Jiffy Snippets - 7/28/11

traditional July pedicures with Gail

I was jealous to hear about Amber's new gig! She earned it.

I read Stratejoy because Molly's happiness and ambition is contagious.

Drank these at Whitney's place this month and they were incredible. I felt like Betty Draper.

Nothing That's Worthwhile is Ever Easy

The Cost of Being Female is true and financially depressing.

I'm dog-less but still loved Grace's post on Top 10 Places to Bring Your Dog in Downtown Boulder. Good to know!

What I Wore Wednesday: Hemingway Edition

I was in the midst of vacation when I remembered I wanted to do a What I Wore Wednesday this month. This was a half-assed attempt! Photo taken in the bathroom at the City Grill in Petoskey, Michigan. It's one of Hemingway's old haunts-- he used to sit at the second barstool from the end, sip vodkas, and dream up plots. I'm in love with that wallpaper.

Cardigan - Target

Sequined tank - Urban Outfitters

White jeans - Pitaya

Fringe thong sandals - gift from my mama

Glasses - Finn Sandalwoods from Warby Parker

Toes - Dim Sum Plum by OPI

Jiffy Snippets - 7/18/11

The Social Side of a Spending Fast

In Mint Condition - A Few of My Favorite Blogs (a few of mine too! Honored to be listed there.)

Blonde on a Budget - Socializing on a Budget

Rock Stars Who Look Like Wizards

Zen Habits - How to Be Happy Anytime

Jill and Manda both made me tear up with their Harry Potter posts. I saw the last movie last night and it was phenomenal.

Kitty a Go Go - A Viking Funeral for a Discover Card
Soooo good.

Jiffy Snippets - 7/11/11

pineapple face

An Open Letter to L.A. Times Writer Patt Morrisson by Zooey Deschanel
Every time I think I can't love Zooey more, I do.

Daniel Radcliffe Stops Drinking
Booze is not my expecto patronus either. Admire.

Date a Girl Who Reads by Rosemarie Urquico

Save money, don't spend it all on fashion.

A 20SB engagement. 
Aww.

Are you ready to start giving to charity?

Weekend Captions

Toasting the newlyweds, Whitney and Brian.

Historic and current bus depot.

Drinks in the red lit Cruise Room at the Oxford Hotel, where my mama worked when she was my age.

Tour of My Tiny, Tiny Place

Stevie asked for photos of my new bedroom chair and kitchen dining set. I did the next best thing and recorded an eerily silent tour of the maid's chambers. Sorry for any mess, still moving in! I have to hang that mounted Amelie poster and world map. The place is over 100 years old and it's difficult to get nails into the wall. I failed to film my flat screen TV, which you see for a split second and I forgot to film behind the bathroom door where I have a large closet for toiletries. Everything I own is in this place, even though I have an empty storage unit. Minimalism. Full, long closet. Small studio. You get the picture. I do have a huge yard and I'm practically downtown so it's perfect for moi.

If you know me in person, you will finally understand why I don't invite more than one of you over at a time. I love you though. I do.

I'll post another tour once it's more decorated 'n shiz.

Sea Change for One, Please

It's late. I am restless.

There is something I want to change in my life right now and I would benefit emotionally if I could discuss it freely but alas, I cannot yet. I err on the side of being an open book and the frustration of not being able to advertise what is bothering me has been taking up too much head space.

I am in need of a sea change. Turn the ship, captain. I will say more about all of this when I can.

Other goings-on:

• I picked up a shift at the restaurant last month, mostly out of curiosity, and it turned into my manager begging me to work again earlier this month. I know. I said I was done. I'm considering picking up a shift once a month to get to certain places in my financial journey more quickly. If you have ever been in the restaurant industry, you know how difficult it is to leave the biz. It doesn't mean that I'm not enjoying my free time. It doesn't mean that I'm going to work there three times per week again. 
• The 3rd of July was spent eating the best grilled corn on the cob of my life and surrounded by 30 of my favorite friends at this place. Out hashtag for the weekend was #cariBOOM. It helped me remember how wildly smart, funny, and tech-y our community really is. The cell service up there wasn't great and it was such a unique experience to see so many plugged-in friends, unplugged. Talking with our mouths. Grace took a picture of me holding one of Chicago's platinum records. It was so unreal.
• Taking the annual trip to northern Michigan this month. Cannot wait, my soul needs the lake and the quiet.
• New potential side-hustle on the horizon thanks to a certain door-opener. To be determined.
• Actively treating my anxiety.
• Wildly behind on the Infinite Jest book club and P90X. Feel like a disappointment to the blog world. It's an excuse, but it has mostly to do with the thing I cannot discuss yet. :(
• Buying a full dining set and bedroom armchair last week has made me love my little place 110% more than I already did.
• Feeling as though I'm on the verge of a new, big adventure.

And how are you doing?

Personal Frugal Habits

I'm endlessly fascinated by the personal quirks of finance-savvy people. I thought I would write the below list of ways that I'm frugal. The below items are just the ones off the top of my head-- I'm sure I could think of more. If you would like to participate and describe your own frugal habits, link to your post in the comments and I'll add it to this entry at the bottom as well.

1. I buy Silk Almond Milk and when the container is half empty, fill it with water to have skim almond milk for even longer.
2. I don't buy expensive facial creams. I use witch hazel and sunscreen and call it a day.
3. I live without credit cards. If I can't afford something in cash, I don't want any part of it.
4. I live without cable TV. I get my fix on Hulu and Instant Netflix.
5. I make lunches out of dolled-up lentils, rice, quinoa, and other grains and seeds. They cost next to nothing in the bulk section and are healthy too. Win-win.
6. I don't shop designer brands. Ever.
7. Vegetarianism means a block of tofu costs me under $2 for an entire week. Meat is expensive.
8. I pay all bills early or on time to avoid late fees.
9. I don't turn the shower on until I'm ready to step in.
10. When D. and I go on weekend trips or vacays, we buy plenty of snacks, fruits, Gatorade to cut down on dining out.
11. I keep my studio's heater at 60 degrees year-round per the lease agreement. I sleep with a hot water bottle in the winter if it's chilly.
12. I use a cash allowance every week and when it's gone, it's gone. No spending on debit card for non-budgeted expenses allowed.
13. I pay around $10 per year to have a Blogger domain instead of being self-hosted on Wordpress.org. (Although I'm thinking about making the switch!)
14. I save what I save. For example, if I spend less on something than I had planned, I put the remainder into savings rather than blowing it on something random.
15. I pay for premium dental care procedures instead of the temporary fixes to save more money later.
16. I'll have one drink at the bar instead of my previous two or three.
17. I live without a car and walk/bike/bus everywhere. No payments, no gas, no registration, no insurance fees. I do grocery hauls whenever my thoughtful boyfriend goes to the store. 
18. When I go to Starbucks, I get a regular coffee and no snacks. No frou-frou/overpriced drinks or pastries.
19. I prefer to meet girlfriends for hikes and/or coffee dates than happy hours or brunches. Easily $20 per less a pop.
20. I take half of my meal home at restaurants to turn it into two meals and cut calories.
21. I do P90X at home with a yoga mat and resistance bands instead of belonging to a gym and paying a steep monthly membership fee.
22. I always pay more than the minimum balance on my student loans to bring my interest down.
23. I stay out of my personal danger zones like Mac and Sephora and subscribe to BirchBox instead (thanks for the idea, Manda).
24. When I crave hot yoga, I hit up their free weekend classes rather than dish out $17 to walk in any other time.
25. I keep the lights turned off in rooms I'm not in at home. My porch light's switch is even outside and I don't turn it on until I walk up to it at night.
26. I'm a timely and polite tenant to my landlady and she is generous enough to offer free wireless internet and washer/dryer access in return.

Jiffy Snippets - 7/1/11

cactus photo by my talented father

Girl Versus Food: What I Miss (and What I Don't) from 202 Pounds
As someone that used to struggle a lot with disordered eating, this says it all.

A poem by Kim Addonizio gave me chills.

Huffington Post: How to Talk to Little Girls
I'm lucky enough to say my parents emphasized compliments on my brain and talents when I was little and I never gave it a second thought until I read this article.

Fabulously Broke in the City: How to Achieve Lasting Wealth
FB never disappoints.

Whit's Amouse Bouche: Through the Years
My friends Whitney and Brian got married last weekend. I read this post at my work desk and openly cried. Dear co-workers, it's just allergies.

Happy July!