the one where house-hunting removes what little sanity i had left

I figured that since it has been a while since I’ve updated on the house-hunt, I should probably indulge your curiosity.

There is nothing happening.

Not a single thing.

The market where we’re looking hasn’t really changed much, in that no new houses are going on, and I’ve seen all that I really want to see from the ones that are on there.

There is still that one house that we love, and fully intend to purchase if the current owners would just get their butts in gear and figure out a way to work out their financing.

So, what does this mean for us?

Well, I’ll tell you.

Renting.

I know, it’s such an ugly word, right? But at this point, unless something drastic happens soon with the house that we love, we have to move into the state where my hubby was hired. More specifically, we have to move into the county in that state that we want to live in. Otherwise, by the time the police academy ends, they’ll send us wherever there’s a need. Which could be further into said state than we want to actually live.

So, we’ll be renting an apartment until we find a home. Neither one of us want to settle on something just because we have to move, and so we’re really trying to be smart about this.

Wish us luck.

skinny is fatter than straight

I’ve been fighting it for so long now that I’ve forgotten why.

Ever since skinny jeans came back, I’ve come up with every excuse as to why I shouldn’t own a pair. But I give up.

It all started with black jeans.

I recently bought this shirt/dress thing from Express, and decided that it would look best with black jeans. So, I set out on a mission to find some. And these are what I found.

They’re all in the skinny/straight family. And we all know how well things worked out for me the last time I tried on straight-leg jeans. It was basically a disaster, and I really didn’t want to put myself through that again.

But one day, I found myself in our local mall, and decided to visit American Eagle.

I grabbed a pair of the faded black skinnies and went back into the dressing room with my sister.

They slid right on. Like butter. Or something.

I’m not sure of the logic of this whole thing, but I’m not going to argue with it. They looked adorable. Even on my sister who doesn’t have height on her side to hide her thighs and booty. In the store, we paired them with this shirt, which looked even better than the one that I bought from Express.

So now I know that straight leg is out, and skinny is in. Who’da thunk?

try this: bacon and pancetta potatoes

I watched one of my favorite chefs on the Food Network make these yesterday, and I just had to give them a try. You should too, you WON’T be dissapointed!

Bacon and Pancetta Potatoes:

• 4 thick-cut slices bacon, roughly chopped
• 2 (1/4-inch thick) slices pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh thyme leaves

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and pancetta. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon and pancetta are brown and crispy, about 10 to 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon and pancetta pieces to paper towels to drain. Add the potatoes and garlic to the rendered bacon and pancetta fat in the pan. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the potatoes are golden and cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes. Add the thyme, cooked bacon and cooked pancetta to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Transfer the potatoes to a large serving bowl and serve immediately.

You can also find the recipe here.

robbing the man blind

I’ve never been a bargain shopper.

I don’t wait for sales to purchase something I love, and I don’t frequent stores like the Rugged Warehouse, or T.J. Maxx, so when I actually do end up with something that was on sale, it’s usually by accident, or because someone else (who is a bargain shopper) told me about the sale.

I could come up with some great excuses for you.

My height: (5′10″) I can’t just run into my local department store and buy clothes. I need long (and sometimes, extra-long) pants, and there aren’t many department stores that carry that stuff. So, when I know that someone out there is housing a pair of pants that fit my waist and my inseam, I snag them without being too picky about the cost.

Trends Change lightning fast: I’m not terribly trendy, but I’m not a fan of living in a decade that’s gone by either. I’m somewhere in the traditional-meets-modern, gray area of the design/fashion world. And because of this, I feel as though what I purchase should fit that model. I believe that every person should have a few classic pieces of furniture/clothing/shoes/accessories. But I also think that every person should add in a couple of trendy pieces as well. And sometimes, that means buying right now, at full-price.

But really, the heart of the issue is this:

I’m lazy.

I don’t have the time or the desire to scour racks of clothing at the previously mentioned stores, and I don’t enjoy driving an hour and a half out of my way to visit the outlets. (that’s how far away my closest outlets are)

And really, that’s just what it comes down to.

Every now and then though, I will mix it up, and drive that distance or go to those stores.

Like, last week, I made a random stop into my local T.J. Maxx and found sheets (for our King-size bed) for $40. A rare find, in my opinion.

A couple of weeks ago, I stopped into Old Navy and saw this jacket. I didn’t buy it, because yo, $40 is a little steep to me for a jacket. (a jacket, that’s cropped, not like a real, live jacket that keeps you warm or something) (also, if I was single, and not trying to buy a house, I probably would have spent $40 on that jacket) But over the weekend, it went on sale at my local Old Navy, and I picket it up for $25!

The greatest deal of all though, my friends was a deal that I got on Friday. I went with my little sister up to the outlets in Lancaster, PA, where there is a Pottery Barn outlet.

I love Pottery Barn.

I’m not so sure that I’m conveying that message to you properly in those four words. I really love Pottery Barn. If I could just rent a store from them and live there, I totally would. It’s just a grand place.

Anyway, so Luke and I registered for some lamps from Bed Bath and Beyond for our wedding, (3 years ago) and we got them. And they were terrible lamps. Do me a favor, would you? Please don’t buy such an important household item from a store like that. Please. Pretty please.

A lamp makes it possible for you to read while your spouse is sleeping, without creating too much of a disturbance. A lamp gives you light in a room without making you feel as though you’re in a TV studio. A lamp tricks people into thinking that you’re home when you might not be, and that could prevent someone from, like, breaking into your house, or something.

So, lamps are pretty important, and you shouldn’t skimp on them, ok? Spend a little bit of dough and get good quality lamps.

This was my plan, too. I’ve had my eye on this lamp since they were introduced recently by Pottery Barn, and put them on my wishlist. Go check them out. Ok, I’ll show you the picture here too.

Yum.

But man. $110? For one lamp? And it doesn’t even include the shade? Rip off.

But then, I saw it. This weekend, at the PB Outlet. And I bought 2 of them. For $100. Both of them, for $100 total. That’s a savings of greater than 50% my friends.

I know what you’re saying to yourselves right now; “She bought them at an outlet. Surely there’s something wrong with them.” “Yeah, like maybe they came without electrical plugs or are missing a base or something.” Well, you’re all wrong. They work, and they look exactly like they should.

Be jealous. Be very jealous.

in which my husband is brought down to my level

Those of you who know me in real life, or those who have been hanging around here for a while (oh, who am I kidding, even if you just started reading you’ve probably figured it out) know that my husband is the frugal one, and I’m the spender.

It has proven to be a challenge for me time and time again.

He doesn’t even buy things for himself, so it’s not like he’s just frugal when it comes to my spending. He just doesn’t spend at all. He’s even frugal when it comes to necessities. Like food.

You can imagine my surprise then, when my husband called me last Thursday and said:

“I’m in love.”

“Ex-cuse me?!”

“With a gun.”

Like, a real gun, internets. Apparently, some gun salesmen (is that what they’re called?) came out to their Police Academy last week to show them the latest and greatest from their newest line of deadly weapons.

And my husband found one that he wants for our home. (Their police guns are, obviously, supplied by the State)

(Also, please don’t send me ridiculous comments about how guns are evil and horrible and whatnot. I don’t agree with you, and it’s really not up for discussion because you’re not the one who has a husband who will be making real live enemies on the job. So be quiet. Just this once.)

The price tag on one of these things?

$600

I know, right?

I should at least be allowed to buy a purse or some great shoes, or something after that. No?

Oh well.

there’s a blueberry in my pancake!

Every now and then, when the day is busy ’round these parts, my momma makes breakfast for dinner.

We don’t mind so much, because it’s yummy.

My mom always has 2 different pancake batters going – plain and blueberry.

So, it was my turn for pancakes.

“Hey Laura, what kind of pancakes do you want?”

(I know what you’re saying to yourself right now. You’re saying, “She’s a twenty-four-year-old married woman who lives with her parents, and now, her mom is making her pancakes to order. Pathetic.” Well, to you I say, “You’re just jealous that my mom is awesome, and yours isn’t.”)

“Plain.” I said

“Plain?! Really?!”

“Well, I’ll have one blueberry.”

I came out later to see 4 pancakes on the griddle – 2 of them were blueberry, 1 was plain, and the last one had one single blueberry, smack dab in the center of it.

“Mom, what’s with the one blueberry?” I asked

“That’s yours.” She said “You asked for one blueberry, didn’t you?”

“Mom, I meant one blueberry pancake, not one blueberry.”

Lots of laughter followed.

She didn’t want me to blog about it, but I did. Because it was just that funny.

an open letter to express (as in, the clothing store)

You and I have had quite a relationship.

I admired your clothing for years as a teen (partially because you actually made tall pants) and finally got a job in your store in Delaware to support my habit.

In my pre-married days, I wouldn’t think twice about dropping $300 per trip because I wanted to support you.

And then, for a while there, you became super-trendy, (beyond what was normal or necessary) and I lost interest.

It was ok though, because I had the Gap and American Eagle Outfitters to comfort me. (and, let’s be honest, with a frugal husband around, it’s not like those stores get as much attention as you used to)

I still made a trip in every now and then, because, let’s face it, you sell the best camis of any store out there. But, for the most part, I thought I was through with you.

And then, today happened.

I walked in and saw this, and this and this and this, and this. And so many other things that I just love.

And now I’m mad at you.

Because when we broke up, it took me a long time to get over you. But I did, and I got married to a man who likes to save money, for like, a house, or some such nonsense. And I thought that was a good idea.

But now I’m thinking about just living with my parents forever.

And that might not be so bad. Because at least I’ll look really cute.