Simple. Frugal. Fabulous.

Simple. Frugal. Fabulous.

I try here at this little blog to share thoughts on simplicity and frugality. I hope that what I share here ends up showing the fabulous not as blatantly but that it appears in the details. Maybe? I hope so. My family has a lot going on between home remodeling, jobs, and busy schedules. But we always have time to have family fun that is uncomplicated and frugal.

My daughter and I have a weekly date night. One night a week, she and I head out to have our time together with no boys allowed. It almost always involves ice cream. To celebrate our return back home to Florida, our date night a couple weeks ago not only involved a trip for ice cream, but we went to the beach together too.

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Sitting in the sand eating ice cream with the most beautiful, creative, curious little girl while watching the sunset behind us on the Atlantic Shore is a sure way to feel blessed and lucky.

There were sticky sticky ice cream hands

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Our requisite photo of ourselves
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After ice cream, we went for a stroll. There was no movie-like holding hands and calmly walking while philosophizing about life. There was racing into the waves and having them splash us while pretending we didn’t want to get wet.


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I was afraid she wasn’t having as good of a time as I was while I walked along, waves lapping at my feet, watching my daughter run through the waves while giggling with delight and seeming to grow up before my eyes. I think my fear was unfounded.

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For $4.79 for 2 ice creams and a 3 minute drive to the beach, I have an evening to remember forever. It doesn’t get much more simple, frugal, or fabulous than that.

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22 Responses to Simple. Frugal. Fabulous.
  1. Sharon J
    August 11, 2008 | 6:37 am

    “…while pretending not to want to get wet”. Yes, I remember a similar time very well myself. It really is those moments that create lasting and valuable memories.

    My girls are grown up now. One lives abroad, the other is busy with her own life and I have a debilitating health problem. These days we don’t often get the opportunity to spend quality 1-2-1 time just being together, but when we do, it’s still one of the most wonderful things ever.

    I’m also really looking forward to the day when my mum moves closer to me. I want those moments back with her too :)

    Sharon Js last blog post..Everything Has Its Price

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  2. Denise
    August 11, 2008 | 7:20 am

    Thank you for sharing this! Sometimes I think we have to spend a lot of money in order to do something fun with our kids. With three kids, it can really add up fast. It is the time together that is most important rather than the activity itself.

    Denises last blog post..they looked good in chocolate

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  3. Donna M.
    August 11, 2008 | 8:15 am

    Those are the days that you live for. Drink them up!

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  4. Marie
    August 11, 2008 | 8:44 am

    I love this post! I love that you have a weekly date with your daughter. I should do that a little more often. These days I only seem to do it when she’s bored and I feel guilty. :o (

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  5. Writer Dad
    August 11, 2008 | 9:28 am

    That’s how we spent the weekend before our son was born with our daughter. Just walking on the beach, waves licking our ankles, knowing it was the last time we’d be only three. It was beautiful, melancholy, and I’ll never forget it. (although I have forgoton the flavor of the ice cream)

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  6. neimanmarxist
    August 11, 2008 | 11:05 am

    what a great post. what a nice idea to have a ‘girls’ night ‘ with your daughter. it will keep you close forever.

    neimanmarxists last blog post..Farmer’s Market Saturday

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  7. emma
    August 11, 2008 | 12:26 pm

    Just gorgeous!
    I will keep this ‘dating’ in mind, if ever we get inundated with boys!
    Lovely blog…I found you through Laura at move to portugal!

    emmas last blog post..Peas Forever with Love…

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  8. Maya
    August 11, 2008 | 12:33 pm

    You don’t need much by the beach! My outing was with my husband. we lounged on a beach blanket on a nearby spot for a couple of hours with a bottle of water and headed back home.

    Mayas last blog post..The most expensive beach towel in the world?

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  9. Frugal Trenches
    August 11, 2008 | 3:14 pm

    Absolutely wonderful!

    Frugal Trenchess last blog post..Daily Tracking Money and Food – Day 3!

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  10. Lisa
    August 11, 2008 | 3:24 pm

    So beautiful!

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  11. Vered
    August 11, 2008 | 3:38 pm

    What a beautiful post.

    Hey, we both celebrate beaches and motherhood today.

    Great minds think alike. :)

    Vereds last blog post..I Am Watching You

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  12. Lance
    August 11, 2008 | 4:54 pm

    What a wonderful way to spend time with your daughter! She is lucky to have a Mom like you.
    Waves…I say jump right in!

    Lances last blog post..5K Race Report – Hills Edition

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  13. Dana
    August 11, 2008 | 4:58 pm

    Your daughter has such a beautiful smile! Great photos.

    Danas last blog post..Why not Sara?

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  14. Avani-Mehta
    August 11, 2008 | 8:44 pm

    You brought back my memories :) I loved the idea of going on a weekly date. Will remember it for future use.

    Avani-Mehtas last blog post..Living Life Child Like

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  16. deepali
    August 12, 2008 | 3:45 pm

    Love it. Mama and daughter have beautiful eyes…

    deepalis last blog post..why i am not watching the olympics

    [Reply]

  17. Corrie
    August 12, 2008 | 4:40 pm

    This is beautiful, I love spending time like this with my girls. I love your idea to schedule a once a week “date night,” my oldest would be so excited about that. We will put that in our calendar today. Thank you for the idea!

    [Reply]

  18. Prairie Chick
    August 12, 2008 | 6:05 pm

    loved this. “these are the moments….” is playing in the back of my mind after reading your post and seeing your beautiful pics. You and your daughter are a joy to behold.

    [Reply]

  19. Emily
    August 12, 2008 | 6:32 pm

    Thank you everyone, all of your sweet comments made my day! I’ll have to get creative and make a list of new ideas for us for date nights now.

    [Reply]

  20. Sara at On Simplicity
    August 12, 2008 | 10:39 pm

    Couldn’t be more fabulous! Love the shot of the two of you together.

    Sara at On Simplicitys last blog post..Teaching Tweens Simplicity

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  22. [...] to take them for granted. Whether it’s visiting a historic site or taking time out to go to the beach for a date with my daughter or for an afternoon escape with both kids to [...]

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