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Low Spending September

Here's to Low Spending September

There's going to be a lot of window shopping and photo taking next month, and a lot less actual spending and shopping. At least that's my plan. I committed to Low Spending August and did a lot less shopping, but I didn't track my savings, i.e., how much I didn't spend. My plan for September is to track how much I saved.

I do a lot of walking in Manhattan and there are treasures on every corner. It's easy to spend ten dollars just walking from home to the library, less than a mile away. I might stop for an iced coffee, see some cute product on sale at the drugstore when I stop in to pick up a prescription and pick up a mango or two at the fruit stand on the corner. None of this is bad, but it's about ten dollars more than I needed to spend. This month's goal is to cut the random spending.

This rack of facial masks -- a number on sale -- called out to me when I stopped at the drugstore after a dental appointment. There were any number I wanted to try for the low, low price of $2.99, but it was $2.99 I didn't need to spend. Thankfully I snapped a picture and walked by. 

These products called out to me, too, but I just said hello and walked on. 

I'm guessing I can save fifty dollars in September by cutting back on my daily spending. In the interest of transparency I will be tracking and reporting weekly on how much I don't spend. I have no major purchases planned, though I may replace my ancient air conditioner if I see an especially good sale. I also want to replace t-shirts and my fall jacket. The t-shirts have seen better years and the jacket is way too big. I've been wearing the jacket for at least ten years, so I've definitely gotten my money's worth.

I'm doing the first giveaway on Coffee Light and Mysteries (Mostly) Noir, the companion blog to Buttercupland. I've returned to more regular reading and am reaching out to mystery readers in Buttercupland. Just click the link and it's a quick comment to enter the giveaway.

It was 95 in New York City today, so we know it's still summer. I won't mind the temperature dropping, but I love no jacket and no sock weather. How about you?

As ever, thanks for visiting and enjoy the last of August!

Pink Saturday Goes to the Metropolitan Museum of Art


Edgar Degas' Little Dancer of Fourteen Years,
a frequent stop on my visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
 
I ran into a friend last night who remarked that she was surprised to see me in the neighborhood. Most of my posts -- both in Buttercupland and on Facebook -- most frequently seem to be away from New York. I feel that I've been remiss in writing about life in New York City. Though I did the A to Z subway series in the spring (sadly still unfinished, I know) blog life then morphed into writing about my trip to England. But I've been home for over six weeks and have settled back into my "home routine" of yoga, Weight Watchers, grocery shopping, reading and long walks. 
 
One activity at the top of my to-do list was to add museum visiting to my home routine. There's such a treasure of museums within an hour radius of where I live and want to make sure I am at one of them often. My museum of this week was the Metropolitan Museum of Art, just a bus ride across Central Park.
 
I am not an "all-day" museum visitor. After about ninety minutes I lose the ability to absorb what I'm seeing. This visit focused on the paintings of Van Gogh that are owned by the Met. Some had been in storage and they were all displayed in several rooms in the European painting galleries. The rooms were crowded -- I was certainly not the only one who wanted to see this collection -- and not the best environment for taking pictures, but there were two paintings I especially enjoyed. 
 
 Roses, by Van Gogh, part of a series of four still lifes.
 
 Oleanders, by Van Gogh.
 
I've seen at least one of the paintings in the series of still lifes in which Roses is a part of, but Oleanders was totally unfamiliar.  My photograph does not do justice to the striking colors and vibrancy of the flowers. 
 
I enjoyed a glorious summer day for my visit. The roof garden was open and this is the view of the West Side across a very green and lush Central Park.
 
 It was a pleasure to be back at the Metropolitan and a pleasure to be joining Pink Saturday once again this week. There are some terrific posts and well worth a visit.

As ever, thanks for visiting and hope you're having a great weekend! 
 

Farewell, Aretha Franklin


The magnificent, Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is now of blessed memory.
 
I knew that this week might sadly be her last days, but when the news flashed across the screen of my phone, I was nonetheless filled with sorrow. Her music had been part of my life for over fifty years, Whether I heard her in the house I grew up in, car radios, dorm rooms or perhaps at my Senior prom, when her notes filled the air my attention went to the music and only to the music. 
 
When I was thinking about this post I went to the Aretha Franklin song I listened to the most over the years, I Say a Little Prayer. I knew it first in the Dionne Warwick rendition and I'm sure I wore out the 45 record I owned. No worry, soon Aretha would record it in a memorable and extraordinary rendition. Thanks, beloved, Queen of Soul, for every note you sang and many, many sweet memories.


On a very different note -- please excuse the lopsided picture -- we have the winner of the BlogHer totebag giveaway. It's number one comment, Nicole Holt. Thanks to all who entered and I raise a glass of my favorite summer (and winter) beverage, iced coffee.

As ever, thanks for visiting and wishes for a sunny weekend.
 

Time for Passion, Purpose, Hustle and Coffee (Giveaway)


There's always a giveaway totebag at BlogHer and BlogHer 2018 was no exception. There's also  always a BlogHer giveaway in Buttercupland and tonight's our lucky night. It's a rainy Saturday, not fun weather, but a perfect night to post this cute tote bag that will belong to one lucky Buttercupland friend. I always carry an extra tote bag and this one is a very light, but sturdy cotton for those times when you've bought just a little too much to carry.

The rain and my own wildly unmanageable hair prompted me to include two other fun gifts from the week's event. They are a full-size John Frieda Frizz Ease and a sample of Cuvee Styling Balm. I haven't tried either of the hair products yet, But I just looked at the reviews of the Cuvee Styling Balm and the word "magic" jumped out at me. Is there anyone who doesn't need a little magic for their hair?

It's easy as can be to enter the giveaway. Just leave a comment telling us your favorite summer drink and be a follower of Buttercupland on BlogLovin, Google+ or Blogger. It only takes a click or two and the tote and hair products may be yours. The contest is open until Wednesday, August 15 (11:59 pm) and I'll post the winner on Thursday, August 16. My favorite summer and winter drink is coffee, though I'm always happy to see a fresh made glass of lemonade. How about you?

I'm about to settle in with next week's pick for Mystery of the Week on Coffee Light and Mysteries (Mostly) Noir. It's lighter than The Big Empty, but equally engrossing.

As ever, thanks for visiting and wishes for a sweet Sunday! 

BlogHer18

BlogHer18 began with a walk in Lower Manhattan
 
It continued for two very busy days filled with speakers, sessions on social media management and some of the yummiest food I've had in ages. I met a number of friendly and interesting people and once again, I got my (slightly waning) blogging inspiration back. This is the seventh BlogHer I've attended and I'm reinspired -- again -- and eager to spend more time in Buttercupland.  The highpoint of the conference was an interview with Gabrielle Union, which was thoughtful, interesting and lively. 
 
I was also inspired to start posting again in Coffee Light and Mysteries (Mostly) Noir, my somewhat neglected mystery novel blog. I plan to post there weekly and share the link here in Buttercupland. This week's featured mystery novel is The Big Empty, which takes place in Alaska, featuring Chukchi, Alaska police chief, Nathan Active.  
 
Previews of coming Buttercupland attractions include a giveaway -- tomorrow! -- a book review, non-fiction and fascinating and a belated birthday salute to a very favorite fictional character. I think we're going to have lots of fun and I hope you will visit often.
 
As ever, thanks so much for visiting and wishes for a fabulous Friday and a great weekend. Keep cool!