Working in Retail

So I have this new theory.  I work in an outlet store as a sales associate and I've been working in retail for almost 4 years now.  If there's anything I've learned, it's that people who shop are the laziest individuals in the world.  I don't care if you can't fold the clothes back exactly how you found them because, honestly, 90% of the time neither can I.  BUT if you can pick something up you can put it back in somewhat the same way you found it rather than just throwing it on top of the pile.

(I need to end my rant here or I'll spend an entire post talking about all of the things customers do that I can't stand.)  

Back to my theory.  I think that all people should be required to work for AT LEAST a week in a retail store as a sales associate (preferably at Christmas time) so they can understand what it's like to refold the same pile of clothes over and over again because someone can't be bothered to ask for help in getting a size or rather just doesn't care that there is a person who has been working on that perfectly neat pile for 20 minutes and goes through and destroys it.

If people understood this, and used this knowledge to become better consumers, sales associates could spend less time folding and refolding the same pile of clothes and actually help people find what they're looking for.  Think about it.  Shorter lines, a neater store, easier time in finding the items you want, and best of all lower prices because they wouldn't have to pay as many people.

Who agrees?

No Spend Challenge Reworked

I guess I should have known that this would be difficult.  I mean, it has the word 'Challenge' in the title so naturally it's going to be hard.  I just didn't realize how often I actually spend money.


For the past 3 days (has it really only been that long?) I've been struggling to not spend ANY money.  However, I have an addiction to clothing and DIY projects which makes this incredibly difficult.  Everyday I check out Pinterest and Bloglovin' and all it makes me want to do is spend money.  


The solution seems simple right? Just stop looking at the things that make me want to spend money.  I can't do that though.  So, rather than being miserable about the fact that I can't spend money on DIY projects for the next 26 days,  I've decided to add a new rule to the challenge.  Supplies for my projects can be purchased as long as my total does not exceed $30 for the entire month.  This $30 is being taken away from my food money since I am living and home and really don't need to buy food to begin with.  Also, I can only buy my supplies if they are A) on sale B) I have a coupon or C) they can be used for multiple projects.  That way I am getting the supplies I need within my budget AND I'll be able to save them for future projects as well.


If my boyfriend were here, he would tell me that I'm making excuses for why I need to spend money but relocating the money I would've spent on food seems like the most practical way to save money and still get the projects done that I want to do.


So now I'm off to Michael's to buy spray paint.  I'll post my project tomorrow! Have a good weekend!

Crochet Shorts Obsession

Over the weekend I went in PLENTY of little boutiques in NC.  A majority of them were extremely girly and I wanted to buy the entire store (not so practical of me) but I've been thinking about the crochet shorts I found ever since.  

The shorts were $44 ( AND MY SIZE!) and as much as I loved them I couldn't bring myself to spend that much money on them.  The ones above are actually $365.  If I had known then what I know now, I would have bought the shorts when I had the chance.  The only difference (besides the insane price gap) is that the ones I found had a ribbon drawstring around the waste.


Now, naturally, I will be on a mission for these shorts until Summer is over. I guess I just need to go back to North Carolina?

No Shopping Challenge

Starting today (June 26) I will be starting a "No-spend" Month.  I'm a college student who is supposed to be saving money for my rent in the fall and (hopefully) some extra "play" money.  Notice I said supposed to be... I recently used about $1200 from my savings to pay off my credit card bill and have been trying to replace the money ever since.  However, when you're a fashion major who works in an outlet mall and you have an AMAZING employee discount it's a bit difficult to save money.  I would says 80% of my paychecks are spent on clothing every month the rest goes towards gas and coffee.  I have an obsession with finding good deals and if there is an insane deal I almost always take full advantage.  So, in an effort to save as much money as possible before I have to start paying for rent and groceries in the Fall again, I've decided to participate in Frugal Beautiful's "30- Day- No- Shopping" Challenge.

My rules:

• No purchases except gas and necessities.
• Gift cards and free coupons can be used. (I have 2 free Starbucks drinks waiting... woohoo!)
• Anything that needs deposited for my apartment can be paid for (that's a time sensitive thing and I have a roommate relying on me.)
• Grocery purchases must not exceed $30 for the entire month. Since I'm living at home I don't need to be buying groceries anyway. I can deal with my Mom's food.

Reward:

• A plane ticket to visit my boyfriend in September! This kind of defeats the purpose of saving money but I figure I'll have enough money to pay for my apartment AND the plane ticket if I actually stick to all of my rules!

I'll keep you all updated with how it's going! Ready, Set, Save!

Adventures in Wilmington

If you know me, you know I have a deep love for all things Southern ESPECIALLY if they're historical things.  I can look at old houses, historical sites, and antiques for hours! I just love that these things have stories behind them and usually they're stories that hugely impacted our country. 

This past weekend, my boyfriend and I made a trip up to Wilmington, NC because, after all of my trips to Jacksonville to visit him, I've still never been there but I've heard a ton of amazing things about it. We started out at the Battleship North Carolina. 

My boyfriend's a bit of a war history buff so this kind of thing is fun for us. Then we drove around Wilmington while he pointed out all the historical plaques and sites. My favorite? The Confederate Soldiers Memorial on Third Street.

By this point it was almost 90 degrees outside and HUMID  so it was time to go somewhere with AC (plus I was STARVING). We stopped for pizza at Slice of Life. AMAZING pizza for a pretty decent price.

Naturally, as a fashion major all I wanted to do after lunch was go shopping.  There are SO many boutiques in Wilmington with handmade and one-of-a-kind clothing.  Of course, on a college girl budget I couldn't buy much but my boyfriend bought me a Lilly Pulitzer market tote that I've been OBSESSED with ever since.

After some shopping we walked around some more of Wilmington and found a house that I fell in love with... Too bad it's probably freakishly expensive.

I can't wait to go back some day!!!

Fashion Major on a Budget

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, I've been packing like a crazy person for my trip to Jacksonville. Guess what?! I'm HERE! After a 10 hour drive yesterday, I got here around 7:30 last night.  Since it's a little bit difficult to do crafts in a hotel room I'm a bit stumped as to what to do with all of my extra time while my boyfriend's at work (I've been up since 4:30 this morning).  So, after 2 cups of coffee, I decided to put together a few "looks for less" for all of us that are on a budget but have an addiction to fashion.


Since I have a new found obsession with mint and High-Low dresses/skirts, naturally my first look has to include one of those things ( OR BOTH).

Dress: $44 lulus.com             Sandals: $23 Payless     Necklace: $3.80 Forever 21

Boots: $100 Sheplers.com   Dress: $27 Dorothy Perkins    Purse: $27 Wetseal   Bangles: $17 Dorothy Perkins

All of these were made on Polyvore.... I've got an addiction to this website as well.  Now off to find myself another cup of coffee and NOT order all of these adorable clothes that I have an overwhelming urge to put in my closet.


Want more of these? Feel free to make requests!

Top 5 Grad Presents

It's graduation time again... If you're anything like me you have an abundance of graduation parties to go to within the next month or so and probably have no idea what to get for any of them. So, rather than the traditional go-to gift of cash, I've compiled a list of the Top 5 graduation presents I wish I had received when I graduated from high school. (in no particular order)

1.Ribbon board - perfect for displaying picture in their new dorm room or apartment. Vera Bradley makes super cute (but slightly expensive) ones.

2. Agenda - Sure, you can buy a boring agenda at Walmart or Target but for something you'll be using almost everyday you want it to be pretty right? This Lily Pullitzer agenda is one of my personal favorites.

3. Cute luggage - You travel a lot in college. Whether you're moving 20 miles or 200 miles, luggage is extremely handy and cute luggage just makes traveling that much more fun!

4. Coffee maker - For late nights and early mornings.  Even if you don't drink coffee now, you will. I love my Keurig and they specifically make a smaller version for dorms.

5. Scentsy- (or the equivalent from Walmart) A great alternative to candles. Scentsy uses a lightbulb to melt the wax rather than a flame which makes them okay for using in a dorm. They come in all colors, shapes, and sizes and have a TON of scented waxes to choose from.

I know most of these ideas don't work for guys but guys would rather just have money anyways right?

Happy Graduation Season!

T-shirt Drawer

Everyone owns a bunch of t-shirts. You know, the ones you get for free from events or school. Or even those ones you "borrowed" from your boyfriend forever ago but they never seemed to make it back to him? (They're always so much more comfy!) I've found a way to maximize drawer space while still being able to see all of the t-shirts at one time.

Step 1: Place your shirt design-side up.

Step 2: Fold in half lengthwise (hot dog) and tuck the sleeves in.

 Step 3: Fold in half the other way (hamburger).

Step 4: Fold in half again... Done!

All that Sparkles

First of all, glitter is probably the greatest craft supply ever invented. Second, a touch of sparkle makes everything better.  With those two things in mind (plus some mod podge) I decided to glitter-ize EVERYTHING.  Well, not everything, but a lot of stuff and I could not be happier with the results! For future reference, however, I need more than one thing of glitter.

To start, just mix together mod podge and glitter into a paint-like substance.  I put foil in the bowl to make it easier to clean up.  Paint it onto whatever you want to sparkle-fy with a foam brush. Let dry and your done. Seriously, easiest DIY project ever. Now if I could just stop....

The more glitter you put in the less see-through it will be. I recommend using A LOT of glitter! Enjoy!

Trials and Tribulations of Babysitting Boys

I babysit two little boys (ages 8 and 6) who I've been watching for almost 6 years now. They're practically like little brothers to me. But, just like siblings, they can get on your nerves sometimes. So this summer, rather than entertaining them with the same old things we've been doing every summer, I decided to get creative. (Pinterest helped... A lot!) Last week we made Goop (cornstarch, baking soda, water, and some food coloring) and they LOVED it. So this week, I had to top that with *drumroll please* a sponge ball water fight! Boys like to get messy and with the 80 degree weather it's perfect! Just cut up some sponges and tie together with a rubber band to make the sponge ball, get them wet, and let the water war begin! Now let's just hope they're as excited as I am!

Moving Home

I've recently moved back home to Pittsburgh from college in Charlotte, NC.  I figured since I needed to save money for my apartment next year I would move home to save on rent and groceries and babysit for the summer to make some extra money.  So, I packed up all my stuff (two cars full!) and drove back here for the summer.  The only problem is that I have A LOT of stuff! So, I've been trying to organize it all for the past month without much success until this week. I've gotten all the stuff I need unpacked and organized and the rest packed up in storage containers in my basement.

Since I don't have much space to put stuff away I decided to turn my accessories into display pieces.  I turned my cork board into a necklace holder, used a jewelry stand for bracelets and rings, and put command hooks on my wall for my scarves.  I also used shower curtain ring(50 cents at Walmart) to organize my purses (I'll try to get a picture up shortly!) on a free-standing bar which also holds the clothes that wouldn't fit into my closet. (The perils of being a fashion major...)

Now I just need a form of organization for my earrings. I'll get to that another day... I've been way too productive this week (as if there's such a thing).

Where to start?

Hey all! So I had this idea that I wanted to start a blog but I wasn't sure what I wanted to talk about. Now that I know I have no idea where to start! So basically this is going to be a blog about fashion, home decor, recipes, DIY ideas, and my thoughts on life. I don't know if anyone will ever actually read this but I'm going to try to keep up with writing it anyways.


Check back for more from me!


AmberRenee