Adventures in 2nd Hand Shopping

Not only can I be frugal, sometimes I can be down right cheap.  Since our move into our new house, I've been doing alittle decorating, mostly with existing furniture and such, but I've been adding some new pieces here and there.  I've been doing this on a budget, a pretty non-existent budget.  So my new favorite places to shop for stuff has become second hand stores, I call this treasure hunting, and last week was a good one.

Our living room was in need of window treatments, in a major way.  Please see exhibit #1.

I honestly couldn't believe what the stores were charging for new curtains.  That was not in the budget, so I went treasure hunting.  This is what I found at my local Goodwill (find your local store here) store.

It was a giant two panel curtain, and the price was right.

All I needed to do was take this one peice and make it into 2.  Armed with my thread ripper, needle and thread I was off.  I even got alittle help.

So in the end I had enough for two window swags.

And a new table runner...

All for 5 bucks and an hour (over 2 days) of my time.  I can't forget to mention, the fabulous dress that I found too.

The best part is that I'm into a size smaller (I guess there are some benefits to abnormally hot summer).

I didn't actually pay $32 for this it was half off.  So, after alittle on-line research I determined that I paid $17 for an $85 dress that was in great shape.

So, get out there and search your second hand stores, flea markets and garage sales, you never know what you are going to find!

Happy Treasure Hunting!!

~Cyn

Fall TV line-ups announced...

So not too much has changed, but here are some things to note.

Monday nights will be boring, make sure you have something on the DVR

Tuesday nights will be saved by FX and 'Sons of Anarchy'

Do not call my house on Wednesday's...because I will be camped out...'Criminal Minds' (new family favorite), 'The Middle', ' Modern Family' and new shows 'Nashville' and 'Chicago Fire' will have my DVR full!

There are a couple of new shows that I haven't heard anything about... 'Vegas' and 'The Neighbors'.

What shows are you looking forward to this fall?

‘Suburgatory’ gets post-’Modern Family’ timeslot on ABC fall schedule | Inside TV Mobile | EW.com

2012 Emmy Contest????

So the Emmy nominations are in for 2012.   I really want to have a contest but you are all stinkers about turning in your forms for my fab prizes.So before I go through the trouble, of setting one up, let me know via the comments below if your in, and if you are what type of prize you would like to see me give away.  I will make the decision by 8/12.

For a list of nominees please see this link.....Emmys 2012: And the nominees are… | Inside TV Mobile | EW.com

The (Financial) Cost of being part of a Wedding

On the way in to work this morning on the radio they were talking about how much it costs to be a bridesmaid these days.  Now I haven't been in a wedding (that wasn't my own) in quite sometime, but I do not remember it costing $1,700!!  I bet you are thinking that the same thing that I am, you have got to be kidding.  When I did a quick google search on the cost of being a groomsmen that  comes in at just $400 dollars.  I don't believe that number either, how is it $1,300 cheaper?  So, I got to thinking about all the expenses related to a wedding and how quickly they can add up.




Aren't we pretty?

Wedding Outfit

• a bridesmaids dress with alternations will run about $200, add another $75.00 for shoes. 
• Tuxes average around $100 and include the shoes (boys apparently don't care)

Hair and Make Up

• a bridesmaid will probably spend around $150 to have their make-up and hair done on the big day
• Groomsmen, $20 for a haircut

Bridal Shower

• if a bridesmaid is helping to host (which she should be) it will run her around $150 (at least) $200 with present
• Groomsmen = n/a

Bachelor/Bachelorette Party

• So with the travel (from what I understand now, these are 'weekend getaways') you are looking at $500 to $600 dollars for travel and hotel alone, add in the new clothes and drinks $1,000
• Add in the strippers and take away the new clothes and you are even at $1,000

So, these are only a few of the big spends that are associated with a wedding, there could be travel to the wedding, engagement & wedding gifts.  So much. 

This just seems outrageous to me.  I would love to know what everyone thinks....send me your thoughts, I would love to hear them..

~Cyn

What to Make (Grill) for Dinner : Steak 2 Ways

I have been feeling really inspired in the grill arena lately, and we have been eating alot of red meat.  I was trying to decide if I wanted mushrooms and onions or horseradish/sour cream with my steak and then I thought why not both...

I love these little 'cups' from Crate and Barrel, perfect to keep both sauces separate but equal.

Here's what you need:

Steaks - I used New York Strip and when I make this recipe it was for only 2
Olive Oil
Worcheshire Sauce
A-1 Steak Sauce
1 jar (4.5 oz) of mushrooms
Prepared horseradish sauce
Sour Cream
Onion - white, diced (about 1/2 cup)
Salt and Pepper to taste


I was so excited I forgot to take the picture before marinating the steaks.

Here's how to do it:

Start with the steaks.  Get those babies marinaded and in the frig.

There they are....

poke them, and cover with salt, pepper, worcheshire sauce, and A-1.  Cover with plastic wrap and pop them in the frig.  They should be in there at least 2 hours, but overnight would not hurt them.


Once they are ready for the grill, turn the flame to Medium, we cooked ours for 15 mins, then flipped for another 15 mins,  it's best to check them with the meat thermometer, to get your most enjoyable level of doneness.  Check out this website, to check out the temps.

While you are cooking those, it's time to make your toppings.

Heat a pan on the stove, add your olive oil, once the oil is hot, add 1/2 cup of white onions, brown.  Next, add the mushrooms (juice and all), 1/3 cup of A-1 and 1/3 cup of worcheshire sauce.

If you could only smell it....

Bring to boil and then remove from heat until your steak is done.

Next, sour cream sauce.  So easy.

For every 1/3 cup of sour cream, add one tablespoon of prepared horseradish sauce, mix.

Don't be afraid to add more horseradish if you like it alittle more tangy.

Side Dishes

I made some twice baked potatoes (with bacon and cheddar cheese!!).  Bake your potatoes until fully cooked, let them cool.  Slice and remove the pulp. 

I used my cookie scoop.

Cook some bacon (I always say that less is more) 4 to 6 slices should work.

Mash the pulps like you are making mashed potatoes, stir in  1/2 cup of sour cream, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese, and the crumbled bacon.

Scoop back into the potatoe shells, and bake in the oven for about 25 mins, at 350 degrees.

I used about 5 smaller potates, lots of leftovers.

Leftovers

Cut the steak into bite size pieces, and heat along with the leftover mushrooms and onions in skillet, serve with the leftover sour cream sauce.  Pop the potatoes back in the oven for about 15 mins, and enjoy!



~Cyn

Quick and Easy Pasta Salad

Need something to take to a 4th of July picnic? 

This pasta salad is quick, easy and really good.

Here's what you will need:

1 lb of cooked spaghetti

1/2 cup of diced tomotoes

1/4 cup of diced white onions

1/4 cup of diced green peppers

1 bottle of ranch dressing

Here's how to do it.

Start the water for your spaghetti, while that boils, dice your tomatoes, onions and peppers.

Drain the spaghetti, and mix with the ranch dressing. 

Then gently mix in the veggies.

Put in the frig for at least a couple of hours, overnight is the best.  It might need alittle more ranch dressing before serving.

Enjoy!

~Cyn