Bones are to Romeo what shoes are to me.

Flatty is the perfect fit, comfortable, and still in relatively good condition.  It’s his early evening bone, and the one he takes out for a ride or when visiting, just like my runners.

Rolly Polly is a hollow bone with some real heft to it, can’t carry it around for too long, but still worth showing off, just like my three season combat boots.

Holy Cow is more complex than Rolly Polly, there is a lot of texture in the bone, lots of good stuff to chew, lighter in weight and he can take it anywhere, just like my caramel coloured knee high leather boots.  

New Boy is the newest of the bones so you expect to show him off more, it screams (barks) of good taste and makes the other dogs jealous,  just like my nude patent leather mary jane pumps.

And finally, Nub.  The oldest, most comfortable, take-anywhere bone that you can carry around for ever, then drop in every room  around the house,  just like my black ballerina flats with the worn heel.

Not unlike most women I make a conscious decision each day to put on a pair of shoes that fit my mood and activity and change them throughout the day if I have to.  Romeo does the same with his bones, and sometimes when I am not looking, in a moment of mistaken identity (or so I choose to believe) he grabs ballerina flat by mistake, lays down by the fire and has a good chew. 

On March 1st I embarked on my own personal version of March Madness by challenging myself to a “no spend” month.  I made of list of essentials; food, gas, household emergencies,  any supplies needed to support my bling business, and of course the fixed monthly expenses.  This was not survivor no campfire coffee for me,  I could use any gift cards left over from the holiday’s to get my fix of roll up the rim cups.  Mind you by the end of the month, full of caffeine I did find myself asking the clerk for a large black coffee and walnut crunch stiletto.

As a primer I watched the Secret, and envisioned myself laying in a field of loonies and toonies, while fives and tens floated carelessly through the air and landed gently on my new Kate Spade trench.  Yes, I was ready.  Armed with the wisdom of all the great thinkers of the world, I was ready.

The first 15 days were easy, I was so full of willpower I could have lit up Winners, which by the way I avoided at all cost.   To satisfy the shopping fix, I directed myself to places that you did not have to spend money in to enjoy, like book stores, and home improvements stores, because you can’t just by paint on a whim, you have to think about that home improvement project first.  You have to pour over the paint colours, take them home, and then of course talk yourself into doing the work… a great budget saving technique.

It was at that point I realized something magical was happening, whenever I was faced with needing to purchase something, I would come into money.  Not large amounts, but enough.  I needed to fix my sliding door, the same day a piece of jewelry sold.  I needed to fill up with gas, and I received compensation from work for a tank of gas.  I ran out of Tim’s cards, someone suprised me with a coffee, and I was a winner.  Does this Secret thing really work?  I don’t know, but it was at that point I started imagining myself laying in a field of $100 dollar bills just to be on the safe side.

The next 15 days were tougher. I hit a weak moment when my darling romeo broke his kong, then looked at me with a sadness I could not deny.  $4.99 plus tax.  I justified it by saying it was essential for a good nights sleep.

I went to lunch with a co-worker $12.51 plus tip.  We  later declared it a mental health lunch, definitely essential.

And two days ago, after a particularly trying week, I “essentially” declared Thursday March 29th to be “I’m cranky and I need a fancy dessert day”.  $9.09, plus 3 cents for the bag.

All in all I am declaring it a success.  I did it better than I thought I would,  I checked my credit card bill online and it is the lowest amount I have ever  charged.  I re-worked my existing wardrobe in my spare time, moved around some accessories at home to freshen up my place, and mastered the art of crepe making.  As for my vision of laying in a field of hundies… well yesterday I found out that I am getting a nice tax return, and the utility bill I had budget for all year, was already covered in strata fees, so no large bill for me.  Yup, the secrets out.  My no spend March put money in the bank.  So… If I declare the next month “No Pounds April” I should end up 5 pounds lighter. 

Every Sunday my mom would take

everything but the kitchen sink,

mix it with chocolate,

put it in the fridge

and call  it Supreme Surprise.

And that’s not the scary part.

We ate it… that’s the scary part.

Here’s the thing… if you leave out the chocolate,

you have one cool  piece o’ bling.

If that’s all it cost… Hey, ladies?

But why not have one handy, while

you’re looking stunning in this necklace

complete with vintage glass & rhinestone buttons,

tufts o’tulle and one lucky penny.

Release your inner Ethel Merman  and sing like

there’s no one listening (cause they are not), and

celebrate with this lovely neck bling

featuring a vintage rhinestone brooch,

reclaimed glass buttons, and pearls as rosey as the

glow on your girlish cheeks.

A smashing vintage earring, suspended

from gossamer ribbon, and an imagine token

guaranteed to make all your dreams come true.

**Some exceptions apply, please see small print.

I know I would be if I saw that my friend had

this around her neck,  and we all know what

that feels like, but I digress.

This bling features green glass buttons from

The Czech Republic, reclaimed glass buttons,  and a

lonesome vintage rhinestone earring.

A lovely vintage earring suspended

from gossamer ribbon and a love token,

good for one million kisses from Brad,

if you can get make Angie disappear.