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!

Around The Office...

It is done! Finally done! The new computer room. Here are the pictures I promised.

Here  you see the back right corner of the room. The large book shelf that I made in college holds all binders and work stuff. I have a large 3" binder for all our paperwork we need to keep (Credit Cards, Insurance, Retirement, House Bills, Erin Medical, Ryan Medical, House Info, etc)

I found this is the best way for us to keep the information.

When you walk in, this is the left wall, Ryan's wall. We got guitar wall m

ounts to display his guitars. His large amp is the in the back left corner (shown). He loves it, I love it. You can also see the new floor!

This is my desk and area. The cubes to the left (from Target) of the de

sk has my printer, paper, envelopes, camera accessories, camera, photos (blue box) and cards. The cubes to the right houses all of my scrapbooking supplies. It has my old mac sitting on the top to play movies and beside it is my paper stash. I hung 2 paper lanterns (from World Market) and the shelves are also from World Market on clearance!

And here is my other embellishement wall and sewing station! I love it!

Computer Room Update...

First off, I apologize for the bad photo quality, but I couldn't find my camera in the mess so I used my phone. So last night I gave the trim a nice coat of white paint and decided to get into organizational mode. I started with my scrapbooking stuff, and I mean... just started. I have alot more to do. 

You can see the Making Memories Embellishment Center (from Michaels) on the wall, which I have started to fill up. Starting from the top, the "N" I painted the same color as the sewing cart. The top row of the shelving unit has small stamps, buttons and tags. The second row has small plastic containers that have small embellishments in them such as brads and clips. The next row has MM paints and will have my acrylic paints on there soon. The second to last row has flowers and ribbon, then the two bottom rows are the ribbon holders. 

The sewing cart is just a utility cart I got at Walmart for $34 bucks and I primed and painted it an ocean blue color. I found the baskets at Michaels for the first shelf. One holds fabric, the other holds other sewing supplies. The bottom shelf (that you can't really see) has my sewing box and my sewing book. I think it looks great!

Also, you can see a picture of the floor next to the wall and curtains (that obviously need ironed). It looks so great! We need to get a 8x10 rug this weekend before we can really start to put the desks and rest of the storage in the room. Enjoy!

Wednesday Update...

It's been a crazy week so far...

Started out with my husband having 3 kidney stones. 3 people! He is such a trooper. Passed them all! I should never complain when I give birth someday. He goes through child birth-like pain way more than I ever will.

Got word about more people I know losing their jobs. It really makes you realize how lucky we are to have the jobs we do. AND it makes you think that maybe you shouldn't of got that latte you got yesterday. Time to really put some cash in the bank for a rainy day. Good news though, the stimulus passed... so hopefully we are on our way up.

Today my parents came down to finish up the trim around the base of the new floor. My dad is the best! He did that, hung the new shades and hung my huge Making Memories Embellishment Center... my mom prepared dinner for Ryan and I (sloppy joes) so I don't have to cook tonight. They are seriously wonderful parents, I am very lucky to have them. :)

We randomly are having like 60 degree weather outside, and now have Tornado Warnings out until 9 tonight. Crazy!

This evening I plan on pouring myself a glass of merlot, painting trim, cleaning a little, putting my wire storage shelf together and watching some Ghost Hunters. I love these kind of evenings.

Hope everyone has a good night!

ps- I will post pictures of the new computer room probably next week once I have everything organized and put back together.

Fun Home Decor Projects...

It is always fun to think of new ideas for home decorating, especially if they are low-cost with a huge impact. Michael's Craft Store is probably my favorite store to be in, the possibilities are endless. The store also offers tips and ideas on their website also. Click Here to look at fun and easy ideas using everything from scrapbook paper, twin sheets, and other goodies.

Storage ideas continue...

Continuing on my organizational kick, I have purchased a few more things to help in the computer room.

One is this 3 shelve silver wire shelving unit from Target. I purchased one today, but I think I will get another one. These will go in the closet to help store files and things we do not use ever day.

I also purchased small plastic containers for embellishments to go on my Making Memories Embellishment Center (see picture below). I seriously can't wait to hang this thing!

I found 2 brown baskets that were on clearance for 4.95 each at Target.

I also hope to purchase this for the closet. 

It will take me a while to get everything back into that room, but the results will be phenomenal!

Weekend Blurb...

This past weekend was very productive and went very fast. Saturday consisted of getting up early, running errands for about two hours which consisted of the following: went to Michaels to pick up the Making Memories Embellishment Center (I got the last one!), PetSmart for treats and Fender's Birthday toy, Home Depot to purchase a new paint brush, getting my oil changed and then going through the car wash, stopping by the post office, then finally getting groceries and heading home. Total Time: EXACTLY 2 hours!

I then proceeded to the basement where I finished up painting my new cart that my sewing machine will be one (pictures coming soon). 

Note to self: ALWAYS PRIME WITH KINLZ BEFORE PAINTING!

Later, Ryan's parents came for a visit and we went out to Carrabbas, which was yummy as usual. It was great to see them. AND they gave me a beautiful pearl necklace and earrings for my Birthday present :) I love pearls. 

Sunday Jill and Steve came down and helped lay the new laminate floor in the computer room. It is NICE! We finished it, thanks to their help. We really do have great friends. 

Next weekend I am working on getting stuff back in the room. Until then, it will be finishing the trim and painting the baseboards. Good stuff!

I hope all of you had a great weekend!

Making Memories Embellishment Center...

I have convinced myself that I need this amazing piece of storage. This is the Making Memories Embellishment Center. They currently have it in-stock at Micheals Craft Store and it is 30% Off. 

I know exactly where I am putting this, in between the closet door and hallway door in my computer room. I am very VERY excited, I can hardly contain myself.

Storage Solutions...

Before I "peaced-out" from Cord Camera, I made sure that I was stocked up on scrapbooking stuff. No, I mean REALLY stocked up...like I wouldn't doubt that I made their quota for that month. But since we had a discount and scrapbooking stuff is not cheap, I took the opportunity.

So now, I have SO MUCH scrapbooking goods, I don't know what to do with it all. How do I organize it? And for me, EVERYTHING must have a place (and that isn't just for scrapbooking stuff, that is everyday things too!)

Here is a fun snippet from Better Homes and Gardens about scrapbooking storage solutions: Scrapbook Storage Solutions.