Lissa Anglin • Part of Me Blog

Art, décor, family and photography- it's all part of me!

lissa likes

lissa likes • jan 2012

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So, after almost a one-year hiatus, "Lissa Likes" is back! This month centers around one of my favorite things, saving money. Instead of calling myself a penny-pincher, I'd rather say I'm more like a passionate consumer. :) My spending/saving philosophy goes a bit like this: If it is worth it, by all means- spend money on it, but if it's not a big deal, then save as much as you can! Of course, priorities are different for everyone, but I don't know anyone who doesn't really excited about a good deal when I see it. 

On my list for this month:

1. Target's Coupon Policy

I end up in Target at least once or twice a week. Though we don't have a Super Target in Lubbock, it's my go-to place for cheap, well designed home decor and I love their Archer Farms food products. One of the things I always do is scan the end caps of the aisles for clearance items. There have been many times I've found what I'm needing (or items I frequently purchase) here at a steal. Target's clearance tags look like this:

Many times when I see staple items (flour, sugar, chocolate chips, pasta, etc.) that I can store in my pantry I like to buy them, if they are at a good price. One way to tell is the number in the upper right hand corner of the label. It will be "15", "30", "50", or "75". These are the percentages by which the item has been marked down. Which means- if I really don't need more semi-sweet morsels (though they are always tempting), and they are only at 30% markdown, I will know if they will be further reduced later and I can come back and get them. Genius! 

 

2. Canned Soups

Recently I found a ton of Campbell's Hearty Soups on the clearance end cap at Target. They were all marked .94 per can, so I bought several. Though fresh homemade soup ranks way higher on our menu, these are easy, go-to meals around our household, and most convenient with a toddler. I love having these soups in our pantry for the days when we are low on groceries. I can heat some up and provide protein, carbs and veggies very quickly! The ingredients are also perfect for Knox since they are already well-cooked and easy for him to eat. 

 

3. BumGenuis Diapers

If you've been around here long, you'll know that we use BumGenius diapers. It was a decision we made long before Knox was here (I honestly couldn't believe Shawn was up for it), and I'm so glad we did. We were able to make up our original investment (around 300.00) in 6 months of use, and hypothetically, now we save .25 per cloth diaper change. They have held up amazingly well and overall I've been suprised at how convenient they really are.

This is a new style, Albert, that I've been dying to buy for my little genius!

 

4. The Krazy Coupon Lady

This is my favorite couponing blog as of late- it seems to be the most thorough and up-to-date out there. If there is a coupon for it, The Krazy Coupon Lady will know.

 

5. Samaritan Ministries

When we knew that Shawn and I would both soon be self-employed (meaning no insurance), we started to look at our options. We looked around at several different group and individual health plans, and then finally decided to go a totally different direction and become a part of Samaritan Ministries. It's a Christian medi-share ministry that is a biblically-based alternative to traditional health insurance. I didn't even know something like this existed until a my friend Alex mentioned it to me. This is actually just our first month to be members and so I will have to post an update with our experience later. So far, though, they have been extremely helpful, available, and up-front about the way it all works- totally the opposite experience of our old insurance company. You can find lots of info about it here. This video also answered a lot of questions for me.

 

 

Well, that's it for now! Have a great week!

lissa likes • november 2010

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It's time for the November installment of "Lissa Likes"! Since it's the last day of the month (as well as me 27th birthday- eek!), this list is going to look a little bit like my Christmas list too. :)

1. All things Christmas. We kept the decorations pretty simple this year, since there's no telling how much time we'll have to take them all down if baby Knox arrives early. BUT, I LOVE our tree...and the cinnamon spice candles...and of course the Christmas music. My all-time favorite:

 

2. Ketti Bags. I love these stylish camera bags! Maybe it could double as a diaper bag?? HERE is their site. 

 

3. This Nikon mug from Photojojo. There has been a Canon coffee mug floating around for a while, but now there's finally one for us Nikonians! 

 

4. Sun Harvest muffins. Sun Harvest is the newest grocery store in Lubbock- located in the Kingsgate shopping center. I've been shopping there the past several weeks, and we have loved the fresh selection of produce and reasonably-priced meats and seafood. One Sunday I'd run out of my pregnancy-emergency snacks I usually stash in my purse for those times when I HAVE...TO...EAT...SOMETHING...and a lady walked by me with a huge tray of blueberry muffins straight out of the oven. I wanted one SO. BAD. But I told myself no...we were almost done. That's when I saw the .99 sign. And I grabbed one. And it was delicious. I won't tell you how many more I've consumed since that impulsive day. :) While I'm at it, I'll go ahead and include Chipotle and Einstein Bros. Bagels to my list since they're both recent LBK arrivals. 

5. Jon Acuff + Dave Ramsey. As you know, we have been Dave-Ramsey-brainwashed. We also love the book "Stuff Christians Like" by Jon Acuff (HERE's his blog). So when Jon Acuff writes a book about Dave Ramsey, we buy it. Immediately. (In cash, within our budget constraints of course!) Shawn and I listened to the audiobook on our way home for Thanksgiving and laughed the whole way. If you listen to the Dave Ramsey Show or have gone to Financial Peace University, you'll find something in this book hilarious. Guaranteed.

 

6. Ravelry. HOW have I not known about this awesome knitting/crocheting online community? There are so many great resources and patterns here...I'm a little obsessed. My username is "lissaanglin" if you would like to be my friend. :)

 

7. Closure. I'm officially on maternity leave until March, which doesn't mean I won't be working- it just means I won't be shooting. After a pretty intense summer and fall, it feels SO GOOD to have a nice break (not to mention I'm moving a lot slower these days). I love my clients and they have all been so helpful and cooperative in getting their wedding albums, print orders, and other items ordered and sent out. 97% of the brides + grooms I shot this last year already have their wedding albums in hand- which is huge! Honestly, though- I'm ready to get refreshed and take a step back from work to focus on family for a while. I know I'll be ready to go in March when I start back- hopefully with a new fervor and ideas!

This also means that for a while this blog will be full of personal posts- hope you're ready! I still have a few touches to make to the nursery, but hopefully soon I'll get to share that project with you all!

Lissa Likes • October 2010

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 It's time for another edition of Lissa Likes! (You can check out the first installment HERE.)

I've got several things on my list this month- and whether you like it or not- they mostly revolve around babies and crafts. I am who I am. :)

1. "Babies" the movie. Here's the official trailer:

I'd seen the previews for this documentary-style movie and wanted to rent it in the past- so when I got a free Redbox code last week, Shawn and I sat down to watch it.

It has NO narration whatsoever, and is so charming that even Shawn enjoyed it. We both had a favorite baby by the end of the movie. (If you do watch it, let me know who yours is!).

In the end, it was a great movie- I loved getting to see all the different cultures and approaches to taking care of a new person.

Hey, if that African baby can play face-down in the dirt for hours, mine should do just fine. :)

 

2. T-yarn (or t-shirt yarn)

(Image from Tangled Online Magazine)

If you've followed my blog for long, you know about my knitting habits. I've always got about 3 different projects going- it's not unusual to see random bits of yarn strung across the carpet. (Thank you, Lord, for a patient husband!) Recently I discovered t-yarn- or yarn that is made out of recycled t-shirts! I just made my first creation out of t-yarn- it's a gift for a friend, so I can't share just yet- but it was so much fun! HERE is a great tutorial on how to make it. 

 

3. The Texas Rangers

 

I can't say that I typically tune in while my husband is watching his sports- but I have been loving the ALCS series between the Rangers and the Yankees! So far, the Rangers are ahead and my favorite player is Bengie Molina- he's come through so many times for the team. Here's to a big win in Arlington! Go Rangers!

 

4. Xyron Sticker Maker

I bought this gadget at Hobby Lobby months ago in an impulsive moment. There aren't many scrapbooking-esque items that I will actually buy, since they tend to become wasted money and more clutter in my yarn-infested home (ewww, that sounds gross- it's not, I promise!). But this little machine is the coolest! Basically, I can send any type of paper design (in any shape I want) through the sticker maker, and it will come out with adhesive on the bottom. I don't have to cut off any edges- just peel it off and stick it! I've found so many uses for my own custom stickers. The refills are a hefty 14.99, but they last a good while. 

HERE's a cool tutorial on how to use it to make your own water bottle labels.

 

Hope you enjoyed my little list!