Wheeler & Dealer

If any of you know me, you know how much of a bargain hunter I am, to the point of it being a problem!

I get teased at work for my constant use of the phrase "I have a coupon" or "want me to find you a coupon code?" - for online buys. Seriously, I'm addicted to good deals.

Recently I went to DownEast Home (they are an outlet store for Pottery Barn (& PBK), Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Williams-Sonoma, and RedEnvelope. I usually go for the monogrammed linens and soft goods because they're soooo cheap and so simple to rid them of the pesky extra thread.

Last week I scored these awesome Pottery Barn pillow shams for ONE BUCK


*The big pillows in the back*

Anyway, so I get them home and it only took me about 30 min to get the monogramming out with my handy-dandy seam ripper. Toss them in the wash, and voila! brand new. Pillows for these are as cheap as $8 and they make the bed seem so much more elegant. I can't decide if I want to go get more and list them on ebay...either way, someone is getting a good deal.

I think my FAVORITE DownEast Home find is either the wedding mementos box I got for $3 last year, or the baby blanket I got a few months ago for $3 (I got the brown one for $3 and found the pink one the other day for $5 --i tried talking them down to $3 for that as well, but it didn't work). Either way, I rock.

My other acquisition is a revamped lamp and newly purchased lampshade. I got a lamp a couple of years ago from PublicSurplus (used to work for them)and it was sitting in my trunk up until Feb. when I sanded it down, painted it black, sealed it, and then went on a quest for a lampshade. I didn't find one that fit perfectly, so I improvised. After 2 purchased and returned, I looked at a third walmart and sought out the clearance lighting section. For some reason, they had this really ugly lamp base with this kickin' shade. (picture soon, camera battery DEAD). It looks hot on my lamp and adds the perfect touch to our casita. So, long story short, 1 extra shade than bases at store, took to cashier and convinced her it was worth $5 for the extra shade, even though the lamp/shade combo was clearancing for $15. I was so proud of me big self.

If you need a bargain, chances are, I can help!

New Closet for Old Shoes

For my b-day gift from mom and dad, mom decided to come to Utah and make built in shelving for my and Ryan's closet. We have a decent-sized closet (8.5x5.5) and the builders just stick in those cheap plastic coated racks. (Pictures later)

Mom did an awesome job. Ry and I have about 2 weeks to get what's done so far completely caulked (seals the wood to the wall and gives it a finished look) and painted until she comes back to finish the last piece and fasten the shoe shelves together. As you'll soon see in the pictures, it's a wonderful improvement. Not only does it help my lack of organization immediately, but when we end up selling our condo, should be able to boost our asking price or distinguish our cookie-cutter house from the next. Now, if we could only figure out where exactly we'll be moving and when!

Fondue Fun

It's been forever and so much has happened in the last 3 weeks or so. First of all, I had people over for my birthday so I wouldn't be alone while Ryan was up at USU interviewing for grad school. He was so sweet. He ended up coming home early and so it was fun having family and friends here.

- On a side note...sad! Ryan heard back from USU already and it looks like his "areas of interest aren't what [USU] is currently looking for" and we are so bummed because once I started looking for houses and figured we could get something comparable for about $20k less than our house now. Anyways, if we don't get into UofU we'll wait until next year. We might even if we DO get in....

Back to me. So my title suggests Fondue. For my birthday present, my sisters Hillary and Tara registered me for a class at the Kitchen at Thanksgiving Point. One of the managers from The Melting Pot in SLC taught us some of the most delicious ways to host a fondue party for a small intimate group or a large crowd. Kayleigh asked before the class, "what's to know about fondue?"

Actually, quite a bit! Instead of cooking meats in oil (traditional way) they use vegetable broth and add spices and flavors to make it oh-so-delicious and healthy. I tried salmon, ahi tuna, shrimp, pork, duck, chicken, and of course, beef sirloin. Then they serve the meats with a selection of dipping sauces...mmmm....I'm getting the recipes!!

So it was totally worth the 2+ hours in the class. appetizer, entree, dessert. fabulous! If you want the dessert recipes, lemme know. They're sooo easy and freaking awesome.

doggie treat, anyone?

So my birthday is in two days and I'll be 25. I just got used to saying I was 24...seriously! I said 23 up until 4 mos ago, just because I'm retarded. This year has flown by and I can't believe how much has happened since last February.

*I got married
*I got a dog (something I NEVER thought I'd do, I don't even like the little beasts)
*I got a new job (for the best company ever...seriously, if you're good at sales, you'll want to work at my office)
*Ryan graduated from BYU cum laude
*We bought a house
*Ryan's car broke down
*My sister lived with us
*My sister moved out

so much more, but seriously. A year flies by, people.

So a little work story:

Every once in awhile someone opens their mouth and says they'll do something or eat something for $. Well, we turn to Todd again. This guy is a nutjob. He downed one of those garlic butter sauce containers from Papa Johns for $2. A heart attack for $2. He's nuts. Yesterday takes the cake.
Our coworker, Amy, didn't want to miss the company meeting and her dog groomers were late in finishing the pooches, so she brought them in. After the meeting Todd says, Chad, I'll give you $2 to eat that dog biscuit. (this biscuit is one of those huge milkbone for big dogs...EW) Chad counters with, I'll give you $2 to eat it. Everyone else saw what was potentially going to happen and said, I'll give you $1...he got $6 when he started chowing down.

That is one of the most alfalfa-ey dirt-y smell ever. Seriously, it took him 10 minutes to get it down. So nasty. Here are some pictures to document the fun event.

I told you I work in an awesome office. My life rocks.

Blind Thunder

Ryan decided it would be funny to blindfold our dog and see what he'd do.


Here he is after...kind of cute little guy, puke and all...

Self-sufficient Animal

So I got home from work today and went to the gym (can I get a big hoo-RAH!) and didn't want to keep Thunder pent up in his little 2'x1' kennel for another hour, so I took him outside, let him do his business (one of them at least) and put his little bed and rope -chew-toy thing in the bathroom with his food and water, fully knowing I would have his #2 to clean up when I let him out in an hour.

I get home, and voila! he's def. done his do, but apparently cleaned it himself...use your imagination. Seriously, I think this is why he was puking last week. But could you imagine? All you'd have to do is feed the little creatures once or twice a week and let them go!

On another vein of the poo matter, (sorry, I must be fixated with it at present) we got a letter in the mail from our HOA (I HATE HOAs, btw) saying we didn't clean up our dog's mess and there are EYE witnesses who have complained. ....riiiight. We live on the bottom floor, let our dog out through the patio doors and he comes back in 10 or 15 min or whenever he gets cold. Usually Ryan and I are diligent in cleaning up at the end of the day or when we see it, but honestly people...$50 for poop?! Clearly someone has an issue with Ryan and I, probably because we're not overly outgoing/hey-let's-call-up-the-neighbors or super-active in our ward.

C'est la vie.

OH! I almost forgot the most important discovery I had today. Coldstone offers free ice cream on your birthday!!!

Motivation, anyone?

I'm so tired of my night routine and being home by myself while Ryan's at work. If it were during the day, at least I'd feel like I was just starting my day and be inspired to get up and do something. Once I get home from work, I don't want to do ANYTHING and when I say that, I really mean ANYTHING. The two nights a week Ryan's here I am fine, we go out and I have energy and drive to either go out or make dinner or do something, but when it's just me and the lil pooch (who is currently sick and throwing up and I have no idea what he ate, I just know I'm really grossed out and he's going to have to stay in the bathroom for the next couple of hours)...it's another story.

I don't know if it's just because I'm tired and the day (to me) is over or what...anyways....

Maybe I'll take up a daily trip to barnes and noble to read magazines for free.

Any other suggestions?