When I got my first job out of college, I went a little haywire with shopping. I had more clothes, shoes and bags than I knew what to do with. I did not, at that time, have a mortgage, so financially my mall habits weren’t that big of a deal. Emotionally, however, I was trying to feed some hunger that had existed for years. Adulthood suddenly meant the power to shop with abandon. I no longer had to worry about my babysitting money stretching far enough at Target for a new outfit.
Thankfully, in the last few years I’ve slowly changed my habits and learned to appreciate how much nicer it is to have fewer things you love, rather than gobs that are just okay. (I’ve also happily returned to buying adorable clothes at Target.) My closet today is regularly purged of items that aren’t being worn with any frequency. I no longer buy fabric on sale just because it is a deal. Same goes for yarn, shoes, pots and pans, food, etc. I have to love, need and have the money in hand to make the purchase.
This new attitude has simplified my living in wonderful ways. Not only do I own less, but I appreciate the things I have more. With this in mind, the other day I purchased a few yards of fabric from SewMamaSew and combined them with canvas and some cotton prints I already had to create these September birthday gifts.

Details: Amy Butler Swing bag pattern, altered just a bit to make the straps longer.

I am tickled with the result and so please I splurged on fancy fabrics I loved. Are you interested in simplifying your life or routine? If so, what do you do to make life easier?

~K

I attended a super heroes themed birthday party this weekend and yee-ow, was it fun. I was rather impressed by the costumes. The idea was to create your own super hero and super power. Political correctness was not a requirement.

El Camino, super power: landscaping.

Super Sleepy

Super Skottsdale

Who came with a sobriety monitor on her leg. Ah, the humor we find in reality.

Super Keg

Package Man, super power: making me blush like you wouldn’t believe. You can guess what was inside the box. Oy.

One random Eagle Man, super power: securing the pride and dignity of women worldwide.

And the birthday girl, aka the Aerobicizer, super power: crushing things with her abs. Any girl who can rock gold undies in public has my party-respect.

I was the Margarita Maven, fighting the evils of sobriety one frozen drink at a time. My sidekick, the Salty Senor, was a trouper and even grew a rather entertaining mustache for the event. I sewed a small apron, wore a rhinestone MM name badge and handed out recipe cards, while pouring margaritas. Any time I can dress up like a drunk housewife, I’m having a good time. Plus, being a sucker for a good theme, I love that my friends like to be so silly and creative.
Today, my super power is accepting sobriety with both hands and willing it to move in permanently.
~K