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Link love (Powered by long nights and other spring delights)

Last weekend was, to say the least, ridiculously relaxing. Well, except for when I had a mid-afternoon meltdown because I realised I’d left my toiletry bag at home – on the stove, it turned out later, of all places. But was it the lack of skincare for my poor dehydrated, eczemaed skin, or the lack of toothbrush that bothered me the most? No, it was the lack of contact lenses that I’d paid a premium for in order to be shipped to me IN TIME FOR THE WEEKEND.

That aside, being blind at the pools wasn’t too bad, all things considered.

A few pictures…

Outside the public toilets, at the main Matakana roundabout.

Scallops (From a roadside vendor. Super fresh and juicy. Cheaper and better than the supermarket, but still, that is $15 worth!!!) and watercress/radish salad (from the Matakana farmers’ market).

And now, the biz.

MONEY

Money Crush reminds us that rules-of-thumb are not hard and fast.

Nicole and Maggie speak out in defence of impulse spending on small pleasures, and not being willing to sacrifice the future for the present.

And Donna Freedman voices similar sentiments in this post. “To do so would mean giving up things like charitable donations, trips to the used bookstore, the option of having a second child, or even simply trying a new variety of cheese now and then.”

Finding Serenity’s attempt to line-dry laundry to save money backfires. Catowners, got any tips?

Saving Her Life shares ways to save on transport.

Airam has some ideas for passing the time with fun free pastimes.

Sunflowers on income-based student loan repayment plans (for those in the US).

WellHeeled wonders if using coupons on a first date is acceptable.

FruGal asks if you’d let a family member repay your debt on your behalf.

Lady in the Red contemplates turning vegetarian to save cash.

J Money gives his take on housebuying to a reader who’s rearing to buy his first home.

A Master of Nothing Employable explains how to go to concerts on the cheap.

WORK/CAREER

Is becoming an educator right for you? TeacHer Finance gives us a peek into her chosen profession.

A Cat of Impossible Colour on what makes a “real writer” and having the courage to own the title.

Healthcare Working Girl blogs about her dreams for her child and why she doesn’t want her to follow her path.

Shiftless and Lazy on just wanting to live the dream.

FruGal defends the humble Arts degree.

Ms Career Girl offers some advice to a reader who took his first job and ended up hating it.

Financial Samurai has some practical tips for entrepreneurs starting their own business in the US.

FOOD

A Sheep in Wolves’ Clothing on why the raw food diet sucks.

Plum and apple pie, via Smitten Kitchen (I had to look up what single crust meant). “Oh, and the lid crumbles. As in, it’s supposed to. There’s no way to get a clean slice and you shouldn’t even try. This pie is meant to be scooped indelicately with a large spoon, slopped unceremoniously on a plate, dolloped haphazardly with softly whipped cream and eaten shortly after it comes out of the oven.” MY KINDA PIE!

Little Space presents her scrumptious looking
taco soup.

Iowa Girl Eats recreates the fresh seafood pasta she recently enjoyed in Italy.

And StoneSoup sings the praises of soy sauce and suggests some new ways to make use of it.

LIFE

Dezolutions guestposts on Pushing Thirtyy, pondering the implication of a GenX-GenY relationship.

Neurotic Workaholic on all the reasons her life is not a romantic comedy.

Stephany gets fitted for running shoes and feels the difference.

Girl and City struggles to adjust to life as a consultant in Singapore.

Penelope Trunk blogs about how to take intelligent risks.

Finally, random, but seriously awesome: The paint-by-numbers wedding guest book via Michelle Woo. I will be having one of those one day, thanks.

10 thoughts on “Link love (Powered by long nights and other spring delights)

  • Reply Financial Samurai October 2, 2010 at 17:39

    Is Matakana in NZ? I’ve never been! Thanks for the round up.

    Cheers, Sam

  • Reply eemusings October 2, 2010 at 18:26

    Yep, just out of Auckland…about as marginal as an “outoftown” getaway can be!

  • Reply Donna Freedman October 2, 2010 at 18:35

    Thank you for linking to my site. Perhaps some day I’ll see Matakana, too.

  • Reply nicoleandmaggie October 3, 2010 at 01:52

    Thanks for the link-up!

  • Reply dezolutions2010 October 3, 2010 at 08:40

    Hey thanks for link! Very nice of you 🙂

  • Reply J$ October 3, 2010 at 12:45

    Cool pics!! Have a great weekend 🙂

  • Reply Stephany October 4, 2010 at 10:04

    Sweet! Thanks for the link! 🙂

  • Reply danablair October 5, 2010 at 02:32

    I want to come to New Zealand!

  • Reply Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats October 5, 2010 at 15:48

    Thanks so much for the link love!!! 😀

  • Reply Reverb 10: Travel « Musings of an Abstract Aucklander December 23, 2010 at 11:32

    […] September, we went up to Waiwera overnight for T’s birthday. Stops were made to buy fresh scallops from a roadside vendor, fresh produce at the Matakana farmers’ market, and of course, […]

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