I’m No Banker

Good evening everyone. Tonight’s finds are all about managing money, something crucial to everyone’s daily lives, especially in these times. For those of you like me whose financial skills need a lot little bit of a makeover fine tuning, today’s finds might just help you out.

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Bill and Loan Organizer Book by mod86designery

Now THIS is what I need! I know that in these times of technology, most people have their budget and finances all done up nice nice in excel like my mother does, but that doesn’t work for me. Having money or to-do lists saved on a file somewhere on my HD is like throwing it under the bed. I need to write write write (Just as Adam. I’m studying Japanese and I must have about 50 of the same sentence written down even though the Rosetta Stone program is visual/audio).

Luckily for me, and those like me, mod86designery has provided us with this super-cute bill and loan organizer. I wish I had known about such things sooner or else the student loan folks wouldn’t be after me for having forgotten to pay them. In any case, this is a very good way to keep track of what, how much, and when you owe and keep it all in one place. (Does anyone else write out budgets on the back of receipts?)

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A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned Eye Exam Chart Print by cjprints

What I like most about this print is that even though everyone knows the phrase, very few people, myself included, follow it.  Cjprints puts it out there in big bold letters for everyone to see, hoping that maybe someone will take it all in.

I think that having this hanging up in the house would do most people some good the next time they reach for their wallet to drive to McD’s for a medium iced mocha with whipped cream. Sure it’s only $1.59, but when you check your bank account to see where the heck all that money went, there it is, smiling in your face.

Leave me alone, Ronald.

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Coupon Organizer/Budget Organizer- Hang'em Up - Attaches to Your Shopping Cart - Black Medallion by grandmaslittlelily

This makes me really REALLY want to get into the swing of using coupons. I have a thing for storage and organization (though that is not to say that all of my stuff is stored and organized) and grandmaslittlelily‘s coupon holder here has me peeking into my paypal account and saying; “I could become an extreme couponer. I could.”

Not only is this super handy, super cute (I really do love black and white prints) but attaching to the carriage really beats those annoying and awkward-to-hold-while-pushing-a-carriage-with-a-one-year-old-who-wants-to-grab-everything plastic accordion folders. Now I sincerely doubt I would be able to use this just yet, as my son would not hesitate in pulling everything out and tossing it up in the air like confetti, but for those of you will less unruly children, what a lifesaver this could be!

It’s hot and I’m a baby about it

With the heat wave coming in for a visit here, I can’t help but focus my finds today around staying cool. I went swimming in two different pools today and when I wasn’t in the pool, I was taking cover in the air conditioning. For all of you in hotter climates than myself, enjoy these finds today!

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Lemonade Stand Party EDITABLE PHOTO INVITATION by Typewink

Now if this isn’t the cutest theme for a party, I don’t know what is. Brought  to us from Typewink, this cute collection of party accessories is reminiscent of a classic childhood pastime keeping a playful vintage feel, but with a very simplistic and modern edge.

I absolutely love the idea of lemonade stands and would have never thought to use it as a party theme!

Possibly the best thing about this party pack is that it is a digital file, so you can print out as many as you need. Nothing frustrates me more (I’m planning my very first 1st birthday party right now) than finding perfect themed items that come in packs of… 8. (EIGHT INVITATIONS? REALLY?)

Thanks Typewink, for adding a little bit of refreshing inspiration to my summer!

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Next, some art. I still can’t exactly place why I like this so.

Water Balloon Honeymoon Original Painting by Stellalola

Like I said, I have no idea why I am drawn to  this painting. Maybe it is the art style that Stellalola presents, maybe it is the material (come on, how many of you have seen painting of water balloons gettin’ their married on?) or perhaps a combination of both.

The colors she chooses give a very vintage and antiqued feel but the scroll work on the bottom says, “Hey, I’m chic, classy, and here to accent your modern home” yet they marry very well (just like your water balloon friends up there).

I am also drawn to the facial structure of these two (and her other pieces). Instead of the chibi-style boldness which has taken over most of the cute industry (and I’m all for that. I’m such an anime junkie), she chooses to use delicate lines, retaining simplicity but not losing them to the bolder lines of the body and appendages.

I am getting married next August and would LOVE to have this on a tote bag for my honeymoon!

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Riding in the Rain with Dad 10x7 Fine Art Photo by JonathanKingston

This photo by JonathanKingston evokes a feeling I’m sure most of us can share.

It’s a hot summer day, brutally scorching and there’s not much you can do aside from sip some iced water and hope the sun settles off behind a building or a tree that it might grant you some much deserved shade. Your movements are sluggish and forced; the temperature is getting the best of you, no matter how determined you are to think, “this is summer. It’ll pass,” no matter how unlikely.

Then something amazing happens. The clouds roll in, dark, mighty, yet not their usual menacing self. They come quickly; you might be lucky if you notice it and then—sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssshhhhhh

The rain comes pouring down on you, not caring that you’re on your motorbike with dad. It’s cold, it’s sticky on your skin at first, but as it soaks through your shirt and soaks into your hair, it’s oh so wonderful. Suddenly the hard-to-breathe heat is forgotten and in that moment, you’re in paradise.

Here’s to that memory.