Frugal Fashionista Again

Head on over to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam for all your Frugal Fashionista tips and tricks.

Dads ROCK GIVEAWAY BASH

Mark your calendar for June 10th and our Dads Rock Giveaway Bash.
Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, along with 13 other blogs, will be hosting thousands of dollars in amazing giveaways that you will NOT want to miss.

Creative Centerpieces using what you have

Even though I moved my site two months ago, it's amazing that so many of you still subscribe through my old site. So, every few weeks, I remind you that I am over there and not here.

My web designer has told me that I must stop this and that we have to close this site down completely since it hurts my new blog, but I'm afraid I'll miss you. :)
So, I keep posting here, until I cut the strings...which will be soon.

Now that Christmas is over, you may be looking for some neat ideas for centerpieces using what you have...well, come on over and see what I've been doing...
Quick and easy Centerpieces

So, switch on over, and pick how you want to subscribe below.

$100/month on groceries Challenge

So much is happening this week over at my new Balancing Beauty and Bedlam site.

Just a few of the posts that I have covered recently: Saving money on groceries by eating from your Pantry and some $25/week meal plan updates, Balancing Blogging Goals

Five Languages of an Apology

Rebelling again Resolutions, and more.

Come visit me and share your own beauty and bedlam. :)

Last minute DIY Gift Ideas

In the amount of time it would take for you to drive to the mall, you can create these last minute DIY gift ideas. Personal, creative, and fabulously frugal - check them out here.

Two "Top Ten" Favorites on my Frugal Fashionista list

I am "Lovin' Leather at Frugal Fashionista prices."
Come check out two of my latest finds and see why I finally took the leather jacket splurge.

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You can also receive updates via email. Click here to subscribe to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam by email.

Quick and Easy Table Decor

As the thermostat switches from air to heat, I typically get out my fall decorations and enjoy them for months. This year, however, life got away from me with my trip to Ecuador, and now I am scrambling to highlight our Thanksgiving table with some quick, easy and frugal decor.

Our first step to easy Thanksgiving table decor is to “shop your house and yard.” As much as I desire a Better Homes and Garden look, a simple approach to decorating assures us that we don’t have to be designers to create a welcoming home. I love to add more glamor than what I am showing, but my desire is to encourage everyone that with just a few extra minutes, and no money spent, a beautiful table can be set.

Are you missing out on all the posts at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam?

We're here...almost every day.

Tasty Tuesday - I'm posting live from South America

This is really happening. I'm here in Ecuador to bring my new nephew home. What a privilege and amazing experience to watch sheer grace unfold.
Just thought I would let those of you know how are still on my old feed.
Come on over and link up to Tasty Tuesday - South American style and see what this trip is all about.

Live right here: Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Coupon Preview - just for you

It's the first Sunday of the month, which means there's an additional P&G coupon insert. YEA!

Are you wondering if you should buy additional papers? Check the Sunday coupon preview below to see what's included. A wonderful way that I am saving more time with my binder is by using this preview resource. I clip the coupons that I KNOW I will use, but leave the rest of the inserts in the accordion section of my binder. Then I check back here when I compare my weekly store fliers. It saves a LOT of time.

Click below to see what you may need to buy.


And then head on over to my new home for more details, since you may be missing out on a weeks worth of posts. :)

Thrifting, accessorizing, baking...come on over.

hi friends -
There's lots going on over at the new location.
Navigating a thrift store, accessorizing a mirror, and tons of bulk baking.
Please come join us, and thank for taking the time to update your URL.

To change your subscription to the new location, or subscribe for the first time please click here.

You can also receive updates via email. Click here to subscribe to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam by email.

**I have had emails from numerous readers that they’re having trouble adding this new URL to their Google Readers. Apparently, the Reader is finding this old site and redirecting back to here. Make sure you delete the old site first. Sign out and sign back in before adding my new site.

If you did that, then the work-around solution for updating google reader; try adding this address http://www.beautyandbedlam.com/feed/

into the “subscribe to this blog” spot in the Google Reader, it picks up the latest post at the new site. You have to add the feed/ at the end of my basic URL.

Thanks so much for taking the little bit of extra time through my bedlam.

I've been missing you all. :)

Please Update Your Subscription to Beauty and Bedlam

Have you found me at my new home on the web? If not please stop by my new (yet same as the old) blog now hosted on WordPress.

If you currently subscribe to this blog, pretty please click here to re-subscribe to my site. I sure don't want to miss you. :)This will be the last update you receive if you are a current subscriber.

You can also receive updates via email. Click here to subscribe to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam by email.

See you at my new home!

Baking Day/Hour - my plan

With fall scheduling in full force, pondering why I am barely keeping my head above water in certain “family manager” roles has been a topic.

My conclusion? I don’t have a plan.

Now, mind you, I am not a “write everything I do down” kind of a gal, I love the carefree aspects of life. Yet I am letting the weeks get the best of me without being intentional in some of the little things. Typically it’s the little things that I LOVE, but these days, it’s the little things not done that are getting me.

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We're working on getting all of the subscriber's feeds moved over to my new home, so if you want to see my plan for the day come on over here.

Remember...I've MOVED to http://www.beautyandbedlam.com.

Come on over to my new home!

Don't forget to link up for Tasty Tuesday at my new home -
http://www.beautyandbedlam.com
I'll have the post up by 11:00pm EST.

If you have my button on your sidebar, you don't need to do a thing.
I've been tricky like that and have been forwarding you all to www.inpassionatepursuit.blogspot.com, but that is just too difficult to remember.

Many of you have been so kind to enter Balancing Beauty and Bedlam onto your blogroll.
I would love it if you could take one minute and correct the new blog address. :)

We are not quite done, but it just wouldn't be "me" if I led you over to a brand new perfectly finished site, would it? Continue to watch for the changes over the next few weeks.
The powers that be are just waiting...for me.

Fall Tradition - Magic Pumpkin Patch

The Magic Pumpkin Patch is another tradition that is sure to spark the magic of Fall/Halloween for your kids!
Tell your children that this year you have found some magic seeds to grow pumpkins.
Gather your kids together and give each child 1 magic pumpkin seed. Have them bury each magic seed in the yard and place a toothpick marker for where they buried their seeds. While they are sleeping, place a small pumpkin, which you purchased from the grocery store, on each place they planted a seed. Watch as in the morning they are amazed by the beautiful pumpkins their magic seeds have grown into.
Take a picture of each child with their pumpkin in the patch and put it into your Fall/Halloween tradition book.

For many more fall/Halloween tradition ideas, browse here.

Frugal Fashionista - one stop shopping

Frugal Fashionista is back, and ready to roll.

(If you're new to this series, begin at the beginning by unpacking your reservations on a Frugal Fashionista wardrobe. )
I heard your cries, I received your emails, and trust me, it's not for lack of clothes to show you.

I just thought you might have wanted a break from my frugal fashion trips, but obviously not.
Always forgetting to take pictures when I was wearing the outfits was the problem that I encountered in doing these posts.

Oh yes, and then there were the dogs...



And the kids...


Enough excuses...on to what you've been waiting for.

I am doing a two part post for this one.
I have decided to take you through a typical thrift store outing and show you what I look for.
Everything I am wearing in these pictures was from one shopping trip last week.
My goal of this post is different. It's not to put together my cutest ever outfits, but to show you how you can mix and match while spending pennies on the dollar.

As you are reading, try and guess how much I paid for it all.
You are going to drop to the floor!
I approach my wardrobe much like I do my couponing and stockpiling.
Many local thrift stores offer discounts on certain days.
On Sunday at my local store, one colored ticket is always 75% off.
Keep that in mind as you guess. I only looked at that color.



With winter right around the corner, I love to look for new sweaters, turtlenecks and comfy clothes that I can wear to football practices. I need to be warm, but I don't have to look frumpy.
This Banana Republic sweater is perfect, and can easily be dressed up with a scarf or jacket. These Limited jeans are a bit too short for me, but you'd never know it once I rolled them up and made them capris. Now they fit perfectly and they look like they were made to be capris.
If you have great ankles - show them off. :)



A classic green Gap turtleneck will give me so many options.
Here I paired it with the comfiest, down vest by Lands End.
Yes, it looks brand new. Another sign that Lands End is total quality.

The Anne Taylor brown pants were a steal, and hopefully after I wear them they'll stretch out a bit. ( I didn't try them on, and typically I do.)
The only other option is to lose the eight pounds I've gained in the last few months - ugh.




Here is the same turtleneck and pants paired with two jackets that were UNDER one dollar.
Do you see how different all three outfits look just by switching them up a bit?
Our NC fall days don't always necessitate a heavy coat, so these are perfect.
Jackets like this are a typical find at most thrift stores.

One of my favorite finds of the day was this great black dress. If you've followed this series at all, you know I have a thing for the perfect, little black dress. I have about ten of them.
Please.no.lectures. Just being honest. But, I wear them - a lot.
When something like this is so comfortable that you can sleep in it, I buy it...regardless.
And this is one of those finds. I wish you could see my drop down pink necklace more closely.
It's perfect with the V-neck, but if someone gave me a big chunky pink necklace, I think I'd prefer that instead.
It would make more of a statement and bring out the pink accents.
This style looks great on almost any body shape.





I love, love, love this classic Eddie Bauer turtleneck. I'm so disappointed that we didn't get a better picture of it.
Like Lands End, Eddie Bauer quality is so fabulous that it always appears new, while the look never goes out of style.
Now, I admit, this orange vest was an impulse buy...
I am a "summer," and "summer" skin tones don't wear orange. (Regardless if you buy thrift or new, you must find out your skin tone.)
But it's fall harvest time, and I want to be festive.
Yet more importantly, this was a BRAND NEW suede vest with the $69.00 price tag still on it and I got it for $1.50. I'm just saying.
As long as that orange isn't against my face, I'm fine with it.
I'll wear it to the pumpkin patch and take my pictures with fall orange pride, and them probably pass it on to someone else. It's cuter in real life. :)



Yes, this was taken moments ago as I just got back from football practice and was sporting my cute Hanes hoodie and Liz Claiborne tank.
If I dress to exercise, it sometimes gives me the false sense that I might actually walk during my boys' practice. :) Exercise clothing is expensive, but I find fabulous items for pennies. Probably because people like me fizzle out on their New Year's Resolution quicker than they'd care to admit.

Now imagine that I didn't just get back from football practice, and that my hair was done in a sleek updo.
Oh, how I love this white dress from The Limited.
Simple, elegant and classic.
Again, comfort is key and this one passes the "nightgown" test as well. Can you see why I have started wearing dresses more? Seriously, this dress is more comfortable than any pair of pants I own. Don't be surprised if it doesn't end up as a night gown after I get tired of it.
When you spend $1 on something, who says it has to be an elegant dress? Why can't it be a nightgown...hee hee.


Ok, so that was all purchased in one shopping trip.
Remember, it doesn't always happen like that, but I am fairly consistent in popping into my favorite stores and I have it down to such a science that I could dress almost any of you in a complete wardrobe for under $100.

Come with me next time as I show you how I look through the trash and come out with the treasures.

Did you take a guess at how much all of this cost? Remember that I ONLY looked at the colored tags that were marked 75% off, and the majority of the other items in the store were full price.
I am going to duck now because I know you are going to throw tomatoes at me.

All of it...under $12.
I know...it's not fair, but just love me anyhow. :)

New Coupons have loaded

It's October 1st (WOW), and that means that new coupons have loaded on my sidebar. Please click on over if you're in a reader and see what's being offered.
I always think ahead about my stores' sales cycles and what I need replenished in my stockpile of food.

I'm excited about some frozen vegetables, cereal, and many more.
And yes, even the $1.00 of two Pillsbury biscuits helps me with my "one hour experiment" meals. Biscuits are often on sale for "Buy One Get One Free," which makes these free or nearly free for ALL of you - even if you don't have double coupon stores.

A Choice of Hope

Terrified and torn, a young woman girl, seventeen, sacrificed so that her firstborn
could have life.

For nine months, perfect innocence was knit together in her womb.

Yet on a blistery Milwaukee March day, she made a choice.

A choice of sacrifice. A choice of redemption. A choice of hope.

Decades later, a mom of five sits at her computer pondering just what that decision means.

I am the result of her choice, her sacrifice, her hope of a better life for a daughter.

Her decision that day has already impacted generations.

Please continue reading a small excerpt of my adoption story over at (in)courage.

Fall Flavors and Tasty Tuesday announcement!

There's something about dropping temperatures that draws me to get that kettle on the stove with savory soups a simmering.
I love the way they make my house smell cozy all day long.
When the weather turns brisk, soups are definitely one of my comfort foods.

Trying to decide on some of my favorite soups is an arduous task.
Chicken noodle/dumpling, taco, chili, baked potato, cream of broccoli and cheese and so many others top the list.
My mouth is watering just thinking about taking that hot french bread straight from the oven and dipping it into any of those favorites.

Another of our frugal favorites is Bean Soup and for the last few days, beans have been a staple.
Officially, five pounds of dried beans have been soaked, cooked, eaten and/or bagged and frozen for future use. Having them cooked and bagged allows me the ease of throwing them in whatever - whether it's a casserole, soup or side.
I have my seven bean soup recipe down to a science...dolloped with sour cream and sprinkled with cheese, this is a recipe that all my children devour.
But don't ask me for measurements.
I don't ever measure with soups. The fun is in the experimental process. :)

So what fall foods are you looking forward to? I can't wait to see them over the next few months here at Tasty Tuesday.
As always, please link to your direct URL recipe post and link back here so others can join in the fun.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
I am in the process of moving my blog to Word Press. It will have the same great feel, just more versatility with an easier search option for these wonderful recipes. :)
This is the last Tuesday where you can find me at inpassionatepursuit.blogspot.com.
For next week, please make sure your URL link back to Tasty Tuesday reflects http://www.beautyandbedlam.com

So what are you sharing for Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods?

Party Cupcake Ideas

Some of you may have missed my brother's amazing wedding cupcake stand.
Well, it was a wonder that did his baby sister proud, yes it did.

They focused on the architecture of the stand, but left the cupcakes very simple.




But look at these beauties!
Just the small added embellishment really stands out.


Can you believe how this strawberry makes such a simple, yet elegant statement?

photo credit: hlkljgk

How about these adorable birthday hat cupcakes.
I just LOVE these - what child (or adult) wouldn't?

Party Hat Cupcakes


This is just a sampling of the amazing ideas that you can find at this fabulous new site - Party Cupcake Ideas - sharing cupcake ideas for Parties, Weddings, Baby Showers and Parties.

There is a wealth of creativity over there. Go and spend a few minutes browsing. You will not be disappointed.

I am thrilled to introduce them as a sponsor.

Easy Home Decorating Idea

Slowly, very slowly, I'm frugally decorating my girls' room.
Picking up a dresser here, an end table there, along with lamps, pictures etc. has been a patient pursuit of hidden treasures.
Ironically, the girls' room will eventually be the school room. The boys' room will be the girls' new room, and the boys will move to the hidden alcoves of "the attic."
Did you follow all that? You may need to read it again. :)
I've been slow to finish their room since I was anticipating a move, but how sad that I kept waiting for "the next day."
That "next day" may be awhile, so I'm sprucing things up for the time being.

The girls eyed these Dollar Store decals and were so ecstatic when I mentioned they could put them where ever they wanted. (Don't you just love being the hero for $1?)
I decided to work off that theme with some of my beautiful papers.
Seriously, am I the only one who has an entire used scrapbook store in their closet?
And I am not exaggerating. If only I had put that time into my blog..sigh, but I digress.

With one free wall left, I decided to use some of the papers and my circle punch for a little experiment.
Digging around in "the attic" I found an ugly yard sale painting.
Honestly, ugly paintings with a quality canvas is a great find. It's a bonus if there's a solid wood frame with it. Frames are very inexpensive at yard sales, where as they are costly when purchased brand new.
Remember to think outside the box, and "shop your home".
Frames can be painted any color to create a cohesive look.
Collecting ten various wooden frames is one of my "treasure hunts" these days.
I plan on redoing my family photo area that is showcased up our staircase.

I painted over the ugly painting (sorry, Barbara ? from 1998) with a light green paint that was in "the attic." (Are you seeing a theme...there's a treasure cove up there).

I cut out a variety of circles and played around with the positioning.
This is a wonderful DIY for the kids as well.
I simply glued the circles on with rubber cement, and voila...finished masterpiece.


Previously, I had painted this wood frame and knew it would be a "perfect fit" for my creation.
Doesn't it accent the girls' green walls wonderfully?
Well, it wasn't...a perfect fit, that is, but that's why this blog is Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.
So, I am off to "the attic" to find a 12x16 size.
I know I have one up there somewhere.
The beauty of this project is not just the ease, speed and versatility, but the cost...for me...nothing.

My attempt was just an experiment.
I wanted to see how much I liked the finished project, so I did a smaller version of what I originally saw (which was around 2'x3').

Last year, this idea was stirred by Heidi from Mt. Hope Chronicles, it just took me awhile to implement. Now, I'm looking around my walls for a spot that is calling for the larger version to come out and play.

Posted at: We are that family
Rhoda's