2017 Resolutions: My Budget Binder

Bonjour!

As with tomorrow being NYE, I felt now was a good time to introduce my Budget Binder as a way to keep financial resolutions more easily achievable. As many of you know, I have a habit of being a little disorganized (hence the occasional irregular breaks between posts). The ringing in of 2017 has thus brought with it new attempts at resolutions that I feel are more obtainable for me- #1 being organization- and hopefully for you as well!

I first started by finding a binder that would be large enough to fit pouches, envelopes, and who-knows-how-many pages (the dollar store provided a few choices).

Next, I devoted a large portion of my life to designing covers for my Income, Spending, Student Loans, and Savings sections, filler pages for each, and cloning the filler pages into every major color on this planet. After that, I was so sick of looking at the graphics that I put it away for a week. :) When I felt ready to open it again, I filled the inner side of the binder with coupons and an accompanying label so that they would be easily accessible.

I knew I would need some sort of envelope or pouch to hold receipts and other miscellaneous things relating to the budget, and I found quite stylish 2 pocket pouches at Office Depot for under a dollar. I stocked up with 12 or more i.c.of e.

Staying on track with monthly deadlines and bi-monthly paydates requires a calendar, so I searched on Google to find a printable 2017 calendar as well as ones for each month. By highlighting days requiring some sort of financial action, I can see exactly what to do and when to do it.

With Christmas being right around the corner at the time, I also created a page for holidays that allows me to document who I need to buy for, how much to spend, and what I buy/how much it is. These include Christmas (as mentioned), Valentine's Day, and Birthdays.

It was a lot of work, circles, and cloning, but eventually it all came together! Now I just have to motivate myself to keep up with it. ;)

Below you will (hopefully) find a link to the Budget Binder inserts, which are free to download, print, and share (crediting is always nice though :) ). The colors are interchangeable, so you can switch out colors every month, match the filler pages to the cover pages, etc. Throughout the year, I might see a need to add a page currently not in there, so stay tuned!

Budget Binder by s eabbott04

Holiday Budget by seabbott04

As always,
Keep swimming and HNY! (Happy New Year)

xoxo,
Sara

Dreaming of a White Christmas

Bonjour!

 

I can't believe there are only 2 more days until Christmas!

As the age-old cliché goes, "my, how the time flies!". It seems surreal to think that fall was only last month, and summer was only a few months before that; realizing that the new year begins in just a couple weeks is even more incredible. 2016 has been full of surprises, that much is certain. Dreams have been brought to reality, goals have been accomplished, and life has had more purpose than perhaps it ever has. Of course there have been briars and brambles that pull me back by the sweater, roots that suddenly appear out of nowhere and trip me by the boot, but with each challenge there has been a solution, a hand that grasps mine and pulls me back to my feet. There has been a support system and a foundation to build on. A cat whose purr is never inconsistent. And of course, there has been Hulu. Lattes. Cinnamon-flavored Scentsy bars. Pandora. Sunsets. Snapshots of good times. Little things that make the world of difference and brighten a somewhat soggy day. And 2017 will bring more little things. Things that will make life nothing if not more magical. :)

Merry Christmas, Beaus and Belles!

Navy Coat: Zulily | Pink Head Wrap: Forever 21| Striped Tee: Gifted | Pink Bow Skirt: Romwe | Lace-Up Fur Boots: Rue 21 | Leather Gloves: Old Navy

xoxoxoxoxo,
Sara

Someday My Prince Will Come (A Snow White Cosplay)

Bonjour!

As promised, here are the (albeit belated) pictures from this year's Halloween costume (or as I have taken to calling it, cosplay). Surprisingly, they turned out really well despite having worn the costume all day at work, having to avoid the random people walking through, and wearing non-walking flats. I was never really into cosplay and costuming that much prior to this year, when I got to attend my first comic con as Agent Carter. Since then, I have been more eager to take on different characters and see what kind of twist I could put on them (you may have also seen my Belle interpretation on Instagram). I've got a few characters in mind for my next cosplay, but I'm still working on the finishing touches, so stay tuned. :)

Until then, my little birds!

Navy Cardigan/Lemon Pleated Skirt: Thrifted | Belt: Online (can't remember exactly which site) | Red Top: Shop in Florida

xoxo,
Snow White (aka Sara)

Posh in Paradise: Beach Life

Bonjour!

Hello again!

As much as I wish I could say this is now, the sad truth is that vacation is done and past. What is still around, however, is the beautiful heat of summer weather that makes you think you could just take the next week off and hit the beach. I am so discombobulated with the temperature outside that I keep forgetting it is actually fall and that I will soon be enjoying wool floppy hats, pumpkin pie, and apple cider. Until then, I think I will just grab some sunglasses, a bottle of orange juice, and hit the lawn chair for some good old-fashioned (yet as safe as possible) suntanning. :)

These pictures were taken at St. Pete's beach in St. Petersburg, Florida. After I had several panic attacks about the height of the water (neck-high is TOO high!), we discovered that there was a sandbar out in the water that housed the best conch shells you could find- and I don't mean the little pebble-y seashells either. I think the tide washed them into a dip in the sand that could not wash them back out. We had a cycle going where we dived when it was calm, anchored ourselves when the hubba bubba waves rolled in, dived again, anchored again until we had a good stash going. All in all, it was a great spot to find some good marine specimens!

It's a good thing I like Fall in the meantime. I'm going to go have me some vacay withdrawal.


What are your thoughts on the arrival of Fall?


Dress: Old Navy | Hat: Jane.com | Flip-Flops/Sunnies: Old

xoxo, Sara

Posh in Paradise: Parisian Dots

Bonjour!

From geek-star-hopping to chic-store-shopping, it's been busy, busy time for these little feet! As with last year, Florida isn't the same without a palm-frocked mall somewhere in the itinerary. Westfield Citrus Park is now one of my go-to spots with its stylish shops.

One of the only places I can find phone cases for my non-iPhone is on Mini In The Box. I got "Never Stop Exploring" especially for my trip to Florida; I love the VW van and the tropical, carefree vibe it gives off. Plus the llama in the front seat was too hard to turn down.

A trip to Citrus Mall isn't complete without a stop to Le Macaron- my first bite of macarons since Ladurée Paris!

I love these cat-eye sunnies from Charlotte Russe (I'm thinking it was Charlotte Russe, but I also bought sunglasses from another store at the same time, so I could be mistaken). Not only are they gold-accented and easily coordinating, they also have that chic shape and vintage feel that can turn a tee and denim into a well-constructed OOTD.

The best part about shop-'till-you-drop here (and I mean that literally) is that you get to go home to beautiful scenery and a relaxing environment. What more can a girl ask for than a day of shopping and an evening of ocean (by ocean I mean Gulf) views?

What does your ideal day look like?

Top: Camaïeu (Paris) | Skirt: Thrifted | Mustard Sandals: Similar here | Watch: Jane.com |
Cat-Eye Sunnies: Charlotte Russe (?) | Headscarf: Old

xoxo, Sara