If you can't buy it...

Make it! I've been wanting to learn to sew for quite some time and this past christmas I FINALLY bought a machine with my christmas money. It's a Brother's machine and I simply love it! I got in on sale at amazon.com and it was super easy to set up! It's really idiot proof. If you're wanting to learn to sew I would highly recommend this one! 

So far I've successfully (key word) made a pillow, heating pad, and tote bag. (post to come) I figured if I can't buy anything new I could at least make myself something new. I'm not sure what I'll make next so If any one out there knows of a simple beginner project let me know! 

 Like all good machines I think she needs a name. Feel free to suggest one. 

I want

I want nothing more than to curl up in bed and look this relaxed and comfortable... 

Things to do in a storm 101:

1. Find a can of spray paint

2. Find something to paint.

The tornado siren was going off (which it tends to do frequently) and I didn't have much else to do, so after reading design blogs and watching The Nate show I decided I would redo something. Since the impending tornado prevented a trip to hobby lobby or any thrift shop, I was left to my own devices and had to find something in my house. The result, old picture frames tucked away in the closet and a can of spray paint. It's simple and easy and if you ever need a quick craft, I'd suggest this one. Now these frames are standard and have nothing fancy about them but were just dated to their time (Circa 1988) I'm sure my mother paid good money for this set of frames that contained my many baby pictures only associated with first born children. To those of you not the first born, sorry but us first borns just have more pictures of our life events. Don't hate. So a few minutes later I had a project....

The Before:

The After:

It's nothing that fancy and overly complicated. I mean really, any one can do this. But it was better than sitting on the couch watching tv. 

A few Rules...

I've been getting asked a few questions about buying nothing new so I figured I'd write a post with a few rules and guidelines I'm following. And if you have any more questions feel free to ask. 

First off: Buying nothing new means nothing from a store like target or walmart. I can however buy used items from a thrift shop. To go a year without buying ANYTHING would make my impending move quite difficult. 

Buying food... Really, did you think I'd eat out of dumpsters?? Yeah, I know there's little groups of people that run around big cities collecting thrown out food like it's a game and the most bagels wins. To each his own, but I'll stick to the grocery store. 

Buying underwear. EWWWWWW! ! I think even if I were super super broke, I'd still find a way to buy fresh unused underwear. Clean underwear is a human right! 

Gifts for other people. While I've hit that stage of life where every other weekend is a wedding shower or baby shower, I'm not going to buy my friends used gifts. Honestly people... I value my friendships and I think my friends will appreciate this. 

Those are the basic rules to my year of nothing new. If you have any other questions let me know. I'll gladly answer any reasonable, sane question. 

 

I hate to say it...

But I was right and my loving mother was wrong. The other day she called and following conversation took place:


Mom: So I'm at the consignment shop and you we're right about used couches. There are some nice ones out there.


Sarah: I told you! you just have to look around


Mom: Yea. I wouldn't trust the ones I just saw at goodwill, but these I found are nice. 


So with that debate settled it's on to actually buying a couch... 

Half Price Monday

Here's an unknown fact. Thrift stores have half price days! I know right!? Every shop as a different day so be sure to ask. The one located by me is on mondays and I figured since I'm actually off this week (can I get an amen?!) I figured I'd check it out. I walked out with a shirt, a super cute sweater and some adidas shorts for $8 dollars. Now these lovely adidas shorts I had to kick myself when I found them. I bought a pair at the outlet back in the fall for $15. These were $2.50. But look at those savings kids! Gotta love a sale. Ever have one of those moments where ya kick yourself for paying to much? 

One down, Eleven to go..

It's been a month and buying nothing new and I have to say it wasn't that bad. Ask me this again in two months when its full on summer and there's only about a billion summer dresses I want to buy. I'm sure  my answer will be different. While it wasn't that hard to not buy anything I did learn to avoid just wondering around stores. I still haven't bought any major items for the big move. But the hunt for a couch and bed continue. I hear there's a craig's list ap that makes tracking postings very easy. Now if some one would buy me an iphone or ipad....