Guest Blogger!

I don’t know if there is a ‘proper’ way in the blogging world to host a Guest blogger, but this is how I’m doing it!

I would like to introduce you to Arianna and her fun filled article about summer fun when you have a budget that is a little less than that of a Celebrity 🙂

A Celebrity Summer For Your Family!

     As summer has arrived, so have some of the busiest days of the year!

My friends and I sometimes daydream about what it would be like to have a summer switched with one of our favorite celebrity’s. Instead of arranging schedules and driving kids everywhere, we would fly in private jets to remote beaches, drink mimosas and discuss the latest gossip in designer bikinis and sundresses. That may not happen, but discussing the celebrity life sparked our imaginations. What about creating a summer for our families modeled after celebrities and their lives? Quick brainstorming brought about some fantastic ideas. So here are 3 ways that you and your families can create some fun and glitzy summer memories!

CELEBRITY SUMMER: ALBUM RELEASE PARTIES- As artists like Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé and U2 are partying it up with their new album releases, fans are roaring in anticipation. Concerts are taking over cities across the countries and these popular musicians will be flying from country to country via a pricey private jet, to meet their adoring audience! With brand new music and exciting performances, this summer is sure to be a hot one- on the radio and off!

REALITY SUMMER: DANCE OFF! – It may not be a standing-room-only concert with screaming fans, but your family and friends can have your own fun with an amateur dance-off! Encourage everyone to prepare a song and dance to perform! You can even set everyone up into teams (be fair by evenly dividing up ages and talent) and give them time to prepare and perform a team number. Let everyone vote for the winner, and have some good music related prizes like iTunes gift cards or fun colored headphones!

CELEBRITY SUMMER: ELLE STYLE AWARDS– Most award ceremonies celebrate singing or acting talent, but this awards show is always a fantastic venue for some of the most fashionable and trendy designers, as well as their products. Setting the standard for what is hot and what is not, celebrities and models bling out with different styles and hopefully avoiding the “what not to wear” lists!

REALITY SUMMER: CLOTHING/ACCESSORY SWAP PARTY– What says girl time better than being surrounded by racks of clothes? Have every gal go through their closets and bring out those rarely or never worn items and accessories for a swap party! As you gather together to swap accessories, dresses, pants, shirts and purses, have some refreshments and girl talk for the perfect, money-free shopping spree!

CELEBRITY BABY BIRTHDAY PARTY: MASON’S 2ND BIRTHDAY– When Kourtney Kardashian’s little one Mason turned 2 years old, his birthday party sure was a smashing hit. Surrounded by a Thomas the Train Engine theme, the party crew took a trip to Serendipity for lunch and paid a visit to the Gold Coast Railroad Museum! Little Mason must enjoy having such a doting mother!

REALITY BABY BIRTHDAY PARTY: DIY “ARTY” PARTY– Give the little ones a great way to commemorate their early years by having a paint party! Make a “Create Station” for them complete with a protective tarp, and put out things like finger paint and play dough for the children to have fun with! Getting messy has never been more fun! Don’t forget to colorfully complete it with a confetti cake and sherbet!

Though it may not be through record deals, paparazzi coverage or the finest restaurants, there are so many ways for us mothers to create some wonderful summer memories that are original, creative, and can last a lifetime!

Arianna is a full-time mom and a fashion-lover, world traveler, animal lover, and family woman extraordinaire. She loves to cook and bake, travel to new places, share great fashion finds, and spend time doing crafts and projects at home with her kids. She’s got a crazy busy life, but she wouldn’t have it any other way! Follow her blog at http://ariannaknowsbest.blogspot.com/!

1 Week Weigh In

Last Friday morning I stood on the scale. If I was going to do Paleo, I wanted to be able to track some results! This morning I got back on that same scale. THE NUMBER WENT DOWN!! BY 5!! I stepped off.. and got back on. IT WAS STILL THE LOWER NUMBER! Hot Dang! This Paleo thing is amazing!

I know you are supposed to eat right, drink lots of water and excersize to lose weight. Well I have been a lazy bum the last week. Not a single sit up, push up, lunge, squat, or step on the treadmill. I have always been active. I love playing sports, working out, getting my sweat on. But when its cold and foggy and icy outside (gotta love the Seattle winters!), I want to be lazy!

I want to lay in bed and watch Sons of Anarchy on Netflix! I want to wear my pajamas all weekend!

Paleo was something that I wanted to do to challenge myself. I am giving up some of my favorite items! Cheese, bread, pasta, all processed food and sugar! Now that I have seen the powers of the Paleo diet, I feel like I need to jump on board ALL the way, and not just dangle lazily off the side munching on my carrot sticks. Im not going to set a goal for the number of reps or miles or sit ups I do, but I am going to do some. (Maybe not everyday- as I still enjoy being lazy in the winter)

This ‘Little Challenge’ I chose to do, is turning into a full blown THING!

On a different note, my budgeting project is going well 🙂

5 years young

My little man turns 5 in a month!!!! With my Budget frenzy going on at the moment, I am trying to figure out what to do for his birthday that  A) is fun for 5 year olds  and  B) is nice to my wallet.

February in the PNW is iffy, so outdoor activities can be limiting..

Ideas?? DIY?

Happy New Year!

Adios 2012. Hellloooooooo 2013!

I have NEVER been good at keeping my New Years resolutions. I always make resolutions like ‘eat less chocolate’ or ‘keep my room clean’ or the famous ‘work out more’. I am the worst at thinking of a resolution that I know I can keep, yet will also challenge me.

The past 6 months have been a financial whirlwind. I had just gotten my savings account nice and padded when my car died and I had to buy a new one. *car payment* oohhhh I cringe when I hear that!
I met an amazing man, Josh. And of course more money is spent when you are a ‘couple’ than when you are single.
And I finally wised up and got an attorney to get my parenting plan underway!
And then Christmas!! Talk about draining your bank account!

So now I am in recovery mode. 😁

Trying to pay off the credit card(s)… Just 2!! And get some money back into my savings account.

So, I have decided that my New Years resolution is to BUDGET!! (I cringe when I hear that word too!!!)

I am not one to keep track of my spendings and balance my accounts after every transaction, But I’m ready and willing to do just that!

I’ve got my spreadsheet started, numbers punched in, and I’m ready to roll!
I just discovered Google Docs- I can save my spreadsheet to my google account and view it from anywhere I’m able to access google! Magnificent! I don’t have to carry around a bulky notebook!

Wish me luck! Bring it on 2013!