Style N Season: (Frugal) Mommies Don't Get Corner Office?

Well, this Mommy does!

I got my corner office last year right after giving birth to Baby Michael. Now, pliiiiiizzzz don't think I'm a mini Marissa Mayer or something like that. I just happened to have climbed the corporate ladder for years before getting married and having a baby. It was unexpected, me getting married and everything, since I was not the marrying type, but God lead me to having a family, being a wife and mother, and I don't want to trade that with anything else. Not for the biggest corner office in the entire world!

And please don't think I'm bragging about my career accomplishment. I just want to share that each and every one of us received a different gift from the Lord. For some women, it's the gift of being single and travel all over the world as a philanthropist, like a friend of mine. Or being an older single woman who channels her love by teaching children, caring for the elderly, and always lending a helping hand for her family, like a dear aunt of mine. Some have the gifts of being famous celebrities, or even one of those beautiful mommy bloggers, who inspire women to get fit, take care of their bodies, and get back into shape after babies. For some others, it's the gift to being a homeschooling mommy of more than one child - sometimes five or six - without losing their mind, like many of you, wonderful Friends in the blogosphere. Some women has amazing skills in cooking and getting organized. And some others, - the ones I envy the most, the ones who often make me feel inspired and also inferior at the same time - have the most amazing fingers that can sew, paint, knit, crochet, embroider, use hammer and nails and glue guns and whip up arts and crafts from even the simplest materials possible, or turn a shabby drawer into a chic-looking cabinet just with a pot of paint, like so many wonderful ladies I found on Pinterest.

For me, it's being a wife, a mommy, and a career woman who happens to love being fashionable and dressing up everyday. Or on most days. ^__^

Aaaand also being a frugal mom, which I will talk about in this post.

Vintage flower-shaped bag, find similar here or here.

What do you think of my cabbage-like, flower-shaped bag? When I got it several years ago, everbody was like: "It's very cute, LeeAnne, but how in the world are you going to pair it with?" My answer: with so many things!

I love unique purses that can "stand out" on its own. You carry one of these catchy, cheerful bags, and you don't need to worry about the rest of your ensemble. Just throw on a T-shirt and a pair of jeans, and you're fashionable. So practical for busy women. Look at this beauuuuuutiful Anusckha flower tote here. It's really something! I can imagine myself wearing all black and carry one, or wearing jeans, a simple pink top, and carry it for weekend errands.

Anuschka Bag (Buy)

My brother told how how many of his lady friends in Austin carry Vera Bradley purses. We don't have Vera Bradley in Indonesia, so I do some window shopping online, and I'm practically drooling over the fun, cheerful, colorful purses! I especially fall in love with this one. It's called Curvy Tote in Flower Shower. I found it here.

Vera Bradley Curvy Tote in Flower Shower (Buy)

And this one I especially like, because it's a basic black with a twist. The black color means the purse can go with any outfit. You can dress it up with a blazer or a simple cocktail dress, or you can dress it down with jeans and a simple top, or just a plain colored sundress. The pop of colors also will match any outfit color easily. It's definitely more fun than just a basic black tote!

M&F Western Paisley Peace Cross Bucket Tote (buy)

I've always been a frugal type and enjoying finding new tips and tricks to save money. In term of grocery shopping, now that I shop for a family instead of a single household, I spend more and aim to save more. One thing that I always do is stocking up when I find amazing deals. Especially if it's "buy one get one free" promotion for products that my family use on a daily basis, like toiletries, hand soap, laundry detergent, oatmeal, powdered milk, etc.

Like these baby wipes. I don't use baby wipes on my baby and use washable cotton wipes instead, but I always carry a pack of these and use them as wet ones in my purse. They are very very handy in situation when you need to wipe off your hands and there's no place to wash you hands. Hand sanitizer is nice, but sometimes you still need to wipe off your hands with some... fabric, I guess. These are "buy one get one free", so I stock up. I refuse to pay full price for something that I know will be on promotion regularly! All you've got to do is watch for the cycle and stock up accordingly. Trust me, it saves a lot, and worth spending more in the beginning. Stocking up also means you can avoid those unnecessary trips to the store because you run out of something unexpectedly.

I use bar soap, but Hubby likes liquid soap. This is a different variant than the one he usually uses, but they come in "buy a refill of 450 ml and get a small bottle of extra 100 ml product" promotion, - which is like a 22,22% of free product - so I got some. Last time I also bought different variants for him, whichever that was on special promotion. Luckily, Hubby's not too picky, as long as it's liquid soap. I never pay retail price for this brand, I always, always, stock up until the next cycle of promotion, because I noted a long time ago that they have promotion on a regular basis.

You might think to yourself when you see this picture, "Woman, you have a problem!" Yep, I use lots and lots of baby oil. On me. Not on Baby Michael. My son uses baby lotion and baby talc, but his delicate skin somehow cannot stand baby oil. Mommy is the one uses TONS of baby oil, as beauty product. I use a little bit everyday on my neck, I mix a bit in my body lotion. AND I use A LOT of body lotion because I lotion all over my body, from neck to my feet, not just on my hands and legs. To me, baby oil is a bit expensive. I don't like paying full price for it. So I always stock up, A LOT. Regularly, this brand will have "get 100% more product" promotion, which is like "buy one get one free" so I always buy like a dozen or so to last me until the next cycle of promotion which happens twice a year.

I have a drawer full of toiletries and bath supplies for my whole family in my closet. So, no worries, Hubby and son! You will never run out of soap, Mommy's got you covered!

So, what are your tips to save on grocery shopping? Please do share with me! I love learning on how to save money!

I'm linking up to these wonderful Ladies:

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

8 comments:

Unknown said...: Great bag. Love the office view. :); May 20, 2014 at 9:44 PM
Carylee said...: I wouldn't say you're frugal - just more savvy! And that's ok!
And I'm pretty jealous about your corner office! I have a cube that looks into a wall! :) But regardless, it funds my shoe collection, so I guess I can't complain!
Carylee | morepiecesofme.com; May 21, 2014 at 6:10 AM
Dana @ Something Good Blog said...: Love the florals! Thanks for linking up with me and Paige today!; May 21, 2014 at 7:24 AM
momstheword said...: You look lovely and I love your office, gorgeous! I'll bet it has an awesome view! Thanks for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday!; May 22, 2014 at 12:30 AM
ChristmasOwl07 said...: Congrats on the career accomplishments. Never be ashamed to share though. Be proud of them. Are those samples or did you get all that with coupons. Those purses are cute.

http://nightowlventing02.blogspot.com/2014/05/hump-day-confessions_21.html

and thanks for the links. will check em out; May 22, 2014 at 1:34 AM
Colour Queen said...: I love the colours in your top and I adore your handbag. Manic Monday; May 23, 2014 at 7:22 AM
Crystelle said...: You are so right! We need to celebrate where we are in life, and our own personal talents.... Thank you for the reminder! Have a great weekend!! :)
hugs x, Crystelle
Crystelle Boutique; May 25, 2014 at 12:49 AM
Unknown said...: What a great cabbage bag!! Love it. And, it sounds like you have been led to where you are. You also don't sound proud, just ready to do what you can. Thanks for the fun post!; May 25, 2014 at 9:05 PM

Style N Season

Pages

Monday, May 19, 2014

(Frugal) Mommies Don't Get Corner Office?

8 comments: