I had a facebook friend asking about printers and ink options the other day. I thought I'd share about our because between life, fostering, homeschooling, and church planting, our family prints a LOT of stuff.

>this is not a paid post but does contain my referral link that could help supplement our ink obsession if you happen to sign up using it<

Life and becoming a foster home has all of us in need of printing things no and then. Party decorations, random signs, receipts, seasonal coloring pages, homework assignments, paperwork that needs signatures, things you have to keep posted in your home, etc. I'm sure I'm missing something.

We have had 2 printers in the 7 years of homeschooling. I run them ragged. We don't do the box-curriculum for lots of little reasons but one of those is space in our budget. There's more to it but basically, we do a store bought grade-level workbook and supplement with educational games, activities, field trips, movies/shows, and free/cheap things found on the internet. Although free to download, things found on the internet often require printing them off, sometimes 3-5 copies at a time. There's also the copying of curriculum we've been passed down. That's a lot of paper and ink.

We planted a church nearly 5 years ago. Being a new/small church, we do a lot of DIY or from-my-home stuff including printing children's curriculum, door hangers, post cards, sermon notes, signage, handouts, and all kinds of stuff. That too can be overwhelming and strenuous on me and my printer.

My current HP Envy 4512 [wireless!!!] does printing, scanning, copying, web, and photo stuff. We have had it for at least 4-5 years. It occasionally jams but is a super easy fix. Sometimes my wifi doesn't like to play well but that's just because our small town offers very little in the way high speed access. Another cool feature about this printer is that it works with "instant ink" via HP.

Instant Ink works with SEVERAL different HP printers that allow them to track how much ink is used and then automatically sends you more before you run out. After that, you return the empty cartridge in the package they provide. You can do monthly rates of $3-10 plans based on how much you print. It also allows for roll over pages, the plan can be change super easily, doesn't matter if you're printing colored or black and white. WHAT!? I [heart] color!!! Instant Ink way cheaper than buying ink in the store but it is also way less stressful than running out of ink unexpectedly, having to remember to buy it when you do make it into a store, or making sure to pick out the right cartridge [face palm].

Now, that I've referred you to get ink cheap, can someone refer me to a a program for PAPER usage. You know, one that kept inventory, anticipats needs based on upcoming calendar events, and automatically sent you the appropriate stalk. Or maybe I should plant some more trees. Or MayBe I should start a recycling plant in my backyard with all this paper build up.

What do you use your printer for most often? Got any tricks for making it cheaper? How do you deal with paper-build-up!? For real though, I hate paper- ask my recycling guys. They know I'll kick it out the door by the ton.

I got my FIX

Guess What Came Last Thursday!?!

In the midst of all the craziness going on in our lives, who has time to shop? Especially if you loath the idea of squeezing your chubby body into cute-in-the-picture clothes while in a tiny box where you will inevitably cry in dissatisfaction. Not me! I would prefer do this at home. At least with my daughter watching and attempting to snap pics with my camera phone in the comfort of my own {borrowed} home, I can be easier to identify the laughable moments when my get stuck inside the cute shirt that doesn't quite fit right.

Any how...That's neither here nor there. I want to tell you about a cool thing I found online via another blogger friend. {not getting paid for the review...unless someone wants to chip in. bahahaha}

Stitch Fix

Before you get the shabby chic box shown above you need to go to stitchfix.com and "Get Started".
They will have you create an account, fill out a "style profile". This is an in depth way for you to tell them what you usually wear, what you would like to wear, fashion you like/don't like {detailed!}, sizes and so on. So cool!
Then you will choose a "fix date". That means, the date you'd like them to deliver you "fix"- a box of 5 handpicked items that "your stylist" chooses for you to try. Fun, no??
When your adorable packaging comes, Here's How It Works:

Discover what's in your fix
Try on all goodies in your "Fix". Mix and match with items you already have to see if you like them, if they fit, if they go with what you already own. They even give you cute little "reference cards" with each items for how to where them different ways. Nice for those {like me} who don't care about fashion.
Decide what you're keping and what's going back
Take 3 days to decide which items you'll keep and which you'll return. They give you a package with shipping already paid so you can load the bag with items you're sending back and slip it directly into any mailbox. If you're keeping it all then no shipping is required.

Just so you understand I'm not crazy & so you can see my 4-year-olds mad camera skills, here are the items I recieved...on: These are the items "my stylist" chose and sent to me.
Check Out online
Go right back to stitchfix.com and "complete your return survey". This is another cool way they find out how better to choose items for you. Tell them pros & cons about each item, if your keeping/returning, and then pay for what you are gonna add to your closet. You can even schedule "monthly fixes". Even for a girl who doesn't linke shopping, this was pretty fun!
They were all so cute...but just not me. They're adorable in the pic, like the colors {okay} but I look like a goof and just can't pay the pretty price tag.

For me, there were only a few things I didn't like about my "Fix". I was excessively {if not finatical} about telling them I'm a modest and comfy girl. I know those two things mean completely different things to Everyone but I personally just didn't like that the only pants I got were leggings, both button downs were nearly see through, and one of them had very low cut button line. My other issue was, even among the section where they ask, "How much would you ideally spend on items in each of the following categories? We'll do our very best!" the lowest numerical option is "$50-100" then it just says, "the cheaper the better"...of Course I chose "the cheaper the better" but 2 of my items where $59.99 and 3 where 69.99. WAY out of my price range. I am heart pressed to spend $25 on jeans and rarely spend $20 on a shirt. I know, I know. That's crazy. But even had these items been $30, I might have considered them.

All in all, Stitch Fix was a really cool experience! I would possibly consider doing it again if I needed a special outfit for a VERY special occasion. Which you can specify, by the way!

Have you tried it? Tell me about your experience!!!!

NOTE: I do get $25.00 in credit when my 
friends get their first Fix using my links.

Ink Obsession

I got my FIX

Stitch Fix

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