Ghoulish Gathering: Recap

For decorations, I needed to keep things on the low cost side. Read: basically use things from around the house (or that I could borrow!). I got some inspiration from Design Mom , Hostess with the Mostess , the Addams Family, and (my favorite) the Munsters for a "gothic glam" look.

I found the velvet scarf (on a trip to Utah!) and think it fits in perfectly. The King Tut bust is one I borrowed from my Nana. She also had the carved wooden box that I put a "hand" in. I borrowed some candle sticks from my sister and sprinkled some old jewelry on the candles. I used real glasses because I thought it added to the look.

The adults decided to dress up, too. I dressed as VP candidate Sarah Palin and Husband dressed as Sarah's husband, Todd Palin.

No matter who you are voting for tomorrow, I hope you had a great Halloween!

Budget Report--October

I went over on my October budget. : ( I attribute it to our trip to Utah (stocking up on hot chocolate and buying lots more milk for the babies than they would normally need) and some poor planning at the end of the month.

Even though Thanksgiving is this month, I'm trimming my budget by $20. (This is the first month I won't be buying any formula.) I'm also deducting the amount that I went over in October. (Harsh!) I know, I know, but I'm really trying to keep things in check. I'm trying to plan for November in it's entirety instead of just week by week. I figure that will help me to get a better view of my spending.

...And we are headed to Hawaii this month for a long overdue vacation (and to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary), so I know that will eat up some of my grocery budget.

I read an article recently (of course now I can't remember where) but the author was talking about budgeting and she said that even though she had a party planned for that month, she was not going to veer from her budget and make excuses because stuff like that always comes up. She's right: we always have someone's birthday or other celebration or someone gets sick or we just don't feel like cooking...things come up that we don't plan for and we can't throw our budget out the window because of it.

So yes, even though Thanksgiving is coming up, now is not the time to lose hold of your budget. I'm going to take a deep breath and do the best with what I've got!

What are your plans for keeping your budget on track with the holidays coming up?




{image via Country Living}

Ghoulish Gathering

We are having family over for Halloween tonight. With the kids being so little, we're not doing trick or treating yet. Of course, they will dress up in their costumes, though! (The adults are coming in costume, too!)

I found this recipe for Mummy Dogs and thought they'd be perfect for our party (especially since I've got lots of hot dogs in my freezer!). We'll add some baked beans on the side. To drink, I'm going to pick up some purple and/or green sodas (Safeway brand 2 liters of grape soda are $0.81 each!). For dessert, we're having pizookie: chocolate chip cookies baked in a round, pizza shape. You slightly underbake the cookies, top with vanilla ice cream, and serve immediately. Oh my goodness...so good.

For decorations, I needed to keep things on the low cost side. Read: basically use things from around the house (or that I could borrow!). I'll post some pictures of what I was able to rustle up on Monday.

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Sweets for Your Sweet

Crate & Barrel is one of my favorite places to browse. I say browse because I would be in big trouble if I actually bought everything I love there! Something I can buy? Their Valentine Hot Cocoa . It comes in a fun little tin and the cocoa changes color to pink! What little kid (or grown-up kid) wouldn't love that with their Valentine's Day breakfast?! A 2.25oz. tin is on sale for just $1.95.

I also love this Valentine's tea from Crate & Barrel. A chocolate flavored black tea with rosebuds in silk sachets is a luxurious gift for a tiny price: $1.95 for this 0.4oz. tin that contains 5 sachets. Isn't the tin gorgeous?

I knew See's made delicious chocolate Easter eggs, but I did not know they made these Valentine hearts! I picked some up yesterday (in Milk Chocolate Bordeaux, my FAVORITE!). They also come in Dark Chocolate Raspberry and Milk Chocolate Butter with Walnuts. Each heart weighs 3 oz. and is $4. Such a delicious, tiny treat! Since tomorrow is Valentine's Day, be prepared to stand in line a little while. : )

Send a little kiss

Haven't gotten a card for your special someone yet? Valentine's Day is the second largest card-sending day of the year (behind Christmas). This card from Hallmark.com plays Barry White's "You're The First, The Last, My Everything". Go to Hallmark's website and select "Cards With Sound". You can personalize the card online and Hallmark will lick it, stamp it, and send it off for you! Other cards (without sound) are available to send, too.

Hallmark.com is also a great resource for other gifts, and allows you to shop by recipient and price, among other categories.

Here's a cute idea: Snapfish has 2x3 inch mini photo books that you can personalize with up to 24 of your own photos. Why not use it to create a coupon book for your Valentine? One way to do this is to write out your coupon ("Good for one free neck massage") and then scan it into your computer. You can then upload this image to Snapfish as one of the "pictures" in your coupon book. Even cuter? Take a picture of the item you will give (maybe a picture of your loved one's feet for a foot massage coupon or a picture of their car for a car wash coupon) and upload that to Snapfish. The possibilities are endless! These adorable mini books start at $5.99

And if you don't have time to do either of the above? Well, lucky you! Snapfish also has FREE photo e-cards for Valentine's Day. With animation, sound, and your own photo, who wouldn't want to get something like that in their in-box?

Have any more cute last minute Valentine's ideas? Email them to me at SavvyStarBaby@gmail.com.