As the leaves turn colors and Fall seeps in we all want to bundle up and lay by the fire. This week’s issue of “Tips and Tricks” will teach you how to save money by making your own Pumpkin Spice Latte, your own scarf (by not spending a dime!), and how to dress up your apartment/dorm room/sorority house with cute pumpkin vases. Read on and enjoy!
How to Make a Pumpkin Vase:
Pumpkin vase- This one is so easy and perfect as a centerpiece for a fun fall party or for the middle of your Thanksgiving dinner table. You will need a fake carvable pumpkin (you can find these at Michaels Craft Store), a small vase or cup, a carving knife, and flowers (fake or real, doesn’t matter). First, cut the lid off of the pumpkin making sure that the hole is large enough so that the vase can fit into it. Add water to vase and place the vase inside the pumpkin. Trim down the stems of our flowers and place them in the vase. You now have the perfect fall centerpiece!
How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte:
Fall is the perfect time for what else but a pumpkin spice latte? Starbucks had a (gasp!) shortage of the mix this year but we have how to make a healthier at home version right here! Another plus? This recipe is only 100 calories, compared to the Starbucks version which can run up to 470 calories (for a Venti with 2% milk)! You will need: 4 tablespoons ground coffee, 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice (no sugar added, just the spice mix), 2 and a half cups water, 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk or 2 cups skim milk + ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup. Combine the coffee and the pumpkin spice and brew as usual with the specified amount of water. Pour the maple syrup in the bottom of your cup and pour half of the hot coffee over that. Add 1 cup of milk and stir. Repeat steps 2-3 for the second serving. Stir and enjoy! Thanks to thegraciouspantry.com for this tasty recipe!
How to Make a Sweater Scarf:
It’s starting to get super cold and instead of spending money on a cute fall scarf, the solution may already be hanging in your closet! You will need two 100% acrylic (or acrylic blend) sweaters, scissors, sewing needle and thread, and a ruler. Do not use cotton as it frays more easily, acrylic makes this a more heavy duty scarf. To begin, you will need to cut off the bodies of both sweaters just below the arms. Remember that the larger the sweaters, the larger your finished scarf will be. Hem the cut edges. Cut each sweater body into two equal pieces to create four equal panels. Make sure all four sections are the same size. Sew all four panels together to create a loop, or leave the ends loose if you don’t want a loop scarf!
Until next time!
Loren