Archive for September 2012

Thursday Already?? It's OK!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

It's Thursday... Or as I like to call it - Friday Eve. Yep, almost as exciting as Christmas Eve in my book because this 'Eve' comes every single week. Now if only presents (giving & getting) came every week then we'd have it made!

It's time for It's OK Thursdayyyy!

It's OK to skip your workout after the longest day of work ever. It's not OK to skip walking your dog. Kobe let me know this last night, hence our late night walk at 8pm.

It's OK to be abnormally obsessed with new Fall tv. Ummm Revenge anyone?? I DVR'd the first season recap & can't wait for the premiere. Also loving 'Chandler's new show, Go On.

It's OK to already be thinking about Halloween costumes... To be creative/spend money on something new... or reuse an old costume? Decisions, decisions.

It's OK to have a strange obsession with Dollar General. You can find some cheap goodies here, people.

It's OK to title a section in your October budget 'Fall Clothes Shopping!' (exclaimation point and all).

It's OK to make crockpot meals - Chicken tortilla soup, anyone? - simply for the fact that you will have leftovers for a good 3-4 days.

It's OK to be pumped for Zumba tonight... then equally pumped to go out for mexican afterwards... What's that magazine that has the section 'You ate it, Negate it'... well, I prefer to do mine backwards.

What's OK in your world??? Go link up with Neely & tell us!


Its Ok Thursdays
 
xo
Sam

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Oh heyyy Nashville!

Friday, September 21, 2012

That's right. I will be here this weekend. Lovely ole Nashville. This is one of my favorite cities.

Here is what's on our agenda:

Tootsies! It's a must in Nashville. Last time we were here we were sitting upstairs watching a band play.. and who walks in? Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry. Oh heyyy.

The Stage. Another country bar. We spent New Years Eve here one year & watched a Dierks Bentley look-alike perform. Another must :)

A Titans game! So excited for this. I'm not a huge football fan - basketball is more my game - but I've never been to an NFL game either, so I'm hoping this converts me. It will make football season alot more enjoyable with the bf if you catch my drift :)

My goal this weekend is a.) to have an awesome time, duh, and b.) to take lots of pictures for once! I also think I'm going to get an offer on one of my listings this weekend, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The owners really need to sell, so I'm hoping to work it out for their sake!!

Ps - I'm joining the world next month and getting an iphone! (my first smartphone.. embarassing I know) iphone 5... go big or go home, right?

See you pretties next week. Have a great weekend... oh and a great Friday, ofcourse :)



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This I Believe...

Thursday, September 20, 2012


I believe in laughing until you cry - or until you pee your pants, whichever comes first.

 I believe that exercise is the best medicine.

 I believe in a healthy lifestyle - most of the time.

 I also believe in the occasional brownie or jar of nutella.

 I believe in girls night in.
 
Or girls night out...

 I believe in date night/day with the bf.

I believe in lazy nights spent on the couch.

 I believe in man's best friend. (or woman's best friend :)

 I believe in taking chances and making mistakes.

 I believe in doing something that scares you & gets you out of your comfort zone.


 I believe in putting yourself out there.

 I believe in art.

 I believe in being creative every day.

 I believe in books. Real paper books.

 I believe in dressing for success - or dressing like you will see your worst enemy :)

I believe in shoes.

 I believe in changing hairstyles and being creative with your look.

 I believe in long drives with the music up and the windows down.

 I believe in letting your personality shine.

I believe in saving money & having a written monthly budget.

I also believe in monthly fun money.

I  believe on spending said fun money on facials every now & then.

I believe in paper planners & written lists. None of this iphone business.

I believe hard work & working hard.

 
 
I believe in travel & exploring.

I believe in opening up your mind to all of the possibilities & living this little life ALL OUT.

Linking up with the lovely Erin from Living in Yellow for 'I believe'.

xo
Sam

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A cup

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Do you ever notice that when you go 'shopping the sale racks' that there seem to be an abundance of xs or size 0, along with xxl or size 27 with nothing left in between? I hate these days!

On this day... I'm thankful to be an A-cup. Thank you Gap for having your a-m-a-z-i-n-g sports bras on sale for $6 in a size that actually fit me! Thanks to my 'girls' for staying on the small side!


Talk about a random blog post! There you have it. Get out there & live today, people!

xo
Sam

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Nothing beats...

Sunday, September 9, 2012


Reorganizing the closet. Replacing those Summer clothes with Fall pieces.

Taking a shower at home and sleeping in your own bed after being away for the weekend.

A nonfat no-whip pumpkin spice latte, taking the long way home with the sunroof open taking in the crisp air.

Moving the tv out on the deck so you can relax in a lounge chair with the bf & the pup.

Old costume jewelry from your bf's mom. I now have a ring that features a carved out dime from the 40's. It's awesome! She's awesome :)

Going to bed early.

Planning on a spur of the moment Fall shopping trip tomorrow with the money from my 'fun jar'.

Catching up with an old friend, then planning to meet up the following week to catch up even more over margaritas.

Late nights spent outside with great friends.

Make this Monday a good one!

xo
Sam

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It's OK Thursday (My Friday!)

Thursday, September 6, 2012

 
 
Well, I'm here today to tell you 'It's OK'...
 
 
It's OK to write a blog post on Real $$ Tips and mention how buying Groupons/Living Social Deals/Coupons can be like a double edged sword, leading you to buy things you don't really need... and then proceed to buy not one, but TWO living social deals for starbucks. Hey, spend $5, get $10. Can't pass that up.
 
It's OK to count down the hours until you can use said Starbucks deal.
 
It's OK to make it a 3 day week & take Friday off to head to the lake.
 
It's OK to be 100% obsessed with Pretty Woman anytime it comes on tv. Watched it last night ;)
 
It's OK to up your rate if the job was not as described.
 
It's OK to daydream about Fall shopping. Next month I'm setting aside some money in my budget to do this!
 
It's OK to make gourmet jello shots, like this, and this.
 
It's OK to have to run the dryer 3 times because you continue to forget to actually fold the clothes once the cycle is done. Oops!
 
Lastly, it's OK to be MIA from the blog alll weekend.
 
See you pretties next week!
 
 
Its Ok Thursdays
 
 

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It's Bananas B-A-N-A-N-A-S

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Cuz there ain't no hollaback girl... Just Kidding ;) I do love me some Gwen Stefani though.

Today I am sharing this recipe for easy, healthy, 2 ingredient pancakes. They are flour, sugar and oil free. Believe me? Well you should!

I found these pancakes when Cassey of Blogilates shared them on her blog. They are literally 2 ingredients (two!) and super easy. All you need is 2 eggs and a ripe banana.



So Cassey doesn't use syrup... I still use a little bit of syrup along with cinnamon sprinkled on top. They are great topped with fresh strawberries as well :)

Enjoy!

xo
Sam

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Real Life - Real $$ Tips

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Sooo... lately I've been obsessed with a few financial blogs. I swear it's like a guilty pleasure. Two of my absolute favorites are Making Sense of Cents and Champagne Life on a Beer Budget. Both of these lovely ladies have inspired me (even more!) to take an interest in personal finance.

I'm nowhere near a financial guru by any means. But hey, I've listened to alot of Dave Ramsey in my day, I live within my means, and feel like I have a frugal approach to spending that can hopefully help some of you lovelies out there.

Without further adieu...

Real Life - Real $$ Tips


Cell Phone Plans
In the day of the smart phone, cell phone bills can be outrageous. I, for one, actually do not have a smart phone. My phone is added onto my boyfriends plan and costs only $10/month for call/text. I realize 99% of the genXer's out there couldn't live without a smart phone, but I haven't given in yet ;) Even if you have a smart phone, there are ways to save. Check & see if your employer offers a discount. Combine your plan with your family, boyfriend, or best friend. (Only if you can trust the other person/people to pay) Buy phones on Amazon instead of at the store if you are not eligible for an upgrade.


Grocery
Groceries can really add up each month, especially if you find yourself absentmindedly tossing things into your cart. First things first, make a list and stick to it! Try to shop the outside perimiter of the store. Not only will you save money, you will eat healthier by avoiding the prepackaged foods. Also, buy meat in bulk & freeze. I buy chicken once a month in a bulk package, then I break down & freeze in individual baggies. Something else that really helps me - going to the actual grocery, not Target. There will be alot less temptation to stray from your list, trust me! Also, take advantage of any free store discount cards. My grocery - Kroger - has a Kroger Plus card that gives me extra savings. It also accumulates 'points' that discount gas. I save anywhere up to 40 cents a gallon this way.

This tank is on sale for only $14.99 at Deja Vu! 
Clothing
Ok, this is where you guys are going to hate me. Shop at consignment stores. No, not all the time. But take advantage of discount or consignment stores. This could be anywhere from Goodwill to TJ Maxx. Also, shop your closet. Ask yourself before each purchase, Do I need this? Or just want it? Most of the time it's a want. Going shopping online? Look for discount codes on Facebook or other blogs, alot of retailers offer them. Spend more money on classic versitale pieces and less money on trendy options. At the same time, don't completely deprive yourself. Case in point - yes, I shop at consignment stores, but recently I allowed myself to splurge on a pair of sunglasses. As in other areas of life, depriving usually means to overindulging.

 
Gym/Exercise
Are you paying for a gym membership that rarely (if at all!) gets used? I'm sure you're not alone. Even if you do use your membership, alot of times they are expensive. I used to pay $65/month to belong to the YMCA. I used the machines & free weights. I rarely did classes or swam. So guess what? I cancelled it. Now, I workout from home. I run outside, I bodyrock, I do various exercises I find for FREE on youtube. Yes, it takes some self motivation to make yourself workout at home, but it's so worth it.


Pet Care
As alot of you know, I have a lab named Kobe. He is my baby :) But even though I would literally do anything for Kobe & I want the best possible care for him, that doesn't mean I need to overpay. I found a vet in town that has a normal operating office, but during the evening, he sets up 'pet clinics' at a local pet store. At thsi clinic, you can get discounted services like annual shots, nail trims, exams, etc. Check in your city to see if you have a trustworthy pet clinic :)


Library
Library? Uh, yes LIBRARY! No I'm not 85. Libraries get the shaft! We have an excellent library nearby, & I love going to check out books. Not only can I check out just about any real book that I want, I can even 'check out' digital books on my kindle on my libraries website. Libraries let you borrow movies, magazines, you name it. While all of my friends were buying 50 Shades of Grey & Hunger Games, I read all 6 books on my Kindle for FREE! Yes, I was on a little waiting list, but I still finished the books sooner than alot of my friends, plus I saved big time. Your tax dollars are funding your local library, so you might as well take advantage!


Other Small Tips
Other things we consider 'small' can really make a financial impact if you are trying to save more $$.

That daily $4 coffee? $4/day x 7 days/week = $28/week. $28/week x 52 weeks = $1,456 per year! Brew at home the majority of the time instead.

-Wash your car at home.
-Pay off high interest debt.
-Take a flask (at your own risk) when going out. That way you can order a regular drink instead of an alcoholic drink.
-Try coloring your own hair... I color my own when I'm brunette, and I visit the salon when I'm blonde.
-Paint your own nails instead of always getting a manicure/pedicure.
-Have a fun night in instead of a fun night out.
-It's ok to turn down that Scentsy, Thirtyone, Pampered Chef, etc. party where you always feel like you have to buy something.



Beware
Yes, coupons are good. However, they can be a double-edged sword. Only take advantage of coupons/groupons for things you would buy anyway. It's not saving money if you are buying something you don't need or won't use.

What other $$ tips can you share?? Hope these come in handy!

xo
Sam






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The good, the bad, and the ugly... week 2.

The Good:
-First pumpkin spice latte of the year took place yesterday. $4 splurge = worth it!
-It's only a 3 day work week for moi. We are headed to the lake this weekend with some good friends.
-My hair seems to be growing. Excellent.
-I am sticking to a written budget this month. I've always lived within my means - aka spending less than I make - BUT I'm really wanting to reign in the spending & save more, plus pay off my car- as you guys know.
-Speaking of this month... It's my birth month :) The big 2-3 coming my way.
-Found out my bro is playing lacrosse for University of Louisville. Proud of him :)
-Still consistently bodyrocking 5-6 days a week. Plus I've found other fitness inspiration. Cassey over at www.blogilates.com is awesome, also doing this 7 day ab challenge!
-Not having to go grocery shopping this week! Making dinner each night from ingredients onhand.
      -Buffalo Chicken Wraps w/ healthy slaw (made w/ greek yogurt!)
      -Salad with romaine, chicken, feta and pink lady apples w/ poppyseed vinagrette
      -Fish tacos w/ tilapia, mango salsa & lime sour cream
      -Burgers with jalapeno & monterey jack cheese on the grill
- Ummm... enough about food, but seriously, check out this healthy pancake recipe posted by my blogilates girl, Cassey! Only 2 ingredients. It's amazing :)

The Bad:
-Ummm it rained alot of my Labor Day weekend. Oh well, excuse to be semi-lazy and watch trash tv. The Hills, anyone??
-Lost a client. Well, temporarily. I was showing condos to this sweet girl, but she decided to hold off for another year.
-Shattered a florescent light bulb yesterday... one of those 4' bulbs that literally explodes if you look at it the wrong way. I knocked it over with the vacuum. Oops. 20 minutes later I had it cleaned up.
-My car had a minor incident with an orange cone over the weekend.

The Ugly:
-I am learning how to hula hoop. I can do the basic hula hoop move, but I'm learning to go from the waist to a lasso position. Um... not pretty! My boyfriend is entertained that's for sure.
-Bug bites! At least this week they are not on my face! Legs... another story.
-I made burgers for our little get together on Friday... and when they made it off of the grill they had literally shrunk to the size of white castles. And I hate white castles. Fail.

What's up in your world??

xo
Sam

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My New Favorite Indulgence

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Hi everyone! Lately I've been treating myself to a new favorite indulgence. Well, along with Pinterest, new jeans, and reality tv, that is...

In the evenings, I love to have a warm drink. It was coffee for a while, but that was keeping me up. Then it was hot chocolate, but I started getting tired of that, too.

Now, it happens to be...


Hot Vanilla! Because really, why not?

I just take 1 mug, and fill it with:

-almost full of 2% milk
-2 packets of sweetener (I use sweet n low or splenda)
-vanilla extract, to taste

Then I heat in the microwave for 1 minute, stir, then another minute. I like my drinks really hot!

Next, I add marshmallows. Because once again, why not?

Finally, I sprinkle with cinnamon, and sometimes nutmeg. Pumpkin spice would also be excellent :)

It's a nice change of pace from hot chocolate, and the marshmallows pretty much make you feel like a little kid. Am I right?

Hope you ladies enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend! It's supposed to rain here today & tomorrow but I'm still going to make the best of it :)

xo
Sam

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