Wednesday, August 28, 2013

What If

 
               

Matt and I were enjoying our morning coffee the other day and naturally we started reminiscing on how we met and replayed our whole "Falling in Love" story again... Although, the more it's brought up, the more eye rolling happens
since someone likes to over exaggerate.
(I'll let you figure out who's who.)

However, as usual, we start wondering how, when, where we would have met if it wasn't that one night at a club in a bar.

What if Matt never met Katy?  We surely wouldn't have met through her then.

We had similar stomping grounds, we found out... But, totally different crowds.

I never seem to know... Whereas Matt pulls all sorts of scenarios into play. 
The most logical one we can think of is Starbucks...  IF he received a job in the town I was living in at one time.  Far fetched, maybe?

I tease him, stating that he would have never came up to me at a little coffee joint, or the mall, or anywhere else.  Yet, he disagrees every time.

He tends to play out how giggly I would be when he would approach
and how extremely shy I would become.

Sadly, he's most likely right.  Is that sad?  Maybe I should just say, "Yes, he's right!"
He may like that too much... Admitting that he's right, anyway...



 
 
 
       Although, no matter where the conversation goes, Matt always says that he knows we would have met somehow, somewhere, sometime, because we're soulmates.
 
Now, if he's not a keeper, I don't know who is!
 
 
 

 
Well... Maybe Ryan Gosling...
 
(Just kidding!  Kind of..)
 





{Outfit Details}
Polka Dot Jeans: Gloria Vanderbilt (Kohls)//Top: Chaps (Goodwill)//Watch: Kohls//Bracelet: Etsy//
Necklace: Forever21//Boots:  Madden Girl (gifted)
 
 
No matter what, I would hope that whatever happened in the past,
he still would have fallen into my path.
 
Because I'm truly thankful with how things turned out...
No matter the ending, I'm still with him now... He's still the man I married. 
And I just love him to pieces!
Next to Ryan Gosling, of course.
 

Friday, August 23, 2013

Thrifty Finds


My mother in law was in town over the weekend and she may be more obsessed with thrifting than me!  In two days, we ran to three Goodwill stores...  and took home things from each one.  If we didn't already have other plans, I'm sure we would have hunted down more!

I am tickled pink over my newest items...  New "used" items?

I spent a total of $27 and some change on most of these. 
Mary did buy a few of these for me as well.  (She's the best!)






 
 
 
 


 


       


      
       
From left to right, starting at the top:  Talbots Navy Stripe Tee, Kohls "Chaps" Black and Ivory Stripe Tee, Target "Mossimo" Tee (new with tags), Ralph Lauren "Boyfriend" Sweater,  Express Ruffle Tee, Target "Merona" Tee (new with tags), Tweed 100% Cashmere Top, Ralph Lauren Plaid Jacket, Apt. 9 Cream Military Jacket


I love that I have so many new pieces that cost me so little!  The two brand new Target tees cost me $1.50 each!  You just cannot  beat that.  I almost walked away with some brand new Target wedges for $4.99, too, but I put them back. 
 
I did, however, snatch a Scrabble board game for $0.99 though!
I have a DIY project in mind for the letters, so I've been on a hunt for one :)
 
Do you thrift?
Do you think it's weird?
 
Leave your thoughts below!
 
 

Friday, August 16, 2013

Savings Pennies

Recently I was contacted by Credit Card Insider on savvy ways to save.  They recently posted an article, "Top Five Ways to Save for Moms".  Read it here.
 
It has some great tips, especially with all the Back to School Sales going on. 
It's definitely worth the read.
 
 
Here are a few of my own tips:
 
1.  Only shop clearance.
 
2.  Use coupons.
 
3.  Research apps for additional savings and/or perks.
 
4.  Sign up for their Credit Cards/Debit Cards/Rewards Cards/Membership.
 
5. If you are daring, be thrifty.
 
6.  Steals on Accessories
 
{Outfit Details}
Sweater: Apt. 9 (Kohls), Dress: BCBG, Shoes: Aerosoles, Necklace: H&M, Watch: Kohls
 
Let's start off with Only Shop Clearance :
 
Every time I step into a store, I avoid all the new lines that are out.  I know in just a few weeks or a few months those items will be on sale and be new to me when I'm willing to save a buck or two.
My top store for clothes is Kohls.  It's a given.  They have a ton of stylish items 60-90% off.  And their weekly coupons do not exclude clearance, which makes it even better.  Since we're still in summer, they have last year's fall/winter lines on the clearance racks.  Start thinking ahead.  I have been picking up sweaters and pants for $5, $8, $10.  You just cannot beat that!  And always search for coupons before you head out...  They almost always have 15% off.  Sometimes they have more and if you have a card with them, you can save even more.  Now, I'm not saying to get into credit card debt, but the benefits of having their card will save you.  Just be sure to budget for your spending costs and pay the card off every month to ensure great savings.
 
 
Now moving on to Coupons:
 
I know I've already mentioned Kohls coupons.  But, most stores have offers.  Use Retail Me Not (here or download their app) to see if there's any savings that week.  Just enter the store and search!
 
If that doesn't work, a quick Google search may surprise you.  Just be sure to read the fine print.  Some coupons do not work on clearance or sale items. 
 
 
Research apps for additional savings and/or perks:
 
Recently I ran into the Cartwheel app for Target.  This is an app that you can add/store coupons to your smartphone and use them as many times as you want, until they expire. 
 
Then, I was told about Shopkick, just yesterday.  I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but the idea behind the app has me excited.  Every time you even walk into a store you will receive "kicks".  You can scan products to earn kicks and invite friends/family to earn kicks.  That's just the basic rundown.  Once you receive enough "kicks", you can redeem them for gift cards at your favorite stores.
 
 
Sign up for their credit card/debit card/rewards card/membership:
 
My husband and I both have cards to our most shopped retailers.  I've already mentioned Kohls, and the stickler with some of their big coupons is that you have to use your Kohls charge.  But, don't fret.  If you already have the money in your checking account or if you have cash, use the Kohls card and then turn around and pay the bill immediately.  And for first time users, they usually give 10% off.  Even if you are not qualified for their card.
 
Target offers their RedCard.  Did you know you can sign up for credit or debit?  We have the debit version and on top of their Cartwheel app and their 5% off every purchase, we have been saving quite a bit with every purchase we make.  We will do our grocery shopping here and save big.  I love seeing those savings on the bottom of the receipt! :)
 
One great thing about Target is you can combine the Cartwheel savings, along with your RedCard AND Target and manufacturer coupons.  So, do your homework.  Those savings add up!
 
Now, I'm no extreme couponer...  I do lose patience trying to collect the little coupons I have... But seeing my total at the register makes it worth it.
 
If you are near a Sam's or Costco, I highly recommend signing up for membership.  We don't do a lot of our shopping there, but we do buy some big items there.  Such as, for dinners, we'll grab a large pork tenderloin for $15 and take it home and cut it up into chops, strips and roasts.  That one tenderloin will last us a very long time.
 
Another thing:  If we buy ground beef, we like to get the 90/10 or 95/5.  Usually that's double what 80/20 or 85/15 would be.  However, we will snatch the four pound packages at Sam's with the sell date of "tomorrow".  It's reduced to $9-10 and we'll either use it right away or freeze it.  Again, we divide that up and store them in the freezer.
 
 
Be a Thrifter:
 
Some people seem to be weary/disgusted of a thrift store... buying second hand clothing...
 
You may be surprised by walking into one.
 
Target/Kohls and a few other retailers will donate their clothes, brand new with tags, to Goodwill locations.
 
You can find some great name brands, if you are all about that.
I've seen many Banana Republic, J.Crew, Anne Taylor items in thrift stores that are almost brand new for $5-7 a piece!
 
And of course they offer coupons and deals, too!
 
I'm signed up for a Goodwill Rewards Card and receive coupons in my email.
Also, they have half off deals every Sunday/Monday on a specific colored tag.
So you can get items for absolutely nothing!
 
Just take the items home and give them a good washing.
 
Brand new to you!
 
I have many staples in my closet that came from thrift stores.
 
 
Shop Accessories:
 
My two favorite places to buy accessories? 
 
(Such as this adorable bunny necklace... Only $3 at H&M)
 
 
They have such adorable necklaces, earrings, bracelets for unbeatable prices!
 
Perfect for ladies who have a short attention span or like to switch it up every day!
 
 
 
 
Now it's your turn!
Share some of your favorite tips below in the comments!!
 

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Pierogi Fest


    
 

{Outfit Details}
Dress: Old Navy (clearance), Sweater Tights: Meijer, Boots: Madden Girl (gifted), Cardi: NY&Co,
Belt: Old Navy (clearance), Purse: Target, Watch: Kohls


As you know, if you've been reading my blog, Matt and I went to Pierogi Fest a few weeks ago!

It was so last minute which made it that much more fun.  In fact, we were watching the news Friday morning, which I never watch, and they were advertising it!  We saw it was about an hour from us so we made plans for it for that Sunday!  I daydreamed all day at work about all the pierogies I would be eating...  Mmmm...


            
 


 
Our first Pierogies of the day!
Potato and Cheese!
Matt's was double the size of mine!


 
We strolled the streets and admired the view... above the crowd.
 
This building is breathtaking!


 
As we kept strolling, I overheard someone ask where the brisket was.
 
Whhhhaaattt?
 
My eyes lit up and I listened very carefully.
Matt teased me saying, "So I guess we're going to find the brisket?"
Heck to the yeah!!!
In fact, he even pointed to a funnel cake stand, which I love, but brisket trumps funnel cakes any day!
 
As we waited for the scrumptious brisket, we admired the lady working on the homemade potato chips!  I loved watching the potatoes curl.

 
 
Mmmm!!
Brisket is probably my all time favorite food.
This was pretty good but did not compare to my sister's or aunt's.
But it was still a great, quick fix!

 
Oh Dorothy!

 

Matt and I saw these cups as soon as we walked up and instantly had.to.have.them!
 
Well, I wish we stood in the first long line we saw for them...
We waited until towards the end of the day and saw that it was free refills!
Needlesstosay, we didn't even finish our first full cup before we left!
 


  
 
It's ok to laugh at my husband's expense... As soon as I saw this photo I couldn't stop giggling!
 



 
Cheers!!


 
This Starbuskas wasn't the greatest, but the gentleman that snapped a photo with me entertained me!
Besides, it was for a great cause and I just loved their creativity!
Cheers to them!
 
We finally started to head home and what do we drive by?
Dave and Busters!
 
We were both exhausted but we both agreed this would be the perfect way to end our day.
 
I kicked Matt's butt twice in basketball!
WOOT!!
And in Connect 4!
 
Yes, I'm pretty competitive.
 

         
 
Cheers (again)!
 
 
I love this man!
 
I'm so glad we went and enjoyed ourselves!
 
Can't wait to do it again!