doing our part . . .

you can't say we're not helping the economy!

so we've taken a few plunges . . . some larger than others, though most planned ahead (from 1 year to more than 4 years!)

(images from here, here, here, + here)

hb and i in some part needed to make a few purchases, and in other parts were putting budgeted $ to good use . . . 

purchase {a} - 'i am not a paper cup' . . . designed by james burgess and being taken by storm by the general public, this eco-friendly ceramic cup will allow me to take full advantage of one of our wedding presents . . . the espresso machine!  (and since i purchased it, i have had yummy lattes for a fraction of the cost i would pay at the coffee shop in our office building : )  did i mention it is both microwaveable and dishwasher safe?  personally, i like that it washes easily- esp when my favorite drink is a latte- i.e. contains milk - and its design is simple and understated . . .

purchase {b} - our new mac - besides being on hb's wishlist since before he met me, friends and family wanted to assist with our purchase as wedding presents- and i must admit- it has been a fabulous present : )  as my 3 1/2 y.o. laptop has decided to be mean, and hb's is just plain slow (and old, too) - we are both enjoying its use (my other 2 cents - the only sales i've seen at a mac store are on black friday and iphoto rocks! - not to mention the books you can create!)

purchase {c} - this one's a biggie- but, it had been on the list since we made our cross country move 18 months ago . . . and with additional excursions in the future it seemed like a good decision . . . however, this meant hb had to say goodbye to his beloved 'honky' (i was sad, too) that treated him quite well over the last 10 years . . . we hope this one (unnamed as of yet) will be just as kind and hopefully for just as long . . . and did i mention it has a panoramic sunroof?!

purchase {d} - here's the most recent - and something that had been in my budget all year (pre-tax work benefit!) . . . and as my current pair is over 4 years old, i'm not feeling overly guilty . . . beside, as i begin to create my thirtysomething wardrobe- the frames will be a nice addition!  (and gasp, they are red!  well, one pair is red, the 2nd pair i got free is a bit more tame / modern : ) - craziness and fun!)

now it is back to holiday shopping for others : )  which i truly enjoy . . . and holiday baking / candy making!