so. over. rain.

I can't even begin to tell you how over the rain I am. It feels like it's been raining non-stop for 12 days now. I'm sure it's only been 7 but it feels like forever. My heart breaks for all the men, women and children who live in Georgia right now - they are under a huge flood situation. I can't imagine losing everything. Granted they are just THINGS but mementos mean a lot to me. I could live without them but I would be a mess.

I've tried to think of great things to cheer me up when it comes to rain... so here goes.

• Bright colored rainboots/wellies (must get some of these)
• Bright coordinating umbrellas to match said rain boots (maybe I'll go with green boots I already have a green umbrella)
• Getting cozy under 2 blankets because you've felt cold and damp all day
• Soup, Chili and other warming comfort foods (we made my Chicken Taco Soup last night)
• When rain hits the roof and it puts me to sleep (but I don't like thunder storms when I sleep)
• Changing into comfy clothes after a long day of being cold/damp and wet!

I'm sure I'll think of more - what keeps your spirits up on an otherwise gloomy, rainy day?

Mission: Coupon Clipping

I'll admit, I don't get the newspaper delivered to my door. An in that event, I miss out on great coupons in the Sunday edition of the paper, which blows.  I keep reading so many great blogs about women and men who have become coupon clippers and I'll be completely honest, the money they are saving sounds SO amazing to me.

I've never been one to clip or use coupons - shame on me! But now that the economy is in the crapper, and the price of groceries doesn't seem any cheaper, it's a better time than ever to do this.

My question for all of you who have stumbled upon my blog is... where do you find your great coupons if you're not getting them in the mail, or your local paper. Do you have an online resource.

As with make-up etc. I know I can go on most manufacturers websites and find great coupons for products such as Olay beauty, Glade candles etc - but I didn't know if there is some great "secret coupon" stash. If I need to be initiated  - so be it... "THANK YOU SIR MAY I HAVE ANOTHER!"

I try to be very fickle when it comes to spending at the grocery store. We usually shop at Walmart, there are days I dread it and days I enjoy it - depends on my mood when I leave work that evening. My boyfriend and I tend to go twice a week. This helps us cut down on wasted food. (You know the food you buy when you are walking through the store while starving? The junk food to purchase on a whim etc). We also don't buy food in bulk, which I know is a great money saver but I. HATE. FROZEN. MEAT! Like - really hate it. I hate the thawing, I hate the texture of meat that has been frozen etc.

We usually do three - four meals each. I usually try to budget for $100.00/week on my half/end of the food budget. The bad thing is when it's time to buy make-up and other items like shampoo and conditioner... I end up over spending or putting good things back. It can tend to get rather pricey to purchase healthy foods at times. I'm really over this whole issue. And it always happens that my make-up, or shower stuff runs out at the same time. It's not a matter of buying a bottle of shampoo here, and a shower gel there... nope it's usually make-up (all of it), shampoo and then probably tampons as well.

Trust me - I try my best to go generic when I can. That helps save money at times, but I'm having the issue that I want to eat better, which I have been, and I want to buy stuff fresh or frozen vs. in cans etc.

I just think coupons may help - if you have any other tips I'm completely open to them as well.

I know that Walmart will sometimes do the price matching thing but I really hate being that person in line with 10 flyers, but maybe I'll have to get over that. I'd much rather have my coupon catalog, be able to whip out the coupons and be done with it - save, save, save!

Thank you in advance!!!

wine-o at heart.

I. Love. Wine. I may not know all there is to wine or be a connoisseur by any means, but I love wine. I love that it can be paired with different food to bring out it's flavors, and that it tends to be rather seasonal. (At least for me - I don't care for drinking dry, red wine in the summer months, only in the fall/winter months). And I won't lie, I enjoy the buzz wine gives vs. say liquor or beer. Truth be told I love cocktails, but wine is just such a great thing. There is so much to know/learn/discover about wine - I want to know it all. I've enjoyed attending a few tastings as well as a few wine/music festivals back home and always enjoy trying all the different samples.

I am always in love with new ways to display wine bottles and storage options. I will admit though wine doesn't sit around our house for very long, so it seems pointless to be interested in such things but I am. Note: If you have a great wine that you love - please COMMENT and let me know!!!

Recently while in a library at a local church during a visitation service - I noticed an incredibly beautiful card catalog cabinet. (Oddly enough I've always been into these cabinets but never learning the dewy decimal system - librarian I'm not).  My boyfriend didn't see why I was so into it at the time - "What would you do with it?" he asked me. I shrugged and said that it could possibly be used as a huge catch all. You could label the drawers for earrings, necklaces, maybe even ties or belts - If it was in a hallway maybe it could hold some toiletries, or even movies if it were in the living room.  He didn't seem convinced. My dreams of having a rad card catalog were not squashed by his lack of vision, he's very supportive and if I tried to drag it home would totally help me, I'm sure (mind you would not steal one from a church, but the public library all bets are on! - kidding of course). Truth be told once home the thought of that thing left my mind as quickly as it came in.

Fast forward to today - I was looking through houzz.com and they had a great entry about Wine Cellars. OH how I would LOVE to have a wine cellar in my home. (I wouldn't mind having a place to brew and store beer either). I was shocked when I found THIS gem! A card catalog cabinet used to store bottles of wine - one their sides to ensure the cork stays wet, and it's so clever - at least to me!

 

houzz.com photo: card catalog storage

How awesome is that?!?! Now you best believe I'm dying to find an old card catalog chest I can restore for a wine holder! Just think - you could use chalkboard paint to make small spots to change the labels to read what vino you were storing in which drawer - the possibilities are ENDLESS!

I have a second obsession with Riddler Racks. They are so rustic and great looking - but I'm not going to get into that right now because I get overly excited and I'm dying to have one. Downside is they usually they cost upwards from $100+. I need to become a carpenter so I can have these sorts of things without the HUGE bill! Or just tell my father to keep his eyes peeled for these two items and beg for them for Christmas... hmmm.

Again I ask, what's your favorite wine? Right now I'm hooked on Zins, the weather is getting cooler at night and I'm extremely ready for fall!