Play kitchens are a classic toy that almost every kid loves. I know I've been frustrated in the past trying to find one that isn't cheap and plastic, so I was delighted to come across this completely adorable DIY version.

Made by Joni for her little Vivi, the fun touches like the metallic polka dots and custom paint job motivate me to bust out the tools and make one for my youngest. Keep reading for more details. 

You never know what kind of treasures you'll find at Goodwill. I've found a lab coat, once. But check out what one Midwest City, Oklahoma Goodwill employee found hidden in some donated clothing: A LOT OF CA$H MONEY. How much money? I don't know! They won't say -- they're using the exact amount to identify the owner. But it was enough to make the employee stop and think, Hey, maybe I shouldn't just pocket this for the laundromat.

A spokesperson for Goodwill was impressed with how the worker reacted to finding the cash: "From what I understand, it was very surprising but she reacted very calmly." Another clue -- it was so much money, the worker should have been dashing all over the store with her eyes popping out like Wile E. Coyote. I don't know about you, but I'm seeing two takeaways from this story.

This serene nursery created by Christine proves two things: First, just because your decorating for a girl doesn't mean you have to douse everything in pink, and, second, a DIY project doesn't have to be difficult to be effective. Take a closer look at the details to see what I mean. 

I love hand-me-downs. I shop at consignment stores, and when I’m done with my found treasures, I donate them to local charities. But it would never occur to me to do this with my home.

Yet, for some homeowners, especially ones in foreclosure, donating a house to charity may be the only way out of an awful situation -- and it seems like it could even be a path back to financial well-being. It's becoming quite popular, in fact, because it not only allows the homeowner who can't sell her/his house a way out, but also the donated homes -- many of which are renovated and resold -- add new value to the neighborhood. Here’s how it works:

"You know what would be great?" said my husband last summer. "One of those heavy grill press things that keeps meat and bacon from curling up when you're cooking it." You know what he's getting for Christmas? A heavy grill press thing that keeps bacon from curling up when you cook it. He never bothered to put it on his wish list, I just made a mental note and bought one, and I plan to pat myself on the back every time he uses it.

This, I like to think, exemplifies a crucial aspect of skillful gift-giving: listening. Another crucial aspect: remembering. Also crucial: time, money, and feeling some affection for the person you're buying for.

But what if it's December 22 and none of those aspects are in place, and suddenly you need to pick up a little something for the person in your office who invited you to cocktails Friday night? Or your husband's step-sister who suddenly decided to fly in from Norway? Or the sitter who's coming. over. right. now?

Decking the halls is fun for all, but it can be quite expensive if you're not careful. Putting up a tree and all of the trimmings can take a big toll on your budget at this time of year when you most need those hard-earned dollars.

While it's easy to get caught up in all of the fa-la-la-ing, with just a little planning, you can create a beautiful tree for a bargain, even if you don't want to use the same old stuff year after year. Here a few tips on how to put up an amazing Christmas tree without breaking the bank.

There's an art to decorating with vintage pieces, and Vicki Eastland is an expert in the field. Not only does she know a good find when she spots one (ahem, that phone booth door), she knows how to mix vintage and modern finds to create a look that is far from contrived. While the red door stands out, there is an abundance of other details that you'll love in each corner of the room. Take a look.

When it comes to Thanksgiving, you want to save your cash for gas, tolls, heirloom turkey, and Klonopin (or maybe that’s just my family). The so-simple Pilgrims wouldn’t approve of overspending on décor. Of course, they probably wouldn’t be too pleased with marshmallows in the sweet potatoes, either, but let’s not split hairs.
 
If you’ve done all you can with the stuff in your backyard and you’re hoping for a little autumn cheer (without endangering the Christmas budget), here are some not-too-spendy options for Thanksgiving decorations on the cheap.