Aqua Net

Bauble Necklace-Target
Polka Dotted T-Shirt-Old Navy
Aqua Cashmere Cardigan/Brown Braided Belt/Handbag-Talbots
Jeans-Gloria Vanderbelt-Kohl’s
Hot Pink Pointy Toe Ballet Flats-Dolce Vita-Lord and Taylor

Here’s a peek into a fashion bloggers life. Mine! It’s no secret, I buy 99% of my clothing from clearance racks-when the items are an ADDITIONAL percentage off (no, not just regular clearance), coupons, second-hand and even give aways, that my friends want to find a home for–if we don’t wear the same size–they pass on their accessories, that they no longer use–their style magazines/books, when they’re done with them too (luv). It’s a rarity, to pay the full price for anything!!! Including at the grocery store!!! You are lookin’ at a coupon on sale items kinda girl. Thank you Jaime!!! If it’s not on sale, we don’t eat it, for the most part. My family doesn’t have cable/satellite television, who has time?! The t.v. was even a gift (just like the computer-as well as the last one-used to manage and run this website), when our sweet (very generous) friends upgraded!!! We went from a 12″ t.v. to a humungo screen! Imagine the amazement, seeing so much detail!!! Maybe once a week, or so, we might watch a show on regular t.v. (we have that little box thingy), dvd’s that we already own, or have borrowed from friends and neighbors. I don’t even have a clue how to work the crazy player or which remote is to it and which is to the t.v. or the box thingy! Sooo confusing! No pedi unless it’s on on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday when it’s only $20!!! A gas fill up on Thursdays when it’s an extra 5 cents off a gallon AND use those gas rewards points from the supermarket. Homemade yogurt and laundry detergent are what you find in this house!

By all means, I would never assume to tell YOU that you would need to do life like me!!! I am not Dave Ramsey, nor do I have a financial website/blog!!! Good thing!!! I would recommend his classes though! Just like no two people’s taste are the same, no two people have the same financial style. Every family’s unique! To me, it’s become a game of sorts. I don’t see it as a life of deprivation. I would be the first to tell you I like really nice (and expensive) things and appreciate the beauty of them. These choices of mine don’t mean that you’ll rejoice alone, if you get a really wonderful item at regular price, a special gift, a new house/car/trip/vacation/jewelry or some other blessing! No, in fact, it’s just the opposite! You are respected, loved and I’m happy you’re being blessed! Blessing just don’t come at the same time for everyone. They are not “one size fits all.” The blessings that you’re blessed with are uniquely made for you! We’ve all been blessed, in the past, and thankfully, probably will be again! Express your joy, I want to celebrate your blessings with you!!! Who wants a downer around when you’re happy and excited because you’ve been blessed? NOT me!!! If it were me, I would want YOU to be truly happy for me and rejoice!!!

It’s a personal, individual, unique decision, where you want your money to go, no matter how plentiful or scarce it is. Like an investment. Sure, my desire is to look good, but without sacrifice of family needs, educations, church or charity support to do it! I want to invest in long-term returns. This sweater might be worn for years, but when it’s gotten rid of it, it’ll still be a sweater. If a check is written to a church, charity or school, it changes from a check-to a life changed-lives/families/communities invested in. The sacrifice of shopping rock bottom clearance sales, using coupons, second-hand and graciously (with gratitude and joy that someone thought of me) accepting give away items is worth it to me!

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“Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me–it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.” –The Message, Eugene Peterson

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