Tag Archives: ballin on a budget

Why Homeowners Are Becoming More Selective About Renovations

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Why Homeowners Are Becoming More Selective About Renovations

In recent years, many home renovation projects focused on staying in line with the latest design trends. Now, however, homeowners are adopting a different strategy. Because of increasing renovation costs, changes in their way of life, and the need for long-term financial planning, people are becoming more careful about where they spend their money and expect each improvement to enhance their daily living, improve efficiency, or add lasting value to the house.

The same thing has happened in the way renovation decisions are made. Homeowners no longer base their choice of products solely on how they look, but now consider durability, maintenance requirements, energy efficiency, and long-term performance before buying. A well-thought-out renovation is no longer aimed at keeping up with flashy trends; rather, it is focused on creating a home that will work better over many years:

Improving a house is now a far more financial commitment than it was a few years ago because the prices of materials, skilled labor, and specialist services have gone up, which has led many homeowners to plan their projects more carefully rather than doing all of them at the same time. Instead of spreading their budget thin over several upgrades, they are now selecting the improvements that give the best long-term value. As a result, people’s renovation activities are becoming more thoughtful. Instead of replacing things simply because they are no longer in style, homeowners are now thinking about whether an improvement will enhance comfort, reduce ongoing costs, or make their home more enjoyable to live in. This way of thinking is affecting the priorities people have when renovating the rooms in the house.

In the past, the reason for carrying out home repairs had been mainly to improve the appearance, with a preference given to striking finishes, bright colors and the latest design fads. While style still plays an important role, today homeowners ask themselves a different question before making a decision: will this repair improve the way we live on a day-to-day basis? Which is why practical improvements have risen in importance on lists of what people want to renovate. Upgrades that offer better storage, more intelligent layouts, improved lighting, and durable materials generally provide more value than those with an eye-catching appearance. At the same time, homeowners are growing more aware of products that are easy to maintain and built to last, lowering future repair and replacement costs.

There isn’t a renovation project that has a greater effect on daily life than an upgrade to the kitchen. This is because it is one of the most frequently used areas of the house, and even minor improvements can make cooking, cleaning, and entertaining more pleasant. Because of this, many homeowners choose practical upgrades that keep adding value long after the renovation is finished. Today’s kitchens are not assessed merely on their appearance. Instead, homeowners are seeking appliances that work quietly, use less water and energy, and match the way their household operates. When an older dishwasher, refrigerator, or cooking appliance is replaced during a renovation, efficiency improves, along with reduced maintenance and running costs.

If a new dishwasher is part of your renovation plans, take time to compare more than just the price. Shopping during a dishwasher sale can help reduce the upfront cost, but it’s equally important to consider how the appliance will perform over the years. A reliable, energy-efficient model that suits your household is far more likely to deliver lasting value than one chosen simply because it was the cheapest option available.

For many homeowners, reducing their ongoing household expenses has now become a major concern. Rather than just looking at the initial cost of a renovation, people are growing more aware of the impact their decisions will have on their monthly utility bills and future maintenance expenses. Even minor improvements can result in a noticeable effect after several years. Energy-saving appliances, LED lighting, upgraded insulation and water-saving fittings are now the norm in renovation plans. Although each of these improvements may appear insignificant by itself, collectively they can decrease energy usage, improve comfort and cut down the total cost of running a home.

Successful renovations seldom depend on selecting the most expensive items; instead, they begin with detailed planning and decisions appropriate to your home, way of life, and future requirements. If you take accurate measurements, set a realistic budget, and consider how each room will be used, you can avoid expensive alterations later on.

It is particularly important to plan when carrying out a kitchen renovation. The cabinet arrangements, the sizes of the appliances, and the storage options all have to fit together, which is why you should select the items early in the design process to achieve a more practical and unified outcome. At the same time, many homeowners are looking into integrated appliances since they offer a smooth, sleek look while continuing everyday functionality as a key aspect of the design.

The most effective renovations need not be the largest or the costliest; they are those that improve how a home functions daily while maintaining their value over the long term. When homeowners plan thoughtfully and focus on practical improvements, they can create spaces that are not only attractive but also support their way of living!

Bath & Body Works July Freebie

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Bath & Body Works July Freebie

Hi! My family will soon be vacationing in Italy and I am SO beyond excited!! It is going to be a once in a life time trip and every day that passes is another day closer to hitting the airport and going off on an adventure. I decided to be the one in charge of assembling travel size products for everyone’s toiletry kit and there is no better place to do so than at Bath & Body Works. Thanks to their monthly freebie coupons, I have been able to snag travel size shower gels and lotions without paying one cent. The last shower gel I needed to get was for my brother and, unfortunately for him, there were no travel size men’s shower gels in stock. Fortunately for me, I was able to get a freebie for myself lol check it out:

B&BW does a preview of their Halloween collection every July and I just love it. I live for spooky season so the earlier Halloween themed goods arrive in store, the better. While my next freebie coupon will be reserved for my brother, I chose a travel size fragrance spray in Vampire Blood for my goodie. It’s actually perfect because I don’t have any travel size perfume and I’d rather not lug my full size bottle of B&BW spray across the world lol. It’s also double perfect because I am currently using one of their Halloween perfumes right now so I can keep with the theme in Italy. 😀

I Scream Float is my all time favorite Halloween scent by B&BW because it smells exactly like Diet Coke. And, as a DC fiend, that really speaks to me. However, Vampire Blood was my all time favorite before I Scream Float debuted last year. Vampire Blood is a dark mix of deep blackberries and raspberries and it is a delight to the senses… Usually. As I typed this, I attempted to spray the tiniest amount of this scent for a refresher sniff and ended up getting a huge spray straight to my nose smh. Consider myself refreshed! On the bright side, there are a whole lot worse things than Vampire Blood to be smelling all day now!

Another travel size product for Italy is checked off of my list which means more room in my bag for clothes and shoes to create OOTD magic!! AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

What is your favorite B&BW scent collection? Do you have any packing pro tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

5 Below Clothing Haul

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5 Below Clothing Haul

Hi! Johnny and I are the Fun Aunt and Uncle and have been looking forward to taking our nieces to see Toy Story 5. Taking them to the movies is one of our favorite things because it’s just pure fun. Loading up on snacks, determining what movies to see next from the previews, and taking in the movie magic altogether. Because I am the most extra aunt on the planet, simply going to see Toy Story 5 isn’t good enough. I have to dress the part and knew just where I needed to go – 5 Below to shop their Toy Story collection. I walked away with Toy Story toys for the girl squad and some treats for me too:

^^^ Lol, it’s not Toy Story themed but I wasn’t going to not get a Sean Paul T-shirt!

The Toy Story collection has been at 5 Below for a while and I kept thinking to myself that I had to buy the adorable Jesse crop top and hoodie but never did. On Monday, I visited the best 5 Below in my neck of the woods to make the purchase and was so disappointed to be too late. They were all sold out! I didn’t have high hopes for the other nearby 5 Below because it’s way smaller and not as good but I was close to it on Tuesday and decided to check it out. It was the definition of a GREAT SUCCESS because they had one left of the crop and hoodie and they were both in my size. Freaking SCORE!!

I honestly can’t get over how cute both the crop and the hoodie are as well as the price. Combined, I spent twenty dollars and you simply can’t beat that. I couldn’t imagine how much a similar item at Disney World would cost! I have several crop tops from 5 Below and I absolutely love the way they fit. The crop will be perfect for this summer and I can’t wait to bust the hoodie out in the fall. Although, I have a confession to make… I haven’t seen Toy Story 3 or 4. *Gasp*. It might seem silly to buy clothing from a franchise that I haven’t seen in its entirety. However, I am the extra aunt and I knew the girls would get such a kick out of it. I think Johnny and I will have to backtrack and watch 3 and 4 after we see 5 just so I can say that I have seen them all. 🙂

And, finally, the Sean Paul T-shirt lol… This shirt geeked me out because me and my sister were literally addicted to his song Temperature when it first came out and we still are. It is our jam! The song we quote, dance along to in the car, and sing at the top of our lungs to. Temperature is our past, present, and future and I wasn’t about to slap the 5 Below gods in the face by not adding this beautiful keepsake to my cart. I am SO excited for my sister to see it!! 😀

As always, 5 Below is the best. Stay tuned for my Toy Story OOTD coming soon!

What is your favorite discount store? What is your favorite Toy Story movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bath & Body Works Semi Annual Sale Haul

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Bath & Body Works Semi Annual Sale Haul

Hi! In early June I am always on the lookout for mail from Bath & Body Works to alert me to the Semi Annual Sale start date. I mark the date on the calendar as soon as it arrives and count down the days until I can shop till I drop! The B&BW Semi Annual Sale is just the best and I love stocking up on products for myself and Johnny for a fraction of the price. You simply can’t beat getting an eighteen dollar shower gel for three bucks and it’s so fun to spoil myself with old favorites and new to me scents. I scored nineteen products in this haul for about sixty-five dollars and I think we will be pretty well set on smell goods for a while! Check it out:

Did I go a little product crazy? Maybe! But, honestly, no I didn’t lol. This is me fully and completely justifying this purchase because it’s just too good of a deal to pass up. And it’s not like these products are sitting on a shelf to never be used – B&BW smell goods are used daily and constantly at my apartment. Why not get them for dirt cheap?! And, before anyone asks, the answer is: YES. I am, in fact, already looking forward to the winter Semi Annual Sale. Lol, what can I say? It’s my time to shine!

Stay tuned for a review on the hand soaps as they are all new to me scents. Today, let’s take a closer look at the shower gels so we can talk about my favorite discontinued scent of all…PEARBERRY!!!! 😀

After Dark: A little something for the fellas! After Dark features fragrance notes of “spiced bergamot, amber, and smooth tonka”.
All of this is a fancy way to say that it smells like Old Spice! This scent basically smells like every scent ever made in men’s products and I’m not saying it’s not nice. After Dark actually smells really good! However, if you don’t want to pay sixteen dollars for a bottle of this shower gel, Old Spice is definitely the way to go. I wouldn’t buy this shower gel at full price which is why I got it for three bucks instead. 🙂

Gingham Love: The OG Gingham is one of my all time favorite B&BW scents and I always have the fragrance in some form at chez moi. Gingham Love comes in a very close second, though! This scent provides the breezy, freshly laundered crispness of Gingham that I love with a very berry twist. Gingham Love offers notes of “sugared red berries, blushing freesia, and rose meringue” and it is heavenly. With one whiff I am in raspberry heaven and I was so happy to score this shower gel on the cheap!

Pearberry: It wouldn’t be a Semi Annual Sale without Pearberry and I wish that B&BW would come to their senses and just bring it back for good. Until then, I have to stock up when I get the chance! This blast of throwback nostalgia has a ton of different notes like “anjou pear, wild berries, apple blossom, golden freesia, and blonde woods”. All of this is meaningless lol. Have you ever smelled a pear? Have you ever smelled berries? That is Pearberry in a nutshell! Juicy and soft pear, tart raspberries, and a hint of strawberry, this is a fruit salad scent to the T and it is absolutely delicious. I love it SO. Damn. Much!!!!! ❤

Stick around for the last of the reviews from this haul and a concert OOTD coming soon!

Which stores offer the best deals? Did you shop the B&BW Semi Annual Sale? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New J. McLaughlin Top

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New J. McLaughlin Top

Howdy! This past week I had so much fun shopping till I dropped at TJMaxx with my mom so I could spend some birthday gift cards. I got everything I wanted and then some and there was nothing like a little retail therapy to brighten both of our days! While I was hoping to find a few new pieces of summer clothing, TJs showed me the light and I ended up with a new swing coat and top that will be perfect for fall. Honestly, it makes sense because it was hot AF the week we went shopping and it had me craving fall weather something FIERCE. As always, TJs knew exactly what I needed in my heart of hearts because this J. McLaughlin top is everything AND it was on clearance to boot! Check it out:

I couldn’t believe my good luck when I stumbled upon this little number in the clearance section. It was fifteen dollars, there was only one and it happened to be in my size, and I absolutely loved the nod to all things 70s retro. The pattern and colors on this top scream 70s wallpaper and I am living for it. Who knew that olive green and rosy pink would work together so well?! This top is so comfy, breezy, and light with fabric that almost borders on silky without all of the hassle of caring for silk clothes. It was one of those pieces that I knew would be a winner even without trying it on but, of course, I had to try it on anyways!

As it often happens when I am in the fitting room at TJMaxx, an OOTD vision came to me once this top was on in all of its glory. The 70s inspo of the top reminded me so much of my Makeup Magic OOTD and I can’t wait to do a follow up fit. Especially after getting my hair done this Friday! I plan on rocking this top with my favorite pair of straight leg slacks by Sincerely Jules, a killer pair of denim blue embroidered platforms, and *fingers crossed* a more defined shag hairdo after my hair stylist works her magic. It is going to be SO groovy and I am amped for all of you to see it. Stay tuned! 😀

We might be in the middle of summer but fall clothing will always reign supreme in my world. Big ups to TJMaxx for forever guiding me and nurturing my passion for fashion! ❤

Have you updated your summer wardrobe? Do you have any fun summer plans coming up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bath & Body Works May Freebies

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Bath & Body Works May Freebies

Howdy! I was running desperately low on my beloved foaming hand soaps from Bath & Body Works and was excited to hit the store for a reup. I had a percentage off coupon and could cash in two freebies that were burning a hole in my pocket and walked away with seven products for just twenty-two dollars. You can’t beat that! Tune in tomorrow to discuss some new hand soap fragrances but, first, let’s take a look at these fab freebies which equaled out to twenty-five bucks that I didn’t pay a dime for. Score!!

My family is going to Italy this year and it is my goal to get everyone in the party a travel size shower gel before our big vacation. I already have two for my mom and I and next on the agenda was Johnny! It is not often that I shop for men’s fragrances at B&BW so it was fun to dip my toes into their different collections. Speaking of dipping my toes in, I chose the Ocean scent for my main squeeze! Ocean features fragrance notes of “blue cypress, vetiver, and coastal air”. I’m not sure what blue cypress and vetiver are supposed to smell like but the coastal air rings true. I loves me an aquatic scent and Ocean is sun, sand, and surf to the T. It is so invigorating and fresh and I could definitely get used to Johnny using this shower gel! 😀

Thanks to my rewards points, I was also able to snag a full size freebie for myself and went with a new body lotion. It was a necessity because I only had a travel size lotion freebie left in my hoard and I’m saving that for Italy too. And, while I am a huge fan of B&BW’s body cream, it is much too heavy for the summer months ahead. I was amped to find that additional fragrance lines from Gingham were back in store and I opted for Gingham Fresh. Although nothing will ever surpass the OG Gingham, Gingham Fresh is a very close second with notes of “juicy pear, sparkling clementine, and fresh daisies”. There is no floral about this fragrance – only sweet/tart fruity delight and I just adore it! Gingham Fresh has all of the softness of a pear scent with the bite of citrus and it is perfect for summer. Highly recommend!

Next B&BW shopping plans? The summer Semi Annual Sale, of course! Bring on those sweet, sweet savings so I can rebuild my beauty care stock pile!

Do you shop the B&BW Semi Annual Sales? What do you normally purchase? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

A Treat For Johnny!

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A Treat For Johnny!

Howdy! Whenever Johnny and I are out and about running errands, we love to surprise each other with little treats. It could be anything from a candy bar or snack to clothing or a plushie. Whatever it is, it’s always fun to return home with treasure in tow to brighten each other’s day. This past week, I was at my beloved 5 Below with a client and it is the perfect store to purchase little treats at. Everything is so cheap that it’s literally a guilt free shopping trip! 5 Below was decked out in Memorial Day swag and as soon as I saw this shirt, it was as good as Johnny’s. ❤ Check it out:

^^^ LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!

My Johnny is a hot dog loving guy lol. So much so, that he even has a tattoo of one on his arm! It is one of his favorite foods and he was so proud to have a hot dog with my niece when we took her on her birthday treat day. He said it’s one of his favorite memories with her! As you can see, a good hot dog is never far from his mind and when I see literally anything hot dog related, Johnny is not far from mine. I was beyond excited to gift him with this hilarious shirt when I got home from work and his reaction was better than I could have ever hoped for…

When I presented Johnny with this T, he told me how much he loved it. What’s more, he informed me that a hot dog truck was coming to his work for lunch the following day. Talk about perfect timing! Johnny and I have been together for over six years and, at this point, I think we are both a little psychic. Several times throughout each day, we say something that was just on the tip of each other’s tongue. However, I’m not so psychic that I knew his lunchtime plans for the next day! I am pleased to report that his shirt was a hit and he deeply enjoyed his hot dog lunch. Lol, this freaking man of mine! 🙂

Huge shout out to 5 Below for blessing my husband with this shirt. I am honestly still amped up with the serendipity of this purchase!

What do you like to treat your partner with? Do you have any Memorial Day plans? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

5 Below Finds

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5 Below Finds

Hello! As you all know, I am freaking obsessed with 5 Below and go there fairly frequently. It’s the perfect spot to pick up treats for my nieces, myself, and honestly anyone when I see something that reminds me of them! The prices are just too good to pass up and I’m genuinely amazed by the quality of everything that I have purchased from there. During one of my last trips, I couldn’t resist a new K-Pop Demon Hunters crop top for myself as well as a Britney Spears T-shirt for my sister. Unfortunately, the shirt didn’t work for her but it SO works for me! Check it out:

The K-Pop Demon Hunters crop featuring Rumi is basically the same K-Pop crop I already have from 5 Below with a different pattern. That was A-okay by me because my other crop top is just the best. It fits like a glove, is soft as can be, and shows off my shape without being too tight. I was so excited to find the Rumi one because I already knew that it was going to work and I loved rocking it on a mini golf outing last weekend. I always have to rep my Huntrix girls and 5 Below is the spot to find all of the K-Pop swag. They are constantly releasing new clothing and I am constantly SO there for it! ❤

And, of course, we have Queen B. My beloved Britney Spears. The sweetest angel in all of the land. My sister and I grew up on Britney Spears and she was and always will be our favorite. There is nothing toxic about this T although it features lyrics from her banger! It is just pure pop amazingness! I am so blessed to add another Britney Spears top to my wardrobe as I only have one other one and it was lonely lol. While I am sad that this top didn’t work out for my sis, I am sort of happy that it wound up with me… I was kicking myself in the butt for not buying two of them so all’s well that ends well. 😀

Need a pick me up? 5 Below. Need to find what you didn’t know you needed to begin with? 5 Below. I love that damn store!!

What is your favorite discount store? Who is your favorite pop princess? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Chrome Riot Skort

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New Chrome Riot Skort

Hi! I have been enjoying updating my spring wardrobe and it’s always fun to add in a few new pieces to shake things up. Yesterday you all saw the beautiful Lark + Grey dress that I purchased from Ross and I also walked away with one of my favorite spring and summer staples: The skort! I don’t know about all of you, but I LOVES me a good skort. No one is any the wiser that the majority of skirts I own actually have shorts underneath and I like the comfort that they provide. It’s nice to know that I can go about my day without anyone getting a sneak peek at my underoos lol. 😀 This Chrome Riot number is going to be perfect for a date night out and I can’t wait to rock it! Take a look:

Like my new dress for an upcoming wedding in May, I knew that this skort was an instant winner. The price was right too as it was only eight dollars. Yes please! This is a relatively simple piece but that lace just hits different. There are several different kinds of lace – dreamy and ethereal, classic and timeless, and sexy too! This lace definitely falls under the sexy category and I am so excited to break it out on the next date night with my main squeeze. Fine dining at Taco Bell, perhaps? *Fingers crossed*!!

Although this skort can definitely be worn for play with a cute crop or tank, my date night fit will feature a lovely black lace cami top by mittoshop. It is a bit flowy but that is no matter because I plan on wearing it tucked in to form a pseudo dress. For the shoes? A darling pair of Nine West kitten heels with an adorable pop of bling! When I try clothes on, an outfit comes to mind like a That’s So Raven vision. This is the look that magically appeared and I just know it’s going to be fab. Keep your eyes peeled for a brand new OOTD showcasing my Chrome Riot skort soon!

For just a little over twenty dollars I walked out of Ross with two new gorgeous additions to my wardrobe. And, I have to say it, I am SO sorry, TJMaxx. I will be back soon, I promise! ❤

How would you style this skort? Do you have a date night coming up soon? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Lark + Grey Dress

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New Lark + Grey Dress

Howdy! Although I am a TJMaxx girl through and through, I do love popping into Ross from time to time. My family will be attending a wedding in May and I wanted to find a pretty little something to wear to the ceremony or the reception after. I scored big time because I found the perfect dress for the reception and it only costed thirteen bucks! Talk about a steal!! I cannot wait to dance the night away in this adorable ruffly, polka dotted number by Lark + Grey. Check it out:

The racks of dresses at Ross were jam packed and I was very hopeful that I was going to find something that spoke to be amongst all the fabric. For the most part, there was a whole lot of nothing. Then, my eyes locked on my Lark + Grey dress and it was game on. When I am shopping, I tend to know instantly if something is going to work or not and this was an instant winner. In fact, I was SO confident in this dress that I almost didn’t even bother trying it on. Of course I did anyway lol because that would have been breaking my “always try clothes on at the store” golden rule!

This dress was even better than I imagined once it was on. I just love the fitted tank top into that glorious cascade of gauzy, ruffly, polka dotted goodness. I am all about clothing that offers a unique silhouette and the one this dress provided is insane! The movement of this dress is just divine and visions of me cutting it up on the dance floor swirled in my head. Sans falling like what happened at the last wedding I attended! SMH. I plan on pairing my Lark + Grey dress with a darling pair of Barbie pink platforms by Marc Fisher and I cannot wait to show you guys the end result. I hate to toot my own horn, but I know for a fact it is going to be magical!

I feel a little bad about cheating on my beloved TJMaxx with Ross but I know TJs will understand because this dress was just too good to pass up!

Do you prefer Ross, Marshall’s, or TJMaxx? Do you have a special event to attend soon? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah