I NEED that …. Vol. 3

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My boyfriend and I always joke about me and my NEED for things.  I say it so much that there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t say I need SOMETHING.  Truth be told – there are some things I really want and then other things that are really a necessity.  Some of the things on this list that I genuinely NEED.  As for the extravagance of the products – that is open to debate.

1./2. We’re updating one of the bedrooms (finally) for Nick’s boys.  So they’ll have a legitimate bedroom of their own when they come stay with us. I’m so excited that they’re staying with us AND that I finally can do something with this mess of a farmhouse!  I’ve been doing tons of research online and found some really cute decorating ideas.  I’ve been trying to keep with the theme of rustic/farmhouse and found some reasonable and adorable ideas.  I really love the sports themed prints  – on amazon.com.  They each have an inspirational message written on them!  I live for Amazon and I especially like the idea of Amazon Smile.  Since I order so much from there – it’s comforting to know that a portion of my purchases goes to a good cause. My cause is a local animal retirement sanctuary (like a retirement home) for dogs: Marty’s Place.   Another decorating idea that I found was wooden ruler growth height chart.  I first noticed it on the Pottery Barn  website, but wasn’t too fond of the price.  Now that I’m not working – I’m always looking to make things stylish but on a decent budget.  Amazon once again came through with a wide variety of wooden growth charts!  The one above can be personalized and I just love it’s rustic style.

3.  I take pictures.  Lots and lots of pictures.  And while my past time has created a plethora of memories – it has also taken up most of my hard drive and memory.  I’ve known I would need an external hard drive for a while, but it wasn’t until I couldn’t start my computer and spent a 1/2 hour on the phone with a tech from Apple – did I realize that I need one immediately.  The girl from Apple told me I would do best with a 1 or 2 TB external HD.   The Seagate Backup Plus Slim 1 TB External Hard Drive seems to me to be a sleek and appropriate tool for what I need.  

4.) Lastly, and most importantly – I need a new refrigerator.  Technically, I’ve needed one for a year – but just when I think: “that’s it! I can’t take it! I need a new one!” my fridge begins to work again.  Which only leads me to: ” fine. I really can’t afford a new one right now, anyway. I’ll save up and get a new one when it actually breaks”  However, it’s gotten to become a relatively big problem.  We’ve gotten to the point where we can no longer buy frozen foods because they just spoil.  When, in the past the freezer would perk up after a week or two – teasing me with its sassy ways – it no longer perks up.  She’s just sitting there – teasing me with a temperature anywhere between 2-4 degrees.  Now, that we have boys staying with us – it’s helpful if we could have some quick breakfast and lunch meals to keep in the freezer.  So baby – it’s time to go.   I’ve been pricing and looking up various products and I’m going to try and hold out until Memorial Day – but I keep coming back to the Miele.  Years ago, my ex husband turned me on to Miele when we first purchased our vacuum cleaner and I really haven’t looked back since.  It’s a reliable product, well made and long lasting.

So, these are my needs (and wants) for this week.  What are your opinions?  What are some needs and wants you have for yourself?

 

 

I NEED that …. Vol. 2

It’s funny – because truth be told – I am honestly super content with my life. I always remember my father saying to my mom and me , “You’re millionaires, guys. We have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, our health AND most importantly – we’re together.” And he was right. I was a millionaire then …. and even though my dad isn’t with me anymore – I’m a millionaire now.  I have faith, a job, an amazing-supportive family, 4 great animals, and a roof over my head.

BUT …. there’s always that little inkling – that little voice whispering – “Oh you could really use that, Susie”. So, once again I’ve compiled a nice list of things I NEED – to make my perfect life – a little bit “comfortable” if you will. 🙂

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  1. Snugglens™ –ETSY (Snugglens Camera Bags) – when I got my camera years ago – Nick ended up buying me a run of the mill Nikon case.  While it was a nice surprise – it’s big and bulky and he usually ends up carrying it.  Snugglens – offers fashionable camera cases with extra pockets (for phones, etc) and they’re specially made to order. By a woman who took early retirement. To move to the Ozark Mountains. To raise mules.  SOLD (UPDATE – Since I began writing this list – the Shop Owner, Judy, has had to for a stem-cell/bone marrow transplant. There are bags still available – but right now I am just wishing her a speedy and easy recovery!! Prayers are with you!!
  2. A Buff Orpington or 10www.backyard chickens.com – As Buff Hooligans (how can you not love that name?) comments on her write-up about Buffys – they’re the Scarlett Johansson’s of the chicken world. Her write up is hysterical and honestly – although I’ve had my mind made up about the breed for some time now – this article TOTALLY just made me want them more.
  3. Another season of The Borgias – www.sho.com/sho/the-borgias/home– Well this one isn’t going to happen and I’m super bummed that I caught on to it so late. I’ll just miss seeing Francois Arnaud on my TV. Thank God – I can always re-watch (YAY onDemand and Netflix)  and will have Norman Reedus and The Walking Dead to occupy my time 🙂
  4. The Unpaper Towel – http://www.theunpapertowel.com – Nick and I have long been using cloth napkins and it definitely cuts down on the cost of paper napkins. But we couldn’t quite get out of the habit of using paper towels – especially with the dogs. But paper towels cost money. Not to mention it brings with it the difficult task of trying to find companies that are Cruelty Free. (Surprisingly – a lot of unassuming products are still considered “not cruelty free” because of parent companies.)  So, why not cut out the middleman, help the environment and still have the convenience of multi sheet paper towels? The Unpaper Towel appears to do just that.  There is also an awesome MORE!?! link on their page that offers a bunch of other alternative uses for their product.
  5. Hunter Rain Boots-  http://us.hunterboots.com  I am, without a doubt, a fan of all things BOOT. There was a time when I would only wear boots. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.  I have a nice pair of INDULGE-2033’s from the Goth Days, Brown Lace Up’s by Steve Madden – from my BoHo days, brown riding books, black riding boots, LL Bean – Snow Boots, Cheap Groupon boots, Jessica Simpson past the knee boots. … the list goes on!  Now – I try to minimize my Spring/Summer boot wearing to my cowboy boots. BUT one type of boot – I haven’t owned in years.  A Rain BOOT.  Winters are rough here, Spring is rainy here and our property is muddy.  Sounds like a personally good reason to invest in a nice, fashionable pair of Hunter Rain Boots. Christmas list item #1 – thank you SANTA. (UPDATE – I GOT THESE, they are perfect!!

What are your opinions on my NEEDS list this week? What are some things you have been dying to get yourself?

*please note – all photos are copyrighted by their owners – and have either been asked for permission and/or credited via a link on this blog*

I NEED that …. Vol. 1

One of my favorite parts of teaching first grade was the “Needs and Wants” lesson in Social Studies. Having the students distinguish between things they actually need to survive or just “want” to have in order to make life more comfortable – usually makes for an interesting list of things.
Its funny then, when I’m out and about, to think about all the things I seem to suddenly NEED.  I know Nick cringes every time he hears the words “Ohhhhhh …. I need that.” Truthfully, it’s become a joke more than anything – but some things would be nice to have.  🙂  A girl can dream … can’t she?

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  1. Bungalow 360 – http://www.bungalow360.com/ – a California based handbag company founded by Susie Pusch.  In addition to having super ADORABLE prints and styles – they pride themselves in being “Earth Happy” and donate a portion of their proceeds to Animal Rescue organizations. ❤
  2. Antique School Desk – http://factory20.com – believe it or not = we actually have one of these beauties.  Unfortunately, it’s shoved in the basement due to lack of space and time to restore it.  When I saw this beauty on Factory20.com – I couldn’t help but get motivated to get ours looking spiffy again.
  3. Pur~lisse – Pur-youth (Age Delay Skin Serum) http://shop.purlisse.com – Pur~lisse has easily become one of my favorite beauty products since receiving a sample in my May Ipsy bag.  Initially, I started with the Pur-lisse: Pur~Moist moisturizer sample and loved it so much – that I eagerly bought the full sized product. Along with my full sized product came a bunch of little free-be samples.  One of those samples being the Age Delay Skin Serum.  Not only is amazingly light, non greasy and full of awesome ingredients BUT it’s cruelty free and vegan too!
  4. Vespa GTS 300 – http://www.vespausa.com – Vespa? Need I say more?

What are your opinions on my NEEDS list this week? What are some things you have been dying to get yourself?