Happy Wednesday! Wait...it's only Tuesday. YOU GUYS - IT'S ONLY TUESDAY (WAH!).
Anyway...
On Sunday, Kyle and I went out to eat at a local brunch restaurant downtown. The restaurant is a pretty nice place, so I decided to wear a new skirt I found at one of my favorite boutiques,Brooklynn's, in Woodstock. My favorite part of this look is the skirt - which, by the way, I snagged for only $12 bucks on the clearance rack! I can't recommend this store enough;they have the latest styles for a fashionable gal, and you can pretty much always find choices for 40 bucks and under (I usually stick to the sale racks, but I'm a bargainista through and through!)
I also adored the vintage blouse I stole..errr, I mean "borrowed" from my grandmother's closet. I believe that the latest styles are usually just modifications of something that was "in" decades ago, so I always take inspiration from my gran's vintage pieces. She owned her very own boutique back in the day called "Jody's Junction" and has always had a knack for knowing what flatters a woman and what doesn't. The store closed its doors decades ago, but Gran's looks continue to be timeless and lovely. I adored the outfit I wore that day because it pieced together the old and the new - a brand new skirt and my grandmother's worn yet timeless blouse.
Plaid Skirt - Available in store only - Similar style here
On MLK day, I watched a documentary on Netflix called Living on One Dollar. In the hour long film, four college students ventured off to a small village in Guatemala to truly find out what it's like to live in extreme poverty. They allotted themselves a dollar a day per person for an entire summer, attempted to start their own business growing vegetables, and spent every night sleeping in a hut, surrounded by bugs, filth, and sickness. By the end of the trip, they had each lost around 20 pounds, been eaten away by bugs, and ingested parasites from unclean water, but they were thrilled with their newfound knowledge of what it's like to live with less.
Things that we take for granted on a daily basis, these young men learned to value. When they were able to eat a banana, which was a rare treat, they savored it as if it was the most wonderful thing they had ever tasted. I'm not like that. I don't truly appreciate and savor the things I've been given. Do you?
While most would assume their neighbors, who also lived in extreme poverty, would be regularly unhappy and selfish with their own goods (because they had so little so begin with), the exact opposite was true. Most people in the village couldn't find steady work. They didn't know if they could afford to send their kids to school, treat serious illnesses that were bound to occur, or even feed their family that day. Despite this, they were always friendly, selfless, and giving.
How ironic is it that in the US we are given so many opportunities, have access to clean water, reliable healthcare, nice clothing, and fancy cars, yet we often don't possess the same godly characteristics?
I am senseless with my money. Most of us are. This morning, for instance, I rationalized spending 7 dollars at Starbucks for a latte and pumpkin bread, when that seven dollars could have fed an entire family in a third world country for a week. Every morning, I wake up in a 2500 square foot home, step into my walk in closet filled with clothes I hardly wear, and spend 20 minutes in a nice, heated shower. I need none of this to survive or find true happiness.
Because we're raised in such privilege, we've convinced ourselves that we need unneccessary items to be content. I need that new shirt. I need to have a nice car, or a car at all. I need to have the newest Iphone. I need to spend money on things so people will percieve me a certain way. Meanwhile, in countless places across the world and even in our own country, people are just attempting to survive. It's a horrible reality that most of us have been trained to ignore. We're so wrapped up in our own wants and selfishness, we have become numb to the genuine needs of others. I am 110% guilty of this.
I'm not trying to make anyone feel bad about living well or occasionally buying a new outfit, because there's nothing wrong with that in moderation; this is me admitting my own struggle with trying to find contentment in the items that are stocked at my local clothing store. But the truth is, this stuff...is just stuff. It gives me no added value. When I'm dead and gone, the last thing I want is for people to look at my legacy and say, "she had really nice things." Nobody will care about my possessions because they didn't help anyone. What did you do while you were here to better our world?
Simply put, I don't want to live this way. I can't anymore, because I've realized that no amount of material possessions will bring me happiness. Rather, experiences, loving on others, loving God, and giving selflessly will only bring true, unshakeable joy.
This past weekend, Kyle and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. We've planned an anniversary cruise for next month (WHOOP WHOOP!), so we decided to keep our weekend celebrations pretty low key. We drove down to Atlantic Station (a trendy little outlet mall in the heart of Atlanta) and spent the day there. We browsed through stores we could never afford, played in Ikea, and enjoyed the scenery/weather.
Ruffled Cream Top - Vintage
Old Navy Olive Skinnies- Similar style here (SALE!)
For dinner, we went to our absolute favorite burger joint, The Vortex. Guys, if you haven't been there and you don't have to cross the ocean to get to Atlanta, get in your car and go - NOW. Seriously, it's that good. One of the things I love most about The Vortex is their interesting menu choices. For our appetizer, we ordered a Mac 'N' Cheesy-Changa. Basically, it was a chimichanga filled with pork, mac and cheese, and "cheesy-cheese goo." Oh, the deliciousness (aka, holy calories). But hey, it was our anniversary. We're allowed to indulge every once in a while, right? I had the Yokohama-Mama burger for my entree (a teriyaki glazed burger with a pineapple on top) and it was just as amazing. Far warning though - It is a BAR, and you have to be 21 to get in. Oh, and the menu is rife with hilarious but wildly inappropriate commentary. You've been warned.
Our celebration was simple, but it fit our personalities to a "T" and we had a great time!
This week has gone by SO fast! I love waking up feeling like it's Tuesday and realizing you're almost done with your work week. As if this week couldn't get any better, on January 18th, Kyle and I will be celebrating our one year wedding anniversary. I can't believe how fast a year has flown by. People always tell me your first year of marriage is the hardest, but I think it was the best year of my life. We will probably celebrate by going down to Atlanta for a nice dinner and some exploring - we're saving the real celebration for our anniversary cruise next month. :)
ANYWAY, enough of the sappy stuff - The outfit below was something I paired together for an afternoon out with my hubs. It was FREEZING out, so I knew a warm, cuddly scarf was a must. The downside of those kinds of scarfs though is feeling like the rest of my outfit was drowning in it. I needed a pop of color to outshine the scarf, and my red cowboy boots were just the ticket! I actually got lots of compliments on this look, and I felt warm and stylish all day long.
Gap Polka Dot Boyfriend Blouse - Similar style here (ON SALE!)
Rampage Walden Red Boots - Peep them here (ON SALE!)
Levi's 535 Leggings - Similar style here (Style "Indigo Affection" ON SALE!)
Loose-Knit Fringe Scarf - Similar style here (ON CLEARANCE!)
As if y'all didn't know by now, Kyle and I are pretty cheap...I
mean frugal. We do a lot of stuff to save money that leave most people shaking
their heads thinking, "Are they crazy?" The simple answer is yes
- we are totally insane. We are crazy enough to prioritize being
retired in our early thirties, and in order to make that goal attainable, we
have to make changes right now. Some of these changes are small such as
making sure to turn lights off when we don't need them. Others take greater
sacrifice such as leaving our house at 58 degrees in the dead of winter
(believe me, it's harder than it sounds). If you have similar goals as ours,
rest assured that you can achieve them; you just have to get started.
Although we're good about avoiding most unnecessary indulgences, going out
to eat is something we rarely resist. We love to spend time with one another,
completely unconcerned about whether or not we've burnt a meal or misread a
cooking instruction. In fact, we eat out at least twice a week. But we do it consciously
- aka we are very careful about where we go, what we order, and looking
for deals prior to the meal. Check out our tips for eating out on a
budget:
1. Say no to drinks, appetizers, and desserts
I die a little inside when a restaurant charges me three bucks for a coke
when I could buy an entire 2 liter for one dollar! It's totally unfair, but the
fact is that most restaurants have every intention of screwing you over with
their prices on drinks, appetizers, and desserts. My advice? AVOID
THEM! They are totally unnecessary to having an enjoyable meal. Oh, if
you're one of those people who has to have an "appetizer" before your
meal, just go to a restaurant that serves free bread or chips. BAM - Free
appetizer. You're welcome. Another tip - if you tend to crave sodas like I do, have one before you go out to eat. They will be much less tempting when you get to the restaurant, and you can order water instead.
2. Eat Local
Almost every week, Kyle and I enjoy "Taco Tuesday" at a local
Mexican restaurant. They only charge you one dollar per taco, and they so
good! I usually order two tacos, Kyle will order three, and we will have the
free chips and salsa as an "appetizer." When it's all said and done,
we end up spending around 8 bucks with tip (and even cheaper when we order take
out). That's a heck of a deal, and there are plenty more to go around. On
Wednesdays, we get a dozen oysters for five bucks at our favorite seafood
joint, and on the weekends, we get 50% off sushi and hibachi from a local
Japanese restaurant. Take the time to check out your local non-chain restaurants;
they almost always have awesome deals to bring in new customers who may not
have tried them otherwise.
3. Sign up for Email Clubs
Let's say you and your family are planning to enjoy a meal out together this
Saturday. What should you do in the mean time? Sign up for that
restaurant's email club, of course! Most chain restaurants will send
you a free appetizer, dessert, or sometimes even a meal within a day or two
after signing up.The deals don't end after that first
promotion - they will usually send you coupons pretty regularly and even
something free on your birthday! If you're proactive and plan ahead before an
evening out, I guarantee you will find a way to save some money.
4. Look out for special promotions
This past weekend, Kyle and I went out to enjoy a meal at O’Charley’s.
Already a pretty affordable place, right? It gets better! From 3-9 every
single day, they offer four dollar appetizers. We were pretty
intrigued by this deal and chose to order a few appetizers for our meals
instead of entrees. We had chili cheese nachos, friend pickles, and mozzarella
sticks to share between the two of us. Plus, we received a 20% off coupon in
our email, so we applied that to the bill. With tip, we paid 13 bucks and left
with full bellies. If you're willing to think outside of the box when ordering
out, you're bound to find better deals.
5. Splita meal
For those of you who don't have large appetites, splitting is a great
option. You still leave the restaurant full, and you don't have to worry about
where you're going to fit those to-go boxes in your fridge. If your appetite is
a little too big for splitting but you still want to save some cash, order an
appetizer and one meal. Appetizers will always be cheaper than an
entree, and you usually get the same amount of food. When Kyle and I
go to Texas Roadhouse, for example, we usually split the country fried chicken
and an appetizer of cheese fries. For our two sides that come with the entree,
we order a salad for each of us. It still feels like a full meal, but
we're actually saving about 7 or 8 dollars. Oh, and if you're super savvy and
managed to snag a coupon for a free appetizer, you're saving even more! Go you!
Disclaimer - Being frugal and smart with your money does not give
you the right to leave a crappy tip. If you can't afford to leave the waiter at
least 15% (we always leave around 18% or more), then don't go out to eat. Don't
be a bad person. Thanks guys :-)
Side Note- How did we not catch on that Lance Bass was gay back then?! Shame on us.
I don't know about y'all, but I am SO excited for the weekend! The first week back from Christmas vacation is always the hardest, so when the weekend finally rolls around, I am one happy camper.
Kyle and I usually keep the weekends pretty simple - dinner at one of our favorite spots, movie marathons at home, long walks with our dog, late night coffee, book store visits - that's about it! While some may say that's boring, we always have a great time. We pretty much grew out of our "partying college ways" errr, in college. Now we're content to be old people. Don't hate!
For the weekend (and pretty much every other day of the week), I like to keep my looks cute and comfortable. A good staple piece, some eye catching accessories, and a wedge boot have basically been my uniform for the duration of winter. The look below totally incompasses my style preferences!
Rue 21 Red Rose Statement Necklace - Similar style here
Kate Spade Cedar Street Colorblock Shoulder Bag - Similar style here
New Direction Black Wedge Boots - Similar style here (ON SALE!)
Oh and just so everyone's clear - I will never, ever EVER post stuff on this blog that the average woman can't afford. I'm not going to play it off that I have a ton of money to blow on material goods, because I don't. I'd rather have my house paid off! When I show you similar pieces to what I'm wearing, rest assured that nine times out of ten it will be well within your budget (except for purses - because I am a complete sucker for them). Not encouraging bad spending behavior over here!
So I'm typically not one to make New Year's Resolutions - to me, if you want to change your life, you don't need a certain day of the year to make it happen. However, even I can admit the old adage of "new year, new me!" is something that really excites me nowadays! My life is wonderful in so many ways, but there will always be room for improvements. Check out a few of my goals for the new year (and no, "getting in great shape" isn't one of them!):
1. Trust God wholeheartedly
Y'all, I make a ton of mistakes when I don't ask God for help. I can't see the future or where I'll be in ten years, so why would it make sense to think I could make good decisions for my life without seeking God's wisdom? It's not possible! Though it's hard to let God have the steering wheel, I have found that I am more at peace after doing so. Relying on him has taken so much pressure off me, and I only expect even greater things to come from trusting in him.
2. Travel A LOT
I'm young, I have few responsibilities (aside from my dog and being a good wifey), and I live a very frugal lifestyle with my husband. We can afford to see the world, and now is the time to take the opportunity! Besides, if we have kids in a few years, we can kiss all the fun vacations good bye (for a while, at least). So far, we're planning to travel to Honduras, The Bahamas, Mexico, Las Vegas, Paris, and Rome. I'm definitely looking forward to putting even more places on that list as the year progresses!
3. Make Unapologetic Choices
Do you hear that? It's opinions, EVERYWHERE. Your family, friends, acquaintances - they all feel like they've earned the right to say whatever pops into their heads about your life. Though those opinions are usually valued, you cannot let them dictate how you live. Looking into the new year, my hope is that I make decisions based on the wants and needs of my own family. I'd hate to look back and realize I made major life choices based on what other people told me to do. Feeling guilty about living life our way ends now!
4. Get comfortable in my new town
I've been living outside of Atlanta for a little over a year now. Despite that, I still refer to Gastonia as "home." It's time to create a new home for myself, here in Georgia. This means getting out of my shell, making friends, and getting involved with organizations that inspire me. Of course I'll never take for granted where I came from and the friends I made while living in North Carolina, but it's time to make a new life in the here and now!
5. Make my home feel more like a home
My husband and I built our own home about a year ago. It's a huge blessing and certainly something we're proud of, but right now, it still looks like a "cookie cutter" house. The walls are white, decorations are awkwardly hung (Lord knows I'm not an interior designer), and there's a pile of unused frames and portraits sitting in our "junk room" (yes, there's a whole room). This year, I want to make our home a reflection of our taste and personalities. If that means painting the dining room bright red and having a giant elephant statue sitting in the corner, so be it! It's our home and it will be beautiful.
So I've been meaning to write this post for a few days now, but I've just been so busy - being completely lazy. Seriously y'all, I've slept til noon, watched one too many Dr. Phil episodes, read books, you name it. Productivity simply was not on the to do list - until now!
On the 26th, my mom asked me to meet her and some family at a local outlet mall for some after Christmas shopping. My husband was totally confused, understandably. "You just got tons of gifts yesterday. You need to go shopping already?!" Little did hubs know, you can find the best deals the day after Christmas. And when I say good deals, I mean like I may move Christmas a week forward in our family to save all that extra cash (kidding, kind of). Check out what I managed to snag:
1. Old Navy Terry Fleece Dress
Original Price: $29.94
What I paid: $10.00
2. Bailey Blue Polka Dot Dress w/ Full Skirt
Original Price: $56
What I paid: $3.99
And yes, I was a fifties housewife in another life.
3. Baccini Ruffle Pleather Jacket in Grey Ghost
Original Price: $64
What I paid: $7.99
4. Cathy Daniel's Polka Dot Blouse
Original Price: $48
What I paid: $7.99
5. Old Navy Little Black Dress
Original Price: $29.94
What I paid: $8
6. Old Navy Matte-Crepe Top in Fan the Flames
Front of Shirt
Back of Shirt
Original Price: $29.94
What I paid: $6
7. Old Navy Gold Buckle Black Loafers
Original Price: $29.94
What I paid: $8.00
Total Price: $288
What I Paid: $52 bucks!
Hope you all have a beautiful start to the new year,
