Friday Treat

It's Day 4 of the Summer Savings Challenge and I am not looking forward to Day 5.  I usually take my lunch 4 days and week then eat out on Friday. It's just a little end of the week treat.  I don't do it every Friday but this week has been long and I am in need my treat.  Well....Day 5 is Friday.  What am I going to do?  I need my little treat!  It's usually just me and no one else. My time to get whatever I want to eat without worrying about the Diva Kids or Mr. Diva.  *frown*

I know what I will do. I am going to consult the mother of pick me up food, Paula Deen.  Oh, Food Godmother Paula, what shall I take for lunch tomorrow?  After searching the www.pauladeen.com site, I figured out what I want for my treat.  I am going to make some fresh bruschetta. That will make me happy!  I still have the tomatoes from my visit to the farmers market and balsamic vinaigrette in the cabinet.  I think I will top it off with some lemonade.  OK I'm all better now. Thanks Food Godmother Paula, you saved my lunch again.

Shoestring Diva Bruschetta( Cheap. Easy. Delicious)

2 slices of toasted bread
1 chopped fresh tomato
Feta Cheese
Parsley Flakes, Salt, Pepper
Balsamic Vinaigrette

Toast  the bread in tear into bit sized pieces.  Chop up the tomato into small cubes and place in a small bowl.  Add desired amount of parsley flakes, salt and fresh ground pepper.  Pour tomato mixture over the toasted bread.  Top with feta cheese and sprinkle the desired amount f balsamic vinaigrette. 

Summer Saving Challenge Day 2

Yesterday was a great day to save. I took my leftover lasagna and it was just as delicious as night before. To top off the good day, Cupcake had a power hour and I was able to get a scrumptious Mocha cupcake for FREE! Can you say AWE-SOME! I did unfortunately break one rule and bought a cup of coffee from Starbucks. I got the regular brew and not a fancy caramel coffee like I usually get. On second thought, I didn't officially break the rule because it was technically breakfast (before 11:00am) when I got the coffee. 

Tip:  I suggest switching up your lunch for Day 3.  If you are like me, you have taken leftovers for the past couple of days.  Make something fresh like a good sandwich. I brought a cajun turkey sandwich with fresh tomatoes and lettuce.  Switching up your meals will help you combat lunch boredom. Great job on Day 2. Keep up the good work.

Smooches

Summer Savings Challenge

Welcome to the first day of summer and Summer Savings Challenge. The purpose of the challenge is to promote budgeting and saving. Saving money can sometimes be a challenge. It’s hard to figure out where you are spending the most money. Eating out for lunch is a huge cost that can be modified into a savings. The Summer Savings Challenge is here to jump start your savings.


Here is how it works. Take your lunch to work for 10 days. For each day you take your lunch, place the money you would have spent on lunch out. Place it in a piggy jar, coin purse or just keep a tally. At the end of the 10 days, count up how much money you saved. It’s just that simple. Not only have you eaten all the leftovers in the fridge but you paid yourself in return.

Here is one trick I find very helpful. I plan out my lunches just like my dinners. I try to use the products from my grocery list more than one time. For instance I may have a sandwich one day and use the toasted bread as croutons the next day. Try it out. It works! Good Luck!


Lunch Grocery List

• Bacon (can be used for breakfast too)

• Green Leaf Lettuce

• Fresh tomatoes

• Wheat bread

• Peaches

• Healthy Choice Meal

• Yogurt x 5 (can be used from breakfast too)

• Lean Cuisine Meal x 2


Lunch Meals

Monday- BLT

Tuesday- Salad with bacon, toasted bread crumbs with dressing

Wednesday- Left over baked chicken and broccoli from Tuesday night dinner

Thursday- Homemade chicken salad (made from Tuesday night’s chicken) and fresh peaches

Friday- Lean Cuisine Meal

5 Tips to Creating a New Look for Your Bathroom

Guest Diva Vivica Ashford, owner of One of a Kind Interior Designs and Renovations gives us some tips on how to turn your bathroom from drab to fab for less.

Smooches, The Diva


5 tips To Creating A New Look for Your Bathroom
Vivica Ashford

Spring is almost over and summer is approaching fast, some homeowners still haven’t tackled there Spring project list or what I like to call “The Honey Do” List. One of the projects on the list may be renovating the bathroom. I know you are tired of that old outdated look. In my experience, renovating doesn’t mean gutting the entire bathroom, which can cost thousands of dollars. Turn a room from drab to fab in just a weekend in a cost effective way. These days are about fantastic living. Your bathroom is no longer a place to just take a shower, it’s a place where you can unwind and relax. So turn your bathroom into a spa resort this weekend by using these 5 tips.

Tip #1 Paint

Paint can give your bathroom a fresh look and it’s also the most inexpensive way to transform your space. The process of choosing a paint color can be a bit overwhelming. Just relax…it can be really fun. First pick out your favorite fabric and take it to your local paint store. Select colors from that piece to inspire your paint choice for your bathroom. You can never go wrong with a neutral color, but I challenge homeowners to think outside the box and jazz up you space with some color.

Tip #2 Hardware

Bathroom hardware is the easiest way to spruce up an old bathroom. Simple changes like switching out faucets, handles on vanities, shower rods, and towel rods with the same finish can be a less expensive element. Many older bathrooms may have chrome or old rusty bronze faucets and handles. Try something different such as brush nickel finish or if you like the bronze look just replace the hardware with an oil bronze finish. You’ll be amazed with the outcome.

Tip #3 Lighting

The light fixtures are one simple way to brighten your bathroom. A vanity light allows you to upgrade a key part of your bathroom’s décor. Vanity lights are more stylish than ever. They come many shapes and sizes. Pendant lights are very popular. They come in a variety of colors but they don’t give off excess light. I recommend pendant lighting if there is plenty of natural light in your bathroom. If you bathroom has little or natural light, I recommend a modern track lighting system.

Tip #4 Caulking

Caulking is a waterproof filler and sealant that is used to make a watertight seal. In older homes, caulk is the white sealant around your sink and tubs. If your caulk was white and now has mold, it needs to be replaced. This is something that you can do yourself. It will give a fresh look to your bathroom. They even have colored caulk to match the décor of the bathroom. There are different types of caulk depending on the structure of your bathroom. I recommend cut a piece of the caulk with a razor and taking it to a professional. They can inform you on what type of caulk to purchase at your local hardware store such as Lowe’s or Home Depot.

Tip #5 Accessories

Another simple way to improve the look of your bathroom is using accessories. If you have a plain space and don’t have a lot of money to spend on decorating, this is a great way to give your bathroom a makeover. You can accessorize with colored towels, a retro style shower curtain with bold colors, and wall art. An inexpensive way to add artwork to your wall without busting your budget is to purchase a few picture frames and wallpaper of your choice with pop colors such as reds, yellows, and greens. Cut out the wallpaper to fit the frame and insert the wallpaper as you would a photograph and hang them on the walls of the bathroom. This is a good way to achieve the look you may be going for without purchasing expensive artwork. Now you’ve created an original piece or art!


One Of a Kind Interior Designs and Renovations is owned and operated by James and Vivica Ashford. With more than 5 years of carpentry and renovations experience One of a Kind Interiors is dedicated to providing quality service. Their mission is to provide the innovative designs and home renovations at an affordable price. Contact Vivica at oneofakindrenovations@yahoo.com or 803-800-4017.