Five Under $50: Live a Little

Sometimes a little retail therapy goes a long way. $50 won't get you a pair of Jimmy Choo's but it will put a smile on your face.

1. Mad for plaid? Get these shoes and a coordinating t-shirt.

2. A simple gold bangle with a subtle twist

3. Dress up your iPhone with a cute case.

4. Light up your world with a Glassy Baby.

5. Get another Glassy Baby since if you get only one, it will be lonely.

Cheap and Cheerful wants to know: What are your favorite items under $50?

Five Under $20: My Favorite Gifts to Give

1. What's not to love about these soft, personalized tees?

2. Jot down your thoughts in one of these chic journals.

3. A little sugar for your sugar.

4. Or some eye candy?

5. Or just plain old candy?

Cheap and Cheerful Cooking: Feta Sun-Dried Tomato Turkey Burger Sliders

I am obsessed with sliders. What is more perfect than a tiny burger on a tiny bun? Well, maybe a tiny milkshake alongside and a tiny order of onion rings, too?

I saw this recipe on the Picky Palate, a great website filled with recipes for dressed up comfort food.

Feta Sun-Dried Tomato Turkey Burger Sliders

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 lb ground turkey

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, jarred in olive oil

1/2 cup fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped

Pinch of Kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper and Lawry’s Garlic Salt with Parsley

Sun-Dried Tomato Mayonnaise

1 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, packed in olive oil, drained

Baby hamburger buns or dinner rolls, split and warmed

2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves

1. Heat oil into a large skillet over medium heat. Place turkey, feta, sun dried tomato, spinach and seasonings into a mixing bowl. Mix until just combined. Form 1/4 Cup little patty’s and place onto a cookie sheet. Once all are formed, place batches in hot skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through.

2. Place mayonnaise and tomatoes into a bowl; mix to combine. Spread over insides of warm rolls. Layer bottom roll with spinach and the burger. Close with top roll and eat

Makes about 12 little sliders

Five Under $10: Gifts for Everyday Use

5 everyday gifts under $10. Add cute wrapping and a heartfelt card. Done.

1. Dr. Seuss My About Me Book
Great for ages 6 - 10. Wrap it up with a set of colorful pens on top.

2. Mini wallet from SewGracious
Perfect iTouch cover or for business cards. Or stuff with a gift card if you want to add a little surprise.

3. Candle in a tin
Believe it or not, Target has some great candles for $9.99. Many of them come in cute boxes or tins. Place in a brown craft paper bag with some colorful ribbon.

4. A cute umbrella
Why do all umbrellas have to be black?

5. A magazine for your man
Field and Stream for $9.97. Or Golf for $8. Other titles available, too.

Cheap and Cheerful wants to know: What is your go to gift under $10?

Favorite Things: Silverlicious

If you don't like the books from this series, I will forgive you. But even if you can't stand one more installment of the Pinkalicious series, you've got to admit that the three, four, or five year old girl in your life lives and breathes for it. Make her happy. And do it for under $10! I just ordered one for my little pinkaholic; we'll post a review after we've read it!

Favorite Things: Typewriter Key Jewelry

If you've been reading Cheap and Cheerful for awhile now, you know I love anything with initials or monograms. Hey, blame my Southern roots, or the fact that I'm a twin, or blame anything you want. It's not an addiction that is likely to end any time soon.

I got a necklace like this for Christmas. Needless to say, I wear it almost every day.

Maybe your Valentine can get one for you?

Cheap and Cheerful Cooking: Jamie Oliver's Farfalle Carbonara

One word: Yum. Another word: tasty. And Jamie Oliver is fun to watch.

Ingredients:
• 1l b farfalle
• 1 egg, preferably free-range or organic
• 3½ fl oz double cream
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 12 slices of pancetta or smoked streaky bacon, roughly sliced
• 3 handfuls of fresh podded or frozen peas
• 2 sprigs of fresh mint, leaves picked
• 2 handfuls of freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
This is a twist on the classic Carbonara, using spring peas and smoky bacon. A great combination and a great one for the kids. My girls just love it.

First of all, bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, add the farfalle, and cook according to the packet instructions. Whisk the egg in a bowl with the cream, salt and pepper. Put your pancetta or bacon into a second pan and cook until crispy and golden.

When the farfalle is nearly cooked, add the peas for the last minute and a half. This way they will burst in your mouth and be lovely and sweet. When cooked, drain in a colander, saving a little of the cooking water. Add the pasta to the pancetta and stir in most of the mint, finely sliced - if the pan isn't big enough, mix it all together in a large warmed bowl.

Now you need to add the egg and cream mix to the pasta. What's important here is that you add it while the pasta is still hot. This way, the residual heat of the pasta will cook the eggs, but not so that they resemble scrambled eggs, as I've seen in some dodgy old restaurants on the motorway! The pasta will actually cook the egg enough to give you a silky smooth sauce. Toss together and loosen with a little of the reserved cooking water if necessary. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with the Parmesan and the rest of the mint leaves, and serve as soon as possible.