Day 21... AGAIN!

Hot dang! Two posts in one day?! What?! Yes sir! I just found this place that has blown my crafty brain. EMILY THIS ONE GOES OUT TO YOU!!!!

http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/

When we go yard selling and find funky furniture i will be doing this. All because I stumbled upon this blog

http://www.domesticimperfection.com/2012/05/paisley-stenciled-table/

Day 21

So I was stumbling my way across pinterest when I discovered this lady at www.myblessedlife.net and she had the most handiest tips for finding buried gold... aka second hand fabulousness. Her is her 10 tips.

1. Thrift Shops - I love shopping at three or four various thrift shops in my area. I typically don’t spend a lot of time browsing, but I swoop in and out. If there’s nothing awesome just begging to come home with me, then I move on. Shopping at thrift stores requires that you get over a fear of bugs, germs and “digging.”.

2. ReStores - Oh my, oh my! How my heart goes pitter-pat when I enter a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. The merchandise changes constantly, so I could go every day and find a new treasure…but because of my budget, I don’t. ReStores are often located in an older part of town, so I usually take someone with me or make sure that someone in my family knows where I am. #fraidycat

3. Consignment Shops - Consignment stores that focus on home decor items and furniture are excellent places to shop for new items for your home. You may be able to bargain with the item’s owner to get the best deal possible!

4. Online Classifieds - I have many friends {and my sister, who is also my friend…} who have found amazing deals from online classified ads! For example, my sister and brother-in-law just scored a beautiful dresser from an online ad. I never bought anything from an online classified ad myself, but it’s a great option especially if you have a truck to go pick up your purchases.

5. TJMaxx or Homegoods - I love shopping at TJMaxx! We don’t have a Homegoods locally, but those are great too! Lamps, pillows, vases, baskets, dishes, towels, bathroom accessories, bedding and more are all available at marked-down prices at TJ’s. You’ve got to love a deal!

6. Yard Sales - Have I mentioned that I can’t wait for yard sale season to start up this Spring? I’m so excited! At yard sales, I’m always on the lookout for rulers and yard sticks, furniture, books, art, fabric, vintage sewing supplies…and vintage anything. Few things are sweeter than falling in love with someone else’s junk!

7. Estate Sales - Much like yard sales, estate sales are amazing resources for inexpensive home decor. If you arrive early enough to the sale, you can get “first dibs” on furniture, artwork, accessories, lamps and more. I think I feel much like a game hunter when I’m yard sale-ing or estate sale-ing…the hunt is exhilarating!

8. Salvage Shops - It may seem a bit redundant to mention salvage shops after sharing about the love I have for the ReStore, but the two are different, I promise. My favorite salvage shop is Southern Accents. The place is phenomenal. They literally go into houses and buildings that are going to be torn down and they save everything worth salvaging. Floors, windows, mantels, newel posts from staircases, molding, door knobs, light fixtures and more. Southern Accents even has a wood working shop on location and if you can dream it up…they can create it.

9. Antique Malls - Shopping at an antique mall is completely different than shopping at a yard sale, thrift shop or the ReStore. Typically, antique sellers are not only proud of their merchandise, but they make you pay for their “proudness.” Yes, I just made up that word. However, it is possible to find inexpensive treasures at antique stores. My word of advice…don’t throw caution to the wind when you are on a budget and shopping at an antique mall.

10. The Side Of The Road - Have you been waiting for this one? My husband humors me as I squeal and make him turn around to go see what was in a pile of “junk.” I got over my self-respect a long time ago and I have no problem digging through stuff on the side of the road. I’ve dug out some neat old windows that my mother-in-law wanted to fight me over {not really!}. My friend Beckie is a RoadKill Rescue queen.

Emily if youre reading this you need to get over to her website. Im serious! Anyways... Payne and I are moving in three weeks. We found a lovely little apartment near BYU. So November 5th is our official moving day. Im sitting here in a pile of books and dvds and clothes. Two stacks of books, a stack of dvds, two bags of clothes and shoes that are about to make their way to Goodwill. We are also selling a bunch of furniture. Thats stressful because you never know whose creeping around on craigslist.

OOOOH! Heres a new recipe as well. Its something thats in the crocpot right now. I took 1 cup vegetable stock, 1 cup H2O, 1 packet of Onion Soup mix, a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce, a few dashes of pepper, a few dashes of garlic salt (because I dont cook with regular salt), and I mix it all together in a bowl with a wisk. Then I pour the mixture into my crocpot. I place a pork loin roast that is slightly defrosted in the mixture. Cook on High for 6 hours or low for 9 hours. Im planning to make rice and gravy with the drippings in the crocpot. I cant wait to try it!

Day 18

Ive been baking!!! Heres a pic of what Im working on right this moment...

I know you can buy a box of strawberry cake mix from the grocery store but I like my cake to have a bunch of flavor. So you mix in a box of jello powder into your cake batter. EASY!!! And Im going to top it off with homemade cream cheese frosting. But the twist is... because we all know im twisted is that you pop it in the fridge to chill it and BAM! Deliciousness! So moving right along... Im still jobless and hanging in the balance trying to figure out where things are headed. I wish we would get the final decision. It would make life easier. Oh and to Paynes surprise I cleaned the kitchen today. I guess its because I was in the mood to do something. I cleaned all the carpet and the rug too. When you adopt a dog you adopt the smell as well. So were smell free. I love Pinterest. It has taught me lots of tricks. Especially when adopting a dog and knowing nothing about what to do for them. I mean I have had dogs in the past but never an indoor dog. Sorry to drag on about her. She fills my day with trips to the dog park and interesting walks around our complex. Oh like the other day when she tried to catch a bird that was injured. And also tried to pull my arm out of place. Here I go again... Ok Ill stop! So sorry! Ill see you later!

Day 16

So we are announcing our newest addition. Shes a year and a half and the sweetest girl around... Ladies and Gents meet PANDA!!!

She is a Huskie/Shephard mix. We got her from the Humane Society. Anyways... Things just got kicked into overdrive. I have a house to pack, sell, and donate. I have 2-3 weeks to do it. Anyone want to come over and help?? I think on my next update I will have a list of everything we are selling and a picture for each one. Literally we are getting rid of everything. Both couches, our brand new head board and foot board, the bookcases and tv stand, and even the coffee table that I love so much. Oh and dont forget the dresser. Needless to say I have my work cut out for me. Maybe I should have an apartment sale. Thats not a bad idea. OH!!!!!!! And heres a recipie you might like. You take a Pork Loin Roast and place it in the croc pot. In a pan on the stove at medium heat place half a stick of butter broken down into little pieces. Then add a cup of brown sugar and let it simmer and melt together. add 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce. let that mix together. then add 1/2 cup of Dr. Pepper. let it come to a simmer. after that is all simmered up pour it over the pork loin. sprinkle a little more brown sugar over the top. Cook on high in the croc pot for 6 hours. when its done shred the pork and let it mix with the sauce. ITS SO GOOD! We had sweet pork tacos last night. And then this morning Payne put it in his eggs. You can do alot with it.

YUMMMMMMMM!!!! Oh how I love my croc pot. Whats your favorite thing to cook in your croc pot??

Day 13

So I missed a few days but thats okay. Ive been a little preoccupied. Im just checking in to let you know all is well... Also... PAYNE GOT ACCEPTED INTO BYU!!!! So everything is about to fall in place. I havent landed a job for sure yet but hopefully I will know by tuesday. Also... HALLOWEEN IS IN 24 DAYS!!! I like Halloween. I want to carve a pumpkin this year... I think we are going to try and go to the ward trunk or treat. So my loyal fans... What are you going to be for Halloween?!?!?!?

Day 9

Hot Dang! Im on a roll! I had an interview at victorias secret today! It went really well. I hope that I get the job. I also went to the doctor to get my wrist checked out. Bad news bears! I might have to get the thing popped back open and redone. YUCK! So Im not doing hair right now because that could be the reason why it has gotten so bad. Oh! And we went to the Humane Society today and Payne fell in love with the most cutest dog. Her name is Panda Bear (which I find funny because thats what I call Payne.) I am going to try and adopt her for him if I can pull the funds together. Im just worried about what might happen when we move. So we are weighing all of our options... Being much more responsible. Anyways... Thats all I have right now. LOVES XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Day 8

So I skipped a few days... SUE ME!!! I had a job interview today at Hot Topic. Thats cool right? I thought so. Anyways... theyre having me meet with the district manager on friday! WOOT! Hopefully I get the job. In other news I hate Paynes work right now. Theyre making him work less hours which is less shifts which means less $$$$$. And since hes the only income right now its stressing me out right now... So keep your fingers crossed right now for me to get the job! Im planning to dazzle the lady with my awesome abilities. But whatever... So Payne and I worked on our Christmas pictures today. If you stalk me on facebook (which I am hopping you am because you found this blog link on there) then you would have seen it posted today. If not... here it is...

Arent we the most cutest couple ever?!? Because if you said yes you would be right!!! and heres the cutest cat on earth... Handsome Jack... AKA Hipster Jack...

Everyone that follows me on instagram and on facebook is probably annoyed that I take daily pictures of Jack but COME ON!!!! Hes freaking adorable. And if he knew how to type he could tell much funnier stories on here than I could. And he would also tell you about the mean mean things I do to him. Like today I found a cut on his chin and so Payne wrapped him up in a towel and held him tight so that I could treat his wound. He HISSED at me. That never happens. So I felt bad and I gave him like ten treats. Now hes back in my lap. His favorite thing to do is to jump up on my lap uninvited and plant his 27 pound body down wherever he feels and most of the time its in a position that is not nice for me because he likes to sit on cell phones and key boards. Anyways... Im going to finish watching my show... Good night!