Puppy Love

Introducing JRP's and my new puppy!!
It's kind of a crazy story how we got him. We found a puppy on craigslist a black lab/husky. He was so cute and free so I thought we should go pick him up. Jason and I have been wanting a big, loud dog for our new house. I guess the people had 2 puppies on craigslist and when I texted the guy all I said was puppy I didn't specify. We deiced to meet these people halfway because they lived pretty far away and all we knew was that they had a white SUV. So we pull up wait for a bit and a white SUV pulls up with a dog in hand they get out and walk around a bit and Jason and I take one look at the dog they are holding and both say "I wish we were getting that dog instead (apparently JRP and I are a little racist when it comes to dogs, we really don't like white dogs, Black dogs are ok, but brown dogs are our favorite), but that can't be the people he's not a black dog." Finally they call us and we figure out it is the people and we got confused on the dogs. They were very nice and even offered to switch the dogs if we didn't like him, but we had already fell in love with him. and then we asked what mix of dog he was and the guy says "German Shepherd/Collie Mix" Which was even more perfect because that JRP's and my favorite kinds of dogs in one. So we took him out to our parents house (where he's staying till we get a fence in our yard) and he just laid on JRP's lap the whole time he was very sweet.

His name is Barney (off How I Met Your Mother, not the big purple dinosaur)
He's 5 months old and he has a huge loud bark!!

We can't wait to have him in our yard at our house!! I'm a little afraid he might run off out in the country, but we'll see!
Heathrow

Flu...

...Thanks for killing my budget this month, for making my husband turn into Jacob (103.1 degree fever), and for making me miss my adopted nephew's 3 year old birthday party! I hate you!

Because of the dang flu, I had to make a unplanned trip to the store.

However, I did save money on my trip.
Here's the haul. The poor sick baby needed Fruit loops, apple juice, and ice cream. and I needed soap and Lysol!!

Total: $32.01
Savings: $17.57
Also $2 off my next purchase at Walgreens

I love saving money!!! It makes me happy! However, the flu does not.

Stay tuned for next week when I have the Flu....Now I will be Lysoling the apartment like crazy to make sure that doesn't happen!!!
Heathrow

Extreme Couponing

Have you seen the show on TLC? If you haven't WATCH IT, RECORD IT, do whatever you have to do, but if you are someone who likes to save money you need to see it!! It blew my mind and I know some of it was probably more for TV, but some of it you really can do!

I aspire to be this woman! on the show she went to the grocery store and spent $600 before coupons and $2 after!! Thats crazy, amazing, and awesome!!! I could cut out the dumpster diving, but her ability to figure out coupons and sales inspires me.

Since we are buying a house, JRP and I keep to a pretty tight budget of $50-75 a month on groceries and yes I said a month. My mom thinks I'm starving him, but I live by a few simple rules that help me stay in this budget.

1. I plan out meals for 3 weeks and figure out exactly what we need for those meals. I stretch that 3 weeks to 4 weeks most of the time by eating leftovers.

2. I never leave without a list and I VERY rarely divert from my list.

3. I buy things that have to be made. Aka I don't buy snack foods that you can grab and go. I have learned that me and JRP (if he's not really hungry) are lazy, so we are less likely to eat snacks if we have to make them. Not only does this help the budget, but it also helps the first married weight gain!

4. I don't buy drinks other than milk. (Unless I have a coupon for apple juice, it's my weakness)

5. I NEVER EVER EVER pay for water! That's crazy! If you like water bottles (like my mother) buy a re-useable one and fill it up!!! DON'T pay for water!

6. I try to use a coupon on every purchase. (I want to get to the point where we don't buy things unless we have a coupon, but I'm not that good yet!)

7. We only go out to eat once a month and even then we only spend $10 for both of us.

8. I don't buy lunch meat every month. (You may think thats crazy, but PBJ's are great and cheaper)

9. I buy frozen when possible. (frozen veggies are actually healthier for you and they last longer so you won't have to throw them out)

10. I switch grocery stores. I don't always shop at one store because different stores have sales different months. I find the best sale and I go there.

11. We don't eat meat every meal.

12. I read Money Saving Mom everyday!

13. Me and free samples= best friends

What do you guys do to save money? Got any tips for me?
Heathrow

I Heart my skinny Jeans

Who doesn't?



(Sweater:Old Navy, Shirt: Old Navy, Belt: Vintage, Jeans: H&M, Shoes: Payless)
Heathrow

Dear Blog Readers...

Today I made this scarf while I was at work. Please tell me what you think. Am I completely crazy for thinking this is cute? or Is it totally cute and you want to buy one from me?



(Shirt: Old Navy, Pants: H&M, Shoes: Vintage, Scarf: Made by me, Earrings: Forever 21)
Heathrow

I got my "pay it forward" craft from Kitty yesterday!!!! A t-shirt necklace and flower pin!! I love them!! Thanks so much!! Sorry you can't see the pin my hair is covering it up! I should probably wait for my hair to dry before I take pictures but oh well!

(Pants: Target, Shirt: Target, Shoes: Payless, Necklace: Handmade, if you want to buy one click here )

Also for Kitty's blog click here

Sorry I haven't finished my crafts yet!

I have a mix of feelings right now, because a lot of stuff has happened this week. Our house stuff is so stressful and now it seems like the whole thing might fall through. It's really complicated. Why can't buying a house be easy? like buying clothes?

Yesterday the flower shop called and I start Monday!!!! :) I'm so excited!! Jason let me go shopping at Old Navy to celebrate!! I got some great stuff I even got a shirt for $1!!!! I love when they mark their clearance down even more!!

Sorry, Staci, I'll try to post my outfit everyday. This week just got really busy! Only 68 more school days till graduation!!!
Heathrow

Home Owners!!!!

Well Almost..We still have to go through inspections and all that, but the bank accepted our offer!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!! I'll post pictures soon of the before we redo the house and I'll update you all with pictures as we work on it because it is a fixer upper for sure!!!

I was going to call this outfit, "It's freaking freezing outside," or "Europe" Because everything I have on I got while I was in Europe, but I think I will now call it "Success!"


(Sweater, Pants, and Boots: H&M, Earrings: Interspar (Yes if you know what that is I really bought them there!) Coat: Random tiny store in Spain.)

Not only do I call this outfit "Success" because of the house, but I also started and completed my last first day of school, and JRP and I got free Chick-Fil-A!

Heathrow

Dress or Skirt?

Its actually a dress, but I wanted to wear a skirt so now its a dressskirt.




(Dressskirt: Target, Sweater: H&M, Belt: Vintage, Necklace: Forever 21, Shoes: Payless)
Heathrow

Pay it Forward

This is such a great idea thanks Amber and Kitty

Here's how it works!
The first 3 people to comment, I will send something handmade sometime in 2011.

The condition- You must also do a Pay it Forward offering the same thing to 3 other people.

So comment and I will send you something awesome! :)

Heathrow

Patriotic on Accident

Because It was a lot of fun yesterday...


(Shirt: Old Navy, Belt: Vintage, Skirt: Dillards, Shoes: Vintage, Bag: Gifted)
I had a job interview today at a flower shop which was the main reason I got dressed today. I'm not sure if I got the job or not yet, but it went really well. I have always loved flowers and making arrangements. I could really see me being a florist! So we'll be hoping and praying everything works out. and Still no word on the house yet hopefully soon!
Heathrow
Ps. My husband actually took these today and I think I might go back to taking them myself :)

Because it's a new year

Because I'm bored

Because My sister asked me to

Here's my outfit for today



(Sweater: Forever 21, Shirt: Ross (I think), Scarf: Repurposed from one of my grandma's sweaters, Belt: Vintage, Jeans: H&M, Shoes: Gap, Earrings: Forever 21)

I like to call this outfit "Please sell me a house!" Hopefully it will work! :)
Heathrow
Ps. Jason was at work so I had to take these myself, sorry you can't see the shoes I tried.