80-20 Living: Two Weeks in May

Hi there. So it seems that weekly blogging continues to be problematic despite my best intentions. But you know what they say about good intentions. I've been in a semi daze over the last couple of weeks and I blame that solely on the weather. It's summer in the Sonoran desert now, when temps in the low 90s feel somewhat cool. The cicadas are out in force, and to this desert dweller, that is the signature sound of summer. Despite the heat there are still some flowers to be found, the saguaro has a handful left but the prickly pear is done for the season. I don't think that acclimating to the heat is really possible, instead patterns of living are modified to cope with it. Errands are run first thing in the morning or after the sun has gone down. The best parking space is not the closest, but the one with the most shade. Any sort of physical activity outside during the day is severely curtailed. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and a (reusable) container of water become necessities. And the countdown to monsoon season begins.

On that note here are three frugal things I've done recently.
1. The cat's litter box has been moved out of the laundry room so that the door can remain shut during the day. Because there is no air vent in that room, and it has many windows, it saves energy to not have to cool it.
2. I emptied out my mending basket. I hemmed a couple of skirts, replaced a few buttons and sewed a couple of seams. This is frugal in more than one way, repairing is cheaper than replacing and it freed up a laundry basket so I didn't have to purchase a replacement for one that wore out a couple of weeks ago.
3. The GH and I ate most of the leftovers in the fridge yesterday and I will finish those off today.

On a less frugal note I waited too long to use a zucchini and some cherry tomatoes that I bought and had to throw them out. I have been trying to reduce my food waste this year and while I am getting better I'm still not there yet. Moral of this story is to prep the veggies for the week on the day they are purchased, it makes me more likely to cook during the week when the prep is mostly done.

And now on to the clothes

May 16

Top: Banana Republic - Last seen here (7th outfit) Cardigan: Banana Republic - Last seen here (6th outfit) Skirt: Ann Taylor - Last seen here (4th outfit)

The Stuff

Earrings: Gift from the GH Necklace: Gift Bangle: Mom hand me down

May 17 - I have no idea what I was doing here

Top: Banana Republic: Retail 201? Skirt: White House Black Market - Last seen here (9th outfit)
Cardigan: Banana Republic - Last seen above

The Stuff

Earrings: Gift from Mom Necklace: Gift Bracelet: Gift from Janet

May 18

Top: Simply Vera - Last seen here (3rd outfit) Skirt: Angie - Thrifted here in January Cardigan: BCBG Girls - Last seen here (12th outfit)

The Stuff

Earrings, Bangle and Necklace: Mom

May 19

Dress: Jones New York - Last seen here (6th outfit) Cardigan: French Connection - Last seen here (4th outfit)

The Stuff

Earrings: Retail Necklace: Gift from the GH Bracelet: Mom

May 23

Dress: MSSP - Thrifted here in January

The Stuff

Earrings: Hand me down from Mom Bangles: Gifts and hand me downs

May 24

Top: Banana Republic - Last seen here (1st outfit) Skirt: The Limited - Last seen here (3rd outfit) Cardigan: August Silk - Last seen here (8th outfit)

The Stuff