The Thriftiness Miss: December 2012

My Top 12 In 2012

Monday, December 31, 2012

It's been quite a year my friends. I have to say 2012 was an adventure and I can't wait to see what 2013 holds!

I'm just shy of my one year blogversary, so I don't have an entire year to pick from, but here are my top 6 viewed posts of 2012..

And here are my top 6 personal favorites..

Thank you so much for all the love and support that you readers have given me in 2012! I can't tell you how much it means to me. I've got a lot of fun stuff planned for 2013 so make sure and stop back and say hi.

Have a wonderful and safe New Year everyone!!

Old Sweater to New Winter Wear

Saturday, December 29, 2012

I've been bit by the sewing bug again guys and gals. I took this old sweater that's never fit me right and turned it into two new pieces of functional winter wear, an infinity scarf and boot socks.

This wonderful knit sweater actually doesn't fray when it's cut amazingly enough, so I didn't have to use any kind of fray block.

Here's how I made my cuts.

The sewing was very simple for the scarf. After I cut the piece off the sweater, I made a cut all the way up one seam side to have one long piece.

I then folded it in half long ways and inside out. Using my sewing machine I sewed up all edges but one, turned it right side out, and sewed the ends together. Presto! Sweater infinity scarf!

As I said before the material doesn't fray, so I just cut the sleeves off the sweater and left the raw edges for the boot socks. I also decided to leave them long for boots of different lengths.

For shorter boots, the socks can either be scrunched down 80's style or folded under for a thicker sock.

The material is so soft and snuggly, you just want to wear them around the house for warmth on a cold day.

Bacon, Onion, Mozz Mashed Potato Bake

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Now here's a recipe that's comfort food to the max! Bacon, onion, and mozzarella cheese help out plain mashed potatoes in this delicious side dish.

It's a perfect passing dish for a pot luck or holiday dinner. You can even use your left over mashed potatoes from last night's dinner too. Just cook a little extra and pull them out of the fridge when needed.

Also, did you know that you can bake instant mashed potatoes? I didn't have any real potatoes on hand and tried it out with the flakes one time and it works great! What a time saver!

Ingredients

5 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 large onion, sliced and sauteed in butter until soft
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 four serving recipe for mashed potatoes, instant or the real thing

Instructions

1. Cut up and cook bacon and onions, set aside.

2. In the bottom of a 9 X 13 baking pan, spread mashed potatoes evenly. If you're using instant, just mix the flakes, water, milk, and butter in the bottom of the dish according to the package directions and leave cold.

3. Layer a half cup of mozzarella cheese, the bacon, the onion, then the other half cup of cheese.

4. Place in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Enjoy!

A Pretty Pink Baby Shower in the Making

I'm going to be an aunt for the first time everyone! My brother and his wife are due with their first baby girl at the end of March and I'm so over the moon excited for a new baby in the family!

Ever since I had my son two years ago I've been anxiously awaiting a niece or nephew for him to play with and for me to babysit! I can't wait!

I also can't wait for the baby shower that I get to throw! Yay! The momma to be wants an overall "It's A Girl" pretty pink theme. So that's what we're going with.

The shower is going to be at the beginning of February so we went and registered and got the invitations to send out.

And now the real planning begins... There's decorations, games, food, favors, and presents to plan. And where does one go when they are gathering ideas for just about anything?

Pinterest of course!

Here's some of my favorite ideas that I've found and that I'd like to incorporate into the shower...

From the very talented Amy from While Wearing Heels, this is probably the cutest "guess the date" idea I've ever seen. Guests use the little feet stamp in pink ink (or blue) on a calender to guess the date of the baby's birth.

Pink pomander balls from Pizzazzerie. I have the perfect little die cut flowers to make these too!

Pink nail polish favors with an "It's A Girl" tag.

Wishes for baby - Here's an adorable idea I found from a "little birdies" baby shower on Catch My Party. I've seen this concept done in a lot of different ways but I love this one because it serves as part of the decor.

Individually wrapped silverware. It's a little touch that makes a big difference in my opinion. These are by Hostess Jo.

Fluffy tissue flowers. Super simple and totally cute, these flowers from Michael Ann Made are as easy as fold, cut, staple, and fluff fluff fluff..

Pink "It's A Girl" banner. I made this one from a book of letters I had. All I have to do is thread the strings and hang it up on the wall. I'm thinking it should go above the gift table... or maybe the food table...

Cupcake toppers and wrappers make any cupcake look dolled up. ReadyMade shows you how to make your own from scrapbook paper. I'll be using pink of course. If you don't have the time to make your own, you can always go on Etsy.com and find tons of adorable cupcake accessories.

Veggies and dip in cups. A great way to keep people from gathering around the platter. Guests can take one and mingle with others. Alyssa from Croutons and Cupcakes made these up and I love the addition of the pea pods.

Iced pound cake squares or chichi petits fours in french. Nothing could be easier and look so pretty at the same time and let's not forget how scrumptious they must be. This idea comes from Amy Atlas via Country Living.

My mom did this for my baby shower and I didn't have to buy diapers for my little guy until he was almost a year old... Seriously! It's worth it!

The "Guess Who" baby picture game is one of my all time favorite games to play. Everyone brings a picture of themselves as a baby and the guests guess who it is. Whoever gets the most right wins. I love how this game from Lil Sugar puts the pics up with pink paper behind them. It's a nice pop of color.

I'm hardly done planning yet, but these are the ideas that I'm definitely going to do. Have any other unique pink baby shower ideas for me? I'm love to hear about them.

Have a wonderful day!

6 Free New Years Eve Party Printables

Monday, December 24, 2012

Do you have your New Year's Eve party planned yet? If not, here's some 6 free party printables to ring in 2013 with style. Check out what these talented graphic designers have for you below.

2013 Printables

FREE New Year's Party Printables from Pick.Print.Party - at Catch My Party. The set includes: invitations, table signs, folding tented cards, water bottle labels, square tags, drink flags, and a "Happy New Year" banner.

Printable 2013 New Year's Eve Hats from Ellinee Journal - New years eve cone hat and crown print and assemble.

2013 New Year's Eve Party Kit from Ellinee Journal - If you liked the hats from above, you'll love this retro party pack printable. There's a 13 page PDF that includes a "Happy New Year" banner, desert tags sticker sheet, wrappers, cupcake wrappers, decanter tags, food tent cards, and and bottle wrappers.

Free Printable Cupcake Toppers from MeinLilaPark

Fill In Printables

Free New Year's Chalkboard Printables from 36th Avenue - This set includes it all! There's an 8×10 New Years Printable, invitations, resolution and/or memory cards, food cards, name tags, cupcake toppers, and photo booth accessories.

FREE New Year's Party Printables From Mimi's Dollhouse - at Catch My Party. The collection includes: party circles (2" and 4"), a "Happy New Year" banner, cupcake wrappers, favor tags, fill in invitation, menu card, New Year's resolution cards, straw flags, tented cards, and wine/champagne bottle labels.

With any of these fun printables you'll have the cutest party on the block.

Happy New year my friends!

Enjoy

Snickerdoodle Dip

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Are you looking for a quick and easy dish to take to your holiday parties this year? If you are then I've got the perfect recipe for you!

I love this snickerdoodle dip because it's super simple and such a crowd pleaser. I never have any leftovers and I'm sure you won't either.

Ingredients

8 oz. block of cream cheese at room temperature (I used Philidelphia)
1 Tsp cinnamon
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1 box cinnamon graham crackers (I used Keebler)

Instructions

In a bowl, whip room temperature cream cheese to get it as fluffy as you can.

In a separate bowl, mix together cinnamon and brown sugar until combined.

Next, fold in the cinnamon sugar mixture into the cream cheese in three parts. Sprinkle a third of the mixture over the cream cheese and fold in.

Be sure not to mix too much or you won't get the beautiful cinnamon sugar ribbons throughout. Repeat two more time with the rest of the mixture.

Place in a serving bowl with cinnamon graham crackers on the side for dipping.

And now I have an extra special Christmas treat for you! I'm participating in a virtual Christmas bash with a ton of other super talented bloggers that's hosted by Amy from Amy's cooking Adventures and YOU are invited to attend the affair!!

Featured!

Take it away Amy!

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!

It’s that time of year when Christmas parties abound, and you are all invited to ours!

So sit back, relax, and peruse. We’ve got a bit of everything to share with you today, just click the links below the pictures to meet all of our wonderful participants and their contributions.