxx last week, I came across some Hurley skinny jeans in size 3T for $7 a pair.

I didn’t have Holden with me, but figured they’d fit since he’s itty bitty…

See, he loves them!

I don’t think skinnys are OK for just anyone…in fact you will probably NEVER {ever} see me in a pair. Not even in my dreams am I wearing skinny jeans. Not because I don’t like them, I am just….well, not skinny. And if I ever DO get skinny enough to wear them, they will be long out of style!

But I LOVE my kids in them.

I think they look adorable on him. I had to convince him that they were cool, though.

“They’re skater pants!”

“Snowboarders wear these pants!”

I think it worked.

*****

Graphic tee ~ The Children’s Place for $3

Hurley skinny jeans ~ TJ Maxx

Zapatos ~ Crazy 8

Back Pack ~ Dante Beatrix from Nordstrom {hand-me-down from Elliott}

Yellow VW bug ~ Hospital gift shop from Gramma {my first car was a yellow VW bug}

*****

My little small fry and I wish you a Happy Friday!

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Frugal Finds

Business Cards For Dummies

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I signed up for Blog Sugar almost 6 months ago.

You would {think} I had enough time to decide on and develop a brand identity for Flip Flop Follies in that time and have some gorgeous coordinating business cards printed…

Did you know that you can make some {sweet} “business cards” with items from Wal-mart and Target?

Pick up a few bags of mini AirHeads candies at Wal-mart.

Run to Target for a pack of Avery address labels because Wal-mart was fresh out.

Print up your name and blog info on the labels.

Slap them onto the back of the candy and call it a day!

*****

The idea was pretty well received ~ I mean who doesn’t love a little piece of candy?

I wanted to use Laffy Taffy, but the AirHeads seemed to be a big hit.

No business cards? No problem.

An inexpensive and sweet way to get {any} message out there!

*****

Still working on the Blog Sugar post ~ so, so much to sort through and share!

XOXO

Family, Fiestas & Fetes, Food, Friends, Frugal Finds, Fun

Easy Breezy Brunch

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My Mom/Gramma celebrated her 70th birthday over Labor Day weekend.

We knew all along, obviously, that we wanted to do something extra special to celebrate and toyed with the idea of a surprise party, a gathering at a fun Mexican restaurant overlooking Lake Hodges, a formal dinner party or appetizers at sunset. We decided {just 2 weeks before the party} that it would be a beachy brunch.

I sprung into action and set out to find all things turquoise, blue and green! I picked up these simple seashell notecards at Michael’s for just 75¢ a pack, quickly drafted up the inside, printed them and popped them in the mail.

The same day I found the invites, I also picked up four colored glass bottles at Ross on clearance for $2.49 each…

You can see a couple of them in the pic above ~ the other two were perched on the mantel and in the entry way. I also found a cute, beachy sign that said “Sands Of Time” that I leaned up again the bottle that greeted the guests at the front door {unfortunately no pic, but that was also just $2.49}. The turquoise branches were recycled from Elliott’s party in May.

The tablecloth was just a huge piece of burlap that I bought at Home Depot thanks to the idea from my good friend and fellow party planner, Lisa! It was less than $4 and fit the table perfectly. I liked the fact that it was rustic and wrinkled and gave the impression of sand on the beach.

I tried to keep the menu easy and delicious, of course. I chose to do a couple of the breakfast casseroles that can be prepared the night before and taken from the fridge to the oven the next morning for stress-free entertaining. I did one with sourdough, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and feta adapted from here. Then I did one with the hash browns, sausage, onions, red peppers and cheddar. {see how it comes together in the link above} They were both a huge hit. I named the menu items after San Diego beaches ~ Coronado Breakfast Casserole, Wind N Sea Breakfast Casserole, Fiesta Island Fruit Salad and Mission Beach Monkey Bread.

We sipped on champagne drinks ~ mimosas {OJ} and hibiscus {cranberry juice}

For desserts I made the cake batter blondies, picked up some mini cupcakes and a mini new york cheesecake…

I used some coordinating ribbon {75¢/roll} and made some little picks for the desserts.

It was great to see so many friends from throughout the years…

{Playing “Happy Birthday” on the maracas!}

Singing, making a wish and blowing out the candles…

*****

I really did enjoy throwing this together at the {last minute}. I did what I could here at home like make the paint chip buntings, plan the menu, make the blondies and shop for a few decorations. I made my grocery list, shopped in San Diego and knocked that out the afternoon before the party via Trader Joe’s and Albertson’s. What I love about brunch is that it is extremely affordable ~ all the groceries for about 40 people were approximately $75. I decorated and prepped the casseroles the night before so all I had to do before the party {started at 11am} was put together the fruit salad {bought pre-chopped melon and added grapes} in the glass jar, make the monkey bread and plate the desserts.

Invites, paper plates, napkins, utensils, cups and decor were about $30…everything else I already had or utilized from my mom’s already beachy house!

It was the easiest, breeziest {to-go} party and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

Mom/Gramma, we hope you enjoyed visiting with all your precious friends and neighbors. Here’s to a wonderful, fresh new year ahead for you! We love you very much and are fortunate to have you in our lives.

*****

I could never stay long enough on the shore, the tang of the untainted, fresh and free sea air was like a cool, quieting thought. ~ Hellen Keller

The sea, once it casts it’s spell, holds one in it’s net of wonder forever. ~ Jacques Cousteau

Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Fiestas & Fetes, Frugal Finds

Vision

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There are oodles of fabulous party blogs out there these days. Between these blogs and Pinterest, inspiration has no limits.

I look at some of these blogs and gush over these parties and celebrations and immediately want MY next shindig to rival what I see. I guess you could say that the pressure is there to {compete} with all these magazine worthy festivities.

Yes, I do feel the pressure, but I know that I cannot, single handedly pull off the equivalent of these parties. I have no idea what the hosts budgets are, but I know that when I do parties, I must stick to my budget regardless of what other people’s financial situations may be.

I am OK with this, of course. I would rather throw a modest celebration that is perfectly thought out, carefully planned and executed rather than nothing at all.

I remember Ina Garten mentioning on her show once that all you need is simple, cohesive decor and not a huge, over the top tablescape. That school of thought has stuck with me.

Normally I hunt for party goodies year round and stumble upon trinkets here and there when I see them on clearance or reasonably priced. However, while planning my mom’s upcoming milestone birthday celebration, I have come up with a theme and the date is less than a couple weeks away!

That puts me in panic mode.

Last night Jay got home early and I headed out after dinner to fetch invitations to get them printed and in the mail by tomorrow. I headed to Home Goods, Party City, Joann’s, Target, Pier One and Ross. NOTHING to my liking. I had several options in-hand ready to pay, but was not 100% happy with any of them. I came home empty handed and knew that I had to make my 2.5 hours of alone time this morning fruitful.

{Pinterest via}

I decided to start at Michael’s and work my way down the strip mall until I found something that matched my vision.

I immediately found darling blank seashell note cards and coordinating ribbon for half off.

Went down to Ross and scored some gorgeous pieces, also on clearance.

I now have a solidified color scheme, invitations, menu and a head start on the decor.

Simple.

Classy.

Affordable.

That’s always my {vision} and I’m stickin’ to it.

*****

Happy Thursday, all!

Family, Fashion, Friends, Frugal Finds

Countdown

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Hey Floppers ~ Happy Monday!

Have you entered the giveaway? 22 people “Like” the rosette necklace, but only 11 have entered. Hmmmm, where’s the other 50%?

C’mon now, don’t be shy! Absolutely anyone is free to enter…about 33 more hours to go.

*****

School starts in just 9 days.

Wow!

This summer has been a wonderful blend of family, friends, beach, pool, ice cream and otter pops!

{two cute shots from the weekend ~ thanks karen!}

I am ready to get back into a routine and buckle down. I adore summer, but I am more than ready for Fall!

*****

Picked up these Chucks for Holden today ~ $10 Marshall’s. Love the neutral color.

Nothing more adorable on 4.5 year old feet…..

Also counting down to a new dinner recipe this evening…I am so excited to make it and share.

Stay tuned….

Fashion, Frugal Finds

Frugal Friday ~ The $5 Fedora

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Not until recently did I become a fan of hats. I just never really thought they looked good on me. But they’ve almost become a necessary accessory {say that 3 times fast!} these days. No, it’s not everyday that I wash, blowout, flat iron my hair so often times it goes in a low, messy pony and on goes a hat. My current fave is the fedora. I picked up a little cheetah print one at Target about a year ago and I get so many compliments on it ~ the latest one being from the lifeguard {female} at the pool yesterday. Why thank you!

While I was in Wally World this morning picking up a few toiletries, I stumbled upon these that were on clearance for $5.

I was really looking for a straw one, but got sidetracked by the look and price of these {not that they were expensive to begin with. Ha!}.

I couldn’t decide on one, but for 5 bills….

They’ll definitely appear lots over the rest of the summer.

Along with the low, messy {dirty} pony.

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Frugal Finds, Fun

Check This

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I thought it’d be fun to write out our summer list, display it and check off as we go. I figured if it were at eye level in a major traffic area, we’d be reminded of all the fun things we have planned for the upcoming hot months and be more likely to check them off quicker.

I just used the 8X10 frame from Elliott’s party that I hot glued mini rosettes onto and some Crayola Window Markers…

{amazon}

We did {pancakes & pajamas} today, but by ourselves….can’t cross that one off just yet.

Better get busy!

*****

Dance is wrapping up for summer, too, and I wanted to make a little {thank you} goody for Elliott’s dance teacher.

Check this out…

{loving this simple gift idea!}

1. Recycled TJ’s root beer carrier

2. Plain brown mailing paper {99¢ store}

3. Ribbon roll {Target dollar section}

4. Crinkle Shred {Target ~ $1.99…only used a tiny bit}

5. Seattle’s Best Coffee Iced Mocha {On sale for $1.25 at Pavillions, but I had a free coupon}

6. Six aqua straws {from our personal stash} tied with twine

7. Coconut M&Ms {49¢}

8. Chewy Tropical Lemonheads mini-packs {99¢ store}

{back….not as cute as the front!}

9. Martinelli’s Sparkling Watermelon Lemonade {79¢ at the 99¢ store?!?}

10. Watermelon note cards {Target dollar section}

11. Fun summer nail polish {Dollar Tree}

12. Pink Lemonade Lip Smacker {99¢ store}

I already had a little watermelon gift card and some leftover clothespins. I just cut a strip of the brown paper and glued it around the caddy. Then, on the front, covered the edges with a little ribbon and more Elmer’s!

Super simple.

I think it turned out pretty cute for under 10 bucks…plus I now have the supplies to make many more of these cuties.

Yay…it’s Friday!

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Frugal Finds

Six Pack For Dad

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Father’s Day is a mere three days away…

I have cards that still need postage and to be dropped in the mail!

I came across this cute and simple gift idea…

Take an Izze soda or any six pack carrier and turn it into a little gift caddy! This one was for a sweet teacher gift, but I thought it’d be a fun way to present Daddy’s Day trinkets. I’ve been saving a Blue Moon carrier {for what, I didn’t know} and now I have the perfect use for it!

My Mom {AKA Gramma} mentioned getting some Dad’s Root Beer for Father’s Day. How cute would it be to tuck a couple bottles of root beer into the caddy along with some of papa’s other favorite treats and have some vanilla bean ice cream waiting in the freezer for some ice cold, frothy floats this Sunday?

{via}

Cute, cute!

{Trader Joe’s sells Vintage Root Beer that comes in a fun little cardboard 4-pack, as well}

Looks like the kids and I have our work cut out for us the next couple days!

*****

This caddy idea would literally work year round for any holiday or celebration.

Hot chocolate caddy for Christmas

Fill it with all things peppermint at the holidays

Mini bottles of champagne and a champagne flute for New Year’s Eve

Filled with red and pink for your favorite Valentine

A recycled Easter basket with a chocolate bunny peeking out

End-of-the-year teacher gift {again, as Seleta did above}

Get well goodies with a can of chicken soup, some cough drops and a rolled up magazine

Um, the possibilities are endless….don’t get this girl brainstorming!

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE this idea.

And I hope you do, too.

{a great way to reduce, reuse and recycle I might add}

Happy Thursday!

Fashion, Frugal Finds

Down By The Sea

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Almost a year ago I wrote this post and mentioned how I missed out on some Miss Trish of Capri flops at Target.

NOT THIS YEAR!

I set out on an early morning Target run for a couple 6-year old boy birthday gifts, odds and ends for end-of-the-year teacher gifts and whatever else {jumped} into my cart….do you have that problem, too?

I turned the corner into the shoe department when, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a clearance rack holding Miss Trish’s flops, oh dear!

Not gonna get away from this mama again……

{I loooooooooovvvvvve the metallic pair with the fish! Actually love is an understatement….I [may] have picked up an teeeny tiny pair for a special little girl that will be celebrating a birthday real soon, too}

In order to soften the blow that the turquoise beauties don’t come in my size, I treated myself to this gorgeous coral statement ring…

…and these gold seashell danglies…

{both 75% off…yup!}

I also picked up a spf rash guard for Holden for under 5 bucks.

I would say that we have a good start on our summer wardrobe and our trip to Myrtle Beach!

Love me some {orange sticker} Target finds.

Happy Friday!