$40/week Grocery Challenge Re-visit...

Okay, so yesterday was grocery shopping day (actually it was more like extreme home makeover day but you can read more about that, here)!  I am proud to say I stuck to the budget of $40!  Well, $41.46 but close enough.  If you are still skeptical if you can do this keep in mind that when I went yesterday I:

A.)  Had my 4-year-old with me

B.)  Did not use any coupons

I think what is really helping me stay within budget are a couple of things, but most importantly I am trying to re-think that amount of food we actually need.  I am not starving my family or forbidding them from having more than one glass of milk a day, I am just trying out smaller quantities and seeing if it will last for a week.  I did this when I originally challenged myself to a $40/week budget and learned some interesting things about my family; we eat/drink way less than I actually buy.  For example, I always buy a gallon of milk.  My sons drink lactose-free so they have their own stash but my husband and I are big cereal eaters and I use milk a lot for cooking so I assumed we definitely needed the full gallon.  One week I bought the 1/2 gallon instead fully assuming I would have to go back to the store mid-week but lo-and-behold we didn't even finish it by the next shopping trip.  I never buy a full gallon anymore and we never run out.

I also have started using half the meat I used to.  When I made spaghetti in the past I would always use the entire package of ground beef but now I split the meat in half and use cut up veggies to "beef up" the sauce (ha ha pun intended).  I can use the other half of the package to make burgers or stuffed peppers or enchiladas (I just again add more veggies to the recipe).  

The other key thing to my budget success is how I purchase my chicken.  You have heard me rave about  Thompson Poultry's delivery service and I just have to say again that this awesome company is saving me time and money.  I buy a 10lb. bag of boneless chicken breasts from them once a month, maybe longer and I get TONS of meals out of it.  Between using less and buying in bulk I spend a fraction of the money I used to on chicken.  If you are interested in buying from them click, here (Note: this link was written before they changed their name so Prestige Farms is Thompson Poultry for our purposes.)  I am going to be looking into buying other meats in bulk in the near future so I will keep you posted.

I know that all of these tricks may not work with your family if it is larger or you all have different eating habits but just try buying a little less and see how far you can stretch it.  You will be surprised!  If you have any tips on how to save money at the grocery store let me know!

Great Find...Dapper Snapper...

Sorry "girl-moms" this post is not for you!  No, this is for all the mothers of those little boys who have teeny tiny waists!  My sons seem to grow up but not out therefore leaving me with pants that always fit in length but never in the waist.  My older son is ok because once they reach the 2T's and above there is the adjustable waist in most pants but my younger son is out of luck. There are a couple of brands that do adjustables earlier but I also have lots of hand-me-downs and I don't ant to buy him an entire new wardrobe.  Enter...the Dapper Snapper.   It is like a portable adjustable waist band that can be used on any pants that have belt loops.  You simply snap it through the back couple of loops and adjust to the proper waist size.   No bunching and no drooping!  I haven't found any local retailers but you can order online, here.


ps.  And to be fair it is made for girls too it just seems that this topic always comes up with boy moms :)

Great Deal for Today Only (*Stella and Dot*)....

There is a super special TODAY ONLY: 50% off on the Cognac Brown Leather Pyramid Double Wrap bracelet. It was featured on Good Morning America this morning as a favorite thing for steals and deals....These bracelets look very stylish on their own or layered with other bracelets. Promotion code is GMAOCT. This deal is being offered today ONLY! 

It's a great deal especially with the Holidays approaching!!!

To order contact, Jennifer Payne at 704-516-3529 

or visit her stylist page, here.

Mom Questionnaire: Amy

Stats:

Name:   Amy Anzalone        Age (optional): 36           Number of kids: 2

What was the biggest surprise to you after having a child(ren)?     How much money you spend at the grocery store.

What would you say has been your worst parenting moment?   Awhile back, I was in the pool with my 2 yr old. She was sitting right beside me, I look the other way to chat with my friend. Look back and she was under water. I felt like a horrible mother!

Your best?  When Parker(my 4 yr old) asked if we should pack up some toys, to donate to kids who could use them.

Best parenting advice you have ever received? Trust your mother instinct, it's usually right

What has changed the most about your personal style since having kids?   I'm a minimalist now.

What is your day-to-day beauty regimen?   About 5 minutes on the make up, 15-20 mins on the hair, dressed and ready for the world.

What is your favorite beauty product and why?   Alterna Hemp Mud, it smoothes and separates without weighing down your hair.

If you could have back one luxury from your pre-kids days what would it be?  Long dinners at 8:30pm with lots of wine and you don't feel like crap in the morning.

What is your favorite kid-friendly activity to do with your kids?   Going to Blakeney to listen to music and let the kids run and dance.

Your favorite thing about raising kids in Charlotte (or whatever city in which you live)?   I have a great support system here, love the parks and outdoor activities. Downtown is close and a fun train ride away.

What word do you use way too much on any given day?   Actually

Celebrity mom you can most see yourself hanging out with?  Kate Hudson

If you could have one super power that would help you be an even better mom what would it be?   Twitch my nose and the whole house would be clean!

Favorite part of being a mom?    First thing in the morning, when everyone is happy and well rested. You get sweet hugs, kisses and lots of I Love You's!

Adrienne Patterson: Happy Birthday To Me...

Last week I turned 37…how is that possible??!!  I honestly don’t feel 37, I still think of college as just a few years back and then am absolutely shocked when I count the years and realize I graduated college 15 years ago!! So I have spent the last week  settling into my new age and reflecting on where my life is, what I have done with my 37 years and what I hope to accomplish in the next 37. Sounds pretty heavy but really I have had some good laughs thinking about fun memories, major blunders and just outrightly stupid things I have done!  I can look back and shake my head asking the younger me, “What were you thinking??!!” Thought I would share just a few bits of advice I would give the younger me….

Beware of fashion trends…90% of the time you will look back and regret that you ever set foot out of the house in the latest look!  A friend posted an old pic from college and I wondered how I ever thought that cropped top looked good with those high rise jeans? Why did I think shoulder pads were cool and who the heck ever came up with tight rolling jeans?!  Lots of good laughs but really I would tell my 80’s self to just stick with the basics and just stick w/ jelly bracelets and scrunchies for fashion flair

Pick better friends…how I broke my neck to befriend the popular girls only to find out how unfriendly and shallow they really were. I will never forget one popular girl telling me that while we were buddies in homeroom I was not really an “after school friend” when I mentioned her coming to my house.  Read your Facebook now and chances are the pretty popular girls are divorced and unhappy while the girl you ignored in science in doing things with her life and making a difference.  Your mom was right, true beauty is on the inside!!

Be nice to your sisters (or brothers) they will probably turn out to be the best friend you’ve got!....  I know lots of you will disagree and I readily acknowledge that I got really lucky with amazing sisters who are my very best friends.  I remember thinking the typical thoughts…how annoying, dorky and boring they were.  Oh I brought them to tears when I tore up their NKOTB posters and how they dragged me through the house by my ponytail.  But in the end they are the ones who have stuck by me through it all and their love is unconditional!

Thank your mom for all their hard work!  I know I am not alone when I say that as a parent I think at least once each day about my mom and all she did for me and how I just took it all for granted.   When I am rushing to prepare a meal as I dress the girls for soccer and pack their favorite flavor Gatorade while simultaneoulsy unloading the dishwasher and I hear them moan, “Ewww, that’s what we are having for dinner? I hate that!” First instinct is to throw the food in the trash and say, “Fine, you get nothing!” then I want to cry at how ungrateful they are and how they have no clue how hard it is to find something they actually DO like and lastly I take a deep breath and remember how I said the EXACT same thing to my mom.  Some days I just want to call my mom and say I am sorry and tell her how grateful I am for all she did for me

Don’t do what everyone else is doing!  I know this seems pointless to tell the younger me b/c I was not looking to be some weird oddball, middle school was hard enough even when you did fit in.  But the older I get the more I see the beauty in living your life the way God intended it to be not how Homecoming Queen and cheer captain say to live.  If you like music be in the band, if you like debate join the debate team…explore all your interests because you never know what life holds for you down the road.  And for the record, being Home coming Queen and Cheer captain really isn’t going to carry you that far in life….most jobs don’t ask to see your best herky or your tiara!

Don’t be so anxious to start your period (seriously, it’s a curse), to wear a bra (another curse) or to wear make up.  Enjoy the carefree years when it’s not about how grown up you are or how great you can make your self look with the super padded demi cup bra and blue eye shadow.   I look back and long for the days when I only wore make up b/c it seemed fun not b/c I was plagued with sun spots and when I picked bras based on color and cute patterns not based on the fact that they give me enough padding so that it appears I actually do have breasts! 

Eat healthy not to lose weight but to simply be healthy!  I wish I could tell my younger self that down the road I am going to need to really enjoy raw vegetables and almond slivers if I ever want to lose the baby weight or battle a much slower metabolism.  I so wish I had developed a taste for healthy but no, I just crave the crap that makes me fat and the thought of a carrot stick or cottage cheese for a snack just ain’t cutting it.  I should have really prepared my pallet for these now required smart healthy snacks, ugh!!

Don’t put all your focus on a boy, making the cheerleading squad, getting invited to the best party or having a brand new car to show off when you turn 16.  The truth is the boy will turn out to be a jerk who only dated you to see how far he could get you to go, the cheerleaders were probably bulimic and miserable, the best party was actually pretty lame and the bulimic cheerleader got pregnant and ruined her life and as for the car, well you will probably be grounded from driving or total it anyway.  If only I could have realized early what is truly important in life is not the material things.  It’s all about who God is and who He created you to be and what He has planned for your life!  

Lauren Alexander: Comfort Food on the Fly...

It's always around this time of year when I start craving that yummy comfort food that my mom used to cook for us when we were little. You know, the stuff that she slaved away on in the kitchen while we yelled from another room, "Is it ready yet?!". It's getting colder and darker and my hibernating instincts are telling me to hunker down and enjoy some good old fashioned home cooking. The problem is that I'm the mom now and unless I cook it, we're not eating it. So I lean on some easy, inexpensive recipes that create the meal I'm craving without all the time and expense.

 

One of my favorites that I've been making lately is a chicken pot pie. Sure, you can buy one in the frozen food section but those are usually loaded with fat and calories. My recipe only requires 4 ingredients and less than 5 minutes of prep- top that! Here's what you'll need...

 

2 shredded chicken breasts (you can boil chicken breasts that you already have or just buy a rotisserie chicken)

1 can of cream of chicken soup (I use the healthy request version that has half the fat of the regular)

2 cans mixed vegetables (I buy store brand and it's less the $2 for both)

1 package of refrigerated pie crusts (the package contains 2 crusts, for top and bottom)

 

Mix the chicken breasts, cream of chicken, and mixed vegetables. Lay one pie crust on the bottom of a pie dish, fill with the chicken mixture, and top with the other crust. Pinch the edges of the crusts together to seal in the mixture and cut small slits in the top of the crust for ventilation. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until the crust is browned.

 

And that's it! I swear it tastes just like you slaved away on it, meanwhile you spent less than $15 and 5 minutes of work. I'd say that's the perfect combo.

 

Stay tuned for some more wallet and time-friendly recipes that allow you to indulge in your favorite comfort food while minimizing your time in the kitchen and grocery store.

 

Happy eating!

The $40/week Grocery Challenge Re-Visit...

A few months ago I came up with a challenge for myself: to grocery shop on a $40/week budget. Although it took more planning and effort than usual, it was well worth it.  I surprised even myself with how much I could save when I planned and edited my grocery shopping.  Now cut to present day and my weekly grocery bill is back up to the ceiling.  Its insane how quickly I slid right back into old habits.  So many of them come from a lack of time and impromptu trips to the store.  Its even worse now because I know from first-hand experience that I do NOT need to be spending this much each month on groceries!


I have decided to reign myself back in and try the $40/week challenge again.  As I compared things from when I was successful to now, these were the key things I found:

1. Shop only once a week.  This takes organization and planning but I have found that I end up buying way more impulsively when I just run in for quick trips.  Especially when I don't have a list!
2. Shop from your pantry first.  When I take stock of my pantry I always find that I have more things on hand than I would have thought.  Build meals around what you already have instead of just what you have a craving for.
3. Clip coupons.  You don't have to be one of those women who can get $400 worth of groceries for $2.50 but 50 cents here and there does make a difference.
4. Don't fall for every "deal."  Just because you can get 10 cans of cream of mushroom for $10 doesn't mean you need to.  Shopping weekly helps you keep perspective on what you need just for the next 7 days.
5. Shop online.  Its simple: if you aren't physically in a store you are much less likely to buy things on a whim.  By using a system like the Harris Teeter Express Lane you can purchase what you need and stick to a budget.  Plus theres the whole convenience thing!

Its important that you are able to whittle down what your family "needs" for the week.  For seven days do you really need 3 different kinds of cookies or 4 different types of juice?  Also meal-planning is crucial.  The best way to shop smartly is to know what you need when you enter that store (or website)!

I will let you know how it goes for us next Monday!  Just so you know, last week I went in some what wanting stick to the $40 budget and ended up spending $80-something.  This Sunday I went in really wanting to not spend more than $40 and I ended up spending $64.  I am obviously improving but still have a ways to go!  Wish me luck next Sunday!

Special Events Through Halloween...

With Halloween right around the corner (got those costumes ready??), there are lots of family events going on in Charlotte.  Make sure to check some of these out over the next week, starting this weekend!

October 27th, 3:45-4:45pm

Kids can come celebrate Halloween in the Garden!

Decorate pumpkins and read spooky stories.

FREE but space is limited so advanced registration is required.

October 29th, 11:00am-11:00pm

Fall Party with tons of entertainment for the whole family.

Check out their Facebook page for more info.

Charlotte Nature Museum

October 29th, 11:00am

Enjoy Halloween treats and learn about animals that go bump in the night!

Kids can wear their costumes.

Plaza Midwood Fall Festival

October 29th, 11:30am-6:00pm

Local musicians including the popular Plaza Midwood Family Band, pumpkin painting, scarecrow stuffing, bounce house and more!

Carolina Renaissance Festival

October 29th and 30th, 10:00am-5:30pm

Children under 12 are FREE!

A fun and safe place to trick or treat around the village.

Kids can show off their costumes by entering the Halloween Costume Contest!

Harris YMCA Hullaboo Parade and Party

October 30th, 4:00-6:00pm

Kids can build their own treat bags and show off their costumes in the parade!

For more info., contact Cara Viers, 704-716-6813 or cara.viers@ymcacharlotte.org

Mom Questionnaire: Ashley

Stats:

Name: Ashley Kirby    Age (optional):     30     Number of kids:    1

What was the biggest surprise to you after having a child(ren)?

How hard breastfeeding can be. Unfortunately, I was not one of the lucky people who had an easy time with it. It was an uphill battle for me from day one, and it never really got any easier. Branner was huge (9 lbs, 12 oz), we had latching issues and he was constantly hungry. I gave up after about 3 1/2 months. I pumped exclusively for about 3-4 weeks, but eventually, I was so worn out that I had to throw in the towel. I will try again, but man, I have never been so discouraged and exhausted over anything in my life!

What would you say has been your worst parenting moment?

Wow. In 19 short months, I have had several. One that stands out to me is a day back in March where I had a complete meltdown. I was trying to go to the Y, but Branner would not stop crying, so I missed my class. I can't remember all of the details (I tend to block traumatic experiences out of my memory), but that is one thing out of about 20 that went wrong that morning, and I just lost it. I cried and cried and cried. I said I didn't want to stay home with him anymore. I wanted to throw in the towel. I feel awful about that day. Oh, and on Mondays, his lunch usually consists of 2 free Harris Teeter cookies for lunch while I grocery shop after the Y.

Your best?

Hmmm. I'm super-critical of myself. Hard to say.

Best parenting advice you have ever received?

Choose your battles. Seriously, best advice ever when you have a toddler.

What has changed the most about your personal style since having kids?

It's more conservative and I wear flats more regularly. Other than that, not much. I LOVE fashion!

What is your day-to-day beauty regimen? 

Wash face, apply Vitamin C serum, mineral foundation, a little eyeliner on the outsides of my eyes, mascara and blush.

What is your favorite beauty product and why?

Bare minerals foundation. One dusting and redness, blemishes and dark undereye circles disappear.

If you could have back one luxury from your pre-kids days what would it be?

Since B sleeps a good 12 hours at night, I am able to get a decent night's sleep (as long as I get my butt off Facebook or turn off the TV early enough). So, I would have to say the luxury of not being on a schedule. I am a prisoner to meal times and nap times these days.

What is your favorite kid-friendly activity to do with your kids?

Hitting the park or the greenway and Discovery Kids. I was super-impressed with DK when we went for the first time a few weeks ago. It's perfect for the younger toddler set!

Your favorite thing about raising kids in Charlotte (or whatever city in which you live)?

We can jump in the car and go to ImaginOn or Discovery Kids on a whim. There are also many amazing parks and there are tons of festivals and special events to take part in. Storytimes, gymnastics classes, Kindermusik and art classes are abundant. It is easy to find something to do with your child(ren). I don't think I could survive mommyhood in a small town.

What word do you use way too much on any given day?

"No!!!" I feel like some days, that's all I say. Sigh.

Celebrity mom you can most see yourself hanging out with?

Jennifer Garner or Nicole Richie. Both take an extremely hands-on approach to parenting, which I love. I would die for Nicole's wardrobe. Maybe she would let me borrow stuff!

If you could have one super power that would help you be an even better mom what would it be?

PATIENCE. I am working on it, but it is definitely not my forte!

Favorite part of being a mom?

Hugs, kisses and smiles. I could be having the worst day ever, but seeing one sweet smile on Branner's face can make everything better!

Adrienne Patterson: Letting Go...

There are lots of motherhood milestones we look forward to reaching.  Getting back in our pre-baby jeans (and it does count even if you can’t sit and breath in them, it’s all about being able to zip them up!), finally getting your baby to sleep all night, adding more kids to the mix.  The list goes on and on and I am happy to share with you my latest milestone, letting go!  Now this is a broad statement and I have not achieved it in every area of parenting but I have most certainly learned a lot about choosing my battles and learning that there are lots of things I need to just let go! 

Example #1 Organization and Neatness

For those of you who know me well are probably laughing your heads off right now as I am known for my intense desire for order and organization.  I haven’t let go of it completely but I have come a long way and truly I have just gotten better at a façade of neatness, LOL!  How long did I exhaust myself with perfectly folded shirts and pants categorized by pattern and fabric??  Really?!  Now it is all about putting it where the kids can access it and I do less getting out and putting away.  Obviously, as seen here, my children cannot fold or categorize (horror!) but they can get it in a drawer and off the floor and out of sight…mission accomplished!  Is it really worth it in the end?  I am less stressed at having to fold constantly, they can reach the clothes, therefore they get dressed without me and it’s one less thing on my daily to do list!

Example #2: How do they look?

Based on this photo the obvious answer would seem to be, “Like their mom doesn’t care,” and this answer would be correct!  The fights over clothing that I had with my oldest are still seared in my memory.  Every single morning, knock down drag outs over what she would wear…again, really?!  I had to confess to Scott the other night that he had been right all those mornings…it was a stupid waste of time! (Don’t you hate when they are right…ugh!!).  I wore myself out and probably scarred Molly Scott for life trying to get her in the perfect put together outfit. Nice, beautiful on the outside but inside she was plotting my death!  These days, as we learned in example #1 above, the clothes are accessible and dressing is totally up to you.  As long as you are not walking out looking like a hooker or wearing a tank top in thirty degree weather it is all good with me.  Hmmm, have I learned to let go or am I just lazy?  Could be either, they have worn me down over the years.  Regardless, our home is happier and I actually get a good laugh out of some of the outfits they come up with.

Example #3: My home, the showplace

I am really airing some dirty laundry today (might as well b/c I have learned to let laundry go as well….wear it twice if it’s not stained and I am only doing it once a week and I do not guarantee you won’t have to locate your clothes in the basket versus neatly folded in your drawer).  How I tried to make the perfect bedrooms…matching spreads, perfectly stitched and monogrammed pillows, a beautiful rug.  Now? Well after stripping all bedding to remove head lice (that is another entry in itself) I found myself thinking, “Who really needs a bed skirt or duvet covers anyway?  (Again, I will admit laziness here but give me a break, I had disinfected a 7000 square foot house and done 50 loads of laundry!!)  At the end of the day they ruined the rug, threw up on the pillows and peed on the spreads.  What did they really want? Well they wanted this red neck sized bed (3 twins pushed together) and a bed they could jump on without worrying about wrinkling the pretty made up spreads.  Easy enough, they are happy and I have a few minutes longer to sleep in the morning b/c I just don’t make the bed!

I have always struggled thinking that letting these things go would be a sign of laziness and weakness. I need to show them who’s boss right? And I need to keep the house in perfect pretty order right?  NOT!  Yes, I did this for a while, and did it well I might add, but really it didn’t win me any awards and I was pretty much wearing myself out and berating my kids….not exactly the reward I was hoping for!  So I have learned that it’s a much more pleasant morning if they are in mismatching shoes and socks and I am eating breakfast with them instead of making the bed and straightening the drawers.  Every now and again when I have some time alone I allow myself to go and organize the drawers and color code their shoes (sick I know that this might be how I would spend my alone time) and I stand back and admire my work then they come blowing in like a tornado and I go take a nap…in the end it really is all good!

Smoothies...

We have been enjoying a new little treat around here: smoothies!  This past year my kids got hooked on the strawberry banana smoothies from McDonald's so I started thinking I should learn to make them.  I am a little embarrassed to even post my "recipe" because it is so easy!  I have been whipping these up each morning and my kids cannot get enough.  Its great, especially for those mornings where they just don't eat a thing...now I know I am sending them off with a full belly.  You can tailor your smoothie to your family's taste buds by choosing their favorite fruits and veggies.  To add a little immune boosting power try adding a vitamin-mineral powder like Emergen-C. 

Recipe:

*this is not an exact science but this makes about 3-4, 8oz. smoothies

handful of ice

1-2 cups of pineapple juice

2 cups frozen fruit

half banana

2 Tbs plain or vanilla yogurt

Well-Being in Your Marriage...

I will start by saying that I am NOT an expert on marriage and definitely not when it comes to creating a healthy marriage.  I am still figuring out how to maneuver this whole relationship and kids thing and a lot days it is not pretty around here.  But we have come a long way from those first few shaky years!  My husband and I fell in love quick, got married quick, and then began fighting really quick.  It seemed like once one little thing got on my nerves it just snowballed and suddenly everything got on my nerves.  Like my mom used to tell me, "Opposites a attract and then they attack."  It was so true, all of the things I used to love about him now drove me crazy.  


Having a child didn't help matters either.  The experience as a whole really bonded us on another level but it also added more complaints to my growing list.  I started to look at him as just another person in our home that expected things from me and didn't seem to notice my needs.  But to be fair, there wasn't a whole lot he could do right just because I was so tired and overwhelmed with my new role as a mom.  And can we just talk for a minute about the difference between men and women when it comes to sex.  I know there might be some crazy-wonderful wives out there who still bring the sexy to the bedroom but I have had enough conversations with my friends to know I am not alone in the fact that sex is about 9th on my priority list...on a good day.  Most of the time I just don't want to be touched by another human at the end of the day.  Its nothing personal to my husband, I am just tired of being so needed by other humans that by the time evening rolls around I just want to sit in ugly yoga pants and a t-shirt and watch tv.  My idea of romance is my husband offering to make me some popcorn...no strings attached.


I do feel bad for my husband because I really am different from when he married me.  But at the same time how could I not be?  We have more responsibilities, have been through more experiences, and I have had the joy of becoming a mother.  I am a different person.  And really so is he.  But that doesn't have to be a bad thing.  I think a huge part of being married is learning to grow with each other through all the changes life brings.   I know that no matter what, I want to not only stay married for my kids sake but, I want to have a great marriage for them to look up to.  It can be hard to make that a priority in the hustle and bustle of motherhood but it really is so worth it. (Remind me of that next week) 


Our church service this week had such a great message that I had to share the list of ideas they gave us for building a better marriage.  They are such great, basic tips that its kind of sad that I even need them as a reminder.  So many of these ideas are just ways to do "the little things" which are usually the things that make all the difference.  When I read a couple of them I did the whole side-cough and taped my finger on them while nudging my husband.  A copy is going front and center of our fridge!  *Sorry for the poor quality but the only way I could share this was via a scanned copy.  If it is too small for you to read try clicking on the image for a larger copy or clicking your "zoom in" button on your toolbar:

5 Things...Via designPOST

As I was writing a post for designPOST I realized I needed to share it with my fellow moms too.  I made a list of some things I am loving at the moment and although they are not directly related to Charlotte, they ARE things that you need to know about. Happy wifes happy lifes, right?


Here is my current love list, I'd love to hear about some of your favorites...

Usually I go into a deep depression once summer ends.  Having spent my formative years in California and Florida, I have never felt the necessity for seasons.  Summer and spring work just fine for me!  But this year I am feeling a little giddy for fall.  I am ready for jeans and boots and the cooler weather is making me want to happily hibernate with my family.  There are a couple of other things that I am loving at the moment too. Thanks to Birchbox I have been introduced to some great new cosmetics and thanks to my husband I have been introduced to a great new tv show...

Salvatore Ferragamo: Attimo.  I am very picky about perfume but this one stole my heart.  It smells like something you would smell on that pretty girl in the mall who is dressed perfectly for the season and has great hair.  *I will let you know if my hair improves after wearing this!

makes me smell pretty!

Shopping at the J Crew factory store in Gaffney proved to be a huge success.  Well we called it success, our bank account may call it a set back.  But not nearly as bad as shopping J Crew at regular prices.

Fresh flowers!  It such a simple touch that adds so much life to a room.  My house feels richer just due to the small vases of flowers I have put around.  I will keep this up, I will keep this up, I will keep this up...

Oh, I love how it says "make this!" so casually!  Sure, like it is so simple to have patience and a steady hand, and no interruptions in this house!  My heart will always go pitter-patter for anything covered in chevron stripes!

{source}

My husband and I rarely enjoy the same tv shows.  I just can't understand actually watching baseball.  I get having it on for background noise when you're trying to take a nap but otherwise...? And I just can't seem to to get him to understand the importance of knowing what is going on in the lives of rich, spoiled, delusional housewives.  So aside from Modern Family we were running low on things we could watch together.  That was until... 

laughing makes the heart grow fonder!