To Do List

I work a lot this week so, I need to find moments to get these things done...
1) Wrap Presents
2) Buy Dad's Birthday Present
3) Finish Crocheting Scarf
4) Continue to Clean and Organize Room
5) Figure out how much I need to save a month
6) Buy Grandparent's Gift via Worldvision.
7) Finish baking

What do you need to get done before Christmas??

Favorite Websites for Sewers or Newbies

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I love creating. I'm an avid baker. And when I mean avid baker, I mean I love to bake, and if given the time. I would bake for a living. But, this post isn't about baking, it's about sewing. I'm in a brand new world when it comes to sewing. I don't have much experience, and my sewing machine scares me a bit but, I'm trying to overcome that fear.

So, I thought I'd learn a little bit more about what is out there in terms of the sewing world. Where can I find help, inspiration, and the tools I need to start such an ambitious endeavor (I love an expansive vocabulary).

Here are some websites that are great tools for sewing:
BURDASTYLE - There are projects, techniques, patterns, contests, and they just came out with a new book (It's on my wish list.)
Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing - I adore this blog, so many great tips!
Coletterie - Sewing tips, patterns, and they also came out with a new book that I own! I love it!
Adventures is Dressmaking - I learned how to cut up a pair of jeans and make shorts from this site. It's cute and she is good at finding patterns for a dress you would rather make than buy.

There are so other ones... But this is a start... I hope to share some projects with you soon!

Thanks for reading...
Lauren

Monies Follow up

First of all, if you haven't read my previous post, read this...

Since my last post was so gloomy, I thought I'd bring some sunshine over... Since, I'm trying not to spend money, here are 10 Things I Can Do for Free (or very low cost) that I love!!

10) Read Blogs

My blog reader always has blogs for me to read... I like so many kinds.. I've categorized some of my favorites! There's crafty, friends, faith, fashion, sewing, needle crafts, lifestyle, foodies, weddings...
Here are some daily reads:
Wild Olive
A Beautiful Mess
and here are some newly discovered ones I can't wait to dive into!
lauren bonk at laurenbonk.com (she's a lincolnite like me! and i know her)
Katie from the book Kisses from Katie
Swellmayde, they have tons of DIY

I could talk about blogs all day, they are so inspirational. I have probably a thousand blogs in my google reader. I'm almost all caught up... almost.

9) Sew clothing

I have tons of patterns ( I collect them). I haven't sewn an outfit since I was in middle school. It was actually a LOTR's costume, dress and an awesome cape! The dress is way too small, but I still love that cape!

I've also collected a lot of clearance fabric. I have tons for dresses and really pretty tops. I just need to start sewing. And it will be easy to buy notions since they are always on sale and I get great coupons. And fabrics are always going on clearance or super sale so spending no more than 10 bucks when I need a new dress just because can be an option!! But, I think I have enough stashed away to keep me busy for awhile.

I also just got The Colette Sewing Handbook, there is no reason why I can't be sewing. I have all my tools, now I just need the will and time.

8) Hulu/Netflix Marathon

I have money coming out of my account for 4 things a month, 2 of them are Hulu and Netflix. I mean c'mon. It's so cheap, cheaper than going to see two movies a month!! Plus there are so many shows in my que's. I'm trying to catch up with all my shows on Hulu. There are so many good new ones, plus my old one's are just great this season... :) Plus, I can re-watch Mad Men (I think I need to do that stat). Great fashion inspiration.

7) Workout at the gym // Train for the half marathon

I have a very cheap gym membership that I've been paying for 2 years and I never go. For awhile I didn't have a working car, but, that shouldn't be a deterrent. Tomorrow I will start training. I want sign up for the half marathon. It's already almost half filled up. Maybe I will pay for it with my savings. The joy of finishing it would make my year!!

6) Paint nails with colors already owned -- 

Cutepolish has so many cute diy's. I've done the galaxy one! I loved it!

Just recently have I started growing my polish collection. So, it is definitely time to start doing some fun funky things with my nails again!! And maybe when I have a great coupon or rebate from walgreens or cvs (or earn cvs bucks!!) will I get a new color. Or find a cheaper brand!  (there is a new pink sparkle one I WANT --stupid consumerism!!)

5) Catch up on reading 

My list is always growing and with my library card, the world is my oyster.
I have so many unread books in my room, maybe I shouldn't buy anymore books or go to the library for awhile?? I think that's a good idea. What are you reading right now? I'm reading: Matched, The Magicians,  and Good Morning, Holy Spirit.

4) Re-watch my favorite movies // Watch movies I own but haven't seen


I have a quite a few movies I purchased for real cheap, that I haven't even watched, what a great way to spend the evening with a brand new movie. I also have a few tv shows that I need to watch.

3) Learn an instrument // Re-learn the guitar


I have a guitar, and I need to use it! I use to play a few chords. I don't really remember anything. For me, since I work all the time, I don't have much time for the guitar. So, if I decide to start practicing once a week, and keep adding every few weeks, I should be decent in no time! I want to play at church, I just don't got the skills yet. But, I will have those skills sooooon!! LOL

2) I-Touch apps // Create playlists


So many things I have that just collect dust. My i-pod being one of them. I have so many free apps that I don't use that are great. It just doesn't want to keep charge. But, all the free apps and free music. I can create hours of fun for myself! Plus, make a great workout mix while I'm at it.

1) Have fun on Pinterest 


Pinterest has so many great ideas, which can inspire me to do so many things that I haven't even mentioned on my list of free (or almost free) things to do. Like bake, craft, re-arrange my room, print out neat quotes. As well as take some pics of my own to add to pinterest! Add me on pinterest! And if you don't want have an account, just send me an email requesting an invite, and I'll send you one. My email is lmwilliams2009 {at} gmail {dot} com

Ciao,
Lauren

Monies

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every once in awhile, I start a new budget, but i'm done not saving money or getting anywhere with monies owed other places. I have credit cards that I pay off and then use again and use again and use again. i'm so sick of having so much stuff and no money. i've gone over an old budget that i really like and i can plug in numbers and it can help me. but what stresses me out is that i have jobs that don't pay me a lot and i have a college degree. what can a person who wants to move out of the country do while she is living in the states. i'm wanting to go on short-term missions trips, but a person can't/shouldn't do that when owing lots of monies. the stress is on my shoulders and it's making me so uneasy because i hardly make any money. and the one other job i do have (where i make quite a bit is ending next week), they didn't want to make me full time. which stinks, but, that's life. and on top of all that, my car is kaputz. my parents have put so much money into it,  that it's better to just get a new one. i'm getting so frustrated and upset. why try and find a job that i can settle down on when i know i'm being called somewhere else. it makes me want to cry.

but, with all that i've said, i really need to purge a lot of items. sell them so that i can first make some extra income, as well as live minimally, i have plenty of time as an older adult to accumulate stuff. for a 25 year old, i have so much stuff. a lot i've wasted money on. money that could have gone into savings. i'm going to have to say goodbye to starbucks and buying when i'm upset. so, with a budget started, the first area i will be purging is my books... i have at least 300 of them. a lot are school books. i will be getting rid of so many but it will be good and cleansing. i think the only area i will keep most of my items are my sewing, arts, and crafts because those can be turned into things i can use, sell, and give away. and since i already have them i won't have to spend a lot of money on it. also i can give things to other places/people who can use it!

next will be my clothes. i have purged at least 50 items this year, but i have so many clothes. many i haven't worn in years that i just haven't wanted to part with. i need to get rid of them! asap!

sorry my posts have been such downers as of late. but this is good therapy for me... downsizing my life will be extremely hard, but there is no need to keep these things!

have you purged anything in your life recently? (tangible or intangible?)

also, i've been working on my goals for next year, they are epic... do you have goals? have you thought of them yet?

On my side of the world...

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Wow, recently my jobs have really started to get under my skin. I just can't get a break it seems. I'm not mad or angry, just exhausted and tired.

Thankfully, I had a little break last week. The week before last, I worked a double on Friday, a double on Saturday, and Sunday night. That's a lot of work. I felt sick on Monday and it was too Icy on Thursday so I didn't go in to my office job either of those days.

What am I so angsty about?? I work three part time jobs, one "office" job, one retail job, and one waitressing job. They all have their quirks, but they seem to make me a little quirky. I don't feel like bashing anyone. But, I can say I'm all burnt out... But here are some happy things in my life outside of work!!

Last week: I auditioned for a Musical in town and I got a lead role! (More on that when the casting goes up).
This week: I had my choir concert. It wasn't brilliant, but we sounded pretty good. And tomorrow is my mom's birthday!! I've also been working on my crocheting. For self taught, I think I'm doing just fine! I will share with you soon some of the homemade gifts this year on an upcoming post!

What have you been up to??

God Bless,
Lauren