Lilly Lifeguard Press for Spring

With this whirlwind of a week, I only just got a chance to look at the most recent Under the Palm Tree blog and it was worth the wait! (if you want to get on the list, email Hadley: hadley.kombrink@gmail.com with your name, state of residence and birthday!)
I can't say too much about the blog but we got a sneak peek of some of the new Lifeguard Press goodies and wow! They are so great! I already put in my pre-order for basically one of everything!
And I found a picture online of the look book someone else leaked (shame on you!!!) But thought I would share the darling sun glass strap! I ordered the one in Later Gator and on the back it says "Wear pink and make the boys wink!" Isn't that so fun!


Hope you all have a fab weekend and I'm sure you are looking forward to Lilly on Rue La La this Sunday as much as I am!
xxAmy

Snow!

As much as I hoped and prayed for a snow day yesterday, I didn't get it. Here in PA we only got about 6 inches and it stopped early enough all we had was a delay.
Here's to hoping for a bigger snow storm next time!



xxAmy

New Year, New Disappointment

As I mentioned last week, Lilly is running a 'New Year, New You' promotion and I stopped by the King of Prussia mall to check out the free gift. I will admit, it was quite a disappointment. The gift is a magnet...a 5 x 7 oval magnet with the Lilly signature surrounded by a green band. (Picture to come; I have temporarily misplaced my camera cord!)
To say I was underwhelmed is an understatement! After a promotion titled 'New Year, New You' and needing to spend $150, I was expecting something like a key chain for keeping your gym membership on or a refrigerator note pad for your shopping list so you can stay organized. Anything but a magnet (and not even a cute one at that!)
So, I guess I will just keep saving my pennies for Under the Palm Tree's upcoming 9th birthday promotion in which they are promising fabulous GWPs and as usual, great deals! They have some resort items at 40 and 50% off on their website under new arrivals. If you have had your eye on something, please check them out! Also, if you want to be in the know for UTPT's fab promotions, email Hadley to be added to the email blog; the only place to get deals and specials. We're not even allowed to blog or tell others about them who aren't subscribers to the eblog!
Well, I'm off to work on some homework; its only the second week of classes and I'm already swamped!

xxAmy

My New Year's Resolutions were going so well, until...

Lilly and Burberry sent me emails about new arrivals and new sale additions (respectively)!

Is it wrong to buy a new quilted coat in pink fuchsia because I don't wear my black one anymore? It is on sale...
Or how about a new dress...it is Three Kings day after all.
And with their New Year, New You promotion, I always love a gift with purchase.
Well, I am going to stick with my wait 24 hours and if I still love it and our finances can handle a little splurge, I will get them this weekend. Maybe I will pick one or the other to be a smidge on track with my spending. Which do y'all like?
Or maybe I should be a good girl and unsubscribe from all these emails so as not to have temptations around! (but its never any fun being good!)

xxAmy

PS, How gorgeous is this little cottage! The pictures are stunning; via NY Times article. I want a house like that; but would definitely need the amenities of heat and running water and such (I'm not much of a country gal!)

Doggy first aid

As you may know, I am the proud owner of two darling pups

Lilian Rose

Chloe Marie

and never even thought about making a pet first aid kit. I recently read this article on CNN about what to put in your first aid kit.

- Typical First Aid Kit items - Bandages, cotton balls, rubbing alcohol, gauze, cotton swabs, and adhesive tape

- Latex-free gloves - To help prevent infection

- Tweezers - For removing ticks

- Muzzle and leash - For emergency transport purposes

- Digital thermometer - Pick up a "fever" thermometer, which tracks higher temperatures, and try to get a rectal reading

- Activated charcoal - Helps prevent poison absorption, and can be used to induce vomiting (but consult a professional before use)

- Benadryl - For bug bites and bee stings

- Clean cloths - To absorb bleeding or to cover wounds

- Emergency phone list - Should include veterinarian #, as well as ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline (1-888-426-4435)

- Soft Cone (E-collar) - Prevents pets from licking or irritating wounds

If you have a pet, consider getting together a first aid kit for your pets (and one for people too if you don't already!)

xxAmy

Its Resolution Time!

Everyone is making resolutions right now; new year, new you...etc, etc.
Mine is always lose a few pounds and thus far, I've been doing good but my real goal this year is to get better with my/our money. We have little saved since we are paying down medical, credit card and college loan debts. So, I have made a resolution to tighten my spending belt and not only pay off these debts this year, but also start contributing to our retirement funds as well as getting a 6 to 8 month emergency fund going and maybe even a little vacation fund so we can go somewhere next Christmas!

I have been reading a lot online about how-to and these are some of the best tips I've found;
Sign up for fee-free checking and savings accounts (as well as credit cards without an annual fee)
If you got/are getting a yearly raise, put it straight into a Roth IRA and if you put in just $8,000 a year at 5% for the next 35 years, it will grow to $500,000!
Pay down credit card debt first; highest interest to lowest, regardless of the amount owed. I know that makes sense, but that is always a hard one for me; I see a higher owed amount and want to pay that off first!
Impulse control (my biggest issue!); if you want to make a purchase over $50, ask the shop to hold it for 24 hours. Check out your finances and if you still want it and can afford it, then go ahead. I always get caught up in the thrill of the sale or bargain or my wants and forget I can’t buy everything! I think this is how Lilly ends up with most of our money; deals at via stores or putting the sale on sale.
Eat out less (yes, also a no-brainer but for those like myself who detest cooking, this one is hard!) I already am trying to go back to packing rather than eat at the school cafeteria (delicious but overpriced!) and trying to limit us to two dinners out a week (it sounds like a lot to many, but we used to eat out 5 or 6 times a week. Yes, that’s how much I hate cooking and my hubs doesn’t know how!)
Allow money for indulgences or else you will go crazy and over-spend more than before! This is one I know to be true; which is why I have budgeted for two meals a week out and less funds for grocery shopping since its cheaper than eating out. The money we save from not eating out, will be put into savings since we already allocate funds for debt repayment.

What did I miss that is your sure-fire way to save money and do it well!
I hope you all are sticking with your New Year’s resolutions!

xxAmy

Happy New Year!

I hope all of you had a safe and fun New Year's Eve and I wish all of you a healthy and happy New Year to come!
xxAmy