Wardrobe Wednesday: OOTD

Happy Wednesday!

I have been in the best mood today because we booked a trip to the Bahamas (Nassau) last night.  Its our first time traveling out of the country.  We're going in June.  I cannot wait!!!  We have to expedite our passports though, which we can't apply for until husband is done with dreaded tax day next Tuesday!  So we have appointment at the Passport office to apply for the expedited passport.  Next week will be 7 weeks from our trip.  Although the website says they are processing in 4-6 weeks door to door I don't want to push it!!

Last night I pulled out our birth certificates to make sure I had them for our appointment next week.  I had a major panic attack because mine doesn't have a raised seal on it (like a notary stamp).  Mine looks way different that Matt's, but he is a few years older than me.  So it looks like they just changed the way they were printed.  So I started crying- thinking I wasn't going to be able to get a passport.  My mom, bless her heart, says, "oops, maybe I was supposed to get it notarized or something.  Hell, I don't remember that was 25 years ago."  She's so funny!  

So I called a few of my friends to ask them what theirs looked like.  I'm pretty sure I'm good!!!  It's printed on a watermarked paper with the official seal printed at the bottom.  But for some reason I thought it had to have the raised seal on it.  But I had to give my official birth certificate for my marriage license and to change my name to get a new social security card.  I guess I will find out next week when I go to apply for it.  Its going to drive me insane until then!!!  I googled an image and this is what mine looks like.  The seal at the bottom isn't raised.   

I need vacation and packing tips!!!

 

Anyway... On to the reason for this post- my outfit today!  This is my first time wearing these coral Loft pants.  My only complaint is that they stretch out really bad.  

 blouse: Loft; capris: Loft; loafers: JCPenney; nails: Essie Turquoise and Caicos

Once again: sorry for the crappy iPhone pics.  I have had the hardest time waking up in the mornings lately.  So I can't seem to get up in time to take any pictures.  

Anyone have any good earphones they can recommend that stay in while running?  

XO-Heather

Wardrobe Wednesday: outfits from Vegas

I hope everyone's holiday was fabulous.  Be on the lookout for a recap of my Christmas soon.

So I know I'm super late (like a month) at posting these.  But below are a few outfits pics I took before we were headed out while we were in Vegas during Thanksgiving.
We had a great time.  It was our first time going.  We stayed for 5 days, which was a little too long, IMO... We have to go back for a friend's wedding in June.  I think that will be a blast to go with a group of our high school friends!

first day there sightseeing. skinnies: Kohls; shoes: Coach; cardi: F21; tank: F21

Before heading out to see Peep Show:: BTW, this show was absolutely amazing! I love burlesque shows.  I think they're so fun to watch!  And this one had some amazing dancers!!

 dress: Old Navy, tights: Target; necklace: F21; shoes: DSW; clutch: local boutique

Holly doing an interview

 Holly!

Shopping day:

 jacket, tee, jeans: Loft; shoes: Steve Madden

 Before heading out to see the Blue Man Group:

 shirt: Old Navy; black jeans: Loft; shoes: Payless

Happy Hump Day!

XO-Heather

Tasty Tuesday: Frito Pie & a few outfits

The husband and I had a fun-filled weekend spending time together.  We went to the mall on Saturday to get him some new glasses.  We also got a recliner for an early anniversary present for him.  We get to pick it up on Saturday.  He's so excited!  He's a pretty red leather.  Our couches are black leather.  So I think it will look good.  Here's my outfit from our 5 hour shopping trip.  Notice I sported Saints colors all weekend (husband loved it)!

top: Gap; skirt: Urban Outfitters; necklace: Macy's; belt: Target

Sunday we went to New Orleans for the day.  The weather was absolutely perfect, and we didn't want to waste it inside.  So we made the little hour trip to The Big Easy for the day.  We watched the Saints game at a quirky little bar in the quarter and ate a delish pizza for lunch.  After the game we walked around in the quarter a bit before heading back home for the night. 
Here's a few pics of my outfit for the day.  The first pic is in Jackson Square right in front of the Saint Louis Cathedral, one of my favorite spots in the Quarter.  I wanted to get married so bad in Jackson Square, but it just wasn't possible.  We took our engagement pictures in New Orleans, and this was the backdrop for a few of them. 

tank: AE; jeans: buckle; shoes: Target; bag: Coach

Now onto one of my new favorite recipes: homemade turkey chili.  I put this in the crock pot before we left on Sunday.  It was super easy and quick to make.  It's also a good budget meal since the ingredients are pretty cheap.  The recipe was found on skinnytaste.com

Turkey Chili
Servings: 12 • Serving Size: 10.8 oz , Calories: 206.3, Fat: 1.4 g

• 1.3 lb (20 oz) fat free ground turkey breast
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (16 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (4.5 oz) can chopped chilies, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, undrained
• 1 (15.5 oz) can black beans, undrained
• 1 (15.5 oz) can small red beans, undrained
•  1 can corn
• 2 tbsp chili powder

Brown turkey and onion in a skillet.
Drain any fat remaining and transfer to crock pot.  Add everything else!
Cook on high 6-8 hours.
I topped mine with green onions and cheese.  You can also top with sour cream.  I ate mine over Fritos for an amazing Frito Pie!
Here's a pic from my lunch today:

 
Sorry for the complete randomness of today's post.  But I really wanted to share both things with you guys!
Happy Tuesday!
XO-Heather

Frugal Friday- Save to Spend

I just realized my blog turned one month old yesterday!!! 

One of my favorite parts of using coupons and being frugal is that it frees up my money to spend it elsewhere.  What's the fun in pinching pennies if you have none left to do anything with?

 The grocery, health & beauty items, and household budgets are one place anyone can really manipulate.  Our gas/car budget is set and there is really nothing we can do about that.  The husband and I both commute.  So it's not like we can just not buy gas... We have a miscellaneous category that random things and emergencies fall into so that we don't have to pull money out of savings.  Keeping a tight watch on the things that we can help allows us to do fun things together and splurge a little.

image source

One area I splurge in is my hair.  I like to go to a nice salon to get my hair cut and colored.  I've tried going the cheap route in that department, and it never turned out in my favor.  I have fine hair, and I'm picky about the shade of blond that my hair is.  So to me, it is worth it to splurge in the first place.  If not, would you have to pay someone to fix it and pay double?  That has definitely happened to me before.  So I learned to fork up a little more up front so that I can feel good about the way I look.

The husband is really picky about clothes.  So while I can find a $1 pair of jeans, a nice $25 outfit from Loft, and shoes from Payless... The husband only wears certain brands, but they last him for a long time while I change how I dress often.  Now I make sure we buy them when they are on sale or at the outlet, but he's not wearing a shirt from Target.  I think it's a little harder to imitate nice Men's clothes and shoes.  We're both ok with it since we plan for it.      

Another area we splurge in is our entertainment budget.  This probably sounds like a lot of money, but we each get $100/week cash to spend on whatever we want.  I call this "play money."  We go out the eat together on the weekends, go out with friends, go to the movies, eat lunch with co-workers occasionally, take trips (Vegas in November), and go shopping.  When the $200 total runs out... That's it! 

NYC 2005

snow-mobiling in SD 2008

TN 2009

Destin 2011

So you're probably thinking... If you're so frugal why do you waste $800-$1000/month on eating out, etc... But to us, right now, that is what's important.  We don't have kids yet.  So why not have fun and make memories together and with our friends while we have our freedom (ha)?!  Once we start a family that money will go to daycare, diapers, and food.... So I want to enjoy it now.

So while I am really picky about how much I will fork out on groceries, household products, and health & beauty items I have the freedom to have fun with my friends and husband while we can!   

So what do you splurge on?  Do you budget for your splurges?
Happy Friday!
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