Suppose you received an anonymous gift of $100 to spend on yourself. What would you buy? Before you say “I would put it toward a bill” or “I would buy so and so a gift” let’s put a few simple rules around this scenario.
You have to spend it on something frivolous, tangible, or otherwise considered a splurge.
You have to spend it on yourself.
You can’t save it, pay a bill with it, but groceries etc.
I have no good answer to this question. It’s not soo much money that you can really go crazy. On the other hand it’s enough money that most of us would put some legitimate thought into a purchasing decision. It’s easier to figure out how to spend $25. Or $500.
So when someone asks you “What do you want for your Birthday / Christmas / Hanukkah / Whatever?” – what do YOU tell them? I need ideas! I supposeRothysgift cards would always be welcomed. I still have my eye on those camo sneakers! ❤ ❤ ❤
Are you looking for inspiration for your Thanksgiving table setting?
I have found so many beautiful place settings that will give you great ideas for setting your own. These can work for Christmas tablescapes too!
Thanksgiving is the coziest.
Thanksgiving is my all time favorite holiday. It fills all my senses with joy and coziness, gratitude and comfort. The food is obviously uh-maze-ing, but everything about the day gives me the warm and fuzzies. It’s like everybody stops, just for a bit, to be together and present. Everything is on hold, for the most part, and we are all reminded of what’s important in life.
I’ll pause to recognize those who don’t get a “break” on the day of thanks – the first responders, military personnel, Doctors, Nurses, and so many others. Thank you for working so hard, thank you for being fearless, and thank you for sacrificing family time so others can be cared for. ❤
To really gear up for the holiday season, I have been researching holiday decor, recipes, new traditions, etc. I have seen so many stunning tablescapes that run the gamut of simple and rustic, to elaborate and luxurious. These are so pretty, and I never get sick of admiring them all year round.
Here is a round up of some of my absolute favorites. I have also included my own idea at the end (shopping list included) for a totally simple and beautiful setting that I’m planning to do! Want to skip ahead? Check it out here.
For many years my kids and I would walk around the neighborhood in search of fallen pine needles, pine cones, acorns, beautiful colored leaves, etc. Nature always made the most welcoming tablescape, and I try to find “real” or preserved greenery whenever possible.
My easy tablescape (with shopping list):
Below is my current plan for this year – it’s a work in progress still. Something about the black and white buffalo check with pops of green and natural elements is so classic and pretty. The little bit of gold on the votive holders adds just the right amount of sparkle too. Do you agree? Those pumpkin shaped glasses are on clearance, so if you like them hurry hurry and grab some for your table! The shopping list is below if you are interested in any of these ideas for yourself (this post contains affiliate links – As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases).
A simple linen napkin (like this, or this) will add a little texture without distracting from the theme. I’m thinking this wooden napkin ring would tie in beautifully with the pine cones and chargers.
I hope these lovely tables inspire your holiday dinner. Remember that your loved ones are always the centerpiece, so even if you are eating off of paper plates with plastic utensils (no judgement here!), it’s still wonderful to be together. Happy Thanksgiving!
First things first – before we jump in – we have important business to attend to! Do you have a Rakuten (formerly ebates) account? If you do – fantastic! Don’t forget to use it while you shop. If you don’t – stop everything and sign up (for Free) before you do anything else!
The other thing I love about Rakuten is that you can add the “cash back” button to your Google Chrome browser, and it gives you a little reminder when you visit a site that qualifies for rewards.
I have updated the list and added a bunch of great finds!!
Here are some great beauty products I found on Amazon (under $3) that I wanted to share!
All of the below products are under $3 (at the time of this post – Amazon changes prices without notice). Many of these are also available on Subscribe & Save, and most would make great stocking stuffers!
(For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links – As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
One of my favorite things about living in Florida (aside from the salt air, fascinating wildlife, and glorious weather) is the breathtaking – like literally takes my breath away and my heart skips a beat – sky.
Especially when a storm rolls in, and the thunderheads clash with the clear blue sky. I just can’t get enough of their beauty and power. These photos were taken from my phone camera (no filter), so they’re not the highest quality, and sadly they don’t do it justice.
And how about the stunning colors of the sunsets? Imagine seeing it in real life! Each one is unique, and I just adore them all (particularly with a palm tree silhouette in view).
I did a little research and found this article that explains the science of colorful skies. Fascinating!
Looking for easy holiday decor to rev up the holiday season? I don’t know about you, but the holidays always seem to sneak up on me. Not like “oh hey, Christmas is 3 weeks away”, but more like “whoa Christmas is in 4 days!!”.
This year I’m more prepared than ever, and I’ve started gathering my decor ideas. Ok, I haven’t bought much yet, but I have a pretty solid shopping list started. In the next few days my cart will be finalized and the season of cheer will officially commence (thank you Amazon 2-day shipping and Target ship to store!).
Below I’ve listed some fun finds that will effortlessly inject some festive cheer into your home AND my favorite SUPER SIMPLE tree decorating hack.
(for your convenience this post contains affiliate links – As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases )
Well… we haven’t decided on how we will decorate the tree(s) this year. It’s ok to have more than one, right?? The more the merrier I suppose (see what I did there?). I would love to have one “traditional” tree, with all the sentimental ornaments we have amassed over the years, as well as a stylized “fancy tree”.
Target has these great tree decorating kits to take out the guesswork and have your tree looking like you had a professional decorator orchestrate every sparkly detail!
The kits vary in size depending on your needs, and there are several styles to choose from from funky colorful, to traditional farmhouse.
Are you looking for cheap subscribe and save items? You are in the right place!
*Updated: April 2020
Here is the ultimate list of Subscribe & Save “fillers” that are almost FREE. If you factor in your overall Subscribe & Save savings (using these as your 5th item), these are most likely money makers. And the savings can be substantial depending on what the rest of your monthly items cost.
Check out my post here to see how I made $9.00 by buying a bar of soap!
So as a follow up to my previous post, I have compiled a list of the absolute best Subscribe & Save fillers. All of these are under $1 after the 15% discount is applied (at the time of writing this post – please keep in mind that prices and availability are subject to change).
Some of these are really great finds because they are practical or edible! For example, you can get a can of black beans which is a pantry staple for most, and always welcome at a food bank for donations.
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I’ll admit, on the other hand, some of these are pretty random. Who needs one file folder to be delivered each month (someone maybe!), but that’s not the point at all.
The point is: sometimes you just buy the random thing because it’s cheaper overall. You can add a $0.50 item to your monthly order andsave $5, $15, $50 per month or MORE!
This is the definition of a
“money maker“!
Then, you can do more good by donating said item to someone in need. Collect the folders each month and give them to a local school, bundle up the toiletries and makeup and donate them to a shelter, or stock up on food items for your local pantry. This is a WIN / WIN / WIN!
This post contains affiliate links – view full disclaimer here. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.
Here’s the list of Subscribe & Save fillers under $1:
I hope this helps you save (and makes you) some money! Let me know if you found any other hidden treasures to add to the list! I’ll continue to update it if I find others as well.
This is one of my favorite decorating “hacks”! One of the biggest opportunities for major visual impact in your home is on your walls. A simple addition of wallpaper can instantly elevate your decor and bring a whole new life to any room. Here are some of my favorite examples of removable (peel & stick) wallpaper for inspiration:
(for your convenience this post contains product affiliate links – As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases )
I have my eye on the Grey Decco for my office (accent wall), the Shiplap for the wall behind my bed, and maybe the big words in a little nook in my daughter’s room. As you can see, it can be quite addictive, but there is literally no commitment and the price is right.
Removable Wallpaper is so great because it’s easy to install, relatively inexpensive (but don’t completely cheap out – you get what you pay for!), and it can be removed without tons of work or damage to your walls.
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Always follow the instructions that come with your wallpaper – in general, they will look something like this:
You don’t actually need much in terms of “supplies”. A ruler and scissors will work just fine. A few other helpful tools include:
Measuring tape
Squeege / soft straight edge to flatten bubbles
Utility knife
Amazon makes a little kit with everything included for super cheap (under $7) – check it out here. I would recommending spending a few bucks to have these items on hand – not an absolute necessity, but a definite “nice to have”.
For those of you with bold taste, here are some others that I love. A bold, busy print can be fabulous in a small bathroom, and I have a guest bathroom screaming for some attention. What do you think about these four? Every time I think I’ve decided I change my mind. They’re all sooo prettyyy!
Florida Fever 