Stephanie over at Bourbon and Glitter has gotten all inspirational with her 101 in 1001. While I don't quite think I'm ready to make my own list of 101 goals, I can take some baby steps and create some goals for my last month of vacation.

I've really got to get focused so I don't feel like my vacation was wasted watching reruns of Law & Order: SVU while simultaneously browsing Pinterest for hours on end. Even though well all know how fufilling those activities can be...
1. Finish my online classwork and remember to never take 12 hours of grad school credit in one summer ever again.

2. Make over this tool box for my classroom.

 I'm thinking of spray painting it white and using washi tape to add some cuteness.

3. Attend at least three gym classes each week.

4. Create my birthday wish list.Only a month and half 'til 28!

5. Update the blog with something new - header, background, signature, something. I recently added some social media icons over there on the right so it easier to follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Bloglovin'.

6. Go to the pool and enjoy summer!

I don't know about you but reading other people's goals makes me more motivated to get my own stuff accomplished, what about you? Motivating or deflating?

What is it about summer that makes me want to spend money with reckless abandon?

Is it because I have oodles of time to online window shop? Or possibly because my crazy school district pays me 5 paychecks at one time, which makes feel like I'm rich?

The world may never know but Mr. Postman is going to be delivering some fun to my doorstep over the next week or so.

My new purchases included a new GHD Flat Iron.

Folica.com

 
My Sedu straightener shorted out a couple of months of go and I've been roughing it with a small travel size straightener since then. The plates are literally a 1/2 inch and pulls out my hair. After looking at pictures of my hair from my cousin's wedding last week in which I felt my hair looked a little "fluffy", I decided, no more!

I got an alert that Folica was offering 25% off through Wednesday, so I pulled the trigger and invested in a new flat iron. I use the word "invested" when I want to justify than I'm not crazy for spending $130 on a tool that makes my already straight hair - straighter. Also, I used Ebates and received an additional 5% cash back.

$185 flat iron - 25% off coupon + 5% cash back = slightly less panicked Sara.

Then I took my online shopping self to the mall. Normally I show great restraint in shopping but on Saturday I was in a buying mood. I proceeded to Victoria's Secret and took advantage of their 7 for $26 panty deal and bought the cutest little Cardinal's outfit which my sister assured me was not in the least bit "skanky".

Victoria's Secret

The picture doesn't show the navy bandeau I bought to go underneath the tank.

When I showed the outfit to the boyfriend, he looked at me and replied, "I don't get it."

Not quite sure what there is "to get" but the jury is still out on if I will actually wear this ensemble to the game on Saturday or not.

While checking out at VS, the sales girl sprayed my bag with one of their body sprays. Normally I detest this practice because I am somewhat sensitive to smells but much to my surprise, I love the scent. So I went home and ordered it online as well as another bra. Oops. At least I got free shipping and 2% cash back from Ebates.

I continued my spending spree yesterday when I decided I needed a new nail polish color. Off to Walgreens to purchase my favorite Sensationail gel nail polish.


 "Cabana Boy" -  a great orange-y red to kick off summer. Thankfully, I had a $1 off coupon and found another $2 off coupon in store.

As I re-read this, I realize it may not be the money burning a hole in my pocket but the fact that I feel like I'm getting "deals" on everything. Congratulations marketing department of every store in America...you're doing a great job!

What about you? Has the shopping bug bit you recently? Or are you forever a window shopper?

Look what arrived on my doorstep this past week.



While I wish I could say this was some great find as part of my goal to start searching out great pieces at local Goodwill's and antique stores, I can't. It was my boyfriend's mother who found it. A woman she works for was getting rid of it and Chris' mom had no room for it so to our house it came! And it was free! Picture me doing the happy dance.

Not quite sure if I will leave it be. I dig the yellow but Chris wasn't quite feeling it. I just keep yelling throughout the house that "We NEED some color!"

For now I have moved it into our spare bedroom that currently has no other furniture, hopefully within the next few weeks I will figure out exactly what I want to do with it. Maybe a nice coat of white paint and some sleek chrome drawer pulls and handles (although I secretly lurve the clear ones) We shall see!

Sorry, I just had to make a Charlie Sheen reference tonight...that man in 7 different shades of crazy and I find it highly amusing. Anyone else following his Twitter? Pure gold.

Tonight was a night of elation in the soon to be merged Burkemper/Chaney household...we made our first purchase for the casa, a brand spankin' new Vizio 55" television! Nothing too crazy, minor bells and whistles, but really, really, BIG. This baby is going to look great in our basement built in cabinets. I mean you buy a house with a over a 60" space built in to the wall, you can't fill it will a puny 37". That would just look silly.

And the best freakin' part...the insane deal we got on it. I have to thank the boy toy for his covert, clearance stalking ways at Tar-Jay. While he was at work tonight he heard about a tv that had just been returned that came from online. A little secret about Tar-Jay is that whenever something is purchased online that they don't carry in store, they dramatically reduce the price when they put it back out on the sales floor. So the normally $1100 tv was marked down to $769! Holy savings Batman! And then...yes, there is an and then....and then because Chris gets his employee discount there was another $76 worth of savings, making this beauty only $693 before taxes, all in all a savings of almost 40%! BOOYAH! It was completely worth the 40 minute drive from the Chuck in my mom's minivan.

 So yes, the first actual purchase for the casa is one we can not sit in, eat off of, or sleep in...but damn, I love a good deal!

Closing is only two weeks away and I am getting antsy in my pantsy. This weekend I am definitely heading out and doing some reconnaissance...paint colors are my target, hopefully I can find some options so I can hit the ground running once we get the keys.