July/August Budget- Time For A Freeze

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

GlamGlow "Glamizing" Supermud Set: $69
Hunter "Original Refined" Boots: $195, on sale for $129.90
Kate Spade Mini Small Square Studs: $32, on sale for $20.90
Silver and Gold Hoops: $26 ea. (returned)
Sunnylife Tablet Case with Portable Speaker: $35.98 (returned)


TJ Maxx

Silver Knot Studs: $20
Gold Wing Studs: $10
Vince Camuto Sleeveless Blue Top: $25
Red Bag: $25 (returned)
3/4 Sleeve Maroon Top with Zippers on Shoulders: $20
Navy Shirt Dress: $30 (returned)
2017 Planner: $5 (not pictured- returned)


Other 
Target Beauty Box: $10 
Old Navy Cardigans: $37 ea, on sale for $11 ea (ThredUp credit used)
Pyrex 18pc Glass Food Storage with Multi-colored Lids: $30.49, on sale for $25 (Amazon)


It's been two months since my last check-in, and WOW am I glad I stopped to do this now. My monthly budget is $83 and my quarterly budget is $250. See that number below? WAY OVER. I'm wondering if I should include things like Pyrex because that's more of a "Home" purchase than Clothing/Beauty, but I don't currently have a "Home" category since I rarely, if ever, buy things for my home. Anyway, I said I was going to do a freeze in August and I totally did not. Instead, I went in the exact opposite direction. Some of this couldn't be avoided because with the new job I had new needs- like a bag that could fit a laptop and lunch and whatever else I deemed necessary for the day, and some new clothes, particularly cardigans. 

Total Monthly Spending: $304.80

Total Quarterly Spending: $304.80

Annual Budget Remaining = $313

So it's time for a spending freeze. Here are my rules for the freeze:

Allowed:
groceries
lunch out 2x week
pre-budgetted purchases/dining out

Do Not Pass Go:
clothing/shoes/accessories
coffee/specialty drinks (I have a gift card from DD- so no purchases over the $10 limit)
books/movies/iTunes/extra entertainment fees
Groupon/Living Social/Amazon Local/Goldstar [this will be the hardest]

I'll post an update on Thursday, September 29.

When was the last time you went waaaayy over budget? 

How did you reign in spending?

Linking up with Franish for Budgeting Bloggers. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Insta-Happies

You know how sometimes you're just in a funk? You could have had a great day, but somehow, all of a sudden, it creeps in. Or maybe it's been raining for a week and it's just got you bummed out. I'm not talking about serious depression- I have no cure-all for that- just a general feeling of the blues. And I'm not referring to burn out- when (I feel) a legit vacation is necessary. Most times, my immediate reaction is "Um, this sucks. I want out NOW." And the last few days have been kinda like that, so I'm presenting to you my top 10  "Insta-Happies."

1. Light
Actual light- whether it be sunlight or electric. Being in a well-lit environment instantly makes me feel better. I actually just purchased a desk lamp for when the blues hit at work. And when I'm home, I'll open every window shade and turn on every light. Electric bill be damned!

2. Music
I have my guilty pleasures playlist, those "wake up happy" and other curated lists, along with seasonal playlists on Spotify. I also enjoy the radio for #6, because then I don't have to think. My usual go-to are usually early 90's or 2000 pop (think Mariah Carey, Spice Girls and EARLY Britney/Christina/Mandy Moore...also seen on the guilty pleasures list).

3. Organizing/Cleaning
I'm not a particularly messy person and I live alone but sometimes, life happens. My dining room table becomes a dumping ground for mail and other miscellaneous items, I haven't done dishes in 3 days, and the laundry basket is overflowing. Getting these chores done gives me a sense of pride, and let's face it- no one likes living in a pigsty (definition varies by person)!

4. Investing in Hobbies- for me, that means Blogging!
As a Psychology major I've read my fair share of self-help books, and I've always read that "writing it out" helps. Sometimes I do this in a private journal, but then I found out an ex read parts of it, so that kinda ruined it for me. I plan to go back to writing in it more regularly eventually, but right now I use it for writing out my ragey rants. But this blog gives me an outlet where I can write whatever I want. If I'm angry, I can say that, or I can write a post about something completely unrelated like my favorite face masks or ya know,... Insta-Happies! And not only can I feel the release just from writing out whatever it is I feel I need to express at the time, but the connections I've made through my readers are amazing, and anytime I get a reply I get instant gratification- someone read my writing! And liked it enough to reply! Yay!

5. Talk It Out
This one is a little bit harder than me since I'm not really an overtly emotional person. In most cases when I'm upset, sad ,or even just bummed out, I shut down. I don't want to talk to or see anyone. My inital reaction is to hermit or turtle until I snap out of it. However lately, I've found that talking about whatever it is that's causing the blues actually helps, even if I can't explain it very well. Not to mention that talking is a two-way street, so just listening to someone else can help me get out of a funk as well.

6. "Zoning/Checking Out"
Whether this means reading/writing blogs, reading a book, crafting, watching TV, or playing a phone/video game, it basically means just not thinking about the problem or whatever it is that's bothering you. This is usually tool #3 after light and music for me.

7. Being Productive
This goes along with #3, but sometimes you just don't feel like doing chores. Being productive for me means doing actual work, errands, paying bills, or those annoying little things that you've put off for far too long but are also taking up too much room in your head and need to get done.

8. Shower/Mani/Pedi/Facial Combo

9. Sleep
Some people can't sleep when they're stressed out or feeling blue. I don't have that problem, unless I'm stressed about something like presenting in front of a large group of people, and that's more because of anxiety than anything else. I'm not so hot at napping, but I'm great at sleeping.

10. Shopping
This one is kind of a double edge sword for me, because sometimes afterwards I get buyer's remorse. Or I just don't like anything I find. But usually even buying myself something small like nail polish and can make me feel better. 

What gets you out of the blues? I'm always looking for suggestions! 

Weekend Updates on a Wednesday

Hey guys! I'm still trying to get the hang of this whole life-work balance after transferring positions so I haven't really been to this space in awhile, but I'm trying to come back to it because I miss it! I was lucky enough to score a 3-day weekend two weeks ago, so I wanted to to share all the fun stuffs (and because I like pictures).

Friday was "deck beers night" with the Mountain Mamas. Apparently this is an annual summer girls night with Blue and "the Mamas"- a group of girls she's met in her complex that have become very close friends. There was lots of beer, snacks, CAH (which I won- woot!), and laughs. And I got initiated into the group even though I don't live there :)

my fave picture this year- so much happy

Saturday was a day of rest. We binged on Stranger Things which I absolutely loved. Have you guys seen it? Also- I printed the below and pinned it to my workspace because I couldn't agree more!

On Sunday we were up bright and early to get ready for our trip down to Asbury Park, NJ. If you are from the area, you know that this part of the Shore was not the nicest a few years ago. However, it's quickly become a hot spot for Jersey Shore goers, and I can totally see why.

Our first spot was The Asbury, a new hotel where we were staying for the night. Before even arriving I loved everything about this spot. There was a pool with (free) cabanas and waitress service (not to mention huge flotation devices, such as the coveted swaaaaan), 24 hr food market/kitchen, and... be-still my beating heart... a beigarten complete with a food cart.

I would love to give this place a rave review, however, I cannot. First of all, it was so packed when we arrived that the only spot we could get by the pool was by the (unlit- thank whoever you pray to) firepit- directly in the sun. When we went to check out the (empty) beirgarten, we found that it wasn't open yet, including the food truck which was supposed to have opened an hour beforehand, and we were swarmed by biting flies. Not cool. In fact, the food truck never opened that day. First, they said it was "too hot" and then... nothing. The beirgarten wasn't supposed to open until nighttime, but there was a poolside bar, so we were still able to quench our thirst. After a 2 hour wait, we threw our stuff into the room and made out way to Wonder Bar.

Wonder Bar is an infamous bar and Asbury Park landmark. I don't really remember why, but I've definitely heard of it before. Anyway, it was dingy, dirty, and full of old people, but they did have a "Yappy Hour" dog park which is where we sat and enjoyed watching the dogs play until it was time for the concert.

We chose to stay at The Asbury in part because of its proximity to The Stone Pony. 2 blocks? Don't mind if we do! Traditionally, The Stone Pony is an indoor venue, however they recently expanded to include an outdoor section, which is where this concert was held. We went to go see The Go Go's Farewell Tour, mostly because it was cheap and we thought it would be fun. Which it was, and would have been more so if the venue wasn't a giant parking lot. I'm not kidding- they set up a stage on the parking lot adjacent to The Stone Pony, and had many beer tents, but only 2 that had food, and it was hot as Hades and there was absolutely no escape, not to mention absolutely nowhere to sit. We sought out AC inside The Stone Pony until the show started,watched for a bit, and left right before the finale, which actually sounded better outside the venue than it did inside, because the soundbar was in the back. Go figure. 

When we got back to the hotel, I was hangry (the lines for the 2 food trucks were just too ridiculous). I was excited to get some fresh food, only to find that the aforementioned "24 hr diner" was more like a "24 hr pick up station"- there were only pre-packaged sandwiches to purchase. It was terrible, overpriced, and dry, not to mention the completely false advertising! On Monday we checked out the boardwalk, grabbed some iced coffee and sat people watching over the beach, and headed back. 

where

How was you weekend? 

When was the last time a hotel/venue didn't meet your expectations (positive or negative)?

A TJ Maxxperience

Just to start off, this is NOT a sponsored post. I just really love TJ Maxx (and Home Goods).

I'm a Maxxinista, and have been for as long as I can remember. I love everything about this store chain and one of its affiliates- Home Goods. I've spent MANY hours browsing, envisioning, and eventually buying "stuff" from these two stores. It doesn't help that my mom works part-time at TJ (and tells me whenever there's a sale) or that my apartment is literally within a 5 minute walk from BOTH of these. As such, whenever I'm in need of something to wear or for the home/office, or even as a gift, these are my go-to spots. And it's not so much that I'm into "designer" stuff, but they have such an eclectic variety of things to choose from that I almost never leave empty-handed. Honestly, I think that has happened literally twice ever, because I was looking for something very specific. But that's the thing about these stores- I never know what I'll find, and that's what keeps drawing me in. Well that and ya know, actually needing something, but I've gone there "just to browse" on many a night.

But that's also how they "get" you. You don't know what you'll find, and if you find the most perfect shirt or bag or pair of shoes, you're prone to buy it on the spot (ahem, impulse buy) rather than wait on it for a week or whatever as you may do with some other purchases while you hem and haw over if it's a want or need or NEED need, etc. because you know that in these stores... it won't be there if you wait on it. And it won't be restocked. It's now or never, screaming "BUY ME!" And most times I can't resist, except last night.

Last night I went in for a new purse/laptop bag. Since starting in my new position, one of the "perks" was getting a laptop. Which is a double-edge sword in and of itself, but that's neither here nor there. Anyway, my last  "commuter bag" has seen much better days. I still have it, but it's pretty much expired it's useful (and pretty) time. And I've had my current purse for at least 2 years. That may not seem like long, but I use it every.single.day and it's usually filled to the brim with crap. I'm not one of those people who switch out purses regularly, or really ever, And for the last week and a half, I've also been straining this purse with said laptop. It's past its prime, fraying at the seams- just a hot mess. So I needed a new one that would fit not only my laptop (which means it had to have that padded section), but also my lunch, a notepad, and whatever else I deemed necessary for the day. I knew what my needs were. I had an idea of what I was looking for, and yet... I browsed the entire section. And I found my IT bag.

::sighhhh::

I've had the Jet Set Michael Kors bag pinned on my Wish list for over 3 years (literally, I just checked). However, I'm not one to pay $300 for a purse, especially when I'm not nice with purses- I bang them around and tote the same one everywhere and this is not that type of purse. So I've pretty much written it off in life, except... here it is. The Jet Set, in the color I would have wanted it (Navy, though black would have been just as acceptable) for a mere $150.

There was only the one. I was thisclose to buying it, but it was missing one of my "must-haves" for a work/commuter bag- no top zipper, just a button closure (thought the part where the laptop would go was zipped, but still). So I went back to my original pick, which has the laptop padded part, many pockets, a top zipper and only $25. And I'm a little proud of myself for making the smart/right choice and sticking to my needs (and my budget) even if I do kinda still want that dream bag!

Meet Big Red

When was the last time you succumbed to an impulse purchase? 

Currently: August

Currently... I'm getting into the groove of my new job. I still have no idea what my title is or how long I'll be in this position, and I'm still pretty stressed out about it, but I've gotten some new projects to work on that I'm really excited about, my new coworkers seem really cool and overall it's a much more laid back environment, which is awesome. Also, there are a lot of fun events planned for this month as I check off some more goals off of my summer bucket list so things are certainly looking up!

Reading: work stuff. Bosslady just bought me a children's type of book relating to Computer Science now that I work in IT (and have no previous background in this field).

Watching: Finished all 7 seasons of Gilmore Girls! Now back to S6 Grey's Anatomy. Also watched Zombie Sharks (so, so bad but I couldn't stop watching!), Ghostbusters (liked all the cameos from the original, and Kate McKinnon was HYSTERICAL), and Heathers (for the first time; what an effed up movie!). Planning to see Bad Moms next week!

"Who ya gonna call?!"

Planning: what to do this weekend. This is the first weekend all summer that I'll be spending exclusively with my mom, and while she wanted to go to Long Branch (Jersey shore), it's supposed to rain all weekend so I'm trying to figure out a small getaway that we can take public transportation to and that's mostly indoors.

Hearting: girl time. In winter/colder months, I tend to hibernate, but I love hanging out with my friends when it's warmer out! Just last month I got to see the majority of them, either one-on-one or in a group setting and it makes my heart sing. Its always a good time when I'm with my girls, and I'd forgotten how important just spending time with them was! 

girls night

Organizing: my new workspace at work. Trying to add some personal touches to make it feel less boring and more inspiring. Also trying to figure out what supplies I need. I really want to add a lamp and maybe something to border the part between the blue corkboard and plexiglass.

new workspace

Hearing: Cicadas! They're rising up from the ground and mating now that their 17-year life cycle is almost up! I hear them every morning, and it's a sound that I equate with home so I'm definitely not mad about it!

Exploring: the world of financial literacy. This month I'm doing a no-spend month, and taking a step back to re-evaluate my budget and track my current spending. I'm also trying to find the best credit card rewards cards. I haven't had a credit card since my mom maxed them out when I was 18. I've stayed away from them like the plague because I was rebuilding my credit, but now that they're past their statue of limitation, I'm thinking of getting one. So I'm researching which one will give me the most bang for my buck! Any suggestions?

Creating: an IG account for Mopey Batman! I purchased Mopey Batman on Amazon as a gag gift for Blue and we and have been taking him with us on vacations and just around. Now you can follow his adventures here!

Mopey Batman in Key West

Eating: leftovers mostly, because I've become too lazy to cook lately. But how simple and delicious does this look for a quick and easy weeknight meal? Not to mention Budget Bytes always has yummy (and cheap!) options. Recipe here. 

Bowties and broccoli

What's up with you currently? 
Linking up with Anne, Dana, Kristen, and Gretch!