Halloween On A Shoe String - Decoration

From fancy dress to decorations, Halloween can end up costing a small fortune. But follow my five decoration top tips and have yourself some thrifty thrills.

1.  A bit of fake cobweb goes a long way....

Hang in your windows or drape around pictures on your walls. This simple decoration costs around £1 per packet, or you can even use cotton wool for a similar effect. To finish the look just add a handful of creepy critters.

2.  Create spooky lighting in your home. Cluster chunky candles together, use jam jars to hold tea lights or place tall candles in wine bottles, leaving the wax to melt down the bottle.

3.  Pumpkins are one of the most iconic images of Halloween. And the good news is, they're really cheap! Get creative carving faces or words. Or why not save on all that mess and try a non-carve pumpkin design? I like kindredspiritmommy's fantastic ideas, including a decoupaged pumpkin. All you need is some Halloween paper and some pva glue. Simple!

4.  One of the easiest ways to add some Halloween horror to your home is with card. Cut out pictures of ghosts or owls and stick to the walls. Try out this free bat garland from brasspaperclip - a beautiful batty addition to your decor.

5. For those who prefer to be a little more chic than freak, stick to a simple colour scheme throughout your home - black and silver or black and purple are popular choices.

Thrifty Inspiration

We recently held my 29th [ahem] birthday party in our new home. Friends seemed [and rightly so!] to be gushing about our house renovation and quirky furniture, decorations and objects about the house. Moreover, I was looking through a close friends' photos of the party and they were mainly of items in the house! More house pictures to follow in later articles.

People constantly ask where I get my unique and thrifty inspiration from, and the answer is from many sources.

The 'make do and mend' mentality comes from my family. During the war, clothes were rationed just like everything else. I remember my Gran telling me about unwanted jumpers which were unravelled and knitted into something else, or just like Julie Andrews in 'The Sound of Music' old curtains were cut up to make skirts and dresses. This obviously past down to my mum because when my brother and I were little she made all our clothes, and has brought me up to make my own soft furnishings, not to buy them.

Maria made clothes out of curtains - very make do and mend!

My love of salvage was probably first inspired by dad who was a dustman in the 1970's. During a house clearance he managed to salvage a pair of beautiful Ercol chairs, that are still to this day, in their kitchen. Later, as elderly relatives died and I inherited old furniture and stunning pieces like cut glass perfume bottles, I really began to favour the old over the new. Something about my things having a bit of history about them, excites me.

My parents salvaged chairs.

Other than that, I've always read a lot of house and interior magazines, I check out other people homes quite a lot on Right Move (maybe I should become an estate agent?) and I spend many a weekend scouring charity shops, car boot sales, flea markets and antique shops looking for the perfect items for our home.

Apt Apple's

Before we moved from Derbyshire to Surrey, my son and I made a teacher's apple inspired thank you hankie present.

I bought some cheap plain men's handkerchief's and turned them into a lovely thrifty teacher's gift using a simple stamp technique. It would also work well with tablecloths, or tea towels.

• Slice an apple in half and blot away excess moisture with a paper towel. 
• Use a paint brush to apply red fabric paint to one apple half and firmly press onto fabric. 
• For the stem, we dipped the wooden end of a thin paintbrush in green paint and made a small dash above the print. 
• To finish, lay newspaper over the top of your hankie and iron to seal the fabric paint.

This thrifty project got me thinking about other crafts I could use apples for.

Making budget busting apple tea light holders couldn't be easier:

• Center a tea candle on top of an apple. 
• Trace around the candle with a utility knife, inserting the knife only as deep as the candle is tall. Cut the circle into sections and scoop out the pieces using a metal spoon. 
• Insert a tea candle and light. 

(NB: It is best to use firm apples like Red Delicious, Granny Smith or Fuji.)

But my personal favourite? Home made apple cider. Perfect for those long winter evenings or hot summer days.

The Ingredients
1 litre of apple juice (I have been known to use apple cider as a boozey replacement!)
60ml rum
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 cinnamon sticks
3 tsp brown sugar
1 apple (for garnish)

The Method
Heat the apple juice, rum, sugar and spices over a medium heat, stirring often. Once it's hot, pour into glasses of mugs and garnish with a sliced up apple.

Handmade 2012: Monster Bookmarks

I'm moving house next week, and in packing up my books, I found a copy of 'The Island'. Although a thoroughly good read, it isn't actually my book! I borrowed it from my sister in law at least a year ago and had obviously failed to return it (sorry Megan).

As an apology I made her a cute little monster bookmark. I simply cut off the corner of an envelope, raided my son's craft box and decorated! Simple, thrifty and a fun craft for all ages.

Handmade 2012: Cheesecake In A Jar

This week, two of my friends were feeling down in the dumps, so I decided to make them both a 'Chin Up With Cheesecake' gift. My favourite easy-peasy cheesecake recipe is Nigella's Cherry Cheesecake, so I followed this, but slightly adapted the quantities.

I used Ikea jars and sellotaped a spoon to the side, allowing them to dig straight in. This was a very simple, yet creative present to make, and both my friends absolutely loved it!

Handmade 2012: Playdough

 

A friend of mine (well he's my very good friend's hubby) has been really poorly of late. In and out of hospital (over Christmas and new year), with problem after problem, and now bored at home in recovery. So what better present to make for him but playdough? Thrifty and fun!

I followed a very simple budget busting recipe that was handed down from my mum:

Mix a cup of boiling water with half a cup of salt and 2 tbsp of cooking oil. Give in a good stir then add 2 cups of plain flour, a drop of food colouring. Knead and then leave to cool.

For presentation purposes, I sprayed an empty cat food box black. I also decided to decorate the empty jam jars. Since I had made three different colours of playdough, (blue, yellow and red) I figured I'd stick to this theme and attached three of my son's old plastic cookie cutters to the jam jar lids, in corresponding colours. The result? A lovely (yet inexpensive) present to help pass the time on the road to recovery.

2012 - Year Of The Homemade

I am not usually one for making new years' resolutions, probably because it ordinarily involves giving up something I love. This year however, I've decided to take up something I love: making things (and being thrifty). 2012 is my year of the homemade.

Every present I give, albeit to a six year old or a sixty year old; a get well soon present or a valentine, I am going to make it (and blog about it, obviously). Watch this space...

Have Yourself A Very Thrifty Christmas: Food

Saving money doesn't mean you have to become Scrooge, it is possible to serve fabulous food over the Christmas period without breaking the bank. Try following these few simple thrifty tips to save money at Christmas to help you on your way.

• Share The Load: If you have friends and family coming round for Christmas or Boxing day lunch, ask them to bring a dish with them. An extra trifle, piece of Stilton or bottle of wine will always come in handy over the Christmas period. Besides, people like to contribute.
• Make It Yourself: Don't be tempted to buy everything ready made, get creative on the run up to Christmas and make your own chutneys, cranberry sauce and stuffing and save yourself a fortune. Christmas desserts and cakes can also be baked by you. Not enough time? Delegate!
• Home Grown: If you've grown vegetables throughout the year, Christmas is an excellent time to serve them up. My parents always have masses of potatoes left from their haul earlier in the year to get roasting and mashing.

• Set a Budget: and stick to it.
• Write a Shopping List: Before you go shopping, write a list of everything you need for all of the festive period. No matter how appealing the fresh lobster looks, if it's not on the list, don't buy it.
• Use Your Leftovers: Get thrifty in the kitchen. A turkey (or any poultry) carcass left to boil in water, vegetables and herbs will make a wonderful stock which you can use as a base for turkey curry's and soups. Even leftover vegetables can be fried up for some bubble and squeak This Busy Cooks website is full of wonderful inexpensive ideas and recipes to serve up delicious meals, from leftovers, for friends and family.

Pumpkin Recipe (2)

As promised, my next most loved pumpkin recipe. My ricotta and pumpkin lasagne is a simple, purse friendly dish packed with flavour. A seasonal delight, perfect serving if you have vegetarian dinner guests. Pumpkins are still available in most green grocers, I bought one last week for 50p! Thrifty goodness. Alternatively, you could use a large butternut squash.

Ingredients
1 large pumpkin/butternut squash, peeled, cut into 2cm piece
350g ricotta
8 lasagne sheets
1 egg
1 cup grated parmesan, plus extra to serve
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon sage (dry or fresh)
½ teaspoon on chilli flakes
A pinch of salt and black pepper

• Preheat the oven to 190°C.
• Place the pumpkin on a baking tray, drizzle with oil. Then season with chilli flakes, salt and black pepper. Cover with foil and roast for 25 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender. Allow to cool slightly. 
• Use a blender to puree the pumpkin with the sage. I prefer to leave a few chunks of pumpkin in it for texture. Set aside. Then blend the ricotta, egg, parmesan, salt and pepper. 
• Lightly grease a square baking dish and begin to build up the layers of your lasagne. Start with a layer of pumpkin then add the lasagne sheets. Spread with another layer of pumpkin and then spread with half the ricotta. Repeat process, then sprinkle final layer of ricotta with extra parmesan. 
• Cover your dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake for a further 15 minutes or until golden. Stand for 5 minutes. 
• Serve with a salad or seasonal vegetables.

Pumpkin Recipes (1)

Pumpkins are rife at this time of year and very cheap to buy. My son and I made two awesome jack-o-lanterns for Halloween, and with the leftovers I made a delicious chicken, pumpkin and jalepeño soup. A light and aromatic winter warmer with a lovely heat of the jalapeño's. It not only makes your house smell wonderful, but is easy peasy to make and inexpensive to boot.

  
Ingredients
1 medium sized pumpkin peeled and chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2–4 jalapeños, seeded and chopped (2 jalapeños give this soup a hint of heat, but if you like it hot, add all 4)
1 potato, cubed
Flaked chicken breast, if you prefer your soup to have texture
1 clove garlic, minced (I use Very Lazy garlic)
2 tablespoons unsalted margarine or butter
A pinch of pepper, curry powder and [preferably fresh] chopped parsley
4 cups of chicken stock (I tend to make my own from a chicken carcass)
2–3 drops hot pepper sauce, such as Tabasco
½ cup low fat sour cream (optional)

• Melt margarine in a large pot over medium heat; add onion and jalapeños. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 4 minutes. 
• Mix in potatoes, curry, garlic, and pepper and cook for 1 minute longer.
• Add carrots, pumpkin, parsley, 2 cups chicken stock, hot pepper sauce and bring to the boil. 
• Decrease heat to low; cover and simmer until vegetables are cooked.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Using a hand held blender, puree the soup until smooth.
• If require, add flaked chicken breast, heat through and serve, with a dollop of sour cream swirled in, if desired.

Want to impress? Serve in a hollowed out pumpkin. The perfect way to get thrifty for a dinner party.

Chipped crockery? No problem...

I love pretty mugs, teapots, cups and saucers, so it always saddens me when they get chipped or develop hairline cracks. But thanks to my thrifty solution, there is no need to throw them away. 

Reuse them and make your own pretty planters for your kitchen window, in just four easy steps. 

1. Place some gravel in the bottom of your cup/ teapot to allow for a bit of drainage if you happen to over water.
2. Add a small amount of potting soil or compost. If using a teapot remember to put some up the spout. A handle of a wooden spoon is a useful device to help push this down.
3. Loosen your chosen plant from its pot (my plant preference would be a beautiful smelling herb such as oregano), and plant in your new planter.
4. Add some more potting soil or compost around the top of the plant and compress. Remember to water and hey presto.

Alphabet Accessory

 

When your child has outgrown their alphabet building blocks, why not re-use their forgotten treasures to make your own unique and thrifty word displays. You could spell out 'Noel' for the mantelpiece at Christmas, or use them for a feature in your bathroom with the word 'Relax' spelt out. Display words can be quite expensive in the shops so save yourself money and make your home style-savvy.

Thrifty Beauty Cheats

Keeping yourself looking your best can be vastly expensive. Beauty is a multi billion pound industry, but with the recession hitting, we can't all afford to spend £52* on a mere tub of moisturiser. Below are my top ten thrifty tips for looking good, for less:

• Buy men's razors. You get more blades for less money.
• Keep an eye out for free beauty products on the front of magazines e.g lip-gloss or nail varnish, it usually works out much cheaper than buying the product out right.
• Buy a slightly darker shade of foundation than you would usually opt for. When applying, mix on the back of your hand with a dollop of moisturiser. Not only will the foundation last longer, but it'll give you a nice healthy glow.
• To prevent puffiness, place sliced up cucumber on your eyes.
• Make your own exfoliator buy mixing honey/olive oil [to keep your skin soft] with sugar. If you have particularly oily skin, replace the sugar with salt. Wash off with warm water.

 

• Add a cup of powdered milk to your bath. It will leave you skin silky soft.
• Wear clear lip-gloss over your lipstick to help the colour last longer.
• Keep an eye out for offers at your local beauty college. Often they need 'customers' to practise on for waxing, tinting and other beauty procedures. Get discounted treatments and still be pampered!
• The scent of your perfume will last longer if the bottle is kept out of direct sunlight. Less sprays = longer lasting.
• Make your own facemasks. My favourite receipes are a) beat together an egg white, a drizzle of honey and a squeeze of lemon. It will leave your skin soft and glowing. b) put half a cucumber and a half a peach in a blender together. It will tighten pores, shrink acne spots and rejuvenate the skin. NB: For both face masks, apply with fingertips. Leave for three or four minutes, and wash off with warm water.

*£52 is just an approximate amount that the Thrift-Queen might [over] pay for a branded beauty product.

Art Attack

No money for expenisve art? No worries.

Buy cheap frames from Ikea or charity shops and frame anything from pretty postcards and funky wallpaper (Paperchase and Scribbler are my favourite shops for these), to childrens' paintings, like I have. Alternatively, recruit a friend who is good at art to make you a canvas as a birthday or christmas gift. Groupon and photo stores regularly have good offers on for photo transfers to canvas, or why not make your own? Hobbycraft stock an excellent range of 'Image Transfer Kits' which will work from a digital or conventional photo. It's also worth keeping an eye out on Freecycle, for any unwanted art going begging.

It'll add a whole lot of personality to your home and cost next to nothing!