Snapshots of My Weekend.

Hello Friends!

Hope you have all been enjoying the weekend as much as I have with my family. Mr W had a busy weekend with work obligations, but the little guy and I surprised him with a sunset picnic at the beach yesterday. It was a beautiful warm day, but it cooled down very quickly, and we were ready to pack it up just after sunset. 

 I try not to show my son's face (unless blurry) on the blog. It was a decision that Mr W and I made when I started blogging. It's sad. I wish I could share the great clear, full on shots, but we just feel it's best not to. Anyway, it was not actually as dark as they appear in the photo, but I like them in silhouette. 

 Digging a hole!

 I love this time of day at the beach.

 The tide was perfect, and it was not windy at all!

 I was watching a seal swim, play, and fish for his dinner out there, but I was not able to get a good shot of him.

My son made a Lego helicopter. Usually, my husband helps him. He did this one all on his own.

Goodwill chair I was pondering. A little paint, a little burlap or linen upholstery. Hmm...

 Homemade Lemon Pasta Salad with Chicken. I had some tomatoes and sliced cucumber on the side.  

 I will be sharing this recipe this week. My friend Mia made it for me a few years ago, and gave me the recipe. Yum. It is delish, and so refreshing!

I broke out my "new to me" thrifty find textured chargers for lunch.

That's a wrap! See ya tomorrow!

xo

-Lisa

When My Blog Grows Up...

Today I am reflecting on what my goals are for my blog. I will be linking up over at Thistlewoodfarm to share my hopes for my blog with other bloggers today, doing the same. As a new blogger, these are all things I have been thinking about (losing sleep over) since hitting Publish on my first post. So here goes...

When my blog grows up she wants to be...

1.) Beautiful.  -My blog wants a fabulous new header, background, and professional design. My blog is in it's infancy right now, and still has a long way to go. I set up my blogger account and proceeded to create the template that is my blog today. I am NOT AT ALL tech savvy, so it is nothing short of a miracle that I actually have a functioning blog, and one that I did all by myself! My new look is currently in the works, and best left to a professional!

2.) Fun and Genuine.  -When someone reads my blog, I want them to feel like we are sitting together in the same room having a conversation. I want my personality to shine through, and my goal is to channel how I think and talk into each post. I want to feel like I am chatting with my girlfriends.

3.) Have a Great Home Tour Tab.  -Because as a visual person, THAT is what attracts me to other people's blogs. When I go to someone else's blog, I always want to see their home photos! It gives me the big picture as to who they are, what styles they gravitate toward, and often inspires design ideas for me that I can use in some way in my own home. I have procrastinated long enough on this one, so it is currently in the works as well.

4.) Have Pretty Pictures.  -My blog, and her readers, deserve PRETTY pictures, taken with a BIG GIRL camera. I really have no excuse for this here. We have plenty of camera equipment in our home. The hubs is an aviation photographer, in addition to being a full time commercial and military pilot. He actually has an insane amount of camera equipment that I could, and SHOULD be learning to use properly.

 Exhibit A.

 Exhibit B. (Haha. Blurry!)

Exhibit C. 

I could continue to the floor of the closet full of tri-pods, light stands, and pelican cases, but you get the idea.

I need to take a class and learn how to shoot in manual setting. I learned long ago, that it is NOT a good idea for Mr W to "teach" me things, as we have completely different learning styles, and I wind up feeling like I don't have a brain in my head. Best to steer clear of that mine field to preserve marital bliss! ;-)

5.) Make Lots of Friends.  -For me, getting into blogging, and trying to create a network of new friends, is kind of like going to a new high school in your sophomore year. I moved 12 times as a kid, so I know how to be the new girl, but that doesn't mean it's not intimidating. 

• I don't know anyone.
• I want to be liked.
• Will anyone "get" me? 
• Will they like my style?

How will I be received? Other girl's design talents, and blog beauty can be quite intimidating to a newbie. This is where I can equate it to high school...Will they like me?...Will they accept me?...Will they let me into their inner circle?

I want to make lots of new connections and have a great network of fellow bloggers to turn to for advice and inspiration.

6.) Host Some Great Parties!  -Most bloggers know that one of they keys to growing your blog is to attend and HAVE great link parties. Before I can make this happen on my blog, I need to have some buttons made. I have to be honest here, I have NO flippin' idea how to do this, and I have not even attempted to find out!! Some things are better left to the blog designers. I hope to have this done soon, cuz I'm ready to par-tay!!

7.) Monetize.  -Finally, when my blog grows up, I would hope that she makes some money. Let's face it, as bloggers we put a lot of time and thought into our projects and posts. I would love it if my blog could make a little green for mama!

I've been told many times, "Do what you love, and the money will follow." I am hoping that will be true of my labor of love, my Budget Design Girl blog. I feel like, if I am going to investing my time and energy on projects and posts that ultimately take time away from my family, or my precious little "me" time, I hope to eventually be compensated for my efforts. After all, as much as I love it, my job as Household CEO does not line my pockets, but thankfully, it does fill my heart!

So, those are my hopes for my blog as she grows. I will do my best to make sure they come true. I love my blog, and look forward to carving out my own little niche in blogland.

xo

-Lisa

Linking up here...

Friday's Flowers, and A New Shelf in the Master Bath.

Hello everyone! Are you as glad to see Friday as I am? Luckily, I received some beautiful flowers this week from Mr. W. Tulips, one of my favorites. I am not so much for the traditional red roses on Valentine's Day. There are so many other flowers I enjoy more. I also snipped a camellia from my yard. I like to float them in a shallow dish or vase. This week I used a leaf dish that was one of my 49 cent thrift finds.

Pink and red, for Valentine's Day.

A few weeks ago I bought an interesting corner shelf for my master bathroom, and I have been playing with different vignettes on it, so I thought I'd share it with you today. Here's the way it looks this morning...

The light is not good in that room until late afternoon, too harsh for morning photos, but you get the idea. The faux topiary on the top shelf will be replaced today by a real plant. Just need to find the "right" one.

 One of my vintage creamers, filled with shells. This one is a Steubenville pottery piece, (named for the town in Ohio, which is also hometown of one of my dearest friends).

 Glass container full of rocks and shells I have pulled from the beach. I shared with you earlier this week, about my slight obsession with collecting things as I walk the beach. Seriously...they are all.over.my.house.

 I found this strange little bird statue in an antique store, though I don't think it's very old. It reminds me of the birds on the beach, like killdeer.

 Old coral and shells on various shelves.

 These were all found the same day on the beach in Carpinteria, CA. One of my favorite area beaches. There is a great little town filled with shops, restaurants, and antique stores lining the main road to the beach. It is lovely.

 It's an odd little corner, and until I decide to either remove the huge gross builder mirrors, and replace them with smaller, or frame them out, I think that this corner shelf helps to break it up a bit.

 I also bought some new monogrammed towels for over by Mr. W's sink.

Here is a shot of Mr. W and I when we were dating, we met while I was a flight attendant. He is still there, I am now a proud stay at home mommy. Funny...I always swore that I'd never date a pilot! Be careful what you vow never to do! ;-)

Have a fabulous weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by!
xo
-Lisa
Linking to the following...

Sweet Sunday Morning. Dairy-Free and Thrifty!

Don't you just love the pace of Sundays? Ahhhh. I really don't feel guilty if I spend a little time looking through my magazines, the paper, or a good book.

This morning at our house we are going dairy free. I bought some Almond milk, and some coconut milk creamer (hazelnut flavored) for coffee. My son is lactose intolerant, and I usually buy Lactose free milk, but I've been wanting to get away from that for a while now. So, on my last trip to Whole Foods, I picked up these...

You know what? We really liked them! I had the Almond milk with some granola, and my son actually drank a glass of it! I think we can do it! Even if only part time, initially. Actually this almond milk is cheaper than the lactose free milk I normally buy for the little guy. (Bonus!)

While I sat perusing a new book I picked up, the little guy drew pictures at the table. *sigh* I love quiet time!

 The book has some interesting tips.

My son working on his "construction site" drawing.

Hope you all have a nice end to the weekend!

xo

-Lisa

Blogging, Breakfast, and Meal Planning.

Well, it's Monday, and I find myself playing catch up today! Got up, made kiddo breakfast, packed his lunch for lunch bunch, and hurried off to school.

I decided to come back home, and get my ducks in a row this morning. Besides, I needed more coffee, and had not eaten breakfast. While I was checking email, making my list for today, having breakfast, and trying to figure out my meal plan this week, it occurred to me that #1- I am a crazy multi-tasker, and #2- This would make a good post for a Monday. I KNOW that I am not the only one running around like a chicken with my head cut off on this (or any other) Monday!!

Here's what my Morning looks like right now...

 I like to sit at my kitchen island to blog. (And have breakfast, and make lists, and plan dinners!) :-)

 I am looking through some of my favorite cookbooks. The World Kitchen -William Sonoma, Clean Start -Terry Walters, and If it Makes You Healthy- Sheryl Crow & Chuck White. I like to eat clean and organic, and have done so since my Cancer diagnosis almost 3 years ago.

My breakfast today is greek non-fat yogurt, sprinkled with organic raw pecans, organic dried cranberries, some Trader Joes Maple Pecan Granola, with unsweetend organic coconut added, and a drizzle of local sage flower honey. I know it may sound ca-ray-zay, but it is DELISH!

 I also made a blueberry, peach, banana, pomegranate juice smoothie for the little guy this morning, so I made extra for me. (Organic as well.) Um, and COFFEE!!! Can't give it up! No. way. no. how.

 So far, I just have tonight's salad figured out...

 Here are pics of the books I am referencing today.

 And now, I'm off to run errands, and hopefully fit in a work out before picking up my son! It's hat day today for SURE!

 Have a great day! I have lots of fun posts planned this week! Stop back again tomorrow!

xo

-Lisa