Beautify Your Budget

Since Zach brings home to bacon (soy of course), I try to manage all of our bill payment/savings etc.on the home front. I've talked about the envelope method,explained by simplemom and we were doing a really good job with it. Then, well it kinda fell by the wayside.



Fast forward to these gorgeous, eco-friendly,genius envelopes- by Heather over at Beauty That Moves . They are Cash Budget Pouches, you can order your own set for Groceries,Baby Needs,Shoes- you get the idea. The fabrics are very simple and sweet and each has a hand-stamped label.



How about that for a gorgeous, motivational push? They are the perfect size for keeping your cash in a stylish, durable,organized manner. Plus, I've used the real envelopes and well I feel awkward and obvious- these are super cute! You can also read Heather's own description of the system at Simple,Green,Frugal Co-op.



This is such a great idea- please show this lovely shop some love while getting your finances in order- before the holiday rush!
xo

Pretending to Be Organized for the Holidays

I've always wanted a wreath like this. It just embodies the holidays to me. Cheerful- uses the bounty of the seasons- is natural and crafty at the same time.


The lovely wreath- can be made by you! Here.

So the other day I actually sat down with my laptop and a chai to create a Holiday Budget 2008- inspired by Simple Mom's post. I am a list master and I always write down what I want to make/buy/get people for the holidays- but this list focuses more on how much supplies will be and who is getting what.

I've decided for the many little faces I need to get gifts for this year, I will be customizing composition books.(luckily the little faces don't use the internet or read my blog) Why hadn't I thought of this before?! I make these journals for myself for everything finances-pregnancy. I found a good example
on Martha's site She also has adorable- downloadable stickers to write the owner's name & so on. There is also the cute idea of
using envelopes for secret messages, which I've done in the past. The little pockets are sweet to leave notes or stickers - something special.



To help me stay organized with running ideas and WIPs, I'll be using a clipboard. The clipboard I am going to use was my father's from work. He worked for the Water Company for 30+ years and used this clipboard everyday as it hung from his truck. I use to love when he brought the truck/van home. I'd climb into the high seat and just take everything in. The clipboard dangling from a metal hook, pencils, change and randomness. When you're a kid these little daily occurences are so simple- yet so dear and you don't realize when you're a kid to savor it. With that said all about a clipboard- When my father retired I took that and his old lunch box( which he doesn't know I hung on to- it has all of his union & USA stickers). I use the clipboard at all of my jobs to hold random papers together. The bottom where it is curved is so old and almost warped. But using it makes me happy.

Seeing pictures like this on Flickr I got the idea to collage over a clipboard from the talented, Jane's Apron. She has an etsy shop full of crafty lovelies.

I can only hope mine comes out as cute as these!
Have a great Tuesday!

Saturday

Here are some old-fashiony bibs I made for the shop, they're reversible and made with some new and vintage fabrics.
I like the tie around the neck ones, that way they can't be ripped off by little hands.
I also had a fruitful day, Thursday creating new cuffs.

I've started using holiday/solstice fabrics. Hopefully this weekend I can get some more finished and into the shop and possibly a local brick & mortar in Nyack.

So far the envelope method is working. Last night we went to Stop & Shop and found all of our Nature's Promise items to stock up on and Zach made a trip to Trader Joe's this afternoon. We should be set for a while now. Stocking up on broth, butternut squash soup,bread and TJ's amazing vegan veggie pizza ( which compared to Amy's is like 3-4$ cheaper depending on the store!). We dorkily used our little designated envelopes- but it felt good to have tunnel vision- just get what is on the list. I typed up my list and used some of Simple Mom's shopping list PDF tips.

The weather is so beautiful out, of course this past week I felt pretty good aside from the aches & pains I've started having. So that would explain why today I've been couch ridden. At the OBGYN, I was told I am almost weighing in at 190, so I've gained 3 or 4 pounds- which is good because I had been loosing.

We rented Rob Zombie's Halloween, which I figured would put us in the Halloweenie mood, but I couldn't get through it. I'm a fan of horror films, but I think there is just something about Rob Zombie's movies specifically that weird me out and upset me. I guess I was expecting something similar to the original. Plus with the baby, I feel weird watching something violent like that. So we've opted for the new Hulk, which Zach will be writing about for work anyhow. I'm a big fan of Liv Tyler and Ed Norton- so I'll let that put me in a Halloweenie mood.


From the couch, I've been working on my thank you notes for the shower. Thoughtfully, my big sister Susan bought me thank you notes. They're pretty adorable and of course, I need to save 2 for my baby scrapbook. I'm a fiend. I've also been working on my second hat. Originally, for Zach after asking him if he, as a man would wear the color(olive with burgundy,yellow & red pieces)out in public. His first response was yes, of course he'd wear it- however on a second asking he kinda of changed his mind. So as it is I am knitting myself a new winter hat and I'm delighted! I'm sure I can find some sort of yarn in my stash for a manly autumn cap.

With that I am going to nestle into our living room for the night. Finish up some coffee cuffs, dust and refigure our owl collection, eat some chocolate
(Tia of Christopher & Tia turned me onto these), knit and cuddle with my hubbie- the kicker of a baby in my tummy and some SNL. Assuming I don't fall asleep before 8pm- that is!
xo
M