Hot Deal Alert

I'm re-entering the world of blogging briefly for a Hot Deal Alert. I may be stressed to the max but couponing and saving always makes me feel better ;) I would like to say Thank You to those of you who left a comment on my last post. I appreciated it so much. I cried reading the posts. Partly because I was so down and partly because it felt good to know so many people are that caring and selfless and took the time to reach out to someone who needed it. Thank You!

The week of 1/4 Walgreen's has Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner and Styling products on sale for $2.99. The January Easy Saver has a coupon for $2.00 off any Shampoo, Conditioner or Styling products (excluding Deep Conditioner 10.2 oz, Serum 5.1 oz or Treatment 4.2 oz) and there are coupons for $1.00 off any Garnier Shampoo or Conditioner and $1.00 Garnier Styling Products (exp. 1.31.09). This will make them FREE! You still have time to order these coupons in bulk off ebay. I ordered them for $1.50 per set of 20. So go get yours in time for this sale! I'd like to add this is the perfect sale to take advantage of for charity. Womens shelters can use Shampoo and Conditioner and would greatly appreciate it, especially this time of year!

Happy Saving!

I'm taking a break

I'll keep this short. I'm taking a break from my blog. Right now maybe the best thing for me is to keep blogging but I just can't bring myself to even get on here. I haven't eaten or slept in days. My life has turned upside down.

In less than a week I've come a step away from divorce and one of our dear friends was found dead at only 24 years old.

Just saying it out loud to someone other than family made me feel better.

I officially hate this Holiday Season and all the stress that has come along with it.

Could this be the end? Will Little Caylee get a proper burial?

Body of Small Child found near Anthony Home.

Fox News story here. Yahoo News story here.

December Deals

I haven't been as busy this month due because I have been concentrating on Christmas shopping but I picked up a few good deals this month already.

Walgreen's

I double dipped in November using the November and December Easy Saver catalog for this transaction

Transaction #1

(2) BioInfusion Shampoo and Conditioner 33.8 Ounce Bottles on Sale 2/$20
*Used (2) $5/1 December Easy Saver Q's
*Submitted for $10 November Easy Saver Rebate when you spend $20 on BioInfusion

Final Price = FREE

Transaction #2 ~ These next deals are current

(2) Schick Titanium Razor/Trimmer on Sale $6.99
*Used $/1 December All You Coupon
*Used $3/1 December ESQ

Final Price = FREE

Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil regular price $1.60
*Used (2) In Ad Coupons making them $.99 each
*Used $1/1 coupon from 11/16 SS

Final Price = FREE

A small filler will be needed to eat the overage.

Walmart

Transaction #1

(10) Glade Aerosol Sprays regular price $.86
*Used (5) $1/2 Glade from 11/2 SS

Final Price = $3.60

Target

Transaction #1

(4) Air Wick Lumin Airs on Sale for $4.99
*Used (4) $5/1 from 11/7 SS

Final Price = FREE

(9) Rayovac 2 pack Alkaline Batteries found in $1 Spot (not all pictures because so many things needed batteries at our house :)
*Used $1/1 from 11/7 SS

Final Price = FREE

Threw in $2 creamer as a filler to eat overage. I needed creamer anyway.

Looking Back and Looking Forward

On Sunday I sat down with the Post Dispatch and a front page article caught my eye. The title was "The Fight to Save the Dying Mall" by Todd C. Frankel. I read the first few lines and went to turn the page when I read a small sentence right next to the photo that went along with the story "Northwest Plaza once had 210 stores. Now it has fewer than 40". Northwest Plaza is located about 15 miles from my home in St. Ann. For those of you who don't know I live in Maryland Heights and St. Ann is no further away from us than upscale Creve Coeur and Chesterfield. Maryland Heights borders Creve Coeur, St. Charles, Chesterfield and we also border Bridgeton and St. Ann so this article hit home for me. Though I have never shopped at this mall I have driven by it and after reading the article which can be found here, I wondered how I felt about the possibility of the idea of reinventing it and pouring money into it to save it. $96 Million to as high as $250 Million to be exact. Some Tax Payer money no less. I wondered about how good of an idea this could possibly be. I wondered about the affect it might have on my area. Good or Bad.

A little history on the Northwest Plaza Mall: It opened in 1963 and is St. Louis largest mall spanning 1.7 Million Square Feet. Since it's opening it has changed ownership and names quite a few times and many stores have come and gone, leaving empty stores and and almost empty food court. The Mall is now owned by Somera and managed by General Growth Properties with a plan to turn Northwest Plaza into Lindbergh Town Center.

Last night I logged on to find an interesting blog post in my Google Reader from one of my favorite blog 56 Houses Left entitled "A Dying Mall....and the ill STL". I was engrossed in the blog entry from the first paragraph and for the next few minutes I read about this mall from the Authors point of view. It got me thinking and I did a little research.

I decided to see what it was with this particular mall in this particular area and it's real reason for it's demise. I wont beat around the bush. I am a nervous person by nature and parts of St. Ann scare the crap out of me. All cities have crime, I'm not oblivious to that. I've shopped at Walmart across from NWP and had the door closed locked on several occasions due to shoplifters and once a very suspicious "emergency" that has caused me not to go back. This is the same Walmart they plan to merge into the new NWP as early as 2010. I decided to do a little investigating and reach outside of my own experience with this area.

I have been made aware of the problems this area faces just by going there but what happened in the past? Has it always been like this? Are the problems that Walmart has today the same problems that NWP had that eventually led to its demise? Or did it play only a small role? The story in the PD says nothing much about why the mall is what it is now or it's crime history and how it might have played a part. It contributes it to the economy but only briefly and talks more about it's future. I had to ask myself, if it really is the economy then why try and bring it back to life during a recession? It's no secret malls aren't doing as well as they were only a few year ago but you don't see West County Mall or Galleria as empty and as dismal as NWP.

After I Googled the mall I was met with tons of stories on the crime the mall and surrounding area endured. I read about mall shootings and fights. Gang violence and shoplifters. On Christmas Eve in 94 a murder occured in Famous Barr.

As I read some contribute it to demographics, others to the Management Co, other to the economy. All don't seem to have changed. This mall will still be owned by this company after the renovations, it will still be located in the same area and as of right now the economy isn't getting any better. At least not to a place where it can support another mall and bring in the income it takes to make a mall of this magnitude thrive.

Could this renovation and restructure be a good thing for this area? In a struggling economy is it the right thing to do? Would this bring more life to the area that sits only 15 miles from my home? Or is this a waste of time and money? With the economy the way it is and the clear problems with crime in this area, will it hurt the town of St. Ann or help it?

Here is a picture of the mall during it's prime:


Here is the mall as of now:

At this point it's clear this mall is in trouble but I'm not sure a remodel will help. I'll be watching as plans move forward. I'm interested to see the outcome.

Please Step Out of Google Reader

and check out the new layout.

Like? Dislike? Like the other one better?

'Tis the Season

This weekend was filled with Christmas Spirit as we put up our first Christmas Tree in our new home. We go through this tradition a lot as we've put up 5 trees in 5 homes in 7 years but it wasn't any less special.

I did a lot of decorating this year. We set up my Christmas Bears and Santa that my Aunt gave me my first Christmas away from home and a few other decorations I forgot I even had because they hadn't been up the last 2 years.

I love my cheesy little blocks. They are actually vases but they look like Ice Cubes. I'm a dork, I know.

Now for the tree. This year I changed the colors of our tree from Blue and White Theme to White and Silver "Icicle Theme" and I was really happy with how the tree turned out.

Finding and putting up the tree was a pain. We search for miles to find a tree lot with a 7 ft tall skinny tree. We only had about 36 inches of space coming away from the wall to fit a tree in. One of the minuses of having a smaller house with over sized furniture. It was so frustrating trying to find a skinny tree and everyone looked at us like we were crazy when we asked for the skinniest tree they had. I don't know how many times I heard "People usually ask for the fat ones". We finally found our little tree and were so glad to get it home. My nose was red and my ears were frozen from being out in the cold. Of course while putting up the tree we managed to knock my candle holder off the ledge and we broke my candles and dented the floor. Bummer. Once the tree was up we all decorated it and keeping with tradition, at the very end, Josh put the Angel on top while we all stood and watched. Then my kids broke the peaceful silence with the question "Mom, can we eat all the candy canes now"? Ah, Christmas is finally here.

Someone is getting big!

Please forgive me but I need to be a major attention whore right now and show of my youngest Furbaby, Cowboy. Otherwise known as Cow Cow, Tow Tow, How Now Brown Cow and Cowmanshu. I took some new pictures of him today and cannot believe how big he is getting! I am so proud of him and what a pretty boy he is becoming.

Here he was at 6 weeks


and here he is today at almost 9 months!

Ya, I'm holding a piece of cheese next to the camera :) It's the only way to make him "sit pretty".

In the words of Jodie Sweetin ....How Rude!

Customer Service: Assistance and other resources that a company provides to the people who use or buy its products or services.

So when I call your store and ask if you have an item in your store, so that I can avoid driving to every location in the St. Louis area to find it, you check and see, right? Then you kindly let me know whether or not you have it and if you do then they can come and purchase it, right? One would think so.

So I call a certain clothing store ::cough Forever 21 cough:: in search of this little number


The Margaux Lace Dress I saw on their website. After I spent 3 hours scouring 3 stores to find this dress yesterday:


With no luck I might add, I wasn't about to spend another 3 hours looking for another freaking dress. My bright Idea? Call the stores and see if they have it in stock so I don't have to run around in the cold and in busy malls on a Saturday.

I was hung up on when I called the first store. They picked up, I heard laughing and the phone clicked off. Tried again, no answer. So I call the second store. The girl on the other end proceeds to tell me she doesn't look for items for customers because that's not her job. I asked her if I could speak to someone who could help and she then tells me she is the manager and she is not helping me. Ya right you are the manager. Whatever. So then I try the 3rd store and at first the call was friendly and I ask if they have this dress in or if they plan to get it in anytime in the next week and the lady puts me on hold. Another woman picks up and asks what I am looking for again. I tell her and she puts me back on hold. After 10 minutes someone else gets on the phone with me and says "Hello" I said "Hi, I was put on hold. Someone is looking for a dress for me" then she says "Oh, I think the girl helping you just went to lunch. She must have forgotten you". I hung up.

Wow. You have to be kidding me. If this dress saga continues I will be wearing my PJ's to the office Christmas Party.

Walgreens Deals for December 7th-13th

I'm going to try to get in the habit of posting deals before they come up rather than after.

Here are the few deals I see for the week of the 7th.

Schick Titanium Razor on Sale $6.99
*Use $4/1 from December All You Mag
*Use $3/1 Easy Saver

Final Price = FREE

Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil on Sale $.99
*Use $1/1 from 11/16 Smart Source or 12/8 Smart Source
*Use Walgreens In Ad Q on Page 16

Final Price = FREE

Scotch Magic or Wrapping Tape 3 pack on Sale 2/$2
*Submit for $2 December Rebate

Final price = FREE

M&M's Premiums Candy on Sale 2/$8
*Use $1/1 Easy Saver Q
*Use (2) $1/1 from 11/16 Red Plum

Final price = 2/$5 or $2.50 each ~ Seriously a value for little boxes of Heaven!

Hershey's Holiday Candy on Sale 4/$10
*Use $1.50/1 WYB 3 Bags Hershey Q from 11/16 Smart Source
*Submit for $5 December Easy Saver Rebate

Final Price = 4/$3.50 Less than $1 a bag!

This next one is a YMMV meaning it MIGHT work at your Wags depending on their policy.

Maybelline New York Lipstick, Gloss and Liner BOGO this week. Pick out products around $8. Most are priced right around here anyway.
*Use (2) $4/1 Coupons from the 12/7 SS paired with the BOGO to get them both free!

Right now Walgreens.com is advertising some lipcolor at $3.99 and in this case you only use 1 coupon. Prices vary by location.

We are still in the process of figuring this one out as one Sunday Coupon Preview site is saying this coupon will be in the paper and the other is not. I'll update when I know for sure.

Happy Saving!

Airwick and Pepsi Deals

This week at Target they are running a couple good deals. I would have posted this sooner but I didn't even know these deals were going on until I stopped in today to get coffee. I was just browsing around and picked up a few good deals. My coffee was also $4 cheaper.

I heart Target.

Buy 5 qualifying Pepsi Products for $15 and receive a $5 Gift Card at checkout.

Final Price = 5/$10 or $2 per pack & .17 a can

Air Wick Freshmatic Ultra Starter Kit on Sale for $5.99
*Use $5/1 coupon from 11/16 Smart Source

Final Price = $.99 each

Fashion Dilemma & Holiday Party DONT'S!

As a female you would think I would have at least one qualifying dress to wear to Josh and I's upcoming office party. However as I go through my closet a mere 9 days before said party I realize unless I plan to wear dressy pants and a nice top, I'm going naked and that wont be pretty. I have not one cute dress to wear. Last year the party was a Dave & Busters and I thought I dressed correctly but I walked in and realized I must have missed the memo because I was the only one wearing pants, besides the guys ;) I guess that's what you get when a bunch of guys put together a Holiday Party and leave out the attire section on the invite. Sheesh.

My dilemma is attempting to find the right dress in a week. I need a dress that goes well under a thigh length black coat and pairs nicely with plain black, peep toe pumps.

I found these four at Forever 21. All under $30. Top two are my fav's so far. Thoughts?

Just for laughs
20 Things NOT to do at your Holiday Office Party
1. Enforce the mistletoe rule: Make out with your boss, intern, or the significant other of either.
2. Interpret "dress festive" to include anything that could be worn as lingerie.
3. Split a bottle of anything with your assistant.
4. Wear reindeer ears and antlers.
5. Shovel shrimp from the buffet table onto your plate like it's your last meal.
6. Use a lull in conversation to force your table to watch you try to tie a cherry stem into a knot. This should especially be avoided if it takes you 25 minutes to do it.
7. Dance on anything other than the floor.
8. Use the open bar as an opportunity to get your boss - or yourself - plastered and ask for a promotion.
9. Sit on Santa’s (a.k.a. Eduardo from IT) lap.
10. Wear a holiday sweater.
11. Spend all night schmoozing with the interns.
12. Drink too much and share how you really feel about everyone in your department.
13. Wear a mistletoe headband.
14. Talk about work the whole time. It's not the time or place for a heated discussion about network security.
15. Hit on a coworker's spouse.
16. Hit on a coworker's very mature-looking teenage son.
17. Stand next to Ellen from Accounting, who gets amorous when she drinks.
18. Anything in the presence of a camera that you wouldn't want photographic evidence of in the company newsletter.
19. Raid the open bar like it’s an ex’s wedding reception.
20. Invite the boss to the after-party.

Turn on the Rocky Theme Song

I am getting pumped up for Black Friday Shopping!

Do,Do,Doooooooo. Do,Do, Doooooooo!

Just kidding. I'm not about to go out there with a fighter mentality and I wont be throwing any punches (unless I get hit first ::wink wink::). I will however stealthy move through those aisles with amazing speed grabbing everything I need and being first in line to check out where and be back in bed before hubby leaves for work. 'Cause I'm smooth like that!

Honestly, I almost wasn't going to go this year. I was un-impressed with the ads but after a closer look I found almost everything on my list. Cheap Toys, DS games, DVD's, Awesome deals on the only clothing brand DH wears etc...I am also going to try online shopping this year. I have no idea how it will work out but I'll give it a go. I'm hearing lots of stores will open up their online BF prices at 12:01 a.m. and other when the stores open. I cannot seem to find a list with the times but I'll ad it if I do.

Here is the list for In Store Openings:

Best Buy: 5:00 a.m.
Kohl's: 4:00 a.m.
K Mart: 6:00 a.m.
Bath and Body Works: 12:01 a.m.
Burlington Coat Factory: 6:00 a.m.
Target: 5:00 a.m.
JC Penney's: 5:00 a.m.
Toys R Us: 5:00 a.m.
Old Navy: 5:00 a.m.
Walmart : 5:00 a.m.
Walgreens: 7:00 a.m. (though I have heard 24 hour stores with start sales at 12:01)

This is just a general list. Hours may vary.

My best advice to avoid hitting multiple stores is Price Matching. This year Walmart is doin' it big! They not only have the hottest ad out but they also price match (store policy). Bring in an ad from another retailer and Walmart will price match on an identical item. Did you see a DVD at Best Buy for $4 but Walmart doesn't have it listed in their sale ad or if they do it's $11? Bring the ad and give it the cashier at checkout. They will not be taking a copy or ad print out though, so keep this in mind.

Lots of retailers are offering promotions on this day too.

*Kohl's has Kohl's Cash where you receive $10 in Kohl's Cash for every $50 you spend. Kohl's Cash is just like regular cash but you do not receive change. You can use it in between the dates on the certificate and say you buy something and your total is $10.51, use your KC and pay the remainder OOP. I had $30 in Kohl's cash last year which I gave to DH so he could use it when he shopped.

*Macy's has printable coupons for $10/$25 Purchase and a 15% off al day shopping pass. Go here to print yours!

*JC Penney's has FREE shipping on orders of $25 or more, offer code 44FS25, through December 1st. From 3 - 11 p.m. they have a coupon for $10/$50 purchase and $15/$75 purchase for those of you who shop a little later in the day. If you will be shopping in store that day don't forget to grab your free snow globe. I always ask for two (and they are happy to give them to me) and I put them in the boys stockings.

I'll be in line at Kohl's at 3:30, all bundled up drinking my Pumpkin Spice Latte! Where will you be? Sleeping and recovering from Turkey overload? On the computer snagging deals or out in the cold with the rest of us crazy people?

I'm not worthy!

Oh how I love me some awards! These two are special to me because I received them from one of my FAVORITE bloggers, Amy, at Chapters! Who I honestly didn't even know read my blog. I'm honored! Please go check out her blog if your one of the few who hasn't found it yet. It's an amazing blog. Amy holds nothing back and I think we can all appreciate that.

Here are the rules:

1. Post the award on your blog.
2. Link me for giving it to you.
3. Link the originating post.

4. Pass the award on to five more deserving people.
5. Post these rules for your recipients

We all know I follow the rules. Sometimes ::wink wink::

I am passing these two awards on. I am going to try and reach as many of the blogs I love and pass each on 5 times rather than give both to five. Gotta share the wealth!

Superior Scribbler Award:

1. Kristal at Good Food, Good Friends, Good Life
2. Courtney at Courtneyology101
3. G at All Things G&D ~ Just started reading her blog and I'm hooked!
4. Jenn at Living Life
5. Julia at My Life in Transition ~ I'm sure Julia has already received every award possible as her blog is simply FAB but I had to give her an award. Her blog rocks.

Hot Blog Award:

1. Nicole at Sunshine and Blue Skies
2. Teresa at Eating, Drinking and Being Married
3. N at The Wishes and The Glitches
4. Lindsey at Learning to be a Wife ~ Her blog has won a lot of deserving awards. She seems to be missing this one so I'm proud to give it to her!
5. Maria at When in Rome

Don't forget to pass it on girls!

Bath & Body Works Coupon ~ Free Item!

Bath & Body Works released a great coupon just in time for Christmas shopping! It's an In-Store only coupon good for a free item up to $13 with a $10 purchase. Coupon is valid through Christmas Eve so even all you last minute shoppers can take part.

You can print your coupon here.

Compliments of Erin at I am Frugal. Thank You Erin!

A Goody Deal

This Goody deal has been circling for awhile. I never posted because I found it a little figured it had already ended. But it hasn't!

You can print your $2 Goody Coupons here. You can print multiples. I was concerned about this but I had no problems redeeming 5 of these coupons in the same transaction. They scanned fine. They work on an Goody Ouchless product valued at $2 or more. You can use them on brushes, headbands, headwraps, little elastics ($2.12 at Walmart) etc...I purchased 5 sets for a little over $2!!

Sweet :)

Stockpile Trippin'

For the last few months I have been slowly growing my stockpile. I have tons of razors, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner and make-up. This week I was able to match coupons and sales and stock up on a few other items. I shopped at 2 stores this week.

Walgreen's:

20 bags of Chex Mix (not all of which are pictured) on Sale for $.99 each
*Used 20 $.50/1 Coupons (11/9 SS)

Final Price = $9.80/20

Wal-mart:

12 Johnson & Johnson Buddies Bar Soaps regular price $.97
*Used 4 $3/3 of Any J&J Product

Final Price = $.36 OVERAGE

20 Bags of Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers (not all pictured) on Rollback for $1.08 each
*Used 20 $1/1 Green Giant Steamers Q's (11/16 SS)

Final Price = $1.60/20

2 Bags of Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers with Sauce regularly priced at $1.98 each
*Used 2 $1/1 Green Giant Steamers Q's (11/16 SS)

Final Price = $1.96/2

10 Boxes of Ronzoni Pasta (best pasta ever!) regularly priced at $1.50
*Used 10 $1/1 coupons

Final Price = $5.00/10

12 Glade Aerosol Sprays regularly priced at $.86
*Used 12 $1/2 coupon (11/2 SS)

Final Price = $4.32/12

1 Bottle of Coffee Mate Creamer regularly priced at $1.98
*Used $.50/1 coupon (11/2 SS)

Final Price = $1.48 (I can do better but I needed creamer)

Total Spent OOP = $23.80!!

Needless to say I saved a lot! I stocked up on everything we love and use this week. I still have a ton of coupons left for the Buddies, the pasta, the Glade and the Steamers that I plan to use before the sales end and the coupons expire. I'm big about not clearing shelves so I'm going to my other local Wal-mart tomorrow. I wonder if DH will finally agree we need a deep freezer?

If your wondering...No, I didn't buy all these papers and clip all these coupons! I bought them off ebay. I matched sales and bought the Q's in bulk. I paid no more than $1-$1.50 for each set. Much easier than buying 10-20 papers and clipping them myself!

Tag!

I've been tagged! I've been tagged by the lovely Carmina at Hey, No One is Perfect!

Lets get started. Of course being tagged comes with rules and I will follow them. I have to give 7 random and/or weird facts about moi. So here we go.

1. I'm unbelievably shy. It has taken a toll on my life and stopped me from being exactly who I want to be. You wouldn't think I'm as shy as I am by looking at me but it's worse than you think. Normal people do not have to try as hard as I do to interact with people. My face gets easily flushed and I get fearful. I get hot and sweaty until I get comfortable. People think I am a bitch because sometimes I can't bring myself to say Hi. My husband has been my greatest asset in fighting this and I'm getting a little better as I get older. I have to say though, working in Real Estate really helped me come to terms with this issue and begin working through it. I was forced to get over my fears working in this industry.

2. I will not eat folded chips. I will pick through a bag of chips and only eat the ones that have not be folded. I think they taste greasy and icky. I will however, with certain brands of chips, pull them apart and eat them. I know, I hear it all the time. I'm a weirdo.

3. I think I have a mild case of OCD. It gets really bad during stressful times and has the tendency to cause me and my family a lot of grief when it flares up. I'm working on it.

4. I am a spoiler. Presents, books, surprises. You name it, I like to spoil it. For myself that is. I do it to other people too sometimes. Like the time I went Christmas shopping and came home and had my husband try on a sweater I knew would fit him to make sure it was the right size so I could give it to him early! I also went to a forum to spoil the third book in the Twilight series, Eclipse, for myself. I couldn't help it! I get it from my Mom and it drives everyone nuts!

5. I will only watch a movie once. Unless it's a childrens movie or one of my FEW classic favorites Wizard of Oz, A Nightmare Before Christmas or Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It's the same with books though I have never read any book twice. I wont even be reading Twilight more than once ;)

6. I don't hold babies because I am scared I will drop them. Seriously. I am the mother of two boys and holding my boys came naturally to me. I never once felt as though I would drop them but I cannot hold other peoples babies. As an adult I have held only two babies besides my own and It was the most uncomfortable feeling EVER. I couldn't even enjoy it. I have to wait until they reach at least 2 months of age. I'm also scared they will start crying while I'm holding them and I will freak out.

7. I have a mad obsession with with CSI. I've seen almost every episode of Miami, NY and Crime Scene. I have hours and hours of episodes on DVR. I love all the gore and mystery. I never cover my eyes when blood squirts everywhere or when they find someone decapitated. It's extremely intriguing how they solve these horrific crimes.


My victims will be:
Amy at Chapters ~ If you haven't been to her blog yet. It's amazing. Go!
Mary at Girl Stand Still
Morissa at A Day in the Life
Lisa at High Heels and Sweatshirts
Amber at My Life as a Trout
Jamie from I am a Money Magnet ~ A blog I recently found and adore!
and last but not least Super Coupon Girl!!

We Have a Winner!

The Winner of these darling little Etsy Magnets is

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Nicole at Sunshine and Blue Skies!! Congrats Nicole, I know they will look so cute on your fridge! Go ahead and email me at BreaBoyd at hotmail dot com with your address and I'll ship them out!

Thank You to everyone who entered. I wish I had enough of there little guys to give everyone!

Now this may be my first giveaway but it isn't my last. I have two giveaways that will be coming before the end of the year, including my 1 Year Anniversary Giveaway! So stay tuned :)

December All You Coupons

By now the December Issue of All You has hit the stands. I got mine already and inside are some more great coupons! Here is the list of the coupons inside each issue:

.55/1 any Kings Hawaiin bread product (except 4 pk rolls)
.50/1 any Swiss Miss sensible sweets hot cocoa mix including no sugar, fat free, diet 25 calorie, pick me up, and great start
.50/1 any New York frozen product
.75/1 any kids Colgate toothpaste
.75/1 any kids Colgate toothbrush
$1/2 Chex cereal
$1/2 Betty Crocker pouch or box potatoes
$1/1 Ziploc Zip n steam bags
$2/1 Marie Callenders signature sautes
$1/2 Heinz cocktail sauce
$1/1 Steam n Mash Ore Ida
.55/1 Marzetti 11 oz or up dip
.50/1 Mrs dash seasoning blend
.65/2 Domino sugar 2 lbs or larger
$1/1 Tyson single or twin pack cornish hens
$1/1 any Brut product
$4/1 any Schick Quattro titanium razor, refill, or travel gift set
.55/2 Dole cans mandarin oranges or tropical mixed fruit
.50 off All you health and fitness
.75/1 Wet Ones wipes 40 count or larger canister or box of singles
$1/2 POM pomegranates
$1/1 Jergens moisturizer 7.5oz, natural glow 2 oz, or body 4 oz
$1/2 Nestle toll house cookie dough
$1/2 Nestle toll house morsels
Free colour rush eye shadow wyb sexy curves mascara
$1/1 Lasting finish lipstick
$1.50/1 Dove cream oil body lotion or hand cream
$1/1 Orville kernel popcorn
$1/1 Orville popcorn oil
.75/1 Slim Jim 16 ct canister or larger
$1/1 Reddi whip 6.5 oz can or larger
$1/1 Suave moisturizing lotion 18 oz or larger
$3.50/1 Dove Skinvitalizer

Coupon Match-ups:

Schick Titanium Razor is on Sale until Saturday at Walgreen's for $6.99
*Use the $4/1 Q in All You
*Use the $3/1 Easy Saver Q from the November Catalog
Final Price = FREE ~ This would make a good stocking stuffer for hubby!

So far that's all I have got for now but the new sale ads start Sunday and I'll add match-ups as they come out!

I'm Honored

I was recently given the Kreativ Blogger Award by Super Coupon Girl. Many Thanks indeed SCG! If you haven't been to her blog you have to check it out. Go all the way through her blog and not just the main page. You won't be disappointed! She is seriously beyond amazing at what she does and has had a long standing seat on my sidebar as I have been reading her blog for what seems like forever! Her blog has given me so much inspiration and I hope it will for you also.

I couldn't decide if I wanted to follow the rules that come with the award...They vary anyway. List 6 things your thankful for or that you love and 6 blogs to tag. List 7 and 7 etc...Lord knows I have more than 6 or 7 blogs I stalk. Limiting it to just 6 is hard and there are many deserving bloggers out there! I wish I could give it to everyone on my "Stalkworthy Blogs" list.

I decided to chose blogs I'd been reading the longest. Blogs that had me hooked from the beginning. I also chose mainly based on how they post (with one exception) and the overall layout and look of these blogs. Blog creation is not easy and I think that effort needs to be rewarded.

Six Things I am Thankful For:

1. My Amazing Husband and my two Wonderful Little Boys
2. My Adoring and very Supportive Family and Friends
3. As much as they drive me insane - My animals. How I love those little sh*ts ;)
4. My Home. Lately this is a big one for me as we almost lost is recently. I can't imagine if I had to sell. I love my little house!
5. It's cliche but I'm thankful for Life. Very thankful.
6. Coffee. Without which my life might go in slow motion.

Six Bloggers who I am passing this award onto:

1. Sharon at Culinary Adventures of a New Wife - This girl can cook! I am amazed by her and all the hard work she puts into her blog. It's not easy being the author of a cooking blog. I know first hand. Her recipes and their pictures are simply mouth watering.
2. Kristal at Good Food, Good Friends, Good Life - Kristal's blog is a shoe in for an award and I'm surprised she hasn't been nominated yet. Unless I missed it. Anyhow, her blog is a very good read. She has been a very dedicated author who posts regularly , holding nothing back, about everything in her life. Friends, Family, Her home, Her uber adorable Furbabies etc...Not to mention her hubby who happens to be the sweetest guy on earth. Oh, and he can cook too. Lucky Girl!
3. Jenn at Living Life - I shouldn't be giving her an award because she has been feeding my shopping problem lately. Every time that girl posts a pair of shoes or an outfit on her blog I feel as though I NEED it ;) No seriously, it's been great watching Jenn on her Journey. She has a way with words and her passion about life comes through in every post.
4. Lisa at High Heels and Sweatshirts - She is one of the people that you feel as though you already know when you haven't even met. We share a love of good food, fashion, good books (Twilight in particular) and OPI nail polish. Her blog covers everything from her personal life, her home, to recipes and restaurant reviews never leaving out any detail.
5. Christie at Team DeJean - Christie and her hubby are the proud parents of a new baby girl and while Christie hasn't posted in FOREVER (no hard feelings girl. Your a new Mommy) her blog is still a favorite of mine. There seriously isn't anything Christie can't do. If you get a chance check out her handmade jewelry here.
6. Lauren at Live.Laugh.Love - You know, come to think of it....I don't think I have ever commented on Lauren's blog even though it's one of my favorites. I'm so bad! So I have to show the appreciation now and say that her blog is amazing and if you haven't been. Go! Take special note to her gorgeous wedding pictures, her very talented husband and their super cute new home!

I wish I could have given it out to more but I'm in a mood to follow the rules as to not jinx my chances of earning any more fabulous awards :) I know this award is going to circle around and hit everyone I wanted to give it to. No doubt about that! Us girls like to support our fellow bloggers.

It's happening....

This one is for Mary and all the other Twilight loving gals urging me to start the first book in the series that I have had for DAYS. Mind you I have carried this book around since I got it in the mail. I took it to work, I took it to get my oil changed but I just couldn't start reading it. I read all the reviews about how hard it was to put it down. Specifically, All Things G&D's review. Go read it if you haven't it's fabulously funny and if your like me, it's scary :) I'm a Mom of two who doesn't have the option of getting so engrossed in something and was scared that if I did, NOTHING would get done.

I started it last night. The kids went to bed and I did some housework. I wanted to wait for DH to get home from his hockey game and I knew he would be late because it was playoffs. I couldn't sleep so I picked it up and began reading. Before I knew it I had to pee and I looked at the clock and it was 12:05! I had been reading for 3 hours straight. I don't think I even shifted positions during that 3 hours. It was almost as if I was in the book. I forced myself to go to sleep when DH got home at 12:30. I had very vivid dreams of Edward and Bella. I woke up at 3:00 and read some more. I read a little before I took Jax to school and I read more when I got home. At this point I hadn't done any of my daily chores which I usually get done in the first hour of my day. The dogs got fed 3 hours later than normal because aside from Jordan's needs nothing has been done. I finally took the book to the basement and left it on a shelf down there. I am taking a break and wont begin reading again until the boys are asleep tonight.

Needless to say I am addicted. I just ordered the second one and I find myself paying for expedited shipping so it can be here by the time I'm done with this one!

Help. Me.

It's Here!

I love to get that knock on the door. You know, the one your not really expecting. You run to your door and see the UPS guy walking away from your door step. Who doesn't get excited? The UPS guy (or girl but in my case a guy) is so different than the USPS guy because most likely all your going to get from the USPS guy are bills and junk. Not the UPS guy! He never brings me something I don't want!

Two days ago he brought my Twilight book and today he brought a slightly bigger package! Woohoo!


My package wasn't even supposed to be shipped until the 14th. I only ordered it a few days ago!

I purchased the sweater, the tank, 2 bras and the boyshorts for a little under $28. That's less than $6 an item. They also sent a catalog and a $10 off anything coupon. I am very happy with Victoria's Secret. Fast Shipping and Amazing Deal!

Anyone else get their package?