Frugal Friday- Myth Busters + Trip

Happy Friday!  I'm so anxious for tomorrow.  I have a hair appointment, and I've been rocking some serious roots lately!  I've been trying to decide what to do with it... darker? keep it light? cut? let it grow?  decisions... decisions...

There are a lot of common couponing myths out there.  I used to think a lot of them were true.  But I'm here to bust a few of them for you!
1.  Coupons are for stuff you won't use.  
This is completely false!  Doesn't everyone use toothpaste, shampoo, soap, razors?  The list could go on and on.  I use apparel store coupons all the time too! 
2.  Coupons are for processed junk food.  
This may have been true in the past.  But now there are so many organic companies out there, and they are jumping on the bandwagon!  I've used coupons for fresh fruit, bagged salads, organic peanut butter, organic chicken, yogurt, regular and soy milk... and many more.  Even Whole Foods has store coupons which can be combined with a manufacture coupon.
3.  Shopping at Wal-Mart is cheaper.
This tends to be the one that gets me the most since I used to be such a Wal-Mart shopper.  Sure, sometimes you can find things cheaper at Wal-Mart.  But more often than not,  I can get something significantly cheaper (or even free) at Target, Walgreens, or CVS.  I do this because these stores have store coupons (Target's you print from their website, Walgreens are in their ads and in a coupon booklet in the store, and CVS prints out @ the register or the Q machine in the store) that you can stack with manufacture coupons.  If you use the 2 on top of something being on sale its usually a rock-bottom price.  If I go to Wal-Mart with a list now I find myself spending way more money than if I just shop the sales everywhere else.
4.  Only poor people and old ladies use coupons.
I can't tell you how many times people make comments about others who use coupons.  When did saving money mean you were poor or old?!  I save as much money as I can on groceries, toiletries, and household items so that the husband and I can do fun things with our money.  Or so that we can buy nice clothes, shoes, and I can splurge on my haircuts and highlights.  Actually, according to a study by the Neilsen Company people who make over $70k annually are more likely to use coupons more frequently. 
5.  Couponing takes too much time.
This one could go either way.  It definitely depends how much you want to put into it.  The people on the crazy TLC show spend hours and hours a day clipping, sorting, and planning.  I certainly don't do that.  Now I don't have a stockpile like they do.  But I don't need one either.  My personal opinion is that no one needs that much of one thing unless you are going to give it away or donate it.  I have a very small stockpile of things I use often (body wash, lotion, razors, shaving cream, soap, facial moisturizer and cleanser, soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing).  But that is about it.  So I don't have to spend HOURS getting ready for a shopping trip, because I'm not "extreme."  I check out the websites I mentioned a few weeks ago for the match-ups, clip and print my coupons, make a list, and head to the store.  EASY!

As promised I'm going to give you the details of a SMALL Target trip I did a few weeks ago.  Often I run to Target on my lunch break to scoop up some deals each week.  I have an obsession with Target.  I just love the atmosphere and all of the great deals I get there.  Sorry for the bad pics, it was with my iPhone.  
 

I bought Target brand disinfecting wipes, jeans, rubbing alcohol, and 2 cans of Aussie hairspray.
Up & Up Disinfecting Wipes, 35 ct $2.19, Regular Price
-$0.50/1 – Up & Up Cleaning Item, Excludes Trial/Travel Size, Target Coupon – (target.com)
Final Price: $ 1.69
UP & Up Isopropyl  Alcohol, 16 oz, $1.02, Regular Price
- .75/1 Up & Up First Aid Item, Target Coupon - (target.com)
Final Price: .27
Aussie Hairspray, $2.27, Regular Price
-$3/1 Herbal Essences/Aussie Styler wyb any HE/Aussie Produt - (7/3 Proctor & Gamble insert)
Final Price: $1.54 for 2, or .77 each
Mossimo Brand Jeans, $4.98, on 75% clearance
-$3/1 women's jeans, Target coupon (target.com)
Final Price: $1.98

My total would've been $12.73 before taxes, but I paid $7.83 total. Now that's not the greatest savings in the world. But I got a pair of cute, well-fitted jeans and a few necessities. 
Target is one of my favorites places to shop for clothes.  They always have really cute items on their clearance racks.  I think the jeans coupon is still available to print.  I know the last time I checked they still had a ton of clearance jeans left.  This coupon could make for free jeans if they are even cheaper now.

Three Things Thursday

1. Spotify- I am obsessed! Does anyone else use it?  I didn't sign up for a paid subscription.  I just requested an invite.  I have it downloaded at work and at home.  I love that I can type in a song or artist and listen to it instantly.  It definitely helps the workday go by faster.

2.  Rotolo's Pizzeria- The first one opened in Baton Rouge near LSU 15 years ago.  They have several in LA, one in AZ, and one in AL.  Husband eats at one in BR a lot, and I've eaten there a handful of times.  They just opened one a mile from my house.  We have nothing to do in our little town... nothing!  So this is exciting news!  They have a bar with great drink specials, and AMAZING specialty pizzas and calzones.  The buffalo chicken calzone is my fave!  So I'm excited to have a new hangout right by our house. This could be bad for my waistline.

3. Covergirl Natureluxe gloss balm- i love these!  They're around $7.49 at drugstores.  But I had a $5 off 2 coupon from the 6-5-11 Proctor and Gamble insert.  So they were only $4.99 a piece when I bought 2.    They have an SPF of 15.  They're perfect for summer: very moisturizing and not sticky at all.  I have the Hibiscus 215 and the Anemone 225.  The anemone is my favorite.  It's a bright red.  But they both go on a little sheer.
Happy Thursday everyone
XO- Heather

Wardrobe Wednesday- my new favorite skirt

shirt- loft; necklace- loft; skirt- loft; shoes- DSW

I am pleased to introduce to you my new favorite skirt!  When I first saw this skirt on Liz @ 26 and Counting I fell in love!  I loved her outfit.  The skirt was originally marked $69.50 online (prices are usually cheaper in the store though).  So I put the idea out of my mind, and assumed I wouldn't get the skirt.  Eventually I saw it go on the sale rack for $39.50.  I thought that was a great buy, but I still didn't want to give in.
On my lunch break yesterday I ran to Loft to get this t-shirt since they were only $10, and check out their sale rack.  I received an email about the shirt and their sale items were an additional 50% off.  I always like to check their sale racks to see if they have any final sale items.  Those are the best, because they're super cheap.  That's when I saw this beauty on the sale rack.  I quickly ran to see what size it was.  Sure enough, one item left in MY size for $19.75.  SOLD!   I also found the necklace and a few more for $10 each.  Yesterday was a good day!

XO- Heather

I'm Back: Pics from the trip

Well I'm back from my weekend trip and back to normal life.  Sucks!  We had a great time, but I'm exhausted!  I was a little disappointed, because the water was kinda dirty.  Usually the water in Destin is pretty.  Here are a few pictures from our trip!   I'll be back tomorrow with Wardrobe Wednesdays

From the balcony

Husband

The girls on the beach

The girls

the boys

bowling

me and the husband

XO- Heather

Wardrobe Wednesday- Nuetrals

Shell- loft; capris- loft; necklace- F21; Diba Lynley Wedge- DSW; belt- Target

This was husband's attempt at an outfit picture...

 I love to work with a neutral pallet and add pops of color.  I like the blank canvas of the gray pants and taupe shirt.  But I think the tiers on the shirt give it a little something extra.  The bright yellow belt and gold and turquoise necklace pop against the neutrals.
I'm so excited because today is my last day of work for the week.  We are leaving in the morning for our weekend getaway to Destin!  Can't wait! 
XO- Heather

Tasty Tuesday: Chicken Tortilla Soup

I am going to share a recipe for one of my favorite things- Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup!  

I love to use my crock pot.  I make at least 1-2 big meals a week in the crock pot that can easily be warmed over.  I divide it up into single servings in Tupperware containers, and we have lunch for most of the week.  I love that everything is ready when I get home.  

There is a local Mexican restaurant, La Carreta, that has some of the best tortilla soup.  That's what I get every time we go.  There is one 10 minutes from our house.  We started a tradition to go on the weekends.  We can both eat a full meal and get a few rounds of 2 for 1 beers for around $10!  They have live music on Thursdays and Saturdays too.  

Now I know what you are thinking... "Soup in the summertime in Louisiana?  It's 100 degrees outside!"  But soup is very filling and light.  I like to eat it with a salad.  

I found this recipe on SparkRecipes, but I modified it a bit.  It is so easy to make, makes a ton of food, and not bad nutrition-wise.    I made this yesterday.  Now on to the recipe! 

Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Makes 8 servings

Calories per serving: 163; total fat: 2g; Carbs: 20g; Protein: 17.6g

Ingredients:

• 1 lb frozen chicken breasts or tenderloins
• 1 can rotel
• 1 (10 oz) can enchilada sauce
• 1 medium onion, chopped- I used diced onion in a jar to save time
• 1 (4 oz) can chopped green chiles
• 3 (14.5) oz cans chicken broth
• 1 can corn
• 1 can black beans, rinsed
• 1 tsp cumin
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

 

Throw everything in the crock pot, stir, and set it on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.

I like to serve over tortilla chips garnished with green onions, shredded low fat cheese, and sliced avocado.  

This picture was my lunch today.    

Enjoy!
XO- Heather

Mixed Up Monday- Weekend Recap and OOTD

Each Monday I am going to do an edition of Mixed Up Monday- which basically just means that it could be totally random postings and nothing in particular.
Weekend Wrap-up:
This weekend was relaxing.  It rained most of the weekend.
Friday was a usual work day then Body Pump after.  That night the husband and I watched Lincoln Lawyer.  It was a great movie.  I heard a lot of great things about it.  So I was really happy when we finally got it from Netflix. 
Saturday husband studied all day (he is taking a part of his CPA exam today).  I needed to get out of the house for a little while so I started off with a manicure and pedicure.  I got the Shellac Gel polish on my fingernails in a pretty coral color- can't remember the name.  I love to keep my nails painted, but it doesn't usually last for more than 2 days.  This gel is supposed to last up to 2 weeks.  I'll make sure to note how long it takes for it to chip.  I found an OPI shade for the toes that was similar.  I never get mani/pedis anymore- just b/c I don't like paying for them.  I always do them myself at home, but we're going to Destin, FL on Thursday so I wanted something that would last.

Then I went to visit my parents for a few hours.  We live about an hour away from our hometown. So we don't visit friends and family as much as we should.  Then I visited with my best friend, Jaclyn.  We've been friends since the 1st grade, and we were each others' maids of honor in our weddings.  She's the type of friend that we might not talk every day or even every week, but that has no effect on our closeness.  When we talk or see each other it is like no time has passed.  She's got 2 adorable little ones so they kept us entertained.  

Sunday husband had to review a lot before the BIG DAY!  I did a little grocery shopping and Mocha and I did lot of this:

Isn't she cute?!

I also took a trip to Best Buy to get a new digital camera and get a game for the husband.  He'll have a little downtime before starting to study for his next part of the CPA.  We fried some fish that my dad caught and gave us for lunch, and I made homemade sweet potato fries.  We've had a fry-daddy since our wedding, but we've never used it.  I never fry anything at home.  I try to keep eating fried foods for special occasions or eating out.   

Here is my outfit from today:

tee- boutique near work; skirt- loft; shoes- Diba Lynley via DSW

 Hope everyone has a great Monday!  I'm counting down the days until our weekend vacation to Destin on Thursday with 2 other couples- including this girl.  I cannot wait!

XO-Heather

Frugal Friday- My Jouney to Couponing

Each week on Friday I will share a frugal tip or story with you.  This will probably range from clothing to housewares to groceries to health and beauty items.  

I started couponing a little over a year ago- way before that crazy show!  You see, it's just my husband, me, and two dogs in our household.  We shouldn't be spending too much money on groceries, right?!  Well, we were!  And I'm talking crazy amounts, like $600-$800/month on groceries for two people.  I was an avid Wal-Mart shopper.  Each Sunday the husband and I would go grocery shopping together.  We would walk in with a small list of things we absolutely needed- usually just toiletries and personal care items.  When we would get to the food section we would walk up and down each aisle and just put whatever was appealing in the cart.  I never had any idea how I would use those items at home though.  When we'd get to the register it was usually around $120-150.  We were doing good if we were at $100.  We would eat out all weekend and during the week, because I had no idea how to put all that food we bought together.  But we never tracked our spending.  So I had no idea how much money we were blowing on food alone!

I had a wake up call when a friend told me she starting using coupons during one of our monthly girls nights.  She gave me some websites to check out.  These websites do all of the coupon match ups (matching a manufacture coupon with a sale and possibly a store coupon) for you.  Some of my favorites are Hip2Save, Totally Target, and Wild For Wags. 

I quickly became addicted to it.  I set a grocery budget of $375/month and a health and beauty budget of $25/month, and I started tracking all of our spending with Smallspend. 

Now each week I spend a little bit more time on Sundays doing research, buying what is on sale, and using coupons for those items.  I get only one Sunday paper, and I print a lot of the coupons online.  I never wait until I'm out of an item to buy it.  If there is something I use often I buy it when it's at a rock-bottom price by matching a sale with a coupon.   

This has freed up a good chunk of our monthly income for other things- like building an emergency fund and taking a trip to Vegas in November!  Now that I know how easy it is to get things see cheap I can't imagine not using coupons.  I'm so thankful I learned about this before starting a family! 

Next week I will give some of my tips for couponing, a few myth busters, and share a recent Target trip. 

Happy Friday!  

XO- Heather

Three Things Thursday- Meet my family

Each week I'm going to do a list of 3 things I'm loving- very similar to what These adorable girls do with Five Things Friday!  So here goes my first edition of 3TT!  This week is a little special because I'm going to introduce you to my 3 favorite things ever- My little family- my husband and 2 dogs!

This was our wedding day, October 24th 2009.  It really was the best day ever!

1. the Husband- he's the most kind, understanding, and patient person I know.  He walked into my life totally unexpectedly 6 years ago.  We've been through a lot together, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.

She's got a treat in her mouth.  I think this pic is too cute!

puppy- 2005

2. Mocha is a Shih-Tzu and Lhasa Apso mix.  I bought her the summer I graduated high school- June 2005.  I've always been a huge animal lover, and my dad never let me have a dog inside.  So that was the first thing I bought when I moved out.  She travels with us on vacations- she even went on our honeymoon!  She loves to eat- just like me- and will eat ANYTHING!  She can be a little moody, and she totally likes the husband more than me.  But I love her with all my heart.

Fred- the other day in the yard

puppy- 2009

Christmas 2010

3. Fred is a basset hound.  We bought him the day we got back from our honeymoon.  We saw someone with an old Basset Hound- droopy ears and all- on our trip, and I had to have one.  We bought him the day we came back.  The husband wanted to name him Fred, because of Smokey and the Bandit.  I couldn't argue with that- he looks like a Fred.  He is so loving and sweet.  I never imagined he would get as big as he is.  He's a little over 50 lbs, and his paws are huge!  He's really too big for me to handle.  I can't take him for walks by myself.  All he wants is to play with Mocha, and she can't stand him.  It's pitiful.  

Hope everyone has a happy Thursday

XO- Heather      

 

Pretty Life Anonymous Giveaway

The lovely girls at the Pretty Life Anonymous are doing a great giveaway of a dress from Milkarose.  Follow the link for more info!
The Pretty Life Anonymous: Dresses, dresses, and a dress giveaway.: "

Wardrobe Wednesday

Happy Hump Day!   I've got to get a good schedule down to take outfit pictures in the mornings so I'm not forced to take them in bathrooms!  After working 8 hours, a 45 minute commute, and working out I get home around 7:00 pm each weekday.  I look terrible, and it's just too late to do them then.
Today I have to travel to an office about an hour away for work.  I'll be out and about most of the day.  I meet with each new employee at the different offices to give them a quick orientation about the company, the benefits, and have them fill out paperwork.  I wanted to wear something comfortable, but still semi-professional.  I love this dress! It's so versatile and comfortable.  I wanted the dress for a long time, but didn't want to pay $70+ for it.  Finally, I found it on sale for $35, and happily snatched it up!  I'm off to prepare for 3 new employee orientations! 
Hope everyone has a lovely day!         

dress- loft; belt- forever 21; necklace- JCPenny; shoes- DSW

 P.S. This is in my bathroom this morning before work.  I would've taken a full-body shot in my bedroom, but you would've seen my lovely sleeping husband behind me.

My first post

 I've created this blog as my little creative outlet.  I will be sharing my daily outfits; rants and stories about my daily life; my love for finding a good deal, couponing, and budgeting; and my constant struggle with my love for food while still trying to fit into my clothes!

I work an 8-5 desk job with about 5 co-workers in a pretty business casual environment.  I love clothes and dressing up, but no one at work seems to care too much about my outfits.  I wanted a place to share my outfits.  Speaking of which, today was my first attempt at color blocking.  It is such a huge trend right now, and I know I'm a little late jumping on board.  Sorry for the pic- it was taken with my phone in the bathroom at work!  My normal outfit posts will not be like this!

Tee- Loft, skirt- thrifted, necklace- jewelery boutique in my hometown, shoes