Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Laid off

This has been my mantra lately because a week ago today, I was laid off from my job. The company that I worked for had been telling us that there were big changes coming, that they were in the process of restructuring the company, and that a reduction in staff would be made. At first I thought I was safe, but the more I heard about what they were doing, the more I knew deep down that I would be one of many to go. I had told a few people at work that I had a feeling it would be me, and they all said no way. So when I got that tap on the shoulder to go in the back with my manager and the HR lady, I instantly burst into tears. On my walk to the back, I looked at those people that I had talked to and mouthed "I told you it would be me" to them. One of those people was my best friend Kyla and she burst into tears too. The whole office was crying. My manager bawled right along with me as they explained my severance package and they assured me it was not performance based, just something that needed to be done in order to cut costs. In other words, I was making too much money for the position I was in and it would save them a lot more money to get rid of me and hire a new person to do my job for less than half of what I made. Horrible but true! Let's be honest, I did not like my job and I was very unhappy. However, I needed that job, truly needed it. So the reason I bawled my eyes out wasn't because I loved my job and was sad to lose it, I was freaking out because how am I supposed to pay my bills now? We lived paycheck to paycheck before so now, there will be things that won't get paid because we flat out won't have the money. Unemployment doesn't even pay half of what you normally made, and my severance package will only last us so long. So I am on the hunt for a new job, I started as soon as I got home last Tuesday. So my fingers are crossed, lot's of prayers are being said and I am hopeful that I will soon find myself in a job that truly utilizes my talents and sees the potential that I have.
So as I wait for the next door to open, I ask you-my friends and blog family, to say a little prayer for me that something fabulous comes my way. I know in the long run, this will truly be a blessing in disguise and everything will work out for me. I am hopeful and know that God works in mysterious ways and He has a reason for everything He does, whether we get to see it right away or maybe never at all.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Winner! Winner!

Another giveaway, another winner! I am happy to announce that Autumn is the winner of my $100 gift certificate to Ann's Bridal Bargains! Autumn is currently planning her wedding-it is a vintage, secret garden inspired wedding...I can't wait to see pictures of it! Congratulations Autumn!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Giveaway-$100 to Ann's Bridal Bargains

You know how much I love weddings and everything about them! You know what I love even more? Being able to give one of you a $100 gift certificate to Ann's Bridal Bargains to use however you please! Wanna see what I would buy with with this gift certificate? Here are some of the lovely things I picked out:
Wedding Napkins are so much fun! Not only do people use them when they are eating cake or drinking punch, a lot of times they take them home as a keepsake from your wedding! To see all the colors and designs Ann's Bridal Bargains has, click here.

Love these seals. They can be used on party favors, programs, thank you cards-anything you can think of!
I love the idea of this memory frame that attaches to your bouquet. What a wonderful way to have someone who has passed on still be a part of your special day.
This print is something I wish I could get right now! How amazing to have an 11 x 14 inch canvas print of your favorite wedding picture. I know the exact picture I would use from my wedding!

I know there are a lot of you planning weddings this year and I know you would love to win this $100 gift certificate to Ann's Bridal Bargains. Be sure to click here to be swept away to their lovely website full of wedding goodies!

If you would like to be entered to win the $100 gift certificate, please leave a comment on this post letting me know you want to win! This is only open to US residents. Giveaway closes Sunday, July 17th at 3:00 pm Mountain Time. Good luck to all who enter!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Giveaway Winner!!

Before I announce the lucky winner, I would like to thank everyone who entered my giveaway! You left some amazing comments and I gained a few more wonderful followers! My blogging buddies never cease to amaze me! Of course I wish I could thank you all by sending you all a gift, but I hope my heartfelt thanks is enough!

So, without further ado, the winner of my White/Wedding Giveaway is:
Congratulations Suzann! Suzann's blog is so lovely, go check it out and tell her congratulations!!

Thank you all again so much! Stay tuned because I will be having another giveaway starting tomorrow!!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

One more day to enter my giveaway!

Just a reminder-there is one more day to enter my White/Wedding Giveaway. If you haven't already entered, be sure to leave a comment on this post!
I will choose the winner tomorrow at 8:00 pm Mountain Time. Can't wait to see who wins!!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Frugalicious Lamp Makeover

Do you ever see something you own and think, "I could make that look so much better!"? That recently happened to me when I looked at my lamp shades. They are pretty plain, in other words-a blank canvas! I searched and searched for ideas online, but could not find what I was looking for. I wanted something simple and nothing that would be an eyesore. What I came up with was this-a woman will definitely notice it but a man might not...subtle!
I don't really know what color my lamp shade is so finding something to match it was a little difficult...until I cleaned out my closet! I had a pair of corduroy pants that had a broken zipper. They were trash and I turned them into treasure! I cut to hem off the bottom and cut strips-very rough and unevenly. But that doesn't matter, you are going to twist and turn and glue and make these corduroy roses that no one will ever know weren't perfectly cut!
You can find all kinds of tutorials online on making fabric roses. Lot's of trial and error and lot's of hot glue will get you these beautiful roses! Can you believe how well the corduroy matches the lampshade?
I am definitely digging my new lamp shades! Total cost of this very frugal makeover? FREE!! That is the best price to pay for almost anything!! I have some other lampshades and some other clothes that I am throwing out so I think I might be creating a lot more of these frugalicious lampshades!
Tasha over at Frugalicious Me is featuring me on her very first New Gal on the Blog. No, I am not brand new, but I am still pretty new to a lot of you. Please go visit Tasha and tell her I sent you!

And don't forget to enter my giveaway here. It ends July 13th!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Happy Independence Day!

It's the day before Independence Day and I am finally getting a post done on my very few 4th of July decorations. I have honestly never decorated for this holiday before so I don't have much to show...guess that just means I need to do some shopping and get a good stash for next year! The first thing I made was this red, white and blue bunting. Six different patriotic themed scrap book pages cut, folded, stapled and glued together to make this fun bunting. The middle of each circle has a sparkly star. It's hung on a white ribbon with red bows between each circle. I think I will leave it up all summer!
I found these fun wooden stars on sale at Michael's. I added a sparkly star to the center of each to tie it in with my bunting.


The glass votive holder below was purchased last year at Kohl's for $2.00. I placed a few flags in it and it makes for a very patriotic centerpiece!
I have been busy doing some other projects. I picked up a few tank tops at Old Navy for $2 each and wanted to pretty them up a bit. I had seen tutorials on line about making roses out of satin ribbon by burning the edges. For this flower, I made each petal individually and then sewed them into a flower, added pink beads to the middle and sewed it onto the tank.
This one is my favorite. The rosettes turned out unperfectly perfect! I made 3 layers in 3 different sizes then sewed buttons to the middle and sewed them on the tank. I think this is going to be my new obsession! I gave these shirts away as a birthday gift, so I will now be on a mission to find some shirts for myself as well as some that I might sell as well!
Hoping everyone has a very happy 4th of July weekend!