Staying Home Sawyer

Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

DIY

You’re Leaving Me?

If I promise you fun things, will you stick around? I will promise you the world. It may or may not happen. I will promise you that I’ll be your date to In n Out (this will happen). I’ll even buy. Mostly because the most you could spend there is $5.95. I will also promise you a RedBox movie rental afterwards. I can swing for the $1.29. But don’t think you’re getting drinks too. No one likes greedy people.Going Away DIY Frame Gift

A co-worker of mine clearly didn’t like my promises, because he left anyway. Apparently the promise of a shorter commute was just too much to turn down. I still think my company is a better deal, but hey, my opinion doesn’t really matter. And by company, I don’t mean the job. I mean me. Duh. I bring the sparkle to the party. Do you think my sparkle is what brings all the boys to the yard?

So in honor of his grand exit, I put together this cute (sorry…manly) frame for him to remember us by. I had everyone sign the matte around the opening, and put in a map of our location as the photo. I added a heart for good measure. Because he will be missed.

Now, please tell me that my sparkle is going to keep YOU around. Because I don’t know what I’d do without you. All of you. 😉

DIY, Lifestyle

We’re How Old?!

Congratulations Expecting Card DIY

Yes, I know how old I am. Unlike many women my age, I am very happy about it. Let’s look on the bright side: I live in one of the most beautiful states in the country, I have an amazing husband, we just bought our first mansion townhome, we have an adorable fat cat, and I have eaten at least ten life-changing cheeseburgers across the country.

But alas, that’s not enough for some greedy people. They’ve got to have it all; they want the cheeseburgers AND a baby. Geez, they can never settle can they?

While we’re still over here on cloud nine with our tiny cat, most of my friends have abandoned our train and instead hopped on the other one. You know the one, it doesn’t have a sleeper station. It’s going 90mph and it doesn’t stop. Even for a nap. Once a year.

Congratulations Expecting CardSo for those lucky ones, I send a card. Because that’s much more appropriate than a cheeseburger. I mean, it wouldn’t be good by the time it got there anyway. So I’ll eat it instead. It’s the thought that counts anyway. Now you know why I moved away from all my friends.

All kidding aside, I love my friends and their adorable offspring. I even love babysitting. Sometimes. After age four. And especially after bedtime.

If you’d like to send a card like this, it’s simple. Cut a designed piece of paper into the size you want (mine was 4×5.5in), attach to front of card. Cut out the same sized white piece of cardstock, trace a silhouette of an expecting mother (just Google one). Cut out, and use glue dots to attach the white to the card. Print this Congratulations for the front, and this poem for the inside. And voila!

And then eat the cheeseburger for yourself.

Birthday's, DIY, Lifestyle

Keep the Gifts Coming…

New Home Gift BoxThere are few things I appreciate more than when someone buys me the very expensive, but yet adorable, Hallmark greeting card. Seriously. There’s nothing like saying, “I love you,” like there is with the 12.99 greeting card. I mean, if someone is splurging for the adorable, glittery (I get these a lot, not sure why), shiny greeting card, they clearly love you. Try to debate this.

Another thing that I think is hard to top: homemade gift boxes. I’m not exactly sure where my friends got the idea that I like gift boxes in the mail. Couldn’t have been this, or this, or even this, could it? Am I that transparent?New Home or Anniversary Gift BoxSomething happened to my friends when I said the big, “yes.” They turned into crafting bridesmaid machines. Seriously. I had never seen a craft come out of a one of them in the 20+ years I knew them. Suddenly, they’re popping out crafts made for me left and right. Apparently I put the pressure on. And apparently I rubbed off a little of this “glitter” onto them. Sorry not sorry.

Apparently (now I’m starting to feel like Noah Ritter) my maid of honor decided to keep the crafts coming even a year after the wedding. I’m secretly hoping her life turns into a giant craft fair. She has a spare bedroom, can I convince her to add a crafting room? She sent us this amazing gift box as a “First Anniversary/Housewarming” gift. I am in love. With her AND the box.Ingredients for a Congratulations BasketInside was everything glittery and sparkly and amazing. And then there was Fireball. For him. She added a bottle of my favorite wine as an anniversary gift, and a bottle of champagne as a Congratulations gift. And of course the adorable cards.Decorate a Gift Box for a New HomeLike I said, she clearly loves me.

DIY, Home Decor

In Honor of Our Big Win

Burlap NFL Team Wreath - House DividedYes, I said “our.” When my team wins, I consider it a personal win. I mean, you take what you can get. And sometimes, a team win is a score for yourself. At least that’s what I told myself when I splurged on shopping the next day. Congratulations me!

Not only did my team win on Sunday, but I also consider this amazing gift a personal score too. My aunt sent us this beautiful housewarming gift, a Packers/Bears House Divided wreath. I know what you’re thinking. Don’t I already have a House Divided wreath that I blogged about? Yes. And while you can find those instructions here, you must know: This new wreath is SO MUCH MORE AMAZING than my old one. The old one’s history! As in Old Testament history. It’s ancient. Unless you’re not super crafty, in which case it’s perfectly perfect for you to make! See what I did there?

My aunt bought this wreath, so I can’t give you instructions. But if you think like I do…”this looks a little too difficult (even) for me,” then you’re in luck: You can buy one from My Ginger Sister’s Etsy store. Or you can just take a look at how awesome they are on their Facebook Page. They have all different styles. I think my favorite might be their holiday wreaths. Weird right? Me, liking holiday things? Phhhh…Burlap NFL Team Wreath - House DividedMaybe someday I’ll get a little more detailed and get into this burlap movement. Until then, I think I’ll stick with the easier crafts. Good thing we can just buy the difficult ones. 🙂