:: the year of the budget

Hello everyone, so sorry for my long absence. I plan to get back to it (blogging), and I can feel the ideas finally coming back to me. My mind was definitely otherwise occupied and I had a blogging block going on for the past week. I hope you all are doing well, and have had a wonderful week. I continue to be blessed in so many ways, mostly with wonderful friends and a heart full of God's love and grace.

Today as I read my e-mails I opened up one of my favorites... Houzz. I love getting this e-mail and I always find something new to add to my home inspiration files. Well, one of the design ideas this week was how to improve your bathroom without breaking the bank. I loved it, it had me thinking about my master bath, and so many other ways to improve my home on a real budget.

traditional bathroom design by other metros architect Frederick + Frederick Architects

IDEA {bring in a rug from another room}

contemporary bathroom design by boston architect LDa Architecture & Interiors

IDEA {switch out your cabinet hardware}

traditional bathroom design by seattle architect Bosworth Hoedemaker

IDEA {change out your artwork}

:: This is my favorite idea from Houzz today, one I plan on implementing in my own bath very soon ::

For us, like so many others...budget has become a number one priority. I'm fortunate that in the past we haven't really had a major budget, but at the same time the realization of the money that we've actually wasted is huge. Remember when I said I have loved things, well, a lot of those things weren't always a need but more of a want. This year, I'm trying to refocus and purchase more needs than wants and in the process save money for bigger goals.

One of the tools my husband and I have found out about is a new site called Mint. Some of you may already know about it, but if you don't this is truly an amazing budgeting tool, and best of all it's free. My hubs is now addicted to tracking all of our spending, and it's really allowed us to set up budgets and priorities. It's really cool that all of your accounts are linked into one and you can see every aspect of your finances in one place, awesome, awesome tool.

We are in our seventh year in our home, and I'm finding that their are many things that are starting to need attention...it certainly has alot to do with 5 humans and 6 animals running around inside of it. However, remember...I now have a real budget, and in order to accomplish these changes I'm going to have to be really creative and stick to a budget.

So with that said, I hope to share with you some of the things I can come up with and the differences it will make in my home. I don't have anything for you today...oh wait...on second thought I do have one thing...

CLEAN....CLEAN....CLEAN

Nothing feels better than a fresh and clean room, and it's totally free.
Your room will feel better, and you will be filled with a sense of accomplishment.

So go ahead and clean up that space that's been bringing you down.
I'm off to do the same thing right now, so you won't be alone.
In the words of Nike

JUST DO IT.

You will feel great when it's done... I promise.

:: peace, love & hugs ::
Carrie