This may seem random, but I sometimes read up on home remodeling and staging tips from professional stagers all the time. I’m not looking to sell my home, I just LOVE to see what’s new in home decor trends and how I … Continue reading
Happy Monday Folks!! Around this time of the year, people tend to reflect on things they want to change. I decided that I would not wait until the New Year and start making positive changes NOW; hence, the new look of the site. In addition to the new layout of SMC, we are getting our offices in order. Here are some offices that are giving me everything I need in terms of inspiration.
Check my inspiration for the new SMC office!
Words cannot express my excitement over the 2012 holiday collaboration between retailers Neiman Marcus and Target which will launch on December 1st (for more information, click here)! Based off the amount of views I got when I first announced the collaboration, I know I am not alone in my excitement. This is the ultimate shopping opportunity to use your “cents” to live the fab life! Click the picture below for a sneak peek of the goodies to come!
If I walked in a room and asked everyone who is completely debt free to raise their hands and someone did, I would truly be surprised. It’s not because I’m unaware of the fact that debt-free people do exist, it’s just because I see an abundance of people from all walks of life trying to get their finances in a better place. I myself am one of those people. The inspiration for this post comes after sitting down and looking at my finances for this month. A wrench was unexpectedly thrown into my financial pattern when a mistake was made on one of my checks (hey, it sucks but it happens). This caused me to take a closer look at my money. Where is it going and could I save more?
Here’s what I found:
I started the morning trying to pay a bill online that I have already paid. What can I say, at the point in the day, I hadn’t gotten my Starbucks fix. Once on the site, though I saw something about saving money with a FREE online Energy Audit from GA Power, so I followed the link. It took less than 10 minutes and it showed me how the changes I have made over the past year have saved me money in a monthly comparison of 2011 to 2012. It also provided some suggestions for home improvements that can increase comfort while lowering monthly bills. According to Energy Star, “a home energy audit is often the first step in making your home more efficient. An audit can help you assess how much energy your home uses and evaluate what measures you can take to improve efficiency.”
After the Energy Audit, I checked out my credit card balance (insert sad face). Just to give a little background, a few years ago I paid off my credit card by paying a set amount ($200 a month) instead of the minimum payment. During that time, I saw the decrease in the balance move rather quickly. Now, after living off of my credit card for one year + span of not working, then a complete career change with a different kind of salary, my credit card balance hit an all time high. I’ve been working to pay it and the balance is moving in the right direction, but it’s not moving fast enough. So, I decided to input my information into a credit card payment calculator to find out the timeframe of being credit card debt free. I added a credit card calculator on the right panel of SMC, but I really like this one from the Consumer’s Alliance because it reveals just how much that credit card is going to cost you, or how you can pay off your existing credit card debt a bit faster. Now, i have an exact goal date and I understand better how a few dollars can make a big difference in the end.
Lets Connect!
Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
I have been waiting until I completed my stencil project to show you the results. If it wasn’t my VERY FIRST post, it was one of my early ones, Buy vs. DIY: Wallpaper vs. Stencils, where I decided to take on the challenge… and I do mean challenge of stenciling my entire guest bathroom. It almost took me an entire year to do it, partly because I was super busy doing other things like planning other renvations and updates in the house, working, and actively NOT working on the wall. I will say it definately takes patience but I am happy to announce that I am more than pleased with the results.
Check out the Guest Bath!!
This was an in progress picture, hence the green Frog tape and blue painter’s tape to keep my pattern in line.
Now that the project is complete I can truly answer the question, Buy v. DIY. The answer may surprise you, though. If you are trying to make this decision on a purely financial basis, you might break even. I spent more money than expected on paint and adhesive. I didn’t realize that the Flash Bronze came pint size, so I found myself going back and forth purchasing small things of paint. Expenses really add up quickly since you have to purchase or make the stencil, base coat paint, paint to be stenciled, brushes, trays, tape, and adhesive spray. I would suggest comparing ALL of those costs to the price of wallpaper. Would I make the same decision knowing what I know now? Maybe! Check back next week to learn my tricks I learned along the way that would make a second stencil project a breeze.
What do you think? I’d Love to Hear!
Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
The number of twenty-somethings that did not know how to set a table properly surprised me. I believe that every woman should know how to set a table…point blank and period. That is not to say that men need not learn this skill, it is just to speak to an ability that I believe everyone woman should have in her knowledge base. Whether or not you use this, is up to you, but at least you will know. This knowledge is free…. you should take itJ A friend of my called this a “wifey” skill but I just think this is something every woman should know…
Check out this Table-Setting Cheat Sheet:
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
The number of twenty-somethings that did not know how to set a table properly surprised me. I believe that every woman should know how to set a table…point blank and period. That is not to say that men need not learn this skill, it is just to speak to an ability that I believe everyone woman should have in her knowledge base. Whether or not you use this, is up to you, but at least you will know. This knowledge is free…. you should take itJ A friend of my called this a “wifey” skill but I just think this is something every woman should know…
Check out this Table-Setting Cheat Sheet:
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
Check out my post on Bold American Events Blog!
Real Weddings & Color Obession!
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Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
I checked out Target today and there was nothing left on the racks!
Did I mention that due to overwhelming activity, target.com is temporarily down? I guess I will have to reminisce on my older posts…
It looks like Italian brand, Missoni, is the latest Designer Collaboration for Target. Designer Collaborations is an expansion of Target’s existing designer fashion program and each collection is available only for a limited time. This particular collaboration will only be available at select store between September 13th – October 22nd. . Designer Collaborations is a unique program that features well-established designers who draw inspiration from a collaborative partner, muse or creative element. It is a new and exciting way of delivering the latest styles to our contemporary female guests at the prices they expect from Target.
In the meantime, check some of my favs from the Missoni Brand:
Did I mention that Missoni has also tapped into knits for your home?
As I get more info, I will pass it along…
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Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
