Cute Cheap Stuff!

Sadly, my dishwasher did not come with adorable kittens.

One of the things that I really like about my new apartment is that it has a dishwasher. A real working dishwasher! It’s been a few years since I’ve had one, and it’s pretty nice to just turn the dial and let it do its thing. There’s no more letting dishes sit in the sink for way too long – like waaaayyyy too long.

Like you run out of plates and find yourself using a brownie pan to eat dinner out of because it’s easier than washing dishes.

And when that’s not available, you go for a cutting board.

And when that’s dirty, pretty much anything with a flat surface.

Yes, I am that lazy.  The nice and not-so-nice sides of living alone are that you have less mess to clean up, but it’s easier to not bother cleaning up when you’re not subjecting anyone else to the mess.

(In my defense, my last apartment had issues with hot water. It literally took 5 minutes from the time that I turned on the kitchen faucet until the water was hot enough to properly clean dishes. That’s a lot of water being wasted, so I tried to not wash dishes as often. That’s a good excuse, right?)

But enough slob confessions and back to the dishwasher:  I came across this New York Times article, For the Dishwasher’s Sake, Go Easy on the Detergent (via Apartment Therapy) that affirms both my lazy side and my frugal side. According to experts, you can use less detergent (and save money!) and not pre-wash dishes (saves time and energy!). And the same goes for washers and dryers.

So carry on, cheap lazy people. Carry on.

(Photo courtesy of lizzk with creative commons permission.)

Back at the end of January when I signed the lease for my new apartment, I noticed that the light switch plate in the bedroom was missing. I decided to take the opportunity to jazz things up a little by replacing the plate with something a little more interesting than the usual beige motif.

I turned to etsy and found this switch plate from funky chicken design:

It only cost $5 and $2 for shipping! And she included a couple free gifts with it. I’m happy with my purchase.

However, I wound up not using it for my bedroom because I discovered the light switch doesn’t control anything, so I bought a wireless light switch and put it on top of the existing light switch so that I could control the Ikea KNAPPA lamp that I put up:

I’ve also devised a curtain/headboard to cover up the cord for that lamp, but I’ll discuss that later, as it’s still a work in progress.

Anyway, back to the switch plate – I wound up putting it on the light switch by the front door. Now I see it every time I leave, and it makes me smile.

It’s the little things that count.

Tip time!

• Apartment Therapy is doing a Home Hacks series, and it’s pretty awesome. There are some rather silly ideas, but plenty of good ones too, including using a walnut to cover up dings in wooden furniture.
• From the Kitchn, a couple egg tips: how to test an egg for freshness (it seems like they last forever?) and how to get the eggshell out of a cracked egg (I run into this problem quite a bit!)

Treat time!

• Also from the Kitchen, 11 grown up cocktails without alcohol
• S’mores cupcakes. I’m not sure what to say about this, other than I WANT TO TRY IT!

Hello! I’m knee deep in unpacking from my move. It takes so long to figure out where to put things and then I know I’ll eventually rearrange it all, so it feels kind of pointless. But it’s the first step and a necessary step in settling in. I have some predicaments in terms of layout and lighting that I’d like to discuss here and ask for advice, but I won’t be talking about that quite yet.

What I can say is that Can’t Stop Moving is awesome. If you live in the Seattle area and you’re looking for movers, I highly recommend them. I got quotes from a few different moving companies around here, and theirs was the best. And not only were their prices good, but the guys were friendly and did a great job moving. The move only took 1 hour and 45 minutes! Aaaaawesome. Least painful move ever.

Check out 15 Uses for Incredibly Inexpensive White Vinegar.

Some of these sound a little suspect – like vinegar on a sunburn? – but it’s worth reading.

Enter discount code reindeer to get free shipping at fredflare.com! There’s not even a minimum purchase amount! The code ends Dec. 21.

I came across this online boutique called Elsewares that some has some cute, unique items. They have a section for $25 and under Gifts – in case you’re still looking for a special gift. Click here to find coupon codes for Elsewares.

Acrylic ring - $10

Bike chain bottle opener - $12

Salt & "Peeper" shaker - all in one! $10

First, I apologize again for neglecting Cute Cheap Stuff. My time has been consumed lately by a job search, and I’m happy to announce that the search is over! Hooray!

So now I’m back in blogging mode. Let’s go!

With all the holiday parties you might be attending or hosting, here’s a cheap way to clean up after a common party foul: use salt to clean up wine stains. A few months ago I was at a friend’s house and someone spilled wine, and I witnessed firsthand that salt really does absorb the wine. Forget expensive and toxic cleaners – all you need is salt (and love).

For this weekend only, my favorite place to shop, FredFlare.com, is offering free shipping! There isn’t even a minimum purchase! Just use discount code awesome when you check out.

This is so tempting, so very tempting…

They say that giving is better than receiving.

But receiving is still pretty fun. Especially when it’s something you actually want.

Enter Apartment Therapy’s annual Holiday Giveaway. Each day you can enter to win 6 gifts from their family of blogs (Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, ohdeedoh, unpluggd and re-nest), and there is some cool stuff. You can enter for as many as you like, and it shows you a preview of the upcoming giveaways to lust over.

This desk is pretty hot, right?

The giveaway runs through Dec. 18, and you’ll need to check the site once a day to enter. You’ll also have to create an account, but once you do, it makes entering the contests very easy.

Good luck!

Hooray! Use discount code “PREVIEW” at Fredflare.com, and you get 30% off everything. The code expires Nov. 16.

I love fred flare and their collection of cute yet mostly affordable things. This is a great time of year to check FF out, especially if you’re looking for an unusual secret santa or white elephant gift.

I have this shower curtain. It makes me happy.

Cute!

For your favorite "too cool for Christmas" friend?

(Photo credit: Flickr member jonathan_moreau licensed for use under Creative Commons)

I recently came across this article about 28 ways to save cash by getting your home ready for winter. Most of the tips don’t apply to me since I’m an apartment dweller, but it did get me thinking about personal preferences when it comes to being warm.

The thermostat in my apartment right now is set to 62. I have a feeling that’s a little colder than average, but I’m not sure.

Let’s do a little informal survey. What’s your thermostat set to? And for those of you living with a significant other, do you disagree over the ideal temperature?Every time I fiddle with my thermostat, I think of my parents who are constantly adjusting the heat/AC, and despite 30 years of marriage, are still incompatible temperature-wise.

From now until November 1, you can get 20% off at the Container Store with this coupon. To use the offer online, just enter promo code savenow.

If you’re interested in a free sample of Seventh Generation Free & Clear laundry detergent and/or a $1 off coupon for any SG product, click here.

From my favorite online store:

Enter discount SLIIMY at Fred Flare and save 25% site-wide. It expires October 12.

For 2 days only, Kohls.com is offering 20% off with code GR8THINGS, and you can use the free shipping code THISIS4FREE.

(Thanks to Seattle Moms Deal Finder)

• Free sample of Curel Itch Defense skin balancing moisture lotion
• Free sample of Palmolive Pure + Clear dish detergent

The Kitchn (Apartment Therapy) has been posting all summer about cocktails. They finally wrapped it up and made one giant ol’ post about summer cocktails and mix-ins and guides and tools and all sorts of informative stuff. It’s a pretty handy list and worth bookmarking. My alcohol knowledge is not that great, so it’s good to learn what some of this stuff is so that I’m not as overwhemled the next time I’m at happy hour.

mmmm, happy hour.

Anyway, if you’re not reading The Kitchn, you should. The posts range from super fancy recipes that are way over my head to even simple things like how to fry an egg, and the comments are also great places for ideas and discussion.

I read an article recently that there could be a very huge earthquake in the Seattle area. I guess that’s always a possibility, but scientists have noticed more activity lately. It’s a good reminder to be prepared for an earthquake or other emergency. A flashlight is a key part of an emergency kit.

The annoying thing about flashlights is that you have to buy batteries and then make sure that they are charged. But there is an alternative: hand-crank self-powered LED flashlights. I used them when I ushered at my old church in LA and we were in a dark theater. They work great, and it’s kind of fun to crank!

So here is a really great deal: 3-LED flashlight for $5.99. One minute of cranking yields 30 minutes of power for the flashlight or one hour for the emergency signal light.

But wait! (R.I.P. Billy Mays.) It gets better!

According to dealnews, if you enter coupon code MLC24833430P, it drops the price to $4.19. And it’s free shipping!  The coupon code ends August 25.

Shine a light!

Ikea Seattle (check the Ikea web site for your local Ikea promotions) is having a Wacky Weekend rummage sale Saturday, Aug. 15 and Sunday, Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. According to the web site:

Ikea has also recently lowered prices on over 1,000 items. Thank you, Sweden!

(Thanks, Centsible in Seattle)

Enter “stay cute” as the promo code and get free shipping at Fredflare - that’s a $7.95 value. Score!

Click here to take a very short survey and in return you get 2 large ShamWows totally free.

Personally, I’d rather take a very short survey where I get to neck punch the tool bag in the Shamwow commercial afterward, but I guess a couple free towels are okay too.

(Thanks to Money Saving Mom)

Here are a few new sample offers:

• Free sample of Total blueberry pomegranate cereal (sounds good!)
• Free sample of Quaker Dark Chocolate Raspberry Almond True Delights (granola bar – I’ve had the other varieties and they’re good)
• Free sample of Gain with Febreze (laundry detergent)

(Thanks for Money Saving Mom)

Fredflare is offering $10 off purchases of $25 or more, but the sale only lasts this weekend, so hurry! Just enter the promo code: JUMP.

I am in love with this dress. Someone should buy it and give it a loving home.

Kohl’s (check out the awful photo of Britney Spears) is offering 99-cent shipping. It started yesterday (sorry) and ends today – Wednesday, July 8.

99-cent shipping is pretty good! And Kohl’s has a big Clearance section, so double score.

25% off coupon for the Container Store (can be used online or in-store)

I really like the Container Store. They have pretty much everything you could ever want to organize your living space. It’s hard to walk in and not find something you justabsolutelyhavetohaverightnow! Which is why I recommend being very careful there.

Update to my post a few days ago:

Oh, happy day: There’s ANOTHER free shipping code for FredFlare: “FUN” (expires July 6).

Free sample of Tide Total Care

Have a room you’d like to spruce up?

Glidden is giving away a free quart of paint beginning June 25.

I adore Fredflare. And a free shipping code, well, that’s like Christmas.

So happy holidays: Use “shade” as the discount code and you’ll get free shipping. That’s a $7.95 savings! Yessssss.

Here are some of my picks:

Will Ferrell sunscreen – Proceeds benefit cancer survivors! $12

Plaid sunglasses – So cute! $11

Gingham bow cami – This is summer. $38

Happy shopping/shipping!