pvc turned curtain rod.

if you have a giant window that seems IMPOSSIBLE to actually afford a curtain rod, or maybe live in a apartment - hello - and have plain white walls that are in constant need of life... here is a cheap-o-rod idea that can spice up you mood and keep your bank in the black.

a few months ago i realized i had two naked windows in my apartment. probably after watching one of many shows on HGTV that will show you what your house could look like and pretty much put in your head that if it doesnt, the world will end. and like most feening for a new mission, i agreed! but had no money in my pocket, surprise surprise. unfortunately i have this little decorating obsession and when an attack comes on i HAVE to do something about it. i can usually remedy this with a new arrangement of the living room or the bedroom, but my tiny apartment has run its course for new arrangements and like any good junky i needed to move on to bigger and better things. i would say about 85% of the time i can do it without dropping big bucks and due to lack of funds this was one of those times.

the culprit

my cheap remedy: pvc pipe! OR 2nd option: wood dowel; round piece of wood

i actually got mine from my contractor dad who had extra laying around (so ask people you know) but at home depot both costs anywhere from $1 - $2 a foot depending on the diameter - pvc costs about half the price of wood. this was a 9 foot rod.

next, rod brackets. this one at the big box store was $8 and came with all things needed to hang. cheaper versions start at $2. ALSO if you are hanging heavier curtains you might need a bracket in the middle, if your rod is as long as mine... hah

last but so not least make it whatever COLOR you want! this time i choose a nice purple to give my earthy toned bedroom a splash of color... but i have one in my kitchen that is mahogany.

FYI - most home improvement big box stores sell "oops paint". if you dont have a certain color check out what they have there. goes for $1 - $5 for the gallon.

once again you have a diy project that cost you about $20 - that size compared to over $100! so clever ;)

other things purchased:

$10 each - two white sheer curtains from ikea, 118in. i have high ceiling so needed long ones

2 buck dads day.

yup! did you forget? its sunday, aka june 19th 2011, aka FATHERS DAY, aka lets spend some money! albeit its probably the least expensive holiday, but we all want to do something to show we care. luckily dads will actually use useful handmade items, probably more then moms on mothers day - but I am not a mom so on a ledge here.

came across this quick and nifty, money saving, useful something, craft idea for you to put together in a jiffy while surfing one of many sites and it stuck. take a look and give it your own twist... a dad always needs a spot

items needed

pvc pipe

writable board - check out your fridge i bet you have one there!

optional something snazzy to put around it

and vWAH-LA! a 2 buck chuck version of showing you care!

happy fathers day dad!!

i scream. you scream. we all scream... bananas!

i want to share the most yummy and dElish (healthy-ier!) ice cream EVER! i play with this recipe, i dont add the nuts and sometimes add some "no pudge" brownies - ill give you details about all that below. but the one that started it all is the chunky monkey. chocolate, peanut butter, splash of honey and bananas!

the cream 3 ripe bananas
the flavor 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter

the sweet 1 tbsp honey

the option 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

the CHOCOLATE 3 tbsp dark chocolate chips

do this:

slice bananas into 1/2 in slices and freeze (overnight)

plug in food processor and add frozen bananas. puree. (patience, takes a few mins)

add the flavor and the sweet

fold in the option and the CHOCOLATE

go sit outside with your awesome coffee and guilt free ice cream and meet this heat - head on

no pudge brownie mix -found at trader joes or whole foods and on the TOP SHELF (i know right?!) of every kroger. add 6oz plain fat free yogurt or applesauce, and bake. add our banana ice dream on top of a hot brownie or fold in place of the CHOCOLATE option. i know, so clever!

+ 6ozOR

teaser. I have 6 cork boards finished and ready for post, but you'll have to wait for those ;)

summer must. coffee in your coffee.

iced coffee bliss. thats right, BLISS. so straight forward you'll be kicking yourself on why you haven't (and some of you have) thought of this before. i make a huge pot every day and stash in my fridge overnight for cooling... but it only takes about 2 hours so brew at will, just give yourself time. end goal: dont dilute the brew!

How to:
1. brew a big pot of coffee. 2. pour coffee in your favorite ice tray - different sizes and shapes are a way to really have fun with it! place the rest of the coffee in the fridge.

3. add cubes to coffee, sweeten to taste.

...and be SO proud of yourself for your super-efficient mode of caffeinating yourself!

ps. super clever tip to add on to this caffeinated phenomenon: iced tea cubes. lemon cubes in water?! making the cubes flavored or adding tea leaves gives the everyday beverages a fun twist. here is another i came across - raspberry tea with mint leaves. brilliant!

who is me.

The beginning. Why is it, that the beginning and end are the hardest parts of anything. Papers, relationships, life... even when it comes to something as simple as my little clever blog.

My featured "forgotten to remembered" crafts are cork boards and quoted signs... but as some of you know, I have been slowing changing my ways and becoming a more health conscious person. I have come a long way and have recently hit my BMI goal (yay me!). Thus, I will be sharing with you the bits of knowledge I have learned along the way that I wish I had always known. Please comment and share with me related dishes, tips and just clever ideas!

If you like what you see, stand by... because all we can go from here is up!