From Frumpy to Fashionable

Posted on June 28, 2011 by delightfuldiggs

It was a crazy weekend, and not in a good way. First, I got the flu, then my husband got the flu, and to top it all off, our little one was teething! Needless to say my pile of projects didn’t get any smaller, my pile of laundry got a whole lot bigger and the bags under my eyes got a whole lot darker. We are all on the mend and in much better spirits so back to it!

I’ve been feeling a bit frumpy lately. I wear tank tops religiously but it’s getting a bit old. I need some tops to spruce up my wardrobe. I was browsing online today and found some potential pieces. I was looking for something relatively flowey.

                                        Zara

                        Forever 21

                     

                                          Old Navy

                                Shopbop

So, what do you think? I’d love to buy them all but hubby says no. He’s such a drag…which one is your favourite?

Amber

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“Summertime, and the living’s easy…”

Posted on June 22, 2011 by delightfuldiggs

Now that the sun has decide to stick around, it’s time to chill out on the deck with a cocktail and admire my yard. Yeah, there are still a ton of weeds to pull, but who knows how long this sun is going to last? I better just relax and enjoy it. But in order to properly chill in the sun, you must have some sweet jamz playing while you work on your tan. Try this one with a cool sangria:

1. Doin’ Time by Sublime

2. Crying by TV on the Radio

3. Jammin’ by MC Lyte

4. Round Here by Counting Crows

5. Come Together by the Beatles

6. More Than Friends by Estelle

7. Sea Legs by The Shins

8. Burn One Down by Ben Harper

9. Dashboard by Modest Mouse

10. Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz

What kind of music do you listen to while chillin’ in the sun?

Amber

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Thrifty Pots

Posted on June 20, 2011 by delightfuldiggs

It’s been raining here for over a week. It’s getting a little old but I think we are in for sunnier days to come which is perfect for my newly planted tomatoes and peppers! I made a trip to the farmers market on Saturday morning and came home with two tomato plants and a bell pepper plant. The only issue was that I had no pots left to plant them in. I’ve been getting some great pots from Dollarama lately, so I stopped there on the way home to see what they had. Most of the pots were too small or ugly for my liking until I came across these galvanized metal buckets.

I like that they are unconventional and I really enjoy the look of the metal. It gives a vintage feel. At two bucks a pop, this was a no-brainer. I’m not sure they won’t rust, but for $2.00, I’m willing to take that risk. I can always spray paint them if I see they are beginning to suffer from the elements.

The only issue was that there weren’t any holes in the bottom for drainage. I got out my drill and made two holes in the bottom of each bucket. It took me about five minutes.

Perfecto! Three new pots for only $6.00! Now for some sunshine to get these babies growing. Please don’t step on any spiders…

Tomatoes

Peppers

"Dear sun, please come out so I can grow into a beautiful pepper."

I can’t wait to see how these turn out. If any of you have planted peppers or tomatoes before and have some great pointers, I’m all ears!

Amber

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The Beauty of Vintage

Posted on June 16, 2011 by delightfuldiggs

Garage sales, estate sales, antique malls, Goodwill and Salvation Army stores, online classified sites and online auction sites can be a goldmine for good vintage finds. Buying second-hand is marvelous for so many reasons:

  1. Nostalgia: It’s intriguing buying items that have been around for longer than we’ve even been alive. It’s also fun to buy stuff that reminds you of your youth whether it be old records or Nancy Drew novels.
  2. Style: Mid-century style furniture, art-deco pieces, 70′s inspired glassware and even bell bottoms are making a huge come back. Style has become something so personal that nearly anything goes, especially if you mix it up with more modern pieces.
  3. Cost: Most goods sold second-hand are priced to sell. People want to get rid of their junk, which is great since you’re going to make it your treasure! Sometimes the items won’t be in tip-top shape but this is perfect if you are striving for a vintage feel. Otherwise a little TLC (paint, stain, re-upholstering) can go a long way.
  4. Green: Upcycling is a great way to avoid filling up landfills with items that are still usable.

I enjoy vintage shopping because I always come home with something completely unique that I know no one else will have without having spent a fortune. Here are a few of my favourite second-hand treasures:

Owl Salt and Pepper Shakers, $5.00

Milk Crate, $15.00

Side table, $5.00

Lamp, $9.00

Tea cup, $3.00

Green Vinyl Chairs, $25.00 for both

I hope some of my finds have inspired you to go and search for some treasures of your own this weekend. Happy hunting!

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Welcome to Delightful Diggs!

Posted on June 15, 2011 by delightfuldiggs

It’s my first time!

So here it is! My very first post! I’m so excited to get Delightful Diggs up and running! I have so many things to share with you! My brain has been working around the clock to come up with creative projects and ideas to spruce up your home and wardrobe on a small budget. I’m always trying to make my home look its best with the limited resources and time I have which I know is common for many new mama’s like me.

Amber of Delightful Diggs

I’m Amber, a young mother of one adorable 18 month old daughter with hopes of another child someday.

My husband Brian is super supportive and helps me with my projects whenever he can. Brian and I both work full time, so we use a good chunk of our spare time upgrading our “builder basic” home to suit our unique and ever-changing style.

We live in suburbia and our home is a bi-level of about 1250 square feet upstairs and an additional 1000 square feet in our fully finished basement. Our goal has always been economical and creative projects with a big impact, and I think we’ve been quite successful thus far. Our journey has only begun and I want to share some of these adventures with you so you too can be fashionably house poor!

What can I expect from Delightful Diggs?

Most of my posts will be DIY projects for the home, both interior and exterior. I enjoy trendiness in all facets so you will see a fashion or beauty related post from time to time, as well as featured recipes and wines I like to enjoy. I’ve made the decision to disclose my family in my blog as they are such a large part of my life, so I will often talk about motherhood and marriage and the humour each brings into my life.

I look forward to hearing your comments on my endeavours and I always appreciate them in a polite and constructive manner. Let’s have some fun styling our diggs!

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