Category Archives: Just For Fun

30 Before 30

Categories: Just For Fun

702parkproject - 30 before 30

As a very Type A person, I’m sure it comes as no surprise that I love lists. And since I turned 27 last month, I figured it was time to put together my 30 Before 30 list.  I’ve already done some of them, but would like to do them again. And some most are brand new.

So here’s my list…30 things to do before I turn 30.

  1. Attend a blogger conference
  2. Attend more events at our local theater
  3. Be free of all credit card debt
  4. Become a better photographer
  5. Build a wine cellar in the basement
  6. Buy a new car
  7. Convert the garage into a useful space
  8. Create a 365 book: a photo from each day for a year
  9. Cut down our Christmas tree in the mountains
  10. Eat more vegetables
  11. Finish the laundry room with cabinets and shelves
  12. Get into a consistent workout routine
  13. Get our house as organized as possible
  14. Go to a pro football game
  15. Have a kid
  16. Have more date nights with my husband
  17. Help organize a large scale charity event
  18. Learn to arrange flowers
  19. Learn to make curtains for our house
  20. Learn to mow the grass
  21. Learn to shoot a handgun
  22. Lose that certain amount of weight
  23. Make a cleaning schedule and stick to it
  24. Refinish a big piece of furniture
  25. Spend more time at the beach house
  26. Start a monthly dinner club with friends
  27. Start a new business
  28. Take a photography or art class at the community college
  29. Take a road trip to nowhere in particular
  30. Tour a winery

Alright, I have 2 years, 11 months, and 8 days to knock out this list.  Think I can do it?

PS- you can see my full bucket list here!

{Original background photo via Studio DIY.}

Gift Guide Monday – For the Stylish Homeowner

Categories: Just For Fun

Welcome to the first Gift Guide Monday of 2014! Each Monday in December, I’ll be sharing a gift guide that features items from small businesses. Up first: a gift guide for the stylish homeowner!

702parkproject - stylish homeowner guide

1. Lindsay Letters Tartan Heart Canvas – $51 (on sale!) / 2. Unwined Teakwood Candle – $23 / 3. Grandiflora Clara Lacquer Box – $36 (on sale!) / 4. Leif Agate Bookends – $48 / 5. Letitia Elizabeth Meow Pillow – $102 (on sale…over half off!) / 6. Waiting On Martha Grey Herringbone Pom Pom Throw – $58 (+10% off with code CYBER10) / 7. Elements of Style Book – $35 / 8. Michelle Armas White Print – $35

PS- Today is the last day to get 15% off my Etsy shop with code ShopSmall15!

5 Steps To Help You Stick To Your Holiday Budget (plus a free worksheet!)

Categories: Just For Fun

The season is upon us! Before we know it, it will be Christmas. The hustle and bustle will soon take over, and with that, a certain stress that comes from knowing our wallets are about to get lighter sets in. Charles and I both grew up in households that went all out at Christmas time (and still do!), so it’s hard for us to scale back sometimes. That’s why I created a system a few years ago to help us stay on budget while still covering all our bases when it comes to gifts.

I know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but I wanted to go ahead and share this with you because, if you’re like me, you like to shop early.  My goal is usually to have all of my Christmas shopping done by the end of Thanksgiving weekend.

So here goes…my best tips for holiday shopping on a budget.

1.  Set a budget. It seems obvious, but there it is. Trust me: simply saying that you will “spend less” this season doesn’t work. Also, be specific. Rather than setting an overall spending limit, set a limit for each person or couple you plan to buy for.

Below is a free template that I came up with and use each year.  Just click to download!

PDF version:

Download (PDF, 22KB)

Interactive Excel version:

Download (XLSX, 13KB)

2. Track everything. What good is a budget if you don’t stick to it? If you feel like you might be tempted to go over your budget, use the cash envelope system when shopping.

702parkproject - holiday budget - example

3. Be aware of sales, deals, coupons, and rewards. It pays to shop early. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday…these are all great times to capitalize on savings. It wasn’t until I ventured out in the wee hours of Black Friday morning several years ago that I realized just how big your savings can be on these days.

In addition, sites like coupons.com and smartsource.com make “clipping coupons” a breeze. Any time I shop online, I go through Ebates so that I can get a little cash back. I’ve already earned about $150 this year just for shopping online for things that I would have bought anyway.

4. Remember that it’s the thought that counts. You don’t have to spend a huge amount on your loved ones at Christmas to let them know that you love and appreciate them. Thoughtful and handmade gifts can be even more special than expensive ones. And edible gifts are always welcome in our house.

Lastly, why not include a personal card with each gift? We give birthday cards, but so often forget to be as personal at Christmas.

5. Shop after the holidays. This is the time to stock up on seasonal decor and gifts for next year. Most retailers begin their inventory audits at the beginning of the year and are trying to move products off the shelves. Look for decorations and gifts that you know won’t go out of style in the next year.

What are your holiday shopping tips? Do you like to knock out your shopping early, or wait until later in the season?

 

Landline

Categories: Just For Fun

First of all, thank you all so much for the birthday wishes yesterday on the blog, Facebook, and Instagram! Y’all sure know how to make a girl feel special.

As of yesterday, we officially have a landline at home. I feel like we’ve stepped back in time. I haven’t had a landline since I lived with my parents almost 10 years ago. I mean, I can do everything on my iPhone. I have so many questions…

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Should we now start screening calls by waiting for the answering machine to come on? Will we have to use *69 often? Will we actually keep the phone book that’s delivered instead of throwing it away as usual? If I press 0, will I get an operator? If someone’s on the phone, will the internet still work?

Do you have a landline? Do you ever use it?

The Evolution of Wish Lists

Categories: Just For Fun

It’s funny how things change as you get older.  Not necessarily because you want them to, but because you need them to.

Today is my birthday, and I couldn’t help but think about what things are on my dream wish list… these rag & bone booties, a Clare Vivier clutch I’ve been eying for years, 12 settings of the Bunny Williams dinnerware set, a Philip Lim satchel, lots of coffee table books, this leather sofa for the office, and expensive champagne…just to name a few.

flr pin2

So what’s actually on my wish need list this year? Blinds, a monthly (at least) cleaning lady visit, cabinets for our laundry room, a vacuum, having our back porches and stairs painted, another Nest thermostat, and new shutters. Not quite as glamorous as the previous list, but certainly necessary. Priorities, right?

What’s on your wish list this year? How has your wish list changed as you’ve gotten older?

PS- you can see my actual wish lists here, here, and here.