April and May 2020 No Spend Recap: Let’s Talk Real Numbers
Over the past year I have hesitated to talk real numbers. Rather than feel ashamed, I’m going to accept the fact that I am in a fortunate place in my life today. Tomorrow it might not be the case. But today I am in a fortunate place. I did work very hard to get where … Continue reading April and May 2020 No Spend Recap: Let’s Talk Real Numbers
Budgeting – Or How I Impressed Mr. BMM
Mr. BMM created our first joint budget over 12 years ago. This weekend we got to talking about how much we really needed to put in a bank account for bills. I was shocked to hear that Mr. BMM did not maintain our joint budget. Some how he managed this way for 12 years. We … Continue reading Budgeting – Or How I Impressed Mr. BMM
¡Adiós! May – Enter June Mini Theme
We made it to the unofficial start of Summer. With Memorial Day behind us there are only hot days ahead. I don’t know about you but turning the calendar to a new month is exciting. I treat the start of a new month like others treat New Year’s Day as a new beginning. Reflecting back … Continue reading ¡Adiós! May – Enter June Mini Theme
Summer Cooking
I love to cook. My one grandfather really sparked my interest in cooking. He would have me over to teach me how to make different recipes. Such a beautiful memory. I actually have his crock pot and a recipe book. I love using them both as a sweet reminder of an awesome man. If I … Continue reading Summer Cooking
Book Review: You Were Born for This by Chani Nicholas
You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance and Living Your Purposeby Chani Nicholas Recently I started to get interested in astrology. I suppose that I’m trying to figure myself out. Explain why I am different. I’m different from my family. We may share the same DNA but we are not similar. Our values, … Continue reading Book Review: You Were Born for This by Chani Nicholas
Thrifting is Officially Cool
Recently podcasts started to talk about thrifting being cool and all of the environmental benefits. Honestly, thrifting has been cool for a long time. We sometimes weird ourselves out and make up some crazy stories as to why thrifting won’t work. Maybe all of the right stars collided one day to bring me to minimalism, … Continue reading Thrifting is Officially Cool
Book Review: Ham Bones (Sarah Booth Delaney #7) by Carolyn Haines
Around the start of summer until about Halloween, I love to read mysteries, thrillers, and fiction books. To kick start this summer I returned to the Sarah Booth Delaney series by Carolyn Haines. There are 20 books in this series as of the date of this review. I originally started out of order but I … Continue reading Book Review: Ham Bones (Sarah Booth Delaney #7) by Carolyn Haines
I’ve Been Thinking A Lot Lately
Feels like it has been weeks since I last wrote. I will be honest. I have been doing a lot of reflecting and planning. Around this time two years ago I picked up the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. That tiny little book changed my life completely. I like to reflect … Continue reading I’ve Been Thinking A Lot Lately
A Minimalist Workout for Maximal Results
As more time passes without gyms being able to reopen, I had to get creative. For some people it’s following workout videos. I’m not that type of person. I really don’t like watching TV much more than streaming my daily yoga class. I wanted a workout that could travel into the woods with me. So … Continue reading A Minimalist Workout for Maximal Results
Decluttering 101 – Deciding on an Approach
My whole journey through minimalism started when I decluttered the physical and then the mental stuff around me. Before I decluttered, I thought that a home needed to look like a museum or be perfect for a scavenger hunt. The mental stories were similar. The most stuff I had the better I was. But I … Continue reading Decluttering 101 – Deciding on an Approach
Book Review: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
Found this book at one of my local Little Free Libraries along one of my many walks over the past couple of weeks. I love running. I enjoy Memoirs. Figured I would give this book a chance. Right now, I’m trying to calculate how many years I have been running. I started sometime around 2005 … Continue reading Book Review: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
Frugal is the New Cool Kid… oh Please Tell Me More
If you told me 5 years ago that I would be writing a blog and writing about no shopping, I would have said you lost your mind. If you said I would have decluttered and own my very own capsule wardrobe, I would have suggested that you get your head examined. Here we are. It’s … Continue reading Frugal is the New Cool Kid… oh Please Tell Me More
Minimalist Mind Reader
Weeks ago I started talking about what I wanted to keep as well as change going forward as the world slowly starts to open up. While this shut down sucked, it was the first time in my whole life that I had time to reflect and truly make the best decisions for myself and my … Continue reading Minimalist Mind Reader
What Can I Subtract?
Part of my state is open now but my county is still closed down. Re-opening is going to happen but I feel that I need a plan. How much do I want to add back to my schedule? What can I subtract? I’m going to really comb through my schedule to see what really matters. … Continue reading What Can I Subtract?
Book Review: The Art of Discarding: by Nagisa Tatsumi
The Art of Discarding: How to Get Rid of Clutter and Find Joy by Nagisa Tatsumi Have you ever wondered where Marie Kondo got the idea for the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up? After I read and KonMari’d my things I often wondered what inspired Marie to do her thing. Enter Nagisa Tatsumi. Her book … Continue reading Book Review: The Art of Discarding: by Nagisa Tatsumi
Oh Snap… Mr. BMM Schools Me About Zero Waste
Walked into the extra bedroom where my husband keeps his things. We can’t keep much in our bedroom for two very important reasons. First, there is no closet in our bedroom. Second, we work different shifts and would likely wake each other up getting ready for work. On to the point of this blog post. … Continue reading Oh Snap… Mr. BMM Schools Me About Zero Waste
Book Review: No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh
No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering by Thich Nhat Hanh Let’s be completely honest. We are living during a global pandemic, people are out of work, some people are dying from the virus, basically anything fun is canceled, there lots of fear out there, and it’s just a shitty time. Pre-shit show, my … Continue reading Book Review: No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh
As the World Slowly Opens: Making Plans
As the world slowly opens, the little beautiful introvert in me is starting to panic. More people are going to try to take my free time. I love my free time! But I feel bad saying no. Right now I only need to make plans with my tiny little family and it always works out … Continue reading As the World Slowly Opens: Making Plans
Minimalist Adventures in May
My goodness it feels marvelous to get back to my minimalist way of life. After life exploded in March and April and with me finally coming to terms with our current situation, I was able to return to my form of minimalism. And it feels so damn good! My savings is back on track with … Continue reading Minimalist Adventures in May
Book Review: Meet the Frugalwoods by Elizabeth Willard Thames
Meet the Frugalwoods: Achieving Financial Independence Through Simple Living by by Elizabeth Willard Thames Recommended by a reader, Jen @ Healthfulsaver, I am so thankful that I received this recommendation. I have found the need to reconnect with my frugal, inner saver, pay off debt person after having a hellish April. Once I started Meet … Continue reading Book Review: Meet the Frugalwoods by Elizabeth Willard Thames
Advice to New Graduates
Around this time many students are graduating high school or college with huge goals and dreams. I remember graduating high school completely lost as to what I wanted to do when I grew up. I followed the traditional path of trying college, practically failed out, and went to beauty school. I thrived at beauty school. … Continue reading Advice to New Graduates
Social Media for BMM
It’s official! The Beautiful Minimal Millennial is now on Instagram! While I personally do not have Facebook or Instagram, I realize that in order to grow my blog I need to get out there. I will be posting articles, never before seen pictures, and more. I just started posting this week so pop over to … Continue reading Social Media for BMM
Book Review: You can Buy Happiness by Tammy Strobel
Regardless if you purchase the book or borrow it from the library, one of the best ways to support your favorite authors is to review their books on Amazon and/or Goodreads. You Can Buy Happiness (and It’s Cheap): How One Woman Radically Simplified Her Life and How You Can Too by Tammy Strobel Found this … Continue reading Book Review: You can Buy Happiness by Tammy Strobel
Fantasy Weekend at the Farmer’s Market
Alright. Let’s be honest. I have this fantasy that I go to the farmer’s market every single weekend on a bicycle with a cute little basket in the front to hold all of my produce. I become friends with all the farmers. I spend some time canning/preserving part of my purchases so that we can … Continue reading Fantasy Weekend at the Farmer’s Market
Return to Minimalism
Well, well, well. This past month has felt as if I’m living through a Stephen King novel where I’m getting chased by some creepy clown with a chainsaw down a dark alley wearing high heals. I really don’t even know if Stephen King wrote a book about that but it feels like it could have … Continue reading Return to Minimalism
A Horse of Course along the Trail with a Heart Shaped Rock
This past weekend I showed up at the parking lot of my new favorite trail. I wasn’t expecting to see many people since it is fairly remote. Instead I found a couple horse trailers and a couple piles of horse poo. Running through the woods keeps you on the look out for deer, which are … Continue reading A Horse of Course along the Trail with a Heart Shaped Rock
Book Review: 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste by Kathryn Kellogg
Regardless if you purchase the book or borrow it from the library, one of the best ways to support your favorite authors is to review their books on Amazon and/or Goodreads. 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste by Kathryn Kellogg Found this book after listening to the Frugal Friends podcast Episode 103, How to live … Continue reading Book Review: 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste by Kathryn Kellogg
Book Review: Don’t Over Think It
Regardless if you purchase the book or borrow it from the library, one of the best ways to support your favorite authors is to review their books on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Don’t Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life by Anne Bogel Unexpected. I was not expecting to … Continue reading Book Review: Don’t Over Think It
And There Goes the Paper Towels
Growing up I saw my one set of grandparents save and repurpose many things. As a child, my Nanny drew a whole town on the back of a flatten cardboard box that would be stored under the couch. I would drive the little cars all around this town for hours. She also taught cool science … Continue reading And There Goes the Paper Towels
How Do You Plan the Future?
We are now about a month into this new norm of social distancing, practically cleared out social calendars, and a completely new normal. In the beginning I fought this change, then I got really upset and angry because my life changed without my consent, and now I accepted this is my new normal. However, what … Continue reading How Do You Plan the Future?
Book Review: Joy at Work by Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein
Regardless if you purchase the book or borrow it from the library, one of the best ways to support your favorite authors is to review their books on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life by Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein After I completed my personal KonMari tidying event two years ago … Continue reading Book Review: Joy at Work by Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein
Book Review: You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington by Alexis Coe
Regardless if you purchase the book or borrow it from the library, one of the best ways to support your favorite authors is to review their books on Amazon and/or Goodreads. You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington by Alexis Coe Honestly, I rarely if ever read biographies and almost never read … Continue reading Book Review: You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington by Alexis Coe
Power of Duct Tape
Over this past weekend, we had nice weather. Maybe the first nice weekend of spring. You know that kind of nice weather where everyone would want to do something just like the weeks leading up to Christmas. And my little introverted being would be like “can’t I have an hour alone please?” Rather than being … Continue reading Power of Duct Tape
Zero Waste’ish isn’t just for Hippies Anymore
If you have been following my blog over the past couple of months, I talk about going zero waste-ish by reducing my use of plastic and find alternatives to commercial cleaning products. Let me be 100% honest with you. If I had my choice, Mr. BMM and I would be living in a tiny home … Continue reading Zero Waste’ish isn’t just for Hippies Anymore
My New Normal is Ok
Earlier this week I cried to Mr. BMM. I can’t imagine that I’m the only one out there that cried at any point over the last month. I cried because life changed drastically. My old normal no longer exists. Nobody knows when our old normal will return, if it ever will return completely. After I … Continue reading My New Normal is Ok
I QUIT. And I am happier than Ever!
Over the years I have learned more and more about myself. I would say that over the past five years have been the most amazing growth spurt that I have every had to date. I have a greater sense of compassion, I can see where someone is coming from even if I don’t agree with … Continue reading I QUIT. And I am happier than Ever!
Paying it Forward
Paying it forward. Let me start off my acknowledging the fact that I am very privileged to make the suggestion on paying it forward. My job sent me to work at home over two weeks ago. I have been able to maintain my current salary. As a result, I have given myself a mission to … Continue reading Paying it Forward
Book Review: Living Simple, Free & Happy by Cristin Frank
Regardless if you purchase the book or borrow it from the library, one of the best ways to support your favorite authors is to review their books on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Living Simple, Free & Happy: How to Simplify, Declutter Your Home, and Reduce Stress, Debt, and Waste by Cristin Frank Not your typical decluttering, … Continue reading Book Review: Living Simple, Free & Happy by Cristin Frank
2020 Theme: Slow – Mini Themes
March is nearing its end where my mini theme was to go zero waste-ish. NO PLASTIC WRAP WAS USED! Do not use plastic wrap. – NAILED IT! Do not accept or use plastic utensils – DONE Repair my favorite bag, do not replace it – DONE for $5 Attempt to reduce food packaging waste – I … Continue reading 2020 Theme: Slow – Mini Themes
2020 Theme: Slow Cooking
Thankfully that I picked Slow to be my 2020 theme. Not sure how my mind develops these ideas but I am grateful that this idea came to me and I accepted this idea. Maybe it’s like the Big Magic that Elizabeth Gilbert wrote about. Today I am here to writ about slow cooking. When I … Continue reading 2020 Theme: Slow Cooking
2020 Theme: Slow – It’s Pretty Easy Right Now
I am currently living, working, and doing my whole life at home. Guess it is pretty easy to go slow right now. I have one important task each day. That is to wake up and start working at home on time. That’s it. Some people have asked if I am losing my mind. Truthfully, I … Continue reading 2020 Theme: Slow – It’s Pretty Easy Right Now
Book Review: Do You Mind If I Cancel? (Things That Still Annoy Me) by Gary Janetti
Regardless if you purchase the book or borrow it from the library, one of the best ways to support your favorite authors is to review their books on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Do You Mind If I Cancel? (Things That Still Annoy Me) by Gary Janetti Are you looking for a hilarious book? Don’t go any … Continue reading Book Review: Do You Mind If I Cancel? (Things That Still Annoy Me) by Gary Janetti
Book Review: City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Regardless if you purchase the book or borrow it from the library, one of the best ways to support your favorite authors is to review their books on Amazon and/or Goodreads. City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert After weeks of lamenting on how to properly review this amazing book, I am going to try. While … Continue reading Book Review: City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Book Review: The Book of Ichigo Ichie by Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Francesc Miralles
Regardless if you purchase the book or borrow it from the library, one of the best ways to support your favorite authors is to review their books on Amazon and/or Goodreads. The Book of Ichigo Ichie: The Art of Making the Most of Every Moment, the Japanese Way by Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Francesc Miralles … Continue reading Book Review: The Book of Ichigo Ichie by Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Francesc Miralles
Book Review: Cosy: The British Art of Comfort by Laura Weir
Regardless if you purchase the book or borrow it from the library, one of the best ways to support your favorite authors is to review their books on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Cosy: The British Art of Comfort by Laura Weir I was looking for a lighthearted and easy read. You know the kind of book … Continue reading Book Review: Cosy: The British Art of Comfort by Laura Weir
Book Review: Project 333 by Courtney Carver
Regardless if you purchase the book or borrow it from the library, one of the best ways to support your favorite authors is to review their books on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Really Is So Much More Courtney delivers again! After writing about Project 333 in her … Continue reading Book Review: Project 333 by Courtney Carver
Book Review: How to be Fine by Jolenta Greenberg and Kristen Meinzer
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: There will be a live “Book Tour” on Friday, April 10th at 12pm EST. Check out an article by Modern Mrs. Darcy. Regardless if you purchase the book or borrow it from the library, one of the best ways to support your favorite authors is to review their books on Amazon and/or Goodreads. … Continue reading Book Review: How to be Fine by Jolenta Greenberg and Kristen Meinzer
Made in My Own Country
Over the past couple of weeks I have made one very strong personal rule. I am going to buy made in America as much as possible whenever I shop. As you know, I’m currently on my second year of no shopping with a couple exceptions. My shopping is fairly limited to start. However, when I … Continue reading Made in My Own Country
Life Interruption: Challenge of the Day
Never miss a Monday workout they say. So never miss a Monday challenge. Challenge #1: Find a yoga class or workout class for free online. AND do it! This morning I streamed an at home boot camp class through my local gym. Looking for a free yoga class? Check out Studio Be‘s vinyasa class. Challenge … Continue reading Life Interruption: Challenge of the Day
Giving Myself a Little Grace on my Zero Waste-ish Month
The plastic wrap might not have been used this month but my goodness the plastic that came into our house this past week is INSANE! One company sells individually frozen and plastic wrapped chicken tenders. Is that really necessary? No. But guess what, with our current situation, I bought two boxes of them. Now I … Continue reading Giving Myself a Little Grace on my Zero Waste-ish Month
