Life is a Series of Tradeoffs

Spending money wisely is something that has been etched into my mind. Without spending much time on the various sources that left me laced with the value of a dollar I would like to bring your attention to my skillful approach of how to justify the money that does get spent frivolously. If it were a new shirt I would say, "Yes, I do have 3 other black blouses. However, this black blouse is work appropriate." If it were a new camera I would say, "Even though my old camera was still functional, I needed a new one for my blog's pictures to look more professional. I can still bring the other out to the bar."

It's hard to dispute those benefits, right?

Well, anyway, perhaps we can meet at a common place and agree that a nice meal out never takes much effort to justify. After all, eating out turns a boring night in into an occasion celebrated by eating with family or friends. Occasions are easy to justify! (Exclamation added to mask my frustration over how many occasional boring nights were turned into occasions.) However frustrating, it is true that the memories created at these meals will always be close to my heart, could never be replaced, and are always my favorite thing to spend money on.

As the nesters gear themselves up for what is sure to be a delicious holiday meal to celebrate friendship tonight at Victoria's Gastro Pub I began stalking the restaurant's menu: 1/2 price cocktails, lobster grilled cheese, duck fat fries. Oh. Mon. Dieu! Yes! How on anyone on earth pass it up? Slap a $20 price tag on a grilled cheese- some might say, "No, thanks."

And so Dad's old expression, "Life is a series of trade offs" comes into play... again. Because I cannot say no to fancy cocktails, cannot omit duck fat fries nor substitute a plain grilled cheese for the one adorned with lobster I have been forced to trade off some smaller pleasures in order to cushion my wallet. Here are some easy ways to pinch $30 from your wallet this week:

1. Nothing else to eat Chicken Salad: Make it one week night by combining hummus, whatever veggies you've got in the fridge, and canned chicken. Season it to your taste- I, of course, prefer hot sauce. Eat it for lunch on salad, toast or with pasta. Save yourself at least $10 you would have spent on other lunches.

2. No excuse to stop at Starbucks: get your coffee ready the night before. When you run out, drink tea instead. (It's the same amount of caffeine, you know.)

3. Easiest pumpkin muffins ever: 1 box spice cake mix+ 1 15 oz. can of pure pumpkin puree. Mix, bake and grab for breakfast. No extra money spent on breakfasts forgotten at home either.

4. Ask for a ride: the benefits of carpooling go beyond environmental salvation. For those of you with SUV's saving $10 on gas means cutting down just 50 miles from your weekly commute to work, the gym, grocery store, or bar in downtown Baltimore (Wait, should you even be driving there in the first place?)

Note: One glass of Victory's Old Horizontal Barley Wine Ale will have you sawing logs

Now, sink your teeth into that lobster grilled cheese, wash it down with a perfectly paired micro brew and smile because it was worth pinching pennies during the week to afford. (Dad, you were right again.)

How to Protect your Ipod type machine: a DIY by Jess Conjar

DIY Ipod/Iphone/any other electronic advice you own...


i feel like my purse is a black hole. i can't ever seem to find anything and when i do recover what i'm looking for, it is usually scratched or coated in various things. (i.e. lip gloss, hand cream...whatever product i forgot to close tightly.) so, in an attempt to keep my ipod (where would i be without that thing??) safe and sound, i came up with a quick diy.

this project is super simple, and depending on how much detail you want to add it can take less than 20 minutes to complete! (unless you are easily side tracked like i am. in that case, it will take you around 35 minutes+a few extra minutes if you take the time to refill your wine glass/change the channel on the tv.)


Supplies Needed*:

-felt (you can get a sheet at a.c. moore for 29 cents)
-fabric scraps
-embroidery thread
-needle
-pom poms (you could use buttons, yarn, rhinestones)
*these are just the supplies that i used. as far as fabric goes, use whats around. my roommate and i save clothes that have stains or are ripped for extra fabric...


Directions:
1. Cut felt so that when folded it is just slightly larger than your ipod, phone, etc. (my measurements were 3 1/4" x 9 1/4")
2. Cut circles out of scrap fabric (i like mine to look imperfect, so i just eyeballed it and let the edges frayed)
3. Bunch circle together to form a flower. stitch into felt. Repeat.
4. Add pom poms to center of flowers
Once you have enough flowers, fold the felt in half (so that flowers are on the inside)
5. Hand stitch sides of case
6. Turn right side out ( I used the end of a paintbrush to push out the corners)
7. Add other embellishments. I used felt and stitched around the top of my case.














And Voila! Now you have a functional (and more importantly, adorable) way protect your ipod! Also makes a quick and easy gift!
xo-jess













Jess Conjar is a nester from afar. She lives and works in the Philadelphia area and plays whereever the wind blows her. She is fabulous and always makes Baloney giggle.

Blog Heaven

A blog post about a blog: a pretty boring concept, I suppose. I can't help myself, though. I'm in blog heaven.

I recently found out about the website NoMoreRack.com. The concept is similar to other 'one deal a day' websites that sell products at super low prices until they sell out. The result is your online shopping addiction making its way to whole new level of "OH NO I JUST CLICKED. I JUST BOUGHT THAT! CRAP. IT'S OK IT WAS ONLY $30." I spent some time yesterday afternoon researching the site which eventually lead me to find out about Hooked on Bargains. I was able to score two boxes of Yogi Tea for my honey and I, samples of Teasta, Excedrin and a free subscription to Martha Stewart's Whole Living. Of course there is a difference between wanting and needing these kinds of goodies, but for free- who cares! (Although there was much restraint practiced when it came to the Yogi Tea- I love that stuff!!) Even better, after my business was finished on Hooked on Bargains I thought, "I wonder what other kind of time and money saving sites there are?" A few clicks later I landed at OrganicDeals.com.

"SACRE BLEU!"

The blog features all sorts of discounts and money saving ongoings for lovers of holistic living. It's a dream come true for gals who likes to stretch a buck and live a healthy lifestyle. Swing over to the site if you have time and you might as well send someone you love a Yogi Well Wish while you're at it HERE!

So, So, Yummy!

Websites mentioned in this post- for those of you who dislike hyperlinks :)

• hookedonbargains.com
• organicdeals.com
• whiskeymilitia.com, steepandcheap.com, tramdock.com, etc.
• yogiproducts.com
• nomorerack.com

Chili Con Cornbread

Not my chili, but looks like it. MMM...

"The act of longing and belonging must be experienced in life." Yogi Well-Being Wisdom


I don't know who said that but they sure hit the nail on the head. I happen to do a lot of longing when it comes to my sweetheart, as do a couple of my girlfriends. I can vouch that once the weather takes a turn for down-to-the-bone cold not being able to get a nice warm hug from your mister is the WORST!! The solution: consuming comfort food. Warm, hearty, stick to your ribs and stay with ya comfort food. (Well, it at least tides ya over... kinda.)


The other night I had the opportunity to not only whip up this kind of meal but also share it with the object of all this longing. It was a treat in more than one sense! Plus the recipe is big enough for you to get 2-4 additional meals throughout the week and keeps very well. (Oh, and the chili takes less than an hour, total. You can't beat that with a stick.) Try it while you long for your mister or make it for both of you, curl up on the couch and stay out of the windy, ice-cold weather outside.


Easy, Quick black bean Chili:

3 15 oz. cans of black beans
1 15 oz. can of crushed tomatoes
1 lb. of ground meat (beef, chicken, turkey-you pick)
2 tbs. red wine vinegar
chopped fresh jalapeno to taste
minced garlic to taste
onion to taste
chili pepper to taste
addt'l spices... to taste
approx. 1/4 c. brown sugar (I find the ratio of sweet to spicey a personal preference, however. Therefore, depending on how hot you want the chili to be you may want to add more or less sugar.)


This is your basic base to making a quick chili: sautee the onion, garlic and chopped jalapenos in olive oil in a large pot. Add your meat and brown. Add beans and tomatoes, red wine vinegar, all other spices and brown sugar. Allow to simmer up to an hour, stirring occasionally and adding more seasonings to meet your preference.


Serve with warm cornbread topped with more fresh cut jalapeno and cheddar cheese.

a la Alfredo

Truth.

I just didn't work out today. I gave myself one of those days that I packed up my gym bag, threw it in the back of my cute little red car, went to work and then went home instead of going to the gym afterward. There was no real reason: No sore funny bones or loss of sleep. I just didn't feel like it! Mwahahaha!

And then...

and THEN!!!!!!!!

I can home and ate angel hair pasta (or Capellini for you fancy folks) with ALFREDO!!!!!

Doesn't sound too dangerous of a statement on its own but I have a feeling this momentary lapse of gym judgement will lead to a downward spinning circle of bacon breakfasts, white sauce covered pasta adorned with pancetta and scallions, chocolate cakes and cookies and truffles. Feel free to b*&%# me any time, guys.

SIKE! I can't fall off that bandwagon like that!

Although I will tempt you all with this easier than pie* alfredo recipe:

4 tablespoons butter

1 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons flour

garlic

onions, optional

parmesan cheese to taste

In a medium sauce pan melt butter then add garlic and onions- cook until both are fragrant and transparent (about 5 minutes.) Incorporate flour until ingredients are sticky. Add heavy cream, slowly. Continue stirring and adding heavy cream ( you can add a bit more than a cup if you prefer a thinner sauce.)

Pour over whatever it is you want to treat yourself to. One of my favorites is Trader Joe's Perline pasta and prosciutto.

Oh yeah, that's the stuff.

*I really hate the expression, "Easier than pie." I haven't yet been able to master that skill. It can't be that easy...

One Lady's Old Sweater is Another's Treasured Statement Piece

The nest hosted a clothing swap over a Saturday morning fireside potluck brunch. The idea was this: bring all the clothes you love but don't wear anymore, one dish for brunch and as many bags as you wanted to donate to a charitable cause. The results: full tummies, fun and fabulous additions to all attendees' wardrobes. It's safe to say the event was a success! In fact, I was so excited about my treasured pieces I wore one Saturday night, Sunday and to work today!

Clothing swaps are AwEsOmE because they give you the opportunity to feel like you went on a shopping spree but you don't pay a dime and you get the added satisfaction of giving back to those less fortunate. Nest neighbor Dana offered to take all items donated to her mama bird's center for disadvantaged youth. (Thanks again, Dana!) Actually, a lot of the girls thought that no one would want the items they offered the swap but after a couple rounds of picks they found themselves surprised that their items were chosen among the most coveted (and Beans and I were like, "SEEEE?")

The girls that participated can't wait to come to another swap during the next season and the girls that came just for brunch are chomping at the bit for a piece of the action. There were a couple keys to success that I would like to share:

1. Set up the area for the swap items as professionally as possible: we used a rolling rack and hung the dresses/jackets and skirts. Sweaters, shoes and jewelry were laid out in neat rows so they could be easily browsed.

2. Draw numbers out of a hat for the order of picking. after everyone has had the chance to choose during a round, return the numbers and select at random again so everyone has a chance to choose first, last and somewhere in the middle.

3. Open up the floor after a few rounds. (you really had to be there to hear the howl of excitement when we decided all bets were off and we could go for whatever was left. It was straight from a movie script!)

4. Make sure guests have something to do while they're waiting for their turn at the loot. I think it would have been pretty boring in the meantime if we didn't have the brunch, fireplace and movies to keep us preoccupied.

Speaking of brunch I gave this recipe a try for the very first time and it was a very very very easy and a very very very yummy addition:

1 can of premade buttermilk biscuits

shredded cheddar cheese

eggs, beat with milk

cooked turkey bacon, chopped

• preheat oven to 350, grease cupcake pan


• remove biscuits from can one at a time and separate in half. place one half of biscuit in the place for one cupcake spreading the sides around forming a small bowl. repeat for each cupcake place


• beat approx 4 eggs with milk and pour into biscuit bowls until the egg just reaches the brim of the biscuit.


• fill with cheddar cheese and cooked turkey bacon to taste


• bake for 15 minutes or until edges of the biscuits turn golden brown and your egg center resembles a souflee.

serve warm and get 'em while ya can!

Float like a butterfly, sting like a Bean

HERE I AM! oops.


Thanks to GROUPON and LA Boxing, I got 30 days of boxing classes (a $114.99 value) for $49! I convinced a couple of my cousins to join me in this month-long journey through the world of "boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts and hand-to-hand kangaroo combat".

Post kickboxing class #1.

Going into the first class, I didn't think it'd be easy, but I didn't know that I would struggle to walk, or even move, for 3 days afterwards. I had taken kickboxing classes before and I have my own 25-pound punching bag that I got back in high school when I couldn't afford anger management classes, but this kickboxing class was no joke. Sometime during the middle of class I found myself fighting a 150-pound bag with my eyes closed because the sweat was dripping into and stinging my eyeballs. I must say this is one of the best workouts I've ever done. You are pretty much working every muscle in your whole body, and it's also a great cardio workout.

However, there are some cons: (1) Until boxing, I never knew that hands could smell like feet. Maybe one day I'll get my own pair of gloves, but the ones at the gym are shared so I'll have to suck it up and wear the same sweaty gloves as others have before me. (2) The hand-wrapping process takes a while to master. (3) No matter how many classes you go to, sore muscles just do not go away! (4) Refer to injury tally. 

Injury Tally = 3: after class #1-bloody knuckle, after class #2-strained shoulder muscles (but nothing a couple of Salonpas patches couldn't miraculously fix overnight), after class #4-possibly sprained left wrist (let's hope this one heals before the snowboarding trip next week!). Mom, if you're reading this... don't worry, I'm fine!

The best part of it all and what makes it worth the hour of suffering is the average calorie burn--around 1000 calories per class! Another good thing is the music. They play music that makes you want to dance, so at times you'll forget that you really hate the instructor that is yelling at you to do 200 jumping jacks with 20 pushups in between followed by a series of jabs/hooks/crosses/uppercuts. Also, this was listed as a con, but it's a good thing too...sore muscles just do not go away! This is typically a good measure of how hard you're working. When you're sore, you feel like what you're doing is effective, right?

If you want to give it a try to see if you like it, you can sign up here for a free class! 

Maybe if we worked out as hard as these boxers, getting through an LA Boxing class wouldn't be so RUFF!

Forging ahead

If there is one thing I need to admit first it is this: I have been a bad blogger.

I've heard the call for more and simply replied, "No, we aren't ready."

There have been formatting fixations, content quandaries, and picture placement productions. At the end of the day, I am sorry for not blogging more frequently.

With that being said, I am now ready for more: more posting, more links, more pictures and more thoughts to share. Though, I will must forewarn you- this is just bologna here. Beans went AWOL. (Not really- she's figuring out the best way to make this a better, cooler, more hip blog.) Until she comes back, it will just be me sharing my ideas and thoughts with you. When she comes back you will have her funny videos and silly facial expressions to look forward to once again.

Moving on, I have a second confession to make: I have spent the greater part of my day surfing the web trying to find Christmas gifts for my friends and family. I have had the most anxiety this year than any of those past over venturing into the mall or my favorite discount stores. (Yes, I will now admit that many of your gifts have come from TJMaxx or Marshall's. There-I said it!- I'm out!)

Meanwhile, I've been to four Thanksgiving celebrations, planned a clothing swap and brunch for this Saturday and attending my first boxing class. (In fact, as I sit here typing this I'm feeling a unique pain wiring my body from the shoulders to the hips. Normal, right?) Long story short: my head is spinning. How will it ever get done? I don't know.

What I do know is there are a few simple tricks I use for organize the daily tasks that should never get swept under the rug with the guitar lesson notes from last month. (oops?)

1. Budget- your money doesn't deserve to be spent because you didn't plan to save.

2. Write down the weekly schedule. I usually buy a cheap weekly planner from the drugstore that I can write when my bills are due, birthdays happen and part time job has me scheduled to arrive. This would work too after you've stuck to #1 for a while:

Source

3. Make your lunch the night before, prepare your coffee the night before. ( you know pizza for the 3rd time this week is grosser than it sounds.)

4.Set aside time to relax and workout. Go to a new class (e.g. Boxing), watch an old favorite (see below), or bake some muffins (Trader Joe's Triple Berry Bran are the best for breakfast. +They make breakfast quick and easy, too!)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

What do you do to keep organized and calm during stressful times?

21.

In the good ole U S of A, turning the big 2-1 is a milestone usually celebrated by going to a bar and drinking your face off. You get to bid farewell to that trusty fake ID. You get to say bye-bye to the big black Sharpie 'X's on your hands (and you can use Chapstick for just your lips!).  You can finally purchase alcohol on your own, and you get to experience your first legal alcoholic beverage!


Well as you may or may not know, my dear cousin Gaby celebrated her 21st birthday a few days ago (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GOOB!). In America, 21 year-olds like to try and consume 1 drink for each year they have been outside of the womb. Keeping in line with this American tradition, Gaby accepted the challenge. Since it was going to be unlikely the next day that she would remember what she drank the previous night, I created a log for Gaby's liquid consumption--more commonly known as a SHOT BOOK.

It's simple. You need 21 pages (or more if you want to fit photos too), pretty paper, stickers, markers, and whatever else your creative mind encourages you to gather. Make sure the book is small and portable. I also like to buy the mini keychain Sharpies, because those are also easy to carry and pass around. This is how it works: (1) Buy the 21 year-old a drink; (2) Write down the name of the drink; (3) Sign your name, and also ask others who shared the drink to sign.

She wasn't my first victim. A couple years ago, I made my first shot book for Tamie! She is a champion, for she filled out every page of that book (I allowed one page for water!). Although she may have felt horrible at the end of the night and into the next day, she can now proudly say that she completed an American challenge. She can also say that she's able to drink more than her little cousin. Gaby only made it to number 10. Don't worry, 11 more are coming your way!

Turkey Bells

Thanksgiving is in one week. Black Friday is in 8 days. Christmas is in 35 days.



It is not just me that panics over these statements. I know that others are panicing because I work in retail. How many years has it been since you have asked or witnessed someone else ask for a unwarrented discount on the items they are purchasing just to save a little money? (All those also related to my mother need not reply to that question- we already know the answer. Thank you, Mommy, for your influence. Few others know the true satisfaction of a $1 sweater you purchased from a secret discount store two towns over.) If you have spent very much time in a mall you may have noticed that until recently the answer to that question would have probably been: never or not for a long, long time. But, times are tough. Our wallets are strapped- whether you are old, young, big or small. Days feel longer than ever: we are all working harder for less and lucky to be working at all.



Take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. You are far from alone in feeling financial despair and a lack of play time, friends. With the holidays right around the corner not only are we all under the gun to get work completed but we have obligations tied to family, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, churches, work extracurriculars, reading clubs, gym pals, running buddies... Ok, I'm stressed out just thinking about it.



There is only one way to deal:

Last Year's Resolution: No more jello shots, ever.

Drink. Drink until you can't stand.

Just kidding. (kind of)*

In honesty, one of the best and only ways to deal with end of the year and holiday stress is to remember what it's all about. Christmas and Thanksgiving (the holidays I celebrate) are two holidays that are rooted in an appreciation for what we have been given- faith, love, family. Not the things you need to live, but the things you live for. I find that if you maintain your focus on what you need to collect in order to celebrate this cause, the process is less painful. Think: you are making macaroni and cheese for your family because you know it makes them feel warm, full and comforted. That is an opportunity so many do not have.

Let the person freaking out behind you in line go ahead- take the extra five minutes to remind yourself how lucky you are to have someone to cook for, clean up after, and love you back.

If that's not enough, go home and make one of these:

Autumn Delight

2 oz. whiskey

6 oz. apple cider

fresh cinnamon

Top ingredients over ice in cocktail shaker, shake, strain, serve in an old-fashioned glass. (If you are making this for your warn out girlfriend add a couple slices of apple and a cinnamon stick as garnish- girls love stuff that look pretty, too.) Source

*We does not recommend drinking to excess. If you're going to do it make sure you have a loving roommate there to quickly pick your a$$ up and feed you yummy food the next day.