Sensational Saturday Swap at the Nester's place

Some of my very favorite people gathered together in designer bliss for this first ever sensational Saturday Swap hosted by the Nester.
Supposedly, the reason we gathered was to bring in some household items that we no longer used and swap them out for someone else's improved treasures.
But let's be honest. That was strictly a cover story.
Being among the first to view the new nest of our hostess was the prize.
To say "eye candy delight" is a complete understatement.

Remember my last post about creating a tablescape? This table in her office covered every element I addressed. I can guarantee that she didn't learn it from my post. :)

These pictures do not capture the essence of coziness that oozes from every corner of this home. So follow along at the Nesting Place as she reveals her new home space.
It will be the frosting on the cake of this teaser post. :)
As we began the swap, everyone drew numbers and went in groups of five to make their first choice. Somehow I got designated to be the "role call" person, so we just kept it flowing until most things were gone. There were SO many fun items from which to pick. The worst part about the day was making a decision. Everyone was gracious.
No cat fights broke out over the Nester's tassels, and high end bribery was solicited only outside on the driveway. :)

(The Nester and Emily's mom pondering her next pick.)

(The sitting room before all the treasures messed up her tablescape. Check out the new shutters she just painted. Amazing!)

After seeing this awesome bird cage, I mourned that fact that I passed up a standing wooden cage at a yard sale early that same morning. What was I thinking?
The french doors leading into the Nester's office are framed with fabric adding such an elegant touch. Entering those french doors, you are greeted by these fabulous apothecary jars and sweet Emily, as she sneaked a peek at her sister's computer.

We all have junk drawers, but mine are filled with...junk...garbage...things that should be in the trash. The Nester's "junk" is gorgeous and comes in the form of diamond thingies that make my flash act funny, beautiful drawer pulls, window treatment hooks and items to fill decorative glass jars.
We've adored the toile sofa since her blogging start. Go RIGHT now to the launch of our (IN)COURAGE site and see the story behind that sofa, as well as her desire that it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.

We all know that wreaths aren't just for Christmas, don't we? Don't we? HA!

What ever happened to that messy craft room? The only mess presented was in the form of new tassels for (in)courage. We gawked at the crafting stash under her desk. agreeing we could all let our creative juices flow in this room.
(I can't wait to get my hands on someone's picture of the group smooshed in this room. I'll put it up when someone shares it with me, and let you know who was all here.)
Kimba made the drive from PA, and we weren't going to miss our chance to go to the rich people's GoodWill in Charlotte after the swap was finished. :)

Kimba, the Nester, Emily, Me, and Leigh Ann (a sweet new friend I just met)

One of the greatest joys this year has been connecting with such a wonderful group of women. The Lord has a unique way of bringing people together (or back together).
Before blogging was even an idea in our minds, the Nester and I knew each other from attending the same church. We were friends from Sunday School, but it wasn't until she moved away and I found her blog that we reconnected. Just as the Nester moved away, her sweet sister joined our church since her hubby is our youth pastor. This year has been the start of a blossoming friendship with Emily, and the odd thing is...so much of it is through our blogs. When we see each other at church, we are already caught up. We don't always have to fill in the little details because we've already read about them (along with a ton of other people).
It's a privilege to be writing on the (in)courage team with both of them. And it launches TODAY, Monday, August 10th.

Kimba is a friend that when you meet her in real life, there's a forever connection.
My time with this precious "sister" was much too short.

I highly encourage you to grab some friends and organize a swap. It will be SO worth it.
Beautifying our homes represented the "portrait" of our Saturday swap, but forging friendships framed the picture.

Harris Teeter Triple Coupons

I apologize that I've been neglecting my local couponing faithfuls.
I'm excited to share that Triple coupons (up to $0.99) begin at Harris Teeter tomorrow, so get those binders organized.
For those who just don't want to search the paper, look at coupons on my sidebar. Many are perfect for this week such as the $0.75 cereal coupons that will score some cheap cereal, free Welch's jelly, Betty Crocker items, and more.
Look to the left of your screen and print them now before they are gone.



Here's just a little teaser of what you might find for free (or close to it).
For a full list go to a Full Cup. They have full listings of sales and coupon match ups for every grocery store chain across the country. Posting a question or comment is easy and you get an immediately response.



A few Harris Teeter steals:
Dannon 10/$4 buy 6 for 2.40 -0.60Q=0.60 for 6 (or 0.10 each)
Welchs (sale price through 8/18 on shelf tag) 2/$4
-0.75/1 or FREE
MILK when you buy Welch's ~2.25 (some people got 0.50 off milk or $1 milk, still good deal!)
-0.75/1 from SS insert FREE
Mahatma Rice (14oz Long Grain White $1.49) -0.75 IP =FREE
Wacky Mac $1.49 - $0.75*3 (Smartsource) = FREE
Zone Perfect Singles $1.39 - $0.55*3 = FREE
Mentos $1.49 - $0.55*3 (SN)= FREE
Uncle Ben's Rice (Box) $2.25 - $0.75*3 = FREE
Lipton Tea Bags $1.29 - $0.50*3 = FREE
Purrell Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer $1.50 - $0.50*3 = FREE
Band-aid Adhensive travel pack $1 - 0.50*3 = FREE
Edge Advanced Shaving Gel with Aloa $1.50 - $0.75*3 = FREE
Warm Delights $1.99 - $0.50*3 = $0.49
Hormel Completes $2.69 - $0.75*3 = $0.44
French Mustard $1.55 - $0.50*3 = $0.05
Reach Floss $1.59 - $0.50*3 = $0.09
Suave Deodorant- 1.47 - . 50/1 8/2 RP= FREE
Wishbone Dressing - $1.99- $.75/1 8/02 RP= FREE
Hormel Pepperoni- 2.29 - .75/1 6/21 SS = $.04 note exp 8/16

Make a splash with drinking water

I live with guilt.
Water drinking guilt, that is.
I know I don't drink the recommended "8x8." That's the fancy rule name. Did you know that the average person should drink a minimum of 8 - 8 ounce glasses of water every single day.
Yes.you.should.
And I don't. That's why I have water drinking guilt.

But when my sister in law told me how she served fruit water in a beautiful glass drinking pitcher, I realized what a difference this small addition would make to my whole attitude about drinking water.
And it did. Not only is it so refreshing, but I no longer feel like it's something I have to do.
It makes me feel all special like to have fruit in my water.
And we're talking not just a slice of lemon.

Come on, try it.
Add just a little of whatever fruit is in season and let it chill for awhile.
The same fruit stayed just fine over the course of a few days, and we just kept refilling and chilling the water.
And don't worry if you don't have a real fancy glass serving pitcher. I want one with those neat spickets on the side so that the fruit doesn't come out, but I don't need it.
(Yes, I know...I had to slip that "want vs. need" in there somewhere, didn't I?)
So, of course, these will do just fine. ;)
What wonderful recipe or kitchen tip do you have to share this week for Tasty Tuesday?
*As always, please link to your direct post (not blog URL) and include a link back to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. I can't wait to be inspired. :)

A Sunday Moment

Watching the sunrise this morning, I was reminded by the simple truth...
He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
No matter what...
He knows it. He hears our cries. He answers...in His time. Always!

**********************************************************************************

Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering.... The love of God did not protect His own Son.... He will not necessarily protect us - not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.

Elisabeth Elliot

Frugal Fashionista Conference style

Every time I hit "publish" on these Frugal Fashionista posts, I get a little sick tummy feeling.
I feel crazy putting myself out there as a Fashionista, especially when I know that 99.5% of the things in my closet were purchased second hand. Then, I ponder your past comments and it enables me to hit that button.
Do you know how it thrills my heart when people share that they have walked into a Goodwill for the first time since reading this series? Or that you've shopped your closet and realized that you have core wardrobe pieces that were forgotten?
One of my favorites was my reader's comment that told me her husband thanks me for saving their budget, and his wife needs to hang out with me more often. :)

Honestly, that is why I do these posts. To give you permission to think outside the box. You are not alone if you desire to get that budget under control, and sacrifice to do it (although, for me...it's so fun...it doesn't feel a bit like sacrifice.)
Most of society screams, "You must dress, decorate and purchase this..." to succeed.
My heart mourned last week when I actually had someone say to my face, " I would never wear something second hand... it feels so desperate."
(Diving into what the root cause is of those feelings will be a separate blog post .)

Had I not been secure in the why's and how's of why I dress, decorate and live frugally, that comment would have given me quite a few sleepless nights, and hurt feelings. Instead, my heart was sad for her. I love knowing that money doesn't drive who I am or where my worth lies.

Please know, that if you have never walked into a Goodwill or purchased an item from a yard sale, you are still my kind of sweet friend. Many of my closest friends just laugh with me (or at me, actually) when they hear how excited I get about scoring an amazing treasure for a $1.
For me, it's not about what we purchase, where we shop or how much we spend, it's just getting to the heart of the matter.
Why do we spend the way we do? Why are the majority of Americans living with maxed out credit cards? How can we live in freedom from financial bondage in a society that puts such pressure to "Keep up with the Joneses."
I haven't taken the time to dive into some of these personal finance issues, but I will as I share my "Riches to Rags" story this fall.

Sheesh, I didn't mean to climb up on a soap box, but can you tell I am passionate about this?
Now, onto my Frugal Fashionista...conference style outfits.
I am one that takes five minutes to pack, but when I looked in my suitcase after those five minutes, I found 3 outfits all in black, with spurts of color from the wraps I chose.
Hmm....I realized I needed to brighten it up a bit, and this outfit certainly did that.

Thursday -
I bought this skirt at a yard sale months ago. $1 with the store tags still hanging.
Since I wondered if it was a bit too bright, I had yet to wear it. But I wanted to wear those awesome red shoes and couldn't find something that worked...it was HOT outside.
When I matched it with an all white sweater, it brought it all together.

Limited white cardigan - $2, yard sale
Green tank - $1, yard sale
Skirt - $1, yard sale (with tags)
Awesome red shoes that my sis found - $2, yard sale
Total for the outfit: $6

When my daughter saw my skirt with the store tags, she gasped and said, "Mommy, you bought that new skirt just for your conference?"
I replied sweetly, "What do you think?"
" I didn't think so," she smilied. :)

Just so your in the designer fashion know, "they" say that red is the new black. You can wear it with anything. :)

Friday -
Both days I left my camera in the hotel room...what was I thinking?
Here is my attempt to recreate my Friday outfit...today.
At the Blogger Meet and Greet, one of my new favorite bloggers, Tina from Antique Mommy, gave me the once over and said, "You don't look like you're frugal." Love her!

You know how much I love wraps of all kinds.
Many people feel as if they can not wear black. They claim it washes them out, which may be true, and that makes me sad because I love black. Well, my suggestion is to spruce up all things black with splashes of vibrant color.

Long Gap shorts - $4 - Good Will
I love these because I can go from ultra casual to a night on the town look by adding heels (not that I get many of those, but hypothetically speaking ;).
Black tank top - $1 at Carolina Thrift (with the store tags still attached).
Everything in the store was 50% off, and I had a total bedlam moment as the whole store flooded while I was there. It is quite the story. :)
Shoes (pictured at the top of post) - $4 Goodwill.
Wrap - free from a friend who knows I love them and was going to give it to Good Will.
I should have spent a bit more time making sure the wrap wasn't crooked, but this gives you a sneak peak at how they are very versatile in their look.

On Saturday, I left my room at 8:30am and didn't make it back until midnight.
Sweet Stephanie from Dayspring/(in)courage took this for me in the wee hours.
And no, I didn't plan to match the carpet.

I found this dress the day before She Speaks at Goodwill for $5.
When you hit a larger thrift store, one tip is to look at the rack that the employees have recently wheeled out. Those are items that have just been donated that day and typically employees unpack bags/boxes at one time. and hang that grouping on the same rack.
If you happen to hit the jackpot of someone with designer clothing in your size, they will all be in that one spot. It doesn't happen often, but when it does...it ROCKS!
Another place I look is the dressing room rack where people have just put back what they don't want to purchase. This is how I found two fun dresses. Someone with great taste, in my size, took the time to search through for some gems. For whatever reason, she didn't want a hand full of items, and I loved everything she returned to the rack.

For those of you who have a predetermined concept of Crocks. Take a look at my shoes...aren't they adorable? Yes, they are high heeled Crocs and they are SO comfortable.
No, I didn't get those second hand, but I got them free, does that count?
It was really chilly in the hotel, so sweaters were a necessity. I would have worn a green cardigan, but since I had already worn green the day before, the $2 Limited white sweater was all I had packed.
There's a big girl moment with this dress. Those of you who follow me, know I am passionate about great style with modesty. This is the shortest length dress I own by far, but it's still fun and length appropriate for the day, although maybe not "business casual."
I had a cute suit coat and pants picked out for my speaker evaluation group that evening, but when our blogging session, which included the launch of (in)courage ended late, I didn't have time to change.
Guess what one of the comments was about my appearance on evaluation? Inappropriate for speaking...skirt too short.
Ah yes, the irony there wasn't lost on me. ;)

Sunday - I wore a cute pink top and black pants, but after having to redress today for my black/green outfit, I was not taking the time to do that again. So I stole this picture from Emily.

Stephanie from DaySpring, The Nester, Especially Heather, Jen, Holley, Emily and Dawn

Thanks for coming along on my Frugal Fashionista conference style edition.

Considering that when I add up the total amount of money spent on four outfits, and it totaled $25, I don't care if someone thinks that's desperate...I am desperately in love with what that does for my yearly clothing budget. :)

Posted at Rhoda's