Fabulously Frugal

Yes you can transform an ugly chest

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:59:00 -0800

I got this ugly chest for $5 from a family who is moving back to the UK.

It was extremely ugly haha, but I took it cause I was looking for a toy storage.

For a long time it was put aside.

After completing a nice wood staining project, I was sooo bothered by it's ugliness!

Thanks to my family, who are into Do-it-Yourself projects, an idea came upon me!

The paint was flaking, so I sanded it.

Next, I stained it with left-over Dark Walnut Wood stain.

Added some hardware: upholstery nails LOL...

I thought: Oh well, I can't remove them now, so might as well put more!

Then once the first coating dried, I added more stained stain to darken.

Ugly Chest Transformed.

Now a sexy beauty that serves as a coffee table/chest.

Cost: under $10

Where to look for dirt cheap live entertainment

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:07:00 -0800

I started organizing events for singles in September of this year and every week, I look for things to do for the group. I have a big group of 900 people and I enjoy leading them to check out a happy hour, a comedy show, a movie, a club, a tasting room, dance lessons, etc.
My favorite recent discovery is goldstar.com ; the successful brainchild of 3 UCLA, Stanford, Harvard graduates.
So this website: Goldstar has FREE tickets! I thought, this can't be legitimate...but they are and they do have many complimentary tickets.
They work with places like IMPROV Comedy club, and other businesses, give their tickets for free or for 50% even 75% off to fill up the show.
I organized two comedy shows, which were extremely hilarious. We got in FREE through Goldstar, while the venue sells it for $20. Great deal :)
I also got free tickets to an international gem show, which was a treat for a crafter like me.
Right now they are offering a complimentary ticket to Allan Harvey's comedy show at the Improv on Dec. 22nd.. He is the creator and host of Comedy Central's Night after Night.

They are nationwide, so if you are planning to be in Vegas or New York or LA for the weekend, you can also look for discounted ticket prices.

Here is the link to their website: https://www.goldstar.com/join?p=F2269138RP

$15.95 "happy" pass in Santa Monica

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 10:47:00 -0800

The place I always visit when I go down South, is Santa Monica, California. A great place to shop, dine and I love how easy it is to park and go. Three weeks ago, I went with a bunch of friends and my little one. We were going back and forth to go to either Disneyland or Universal studios on a Sunday. But we all woke up late and the weather was too gloomy. Because of the high chances of rain, we did not want to be exploring either parks in the cold and wet, so we decided to skip both on this trip.

Since we were craving for clam chowder, an afternoon at the Santa Monica Pier was a unanimous decision.
I am glad that we did, because we all, esp. my little one had a really fun time at Pacific Park. Another pleasant surprise is that, it was not busy because of the weather, so no lines at all!
The pier, with Pacific Park right there, is a great place to enjoy the view and fun environment of the Santa Monica beach. Pacific Park's affordable ticket prices: all day pass for rides is $21.95 for adults, $15.95 for 7 years and younger, makes it a great place for the entire family! Not so big, clean, affordable, fun. I highly recommend!

fabulously decorated cupcakes- for less!

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Mon, 5 Dec 2011 21:04:00 -0800

As a single parent, my days are very very hectic. Drive here to there, do this and that, take care of this and that, and so on.. but because I am such a DIY creature, I decided to take time off in the morning to decorate my daughter's cupcakes for her classmates on her birthday!

I am glad that parents are able to bring in something for the class on birthdays. As a precautionary measure at our elementary school, parents can only bring store brought food. I really like this rule, because when I was an owner of a childcare facility, I was paranoid of children getting sick from food.

So I went to the nearby grocery store to pick up these cupcakes. This pack of 12 is great, it is colorful and ready made except, it is very ordinary to me. LOL.

So after I bought the cupcakes, I hurriedly went to a craft store to get some cute cupcake decorations.

The wrapping of the cupcake did consume a lot of my time, because I had to carefully insert the cupcakes into each wrap, so hard with all the frosting on top!

I am very happy with the results! (^~^)

Princess, pink, high heels, pink castle for the girls

Giraffes for the boys

This, is the special one for the birthday princess.

As soon as I walked in, the girls and boys were all like:

"Wow, so awesome!";

"Hi, Venice's mom!!!";

"Hello, Venice's mum, can I have one for my little brother?" (In English Accent);

"Did you put glitter on the cupcakes?..umm, was I suppose to eat it? cause I already swallowed it."

I was surprised to discover all the edible paper and glitters too! :)

It did not hurt my pocket, but it definitely filled my heart with joy.

And hers too.

The two of us hurriedly left the school carrying the cupcake containers on a

very warm November day..

Then she suddenly stopped in the middle of a brisk walk and said, "Momma... "

--I hoped she did not forget anything in her classroom because I parked too far away;

her light brown eyes sparkled like smoky quartz in the sun as she smiled and said:

"Thank you, this is my best birthday ever."

Cost: under $20 dollars

Say Keen-wah, the mother grain

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:14:00 -0800

All these years, I ate rice every single day. For breakfast, lunch and dinner lol. But I really needed to watch what I eat, modify my diet so that I will feel healthier. Rice is just too good to give up but too bad for the waistline!
Glad that I found Quinoa pronounced keen-wah, an ancient grain that was a staple of the ancient Incas. It is high in protein, supplies all nine essential amino acids, and for a hard core rice eater all my life, it tastes good, a great alternative to rice, with a nutty flavor that I love! Also rich in fiber, magnesium, manganese, iron , copper and phosphorus. I switched from rice (not permanently!) to this golden grain because I notice that I do not get hungry as much. A 16- oz. bag lasts me a good 10 days. Cost: $3.99.

How I prepare it:

I ALWAYS RINSE AND DRAIN THOROUGHLY IN COLD WATER

Stove top:

Place 1 cup quinoa and 2 cups water in pan, bring to boil.

Reduce to simmer, cover and cook until all water is absorbed (10-15 mins.)

When done, the grain appears soft and translucent.

Notice the germ ring along the outside of the grain? I love it!

Then I stir fry chicken breast in olive oil

Add onions, garlic, bell pepper, chicken broth

Then when chicken is done...

I add fresh basil leaves

Salt and pepper to taste :)

Super easy. Super healthy. Super inexpensive.

Enjoy!

Freezing fruits

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:30:00 -0700

I am not a fruit person, but having children requires buying fruits all the time. When the fruits are not all eaten in one week, I stick it in the freezer to preserve than letting it rot to waste. I slice the strawberries and peel the bananas before I put it in freezer bags - I buy ziplocs from the dollar store, they work perfectly fine too, 16 pieces of gallon size bags for a dollar only! Grocery stores are selling frozen fruits. I never buy it. I freeze my own fruits! From grapes, to bananas, to berries. Then, we just take it out to make smoothies!

The solution to my old problem

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 10:04:00 -0700

How many times have you painted your nails and get frustrated because you ruin it before it even dries?

Then you give up and drive up to the nearest nail salon. I use to do that...but not anymore.

This little pink speed demon dries up nail polish like magic.

I paint my own nails and I am happy with the results. It looks like I spend a lot on them.

Thanks to you Nail Life, I am able to save that $1,200/year nail salon money.

That's $1,200.00 towards a bigger purchase :)

What do you do with these carrots?

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 12:35:00 -0700

You buy a big bag of carrots because they are cheaper, one month later, it is still in the fridge, you don't want to bake a carrot cake because you don't want the extra pounds...you're too tired to make stew, aside from juicing it or tossing it in the freezer, or do nothing and forget then let it rot... you just want an easy way to enjoy this carotene rich nutritional hero.

Here's what you do:

Peel the carrots, cut , then toss in the food processor

Here is the desired result

Grab:

A handful of raisins (or as many as you want)

1 or 2 Lemons (as desired)

1 Navel Orange

In a bowl, mix the processed carrots and raisins

Squeeze the juices from the lemon/s and orange, add to the salad (use a sieve so you don't include the seeds)

Grate some lemon zest and orange to taste (optional)

Mix well.

Here is your quick salad :)

Let the salad stand, the raisins will soak in the juices, and it will reconstitute

It tastes sweet and it's packed with essential nutrients

A great tasting, guilt- free food..yum!

Just for laughs for $14.95

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 10:34:00 -0700

Looking for funny T-shirts? For $14.95, these are great gift ideas and more are available here:
TShirtOutlet.com Sale

Some I cannot post it here LOL, below are some of my favorites:

$15 for 3 bags of fruits and vegetables

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:45:00 -0700

Farmer's market, I love you. Not only do I get the freshest produce from you, you give a lot in return for my $15!
I went to the Saratoga Farmer's Market on Saturday, located at the West Valley College parking lot, I almost missed it. There is also one, 2 minutes from my place, but I was in Saratoga so I decided to check it out. I actually liked being there 10 minutes before closing time. The vendors gave me deals, a bag of freebies and there is less crowd, as the vendors started packing. I love the $1 per pound for all tomatoes and fruits, to name a few: plums, nectarines, different varieties of tomatoes, grapes.. and I also bought organic herbs, peppers, and other veggies. It was fun!

Lady strolling, enjoying all the deals for fresh produce

Very nice and helpful vendor

Cucumbers and tomatoes

Fruits

For $15.00

And some are free :)

A cool and free weekend destination

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:38:00 -0700

An economic Depression sounds too pessimistic? I hope it does not ever come to that point. But anything can happen under the sun. Dow closed at 419 points down today. Not good. In this shaky economy, it is smart to keep what you have intact. To wear a tight belt is necessary, making sure that when ALL things go wrong...you got enough to pack your bags and maybe start a new life, with whatever you have somewhere..maybe in an island LOL. Or stay here and be okay with what you have saved up. One of my friends has made his giant leap, and is now enjoying blue warm waters, managing his online business, and putting up another one in the tropics where he now calls his home.

Here in pricey Silicon Valley, it's great to hear that a cool place is still open for free. A penny saved is a penny earned. So why not?! America has many great things to see. Big land area, and years ago, had more than sufficient cash flow, good thing the government invested a lot on infrastructure . Because of this, there are beautiful places to visit that the whole family can enjoy at no cost. Some museums, parks, beautiful piers, well maintained beaches, etc. And places like NASA too. A part of the NASA Ames Research Center is a great family destination and is open to the general public.

We enjoyed our visit, and although the place is small, it's great for the curious little minds. My little one had fun exploring what they have on exhibit. I did too.

If you find something beautiful, take it before it is gone :)

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:12:00 -0700

I like driving around and do some shopping on weekends, I find it entertaining and I see a lot of things on the way. One Sunday, I found this beautiful coffee set. I've always wanted one. It was something that was not planned to be bought, but I know is a great deal and probably won't ever find again. $24.99 for the whole 15 pc. set of porcelain beauty. Got it from an estate sale. Sealed, unopened, unused.

I think that if you find something beautiful, take it before it's gone..but only if it is a good deal!
I love and live by this saying always, not just for goods and services. :)

I saw this set at an online auction site after I bought my set:

It is for sale for $450.00 here.

Now look at my find for $24.99......

Is that a FGAP (feel great after purchase) or what?!

So it must be true, daughters will become their mothers.
My mom is a collector. I try not to be. (Peace, Ma LOL)
I couldn't stop smiling at myself when I realized that my mom has a very similar set.
I wonder what my little girl's FGAP for her own place in maybe 13 years :)
But before and after that happens, the three ladies and a gentleman and their friends and families will enjoy many cups of coffees and teas for many years using this fabulous find.

A great snack for $3.50 worth of ingredients

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:52:00 -0700

"Oh, do you have crackers?"

"Oh yeah, wait, I have a log brie cheese too"

"Hmm, let me grab 1 tomato"

"Oh, and mushrooms, I have to eat them before they go bad"

"Wait, do you have Basil?..perfect...can you slice and sauté 3 mushrooms please?"

"Huh? For?"

"Just do it "(LOL)

It's always good to step away from your kitchen and let a master take over

The results? A snack that tasted so fresh and delicious I did not add any sauce or seasoning!

Ingredients:

Sliced Mushrooms

Very thinly sliced Log Brie Cheese (1/2 log)

Kellogg's Special K crackers -Savory Herb flavor

Fresh Basil leaves

Sliced Tomato

2 Large Live Dungeness Crabs for $17.27 - How I cooked and enjoyed it

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:48:00 -0700

There are many ways to cook a crab. I usually do it by boiling (cause it's fast and easy), and then season with salt and pepper. But as much as I like being in the kitchen, I like to make quick meals for lunch and dinner. Because I'm always hungry while cooking!
But this time I decided to munch on chips while thinking about what else to make, amazing how 5 pieces of tortilla chips gave me one hour of patience while experimenting with the crabs! LOL
Some barbecue crabs, some I heard bake them? I don't know about that haha, I wonder what the kitchen will smell like after.

I always start cooking crabs by adding some crushed garlic to the water and then let it boil.

I love anything with mild tart or sour flavor, esp with seafood...

so I added a tamarind soup mix to cook the crabs

Crabs done, now what ? :)

Time to break the shell and take the delicious meat out

I wanted something spicy, bursting with exotic flavors to go with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc..

In a pan, I sautéed garlic in olive oil, big slices of onions, then let it cook

And then I added the crab meat.

I poured 1 cup of the water that I cooked the crabs in, then let boil

I lowered the heat and then added a $2.49 Red Thai Curry Sauce - 1/2 of the 11 oz. bottle

Added Okra - I love Okra! I simmered it for 10 minutes.

I used frozen because I had no fresh ones available, it turned out great.

I think Green Beans or Squash and some bell peppers will also be good addition to the dish

Or replacement to the Okra.

Sprinkled dill, and dried basil leaves

Added salt and pepper to taste.

I enjoyed it with Basmati Rice. (' ',)

Cooking is self- expression, definitely should not be viewed as a task.

If I mess up with my cooking, seafood or not, I don't stress out!

That's where the fun is, messing it up and learning from experience

If the dish is impossible to save, grab a bowl of cereal and then call it a night

I've had those days... Luckily now my dishes turns out yummy :)

Share your delicious crab dish!

One simple act of kindness= the third reward

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Mon, 1 Aug 2011 12:19:00 -0700

Over 8 pounds of strawberry for $5

I took it off a tired woman's hands,

and for that I got pleasure in many ways in exchange :)

The third reward:

I wanted to make something really sweet that I can enjoy creating and eating with my loved ones

Something with heavenly deliciousness and close to my heart..CHOCOLATES!

Thanks again to Trader Joe's, I did not have to spend a lot on a pound of

my favorite dark ones and some white ones too...

This is so fun to make

My assistant :) dipped some in white chocolate, and drizzled some on top of the brown ones :)

what a fun project from start to finish

I colored the sugar red and coated some of them

Here are the ones we enjoyed with champagne :)

They were heavenly..

So they sell it for $7 a piece at the Godiva store in Valley Fair? That's expensive

I spent less than $6 for all the chocolates (dark and white)

Everybody had fun :)

The second sweet reward

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:47:00 -0700

From this,

to a pot...

What is it?

Delicious Strawberry Jam!

No need to pick up a jar from the grocery store :)

Here is a quick recipe from allrecipes.com :

Ingredients

2 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled

4 cups white sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions:

In a heavy bottomed saucepan, mix together the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to high, and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil, stirring often, until the mixture reaches 220 degrees F (105 degrees C). Using a potato masher, crush the strawberries. Careful with the mixture, it is hot. Transfer to hot sterile jars, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch headspace, and seal. Process in a water bath. If the jam is going to be eaten right away, don't bother with processing, and just refrigerate.

One simple act of kindness = 3 sweet rewards

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 22:01:00 -0700

I never buy strawberries from street vendors, but one evening, a lady with a box full of plump strawberries approached me outside of Walmart and asked me to take the last box for $5. She wanted to go home to her children after a long day's work. I took it and talked to her a little bit about her day and where she puts her strawberry stand, etc. I felt happy to take the box off her hands. But lol, too many strawberries for a non-fruit loving household!

I already gave away half of the box...yes, that many! A really good deal!

And this box gave me three sweet rewards <3

The sweet reward number one:

Home made strawberry yogurt

Chopped the strawberries,

then grabbed a light sour cream

Not too bad :)

Ahh I love the colors!

Now a pink yogurt :)

Add with some sugar for that extra sweetness

Yummy strawberry yogurt

Two more sweet rewards coming soon!

Free Books and Movies.

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:38:00 -0700

One of the many things that I love here in America is the availability of beautiful public libraries. It's free to all. Here in San Jose, all of the libraries look modern and are well-equipped. With a lot of activities for all ages to choose from, it's a great place for children to learn, read and practice self discipline. For mommies like me, a place to relax :) And best of all, there is a great selection of books and movies I can bring home. I can take out up to 100 items and keep all items at home for 3 weeks. I go with my daughter very frequently, and every time, we both enjoy an hour or two of silence and reading. A few hours of peace and happiness at no cost.

Signing her San Jose City Library Card

Family Story time

My little one and other's little ones enjoying a magic show

This little bottle saves me at least $600 a year

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:01:00 -0700

Rouge. Sexy Nails.

I think a nice manicure on a woman's fingernails makes her look polished. Don't we women like to achieve that? And it always make us feel good about being in style and beautiful. Remember the hours spent in front of the mirror and staring at your closet? I know, I do it sometimes.. it takes time to achieve that look. LOL. Physical appearance, whether we like it or not, is very important in this day and age. I do take care of myself very well, in my own frugal ways. A manicure and pedicure for me are a must. It's nice to get it from the professional nail salon. Nothing wrong with pampering yourself. I use to get it, but I decided to just do it myself. I learned from the lady who did my nails. I experimented with so many bottles and brands. But OPI, Lippman and China Glaze are my favorites.

This one particularly is my latest most favorite:

China glaze $4.99

with patience and persistence, saves me 2 trips to the salon every month. $600 atleast a year :)

I thank Joe Coulombe for keeping me healthy and creative

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:14:00 -0700

He is the founder of Trader Joe's, my favorite unique store.
What I love about this store is that, not only are the prices lower than most grocery stores, it makes it easy for the shoppers to pick healthy foods. For some one who loves to cook, it's just so convenient to pick up ingredients. I stretch my dollar all the time and I found that this store is worth a trip for oils, wines, cheese, herbs, pasta, grains and many more. Eggs and milk are cheaper also than in most supermarkets. The stores are tiny, but well stocked and the environment is very pleasant.

Although I come here a lot, I buy meat, seafood and most vegetables else where.

I am very particular about the quality of food that I make, I like to eat fresh so I buy often, and that's why prices are very important to me.

These are my favorite purchased items at Trader Joe's within the last 6 months:

I think the best one is the maple syrup for $5.99

Good bye Ms. Butter-worth!

Thank you, Joe. :)

$7.67 steak and a salad meal - healthier than fast food for the same price

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:00:00 -0700

I am a meat lover. Steak is the easiest and fastest way for me to prepare it.

For $7.67 at the grocery store, you can get a nice .96 lb of tender rib eye steak meat.

I bought these oranges a while ago :)

I peeled the oranges to include in the salad, instead of letting it rot.

While the steak is cooking to a nice medium rare

I made a salad using baby arugula leaves, chopped olives,

then drizzled e.v. olive oil, pinch of salt, pepper, squeezed lemon then mixed in the peeled oranges.

I definitely choose this over fast food :)

12 days,18 posts, and loving it

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:15:00 -0700

From a mere grocery paperbag to fun kid art projects

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:17:00 -0700

These can pile up easily and mostly get thrown in the garbage quickly to keep the kitchen organized.

I choose paper bags at the grocery stores instead of plastic and I recycle it for my art loving child.

Although art paper is affordable, it's still nice to save some money on paper,

and it's also really important for every household to help save the environment.

It was her idea to leave the handle on this time, she says; "Trust me mom, I'll show you later"

She entertains herself by doing what she likes the most, art.

Ah I see, hahaha

"It will dry quickly out here in the sun, mom."

(' ',)

What can you make out of these mangoes for dinner?

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:23:00 -0700

Mango is my favorite fruit. I buy mine at Ranch 99 because they are cheaper than most places.

It comes in a box (not sold individually), and over time,

I lose my appetite for it when eaten almost daily.

So if you are a ripe mango addict like me, but wish you can it eat differently, the good news is,

instead of wasting mangoes by letting it rot, you can actually eat it in many many ways.

Tonight, I chose to make a Mango and Red Cabbage Slaw.

I shredded a head of red cabbage

Sliced and diced ripe mangoes

Added lime, cider vinegar, sugar,

and with the help of my assistant, fresh cilantro leaves, my favorite.

Easy Mango and Red Cabbage Slaw

Ingredients

1 head red cabbage, halved and very finely shredded (about 8 cups)
1 teaspoon salt
1 large or 2 small ripe mangoes, peeled, fruit sliced from the pit, and diced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Directions

Place the cabbage in a large bowl and toss it with the salt, using your hands to press down firmly on the cabbage to encourage the cabbage to release some of its moisture and better absorb the salt. Transfer the cabbage to a colander and let it sit for 20 minutes to drain.

Using paper towels or a kitchen towel, squeeze as much liquid as possible from the cabbage and place it in a clean, large bowl. Toss with the mangoes, cilantro, lime juice, vinegar and sugar. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

A treat that will make you smile for under $4

noreply@blogger.com (vannyvan) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:16:00 -0700

As an adult, ice cream is a dessert that I love but eat occasionally, because it's so loaded with sugar.

Last week is an example of those occasional times, because it was sooo hot in San Jose.

This one came in a container that did not scream 'yummy', but because I like watermelon, got it for $4.

Oh. my. Gosh.

It is dangerously delicious.

1.65 L of pink sherbet and chocolate goodness.

It's watermelon flavored, but 100 times more delicious than the fruit.

Maybe I can make a chocolate pudding cake so I can use the rest as a topping.

Yes, I should do that.

Coming soon. ;)