Bath and Body Works Slatkin Candles

Since here in Michigan, autumn has seemed to officially arrived in it's rainy, gloomy and cold glory (yes,  it's still my favorite season despite this) I thought a post about autumn scents would be fun. 
I am a HUGE Bath and Body Works fan.  I love the deals, the scents, and the displays.  When the 3 wick candles are on sale, I stock up.  Right now, they have bakeshop displays for their candles which have a bakeshop theme.  The candles are 19.95 a piece and sometimes the store will run 2 for $20 deals (my fav!)

From the fall scents, I have always been a fan of Leaves.  I like Autumn, Spiced Cider, and Pumpkin Patch, but Leaves is my favorite mix of all of these. 

Right now I have Frosted Cupcake in my kitchen.  Of their newest scents, Marshmallow Fireside is amazing.  It has the spicy richness of an outdoor fire, but the sweetness of the marshmallow balances with a sweet mellow flavor.  It is my new favorite and I think I will have to put this in the house somewhere this year.

 

BBW also has candle sleeves and pedastals that fit their candles.  If you peel off the candle label and put it it, or on, one of these, they can fit any decor. 

What is your favorite fall scent? 

mSa

 

End of Summer

The end of summer is upon us and after this weekend, we will be back to life as normal.  Enjoy your last weekend of summer, get outside and have a hotdog (or tofudog if you prefer). A lot of county parks end summer operation hours next Tuesday so make the most of them, and if you are lucky enough to have a boat, get on the water! If you don't have a boat, get it in. 
Also, go watch some college football.



mSa

French Memo Board

My husband I bought a house this year and we are slowly starting to make it a home (aka, decorating).  While I'm waiting until next spring to paint, I still have been hanging things on the wall. 

They can be cute and still hold all of your important announcements, invites, reminders without having a multitude of magnets on your fridge.  I bought mine on sale for $5, but you can make them cheaply as well if you want it to match decor and it is difficult to find a complimentary color.  

1. Use a board, an artists' canvas, or thick cardboard.  

2. Cut batting or an old terrycloth towel so it is about a half an inch smaller than your base. 

3. Cover the batting and the board with the fabric of your choosing so the fabric can wrap around the back.

4. Turn the board over and with the fabric taut, use a staple gun to secure the fabric tight. 

5. Now, take your ribbon and lay it diagonally across the board.  Do only one direction at a time.  If it is easier, do one ribbon at a time.  Secure ribbon to the back using the staple gun. Ribbons should weave so not all one direction is on top. 

6. Add buttons at the intersection of the ribbons by sewing or gluing.  

7. Use one more long ribbon to make a hanger, or use a picture frame hanger.

8. Enjoy! 

mSa

The Library

Your library.  Old boring books, deathly quiet, old ladies with glasses and granny sweaters...not really.  In fact, mine has an indie guy with long hair and a heavy set, but preppy dressed guy both in the 18-25 age bracket.  No one wears granny sweaters.

If you are anything like me, you read a lot.  I can go through up to three books a week just from going to the gym or reading before bed.  And that is if they are longer books.   

The modern library is a great place to get your fix on all of your easy reads, chicklit, biographies, and learn about your random interests without having to drop $15- $20 a pop on books you will only read once.  I always buy my few favorite authors, and have a plethora of books on my phone, but for those one read only books, this is a great way to get your fix.  Not only that, but most libraries have a network where you can order a book from another library if yours does not have it.  

In addition to all of this, some libraries have classes like genealogy, computers for beginners, scrap booking and whatever else you can imagine.  


mSa

Preppy Organizing when you are Out and About

I have to say, I am a serial organizer.  I clean my purse out about 3 times a week, when I was in school, I cleaned my bookbags EVERY day, and I am a bit OCD about surface areas.  I have been known to clean surface areas just in order to properly fall asleep at night.  With that being said, one of my FAVORITE was to preppy up my life is containers, bags, totes, makeup cases, etc.  So just to get you thinking, here's the main component of my purse.

  

Inside here, I keep my wallet, datebook, a koozie, a coffee cup koozie, a notebook, a small change purse with my USB keys, a fabric pouch filled with those great punch cards and coupons and the like I get from stores, a nice pen, a Lilly Pulitzer phone pouch, and a small pouch for something small should I need it in a pinch. 

Of course there are other things in my purse, but this is my way of organizing my most important belongings without getting one of those Horrid purse organizers with the pockets. Plus it keeps all my important papers from getting crinkled in the bottom of my bag.

This is just the start of my organizing.  Other suggestions I have is to keep a small folding basket in your car for when you are out.  Stash small bags in it in the trunk so they don't spill (since thieves target bags in cars), use it for tailgates, picnics, trips to the library, and anything else.  Mine is pink with a green grosgrain ribbon tied on it.

Enjoy your organizing!

mSA

Etiquette in the North

Hi all! 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week.  I just wanted to quickly touch on a super important item.  

Etiquette.  I am NOT going to list the in's and out's of Emily Post's massive collection.  However, I am going to remind you that preps use their best judgment and their etiquette at all times.  Please, thank you, holding doors and allowing other drivers to get in front of you are only the beginning. Don't talk like you are a sailor! Brush up on your etiquette and host a party!  Summer is almost over, make sure you make the most of it!

The folks in the South have us Northerners beat in this and I think it is about time we give them a run for their money. Now I realize we will never be as gracious as Southern Belles, but I'm certainly going to try! 

Attempting to be a super gracious girl for the weekend.

mSa

Why I Talk About Money

Money is something preps don't talk about.  Just consult your Preppy Handbook or True Prep.  While I seem to be breaking this code with my blog, I can't help but notice the rampant materialism I notice in everyday life and I am striving to not let it overcome me.
I love seeing money in my bank account, not in the high price designer items I can buy that can wear out or go out of style.  Remember though: quality and longevity are everything. 

With that being said, here are my preppy rules for money:

1. Don't talk about it.  No one wants to listen to you brag.
2. If you have a working one, you don't need a replacement.  This goes for tote bags, appliances, most cars and even some items of clothing.  (Will anyone know the difference between your five pink cardigans? No one but you.)
3. Don't try to justify it. Say, "I want it", and buy it, but don't do it for every item.
4. Don't buy a ton of one item in every color all at once just because it is quality.  Buy them over time and they will wear out overtime.  Or, for that matter, loose your interest over time. 
5. Save save save! Better to buy a bigger boat instead of a new sweater every time the whim strikes. 
6. Don't be stingy.  Just because you don't throw money around does NOT mean you can act like a Scrooge.  Buy for fundraisers, give nice gifts, and buy better booze (if you already don't) when you have people over. 
7. Don't waste your money on consumables from fancy stores. In other words, learn to brew your own coffee.
8. You must own a cute preppy wallet to house your money. :)

Lilly Pulitzer

Just Madras

A cute cheapie

Or, make your own!! Try out your sewing skills and get some Lilly Pulitzer fabric a  cute clasp or zipper and go to it!  A wallet is basic enough to try sewing on your own even without a pattern.

mSa