Crazy Coupons

I'm sure by now you have heard of these die-hard coupon people that are able to clip and collect coupons and show up in a grocery store with a fistful of magical coupons that drastically drops their grocery bill. $200 of goods for $75. $50 worth of food for $2.50.

Crazy amazing price difference.

I've tried doing this, probably didn't try that hard or for that long but I'm just really not very good at it.

We don't HAVE to use coupons but why wouldn't you if you know that it is supposedly really easy and can save you money. And who doesn't want to save some money?


I try and keep up with all the nifty thrifty websites that let you know all the incredible HOT deals that are going on. I print some coupons off the internet if they seem like a good deal. And once in awhile I will buy the Sunday paper only to grab the coupons out of it. But I still don't feel like I have a good grip on this coupon thing. Here is why:

1. It seems like you have to be into hoarding (hoarding coupons and hoarding extra pantry items) for this system to work really well for you. I'm not a hoarder. At all. I hate having lots and lots of STUFF around. Clutter makes me crazy.

2. A lot of the coupons you see are for baby products and processed foods that I don't want to eat or buy.

3. I'm a peaceful person and the idea of going to the store and having a cashier argue with me about whether or not my coupon is legit makes me want to crawl under my shopping cart and roll out the door. It doesn't seem worth it to me. The cost of my peace of mind vs the cost of an extra .50 cents or $1 on an item.

As negative as this all sounds (I'm not trying to be, just frustrated) I really do want to get better at cutting back our grocery bills and finding a way to get the coupon system to work for me.

Anyone have any tips?

Wednesday's Wednesday Wisdom

Want to know who Wednesday is and how she got this sweet gig, you know having a day of the week and a spot on this blog? Go here.

Back to School

(Sidenote: Does anyone else automatically get Adam Sandler singing "Back to School" stuck in their head from just reading the title? If so, sorry :)

Going back to school my favorite part of the whole getting ready process wasn't the clothes, I'm not what you would call a fashionista, it was always the school suppiles. Even now I get a rosy glow just thinking about brand new Sharpie markers, clean folders and freshly sharpened pencils.

When I was in school (yes it was a long time ago) you couldn't just have your run of the mill version of pencils and pens and notebook paper. No siree. There was only one type of paper supplies that were acceptable. And when I reveal who it is it is going to prove that it has been a long while since I was an elementary student.

It was all about this:

Lisa Frank

Oh.My. Goodness. How I loved Lisa Frank.

As a budding artist the idea of drawing really super duper cute animals and getting to color them in crazy florescent colors (with a high sheen!) seemed like the perfect job. I'm pretty sure I probably wrote her a snail mail letter telling her as much. I had it all. Erasers (small enough for a younger sibling to confuse with candy) stickers (that never ever got used) and pencils and folders and every stationary need that a young 8-11 year old's heart could imagine.

The best item was a pink (naturally) metal pencil case that held all my precious goodies in it. I'm pretty sure (ok crossing my fingers and hoping) that the pencil case is still around, sitting on a dusty shelf at my parent's house right now.

There were a few characters that showed up a lot in my materials.

I always kind of thought of the unicorn horse as the Lisa Frank signature item.

I lived in Florida so there was plenty of these guys.

Probably my least favorite Lisa Frank character. I just never got it.

My favorite characters.

All images from Lisa Frank

It is interesting to me now as an adult to look at the marketing and the identity of this brand. The fact that this colorful company took off with such a basic, simple name for such an over the top brand.

Did you love love love Lisa Frank too? Love office/stationary supplies?

Introducing.....Wednesday

And now for a new feature!

Every Wednesday I will have a Wednesday's Wednesday Wisdom post to get you through your Hump Day! Wednesday is of course the middle of the work week and also happens to be my lovely little furbaby. So now each Wednesday there will be a cute little furry picture and some witty knowledge to go along with it. It's like a balanced meal of cuteness + smarts :) And now, to introduce my Wednesday.

Hi, my name is Wednesday. Even though I have half a million nicknames from my momma who likes to call me "monkey" "Princess Sassy Pants" and "Dubs" just to name a few. And that really is only the tip of the iceberg. Seriously.

Yes, I am named after Wednesday Addams. Adams was my momma's maiden name and we came together right around Halloween so it all seemed to fit. Do you think I look like a Halloween cat?
I love kitty party mix, being scratched under my chin and giving my momma the "Puss in Boots look" at 3AM when I want some lovin'.


Lovin', please.

I also love candy corn and coffee (REALLY LOVE coffee).

My job around these parts involves protecting this house from would be invader squirrels and birds. I take my job VERY seriously. I've heard that we live on the 2nd floor in a rock solid building in the middle of a big city but I don't think that is any reason to let my guard down. Danger is OUT there.


My other hobbies include playing with milk rings (skim milk preferred) and policing The Dog,

Spooning with my momma,

and occasionally taking over for the Easter bunny,

Hope you enjoy Wednesday's Wednesday Wisdom!

Soulard Farmer's Market

This weekend my hubby and I went to visit the Soulard Farmer's Market. It is a huge farmer's market that is pretty famous in this area. Once we got there we wondered why it took so long for us to check it out.

It was very busy

Soulard is a part of the city that has a New Orleans, French quarter influence. It is home to the second largest Mardi Gras party in the US each year. They have some New Orleans type food. Like heaven on a plate, sprinkled with powder sugar:

Beignets

Love love love


Hubby was excited about his spicy Polish dog, not as excited about lugging around a watermelon.


Doesn't he look excited? :)


I was excited about this. The sign said that it was "real" Margaritaville mix.

Right up my alley.




Only person that drinks a margarita with her pinky up.


Our loot!

The market is open all year long, I'm interested in seeing what kind of produce and goods are available as it gets closer to fall.

Ever been to a really unique farmer's market? What was your favorite part?

Falling into Fall

Fall has always been my favorite time of year. Back in Florida you had to wait till November to feel any hint of fall. Now living in St. Louis you start to feel the fall much sooner, usually by the end of September. I was thinking about Halloween and all the decorations I have to celebrate my favorite holiday this past weekend. I had a talk with myself, which I have frequently, and decided I wasn't going to put up any of my fall and Halloween decorations until the very end of September or the beginning of October. And then I went to the mall that day and saw that every store seemed to be taking a big leap ahead and had fall and Halloween merchandise out already. In August. BEFORE Labor Day.

Anyone else think that fall is coming much sooner this year then in past years?

I do love so many elements of the fall season, these are just a few.

How cute is this little guy? Check out this Etsy store

Favorite movie and I get to watch it October-December!

Only time I'm always aching to get into Starbucks

I love the fall foliage in North Carolina's mountains, fall leaves, cinnamon smells, dresses with tights, boots, apple and pumpkin picking with my hubby, Halloween decorations EVERYWHERE (This is Halloween, this is halloween :) and all the great pumpkin treats!

Do you love the fall time? What are your favorite fall treats and activities?

Margaritaville

I have lots of great clients that contact me to help them create their wedding maps and wedding projects. It's especially great when I get a client that has a unique location or details that I happen to be interested in.

A gorgeous destination wedding in Riviera Maya was right up my alley.


Super colorful, palm trees, and then there was this:


Boo-yah! Margaritas! Only thing better would be to ACTUALLY have those margaritas and not just draw them :)

(Names and dates have been changed)

I've been all about the margaritas lately. I think it has something to do with this guy:

The guy to blame for Parrottheads.

Who or what do you blame for your summer indulgences?