one week in!

Yesterday my dad told me he checks this blog everyday. I felt kind of bad seeing as though for a while I was posting about once a month. He's lucky that I have something new to write about (my spending challenge). After all, he is well aware of my shopping habits (sorry, dad)!

It's September 6. Let's just say it's been a week. I've spent $6.43 so far. Proud?

Here's my breakdown:
• Returned a dress to Target that had be hanging in my closet for a while. It's a summer dress and I'm so ready for fall fashion that I figured it wouldn't get worn. I got $10.68 back (good ole Target clearance).
• Purchased this basic cardigan for $17.11 (regularly $19.99 - 15% off coupon - 5% off Target RedCard discount + tax) ... A WHOPPING $6.43 DIFFERENCE!

Here we go, week #2! Wish me luck.

spending habit challenge + fall wishlist

Please forgive me! I know it's been months since I've last checked in with this little blog of mine. I've been busy enjoying the summer months as much as I can. With September just around the corner (how is it almost September?), I have a challenge for myself. Blogging about it will hold me accountable, right?

I spend most of my day at a computer. I guess that would make sense as a full-time graphic designer, huh? In my downtime or when it's a little slow around the office, I can't help do a little online shopping. This is dangerous for me as I end up ordering far too much—knowing in the back of my mind I really don't need whatever it is.

So, beginning the month of September I'm budgeting myself to a $100/month clothing spending limit. For some, this may be a lot. For others, it may seem impossible, but I think it's a good start for me personally. I've been getting really stressed out in the mornings trying to figure out what to wear lately. Some might blame this on not having enough to wear, but I actually blame it on having too much in my closet. It can be pretty overwhelming. I know I know, not a bad problem to have, but I want to be smarter about my spending habits from now on.

Let me break it down a bit:
• $100/month to spend on clothing online or in-stores (including shoes)!
• Gift cards are bonus money (for some reason I have a plethora of gift cards laying around).
• Any money made from selling clothes can be used as bonus money also. I'm going to try my hardest to really weed out what I don't wear/don't love. I'll try my luck at eBay or our local consignment shop.

Potential benefits:
• Hopefully this forces myself to think about my purchases more. Knowing that a $30 shirt will take up almost 1/3 of my monthly budget, I'll have to think about if that's really what I want to spend my money on or if there's something I'd benefit from more.
• If I'm able to hold myself accountable during this "challenge" and actually stick with it, I'll certainly be able to save more money. I don't even want to know what I've been spending on clothes lately.

There are a few days left in August so hopefully I don't go on a crazy online shopping spree before September hits. What do you think? Think I can do it? I hope so. I'm going to document my adventure along the way (whether I succeed or fail) so check back for some monthly breakdowns and hopefully to hear about the crazy good deals I'll score.

In the meantime, here's my fall wishlist. I can't wait for this nasty Iowa heat to go away!

1) printed pencil skirt 2) kork-ease blythe 3) southwestern cuff 4) kork-ease flat 5) linen paris tee 

studio progress!

Can you believe it? I can't. Actually, you probably don't know how I was working prior to this much needed office/studio project [that probably should have happened over a year ago]. I'd work from the dining room table (stuff everywhere) and was forced to eat in the living room all the time. I'm more than excited to use each room in the house for its intended purpose!

First on the to-do list was this insanely long desk. I love it! It was so easy to make that Ryan actually committed to helping me make another one for the other side of the room. One will be for my computer, the other for more hands-on work (cutting cards, folding cards, etc). If only I could paint the green walls a nice crisp white, but I'll work with them. Thinking all neutrals up in here: wood, white, & gold!

Nashville, TN

It's no secret I love food. All types of food, which is pretty much what our most recent trip consisted of. Ryan had never been to Nashville so when it was time to take a vacation, we pretty much knew exactly where to go. The timing played out perfectly and I got to see a lot of family while out there. And Ryan got the vintage boots he's been talking about for years (you better be really happy with them because running through that rain ruined my hair and well, I ran).

Nashville stole my heart. I think I'd move there tomorrow if I could. I even know exactly where I'd want to live, and where I'd get my morning coffee. That and my lunch, and my dessert. Okay, I have a problem. But come on, you'd have a problem too if that plate of pancakes was right in front of your face.

hey strangers!

Well hello! So sorry for not posting in far too long. I'd been having so much fun with this little blog, then life got ahead of me and it kind of got put on the back burner. The weather in Des Moines is so sad right now. It's cloudy and rainy and there's not a single bit of sun. The other day I went to the store and bought 4 new plants to try and bring more life into the house. I'll be going back again this weekend, too! I'm kind of obsessed right now. Okay, really obsessed!

I was never into plants before. Like ever! Last summer was when I took the plant plunge and bought a bunch for the back deck. Tomato plants, random flowers, succulents, and other various plants I could have swore I'd kill. I had the easiest time with the tomatoes and succulents. Well, the house is now filled with succulents. I'm really drawn to jade and always find myself picking them up. They can look a little different in color and size, but all have round same leaves, which I like. I just read that they can get white or pink little flowers—I guess my jade plants aren't that lucky (they're considered the "lucky plant").

I've been really worried about Giggs lately, though. The last thing I want is to come home to him passed out with a plant hanging out of this mouth (that's drastic, I know). I've been eyeing this print on etsy, which coincidentally is by an artist from East Nashville (one of Ryan and I's favorite parts of Nashville from our trip there last week). I'll post more on our trip soon (basically best food ever)!

I'm hoping to expand my plant "collection" and get some larger house plants. My dream plant is a Fiddle Leaf Fig. I've called just about everywhere local and nowhere around me seems to have them, which is disappointing because they're beautiful! They've been flooding the internet (well, Pinterest) and it's basically putting salt in my I-can't-have-a-fiddle-wound. Someone, anyone, buy me a Fiddle Leaf?

Safe plants for kitty cats print by Rebekka Seale