making lemonade: using what you've got

I happen to love decorating with lemons (inspiration taken from here)


But let's get real, there is not an open ended budget for things like re-decorating the rooms in our homes each time we have the whim to. So I have started to use what I have (when life hands you decor- get crafty!) and have over time really enjoyed seeing the different things I use re-appear in new ways. Here are some of the latest combinations around my house:

the shutter in action. After all my debating, I decided simple was best for now.

an updated window frame with some updates added by painting an old wood frame white & gluing it onto the window for more dimension:

a combination of some old punch glasses from a set my Grandma gave me, some candles from the dollar store & a candle stand that I got from the local mission thrift store about two years ago.

I also love the idea of using old things to create something new and am so happy to share the final product of the shutter headboard that Michelle and I created. Remember when we purchased these goods back in February:

We started with the shutter which was already a bit shabby due to the fact that we found it at an antique store. Michelle then painted a piece of barn wood that I had left over from some earlier projects with paint that she already had, the tan color from their living room in fact. We designed our own flair with the dream & little fancy parenthesis using my Uppercase Living DIY tool and voila!



So when you feel the urge to redecorate coming out, before you drive yourself to Hobby Lobby, check your kitchen, your husband's workshop and your current set up for inspiration. You might just surprise yourself!

they came, we swapped

I am full of joy from having women in my house this morning bringing laughter and stories and bags and boxes of stuff. And before I tell you how much I loved the swap (and my new stuff), I have to tell you that the community of it was what was life giving today. If I am honest, I woke up a little down this morning, distracted by something that was bothering me. But then friends stepped in with smiles and sunshine and GOOD FOOD. yes. good food helps most things. And I LOVED it and having them.

Including meeting my blog friend Amber for the first time! Isn't it a weird world where internet dating and cyber connections eclipse reality for some? Let me reassure you, we are not those people. But here we are, two girls journeying through life and sharing stories of our everyday, what Amber would call shenanegans. And now we are REAL LIFE friends who are going to get breakfast in a few weeks at a wonderful little cafe in GR where I used to go with Erich when he was in college.

And there were these fun girls who totally jumped right into the sillininess of working a pose within 10 minutes of meeting one another. Thanks to our photographer friend Christy for that inspiration!
Amber, Christy, Joy, Bree, Me, Joy, Michelle, Rochelle

Everyone brought so many great things and the selection really was incredible, including several item still in original packaging, proving that we all have great things that we just don't use! Here are some of my goodies and I can't wait to incorporate them into my decor.

I think the great thing about a swap is that you could do almost anything- books, accessories, clothing...possibilities are endless. Here a few things that I learned:

*Offer to bring all extra items to Goodwill- that way your guests really do only go home with new items and after all, they brought stuff they want to get rid of so help them do it.
* One cannot underestimate the necessity of good coffee and food for girlfriends. Crucial to the success of any get together and added a lot of extra mingling to the party.
*The more the merrier- invite friends to invite their friends. The more people you have, the more great stuff to choose from and the more opportunity for people to connect with other women they have not met before.

currently obsessed with..

the phenomenon of the REDBOX


You mean, I can just drive up to Walgreen's door or casually stop by after finishing my grocery shopping at Meijer (already a good enough thing in itself) and pick up a movie? Without painfully pacing the aisles, debating a drama or a comedy in open air for all to observe while Ryan & I debate who picked last time...amazing!

I'm not sure how it began but I do know that we have realized that the new budget program with life as a full time student allows for different types of entertainment and that we can rent 20 redboxes for the movie & popcorn that we were going to see tonight. So happily, to the joyful little Redbox we went tonight for a date night in and all are happy because we can wear our pjs and eat fresh out of the oven oatmeal cookies in bed with our $1.06 movie.

Have you tried the box? :)

getting crafty

I don't know about everyone else but I think we have started to move from the wedding most weekends phase to the baby shower phase. Which is a happy transition but there are still a few weddings each summer and about a year ago, I started to realize how quickly each time I would run to Bed Bath & Beyond with my 20% coupons in hand and scour the aisles for the perfect potholder or cocktail set.

One wedding it hit me as I recieved a gorgeous invitation that I set on my side table, then moved to my fridge and eventually threw away. So much heart is put into every detail of a wedding, including the invite, and what a shame for that to go to waste. So I started a new wedding gift tradtion. Sorry BBB.

I began by purchaing an 5x7 or 8x10 frame, depending on the invitation's size, and using craft paper or whatever layout worked best, then frame the invite as our gift. We are headed to a wedding on the east side of the state in 2 weeks and here is the one I made yesterday as an example (covered up the date for the sake of the couple's privacy).

I also have found that a bulk size pack of tissue paper and plain gift bags have been a great investment. I don't have to worry about not having the right bag and running into Target between the wedding & reception for wrapping stuff (don't tell me you haven't been there too!).

a day in pictures

the big 2-6 turned out to be such a great day from beginning to end. It began with waking up and deciding that instead of working out, I would make some morning glory muffins. which were then enjoyed ala breakfast in bed watching multiple episodes of Arrested Development on Hulu with Ryan, who just so happened to be working from home.

on to an afternoon of coffee with my mom & 2 brothers,and a surprise gift! A whole box of party stuff like napkins, paper plates, etc. I don't think they knew I would be so happy about it but the fact that it had to be in the picture might have given them a clue.


When I got home, there was a card on the counter with 2 little cards inside from Ry. A nice card, despite the silly picture but that is what you get for a dog lover. The cards were for my choice for dinner and to go shopping for one thing that I wanted.

Red Robin was a MUST for dinner, hello! they give you a free burger on your b-day for signing up for their e-newsletter. freesy easy! Whisky River BBQ burger and bottomless fries. Then on to Coldstone for my free "like it" that I got the same way...yum. And my shopping choice, some new sandals that I LOVE. Thanks babe, it was such a great night!

kneading dough...actually just needing dough

because I need to start thinking about bringing in more of this:

I am seriously contemplating selling this

could be a fun way to earn a little extra money & meet some new friends...I have been thinking about it since that day in Southwest MI...
but right now I need sleep...so more thoughts to come!

the perfect combo

today we did this:

and then ate...I mean shopped here:

have you ever experienced the joy of Whole Food's samples? Honestly, it was like a full meal after we made 2 rounds of the store. Yes, 2 rounds back-to-back. No shame and it felt like our own little post-workout date. for free. take that budget!

Recession-Proof Resteraunte

As many of you know, I have moved to part-time employee status in recent months. This has brought me many WONDERFUL freedoms which cannot be measured financially but also means that I have to be reminded on a regular basis that even though I feel so happy, my portion of the pocketbook is half as thick as it was before (and I can't say I was ever in it for the dollas in the first place).

Good things going on in the Wallace household as we feel united right now about where we are & the fact that Ryan is and should be taking classes online through Moody. But these things all add up right? Didn't think tuition would be a line item in 2008, or 2009, or 2010.

In order to factor in new expenses, I have started, for the 3rd time, to use a FREE online budgeting tool called "MINT" to manage daily transactions, like $2 at the Peanut Store on Swedish Fish & those little extras that just sneak their way into my heart...I mean cart! The thing that I quickly noticed using Mint is that we spend WAY too much on a regular basis on eating out. Way too much.

So, in my efforts to get creative, this is what I have come up with. I will commit to making meals at home on a more regular basis, give it a real trial for a one month and see what difference it makes in our spending habits and overall lifestyle. And because arts & crafts make everything seem more fun and maybe a tiny bit less grown up, here is what I did:

Step 1:
Grocery shop with a list in hand & meals in mind.

Step 2:
Consult monthly planner to identify dinners at home & plan for fun date nights and dinner out with friends.

Step 3:
Create crafty calendar to disguise the regimented meal plan using groceries as purchased in Step 1.

I will keep you posted on how it goes! Ryan isn't so much as convinced yet, but I figure one month can't kill anybody...As long as I don't try to make a low-fat version of his mom's hamburg pie again. Yikes.

Anybody else have any little helpful savings tips they use on a regular basis?