Guest Post at Messy Wife, Blessed Life: Library Love

Mandi has a great series called Baby on a Budget over at her blog Messy Wife, Blessed Life. Considering I used to teach a class entitled "Budget for Baby," contributing to this series was a no-brainer. Others have posted about some of the 'big' topics we covered in my class, so I decided to post about a smaller, but always-frugal decision: utilizing your public library. (I'm actually writing this up right now instead of going to our usual library story hour because I don't feel like digging the car out of the snow this morning.)

Here's a sneak peek of the post:

While you can go the traditional routes to saving money as a parent (which I certainly do)--couponing, deal-hunting, cloth diapering, et cetera--there are some other less obvious ways to stretch your dollar and bump up your family's quality of life.  Yes, today I will be sharing about the awesomeness of the public library . . . continue reading more at Messy Wife, Blessed Life

If you have found your way over here for the first time, welcome! Mandi likes to harp on the fact that I've won a lot of cool stuff. Check out the most recent awesome win of mine (it's probably my best win so far). Hang around for a bit because soon I will be posting some of my own personal tips for winning giveaways!

What I Wore Sunday (Vol. 11)

ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!
Took baby (almost-toddler) to mass by myself for the first time!

And we actually fared pretty well. She tried to steal snacks from the toddler sitting in front of us, and she covered her ears during the prayer intentions (which made me laugh and I was having a hard time stifling it, which just encouraged her more). I was able to hear and understand most of the homily, and on my way out I thanked the priest that his homilies are good and clear enough that they can be followed even in the midst of baby-wrangling.

Linking up over yonder

It's been snowing a lot here this weekend, so this is what we looked like on our way to mass:

And after I made our "coat mountain" in the pew, I looked like this:

Pardon the hat hair

Shirt: Mossimo via Target // Scarf: I think it was my mother's way back when // Skirt: Geoffrey Beene Sport (what sport would you be playing in this?), thrifted // Fleece-lined leggings: Target // Boots: Bare Traps via DSW

I was glad I wore a skirt, for practical reasons. I pulled it taut while sitting, and it served as a 'table' for puffs to keep Cora quiet during consecration. And she was so distracted that she didn't try to make a mad dash up the aisle like usual.

Random quote of the day, as I watched the snow really fall heavily this morning, which I have never seen in real life: "I feel like I'm living in a snow globe."

Also, sometimes I make ugly cakes:

I had half of a cake (a dome, really) just sitting there, waiting to be decorated with leftover icing.

I'll be eating that tonight while I watch "the Beyoncé concert with football thrown in for good measure." Oh, and the ads. I majored in ads. I like ads.

7 Quick Takes (Anywhere But Here Edition)

--- 1 ---

I finally watched The Princess and the Frog this week. What an adorable movie! But it totally made me miss the Gulf Coast, especially now during Mardi Gras season. I didn't know the movie was set in New Orleans but pinned the accents within the first two minutes. And now I want some beignets.

From 2011, on my last visit to NOLA

--- 2 ---

Speaking of Mardi Gras, I saw pączki in the store for the first time. Apparently that's a Polish Fat Tuesday thing. It looked like a doughnut, but it said it was prune-filled. My baby loves prunes, so maybe I'll get it for her.

But where is the king cake?!! I may or may not make some (for the first time ever), but I'll definitely be serving up pancakes on Mardi Gras. I need to pull out our bead box soon.

Yes, my baby attended the Pensacola Mardi Gras parade at 3 weeks old.
She only got smacked with beads like twice. I think.

--- 3 ---

Speaking of homesickness and Lent in general, I booked a plane ticket to go back home for Easter! I haven't actually celebrated Easter with my family in Georgia since my last year of college (2006). It's just the baby and me going, but at least B has family here to take care of him. My sister's husband is becoming Catholic, so if there was ever a year to go, this is the one!

--- 4 ---

My flight was super cheap! Like under $150 cheap. Granted, I'll be driving 2 hours down to Indianapolis and having my in-laws take me to the airport, but still. And oh, I'm staying an extra day or two for no good reason. But so cheap!

--- 5 ---

I miss the beach. And I don't really like the snow or being cold. I noticed yesterday that it wasn't dark when we left the gym, and that gave me hope! C'mon, summer.

This was taken way back in my Virginia Beach days.

--- 6 ---

Have you shopped my closet yet? I have some clothes for sale, and it links up to other people who have clothes for sale. Go get yourself some new duds!

--- 7 ---

Did you see my post about my baby's birthday party? It's almost all pictures, so you don't have to use your whole brain. Go check it out if you haven't. Here's a preview:

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!