style on a dime

One morning I got dressed as usual and gave myself the once over in my full length mirror. I realized that head to toe my outfit cost 40 bucks! Right then I decided I would document some good deals I've scored at retail and thrift stores around AZ. Don't get me wrong, I adore my Buckle jeans, but I've also found jeans at Savers that I love just as much. Hope this inspires you to shop clearance and thrift stores a little more.
I promise, your husband is on board!

#1
dress: down east basics $20, cardigan: last chance $7, boots: target $23

#2
shirt: last chance $7, skinny jeans: down east basics $36, pewter
flats: ross $10

#3
headband: ross $6, dress: ross $23, cardigan: le target' $15, boots:
last chance $20

#4
shirt: dillards $9, white t: le target' $7, jeans: savers $12, furry boots:
le target' $18

#5
knit hat: f 21 $7, scarf: le target' $5, yellow jacket: f 21 $10, grey stripe t: rue 21 $7, jeans: good will $10, burgundy velvet flats: ross $12

#6
shirt: savers $6, cropped pants: charlotte russe $15, jeweled flats: f 21 $9, flower pin: down east basics $5

$ SAVIN' TIPS:
I have some boot cut jeans I loved a few years ago and now I like straight leg and skinny jeans so instead of buying new ones, I took them to my friend, Sarah, who altered them for $12. If you don't have a friend who does alterations, most malls have a tailor that will do it for a reasonable fee.

I love Forever 21 jewelry. It's so cute and so cheap that you can change it out every season. It can give an outfit just the right punch of color and texture and you can donate it, guilt free, when you're done with it.

I've been known to make my family late for church a time or two because I was upstairs taking in a skirt I bought at savers the night before. Have you ever thought about cutting off the top of a thrifted dress and making it into a skirt, or adding a ruffle to the bottom of a dress to add some length?
I didn't make my own clothes in Jr.High for nothin!

the one thing i can't live without

Have you ever found something so rare, so life changing, so important that when you're without it you feel out of sorts, you can't function, and you even have a hard time breathing? Then you'll know what I'm talking about when I say I can't imagine being without my

SHAMPOO IN A CAN.

What's so great about that, you say....

Well if you know me at all, you know I'd rather do ANYTHING then spend more time then I have to getting ready in the morning. Frankly I'd rather be diving with hungry sharks then doing my hair every day. Am I alone?

You know when your bangs are lifeless because you went a little too big and sexy the day before and you're trying to decide if it's worth washing, drying, and styling, or just pulling out a bobby pin? Yes, you do. You know when you're running late because you slept a little longer then you should have, or you were rewarding your knight in shining armor for doing the dishes the night before?

Just shake a can of Batiste Dry Shampoo, spray it in your roots, work it in with your fingers for a few seconds and brush it out. What happens next is nothing short of a miracle. Your lifeless, greasy hair has body, style, and smells like you've vacationed in a tropical island.

No need to try any other brands, I've used them all (including the expensive ones) and this one is my favorite. You can get it at your local Sally's Beauty Supply for a cool $5.99, or you can order a three pack {here} at Amazon. You'll love it so much that you'll tell your friends about it and they'll want to "borrow" it. Just know you're not gettin' it back.

Between my three sisters and I, we've tried every hair product on the market and I've simply never loved any of them quite like this one.

Just think about what you can do with all the time you'll free up. Go sign up for that knitting class you've been dying to take. Yes! Go tell your kids you're makin' lasagna from scratch tonight!

...and you, and you, and you, you're gonna love me!

PS. Please do not try any of their other scents at this time (it also comes in original and blush) unless you're over 80, then you go right ahead girl.

appartment envy

Jilly and I have a friend named Lettie.
I remember the first time I met her. We were standing in the hall at church and I had to look up, way up, to see into her big, brown eyes. She stood about 6'4" in her open toed stilettos which made no apologies for her height. She was easy to talk to and right away we found a lot in common. Since then Lettie, Jilly, and I have become bosom buddies and through the past 6 years we've shared a lot of highs and lows. That's what friends are for.

Recently, Lettie got her own apartment (it's like she's a grown up city girl). Although me and Jilly love our families to pieces, once in a while we secretly fantasize about coming home to a quiet space, all ours, that we can put our girly touches on however we like.

This year Lettie hosted a birthday soiree in my honor and I got to see her big girl apartment for the first time.

The pictures you're about to see are really and truly her apartment. How did white walls suddenly turn into something that look intentional? How does standard grade carpet not even matter because there is so much eye candy you don't notice it? What? Re-wiring a chandelier in place of an old appt ceiling fan? Genius!

This is some APARTMENT THERAPY for every girl who thinks herself hopelessly confounded to a small space.

You're going to want to sit down for this.

Most everything in Lettie's apartment is thrifted, bought at an antique market, or re-purposed with a little paint and some elbow grease.

Don't be afraid to put larger pieces in a small space. Using a sofa, chair and ottomans, Lettie has comfortable seating for plenty of guests in her 300 sq ft living room.

I love the way a simple bouquet of fresh flowers can liven up a space.

Lettie has the same color palette running through her whole apartment which makes the spaces flow together so nicely. All shades of blue and yellow with a splash of other bright colors makes her space appear larger than it really is.

If there's anything Lettie knows how to do, it's accessorize. Sometimes more is more!

Lettie has incorporated her patio into the design. She has an extra table that seats 6 on the veranda and has included some live plants and more fresh florals to bring the inside, out. It's become an extension of her living room, and now she can easily seat 12 for brunch.

Do not rule out Thanksgiving dinner at your apartment!

Check your local nursery for plants that need low sunlight and little water. They're out there and they'll make your patio a stunning place where you'll love to be.

Throw pillows are an inexpensive and great way to add color and texture. Target has some great choices this year as well as TJ Maxx and Home Goods. They're so well priced, you can justify getting new ones every season.

Lettie has recently started doing weddings! Her little business is rapidly growing and gaining some great publicity. She has put her heart and soul into giving people stunning, vintage inspired, garden weddings that will take your breath away.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from her very first wedding.
You can see more of her work and get details for your dream wedding {here}.

We love you Lettie and wish you the best! There's not a girl on this planet who deserves it more.

xoxo
j+m

best dumpster find to date

On the second week of every month, something magical happens in Gilbert Arizona. It's called "big TRASH pick-up". Monday morning you put out all the rubbish that won't fit in your dumpster, and sometime during the week the city will come by and collect it....unless I beat them to it!
Needless to say, it's penned in on my calendar, and nothing trumps my plans for the day.

Last week I dropped my daughter, 16 year old Jaci, off at a friends, and was driving home through a quaint neighborhood with my windows down. I glanced over at the culdesac I was passing, when WHAT?! HOLD UP! Heaven help me...an antique curio in perfect condition!

I always have the decency to knock on the door, and ask the owners if I can take their trash. It's the least I can do. I knocked, and one of Jaci's friends (of male persuasion) answered the door. I had no idea it was his house, and he was just as surprised to see me as I was to see him! I told him I loved the trash out front, and he asked me if I'd like a hand loading it. I thanked him for his help and drove away, giddy with excitement.

Not two minutes later, I got a phone call from my adolescent daughter.
"Mom, what. did. you. do. with. Clint. this. afternoon?"
(in a very confused voice).
He had sent her a text something like this......"hey, I hung out with your mom this afternoon, ask her about it". I told her about my newest treasure, and thankfully, she thought it was pretty funny.

This is probably the best thing I have ever pulled from the trash.

It's all in one piece and best of all it was FREE!

Please stay tuned for the makeover.

ruffled lamp shade

I think it was just last year that we promised this tutorial. Oooopsie! We finally pulled it together to bring you this ruffled lamp shade.

Step #1
Cut fabric about 1" wide. Using your sewing machine, tuck the leading edge under about one inch and sew a straight line down the center.
Jilly used the front of her sewing machine as a guide.

Here's what it looks like when it's all ruffled up. You can do several yards at a time. Cut it about 2.5 times longer then desired finished length.

Step #2
Starting at the seam on the bottom of the shade, glue the ruffles all around the base and cut it off where the ends meet.

Step #3
Start the next row on the seam and glue all the way around the shade until the trim meets up again.

Step #4
Glue layers all the way around until you get to the top of the shade. It's that easy!
Me and Jilly would love to see what you ruffle up. Send pictures of your creations to
meandjilly@gmail.com

easy and nutritious lunchtime ideas

Has your kid ever been referred to at school as "the boy with the fancy lunches?" Whether or not that's a cool title to hold at Queen Creek High, I'm honored.

You see, I grew up in a family of nine where the theme was fast, economical, and convenient, and school lunches were no exception. I remember every Sunday night we'd pull out 70 pieces of bread, 35 pieces of meat, 35 pieces of cheese, and a vat of mayo, which equaled five sandwiches times seven kids. When Friday rolled around, well let's just say the sloppy joes down in lunch lady land were looking awful tasty.

I don't remember exactly what else was in my Smurf lunch box, but I do remember that it was certainly nothing to skip math class for .

Now that I have my own family, I treat lunchtime as a sacred hour to unwind, be nourished, and re-group for the rest of the day.

Jilly and I both pack delicious and well balanced lunches for our kids and with a little thinking ahead, you can too. It's just another way we let our special little people know that we love them while they're away all day.

These lunch ideas are also great for your kids dad, especially if you're trying to save some cash. Our friend Melissa has a four year old, one year old twins, and a husband in Law School. Melissa, this is for you!

PIZZA BUNS

One of our kids favorites. They're made from nutritious wheat bread and can be mass produced and frozen for a quick and easy main course.
Make a batch of {Pantry Secrets Bread} and roll 1/4 of it out on a floured surface. Don't be scared of the ingredient Liquid Lecithin. It's an oil subsitute derived from soybeans and you can buy it {here}

Spread your favorite pizza sauce on top.

Generously sprinkle mini pepperonis and mozzarella cheese over the sauce.

Roll up just like you would cinnamon rolls and cut them in one inch pieces.

Place them on a baking sheet and let them rise for about 30 minutes.



Bake them in the oven on 350 for approx 20 minutes or until the bread is barely golden brown.


After they have cooled completely, bag them two at a time, in individual zip locks and freeze. Pull them out in the morning and put them in lunchboxes. They will be perfectly thawed by lunchtime. You can also make ham and cheese with garlic butter sauce, or BBQ Ranch Chicken (pictured just above) with BBQ sauce mixed with ranch and cheddar cheese. Your kids will LOVE them!

One thing we CAN'T do without is this lunch {thermos}.

While it may seem like a pricey investment, it is worth every penny! We love to pack leftovers such as spaghetti, soup, Chinese food, and burritos. Just fill the thermos with hot water for 5 minutes. Empty the water and fill with anything you want to stay hot for hours. You can also do the opposite to keep food cold. We pack things like yogurt and fresh fruit with granola that stays chilled until lunch time.

How about lunch WRAPS?

There are so many different sauces, meats, and cheeses you can use to create a wide variety of wraps. Here are a few ideas to mix and match.

MEAT IDEAS
turkey, ham, chicken, bacon, pepperoni

CHEESE IDEAS
cheddar, swiss, havarti, gouda, mozzerella

SAUCES
hummus, pesto, ranch, flavored cream cheese, herbed mayo

Get creative in mixing and matching the fillings and sauces.
I like to get a rotisserie chicken from Costco and take it off the bone. It is really flavorful, and kids love it in a wrap.

Don't discount the bean burrito.
(heat them up, cut them in half, and put in a thermos)
Peanut butter and honey wraps are also yummy.

Our kids love breakfast burrito wraps in lunches.
Eggs, potatoes, cheese, bacon, salsa, etc….

If your kids love a sandwich, get creative with the bread. Try Hawaiian sweet rolls, ciabatta rolls, hot dog and hamburger buns, or pita bread.
This pita is stuffed with marinara sauce, caramelized onion, rotisserie chicken, mozzarella cheese, and lettuce.

Try this sandwich: herbed mayo (mayonnaise, garlic, pesto, salt, and pepper), honey mustard, turkey, bacon, tomato, avocado, and sharp cheddar cheese. And don't discount the good ole BLT, they're hard to beat!

NUTRITIOUS SIDES

string cheese
crackers
hard boiled eggs
granola/granola bars
chips and salsa
nuts
sliced fruit (dipped in sprite so it won't brown)
jerky
veggies and ranch
applesauce cups
pretzels

I love these 2oz. dixie cups. I use them for everything from ranch and salsa to teryaki sauce.

To keep lunches cold, freeze a capri sun (I love the no sugar added), Gatorade, or water bottle and put it in their lunch sack. It will keep all the food cold and will be thawed by lunch time.

Of course, every good lunch must include a treat, so each time I make a batch of cookies, brownies or mini cupcakes I freeze a dozen and pull out a couple in the morning for lunches. Around holidays we get lots of treats delivered to our door and I'll put half of them in the freezer.
I also like to send a few extra treats for next door neighbor kids or cousins at the lunch table.

As a kid, my stale sandwiches weren't much to be desired, but almost every day my dad took the time to hand write a love note on my napkin. The other day I went through some old scrapbooks and found this one my dad wrote to me on my 7th birthday. Twenty nine years later, It's a treasure.
{Here's} a great little book I've used for love note inspiration. Even though I can't sneak them in Brody's lunch box any more (he's way too cool for that), I still find excuses to hide them under his pillow and tape them on his mirror.
This book has hundreds of little ways to make your kid's day a bit brighter and what kid doesn't need that?

Today I couldn't help myself. I put a love note and a pink frosted, heart sugar cookie in Brody's lunch.

This week try giving your family the gift of lunch and see what happens!

all the single ladies

On Wednesday Jilly and I hosted the "single ladies" for lunch.
How do I begin to describe them? They're beautiful, smart, kind, and they set the example for single mothers everywhere. Each one has a unique story and each have gained strength from the past and are looking forward to a brilliant future.
It all began with this.



We decided the menu would include a salad of mixed greens, pink grapefruit, avocado, candied pecans, pomegranate seeds, and a pink vinaigrette.

We grilled hot paninis with peppered turkey, homemade Alfredo sauce, artichoke hearts, caramelized onion, tomato, and fresh basil, dripping with Havarti cheese...

...and served it with pomegranate Italian sodas. It all ended with chocolate baby cakes and raspberry sauce, topped with creme fresh.

Ooooooooh the goodness!

Besides tasting our creations, the best part is setting the table. We wanted this love fest to be sweet, simple, and all girl.

I love layers on a table. This event called for a white table drape paired with soft pink, ruched fabric and a sheer, horizontal, runner laden with vintage blossoms.

The goblets were adorned with sugared rims by dipping them in Karo syrup and again in sanding sugar.

So sweet!

What's a party without a favor? We used these baby roses as center pieces and then gave each friend one to take home.

Jilly created burlap cozies with soft pink ribbon and staked them with love notes.




And the party guests...

Angela Beason was the first to arrive. She recently moved here from Cali with her three cutie pie girls and handsome boy. She is kind, soft spoken, and still weighs as much as she did in Jr. high.

Nicole Bluth. This girl is as sweet as candy. She has a contagious laugh that comes in handy every night when she tucks her four tiny boys into bed. She has incredible faith and a mane of gorgeous hair!

(only in AZ would it be so sunny in Feb you had to break out the sunglasses, love it!)

Camie Burgi showed up dressed to the nines in her party attire and pearl accessories. She is always great company and is toying with the idea of dating again. If you know a man who is freakishly good looking and stable in every way, please let us know and we'll gladly pass on his info.
This girl deserves nothing less then perfection!

Lacey Brimmer.....this lady grew up around the corner from me (good memories!) and now she lives right down the street from Jilly. Coincidence, I think not. She is a girl with a big personality and an even bigger heart. It's impossible to be around Lacey with out feeling good. She is working really hard on a Phsycology degree while juggling the demands of three little peanuts. WARRIOR.

There was one couple at the table. No, me and Jilly are not leaving our husbands, but for all intents and purposes we're a pair. I love everything about Jilly from her insanely crafty mind to her positive attitude and her storytelling skills. As far as I'm concerned, we're in it for the long haul.

We loved every minute of this afternoon together, and felt uplifted and encouraged in the presence of these outstanding women.

Hope this gives you a little inspiration to make Valentines Day a memorable one.

......now put your hands up!

xoxo

j+m