Day 21: Counting Pennies....

Top: H&M, Sweater: Old Navy, Jeans and Belt: Gap, Shoes: Dunnes Stores (Ireland)

I decided to go with casual and comfy today. You see, Christmas shopping is about to be in full swing and I'm spending the day running errands. Usually I am the type of person who has everything bought and wrapped up by the end of August - this year, well the truth is I procrastinated! So it's about time to start scrounging together my pennies to buy some pretty goodies for my lovelies!

Recently I came across this adorable oinker! I pretty sure that he is going to go onto my Christmas list so next year I can spend less time scrounging and more time counting all the pennies I've saved!

Want a piggy for yourself? Check 'em out HERE at Viva Terra!

FREE Music via Amazon

 

Like Music? Like the Holidays?

Grab 25 Days of free holiday music downloads of Amazon HERE!

Amazon is offering one new download each day through Dec. 25th!

FREE Sample: Pureology Colour Stylist

You can get a FREE sample of Pureology Colour Stylist on Facebook.

Click the "Serious Colour" tab and "Like" them to sign up for your free sample!

Day 20 & The Count Down has begun

Shirt: H&M, Belt: Italian Flea Market, Skirt: Zara, Boots: Clarks

We are finally into December (the weather today didn't let me forget it - I was freezing!) and the count down to Christmas has begun! My holiday preparations are starting into full swing and my mind has been spinning all day with new ways to decorate the apartment  and homemade gift ideas.

I found these adorable DIY S'mores Kits from Twig and Thistle! If only I knew where to find myself some clear boxes...any suggestions?

Oh yes, and since we will all be so busy decorating and finishing up (or just starting) our Holiday shopping, here is a FREE Hearty Slow Cooker Recipe ebook to help you make it through the busy holiday season while still getting hot meals on the table!

Day 19: Elephants Marching

Shirt: Zara, Vest: Forever21, Belt: Gap, Jeans: Gap, Boots: Kmart

I'm starting to get the itch again to go shopping. So far it has been easy. I was actually enjoying the break from stores, over sized credit card bills, and the "oh jeez what did you buy now and where the heck are we going to store it in our tinny apartment" look from the bf when I come home with shopping bags. Today however I was doing some virtual window shopping and I noticed a theme growing with various things I was drawn too.....Elephants! And after the day I had today, I could use of the patience, luck and strength they are said to symbolize! Here are a few of my favs...

1. French Connction Tee

2. Charlotte Russe Ring

3. Fred Flare Sri Lanka fancy elephant necklace

4. Svenskt Tenn Handbag

5. ModCloth Belt

6. Nike Tee

Bath & Body Works: Join BBW Club for FREE gifts

Join the LUV BBW Club for monthly free gifts at Bath and Body Works.

Visit any Bath & Body Works store any Thursday during each calendar month and receive a free gift.

This offer is valid in-store only January 1, 2011 through May 31, 2011.  You will receive a Club Membership Card in the mail.  The Member ship Card must be presented and will be punched each time a gift is received.

Day 18: Score some FREE Holiday Music

Top: Chicos (thrifted), Sweater: Annie Sez, Jeans: Gap, Boots: Clarks, Braclet: AnneTaylor (thrifted)

Today I put together my December work schedule. I realized (too late in the year) that I had a lot of vacation time and personal hours to use up before I loose them come January 1st. I requested the HR department allow me to carry over some of the additional vacation hours - hopefully they'll let me. But other than that I have offically scheduled 14 days off in the month of December - let me tell you - it's a GREAT feeling! I'm really looking forward to some R&R prior to the holidays!

Oh yes and speaking of the holidays - You can grab some FREE holiday music compilations to fill up your iPods and Mp3 players HERE and HERE!

17 and still counting!

Sweater: Gap, Jeans: Gap, Clogs: Dunnes Stores (Ireland)

Today was a pretty blah day. Even my outfit felt kinda blah...but it was warm and comfy and I LOVE the color of this sweater - so I guess its alright to be a little boring some days, especially blah days!

I was told by my neighbor this morning that while eating her breakfast she has seen squirrels chewing on the wires under my car - very sweet of her to tell me so, but what the heck and I supposed to do about it?! Park in a different spot maybe? I'm at a loss - any suggestions are welcome!

I spent an entire hour today waiting in line at the post office to mail a package - a whole hour! It was mobbed! Well it wouldn't have been if they had more than one person working the counter, but alas there was only one.

Work was pretty blah too! No excitement - which in my line of work is really a good thing.

I did go to Target after work today to try and use up my coupons that are about to expire tomorrow on (free with coupon) goodies like travel size shampoos and laundry detergent! That was kinda fun....but mostly my day was spent drinking coffee - warm delicious, loaded with sugar coffee! Which of course reminds me...

Starbucks 12 days of sharing is starting Dec. 1st!

Text 12DAYS to 29943 to sign up for Starbucks 12 days of Sharing!

You will get one offer per day starting Dec. 1st. Standard Text Messaging rates apply.

Day 16: Half way there!

Dress: BCDG, Sweater: Vera Wang via Kohls, Boots: Kmart

I really like this dress! I usually have a very hard time spending money on clothing. I shop almost 100% at thrift stores and only grab deals at Kohl's when they give me free Kohl's Cash via snail mail! However, this dress was an exception...well basically my lovely friend K.T. talked me into it while we were checking out another dress for her in the same store. This dress has changed my mind about some clothing. I'm still extremely frugal and I still love a good deal (even this dress was on sale) but I do have to remind myself that sometimes good clothing costs money and it is okay to treat yourself. This dress makes me feel great and I get loads of compliments. I can wear it so many different ways and its soft and flowey which I also love. So looking at it as cost per wear I think its a keeper!

Hope everyone has a happy and wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Playing Catch Up...

You'll have to forgive me for being MIA the past few days. Things have been very busy and getting pictures taken daily kind of fell to the back burner. So in an attempt to catch up here is a peek at what I've been wearing the past few days....

Tank Top: H&M, Sweater: Gap (thrifted), Pants: Banana Republic, Shoes: Ross, Scarf: BCDG

Top: Kmart, Jacket: Gap (thrifted), Skirt: Banana Republic, Boots: Kmart

Top: Chicos (thrifted), Sweater: Gap (thrifed), Skirt: Banana Republic, Shoes: Marshalls

Shirt: Zara, Pants: Banana Republic, Shoes: Marshalls, Jewelry: Handmade via Flee Market in Florence Italy

I was home sick from work today and admittedly never changed out of my Pjs. So tomorrow I'll be back with day 16 of my 30 for 30 Challenge!

The Eleventh Hour

Mild weather today allowed for a lighter sweater! I much prefer the sunshine to the rain and wind we've been having here the past few days.

Top/Dress: thrifted, Sweater: Gap (thrifted), Skirt: Zara, Boots: Clarks

I think I have blogger's block! I read blogs all day long likes it's my job. I love all the wonderful things these women have to say and then I sit down to write and I've got nothin! Nothin I tell you! Nothin! What's a girl to do? Is my life really so sad and boring that I can't find inspiration anywhere? Or is it just that I'm still overcoming my childhood shyness and unable to open up and be candid with people? I mean I do things. I'm a busy bee. Really! I love to bake, I {attempt to} cook creative dinners every night, I sew, I go shopping {although not right now because of 30 for 30 rules}, I work....and yet despite it all I'm sitting here feeling uninspired with nothing to write about. I feel like my job is partly to blame. Many funny things happen at work - silly, startling and down right unbelievable stories, but due to HIPPA I can't talk about it. {damn HIPPA regulations sometimes}. So really I suppose I'm not boring at all. I'm full of stories - I'm just legally obligated to never tell them to you....oh how sad! Well - maybe I'll just have to start getting my act together with more crafty adventures (I've been feeling ambitious lately) to share which are always full of true "adventures" - like the time I accidentally hot glued my hair to my sweater! Mental Note: Always tie back your hair when playing with adhesives!

Day 10...

Top: Banana Republic, Sweater: Old Navy, Skirt: Zara, Boots: Clarks, Belt: Hand-me-down

I'm having one of those days....you know where despite everything working out you're still remarkably annoyed at the world for no apparent reason. I really can't explain it. I got a million things done today. Work went well, I made it to the dentist without getting lost (that is a big accomplishment - I'm seriously directionally impaired!), ran errands and dinner was on the table by 7:30. But yet I still have this thing sitting on my shoulders that is driving me mad and I can't seem to shake. I'm thinking some leftover birthday cake will do the trick! Sugar always improves my moods! ;-)

Freebie Roundup

I feel like it has been a while since I posted about some online freebies - Here are a few that are available right now!

Sign up HERE for a FREE sample of HUGO Fragrance (Male or Female).

Grab a FREE O.b. Trial Pack HERE.

Sign up for FREE Avery Shipping Labels HERE.

Go HERE to sign up for a FREE sample of Tropical Breeze Fragrance.

Click here to sign up for a coupon to get a free bottle of Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce.

Sign up for a free sample of Mist8 All-Purpose Cleaning Spray.

Note: During the sign up process it asked if you'd like to complete some additional offers, I just ignored them and clicked "continue" and was still taken to a confirmation page stating 4-6 weeks for delivery!

Click here for $.50 off any Green Giant Vegetables.

This is a bricks coupon - so use your browser back button to print twice! If your store doubles coupons, pair this with a 10/$10 sale to make for FREE veggies!

A busy day #9...and some laundry

Sweater: Vera Wang via Kohls, T-shirt: Kmart, Jeans: Gap, Shoes: Apt9 via Kohls, Earrings: Gifted

I bought two boxes of those 3-in-1 Purex laundry sheets a while back. They were next to nothing with some coupons and sales and I thought they would be handy as it takes the thought out of measuring liquid detergent – I’m all about mindless chores! Anyway – I finished my first box and have now started onto my second. Today when doing laundry I noticed that there was a packet stuck to the back of the package that read “Valuable Savings!” I of course became extremely excited to find a coupon and quickly tore off the packet only to reveal that the coupon had an expiration date of 12/31/09. 2009 people! Really! I only bought the detergent like 3 months ago! Outrageous – you would think a store would have better product turn over than that. Well, at least my clothes still got clean!

7, EIGHT, bananas

Yesterday was yet another birthday party - this one was for the bf's momma - Happy Birthday J! After a long morning or running around, then Party! Party! Party!, we didn't get home till very late and I immediately crashed on the couch. Needless to say, pictures of yesterday's outfit did not make it onto my "checked off, things completed list". So today I wore what is basically the same outfit as yesterday - but yesterday I was minus the green sweater.

Shirt: H&M, Sweater: Zara, Jeans: Gap, Belt: Thrifted, Shoes: Dunnes Stores (Ireland)

In an attempt to be healthy I try to pack a piece of fruit into my lunch everyday. Today it was a banana. On normal days I get to work, pull out my lunch box, remove fruit (many times it is banana) and cereal, which I eat then and there and the rest of my lunch goes into the fridge until I decided it's lunch time - which usually is around 10:30 lol.

Today was not a normal day. Today I left work early to go to school and create a program plan and register for classes. Today banana sat in my lunch box all through the morning and into the afternoon. Lunch time didn't come today until 1pm. And at 1pm I made a new mental note: banana packed in lunch box all day makes everything else taste like banana. So rather than enjoying my lunch, I force fed myself banana flavored food. Have you ever tried BBQ banana potato chips? or Tomato, cheese and banana sandwich? No? Take my word for it, not so appetizing. Why couldn't I have packed a peanut butter sandwich today? WHY!?!