Self Sufficiency at it's Finest

As some of you know, I decided to start finding myself again.  I've started to decorate my home in a way that makes it cozy, I've signed up for fun classes (sushi rolling/pottery), and now I'm starting a campaign to become more self-sufficient.

My quest to be self-sufficient starts with what I can do, completely, for myself and the first step is done.  I haven't spent money on store-bought lotions, chapsticks, or body scrubs in months because I make my own All Natural Bath & Beauty products.  If I can make lotion, then why can't I grow my own food?  I can easily cut about $300 a month off my grocery bills by growing my own.

I don't need the store to provide me with "organic" produce (let's face it, how can we be SURE it's organic, plus we don't know who has been touching or sneezing on it.)

If you follow me on Instagram, then you know that I've turned into (trying to turn into) a gardener.

I've started with the easy things indoors...

Yellow Pear Tomatoes & Zinnias -- I am BEYOND thrilled that these are growing.

Hot Peppers -- My second attempt. Pepper seeds/seedlings need to be kept at 75-80°F to grow properly; my first batch wasn't warm enough. Home Depot, Lowe's, and any garden store carries heating mats for your seedlings; so far I'm impressed!

Basil, Mint, Rosemary, Thyme,

Yellow Pear Tomatoes, Plum Tomatoes, Cosmos, Zinnias. These are in a Burpee Self-Watering Greenhouse System. I absolutely love Burpee for all of my gardening needs. They also sell Heirloom seeds; a major plus!!

I have some flowers thrown in because they match the planting timeline for these certain veggies.

Next week I'm going to start my Summer Squash, Pineberry, Strawberry, Dragon Tongue Beans, Bush Beans, and Okra seeds (there is a special old southern trick for the okra that you won't want to miss!) I'll be planting some of these in pots, so I'll be discussing container gardening and the easiness of it in an upcoming post.

Not only will I be saving money but I'll be living a healthier lifestyle. Do you have any ideas or tips for being self-sufficient and living frugally but not cheaply? Let me know in the comments! I love hearing new gardening and lifestyle ideas!

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Don't forget to enter my Starbucks Gift Card giveaway!

Starbucks Gift Card Giveaway

Needless to say, I have a Starbucks obsession. I drink way too much coffee and after I write this post I'm probably going to drive there and get my usual Venti White Mocha Peppermint Americano. Although I must say, the new Hazelnut Macchiato with a little extra hazelnut is just perfect.

What is your favorite Starbucks drink? Are you an iced or a hot coffee drinker? Personally, I do both, but it depends on the weather. This lovely and snowy (yuck!) 3rd day of spring calls for a hot drink for me today. How about you?

In honor of my obsessions, Beth from E. Lizard Breath Speaks and I, backed up by my Shop, are going to be giving away two $10usd Starbucks Gift Cards, one each for two very lucky people.

This contest is open to US Residents only. Winners will be notified by email. Contest has no affiliation with Starbucks; opinions, loves, and gift cards are provided/offered by Beth and myself.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Small Business Treasury Showcase #6

Good Afternoon my beautiful readers!

Before I begin I'd like to ask that you follow me on BlogLovin' considering Google Reader is going to be shut down, which is okay because BlogLovin' has a great layout.

 Follow my blog with Bloglovin
 

It's Wednesday and as some of you know it's time for my weekly small business showcase.  This week I'm going to focus on multiple businesses that have been featured in some absolutely beautiful Etsy treasuries this week.

'Mint for today' by TwoSadDonkeys

Travel Jewelry, Woo... BeauMiracle $21	One egg stand, Pysa... UkrainianEaste... $4.55	Ombre Earrings - Fi... branchbound $23	Sale 50% off, Mint ... SharonBoazFash... $39
little Chinese girl ilcervobianco $80	Small wooden box wi... MissVintageWed... $14.2	Organic Calming Lav... StellaKenton $6.5	Delicate earrings m... BBTAR $25
Set of 2 bracelets ... sukoshishop $35	Tulle skirt (beige ... OlgaPOKRYWKAfa... $213.75	mint ring . peach j... FreshfromtheKi... $7.9	Turquoise Mint Polk... Odonelis $6.49
Vintage 1980s OVERS... jewelryandthin... $35	Mint Wax Cotton Co... ukrainianwoods $1.2	Lace Bracelet - Imo... branchbound $20	Small Peach Fade Bo... upintheairsome... $28

'First Day Of Spring OasisTeam Treasury' by outoftheattic2u

Vintage West Virgin... SophiasWonderl... $46	Wedding Jewelry - ... bjswearableart $150	Lavender and Lemon ... StellaKenton $6	Lace Scarf, Dust Pi... InfinityScarfs $36
Abstract Ballet - B... Pysar $70	Yellow Roses, 11X14... JustforJoyCrea... $25	Flower - accessory,... YarnBallKnitti... $15	Handmade Pink Baby ... MagicalStrings $57
Turquoise Earrings.... BlingbyDonna $21	Baby dress, cross b... SouthernSister... $30	SALE White dew drop... TheMysticalOas... $28	Green and White Wed... BlissfulPetals $98
Spring Sale VINTAGE... ShopOfCraftsBy... $4.25	Child's fleece ... bynani $18	French Country Bird... baconsquarefar... $20	Two Vintage Linen E... PortugueseWond... $18.5

Have you entered my $10 Gift Card Giveaway for AmazoniaAccessories.etsy.com yet?

Click here to enter!

March Sponsors

I am very lucky to have a few great sponsors for the month of March :)

If you have some time you should definitely check them out, Beth offers some great reads and Isabel makes gorgeous botanical jewelry and accessories for everyday occasions.

 Blog  BlogLovin  Twitter  Pinterest  Instagram  Facebook

Beth is a wife, blogger, and photographer. She loves to travel and be outdoors. Beth shares her adventures on her blog, whether they be by camper, bike (the human powered kind), kayak, or foot.  She also discusses movies, books, great tunes, or anything else that strikes her fancy.  She enjoys life and loves to have fun, with a sense of humor behind it all, which shines through her writing.

Etsy Shop  Twitter  Pinterest  Facebook  Wanelo Store

Isabel makes beautiful jewelry and accessories with real pressed flowers.  Her products are inspired by the beauty of Colombian flowers and the exoticism of the Amazonia flora.  All of her designs are spontaneous and since they are made from real plants, each is one of a kind.
Isabel is currently holding a giveaway for a $10 gift card for her store. Click here to enter!

Today is the Day Of My People...

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!!

That is the song that has started our St. Pat's day at 6am for the last 6 or so years..

I had this grand plan today to come on here this evening and drunkenly write about how Cleveland St. Pat's is the best and why. Unfortunately, I am sick, not 'oh I have a stuffy nose sick', I'm more of the 'I'm going to die if I move' sick.

So, to my Irish, and Irish by association, people I say enjoy your day. Have a few Irish Car Bombs for me and remember to drink some James.

Stay rowdy my friends<3

Amazonia Accessories Gift Card Giveaway

Ready for a giveaway?!?

I am very pleased to introduce you to Isabel from Amazonia Accessories.

Isabel makes jewelry and accessories with real flowers. She designs and makes every one of her products and uses only natural, dried pressed flowers, because of this, every item is unique.

 "My products are inspired on the beauty of Colombian flowers and the exoticism of the Amazonía flora. All my designs are spontaneous and therefore one of a kind." 

-Isabel Arango

Are you in love yet? You should be.

I love every single one of her items and her Etsy shop is definitely one to envy.

Isabel is offering one lucky Happily Rambling reader a $10 gift card for anything in her shop.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fine print. Contest is open to all residents, worldwide. The opinions here are all mine and I was not compensated for this post.

New Paint and Sushi Classes

Well, I may have been wrong about February being messed up because March already has it beat.

Joe and I very mutually and calmly decided to end things last month; we've been inseparable ever since.  It's like when we first met, butterflies, smiles, and all. 

I can't explain it, I guess we're just meant to be.

He is still living at his mom's house, but he's here every other day.  We are taking our time apart, we need to; growing as individuals is just as important as growing together.

That being said, we are going to take a sushi class.

I am so excited.

One, it's at Shinto. Yum. Two, super cute date idea, for the win.

Who knows, we may (will) have a How To Roll Sushi post for you all :)

I'm still moving forward with my house renovations and this weekend will be the easiest of them all.  I'm going to paint my bedroom and hang up new curtains and replace all of the window blinds in the kitchen. Once again, I am excited.

I'm looking forward to showing you all my ugly house, hopefully the before and after pictures will blow you away.

::Things to Look for in March::

Antiquing/Staining Tutorial

How to Celebrate St Patrick's Day the Cleveland Way

Small Business Features

Gift Card Giveaway

Stella Kenton Giveaway

and more...

A Quick Thank You

I'd just like to send out a Thank You to Miss Angie over at MySoCalledChaos.com for taking over my blog and making it look amazing!

Angie is not only incredibly creative, but she's also a wonderful person to work with.

 If you're looking for some design work that represents you as a person or brand, then check out Angie's Shop or for a complete list of design services, go here.

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