saving BIG on your grocery bill: part 1

Of all of the things that people ask my advice on, this is way up there, because we only spend $100 per week on groceries for our little family of 4.

Seriously. It's true. Our grocery bill is just $100 a week. For all of us. And that's not just food. That includes toiletries, pet food, and even diapers. At this point, only 3 of us eat actual food (since Max is just shy of 4 months old). So that leaves 3 adults x 3 meals a day x 7 days = 63 meals. Our $100 bill includes things like shampoo and cat litter and other non-edibles, so it's more like $80 of food per week. That means each meal we eat only costs $1.27. And we eat well. Lots of fresh foods and tasty meals. No Ramen or Hamburger Helper on our menu. Oh, and that includes beer and wine. Remember how we have 2 small children?

And you can totally do it too. 

If you think this isn't for you because you only eat fresh produce and meat and you don't eat processed foods, to you I say:

B O L O G N A 

Even the crunchiest among you probably use at least some of these things: deodorant, soap, razor blades, rice, pasta, milk, flour, cereal, oatmeal, diapers, and, um, feminine hygiene products...just to name a few. And if you're paying full price for these, you are getting gouged.

Every single week, I save a minimum of 30% off my grocery bill. Usually up to about 50%. That means I'm walking away with between 1/3 and 1/2 of my groceries FOR FREE. If you compare out current food spend to what we used to spend before we started trying to save in this area, it's probably closer to 75% or more. I'm not joking. This is real money - an extra TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS (or more) a year - in our pockets. 

it's friday, i'm in love: vintage pyrex

So this week, we have an oldie but a goodie. The charmingly playful, colorful, vintage Pyrex. 

As I've mentioned before, I have a soft spot (ahem...addiction) to kitchen and bar ware. The women in my family share this gene, and we feed each other's habits. Try not to judge too harshly. 

st. patrick's day felt bunting garland

Top o' the mornin' to ya! 

Sorry, that was lame.

I'm not a huge fan of over the top decorations for holidays (except for Christmas...and sometimes Halloween...), but I thought the O'Lenney house could use a bit of Irishing up. 

Thankfully, I keep a drawer full of felt for just such occasions. Doesn't everyone? Well, you should. This is crazy easy, and although I used my sewing machine, this project can be done without sewing. 

Let's get started.

white wine and asparagus risotto

Risotto can be an intimidating dish. But I'm here to tell you, friends, fear not. Once you've got the process down, it's a no-fail meal that will make its way into your dinner rotation in no time. This is my go-to recipe for Risotto. I change it up from time to time, but about 90% of the time I make it just like this. Let's get started.

house tour: part 2

Photo by Emily Mulkey Photography

Welcome back! Hope you enjoyed last week's house tour: part 1. It's time to continue the Tour of Apologies on our upper floor. There will likely be far less apologizing in this tour since the upstairs is pretty close to finished. Or as finished as a designer's house can ever be.