Item: Bamboo curtain rod
Cost: $25, $9, or FREE!

When I first saw this picture, I loved it. Of course, I’m in the process of searching for affordable window treatments right now and I’m finding that it isn’t easy! Also, I love things that are natural, like bamboo, and my husband likes anything tropical or “islandy” as he calls it. As an added bonus, bamboo is one of earth’s most renewable resources (it can grow more than a foot a day in parts of China!).

So here’s what I discovered. An average bamboo curtain rod can cost $60, but if you look online at places like The Natural Abode you can find a much more affordable price of $24.50 for 6 feet. Or, if you look a little harder, you can find places like Anything Bamboo and pay $9 for 10 feet. Of course, if you’re really lucky, you can head out back and cut one down for free! (Just add a little varnish and you’re good to go.)

Item: Indoor swing
Cost: $17

Brrrrr! It’s cold outside today! I’m ready for that warm, spring weather to return and rid us of freezing temps and biting winds until next winter. Instead of being bundled up in gloves and scarves, I’d rather be spending today outside at the playground basking in some sunshine. Yes, playground. My inner child loves to swing! Read the rest of this entry »

Item: Brown and white duvet cover (shown below)
Cost: $20

My husband and I were gifted a down comforter from my brother and sister-in-law for our wedding. But we still needed a duvet cover when cold weather came knocking. I scoured the internet, but apparently I have expensive taste. The only duvet cover that I even liked was this Lawrence Home Fashions Elm Duvet Cover Set.

Even from Walmart, it was way out of our price range. Maybe someday, but certainly not this year… So, we kept looking. We went to TJ Maxx and found some affordable duvets, but they were far too…umm, bold, for my taste. Read the rest of this entry »

Items: Jelly jars
Cost: Somewhere between free and very inexpensive

Okay, today’s brilliant idea is to use old jelly jars for candle holders. Jelly jars are pretty easy to come by–you can save them after using the yummy goodness inside, ask your friends to save them for you, or visit thrift stores to find them cheap.

Just peel any labels off and put them through the dishwasher. If there is a sticky residue left, use nail polish remover to take it off. It’s an easy way to reuse and recycle old jars. The best part about this idea is that jelly jars can come in all shapes and sizes, so have fun!