Makes Me Smile

The boys in the last segment are just too awesome!

Our New Toy

Our vacuum was very very old.  My grandma bought it probably 12 years ago.  It finally kicked the bucket last week.  We knew it was fairly sick and had already talked about what its replacement would be.  So we grabbed one of those handy-dandy Bed Bath & Beyond coupons and headed to the store.

I spent a few moments chatting with one of the sales associates about the features of the different vacuums they had.  With her recommendations we went with the same vacuum that we had initially wanted.  And I'm glad she didn't try to up-sell us.  This is what we came home with:

Please ignore my blindingly white legs ;-)

We got it home, snapped it together and immediately put it to use.  And I immediately fell in love.  This thing is awesome!!!  Vacuuming may be my new favorite chore!  I can totally see Husband and I arguing over who gets to vacuum.  We're two happy campers!

P.S.  Bed Bath & Beyond and Dyson both have no idea that I exist or blogged about either of them, but if they do discover this and would like to give me free things I wouldn't be opposed.

This Was Always the Best Part of School...

School supply shopping!  That was always my absolute favorite part of school.  I'm a weirdo and I <3 school/office supplies.  Still do, but I don't get to buy as much as I used.  Luckily, my work was holding a drive for school supplies for local area schools...so off to Staples we went.  And we got this:

We got calculators, pencils, erasers, pen, spiral notebooks, crayons, markers, glue sticks, rulers, pencil sharpeners, tissues, folders, filler paper, and scissors.  I love that shopping can also be good for your community.

Update: I heard on Thursday that all our donations were able to help 125,000 children in the Phoenix area.  So proud!!!


P.S.  Staples has no idea that I bought a large amount of school supplies at one of their stores and wrote about it in this little blog.

My Mommy is Coming! My Mommy is Coming!

Today after work I get to go pick up my momma from the airport!  I am so excited.  Husband left this morning on a business trip, so it'll just be girl-time for a few days.

Taken at my bridal tea party

Here are few things that I plan on doing with my momma...

1)  Shopping at Fashion Square in Scottsdale
2)  Organizing our back bedroom (which is an office/craft room/blackhole)
3)  Set up a Facebook for my mom
4)  Work on a photo album from our trip to Alaska
5)  Watch "The September Issue"

I'm so excited for her visit.  And Husband will be home Friday afternoon so we can all have dinner together before Momma heads home Saturday morning.

An Unexpected Ballard Designs Knock-Off

I promise I'm not trying to beat a dead horse, but I just had to share this.  As I was browsing Ballard Designs the other night, I came across this.

For $139.00!!!!  What the ridiculousness!

Source

Here is my version I made last summer.

Original Post Here

For $10.14!!!!  (Give or take some pennies)

wreath- $3.50
twine- already had two; $1.65 for third roll
bag of sea shells- $4.99

Isn't it so great when you can create something for a mere fraction of retail price?!  I love it!!!




Linking to:

Something Weird Has Happened

Our refrigerator has never looked like this.  So I had to document it.  Usually it's either pretty empty or fully of take-home boxes.  (Husband and I eat our far too much!)

 

And there is even fresh produce in there!!!

Happy Fourth of July

Happy Independence Day!!!

Source

Hope you all had a wonderful, fun and safe Fourth of July!

HE-larious

I heard this on the radio last week on the way to work and it literally had me laughing out loud.  Which isn't a bad way to start a work day.  Later that night I shared it with my Husband...who was also highly amused.  My cousin shared with me that her religion professor played it during class.  Anyways, the consensus seems to be it's a hit.  And I'm here to share the hilarity with you.

Hope you laughed too!!!

A (Bargain) Shopping Spree

And this could also kinda be considered a weekend recap including the possibility that I shop too much and have a super indulging Husband!

It all started Friday afternoon, I was waiting for Husband to

finish work.  I didn't want to go home, so I went to Marshall's first.  And that's where I found these two beauties.

 

They were in the clearance aisle.  Mercury glass ball was $3.50.  I was so excited to find it cause I've been longing for a mercury glass piece for a while now.  The lotus candle holder was only $3 and I think she's pretty as well!

Later that evening, after I'd picked up Husband, we stopped at Target.  I don't exactly remember why...but I needed to go.  That's when I found these cute acrylic napkin rings for $2.98 and these plates.  The large platter was $4.98, the medium, $1.98 and the small one was $1.48.  And I have a special plan for those plates, that I'll be sharin' soon!

 

 I added the napkin rings to the tablescape I did last weekend.

 

Sunday we were roaming around town/waiting for "Cars 2" to start.  We had some time to spare which seemed like the perfect time to roam Marshall's again.  And since my Husband is most awesome, he agreed.  I found these cute napkin rings for $2.50 and these Paris plates for $6.99.  I'm totally in love with the plates.  I've been looking for something like these for a while now!  If only they were a little bigger...

Oh well...still love em!  Oh, and if you can't tell, the napkin rings have seashells on them.  Perfect for another summer tablescape!

After the movie (which I highly reccommend, BTW), I needed to go to Staples for some stuff (for another project I'm working on).  We got there 5 minutes after the store closed.  Dang it!  But it gave me another reason to go to Target.  Hmm...maybe I spend too much time there?  Nah...

So back to Target we went.  And I got everything I needed...along with these...

They are from the Calypso Collection and were only $5.58 a piece.  Pretty...

Then I found these for only $0.98 a piece!  Can you believe it!!!  They had pink ones too, but I opted not to buy them.  But...with Target being so close that could change. ;-)

And I loved the plates so much that I bought on Saturday I decided to buy a few more.  Each of these were $1.48.

So that was my bargain shopping spree.  I think I did fairly well and got some pretty things.  Have you scored any awesome deals lately?

Linking to:

Southern Hospitality


 

Summer Solstice

Happy First Day of Summer, my friends!

I Love This

I know it's been a couple of weeks since the Royal Wedding.  But I'm still loving it.  I've had a crush on Prince William since I figured out boys don't have cooties.  And I've always been a sucker for fairly tales.  I'm sure you've seen this by now, but just in case you haven't...

Our Addiction

Confession: Husband and I have a serious addiction.

A couple of weeks ago...we splurged a little and bought one of these

 

And now we are officially addicted to this game.  ADDICTED!

It brings out the worst in me.  I'm not one to use curse words, however this game get me swearing like a sailor.  But it's fun...now if only I could control my mouth!

Weekend Recap 3/19-20

This weekend Husband and I went to my first Spring Training game.  Since my family in Texas are all huge Rangers fans and they did so well last season, they were my choice to go watch.  Admittedly I am not a baseball fan, but I felt like Spring Training should be on a Phoenix bucket list. 

 

I was hoping that I would be able to get some sun...but it was unseasonably cool and overcast.

 

 The Rangers were playing the Mariners.  After being ahead until the 8th inning, they gave up trying and the Mariners ended up winning.  Bummer...

And we saw this awesome dude with an awesome visor with the awesome fake hair.  It was awesome!!

Sunday we met some of my sorority sisters for lunch.  They're in town visiting for their first weekend of Spring Break.  It was lots of fun, especially since I met one sister I'd never met before, but she'd heard of me.  The legacy of being Greek is so great!  After lunch we went to see "The King's Speech".  What an extraordinarily good movie!  So glad it won an Oscar along with Colin Firth.

 

Hmmm...maybe for my next weekend recap, I should take more pictures.  I'll work on it.  Anyways, how was your weekend?  Do anything exciting?  

Hope you have an awesome week!

My First Award

I received my first blog award from Aledia over at Plum Perfect.  Basically I was totally excited, one cause it means there is one more awesome person reads my ramblings about my life.  Two because that awesome person thinks that I'm kinda cool too!

The award comes with a few rules.  No worries, nothing too crazy.

1. You must link back to the person who gave you the award to let them know you accept;

2. You must share 7 things about yourself; and

3. Pass the award on to 15 recently discovered bloggers and let them know about the award.

Now without further ado, here are seven awesome things you may or may not have known about me.

1.  I have lived in three foreign countries (Germany, Turkey, and England)

2.  My favorite cookie is white chocolate macadamia nut

3.  I was 22 when I discovered I was allergic to kiwis.

4.  I declared 4 different majors in college, and still somehow managed to graduate in 4 years.

5.  My dream job is to be a youth pastor.  Or an ambassador.

6.  I knew my husband's family for years before we ever met.

7.  When I retire I want to own a bed & breakfast.  I've wanted to since I was about 6 years old.

Hmm, that was kinda fun.  Anyways, here's another fun part of the award: sharing other awesome blogs with you.

1.  Huckleberry Prairie
2.  This and That
3.  Domestic Diva at Work
4.  That's My Letter
5.  Too Much Time on My Hands
6.  The 2 Seasons
7.  New England Home & Garden
8.  My Creative Escapes
9.  Senseless Sophistication
10.  Signal Hill Interiors
11.  Life on Lyford
12.  My Thoughts and Treasures
13.  Life as a Wife
14.  Life of Perks
15.  Priester's Peace

These are certified awesome blogs by me, so go check them out!

Our First Craig's List Sale

Last weekend we sold our very first item on Craig's List (or six items).

 

We posted it shortly after New Year's.  Almost immediately we had a few inqueries, but nothing too exciting.  Then about two weeks ago, a women text Husband asking if they were still available, which they were.  So Sunday afternoon, the woman came over to pick them up.  We didn't make as much as we had posted them, but it was still an extra $180 and we finally got rid of the patio furniture we were no longer interested in.

I'll be back soon with another Craig's List First!

We've Discovered the Secret of Marriage!

Husband: "Mumble mumble mumble"

Me: "What did you say"

Husband: "Nothing"

Me:  "You said something.  What did you say?"

Husband: "Nothing"

Me:  "Look me in the eye and tell me you didn't say anything."  (Now would be the time to tell you that this conversation took place over the phone)

Husband:  "Okay I'm looking you in the eye and I didn't say anything."

He then told me what he said to which I responded that his response didn't make sense to the question I had asked just prior to the "mumblemumblemumble".


Husband:  "Well I didn't hear your question"

Me:  "That's the third lie you've told me in the last 45 seconds."

Husband:  "Well I won't lie in the next 15 seconds, so I only told 3 lies in a minute.  Where are you?"

Me:  "Still driving home."

Husband:  "I know that.  But where are you now?"

Me:  "On my way home."

Husband:  "Oh you and your secrets."

Me:  "Well you lie and I'm secretive.  I think we've just discovered the secret to marriage."

Please note that this was all said in jest.  Neither Husband nor I think lies and secrets are the key to marriage, but we do think having fun and being silly have something to do with a happy marriage!

My Bed is Calling My Name

I have a confession to make.  Sometimes I like to go to bed super dooper early.  And tonight is looking like one of those nights.

Sure I could cook up the ground turkey in the fridge that we took out of the freezer yesterday.  Or I could put the laundry away that's sitting in dryer.  Or I could pick up the throw pillows up off the floor that Montana has knocked off of every sofa.  Or I could make the bed in the guest bedroom.  Or I could hang the new curtains we bought at Target yesterday.  Or I could put away the Christmas decoration stragglers still lingering around the house (I think that qualifies as a freebee confession). Or, or, or...

But none of those sound better than crawling under the covers, turning the TV on and falling asleep.  And I just squeezed in another confession: when Husband is out of town I have to fall asleep with the TV on.

Goodnight pals.  Sweet Dreams!

The One with the Apothecary Table

Husband and I have (slowly) been working our way through all ten seasons of Friends.  When I told some of my sorority sisters this, one said "Wow!  He must really love you."  Yes he does my friends!  I am a lucky gal!

Anyways, now we're one Season 6.  And we were watching the episode when Rachel buys a piece of a furniture from Pottery Barn.  Monica tells her that Phoebe hates Pottery Barn.  It's a really funny episode that you should definitely watch, but I had to decide that I can no longer be friends with Phoebe Buffay cause she hates Pottery Barn.  And I love Pottery Barn.  Like L-O-V-E Pottery Barn.  Their website provides hours of entertainment and inspiration  for me.  Silly Phoebe...she doesn't know what she's missing.  And now I will go look at their website some more...

Super After Christmas Sale

One of the best times to buy Christmas stuff is after Christmas...duh.  The other day I headed to Hobby Lobby to find some knobs for another project (coming soon).  I decided to take a whirl through the Christmas aisles since everything was 80% off.  And I found the cutest stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And the best part was it was 80% off! 

 

 

 

They were originally $6.99 a piece.  With the 80% off I only paid $1.40 per piece.  How most excellent is that?!  Anyways, they had four different designs: a snowman, a Santa, a Christmas tree, and a reindeer.  I would have happily taken two of each design.  But, they only had one bowl in the reindeer design and no matching plate.  So I decided on two of each design for a set of 6 bowls and 6 plates.  

When I got home I learned that I suck at counting.  I came home with 5 bowls and 5 plates.  So the next day after work I drove to Hobby Lobby to buy one more set.  There were none left!  I can't really blame anyone--they were only $1.40 a piece.  I was totally bummed though.  I drove to another Hobby Lobby to see if they had any left...or luck of all luck, the reindeer plate and bowl specifically.  Thankfully they still had the plates and bowls, but only the reindeer bowl--not the plate.  I was ok with that, but now I had another problem.  I had forgotten which design I was missing back at home.  Did I need another Santa, tree, or snowman?  Solution?  Buy one set of each design and return the others when I figured it out.  Done.

On my way home I was talking to my mom and telling her about these dishes.  Okay, it's fair to say I was completely obsessed and talked about them all week.  It's a good thing my mom and Husband love me as much as they do!!!  And let's not tell Husband that I spent two hours driving from work to Hobby Lobby to another Hobby Lobby and back home.  Mom offered to go to her local Hobby Lobby the next morning to see if she could get me the reindeer set.  When I got home I emailed her pictures, so she knew exactly what I was looking for.  The next afternoon she called me to tell me she had success!!  Excellent!

A couple days later I returned the three extras I bought.  The same dishes that I spent two hours getting in the first place.  But we won't worry about that.  I have six sets of bowls and plates and only spent $16.80 for them--gas, mileage, and tax not included.

Lesson 141- Post Christmas Craziness

For the first time in my entire life I am actually eager to take down our Christmas decorations.  Let me give you a little background info first.  I love Christmas decorations.  I know what you're thinking, everyone loves Christmas decorations.  But I was the girl who made her parents keep the Christmas tree up until after my birthday, which is in mid-January.  That's how much I love them.

And this year, in a twist of craziness, I am actually itching to take down the decorations now.  The day after Christmas I bought new decoration organizers at Target and I'm quite excited to get to use them...hence my eagerness to take down the merriment.  Oh...and our Christmas tree is staring to look a little rough...