Shopping is tough

This weekend MR.P and I went to Chattanooga to see some of our sweet friends.  I have been friends with the wife since 2nd grade...ok more like 7th, but who's counting?  Well, we both like to bargain shop.  We found some GREAT finds.  Deciding to buy something or not is really tough.  I found 2 things that I wanted SOO bad, but sadly I already had something very similar. I just liked the newer ones more!  Isn't that the way it always is...we want something bigger and better??  I decided not to get them because I didn't want to start a trend in my life of needing something bigger or better.  That doesn't mean I didn't go back and forth about a million times on if I should buy them or not! 

I LOVE these Blue basketweave Curtains with metal Grommets.  I have been looking for some just like this to give our bedroom a different feel.  I already have green ones in our room :(  Oh well!
If you need them though, they are a great price!  Only $50 for 2 panels!

Then this was a a really tough decision.  I mean like REALLY tough.  These Nine West Boots were originally $170, now on sale for $129 now HALF OFF with free shipping!!!  My friend and I saw them in the store and they are SOO pretty!  She bought them, but I already have a pair...just liked these more ;)  Glad someone I know got them!!

I did let myself buy this great dress though from Target!  It was onsale for $20!!  That's my kind of deal on a dress I can wear to work AND in the summer with cute flip flps! 

My choice of flip flops are these ;) (mine are a gold/brown color though)

I found them a few years ago on ebay for $30.  What a steal!  Now, I won't tell you the story about the time I fell down a flight of stairs wearing these (no traction).  Yeah, it was painful and I had the bruise to prove it!!

So anyways, be a smart shopper.  Think about what you need, not what you want or you will walk away and be frustrated with yourself!  (or with 2 of something like what I almost did;) )  Make smart purchases or nothing at all!

Snow? and Cash!

I say "Snow?" because our weatherman in Atlanta told us that we were supposed to get 1 to 3 inches of snow.  Well, we got a light dusting at our house.  I was kind of disappointed with the outcome.  I was hoping for our first snow at our house and to get a pretty picture of the house.  I guess this one will have to do!

Something that I really really enjoy is budgeting.  It gives me a peace about spending money on the everyday things like groceries and gas.  MR.P and I started doing the envelope system about 2 months ago.  But, let me clarify what the cash system means to us (its different for each couple).  We pay all of our bills, like the mortgage and utilities with our debit card, then transfer money to various savings accounts, but everything else is cash.  So really, each month we are only taking cash out for eating out, gas, groceries, and misc. stuff.  We take the cash out on a bi-weekly basis so we aren't taking very much cash out at one time.  So NO, we don't have tons of cash just laying around.  For us, this works.  Our struggle was spending too much on these categories.  But let me tell you...doing the cash system has totally worked for us!  We took a set amount into the grocery store the other day and at the end I thought I had done the math wrong and almost told the cash register to take an item off!  It was a little embarrassing, but totally made my day too because it meant I wasn't about to use the debit card instead!!!

To implement the budget we use a spreadsheet to map out each month.  Sometimes things have to get moved around so its nice to have the spreadsheet to play around with and see how everything fits together.  I think of it as a puzzle.  In order to make sure we are staying within the budget we use Mint.com .  This site allows you to set a budget (same as our spreadsheet) then downloads all of your transactions automatically.  Then you can put them in the correct category.  At the end of each month it shows you how well you have stayed on budget, your trends of spending, and where you could have saved more.  I have totally fallen in love with this site!  The first few months I didn't like it.  Too many transactions going through and it was a little convicting!  Well, once we started the cash system it has made things so much easier.  The only transactions going through are the cash we are taking out (which can be split into different categories) and our bills!  Makes life so much simplier.

It took us about 2.5 years of marriage to figure out what works best for us.  I am thankful that we finally figured it out!  I have such a peace about this.  I am trying to pray daily that the Lord will help us to be disciplined with this and that we will continue to do this for a long time. 

Ok, so what about Credit Cards?  Well, they are difficult.  Our goal is to use them occationally for big purchases to keep our credit up, BUT only if we have the cash to pay it off immediately.  My friend Emily at imperfect had a great post today on the cash system and CCs.  You should see what she has to say about it! 

Sewing Machine?

Sewing has never been my forte.  I never really had an inspiration to get myself going with it.  Now I do!  I love making random things for the house and would LOVE to make gifts for people on a whim!  You wouldn't believe how much fabric I have left over from our dining room drapes...so that is my inspiration.  I'll have to show you the things I plan on making!

Anyway, back to the point of this post.  My sweet mom is getting me a sewing machine for Christmas!!  Whoohoo!  Go Mom!  We have been looking around for a great beginner sewing machine that will really stand the test of time.  This is the one I think we've decided on.

EDIT: My mom and DAD are giving me this sewing machine.  My terrible bad.

Brother VX1435 Free Arm Sewing Machine (Refurbished)

* Sewing machine provides 14 built-in stitches and 4-step automatic buttonholer

* Versatile craft tool features free arm for sewing cuffs and sleeves
* Sewing machine offers twin needle function to create decorative patterns with two color threads
* Automatic quick bobbin winder
* Quick-change presser feet
* Upper thread tension control dial
* Pattern selection dial
* Buttonhole fine-adjustment
* Reverse sewing lever
* Built-in handle for portability
* Built-in sewing light
* Foot pedal and instruction book included

It's orginially $199 and on sale for $66 found @ Overstock.  I am pretty excited about this.  My mom and sisters will have to teach me tons of things I can make!  Now I won't have to rely on them :)

When I get this in the mail I plan on visitin V and Co. and her Etsy shop A LOT MORE OFTEN!!  She has some great patterns I can't wait to make!

Doesn't she just look like tons of fun?

What do y'all think? 

EDIT: My mom and I ordered it during lunch today :)  Sooo fun!  Can't wait to start making things.  Although, I have to wait until christmas :(

Can you guess what this is made out of?

This is a center piece I made for a table I put on our stairs.  Can you guess what it's made out of?  I'll see if I can think of a prize :)  Hint: It was free!

EDIT:  For a prize, I'll help you design your blog/give it an update and help you make a button to match!  Another HINT: from my garden...it's a kind of flower that's dead ;)

EDIT: ANOTHER HINT - DAY....

Project Budget

I had the pleasure of going to see MR.P at work yesterday!  I took half the day off to go see him in action at his Boosterthon (the company he works for)  fun run at one of the schools.  He did a great job!!  I was so proud to see him working so hard.  My sister and my 2 nieces went with me.  We enjoyed dancing to the music and watching all the kids run!

If any of you are PTA moms or really involved with your child's school tell your school about Booster...they are an amazing company that will help your school not only raise more money, but also teach and invest in the kids everyday for 2 weeks.  You should definitely check them out!

Ok, so to my point.  My sister and I got to talking about how much I LOVE projects.  Decorating and doing projects are fun, but not if it's becoming an idol in your life.  I realized that I need to start a budget for projects each month.  That way I am staying on budget and if there is a really expensive project I want to do I would just save up for a few months and I wouldn't feel bad about spending the money.  Or if I choose not to spend the money I could save it for a baby room one day!  What do all you DIY project people set for yourself?  I'd love to know.  Do you just always have spraypaint or paint buckets of your favorite colors around?  That way most easy projects are free?  Maybe I should spend my first month (next month, obviously) on a few extra spraypaint bottles.  We'll see what I come up with after I hear everyone's ideas! 

Happy Weekend!  What is everyone doing?  MR.P and I will be visiting his grandparents, watching the UGA game, going to the outlets, and taking care of the nursery at church.  It's supposed to be rainy this weekend, but I am still excited for a little rest and relaxation with the Mr :) 

These are our favorite fall pictures!

Shade Clothing

Shade Clothing is a line with stylish and affordable clothes!  Definitely my favorite combination.  I have never really won anything (except a $25 savings account back when I was 8 for a coloring contest). BUT, today that has been changed!!! I entered a $25 giftcard giveaway on Shade and today I found out that I won!! I am so excited. They have some great clothes to choose from! Go here to Shade Clothing. These are my fav!

Love this teary peacoat!

I love this skirt to wear with a fitted black t-shirt tucked in with ballet flats or something. Very cute!

I absolutely love this Tunic. This might be what I choose to spend the $25 on :)

I've also wanted a drape cardigan, but never felt I could justify the purchase. Now I can since I have a giftcard!! Whoohoo!!

This scarf is also really fun. I love having these to put over a plain shirt to spruce things up a bit.

Lastly, I love this pencil skirt. Definitely dressy, yet casual.

So yay!! Y'all should definitely check them out. They have a great blog as well. Become a follower!

My clothes shopping rules for myself

When I go shopping I have a few things in mind price wise. 

*  For me, shirts should never be over $15-$20 unless it is a very special shirt that's versitile.  I think if its versitile, fun, and different, then you will get your monies worth for spending over your desired amount.  For example, I bought a shirt similar to this in navy from J.Crew for $30.

I felt it was justified because it was a shirt I would wear often since it had ruffles and was a common color I wear.  I wear it with cardigans, shorts, jeans...everything.  If the shirt is plain or something that I won't be able to wear often, I really try to stick with $15-$20.  That's just me though :) 

* Every girl can find a good solid pair of pants for $30.  We all have different styles or needs depending on your lifestyle.  Some need more work appropriate clothes and others need more casual.  If you need more work appropriate clothes then every girl needs a good pair of black pants that will last a long time.  I've had great luck at Gap, Banana Republic,  Ann Taylor, and LOFT on sale for around $30.  If you shop around for long enough you'll find some great deals. 

*  Jeans should be a girls best friend.  I try to spend less than $100 on my jeans.  I know, I know, I am all about great prices and $100 isn't a great price.  The only reason I splurge a little is because I wear them every single day!  (can you tell I am trying to justify spending that much money on jeans???)  They serve 2 purposes, so you need a great pair that are really comfortable. They are your casual everyday wear + your get dressed up and go out wear.  I need jeans that will last a long time and will be dressy enough for work.  Plus I only buy 1 pair a year (ok maybe 2 on a special occasion)...so the splurge goes a long way!  My favorites are Sevens, which can be found for a great deal at the following places:

 - Off 5th - around $120 instead of up to $200+

 - T.J. Maxx - around $80-$90 instead of up to $200+

I also love the prices on IT jeans and Vigoss. I found both of those at Nordstrom in the BP department for between $50 and $60.  They are great because they don't stretch out too much like most designer jeans.  Nordstrom will also hem your jeans for free on any regular priced jeans.  Which definitely makes buying them there worth it. 

These are Vigoss and they are my favorite right now.  They are on sale for $54 at Nordstrom right now!

*  Shoes are another MAJOR favorite of mine.  I hate my love for them, but I love it at the same time.  I don't spend more than $20 on them unless they are for athletic purposes or something that can be worn every single day...like brown boots. 

*  Purses for me are another love/hate relationship.  I like having one to put everything, but I hate carrying it around.  I would much rather put everything in MR.P's pocket.  He doesn't love that.  So, I usually won't spend more than $15-$20 on my purse.  I do have a very sweet friend that gave me a great purse and it's definitely my favorite. 

*  Stylish/trendy pieces are definitely something I try to get for a steal.  My favorite place to shop for those pieces is Old Navy.  You just never know when it's going to go out of style. 

These are just the rules that I go by.  I have to go by these rules because sometimes I need quanity over quality.  I love purusing the clearance at J.Crew and finding the good deals.  But I can't always afford to spend a lot on each item.  I do have friends that are really good at waiting until they find exactly what they want so they are able to spend a little more on each item.  They have the patience that I don't have:) 

Spending less on clothes is just one way that I try to serve and honor my husband as well as the Lord.  You see, I struggle in this materialistic world.  I love beautiful and pretty things and always want more and more.  I struggle to remember to be thankful for what the Lord has blessed me with (family, friends, house, WONDERFUL HUSBAND).  Spending less helps me to be thankful for what I have been given and thankful that I can even buy a few things here and there. 

What are your frugal shopping secrets??