I have always been into DIY, since I was a kid. I think it was because my mom wanted me to be independent (hence not need to depend on a man to do things) and my dad for teaching me how to use tools. Also my parents are pretty into DIY themselves (did I mention the greenhouse my dad made out of doors? Or the fact that before I was born my mom grew a garden and canned all the veggies my dad and her ate?) So I rarely need help with things unless I physically cannot do them (say lifting a tv. Thanks E and V!) This DIY stuff has caused me a lot of heavy lifting and smashed thumbs (aka do not put Ikea furniture together, like the large Expedit bookcase, by yourself when it says to use two people) and lots and lots of craft supplies (thanks parents for keeping those safe for me!). So here are just a few DIY tips to get you going.
TWIMO Thrifty Tip #1: This isn't really DIY, but it might save you a few cents. On the Today Show several weeks ago they had a segment on getting the most out of your hair products. Well as we have seen from previous posts I'm not big into hair, but I was pleased to hear that you only need a quarter sized dollop of shampoo to get your hair clean. If you're like me, in the past you probably squeezed half the bottle out, but apparently quantity doesn't matter, just quality... of your lather. And so it is in so many facets of life. So save money on shampoo! Whooo!
TWIMO Thrifty Tip #2: Plant an herb garden! This is a great way for people who like to cook amp up their meals and save money (after the initial costs about $35). If you're like me you don't like skimping on ingredients such as herbs in recipes but to buy fresh ones in the grocery is so darned expensive and you use like two leaves and then the rest rots (at least in my fridge). So I had the brilliant idea to start an herb garden on my porch. I enlisted momma TWIMO to help as she is a gardener and I am not. I feel like my non bargain shopping friends in a TJ Maxx when it comes to gardening, confused, overwhelmed, and ready to turn around and run. Apparently it is simple though. Momma TWIMO bought a long-ish planter, some potting soil (she recommends mixing regular with moisture control for those over water-ers out there (aka me)), herbs (about $3-4 a plant) and that's about it. So first you fill your box with the two types of soil and get ready to get dirty. Mix it up with your hands or a large spoon from your kitchen as I did. Also add some water to make it moist. Then take you herbs out of there pots and if their roots are bound (this is getting dirtier and dirtier) as in they are all clumped together in the pot, unbind them by pulling them apart. Then make a little hole and put the plant in and cover it up with dirt to where the plant starts. Now water. So this might seem obvious to the rest of you, but in case you're a little slow in the green thumb dept. like me I hope this handy tutorial helps. I now have a thriving garden (when I remember to water) of two variety of chives (mmm baked potato), rosemary, parsley, and basil. It is so nice to just go snip a few leaves and have a flavorful addition to your meal and feel good about yourself for not wasting food and money with rotting herbs.
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TWIMO Thrifty Tip #3: Jersey-licious!!! Have you all noticed the influx of New Jersey themed television these days? Why are we fascinated with that culture? I mean first there were the screaming housewives, and then the Situation and the bump-it hair, and now a hair styling show on the Style network (one of the 4 channels I watch) on Jersey hair dos. So to stay on trend with the Jersey theme I decided to make this great, artsy/ hippie necklace made out of guess what? JERSEY! Hahaha. I crack me up. So here is the blog I found it on and the tutorial. It's pretty simple although took me longer than 15 minutes like the blog promises. I recommend using a rotary cutter if you have one to cut the strips and also a sewing machine although it can be done by hand. Also definitely get a Men's XXL or XXXL so you have enough fabric. This awesome accessory that I will be rocking in the ATL also could be made quite cheaply as you could get t-shirts at a thrift store to cut up (I was too impatient and was at Target so I bought some there that were $8 making my final product not that cheap). If you would like one and are too busy with say your SOCIAL LIFE or JOB just let me know and I'd be happy to make you one! Just let me know the colors and I'll let you know the $$.
Well, that's it for now my lovely TWIMO-ers. Until next time, remember the world is your oyster, so be independent and make something.
Lovely! I'll make one for Bear with her mini American Apparel t-shirts.
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, the herb garden is so amazing. Your mom makes everything sound so easy and wonderful. She's great. And she knows how to pronounce your blog. I'm clearly Team Momma.
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