Kroger Freebie Fun!

I'm a fan of free stuff.  My husband doesn't blink when a package comes cause he knows I'm not a huge shopper but I do find really good deals.  Last week Kroger sent me three boxes of free samples on separate days and in order to keep'em coming I've got to share the love, so:

- "Lunchbox" kit with organic apple sauce and Simple Truth cheddar kangaroo crackers.  They included this card to write what I was packing for lunch and how much it cost, with the challenge to do it for $5 or less. Ha! I can pack 5 lunches for $5. Just sayin'...

- "Baby Your Baby" kit with all this amazingness.  I have to say though, I'm not a fan of Huggies wipes.  They're too thin.  Kroger's cheap-o Comfort's brand is so much better!

- Dove Women's and Degree Men's Spray-on Deodorant samples and coups which hubby and I love.  Dries supa' fast and totally could go 48hrs without showering if you really had to...

- Suave Professionals Honey Infusion shampoo and conditioner samples and coups (have yet to try/review because I'm trying to make my keratin treatment last, i.e. no sulfates for me!)

This week they sent yet another wad of coupons - not just discounts and bogos mind you, but totally free certificates for a dozen freezer meals.  I don't think I've ever tried any of them, so I'm excited!
Kroger, you're the bomb!

If you'd like to get free samples like me, sign up for MyMagazine Sharing Network here:
http://h6.sml360.com/-/mnc3

New Room!

So, with the graduation of one of our roommates, our apartment decided to spread out a little so that everyone could have their own room.  It is a super weird feeling, and we can't help but congregate in eachother's rooms most evenings to chat, sing, or watch whatever TV series we're all into (you've heard of TV adultery or Netflix cheaters - people who watch ahead in their shows without their significant other.  Around here it's like a tangled web of who's watching what with whom and where they are in the series and what can be freely talked about without giving away spoilers...)

Anyhow, I thought I'd post some new room pictures - maybe you'll recognize a few things.  I wish like crazy that we could use nails in the walls, but for now my lovely piano picture (engagement present) will have to stay on the desk.

I weed out my decorations from year to year (most all of them are handmade.)  The rose painting has survived all four years. :)  

I also have to note that I lofted those beds by myself, without a rubber mallet too.  Woohoo!

The cork board is another favorite - ready to go for Valentine's day.

The Time You Have

What are you doing with it?

Nanny Diaries... (Not Like the Movie!)

I have taken a summer job as a nanny for two little girls in Frankfort - a bit of a trek, so I live-in and go home on the weekends.  Needless to say, my painting projects lay untouched for yet another season...  However, there are plenty of opportunities to be creative with these kiddos.  I am so thankful that they enjoy the many crafts and cooking projects I've organized thus far.  Last week, we threw a high tea for their friends and a few moms too.  It was my first time planning and fixing a tea for a large group on my own - all previous occasions have called for back-up.  We had a great time, and the girls will be talking about it and asking for scones for the rest of the summer... :)

 One of two tables for our guests.

 The food!

Bodhi is dressed for the occasion.

Georgia on my Mind

So, people want to know why I dropped off the face of the blogging world... for seven months.  Psh no, it has nothing to do with the fact that I started dating someone about seven months ago to-the-day. Of course not. ;)

Actually, being with this person has prompted a new interest - or atleast rekindled one that I've always had under the surface.  I can't imagine going a day without hearing about Georgia football, or some kind of food his mother makes, or how much warmer it would be 'back home' - all in his deep, sweet accent...

Now I fancy myself a bit southern at times, but recently I've decided that it's time to get serious and dig into the wealth of knowledge that awaits me each month...

Perhaps this post marks the beginning of a new chapter in my pursuits of domestic perfection... ;9

In the meantime, here's one of the ways we've learned to combine and celebrate both cultures.

 Keepin' it classy in a Harvard sweater, argyle and khakis. #TFM?

Fall is Here!

The other day I was thinking about how I always said I hated autumn as a kid.  I can't remember when/why I decided it was so awful, but ever since then I've had this thing against fall.  And it's weird, because I love the changing trees, the rainy soup days, festivals, bon fires, apples and pumpkins - even campaigning is enjoyable.  So I've come to the conclusion that it's not that I hate fall.  I was just way too over-dramatic as a kid, and didn't think to just say, it's my fourth favorite season.  Because it really is.

I got to go home this weekend and cram in as much fall-ish fun as I could.  I went out to a country picnic and fiddled with my Bluegrass buddies, helped dad build a house at Habitat for Humanity, picked apples and baked a pie, made soup and cornbread, painted pumpkins with my sisters...  And the drive between school/home was just gorgeous - probably one more week would be the peak of the most beautiful, warm colors you'll ever see in Kentucky.  Happy fall everyone!

Recipe for Creative Juices

Time to address something very near and dear to so many women out there...

Pinterest.

I do love the occasional scroll through row after row of time-consuming crafts, decadent recipes, glorious wedding decor, fashion, inspirational quotes, etc...  But I admit I've only ever put to use 1 - one! - of my 218 pins.  It is absolutely ridiculous.  Anyway, this post is really about creativity, which is something that existed long before Pinterest.

I want you to know, everyone has the gift of creativity in some facet of life.  Maybe you don't consider yourself "crafty," but you're the best at coming up with silly games to keep little kids occupied.  Maybe you can juryrig almost anything in your house to keep it working for another year, or you notice flaws in a plan and take the initiative to re-design it.  The fact is, if you have a brain, you have an imagination, and the ability to create. 

So go do something better - even if it is trying out one of your Pins - but consider brainstorming something new and awesome on your own.

...Then Pin it so we can all be inspired. :)