Better Late then Never

I've been meaning to do this post for about a week now except with work and school and exciting car trips it kind of got pushed to the back burner. But after a lead time of about 3 weeks (shorter then we thought) our brand new entry door was installed!

Just as a reminder, this was the old door:

Annnd.. the new door:

And a view from the inside:

I just love it. It is amazing how much that one little upgrade changed our entry way completely. Our next project will be replacing those black address numbers and sprucing up both the front and back with some aforementioned landscaping. While we could have saved money on the install by calling around or even (gasp) installing it ourselves I think what we paid in labor to have Home Depot subcontract the work was worth it. (Mostly because I'm lazy).

What do you guys think of the door?


On another note, I've attempted to look at some landscaping books to try and get an idea of what would work in our region and what looks good together etc, but to be honest I know next to nothing about it and I tend to get bogged down and overwhelmed in the details. SSBF imagines I will look something like this in my attempt to garden:

haha, I wish!

photo credit: j.Crew April Catalogue.

Thank God I'm A Country Boy (Girl?)

I have been in a very weird mood the last two days. I would say a mix of on edge and short tempered, not a good combination for customer service. At work I was two seconds from losing it when people kept streaming in well past 12:00pm (when we close, read the freaking door people!). So when SSBF asked me what I wanted to do today the answer was something low key, that involved very little interaction with others. Something not typically easy to accomplish where we live.

Since we have been wanting to do some landscaping around our house we decided to make a drive out to a nursery in Carroll County. We spent a little time at the nursery and then continued on our drive down route 26 until we ended up at SSBF's elementary school, Liberty Elementary. Which was where we took these pictures. Yeah, that cornfield-- next to the school. I always tease SSBF about being a country boy. He denies it, but I think these pictures sealed the deal. Side note: "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" by JOhn Denver is the song the Orioles play during the 7th inning stretch, coincidence?

I was pretty adamant about taking pictures with the silo in the background, SSBF didn't like the wires in the shot, he apparently didn't like the silo either because he blocked it! I am grateful that he is letting me take pictures of him though.

All in all we were probably in the car for about two hours, just driving and taking in the sights while listening to the radio. It was the most amazing and relaxing two hours I've had in a long time. It was nice to just drive and not have to worry about due dates, homework assignments, credit card payments and Enterprise. I was almost sad when we got all the way to Fredrick on the back roads only to get on the highway to come back.

Oh well, I guess we all have to come back to reality at some point.

On Me:
*Button-down, Old Navy
*Boyfriend Cardigan, J.Crew
*Belt, Banana Republic
*Khaki Shorts, J.Crew
*Scarf, Old Navy
*Boots, Rocketdog

On SSBF,
*Flannel Shirt, J.Crew
*Sherpa Jacket, Gap
*Jeans, J.Crew

Thank You, Credit Card Reform Act of 2009

First of all yes, that is my credit card statement. It's just awful. I always wince the first time I look at it each month because it is a harsh reminder of how stupid I was in college. But at the same time it makes me realize how far I have come. This time 2 years ago my balance was over 11,000. Which means I have paid off $3000 since then, which is no small feat.

That isn't the point of why I posted this though. I wanted everyone to see, even though they may already have, one of the benefits of the Credit Card Reform Act of 2009. It is this "Minimum Payment Warning" box on the right. It basically tells you how f*cked you are if you only pay the minimum payments each month. Its the only benefit I have seen so far because thanks to the reform act and the mandatory regulation of interest rates, mine was jack up from 17 to 24.5% percent before the law took effect. Even more a reason to pay more then the minimum payment each month. It's important for the credit card companies to put that information out there because most people (ahem, past me) donn't relaize what they are getting themself into by only paying the minimum payments.

On a brighter note, its Friday! A gloomy Friday, but Friday no less.

Suit Up

First of all, if you don't watch "How I Met your Mother" the title of this post probably means nothing to you. If you do though, you can revel in my pleasure of walking around today telling everyone I "suited up". You seem at work we were supposed to get a visit from a couple of the higher ups at GEICO, hence the more formal business attire. I generally hate wearing full suits but the Easter egg blue shirt (untucked) and the leopard-print shoes helped break up the monotony.

Of course they never showed.
In other news, my white jeans from Old Navy and Wedge Sandals from ALDO arrived today and I can not wait to style them.

*Blazer and Pants, Express

*Button Down, J.Crew (Outlet)

*Shoes, Target

*Belt, Banana Republic

Something for a Rainy Monday

I fell in love with several variation of this shoe over the weekend. Some were flat, some were wedged, some even wrapped all the way around the ankle. This, the Steven by Steve Madden Harryy Wedge, was by far my favorite of them all. I see you in my dreams.

Happy Monday!

*photo courtesy of Piperlime.com

Spring In Ellicott City

SSBF and I spent our first day of spring walking around in Historic Ellicott City. It was a gorgeous day and although I know SSBF would have rather stayed inside to watch the basketball games he was kind enough to oblige to my wishes.

This time last year SSBF and I were actually hoping to buy a house in the Ellicott City/Oella area. It is just a 15 minute drive from where we live now, but unlike Columbia that has been commercialized and franchised to death, Ellicott City has a quaint little shopping district full of antique shops, posh restaurants, and small businesses. Its a great place to wander around for a day.

I probably could have got away with wearing this dress sans leggings but as much as I am ready for winter to be over, I'm not quite ready to give up my layers yet.  

SSBF was a real sport today, in addition to making him go out during all the March Madness, I made him take pictures in public AND hold my handbag. He even let me snap a rare picture of him (after much prodding of course) What a sweetheart. It was an wonderful day. Although I am having a little shopper's remorse for a purchase I didn't make. You see, I came across a black Movado envelope clutch in one of the antique stores for $22!. I didn't get it though in light of all the purchases I had made earlier in the day. I wonder if I can cancel one of my orders....

*Dress, Target

*Cardigan, Old Navy

*Leggings, Target

*Boots, Forever 21

Avoiding the Impulse Buy, Kinda

All personal finance books generally include in some way, shape, or form a paragraph about avoiding impulse purchases. The advice usually ranges from " if you see something you like in a store, do all of your other shopping, and then if you still want that item go buy it" to " go home and sleep on it for a night". Really all they want you to do is stop and think if you really need that item, or how it would benefit you in the future.

I think this week was the first time I have ever applied that rule to my life. Monday night I had been doing some browsing on American Apparel when I came across this dress:

I love it, its simple, comfortable, and only $36. Normally, I would have purchased it on the spot. Instead I waited. I think just about every night I went back to American Apparel's website to see if my feelings had changed. They haven't. So I am rewarding myself for demonstrating such self-control by buying it!

On the other hand, I woke up this morning jonesing for a pair of white skinny jeans, and ended up ordering these guys from Old Navy

Opps.Luckily they were on sale for $25. I guess you can't change overnight.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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What kind of Irish girl would I be if I didn't do a small post on St.Patrick's Day?

In the past my outfits on this day typically included a homemade tee with a clever phrase like "I'm bringing Irish back" or my personal favorite, "I bang in my green tee". This year though I had to be an adult, and work all day, so I had to do green in a subtler fashion.

Brian took these pictures at work from me behind our building. There is a huge vacant field behind us when we were heading out we actually saw 4 deer back here. For some reason I am always in awe when I see animals in nature. A coworker told me that over the weekend a whale washed up on the beach at Ocean City. Although it was already dead, I totally wish I could have seen it. Anyways, since our building used to be a body shop (and the building is still owned by one) our lot sometimes is an overflow lot for the shop, and often littered with old car parts, busted cars, and just random stuff.  

*Shrug, Old Navy

*Shirt, J.Crew

*Pants, Martin and Osa

*Scarf, American Eagle

*Shoes, Nordstrom

Featured Blogger: Gracie of The Flip Side of Oz

This week I was lucky enough to come across Gracie and her blog "The Flip Side of Oz".

Besides sharing the same name, we also juggle full-time jobs, an MBA schedule, a love of Lady Gaga and of course fashion. I have exchanged a few e-mails and she is really sweet. I would recommend you check out her blog and her etsy store.

a little business mixed with pleasure

Back in December I did a post titled "The Work/Weekend Dichotomy" in which I talked about how my mind had set up a psychological barrier that divided my clothes into two categories: work and weekend.  Back then I had recognized my problem, but sadly up until this week I hadn't really changed anything. I was still mentally separating my clothes.

 On Wednesday though I took my first step towards integration. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to snap any pictures, but my outfit consisted of these pieces:

Work/Weekend by GraceECro featuring Old Navy

Plus my diyed bib necklace:

The t-shirt was my weekend piece that I dressed up.
Last night I went for it again. SSBF took me for a lovely dinner out. Although it was raining, the temperatures have been mild so I decided to have a little fun.

The blazer is one of my suit jackets. I love how it dressed up the whole look. It could be that I just love blazers, but I am kind of liking the mixing of business and pleasure.

* Blazer, Express
*Gathered Tank, Old Navy
* Denim Shorts, Diyed from an old pair of Gap Jeans
* Footless tights, Gap
*Boots, Forever 21

The "Latte Effect"

Way back in the early part of last year when I started writing this blog I did a post called "Saving by Spending". I thought about that post today (thanks to an e-mail from SSBF's mom) while I was driving to work in the soaking rain.  I also thought about where I have been going with this blog as of late. I feel like I have been heading in a direction that is not all me. This blog started as a way for me to hash through my financial struggles and gush about all the things I love (Clothes and SSBF, and maybe a few others). It sucks to kind of feel like you lost yourself, but I think that is pretty indicative of the position I am at in life anyway. (I digress) 

In the spirit of Saving by Spending I give you my version of what personal finance guru's call the "Latte Effect"

In case you've never even opened a personal finance book, the "Latte Effect" is basically a metaphor for frivolous daily spending. i.e. you can save "x" amount of dollars per year by skipping you're daily Starbucks fix. Personally, I don't have a daily anything fix so for the most part I always skipped over that part of the book. However, while shopping one day I realized I have a reincarnation of this in that, if I buy one thing at a store more often then not I will but a second or a third. More specifically it happens when I am shopping online, and when I am buying relatively cheap items that add smaller amounts to the total. (think $15 and less)

A perfect example, I ordered a shrug a couple weeks ago from Old Navy, that was the single item I wanted, but ultimately added a t-shirt to the order because it was only $5 and who can't use another t-shirt?!

The "Latte Effect" is a nod toward conscious spending, or knowing where your money is going. In my case when I add one item and then another I'm not making a conscious differentiation in price. I am just seeing the total or maybe the total savings instead of seeing each item as more of my money.

After realizing the error of my ways, I was also enlightened to the buy 1 get one 50% off scam. Damn those marketers are good.

Obsessed with ModCloth

Thanks to the lovely ladies whose blogs I follow on a daily basis, especially Krystal of This Time Tomorrow I have recently become obsessed with ModCloth

I've found plenty of things that I need (ok want) including the leather jacket from yesterday and this skirt.

The only catch is I'm afraid to order anything becuase I don't know how it fits. Yes they provide measurements, but that doesn't always help.

ugh... decisions, decisions.

Feature! Glamour.com

Thank you Tracey!
 at Glamour.com's blog Slaves to Fashion for selecting  me as this week's best dressed reader...
i'm freaking ecstatic!

My First Feature!

My Favorite Things, this week

My favorite things by GraceECro featuring J Crew outerwear

Items in this set:
Metallic Beacon tobo - J.Crew, $120
Urban Icon Jacket-Mod Retro Indie Clothing & Vintage Clothes, $200
L.A.M.B. Vail, $300

Swoon...
This is my must have list for this week. My amazingly awesome best friend JennifeR tipped me off to these heels by L.A.M.B. Which then got me thinking about how I haven't done one of theses posts in awhile.

While I'm totally in love with each of these things, especially the yummy drapey leather coat from ModCloth, I foresee a panic attack in SSBF's future.

Total ING savings needed for this set: $800. ouch. Better start now.

(Nearly) Sans Tights

To summarize how this week has been so far I spent all Sunday and the better part of my lunch break yesterday agonizing over my accounting homework for this week, only to find out (an email to my professor later) that my homework actually isn't due until next week. duh.

On a positive note, the weather here has been just amazing. Although it's still a little cold in the morning I decided to brave the chill and lose the tights. I would have gone completely bare, but Enterprise is still a little weird about that. They officially took pantyhose out of the dress code for girls about a year ago, but I know they secretly want us to wear them. (Silly men).

Anyways, I was hoping to take some of these pictures outside but in true Enterprise fashion the day was so unpredictable I didn't see my desk until I was packing up to leave.

I had to settle for inside pictures. SSBF hates this last picture, but there is something I love about it. I think its just enough off to work. SSBF accidentially left the flash down, that why the color ended up so dark. This outfit, and several variations of it work well for me, at work. It's feminine, yet has enough structure that people take me seriously. Which is more important then you think when you work in a male-dominated field.

Also, I had been having trouble incorporating fashion and finance into this blog on a weekly basis, but I think I have finally come up with a way to do so. More on that later this week.

Is it Friday yet?

*Shirt, Old Navy
*Vest, Kohls
*Skirt, Target
*Belt, Old Navy
*Boots, Rocket Dog

best dressed at home depot

SSBF and I went to Home Depot this morning to finalize our purchase of the aforementioned entry door. Only to find out 3 annoying details.
1. The storm door did not come in both the color we wanted and the size we needed so had to upgrade $25 to the next model.
2. Because of the architecture of our house, $95 was going to be added to the cost of labor to build a "z-bar" for the storm door to be hung up on.
and
3. A 15% special on entry doors that had been running when we got our estimate (a week ago) had ended. So instead of an entry door with a "fanlight" at the top costing $350, we are getting a solid 6 panel door costing $450.
Well, I was a little annoyed with that, and if I am a little annoyed then SSBF is probably close to enraged. Our estimated total of just under $1100 for parts and labor had gone up to a confirmed total of $1254.
When we went to pay customer service I mentioned it to the woman who was ringing us up, and I'm so glad I did. She gave us the 15% off all the parts. Our total ended up being $1148...I'll take it.

On another note, I have been totally obsessed with this chain necklace this week. I think I have worn it like 4 out of 6 days.

*Dress, Old Navy
*Tights, Gap
*Jacket, Express
*Necklace, Juicy Couture
*Boots, Zigi Soho

Copeland

It has been a busy week. Depsite it being spring break from my classes, there was nothing that resembled a break to be found in it. At work we were at least 1 person short all week, so it was basically insanity. Wednesday and Thursday were especially long. Exciting, but long. Wednesday night I had a shopping appointment with a client that went really well. Then on Thursday night SSBF and I went to see one of his favorite bands, Copeland. I have only been a fan of Copeland as long as I've known SSBF but I've come to love them, so it is kind of a bummer that this is their last time on tour. 

The concert was at the Recher Theater in Towson, which was the venue they played last time they were in town. I don't know if it is because the place is located on a college campus or what, but I felt old. Not only were my legs and feet killing me by the end of the show, I felt like every other person had big "X's" on their hands ( meaning they weren't old enough to drink) 

This sadly enough was the best picture I could get. But my point above was nicely illustrated.

our first home reno

When SSBF and I first bought our house there were a couple of things we wanted to change-- the kitchen, the upstairs bathroom, and the flooring. We also wanted to replace our blue front door, that is not even close to the HOA code. All of that has been on the back burner though until we got our tax refund for this year.


After a lot of thinking and research by SSBF we have decided to start with replacing our front door. It is clearly the least glamorous of all the things we could do but it is affordable and according to SSBF helps our resale value.

Once all is said and done the doors and labor to install are going cost around $1100. However, the doors themselves will earn us a 30% tax credit on our 2010 return. Double bonus, upgrading the door and replacing the molding around it will increase energy savings.

We had someone from Home Depot come out and measure, and today we are going in to order it.

The picture above is how it looks now. For our new door we haven decided on a all brown entry door and to frame it with an almond color storm door. The worst part is going to be the wait, once it's ordered it is going to take 3-4 weeks for the door to be made and installed.

We are also planning on doing some landscaping and adding some plants when the weather starts to get warmer. So if you know anything about plants or landscape design shoot me an e-mail. I will need all the help I can get.

QUARTZ!

I have a tendency to grow attached to certain things, like peices of jewelry or sweatpants, and I wear them all the time (occasion permitting of course).

My new obsession is this ring I came across at Forever 21

Its hard to tell in this picture, but the center looks like quartz! Remember how awesome quartz was in like 6th grade? No? Maybe it was just me.

Oh well, time for some Monday night TV, How I Met Your Mother and 24!