Declutter and Get Green

I love to declutter as much as the next person. Who doesn't love a more simplified space?

Sometimes the biggest problem is getting motivated. Or getting over the fact it is overwhelming to start a particular task.

However, as I have mentioned before, the best way for me to get over any of this is to know that I can make money decluttering!

I have already made several hundred dollars at a children's consignment shop getting rid of my girls' old clothes and toys they have outgrown.

And I also have made money selling baby items and other household items on Craigslist.

My next are to declutter? I am going to go through unwanted books once again and sell them online.

It is not a huge moneymaker, but it is good knowing that the books will get a second life. I can make a few dollars and they ship for free!

Spring Tablescape Inspiration

Photos courtesy of A Jubilee Event, Martha Stewart and Tory Birch.


I have to be honest.

My dining room table is completely empty and lacking inspiration.

Well, almost empty.

Other than the crayons, markers, coloring books and my girls' original artwork.

So I have been searching for some inspiration.

It is especially hard because here in the New England we are still having below average temps and it feels like winter!

I hope everyone has a great week!

Ready and Waiting...

Sunday may have been the first day of spring, but we are expecting snow tomorrow for the second time this week!

I am not going to let that dampen my spirits!

My husband, the girls and I went out together on Sunday and I bought my seeds for my summer garden!

I am excited for three reasons:

First, other than the initial cost of the seeds, I am going to be saving money at the grocery store.

Second, I do not have to worry about what pesticides may have been used on my food.

Third, the girls and I can have fun outside tending to the garden.

Now all I have to do is wait for the weather to get a little warmer to plant the seeds.

Hometown Girl Giveaway

If you do not already follow Susan over at Hometown Girl, I suggest that you go check her out!

She has a beautiful blog~she is an amazing photographer, a talented crafter, post yummy looking dishes and has two really sweet Etsy shops.

She is also hosting a wonderful giveaway for her 500th post! She is giving away everything in the picture above!

A Big Thank You To Humble Pie

I am so greatful to have gotten to know so many of you wonderful ladies in blogland.

Kind, generous, intelligent, and creative ladies who love God and love their families.

One of these ladies who has touched my heart so dearly is Lissa from Humble Pie.

Lissa just started her own line of products called "Keep It Simple, Keep It Fresh".

She is selling these awesome aprons.

And the best part is~ I won one!

If you are interested in getting one of your own, please visit her blog where she has a link to buy one.

And fitting in perfectly with the theme is that my package arrived yesterday afternoon just a few hours before my gluten-free cooking class!

A lot of the information included local restaurants and where to buy gluten-free products, but I wanted to share with you a few things I learned.

There is a website: www.glutenfreeregistry.com for restaurants that feature GF menu options.

I have been lactose intolerant for several years and continue to have GI issues so I now live a Gluten-Free Lactose-Free lifestyle.

Shelter Box

I know all of us have one thing on our mind this week and I wanted to pass this info along that I read over at Dreamy Whites today.

I had never heard of Shelter Box, so I thought I would post about it today.

I am also still donating 10% from my Etsy sales to the American Red Cross as well to aid the victims of Japan.

Going Green

Clover photo from ThinkCoreMedia.


Before I got married, I always used to joke on St. Patrick's Day that I didn't need to wear green because my last name was Green.

But on a serious note, in light of recent world events, I am looking more than ever for ways to save money and GO GREEN.

I already use cloth napkins like the ones pictured from Peppermint Pinwheels on Etsy. But I definitely could use more. I think these would be perfect for outdoor dining in the summer!

And I try to use more crocheted dishcloths than sponges. I love the ones pictured from Dishpanhands on Etsy!

And my big PLAN that I am working on~planning my vegetable garden. I can hardly wait to be outdoors in the warm air with the girls helping me take care of the garden. I love this garden from Coutnry Living.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Gluten Free Cooking Class

Photo by Simply Sugar and Gluten Free

I am so excited for Friday night. My mom and I are going to a Gluten Free Cooking Class at the Whitman Wellness Center (http://hansonholisticcenter.com)

It is just what I need.

Five years ago I found out that I am lactose intolerant.

And now I am living gluten free as well because of GI issues.

I love eating healthy and following a healthy lifestyle.

And I love learning as much as I can about it.

I hope to share with you some yummy recipes.

My Small Part

I have been thinking alot about the devastation in Japan and what I can do to help.

I have decided to donate 10% of every purchase from my Etsy shop to the American Red Cross.

Especially during this Lenten season, I feel even more mindful of helping others.

An Ethics Question and My Rambling

I have heard of Extreme Couponing and have even seen a few on t.v showing us how to save thousands of dollars.

However, last night, I really began to wonder about it after watching TLC's Extreme Couponing.

One lady brought her bill down from $1175.00 to $51.00 after spending SIX hours in the grocery store.

While that is a HUGE savings and I congratulate her on her efforts, ethically I don't agree. She bought over 200 hundred boxes of pasta, over 200 boxes of pre-packaged Asian dishes, and over 100 candy bars.

I am totally for her getting her food for FREE. What I don't agree with is hoarding the other 199 boxes. How many boxes can she eat before the expiration date?

Personally, I just couldn't do that knowing so many people out there are struggling too. I am not against stockpiling. If it saves your family money and you can afford to stock up until the item goes on sale again, I think it is great. Just not enough to feed a small army and not do it!

On a lighter note, I WAS inspired by these dedicated people and I spent an hour on the internet last night printing coupons! The photo above is a picture of what I bought today and I only spent $25!

I am going to Whole Foods tomorrow with coupons! Yes, you can save money AND eat healthy!

Simplicity and Spring Cleaning

In keeping with the title of my blog, Frugal and Vintage, I thought I would talk a little about the Frugal part since my Etsy shop pretty much sums up the Vintage part.

I have to admit, while I enjoy simplicity and frugality, I stray from time to time. Life just gets busy and these things get pushed aside.

But now, more than ever, with the rising gas prices and the unstable economy, I am putting in more of an effort to focus on these things. And with so many fellow bloggers who live similar lifestyles, finding the inspiration can be easy. Lissa from Humble Pie is a perfect example of someone who puts in 100% effort to keeping a beautiful home.

And I don't know what is better, a decluttered home or making money! My husband is on vacation this week, so my strategy is to tackle the following:
*the toys (need I say more!)
*the rest of the baby equipment (pack 'n play, car seat bases, etc)
*the clothes that the girls have outgrown
*old appliances (Yes, my husband remodeled our kitchen four years ago and we have yet to part with the old stovetop. It was not that old when we bought the house the year before and we are hoping to list it on Craigslist soon.)
*wedding gifts that we have never opened.

I conveniently work at a friend's consignment shop on Saturday's, so I bring my girls' items there to sell. And I have another local consignment shop where I bring my own items.

Of course, I love when my things sell because then I make money and sometimes I take the cash, but often I buy "new" or "like new" brand name items at a fraction of the cost.

Of course, there are the odd items that consignment shops don't take, so I either sell on Craigslist on a rare occasion or I have the Vietnam Veterans van pick up my donated items.

There is definitely something exciting about decluttering and living a simple life.

Little Things Make Me Happy

A few more quotes come to mind:

"Good things come in small packages."

"It is the little things in life that matter."

How many times do we stop and smile during the day at the little things that make us happy?

My three and a half year old daughter loves to paint and draw and has recently developed what I will call her "signature trademark".

The smiley face in the picture above.

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see it.

Spring Training

Swimsuit is from Talbots. Treadmill is from Sears.


With spring right around the corner, it is time to kick it up a notch.

No more couch potato.

A lot more treadmill. (Sigh!)

And healthy food choices. (Sigh again!)

And a happier and healthier me.

And hopefully a new swimsuit!

Anyone else eating healthier and exercising more?