Savvy Savings!

I've noticed, it is a great time to go shopping this week! All the stores are clearing out their winter inventory and making way for, (I can't believe I'm about to say this) SPRING! It's hard to think about with snow still on the ground, and frigid temps in the mornings, (at least at my house with the wind-chill before 10a.m.), but what a perfect time to grab the one trend item for the season, or stock up on gifts for next year!

Along with apparel shopping, I'm also talking grocery Savvy Shopping. Maybe most of you know already, but I'm putting it out there for the reminder to take advantage of the great offers out there that most stores are trying to earn your loyalty.
For example: Walmart has double coupon day on Tuesdays, they will double manufacturers coupons up to $1.00 or match a sale price from a competitor with ad. Make sure you go to the designated checkout lanes as to avoid confusion with the other sales associates who may get confused. Another one I've found is Kmart. (I am stocked up for a year with toothpaste, deoderant, shampoo, and paper towels.) They will also double up to 5 coupons per customer on Wednesdays and Saturdays and have a rewards card you can turn your points into cash at anytime on your purchases. Be sure to watch the expiration date on those points.

This may take a bit more planning, and organizing, but definately worth it! I love seeing the total add up then, slowly taken down with coupons.
You could also go beyond just saving the money, and actually SAVE the money you are actually saving in a jar for a reward. Simply look at the bottom of your receipt and put the cash in you saved from your shopping trip! Just a tip I learned from my frugal momma!
If you know of any more great sales or offers please share, making all of our lives a bit more blissful!

Making Memories Last!

C'mon, admit it! We all know each of us have a box somewhere in that storage room, that has made its move to every living space with us since we turned 18 and moved out. Or since your parents decided to turn your bedroom into their theater/exercise room/craft room and your mom said "here, do something with this, it's yours now." Well, then what are supposed to do with all the 4-H trophies, competition ribbons & medals, t-shirts from every camp you ever attended, and of course not to forget those heavy yearbooks you really never look at again?

Solution: Take a picture of the trophies and medals, maybe you already have a pic with you holding it when the event actually happened. Let's face it, none of us are proudly displaying all of the little league sportsmanship trophies we won, because we lost every game that 1986 season. So what to do with the little gems after, giving to goodwill sounds okay, or I have another funny story. Regift to your kids replacing the plaque with their name on it for something amazing they have done. Our 6 year old still has the one we gave him on top of his dresser for being the 2nd best Red Rover player in Preschool after mom of course, because he wished he could be as good as mom and have his own trophy. Still laughing at that one, but cheapest, best then 4 year old birthday present ever!

And how about all the t-shirts you've collected over the years from every camp or college or souvenir from traveling? Why not keep them and turn it into a quilt? Easy tutorial here: http://www.goosetracks.com/.

Such a fun and blissful way to still have those memories for you, and to have proof to your kids that you were cool once!
 As for the yearbooks, if you are not so attached and don't have that wishful library room in your house yet, maybe consider ripping out the pages carefully with an exacto knife that mean the most to you, and tucking inside some acid-free sheet protectors, and scrapbook them with the pics of the trophies. I recently had a friend tell me she widdled down a huge tote, to 1 scrapbook, making her life and storage more blissful!

Craftroom Makeover

Remember the plastic table I turned into an outdoor table with an umbrella? (Previous post) Well, it was in my craft room, then I found this beauty!

I know, you're probably saying, "What was she thinking?" But for $8 at a yard sale, with a little sand, paint, craft paper, modge podge, new knobs ($5 at Hobby Lobby), and a little love, $13 later we have...

I love it! It transformed my highly undecorated, unmotivating, craft room, into a more anticipated jumping off point to finish this room. More to come on that. In the meantime, you can find all kinds of containers and helps around the house to help you organize some of your own creative spaces.


Simple little rubbermaid containers can hold those small buttons and little spools of ribbon. These ones form a moon shape, so when stored close together make a full circle, or you could use square or rectangle ones for stacking also.




This is an inexpensive craft organizer purchased from Walmart, for just a couple bucks. Helps store beads, sorted by color and size.




This one is my own invention of an on-the-counter- towel rack used as a larger ribbon holder. The spools already come with a perfect size hole to slide these babies on.




Also my own idea, a used dishwasher detergent container, turned craft paint holder. It is the perfect heighth for storing brushes with the paint. Using some of the craft paper matching the desk, and painting the words "Paint" with puffy paint, it is well used as you can see.




Reusable glass jars are a pretty touch too! Storing anything your imagination holds!

 Organizing doesn't have to cost alot. See what you can find around your house to help you start organizing your own creative, blissful space!

Cash for Clutter!

Now is the perfect time of year to start decluttering. I love this time of year when it is too cold to go out, you've put the holiday stuff away, and you can start Spring Cleaning early. Start with just a closet, you'll be amazed how much better the space feels and yourself. Before you toss everything out though, consider selling a few items and earn some Christmas cash for next year!

• Small kitchen appliances-expecially bread, pasta, and expresso machines. Sometimes people just sell these items at yard sales, but they could go for almost 20 times as much on eBay. Just make sure you're upfront about the condition of the item.
• Video Games- gazelle.com will pay up to $30 per game as well as shipping costs. They also buy used electronics and old movies.
• "Tacky" Sweaters-believe it or not these beautiful hand-knitted, appliqued, brightly colored holiday sweaters are back in high demand. Resale online or at consignment shops.
• 1950's furniture-dining tables, dressers, desks, bed frames, and vanities all in good condition will sell easily, some the same day at consignment stores, or you might get more out of them on eBay or Etsy.
• Vintage Electronics-if they are still working, collectors will pay top dollar for these. Tape decks, LP Turntables, amplifiers, and high-end speaker systems, pre-1980's stereo and hi-fi equipment.
• Lunchpails-rare-mint condition can go for $20-$50 for pre 1990 metal or plastic boxes, earlier could go for thousands! Try yardsellr.com, a no-fee site like ksl.com/classifieds
• Gold-around $1800 an oz. right now is great time to cash in some old gold chains or mateless earrings sitting in your jewelry box. You can check out your local jewelry store to see if they purchase gold or go to mygoldparty.com to learn about hosting a gold-selling party.

I organized an office for a friend/neighbor about a year ago, and wish I took my camera. It only took us 3 hours-$40 my fee-and she sold all kinds of old medical recorder equipment online for well over a thousand dollars! It helped her pay off some debt, and she had a beautiful, full-functioning office to work from home in, and a space for her children to do homework next to her. If you don't want to mess with taking pics and selling online, you could also consider starting a Yard Sale pile maybe to donate the proceeds to another person in need. Just make sure you label in totes or boxes for Yard Sale and designate a different box for stuffed animals, clothes, etc., so when time comes to set-up in the driveway you're already organized.
So, now is the perfect time to declutter, and make your spaces, (even if it's just a closet), a little more blissful!

10 Ideas to help ring in 2012!

I know this may sound a little hypacritical after the last post, but you can't serve other people unless you take care of yourself first. This year it is my goal to be more calm, cool, and collected. Thus being more organized, finishing things I start, and feeling better about myself and my surroundings!

1. Taking care of yourself is Job One. No one else can do it for you. Putting yourself at the top of your to-do list is not selfish; it's actually self-preservation.
2. Today is the starting line. When I was younger I hardly ever wore sunscreen, thinking after the first burn I'll just brown. I was wrong. I am now trying to erase those sun-spots, (good thing I'm an independent beauty consultant). No matter how bad your habits have been until now, if you change them today, you can be a little healthier by tomorrow.
3. Fad diets don't work. Lose too fast (more than 2 pounds per week) and you lose muscle along with fat. then if you overeat again, the weight comes back and so does the fat-but not the muscle. The result: a sluggish metabolism, so your body needs less food and it's harder to lose the next time. What works? Slow, steady shrinking.
4. Beauty comes from inside. Even if I have a pimple, feel exhausted and have been eating too much chocolate, I tell myself: Smile! No one notices your imperfections, but everyone notices your bad mood. I may never be a great beauty, but I can always try to be a great person. That's way more attractive!
5. Having fun keeps you young. It's that simple. I think kickboxing is fun, especially when I'm challenging myself. Plus, I have the coolest instructor, who is soooo fun! I feel so much better every morning, then I'm ready to tackle the day. Figure out how you have the most fun, and do more of that.
6. Confidence is key. I love the concept of the word empowerment. To me, it means caring less about what others think and doing what's right for you. Follow your heart, and it will lead you to your best you.
7. Giving back feels like getting. We all worry we don't have enough time, money, or commitment to get involved in a cause.  But the truth is, giving back, even if it's with little gestures, is the most fulfilling thing in life.
8. Growing means taking risks. Being fearful is natural, but getting beyond your barriers leads to growth and reward. Move ahead, even when it terrifies you. You'll be happy you did.
9. We are all too hard on ourselves. We need to cut ourselves a break. I always feel like I have to do more/better/faster/sooner! And yet I encourage other women and tell them, Good job! If only we could praise ourselves the way we lavish compliments on others. Try!
10. This is your moment. There is always work to do, bills to pay, pounds to lose.  Forget all that, and live this very moment to its fullest. The rest can wait. Right now is the only moment that exists. Make it count!

So whether it's a daily tip to live by or a grand-scheme ideas that shapes your long-term thinking, my wish for you and myself this year is to grow and be more blissful from within!