smooth swap.

I have a friend who is the couponing queen.  I actually saw one of her CVS receipts, and from that store only since the beginning of the year, she had saved over $7000!  I have to admit, I am a bit jealous.  I wish I had the time, patience, and skill to figure couponing out.  I went to a class once, but I left so confused that I didn't really get too into it.  The best deal I've gotten is a free razor because I figured out one deal and I was quite proud.

About a month back I asked her if she would be interested in swapping stuff.  I would give her some of my clothes for some of her stuff.  I gave her about 3 bags of summer clothes and here is what she gave me.

Quite cool, huh?  I thought so.  This is definitely over $100 worth of stuff that I don't have to buy for a while.  Then a couple weeks later she brought me a bag of dish soap, allergy medicine, toothbrushes, gum, and some kleenex. 

I thought this was a pretty good swap.  I have tons of winter clothes that I don't want so I may see if she's up for another swap.

Do you coupon? Do you ever swap stuff like this with others?

It's fun.

tag: if i were....

I saw this cute tag over at Niina's blog and thought it would be fun to do.

If I were a gemstone, I'd be a diamond.

If I were a scent, I'd be patchouli.

If I were a pair of shoes, I'd be a pair of birkenstocks.

If I were the weather, I'd be a sunny, 85 degree, summer afternoon.

If I were a facial expression, I'd be a wink.

If I were a car, I'd be a black Mustang. 

If I were a time of day, I'd be 9a.

If I were a month, I'd be May.

If I were a place, I'd be Key West.

If I were a liquid, I'd be hot tea.

If I were a taste, I'd be chocolate. 

If I were a sea animal, I'd be a starfish.

If I were a food, I'd be a toasted ravioli.

If I were a colour, I'd be turquoise.

If I were a musical instrument, I'd be a piano.

If I were a flower, I'd be a sunflower.

If I were a planet, I'd be Earth. 

If I were an object, I'd be a radio. 

If I were a fruit, I'd be a strawberry.

If I were a sound, I'd be crashing waves. 

If I were a day of the week, I'd be a Saturday.

I tag you all.

Follow along and if you post on your blog, give me the link so I can read yours (:

home sweetness.

I am such a family girl, so when I moved 45 minutes away this summer, I didn't really know what it would be like.  I am fairing well and doing fine.  No homesickness here, or at least like I thought I may have.

The good thing is I can go home when I want and I do at least once a week.  Sometimes we will go for a weekend visit and other times I'll ride in with Eric when he goes to work and then hang out with my family for the day.  It's quite nice.

This past week when I went, nothing was new or different, but I decided to take a few pics.  It was basically a day filled with fantasy football for the guys, bbq, kindles, eating, and tea.

{recipe} creamy autumn trifle

Yum.

Here is a great dessert for fall.  I actually made this for Labor Day even though it wasn't yet really in season, but I could not help myself. 

The recipe was staring at me and so was my trifle bowl.

You can really make this any time, for any occasion, but do not expect there to be leftovers. 
It goes rather quickly because it is so scrumptious.

Ingredients 

1 box yellow cake mix
3.4 oz pkg instant vanilla pudding
2 cups milk
15 oz can pumpkin
1/2 tsp cinnamon
16 oz container of cool whip
2 heath candy bars, crushed

Directions

Prepare and bake the cake mix according to package directions.  Cool then tear cake into large chunks and set aside.  Whisk together dry pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes, until thickened; gently stir in pumpkin and cinnamon.  In the trifle bowl, layer half each of the cake, pudding mixture, and cool whip.  Repeat layers, ending with the topping.  Top with crushed candy bars.  Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving. 

life this week.

one. i can't believe they already have christmas decorations out, but they do.  so not ready.
two. i got another piercing this week!  i think this is probably the last in my ears because that makes 9 and i'm running out of space while it still looks classy.
three. pool time. 

four.  my everyday, simple, eye look. tutorial coming soon, i hope.
five. olga's blueberry bread pudding. heavenly.
six. dutch is such a sleepy boy.
seven. outside our condo. the grass is finally a bit greener and i love to watch the fountain in the lake. such a pretty setting.

wed. pins.

i don't know why i haven't linked up in so long, but i'm glad to be returning today to showcase all my latest favorite pins.

Source: nauticalandnice.tumblr.com via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: theyummylife.com via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: gingerleaf.tumblr.com via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: tanwhorez.tumblr.com via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: streetartutopia.com via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: sugarpaper.com via Lesley on Pinterest

the new look.

HAPPY MONDAY!

I love it that I have the day off today, but what I love even more is my new blog design.

What do you think of it?

A couple weeks back I entered to win a free makeover, courtesy of the lovely Kristin, and I ended up winning.  I was elated when I got the email.

I just want to stare at it all day long.  It's beautiful and I think it represents me so well with the flowy letters in the header, the sparkles here and there, and the way it has life in it now.

If you have never been to Kristin's blog, please stop by and say hello, or if you're wanting a fresh update for your blog, she is your girl. 

I am so happy I won because I got a new look, but I have a new friend, as well!  

i'm not giving in to fall just yet.

So Labor Day has come and gone, meaning that summer is moving out and fall is moving in, but I'm not ready!  Where did my summer go?  I'm not ready to give in to fall just yet. 

I still have a beach vacation to go on next month, the temps are still in the 90s, I still have white pants to wear, and my tan is nowhere near where I want it yet.  Summer hours are still in effect, I still like smelling of sunblock, and I haven't done everything I've wanted to...yet.

Secretly, I can't wait for cooler temps and the first frost because that means my allergies will go away; I can wear jeans, boots, and sweaters; it means time for bonfires and roasting marshmallows; and the beautiful changing of the leaves and colors - it sure makes a perfect time for pictures, too.

Summer is a time of positivity for me because the temps are warm, the sun shines, there are places to go and things to see, and it is the best season in my opinion.  Fall is a bit depressing.  Yes, it can be a fun and pretty time, but I know around the corner is a time of deep cold, ice, having to be cooped up in the house, being sick, and dreary, ugly weather.

So for now, I'm boycotting fall until I am ready.

I am not ready to give up on:

But, I cannot wait to for things to come:

All pics via.

isaac's not all that bad.

Happy Saturday.
Enjoy the day and make the best of it. 

Yes, the remnants of Isaac have hit our area and will be putting a big damper on the Labor Day festivities that may or may not include lounging by the pool, eating exquisite foods, sipping on a few margaritas, & pints of beer. There won't be much sun so I think our plans will have to be altered, but now we can get that little 6+ inches of the rain we haven't seen since May. No matter what, I'll enjoy my few days off work. Be safe!

Source: imgfave.com via Lesley on Pinterest