rules and regulations of January spending freeze

When I read that Steph from Life according to Steph regularly does spending freezes, I was impressed and I told myself that it is something I should do.  Even though, I do keep track of my daily spending and follow a monthly budget... I do go overboard on some areas. 

The following are my rules and my regulations that I have set for myself regarding the spending freeze effective from January 2nd to January 31st. Bidou will be so so happy!! :)

When it comes to spending $$ on daily purchases a.k.a. my problem areas!

No daily morning coffee run to Tim Horton - instead I will drink the "terrible" free coffee that is offered at my employers.

I have acquired two $10 gift cards (one at Starbucks and the other one at Second Cup) for my weekend or night time lattes. That makes 4 lattes in a month... it should be plenty!

No magazine or book purchases.

When it comes spending $$ on beauty stuff - another one of my problem areas!

My monthly hair appointment is scheduled for January 16th - I refuse to cancel it! I am 43 years old and have grey hair. Enough said!

I have a facial scheduled for January 10th - I will use the gift certificate that I received as a Christmas gift from the bosses at work.

No make-up, facial/body creams or hair products.  I have enough stuff at home to last a couple of months, at least! 

Last September, I promised my friend Christine that we would schedule a thermal experience with massage at the Nordik Spa\Nature for sometime in January. Exact date has yet to be scheduled.

When it comes to Kloé's needs
She does NOT need another bed, coat, sweater, toy or treat.

When it comes to clothes and shoes
I have enough clothes in my closet to wear something different every day for 2 weeks (at least!)

When it comes to spending $$ on lunches
I am pretty good when it comes to bringing my lunch to work. I usually just eat out on Friday's. However, during this budget freeze, I will bring my lunch everyday. single. day.

When it comes to grocery shopping
I will make a list of the items I need at the grocery store. If it is not on the list... I am not allowed to purchase it. My pantry is full so use it!

When it comes to eating out with Bidou
A budget of $100 is set for this category.... see how this will work out!

When it comes to weekend\nightly activities
I only have one activity planned. It is with my 12-year old nephew on January 25th. Money will be spent there.  A budget of $75 has been set.  I love to spoil that baby-boy-that-is-growing-up-way-too-fast of mine!

When it comes to renting movies
I am only allowed to buy 2 rentals via itunes since we use Apple TV. We pay a monthly subscription to Netflix therefore we will use is more. 

Please wish me luck! I will need it! :)

christmas $$$

I am a 43 year old mature adult (sometimes), therefore, I do not expect family to give me gifts on Christmas. However, my Daddy (yes people! I am a Daddy's girl) always gives me a little bit of money that I love to use on an unplanned "splurge". 

This year, we decided to take the $$$ and buy whatever book we wanted at Chapters (for my USA friends... Chapters is the equivalent to your Barnes & Nobles). I usually do my reading on my mini i-pad but there are time that I do love to pick up a actual book.

Here are the books that I am adding to my non ending books to read pile!

1. The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg - Any book that Fannie releases I buy!  Love the characters in all of her books.

2. I am Malada by Malala Tousatzai - I heard great things about this book. 

3. Just one year by Gayle Forman - This is the sequel to Just one day. I hope it is as good as the first book.

4. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell - I really enjoyed his first book called "Attachments" so hopefully this book will be as enjoyable.

I can't forget to mention that I recently bought a Longchamp Purple\Navy Blue Tote and told Bidou that it was his Christmas gift to me from him!  Thanks Bidou!!  By the way, I love this tote and it has become my new favourite work bag.

(Sorry guys! I can't get this picture to rotate!)

Did you get any Christmas $$$ this year?? If so, how will you spend it??

Christmas 2013

I can't even express how happy I am that we decided to stay home for the holidays instead of going to Manhattan (you can read about it here). So far it has been relaxing... spending many hours on the couch catching up on some tv (latest season of the Biggest Loser) and reading.  I finally finished Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. If you haven't read it.  Please do!  I haven't read a good book like that in a while.

Christmas eve was quiet. Daddy came over for supper.  Then Bidou and I matched a movie.

Christmas Day morning was spent at my sister's for breakfast. She served an amazing spread of so many goodies!  

The following are some of my favourite pictures of Xmas 2013 ~

 My brother and his son Kevin

 Kevin and I

 My niece Jessica and my 2 nephew Phil and Kevin horsing around!

Bidou and Kloé 

How was your Christmas??

Stressful or Relaxing??

Staycation or Manhattan

If you had to choose to spend 3 days and 2 nights in a great hotel near Time Square in Manhattan NY during the holidays or stay at home... what would  you choose???

I choose a "staycation" and here is why!

Over a year ago, I bought a 3 day/2 night package with Hilton Vacations. At first I was thinking... let's go in the Fall but unfortunately that did not happen. And then life went on.

Last September, we needed to schedule a date since this package expires in December 2013. Bidou and I discussed it and decided that spending the Christmas holidays in Manhattan was GREAT idea. Now that the December is upon us... we have no desire to be away. It has been a very hectic October/November/December for us. All we want to do is stay home, spend quality time with Kloé, catch up on some reading, maybe see a movie or 2 and visit a local museum.

Any exciting plans for the holidays??

2013 year in review - book version

I was planning to do a post in January regarding the books I read in 2013 but when I heard that Jen and Steph were planning a link-up titled "Year in Review - Your Favorite Things in 2013". I knew that this would be a great occasion to share my book post.  

Last January, I challenged myself to read 40 books. Unfortunately, I did not reach my goal but I am proud to announce that I have read 28 books thus far (still 13 days to go!)

The following is a list of all 28 books I have read in 2013. I read 13 French Canadian novels (I have marked them in italics). I am very proud of this number since I just started to read French language books in 2011. Even though my daily spoken language is French. I relate more to English stuff, especially when it comes to reading a book. I would never be caught reading an English translated to French book.  Strange!!

1. Chère Laurette - Tome 4 by Michel David - french
2. Love Athony by Lisa Genova
3. Souvenirs de la Banlieue - Sylvie - Tome 1 by Rosette Laberge - french
4. Au Bord de la Rivière - Tome 4 - Michel David - french
5. Les Soeurs Beaudry - Tome 1 by Micheline Dalpé - french
6. Souvenirs de la Banlieu - Michel - Tome 2 by Rosette Laberge - french
7. Les Soeurs Beaudry - Tome 2 by Micheline Dalpé - french
8. The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
9. La vie épicée de Charlotte Lavigne - Tome 2 by Nathalie Roy - french
10. Virgin River - book 1 by Robyn Carr
11. Poussière du temps - Tome 1 by Michel David - french
12. Souvenir de la Banlieue - Sonia - Tome 3 by Rosette Laberge - french
13. Souvenir de la Banlieue - Junior - Tome 4 by Rosette Laberge - french
14. Souvenir de la banlieue - Tante Irma - Tome 5 by Rosette Laberge - french
15. The Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella
16. The Road to Grace by Richard Paul Evans 
17. Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
18. Still Alice by Lisa Genova
19. Just One Day by Gayle Forman
20. The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls
21. Poussière du Temps - Tome 2 by Michel David - french
22. The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman
23. The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
24. The Fault in our Stars by John Green
25. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
26. Mensonges sur le Plateau Mont-Royal - Book 1 by Michel David - french
27. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Streds
28. The Book Thief by Mark Zusak

Currently Reading 
Me before you by Jojo Moyes (the count will be 29 books if I finish this one before the end of 2013)

Books that I started but did not finish in 2013
Oliver Kitterridge by Elizabeth Strout ~ I tried but just couldn't finish it! See post here
Last Letter from your Lover by Jojo Moyes

Author I discovered in 2013
Lisa Genova - After picking up "Still Alice", I just couldn't stop...!

Biggest Disappointment
After reading "Broken Horses" and "Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls, I was excited for the release of her new book "The Silver Star" last June but was so disappointed.  C'mon Jeannette... you can do a lot better!!

Best Book in 2013
"Still Alice" by Lisa Genova but REALLY loving the book I am currently reading... Me Before You.

Since I was not able to reach my goal of reading 40 books this year... I am setting the same goal for 2014. 

How many books did you read in 2013??

Any book goals for 2014??