Monthly Archives: May 2013

05.18.13

You should know May Designs....

Posted by Christina // 4 Replies

I know I said the other day that I am not a fan of May.

I’m now eating my words after late night Twitter chatter with Jenna Stratman & Kasey Lucas. Those girls are always on top on deals and insanely cute merch.

The deal was too good not to check out…50% off of cute notebooks. I am a sucker for a good deal and a bigger sucker for cute paper, so I spent the next twenty minutes sprint-creating two journals. I wasn’t sure how long the 50% off code would last because site said it was only good that day.

I don’t think I have ever shopped that fast in my life. “Who needs a cart…straight to check out. Wait I need another, continue shopping…do I need gifts for anyone…no time have to check out now now now”. I probably broke a sweat but I was too excited to notice.

It was a deal. So we tweeted out our love and affection to the company.
And then…a frugal girl miracle. They extended the sale until this Sunday.

Naturally, I have to share this great news with you.
Meet May Designs. Now meet all of my new notebooks…. Just kidding, kind of. I did order a couple of them but I mainly just had fun going through the endless options. There are so many different patterns and colors, it is like Disneyland for doodlers.

These notebooks are so cute I would gladly pay full price, but since they are half off I will just order double!

Have you found any amazing deals lately?
Are you a notebook collector too?
Did you see May Designs on Good Morning America?

05.17.13

Remember when you rocked it....

Posted by Christina // 31 Replies

Today we are kicking it old school….taking you back to our yesteryears.

Truth be told, I miss almost everything you can find below. I miss the days where my biggest decision was if I should sport a side pony or a french braid. I miss Zach & Kelly’s drama, and I really miss Vanilla Ice hairbrush karaoke. I don’t miss my retainer, or indian burns, double dutch, or skipping portable cd players.

Brace yourself, I don’t need a time-travel-whiplash lawsuit on my hands. Oh man those are some pretty sweet threads.

I really did own all of those things and I am really considering making my next party a “90s track suit” theme. Whatever happened to all those old neon swishy concoctions? Are they sitting in an attic somewhere waiting for their comeback? But it gets better…. Just for the sake of sweet-sweet nostalgia… What do you miss most from your youth?
Those color change shirts? Fringe?
Paper fortune-teller game? Dream Date?
Fake Barbie make-up? Friendship bracelets?

05.16.13

The Bagster is my new best friend....

Posted by Tim // 8 Replies

Have you discovered The Bagster yet?

The coolest thing to happen to DIY since the nail gun.

We had a lot of debris left over from our bathroom demolition, as well as mountains of boxes. According to Christina, it is not ok to hoard empty boxes. Even if I am just saving them in case we want to return our 4-year-old tv, I guess she has never heard the term “mint-ish in box”.

If you’ve ever rented a dumpster, you know it can be costly. With lots of restrictions and even more neighbors sneaking their trash in there. When we saw The Bagster at that one blue store Christina mentioned seeing a few posts raving about it. So we picked one up, and the rest is history. Buying the bag was only $30 and it gave us the motivation we needed to clean up by awkwardly staring at us from the foyer. We tore that green bag open and got to work. Most of the empty boxes were calling the basement home, so I considered it my leg day while Christina broke down the boxes. After about an hour we had The Bagster filled to the brim. You have to make sure that the straps can touch for pickup, so I had my beautiful helper “trash surf” and “smoosh” everything down while I zip-tied the hefty yellow straps together. Once we were done, I was able to schedule pick up online in less than five minutes which cost a bit over $100. I also called to make sure we could get pictures of it being hauled away to prove how tough these bags are. The first weekend we planned to Bagster my lady took off work on Monday so she could be home for the photo-op. Too bad we decided that a garage sale and Bagstering in one day would probably kill us dead. So instead, she spent the day relaxing (and making wind chimes).

When we finally did get all the trash in the Bagster, I told Christina that I would stay home for photos. Cue the suspenseful music.

I waited and waited. Bagster gives you a three day window but they were nice enough to schedule ours for that Monday since we told them we wanted to be home. I stayed alert, I stayed vigilant.

Ok, in all honesty I was playing Angry Birds when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a large green truck with our bag in the rear.

In case you missed that, I missed it.

I didn’t want to face the humiliation, so I grabbed the camera and grabbed that one lonely photo of the truck driving away. I considered chasing him down the street and asking for a reenactment, I’m kidding I would never.

I think it is safe to assume that since there is no trash in our driveway, that the Bagster is a sturdy sucker. It is also safe to assume that the drivers are speedy and awesome.

We give the Bagster two thumbs way up. It was easy, less expensive than a dumpster, and we are officially empty-box free.

Have you ever used a Bagster?
Are you a box hoarder?
Craving Christmas poems now?

05.15.13

His + Hers May favorites

Posted by Christina // 13 Replies

May is not one of my favorite months.

No crazy holiday to pretty up the mantel for. Awkward weather. Allergies taking over my life. A general yearning for my birth month and overall feeling of impatience.

I think it is always around this time where I realize, “holy bageesh the year is flying by me” and “I guess my New Years resolutions are pretty much kaput”.

Can you turn May around for me? Help me look on the bright side of May?

Here are a few bright spots I found this month. 1. My impatience to get to summer is helped along by immersing myself with sunshiney smells. I love Bath & Body Works summer collections which I buy on sale in fall. Forgive my “so-last-season” scents but right now my favorites are Coconut Water and Frosted Tangerine Cake. They smell like suntan lotion and heaven, a deadly combination.

2. There isn’t a whole lot I like more than a good furniture makeover. No one has mastered gorgeous renovations quite like Barb Blair, and now she is sharing the goodness in her new book. I am most definitely using jazz hands while I flip through the pages it is just that good.

3. This is the epitome of summer for me. My mom used to slather it on us as a “bug spray” while we were chittlins and now anytime I smell it I am immediately transported to picnics and outdoor concerts and float trips. Skin So Soft is pretty much my summertime perfume. Don’t judge me for kicking it old school.

4. Whitney from I Wore Yoga Pants introduced me to the great KiKi LaRue. I am not sure if I should thank her or kick her in the shins (out of love obviously) for my bank account troubles I am bound to have in the near future. Cute stuff, for reasonable prices….what more does a girl need?

5. I happened across Maiedae after happening across Jenny Highsmith. I fell hard and fast for their blogs and designs. I may or may not even be getting a blog redesign as we ~~speak~~ read.

6. Thanks to happening upon Maiedae, I happened upon the Maiedae Mixer. I couldn’t be more excited to take a roadtrip with Trisha of Black & White Obsession to mingle with all the fanciness this event is sure to offer. I am counting down the days and desperately trying to find an “ethereal outfit”. Help! 1. I am really picky about my socks. As in these are the only socks I will wear. They never look dirty, and the “grip” on the middle makes it so you never have sock-bunching at the toe, plus they always stay dry.

2. I have never put much thought into business cards, until my girlfriend started asking a ton of questions. What sheen? What thickness? Do you want a photo on it? How about a QR code? This is like the accessory of running a business. Thank goodness Moo.com makes it so easy and all of their products are high quality. We just got our first set in and Christina is already matching handbags and drawing up plans for business card holders.

3. We have been outside a lot lately. I always like to make sure my skin is protected so I don’t turn into leather. I have seen those old ladies who tan too much, it is not pretty. This sunscreen stays put and is easy to apply, perfect for guys. Protect your skin friends.

4. Want to feel old? Seinfeld’s series finale was fifteen years ago as of yesterday. Luckily, I can still follow @Seinfeldtoday.

5. I am trying really hard to drink less sugar and more water. I hate water. Enter Mio. It’s great light flavor makes boring water more bearable even if Tracy Morgan is not.

6. Ahhhh The Bagster. My homie for life. A great investment. I will be posting all about it tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Is May your favorite month?
Found anything fantastic lately?
How do I dress ethereal, fo real?

05.14.13

A reef tank thunderstorm....

Posted by Tim // 10 Replies

Our neighbors have to wonder about us. There are probably quite a few with binoculars by the window waiting to uncover our secrets. Pretty sure they are disappointed when they realize how boring we are.

I would imagine many of them see the glow coming from our dining room and believe we are growing illegal substances. I am surprised we’ve never been bombarded with questions of why our house glows all the time, but then again they are probably more concerned with why we haven’t cut our grass all week. It’s a jungle out there.

I can only imagine what people think when they see the flashing lights of a thunderstorm. Professional photographers? Rookie Ravers? Epileptic Research Association? Weather Manipulators? Bingo.

When we set up our 210 gallon reef tank, we splurged on AI Sols (fancy LED lights) to help trick the fishies into thinking they were really out in the wild. They have moon cycles, customizable color spectrums, and the best part is a pretty realistic thunderstorm.

This video isn’t full of suspense and excitement but if you want to add your own thunder sounds or bust out your rain beads, feel free. Christina says, “Humming the Jaws Theme followed by The Sun’ll Come Out Tomorrow really gets the fish excited”. She always has to put her ~~two~~ five cents in.

The video doesn’t do this feature justice because it really lights up the whole house. Particularly frightening when you wake up at midnight and are knocked over by blinding lights.

So if you ever decide to stop by and visit us, please don’t be alarmed. We are just trying to trick our fish into thinking they are in Hawaii.

Aqua Illumination (the light folks) are not paying our bills. Just thought you all would like to see a unique part of our life, as indoor weather manipulators.

05.13.13

Make Monday Matter....nineteen

Posted by Christina // 10 Replies

It should be pretty obvious that we love our pets. Whether it is our perky little fish, lovable dogs, the duck Tim won’t let me have, or a bird that calls our porch home we have a spot in our heart for all of them.

Sometimes though, it is very easy to get wrapped up in the busy day-to-day schedule and skip those afternoon walks. Or water changes. Or building birdhouses. There are days we feel like the worst pet parents in the world. When we are glued to computer while our pups and fish cause a ruckus. Today we are making time for all of our animals (except that duck, sigh). We are taking the pups to the park, making an extra special treat for our underwater friends and maybe even putting a piece of bread out for our bird friend. You may in fact call that last one a bribe so that once there are babies in the nest I don’t get dive-bombed.

With everything that our animals do for us, the least we can do is make today a little extra special for them. Tim has laid down the law though, no one is allowed anymore toys. Something about no dogs should have three “toy boxes” and a closet, or whatever. I’m just trying to keep them happy so they can go all Lassie later and call 911 when I am in trouble and then we can go on the Oprah show and win dog shows and junk.

Do you have any animals?
How do you pamper them?
Any advice on bribing birds?