Grocery Shopping 101

As a relatively new grocery shopper, I probably overpay for many of my purchases.
However, I am in a nutrition class this semester and we are learning all about grocery shopping well
My thrifty side is loving every minute of learning!
I am sure most of you already know these but, here are some of my favorite tips so far:

Stores will reduce one item to advertise, but mark up another to compensate for their loss and your "savings" - so its best to shop at two grocery stores

Coupon cutting helps! American consumers saved $3 billion dollars in 2005 from clipping coupons, most of the coupons were from Sunday newspapers, but they can also be found in magazines and online :)

Study grocery store's flyers online to find the best prices on household staples and to save time by not running around

Always check the unit price, bigger is not always cheaper

Also, something I ALWAYS do when I'm shopping online is google coupon codes before I check out, it usually gets me at least free shipping :)

Do any of you have any price cutting tips? :)

A, B, C, all the way to Z! :)

In conclusion, A is for Arbonne and Apple Pie... and Z is for Zebra print and Zzzz's and all of the wonderful things in between!

I had such a fun time blogging every letter!

I guess we'll just have to wait to see what comes next :)

Lets Talk About Zebra Print! :)

Zebra Print... some people love it some people hate it.

However, I prefer to take a healthier approach to it,
like all things, it can be great
...in moderation :)

It can look adorable as an accent to decor (love this room!)

photo credit

yet can even blend in as a more lively piece in a simple room...

photo credit

...not to mention can SUBTLY add fun to a wardrobe!
...plus, if Carrie Bradshaw wears it, it can't be all wrong, right? :)


In conclusion, the lesson learned is that zebra print, while often loud, obnoxious, and tacky, is not the fault of the print itself, simply user error.

I hope you ladies have a lovely last week of October
and enjoy the BEAUTIFUL weather before it gets cold! :)

Futbol: The Last Chapter

Tonight is my last soccer game on our home field.
I have grown to love this group of girls over the past four years,
more than I thought possible .

It felt like some days would never end but four years sped by so quickly!

I want to be Kathleen Kelly when I grow up!

You've got mail always makes me smile :)

Tom Hanks is adorable and Meg Ryan does the "kindergarden teacher" look in the cutest way possible!

I know she is only a character but I wish I could be as confident in myself as she is. I speak up far too little. When I do speak up it seems to be about insignificant trifles that don't really matter all that much.

I also love how she enjoys simple things, almost as a child would, yet is not childish. I think, those who live life getting excited about small things and trying to be optimistic are often looked at as childish, when that really is not the case at all. It takes a good deal of maturity to keep the difficult things of life in the right perspective. They need to be kept in a place where they are not merely blown off, but do not ruin a day either.

Above all, I love her honesty and dedication. So often I try to make situations look better than they truly are, but am entirely terrible at making myself vulnerable. I know I have missed out on developing more meaningful relationships with people because I was so busy trying to look put together, rather than living in my own shoes.

Anyways, I know I have looked into this movie much more than necessary,
but I do love it,
and it does make me smile :)

Crafts, Ready In Time For Christmas!

Words CANNOT describe how much I love the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays! I know, we have time still and I am not in Christmas mode yet...


...but I have still been looking for fun Christmas craft ideas!

I am not a huge fan of the whole commercial Santa and presents thing, more of a "reason for the season" believer, but still love the giving spirit that seems to come over so many during this season!

One of my favorite times of the whole year is the week after finals week in December. Classes are over, I am home with my family, and we have nothing to do but get ready for Christmas!

During this time I LOVE to craft. My mind is still comatose from the previous week, but my creative side takes over and makes decorating and crafting all the more fun!

With that said, here are some of my Christmas crafts I can't wait to try :)

1. I am a huge fan of wreaths. In my mind they can make any door look welcoming. Not only do I think this wreath would look adorable on my door for the Christmas season, but doesn't it just make you smile? :)


The tutorial for this wreath can be found on Cheryl's blog a pretty cool life (which I HIGHLY suggest checking out) or you can buy one in her etsy shop!

Out of all of the blog reading I do, a pretty cool life is probably one of my favorites :)


2. A quilted Christmas? Yes please! I LOVE this tree skirt. In my opinion, the tree skirt pretty much makes or breaks a Christmas tree. Wouldn't this be adorable under a tree with matching stockings? :) Just an idea though...

Visit the tutorial here. I love it because you can purchase a kit or just follow the tutorial yourself!

I need to stop blogging about Christmas though or I will end up way too excited and break out Christmas music or some other sort of craziness like that!

Have a happy Tuesday! :)

PS - this is the best I could do to share the letter "X" with all of you, like X-mas? Maybe? :)

Wellingtons for "W" :)

Okay ladies, quite honestly, I am ready to be finished with this alphabet! I know, its my blog, I can do whatever I want. This blog event can end whenever I decide (believe me, I have been told this a number of times) but, I figure, if I can't even finish a blog event, that is not a good sign for real life!

So, since the letter "V" was blogged (a little out of order) as a victory, I wanted to share with all of you beautiful readers my favorite thing about the letter "W" right now!

Ever since my birthday (in August :P) when I was blessed with a pair of Hunter Wellingtons, I have been putting together wet weather outfits just for the fun of it :)

So, you guessed it!
The letter "W" is all about Wellys! :)

Not only do I LOVE the versatility Wellingtons bring to rainy weather, but am also completely loving the different socks offered for them!


Hunter has a whole collection but I also found an adorable shop on etsy that features these Welly socks, or slugs as they call them


Be sure to stop by Those Alaskan Girls Etsy shop. Not only do they have adorable products but I am in love with the photography as well, as you can see above!

It makes me want to try and make some myself, especially because my boots are red, and there are not many socks that match that color :/

I know, two posts in a row about boots seems somewhat silly, but 'tis the season for boot wearing!

I am so excited to have a FULL week off for fall break this week, I plan to be very productive. Hmmm, we will see :)

U is for Uggs! :)

I was a little behind the curve when it came to adding Uggs to my winter wardrobe. I thought the classic boots were hideous and firmly stood on that platform, until my sisters both had them and wore them with EVERYTHING. Needless to say, I bought a pair, and now agree they are the most comfortable boots ever.

With the first sign of cold weather, I visited the website to pick out a pair of Dakota slippers and fell in love with these:


The Highkoo II.
I wish I could squeeze them into my budget somehow, but I have tried every way possible and the only solution would be to, you know, not eat or something.

I'm sure most of you have heard that the Ugg children's sizes run pretty large. My classic pair is actually a kid's size 6 rather than a women's size 8. Unfortunately, the Highkoo II boot is not made for Children (so sad) but the Dakota is :)

So, no Highkoo II for me, but I did get an adorable pair of chestnut Dakota's for $60 instead of the $100 adult price!


Slippers: check!

I would never say "bring on the cold" but I am now ready for when it comes :)

Where is October???

Is it just me or did the weather skip October and jump straight into the cold of November?
Usually winter clothes are slowly phased into the wardrobe... not this year I guess.
Pea coats here I come! :)

While I get over my cold weather shock, here are some giveaways for you to enjoy:


Southern Proper Giveaway At Kitchen Belleicious!
Be sure to mention I sent you! :)

True Prep Giveaway at Sweet Southern Prep!

Pleated Poppy Giveaway At Bird Crafts!

I'm sure we will at least get a few more warm days in before we get into the thick of the coldness of winter... surely :)