As you probably know, I was on KKTV’s Moms Everyday on Friday, the 24th (how could you not–we plastered it everywhere!) and I took the host, Jen Lennon a hostess basket with goodies I made and found at Goodwill and the Dollar Tree…here’s the recipes I used and the items I bought that you could find at a local thrift store/dollar store….all for under $9.00….which would be the amount you’d spend on a bottle of wine (or more) or a bouquet of flowers.
I keep a supply of baskets on hand that I pick up at Goodwill every time I shop there. Depending on what’s on sale there, I pay anywhere from $1.29 to 59 cents for them. They just make great containers for any gift and then can be used for something else. I think it’s cheaper than wrapping paper and bows or gift bags and again, it can be reused…another way to be green. This basket cost 79 cents. You can find this “oil” bottle at the Dollar Tree (they also sell them with a “vinegar” label) but I actually picked this one up at Goodwill, with the sticker still on it so it hadn’t been used, for 79 cents. I found the white crock at Goodwill for 49 cents but it was on sale that day for half off so it was a whopping 25 cents. You can find great containers like this everyday for under $1.00 and fill them up with whatever you want. And I also got the candle holder at Goodwill for 49 cents.
Next stop…the Dollar Tree, to finish finding items for my basket. I picked up a package of four vanilla scented votive candles and added one to the candle holder, so that was 25 cents and I’ll use the other three for myself or added to another gift at some point. The towel was $1.00 (you could also use tissue paper but again, it’s a gift that can be used over and over) and then the crackers were also a dollar and taste just like the ones you find at the grocery store for a lot more. I like taking this package size on picnics.
I had just made rosemary oil for our Saturday cooking video of garlic-rosemary steak and it was so good I made it again! It tastes great even on a plain bowl of pasta with some cheese sprinkled on…I’ve eaten that for the last two days because it’s so good! One way I was able to keep my price down on the rosemary oil is because I have rosemary growing in pots and I always buy olive oil when it’s on sale for dirt cheap…even if I don’t need it at the time, because I’ll use it.
ROSEMARY OIL-
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup 1″ pieces rosemary sprigs
Heat oil and rosemary in a small saucepan over medium heat until oil begins to bubble and an instant-read thermometer registers 140 degrees, about 2 minutes. Let steep at room temperature for at least 2 hours or cover and chill overnight (the longer it steeps, the more flavorful it will be.) Strain oil, discard rosemary.
I actually doubled the recipe for my gift basket and it cost me $2.00 to make….becasue I didn’t have to pay for the rosemary.
*I’ll be posting some more ways to make herb oil and fruit vinegar soon….
The cheese I made for the crock is a recipe I’ve been making for years…it’s so easy and every time I make it, guests ask for the recipe. It’s from the cookbook “Paula Deen & Friends Living It Up, Southern Style”. Albertsons has their shredded cheese on sale right now for $1.99 for 8 ounces so that saved me money. The cheese cost me $2.25 to make. The recipe makes 2 cups of beer cheese but I cut it in half, filled the crock and still had leftovers….which I ate along with my pasta and rosemary oil.
BEER CHEESE-
- 1 lb (16 oz) grated sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 small onion, grated
- 2 tablespoons flat beer
Place the cheese, cayenne, salt, garlic, onion, and beer in a food processor and process until smooth. Pack the cheese into crocks or serving bowls. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Allow to come to room temperature before serving with crackers or raw vegetables….I especially like it with celery!
I spent a total of $8.82 for everything…..not bad!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again….I LOVE shopping at Goodwill! I do shop at other thrift stores but Goodwill is my “go-to” place to shop most of the time. I think they have great prices and I always have good service and they give back to the community…and I feel like I’m helping to save the planet a bit by recycling and being green…and of course it saves my wallet too!
My entire outfit cost $18.35 and as we’ve shown in the past, it doesn’t matter your age or size….you CAN find something to fit your lifestyle and body there.
My dress was originally $7.99 but I had a 20% off coupon so it ended up costing $6.39. My shoes were a steal at $3.99 (always check the heels to make sure they aren’t rundown) and my bracelet and earrings were $2.99 (which is an average price for a lot of their earrings and bracelets) and my necklace was $1.99. Love the colors in the dress and I can wear this year-round…cool enough for summer months and then come fall/winter, I’ll add tights and boots with a sweater or cardigan.
The shoes I wore were Antonio Melani, which I’ve seen on sale for $80 before but usually average around $100-$150. And here’s a pic of my shoes and my thoughts on used shoes (an earlier story we posted on wearing used shoes).
Thanks KKTV and Moms Everyday for inviting me back….Jen makes me feel so comfortable and she’s very easy to talk to! Jen has liked my outfits I’ve worn on the show so much that we’re going to go shopping at Goodwill. I’ll be back on her show next month where we’ll discuss our newest contest AND she’ll be wearing something fabulous we found on our shopping trip!
