Martini Monday

Dressin' like a dude...

My friend Amy decided to host these get togethers on Monday nights in which she gets to show off her awesome bar tending skills and we get to put on silly costumes.  Pure fun.  This Monday was "Manly Monday," and was the perfect excuse to wear a bowtie.  I know, like anyone really needs an excuse to wear a bowtie... but I digress.

black skinnies (Target), blue button-up (H&M), vest (Forever 21), chucks (?, I've had these since high school), bow tie (JCPenney)

The goal for the Nerd on the Budget was to do the costume without purchasing anything, a total costume from the closet.  Of course this helps if you can also shop from your fiancé's closet.  I stole the hat from J.  The only thing I purchased was the bowtie, but it was only $7 and I've wanted a bowtie for forever.  So, I wrote this off as a necessary expense.  Plus, it had martinis on it.  It was meant to be...

me and Nen, my bestie

Nen and I looked pretty durn dapper.  We decided she looked like she belonged in an 80's music video and I looked like I was out for a gig with Mumford & Sons.  I took that as a compliment.

Dress up every now and then.  Then make up a persona and act as that person all night.  It's super fun.

Your Nerd on a Budget,

Mac

Downton Abbey Tea Party

Question:

What do you do when one of your favorite TV shows is having its season finale, and you come from a family of complete nerds?

Answer:

You have a Downton Abbey Tea Party, of course.  

Now, when I first pitched this idea to my mother, I was sure she'd shoot me down.  After all, this combines two of her least favorite things: deviating from her normal schedule, and letting me loose in her kitchen.  Much to my surprise, she took to this shindig like a Doctor Who fan to a bowtie.  

Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea

_~ Menu_~

Classic English Scones

Served with clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam

Cucumber Finger Sandwiches

Traditional Shortbread Fantails

Chocolate Caramel Cake

All served with Twinings loose English Breakfast Tea

We had fun compiling recipes, remembering our teas at Edinborough Castle and Betty's Tea Room in York.  Mom tapped into her Scottish roots and tried to channel her Granny while making scones from a recipe found here.  I found the cucumber sandwich recipe here.  The shortbread fantails were from an old old cookbook I bake from sometimes, but similar recipes are easily found.  My super-domestic sister, Rinna, provided the homemade jam even though she could not attend herself. 

Chocolate Caramel Cake... delicious and beautiful and uuungnngnng... Just choose not to think about how much better went into this.  It's better that way, for all of us. 

The Chocolate Caramel Cake and scones were the most difficult to attempt, as the measurements used the metric system.  Mom about had a fit when she needed to use approximately 4/5ths of a cup of flour.  However, everything was a delicious success!

We used my grandmother's china and a hand embroidered tablecloth to make it extra swanky.  After setting the table in an obsessive manner that would have made Mr. Carson proud, we invited the menfolk in to the dining area.  Mom and I were briefly terrified that the light sandwiches, cake, and baked goods would not be enough to curb the appetites of J and my dad, but we were pleasantly surprised and all fully stuffed by our spread.   

I enjoy dressing up, and usually try not to pass up the opportunity for a silly outfit.  I tried my hardest to choose a Downton Day costume, but none came to light.  I have no large hats, no dour black maid's uniform, and no beaded gorgeous evening wear.  I eventually settled on my most ridiculous of headbands.

I ended up looking a bit like Pointless Rose, so that was good enough, I suppose.  Mom and I decided that Dad should not wear a tuxedo.  After all, this is not a barbeque.  

So, we tucked in to our tea party, then settled in for a glorious 90 minutes of bagpipes, drunken Mr. Molesleys, and feels.  So many feels...

Your Nerd on a Budget,
Mac

Clothing Dump #2

Outfits for this week:

My goal this week was to avoid boots and cardigans.  I did really well in the boots department... only wore them once!  As far as cardigans go... I practically failed that mission.  I have a lot of cardigans and its really cold in my classroom.  I guess I need to choose my battles...

Skirt (so old I have no idea where I purchased it), sweater (Gap Outlet), booties (Target)

This looks a little school-marmy on the outside.  But... the pencil skirt is really cute in the back.  Its got a little ruffley flap-type thing.  I tried to take a picture, but I'm not sure you can see it. 

 The point is, this looks better on that it does laid out. 

Black skinnies (Target), white tee (Target), grey shirt (Target), black mary-janes (Urban Outfitters)

Aaah, blessed almost-casual day, so I wore my "almost" dressy black skinnies.  Super comfy.  I would wear them everyday if I could.  Also... I don't know if I would count the grey shirt as a cardigan or not... I might bend the rules and say it isn't. 

Black pencil skirt (Gap Outlet), Grey Cardie (Forever 21), blue blouse (Old Navy), Blue Pointy-toes (Steve Maddens: Christmas present, not sure where they were purchased)

I really really love these shoes.  I'm having trouble building outfits for them though.  I think I just need to wear them with whatever color I have on and see how it works. 

Red turtleneck (Target), Tan belted skirt (H&M), tan heels (seriously old hand me downs from my sister)

Valentine's Day, so I had to wear red.  These things happen in elementary schools.  The turtleneck is OK, not my favorite.  I don't usually like high-neck things, they feel constrictive.  The skirt, however, has pockets, so of course its a winner.  The shoes caused a ruckus.  I realize I don't often wear heels, but its been known to happen.  I didn't know I'd cause such a fuss! As stated above, they have to be at least 10 years old, but they're still cute. 

Zipper dress (H&M), leggings (Wal- Mart), blue cardigan (H&M), black sequin flats (Target)

J bought me this dress for my birthday.  I love it.  Its my newest article of clothing, but I've already worn it 4 times.  I love it :)  

Red cardigan (Target), Infinity scarf (Target) brown leather boots (Target), leggings (Wal-Mart), black tee shirt dress (Old Navy)

This was a weekend outfit.  Super comfy.  Had to break out the boots though (It was snowing, in my defense!)

These clothing dumps are kinda fun!  I'm having trouble this week though.  Tired grumpy mornings don't make for the best outfit selections.  We shall see...

Your Nerd on a Budget,
Mac

Getting to Know You

Getting to know all about you...

I realize that you don't know me. Unless of course, you do.  If you do, you were most likely directed here from Facebook, so... Hi!  Thanks for reading!  Leave a comment!

If you don't know me, I'd like you to know me a bit better.  If all you know of me is what you read here, you would just think I'm a poor girl who likes clothes and does laundry. I need to provide documentation for the "Nerd" part of "Nerd on a Budget" before you think I've labelled myself unjustly.  After thinking awhile, I thought a pretty good way to let you know more about me is to show you the contents of my purse.  My purse goes with me most places, so I figure the stuff in it must be there for a reason.  Lets see how it goes...

First, this is my purse.  

This is the newest thing I own, and I am quite fond of it.  It was purchased at target for $9, with a gift card from my equally nerdy sister.  $9 clearance purse on a gift card... ultimate budget purchase.  SCORE.  

Beside it are my keys.  Keys always go on a carabiner.  I hate when I can't hook my keys on things.  It might be an OCD thing.  The only other notable thing about the keys is the talking mustache keyring, a gift from my future sis-in-law.  It says "Why, hello there!"

Now, brace yourselves... cuz I'm about to go all super organized up in here. Lets do this... LIKE A NERD.

1. Moleskine Journal:  I take notes, write lists, and doodle compulsively.  I need a place to write things down.  Enter, Moleskine journal.  Its a complete mess of covered pages, and I love it. 
2. Extra Journal:  So this little guy snuck in here. He's normally in my schoolbag.  Apparently my compulsion to doodle has escalated to the point of needing two journals.  I may need medication.
3. The Hobbit:  I always have a book on me.  The worst thing in the world would be getting stuck somewhere without a book to read.  TERRIBLE.  I stuck The Hobbit in to reread after seeing the movie.  On a related note, I think Martin Freeman actually is a hobbit.  Thats why he was so good in that role. 
4. Checkbook:  Boring, but necessary.  It does have a mustache-shaped business card paperclipped inside though.  It makes me laugh when I write cheques.
5. International Student ID:  I studied abroad in England 5 years ago.  Ever since, I've been addicted to BBC shows and beans on toast.  Yum to both.
6. Virgin Mobile Phone Card:  from the Liverpool times.  I can't seem to throw it away, because I think I still have some minutes on it...
7. Library Card:  Yup.  Yup.
8. Saxophone Reed:  Did I mention I teach music?  I usually have instrument parts lying around in places they don't belong. 
9. Sonic Screwdriver:  Finally the title of the blog begins to take shape.  My sister and I have a tradition of gifting each other with toy weaponry every Christmas.  This year's violence took the shape of the Doctor's sonic screwdriver.   I believe I could have called a foul on a technicality:  the screwdriver is decidedly not a weapon, but I am so chuffed to have it I will overlook such things. 
10. Sharpie and Biro:  I need something with which to doodle in my moleskin.  A black sharpie and a blue biro are always on hand. 
11. Myachi:  A small bean bag that you throw using the back of your hand.  My high school German teacher used these in class.  I've had one in my purse for years.  Its a very Zen activity. 
12. Camera:  Important, though I tend to use the one on my phone more.
13. Sunglasses:  I normally have two pairs in there, I was thoroughly surprised to just find one.  I own about 20 pairs of sunglasses, most of them purchased for $5 or less.  Except a pair of genuine Ray-Bans I found floating in the ocean this summer (true story.)
14. Chapstick and Headache pills:  I get migraines.  Meds must be on hand.  
15. Wallet:  My favorite color blue.  J hates that color.  No idea why. Its a bit TARDIS-like, no?
16. iPod Classic and case:  I have nearly nearly 40 gigs of music.  I can't stand not having it all in one place, so I prefer the classic.  If Apple ever decides to discontinue the classic, I will buy them in bulk and stockpile.  Also, I am a Mac girl.  Only Apple products for me, kthnx. The case I just got for my birthday.  My awesome sister knit me an iPod case that looks like the 11th Doctor's outfit, complete with suspenders and bowtie.  It rocks. 
17. Cat's rabies tag: The cat is called Puppy.  He wears a bowtie, because bowties are cool, and he's a dapper gentleman.  

This is Puppy, minus the bowtie.  He has his orange safety vest on instead.  Still quite dapper. 

  18.  Fingerstache:  Another handknit gift from my sister.  Just in case I need a mustache. 

  19.  Headphones:  No good having an iPod with no headphones handy.

  20.  Multitool:  I like having tools with me.  As a music/tech nerd, this gets used more than you'd suspect. 

  21.  Glasses cleaner:  This is a very anti-climatic ending.  But what can I say.  Glasses get dirty, son. 

I feel like we're old friends now.  No, I will not help you move.  Try exploring your purse/bookbag/man satchel.  What does it say about you?

Your Nerd on a Budget,

Mac

It is Laundry Time! Part Deux

Adventures in laundry

As stated two posts ago, I decided to try handwashing clothes.  The attempt was, I would say, successful.  I handwashed the equivalent of one load of laundry and escaped with my hands intact (no sausage fingers here!). 

So, here was my process:

Start with a clean dishpan.  Add about 3 tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent, then fill with hot water.

Add clothes!  Make sure they are all saturated.  Next, you need to agitate them.  So, after irritating them to the point of mild rage, squeeze each item a few times to get them nice and soapy. 

Let them soak for about 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, rinse out your clothes thoroughly and squeeze out as much water as possible.  Finally, hang to dry!  Easy peezy!

In the end, I found hand washing an easy and convenient way to save a few dollars.  I was much more pleased with the way the liquid detergent worked than I was with powder detergent.  My only complaint is the clothes are a little stiff.  I would suggest adding a bit of fabric softener about 15 minutes into the soak cycle. I will be trying this again this week! Also, handwashing made the whole place smell of clean laundry, which was a pleasant, unexpected side effect.

Does anyone else out there handwash their clothes?  Do you have any secrets or tricks of the trade you swear by?  

Your Nerd on a Budget,

Mac

Clothing Dump #1

Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles.  Two posts in one day!

Before I went on the monetary equivalent of a weight-loss program, I had a rather impressive clothing problem.  If I liked it and it was the right price, I bought it (that sounds like the beginnings of a Beyoncé song…).  Combined with this habit, I was also raised by very budget-conscience parents.  We joke that our ancestors passed on more than just freckles and a temper, and also generously bestowed us with the gift of thrift.  Mom taught me early in life to recognize the words “clearance” and “sale.”

These two factors coalesce to mean that while my closet is extensive, it is full of cheap clothing items.   I do not have the small collection of classic, well made pieces that will last for ages.  Instead, I have a lot of pieces that were not made to last at all. Now that I can no longer afford to satiate my clothing thirst, I am trying to get creative with what I have and stretch its lifespan out as long as possible.

I’ll try to show you most of my outfit choices.  At least the good ones.  Every teacher has a few mornings where the good intentions with which she awoke quickly deteriorate to “Screw it, pants and a sweater it is.” Those days don’t need sharing.  Let’s all choose to collectively forget those mornings, shall we?

Let’s see what I wore the past two weeks:

Old trusty black boots (Target), teal long sleeve (Forever 21), black pencil skirt (Gap Outlet), and vest (Forever 21).  I bought the vest ages ago on clearance.  I had never worn it, but I went for it.

Purple jersey dress (Old Navy), Trusty brown boots (Target), and brown cardi (uhhhhh... Old Navy? not sure anymore).  This dress might be my favorite thing I own.  Its flattering, goes with so many things, and is super comfortable.  I have to limit the days I wear it, or it would be everyday. Every. Day. 

Black skinnies (Kohl's), white tee and burgundy cardi (Target), buckle flats (Urban Outfitters), scarf (amazon). 

Purple dress (Proenza Schouler for Target), brown boots, purple cardi (Gap Outlet)

This dress is at least 10 years old, and I love it.  It works year round and can be casual or dressy. It is the Mary Poppins of dresses: Practically perfect in every way. 

Jersey polka spot dress (Target), tan cardi (H&M), brown boots

I wasn't planning on posting this, but I got compliments on the outfit, so I figured it should be added. 

Dress (Banana Republic Outlet Store), black cardi (Target), Booties (Target), Leggings (Wal-Mart)

I work in a cold building, so leggings or tights are a part of most every outfit.  This dress is pretty fantastic, it works with brown or black.  Or purple.  Or orange.  You get the idea. 

Green Shirtdress (Old Navy), black cardi (Target), black trusty boots (target), Leggings (Wal-Mart), Belt (???).  

Surprise outfit! I was running late, grabbed a dress I barely ever wear, and it turned into my favorite outfit in the past two weeks.  Who knew?

Purple skirt (Old Navy), black sweater (Target), black trusties (Target)

I love this skirt.  It has pockets.  POCKETS.  Enough said. 

White tee (???), flannel (Old Navy), Grey skinnies (Target), brown boots (Target).

This was a weekend outfit.  The pants are super comfortable, but the right leg was sewn incorrectly.  The inseam twists around to the front of my ankle.  For some reason, this endears this pair of pants to my heart.  I have no idea where I purchased the white tee, which is unfortunate because it is my absolute, hands down favorite tee.  I feel like I'm wearing clouds.  The boots I think of as my zombie apocalypse boots.  These are the boots I will grab in case of a world emergency.  They are for kickin' arse and takin' names.  Also, they are cute. 

Did you ever all of a sudden notice your patterns?  For example, that pic dump is a large collection of black or brown shoes and cardigans.  My goal this week is, I suppose, to avoid that pattern.

Your Nerd on a Budget,

Mac

It is Laundry Time!

Hello again!

As I mentioned in my first post, I am living on a very tight budget.  Not quite an All-State “Ramen Noodle every night” budget, but I definitely cannot afford anything beyond bills, a weekly grocery trip, and the living essentials. 

So far, my money saving tricks have been fairly ordinary.  The house is colder than I’d like, but seeing as heat is expensive, I continue to layer on sweaters.  J and I rarely go out to dinner, unless my awesome parents take us out. I drive a very gas-friendly car (my lovely little Toyota recently went a month on one tank of gas… SWEET).  However, I’m searching for more ways to save.

Therefore, I am embarking on a perilous and audacious quest to cut, cut, cut!  I do feel the need to word it epically.  Life is too short to not make everything sound like a madcap adventure, right?  So anyways…

My first mission on this adventure is to attempt handwashing clothes.  I used to handwash frequently while studying abroad.  I could not justify the price of the on-campus launderette, (£2 for a load, seriously?!) so my in-room sink was frequently filled with soaking t-shirts and underthings.  Pounds were saved, but I didn’t always feel that the washing powder I used was doing the best job.  I’ve read a few articles online for advice to get the cleanest clothes possible.  Many articles suggested using Woolite, but Woolite unfortunately makes my hands swell up like some sort of foul, sausage/balloon animal combination.  Gross.  So, with Woolite off the table, I will try regular old washing detergent.  I’m hoping the detergent will dissolve better than the powder did.  The first experiment is tomorrow night.  Wish me luck.

Your Nerd on a Budget,

Mac