Hello! And btw here's a giveway!

Well hi there! I know I've been sort of absent. And I apologize! I had every intention of blogging at my new job. I'm a computer lab monitor at my school. I work in the music department and basically make sure nobody steals anything and that they all sign in - but my job also came with another part. I'm putting my graphic design skills to work making posters for upcoming musical productions, as well as the programs that go along with them. I really thought I would have time to blog, but it's nuts! [Not to complain here, but] they give me assignments with no deadline so I can't pace myself and it gets a little crazy sometimes. I'm still finding my way. And hey, it's a good job with some perks for a single mom and student like myself. Oh and some good news on the jobfront - the dean of the art department has asked me (yes, me!) to speak at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new art building - eek!!! Very excited that I, and I quote, "came highly recommended," and definitely excited about what this could do for my reputation, job, etc. Good things, good things!

Anyway, I came on here to let everyone know that Lovelie is having a Holiday/Clean Sweep sale. It's been really hard to keep up the stock in my store, as I really haven't had time to go treasure hunting. My listings are about to expire and I would hate to pay more etsy fees (wah!) so I'm offering 20% off with code GIVECHEER annnnd two lucky winners will receive an exclusive sale code for an additional 10% off. That's a total of 30% off! Spread the word and increase your chances of winning - and help me sell out and restock so I can bring you more goodies :) Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Here are the rules:

1. Visit Lovelie and choose your favorite item(s) from the shop. Come back here and leave a comment along with your email address, mentioning your favorite item.
2. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on your blog, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address.
3. For an additional entry, tweet about this giveaway on Twitter, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address.
4. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on Facebook, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address.
5. For even more entries, POST again (Blog, Twitter, Facebook) at any time later in the week, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address.

**You may enter up to FIVE TIMES for FIVE CHANCES to win! Good luck!!!**

The winner will be randomly chosen and posted on the blog on Friday, December 10th...I will notify the winner via email with their exclusive code. Please help spread the word so everyone gets a fair chance :) 

Ten Things I Learned this Month (July)

Okay okay....mostly this month. But some of these are just things that I had to share. Come on, would you really want me keeping valuable information from you? I think not :)

1. Storing your batteries in a fridge or freezer can extend life, depending on battery type.
• Alkaline batteries can lose up to 25% of their power a year if stored in a hot garage or attic.
• Rechargeable batteries lose 1-2% of their charge every day at room temperature. Storing them in the freezer preserves about 90% of a charge in a month. (Better Homes and Gardens Publication: Storage, Summer 2010)
2. Making your own laundry detergent can be done in less than an hour and can cost you just a penny per load! Learn more here. (I myself have been doing this for a year or so now and it is so easy to make and very customizable since you choose what bar of soap to use)
3. Save money by buying gift cards for up to 30% off their face value at sites such as plasticjungle.com, giftcardrescue.com, and giftcardsagain.com (via AARP)
4. Are you a fan of pastels? The next time you're doing a small painting project, instead of buying a whole can of a particular color, buy a sample a few shades darker than the shade you want and mix it with that spare white paint you have at home. It should save you about $10 and you'll use up that paint that's lying around. (Personal tip)
5. Here's a two-fer-one on painter's tape:
• After you've installed your molding, put the tape just a hair above where you're going to caulk to give you a straight line and no mess on the walls. (originally found here)
• When you're trying to get a crisp line with painter's tape, first use very minimal paint on the brush (dry-brush) and go over the border of the tape. Then, on the second coat, you can apply more paint. The first coat creates a seal so the second coat doesn't seep through. (seen on HGTV)
6. If you've got kids, then you've probably had a virtual smackdown in the dining room over the subject of vegetables. In lieu of that, why don't you use a little smoke and mirrors and hide their veggies (in their food of course). Try this recipe which cleverly disguises cauliflower in mashed potates. For more 007 recipes, try Jessica Seinfeld's book Deceptively Delicious.
7. Ok ladies, I know we all have atleast one pair of "sacred" shoes. To preserve their "holiness" spray them with acrylic matte sealer, which can be purchased for as little as $4 and change. This way, when they get dirty, all you have to do is wipe clean! And no one will ever know :)
8. When cooking a casserole, use ceramic or glass baking dishes; these materials outperform metal and will allow you to lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees, saving both energy and money (via Danny  Seo's Do Just One Thing Calendar)
9. Use a vintage apron as an organizer. Put mail, sunglasses, pens - whatever! - in the pockets and hang it across a door. Just tie the apron strings around the door and secure with double-sided tape. (Country Home February 2008)
10. Adding color to your room can sometimes be intimidating. Unless you are completely confident in you skills and taste, it's best to spend "big" money on pieces that are neutral, and instead bring in color with low-cost items. (Unknown)

Do you have any useful tips? Let me know and maybe I'll include it in my next tips post :) By the way, I realize I'm 3 days late but hey what can I say..better late than never right? haha

Image Sources:

Family (unknown), Paint (Twig Hutchinson), Clothesline (bal93 {new Icon})