by | Dec 20, 2015 | From the Heart |
Hello Elegant Readers!
Christmas if fast approaching. For some people the season is more stress than joy because they focus too much attention on buying gifts for people without having the money to do it. Here are some common sense tips to make sure you can enjoy the holidays without getting into financial trouble.
Decide who you are buying for before you start.
If you have a large family or have many friends, you may not have the finances to purchase for everyone. Decide before you start purchasing any gifts who you are buying for. It may just be your spouse, your children, your parents, your in-laws and a select few other people. You may not need to buy something for Uncle Jimmy who you only see once a year at Christmas or Cousin Betty who moved to Florida twenty years ago and you have not seen her since. You may need to let your people know that you are cutting back on the number of gifts you are purchasing because you are want to be financially smart.
Know your limit on how much you are spending on each person.
Once you have decided who you are buying for, then you must decide on an amount you are willing to spend. For some people, you may want t0 spend a little more, like your parents. For others, you may be a little less, like a niece or nephew are just babies. One way to stick with a designated amount is to buy a gift card to the person’s favorite store. Gift cards are an excellent idea because the person can get what he or she really wants and you don’t have to guess. Also, it prevents you from buying multiple gifts and going over your designated limit.
Do not feel obligated to buy gifts for someone just because they buy you a gift.
Many times, you will receive a gift from a co-worker or a neighbor. You may feel like you are obligated to purchase something for them. But check your list, if they are not on your original list, don’t feel like you have be buying something for them. If they truly gave you the gift from their heart, they should not be expecting anything in return. You can give them a thank you note, expressing your gratitude. And then for their birthday or another date in the future, you can give them a gift.
Consider homemade gifts.
Some times the best gifts are not the ones purchased, but the ones that are home made. If you have a favorite recipe, nothing can warm a person’s heart like homemade cookies, cakes or breads. I have given friends and family homemade cranberry bread and I have received the most enthusiastic “thank you’s”. And the cost for an entire cake is generally in the $5 to $10 range. Using this price range can help you expand your list of people who you can give to.
Homemade Cranberry Bread
Another alternative, homemade lip balm.
The holiday season should be a joyful and happy time spent with family and friends. You don’t want to get consumed by the need to be buying for everyone and hurting your financial stability in the process. Set your limits, stick to it and it will be a happier time for everyone.
by | Sep 11, 2015 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
Hi Beautiful People!
Blessings to you!
My hubby and I are celebrating our sixteenth wedding anniversary. He is just as handsome as when we first met as he is right now. We first met at work and we were friends and the friendship blossomed into marriage. Now you think I would create this facade by writing imagery of everything is wonderful and we have the perfect marriage. Well, I don’t want to bust your bubble; but I want to let you know that no marriage is perfect. The best marriages require two people communicating with each other to make the marriage work.
Me and my hubby at our wedding!
The hubby and I learned early on that we had to make the effort to talk to each other and listen to each other. Sometimes I feel I have so much to say and he takes the time to really listen to me. And the most important part of our marriage is putting God first as our center because without Him we know our marriage will not work.
Our Pastor is teaching this month on Believing God.
I read this morning a Joyce Meyer Devotional and the scripture reference was Joshua 1:5&6
…As I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong (confident) and of good courage.
Believing God in this world is so important because that is where our strength comes from.
I appreciate and am thankful for the man that God has given me as my husband. He serves the Lord, loving, kind, a provider for our family and truly loves me for me.
On our 15th wedding anniversary we travelled to San Francisco and road-tripped to the Four Corners to celebrate. However, this year we planned a staycation for our anniversary. It is special because we are getting to spend quality time with each other. We have some goals for ourselves and we are planning and spending time with each other is one of them.
One of the highlights from this year’s staycation has been going to the Japanese Festival, which occurs every year at the Missouri Botanical Garden. However this was our first time that we going. It was such a cool and meaningful experience.
While there, we saw the Kimono fashion show where the models showed designs of various styles of kimono, including some that were over one hundred years old.
Kimono Fashion Show
And, I had the opportunity to see my name written in Japanese and learn the significant meaning. I will write a post on this because it’s so special.
Planning Goals
It is important to create goals so you know where you are going and what things we need to pray about and then cross off of our list once they have been accomplished.
Reflections
I am reflecting and thanking God for sixteen years of marriage. And In Jesus Name, we have many more prosperous and joyous years Praise God!
This post is linked to Visible Monday.
by | May 11, 2015 | Accessories, Fashion, From the Heart |
Hi Beautiful People,
JT on Mothers Day after Church
Yesterday was Mother’s Day and I have so may thoughts going through my head during this time. My Birthday is today and Mother’s Day was yesterday. My mother has been with the Lord going on 21 years this November. I remember everything so vividly as if it were yesterday.This time has been difficult for me in years past because I get all these thoughts about my mother and it gets me down. The thoughts tried to creep up on me this year; but that negativity has got to go now. I have to cast those imaginations down because feeling like this does nothing for me. My mother is with the Lord and she has no suffering or pain. She is an inspiration and I am so thankful for how she and my dad raised me.
VInny and JT
As I said today is my birthday and my hubby has kept the celebration going since Friday. This party is going on the whole month. We eat to Red Lobster yesterday and had some really good salmon and tilapia.
Celebrating life, love, and happiness! Thank you Lord for my life and longevity!
My hubby knows that I enjoy Erte’s fashion illustrations, so he gave be a book that shows illustrations and gives some more information into the genius of his creations.
Erte
And this cool sculptural stainless steel ring, very different. It is a bubble marquise design.
Stainless Steel Bubble Marquise Ring
The dress above and in these pictures below is my birthday dress that found at Ross for 29.99 and retailed for $138.00. I paired it with with my Tommy Hilfiger jean jacket. The colors is this dress remind me of a Monet painting, I got so many compliments on this dress.
My Clark wedges retailed for 120.00 and was able to get a half off purchase price.
Clark Wedges
Deals like this make shopping so much fun. My Vinny loves posing with me, it’s to cute.
JT in her birthday suit
My hubby treats me like a queen and I never want take it for granted, I thank the Lord for him in my life.
Birthday dress collage
by JTwisdom | May 10, 2015 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
Today is to celebrate Mother’s Day! We honor our mothers with cards, flowers and tokens of love and appreciation. I have been blessed with a wonderful mother who raised me right. I thank God for her and for all of the sacrifices that she made to me. I would not be who I am without her guidance and her support. She is the greatest mother that I have ever met.
Me with Mommy Bernice.
There is a another lady who I know to be a wonderful woman and the greatest mother even though I never met her. I know her only from the memories shared by her daughter and the spirit that lives on in my wife. She is my mother-in-law, Gloriastean. I never had a chance to met her because she passed away three years before I met her daughter.
My mother-in-law, Gloriastean.
In spite of never meeting her in the natural, I feel that I have gotten to know her well through the many wonderful stories that my wife shared of her. From the times that she sang in the jazz clubs as a teenager, to the time she lived in California with her father and attended San Fransisco State University as a music major and the stories of her driving a Cutlass.
My mother-in-law had a passion for life and a passion for excellence. My mother-in-law only wanted the best for her daughter. She gave her the best education, making sure she attended private school all the way through college. Her mother and father sacrificed and bought my wife a grand piano in college so she could her learn how to play. She also encouraged my wife to learn how to sew by investing in buying my wife a sewing machine so she could learn how to make her own clothes.
My mother-in-law had a passion for excellence in taking care of her house and her family. She instilled in her daughter the same passion. Whether it is keeping the grass cut in the yard or the floors swept in the house, I see that today in the way that my wife keeps our home.
My mother-in-law spent her life making sure that her daughter was taken care of and to provide her with a good life. Even though she is in heaven and I never met her, my mother-in-law’s passion deeply influences me today. It is my desire to take care of my wife the best way that I can. I look to my mother-in-law for this inspiration. I only hope that I can continue at the same level that she started. Thank you for being the greatest mother, and greatest influence, that I never met.
by | Apr 10, 2015 | Accessories, Fashion, From the Heart, Inspirations |
Hi Elegant Readers,
What a wonderful holiday weekend celebrating Resurrection Sunday (Easter). Jesus is Risen from the grave and lives!
The last day of Passover is tomorrow. It is such a good time to reflect on the celebration of the Israelites escape from slavery in Egypt.
My hubby and I attended an awesome service and enjoyed the day. My sweet doggie Vinny loves being in the pictures while my other doggie Gio is sniffing for every scent around the backyard.
I enjoy blogging about style and on Resurrection Sunday I went Dressy Chic. I wore a lace dress with a tailored blue jean jacket. The day was cool, so I wore textured black tights and gray open toe heels.
JT, Hubby and Vinny on Resurrection Sunday
I popped a pink scarf because it was a little chilly and added my Gucci sunglasses. My Coach handbag was from a Caribbean cruise I went on in 2011, yes 2011. I be sure to take care of my handbags and accessories so they last a long time. You will not see me buying things just to write a post on my blog. You are not going to get that kind of writing from me.
JT on Resurrection Sunday
My jewelry is pretty classic chic. I wore an Italian lire coin watch. It has become a favorite of mine. It is a watch and bangle in one. This is one of my alternative wedding ring and bands. I am happy that my hubby was able to get it fixed because I was missing a stone. It is such a good thing to find a great jeweler who can repair your pieces and give you fair prices.
JT’s bejeweled accessories
Enjoy your weekend and remember that beauty comes from the inside out. I have to remember that there is no need to compare. I am not in a competition to prove who is better, cuter, taller, or thinner. The most important thing is my relationship with my Heavenly Father and then everything else comes after that.
JT
by | Apr 3, 2015 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
Hello Elegant Readers,
I am thankful!
It’s Good Friday. The day when Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross for me, for everyone. He didn’t have to do it; but he did and I am so glad.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 New International Version (NIV)
Roman soldiers put thorns on Jesus’ head and spit on Him and cast lots for His garments. Jesus could have called the heavenly angels to knock them out; but he did not.
Grateful!
God forgives us of our sins, even though he knew no sin. I have to get over the condemnation because by repenting of my sins, it is forgotten and wiped away. If a negative word comes out, I have to remember that He calls me His beloved. I am a King’s kid! My God is wonderful, marvelous, majestic, glorious, mighty, powerful and victorious!
We have to point to ourselves and say that Jesus did it for me. We have to personalize it because Jesus is not in this far cosmic atmospheric place, he is in our hearts. The key is to have a relationship with God.
God’s Amazing Grace!
At my church our Pastor is teaching on Amazing Grace that has really encouraged me to look deeper into God’s word to continue to develop and grow my relationship with God. None of us are perfect but we are forgiven.
Praise God!
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