This ‘idea’ I have had, for some time actually, is to buy an old printers tray and repurpose it. Having searched on eBay and online, I knew the only way I’d find one was to head East – to the land of all things forgotten and retro – Spitalfields Market.

I have a particular love of Spitalfields and as much as it has changed over the last few years, the old spirit is still there. It’s great for thrifting as well. There are oodles of vintage clothes shops on Brick Lane but if you want homewares, this is the place.

I love the untold stories of the bric-a-bric which is there on Thursday and Sunday. Why does that man have his head in a glass?

And the visual jokes are pretty good too, so it’s hard not to walk around drinking in the colourful scenery with a big smile on your face. I always love talking to the people who own the stalls as well and I love their individual style. I have loads of old books I’ve bought there and some of the furniture is amazing – the prices are not too bad either.

On my journey round, I knew I’d find a printers’ tray. And I did. Check out this lovely. I got it for £15 – much cheaper than I had imagined.

And how am I going to change it? I’m going to paint it white and use it as a shelf. It’s no easy task as I’ve got to clean it up first. I’m painting it with stain blocker and then using two special brushes to get into all the nooks and crannies will paint it white. It would probably be lovely as it is in a kitchen for a spice tray but this is actually a very practical solution for all the nick nacks my daughter has scattered in her room and they’ll look fab in their own little shelflets. Two brushes and two paint pots have cost just under £20 so a bargain to boot.

I’ll post the results when I’m done.

This surely is frugaletarianism at it’s absolute best, happy reading.

Bin there…
First I bring you The Rubbish Diet , better than a bogof (‘buy one get one free’ for the uninitiated), it has a great round up of eight or so ways to keep your bin empty, your belly full and change in your purse.

Charity Begins at Home

Shoestring Alley is a great take on living for less and putting aside money for the future. So the lucky girl will be having a great holiday and a cushy Christmas in 2009.

I really like Potty Mummy’s new frugal ways – I’ve been taking a few notes, especially on the meal planning side…and you can save yourself a thousand quid or so, not bad eh?

Violet Posy shares her shabby chic style and tells us about her chair make over.

London for Free

The lovely Susanna at A Modern Mother sent me this post which makes me proud to be a Londoner. Our melting pot metropolis is possibly the most expensive city in the world, yet we still manage throw open the doors of our great institutions for free. Find out how you can have a free workshop at The National Gallery.

For Frugal Fashionistas

Bargain hunters will be delighted to discover Recessionista Sister who is up on all the latest high street deals so check out her posts, and keep yourself plush and lush for less.

Buying Designer Clothes has tips on customising your wardrobe and keeping on trend for just a few quid.

Sharon Rose has a fabulous Fashion Thrifting blog and waxes lyrical about her designer bargains.

Effing Had Enough of this Crunchy thang

Writeonmum bucks the trend of hiding behind the sofa when the bailiffs arrive and shares her peace love and crunchiness to solve our financial woes.

From Across the Pond

Mom Most Travelled gives a tutorial on how to make colourful play silks for the kids – just swap food colouring for Kool Aid and it’s a winner.

Almost Frugal has some reading tips – The Tightwad Gazette and Your Money or Your Life for a start – and asks what unlikely reads are helping to shape your journey towards frugality as she shares her own – and there are a few surpises.

Tighten Your Belt is happy to share advice with regular tweets on making every cent count. Sign up to the updates and check out the first top 20 tips here.

Nixdminx

My top tip? It’s a state of mind.   ! I’m getting on a cheap flight and heading to the sunshine for a few days to stay with some very good friends and spend time rather than cash…who knows, I may have a job soon and my lady of leisure lifestyle will be over.

Thanks everyone, please send us your top tips too, I hope you all enjoy new and interesting ways to live more for less!

And let’s not forget

“Take care of the luxuries and the necessities will take care of themselves.”

- Dorothy Parker

There’s more to life than Aldi and Lidl, which is why I am hosting the best and most luscious budget blogs here soon…so please join me and make it happen!

Email nixdminx@live.co.uk with Credit Crunchista Carnivale in the title and include the post you’d like to enter, with a link and a brief synopsis of you and your blog.

The deadline is March 16 2009, and I’ll send you more details to post and publicise on your own blogs. C’est tres simple!

TTFN – I’m off to the gym now for a workout and a pamper, with a bag of fabulous freebies….

…and here is my latest doodle, inspired by days of rummaging round my handbag in search of my lippy only to find the poor little thing has just about had it.

It’s not that easy to replace, no matter where I look, I haven’t found it anywhere. Don’t you hate it when cosmetic companies discontinue that shade that gives you a bit of * * WOW * *?

Try this, it could save you a few quid and give you luscious lips for longer.

originally uploaded by nixdminx.

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** Very simple instructions **

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Pop your lip gloss (with the lid up) in hot water for 5 minutes

and it magically melts to the bottom of the tube and gives you

lots more wear.

WARNING: Don’t apply until it has cooled down though

Fabulous!

PS: If you spot Clinique Blackberry Bloom anywhere, just let me know will ya?