shopping | Our Marriage Adventure

Total Insanity

October 24, 2012 By Stephanie

Oh. My. Gosh. So the new job – it just doesn’t stop railroading its way through my life. I have literally not had a moment to respond to a voice mail let alone think about extra-curricular things like the blog since my first day on Monday.

The funny thing? I’m loving it.

I don’t know what little quirk in my personality made me someone who thrives on rapid-response high-stress situations but that’s exactly who I am. Maybe that’s part of what made me love baby-sitting and even now (despite everything) dream of the day when I will have a chance to be a Mom. All because those little moments in the day when you’re literally losing your left and right hands trying to figure out logistics and you have NO idea how you’re going to get to the other side…those moments? I come out with an adrenaline high a roller coaster junkie would recognize.

I’m screwed up.

Outside of that life has been relatively sane. The situation from the other day has been resolved…the how is a private matter (yes I know, here of all places I draw a line.) but suffice to say I’m relatively satisfied. I think I would have been pretty content with a few other alternatives but those aren’t to be so toss your hands up, roll those shoulders and keep on trucking is my philosophy.

The other great thing about this weekend was seeing my best-friend Shelly and her daughter again. Y’all her daughter is so freaking gorgeous and while I am a tad biased, her eyes. Oh her beautiful baby blue eyes have Auntie Stephanie wanting to buy her every giant bear in the mall. Luckily sanity and the knowledge of what her Mommy’s reaction would have been stopped me. Which left my wallet VERY thankful. We had a great time chatting and window-shopping in the mall before grabbing lunch. I love Shelly to death and though sometimes its hard because we do live several hours apart, and she is on a journey I can’t really relate to right now – I am so glad we’re able to have moments like we did this past weekend and prove that true friendships are the end all be all no matter what. I got lucky when I asked her to move in with me that freshman year!

We did do another thing this past weekend, but its such a funny story that I really need to make it a blog post. I’ll just whet your appetite by saying it involved “Mountain-Vision.”

I think once I get more up to date life wise I’ll be able to get back in the swing of things here but for now that gives you a quick idea of where things are.

How about y’all? How are YOU doing?

Filed Under: Random Thoughts by Stephanie Tagged With: blogging, shopping, Stephanie, visiting friends, work 1 Comment

Oops I Broke It

September 17, 2012 By Stephanie

I have wanted a new iPhone case now for a while, mostly because I’m stuck on wanting a design rather than just the over-abundantly seen OtterBox cases. Great news, I get a new case now.

Bad news, I managed to crack my OtterBox on the back plastic which is not helping my argument for a slightly LESS bulky (and thus tough) iPhone case. However, Alex has kindly hopped on this band-wagon of helping me look for a new case.

So far we’ve had the case just like his, the Ballistic Hard Core, which is amazingly protective. (And Bulky. And boring.) But it would save my phone if e’er I dropped it which is a huge consideration for me to take. However I’ve ruled this one a no.

Then we have the take on making your phone resemble something it is not. In this case a retro camera and while this case is WAY cool. I do love the Pink, the back side is dramatically bulky and I’m pretty positive I’d break it in a week just by tossing it in my laptop bag or purse.

That leaves us with my next selection which is a casemate style case. In camo. Why yes, I’m sure some camouflage purists are crying their hearts out at me, but I love this case. Plus the commercial for it is to freaking funny.

The two for one special anyone? Anyone?

What is your case style?

Filed Under: Random Thoughts by Stephanie Tagged With: shopping, Stephanie, technology 1 Comment

Shop Till You Drop

August 8, 2012 By Stephanie

I’m trying so hard to not shop lately. Alex is damn good to me in so many ways, but the one area he is almost “too” good is shopping. Man is an enabler. If I look at something and go “Pretty” he’ll do his damndest to purchase it for me or tell me to just buy it.

His kindness and generosity is so wonderful to the point of being overwhelming, but oh man do I feel guilty some days. I do fall prey to the “great deal” and “coupon” savings sometimes, but this weekend I found a few that were pretty awesome and I thought I’d share.

First up – Target. Ahh sweet, glorious, addictive Target. Anyway, they have all of their summer stuff on clearance which means bathing suits have moved from being ridiculously expensive PER ITEM to reasonable and downright good deal. Most of the suits I saw were 60% – 80% off their regular prices. I managed to find a good top and bottom deal that is pretty cute and looks good on me.

If you’re anything like me you do have to shop by item because your top and your bottom are not the same size. This is especially great if you have kids because you can plan ahead and purchase a size or two up and by the time next summer rolls around you are set! So if you’re looking for a new suit for next year (yes I know a year off, but think of the $$ you can save) then go check them out now.

Next up – Hobby Lobby is having their crazy huge sales right before the holidays sneak up on us. That means NOW is the time to get in there and get yourself some candles, home décor baskets, and crafty projects for rainy weather. Since school is (or already has if you live near me) starting soon most of the “summer” projects are on clearance and those are perfect to snag for rainy day weather with kids. Nobody likes being stuck inside, but fun projects can make it less boring for the kids and less annoying for the parents! Saving money just adds to this cake.

When I went I managed to combine their advertised savings + their mobile coupon for a great deal on some fireplace décor. (What… I’m getting desperate for fall.) I snagged three metal candle holders and three large candles that would have normally all been over $45 together for just over $27 including tax. Great deal and now I can use my fireplace even though its ridiculousness outside!

Banana Republic Outlet is also having great season end sales. I managed to get a couple of pairs of work pants and several shirts for only $80. What I love most though is all of the shirts are nice enough to wear to work, but they are cotton so I can easily wear them with shorts or jeans and look better than I would in just a t-shirt. I especially love this black and white print halter top. I have to wear a sweater with it to wear to work but it’s so dang cute IMO!

Please ignore how retarded I look in this photo. I never take good pictures of myself.

This is definitely a time of year to shop if you are going to do it. What are you some good deals you’ve found lately?

Filed Under: Marriage Matters, Sponsors and Reviews Tagged With: Decorating, Fall, shopping, Stephanie 6 Comments

Forget Black Friday, Hello Sunday!

November 29, 2011 By Stephanie

I’ve been lazy. Very lazy, so lazy in fact that all the Thanksgiving photos that I took much the amusement of my family have been uploaded from camera to laptop but that is it. Ergo I have no photos to share with y’all because I am lazy.

It’s a curse I tell ya.

One are I have not been lazy in is shopping. I am a champion shopper. Well a champion provided I do not have to actually get up and get dressed and you know, DRIVE somewhere. This year our Black Friday shopping was more like Cyber Sunday thru Monday shopping. In our pajamas.

The great news is I have finished ALL of the Christmas shopping and Alex only has a gift for me left (that I am aware of) and we managed to stay under budget. We only bought gifts for immediate family because of the job situation, but we’re making sure Grandparents and the like get cards in the very least. So now I’m just waiting on all of the gifts to arrive so that I can break out the fun wrapping paper and get to decorating.

Speaking of decorating, last night Alex got down all of the Christmas decor and piled it in our living room where we both just stood and stared at it in amazement. I’ll have to take a photo tonight and post it on twitter and Facebook tonight just so y’all can see what I mean.

We are SET for Christmas decor.

How are y’all doing in moving from Thanksgiving to Christmas?