Category: home and product tips

No one has to prepare meals for the household in style. Let’s be honest, though: Everyone would probably feel better about food prep if they could do it in style.

Many people don’t have the funds to pay an interior stylist whenever they get bored with their kitchen design.

Luckily for them, they don’t have to. There are plenty of budget-friendly ways to redecorate kitchens, none of which have to involve professional stylists.

Curious what some of these are? Stay tuned to find out.

Updating Countertops

Whenever people think about redecorating their kitchens, they likely think of big changes. Their instinct is to get new appliances and counters.

Fortunately, homeowners don’t have to replace their old counters to get a fresh look. Updating their countertops should suffice in many cases.

The best thing about updating countertops is that there are so many options. From modern to rustic designs, there is a countertop design for everyone.

Regardless of which design homeowners settle on, they’ll enjoy preparing afternoon snacks for the family a lot more from there on out.

Painting Walls

Believe it or not, painting kitchen walls a new color can make a huge difference. A new color can completely change the vibe of the room.

While several people hire professionals, there is nothing wrong with painting walls without the help of the pros.

People who do it themselves should just make sure that they read up on painting like a pro. Doing that research should help things run more smoothly.

Put Some Jars On Display

Anyone who has used jars to store foods knows that jars are surprisingly stylish additions to homes. Cobb salads in jars can add lots of color to fridges, and granola which has been placed in jars can add nice brown hues to kitchen environments.

That said, why not take advantage of the food which has been placed in jars. All a homeowner has to do is get some shelves for the walls and place the jars on them. They can even play around with the idea of putting specific foods in their collection of jars to make the collection a bit more appealing.

Whoever said that people shouldn’t play with their food is clearly wrong.

Try A Window Seat

A kitchen with a nice, big window is a dream. The window allows natural light to pour into the space, giving the kitchen a wonderful glow. Enjoying this light from afar is great, but enjoying it up close is even better.

Which is why homeowners should consider adding window seats or benches.

Of course, this won’t work for everyone. If a family got replacement windows in the Bay Area to capitalize on the sunlight, that would be a wise investment.

if a family in a place which didn’t get much sunlight did the same thing in their kitchen? Not as great of an investment.

Awaken The Interior Stylist Within

No, not everyone can decorate a home like an interior stylist. Despite that fact, people are still capable of transforming their kitchens by making small tweaks.

Having said that, thrifty mommas, tweak away. A kitchen is, after all, where families meet after a long day comes to an end. And why shouldn’t families dine together in style?

As the summer heats up, the need for all the latest trendy accessories rises up with it! We know that the best accessory is always your beautiful confidence, but at the same time, it’s nice to find some cool new things to add to your wardrobe’s collection!

Continue reading for some inspiration to spice up your styles this summer!

1. Fanny Packs

Yep, you read that right!

These useful little bags are being revived in a big way. With high-end versions being made by the likes of Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Alexander Wang, the stigma of these being “out of date” or even “dorky” is long gone. We’ve seen several that look incredible!

Who could have guessed, right?

Searching out one of these cute bags will be certain to keep your hands free as you enjoy your time out in the sun this summer.

2. Straw Bags

Another item to carry your things in a usefully stylish way is a straw bag. We’ll admit, it doesn’t particularly sound stylish when you think of a bag made of straw.

But don’t let their humble beginnings fool you. They’re great for a more down-to-earth style but can totally be dressed up to match any style you want to pair them with! They look amazing with a nice summer dress, too.

These trendy accessories practically scream out “Summer!” when you look at them.

They’re pretty resilient and hardy, too. Straw bags can be brought out to the beach without needing to worry about the sea water or the sticky sand ruining them.

3. Slide Sandals

Who doesn’t love a quick and easy but still completely stylish choice of footwear? This style of sandal is growing in popularity every day, from simple and chic to embellished and dazzling.

People everywhere are finding them the perfect way to get up and go for some summer adventure to a beloved boutique or easily slipping out of them for a nice dip in the pool.

4. Scarves

Stash away those fluffy ones and bring out the light and airy summer scarves instead! They can be a great accessory to give the same outfit a whole new look. Summer scarves can pair up beautifully with one of your favorite Chanel handbags or perhaps a cute overly-large hat.

The cool thing is that while they are stylish and delicate, they won’t make you overheat in that summer sun. Though, once the sun sets, they’ll provide you with a bit of extra warmth during the night.

Plus, who doesn’t love to wrap something snug around themselves? So comfy!

5. Metallic Tattoos

No longer are temporary tattoos just a fun thing for kids. Now you can indulge in the old past time while using some really beautiful designs in sparkling metallic colors.

It’s like a temporary bit of art adorning your body!

You can find them these days in any kind of shape or color, from silver feathers to coppery dream-catchers. You can also try out some abstract shapes or lines if you prefer something a little less concrete.

Give These Trendy Accessories A Try!

We’ve listed five of our favorites, but it’s always up to your own personal style as to what accessories really work for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find those items that you absolutely adore.

Comment below to let us know some of your favorite accessories you’ve tried this summer!

If you knew there was a vampire in your home, would you want it removed?

Well, you might have one. Seriously.

They’re called energy vampires, and they’re real. But what are they?

An energy vampire is a device or appliance that sucks away at your electricity–even when it’s off or you’re not using it. Here’s five to keep track of to help save some money.

1. Chargers

Nowadays, we all need chargers. Maybe not absolutely everybody, but close to it: it’s estimated that over six billion people will have a smartphone within a few years.

Chargers are some of the biggest energy vampires. Your phone might be charged, but it’s still plugged in.

That’s the perfect time for a vampire to strike, and it will continue sucking out the electricity of your walls even though you’re not using it.

2. Kitchen Appliances

Our kitchens have changed a lot over the last few centuries.

Nowadays, it’s normal for a kitchen to have a wide range of things, from coffee makers to toasters to blenders and everything else.

Well, those devices are all great, especially around breakfast. But sadly, when you leave them plugged in when you’re not using them, they keep sucking. Unplug to save some cash!

3. Single Unit Air Conditioning/Heaters

Having control of your temperature is a luxury, especially in the summer and winter. But it can pricey–seriously, without folks like Reviewloft, it might be impossible to find machines that don’t drive up prices.

When it heats up or cools down during those seasons, you start to push those little machines to their limits.

If you blast your AC during the summer or heating during the winter, you’ll soon find out that your electricity bill notices.

They’re vampires for sure. Make sure to turn them down when you’re not at home!

4. Your Television

Ah, the T.V. For decades now, we’ve been entertained by our televisions. They’re good to us–usually.

In this case, not so much. Even though we watch a lot of TV, we still spend much of our day with the TV turned off. You would assume that our TV’s give us the favor of not draining our electricity bill then, right?

Well, your assumption is wrong. TV’s are some of the worst culprits. They sift away your energy and add to your electricity bill. Unplug when possible.

5. Computers in Sleep Mode

Computers are the new TV’s: everyone has one. People seem to be using their computers all the time, but truthfully, they’re not.

If you leave your computer in a sleep mode when you’re not using it, be warned. That’s some of the worst electricity-sucking that happens with our appliances.

It’s better to simply shut it off all the way. Maybe even go get some budget-friendly exercise. Your wallet will thank you.

Get Rid of the Vampire

Make sure that you unplug these appliances from your walls when you’re not using them. That way, you’ll end up saving some cash when the next electricity bill comes around.

There’s no need for garlic to get rid of these vampires. They’re not scary, but expensive. It’s time for them to stop haunting your home.

For more money-saving tricks, read up on the latest tips from those who know best.

You don’t need a ton of money to spruce up your home.

There are a few decorating hacks to beautify your home that you should look into using to add some character to every room in your beloved home.

Let us show you 5 cheap and beautiful ways to make your home look trendy.

1. Plant Succulents

One of our many decorating hacks to beautify your home with is to add succulent plants.Potted plants have been revamping rooms for years now, but succulents are quickly rising as the trendiest plants to grow.

Potted plants have been revamping rooms for years now, but succulents are quickly rising as the trendiest plants to grow indoors.

Succulents are the perfect way to add some greenery to any room. Consider placing succulents in unique pots that have the same color schemes to match your decor.

For example, say your kitchen has modern touches of marble countertops and a white backsplash. You should plant your succulents in colored planters to add a juxtaposing contrast.

Succulents are also incredibly cheap and easy to maintain. These plants are derived from the cactus family and therefore they don’t need to be watered as much as other plants do.

There are a variety of succulents to choose from. In addition to coming in every color of the rainbow, succulents have unique leaves that can be short and flower-like or long and pointy.

2. Add a Rug

Another cheap decorating idea is to add a rug to a room in your home that needs an extra touch.

You can find many rugs for sale at places like Target, Home Goods, and even in Goodwill.

If you have stains that you wish to cover up, simply place a new rug over them and your home will be good as new.

Adding a rug, or even a few rugs, is a cheap alternative to redoing your entire home with new flooring.

A neat idea would also be to trade rugs with friends. If you and your friends have similar home decor already, this hack will work out perfectly.

This option of swapping rugs can save you a lot of money, too.

3. Apply Wallpaper

You may be thinking that wallpaper is so not cool anymore, but have you seen recent magazines that include the cutest wallpaper prints ever?

Removeable wallpaper has never looked better than it does on Etsy.

Instead of painting your walls a color that you won’t be fond of years to come, you can simply order a cool wallpaper that can be removed once you tire of it.

A wall mural is another cheap hack that will make your room look up to date on a budget because most of these can be found for less than $40.

4. Use Marble Contact Paper

Going along with the wallpaper theme, buying some marble contact paper will also make your home look more expensive.

Adding some marble adhesive film to your bedside table will glam up your bedroom decor.

There are so many beautiful marble prints you can choose from and most of them are under $12.

5. Discover More Decorating Hacks to Beautify Your Home by Framing Photos With Tape

One final cheap idea is probably the best and the cheapest.

You can buy some washi tape from JoAnn’s and use it to frame your photos with.

From floral printed washi tape to plain black, find the right colors to go with the rest of your home decor for this hack.

Once you have your photos and your tape picked out, you are able to arrange them on your wall to form a gallery of friends and family.

Conclusion

All Thrifty Mommas need to pay attention to these cheap decorating hacks to beautify your home.

Paying full price is for suckers!

Having a first-aid kit on hand is one of the best ways to be prepared in the event of an emergency.

You probably have a closet at home that’s filled with band-aids, ointments, gauze pads and aspirin. Of course, it’s great to have these items scattered around your house. You should also have an actual first-aid kit put together.

A kit will undoubtedly come in handy anytime you venture outside the house. All you need to do is grab it and go! Kits can also be handy for in-home usage.

If someone in your family is bleeding heavily, you want to act fast. Having a first aid kit already put together will save you time. Everything will be right in one convenient container.

But what exactly should go in this first-aid kit?

Keep reading to learn how to create the best first aid kit for emergencies.

Container

To create the best first aid kit, the first thing you need is an appropriate container.

There is no hard and fast rule for the type of container you need, but know that there are a few different options to consider.

Plastic containers with snap-top lids are the most popular types.of first aid containers These are great for in-home usage, as they can be easily stored in a closet. And because they’re see through, they’ll be easy to spot.

For first-aid kits stored in vehicles, a backpack is a great option. Backpacks work well in case you have to leave the car. You can easily take the backpack with you on a camping trip without it being a nuisance.

Label Maker

Labeling your first-aid kit correctly will ensure it’s easy for household guests to find.

You can purchase an at-home label maker and put labels on the containers. You will want to label the outside of the container, as well as the smaller containers inside. If you have a backpack, you could sew on a red cross symbol for easy identification.

If you have young children who can’t read yet, put a big red cross on the box and explain to them what it means.

Items

Here is a checklist of items that you definitely want in your first-aid kit:

• First aid book- A first aid book is essential for knowing how to properly use the items in the kit. Misusage of first-aid could exacerbate the injury or even cause death.
• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
• Large gauze pads- you can always cut them up
• Small pair of sharp scissors
• Cotton balls
• Alcohol prep wipes
• Medical tape
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Rubbing alcohol
• Non-latex gloves
• Aspirin/Ibuprofen
• Tweezers and sewing needle
• CPR breathing mask
• Thermometer
• Sterile Saline

It’s a good idea to check your kit every few months to make sure you are properly stocked up on all of these items. You can restock your items through an online shop like Save Ride Medical. And if you are unsure of what items to use for what situation, remember to read the manual! A first-aid kit can save lives.

Optional Items

Once you have the basics packed, you may also want to think about storing some additional items for your specific situation. Some items you may want to consider are:

• Bee sting kit
• Snake bite kit
• Matches
• Ammonia inhalant capsules
• Small knife
• Paper bags
• An awesome flashlight 

Best First Aid Kit: Wrap Up

With the information here, you will be able to piece together the best first aid kit you possibly can.

We want to hear about your own kit. What do you keep in your kit? Do you think we covered everything? Drop us a comment below.