HandStamped Love...

I have been anxiously awaiting. OOOOOOO- I can barely contain myself. I ordered a few weeks ago this handstamped necklace from Crazy4Handstamping shop on Etsy.

I got Ryan + Erin on the silver disc, Zachary on the long bar with the November crystal, and then added another bar with Est. 05.20.06 (our wedding anniversary). And I requested the words all be lowercase.

I am so pumped to get this. I should be coming any day now. And I can add pendants as our family grows too.

Plus, her prices are so much more reasonable than other handstamped jewelry I've seen. Some more famously known handstamped jewelry, I've seen necklaces for over $120 bucks! No way! That is crazy.

So I am anticipating that this will be a piece I wear often and with great pride.

Love it, Leave it...

Love It: Infusium 23 Leave-In Conditioner

This is by far the BEST leave-in conditioner I have ever used. I've tried them all, but let me tell you- THIS STUFF WORKS! Plus you get a HUGE bottle for only around 7.00.

Love It: Tresemme Tres Two Ultra Fine Hairspray

I used to use a $12 hairspray I'd get from Target, but that was before a mortgage & a baby. Now I am SUPER picky about prices, since our budget is much tighter these days. I love this hairspray because it is perfect for spraying away flyaways and setting your curls without the stickyness or hardness of other hairsprays. It's ultra fine (as stated on the bottle) and works great when your hair is down and even up! It's priced great at around 4.00 and smells wonderful too!Leave It: Revlon Photo Ready Foundation

Again, I used to splurge on MAC makeup, but again, that was before a house and a baby. I have tried many types of foundations. My dermo told me never to use mineral makeup, it caused me to break out really bad due to the minerals in it... along with Covergirl, Almay, Arbonne, MaryKay and Avon. I was shocked to hear this, but she said there is ingredients in these that will cause my pores to clog and which leads to acne. So I tried the Revlon Colorstay and I loved it! I wanted to try another Revlon foundation and so I went with this Photo Ready makeup. I will say it does a nice job of evening out your face, but it doesn't last but a couple hours and it's all off my face. I am going back to the Revlon Color Stay.

For the love of Giada...

I must admit, when Giada first came on the seen, I was kind of annoyed with her. Well, alot of annoyed. Not sure yet, I think it was her explanations of the cheeses that I couldn't stand to listen to. lol

But in the past two years, I have came to absolutely love her and her recipes!

I love to cook, and I wish I had more time to do it! But during the week, it's a rush when I get home with Zach to... get him and all the crap I carry to work inside the house; get him settled in the living room with toys & Disney tv; me changed out of my work clothes into comfy clothes; letting the dog outside to go potty; unpack my bags and put dirty dishes in the dishwasher... by then I have about 1/2 hour to get dinner on the table for a hungry mommy and son!

Ryan usually doesn't get home until 8:00pm from training, so I have no help at all with doing all this and making dinner. I have gotten alot better with my routine, saving me time. But it's still a rush and I've gotta know what I am making for dinner BEFORE I get home or I end up standing in the kitchen with a plank stair and a screaming hungry toddler.

So in the hectic evenings of the week, I've tried to make supper time a time for real cooking- and not just throwing easy mac or hamburger helper on the table. I want to make healthy meals for my family and that comes by planning ahead!

To help with changing this mood from painful to pleasurable, I have invested and will soon be investing in some new cookware! We got a set for a wedding gift close to 5 years ago, but I wanted a really nice set, one that would help me to make better and faster meals. Having the correct utensils make all the difference!

In comes Photo A: Giada's Professional Cooking Set (Thank you Target for putting it on sale this week!) I asked my brother-in-law, who is such a great cook, he has catered for so many families in columbus, he's famous! And he said this was a great set and a great price. So I jumped on it since it was on sale. Well actually a woman at the Graceland Target "Jumped" on it as we were walking down the same aisle and she was ahead of me and grabbed the last one. Luckily Lennox had it, so it's all good!


Next comes Photo B: Giada's Pasts Strainer. I freaking LOVE this thing! I make ALOT of pasta dishes, probably 3 a week! I've never seen this before until a few weeks ago and I knew I needed it!

Next comes Photo C: Giada's 4.5 qt. Casserole Dish. The thing I love about this is that there isn't a long handle like a pot. It looks like a serving dish! Love it! I haven't purchased it yet, but plan on doing so eventually.

This next cooking utensil is not Giada's but a GREAT idea from Rachel Ray via Kohls! These come with a knotch in the handl that (wait for it.... wait for it...) SIT'S ON THE TOP OF THE POTS!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! Such an awesome idea, don't you think?

Meet my newest baby, "Belle"...

Say hello to my little friend! :) Her name is Belle.

I am soooooooooo happy right now. As seen in a previous post, I loved the J. camera bags. But that was until I found the Epiphanie bags! Are you kidding me? Could these be any cuter?

These bags are AMAZING, designed by a woman photographer. This is the perfect woman's photographer camera bag, big enough for camera, lenses and flashes... PLUS room for your phone, wallet.... just amazing!!!!!!!!!!

I new I had to have this for Vegas. I plan on taking photos of the mountains and vegas strip, but hated the idea of taking my nasty black camera bag, plus a purse. This way it's all rolled into one.

They also have the Ginger and Lola bags... Love the Lola too!

Can you say L.O.V.E!?!?!?!?

Deals, Deals, Deals...

You know me, I love a good deal. I have been wanting to get some new eye shadow for a while. While I hate spending an arm and a leg on makeup, but at the same time, I have found that eyeshadows that are a little more expensive tend to blend better and stay on better. So I was doing some research and found a celebrity makeup artist who loves FLIRT eyeshadow. There is natural ingredients in it and she uses it on her movie sets. FLIRT makeup can be bought at Kohls... which I never really looked at the Kohls makeup, but today I went to check it out. One of their eyeshadows cost around $12 each. There were so many awesome colors, I didn't know what to do! I wanted a beige, but then I liked the gold for summer coming up- UGH! UNTIL *TA-DA*- I found the FLIRT Limited Edition Eye Shadow Set! This little baby has 40 shadows! And the price... $26!!!! YES! I couldnt' pass it up! It was in a little different location than the rest of the FLIRT makeup. But I tested them out and I love it! The pigment is true and not cheap at all! Super great deal!

Also, I love Target. Who doesn't?! I found this little baby by Sonia Kaskuk on Clearance today! I thought it was great for my purse! Regularly $19.99 on Clearance for $4.95!!!!! YES!!!! I know, right?! Awesome deal! I couldn't pass this one up either. Perfect for my Vegas trip coming up in May. Also, Target has right now these boyfriend t-shirts in the juniors section for $8. I bought a grey one and it is so soft and comfy! They run a little big (I got a small, but I'm usually a medium since having Zach) and it fits great! Highly recommend it too!

Studio E Designs Etsy Shop OPEN!

The Studio E Designs Etsy Shop is Now OPEN! I currently have 10 photographs up for sale, more will be coming!

Check it out if you have time!!!!

www.eNusbaum.etsy.com

From the SEER, to the SUCKER...

Can anyone say SPRING FEVER? Holy Cow! It totally just hit me today. I have been online all day looking at cute summer tops, shorts, and bathing suits! As many of you know, I am a HUGE fan of JCrew. I L.O.V.E their swimsuits. I have been contemplating about getting one for this summer, since I am no longer the size of a house. :) Then yesterday Ryan says to me that I need a cute bathing suit for the summer so I don't look like a frompy mom. So today, I order this little beauty (shown above). Isn't it so cute? Hopefully it fits. I don't usually like to buy bathing suits without trying them on, but if it doesn't I will just take it back. It makes me smile. :)

The BEST Scrapbooking and Craft Tool EVER...

Ok, I've done alot of projects in my lifetime. And I'll tell ya, adhesives are EXPENSIVE! About 2 years ago I was introduced to the ATG Gun. IT IS THE BEST TOOL EVER! I seriously use it for everything! PLUS, the tape lasts for a very long time, which saves me alot of money- instead of buying rolls and rolls of scrapbooking adhesive. And it comes in Acid-Free, great for taping photos down! Seriously, it's the best!

My new obsession...

Flower Hair Accessories!!!!!

I found this little beauty on Etsy a while back. I love Etsy! I love to look at and support other artists. Anyhow, I am now into making flower headbands (pictures to come soon). It is so much fun and I love how Liz Kartchner has one for every outfit! She's so dang cute! I would love to meet her one day. She is totally my inspiration.

Photo Wall...

Here are pictures of my photo collage wall I did while on maternity leave. It consists of color and black and white photographs. I am a lover of black frames and got most of them from Walmart, but I threw in a couple silver that i had lying around. The photographs are of various things; our engagement photo, wedding, honeymoon, Zach, Vegas, Mexico and the beach. I think it turned out great! It really adds interest when you walk into our house. The idea came from Pottery Barn. And who doesn't like the big P.B.!!!!

I am going to take a new family photo soon of us... I have a few tricks up my sleeve and I can't wait to see how it turns out! The new one will go in the big center frame. :)

Happy *heart* February...

Hello! I'm Back!
It's been a while, I know. I've been very very very busy. Zachary Dale Nusbaum was born on November 2nd. I have been adjusting to life as a mommy and trying to juggle all this things life brings as a new mom. But I recently started back at work, used to my mommy chores, and ready to start blogging my heart out.

I have recently got my artistic kick back and has a whole line of goodies in store to make. My one recent project is hanging a whole wall of photos, like a collage (idea from Pottery Barn). It involved ALOT of measuring, but it was all worth it. Ryan was even impressed (pictures coming soon).

Besides my photography business (www.studioephotography.info) I am getting back into scrapbooking. Now that I have Zach, I am constantly taking pictures of him. One thing I hated about scrapbooking (yes, I do hate one thing!) is creating wonderful pages, then putting them in a book that noone can see! So I am way into displaying my work. I have these 2 photo displays from 7 gypies on my list to purchase soon. Have a great Monday!

Baby Updates and Coupon News...

Where the heck has June and July gone? I mean seriously!

Ryan and I have been very busy with our "Master To-Do" list lately. This list is 4 pages long of everything I could think of that we needed to do before our little boy arrives. My goal is for us to have it all done by the end of August, so we can concentrate on the baby shower, birthing classes, and football season! Go Bucks!

We are about half way done, but before you think "oh, that's good!" Let me just say that we haven't even STARTED the baby's room yet! YIKES! We hope to start that within the next 2 weeks. If you haven't heard, our nursery bedding is the Giggling Turtles from Gap (see below):
Could it be any cuter? We loved the navy and green colors - super preppy! Love it! My sisters have decided to go with this theme for the baby shower too. This turtle pillow shown last is the main decoration for the shower. And being the graphic designer that I am, you should see the invitations I designed. This little guy makes his debut on those too! Adorable.

Last night I decided to take all the baby stuff we already have out of the nursery since we will be doing work in there soon. I went through and organized it all, taking the tags off of clearance clothes I have already purchased, and just taking count of what I have already bought. Ryan about died when he saw all the clothes and Johnson and Johnson's I have bought. But he (being a typical guy), does not realize that the clothes were sized from NB to 12 months purchased ALL from the clearance racks, and the Johnson and Johnson's I pick up on sale and ALWAYS with a 1.00 off coupon- so I get bottles of lotion and baby wash for between .99-1.99 each! So I am actually saving us HUGE money.

Speaking of saving money, I must announce that I am now a CVS SHOPPING FREAK! I used to think CVS was a rip off since everything was so expensive, but then I recently discovered this blog: www.moneysavingmom.com If you haven't even visited, it's a MUST! Here I have learned about the art of CVSing and using Extra Care Bucks to get things for FREE or very little out of pocket. Check out this when you have time! It tells you all about how CVSing works. It takes a little math... but SOOOO worth it. I did my first trip to CVS this week and spent 9.96 out of pocket and got 6.96 back in bucks, which means that I really only have paid 2 bucks + tax for about 7 items! Love it! You gotta try it!

Besides this art of CVSing, I have become a huge coupon FREAK! I have also learned that places like Target and CVS will accept a store coupon AND a manufacturer coupon FOR the same item. Of course, whenever I try it the person checking me out says I can't do that, until I told them that I have spoken to their customer service reps and they said that Target WILL accept both coupons for one item. Example: Johnson and Johnson Head to Toe Baby Wash was 2.99. I had a Target coupon for $1 off and a Johnson's Manufacturer Coupon for $1 off. The guy said he could only accept one and I explained to him about their customer service and he didn't know consumers could do that. He didn't say a word after that and went ahead and let me use both, getting it for .99 cents. If you have any trouble with this, call the manager. I also found their coupon policy online that I will keep in my purse for such occasions.

More baby news...

I am going on 25 weeks tomorrow. Two more weeks and I will headed into my third trimester! Oh my goodness! Time is flying! I have my glucose test tomorrow, which I am PRAYING for a good test. My sister has had gestational diabetes with both her pregnancies and I really don't want to have to go through that too. It's not serious, it's very common... but I am asking God that since I was so sick for 7 weeks with morning sickness, that maybe we can do a trade and I wouldn't have gestational diabetes. But, if I do- I do. It's His Will, whatever that may be. So if you could, please say a prayer for me, that tomorrow goes well.

On a more exciting note, this little boy has quit the power! He kicks me so hard now that I can completely see my stomach move. And even more exciting, I could feel either a foot or a hand brush up again my stomach, so much to the point I could feel the structure of it with my hand. It was amazing and I almost cried. :)

I plan on blogging alot more from now on... so stay tuned as my time gets shorter to when this little boy joins us here on earth!

Yo!

Hi everyone. I know... I am a terrible blogger. But I have been so busy at work and on top of that, not feeling well for about a week due to this cold... I just have shunned myself from the computer.

Nothing too new going on. I haven't been shopping in like 2 weeks. Last time I shopped was went a ran to Kohls' with a 15% off coupon and got a cute black graphic tee for like 10 bucks...
Cute, huh?

I have been happy to announce that we grilled out for the first time this past week! I love beer brats on the grill- they are my favorite summer time food! So we had those one night, and hamburgers this past weekend. YUM!

Then it snowed on Sunday- BOO! :(

Well, that's about all to report for now. Have a great week!

You know the saying...

You gotta spend money to make money. Well I'm changing it to "You gotta spend money to SAVE money". This is my new quote for the year and I will tell you why.

I have decided to SPEND the money on good detergent for our wardrobe to avoid having to buy more clothes because they look bad; in return SAVING money.

Yesterday I took a trip to Walmart where I purchased the following:

• Tide TotalCare: More expensive than most detergent, but the return is keeping my nice work and going out clothes looking like new and not fading. I bought the biggest container they had ($18.98) and I am going to use it ONLY on my work clothes and nice summer clothes.
  
• Woolite for Darks: This only comes in a smaller container, but my thought is to use this ONLY on Ryan's work uniform (all black) and my dark pants and shirts. We know how faded black attire is just a horrible fashion don't.
  
• Purex: A cheaper brand of detergent that I will use on things that do not need special care (i.e. socks, bras, old t-shirts)

Word to all the money savers out there! If you didn't know this already, you can go online to just about any brand website of cleaning/laundry products and get a coupon for their products. Tide, Downey, Woolite, Swiffer.... I have all went online to get coupons for these products! I also go to Crest alot to get coupons for their white strips! Check'em out!

Spring Fever and Bargain Shopping...

I know I'm not the only one thinking this... When is spring coming? Eh. Luckily, I do not believe Ohio will be getting any more terrible snow storms, so I am thinking positive and hoping for some sunny days soon.

Stores have all their summer stuff out, alot is already picked over due to the upcoming spring break for college kids (example: Target and Old Navy at Lennox has NOTHING left barely).

This summer, I want to wear TONS of dresses and skirts. They also must be work appropriate, so I have my eye on some, but is still waiting to see what else comes out. I have also vowed to never spend more than $30 on a single item I buy for this summer's wardrobe. With the tough times we are going through, and the serious need to save money, I ton myself that I would go cheap but cute for summer! And  you can TOTALLY do it. Target, Old Navy, Walmart, and Forever 21 will be my only stores I shop at this spring. There is no need to spend $78 bucks for a little black dress (sorry JCrew, I love you but I can't do it). 

So today, I decided to take a lunch trip to Target. I wanted to check out what they all had and kind of get a feel of what I REALLY needed for spring/summer, and try to check prices so I get the best deal. I picked  up a darling dress for 21.99, it was blue cotton, strapless, adorable! But then, I went into the shoe department...

And I walked out with these little babies! I LOVE shoes, but love only shoes that are comfortable and NOT $100 bucks a pair! These ballet flats, which I love with pants AND dresses, were only $12.99 a piece! I put the dress back and got this bronze pair and zebra print pair. They are super soft, so the material moves with your foot and won't rub the back of your feet (which is always a plus). I figured I will wear these alot more than the dress and for only 12.99 each, I couldn't pass it up! They also came in white, black metallic and lepoard prints. I really want the black flats too, they were all sold out of the 8 1/2's. I usually wear 9's, but they are kind of wide and I have a super narrow foot, so I sized down.

Great Deal! Easy on the Budget! Check 'em out if you need some new shoes for summer!