Outside the box affordable storage ideas

How creative is this paper towel turned bracelet holder?  I would have never thought of this, so I'm glad someone else did.  What a fun and easy way to display your bracelets on your bathroom counter or dresser.  I'm totally stealing this idea.

via, but I first saw on Sierra's blog!

Similar paper towel holder from Bed, Bath & Beyond for $9.99:

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I like this option from Wal-Mart too.  Only $5.97:

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This is an Ikea plastic bag dispenser for $1.99 ...

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... that I attached to the cabinet door under the sink next to my toilet (yummy) to use as an extra toilet paper holder.  It's so convienent, you have no idea.

Here's something for your kitchen.  Uhhh, genius!  And the rail holding the lids is only $1.99 from Ikea.  Say no more.  I'm sold.

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 You could totally hang necklaces or earrings from this rail too, I've seen it done before:

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And last but not least, a straw dispenser turned ribbon holder.   I need.

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All you need is an old fashioned straw dispenser.  Here's one from Bed Bath and Beyond for $14.99.  As always, be sure to use a 20% off coupon.  I have a huge stash of their coupons in my car so that I always have some handy at all times.  God forbid I'm without a BBB coupon.

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It's official, I'm doing some organizing this weekend now.  

I'll be starting my adventure off at Ikea. 

Sooo ... ummm ... Mom, can I borrow your check card by chance?

And I may need to do a little shopping at Bed, Bath and Beyond too. 

And possibly Target. 

And most likely Wal-Mart. 

Cool? 

After all, my birthday is only a few weeks away. 

Wink.

What are your outside the box organizing solutions? 

[P.S. For any fairly new readers of my bloggity blog, I posted a lot of my bargain organization a while back.  Be sure to check out my "Tidy" section if you're interested in my make-up, nail polish, Tupperware, travel and closet organization ideas on the chiz-eap.]

Happy 2011

I hope everyone had a great New Years Eve. I ended up going to a house party of friends from college and was in love with all of the cute NYE decor I was seeing everywhere I looked.

I asked the hostess, Rachel, about all of her adorable decorations and she told me everything there was under $30! I was blown away by all of her details and on top of it, what a bargain it all was. She's a girl after my own heart. Here is how she did it:

Hanging Garland - $2"I cut blue shimmery scrapbook paper in small circles, attached them on fishing string with double-sided tape in various lengths. I also wrote '2011' with a silver sharpie on both sides of the garlands."

Chandelier - $2.25Beaded garland from my Christmas tree: Free!
Foil garland from Target: 25 cents
Big center ornament from Target on clearance: $2

Centerpiece - $6½ yard of fabric from Hobby Lobby: $3
Used a candle holder that I had on hand, a battery pack of Christmas lights in the base and two themed feathers from Hobby Lobby: $3.50

Peacock Accents - $19All peacock feathers were 50% off at Hobby Lobby: $8.75
Vase fillers were broken windshield glass (bought as scraps from a local glass guy) and battery pack Christmas lights: $5.25
I filled clear glass ornaments with cheap paint that matched the colors of the theme and swirled them around to create a pretty effect: $4
Peacock ornament from Target: $1

Her grand total for all decorations was only $29.75, and I'm beyond impressed. How did you ring in the New Year?

Very simple DIY holiday card holder

Last night I was sitting on the couch with my mom (she flew into Dallas Monday) who was forcing me to watch "Skating With the Stars". I love me some Bethenny Frankel, but that show is awful.

Anyway, I was bored, and my eyes kept catching the clutter of Christmas cards that had taken over my bar, and it wasn't long before I was off the couch and rounding up ribbon for a little DIY project.

A few years ago I got a "Real Simple" book with everyday household solutions. One of the projects in the book suggested using double sided tape to hang ribbon on your refrigerator with mini clothespins to attach pictures, post cards, etc. to the ribbon. I did this project in my previous apartment, but when I moved about a year ago, I never got around to doing it again for some reason.

So, I adapted this ribbon on refrigerator idea to hang cards from ribbon over the door to my laundry room, which is in my kitchen. It was very easy to do and took all of 10 minutes. All you need is some of your favorite ribbon, hot glue, push pins and mini clothespins.

First, I cut the ribbon I was going to secure the cards on to the length I wanted, and then cut a shorter piece to use to tie bow.

Next, I hung the ribbon over the door using a push pin to secure the ribbon on the other side of the door. I tied my bow, and hot glued it to the top of the ribbon.

The last step is to take the mini clothespins and secure your holiday cards to the ribbon. Before you know it, you have a festive DIY card holder!

Here are pictures of each element (hopefully the pictures will help make more sense then my explanation):







How do you display holiday cards from family and friends?

Surprise! ... Another Christmas Post

Did I mention I like Christmas?

I have enjoyed wrapping presents since as long as I can remember, and it might just be one of my favorite things about the holiday season. My Grandpa used to save my Grandma's presents for me to wrap and I loved that he wanted me to help. I guess that's when my affinity for wrapping was born.

We normally don't get too fancy with bows in my family, but we definitely try to use ribbon over the pre-made "stick on" bows. For some reason this year I felt compelled to step it up a notch and make my bows a little more ornate (which really only meant a tad more expensive ribbon, same technique).

Of course I made sure all of my wrapping supplies didn't break the bank. I got all of my paper and ribbon from Wal-Mart, 99 Cent Only Store or The Container Store. Some of The Container Store paper and ribbon can get pricey, but I made sure I limited myself to only two spools of ribbon and they were $2.99 and $4.99. Is there anything better than pretty presents under a sparkly tree? Nope!

Texas Themed Bridal Shower

Christina (a NYC transplant) is getting married in April, so this weekend her mom, my BFF Liz and I threw her a Texas-sized shower to celebrate her Texas roots.

Christina before opening her "Date-night" themed gifts.


The shower was at Mattitos in Uptown and the weather this weekend could not have been more perfect. We had a lot of fun planning it and of course, I was bargain shopping.  As Liz will tell you, I was obsessing with the details. *you really have no idea*

The room before the guests arrived.

 Texas-sized sunflowers in Mason jars for centerpieces.

 Hand-painted wooden sign from Hobby Lobby and red, white and blue marbles in glass stars decorated the cake table.

 Personalized scrapbook for guests to sign and leave a "blessing for the bride".

One more shot of the most delicious cake EVER from A&J's Bakery in Dallas.

I used InDesign to design invites and printed on paper bought from invitation store, which cut some costs.

I can't wait for the big day!!

It's Really Fall Y'all

This Bargain Blonde has recently become the Broke Blonde and my bargain adventures have been put on a temporary hiatus ... womp, womp. I obviously need to remember that "just because it's on sale doesn't mean you have to buy it". But do you blame a girl? I just can't resist a good bargain. Although in my defense, I literally work across the street from a shopping center which is a blessing and a curse. Especially now that our weather has changed from the horrible Texas heat to PERFECT 80 degree temps, shopping during my lunch break sounds much more appealing than a dingy break room.

Anyway, this post will be short and sweet, but I wanted to post something since it's been a little while since my last blog. This cooler weather has put me in the mood for all things fall and I wanted to make a fall centerpiece for my dining room table to match my mood.

I put this "masterpiece" together yesterday for only $15. The bulk of the flowers were pre-made from Michael's, but I added the red berry pieces in myself so I could say I "made it". Then, I finished it off with the warm-colored garland around the bottom of the vase (already owned). I know what you're thinking; I am practically the next Martha Stewart. And I really don't blame you.

Flowers + Greenery = $9.99 (regularly $19.99)
Red Berry Accents = .99 cents
Garland = $3.99
Vase = $0 (already owned)
Total = $15