September Budget Recap

September is almost over and it's time for budget bloggers with Fran! Here's how I did below:

From top left:

Old Navy plaid: $20.00

J Crew Cardigan: $44.00

J Crew marled popover: $42.00

Mindy Mae's Market Striped sweater: $26.99

Catbird cat pack ring: $27.80

Not pictured:

H&M pullover: $19.99

J Crew v neck: $12.00

Lariat necklace from a local jeweler: $15.00

Total: $177.78. So... not bad, but not great either. I did sell a pair of shoes for 50.00 through tradsey, so that helps. The J Crew cardigan is to replace my much loved orange cardigan that got ruined in the wash, and I'm super excited to have an olive green sweater. 

As for what I need... really, honestly, nothing. I do want to go through my wardrobe and see what I can purge. As for shoes, I think I can let go of a lot of pairs to slim down what I have, but also build a good shoe wardrobe of classic, everyday pairs that can go with any outfit. Thanks to Katie, I'm also thinking of evaluating my skirt situation as some of them are ill fitting. Also, the one thing missing from my wardrobe seems to be a grey blazer.

How did you do this month?

42 Hours in Boise

This past weekend Dh and I took a quick 80 minute flight up to Boise to see my cousin play college football against BSU. In addition to visiting another new state, we had the pleasure of meeting some of the nicest people EVER. I swear, Idaho, no idea how you do it but your people are so warm and kind.

Boise is a lovely city with a vibrant Basque scene as well as multiple breweries (hurrah for craft beer!). And you can't forget about Idaho potatoes.. just delicious. We had a great time walking the city - because Boise is fairly flat it's easy to walk around to and from attractions (no need for taxis, either!). We had a great time at the Boise State tailgate, made some friends and went to a space bar, and I tried a bison burger for the first time (and I liked it).

Until next time Boise.... thank you!

Sour beer at Bittercreek

Stuffed beignets at the farmers market

Inside the Capital building

Boise State Helmet on a golf cart..

Boise Depot

Albertson's Stadium, aka Smurf Turf at BSU

All the way from UL!

Bison burger + Laura fries at Boise Fry Co

Awesome street art

Crossing the Snake River

If you go...

Eat/Drink:
Boise Fry Company - pick your potato and fry type, and then prepare to mix sauces and salts to a come up with your own french fry creation. Also, try the bison burger. Yum.
Boise Taphouse - huge beer selection and tv's galore for football Sunday.
The Basque Market - an awesome basque tapas bar with crazy good croquettes and meatballs. Definitely don't forget the chocolate pudding for dessert.
Bittercreek Ale House - fantastic late night happy hour, and the poutine is out of this world.

To do:
Space bar - get your retro game on with pinball, 80's arcade games, and super nintendo while sipping local beer at this awesome spot.
Idaho Capital Building - a gorgeous capital building open on weekends with lots of history about Idaho and it's counties. Plus, the dome inside is absolutely gorgeous.
Albertson's stadium at Boise State - Smurf turf. Enough said.
Basque Block - Basque culture in Boise condensed into a block of it's own.
Boise Depot - What remains of Boise's train depot, along with a beautiful garden and ponds overlooking the city.
Capital City Public Market - An outdoor market with one requirement - everything has to be made in Idaho (try the BuckSnort root beer and look for some huckleberry goats milk soap!)

Stay:
Hotel 43 - lovely boutique hotel within the heart of downtown, and a complimentary airport shuttle with 1PM checkout.

The Cat's Meow

This fall season seems to be shaping up for all things cats, and well, I'm not complaining. I think ever since Charlotte Olympia came out with her Kitty flats everyone has been flocking to do something similar, but at a smaller price tag (although there is a part of me that secretly really wants the Charlotte Olympia flats, but 495...eeep!). I recently picked up this adorable Catbird ring with some birthday money but upon seeing some new releases lately I noticed a bit of a cat trend.

So if you'd like to jump onto the kitty bandwagon come join me.. and here's a few of my favorite items to keep you fashionable throughout your nine lives.

I'm seriously contemplating the Kate Spade cat flats... I think they are adorable! Okay, why lie, I want it all.

Are there any new trends or items that you've been loving lately? Will you be purchasing any cat items? If so, share below!

On turning 30

It's a little odd to say that I'm 30. For a very long time I was apprehensive and scared of this new age. 30 sounds so different than 29. But... for the first time in awhile I feel as though I'm going into this fully comfortable.

The twenties have been interesting - I graduated college, traveled internationally, adopted 3 pets, moved out and got married, started and ended jobs, and felt the devastating blow of the losses of grandparents, friends, and even pets. I continue to evolve my style, my way of thinking, how I handle situations, and think on things a bit longer before acting or speaking.

Venice 2007

College graduation - June 2007

With Abby a few weeks before she passed, 2009

London 2011

Our wedding day, August 11 2012

Rappelling in Mexico at 30

I was talking with my husband the other day and at 20 I don't think that I would have been able to picture myself at 30. I mean, there's still the fundamental parts of me at 20 that I still have at nearly 30, but I never thought that I would've found a career, live in San Francisco, work for a religious non profit, or be as blessed as I am with family and friends.

As for the next 10 years? Still being myself (and accepting that girl) tops my list. As does stepping foot on another new continent (Asia or Australia!), owning our own place, maybe sitting down to write that book, and not be afraid to live.


And how did I do on that 30 before 30? Let's see...

Dedicate more time and effort to the blog

Make homemade pasta and sauce

Join a sports team/bowling league/ice skating lessons (Does spin count?)

Bike across the golden gate bridge

Go to the symphony with DH

Go fruit/pumpkin picking

Hike Angel Island - June 14, 2014

Bake at least once a month with my kitchenaid mixer (I blame this on the sorry state of my small kitchen)

Visit the Italian American Museum 

Organize and play a bocce day

Be nicer to my cuticles

Clean my wardrobe

Exercise more and eat better

Visit at least one new US city Portland, Or - Sept 2013; Asheville, NC - Nov 2013; Kiawah Island, SC - Nov 2013

Read a minimum of 40 new books

Take and pass the PHR May 3, 2014!

Push myself harder at work

Strip down the wardrobe

Be better with impulse purchases

Visit another National Park (that I haven't been to already...)  Muir Woods - Dec 2013

Perfect my pie making abilities (According to DH  I'm good).

Have a dinner party

Visit another California coast lighthouse

Cook dinner at home at least twice a week

Get a few steps closer to buying our own place

Do something that really pushes my boundaries/limits

Finish my online course early (prior to November 20..) October 31, 2013

Work on being a better wife

Do something spontaneous

Be okay with turning 30.

Currently

I saw this post by Heidi at Literate & Stylish and thought I'd do the same as I try to get back into a normal blogging routine...

Writing: Besides this working on writing a small grant at work and working on planning out next year's wellness program. I've definitely fallen behind on the blog part (sorry blog!) but August was crazy in a good way. We spent three weekends away and work has picked up a bit so sadly the blog has fallen by the wayside.

Anticipating: Getting this grant done. Also wishing that this week goes by fast as we get to meet a friend's new little one this weekend. And additionally hoping that we can plan a last minute getaway in a few weeks to see my cousin play football...anyone been to Boise?

Wearing: Flip flops, pj shorts, and a tank. I've been doing laundry tonight while cooking dinner, and the bathroom is next on my cleaning list.

Craving: Indian food. And a nap. A nap would be grand..

Missing: Mexico, as pictured above. Vacation... augh!

What's on your writing, anticipating, wearing, craving, missing list?