New Polish, Courtesy of JB

I saw some fun lime green nail polish in my newest Real Simple - something that I would not normally wear. I picked up a comparable color at Target yesterday, and today, my fingers (and toes) are sporting a new look.

Sidenote: I have not painted my fingernails in probably two years. Close up, it looks AWFUL.

Look who I have to thank for the color.

As I'm sure you did not guessed, I get to thank Mr. Justin Beiber.

This color is from his "The Less Lonely Girl" collection, "Designed with the fans, for the fans."

That's eye roll inducing, but the color - One Time Lime - is pretty fun. Happy Friday.

(Color is by Nicole by O.P.I.)

Craigslist Miscellany

I have a secret. Until yesterday, I had never successfully sold anything on Craigslist. (Bought something? Ha! All the time, much to the hub's dismay.) But yesterday, I posted six things, and I sold three of them the same day. It's quite the rush.

 Good-bye, end table. You served us well.

Thanks for the memories, sweet painted nightstand 

(previously lime green thanks to a college apartment color fling).

We also sold full mattress set that we'd inherited with a bedroom set but didn't need. The family who bought it was replacing their 8-year-old daughter hand-me-down king mattress. Apparently, she was against the replacement, but they thought a full was much more suitable for a little girl. That story made me laugh, since I slept in a twin bed until my second year of college.

Now, I'm trying to figure out e-bay. Any advice? I have a couple of nicer bags to sell that I doubt will sell on Craiglist.

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With my blow money, I did indeed buy the shorts I mentioned last Monday. While I was there, I also picked up this shirt (horrible modeling by yours truely).

AE boyfriend shirt, where have you been all my life? (Also, I picked mine up on clearance for 50 percent off.)

I really should learn to iron.

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I am typing this blog entry on the rogue during work hours, so I've got to get back to what I'm supposed to be doing. We're meeting with a second real estate agent tonight. I don't expect the financial outlook to be much brighter, but I'm choosing to trust God's plan. Right now, we still believe that selling is the better option for us, even if we do have to dip into savings. I'd love some stories of positive sales experiences, post real estate crash, if you have them. 

For all you Dave Ramsey folks, the real estate agent and her husband are on baby step 7 - build wealth and give. How cool is that?

Linking up with Carissa:

Summer meets sail.

I fully intended to post again before Miscellany Monday rolled around again. Life moves too fast. I will be back tomorrow, because I've been tackling some "home improvement meets interior design" projects, and I have to share.

I discovered Polyvore last tonight. If I went on a shopping spree today, here are my purchases. If you find it online, it's free, right?!

Floral dress, $178
J Crew fitted shirt, $30
J Crew scoop neck t shirt, $30
American Eagle Outfitters denim short shorts, $25
TOMS wedge shoes, $69
Braided belt, $30

I may actually pick up those shorts using my blow money (A Dave Ramsey term for budgeted spending money to use as you please.). I've been looking for shorts that are shorter than bermudas but longer than most everything else, and those got really great reviews. My only problem with American Eagle is their insistence on low waists. I like a low rise as much as the next gal, but what's the point if you have to cover your bum crack everytime you sit down?

Also, we are getting a J.Crew Factory Store at the outlet near my house. Umm - yes, please.

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As a souvenir from our recent vacation, my sweet hubs gave me this bag - made of sail material. He's the sailor, but I may enjoy the other uses for sails more.

(Mine looks like the one in the back middle, with the number 2.)

(Image via)

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If you get your hands on fresh blueberries, please take them home, don't wash them (or wash them lightly, depending on who you ask), put them in a single layer on a cookie sheet, and throw them in the freezer. I'm not a huge blueberry fan, but frozen blueberries are delicious. You can take them out by the handful.

(Not mine, but mine look just the same - image via)

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Speaking of food, I am on my church's distribution list for our food ministry, and each month, we receive a devotion from the program's organizer. As part of this month's devotion, she included the following verse.

You (God) satisfy me more than the richest of foods. 

Psalm 63:5 (NLT)

I'm quick to look to food for satisfaction, so I've written this verse down in our kitchen as a reminder of where my true satisfaction comes from.

Deals, Favorites, and Public Speaking

My interest in couponing (a la Extreme Couponing) ebbs and flows. However, I never get tired of the coupons and special offers I receive in the mail/e-mail from non-food stores. Sometimes they are a big fakeout, such as FREE SHIPPING if you $150 or more. (Seriously, that is (one of) my pet peeve(s). Who spends, on a normal occasion, $150 at one store?) But, all in all, they save money and occasionally make something unaffordable, affordable. What's not to love?

At some point along the line, I got on Victoria's Secret's mailing list. Now, I get a consistent arsenal of coupons from them. I'm certainly not complaining (I haven't paid for underwear in two years.). Last month, I received a $10 off anything coupon, and I picked up these sleep pants (which I am wearing now). I love the smocked waistband, infinitely more comfortable than a normal elastic waist. It's like wearing a cloud. (Not that I have official proof of this, but I imagine wearing a cloud would be way comfortable.)

(image via)

I also used a couple of coupon codes from Kodak Gallery to order two mini-albums of our wedding photos (18 months later) for our moms. Two albums for $32 with shipping. Two happy moms.

This is the cover. When I shared it with the hubs, he said, "Hey, that picture makes it look like we're pregnant." This declaration was both inaccurate and somewhat of a buzzkill. However, I choose to presume that the mothers aren't going to draw the same conclusion.

When not making slightly less-than-endearing comments about my custom gifts, my husband was named "Sailor of the Quarter" amongst the staff that teach and/or support the training school he works at. As a result, he was given the honor of speaking at an upcoming graduation ceremony. I'm not really sure that a forced public speaking opportunity is ever a true "honor" (because, ugh, public speaking is higher than death on the fears list for a reason), but tonight he's putting the final touches on his speech. I think it's pretty significant that he has the opportunity to speak to this group of sailors, who are at an exciting, yet intimidating, point in their baby Navy careers. I'm confident he's going to nail it (if not on looks alone). Not that I'm partial.

He bought; she bought.

Last Wednesday, when I went shopping with the girls, I picked up these new flats.



I found them at Ross. They were still a bit of a splurge, as I technically don't need any shoes, but they are real leather, and I know I will wear them out.

Last Thursday, the hubs came home from work carrying this:



That's right - a real ship's steering wheel. It's still leaning against our dining room table until we figure out just what to do with it. (Maybe a ship's wheel will become the newest decorating craze.) It's very heavy, so if we hang it on the wall, heavy duty hardware will be required. Now, in full disclosure, the hubs mentioned he'd found it on Craigslist, but when he walked through the door, it still took me off-guard.

I'm just amused at the difference between what happens when he and I do a little shopping. Any ideas on what to do with ship's wheel (painting is a no-go on this one)?

I'll admit that it does bring a sense of adventure to our dining room.