On saving money

Money. Green. Dough. Benjamins. Whichever way you decide to call it you just can't function without it. For the past several years I've personally struggled with money. When I got my first job I lived at home for almost a year. I didn't have to pay rent - I only took care of my cell phone, car insurance, and whatever else I deemed necessary. Enter spending hundreds on handbags, accessories, shoes, clothes. You name it, I bought it.

Upon moving out I was in for a huge surprise. Saving money - and living on a new budget was not as easy as I'd thought. After hours being cut at my fulltime job in late 2008 and draining my savings fund to stay afloat in 2009 I decided that 2010 would be the year of reform. Between the start of 2010 with a pathetic savings account and the start of 2011 I had managed to save 10,000. Of course - selling off a lot of unused expensive designer bags and items helped, but I'd like to think that I've started to get myself into the right direction.

Credit cards have always been my worst enemy. With our recent trip to Europe and engagement, I've kinda gone a little overboard with eating out. But, I'm back on track vowing to chop them up for good (only use them to get more travel rewards) and be done with them forever.

As a result... I've been crunching the numbers on a slower day here at the office and I'll be able to meet my personal goal this year of saving. I'm a little nervous about seeing my new paychecks in May since I'll be contributing to my 401K fund and dental insurance will be taken out. I may have to rework things, but the difference shouldn't be that huge. Plus, I can always up the 401K amount once I've hit my savings goals. And I'd really like to give myself a clothing/spending allowance. I did buy about 49.00 worth of stuff from H&M this past weekend, but I had budgeted that into my biweekly paycheck (look for a reveal later on this week!)

Additionally, I've decided to start putting aside money to a wedding fund. I figure that if there's something I'd really like to have for the wedding (I'm thinking a photobooth....) that I can save for it and buy it myself. It'll give me something to look forward to, and feel proud about on my big day.

Anyway. So I apologize for the off topic blog post, but I just thought I'd throw this out there. Anyone can save - even if its 5, 10, 25 a month. Financial security and freedom is fantastic.

Lust list - April 2011

Dear checkbook, I am so so sorry for the following list. Of course, if it was up to me, all of these items (and then some)  would be coming home with me. Alas, I don't currently have the budget for it, so pouring over these pretty pictures shall do instead.

Skirts:
In case you haven't noticed, I'm kinda obsessed with Anthropologie. Their ruffles and soft colors make the little girl in me squeal.
Anthro's convergence skirt with its stripes and little pleats just make me smile. Plus the colors are a great neutral to go with a variety of tops and shoes, too!

Next up in Anthro's sugar work skirt. What's better for spring than a sunshiney yellow skrit with white ribbons swirling around it?

Anthro's drawing parallels skirt is something that I think would be fantastic for Easter, if not the rest of spring and summer and even fall. I adore the color on this, and I think it would be a fantastic addition to my wardrobe.

Shoes:

There is one pair that I've seen similar styles pop up over several blogs. Alas, my local Urban Outfitters is outo of these and I would have to order them online. I really like the nude color because it's a fantastic neutral, and honestly I don't have any shoes that already look like this. And the price point isn't that bad, either!

Bag:

I haven't lusted after a bag in awhile, quite frankly, probably more than 6 months. The last one I bought got sent back because it wasn't the right size. But this one has me drooling, especially in the chai color. JCrew's lockwood hobo is spot on with everything that I want in a bag - plus there's 4 colors to choose from. And if you order by the end of today, you can get an additional 20% off orders of 150.00 or more.

Well friends that's about it for now - at least on my end. What's currently on your spring wishlist?

engagement dresses

So I have to admit that while the pure bliss of finally being engaged still hasn't worn off I'm starting to turn my attention to inevitably what will be the hard part - wedding planning. But before we dive into all that I just had to turn the spotlight onto this perfect little dress that I picked up at jcrew last weekend with a friend. I thought it would be so cute for an engagement party or dinner with our families.

Enter the JCrew tea stained dobby dress. There's something so sweet and girly about the color and the little red polkadots. Plus with a belt and a cardigan its the perfect thing to wear to a happy party.

I also really adore Anthropologie's pezza dress. The blue is just so upbeat and fantastic for spring and summer. I think I would really get a lot of wear out of it.

I don't have much else to add right now - but I thought I'd share these two really cute dresses.

Thank goodness the weekend is almost here - I'm looking forward to dinner at a nice restaurant and massages, followed up by a fun hair fashion show with a friend.

Have a great one!

A big piece of love.

in its pretty tacori box

I am so excited to announce that after 8 years 5 months and 6 days of dating my boyfriend is now my fiance. On Thursday  morning he got down on one knee and proposed with my dream tacori ring. I'm thrilled beyond belief. Both of our familes are really happy and excited, and I'm still in a bit of an OMGWHAT moment. But that's okay. I'll somehow survive. ;)

pardon the notebook...

LOVE the detailing!

I'm definitely thinking next year. We haven't set a date yet but I have a few in mind. I've already found my bridesmaids - my sister is my MOH, fiance's sister, and my best friend since grade school. I'm way excited to start dress shopping. My dream dress is an enzoani number, but I'm not sure I'll be able to bring myself to spend that much money on a dress.

I have to admit in all of this happiness there is a very bittersweet element. I'm so extremely sad that my grandpa can't be here to see this. I want to pick up the phone and call him so so badly. I'm also coming to the realization that my grandma will probably not be able to see the wedding as its just not feasible for her to do so. I would hate to confuse her even more. As a result, my mom has offered me my grandma's pearls on her wedding day for me to wear. I'm also going to carry my grandpa's wedding band on me so I can have both of them with me on my big day.

I do have a reveal of my holy grail item coming up in the next few days. Until then, champagne really doesn't get old!

All ruffled up

Early in January when I was introduced to a coworker I immediately noticed her hair; specifically the few strands of brightly colored feathers she had adorned her tresses with. Instantly my wheels started churning.

If you know me, you know that I'm one to always want to mess with my hair. Its been a handful of colors, super short, long, blonde underneath, bright red ends after I graduated high school and almost every red/burgundy/wine and shade of black in between. But... feathers? That was a new one.

Ever since I saw some photos from a local salon who specializes in color I decided I wanted to dye a section underneath to look like phesant feathers.

Instead... enter the feather extensions.

oh hai bathroom shot. this takes me back to myspace..

Apologies for the bad bathroom shot but holy cow, I have a new obsession. I love these so much - it seems as if it is the perfect answer. I still get to have a bit of fun with my hair - and when I'm tired of it - I take them out.  Even the BF likes them, and my mom thought they were pretty cool, too.

So today after work I'm going to go have some more put in - I'm thinking some red ones and maybe gold or brown.

Anyway. In other news I'm stalking a pair of shoes and a skirt on urban. Not sure if I'll bite - maybe after payday this week but we will see.

Has anyone done anything different with their hair lately? Let me know - I'd love to hear about it! Hope you are having a great week so far!

The A to Z of me.

I saw this over at Sara's blog and thought it would be a little fun thing for me to do on a dreary morning (although it is Friday!)

A. Age: 26.

B. Bed Size: Queen. and I love it (especially when the cat decides to take over my side of the bed....)
C. Chore you dislike: All of them? I actually really dislike laundry. Way too many steps. If I could just fast forward to the warm out of the dryer part then I'd be happier.
D. Dogs: None :( Our apartment is too tiny. I would love to have a corgi though.
E. Essential start to your day: Sitting with Rosie for a few minutes and watching the morning news if its a weekday.
F. Favorite color: Hm I donno... probably red. Although I do like blue, too...
G. Gold or silver: Silver.
H. Height: 5'6.

I. Instruments you play(ed): Ahahaha. None. I always thought it would be cool to play the violin though..

J. Jelly bean flavor: Ooh the starburst ones - strawberry!
K. Kids: None at the moment... but I think 2 is a good number.
L. Lucky number: 11.

M. Month: I really dig September and October. It's our best weather here and the days are still long enough to have sun when you get off work.

N. Nicknames: I don't have any anymore, but I use to go by Fo...

O. Overnight hospital stays: A supposed blood clot scare when I was 16. I was hospitalized for 5 days only to find out that oops! My mri was read wrong.

P. Pet peeves: People who drive with their blinkers going, line jumpers, leaving the lights on in the house.
Q. Quote from a movie: "..and one pasta with meatless balls. Ew. It tastes the same! if you close your eyes.." - RENT
R. Righty or lefty: Righty.

S. Siblings: I have 1 sister who is younger. Everyone thinks we look alike but I don't see it. I look like both of my parents and she doesn't look like either (sorry lisa).
T. Time you wake up: .... 7:50. The joys of walking to work and starting at 9AM.
U. Underwear: I wear it. All the time/
V. Vegetables you don't like: I really don't have anything against veggies. I actually like brussel sprouts (with bacon... mmm...)
W. What makes you run late: Muni. Enough said.
X. X-rays you've had: Everything south of my chest.
Y. Yummy food you make:  Ahaha. Another funny one. With the help of a mix I can do a wicked jambalaya. Does that count?
Z. Zoo animal favorites: Penguins! And chinchillas. Only cause I'm biased. ;)

Happy Friday!

Whirlwind

Hello out there in blogland. I'm so sorry that I've failed to update this recently but I'm vowing to do better.

The past few weeks have been a complete blur. Europe was absolutely amazing - and in fact it feels like we went months ago. London was cold but for some reason I didn't mind (it almost feels like it added to the charm!). I achieved my goal of eating sticky toffee pudding (holy cow, yum) went to Liberty of London (although I didn't purchase anything it was fun to look) and I did go to Topshop and came home with a gorgeous vintage silk scarf.

Royal Swan

Tower bridge

Big Ben

Barcelona was almost a complete 180 from London. We stuffed ourselves with paella and spanish wine, enjoyed the sun, and just took in the culture. I could honestly wander Barcelona for hours - the winding twisting alleys with apartments piled up so high, birds tweeting from their windowsil cages and cobbled sidewalks. Barcelona is where I fell in love with my best friend all over again.

The lizard at Guell park

Shutters and windows on our hotel



Bumblebee at Guell park



It honestly seems like time has been flying by at an unprecendented speed. I can't believe March is coming to a close and April is almost upon us. 

Lately I've kinda been into a redecorating kick around the apartment. I'd love to paint some of the walls but quite frankly I'm not too sure I have that much energy (or effort). I've been gathering up prints of places that we've traveled to and framing them on a wall. I want it to be a bit of a photo collage.



I'm also majorly lusting for a new jewelry box and ring holder. I don't currently have either of those items and you have no idea how hard it is to try and pick something out.  For some reason I can't help but want the bunny ring holder from urban. There's just something so cutesy and adorable about it it makes me smile whenever I look at it. Alas, my local store is sold out of it and I'm not too sure I want to pay for the shipping.

Anyway - that's whats going on with me at the moment. Not much else besides my daily 9-5 grind and just being content with the way things are.