Author Archive
This contributor post was written by Beth of Parsimonia.
I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t exactly born with a green thumb. In my house, I have almost all succulents since they are the most difficult to kill (or so I’m told). So far it has served me well, but about this time each year I get the itch to grow something a little more useful, a little more…edible. Last weekend I scratched this itch with a trip to the local nursery to pick up some herbs for the kitchen. I got the basics (basil, rosemary and cilantro), and even though they’re pretty on their own, I can’t resist an opportunity to style them up a bit. Luckily, I’ve rounded up some DIYs for just such an occasion.
1. (above) DIY Tea Tin Herbs by Canadian House & Home
Containers
2. Mason Jar Herb Garden by Camille Styles
3. Chalkboard Herb Pots by Ellinée
4. Grow herbs in an old cup by House to Home
Labels + Markers
5. Clay Plant Labels by Fellow Fellow for Say Yes to Hoboken
6. DIY Herb Markers by EAB Designs
7. DIY Garden Markers by Wit & Whistle
Have a great weekend!
Beth is the writer behind Parsimonia: Secondhand With Style, where she blogs about her first love (thrifting) and her second love (cooking), as well as DIY projects, sustainable style and other bits of inspiration. She lives in St. Louis with one husband, one fuzzy dog and lots of dreams, and recently launched an online vintage store.
This contributor post was written by Beth of Parsimonia.
I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but here in St. Louis, warm days are here to stay. If you go out after 5 p.m., the neighborhood is crawling with kids on bikes, people walking their dogs and people gathered at the park, practicing for the upcoming softball leagues. It’s this time of year that has me looking out my window like a sad puppy, just wanting to get outside and have some fun instead of working away at my desk.
One of my favorite outdoor activities revolves, like most things, around friends and food, and that’s picnics. What’s better than gathering with friends at your favorite park, spreading a blanket on the grass, and loading it up with homemade pasta salad, sandwiches, sweet treats and something to wash it all down? Well, I’m gonna be honest with you: I can’t think of anything, except maybe spicing up that get-together with one of these adorable DIYs. Go on and make some memories this summer.
1. (above) Pretty Up Your Picnic Basket by Smile and Wave
2. Pockets of Fun by Garnish
3. Reusable Fabric Drink Carrier by A Subtle Revelry
4. Picnic Blanket Tote by Craft Buds
5. Free “Let’s Picnic!” Invitations by Eat Drink Chic
6. Vintage Suitcase Picnic Set by Funkytime
7. DIY Picnic Baskets + Free Printable by Oh Happy Day
8. Chevron DIY Picnic Blanket by Thig & Thistle
Have a great weekend!
Beth is the writer behind Parsimonia: Secondhand With Style, where she blogs about her first love (thrifting) and her second love (cooking), as well as DIY projects, sustainable style and other bits of inspiration. She lives in St. Louis with one husband, one fuzzy dog and lots of dreams, and recently launched an online vintage store.
This contributor post was written by Beth of Parsimonia.
A year or so ago I was walking around our neighborhood in Santa Monica when I spotted a high school girl wearing a floral print dress with spaghetti straps. I did a double-take, then carefully kept walking, making sure I hadn’t entered some weird time warp that had thrown me back into the ’90s. Turns out, I was still in post-millennium times, but the fashions of my youth were slowly creeping into it — and they haven’t stopped. Only now, it’s all about neon and, more recently, tie dye.
The latter is one I can definitely get behind, mostly because it’s something you can do yourself and modern adaptions aren’t quite as colorful. Instead of jamming six shades into one piece of cloth, crafters are keeping it simple with two-tone techniques and more subdued hues. These five DIYs are just the tip of the iceberg, too. You can take this technique and transfer it to tons of things: shorts, skirts, dresses, bags, maybe even some curtains? Go on: Grab some rubber bands and get wild!
1. (above) Tie-Dye Tissue Paper by Honest to Nod
2. Tie-Dye Jeans by Here Is Now
3. Tie-Dye Hair Ties/Bracelets by Jenny Bevlin
4. DIY Bleach Tie Dye Top by Honestly WTF
5. Tie-Dye Shoes by Julia’s Poppies Design
6. Tie Dye Denim DIY by State of Unique
7. Tie-Dye Napkins by Sun and Glory
Beth is the writer behind Parsimonia: Secondhand With Style, where she blogs about her first love (thrifting) and her second love (cooking), as well as DIY projects, sustainable style and other bits of inspiration. She lives in St. Louis with one husband, one fuzzy dog and lots of dreams, and recently launched an online vintage store.
This contributor post was written by Beth of Parsimonia.
Honestly…I can’t remember the last time I decorated eggs for Easter. I think after years of dunking them in the same old dye kits of my youth, I grew bored, and once I hit middle school, the novelty kind of lost its appeal for me. Umpteen years later (a lady never reveals her age), Easter eggs have transcended tradition and I’m continually amazed at the creative ways crafters have found to dress up these white orbs — special deliveries even the big bunny himself is surely proud to parcel out. Speaking of…does anyone else find it confusing that a bunny brings eggs? Or did I miss that chapter in my biology class? 
(above) Decoupage Eggs via DIzzYmaiden’s Foodies & Crafters
Neon Dip-dyed Eggs by Courtney of Merriment for Oh Joy!
Polka Dot Easter Eggs by La receta de la felicidad
Washi Tape Easter Eggs by Lovely Indeed
Craft Thread Eggs by Craftberry Bush
Leaf Print Eggs on Family Fun
Beth is the writer behind Parsimonia: Secondhand With Style, where she blogs about her first love (thrifting) and her second love (cooking), as well as DIY projects, sustainable style and other bits of inspiration. She lives in St. Louis with one husband, one fuzzy dog and lots of dreams, and recently launched an online vintage store.
This contributor post was written by Beth of Parsimonia.
Last week I was walking up our front steps when I noticed a bright flash of green in the little garden to the right. I stopped to look over the rail, and saw that the leaves of our daylilies starting to poke through the ground. We’re had an extremely mild winter, and now that we’re into March, it seems everyone is waiting for spring to…well…spring! I’ve been feeding that anticipation with hothouse flowers from the local market, but after a week they’re gone, and buying them so frequently starts to make a dent in my wallet. So I started researching more permanent solutions in the form of paper flowers, no doubt inspired by the wonderfully whimsical giant blooms created by the Ruche team (pictured above), which took the DIY world by storm this week.
I hope these projects usher the sweetness of spring into your home! Have a happy weekend!
1. (above) Giant Paper Flowers From Ruche via Design*Sponge
DIY Paper Flowers via Bliss
Giant Paper Rose via Green Wedding Shoes
DIY Flowers via Scrapbooks, Etc.
Wallflowers via Made
Beth is the writer behind Parsimonia: Secondhand With Style, where she blogs about her first love (thrifting) and her second love (cooking), as well as DIY projects, sustainable style and other bits of inspiration. She lives in St. Louis with one husband, one fuzzy dog and lots of dreams, and recently launched an online vintage store.
This contributor post was written by Beth of Parsimonia.
Seeing that it’s Feb. 10, I’ll give you one guess as to what this week’s roundup is going to involve. Yep…the day of love is upon us, and the Internet is abuzz with aphrodisiacs, love poems and song ideas to “set the mood.” And while those are all well and good, I like to take the romance out of February 14 and concentrate on love instead. And not just love for your “other,” but for your friends, your family and anyone else who makes your world better. Because, let’s be honest: Where would we be without them? So get to making one of these cute Valentines, and let those in your love nest in on what they mean to you.
1. (above) Medallion Heart Pins by Aesthetic Outburst
6. Spray Painted Bouquets + Bouts Project
7. Melting Heart Valentine DIY
9. Crayon Heart Valentines by Whipperberry
10. DIY Liquor and Hearts Valentine by Mr. Kate
12. “Heart Attack” in a Box DIY Idea
13. Make Your Own Heart Sweater and 14. Paper Heart Garland
Beth is the writer behind Parsimonia: Secondhand With Style, where she blogs about her first love (thrifting) and her second love (cooking), as well as DIY projects, sustainable style and other bits of inspiration. She lives in St. Louis with one husband, one fuzzy dog and lots of dreams, and recently launched an online vintage store.
This contributor post was written by Beth of Parsimonia.
For those of us in the four-season states, the temperatures are really starting to drop! I finally broke out my mittens, scarves, hats and other cold-weather accoutrements this week, thus adding a whole new level of accessories to my wardrobe. But, I have to be honest: There are several pieces I acquired years ago that I know aren’t going to see the glint of snow. Just like most women, my tastes change with the seasons, but replacing winter wear always seems a bit more expensive. So instead of browsing online stores, I’ve been hitting the blogsophere for ideas, and these five DIYs are just the ticket for keeping me (and you!) warm, head to toe.
(above) Sew Your Own Mittens by A Beautiful Mess
DIY Leg Warmers by Split the Lark
Snowy Day Hat Pattern by See Kate Sew
Long Pom Pom Cowl via Purl Soho
Yellow Bow Ear Warmer by Delia Creates
(Note that tutorial is for personal, not commercial, use)
Beth is the writer behind Parsimonia: Secondhand With Style, where she blogs about her first love (thrifting) and her second love (cooking), as well as DIY projects, sustainable style and other bits of inspiration. She lives in St. Louis with one husband, one fuzzy dog and lots of dreams, and recently launched an online vintage store.
