Cheap and Thrifty

I like to call myself the cheapest person ever. Mostly when it comes to clothes, accessories, shoes, etc. I pretty much refuse to buy anything full price. I go to target about 5 times a week just to scan the clearance racks in hopes of finding something amazing.

I usually start to realize that Im crazy when I follow an item from birth (full price) to it's end times (75% off)
For example, I see a beautiful cardigan. My heart starts to pound, I check the price, and say my goodbye. When I notice the item not on the main floor, I scan the clearance racks for it and follow it from 30% -50% and I usually won't buy it until it hits the 75% rack unless i know it won't be there much longer or there is only one of my size left. It pretty much has to be under $10. oh dear i sound like a freak. Same goes for purses at target. Shoes don't usually work to my advantage there but occasionally I will find something. I do this at other stores as well but I only really keep tabs on the clothes at target because they are everywhere!

And then comes the thrift stores. I try to go each friday I get paid to see if I can get lucky and find some pretty pieces. Sometimes I do sometimes I don't.

I never do outfit post's but I thought I would throw one together today so you can see how to dress like a cheap ass such as myself! Hey, im on a budget people. :)

Outdoors:

Jacket: thrifted $8

Scarf: thrifted $1.50

Hat: Walmart $3

Boots: F21 $7

Jeggings: F21 $12

Casual:

Shirt: JCPenny $2

Sweater: Target $7

Necklace: Handmade

Jeggings: F21 $12

Semi-Dressy?:

Ruffled Shirt: Target $3

Cardigan: Stole from sister Free!

Necklace: gifted

Jeggings: F21 $12

So thats about it. See you can make a cute outfit whilst being a cheap ass!

Mission accomplished!

my valentine....

I had to work late on Valentines Day and I expected to go home and hang out since my husband was supposed to be at fire academy. But when I got home he surprised me. Not only was he home, but he was making an awesome valentines dinner for us. 

Kale, spinach, and red cabbage salad. mmmm he knows me too well.

Homemade pizza

And Chocolate covered strawberries...my favorite!
Thanks husband for being so awesome. :)

Thrifty Ventures......

Last weekend my sisters, my mom and I went on a little thrifty adventure in the city. It was a blast. Mostly because I love my family ;) This bag shown above was my favorite find. Guess what? Its a bowling bag! Love it. Last night I wore it out and paired it with black and white stripes. works for me! I love it! And for $2. Score.

nail business....

I kind of have an obsession with painting my nails. 

I usually change them every other night. And when I have time I like to have a little fun with them.

And Im sure I look like a 12 yr old at work, but oh wells!

These are my favorite "bunco nails" Anyone ever play? Its pretty amazing. I'm bringing it down to the 20 somethings level very soon. It's usually played by older ladies. My mom and her friends played once a month when I was growing up. They got all sorts of crazy. My dad usually went for a late night driving range session after the second cow bell. When I got a little older I was allowed to sub and I have loved it ever since! Once I get my house in order its on..... 

I used Essie: Blanc for the white. 

I usually buy cheap polish because I am just that, cheap, but my sister gets a stylist discount so she can get them half off. I was pretty excited about gettin all fancy and what not, but it turns out that polish kinda sucks. It took 3 coats and each one took forever to dry, and even with a top coat it started chipping in two days. Although I think it was just that specific color. I've heard good things about the rest.

For the dice I poured some black polish on a plate. I used the end of a paintbrush, dipped and dotted. Simple :)

My new favorite thing is the nail art pen. I will only buy white because they are too expensive but if I could have them in every color I would. 

Pen: Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen (White)

Milani (Neon): Fresh Teal

The Fresh Teal is probably my favorite color. And the polish is awesome!

My Valentine Nails.

I used nail glue and little rhinestones from the craft store for some bling. 

And I used the nail art pen again for the stripes.

Sally Hansen: Shrimply Devine

Not a huge fan of this color but I also don't wear pink often. It takes a few coats but all in all its not too bad.

Have any fun nail Ideas? Im going to try painting on a gingham pattern soon.

Steph

number 7

This beautiful man has been my valentine 7 times.

I can't wait until its 50.

Love my Husband♥♥♥

The Question.

So you wake up in the morning. Stomach is tight and settled from that eight hours of snooze you just gave him. and he is hungry. You drag yourself out of bed. trip over the dog. and head straight for the grape-nuts and shredded wheat. Oh that looks good. I actually think its the reason I got out of bed. You then contemplate adding a dash of agave nectar because you woke up with a morning sweet tooth and just don't give a damn today. Spoon is ready. open the refrigerator and reach for the almond milk only to realize that it is gone. g.o.n.e. your morning is ruined.

On the way home from work today I thought only of the big beautiful salad resting in its bowl, waiting for me. After a long ride home I stumbled inside, set down all my bags, kissed my hubbs, and headed for my salad. I scooped a big pile into a bowl. cut up a pretty green avocado. admired it's beauty and headed for the croutons. I saw the bag lying face down on the third shelf and I immediately got that feeling. The empty milk carton feeling. I knew something was not right. I thought about taking them to work with me this morning in fear of this nightmare. I hesitated to touch the bag. And then I did. g.o.n.e. my night was ruined.

What is cereal without milk/ What is salad without croutons?
That is the question.

I have decided.....

That no matter the circumstances, I would never be able to sit at home without a job/kids. I had two days off last week and although I could have gotten a lot done, I was actin all sorts of lazy. I don't know what it was . I guess being at home you have the choice to stay in your pj's and leave your hair on top your head all day. And so its all downhill from there. Because thats exactly what I did. I laid around all day, read, watched tv, and took creepy and unnecessary pictures with this poor little snowman that I half-heartedly brought into this world. And then I ruined his life because I was so bored and lazy I thought it would be funny to watch him melt. Im a terrible person.

A few Things...........

-Yesterday I went to the eye Dr...today I am addicted to eye drops.

- I really really really want this ring

-I can't wait for Valentines Day ♥♥♥♥

-Sunday Thrift date in the city with my mom and sisters ♥

Hope you all had a warmer day than I did. I think it was -14 or so over here.

-Steph

Book Review ♥

 

"The Language of Trees" - Ilie Ruby

I absolutely love love loved this book!

 It was one of those books where you missed the 

characters when you were done reading it.

 There is a lot going on at the same time so it can

 get confusing at first but everything falls into place.

 This is a beautiful story, sadness and romance. 

I would definitely recommend it.

(Taken from the authors site)

Gripping, suspenseful, magical, and richly atmospheric—a story told from several distinct and unforgettable viewpoints—Ilie Ruby’s haunting debut novel, THE LANGUAGE OF TREES is exhilarating fiction that announces the arrival of a truly extraordinary storyteller.

In the sprawling lake region of Canandaigua, New York—a place where some families have secrets they would do anything to keep—little Luke Ellis disappeared. Now, over a decade later, his teenage sister, Melanie, has vanished, abandoning her infant son. As the frantic search for Melanie ensues, Grant Shongo, a Seneca healer, finds himself caught up by a spirit that draws him into a world where nature and the spiritual realm are intertwined and nothing is as it seems. It is only with the help of his childhood love, Echo O'Connell, that the mystery of the Ellis children can be put to rest. But before the healing must come the forgiveness. Written in a magic realist vernacular, THE LANGUAGE OF TREES examines the tremulous bonds between parents and children, lovers and friends, and restless spirits—both living and not. It is a story that will make you believe that the spirits of those we love watch over us, that people can heal each other, and that if you can truly forgive yourself, the world will return to you all of your forgotten dreams. 

Blizzard Update :)

I can't even tell you how much my little pup loves the snow. He was begging to get outside this morning. (Im assuming he knew it was snowing) But I made him wait until I got my cameras ready and went out with him. 

He went absolutely nuts and was basically swimming through the snow. He would dive down and pop up a few feet away with a face full of snow.

He's a little monster. 

My poor hubby got held over at work this morning by about four hours. They had 40 people call off! I don't blame them, Im guessing they were not able to get their cars out! I called my hubbs when I realized that when he got home there would be no where for him to park. The driveway was up to my waist in snow and i could attempt to shovel but I would have given up after ten minutes for sure. he-he. The streets were not plowed but he parked there anyway and went at it for about an hour after he got home. 

(here he is wearing his fire boots :) such a cutie

Can you believe I got a snow day today? My company would have been the last place on earth I would have though to close for an entire day! Im not complaining though. It got all kinds of nasty here last night. Apparently Lake Shore Drive was at a standstill for 15 hours last night! All those poor people just wanting to get home.

I packed myself  a bag with clothes and books just in case the power went out. And this morning was crazy because no one comes out of their house during the winter near my house for some reason. Except everyone and their neighbor (literally) was out shoveling away!

Oh! and can you believe we had thundersnow last night!? I didn't even know there was such a thing until I thought it was april and we were in the middle of a lightening/thunderstorm, except that it was February and it was a blizzard at the same time. crazy

sadly, facebook kept me entertained most of the night. I thought a few of these status updates were pretty funny so I thought I would post them. (Ill keep them nameless but they are not mine)

-The police scanner on my husband's phone just said that someone got car-jacked with a shovel. It's getting crazy outside!

-Just saw three people skiing down Michigan Avenue as fire trucks went by one way & a snowmobile went by the other way... I'm enjoying Snowmagedon 2011!

-for the first time in my life the weatherman wasnt lying. theres a shitton of snow outside

-Comcast is down...no tv or internet. Thank god for good ol radio and cell phones w/ internet

-Aliens are coming

-Just had a bout of thundersnow, if you have anything less than a 1/2 ton pick-up or SUV, you WILL get stuck, PLEASE STAY INSIDE!!! I just spent 2 hours driving in this stuff pulling people out.

-Who else sees lightning?....

-Chicago just took "windy city" to a WHOLE new level.

Haha, thanks to them for keeping me entertained all night. Ok I've been on a photo craze today, off to shoot some more pretties. Have an awesome day!!!