BUDGETING AS A MARRIED COUPLE

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So remember when we talked about budgeting a couple of months ago? I shared why I started budgeting and how I got out of debt and today I'm sharing all about budgeting as a married couple. I'd love to say that budgeting is simply a THRILLING topic to talk about in your marriage but you all would know that I'd be straight up LYING. It can be fun at times, but at other times it can be just dreadful...because no one wants to be the one crushing the dreams and talking about money (or lack of) all the time. Money is a funny thing that can be used to make people distracted/angry/greedy/etc or it can be something that is used to glorify God. We try to make it the latter.

As I wrote before, it is very important to me to be accountable to every dollar I make. This was very easy for me as a single person with one debit card BUT add another person and another debit card and this can get a little bit tricky. This is where something like MINT sets you up for a win.

Before we got married, we sat down on mint and created a budget that we thought would work for us. With mint, you connect all your accounts and credit cards and then all your transactions start appearing. You can then organize those onto different budgets. Mint shows you where all your money is going.

I'd love to say every month, we're under or on budget but nope we're still learning. Some weeks I'm so busy I barely go on Mint and then all of a sudden I check and I'm all like OH MY GOSH WE HAVE $20 IN THE GROCERY BUDGET TO LAST US UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH. Food is the #1 budget we go over in...ha.

We're not experts but here's the advice I have for you on budgeting as a married couple.

1. SET YOUR BUDGET ACCORDING TO YOUR PRIORITIES/GOALS

It's good to get on the same page as a married couple on where you want to spend your money. Is saving up for a house a priority? Do you tithe? And how much? (Ps. I'll be talking about tithing next week!) For us, tithing is a HUGE priority so we make sure it's clearly in our budget. Do you have a clothing allowance? Set the budget and be willing to compromise.

2. LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS

Be wise. Budgeting is all about living with in (and under) your means. But as a married couple sometimes you can get carried away with things (travelling, new cars, buying expensive clothes, house renovations). For us it's real hard to not dive into renos...our bathroom doesn't even have baseboards BUT we know right now we're not financially set up for that so we make do with what we have. 

3. DON'T LET MONEY COME BETWEEN YOU

It's real easy to fight about money. Those fights are never worth it. Money comes and goes. Your relationship happiness should not depend on what is in the bank. Stressed about money? Make a plan, set a budget and stick to it. Determine to not let money come between your relationship.

above image taken by Amy Gary Photography

I'd love to hear your tips for budgeting as a married couple! Please share them in the comments :)

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

EYE CANDY // 2

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Hiiiii. Hope you had a fabulous weekend/Monday. Mondays are my day off after a very full Sunday and I like to keep them chillll. James and I were able to spend a bit of time together which was nice. He's been crazy busy with school and band stuff. He just finished a 5 day local tour with shows in Duncan, Vancouver, Victoria, Victoria and Nanaimo. I went to the Duncan and second Victoria show and all I gotta say is daaaang. Towers & Trees puts on a good show! I so loved seeing my man up there doing what he loves to do. He'll be leaving soon for a three week tour. I'm going to miss him SOOOO MUCH! But I'll be busy here with work, school, Rachel's wedding, blogging, running and house stuff and pinteresting obvs......

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 

Are we BFFS yet???

Snapchat: lauraliira // Instagram // Pinterest // Facebook // Twitter

xoxo,

s.s.♥︎.

RICH + DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

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You guys....

I made you the BEST chocolate layer cake. It's rich and delicious and dare I say the word that everyone hates...mmmmm......nope, nope..I'm just going to say it is not dry....not dry whatsoever.

It was my first time baking a triple layer cake...oh wait, actually second time...Courtney and I don't talk about our first failed attempt...but here's a photo to prove it...

Let's just say we weren't prepared...it did taste great though...

But moving on to chocolate cake....

I brought my A-game when baking this baby. I went out and bought three round cake pans and made sure I had all of the ingredients ready to go (that is VITAL for baking!!) 

And I was sooo happy with the results. I served this at our Easter Dinner and everyone looooved it. I served some leftovers to friends four days later and it was still mmm....not dry and delicious.

So if you want to impress a bunch of people or just eat A LOT of amazing cake then have a go at baking this one!

RICH + DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

makes 16 servings

Ingredients:

for the cake:

• 3 cups sugar
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 4 oz unsweetened chocolate squares, melted and cooled slightly

for the frosting:

• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate squares
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 pkg (250g) light cream cheese at room temperature
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of three 9-inch round cake pans. Cut circles of parchment paper to fit the bottom of the pans and place in pans. Lightly grease paper.
2. Combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl and set aside.
3. Beat eggs on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer for about three minutes. They should be thickened slightly and are lemon coloured. Add buttermilk, coffee, oil, vanilla and melted chocolate. Mix on low speed until well blended.
4. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix on medium speed until batter is smooth. Divide batter evenly among pans and bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes then remove cakes from pans, peel off paper and cool completely before frosting.
5. For the frosting, whisk together sugar, cocoa powder and whipping cream in a medium pot. Cook slowly over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture comes to a gentle boil. Cook for 1 minute then remove from heat and stir in chocolate until melted. Stir in vanilla and then let cool to room temperature. 
6. Beat cream cheese and butter on high in the bowl of an electric mixer. When smooth add the cooled chocolate mixture and beat on medium speed until well blended. Refrigerate frosting for about an hour.
7. To frost cake, place one cake layer on cake stand. Spread 1 cup frosting over top. Repeat with second layer. Place final layer on top. Ice top and sides of cake with remaining frosting and then decorate cake.
8. Enjoy!!

ONE WORD 2015 // KRISTY

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Today I have a sweet treat for you. My friend Kristy is sharing her one word for 2015! Thank you for sharing so bravely girrrrl! xo

When I was thinking and asking God about my word for this year I felt as though I was being prepared for followup. Going into last year my world felt like it had crashed around and the word(s) I was given {fear/trust} were bringing me out from under the rumble, allowing me to stand while the dust cleared and settled. 

And now it has... 

Going into this year was 10 times better than the last. I entered 2015 with a sense of excitement and anticipation--much different than the year before. And so many things have happened, so far including the opportunity of sharing publicly my story of my journey from last year, not only once but twice! It's crazy but my mom remembers sitting on the couch with me last year, me probably in tears, questioning why I was going through that, saying to me, "one day you'll have an amazing story to share". (I tell you moms are such a gift, and I'm very thankful for mine!)

So at first I thought my word was 'Dream'.  But as I spent time praying and thinking about it I realized it is REBUILD! 

Time to rebuild what was lost. Not just people or time but to rebuild me! The word dream fits perfectly in there. To grab hold of dreams that once danced across my mind for myself, for my church, for my family and friends. Now that is a lot of rebuilding to some degree and I know that it's not all going to happen in the space of twelve months and non of it can happen without the first one! 

Rebuilding Kristy - emotionally, physically, spiritually. 

So to start out I signed myself up for a swim club with a triathlon club. (Say what! That's the same thing I asked myself too...). But you know, it felt good! I loved it. And by the end of it I had swum over 1000m in one class. Something I never thought I would be able to say. 

It is time for me to claim back what depression took away from me. And rebuild the journey to the dreams I have and that HE has for me, or discover new ones!

I know I can't go back to the way things were. Things have changed too much, BUT that is what rebuilding is all about. A chance to rebuild into what I want to be, not what I was. It is kind of like rebuilding a home, adding a new skylight here and new flooring (which by the way, you should check out Laura's renos!)  

It's so exciting to think of all the things I had wished and dreamt for in my life and what's crazy is that God's dreams, I know, will blow mine out of the water.  My expectations for God are big this year. I often set them low because of past hurt or disappointment or fear.  BUT I can remember that it's God's dreams, not just mine and seeing what he pulled me out of last year, I can declare that this year is going to be great!

Thank you for reading, thank you Laura for having a place to be brave and write.

Loves.

Thank you again for sharing Kristy!

Want some more inspiration? Check out these previous one words- Sarah // Laura // Our Breakfast

xoxo,

s.s.♥︎.

PRETTY MAIL // MARCH BIRCHBOX (CANADA) REVIEW

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It's time for more pretty mail!! The March Birchbox came at the most needed time. I had just dropped James off at the ferry for a five night tour and I was pretty bummed on the ride home. But my mood turned around when I got home because waiting for me on my doorstep was March's Birchbox!! BEST EVER!!! And not only was it packed full of good stuff...it had a freaking FULL SIZE BEAUTY BLENDER!!! I will explain all about that below but let's just say a full size is $26 at Sephora!!!

Incase you're wondering, Birchbox is a monthly beauty box that I subscribe to..$15/month for a box full of goodies...heck yes!...click here to order it!

Such an amazing box hey!!!

1. NO 4 HYDRATING SHAMPOO

Ok, at first I was a little bummed to receive this because last month we go the clarifying shampoo from this brand BUT once I tried it I was soooo stoked. This stuff is GOOOD. I liked it waaaaaay more than the clarifying stuff and it has such a nice smell!!!
So would I buy it? HECK YES!

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS SHAMPOO

2. BEAUTY BLENDER SPONGE AND CLEANER

Ahhhhhh. You guys. This is the most magical sponge ever!!! I have one and use it ALL THE TIME. You squeeze it under water and watch it expand then squish it under a towel then you apply your concealer/foundation with it. It puts it on soooo smooth. There's really no finish that compares to it. I love love love it. And the reason why sometimes I didn't use mine all the time was because I was too cheap to buy the cleaner but now I have their legit cleaner which is in a soap format aka it'll last forever!! Can you tell I'm stoked on this!!!
So would I buy it? Always & forever!!!

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS BEAUTYBLENDER

3. PARTY PROOF MATTE LIPSTICK IN PEONY

Another lipstick for me to try! This one went on super smooth. I loved the texture and the colour was pretty too! 

Bad lighting I know...But you can still see the pretty colour!
So would I buy it? You betcha! I wanna try their other colours!

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS LIPSTICK

4. EMBRYOLISSE LAIT-CREME CONCENTRE

Now this box contained another magical product. This concentrate is a 10 in 1 kinda product. It's a primer, moisturizer, make-up remover, etc, etc. I used it for all three of those purposes and it was beautiful. I loved the smell as well.
So would I buy it? Yes, I'm totally going to scoop it up when my sample runs out!

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS CONCENTRATE

5. HARVEY PRINCE IMPERIAL GARDENIA

And last but not least we have Harvey Prince's Imperial Gardenia. It's a beautiful floral fragrance that's perfect for spring! The only thing is, it doesn't have the greatest lasting power. That may not be a big deal for some people but it's a big deal for me.
So would I buy it? Probably not as I have a bajillion fragrances and only get new ones if they are AHHHHMAAAZZZIIIINNNG!

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS FRAGRANCE

So there you have it my March Birchbox review. Lots of you have asked if I think it's worth the $15/month. By now you should know the answer to that question...ha! A cute box filled with goodies sent right to my door? So worth it! If you want to subscribe CLICK HERE!

Hope you all had a great long weekend!

talk soon,

s.s.♥︎.