soap aff
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
looking for the 2nd Annual Spending Freeze?
find it here! http://themamamonkey.blogspot.com/2012/02/its-time-for-2nd-annual-february.html
Come follow me
I am going to try to merge my blogs, so I will now be sharing my money saving tips, and other randomness over at http://themamamonkey.blogspot.com/
I would love it if you would come visit me!
Kimberly
I would love it if you would come visit me!
Kimberly
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
so, what IS my Style?
Nearly 2 weeks ago I inspired some of you, and scared the rest. And I left everyone asking, was her outfit an April Fool's joke or her coming out post of sorts? I have gotten a great deal of questions, and while I have been away from the blog, I have been mulling them over and would like to answer a lot of them today.
1) Was my post on April 1st a joke? This one has a yes and no answer. Yes, I did dress up, to pull a prank on my preteen when he was coming home from school- I told him it was my new everyday look, and offered to take him to the mall. It worked, and he was nervous that I was really going to make him be seen with me.
And no, I wasn't completely kidding. I am a free spirit, but I often put that aside in order to 'blend in'. As a clothing designer, both by profession and heart, I am artistic, and my medium of choice is clothing. I did go out with my family that day I dressed up, now, I did take off the lace top (per my preteen's request) and changed from the stripper shoes to flats (they are soo not comfortable). And I didn't feel silly or like it was Halloween. I liked the make-up, yarn dreads and everything. I was comfortable, happy, I enjoyed myself.
2) Will I be dressing that way all the time? No. Even though, I enjoyed myself and had fun, I am less like Thomas Kinkade and more like Picasso. In trying to figure out my 'style' - I have some to realize, I have many styles, and I am happiest when I shake it up from day to day. In fact, like many painters, I am only unhappy with myself, when i don't make the effort to put paint on the canvass, when I simply toss clothes on with no thought. Sure, every painting isn't a masterpiece, and some will never leave the studio floor... but the joy is in the journey right? Right.
An example of what I mean, here are pictures of my outfits from April 1st, 2nd and 3rd- all different, and I felt good in all of them.
Teal sweater above is from Lane Bryant
Purple scarf is simply yarn from my stash
Periwinkle dress at left is from Old Navy
Necklace is a bracelet I attached to a chain
-and the last question I will answer today (because this is getting long)
3)Do I dress up for my Friday Fashion posts? Not really. I do make more of an effort on Fridays, because it tends to be the day I purposely try to look nice, both for me, and for my hubby. We normally go out for dinner, or do something fun as a family to celebrate the end of the week- so I do try harder (normally) that day. Although, I have noticed since I started the Friday Fashion posts, I try to get dressed sooner in the day that I used to, and generally try harder most days to look nice and not just throw on whatever I see in the closet. Being a stay at home mom, and working from home, there are many days I don't leave the house- so it would be easy to wear my pjs or sweats all day- and honestly, I have. However, I am more productive, happy and inspired when I get ready in the morning, as if I were going somewhere.
I hope that answers some questions, and I would love to answer any more that you all might have- fire away:)
Kimberly
ps- yes, my hubby really did like my outfit on the 1st, and he liked my outfits on the 2nd and 3rd just as well- I married the perfect guy in that regard, he loves how I enjoy creating so many very different looks- more on that in another post...
1) Was my post on April 1st a joke? This one has a yes and no answer. Yes, I did dress up, to pull a prank on my preteen when he was coming home from school- I told him it was my new everyday look, and offered to take him to the mall. It worked, and he was nervous that I was really going to make him be seen with me.
And no, I wasn't completely kidding. I am a free spirit, but I often put that aside in order to 'blend in'. As a clothing designer, both by profession and heart, I am artistic, and my medium of choice is clothing. I did go out with my family that day I dressed up, now, I did take off the lace top (per my preteen's request) and changed from the stripper shoes to flats (they are soo not comfortable). And I didn't feel silly or like it was Halloween. I liked the make-up, yarn dreads and everything. I was comfortable, happy, I enjoyed myself.
2) Will I be dressing that way all the time? No. Even though, I enjoyed myself and had fun, I am less like Thomas Kinkade and more like Picasso. In trying to figure out my 'style' - I have some to realize, I have many styles, and I am happiest when I shake it up from day to day. In fact, like many painters, I am only unhappy with myself, when i don't make the effort to put paint on the canvass, when I simply toss clothes on with no thought. Sure, every painting isn't a masterpiece, and some will never leave the studio floor... but the joy is in the journey right? Right.
An example of what I mean, here are pictures of my outfits from April 1st, 2nd and 3rd- all different, and I felt good in all of them.
Teal sweater above is from Lane Bryant
Purple scarf is simply yarn from my stash
Periwinkle dress at left is from Old Navy
Necklace is a bracelet I attached to a chain
-and the last question I will answer today (because this is getting long)
3)Do I dress up for my Friday Fashion posts? Not really. I do make more of an effort on Fridays, because it tends to be the day I purposely try to look nice, both for me, and for my hubby. We normally go out for dinner, or do something fun as a family to celebrate the end of the week- so I do try harder (normally) that day. Although, I have noticed since I started the Friday Fashion posts, I try to get dressed sooner in the day that I used to, and generally try harder most days to look nice and not just throw on whatever I see in the closet. Being a stay at home mom, and working from home, there are many days I don't leave the house- so it would be easy to wear my pjs or sweats all day- and honestly, I have. However, I am more productive, happy and inspired when I get ready in the morning, as if I were going somewhere.
I hope that answers some questions, and I would love to answer any more that you all might have- fire away:)
Kimberly
ps- yes, my hubby really did like my outfit on the 1st, and he liked my outfits on the 2nd and 3rd just as well- I married the perfect guy in that regard, he loves how I enjoy creating so many very different looks- more on that in another post...
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Love me Some Cheap Kelloggs and Free milk!
I also got a catalina for a free bag of Albertsons cheese from my last trip to the store, not sure what triggered it, but yeah for cheese!
the short version of this trip- I paid $16.36 out of pocket for all this, saved $46.53, got another catalina for free milk, and now have enough UPCs to send in for a $10 prepaid master card for gas purchases...
to get all the details on the awesome cereal + free milk + gas card deal. go check out my favorite coupon blogger Coupon Connections NW
Also, breyers ice cream is buy 1 get 2 free, they only had vanilla left, but we love to add chocolate chips for a tasty treat.
You can still use your doublers today (Tuesday) so swing by Albertsons and stock up.
Kimberly
PS- I will be back later today to explain last Friday's post ;)
Friday, April 1, 2011
Fashion Friday- My new look!
I decided to be my true self- not worry what others think, and shed the suburban housewife look I have been drowning my creative soul in. So I will not be wordy today, and let the pictures do the talking. I feel so alive and free again.
So, have you ever dressed a certain way because you thought you 'should'? to avoid making waves? I think now I will see who my true friends are, and if my suburban hood will accept me for the creative free spirit that I am.
Have a great weekend everyone! I know I will!
Kimberly
edit to add:
I have gotten a few questions as to where my pieces came from
both the purple and black skirts are from Target
Leggings- Target
White v-neck with fairies top - Old Navy
Lace top- Victoria's Secret
Black and white arm warmer (yes I am only wearing 1, I am a trend starter baby) - Baby Legs
Yarn dreads - Etsy
Shoes- acquired, not sure where exactly
Make-up - Bare Essentials
And yes, this is all from my current closet :)
So, have you ever dressed a certain way because you thought you 'should'? to avoid making waves? I think now I will see who my true friends are, and if my suburban hood will accept me for the creative free spirit that I am.Have a great weekend everyone! I know I will!
Kimberly
edit to add:
I have gotten a few questions as to where my pieces came from
both the purple and black skirts are from Target
Leggings- Target
White v-neck with fairies top - Old Navy
Lace top- Victoria's Secret
Black and white arm warmer (yes I am only wearing 1, I am a trend starter baby) - Baby Legs
Yarn dreads - Etsy
Shoes- acquired, not sure where exactly
Make-up - Bare Essentials
And yes, this is all from my current closet :)
Friday, March 25, 2011
Fashion Friday - Refashion edition
Mixing things up a bit this week (alright and being lazy) so there is no voting widget thinking- but you still get to check out what I am wearing today, and feel free to comment, good bad or otherwise. Lord knows I need the guidance. I do feel like I am doing better though, and am being more purposeful in what I put on, and taking a few more seconds on my make-up too.
I re-fashioned the back top I am wearing, it was a dress/ tunic like top with flappy sides and a high crew neck. I think I wore it 2 times as it was, so today I took a pair of scissors and made it into a vest. I cut the bottom band off, cut out the neckline and made it more v-shaped. I also cut open the front and cut the armholes bigger.
And yes, that is one of my little monkeys in the tub behind me. Wanna see? There is actually 2 little monkeys in there, getting clean for their cousins birthday party tonight.
Have great weekend and don't forget to 'vote' on the outfit in the comments below
Kimberly
I re-fashioned the back top I am wearing, it was a dress/ tunic like top with flappy sides and a high crew neck. I think I wore it 2 times as it was, so today I took a pair of scissors and made it into a vest. I cut the bottom band off, cut out the neckline and made it more v-shaped. I also cut open the front and cut the armholes bigger.
t-shirt and cami - Lane Bryant
Jeans - Lane Bryant
Vest - refashioned from a Target top
And yes, that is one of my little monkeys in the tub behind me. Wanna see? There is actually 2 little monkeys in there, getting clean for their cousins birthday party tonight.
Kimberly
53% saved at Safeway today
I love saving, I really do. I needed to swing by Safeway today to pick up my rain checked tortillas, so I decided to make the trip even more worth my while. I got most of my deal ideas from one of my favorite deal bloggers, Coupon Connections NW. Head over to her blog to get all the details and save big like I did, or better!
I spent $62.88 and saved $69.79
I few items were on my 'need' list and thus were maybe not the best deal, but I still saved.
Like Children's Sudefed Cough and Cold (for my little sick kiddos) was marked 50% off
- the Tortillas were on sale earlier this week but they were out so I got a rain check- so I got 10 packs of 10 for 99 cents each.
- We were out of sugar, so though it was not on sale, I did have a $1/2 coupon from a peelie from back in November
another great blogger Happy Money Saver reminded me of the great frozen food coupon in this weeks ad- All frozen foods are on this sale, spend $15 and save $5 instantly... see Happy Money Saver for more details- but I will tell you, I used the Safeway $42 Frozen food coupon book, and scored the hash browns for 87 cents each!
Happy shopping!
Kimberly
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