She Hath Done What She Could in the Home

Friday, April 30, 2010

One last deal before May begins.......

As I have said - my "Keep Your Money May" challenge begins tomorrow, so that means no purchases - even if I find Cynthia Vincent Wedges for $5, they have to stay on the rack until June comes around. This is an exercise for me in self-discipline, reminding myself that I don't have to have every thing I want and to learn to think more before I spend. I also want my children to get a sense of what it's like to "make do" and learn to improvise. There are lots of ways to cook pinto beans and rice!

So for one last deal, on this last day of April - I think this just might be the most ridiculous deal I've ever gotten. Today I got this Tahari blouse - tag still on it for $98 and I paid.............
..............$0.99- yes you saw that correctly - $0.99!!!!!! Insane.
And now I must go fall into my bed as I have been in the kitchen and on my feet since 2pm - that's like a 9 hour shift -and these doggies are tired, as is the rest of myself. Good night!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

OOTD- Fushia Ruffles for Work

My photographer is still sleeping so these are my pics for today! We all watched Julie & Julia last night. It was great. I really could relate to Julie when it came to the blogging!
Off to the office today! I had a great dress picked out for today, but when I woke up it was raining cats and dogs and I'm freezing, so this is what I chose -I have to keep warm at work or I will be miserable!


Sweater: Anthropologie
Necklace: Payless Zoe & Zac
Pants: Liz C. Audra slacks
Shoes: Clarks Mary Janes



Changed my mind at the last second and wore the Aerosoles Snakeskin Sandals instead! Pizazz!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Anthro Spotted on NieNie's blog!

Of course that would make perfect sense since she is the one I learned about Anthro from! Check it out HERE

Mad Scientists at Work!

We delved into dissection with a worm and crayfish today. It was interesting! I have some serious students and one class clown - see if you can tell which one is the clown!
Learning biology
Looking for organs
Mouthparts of the crayfish
Appendages (great vocabulary word!) of crayfish
My son got a little hungry before lunch
How do you like the gas mask? I don't think any fumes are getting through that thing! Mr. Serious!
You guessed it - here's the class clown!
On top of all this, I just pulled a DS game out of the toilet. I think I've had my fill of gross for today.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Keep Your Money May!


With only a few days left until May begins, I thought I would post about my pledge to myself to spend no money in May! We have started the Dave Ramsey videos and they are excellent. While we have always been a "no debt" family (because of my husband's foresight) I am still finding so many great tips in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace series!

I tried the Envelope System in April and failed - first time is not the charm for me - it takes practice! I ran out of clothing money the first week, and grocery money on the third week.......so if at first you don't succeed, try, try again! I will give it a go again this month.

When I say I'm having a "Keep My Money May", it doesn't mean I won't spend a single dime. All regular fixed living expenses will be paid and this is what I will do with the "flexible" budget categories:

1. We will eat from the pantry. I have a stockpile of certain items that need used up anyhow. I will plan all my meals around what is in my pantry and freezer and buy only those few ingredients I will need to make meals. I will also buy the staples like milk, eggs, veggies, fruit.

2. I will NOT buy unnecessary clothing items! Let me repeat this to myself - I will NOT buy unnecessary clothing items. Ouch - hard one for me. If the kids need something, or the husband, fine, but I can't think of a single item I really need. We live on a budget, and the clothing allotment is a small single digit percentage of our total income (Dave Ramsey says this should be from 3%-7%). I could perhaps increase this at some point, but for now I'm good having it where it is. I promise, I just bought the kids new clothes around January and they have already outgrown many things! Growth spurt! Have to be saving up for needed items soon.

3. No eating out. This one won't be hard. We hardly ever eat out anyhow. I am Gluten sensitive and it's so hard to find a decent, organic healthy meal when eating out. I'd just rather eat at home! I will curtail my Starbucks trips in May (typically this comes out of my budgeted "mad money" fund and I stay within my budgeted amount each month, but for May I'm doing and exercise in discipline).

4. Become creative with entertainment. With nicer weather coming, it shouldn't be too hard to take a bike ride or spend a day at the beach instead of going to the movies or renting a DVD. I already have Iron Man scheduled in though for May 7th - we've been planning on that one for a year!

5. Reduce wants. For me this will mean staying away from magazines, staying out of stores for window shopping and perhaps stay away from my beloved blog reading. I kind of get in the "frenzy" mentality when I start reading every one's blog and they say things like "it's selling out fast", "these are going to be gone", "these are going to be hot so you better get it NOW"!! In order to resist temptation, I may have to take a technology chill pill.

6. Think twice before spending ANY money. Doing the Dave Ramsey thing has really, did I say really made me think about our life and how we spend our money. He gave this example: if you made $40K a year, in a decade you would have had $400,000 go through your hands. WOW! What do you have to show for it? Savings, retirement funds, nice home, memorable vacations, or just a boatload of "STUFF" that you have to manage, clean, move around, etc.?

On the bright side my paperwork for May should be a breeze - no receipts! I was inspired to try this idea by Small Notebook. I will post check-in's throughout the month and let you know how I'm doing - good or bad! If you would like to join me, that would be great and I would love for you to post comments on how your journey in Keep Your Money May is going. I also want to say I owe a lot to Money Saving Mom for helping me really get a good budget together. I've always kind of had one "in my head", but after reading her blog last year and participating in different challenges she had, I really have it down now! So many creative, wonderful women in the blog world!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

I got the office blues..............

I can't keep my office/laundry room clean to save my life. I try and I try and I try some more, but as soon as it is clean, I pile it back up with a bunch of junk again. What is my problem? Does anyone else have this problem? Do I have adult ADD or something? Acckkkk. On that note, I'm leaving it and going to watch movies with the family - much more fun!! Tomorrow's another day Scarlet...........

Newest ideas for Amazon gift card- votes please??

OK, I'm sick of staring at Amazon trying to figure out how to spend this free money!! I should have such problems eh? So I've wanted this Target necklace for like forever and somehow, it got marked down in stores and then there were none left in 2 seconds. Weird. So I can just get it at Amazon full price (but really it's free to me right?)
I love Fly London shoes and would love to own a pair. These ones reminded me of all the funky tie booties Anthro had this spring. What do you think?


Place your votes in the comments section please and help me end this decision process! Thanks!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

UPDATE: Zac Posen


In case anyone is dying for this line, I would suggest being there tomorrow. I went by the same Target who had just put it out yesterday and it was almost ALL gone! I was shocked! I guess this is going to be a popular line!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Earth Day Giveaway WINNERS!!

The winners are Megan & Rachel!!
Please send me your email so I can get in touch with you to mail your winnings! Thanks!




Earth Day is approaching on April 22, 2010. I am all for being good stewards of what the Lord has blessed us with. We try to buy local and organic, we recycle and now our city has begun a composting program through our trash company I am very excited to participate in! My husband is a Master Recycler - our fence is from re-purposed fence boards, our end tables were re-purposed marble that came out of a large building demo in San Francisco and he built Maggie a changing room screen out of re-purposed closet doors. He should be in an issue of Ready Made!


To celebrate Earth Day, I'm hosting a giveaway of Eco-friendly jewelry from Prana. These pieces are made from the Tagua Nut that comes from the Tagua Palm Tree which grows in the tropical rainforests of South America. When ripe, the seeds fall to the ground and this natural harvest is dried for up to eight weeks. The nuts are then vegetable dyed, polished and each design is carved by hand. Each one is a natural work of art.

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment telling about something you do in your every day life to be a good steward of the things entrusted to us on earth. There will be 2 winners of 2 different bracelets. Thanks for entering!

A winner will be chosen using random.org on Thursday, April 22nd at 5pm in celebration of Earth Day 2010!
Deadline to enter will be Thursday, April 22nd at 12 noon.







Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Amazon Gift Certificate - what to buy?

I received a $100 GC to Amazon from my boss for Administrative Professionals Day! Yeah boss- good going! And thank you! I'm eyeing these Fluevog shoes - what would I wear them with? I have no idea but I loooove European shoes! Just look at that red buckle!!


Or maybe I should finally get my dehydrator I've wanted for forever since our backpacking trip is not far away.......

I've also wanted this thing like forever for my Green Smoothies............

Hmmmm, what to go with? Fashion or function?? Please give me your vote - or let me know if there is something else even more fabulous on Amazon I NEED!

OOTD- Greek Isle...........

I took some Greek inspiration from my bloggy pals Patina and Sweet Tea to wear this blue dress and sandals. Today is Wednesday night church, lots of school work and soccer practice if the rain holds off. I paired my Target Mossimo Flower Belt with this Simply Vera Wang dress to add something new to an old item from my closet.
This was my breakfast this morning - life giving raw nutrition from my Hot Pink Smoothie! Love it! I got it in my 12 Steps to Nutrition book from Green Smoothie Girl. Who knew beets and carrots could taste so good! It has many other good ingredients in it as well that make it yummy! I'm trying hard to work out and get in my raw veggies and fruit each day.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Live like we're dying


The words of Kris Allen's song really get to me. Essentially he is saying we need to be good stewards of our time on earth because we don't know what our future holds and we need to take advantage of TODAY. No one is promised tomorrow. James 4:14 says "our life is but a vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes away". Psalm 90:12 says "teach us to number our days" and Proverbs 27:1 says "do not boast about tomorrow".

I make lots of plans for tomorrow. Tomorrow I will start eating right, tomorrow I will workout, tomorrow I will begin my morning Bible study, tomorrow I will quit wasting so much time on such and such, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, oh the plans for tomorrow. But what am I doing with TODAY? Is what I'm doing today going to have lasting effects for the kingdom? Lasting effects on my children? Lasting effects on my soul?

We are stewards of so much more than just our money - we are stewards of our time and our talents as well. We will give an answer for all to the Lord God Almighty one day- everyone will. I want to stand before the Lord ready to give an account of how I have spent my time (really His time given to me) knowing I have given my all to be a good steward of God's blessings. Help us Lord to be strong and choose those things which are right and good.

Live like we're dying- Kris Allen
We gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
This is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Just in time for Earth Day.......

Earth Day is coming up on April 22, 2010. Express your "green-ness" with some Eco-friendly jewelry by Zoe & Zac! I had been looking at these pieces at Payless a few weeks ago - they really caught my eye as they were so different and unique, eco friendly and fashionable. According to People Style Watch, tribal is in this spring, and these pieces scream tribal! I envision wearing them with a crisp white tee, jeans and sandals. I am almost embarrassed to say what I paid for these - they were $3 each with bogo 1/2 off - so $1.50 for some!

I love this one made from acai and tagua nuts! The green is beautiful!
Does it get more tribal?
They even had earrings to match this one - love the purplish/red.
Simple and pretty

And while you are at Payless, you must check out these awesome Zoe & Zac peep toes in chambray! Love, love...............

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

The Winner of the Nica clutch is.........


#68 - Jeana!

jeana said...

Super cute! Would love to win. I am now a follower on google reader.

jeana(at)unitsix.com

April 11, 2010 6:20 AM

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

There are even deals at REI!!

I was with the husband tonight at REI picking out our sleeping bags for this summer's backpacking trip (insert scared face here - I have never had to use the restroom in the woods before and it terrifies me) and after Maggie & I looked at the clearance clothes 4 times, we started scanning jewelry to see if by chance anything was marked down. This is a fun game to play at stores and you may be surprised what you find! Cha-ching! Deals, deals every where! I think we will feel very stylish in the woods this summer even if we smell.

We got this super cool bracelet for $.83 (was $25)
We also got a Prana Tagua bracelet for $.83 (was $30!!!) similar to the one below.
And a "Life is Good" necklace similar to this one below for $3.50 (regular $30!!). I love the Life is Good line. There is a purse I would love to have as well.


Give me a sun hat, SPF 30+shirt and some bug spray and I'm ready to play nature girl down to my jewelry!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Another Cakies Giveaway!


Such pretty jewelry from Cinnamon Sticks!
HERE

Saturday, April 10, 2010

I didn't know how much I missed you!!

Oh happy happy joy joy! Today I found THE most wonderful Gluten-free bread at Whole Foods.


I almost cried when I ate a sandwich with it - seriously! I haven't had a sandwich in over a year since finding out I am gluten intolerant. Without gluten, I am a completely new person. It's insane. I wouldn't have believed it, had I not lived it. So today when I found this bread I thought-
"Well, let's try yet another loaf of $6 cardboard." Oh wow - it is anything but - it is light and fluffy and soft and tastes like bread! I ate my Whole Foods local, free-range organic chicken on it - so yum, yum, yum! After looking on their website, I now see all these other goodies that I wish I would have taken the time to search out today. I feel like a normal sandwich eater again - and that is HUGE for me b/c I always loved a good sandwich for lunch. Thank you Udi's!! I heart you!

P.S. I don't know if I will be able to sleep tonight thinking about the organic peanut butter and jam sandwich I am going to have for lunch tomorrow!!!!






Thursday, April 8, 2010

DownEast Basics Giveaway at Take It From Me!

Check it out here at Take It From Me - looks awesome! They have great clothes and accessories!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

She Hath Done What She Could April Giveaway!

Good Springy Morning to Everyone! It's time for another Giveaway on my blog! I am soooo excited for this month's giveaway because it is an awesome accessory from one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie!

Please enter below to win the NICA Nemo navy clutch! This clutch was recently featured at Anthropologie. I have taken many photos so you can see all the great compartments this clutch has. I love the contrast of the navy, flowers and textures making it very visually interesting. Perfect for a quick trip to Anthropologie holding your keys, cell phone, lipstick and credit cards (or cash if you are on Dave Ramsey like we are!)












To enter the giveaway follow these steps below:

1. Become a follower of my blog and leave a comment that you became a follower (if you are already a follower please leave a comment stating this). If you post anonymously, please include your email address so I can contact you if you win.

For three additional entries you can:
2. Mention this giveaway on your blog and then post a link to your blog in an additional comment.
3. Tweet about the Anthropologie Nica Clutch giveaway and copy and paste your Tweet in an additional comment (please be sure to include the giveaway link in your Tweet).
4. Facebook about the Anthropologie Nica Clutch giveaway and copy and paste your Facebook Post in an additional comment (please be sure to include the giveaway link in your post).

*Please leave additional comments for any of the three additional ways to enter. Combined comments will be only be counted as one entry. You can earn 4 entries total!

A winner will be chosen using random.org on Wednesday, April 14th at 5pm in celebration of having taxes done for another year!
Deadline to enter will be Wednesday, April 14th at 12 noon.