Decorating on a budget

We moved into a two bedroom apartment while we house hunt, and learn the community. We didn't want to pack to unpack, repack, and unpack, and decided that we would keep all, but our beds, sheets and towels in storage until we found a more permanent home.

I had purchased a dresser and pie safe from an antique shop a few months ago that I was storing at my parents, so we picked those up, and are using them to store the minimal clothing that we have with us.

In order to cozy up the space on a tiny budget I spent a lot of time at Home Depot, Target and Lowe's as well as our local hobby shop for decorating tools. Both home depot and target had plants on sale, I was able to pick up 5 plants for under $75. Target has tons of great kitchen equipment and flatware for $9-$40, that can easily blend in with what we already had. On my last post I mentioned the DIY projects I did, all of those projects were under $75 as well.

Cooking and eating at the table is important to me, its a time of day where I know we can connect as a family and I didn't want to lose that, so I picked up a card table and chairs from target. I put two tablecloths on to warm them up, resulting in a cute dining nook.

Using old almond butter jars for sugar and as a planter.

DIY home decor projects

Last week we moved into a temporary two bedroom apartment in the suburbs of Syracuse. We decided to keep the vast majority of our things in storage, so that we don't have to do another huge move in a few months. Moving is expensive, so on a very tight budget I've figured out a way to stock the pantry, decorate and make it livable for the time.

Here are some craft projects I did on the cheap to cozy up the space. The one DIY project i worked on last week that was a complete failure was using air dry clay, and paint to make my own kitchen sponge dish, and bathroom soap dish. I tried to work with the clay while chasing around a very mobile 9.5 month old, which did not allow for me to focus. I am going to attempt this again when I have an hour or two to concentrate, as it seems like a simple, fun and inexpensive material. I am sure there will be more projects coming.

For our bedroom I bought a grapevine wreath ring and then bought two bunches
of babies breath from the local grocery store and some wire from the local
hobby store. I had initially wanted to do a  pussy willow wreath, but couldn't
find any. This was where I found the inspiration Via. I have one more wreath
in the babies room, that I am trying to figure out how to decorate.

All of my spices are in storage and as someone who loves cooking with tons
of flavors, i needed to restock my pantry. Some spices I bought, but the ones
I could dry myself I did. These will sit on the wall for about three weeks and
then come down to be put into jars or plastic bags to be used for the next few
months. I used a piece of driftwood from the beach near my parents home in
New Hampshire and some kitchen twine to hang. My inspiration came from here
Via

My body scrub was in storage, so I found a super simple

recipe to make your own calming lavender scrub and used a

mason jar I found on sale at target to contain it. The lavender oil

was expensive, but i used so little that I could easily make these as

holiday gifts. Inspiration Via

Things I'm loving this fall

The weather is just starting to cool down here in New England, and I am loving it. I'm in New Hampshire for a few weeks between moves, and have been playing tourist, running around. The mornings are crisp and the days are warm, and of course I'm knitting up a storm.

This time of the year means all things cozy; leather, plaid, candles, warm drinks and a little bit more color. Here are a few pieces I'm loving for me, the home and my babe. 

These candles
Via

A cute top that's easy to nurse in
Via

These adorable Moccasins
Via

For my beautiful rings a beautiful ring holder
Via

My new coffee Mugs from Valerie's Galleries

Modern day poncho's

Via

When I used to think of poncho's, I thought of what parent's would try to force you into when it was raining; or those yellow ones they handout when you go on the boat under Niagara Falls. Sure, those still exist, but there are also some really cute ones that will keep you warm this fall. I found mine at a consignment shop in Portsmouth, NH.

Via

Via

If you are feeling ambitious to make one yourself
Via

Ceramics

Along with my love for art glass, I also love picking up different pieces of ceramic. Ceramic tumblers, vases, candle holders and simple decorative bowls. I stopped into the Folk yesterday in Kittery, a very cool boutique shop and picked up a new piece for my ever growing collection.

Via

This adorable piggy bank via

Via

This adorable match striker via

Helen Levi can do no wrong
Via