May Shopping Recap + Giveaway!

May was a bit of a spendy month for me.  I was fresh off my spending freeze and trying to figure out how much to budget for myself.  In the meantime, I shopped and ate and drank like I wasn't on a budget at all - partly because I wasn't, and partly because I knew I soon would be.  It probably wasn't the best course of action, but I got a lot of great things that I have been needing (and of course, some that I didn't!).

1 - Kate Spade "One in a Million" Necklace - M.  I used a Nordstrom note for this purchase - they are normally around $50.  I got it in silver and love it!

2 - Daniel Rainn - I snatched up three new tops.  I love how they are flowy with fun prints.  These were a Nordstrom Rack find, so about $20 each.  I will be buying more - I love how I can wear them to work with a jacket or sweater, or wear them on their own on weekends.

3 - Baby Lips.  I have a bit of an obsession with these.  I love how they make your lips so soft (the name doesn't lie!) but also give you a bit of color.  I might have at least six different shades.  They are cheap though - seriously just go pick up one to try!

4 - Kate Spade Watch.  This was my Mother's Day gift, so I'm not sure I should count it in my shopping recap, but it's definitely a favorite so I had to include it!

5 - Burt's Bees Brightening Even Skin Tone Moisturizing Cream.  This gem cost about $20, at Target, and I will probably never try another moisturizer.  Smells amazing, goes on smoothly and doesn't leave my face feeling greasy.  I've noticed a bit of a change in my skin tone and I feel like I look more "awake".  A new, and probably forever, favorite.

6 - Jack Rogers Sandals.  These were another Nordstrom Rack find - and a steal at that.  I spend just $26 on these beauties, and got them in that exact color.

7 - (I am bolding this because it is that important).  I finally have found my forever-fitting, love-them, loyal-customer brand of jeans.  Did you catch the Blogger Love post where I shared Sarah's post about medium sized girls not being able to find the perfect pants?  Well friends, here are mine.  Democracy brand.  They are all "curvy" and fit like a dream.  I tried one pair on and immediately bought all of the other styles they had.  Another Nordstrom Rack find.

8 - Kate Spade purse.  It was May 1, I could officially shop again, and there was a sale.  Enough said.  It's also the perfect summer color!

Of my shopping picks, there are a few obvious things to note - I should not be allowed in Nordstrom Rack without supervision.  I also should block myself from Kate Spade emails.  What do you think of my finds?  I like to keep it honest here, so don't expect much for my June spending - I'm a girl on a budget these days!

In case you have your eye on anything fun for June, I've teamed up with some lovely ladies to bring one of you $240 CASH.  Enter on!

Your June Blogiversary Host Ladies: Emelia, Kerri & Melissa

The Party People & Awesome Co-Hosts: 

Niki, Becca, Anne, Kati 

The Gals- B&M, Rebekah, Lisa, Julia, Hope

Lindsay, Kate, Linda, Alex, Rachael

Meagan, Kristin, Erica, Kelly, Rebecca 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Budgeting Is.... Awesome?

Yes, friends, yes it is.  I haven't always felt this way - I thought it was too restrictive and wouldn't allow for those spontaneous shopping trips or weekend getaways.

For the month of April, I put myself on a spending freeze.  Overall, I surprised myself.  Not buying anything for myself all month worked, for the most part.  But at the end of the month I was left confused - how could I make myself a budget, and stick with it?

For the month of May, I tracked everything I spent on myself and the girls.  Clothes, makeup, food, drinks, basically anything that was just for me, or clothes/accessories/toys just for the girls.  Again, I was shocked.  But not in a "I-did-so-awesome!" kind of way.  More of a "omg-I-spent-WHAT" kind of way.  I did get some great things, which will be shared with you in the near future.  But my new things are a little over shadowed by the number that is glaring in my mind!

So, for June, I've come up with a plan.  I decided to go with a cash only system, and have given myself a certain amount to spend each month.  Some for me, some for the girls.  I will occasionally use credit cards - when it's double points day, or I have a coupon that can only be used with the card.  When that happens, I will take cash from my wallet and set it aside to pay our nanny each week.  I am so dedicated to this, that today over my lunch break I marched over to the bank and took out my monthly spending amount.  Systems work, friends!

In honor of my new-found commitment to budgets, I thought linking up with Anne for the Awesome List was a great idea!

Budgets Are Awesome!

|| It will help me determine what I want, vs. what I need.  (A lesson I need to learn!)

|| Anything that I don't spend will be rolled over to the next month.  Maybe one month in the future I will have enough to make a large splurge!

|| I will be saving money for our upcoming move = new furniture, decor, and paint!

|| I can start to teach E and A about budgeting.  If there is a certain toy they want, they will need to choose wisely.

|| Someone has to offset my husbands spending.  Golf is not my friend!

|| Towards the end of the month, I have a feeling I will be forced to eat at home more often.  Saving money and saving calories.

Have you put yourself on a strict budget?  How does it work for you?  I welcome any and all tips!

Also, if you are on a budget but still want to sponsor someone - I am having a 30% off sale with code RIGHTSTUFF (yes, that is a nkotb reference).  Limited uses!

The Big Freeze

I love to shop.  If you've been around here for any amount of time, you probably already know this.  Not only do I love to shop, but I seriously get a thrill from finding bargains, using coupons and never paying full price for anything. 

source.

 I like to tell myself that I don't have a shopping problem because I very rarely ever spend full price on anything.  But all of those little bargain buys were starting to add up.  And when I sat down and looked at how much I spent on the credit card in March?  Ouch.  Granted, our vacation made up for the biggest amount.  But there were also so many little things that added up to a lot of spending on my part.  My solution?  Go on a spending freeze.

Of course, with all goals, I have a few rules and guidelines for myself:

|| I cannot buy anything for myself - this includes shoes, clothing, makeup, lunches out.  Basically, anything that is only for me is off limits.  This includes my monthly stitch fix, make up box and essential oils order.

|| I am not buying anything "fun" for the house - because, showings.  I don't want more things to clutter our space.  This does not include anything that needs to be replaced, but hopefully that is nothing!

|| I can only buy these two clothing items for the girls, and only with coupons:
                                     -Spring shoes for A (Tiny Toms or the like)
                                     -Capri leggings for E and A (no more than two pairs each)

|| This freeze does not include E's birthday and party, both of which are this month.

|| I have a few giftcards leftover from Christmas, so they can be used only in emergency. 

|| An emergency does not count as "I just really wanted it."  It's more for something that gets destroyed and needs to be replaced, like if I rip my pants or ruin a shoe.  (I promise I won't do these things on purpose just to be able to shop!)

Have you ever put yourself on a spending freeze?  How did you do?  I am kind of nervous about this, but I think with dedication I can do it!  Lindsay is doing the same thing right now, so having some inspiration should help.  Plus, who doesn't like having money leftover at the end of the month?

Wish me luck, please!

Chicago: Where to Shop

I had so much fun writing about my hometown last month for Amanda's "Tell Me About Your Town" link-up, I couldn't wait to join again this month.  Not only am I joining, but I am co-hosting!  See below to share all things shopping in your town.

By now, it's no secret that I love shopping.  It also isn't a secret that I am from Iowa, and proud of it.  Unfortunately, after living in Chicago for almost seven years, and Minneapolis before that, I have become a bit spoiled with the shopping we have available.  So, for this month's prompt, "Favorite Local Shops or Boutiques" I have to choose to share areas around Chicago.  (Sorry Iowa!)

If you have ever visited Chicago, you have probably been to Michigan Avenue.  Shopping, restaurants, Water Tower, Hancock Tower, are all places that you can see with a walk down one street.  However, I'm going to let you in on a little secret - most people that live in Chicago (and suburbs) don't go shopping downtown.  The taxes are out of control, there are a million tourists, and stores hardly ever have sales.  We can find the same items, in the same stores, elsewhere.  Another reason?  The shopping is mostly big-name stores, and I love local boutiques.

My first stop for shopping in the suburbs is downtown Naperville - about 25 miles west of Chicago, and about ten minutes from where I live.  Here you can find a great mix of chain stores and local boutiques, all within walking distance from each other.

Some of my favorites:

Anderson's Book Shop:  There is also a Barnes and Noble close by, but I like going here because the staff always have recommendations based on other books you've liked.  Plus, local.

Campbill Hill Upscale Resale:  Want Loubs but don't want to spend a fortune?  What about a gently used Michael Kors?  Go here.  They only take gently used, upscale items and resale them for a fraction of the price.  You can consign here too.

It's A Bling Thing:  The name pretty much sums this up - but I love finding unique pieces here.

Marbles: The Brain Store: This place has fun games that are incredibly educational.  Bonus - you can shop online too!

Naperville General Store:  Think of an old, traditional general store.  There is fun candies, gifts, local treasures, basically anything you are looking for in one stop.

Penzey's Spices:  So I know that this is a chain, but there aren't many actual stores.  My Dad is obsessed with Penzey's and we always have to go here.  It smells divine and they have so many fun blends!

Twisted Olive:  Olive Oil stores are so fun, aren't they?  Who knew that there were hundreds of different kinds of olive oils.  Well, Twisted Olive knew - and let's you sample any flavor you want!

Two Bostons:  I love this gourmet pet store.  They carry the food my pup eats, make amazingly delicious gourmet pet treats (so I've heard!) and have great gifts.  Plus, my pup is a Boston Terrier and they always have a million things with Bostons on them.  #obsessedmuch ?

Among other local shops, there are plenty of chain stores too: lululemon, Gap, Loft, Pottery Barn, Paper Source, J. Crew, Anthropologie (and many others!).  Downtown Naperville really has it all! 

Join Amanda and I and link up! 

Tell Me About Your Town Linkup

This monthly linkup is to celebrate all the amazing places we all are from, to shine some light on the spots all over the country (or world!) us bloggers live. Our locations may not define us, but they certainly shed insight into who we are and how we live. Join me and my co-host on the third Tuesday of each month when we will have one specific topic related to your towns to guide you in writing about your city. So…tell me about your town!

The Rules

To participate in this linkup, simply write your own post following our topic/prompt for the month and add your link (your actual post, not your homepage) to the linkup below. Include the linkup button (also below) or a link back in your post. Please follow me and my co-host and visit at least one other post from the linkup. You may write about the town you currently live in, the place you were born and raised, or any other place that feels like home to you. Share as many photos as you wish! Make me want to visit your town! Each linkup will go live at 12:05 a.m. Central time on the third Tuesday of that month will be open for one week.

An InLinkz Link-up

Next Month:  January 20th - "Date Night Spots". With co-host Cassie.

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.notesfromanewlywed.com/category/tell-me-about-your-town-2/" title="Tell Me About Your Town"><img src="http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g167/PineappleHead87/mytown300x300_zps220cfd87.jpg" alt="The Rambling Llama" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Influenster TLCVoxBox

I recently signed up for Influenster, and was pretty excited to learn that I would be recieving the TLCVoxBox.  I was pretty excited - as I spend a lot of time filling out surveys on their site - mostly when I had some downtime at work, but it was still nice to see my efforts getting me somewhere.

Here's what was inside:

 

Ivory Bar Soap: I'm not going to lie, I wasn't too excited about this.  I don't use bar soap, no one in my family does.  I'll have to check Pinterest to see if there are other things I can do with it - otherwise, to the garbage it goes.

 

Puffs to Go: I don't really have a preference in brand when it comes to tissues, so this was great.  I love this size for my diaper bag.

 

Shell Fuel Rewards Network: I love a good rewards program.  The gas station closest to me is Shell, so this will be used, if I remember to put it in my wallet.  I used the Cardstar app, so carrying actual cards with me doesn't happen often.

 

Breyer's Gelato Indulgances: This box included a coupon for a free tub of ice cream.  When I went to the store, they had three flavors: Vanilla Caramel, Tiramisu and Triple Chocolate.  I should have went with my gut here (Vanilla Caramel), but because I had a free coupon I ventured out and got Triple Chocolate.  It was too rich for me.  I usually don't like chocolate ice cream, so I'm not sure why I thought this would be different!

 

Neosporin Neo to Go: Another item perfect for my diaper bag.  I used it at the park about a week after I got it, and E immediately stopped crying and went back to playing.  Win for me = will be buying again.

 

Avon Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother: I have used Avon products in the past, so I was excited to try this.  I don't have a lot of wrinkles, so that effect was lost on me.  It did feel a little heavy for summertime, but I think it would be better in the winter when makeup doesn't slide off your face.

 

Overall, I was excited to try most of these products and hope that I have another chance in the future to try more.  And, if you are a mom, nanny, big sister, aunt, spend any time with children, buy yourself the Neosporin Neo to Go!

 

**I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.  All opinions are my own.

 

 

Current Obsessions

Often times, I find a product, song, food, anything really and become fixated on it.  Like, I can't get enough.  I often focus so much on any given thing that the fascination wears out and I've moved on to the next thing.  Today I thought I'd share some of these things with you - no judging please :)

- Covet App.  Clothes, shoes, accessories, hairstyles, makeup!  In this game you enter "events" and dress your avatar accordingly with real life designers.  Others judge your outfit and you can win more clothes, shoes, etc.  I'm sort of obsessed - it's fun to dress someone else with items I wish I had myself.

- (This one is going to embarrass me) "Adore You" by Miley Cyrus.  I know that Miley is a hot mess, but I love this song!  I listen to it in the car and belt it out.  I first heard it while driving home after my Dad had an accident - not sure if it stuck with me because of that, but I still love it.

- Daily Burn.  I've recently jumped on the working out bandwagon.  It's almost swimsuit time (even though it doesn't feel like it in Chicago).  I love this program - $10/month, and they are all online workouts that you can do at home.  You pick your program, pace, length of workout and they do the rest.  So far I've been sore every day so I'm taking that as a good sign.  PS - first month is free!

- My Reef leopard print sandals.  Paired with a fresh pedicure, wearing these makes me feel like it could be summer soon.

- Shameless.  The title says it all, this show is shameless.  The scenerios that the Gallagher's get themselves in to are ridiculous - but we cant stop watching.  We just finished Season 2 on Netflix and can't wait for Season 3.

- Making lists.  I make one for things to do at work, home, ideas for gifts, blog posts, I could go on and on and on.  I love crossing items off!

- Last but not least, my trip to Vegas, which is THURSDAY!  It seriously snuck up on me but I cannot wait to sit by the pool, see Britney and catch up with some old friends.  Girls weekends are the best.

What are you current obsessions?  Anyone else listening to Miley?!

A Time to Celebrate

Today I am linking up with Emily from ember grey for Grateful Heart Monday.  I am so thankful to have spent the weekend celebrating my little girl's special day.

E had her party on Saturday with her little friends at a local children's museum.  When they weren't busy running around, playing in water and making ginormous bubbles, time was spent eating way too much sugar in the forms of cake, juice and cake pops.  (Sorry moms and dads!)

As mentioned in my Letter to E, she is obsessed with all animals, but especially puppies.  So naturally, that was the theme of the party!  We went with orange, pink and yellow and I might have gone a little crazy with the customization of it all.  Etsy is my best friend!

original pin, centerpiece, cake pops "adopt me" favor originally seen on greenwaylifeandhome.blogspot.com

The kids loved picking out their own puppy to "adopt" and take home.  E is obsessed with her centerpiece and insisted that it be displayed in her room (so of course it is front and center on the dresser).  And the cake pops!  How adorable are these?  If you are looking for custom pops, please contact Tina at OhPopCakeShop on Etsy.  She was great to work with and very available and willing to help when my not so pleasant post office couldn't find my package.  (turns out they just weren't looking hard enough!)  The kids loved these, even more than the cake, and E thought they were the best things ever.

She had a great time and we are incredibly blessed to have so many people that love her and spend the day with us.  I'm so grateful for the little things - her joy in blowing bubbles, the way she lights up when I say "yes" to one more cake pop (truth, she had three!), the fun she has with her little friends.  Sometimes just watching her find the joy in what she is doing reminds me again to enjoy the little moments, they are gone too soon.

Fun fact- she HATES when people sing the birthday song to her.  She has the most unpleasant look on her face and tells people to stop.  Every year!  This year I had the best video of the moment... only to find out that I actually had stopped recording when I thought I had started.  No video.  My wonderful friends got some really great pictures though, so not all memories were lost. (thanks bffs!)

Do you remember your birthday parties from when you were little?  What are some of your favorite memories?

Favorite Money Saving Apps

Let's just start this off by saying that I am no expert when it comes to this kind of thing.  I love coupons, saving money, getting a great deal - but you will never find me on an episode of "Extreme Couponing" on TLC.  (Although I do love watching that show, and anything on TLC, let's be honest).  I don't need to always use a coupon, I certainly don't need fifty bottles of ketchup, and I will buy things without a coupon.  But the thrill of getting something free or almost free can't be beat!  It's almost as good as remembering that chocolate bar you tried to hide from youself. (Jess!  True story - my friend used to do this and would legit be excited when she found it again!)

With that being said, I'm sharing with you my favorite money-saving apps:

Target Cartwheel: What's better than Target?  Saving money at Target!  I love this app because you can easily use the scan feature to see if there is a discount on anything in your cart.  Using this, paired with Target coupons (from their website), manufacturer coupons (from the paper or online) and your Target redcard (I use the debit), I often get items very close to free.  I haven't paid full price for toiletries in years.  The more you save, the more spots open up for offers.  It does take a little planning before going to the store, and 5% here and there doesn't seem like a lot, but I've saved $172 in just 6 months.

Retail Me Not:  Picture yourself in the checkout line with a great pair of boots.  You love them, even if they cost more than you'd like to admit, and may or may not be hidden in the closet from your husband. (Guilty).  Don't worry - check your Retail Me Not app and more than likely you will find a coupon that can be scanned by the cashier!  I love it because you can search by "stores close to me", predetermined favorites, or you can type in a new store.  Always check this app before checking out!

CardStar:  Remember all of the plastic "savings/member/club" cards you have?  Yea, me either because they never stay in my wallet.  Enter CardStar.  In this app, you can scan all of your reward cards.  Not only that but any card with a barcode can be uploaded, like your library card.  Most stores are preloaded, but if you are using local cards you can enter them yourself.  The app also gives you deals offered at each store.  I love it because I never lose an opportunity to collect rewards anymore.  (Might help with those boots mentioned above!)

I have lots of sites I use while shopping online too, but we'll save that for another day.  I love hearing about new ways to save money and new apps - what are some of your faves?