Thrifty and Chic | Cottage Style Home Decor & DIY Ideas

Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs: My Tried-and-True Foolproof Method - Works Every Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia@Thrifty And Chic) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:55:00 +0000

My husband goes through this phase every so often where he’s determined to find the best way to make perfect hard boiled eggs—everything from steaming to oven methods—and somehow none of them ever quite work. Meanwhile, every single year I just go right back to my grandma’s old-school method for how to hard boil eggs, and it turns out perfect every time. I’m talking easy peel hard boiled eggs where the shells practically slide right off without any fuss. I always laugh because he tries so hard to find a better way, but honestly…there just isn’t one! He’s officially given up the past couple of years, so I think that pretty much confirms it—this truly is the foolproof method for hard boiled eggs that peel easily every time.

Step 1:

In a large pot, bring water to a roaring boil.

Step 2:

Add a handful of salt.

Step 3:

Bring water back to a boil, and add eggs carefully to boiling water with a slotted spoon.

Step 4:

Boil for 10-12 minutes, depending on how done you like the center. I do it at 12.

Step 5:

Take out each egg one by one, and deposit it immediately into a bath of iced water. Add more ice as needed to keep it nice and cold.

Step 6:

Once eggs are cooled down, dry off, and put into fridge to eat later! Or eat right then :)

Here's a video I shared last year on how I did it with the steps from above:

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What method have you used that works for you every time? Share below in the comments.

How to Make a Dollar Tree Jar Look Like Vintage Milk Glass (Easy DIY)

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia@Thrifty And Chic) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:18:00 +0000

This post contains affiliate links

I was in the Dollar Tree the other day for a completely different reason than to find things to craft with, and I tried to hold myself back from not buying anything for “me.” Then I spotted this beautiful glass jar vase and knew it had so much potential. Honestly, it was good just as is, but since I don’t usually decorate with clear glass, I decided to turn it into a DIY milk glass piece. This easy Dollar Tree DIY is all about creating a faux milk glass vase with a soft, vintage milk glass look that fits perfectly into cottage style decor.

Here are the supplies I used.

Supplies:

Dollar Tree Jas (found in dish section)

Gold Paint Marker (similar linked)

White chalk paint (linked)

Jute (linked)

Step 1:

Chalk paint works the best of glass and adhering to it without a ton of streaks...or coats of paint. I poured some white chalk paint into the glass jar and swirled it around, and then used a paint brush to bring it up the edges.

Underneath the lip of the jar was super hard to get to with just a normal paint brush, so I used a sponge to work that crevice.

Step 2:

Trust me when I say that I tried to use Rub 'n Buff for this part, because goodness knows I try to add it to everything :) So, instead, I used a gold paint marker and followed the lines. You don't have to do this step, if you don't, it's a super easy and quick project! But, if you choose to do this, it adds a little more cottage charm to it.

Step 3:

I don't have a lot of patience, so I definitely needed to clean up the marker. I did this with a wet q-tip along any edges that needed it.

Step 4:

I added jute top and tied it into a bow.

I then added some clippings from my boxwood out back, which gave it that perfect cottage style touch. This DIY milk glass vase turned out to be such a pretty piece for spring decor, especially styled with simple greenery. I can also imagine a whole table filled with these Dollar Tree milk glass jars, using pine clippings for an easy and budget-friendly holiday centerpiece.

Here are some other cute ideas for this!

Fill the jar with dried herbs like lavender or rosemary, then wrap the top with twine and add a simple handwritten tag for a rustic, apothecary look.
Coat the inside of the jar with white paint to create a soft milk glass finish, then lightly highlight the texture for an aged, vintage feel.
Add Epsom salt or sand to the bottom and place a candle inside, finishing it with a bit of lace or twine for a cozy glow.
Insert floral foam and arrange simple stems like daisies or baby’s breath for an easy cottage-style floral accent.
Lightly rub gold or antique wax over the raised texture to give the jar a subtle, timeworn brass accent.

What's your favorite idea? Share with me in the comments!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

15 Easy April Fools’ Day Pranks (Last-Minute Ideas That Are So Funny!)

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia@Thrifty And Chic) — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 21:14:00 +0000

(Easy last minute prank ideas that fun and perfect for kids and families!)

I love a good April Fools’ Day prank…but only the kind that makes everyone laugh (not the ones that end in tears or a mess to clean up...been there done that).

Over the years, I’ve found that the best April Fools ideas are the simple ones...the ones you can throw together with things you already have at home, but still get the biggest reactions.

So if you’re looking for easy last minute April Fools’ Day ideas for kids, family, or even your spouse, these are my go-to favorites. They’re budget-friendly, quick to set up, and honestly…so fun to watch play out.

Frozen Cereal Breakfast Trick

This one is always a hit in our house.

The night before, pour a bowl of cereal with milk and pop it in the freezer. In the morning, set it out like a normal breakfast. Add a tiny splash of fresh milk on top so it looks completely real.

They’ll go in for a bite and…nothing happens. The confusion is priceless.

Soap That Won’t Lather

Such a classic, and it still works every time.

Just coat a bar of soap with clear nail polish and let it dry. When someone tries to wash their hands, it won’t lather at all.

It’s simple, harmless, and just confusing enough to be funny.

Sugar and Salt Switch-Up

If you want a quick kitchen prank, this one takes seconds.

Swap sugar with salt and watch the reactions during morning coffee or breakfast. It’s especially funny when they’re not quite sure what’s wrong at first.

Balloon-Filled Doorway

This one feels a little extra in the best way.

Blow up a bunch of balloons and fill the space behind a closed door. When it opens, balloons spill out everywhere. It’s surprising, colorful, and honestly just makes everyone laugh.

Tip: Dollar store balloons work perfectly for this.

“Cracked” Phone Screen Trick

Take a screenshot of a cracked phone screen and set it as the lock screen or wallpaper.

For a few seconds, they’ll think their phone is broken and then realize what just happened.

Googly Eyes Around the House

This is one of my favorite easy DIY prank ideas.

Stick googly eyes on things in the fridge, pantry, or bathroom, milk cartons, shampoo bottles, fruit…anything.

It turns your whole house into something out of a cartoon, and the reactions are so good.

Brown “E’s” Instead of Brownies

This one is all about the setup.

Cut out letter “E” shapes from brown paper, place them in a baking dish, and tell everyone you made brownies.

When they lift the foil…they’ll find “brown E’s.” It takes a second and then the laughter kicks in.

Jello “Juice”

Make Jello in a clear cup with a straw and let it set overnight.

It looks exactly like juice, but when they try to take a sip…nothing happens.

This is such a fun April Fools’ Day idea for kids.

Remote Control Not Working

Put a small piece of clear tape over the sensor on the TV remote.

Everything looks normal, but nothing works. It’s subtle, but surprisingly effective...especially afte hoards of new batteries are being thrown in to try to get it to work.

Upside-Down Room

Flip a few everyday items upside down—books, chairs, decor pieces.

At first glance, it seems normal…until they realize something feels off.

Toothpaste Oreos

Okay, this one is a little bold

Swap the cream filling in Oreos with toothpaste and put them back together.

Definitely save this one for someone who can take a joke!

Mayo Tookpaste

Squeeze out the top little section of toothpaste, and replace with mayo. This only works if the original toothpaste is white! This is a fun one to play on kids...and it helps if you are okay with throwing away the toothpast tube afterwards.

Fake Spill Prank

This one looks so real.

Use glue (and a tiny bit of paint if needed) to create a fake spill on a countertop or table. Let it dry completely.

It’ll look like a mess…that no one can actually clean up.

Color-Changing Milk

Add a drop or two of food coloring just under the rim of a milk jug.

When someone pours it, the color suddenly appears. It’s unexpected and fun—especially for kids.

Phone Language Switch

Change the language setting on someone’s phone for a quick, harmless tech prank.

Just make sure you know how to switch it back quickly!

Tiny Everything Prank

Replace a few everyday items with mini versions—tiny notes, small utensils, little decor pieces.

It’s such a random and funny surprise.

My Favorite Way to Celebrate April Fools’ Day

I always try to keep things light, simple, and fun.

The best pranks don’t take a ton of effort, they just need a little creativity and good timing. And honestly, the goal is always the same: get a laugh and make a memory.

A Few Quick Tips Before You Start

Keep pranks easy to clean up

Avoid anything that could break or damage something

Think about who you’re pranking (kids vs adults!)

Pair it with something fun after like a treat or movie night

If you’re planning your April Fools’ Day at home this year, save this list so you have a few ideas ready to go.

And if you try one of these…you have to tell me which one worked best. I’m always looking for new favorites

How to Transfer Napkin to Fabric (Easy DIY with an Iron)

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia@Thrifty And Chic) — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:28:00 +0000

This post contains affiliate links

I’m all for a good DIY hack…but not all of them work. This napkin transfer on fabric idea is one of those where I thought, if this actually works, it would be amazing. But how can you really transfer a napkin onto fabric using just kitchen items and an iron?

I decided to try this easy DIY for myself and share the results with you! It sounds almost too simple—using things like cling wrap and heat to transfer a napkin design onto a fabric zipper pouch. Did it work? Well…here are some of the after photos!

I’m also sharing exactly how to transfer a napkin to fabric step by step below, plus my honest thoughts on whether this method will actually hold up over time.

You can watch the full video tutorial below to see exactly how this napkin transfer on fabric works, or just follow the easy step-by-step instructions to try it yourself!

Supplies needed:

Napkin (preferrable one with multiple plies, mine linked below)

Cling Wrap

Parchment Paper

Fabric Zipper Pouches

Iron

Scissors

Here are the links to these napkins below here:

Brown Floral (comes in blue too!)

Green Floral

William Morris Design

Step 1:

Cut out the napkin however you feel you want the design to be. I layed my pouch onto the fabric for this one (other options below this tutorial), and wanted it to be the majority of the surface, but left enough space for the fabric to meet the cling wrap.

Step 2:

Take the cling wrap and lay it flat on the fabric pouch for size. You will want it to be more than double the size of your cut out.

Step 3:

Take the very top ply off of the napkin. Discard the rest.

Step 4:

Place the napkin on top of the cling wrap then fold the cling wrap over onto the top of the napkin.

Remove the extra cling wrap with scissors, but leave about a quarter inch edge of it. This will help it adhere to the bag in the next steps.

Step 5:

Place the napkin and cling wrap back onto the bag.

Cover it with parchment paper.

Step 6:

With an iron on high, press down on the parchment paper, moving the iron around as to not stay in place for too long. Make sure you get along the edges of the napkin really good, as well as corners.

This may take a couple of minutes to do. Pick up the iron and check to see if everything is in place. If it is, then you are good!

Take off the parchment paper to reveal your bag!

I must say, I cannot believe this actually worked. It's a super weird texture, and probably wouldn't withstand a lot of use. But, I can open up the bag and turn it upside down and the napkin stays on. So, that's a win, right?

I decided to try this two other different ways to see if it worked with a full piece of napkin covering the entire bag...which means little to no edge of cling wrap. And another way with smaller cut outs.

As you can see, I did not really give any edge for the cling wrap to adhere to the fabric on this. At this point, I'm not positive if the edge like seals it in or not and makes it stay better. So, I wanted to try.

On this one below, I cut out some of the roses in the napkin and cut the cling wrap about a quarter inche from the napkin pieces. I figure if anything, this one should last the best since there's more edge to fabric.

They both turned out! I gotta say, I didn't expect this full one below to work. Somehow it's staying on.

This one turned out so pretty!

It's be a week of just basically moving them around and about the house, and they have held together pretty well. I will have to add them into my purse or laptop bag to see if they hold up to normal wear and tear.

What do you think? Think you'll try this? Comment below and let me know if you did!

Pin for later:

DIY Faux Brass Animals From Dollar Tree Toys

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia@Thrifty And Chic) — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:30:00 +0000

This post contains affiliate links

You probably know by now that I love a good dollar store hack. This was one of those on the whim things. Went to Dollar Tree for a tablecloth, and saw these little guys. I imaged them drenched in Rub 'n Buff....kind of like I imagine most things when walking down an aisle. I knew this would be perfect for my shelves to add some structural elements.

So, I bought two! I wish they had some bears or horses...but got a safari instead :)

This is probably one of the easiest DIY projects I have shared on here. It includes just one step! Well, maybe two if you have a problem with the Rub 'n Buff sticking.

Here's the Rub 'n Buff I used:

Step 1:

Cover the toy animal with Rub 'n Buff. I used Gold Leaf for mine. I started this out with a cloth, and then turned to a stipple brush to get into all the crevaces.

Step 2 (if needed)

If the Rub 'n Buff isn't sticking to some areas, you'll need to scuff it up a bit with some sandpaper. And then simply try again.

And that's it!

I looked online, and there are some of these that were selling on Anthropolgie for over $40. Not too bad for something that cost only $1.25.

I'll be going through my kids toys as the get put into the giveaway bin to do this to the horses :) Also, will definitely be on the lookout for them at the thrift store!

I feel like this faux brass giraffe is in his little grasslands with this picture by it :)

Which is your favorite, the giraffe or the elephant? I'm excited to start adding more little animals to these shelves!

pin for later:

sclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Easy Dollar Store Frame Hack: Create a Vintage Gold Frame & Make a Print Look Like a Real Painting

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia@Thrifty And Chic) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 06:35:00 +0000

This post contains affiliate links.

Finding budget-friendly ways to create beautiful home decor is kind of my thing, and this project definitely delivers. Since I already had most of the supplies on hand, this little makeover cost me about $1.25 plus tax. Not bad for something that ends up looking like vintage-style wall art, right?

Lately the Dollar Tree has really been stepping up their decor game. I spotted these gorgeous arched picture frames and immediately knew they had the potential to become faux vintage frames with just a little creativity (similar to a makeover I shared in a previous tutorial). Today I’m going to show you exactly how to transform a dollar store frame into a vintage-inspired piece, plus share a simple trick for making a photo printed from your home printer look like a real painting.

So grab your frame and let’s get crafting!

Supply list:

Arch picture frames (in black to save a step) -I got mine from Dollar Tree

Applique molds (I used these ones here)

Hot glue (fave glue gun linked here)

Black acrylic craft paint

Rub 'n Buff in Gold Leaf (used this one here)

Printed picture

Modge Podge in Matte

Full video on how to do this on bottom of post

Thrifty and Chic | Cottage Style Home Decor & DIY Ideas

Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs: My Tried-and-True Foolproof Method - Works Every Time!

How to Make a Dollar Tree Jar Look Like Vintage Milk Glass (Easy DIY)

15 Easy April Fools’ Day Pranks (Last-Minute Ideas That Are So Funny!)

How to Transfer Napkin to Fabric (Easy DIY with an Iron)

DIY Faux Brass Animals From Dollar Tree Toys

Easy Dollar Store Frame Hack: Create a Vintage Gold Frame & Make a Print Look Like a Real Painting

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