Saturday, July 31, 2010

Teal and Black Wedding : Invites

Since I have been on a roll lately with my blogging I think I will go back to recapping our wedding.  Fill you in on the nitty gritty.
First... you are invited to come along as I start this recap journey with our oh so fitting beginning...the Invites.
I knew I wanted to do something crafty.  But with Volleyball in full swing and working full time oh and moving into our home, there just wasn't the time to be making these from scratch.  So I did a little of both.  I worked with Modern Ink Studios on Etsy.....oh how I looooovee Etsy....
I purchased a digital file for the invite, response card and map. I then went to Michaels with my 40% coupon in hand and individually purchased packs of black invites. Along with black ribbon.

This is what my bedroom floor looked like many times during the wedding planning...or as my Dad would call it..The Command Center
Scary I know
This is a little better.  I had an organized system...with any event organization is key!  Oh and Starbucks too :-)
Did we need maps? No...but they were so cute.  After all we didn't want anyone to get lost now did we? 


 So I literally printed out about 90 invites, 90 response cards and 90 maps. From my trusty Kodak printer...which I purchased from another awesome site, which was of course a steal. Woot!
Before assembling I got my invite list printed, labels printed, invites printed, bows bowed, glue dots ready, stamps and address stamper*. 

Assembling went pretty well...took awhile but I just pounded those babies out.  The hubs did assist with stamping (both the return address and the lovely polar bear stamps)

I look so thrilled don't I?
 Here it is in progression...oooo aaaaaaa....



Instead of having an inside envelope for the response card, we cut down on some $$ by having response postcards.  Not onlly saving money in envelopes but also in stamps.  Postcard stamp for the response cards and a regular stamp (no extra postage, yay) for the actual invite.  I felt the need to make it look like a package by adding the black ribbon and bow.  It was my way of making it my own.  I Semi-Homemade it...Sandra Lee would be so proud.

*Dear Thrifty Bride, Vistaprints has freebies...labels, self-inking address stampers and so much more. Check them out first before you buy!

Friday, July 30, 2010

Life

At work I deal with a lot of programs that are offered through the County and State for older adults.  There is a program called Life, an all inclusive type program with Dr's, daycare and other aging needs.  When I put my note in that I called the people at Life.  I had to chuckle.  My subject read; "Phone call to Life".
Hmmm...If I made a call to Life (not the program, but actual Life) what would it be for today?
Subject:
Phone call to Life
Journal Entry:
Phone call to life made on this date.  Discussed why people act the way they do, why do they try to make my job hard when I am only trying to make theirs easier by helping? Life unsure of answer at this time, will call back when discussion is completed with involved parties.  Life informed this caseworker that Karma is involved and not to worry.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

So....
What did the Red Tomato say to

The Green Tomato?

Hey why don't you Ketchup!

I love my Dad's cheesy Dad jokes. Hah and this is one of his recent ones when I told him only one of my tomato's was red and the others are slacking.  Put a smile on my face and gave me a little chuckle and hope it did for you too.


While our garden is not too extensive and confined to individual pots, it has brought me joy to watch it all grow.  Last night the hubs used some of our rosemary to make oven potatoes yum! And I cut up some grape tomato's for a tomato and mozzarella salad.  There is something so satisfying and peaceful about gardening.  I will have to remember for next year to have a little more selection.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Yum

I normally am a Fall kinda gal but one thing I love LOVE about summer is the produce.  Yum!  Me and the hubs were having some friends over for dinner. 

Actually our first dinner with company other than our families. 
Time to break out the Ina Garten in me!

I decided to make this blueberry buckle. 
Since blueberries are in prime season right now I thought it was the perfect dessert on a summery day, with a side of vanilla ice cream of course.
yum



This was absolutely delicious! Yum! Super YUM!  Give it a try peeps you will not be disappointed.!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Swaggeriffic

Here is an AWESOME tip.  I got this one from my friend Shirley Chicken Legs.
SWAGBUCKS!
Swagbucks is a search engine where you can win 'bucks' for each search accumulate 'bucks' and you can trade them in for my favorite... Amazon gift cards.  I've won about $25 worth of amazon gift cards since I started.  Right now I have enough swagbucks to turn in to $10 Amazon gift card but I'm holding out a little bit.  I just use Swagbucks as my search engine.
Search & Win

Check it out, it doesn't cost you anything.  You basically get free money just for searching the web, which if you are like me, I do it all the time!

Monday, July 26, 2010

I have a confession

I'm in love with Produce Junction...
I really hope you are as lucky as I to have one nearby.  If not here is another thrifty tip, check out your local farmers and farmers markets for deals on fresh local produce.  This past week I snagged 8 ears of corn, 1 pt of cherry tomatos, 1 pt of blueberries, 1 qt strawberries, 2lbs peaches, 2lbs green squash, 2lbs grapes and 10-limes for $12!
hmm....what to do with 10 limes.... hmmm...

Sunday, July 25, 2010

There is Hummus Among Us

Like Hummus?  
Mmmmm me too. 
I hope you aren't buying it in the store... 
Oh you are? 
Yea I've bought my fair share too.  Get's pricey doesn't it?
Well guess what?! 
It is too easy not to make this and sooo much cheaper!
Oh you want the recipe?
Well of course silly, I wasn't going to just tempt you with words!

Hummus
2 cups chick peas (drained and rinsed)
2/3 cup tahini
1/4 cup lime juice
2 t cumin
1 t chili powder
pinch salt
Drizzle of EVOO

Combine all but the salt and EVOO in the food processor, puree.  If it's too thick add some oil or water.  Add a pinch of salt.  Place in container for enjoying and drizzle with your fav oil.

Really it's that easy.  And you were paying $3.99 or 8 oz? ouch.
I'm glad we had this talk

Saturday, July 24, 2010

One thing I can't live without

For my wedding shower about a year ago I got one of my favorite gifts of all time.
This is awesome!  Working different shifts, it's pointless to make a whole pot of coffee.  Plus if I make a whole pot, I will usually drink a whole pot and that's not necessarily a good thing.  Wasteful and usually results in me shaking and talking uncontrollably.  While the K-cups can be pricey.  I think the convenience and non-wastefulness (pretty sure I just made up a word) outweighs the price.  Plus it beats stopping at Starbucks or Dunkin, which I would resort do on lazy days.
Here is the Deal of the Week.  While it's not like most of my DOTW's where I barely spend any money, still it's something that I WANT to spend money on.  I purchase my K-cups at Bed Bath and Beyond, and use my 20% off coupons (which you can use in one order 1 for every item you have, and they expire even if they have an expiration date).  I came across some $5 off of $15 purchase.  This is a better deal for the coffee.  With 2 20% off coupons for 2- $9.99 2 K-cups would be $15.98.  With a $5 off $15 2 K-cups are $15!  Only $1 in savings but that extra $1 bought me an icecream cone from Micky D's :-) 
It's the simple things in life people!  Oh and what's my Fav flavor you ask?  Butter Toffee...Yum!

I'm a Winner!

This week I got a prize in the mail!  Woo hoo! Those of you thrifty peeps out there if you aren't signed up at http://www.rightathome.com/ do so now.  Every once in awhile they do giveaways to enter just by clicking on an emailed link.  I have yet to win until this week.  Here is what I won!
Honestly does it even really matter what you win when you win something?  So what if it's air freshener stuff?! HA!  I'm a winner!  I'm a winner!  It made my day.
Don't worry my thrifty friends...I will share more tips/sites soon!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

I'm too sexy for my laundry soap...

Our house is filled with the fresh clean scent of Fels Naptha.
Remember that laundry soap I made back in February? I am almost out.  One batch lasted us almost 6 months. 
I highly recommend making your own.  It takes 15minutes at most to make a batch and it is so easy!  Faster than getting in your car and buying some at the store, or even better faster than clipping coupons and waiting for it to go on sale to get the best bang for your buck.  Ingredients are cheap, it is about a penny a load.

Here is todays batch, each laundry load takes about 1/4 cup of soap.  You are jealous of my olive green sink aren't you?  If you like that then you will loooove my faux brick back splash ;-)
How sexy!
Another tip, this one found in this months All You magazine (which is an awesome source for coupons!)...to clean your washer fill basin with water and add 2 cups of white vinigar, let sit for an hour then run through a cycle.  Nice and fresh washer!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Who needs a makeover?

Definitely not this bathroom...

I mean look at it, not an imperfection to it.


We had a contractor over to give us an estimate on this bad boy.  Still waiting to hear back.  I will be a complete remodel, new drywall and all.  It's one of the first steps to tackling "The Downstairs" (cue in the psycho killer screech).
I'm thinking the transformation will be pretty drastic, what do you think?

Friday, July 16, 2010

Sharing is caring

I have to share...


sometimes I come home to this

I think someone misssed me while I was at work

I'm glad they had fun with my clothes

I will have to wear my pj shorts over my pj capris, this must be what the kids are wearing these days

I was somewhat disappointed this time...there were no cut out eyes, nose, or smile.  You will have to rely on your imagination

That guy of mine...he's pretty special

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Just Beachy

Recently the whole family made a trip down to Sea Isle City, NJ.  Dear friends of our family own a beach house right on the bay, how convienent!  I probably would never have stopped in this town if it wasn't for that.  I like it for it's secludedness...You have to cross this big bridge to get to the 'city' and as you top the bridge you get full view of the ocean.  We all celebrated the 4th there and it was probably the first time in years we have spent an entire couple days together.  There was lots of Othello playing...my Mom went undefeated for some time till Adam took charge! 

Josh was a little embarrassed with his loss...he would be the white tiles and my Mom the black.


He's really concentrating...

and Mom's having a good time winning.

the final board, yikes!
I love fireworks, who doesn't? 

And for the past 10 years I have seen them without the Mr. He has worked every 4th.  This year he had off and got to enjoy them with me.
Later in the week Josh made his crowd pleasing nachos and guac

Yum Yum Yum!

I think it's safe to say everyone had a great familly vacation. 

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Crafty McCrafterson

Hello my fellow citizens!  Those of you from my college years, remember that? Yes I was pretty weird... or as some say...unique.
A few weeks ago I got a crafting idea in my head, when this happens it's stuck in there. Seriously I have to immediately drop what I am doing and run for Michael Moore (Michaels or AC Moore) to get supplies.  With the Mr. and I grilling out just about 3 times/week or more these days we were in need of some sort of carrying device so we didn't have to run up and down the stairs 20 times before dinner.

Then the light bulb went off.  We are green here people.

We were in need of a tray... and not just any tray, a crafty made by yours truly tray.

So I got myself a plain old wooden tray from Michaels with my handy 40% off coupon of course, and some clearance scrapbooking paper and paint.
Painted the tray with 2 coats of the paint and cut the paper into random width strips.  Here it is in all its randomness ready to be mod podged to the tray.


Mod Podged the paper then to the tray and let dry.  Then coated the entire tray in Mod Podge about 3 times.


And Voila!


I made swirly brush strokes with my Mod Podge for texture.

Perfect for wine glass carrying.
Horray for being lazy and not taking 20 trips up and down the stairs!  Oh and the Mod Podge is waterproof if you are wondering, just in case we get a little messy.
The options are endless, super cheap craft...possibly even gift?