Dollar Store Decorating

I have a bit of a problem.

I've developed a complex from surfing Pinterest for too long. Looking at too many beautiful houses with perfect, polished decorations has made me nearly obsessed with my own decor, and I've spent many hours "Ooohing and Aaahing" over Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel websites dreaming of the day that I can afford to purchase their gorgeous furnishing and accessories (which, to be truthful, will probably never come).

Anyway.

The brilliant thing about Pinterest is that it's also the home of the Do-it-Yourself and/or Make-it-For-Less queens. That basically means that in addition to wasting time "pinning" and gazing at Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel websites, I've also been wasting a lot more time at the craft store... and the dollar store.

Yes. You heard saw correctly. The dollar store.


Granted, the dollar store and it's cousins "$1 Fun Finds" at Michael's and "The $1 Spot" at Target aren't exactly Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel, but I've actually found some surprisingly cute stuff... or at least the supplies necessary to make some surprisingly cute stuff. Some of my recent favorite projects include:

Pottery Barn Inspired Mirror (On Dollar Store Crafts)

Glass Apothecary Jars (On Salt Tree)

Jute Covered Vase (On Teach. Craft. Love.)

Even though I feel like I'm wasting time on Pinterest some times, it's certainly saving me a bunch of cash on decor that I'll probably tire of within a few weeks. And that, my friends, is as Martha Stewart would say "a very good thing."

Are you the artsy DIY type, or would you rather spend the money at a home furnishing store? Do your home decor tastes change frequently, or are you set in your ways?

1, 2, 3, Cake!

I came across this recipe on Pinterest yesterday, and OH MY WORD, it might be the best thing since sliced bread. I've seen, heard, and read about a lot of different "One Minute Chocolate Cake" recipes, but the prep time for most of them is way longer than one minute and only makes one little cake. This recipe takes less than one minute to prep, and the mix will make dozens of little cakes. Intrigued? I was!

Start with two boxed cake mixes, one angel food cake and one of any flavor you desire. I used Duncan Hines Angel Food Cake and Betty Crocker Triple Chocolate Cake mix. Cut open the packages and mix them thoroughly in an airtight container or large zipper bag (you'll want to do this to store the leftover mix).

Grab a tablespoon measure and dump (highly technical term) three tablespoons of your mixed mixes and two tablespoons of water into a coffee mug or other small microwave-safe dish. Give it a quick stir and pop it in the microwave for one minute. Got it?

THREE tablespoons mix + TWO tablespoons of water + ONE minute in the microwave = CAKE!

Now, you can definitely eat it straight out of the mug, but I decided to fancy it up a little. I drizzled some chocolate syrup on a dessert plate, placed the cake on top, and added a dollop of lite whipped topping and a sliced strawberry. Heaven. It's a miracle I was able to snap a picture, because this little cake didn't even make it out of the kitchen!

Give it a try, then leave a comment here. I'd love to know if you try another flavor of cake... I've heard that lemon or strawberry cake is wonderful, too!