I just moved into a new place that I love, and one of the biggest temptations is to go on a crazy home decor shopping spree to make my digs "perfect".  Of course, said shopping spree is probably not the best idea since I now have this little thing called a mortgage to pay.  So, while I've set myself on a budget and am FORCING myself to be patient, it seems there are a ton of websites and stores that are actively seeking to get me kicked out of my homey little Garden of Eden.  Here are the Satans in no particular order:

Overstock.com--Did you know when you change your address, you can request a coupon to be sent to you from Overstock.com?  Good idea, right?  WRONG.  Every day, I get an enticing e-mail from them saying, "Here's your 10% coupon.  Did we mention we're having a ridiculous sale on our already stupidly cheap stuff?"  And every day I must. resist. the. temptation.  (Kudos to them, though...when I tweeted about my dilemma, they immediately responded back with, "We'll try our best to not be so tempting, but we're not making any promises... ;-)".  Ha!)

Piperlime.com--OK, so this isn't a housewares store, but part of the problem with being on a budget is that well, you can't be like, "Oh, I won't spend money on new bedding, but I WILL buy new spat boots."  Yeah, it doesn't work that way.  But Piperlime, you Devil.  You like to send me "buy this look" stuff with adorable military jackets which make me no longer care that I don't have a toilet paper holder in the bathroom yet.  Sigh.

TJMaxx/Marshalls--Also not technically a website, but still...I cannot enter those stores right now.  I just can't.

CB2.com--Stupid CB2 with your cute little slat rings and knitted poufs and clever clocks.  Go back to your firey pit, Lucifer.

Design*Sponge--At least D*S isn't a shopping site, but geez, the cute rooms, DIY tutorials and decorating ideas are giving my poor Virgo brain overload.  And THEN I'm like, "Well, Lowe's doesn't really count as home decor shopping because it's technically a SUPPLY store."  Slippery slope, friends.  Slippery slope.


What websites are the Devil to you?

Posted by The Naked Redhead

Now that I've spent over a year in Boston, I feel pretty confident saying I like but don't love the East Coast. What can I say? Northern California is a perfect fit for my temperament. That said, dude, there are a few things that the East Coast just. does. BETTER.

Oh, you think I'm being a tad extreme? Funny. I think capital punishment is a bit of a light touch for the following jerkwad bus behaviors:

Swiveling your legs into the aisle instead of getting out properly to let me into the window seat. Because, yes, by a perfect coincidence, my body is exactly six inches wide, so of course I'm in no way self-conscious about scrubbing your entire torso with the back of my skirt while I wriggle between the seats.

Taking up a handicapped spot then spending the ride texting frantically so you don't have to catch eyes with standing passengers who actually need those seats. Who're you texting, kiddo? Your probation officer?

Selecting a new ringtone. I'm super glad you popped for the 32gig iPhone. And have listened to every single one of your three thousand songs out loud. Twice.

Making loud, passive-aggressive comments when it takes the bus driver several minutes to help a passenger with a wheelchair on and off the bus. Seriously, dude?! If the slight hold-up bothers you that much, why don't you just get off and walk? At least you have the option.

Back-of-bus denial. Yeah, nobody likes being forced to stand in the aisle on a crowded morning bus, but for some people, apparently making the two steps up to the back of the bus is a whole new level of torment. This generally results in the front half of the bus being packed like a Green Day mosh pit circa 1995. And the back of the bus as empty as ... well, a Green Day mosh pit circa 2010.

Sticking a wet umbrella on the seat next to you to discourage potential seatmates. I -- I just don't like you, dude.

Then again, maybe it's best we keep these people on buses. Goodness only knows what havoc they'd wreak on the freeway. What jerkwad communter behavior makes you want to call a cab?

Posted by TKOG of Not That Kind Of Girl.

Since we have approximately $4 of spending money each month, I've had to get creative about Taking a Stand. Here are just a few ideas for making a statement with your wallet, even if there's almost nothing in it.

Cut back on meat so you can buy from farmers. Sure truly free-range chickens and pasture-fed beef are twice as expensive as the mystery meats you can buy in the grocery. But if you go vegetarian a bit more often, you can afford to support local farmers who raise and treat their animals humanely and safely.

Makeup with a conscience. I must admit the majority of my makeup comes from the drugstore (I use Bare Escentuals for foundation, which is a good choice for many reasons). But! Companies like Revlon and Almay offer some great products and don't do animal testing to boot.

Compromise where it counts. When your budget is a shoestring, buying from artisans and boutique businesses isn't always an option. But even big box stores like Target and Walmart offer things like organic cotton textiles and really cool, safe kids toys made from organic, renewable materials. You just have to do a little research, which doesn't cost a dime.

Think outside the recycle bin. Hello, Craigslist! Goodwill, you're a doll! A lot of our furniture has been quality hand-me-downs or low-cost used purchases that we've refurbished to freshen up and match to our style. In fact, I just inherited my grandparents' original solid maple bedroom suite, which I refinished for less than 10 bucks (using Cabot Polystain). With a few new drawer pulls from Lowe's, the set looks like the Pottery Barn Printer's collection—only it's higher quality, antique, and has sentimental value. Score!

Do you guys have any tips or tricks for flexing your consumer dollars, few though they may be?


Posted by Erin of The Fierce Beagle

So, many of you might know that I recently purchased my first home and am in the process of moving.  You might also know that I'm a *slightly* anal-retentive Virgo.  Here are 5 awesome Virgo-grade packing tips to incorporate into your next move.

1. Large, lined Post-It notes are your labeling best friend (color code for an extra Virgo bonus!)--You don't think I'd just throw something in a box and just label it "stuff", right?  Of course not!  I feel like the more detailed you are about what a box contains, the better you'll be able to sort and unpack when the time comes (e.g. a box labeled "Everday dishes, silverware and knives" will get unpacked before "Living room accessories, candles, ceramic elephant, and tchotchkes.")  After using the Post-It notes to label what's in the box, I slap it on the box and secure it with packing tape.  It's also a great way to help your helpers (should you bribe your friends with beer and pizza) know better where to take things.  Orange label?  Kitchen!  Blue label?  Bedroom!

2.  Pack for maximum occupancy, but be careful of weight--I've found that the cheapy, put-em-together-yourself cardboard file boxes are perfect for books.  You can cram a bunch of books in one and not overload the box (or your mover).  Plus, it has handles!  Always keep heavy stuff to the small boxes.  Shove pillows, blankets and towels into the giant awkward boxes.  Easy peasy.

3.  Pack like it's Tetris, not like it's Uno--Tetris makes you fit shapes together in the most snug way, while in Uno, you just slap cards down into a big heap.  Lame.  Be a Tetris packer and your belongings will not only fit more snugly (and more securely) in a box, but unpacking will be much more organized.  (Notice a theme here?  I pack in an organized manner so that unpacking is a breeze!  Seriously, I can unpack a house in its entirety in about a day.)

4.  Make your household goods multi-task--Newspaper is a great way to shield dishes and breakables, sure, but so are towels, pillow cases, washcloths and scarves.

5.  Think of unconventional "boxes" for packing to save money and space--I already mentioned the cardboard file boxes, but I also often will buy plastic, lidded bins on clearance to use for packing (plus, they're great for storage once you're moved).  I love using suitcases and gym bags in a move, as well.  Empty dresser drawers are perfect for stowing throw pillows or blankets.  Sturdy hampers and baskets can cart clothes, oddly shaped items, or stuff you need to access immediately upon your move.

And because I'm feeling generous, here are a few other quick tips:

• Pack plates and dishes on end (not stacked) to avoid breakage and to disperse weight. If something does happen to the box (i.e. one of your tipsy friends drops it) you'll have much less breakage.
• Alternate book spines to fit more books per box.
• Keep a box aside for donation items so you can...
• ...purge while you move.  If you're going to take the time to pack something, ask yourself if you need it or love it.  If you're packing it and you haven't actually used in in six months or more, get rid of it or donate it.
• If you're super concerned about grandma's antique cookie jar, or are sure your favorite socks will be lost in the move, pack a personal bag or box that you can keep with you during the move.  I almost always pack some sort of "overnight" bag that has an extra pair of underwear, my toothbrush, and my jammies, just in case!  I also pack grandma's antique cookie jar in lots of padding and keep it in its own box along with my overnight bag.

What tips do you have for moving?  Have you  moved a lot?
Posted by The Naked Redhead

The title kind of says it all, doesn't it? When I was younger, I had big, romantic dreams about living an unconventional life, every moment writhing with electricity. No bourgeois mundanity for me! Now that I'm a bit older, though, I not only partake in but flat-out enjoy the following stodgy old codes of behavior:

Talking about the weather. All the dang time. It's not even so much that I appreciate the value of being able to trade banal pleasantries with strangers all day. At some point, I just became genuinely fascinated by weather. (Next stop: Metamucil.)

Contributing to my retirement account. Forget all the fancy electronics and designer shoes my teenage self dreamed of. No purchase can match the pride I feel when I read personal finance articles about starting retirement savings in your 20s and think: "That's me! I do that!"

Bargain shopping. 'cause, hey, a girl wants fancy electronics and designer shoes sometimes.

Gently prodding teenagers to be more respectful in public. I deal with a fair amount of teenagers in my work, and I always thought I related more to them than to people my boss's age. Until, that is, the day a teen came in to use our phone, then bolted out the door without a word -- leaving me to shout "You're welcome!" after his quickly retreating form. The scornful look he shot me is exactly the one I would have given myself at that age.

Eating my veggies. Turns out veggies are AMAZING when they're not boiled for eighteen hours straight. No offense, Mom.

What parts of your adult self would be unrecognizable to you as a sixteen-year-old? And isn't it nice to settle into that great bourgeois expanse of middle age?

Posted by TKOG from Not That Kind Of Girl.

I'm not saying I'm as unsexed as Lady Macbeth, but somewhere between my proclivity for men's shoes and obsession with all things Bond (comma James Bond, baby), I'm not exactly the pretty-princess type. Still, there are few feelings quite as lovely as -- every once in a while, between Godfather marathons -- feeling divinely feminine. Some of my favorite girly-girl moments:

Getting dressed for a social occasion: Cheesy as it sounds, before going out, I like to blast a little Peggy Lee (a la the inimitable Cher in "Mermaids") and sing along while watching my face blossom in cinematic slow motion to something just a little fantastic. Though, girliness aside, if you make fun of this, I will punch you.

Settling in over a bottle of beaujolais for a multi-hour cozy chat with my best friend: Sure, we're so close we could just save our vocal chords and read each other's minds, but where's the fun in that?! I am woman, hear me giggle.

Making a guy carry something for me: Dudes, I don't even try to lift my carry-on into the overhead bins anymore. What's the point, when a kittenish little cough will force some gallant gent to spring up and do the dirty work for you? Being a woman means you can do everything yourself -- not that you have to.

Cleaning in an apron: Admittedly, I only do this because my hostess apron has convenient iPod-holding pockets, but every time I look at myself while cleaning the bathroom mirror, I feel a little flush of Mad Men.

Doing fifteen tasks at once, nerves frazzled within an inch of my life, yet still beaming a grin so sweet it'll give you diabetes: Seriously, ladies. Y'all have friggin' superpowers.

What daily moments leave you feeling glamorous, empowered, sultry, or otherwise beguilingly feminine?

Posted by TKOG of Not That Kind Of Girl.

Lisa McColgan has maintained a blog (lisamcc.diaryland.com) at Diaryland since 1999, and can't be bothered to move to a trendier platform. She is also a regular contributor to 5x500. She hates cauliflower and water chestnuts.

My best friend from high school. Judy and I first met as chorus members in a summer theatre production of “Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” In the midst of this runny musical pap, a fast friendship blossomed. We ate at Bickfords a lot (Are there still Bickfords? They were like Dennys, only trashier), and she taught me this game: you take your pack of Marlboro Lights, and you pull off the cellophane, only you stop before it comes off altogether. Put a dime on the cellophane and then take turns slowly burning holes around the dime with your cigarette until the dime drops through the cellophane onto the table. I miss Judy and my searches yield nothing. But I keep trying.

The girl that bullied me all through 6th and 7th grades. She’s another one that hasn’t left much of an internet footprint, which is probably just as well. Nearly 27 years later, she still scares the hell out of me. If she had a Facebook page or something with her picture, I’d probably burst into tears.

Drunken fling from senior year in college. A horrible, embarrassing night of frantic grappling made that much less sexy by the fact that I was wearing overalls and combat boots (it was 1991 – don’t you judge me). He had good hair. Now he doesn’t have any.

Current significant others of ex-boyfriends. I don’t know why I do this. It’s insane. I’m happily married; they’re happily married/involved/whatever. Everyone’s happy. But I get a perverse thrill from finding out they have visible split ends, fat ankles or really crappy taste in music. Because I’m insane.

Who do you still stalk for no discernible reason?

I've seen a few celebrities in my time, even up-close, but I've never spoken to one. There are quite a few things I'd like to ask if the planets aligned to give me the opportunity and the nerve all at the same time. Oh, and I'd also hope for a magical truth serum to actually get some real answers to boot.

Are you kidding me with the drunken driving? So not every celebrity does this, but many have. And I just have to know, if you have that much money, why not hire a permanent DD? Am I right??

At what point does your wealth become unruly? Like, when did you hire a financial team to keep track of all your many millions in assets?

How much time do you actually spend on personal grooming? Waxing, threading, fake tanning, spa days, shopping, mani-pedis, hair cuts and colors, gosh I'm getting exhausted just listing it.

Can you give an accurate count of how many other celebrities you've done the nasty with? Because if the tabloids are even close, Hollywood is soap-opera incestuous.

How much plastic surgery and food deprivation is necessary to maintain your figure? Self-explanatory.

What would you want to know?

Posted by Erin of The Fierce Beagle

My pup at bath time

My family was by no means wealthy when I was a child.  My father pastored a small country church of about 50 members, and my mom stayed home with the four kids.  We never ate out, rarely bought perfectly new clothes, and our old, rusty car often protested against our combined family load.  BUT, there were certain things my parents never, ever skimped on, and those purchases were always accompanied by my father droning the phrase, "We're too poor to buy cheap, kids!"  That principle has stuck with me to this day, and even though I'm pretty sure I now make more money than my father did at that time, I still try to live frugally...with some notable exceptions:

Coats--My parents always bought us nice coats from Land's End or LL Bean, usually two sizes bigger than what we needed.  I've done the same, except this time it's a gorgeous Kenneth Cole navy peacoat (had it for ten years), a black wool mid-length coat (ten years), and a Columbia "play" jacket (5 years).  Worth every penny, and with a little care, each coat still looks new.

Boots--Our family spent its early years in northeastern Ohio, where the snow started in October and lasted until May.  We each had a pair of trusty boots we could wear (again, a size too big).  Five years ago, I splurged on a pair of tall brown boots.  The toe is slightly rounded, the heel is a pretty stacked wood, and the color is that great brown that looks fantastic with any outfit.  I take them to my shoe guy every fall for a "tune up."  The leather is acquiring a nice patina, and the boots just look better with age. 

Dog food--Well, honestly, I don't remember WHAT my parents fed our pets growing up, but I know I discovered the little miracle of organic, holistic, corn and byproduct free dog food about four years ago.  Who knew it's actually CHEAPER in the long run to buy an expensive bag of dog (and/or cat) food than to buy bargain food in bulk?  Sure, bags start at $16 (hello, first time buyer sticker shock), BUT my dog sheds less, poops less, and yes, actually eats less than he did previously.  My cost of feeding him ends up being about a penny per pound (of his weight) per day.  And, he's so healthy now that he needs the vet less, which also saves me money. 

(Psst, if you'd like to take a look at a good, holistic, organic food from a cool company, check out Blue Buffalo.)

What items are you "too poor to buy cheap?"

Posted by The Naked Redhead