A Cultivated Nest

7 Ways to Treat Yourself When You Don’t Have Money to Blow

In an ideal world I’d be able to get daily massages, have someone cook for me and buy any and every plant I want (maybe your thing is jewelry). But I’m not there yet. For now, I’ll just have to enjoy a little do-it-yourself pampering and go easy on the pocketbook. Life’s full of expenses; whether it’s monthly bills, student loans, buying that dream home or building a business, there are times when ... Read More about 7 Ways to Treat Yourself When You Don’t Have Money to Blow

Easy Homemade Pickled Onions

A quick trip through Panera for a panini sandwich turned out to be life changing! Well, at least in the culinary sense. I happened upon this delicious little sandwich that was made even better by the pickled onions that topped it, and I was hooked on the flavor. I immediately had to try making my own at home and it was so easy that they are now a permanent condiment on all of our sandwiches, ... Read More about Easy Homemade Pickled Onions

DIY Chalky Paint Clock Makeover

Don't you just love a good thrift store makeover? I found this cute round clock at Goodwill the other day, but wasn't that much of a fan of the wood pattern it had. So I decided to paint it. But even better than just painting it, I painted it with a quick DIY chalky paint I made using a paint sample! Follow my steps to find out how to do your own DIY Chalky Paint Clock Makeover! I haven't ... Read More about DIY Chalky Paint Clock Makeover

Save Money By Using The “Pantry Principle”

One of the key ways to save money and stay within your budget is to control the dollars spent on your groceries. How do you do that? You need to cook from your pantry and that means having a stocked pantry. I use "the pantry principle" which I learned about in Amy Dacyczyn's book “The Tightwad Gazette” to stock my pantry without spending a ton of money! This concept may feel a little ... Read More about Save Money By Using The “Pantry Principle”

Red, White, and Blue Homemade Soap

The Fourth of July is nearly here! I felt like making a red, white, and blue homemade beauty product, but I wanted to do something a little different this time. So I decided to make my own soap! If you've never made your own bar soap before, its actually really easy. Follow my simple tutorial to make your own Red, White, and Blue Homemade Soap! The addition of cocoa butter in this red, ... Read More about Red, White, and Blue Homemade Soap

Tangerine Sugar Body Scrub

I don't know about you guys, but to me, summertime is citrus time! There's something about the bright colors and fresh scent of citrus fruits that reminds me of bright sunshine, warm days, and outdoor fun! Usually I get my citrus fill with things like delicious homemade lemonade. But this year, I wanted something a little extra. So I put together this easy (and refreshing) Tangerine Sugar Body ... Read More about Tangerine Sugar Body Scrub