Monday, March 31, 2014

Learning when to say "NO".

Yestersay I took a casual stroll around my local Target. Their clothing department was largly lacking in any good deals, but they had TONS of home decor clearance... Which brings me to today's title: learning when to say "NO".

I have an inclination to purchase things that I don't need, and sometimes don't even like that much, just because "It's a great deal!"

This is how you end up with clothes you never wear, home decor that never quite "goes" with your style, and buyer's remorse. 

Take these rugs, for example:

 
 



Both really beautiful rugs, both on clearance for $15! What a deal! I wanted to buy both! But then I stepped back. I had my master bathroom in mind, but the yellow one is too wide, and the paisley one is not long enough. 


They went back on the shelf. Then I saw a dark gray 5x7 area rug half off(didn't get a photo!), making it $40! I started to reason with myself, "I could make this work, right?"  Then I realized I didn't even like the rug that much. It went back. 

 
My small bank account also helping in putting those things back, but so did years of purchasing items only to watch them go unused. Guess I've learned something after all this time!

 

I did purchase one clearance item, and that was this quilt. I really did need a new comforter, mine was 6 years old and literally falling to shreds. This one is the perfect colors, super soft, and I know from experience Target quilts are good quality. So I pulled the trigger!



 
Sorry for the dark pics and frumpy pillows, it was night time!

Gambit approves!

 
As time goes on, I hope I can continue to resist impulse buying, and remember to stick to items that I both need AND love! If you don't love it, why are you spending your hard earned money on it? Just some food for thought, have a happy Monday!















Friday, March 21, 2014

A Few of My Favorite Things...

In celebration of it being Friday, and the fantastic weather we are having in Florida, I decided to post five of my current favorite things.

1.

Young House Love Target Collection


Teal Octopus Hook, $11.99


White Chihuahua Hook, $9.99



Hexagon Picture Hanger, $6.99


I am LOVING everything in the collection. They even have a  hook/rail combo that has tons of custom options! And those prices are crazy... I think that teal octopus is going to find it's way into my basket soon. It's all been designed by Sheri and John from my favorite blog, Young House Love. I may or may not stalk their blog on a regular basis.

2.

Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation




Guys, this stuff is great. I struggle with oily skin, no matter what soap, or creams or products I use, I typically have to apply and reapply powder throughout the day, and I go through those oil blotting sheets like crazy. This stuff has really, really cut down on that! My shade is soft beige, and it blends really well, and doesn't look caked on. I typically follow this up with the Stay Matte Pressed Powder, and I've cut down my touch ups to once a day at most.

The best part? It cost me about $5 at Walmart. Sold!

3.

Aldi

I don't know exactly how far spread Aldi is, but if you have one near you and you haven't been, GO! I do about 80% of my grocery shopping there and I always save SO much. Cheaper than Publix(even with sales), Winn Dixie, Sam's Club and Walmart! Not to mention, the atmosphere is much more relaxing than Walmart. I don't know what it is about that store, but I always leave feeling frazzled.


The way Aldi is able to keep their prices so low(sometimes 1/2 the cost of other stores!) is the way they manage their stores. They don't give you bags. You either bring reusable bags with you(what I do), or you can purchase paper bags for $0.6 each and plastic for $0.12. Although they also will give you product boxes to carry your things in as well.

Also, you have to take a quarter with you if you want a shopping cart. Sounds weird, but basically there is a device that locks the carts together, you insert a quarter and one cart comes unlocked. When you return the cart, you get your quarter back. This keep them from having to pay staff to collect carts.

Our Aldi is small but very well laid out, wide aisles and everything is easy to find, unlike Walmart who has the most illogical stocking design I've ever seen!

Aldi sells mainly it's own brands, similar to other discount stores, but they do have name brand occasionally. Everything Aldi brand that I've tried from cheese to pasta has been delicious, save for their brand of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Tasted like cardboard, but their other cereals are good.

The main downside is that sometimes I will find a product that I really like, and they will sell out quickly and never have it again. So if you see something for a really good price, stock up! After a few trips you will learn what they stock all the time vs limited availability items.

4.

Frozen




If you haven't heard the buzz about this movie, you must be living under a rock. If you haven't seen the movie, go out and buy it now. It's that good. I have watched it multiple times and I really want the soundtrack. It's funny and sad and touching all at the same time, and the music is phenomenal. It's one of Disney's best movies since I was a kid, and if you have a sister it will be extra special to you. Go watch it!

5.


My new bangs!



This one might seem a bit self promoting, but I got bangs cut on Saturday, and after the initial "Why won't you lay straight!!!" phase, I really, really love them. I can wear them pulled forward like the photo, or push them over for a side swept look. Sometimes, you just need a change, and this hit the spot for me.

Happy Friday Y'all!






*FYI: I was not compensated for anything in this post. None of the people or companies have any idea who I am. Except, for myself, of course. Although I sometimes wonder.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Floor Plan and Simple Changes

It occured to me yesterday, while trying to use Ikea's PAX Closet Planner (which is really awesome btw), that I have yet to share my floor plan. So, here it is, in all it's folded-paper iphone-photo glory:


There are a few differences, though. For one, our floorplan is flipped from this one(the garage is one the other side, bedrooms and kitchen reversed, etc).

Secondly, I saw something in one of the models we toured that I knew I had to have. It's a seemingly small change, that the builder was willing to do at no cost, but to me it makes a huge difference!

See this right here:
 

Me no likey!


Those little boxes off the kitchen are the washer and dryer. I was not a fan of having my washer and dryer in between my kitchen and living room behind bifold doors. I'm not a picky person, but that just screamed apartment living to me. So, as we were looking over another model, the Realtor casually mentioned that the owners had requested the washer and dryer to be placed on the opposite side of the wall, into the garage. And I jumped right on it!

As you can see here:


This is where the W&D would have been.

I created a lovely dining nook! I did not want a giant dining table anyway, and this way the living room is more open, because I won't have to squeeze the dining table in there.



It's not a huge house, but I think the square footage and layout is going to work perfect for us! I can't wait for move in day!

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Kitchen Cabinets Are In!

We went by the house today and it's all coming together so fast!! I can't believe it... I didn't want to leave! Here's some updated photos:




Entry

View of living area from hall


Living Room from Kitchen
Kitchen from Garage 

Kitchen

Kitchen

Dining Nook Area

Hall Bathroom


Front bedroom

2nd bedroom


Master bedroom

Master Bathroom (toilet area)

Master Shower

Master Vanity

It all looks so perfect and we are so excited! It may not be the biggest or fanciest house, but I've never lived in a brand new house before and we can't wait to make it our own!






Thursday, March 6, 2014

House Progress

I've been trying to get out to see the house every week. The progress they can make in 7 days is amazing. I missed the weekend before last, and finally got out there this past Sunday. Since it had been two weeks, they had finished a lot! Previously it looked like this:

Kitchen view

Garage

View from kitchen


And two weeks later this is where we are:

Roof is finished!

Looking from hallway into living room/kitchen area

Master Shower

Kitchen

Living room


We have walls!! I also received a call from the contractor yesterday with a question about our tile, and while he was on the phone he told me that they are tiling the master shower, applying the stucco to the outside and plastering the walls this week. And on Friday they will have the kitchen cabinets installed! I can't wait to see the updates this weekend.