New House

The big day has come and gone... AJ and I FINALLY closed on our house this past weekend! We really went through some ups and downs during our first home-buying experience, so we're so happy to finally be in our dream home. AJ and I had signed a purchase agreement on a townhome back in November, and after a long wait during the short-sale process, we decided to call off the deal and start searching again. Short sales are such a tease, and can be the biggest upset if you have your heart set on a place. In our case, we were upset at first about loosing the townhouse, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because we found the HOUSE of our dreams. Christian Unser, one of the producers at TWIN CITIES LIVE, has named our new home the "Minnetonka Mansion". This house is everything we wanted... new, clean, open, and it even has a HOT TUB (but we don't know if it works)!

We spent the weekend moving in with the help of our family and friends. AJ's dad installed all our bathroom hooks and hangers, as well as helping AJ mount the downstairs TV. My parents surprised us with a brand new grill for the deck! We really appreciate everyone's help. We couldn't have gotten moved in so quickly if it wasn't for our friends and family.

I'm quickly learning what it takes to be a home owner. I've already called to have our cable hooked up, set up garbage/recycling, electricity, gas, water and sewer! Although I had to ask my co-workers what gas was used for, and who picks up our garbage... I still did it all by myself! I had no idea how much goes in to getting settled in a new home... and how much money things cost! And it's the little things you don't realize you have until you're in a new home... things like garbage cans, toilet paper holders, rakes, etc.

Speaking of rakes, AJ and I took a little trip to Home Depot on Sunday to buy two rakes and spent 3 HOURS raking and bagging 20 bags of leaves! This was not one of the weekend highlights... especially when you have a big yard. Big yards are great, until you have to rake them... and we haven't even started mowing yet!

But we really are so excited to be in our first home. Let us know if you'd like to stop by because we love visitors!!!

Tippy Top Creations

A few months ago, I met Christa McKibben, Creator of "Tippy Top Creations". I booked her as a guest on TWIN CITIES LIVE and found her work to be so original and creative! Christa makes cake toppers that can look just like just about any photo you give her. She offered to make my fiance AJ and I a cake topper (which we're actually going to place next to our wedding cake). I took her up on her offer and I am amazed by her work! I gave her a photo of myself, AJ, AJ's car, etc., and told her what I'd like to see in the design. She worked with me, asking me questions about eye color, interests, etc., and the final product looks so similar to AJ and I. Christa was constantly sending me updates with photos of her progress via email. And even though our wedding is more than 6 months away, it's nice to have this wedding decor finished and ready to go! I was going to keep this creation a surprise for AJ, but it's so cute that I had to show him. I'm so excited to display our "topper" at the wedding reception. Thanks Christa!

Tippy Top Creations

Christa McKibben

(763) 531-2683

HUGE Strawberries, Must Be Spring... But Where Are The Deals?!

My fiance and I took our weekly grocery shopping to CUB Foods this weekend, and they had some pretty good prices on strawberries (which I haven't had since last summer). I think they were like $2.99/lb. I don't know what these strawberries were fed, but one of them was as big as my fist! They're so sweet and juicy... and when we see strawberries in the crate-loads and on sale... spring and summer must be on its way!

Speaking of grocery shopping... there's nothing better than a great deal when you're spending money. While working on a show called TWIN CITIES LIVE on KSTP, I've become friends with an amazing woman named Carrie Rocha (pronounced Ha-shaw). Carrie is the founder of www.pocketyourdollars.com, a website that not only gives readers great deals, but FREEBIES too. Carrie got her family $50,000 out of debt, by simply cutting back and clipping coupons. We feature her every Tuesday on TCL and I have learned so much from this Maple Grove mom. Now, I NEVER go grocery shopping without my coupons, and I literally print her shopping lists to places like Target and CUB, before I head to the store. I've always been a thrifty shopper, but one of the biggest lessons I've learned from Carrie, is to never pay full price. There's always a deal out there. And Carrie does the work for you! She literally tells you which coupons to use, where to find them, how how to combine them in order to save $$$ on your next shopping trip. I've learned a lot from Carrie, and now, I hope you can too!

What the heck is "MISSI MADE."?

You're not the only one asking why I'm starting a blog. I've actually been asking myself this question too! I have a few friends who have recently started their own blog, and I absolutely love reading their thoughts and stories. There's something about looking into the lives of others that really intrigues me. It's also therapeutic to write about events and interests in your own life. I've always enjoyed writing, so whether or not you find my life interesting... I'm going to write about it. From my wedding plans, to my interest in cooking and baking, to things happening in the Twin Cities, I'm going to write about it all. Many of you know me as Melissa Specken, but like a lot of other Melissa's out there, I'm also known as "Missi". That's where "Missi Made" comes from... I am Missi... and I "made" this blog. Creative huh?! A quick forewarning... I am one of the worst spellers, I like to use dots instead of commas (it's a news thing), and I talk about my wedding A LOT (October 2nd, 2010)! I hope you find interest in all that is "Missi Made". Enjoy!