Now you see it; now you don’t! If you’re itching for a home refresh, see-through pieces may be the trendy touch your space is missing. Lucite‘s transparent finish is sleek and discrete, making it ideal for tiny spaces, organizing your craft room, or showcasing a vibrant color palette. The best part is, you don’t need to spend a pretty penny to incorporate it into your spring revamp. Scroll on for 19 DIYs that are budget-friendly and *clearly* fabulous.
DIY Flower Power Serving Tray
Spring showers will give you all the excuses you need to bust out the hot glue guns and faux flowers. Spend a craft sesh transforming a lucite serving tray with petal power, and get ready for a fun, floral cocktail hour. (via Aww Sam)
DIY Pom-Pom Storage Boxes
Kick-start your spring organization game with these cute pom-pom-topped boxes. Acrylic storage is ideal for a workspace with lots of trinkets and potential clutter, because you can see exactly what you’re looking for in a snap. (via Studio DIY)
DIY Block Photo Frame
A block of lucite is a super luxe way to display photos on your mantel or desk — without bringing all those chunky frames into the picture. (via A Beautiful Mess)
DIY Acrylic Wall Calendar
You’ll never miss a date with this giant wall calendar. It’s super light and can be made to suit minimalist or colorful decor with its customizable lettering. (via The House of Wood)
DIY Desk Accessories
This crazy-easy DIY only requires a set of clear acrylic pencil cups and sheets of foil or colored paper. Next step? Sifting through that massive collection of pens and pencils you’ve been accumulating. (via Just Destiny)
DIY Lucite Plant Stand
Give your indoor garden a style boost with this chic plant stand. You’ll adore the retro vibe it’ll bring to your #jungalow. (via A Beautiful Mess)
DIY Gold Rimmed Acrylic Jewelry Box
Show off your glam pieces *and* keep them contained with this clever jewelry box. Feel free to get artsy with a little geometric detailing. (via Earnest Home Co.)
DIY Floating Window Shelves
Indoor plants are happiest with an abundance of natural light, but window sills are only so big. Acrylic floating shelves like these won’t block any light from flowing in, and they’re sturdy enough to support all of your succulents. (via Design Sponge)
DIY Lucite Bathtub Caddy
This beautiful bath caddy will make your rub-a-dub relaxation even more dreamy. Fill it with bath bombs, a candle, and an iPad tuned to your fave show. *Ahhhh…* (via A Beautiful Mess)
DIY Lucite Towel Bar
While you’re beautifying your bathroom, why not swap out those ugly towel bars for something way classier? This is a quick and easy way for renters to temporarily update hardware, without the landlord ever needing to know. (via A Beautiful Mess)
DIY Gold Lead Lucite Office Supplies
Don’t let that pile of back issues topple over again; this baby is a must-have for desk organization or waiting room flair. (via A Bubbly Life)
DIY Care Packages
Whether your BFF got a new job or just deserves a little extra lovin’, these three personalized care package ideas will show her some serious affection. Start with a lucite tray she can reuse later, then fill it up with sweet treats, funny stickers, and cool gifts. (via Studio DIY)
DIY Gold and Acrylic Clipboards
Trying to rule adulting, but really miss the convenience of an old-school cork board? Embrace this classy AF grown-up version that’s space-saving and oh-so convenient. (via Design Sponge)
DIY Lucite Tray Table
Hit up your local thrift store for a basic TV stand, and then class it up with a gorg DIY. Swap out the top with a sheet of acrylic and celebrate your craftiness by DIYing a set of fab coasters to match. (via Brit + Co)
DIY Floating Acrylic Frame
If you’re looking for a minimal, modern way to display your fave prints, you’ll be all about this $40 project. Floating frames are simple to make and come out looking like a pro job. (via A Beautiful Mess)
DIY Holographic Glitter Acrylic Calendar
Hello, glitter! Take your schedule to a whole new level of sparkly goodness with holographic foil and gold letters. Who knows, you might actually look forward to filling out your to-do list. (via A Beautiful Mess)
DIY Chic Bento Box
Snack time needs a little design magic too! Upgrade to these sleek containers with color-coded rubber bands so none of your picnic pals nab your trail mix. (via Sugar & Cloth)
DIY Glitter Tray
Sparkle lovers, this one’s for you! Start with a plain acrylic tray, then add heaps of glitter and another sheet of acrylic so the sparkle can keep movin’ and shakin’. (via Studio DIY)
DIY Coffee Table With Acrylic Top
You’re going to need a free weekend and a batch of power tools for this DIY, but the end result is SO worth it. Craft the hollow frame to fill it with your most photogenic magazines, then top it off with acrylic sheets for a storage-friendly piece that will rule your decor. (via A Beautiful Mess)
Your relationship with your finances is one of the most important relationships you'll ever have, and you can't avoid it. That said, for many of us, the pandemic only added to our financial stress. If you find yourself feeling frazzled, just remember that financial insecurity isn't a net-worth issue — it's a mindset issue. And, we happen to have plenty of advice on how to turn your money mindset around so you can take charge of your funds once and for all.
To start, feeling secure begins with a strong foundation, and there's no better time than now to get started stacking the bricks. It's easy to get swept up in the January "new year, new me" mentality, but really? Any time is the right time to get yourself in order. You don't need to wait for a new year, a new moon, the right moment, or a sign from above. You don't even have to start on the first day of the month — you just need to start.
Introducing NerdWallet: A Safe and Reliable Money App
To help with that, we've put together a list of the just-right-for-you ways that NerdWallet can help you monitor your financial outlook. Haven't heard of them yet? NerdWallet is a personal finance company that helps consumers make smarter financial decisions. Their website and app let you compare different financial products, find articles and tools to make financial decisions with confidence, and keep tabs on your finances (hey there, credit score, I see you!) all in one place. Plus, NerdWallet has over 75,000 glowing reviews in the App Store (and a 4.8 star rating) if you want to read up on any more testimonials.
Tim Chen, NerdWallet's CEO and co-founder, started this financial journey in 2009 after his sister needed help finding a credit card. Even with an economics degree and a Wall Street background, it took awhile for Tim to find the right recommendation (so don't feel too bad when it takes you a while, too). Their mission is to bring clarity to all of life's financial decisions.
So it's safe to say that NerdWallet is a pretty good sherpa for your journey, too.
Get the most from your money
Did you know that the money you park in a savings account can lose value? Harsh, but true. If your money isn't earning interest that's on pace with inflation it will actually be worth less to you in the future. And if the bank charges fees? Forget about it. Make sure you're earning the interest you deserve and come out on top. NerdWallet has researched dozens of financial institutions to help consumers find the best options. The hard work has already been done for you, so you can just select the account that works best for you and your nest egg.
Keep an eye on everything, securely
Once everything is set up, tracking and managing your finances is what will keep the money machine running smoothly. You can create an account either through the site or the app and link your bank accounts, then keep tabs on all your finances in one place. Get a clear picture of your saving and spending, get insights into how to master your money, and even build your credit score all in one place.
Get extra credit points
Do you have the best credit card for your lifestyle? Some cards give cash back on every purchase, ones with travel perks, and ones that charge way less interest than you're paying now. NerdWallet takes the guesswork out of choosing the right credit card with simple side-by-side comparisons of different credit cards so that you feel confident choosing the right one. Whatever you want to do, NerdWallet can help you find the best credit card to get it done.
Know your options for settling down
Mortgage rates are pretty low and it looks like they're going to stay that way for awhile, so buying a home might be the move sooner than you think. But there's so much more to a mortgage than just the interest rate! To help you choose a mortgage lender, NerdWallet has in-depth reviews on multiple lenders in a mixture of categories so you get the home loan with the mortgage rate, term, and fees that's right for you.
Settle an old score
NerdWallet helps you monitor your credit score for free and helps you see how little things (like raising the limit on your credit card or paying your bills on time) can increase your score. NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your VantageScore® 3.0, based on information in your TransUnion® credit report. Your score and credit report information are updated weekly. But that's not even close to all:
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When it comes to managing your money, safe and reliable is where it's at. Establishing a healthy relationship with your finances begins when you take control and practice habits that build wealth. Signing up just takes a few minutes. Set your intentions to build a solid financial foundation, it will only strengthen your relationship with your finances. And don't be afraid to get a little nerdy while you're at it.
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