What a Steal!

My garage sale haul (part 2!).  See part one here.

The day was extremely cold and rainy.  But I bundled myself and Gavin up in our warmest comfiest clothes and we headed out to a subdivision.  The selection was a little surprising, considering how nice the mansions homes were.  Maybe I've lived in an apartment too long...but I saw a bunch of junk there!  I walked off with some of the best of it.

The Gavi-tron will have dress shirts to wear to church in EVERY size until he moves out...and I'll have gotten them for a steal!  Plus, I got him a sweater vest.  It's soooo cute.

Look how cute that little polo is!  It's so soft!

But don't go thinking that I only bought stuff for Gavin.  I managed to score myself a pair of jeans (Gap) for $10 and 2 shirts at $2 a piece.  Yesterday, I wore one of the shirts to work with a skirt that I got from a garage sale as well!  Total price of skirt (Jones New York) and top (Target) = $5.  Paired with some Target clearance tights, I felt like a frugal gal!  But I'm pretty sure no one else noticed, since I received lots of complements.  But if you know me in real life, I paid full price for them and I've never worn anything from Target.  They were designer labels.  

How about you?  Any garage sale scores or hauls?  Please share.

God Intervenes

Today I was reading a new blog (all about a family of 6 living under $28,000 a year!), when I found this page.  The author quoted the Message:

^27-29“Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference?

Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

^30-33“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving.

People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Matthew 6:29-33

Wow.  I'm in awe.  The idea of simplifying our lives and living on less has been heavy on our hearts.  By our, I mean my husband and me.  I have a great job that has wonderful benefits-insurance wise, but it leaves a lot to be desired in the benefits-family area.  For the past month, it's been 12 hour days and me feeling like I never see my kiddo.  I guess it's really good to know that not only does God care, but he's actively involved in taking care of my family, me, and our situation.  ThePeacefulMom, thank you for the reminder of the blessing we have in Him.

Garage Sale Haul!

I'm new to the whole garage sale-ing thing.  I used to avoid those crazy bargain shoppers...blocking in our driveway...holding their cash...talking people down a buck on used junk.  But, I judge no more!  After the large kids clothes event held in Valparaiso (it was AWESOME!) and a few others held the same day in a similar area, I'm a believer!  Perfectly good boys clothing that's cute and looks brand new.  Adorable little shoes for $2, when I know they retail at over $15.  Here's an exhibit of how crazy I went:

Wide gambit of shirts, sweater, and jackets

Pants, shorts, and socks galore!

Overall, the total was about $80.  But...I did get:

3 Jammies

21 pairs of pants

8 pairs of shorts

3 pairs of shoes

20 pairs of socks

10 onesies

1 coat

1 bathing suit

2 jackets

30 shirts

1 Cubs jersey

That's over 100 items.  Even more if you count the socks and shoes separately.  So if you average everything out, then I paid less that $1 for a ZeroExposure coat, which I know has to be way more than that at Kohls.  Nothing against Kohls--I love them.  But this was waaaaaaaay cheeper!

And now for the bad news: I think I might be addicted to garage sales.  I spent last night searching them on Craigslist.  Then I spent time strategizing about who would go with me.  (I might be addicted, but I'm still scared of crazy garage-salers).  Anyone want to garage sale?  ; )

I've been featured!

I am honored to say that I have been featured on a blog of a dear ONU friend of mine, Valerie.  Here we are together...it's an oldie:

me, Valerie, and Emily

Now this was before we all got married and started having babies and stuff...you know, the good old days our college days before we were "grown ups".  Or as the Gilmore Girls say, "A-dults".  Any-who.  She has issued a challenge that struck home for me.  One Sassy Housewife's Pintrest Challenge.  Who doesn't spend HOURS and HOURS clipping things on Pintrest?  Valerie is challenging us to actually (gasp) DO the projects and TRY the recipes we've clipped!  So I had to show her one that I did.  Here is a little teaser about it:

 

To see my project featured click here!  I hope you do!

Blog, is that you?

Baby Mobile

 Here is how to make a baby mobile.  You will need:

An embroidery hoop
Ribbons of various colors and sizes
Hot glue gun
Glue sticks

Start by choosing the length you want your ribbons to be.  A variety of lengths is ok, but they should be similar.  I started with one spool at a time.  I cut one length and then used it as a template.  If you cut all the ribbons on an angle, you may not need to finish the ends with glue or something to keep them from fraying.  That just a handy tip for you it's not because I'm lazy.  Then begin hot gluing the ribbons onto the hoop.  I overlapped the layers a little so it would look a little fuller.  This one is a combination of blue, green, ivory, and a giraffe print.  Last, finish the outside of the hoop by gluing some ribbon around the edge or if you're lazy like me, just use self adhesive ribbon.  DONE! : )
To hang it.  You will need the following:
A small hook
Fishing line
Scissors
A tall brother to do all the work

Insert the hook into the ceiling, and attach it using the fishing line.  Trim the ends with the scissors.  It's much easier for you if you con your tall brother into doing it for you.

And VOILA!  It's done!  Now you have an inexpensive mobile that spins around if near an air vent, window, or fan.  It also looks like it's just floating in the air on it's own.  Totally cool.  We hung ours over the changing table as a nice distraction and some decoration there.  My little guy looks at it and laughs while I have to deal with the all the lovely things that go on at the changing table. 

Hope you make this one and enjoy!

My Dream Office

http://www.staciedwardsblog.ca/2011/03/my-office.html

This office has a few of my favorite things...gray, magazines, organization, and THE EIFFEL TOWER!!  Gorgeous!  Click on the link to check out this full post on the most beautiful office ever!