What'cha Doin?....by Justine

Never a dull moment and this morning is no exception.  Here I am vacuuming the inside of my washing machine.

What?  You don't do that?!  Well you know me!  The clean freak.  Oh just kidding.  This is due to the unfortunate mishap of a disposable diaper making it's way into the washing machine.  And you thought the last time you left a tissue in a pocket was bad.  Imagine 5 million times worse.  You're going to have to trust me because late last night when I discovered it I didn't have the presence of mind to take a picture of the actual mess.  In case you don't know, diapers are filled with millions of little gelatinous balls that absorb moisture and when a diaper explodes in the washer guess where all the little balls go?  Yes. EVERYWHERE.  Don't even ask if it was a poopy diaper or not. 

Long story short, poor Hubby strung up some line in the garage and shook out the laundry while I tackled the clean up of the actual washer.  Poor guy.  This was after a week of sewer pump malfunctions in our Granny Unit from the improper disposal of something down down the toilet - which he had to fish out...twice. 

Eventually I gave up on my task and decided that cleaning the washer in the morning after the little balls dried would be easier.  Now there is a gritty film of diaper innards stuck to the drum.  Hmmm...maybe not such a great idea after all.

In case you are wondering, I googled how to clean up after diaper/washer disaster and got such varied answers that we were forced to go with our gut.  Throwing the whole kit and kaboodle in the dryer and then cleaning lint filter seemed risky as did just rewashing the load with salt(??)!

Well, off to run a rinse cycle and hope that does the trick.  Let's hope this NEVER happens again!

Taming the crafty beast....by Justine

I loved Jes' post about needing to have an artistic outlet every once in a while.  I wish mine was as easy to clean up as her writing is!  I love crafty things with beautiful fabric or paper but projects involving them tend to be a bit messy.  I tried to be content with a "digital" craft but alas the lure of the fabric store and unending Pinterest ideas won out.

Witness the great fabric splurge of 2012: 

Ahhh.  A thing of beauty, no?

Reality set in though as I attempted to spend one Friday evening sewing and instead spent it putting children to bed and back to bed and back to bed again.  Then, as I can't stay up all night like I could in the "olden days" the project sat unfinished on the dining room table until I couldn't stand it anymore. 

It's not all I had hoped for or planned but it was fun and we all have new library or meeting bags.  And I have a nice little stash for when inspiration and opportunity meet again.

For Malia of course

I LOVE my new library bag.  Actually it was meant to be a gift but I couldn't bear to part with it.  Sorry, anonymous person...maybe I can make you another one??

Hoarders called. They want their show back....by Justine

Last night I dragged Malia (aka. warm body to push extra cart) on a massive grocery shop last night to take advantage of Safeway's "Spend $75 and get $10 off" 3 day sale and the "30% + an additional 10% off when you buy 6" wine sale.

I thought I was totally prepared. We're talking the whole enchilada - excel spreadsheet, clipboard, coupon binder and 2 grocery carts (can we say "Dork", yes we can!). We separated the grocery list into 3 transactions and worked our way systematically through the store. The checkout counter was a completely different story. Picture the dramatic moment on "Extreme Couponing" when the line is building behind the crazy couponer and "something" goes wrong at the register. Yep, that's how it was. Don't worry. It all worked out and there was the equally dramatic "deep sigh of relief" moment.

Here's what I learned:

• Work into your plan that you may need to adjust at the store for out of stock items. That kind of threw me for a loop.

• Take into account which items qualify (and more importantly - which ones don't! Duh. Wine does NOT qualify) and adjust your calculations accordingly.

• Figure out which checkers are super friendly and helpful and go to their line. My checker did absolutely everything she possibly could to help me out!

• Yes. You can spend $75 in the first transaction then turn around and do it again. You can also earn the $10 reward and use it on your very next transaction(s).

I didn't quite reach my goal of 50% off so I can't officially mark it off my list but I was pretty proud of the $174 we saved!!!

Now. If I tell you that I need to go grocery shopping anytime soon, you have my permission to slap me silly.

Mystery Ingredients TV Show

This is so cheesy. We were under a serious time crunch to get it done!! You can vote once everyday for Malia's video. Please vote!!!!!!

Mystery Ingredients TV Show: Check out this video submission for the Ben's Beginners Cooking Contest. Vote from 9:00am PST 2/27 - 11:59pm PST 3/11 to help them win $20,000 and more. Let's get kids cooking!

Giveaway Winner

Little Ollie enjoying his box

I am so late in posting this!

The Citrus Lane Giveaway Winner was Laura Emerson. Laura has a baby boy and is already enjoying her box! Congratulations Laura!

Thank you everyone else who entered. I'm sorry you didn't win :-(

I am really hoping we will be able to have more giveaways so stay tuned.

My Morning Routine....by Justine

Following up on Jessica's morning routine post...my morning routine usually involves yelling at the kids until we get in the car to go to school. I tried not yelling once and miraculously the kids were ready and by the door when we needed to leave. I thought I had really come up with something special. The next day I had to yell again. Oh well it was nice while it lasted.

In case you missed it (we've made all of our houseguests watch it. Sorry) here is the Bollywood rendition of our morning routine. We call it.....

THE RUSH



Tomorrow is the weekend and we get a little break from the drudgery! Have a good one everyone!

Subscription box Part 2....by Justine

Still on my subscription box kick...

Here's a box I would LOVE to try but know it's way out of my budget. Cake Style - Work with a personal stylist and they’ll put together a box of clothes and accessories they think you’ll enjoy along with a video showing you how to put outfits together with what they sent. Pay for what you keep and return the rest free of charge. Who wouldn't love that! I get the feeling they're talking high-end designer clothing. How about we get our resident style expert Juli to set up the same service but with thrifted and Target-budget type clothing and accessories?!!! I'd sign up for that one!! Anyone else?!

All you Etsy lovers check out Umbabox. A handmade surprise every month. Items sent may include jewelry, accessories, bath products, home goods or stationary. They describe chosen items as fresh and modern with an occasional vintage feel, not overly cutesy or old-fashioned.

I think this was one item featured in a recent box:

Sailer's knot necklace

Thanks everyone for participating in our Citrus Lane Giveaway. Will post winner soon!

{CLOSED}Citrus Lane Giveaway....by Justine

Don't forget to enter our Giveaway for the Citrus Lane Fresh Start box!

To enter do the following:

• Become a J Project Follower - or remind us that you are in a comment below.
  

• Follow us on Facebook {Leave a comment to let us know}
  

• Subscribe via e-mail {leave a comment}

A separate comment must be made for each of the above to qualify for more than one entry. Please leave your e-mail address in your comment so that we can notify you if you've won.

{Citrus Lane Official Rules}

Sorry, open to US residents only; Ends 2/15/12 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be notified via e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Chocoholic. Yeah, that's me....by Justine

#7 "Lose 10 pounds" - 4 pounds down 6 more to go!

#1 "Make the perfect mocha" is kind of getting in the way of item #7! Why do my items have to be so contrary to one another!

I must preface this next bit with a quote from a precious little boy whom I love dearly but shall remain anonymous, who told me when I was 9 months pregnant, "You gotta layoff those cupcakes!"





Although I will still eat a Cost-Co chocolate muffin every once in a great while, I was mortified to find out that it is a whopping 690 calories. Considering I'm "allowed" 1200 calories I will definitely think twice before gobbling one down like I usually would!

These VitaTop muffins have become my 100 calorie alternatives.

Try tracking your daily exercise and calories on an app or website like "Lose It". You can even "friend" someone else who's using the app so that they can track your progress. Talk about accountability!

Here's a {link} to a yummy, inexpensive, easy and low-cal recipe I tried last night. Everyone liked it! Which, in my house, is a minor miracle.

Chicken with Rosemary Sauce (Cooking Light)

Anyone else have any get-fit tips or recipes to share?

One down....by Justine

Okay so I'm off to a snail-paced start on my list. I haven't even eaten ONE Moustache cupcake! What's up with that?!

The only thing I can actually officially cross off is #23 "Find lamps for my Goodwill crazy lampshades". Two matching brass lamps $9.99 each at the Goodwill. Here's a pic:


What do you think cute or ugly? Should I spray the lamp or leave as is??

My 30 before..Ahem...30........by Justine

Okay, here is my 2012 Bucket List in random order:

1. Make the perfect mocha
   
2. Make coffee table photo books
3. Make or finish kids baby scrapbooks
4. Round out household emergency kit
5. Paint trim in my house
6. Redo headboard upholstery
7. Lose 10 pounds
8. Run 5k
9. Run 10k
   
10. Host a clothing swap
11. Touch up kitchen cabinet paint (hey it's only been 8 years!)
    
12. Try every cupcake flavor at Moustache Bakery in Healdsburg (I know it's tough, but someone has to do it)
    
13. Have everyone in my hall over for a meal or coffee
14. Consign baby clothes and equipment
    
15. Aux. pioneer(March)
    
16. Buy hubby an anniversary gift
17. Paint bathroom
18. Duplicate a pinterest wall display in bathroom
19. Get rid of half my shoes (hubby likes this one!)
    
20. Recover ottoman
21. Spray paint something!
22. Decoupage something!
23. Find lamps for my goodwill shades
24. Go rockwall climbing
25. Write down the children's story in my head
26. Ask dad to illustrate my children's story
27. Go to Opera in the Park
28. See Coldplay live
29. NOT have another baby
30. Use grocery coupons and save more than 50% for one "Big Shop

I should have as one of the items "Blog more often" but that's kind of a given especially with my past record!

Can't wait to see everyone else's Lists!


Justine

It's okay that I'm not an Artist....by Justine

I have often lamented the fact that I am the ONLY child in my family that cannot draw or paint. But every Artist needs someone to appreciate their art, right? So I'm coming to terms with that as my role.

I have, like a lot of you spent WAY too much time on Pinterest. And like many of you, have discovered cool websites featuring amazing artists and their work. Here's a couple that has led me to waste many hours "appreciating"....

Spoonflower -Design your own fabric! and for the non-artistic like me, shop artist's custom fabric collections.

Society6 - Shop thousands of Artist's designs available in posters, framed prints, clothing, iphone cases, etc.

I discovered this Artist, Valentina Ramos at Urban Outfitters and then found out that she sells her work through Spoonflower, Society6 and of course Etsy:

Mr. Pavo Real

The Elephant by Valentina

Reaching New Heights.....by Justine

It's really too easy to buy things on Groupon! Today's Groupon fit right into 2012's J Project so I just had to spring for it.

Vertex Climbing Center 2-Hour Class

This is something I've always wanted to do and I WILL do it next year!

Wish I had my stroller or more arms....by Justine

Since no one else could go, I felt it was my duty as a "Thrifty Sister" to represent us at the opening of the new Goodwill. Good excuse anyway!

Here was the line when I arrived just a few minutes before opening.

As a bibliophile (book lover - new word for me!) the most exciting part was the book/music/video section. Doesn't it look like a regular retail store?

Unfortunately I didn't think ahead about how I was going to carry all that I wanted to buy and all the carts got snatched up. About 15 minutes into my 20 minute wait in the check out line (when my arm was pretty much going to fall off) I realized that even though I didn't have a baby with me I should have brought my stroller! Note to self for next Goodwill opening!

Do you peek?

I don't know about you but I can't help but take a peek in other people's grocery carts especially when I'm at Costco! Here's a small peek at what ended up coming home with me the other day....

• Bacon, of course. I cut each package in half and freeze in quart bags.

• Petite sourdough loaves. One loaf is perfect for two people - so I wrap 'em up, pop in the freezer and just heat up in the oven when I need one or two.
  

• Pesto - I use a baby food freezer tray and freeze 1/4 cup portions - perfect for an individual portion or adding to a recipe.

Okay, that wasn't all that came home with me but the rest had already been put away when I took the picture! The rest was pretty standard; butter, TP. You get the idea.

Now, have you every wondered whether you are getting a good price at Costco? I discovered that they carry "FiberOne Oats and Chocolate Chewy Bars" which are almost exactly the same as Malia's favorite from Safeway the "Eating Right Oats and Chocolate" Granola bar....but at HALF the price! And for anyone who cares, they are delicious and something like 2 pts on Weight Watchers!


Okay, fill me in...what's on your Costco "necessities" list?





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Bugged Out

Don't be shocked people. For the first time in my life I do not have the travel bug. Three kids apparently is the breaking point. Suddenly "stay-cations" sound much more appealing.

For a good cause though, (friend's wedding that couldn't be missed) I traveled from home here in No. California to Portland, Oregon. While not impossible, driving with an 11 week old 12 hours did not sound like an adventure I was willing to take on. So we flew. Aahh, the beauty of flying out of town from an airport literally 3 miles from your house. Fortunately, I had a wonderful travel companion that pretty much did the "day shift" taking care of the baby.

There were some low points:

• Passenger's medical emergency on the flight home (older woman passed out - really scary) and nearly needing to do an emergency landing - started descending then pilot changed his mind(?) and ascended again. Weird.
• Friends coming down with the stomach flu AT the wedding.
  
• Major rainstorm driving from Hood River to Portland (I HATE driving in the rain!) and missing the scenic route we planned on taking.
  
• Antique Row AND most food trucks CLOSED on Mondays - the only whole day we had in Portland.

There were of course high points and here are some of them:

Meeting Auntie and Uncle for coffee. Like Ollie's "Hurley" vest? Who knew they came in such a little size?!

Can't beat a really good mocha!

Stumbling across an awesome handmade and specialty shop (art, jewelry, paper goods, handbags, scarfs etc). It was like Etsy come to life! It's called Tilde and you can shop online! We literally wanted EVERYTHING in the store. Yes, including the NFS mid-century piece you can see in the photo.

We just had to enter this crazy doughnut shop. Voodoo Doughnuts.

Ate this lovely. Yes. That's peanut butter, chocolate frosting and oreos on a glazed doughnut. No. Did not regret it.

Trip to Urban Outfitters. Love my new rug!

And last but not least this "Thrifty Sister" of course visited the local Goodwill. I wish I could post a picture of the lampshades I bought but they wouldn't fit on the airplane so they went home with Bro and Sis-in-law in their car. Hopefully to be brought here in the not so distant future! Meanwhile I'm on the hunt for some lamps to go with them. J's keep your eyes out for me!

Has anyone else visited Portland? What else did I miss?

Couponing Girls

This morning my mom and I went to cvs and used some of our coupons. Yes, that's my new hobby, couponing. Here is what we got :

4 m&ms
two big DARK dove chocolate
4 little DARK dove chocolate
1 pack of floss
2 little bottles
1 mouthwash
4 pringles
make up
1 box of Kleenex
2 turbie twist
and 1 hair spray

And so ya,weird hobby for a 10 year old but hey its fun to do with mom:)
And we saved $30.00 which is so Awesome !!!

Shopping News...by Justine

Who else is as excited about this as I am??? A new girl's collection to Anthropologie. Although, I gotta say, the hanging mannequins in this photo kind of freaks me out.

Anthropologie Collection for Girls

And what about DSW Shoes opening an 18,000 swuare foot store in the former Benjamin Franklin Crafts Store location in the Novato Vintage Oaks Shopping Center? TOO tempting...

The Perfect Monday Night Dinner........by Justine

To offset our weekend caloric blunders we've designated Monday as "Stir Fry Night". It makes us feel better about the weekend and starts our week off right.

I've been asked so many times over the years for a recipe or instructions for a quick stir fry but it's one of those meals that I make while on auto pilot so it's hard to explain.

So this week I took photos of each step and here's little photo tutorial:













































Yep thats all the explanation you get. Hey! I'm working on new mommy sleep deprivation. Sorry, I don't measure my ingredients either...Experiment and come up with your family's favorite stir fry!

Here's a great tip: Save half the uncooked cut up veggies and half of the cooked chicken for a super quick dinner later in the week.

Enjoy!







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Bad Timing....by Justine

If you follow this blog then you no doubt LOVE second hand sales like us Thrifty Sisters. This weekend was a really bad time to have a brand new baby because one of my favorite sales is happening and I'm gonna miss it!!!! Just Between Friends is the Northbay's largest kid's and maternity clothing and gear consignment event. Check out the details {Here}. Don't feel too bad for me though. I scored big time at the spring event and thanks to all my wonderful friends and family honestly don't need or want for anything!

Still, there's not much that would stop me from shopping this sale but a 5 day old baby? Yeah, even I have my shopping limits!

Baby Oliver arrived Monday night. As a friend put it "we took Labor Day quite literally"!



So needless to say, I can't go to the sale but you can! Check it out at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds 9/9-9/11 and while you are there be sure to take a look at the gorgeous hair accessories at the Pink Ginger Design vendor booth!

Let me know what you find! I gotta shop vicariously through someone!!



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