Living on Pizza and Beer Budget

The problem with living on a "pizza and beer budget" is...I have "caviar and champagne" tastes. But through thrift I have learned over the years I can have both!  Which makes me smile ear to ear. Over the last few weeks Chris and I have went thrifting (shocker!).  Instead of my normal layout with details over what we bought I thought I would just give you the cliffs notes. I am not familiar with men's really expensive name brands but I know an expensive piece when I see one. Example: Last weekend Chris and I went to Value Village in Gastionia...I love that place! The first thing I spot just happened to be for Chris, which were a black square toe shoe by Gordon Rush. They were BRAND FRIGGIN NEW...not knowing the name brand I know they were a quality shoe. So we bought them because they just happened to be in his size, a size 13(!) . When we got back to the truck I looked the shoes up on my phone and sure enough the brand starts off at $175. WHAT?! Yeah that was so worth the mere $14 we splurged(ha!)

Example I found from google

Another example of the champagne lifestyle on a beer budget: Just Wednesday night we were thrifting at Goodwill and Chris found the most beautiful Banana Republic LEATHER jacket for 8 bucks! And it just happened to be in my size....w00t w00t! :)  We also bought some other odds and ends during this trip for our new house including a bee ($0.99) that reminds me of younghouselove.com, if you do not already follow their blog...it is a MUST read! I love their style and taste. They were actually the inspiration for our new house. :) Speaking of our new house it is almost ready! We went to pick our laminate flooring for our master bedroom, dining room/hall, and my craft room from a local home improvement salvage store...we got 513 sq ft for a $1 sq ft annnnnnnd he even threw in free padding! SCORE! I do recommend Earthwise Building Supply in downtown Rutherfordton to all of my local people. It is amazing! We will def. be making another trip to look a little longer! :) I can not wait to share our house when we get everything set up! :) 

Til next time XOXO ~Jess

Under $20

Two meals for three people under $20. Mom has been out of town for a few days and I am keeping my sister. I had no plans on what to feed the child but snooping around the internet I found two easy pasta recipes (she loves pasta...who doesn't tho?). The first dinner I made was Lemon Garlic Spaghetti, the recipe serves two but just double it and its EASY. Most of the items you may already have in your pantry.

Lemon Garlic Spaghetti 
4 oz dry spaghetti
1/4 cup grated parmesan
2 tsp olive oil
1 clove garlic-minced 
1/2 lemon- juice
5-6 basil leaves- chopped


Start boiling water for the spaghetti noodles.
Heat olive oil in small pan on low, add garlic, cook until edges are brown-set aside. 
Once water boils, add noodles, cook until tender.
In a large bowl add basil leaves and cheese then toss with noodles, add in the garlic oil and lemon juice...toss. Serve. 


The original recipe can be found here. You can add whatever you would like like sauteed mushrooms or like the original recipe called for...pine nuts. 





The second is Fettuccine Alfredo. Home Made. Easy peasy.  I'm sure this can easily feed 6. We still have a ton left over lol 


Fettuccine Alfredo
2 Sticks of butter (yes glorious, fattening butter)
1/2lb Parmesan- grated (i had just enough from the recipe before)
Salt
1 lb Fettuccine Noodle


Using an electric mixer beat the butter and cheese together until creamy.
Boil salt water, add noodles, cook until al dente
Save 1/2 cup of noodle water
Mix noodles with cheesey butter and 1/4 cup noodle water. If too think add more water.
Serve.