The Champagne Life on a DIY Budget Since 2007

Posts from the ‘Austin’ category

Austin on a shoestring by recent New England transplant and South Austin homeowner Melissa Massello.

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DIY Repurposed Door Headboard with Habitat ReStore

Making a headboard out of an old door is something that I’ve always wanted to do, since way way back in the pre-Pinterest days when we still used to tear sheets out of magazines and file them away in clear sleeves and binders and check DIY project books out of the library for inspiration. So when the team at Habitat for Humanity ReStore reached out about teaming up on a few DIY projects, I knew exactly where we were going to start. Check out my step-by-step tutorial and all the before, after & process photos!

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The Fine Goods Pop-Up

Tomorrow, just in time for Thrift Score Thursday, I’ll be at the first-ever Fine Goods Pop-Up by The Distillery here in Austin with a table, selling off a collection of thrift scores and vintage finds for the home, many of which you can preview now on My Corner on Krrb.com (and in this post) along with some freshly picked pieces and small handmade items that I’ve personally DIY’ed … though I’m sure any sales I make are just going to go straight into the pockets of the other vendors, all insanely talented purveyors of handcrafted furniture, organic beauty products, jewelry, prints, pottery and vintage fashion, home goods, and accessories.

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Shop Local: Bolt Fabrics Summer Sale

If you’re looking for material, or need inspiration, for projects to keep you sane during these dog days of summer, head over to Bolt Fabrics this weekend for their clearance sale! Everything in store is 15% to 65% off (though a little bird tells us some fabrics may be more than 65% off!) now through closing on Saturday, including deep discounts on ready-made pillows, like these perfect poufs made from Texas tea towels.

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Consigned to Addiction: Uptown Austin

I’ve been buying and selling at Uptown Cheapskate Austin every week since they opened last year, and recently celebrated their 1st birthday with them (and Chelsea and Catelyn) at a little in-store sip & shop soiree. Uptown accepts a wide variety of sizes and styles, all of them current and on-trend, and they’re exceptional at curating quality while keeping the prices affordable. Designer labels right along department store brands, and all for far less than you’d find at thrift stores — in far better condition.

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South Awesome: Love Ding

Tucked into a generic row of warehouse spaces just after popular, sprawling Way South Austin (aka SoChaca) nightlife destination Moontower Saloon sits Love Ding, an unassuming bright spot of domestic gorgeousness with a definitively Austin mix of midcentury vintage, vintage-inspired, and curated handmade modern furniture, decor, and home accessories.

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FlipKey by TripAdvisor Travel Expert

I’m so thrilled to announce that I’m dusting off my passport, gassing up the car for road trips, and sanding the rust off my travel writing lockbox as a newly minted travel expert for Flipkey and TripAdvisor, sharing my secret spots in Boston and Austin - and also mean many, many more travel stories, new adventures, and past sojourns revisited, here on Shoestring soon.

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Keep it Local with Austin Passbook

Austin Passbook is like 12 of my favorite things in one: buy one, get one free (BOGO) deals to get out & explore ATX with a friend, whether you live here or just want to have one hell of a vacation, at primarily local, independently owned businesses, AND for each sale, Austin Passbook gives 5% back to HAAM — health insurance for local musicians, who keep Austin a vibrant creative hub and make it such a cool place to be. Find out where to get & use yours this summer!

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One Day Without Shoes 2015

What kind of difference can a single purchase seriously make? PLENTY. If that purchase is a pair of shoes from TOMS the answer is global impact. Today, until midnight EST tonight, you can provide TOMS Shoes for up to 1 million more people around the world WITHOUT EVEN BUYING ANYTHING. All you have to do is take a photo of your bare feet and post it to Instagram to raise awaress for One Day Without Shoes.

watermelon margaritas with jalapeno infused tequila

Spicy Watermelon Margaritas with Jalapeno Infused Tequila

Tonight, just like last year, Ginger and I will be some of the first to arrive at the La Condesa Street Party for Cinco de Mayo, which I now treat as the official kick-off to summer in Austin, and we will throw down like Pleepleus. Cheers with us from a far, tomorrow night or any time this summer, with these fun little recipes for watermelon agua fresca and jalapeno infused tequila, which together make a mean Spicy Watermelon Margarita. If you really want to turn up the heat, make some of my DIY sriracha salt and crush it up for the rim. Salud!