Kitchen Wall Decor

Don't you just love it when you are looking for decor, and you realize you already have something that would just work perfectly?

Back when I was still a single gal, living by myself in my own apartment, I purchased these metal art pieces from Kirkland's home store.  They never made their debut in my apartment because they didn't really go. I am not sure why I bought them back then, but I am so glad I did because they totally work perfectly in our breakfast area.

I love the symmetry and simplicity, because I don't want the walls to be cluttered when I add  items to the other walls in the kitchen. (I am on the hunt for a large, framed chalk board to hang next to the pantry)

We still have to hang curtains and fill the room with a table, but we are just going to eat this big elephant one bite at a time.

Cute Coupon Holder & Weekly Savings

My first 2 weeks couponing, I just stuffed my clipped coupons into white envelopes and toted the ones I planned on using with me to the grocery store.  Inevitably, I would stumble upon unlisted sales at the store (that I could pair coupons with) and I didn't have those coupons with me.

I ran to hobby-lobby for some note cards, and found this little gem.  It is a small accordion folder with a note pad attached.  PERFECT FOR MY PURSE (and it is CUTE)!

 The printed coupons (from smartsource.com) are a bit big, but I made 'em fit.

I may need something larger as a continue to coupon, but it definitely meets my needs now.

I have a separate compartment for food, personal items, kitchen stuff, etc...

The first compartment is  used for coupons I will be using that particular shopping trip (but it is nice to have them all just in case I need to use them)

The notepad is handy for planning you grocery list!

And now for my grocery scores this week:

Total (before coupons and sales): $75.48

Total (after coupons & sales): $40.48

SAVINGS: $35.00

My total would have been a lot less, but I included a few of non-sale items that we wanted for dinner:

 2 cans tuna
1lb of cajun andoullie sausage (for jambalaya)
1 head of iceburg lettuce
1 taco kit (hard and soft)
1 bag of shredded cheese (for tacos)

Bathroom Decor (on a budget...)

Now that the majority of the living space is unpacked (minus my office), it is time to decorate.

I started with the master bathroom (mostly because it required the LEAST amount of decorative items).

Our master bath is all tile, granite, dark wood, with brushed metal fixtures. The minute I walked in to the completed space, it just felt like a spa.   I wanted to keep that relaxing vibe going, and I also didn't want to break the bank.  My main goal was to keep the color scheme neutral and calming, so we stuck with same color palette that was abundant in the natural elements (tile, granite, wood).   We chose ivory and beige.

The towels came from Wal-Mart.  Of course they are not the soft & thick towels we like to dry off with, but they work great for a decorative accent.  

On my vanity, I decided to use a flower arrangement from our wedding (and one of my favorite wedding photos).  Every morning, as I get ready, it reminds me how lucky I am to have married my true love and it makes me smile.  Such a great way to start out the day.

I did splurge on the rugs for the bathroom, though.  They are microfiber and memory foam bath mats.  They are so freakin' soft and we just love them.  I bought them at Bed, Bath, & Beyond.  The small one is $19.99 and the large was $29.99 (i think).  Not too bad, but a little more than your run of the mill bath mats.

(You can see my footprints in the memory foam)

The window valance was my greatest find because it was something we already had. :)  When we were packing up our previous home, I found these brand Nautica valances under the bathroom sink.  It was something my husband had, but never used.  To my delight, they matched our new bathroom perfectly.

Lastly, keeping with the serene (very slight nautical theme)... my conch shell found a perfect home in the corner of the jetted tub.  

This shell has special meaning because we got it on a trip to Turks & Caicos.  We went snorkeling, and my hubby dove down to the bottom and retrieved this abandoned shell.  It was pretty nasty looking from being abandoned on the ocean floor, but I soaked it in bleach and voila!!...  Probably THE coolest souvenir I have ever brought back from somewhere.

On the other side of the tub is a Tyler candle (from my hub's Aunt), and it smells divine!  I also have bath crystals from Bath & Body works in relaxing Spearmint & Eucalyptus. (Seriously, stress relief in a jar!)

8/52 | Fifty-Two Week Project

I am a few days late posting my photo this week, but I did take one last week.

Saturday morning I made wildberry mini-muffins for me & the hubs, so I took a photo.
I would like to say they were from scratch, but they were the instant mix in the baking aisle. :)

They were delicious by the way! :)

Horrible Hair... better hair.

OMG... we have been so consumed with everything going on in our lives that I totally let my head go.
I knew it needed coloring and a cut, but I kept putting it off.  Then I woke up the other day and realized that it looked just horrible.... like, "how can I go out in public like this?" horrible. Yeah, it was that bad!

Last week, my husband & I went to the DMV to renew our car tags and I really need to renew my license with my new address, but I looked so dang terrible I just couldn't do it.  I mean, did I really want a 4-year reminder of my terrible, root-showing hair? (The answer to that is NO, of course!)

See, I had to use my iPhone to cover my face because of the horrible shame of bad hair.

To my "slight" defense, this is fresh out of a pony tail, unwashed... but the roots are all real.

So, I went to Wal-Mart and picked up some at-home dye, so I could make myself more presentable to the world, my husband, and myself.  I picked up my favorite... L'Oreal Couleur Experte® because it is color and hi-lights all in one box.  I LOVE the hi-light applicator and it is SO easy to use.  BONUS: I had a $2 off coupon. SCORE!

After about an hour and a half of hair attention, I emerged much more presentable.  

Note: this is just washed and dried... no styling/flat iron, etc 

Of course, I am not even going to try cutting my hair myself (CAN WE SAY DISASTER!!), so I left that to the pros.

 I wound up just getting a slight trim and getting my long layers cleaned up, but it looks a little healthier now.

(I was in the changing room over at TJ Maxx.  I headed over there after my hair cut, and after trying on clothes, I realized I better take a photo before I completely mess my hair up.  It is a little disheveled here, but oh well.)

Oh, and while I was at the salon a lady walked up and told my stylist that my hair color was pretty.

 Woot! I guess my home-dye job wasn't so bad. :)