being frugal: shopping for clothes.

Like I stated in my last post, I think people who claim to have gotten a "good deal" on a shirt that's $30.00 are ridiculous. So today, I'm going to tell you how I shop for most of my clothes. I have a friend, Brynn, who has made a goal to only buy clothes that are on sale. Genius!

My strategies for shopping can be put into a few rules, and here they are:

1. Before anything, check out the clearance rack. Yeah, it's messy and most of the clothes there are XXL, but more often than not, this is where I find some of my favorite clothes. It takes a little more time to skim through all the clothes to find your size and something you think is cute, but it's worth it. Target (my favorite store) usually has clearance racks on sale for 30%, 50% and 75% off the regular price. Holla!
2. Shop at second-hand stores. My favorite is Deseret Industries. Although most of the clothes here are pretty ugly, smell funky, and have shoulder pads, if you look hard enough, you can really find some great stuff. Just make sure you wash them before you wear them.
3. Really think about what you're buying. Ask yourself, "Will I like this in a year from now?" "Will this fit me in a year from now?" "Will I end up giving this away?" "Is this price worth the number of times I will wear this?" If you think you won't like it in a while, don't get it.
4. Don't shop the latest trends. I hate trends for this reason: they go out of style SOOO quick. If you buy something because it's in style, chances are you'll hate it when the trend ends. Buy clothes that YOU like; shop for YOURSELF. I try to avoid asking my girl friends if they like the shirt I want to buy, simply because their taste is different than mine. If you're going to ask peoples' opinions, make sure you follow your own when all is said and done.
5. If, while trying on clothes, you like parts of it, and dislike parts of it, it's probably not worth getting. To me, new clothes seem exciting, but when I've had them for a while, they become usual, and you notice the faults more. Don't buy something unless you love every bit of it.

Today, I went shopping at the DI (Deseret Industries). I was on a roll. Sometimes you can find a whole bunch of stuff there, and sometimes you can't find anything. Today was a good day at the DI. Here are all my finds:

I love the pattern on this shirt, and I love the fact that it's a button-up.

I was surprised to see that it fit well! $4.00

The color of this shirt is what first caught my attention. Then I saw

the stripes. I am really into stripes lately. I also love how far the sleeves come down.

I am not a fan of cap sleeves. $2.00

I loved the clasp on this belt. It reminds me of something someone would

wear in the 1940's for a day out on the town. $3.00

This belt was cool. That's really all there is to it. $3.00

And this belt reminded me of something someone would wear in the 1940's for

a day out on the sail boat! Ever since I got back from my honeymoon, I have been

longing for the ocean! I love it! Anything nautical that I can wear, I probably

will for the next little while. $3.00

And, because I'm married and like to make my apartment look nice, I got these little

yellow ceramic dishes, because they're cute. And yes, I do have a Buddah statue

displayed in my apartment. $1.00 for the pair

Since the DI doesn't charge you sales tax, my total for all of this was $16.00. See?! You CAN be frugal. $30.00 shirt my butt...

being frugal: cheap activities.

My friend, Emily, recently said to me, "I need some lessons from you on how to be cheap." Delighted, I quickly started brainstorming on advice I could give her on how to be "cheap."

You see, I hate spending money, but I love buying new things. This used to be a problem for me, until I realized, "Dude, I can still buy things, and not spend very much money!" It always bugs me when people claim they're frugal when they spend $30.00 on a shirt. For rizzle? I could buy, like, 6 pizzas with that! That could feed me for weeks!

If you're newly married, or if you're a poor college student, or both, or if you just don't want to spend $30.00 on a shirt, keep reading; this blog is for you. I've taught myself how to get the most of my money, how to get things for cheap, and how to save money I would've otherwise spent.

Today, I want to make a list of fun things to do--whether you're a college student, married, or whatever--that cost little to no money. AWESOME.

1. See a movie at the dollar theater. Who wants to spend $8.00-$10.00 on a movie when you can just wait a few weeks and see it for $1.00? Sometimes they even have student discounts, and you can see the movie for less than a dollar!
2. Go on a hike. What could be better than being in the great outdoors and exercising at the same time? Pack some snacks, take your camera, and you're set to have a good time.
3. Get some friends together and do a service project. If you have a good attitude, they can be a lot of fun! Visit people in the hospital, rake someones leaves, tend a child.
4. Tye dye! If you get enough people to do it and split the cost of the kit, it'll be super cheap, and you'll look like a hippie afterwards! Sweet!
5. Play board games. They're fun with lots of people.
6. Play night games! Buy a bunch of glow sticks (I just got a pack of 15 for $1.00 at Target last night!), cut them open and splatter them all over yourself, and play night games to your heart's content!
7. Draw with sidewalk chalk. Outline peoples' bodies, draw pictures of flowers and happiness, even play hopscotch.
8. Volunteer somewhere. A few years ago, I volunteered at the Humanitarian Center and put together survival kits for people in other countries. It was a blast!
9. Go ice blocking. There's nothing like sliding down a big hill with a cold bum.
10. Paint your nails. Eat snacks while you do it. Emily and I like to call this, "Nums and Nails."
11. Go window shopping. Sometimes when I'm itching to buy something, this satisfies the need. Plus, it's fun.
12. Wash your car. Best thing ever! Free car wash, and it usually turns into an awesome water fight.
13. Make a music video with your friends. You'll probably laugh your head off at it a few years down the road, just like Emily and I did.
14. Go on a picnic. This idea is just fantastic. That's that.
15. Fly kites. Whenever I do this, I always end up laughing hysterically.

Those are just a few ideas I've got up my sleeves. When you don't have money to spend, you need to use your creativity. It makes it fun.

missing my mom.

I have never, ever, in my entire life been homesick. I just don't get homesick. Even when I went to week-long girls' camp and youth conference during my teenage years, and even after I moved out on my own twice for 8 months each.

But lately, I'm been incredibly homesick, mostly for my mom. I went to the hospital on Monday for some stomach pains I was having, and Zac had to call my parents and tell them I wanted them to be there with me, because throughout my whole life, when I was sick, my mom would sit by me and that would seem to make everything better. I think the worst part of being sick for me is being scared of being left alone. I don't know why, maybe I think something's going to happen to me and I'll have no one there to help me. I just know that when I'm sick, I need someone there just to be with my at least, and my mom would always do that.

A few days ago, I was having a really bad day, and all I could think about was how much I wanted my mom to just hug me. I was bawling because I wanted my mom so bad. A while later, she texted me and asked how I was doing. I told her I was doing bad, and that I needed her to come down. She drove the hour drive to come see me, and gave me a hug right away. We talked about things like going to the temple and the gospel. Then she took me out to dinner and helped me look for jobs.

Lately I've been feeling really distant to Heavenly Father. I hate that feeling. But while my mom and I were talking, she told me about how much Heavenly Father loves me. She said, "What was the first thing I did when I walked in?" and I said, "You hugged me." She said, "Yep, because I love you. And I'm imperfect. Just think of how much Heavenly Father loves you, and he is perfect." Right then I just started crying so hard, and I couldn't stop. And every time I think about it, I still cry. It was amazing. It was just what I needed.

Today I realized that I'm never going to live with my mom ever again. She won't be the one to sit with me when I'm sick, and she won't [always] be the one to hug me when I'm sad. I cried and cried thinking about that today. I'm going to miss my mom. She is my role model. She homeschooled me for nine years and put up with all my crap because she loves me. She's the most faithful lady I know, and she's not afraid of it. She's hilarious, and is always serving other people. My mom is just great, and I adore her.

Even though I'm going to miss my mom, I must admit I have a pretty good fiance. He's always (and I mean always) there for me. I don't feel stupid crying in front of him (like today), and when I do, he's always right there hugging me and wiping away my tears, and telling me that everything's going to be okay. He's easy to talk to, and is very good about listening to me. He's always doing nice things for me, like opening my doors, finishing making dinner when I have bad cramps (like tonight), writing me cute notes, encouraging me when I do hard things, telling me he loves me, telling me I'm beautiful. When I was in the hospital, I told him not to leave me no matter what (remember... I need someone by me at all times when I'm sick), and he stayed by my side the whole time (well, except for when they gave me a shot in my butt; he and my dad left then). Not only that, but he held my hand, gave me kisses, and told me I still looked beautiful, and meant it. He is amazing, and I can't believe I have someone like him in my life to be mine forever.

I have some pretty good people in my life. Like, really. Last night I was thinking about the people in my life, and it honestly blew my mind to think of how amazing the people I hold close to me are. I am truly blessed. It's incredible.

Me and my parents about a year ago at Brick Oven.

Me and Zac at the hospital a few days ago.

day three.

Day 3: A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

Best... show... EVAR!!!!

day two.

Day 2: A picture of you and a person you have been closest to the longest.

This is me and my best friend, Emily. This picture was taken last summer in a field near her parents' house. We've been friends since Kindergarten when I peed my pants. That's 16 years. Our friendship is now old enough to get its driver's license.

Anyway, we enjoy taking pictures together, going to concerts, talking on the phone, eating junk food, telling each other how much we hate our roommates, summer frolics, shopping, hanging out on bridges and skywalks while eating ice cream, and fruit pizza. Oh, and long walks on the beach.

If I had one wish, I would wish her to Orem.

P.S... My birthday is in 3 days. I be 21!

the most basic of news + question number one.

Yesterday, Zac and I went to Whitney's and JT's wedding in the Mt. Timpanogos temple. Whitney looked gorgeous as always, and JT was tall... as always. They couldn't stop smiling, and it got me excited about what's happening in my life in just 55 days! (Not counting or anything.) I forgot my camera, so I have absolutely no pictures of me, Zac, Whit, JT, the cake, the luncheon. Nothing. It made me sad. But just know that I went.

In other news, I got a Twitter account. Follow me here and say nice things to me.

Day 1: A picture of yourself with 15 facts

This is me, and Zac, too, but mostly me. The picture is not mine [yet] so it still has my photographer's name on it. Check him out, by the way. He's wonderful, and really knows what he's doing. Brody Dezember Photography. And now for the 15 facts:

1. I have an abnormally large dent in my head.


2. I love love love style. Clothes, homes, photography, you name it. I love aesthetics.


3. I hate the cold. I never cared for it before, but this winter I realized that I hate it more than a lot of things.


4. My favorite store is Target. Then the D.I.


5. I have an outie.


6. I almost have my Associates Degree.


7. I don't like going to concerts with tons of people, unless OK Go is playing. They're worth it.


8. I've had long hair most of my life (and kind of want to cut it all off).


9. I've had braces twice.


10. I met my fiance at a Rock Band party.


11. I've been skydiving.


12. I wash my hands constantly.


13. If I could have more than one occupation, they would be these: Photographer, Chef, Interior Designer, Mother, Writer, World Traveller.


14. I get tired easily.


15. I have an obsession with reading peoples' blogs.

That took longer than expected. Goodnight. :)

thirty days.

The thirty day challenge. I am admitting right now that I won't post thirty days in a row. But hopefully I can get through these thirty things. I chose this one, because they all include pictures, and I adore pictures. Plus, I need to go out and shoot more, and this will be my reason for now.

Day 1: A picture of yourself with 15 facts

Day 2: A picture of you and the person you have been closest to the longest

Day 3: A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 4: A picture of your day

Day 5: A picture of your favorite memory

Day 6: A picture of somewhere you've been

Day 7: A picture that shows your true self

Day 8: A picture that makes you laugh

Day 9: A picture of a person who has gotten you through the most

Day 10: A picture of someone you see yourself marrying in the future

Day 11: A picture of something you hate

Day 12: A picture of something you love

Day 13: A picture of your favorite band or artist

Day 14: A picture of your favorite past time

Day 15: A picture of something you want to do before you die

Day 16: A picture of someone you've been friends with the longest and still feel connected to

Day 17: A picture of your biggest insecurity

Day 18: A picture of your favorite place

Day 19: A picture of a habit you wish you didn't have

Day 20: A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Day 21: A picture of something you wish you could forget

Day 22: A picture of something you wish you were better at

Day 23: A picture of your favorite book

Day 24: A picture of something you wish you could change

Day 25: A picture of yourself a year ago and an explanation of how you've changed since then

Day 26: A picture of something that means a lot to you

Day 27: A picture of yourself and a family member

Day 28: A picture of something you're afraid of

Day 29: A picture that can always make you smile

Day 30: A picture of someone you miss