Monday, January 25, 2010
Hunter is our 9 year old Chowmation. I first met him when he was a few months old. My dad's buddy had a litter of puppies, and my dad called my younger sister and I to say that I had to come see the cutest puppies. There we seven puppies. They all looked like little bear-cubs. Hunter was the biggest of the litter, and in my eyes, the cutest. I called my husband and asked if I could bring one home. At the time, we were first married, lived out on 12 acres, and my husband worked out of town A LOT. I wanted a guard dog. I pleaded with my new husband to let me bring him home. He said "no I only want a hunting dog". Well, needless to say I did bring the puppy home. On the drive home I stopped at a pet store, picked up a collar with ducks on it and a matching leash. When we got home I introduced my husband to our new puppy "Hunter". He may not be a hunting dog, but he looked and was named the part.
Sweetie Pies
Two things I love the most: my hubby and baking. The perfect marriage is baking for my hubby. Tonight I whipped up these cute and tasty Sweetie Pies for my sweetie!
I had leftover pie crust in the fridge and in an attempt to be less wasteful this year, I found inspiration (a recipe) on the Farm Chicks website. Preheat the oven to 425, using heart cookie cutters I cut out pie crust, then placed a dollop of strawberry jam in the center of each heart. Then ran water along the edge of each heart, placed another heart on top. Squished the edges down with a fork, and punctured the middle of each top with a fork. Baked for 17 minutes, cooled slightly, and sprinkled powdered sugar on top. Voila! Serve warm! Sweetie Pies for my sweetie. He gobbled them up!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Me a recessionista? I'm trying!
That night my husband went grocery shopping with me. Two months ago I decided to take up the art of coupon clipping and using. He is impressed. He loves my little accordian organizer that I store in my purse, and is so pleased at the checkout that I have the coupons ready. I feel really good about it too. What he doesn't know is that I traditionally treat myself to a magazine at the checkout with each shopping trip. However, now that I am trying to reduce my unnecessary spending, that $4 magazine doesn't feel quite as necessary. So out we walked saving over $8 with our coupons and another $4 without the purchase of the magazine.
On my list of necessary expenses is to replace my MAC blush. I am almost out. I have categorized this as a necessary expense because of my job. However do I need to spend $18.50 on blush alone? Hmmmm...I don't think that the 2010 me does. I recently discovered the brand EYES LIPS FACE. E.L.F has many products that start at $1. I searched for a coupon code for free shipping on: I found one: FREE SHIPPING on orders of $15 or more code: NEWSHIP. I can't wait to receive my package from E.L.F! For $18 I ordered: 1 Hypershine Lip Gloss in Honey (cotton candy scent), 1 Eyeliner Brush,
Nail Polish in Champagne & Medium Red, Eyeliner in Ash, Blush in Tickled Pink, 2Minty Lip Gloss in Nashville & Los Angeles, and 2 Eye Shadow Brushes. To top it off, at checkout since I referred three friends, they gave me a free gift: Candy Shop Gloss Gift Tin (value $2). All that and free shipping! Yeah me!
So, with that being said I feel like I am off to a good start. Coupon clipping, clearance shopping, thinking of less expensive-alternative products, and passing on lattes and magazines. So far so good.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
My favorite part of being in the business world are the people that I meet and the stories we share. I truly admire the groundwork that my mother's generation has laid out before me in order for my generation to be able to have a choice of working in the home, out of home, or BOTH! At this stage in my life I am having so much fun being a career woman. I love going to networking events, being involved in the community, and seeing my office friends five days a week. I especially love meeting new people every day and hearing their stories.
The other day I had a meeting with one of my very favorite clients. 2 1/2 hours later our meeting was over. This particular client is a mentor to me. We discussed everything from our husbands, to philanthropy, a little gossip, being a woman in the business world, and we actually signed business with one another. I love her. I feel as though she understands where I am coming from.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
January Must Haves
Stella & Dot Jasmine Filigree Earrings in 14K Gold Vermeil as seen on me (far right) and 'The Batchelorette' Jillian Harris. http://www.stelladot.com/sites/fabulous/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=E800G
FAVORITE 2009 MOMENTS
-9 year wedding anniversary on 9.9.09
-Visiting my older sister in Arizona-Remembering the life of my 12 year old cat "Buddy", who passed in September -UO Duck football games -Oregon LaVelle Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon http://www.lavellevineyards.com/
-Summer camping at Hyatt Lake with college friends
-Running in an actual road race-Dressing up for Halloween with my husband in coordinating gnome costumes
(him in a belted Snuggie)
-Donating blood four times, for the first time since I was 18-Traveling to Florence, Cannon Beach, and Seaside for many weekends -Cousins weekend in Seaside-Surviving the biggest River Raft accident that I've ever been in
-Getting a hot tub from my husband for our anniversary
-My 15" Frye Harness Boots http://www.fryeboots.com/
-Throwing a baby shower for my younger sister, G, and my friend, M, both expecting GIRLS
-Stella & Dot Jewelry http://www.stelladot.com/fabulous
-The Eugene Active 20-30 Club, becoming 2nd VP, then 1st VP, and being awarded the 'Project of the Year'
-Hood River Summer wine tour with friends -Eugene's Sweet Skins Boutique Hemp Knit Cuolottes-I lived in them all summer http://www.sweetskins.com/items/Pants/Culottes/Culottes.html
-Growing tomatoes and lemon cucumbers
-Waterfront Depot Restaurant in Florence
-Hanging out with my nephew and family