Top 2 Tuesday - Things You've Learned About Money

1. Saving can be just as much fun as spending.. (sort of...)

My husband I guess has tought me this. When he met me I will be honest, I didnt have a lot in savings.. okay I probably just had my 401k and THATS IT..


Now married for almost 5 years and we have learned to save,realize why it is important to have a savings.. and enjoy the things we have too. Thank you my sweet for teaching me how to be more financially savvy! ha!



2. Some things are worth the high price tag.



When it comes to some things.. Its better not to cut corners on the cheapy things...

Here are some RANDOM things we/I like to spend good money on.. appliances, cars, diaper bags (yes I have a couple of them, including an OiOi ( a little snobby you say?... no way.. )


As far as most things I spend loot on that cost a lot.. they tend last longer, better quality, and you DO get what you pay for.. and seems like EVERY time I try to cut corners with a cheap-o brand, I end up getting the more expensive one in the end.... and throwing the cheap-o to the curb.. what a waste!

Shampoo (my hair is a rats nest without it)
Cookware. If you do cook, then you know it makes all the difference cooking with awesome kitchen tools, knives, bowls, blenders.. ahhh I love to cook/bake..

Here's where I'd spend a million bucks if I had the chance to toss everything I own and re-create an amazing kitchen...

Ok now Im getting out of control... see how #1 comes into play again... I have my hubby to keep us savin'.... well... sometimes...

I mean a girl's got to shop right? its cheaper than therapy.. ha!

Our Weekend in a Nutshell

We had a pretty nice weekend. Friday I made a BIG pot of Chili. I used the recipe my mother-in-law gave me when we visited last weekend, and it came out sooo good.

Since we've been indoors... Samantha has been a pretty good sport, and very creative in finding things to entertain herself with...

{making a lot of calls...}

{loving mirrors}

{and watches her mouth move as she talks to "Sassa"}

Saturday we needed groeceries.. badly. So we headed out for a little shopping trip.

After we came home, Samantha gave us a pretty hard time with her nap... she ended up on the couch with Daddy after screaming in her crib.... But she did sleep .. And guess who else did........ ME! I cannot remember the last time Momma layed down and took a nap (ok I layed there thinking of everything I needed to do..) But I think I actually dozed off for a good 20 minutes?

Next time I need a nap I have to set the mood.. shades drawn, fan on.. Im a fan kind of girl.. have to have one when I sleep..

More cabin fever activities commenced ...

{modeling Momma's ugg slippers}

Sunday (today) we took Samantha for her first sledding experience.

{going down with Daddy}

She did pretty good.. But I think she'll be more interested next year.

We walked around the park, which she enjoyed much more...

She didnt cry or anything, but when one of us would go down by ourselves, I think she got a little nervous, and she started yelping.. haha!

{precious close-up}

{momma and sam}
{Daddy and his girl by the falls}

When we came home it was naps and cooking.

I made Salmon for dinner, with Roasted Asparagus, and Bruschetta, oh and brown rice.. but it took FOREVER in my rice cooker.. So much for trying to be healthy..

Warning: BROWN RICE TAKES FOREVER TO COOK!!!

The rest of the dinner was really good.

But Samantha did not think so.. she ate only the rice (when it was done), and the tomatoes off our bread.. I think she's about to pop more teeth... This week has been rough...

So that was our weekend. And now Im sitting here watching the Oscars and getting droopy eyed so off to bed for me soon!

Last day of February tomorrow.... BRING ON MARCH!!!!!!!!!
Hope everyone had a good weekend!

SUYL - What Do You Make! -

SUYL - What Do you Make?

I am crafty by nature.. but lately I have been doing some painting orders.

I have a separate blog just for my Art - 3rd Floor Art

Here are a few things from my portfolio:

{House Canvas Art for my Daughter's room}

{Painted storage for her dresser}
I keep stuff she cant see in here like tylenols, gas drops, and thermometer.. (she loves the digital thermometer!)

Below are some orders I've done, I placed sample fiigures next to what I charge based on a few things:

How Much you Order, Level of Difficulty, Shipping

There really are NO set prices..Im pretty flexible that way..I'll work with you!

{Stool for a friend's son} $50-65.00

{Canvas for my cousin Abigails new room!} -$40-50

{Canvas based off PBK Madras print for Ashley in TX!} -$40-50

{Zebra Door Hanger} - $5.00-8.00

{Custom Bow Hanger for baby Harper} - $15.00-20.00

{Frame} @ $10 and up

{Frame} $10 and up

{Canvas Bags} $15 and up

If you want something not shown, I'd be happy to do it.. just ask!

There is more on my site, and I'm attempting to learn Sewing and Bow Making so check for new categories at 3rd Floor Art.

What do you make? Link up at Kelly's Korner!

Recent Art Orders & Giveaway

Here are a few items I made for Katie in Texas.

She requested a bow hanger and matching door hanger for her daughter Harper due in May.

Here is the baby's bedding that I used to make her art.

{Bow Hanger}

{Hard to see the color in these pics, but they turned out so cute}

{Zebra Hot Pink Door Hanger}

{G Door Hanger - Light Blue w/Cars}

Thanks for your order Katie!

If anyone would like anything please just email me!

Prices vary, depending on detail and how much you order, etc.

**I am also going to be giving away a piece I did below***

{Pink Leopard "S" brown,pink,green Bow Hanger}

Since we've moved I've had this in storage, and SJ's room is taking on a different look, so this adorable bow hanger is yours for FREE!!!

Its already sprayed with Krylon for protection.

Email me if interested!

Top 2 Tuesday - Things You've Learned From Grandparents

Since I've learned alot from my parents, I thought why not make this post strictly about the Grandparents.

{Betty and Frank}

Engagement Pic

I was blessed to have all 4 grandparents for all of my childhood, and into my adult years too ... just this last year my last living grandparent passed.

Again, learned a LOT from them to, but there are a TOP 2 that stick out in my mind


Here they are:

1. "If you pray to him, he will give you whatever you want."

This was told to me when I was about 10 years old, in my Grandpa Frank's garage, I had found an old steel cross of Jesus, and he was telling me "if you pray to him, he will give you whatever you want"... Me being 10.. I didnt really know what it fully meant.. But now as an adult and mother, it makes perfect sense.. and it stuck with me and probably will for the rest of my life.

{Grandpa Sam and Grandpa Frank}

2. "Be a hard worker." I learned this from my Grandfather Sam, (who Samantha is named after) He was such a hard working man. Was in the military, worked, had 3 kids, worked until he reached retirement, and pretty much worked into his 80's I think.. He was a taxi cab driver, and I remember him always saying things like this to me, "if you work hard, it will pay off", "if you work hard you keep your brain young" (ha!).. Gosh there are so many things I got from him too, just cannot remember the exact words.


I learned stuff from my Grandma's too, one was a stay at home mom, good cook, and housewife, the other was part time stay at home mom, but she worked until retirement age too. Small things like how to make oatmeal, how to tweeze my eyebrows, how to appriciate Italian culture, how to eat good food (ha!)... and how to iron well.. (haha!) Tea is good for you...(my Grandma Betty Jane's drink of choice)

{Grandma Betty Jane and Me}

{Grandma Betty and Grandma Phyllis}


This was a fun post to do!
Makes me wish all 4 were still here today

Long Weekend in Ohio

We headed out for a little weekend getaway to Ohio to see Papa and Baba (Hubs' Parents)

The car ride is about 3.5 hours, and every time, Im wondering how will she do?

This time she did pretty good .. On the way there she just talked and laughed, and then she passed out for only a measly 45 minutes. Sheesh!

We were still about 1 hour away, so we stopped for lunch at Long John Silvers.. Hubs has been talking about it since we last passed through town, and since there are hardly any around here.. we enjoyed a little fish, chicken, chips, coleslaw, and hushpuppies..


After that SJ did not want to get back in the car....

We had to do a little persuading..

{Thank you McDonalds for your yummy 99 cent cones}

We had fun this weekend, and Samantha just loves her Baba and Papa..

They give her really yummy snacks, and we always have quite the feast every time we visit.

Friday night we had steaks, potatoes, and salad. Then we got in our jammies, and had some pears and popcorn before bed.

Saturday it was coooold. Samantha kept asking to go outside.. We thought to take her to the mall, let her run/walk and burn off some toddler energy.

We stopped by H&M and I found a bunch of cute things for her spring wardrobe..

{okay the birdy shirt is for momma}

Then she had to do her "business" and stood here in the store for at least 3 minutes and did it.

When I would ask her to come here.. or If I would go near her she would get very upset.. ha! She needed her privacy in H&M... Momma just didnt understand!

She fell asleep in the car on the way home and took a very very good nap for us.
Sunday we just relaxed and ate more good food.

Everytime I visit I pay close attention to how my mom in law cooks, and I got some great new recipes, which I plan to make, and share here so stay tuned!

{watching baba's cats from inside}

{Momma and Sam watching tv}

We headed home on Monday (today) and when we left it was 55 degrees and sunny...by Sunday winter was back... ugh...

We had a great little getaway. Looking forward to more soon

For tight now Im pooped.... going away takes out a lot out of us!

I wanted to get this post up though....

SUYL - Alma Maters - John Carroll University

My Alma Mater is JCU - John Carroll University, located in University Heights, Ohio

It was about 3 hours from my hometown, and I chose this school for a couple reasons:

1. It was close to home, but not too close.- about 3 hour car ride. So I would frequently go home for weekends, etc.

2. I got a partial scholarship, and loads of financial aid (since I was coming from a catholic high school, and I was an out of state applicant)

3. Smaller school size. - My high school was all girls, I think I had around 80 in my graduating class, so I didnt really want to go to a BIG BIG school... John Carroll was perfect.

4. I knew a handful of other friends that were coming to JCU as well one friend Julie that I had been going to school with since 1st grade.

5. Atmosphere, beauty, and surrounding neighborhood. University Heights, Shaker Heights, Cleveland, Beachwood. -


If you click on the links, or google any of these cities in Ohio, you will see so many charming, beautiful neighborhoods, mansions, parks, pools,


It was a University settled right in the middle of an amazing suburb of Cleveland.

I stayed on campus for 2 years in the dorms

John Caroll felt like a bigGER high school I guess. with boys.. I went to an all girls catholic high school. So I had not been in classes with boys since 8th grade, I remember that being a weird adjustment in itself.

{Dolan Hall my Freshman Year Dorm}

{Sutowski Hall- Sophomore Year Dorm}

Then moved off campus with 4 other girls in a house.

I think the most famous JCU grads have been Tim Russert and Don Shula. (so far) Which is the school's football field is named after...

I was on the dance team, played lacrosse, was a member of Lambda Gamma Sigma sorority, and overall had a great experience in Ohio at JCU.

{Graduation on the Quad}

Here are a few memorable places (ones that I could find pics of on Google!)


{local hangout favorite}

{walking distance from campus, good pizza and food.. okay and drinks}

{Arabica - Coffee Shop -I'd sometimes walk here and do homework or get coffee before class}

Im sure I have sooo many pics that I can scan, but its the weekend, and we're on a little hiatus..sooooo maybe I'll add them when I get home.

Wonder if any fellow JCU grads will be on this edition of SUYL??????????