i heart exposed brick

... but then again, who doesn't?

***

***

***

***

rubbish free for a year!

A co-worker just sent me an awe-inspiring link. This couple spent a whole year without creating any garbage. I didn't realize how big a deal it really is until I checked out their website.

The contents of the grocery bag they're holding in this photo is the entirety of the trash they created in 365 days. Can you believe that? Reading through their blog made me think about the amount of waste we create in our home each day — it's shocking. Maybe we don't need to live "rubbish free," but Husband and I could certainly be doing more to avoid throwing things in the trash. 

This story has inspired me to be more observant when it comes to recyclable packaging and energy-efficient products. I hope you're feeling it, too!

it's that time of year

The tax man reared his ugly head at us this week — and I mean U-G-L-Y. We kicked, we screamed, but all efforts were futile. 

Because I lost my job when the newspaper I worked for folded last year, I spent 10 months working freelance — read: not getting taxed. So, the evil tax man government has come to take it, so rather than the refund that I became so accustomed to throughout my university days, I actually owe. Agh. I won't tell you how much, but just remember, while you're listening to the CBC, it's thanks to me.

So now, all frivolous shopping and spending is going to have to be done vicariously and virtually. So I'm going to chronicle our saving efforts — because just as fellow blogger Lacey pointed out, what are blogs for, if not total accountability?

As you may have noticed, I love to cook, so when I go to the grocery store, I never stick to my list. I thought about it for a while, and counted on my fingers for a while, and decided that Husband and I could manage for $100 every two weeks. That said ... I went a bit over this week, spending a total of $145. So, by my math, we should be able to function for three full weeks on this much. And you should see our freezer .. it's completely packed. The big thing that changed my spending this week was planning our week's meals in advance.  

This is the beginning of some major budgeting in our future — it's all part of the five-year plan, which will hopefully include paying down some major student loan debt, saving up for a house, buying a new car and preparing to start our family. We've considered the envelope system, but we're not ready to give up our big-point-earning joint credit card just yet. Once we've accumulated the points needed for a spring getaway with B and C, we'll ditch the plastic for a more debt-free existence.

Wish us luck, and feel free to pass any tips our way!

i tried it: fail

I'm not one to buy into gimmicky things. So, when I went to buy a new tube of mascara recently, I went directly toward the CoverGirl Lashblast — simply because it was recommended by sister-in-law C the last time I bought mascara, and I agree that it works well.

But when I got to the display, I noticed the Exact Eyelights, which comes in varying shades for different eye colours (both tubes cost the same). 

I knew about this product from America's Next Top Model. Now, I'm not saying that's the entire reason that I bought it, because I'm fully aware that the CoverGirl promotions during that show are most shameful, but I'm not going to lie, the segment on the show intrigued me. 

So I picked up the wand for blue eyes, and the results? Less than stellar. The mascara itself is tinted blue. A MAC makeup artist once told me that if you have blue eyes, you shouldn't wear blue eye makeup. Didn't CoverGirl get that memo? And while I enjoy the hint of metallic, I find it makes the mascara flake off easier, so if I rub an eye, I'm dealing with specks of colour and smudging the rest of the day. It also doesn't cover as well or lengthen as much.

Maybe you've had a better experience, but if you want my advice, skip the gimmick.

deliciousness

Spring is making my inner-country gal crave ...

... just thought you'd like to know.

thank you for being a friend

As my fellow bloggers can relate, it's always nice to realize that you have readers — all three or four of you .. that's right, you .. I love you all. 

When I started this blog, it was a total secret. I wanted to try it out before I shouted it from the rooftops. Then I slowly started to leak the URL to family and friends. Eventually I posted the site on my Facebook page; added a twitter feed. And just the other day, I started calling myself by my real first name.

I'm always pleasantly surprised when I see comments from newcomers, and I get especially excited when I see names repeat — regular readers! In fact, in less than three months and 135 posts later, like a hamster on a wheel has hosted almost 3,000 unique visitors! Can you believe that?

OK, I use the term "regular readers" loosely. A few of those repeat offenders are friends and family. But hearing that they enjoy what they read is one of the big reasons I continue to write.

Recently, I was out to dinner with lovely friends A, T and J, when T asked, "What did you do this weekend?" And before I could really answer, she pointed out, "because you didn't post any new blogs." I was pleasantly surprised to find that she's a regular reader! And when T and I start to talk about recent posts, A promptly covers her ears, for fear we'll spoil it before she has a chance to make her daily visit to the blog before bed.

Or like last week, when sister-in-law C gave me a huge grin, held up her purse, and said, "Look!"

I cocked my eyebrow at her ... "What?" 

"It's last year's summer purse!"

Incase you're new here, I recently wrote a post about re-using last year's summer purse, in an attempt to be financially responsible, instead of buying a new one.

How fun is that?! I've paid it forward! 

So here's the unique part of this post. It's your turn! I want to know what you think — what would you like to read more of? I know this blog is a pretty random hodge podge of ideas, but if there's one topic that stands out, let me know. Got a question for me? Fire away!

Thanks for stopping by!

hidden treasures

I had my first real flea market experience over the weekend — it was AMAZING! Husband and I made the four-hour drive to visit with my in-laws and help them out with a few projects in their new home — more on that later! — so mom-in-law and I took a quick break to check out a flea market that is just walking distance from their new home. 

I found a few treats to bring home, like these great Dominion glass power line insulators — that we are now using as doorstops — for $2.50 each.

And more than three metres of this fun fabric for ... wait for it ... $0.75! YAY!

MIL also bought me a cute little dessert dish in my favourite shade of yellow that I'm going to use to keep jewelry in on my dresser. 

Flea markets are my new fave! Lucky for me, every time we go to visit, we can go bargain hunting for hidden treasures.

eye spy with my little eye ...

... a new accessory in our bedroom ...

[Yes, the TV is still there, but not for long.]

This was, without a doubt, the cheapest, easiest accent I've ever added to a room. I was crafting with HH last week when I discovered a piece of scrapbook paper that I'd forgotten about. "Wow," I pointed out to her, "this paper is pretty much the exact colours of our bedroom." 

Et voila:

As much of a scrapbooking nerd as I am, I actually had an extra 12x12 clip frame tucked away among my supplies, which only cost about $5 at Walmart anyway. 

Remember this nifty trick next time you're perusing the paper aisle.

happy happy joy joy

Sweet Nothings posted a list of 10 things that make her crazy happy. I think I'll join in — in no particular order:

Having a project turn out better than expected

My new Satya necklace

Laughing out loud

Being the hostess

April days that are as hot as July days

Snuggling with Scarley

Sharing love with family and friends

A really good book

Long weekends

Waking up next to Husband

Read here for more happy lists.

Comment to let us know if you've posted this list on your own blog, too.

it's just me

You may have noticed that I ditched my "newlyb" alias and am now just lindsey. I decided that I couldn't classify myself as newly forever — we've already been married for more than six months and, while I still consider us newlyweds, I'm pretty used to being Mrs. B at this point.

I think we're past formal introductions at this point, but here's a little polyvore to give you some added insight.

Nice to meet you!

tv in the bedroom: a do or a don't?

I'm sure most marriage counsellors would say it's a big faux pas to have a television in the master bedroom. I've had a television in my room for years, and when husband and I got a shared apartment, we decided to keep it. 

For us, the television in the bedroom is merely for convenience. Usually, if we're heading to bed, we don't turn on the TV. But if there's a special show or a late movie on and we'd rather be laying in bed than laying on the couch, we'll flip it on. That said, we use it so little that we're starting to think it's just a waste of space and money — we pay $4 a month for the extra digital cable box.

[If we had a wall-mounted flat screen, I may be singing a different tune.]

And since we're on a money-saving kick — yes, I know it's only $4 a month — I'm thinking we should stash the set in the closet, and maybe re-visit the topic when we have a sprawling master bedroom with it's own special TV nook [a girl can dream, can't she?].

Click here to see what Nesters have to say on the topic.

What do you think? TV in the bedroom — a do or a don't?