Shoe Crush

Although I definitely have nowhere to wear a pair of silver glitter peep toe pumps, I sort of want them. (I know it's the holidays, blah blah, but I don't know anyone that throws fancy parties where sparkly heels would ever ever be appropriate.) I think they are frivolous and fun.

I do think they'd be knockout pair of wedding shoes paired with a retro tea length dress and red lips though, but that's sort of my solution for everything. From forever21, but I'm pretty sure they're a total knockoff of these.

They're Done.

Just in time for the deadline, I finished my handmade cards for the card swap. I didn't include an optional cookie recipe, but I did take the time to make my own envelopes, so I think it cancels out.

Haven't received any in the mail yet, so I'm hoping all the other girls in my group are as late as I am! They're sealed, stamped and out on the mailbox right now, and I'm so excited to get some random homeade cards from total strangers.

Get Out of Debt

I made a little list of small things to accomplish this last year, many of them etsy related, and I'm satisfied there. This coming year, the biggest thing I want to take care of is entirely eliminate our amount of debt, and keep money in my savings account. Currently, the biggest obstacle facing us and this goal is not our spending, (though there's always room for improvement there) but the fact that I lost my steady job and went back to school this year, leaving my husband to maintain everything singlehandedly.

I want to be comfortable and settled, so I'm going to lay down the footwork for that now, before anything has a chance to get out of control. Living paycheck to paycheck is really scary, and really old.

The plan I'm eyeballing right now is Dave Ramsey's "Snowball" plan, where instead of paying off the card or whatever with highest intrest rate, you pay off the one with the lowest balance, and use that payment towards your next lowest and so on. The idea is that you need to see progress to stay motivated, and that it'll snowball as you work yourself up.

I also use Mint.com to track all my personal purchases (it was more useful before I made, like $40 a month, lol) , and it gives an overview of everything. You can set budgets on different things, and it'll text or email you when you're approaching the limits you set. It's remarkably handy, so I'd totally go check it out.

Finally, an excerpt from The Millionaire Next Door, which ran a ton of research about the way the wealthy live in this country. (and I think emphasizes a low-consumption lifestyle)

Last Year's Tree

Since we've moved into a much teenier studio apartment, we don't have room to set up our christmas tree this year, so here's a photo from our tree last year.

It's funny to look at, since I've been working as a christmas elf since about July this year, and I've been assembling and decorating trees for months now. I would do this tree entirely different, after all that practice.

Etsy Stocking Stuffers

Ok, this is the last of the etsy lists, I promise. Here's some wee cheap things to tuck into stockings or top off a gift.

Photos click through to their shops.

Family Only Poll

I drew Erin for the family drawing and I first wanted to get her some crazy laser cut acrylic rings, but debated having to ask Greg to make sure we got the right size and if they would compete with the current knuckle landscape. So.....

Then in a similar vein, I stumbled across these laser cut other jewelries instead. What do you think? yea? nay? Weigh in, cuz I'm a little stumped. I'm thinking I'll have to order them in the next couple days, so let me know via facebook, text and ect, or if you have any other bright ideas....

Etsy Men Picks, $20

Here's a handful of cool things you can purchase for menfolk around $20 on etsy.

photos click through to their shops