One Small Victory

Remember when I gave up Peppermint Patties for Lent?

A better question is, remember why?

How I Made Some Old Jeans New(ish)

I know I allowed myself a pair or two of new jeans this year, but I never got around to buying any.

Somehow it still seems wrong, at least until I feel like I'm at a size I can live with.

In the meantime, I have to either buy used or work with what I've got, which is proving to be more annoying than I thought as my weight fluctuates.

At the moment, none of the pants I own are fitting properly. I'm smaller than I was a year ago, but larger than I was 6 months ago, and the one pair of "in between" jeans I was wearing suddenly grew a grease spot on my way to work one day.

How embarrassing.

I do, however, have one pair of pants that fit me really well at the moment, except for one thing -
the length.

Almost every pair of pants I own is too long, and I just wear them anyway. For some reason, probably because I spent a little extra dough on them (although never full price, of course!), I had these Joe's hemmed.

Well, the seamstress shortened them a little too much, and since then I've been self-conscious about the length. Plus they are flared, which is not really on trend at the moment. Put the two together, and what have you got?

How To Make The Best Taco Meat Ever (and lose weight doing it)

Sometimes when I'm low on groceries and feeling adventurous (and, let's face it, lazy), I try to cook dinner from only what's left in the kitchen. This helps me to use up food I have been meaning to finish, and to postpone going to the store for at least another day.

One of my favorite things to eat ever was concocted this way.

And now I will graciously share the recipe with you:

Why I Don't Drink Soda on a Regular Basis (and you shouldn't either)

I went to the movies with some friends recently - something I don't do very often.
Mostly because I am frugal (which is different than being cheap; read a supporting article here).

I don't see the point in spending $15+ to risk my view being blocked, a baby crying, or someone sneezing on the back of my neck.

It's happened.

The last movie I saw in the theater was The Muppets - which was also a fluke, because I had free passes, and still do. I guess even when it's free I'm not that keen on going.

I think the last movie I saw before that was Julie and Julia. That's a better indication.

Anyway, a friend was visiting from out of town, and another friend had a Groupon for 2 movie tickets, popcorn, and a drink for $15.

Of course, that was only for the two of them. 

A First Quarter Inventory of New Items Purchased

When I mailed in my 1040-ES a couple of weeks ago, it got me thinking about the first quarter of my year of nothing new, and how it really has changed the way I think about things. I am no longer interested in going to the mall, or scouring the ads to find out what is on sale. Now I have to actually plan a special trip to Target every once in a while instead of counting on a weekly visit.

But these last few months have not been without new material items, as you know.

New items* I have purchased as of the closing of Q1 2012 are:

• 5 pairs of tights
• Seam gauge
• Pin cushion and pins
• Pattern transfer wheel
• Dress pattern
• Earrings
• Strapless bra
• Assets

It all fits in one photo

That's it! Seriously.

Compare that with an abbreviated list of the used items I have acquired since the new year:

• Kenmore sewing machine, with 1 yr. warranty
• Revere Ware copper bottom skillet
• 4 books
• Leather boots
• Vintage cashmere cardigan
• 3 pairs of jeans
• 2 skirts
• Several shirts...

...and all for a fraction of the price they would have cost new!
So far I don't feel like I've really missed out on anything, but we'll see how quarters 2-4 go!

How are your resolutions going?

*Material items only; does not include expendable supplies.

Fig Newtons Now Called Newtons

original article

 Is this news?

original article

Apparently so.

That is all.