Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Sunday, July 19, 2009

A Sunday Moment

A child-like gift of love...
We've all received them...
A precious fist full of 'nothing,' yet given with grandeur.

Unbelievably, His great love showered me in the midst of the unexpected.

Revealing Himself through a fist full of nothing,

this daughter of the King was embraced by His love.

Thank you, Lord,
for continually showing yourself to me in the mundane moments.
A child-like gift of love...weeds turned to wonder.

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Zep 3:17 (NIV) The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

Beauty is God's handwriting.

-Charles Kingsley

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I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.

-Abraham Lincoln

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Shared at Tuesdays Unwrapped

Friday, July 17, 2009

Sensational Silk

New to the Frugal Fashionista series?
Begin with designer wardrobe on a frugal budget.

I made a mistake this week on vacation. I walked into some high end retail clothing stores that I haven't frequented in years. My reason? To literally start pricing some of the items that I am featuring every week, and make sure I am up to date with the latest trends.
You know where that browsing landed me? With a huge case of the "gimmes."
Give me one of those and oh, let me just try on one of these. Did I need a thing? Absolutely not!

The benefit of that shopping trip was that I have a lot to process about how consumers are so influenced by the ploys of these amazing marketing groups. Quite a few thoughtful posts are swimming around in my brain about personal finance and all from a little"harmless" browsing.
I didn't purchase a thing, but that didn't stop me from being "convinced" that I needed quite a few new items.
Bottom line: Remove yourself from temptation. :)

Now, on to my thrift designer outfit of the week. I apologize that it's only one. The Frugal Fashionista was not thinking ahead and I went out of town without my other pictures....oops.

In the past, wearing silk has scared me. It's the kind of fabric you wear once "you've arrived," and my bus has yet to get there on time.
On top of that, silk is truly special. Just think how amazing it is that God's remarkable creature, the silkworm, worked especially for us so that we can wear something really fancy.
I surely wouldn't want to hurt his feeling, so when I came upon this BRAND NEW (yes, tags still on) 100 Silk, Coldwater Creek dress at Good Will for $6, I hatched, I mean snatched it up without a protest. I did it in honor of the silkworm. :)
This is a style that is forgiving with any figure. If your arms aren't your favorite feature, don a cardigan or wrap. Since I have fallen of the wagon with both my exercising and my eating, the pounds are slowly creeping back on. I plan to remedy that soon, but in the mean time, this style hides a good ten extra pounds with it's straight lines, and my weight gain is barely noticeable.

Here is another example of how the right piece of jewelery makes an outfit. This $2 purple yard sale find necklace doesn't go with much, but I am thrilled that I didn't pass it up because it completes this outfit. Simple, yet elegant.

Again, imagine my excitement when I saw these like new shoes at a yard sale the weekend after I purchased this dress. I am disappointed I can't share the brand (since they're in my closet and I am not, :) but I do know they were made in Italy....yes, only the best of Italian Leather for my silk dress.
Shoes - $2 and I doubt they were worn more than once - no visible scuff marks or any signs of wear.
Total for this head to toe designer Frugal Fashionista outfit? $10

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Are you a "Yes Mom?"

In a culture that screams "Yes" to every one and everything that the world has to offer, I am a mean mom that says "No" quite often.
"No" to ideology that says truth is relative.
"No" to many movies, music and moments that turn the brain to mush.
"No" to the laziness and disrespect that teens exhibit way too often.
"No" to...well, I guess you get the picture.

The hard reality is that I want to be a "Yes Mom. " I want to say "yes" to everything that they desire. I want them to shower me with instant praise and gratitude for always saying "yes."
I don't want to be the only mom who doesn't let them...
But, guess what? The Lord has graciously given these blessings to us for a minuscule period and I know that "instant yes" is not always in their best interest.

So I choose to be a "Yes Mom" in the little things. The moments that will impact them for eternity. Moments that shape who they are. I say "yes" to the little things that take their breath away, and then even moments that will be solidified in their mind as plain, silly, wholesome fun.

My desire is that they will always remember me as a "Yes Mom." A mom who cares enough to say "No" in the hard moments, but relish my "Yes" in the magical ones.

So instead of saying, "No, don't try on those crazy wigs, you'll get lice,"
I just said "YES."
Decades from now, I pray that my daughters and nieces will always remember this "Yes Moment."

Have you had a "Yes Moment" lately?

Free Target and Starbucks Gift Cards

Many of you took advantage of this Free Target gift card, but now Nicole's Savings Advantage hasn't even sweetened the deal by adding an additional Starbucks gift card. That is what I was waiting for! Please make sure you first read my personal experience with this deal for details.

Save up to 75% when you buy clothes, travel, medicine & more-sign up for just $2.95!
Complimentary $25 Target Gift Card + Sign up now and get a Bonus Free $25 Starbucks Gift card!

(My personal gift card)

(Edited to add) Melinda from frugalgrace.blogspot.com, "I signed up, but wanted to let you know that there is now a new twist in the fine print - you may want to let your readers know. It states: When you remain a member after the trial period, we will confirm your mailing address and send you your free gift cards.
It looks, to me, like you have to remain a member for more than 30 days in order to get the gift cards. Still not a bad deal - $11.95 for $50 worth of gift cards!

Thanks so much, Melinda, It's always wise to read the fine print.

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Don't forget Freebie Wed. at Arby's. Today (7/15), get a free Regular Roast Beef sandwich with drink purchase.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Delicious Dips for any Get Together

Our family loves to whip up appetizers - more specifically...yummy dips.
I understand that dips are supposed to be saved for those special occasions, but why wait for special occasions when they are so easy?

I have mastered healthier, low fat options by substituting low fat cheeses, sour cream, and always adding twice as many fresh vegetables (if the recipe calls for it).
While making dips, learning to experiment with flavors has been a fantastic way to encourage my children with their culinary creativity.

We have been spending lots of time with family this week and there is nothing that rekindles memories of yesteryears more than a family recipe. When I first met my husband, I remember being served this Southern caviar dip whenever we would visit. My mother in law has passed away, but the tradition continues as my sister in law always makes this for our family get-togethers. I just found out this week where the recipe originated from decades ago, and how their family began serving it. Do you know the origin of favorite family recipes? If not, find out, and pass the recipe down through the generations...with the story.

Southern Caviar (recipe passed from GA to MN to WI and then to NC)
No guilt with this recipe...just flavor and sheer garden goodness. This did NOT look like a dip I would enjoy when I first saw it, but one bite and I was in love. :)

Tall can of black eyed peas (rinse and drain)
One can of shoe peg corn (drained)
3-4 green onions (chopped)
1/4 onion (chopped..red onion is delicious as well)
1/3 of a green pepper (I love to add yellow and red as well)
2 tomatoes (chopped)
1/4 cup Italian dressing (or more til desired consistency)
2 Tbs chopped jalapenos (or more to taste)

Mix well and chill. Serve with Frito Scoops

Beer Dip
Considering I am in one of the Beer Capitals of the World right now (WI), I wouldn't be right not to share a true Wisconsin dip. The irony here is that I don't drink ANY beer - never had, never will and I don't like the taste one bit. Yet just a dash of beer mixed into this recipe adds an unbelievably unique flavor. It is so yummy, makes a ton for a get together, and whips up really fast!

3 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese (softened)
1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing
1/2 -3/4 can of beer
1 cup shredded cheese

Mix cream cheese, dressing, and beer til you reach your desired creamy consistency. Then mix in 1/2 cup of cheese, leaving the remaining cheese to sprinkle on top.
Serve with pretzels or scoops.

Need more ideas for cooking with large groups? How about taco dip and quick, easy homemade pizza?

Group cooking in a pinch...what do you have in your freezer? Check out my one hour experiment.

(posted at Boo Mama's)

I can't wait to see what everyone is sharing for Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods
As always, please follow the simple guidelines or post will be deleted.
1. Include your post showing us your Tasty Tuesday recipe or ideas.
2. Link up below to the permalink of your post. To find out what yours is, simply click on the title of your post and grab the permalink from the address bar.
3. Link your post back to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam as a courtesy to me so everyone will know where to find more recipe inspiration.
Tasty Tuesday Parade of Food Participants