Recycle: a way to be cheap

Hi guys! Remember me? I know, I know....MIA! Can we still be friends? Are you tired of my excuses? Hmmmmm.....ME TOO!

I have just recovered from being in bed with a nasty migraine. NASTY. I get them quite frequently, and can usually control their severity with medicine. However, this time, aside from checking into the hospital...nothing was helping. It really was 4 days of unfortunate hell! But thankfully, I'm feeling much better and ready to get back to the grind.

I've had NUMEROUS requests....in fact down right begging....to see my son's bedroom re-do. And I have most the photos edited and ready. Can we make a date to meet here on Tuesday and share?? I CAN'T WAIT to show you!

Why Tuesday, you might ask? Well, Monday is the first day of school....and I feel like I'll probably be dancing and singing around the house in my unders. So I might not have time to blog.

{that's probably not too much of an exaggeration...
try to clear that mental picture....sorry}

Until then...as a peace offering....I want to share what I've gotten ready today to send to my son's new teacher...

{I'm not above bribery. I admit. I want her to like him. And just in case he's not being likeable that day...I thought I could buy her affection with school supplies!}


While we're outing all my nasty tendencies...let's out a few more....
#1: I'm cheap. So when it comes to planning parties and gifts...I'll save money where ever possible. (and then I'll wrap it pretty and hope you don't notice)

#2: I'm not green. (not envious "green"....I'm TOTALLY that! I mean environment "green") I hate to recycle. It's laziness. Please don't hate me. I'm trying. I really am. Recently we even made a place for a "soda can" garbage under my sink, just so I wouldn't have to take them to the garage. Yep. I'm that lazy. But, just so we can be friends again...I do have the swirly light bulbs. I hate them. But I buy them. That counts, right?

What I'm learning from all my "green" and way less lazy friends is: being green is a great way to be cheap. So I'm re-thinking my ability to recycle. Rather than throwing away containers, I've seen so many great ideas for re-using. And therefore saving money.

Like I loved Kristin's idea for flatware holders @ {Striving to be More}


Mason jars?? Brilliant. I totally had those already. And my budget was wearing THIN. These turned out great. Thanks Kristin!


Next I found this BRILLIANT idea from Nikkala @ The Crafting Chicks! It's so brilliant and darling....I'm pretending it's NOT recycling. Just so I'm more apt to love it. (I can't explain it. I just have an aversion. So sue me.)



The minute I saw it...I knew it had to be part of a teacher gift for the new school year. And while getting some Crystal Light (which we had for dinner last night....YUM!) I also found this Target knock-off Crystal Light in this awesome packaging as well! We will be drinking 5 calorie juice for years now!

I love giving school supplies to teachers. A lot of the gifts I see are cute, but sometimes not very practical. I hope to give things that they can use in their classrooms. (or food...because EVERYONE needs a treat now and then)



I've mentioned my love for labels. But this is less about labels...and more about how cool it is to write what's contained in the box. Something about that makes me happy. (this took about 15 minutes. Measure scrapbook paper, glue, put on stickers. Done!)



And in keeping with a "cheap" cover up. You GOTTA wrap it up cute. I'm currently thinking of a creative way to ask tulle to marry me. I rarely use it, but had some left from the birthday party. I hope tulle says yes. I promise to make it eternally happy. (seriously....so cute!)


I hope she likes it. (and takes it easy on my son this year!)

There's also a "treat" gift idea: HERE


And another "school supply" gift idea: HERE

Hopefully one of those will help you kiss up to your kids' teachers as well!

Happy New School Year. (and we'll see you on Tuesday for a BIG REVEAL! Yay!)