Frugal but Fabulous!

I had a chance to interview Georgie Smith, the host of Frugal But Fabulous, to get some great tips on being frugal without being a scrooge.

1) How did you get started on Frugal but Fabulous?

I launched the site because my friends from Australia to Europe to the US demanded it. They wanted me to share how I created the overall experience of entertaining. What they really asked for was a TV show. But I wanted to feel my way forward online first. I named it Frugal but Fabulous because I feel there is too much emphasis on fabulous being something that is to be bought. From my experience, the most fabulous moments come from spontaneity and creativity. That is something money cannot buy.

2) Sometimes design and home decor can seem to be a luxury, but how do you manage to create quality design for a frugal budget?

My secret for frugal decor is white on white -- with accents of 2 additional colors. White walls, white slips covers that can be cleaned, white vases, white object d'art, white shelves, -- the uniformity gives off the impression of style. Even when a white sheet is draped over 2 clashing sofas. I even do the white sheet trick on old, tired, outdoor furniture. Here is a great trick -- put a white pillow slip over patterned cushions and tuck the excess fabric inside -- voila a brand new crisp white throw cushion. 

3) When we think frugal food, we often think boring - how do you keep food exciting with a limited budget?

I cooked for 200 last night and only spent $500 on food. The fussy crowd said it was the best food they ever had. Good fresh herbs from the farmer's market (or the market) is a must. Costco beef tenderloin is an incredible deal and unbelievably tasty. Simply roast in the oven of pan roast with garlic, salt & pepper, extra virgin olive oil and rosemary. It can be served in so many ways - sliced thinly for sliders or canapés or thicker like a steak. Or as roast. Last night I served thin slices on Trader Joe's Middle Eastern Flatbread as an open sandwich with a home made horse radish aoili , slithered green onions and arugala. The flatbread comes in a packet of 6. I cut each piece into 6  pie shaped pieces. That is 36 per packet. It was yummy than any slider. The crowd went bananas for it. For the vegans -- tofu is very inexpensive at Costco. Making a home made satay sauce to accompany chicken & tofu is incredibly in expensive and absurdly delicious. If serving for 8 or 30 -- cooking  2-- 3 curries is amazingly delicious and inexpensive. It really warms the tummy. Here is the secret to an amazing curry experience -- serving it with papadams & raita. I did this for 12 people this week. I spent $100 and they thought it was the yummiest dinner of  all time. I made butternut chicken, brown basmati rice, Saag tofu (my vegan version of Saag panner), a huge salad, papadams & raita. For desert, I served a huge platter of fresh fruit with freshly squeezed lime. 

4) What are your frugal fall entertaining tips?

For the fall I love gathering friends around a shared meal  -- like mussels, a pot of chili,  curry, lasagne, Beef Bourguignon, Persian chicken & mujadara, Moroccan lamb & cous cous, or … my absolute fave  -- a roast. Where everyone helps themselves -- family style. IN terms of presentation -- I like to use leaves from the forest, park, or garden. At the farmer's market they sell wheat stalks which makes a gorgeous fall arrangement. For me fall is candle season. The cheapest candles are from Ikea. 

You can get more tips when you follow @GeorgieLuvvie, like Frugal But Fabulous, follow @georgieLuvvie on Instagram, or follow Frugal but Fab on Pinterest.