Gold Rush

Ever since the holiday season started I have been obsessed with all things gold. Normally I am a silver kind of gal but lately gold has been catching my eye. Here are a few inspirations I have found lately that I am dying to try to tie into my decor!

This pillow from Joss and Main

This candle holder from RecycledBride

These measuring hedges from Anthropologie

This Sunburst Mirror from Target

This gold dipped flatware also Anthropologie

Frugal Friday - Coupons

• $1.50 off ONE Pampers Baby Dry Diapers
• $0.50 off ONE Pampers Wipes 60 ct. or larger
• $1.50 off Triple Paste medicated ointment
• $1.00 off 1 Weight Watcher cheese or cream cheese
• $1.00 off any Afrin Nasal Spray
• $2.00 off any Coricidin HBP Product
• $0.55 off Any So Delicious Dairy Free Product
• $3.00 off any AmLactin product
• $2.00 off any Slo-Niacin
• $3.00 off any ONE TruBiotics™ product
• $1.00 off any one (1) Vanquish Product
• $1.00 off any one Phillips' Colon Health Product
• $0.50 off any 1 Palmolive Fresh Infusions
• $1.00 off any One A Day Multivitamin product
• $0.75 off 3 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel
• $0.50 off any ONE BOX Cookie Crisp cereal
• $1.00 off TWO BOXES General Mills kid cereals
• $0.75 off any ONE BOX Fiber One cereal
• $1.00 off 2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough
• $0.40 off 6 cups Yoplait Yogurt
• $0.75 off 2 any flavor Yoplait kid products
• $0.50 off TWO CUPS Yoplait Greek yogurt
• $0.50 off Yoplait Fruplait™ Yogurt Multipacks
• $0.30 off ONE CUP Yoplait Simplait™ Yogurt
• $0.75 off ONE BOX Multi Grain Cheerios cereal
• $0.75 off 1 pack Yoplait Light yogurt and Granola
• $0.50 off any 32 OZ. Mountain High Yoghurt
• $0.50 off any (1) Pepperidge Farm frozen bread
• $0.60 off 3 Old El Paso products
• $1.00 off 1 Weight Watchers Frozen Novelty Carton
• $0.50 off 2 Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes
• $0.40 off 1 box Fiber One 90 Calorie Chewy Bars
• $0.50 off 1 box Fiber One Protein Chewy Bars
• $0.50 off ONE any flavor Chex Mix Snack
• $0.75 off 3 LARABAR, UBER OR JOCALAT bars
• $0.75 off 1 DOLE Frozen Fruit Single-Serve Cup
• $0.40 off any TWO Pillsbury Sweet Rolls
• $0.50 off 2 boxes Nature Valley Granola Bars
• $1.00 off 5 Totino's Crisp Crust Party Pizza
• $0.50 off Original Bisquick baking mix
• $2.00 off Midol 20 ct. or larger
• $1.00 off any Citracal Product
• $1.00 off PHILLIPS' Laxative Product
• $2.00 off ANY NEO-SYNEPHRINE product
• $1.00 off ALKA-SELTZER ANTACID OR PLUS Cold
• $2.00 off any Aleve 80ct or larger
• $2.00 off any Aleve-D product
• $1.00 off 1 Flintstones™ Multivitamin Product
• $1.00 off any (2) DOLE Fruit Smoothie Shakers
• $1.00 off (1) GARNIER FRUCTIS STYLING Product
• $2.00 off any RID product
• $1.25 off one EAS AdvantEDGE Ready-to-Drink
• $1.25 off one (1) EAS Lean 15™ bar Multipack

DIY Baby Doll Bed Makeover

For Christmas this year I wanted to do a little bit of DIY mixed in with "new" things. I think that there can be beauty in used items if you look hard enough and have the time to fix it up.

Months back while scouring the shelves of the Goodwill I came across this baby bed. Now remember I have a just barely one year old daughter after having two boys so I am always on the hunt for girls stuff!! And all things PINK!!

When I saw it I knew it had to be mine hers. It had a few chips, discoloration and needed some TLC but for $4.99 I knew it would be perfect for her first baby doll bed. It is heavy wood (durable), low to the ground (she is only one) and the hearts on the sides put me over the top!

Here is the bed after I bought it, not so cute huh?

 See the $4.99 price tag! Also see the markings and chipped up paint?

Here is Ashley's sweet baby bed after I gave it some TLC, repainted it white, added some blankets and a bit of ribbon.

These pictures turned out kind of yellow, they were taken at night right before Santa came. (wink wink)

Working Moms

As a former "working out of the house mom" I know that the grueling hours, tight schedules, dropping and picking up the children can all be so overwhelming and hard. Whether you are working full time, part time, or out of the house it is so important to have balance in your life. Maintaining a work/life balance is the key to a successful career, I know I did it for years. I turned to family, friends, co-workers and the internet for advice. I wanted to know how other mom's were doing it and how they were doing it successfully.

Whether you are looking for career advice like announcing a pregnancy at work or using social media to get a job, when it comes to working in or out of the house it is important to have resources to turn to. Workingmums.co.uk is just that, a way to connect you and employers and it gets you involved in a community of other working moms.

When I was in the working world, I soaked up all of the advice I could from every resource out there. The more I knew the more prepared I felt as my career continued. Returning to work after maternity leave was hard for me, not only leaving my sweet little baby with someone else all day but I was also not prepared for how hard it would be. Nobody can prepare you for motherhood, just like nobody can prepare you to be a working mom but if you seek advice, help and knowledge from others it does get easier. Life is in phases, right now I am in the stay at home mom part of my life but I know that soon enough my children will all be in school and I will again find myself out there in the working world.


* This post is brought to you by workingmums.co.uk. All opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.

Ringing in the New Year

 

Tonight is the last night of 2012.

2012 was a pretty good year for us. Filled with love, laughs and a few tears. All things that we have learned from and grown from. I wouldn't trade them for anything.

But I have to admit, I am pretty excited to see what 2013 brings.

We will be ringing in the New Year with family fondue dinner and dessert night! 

Along with watching the annual fireworks show from the Seattle Space Needle from the comfort of our own home. 

Perfect way to start 2013 if you ask me.

~ Sam

Stay tuned this week for a list (yes list!) of my New Year's resolutions!

Weekend in Pictures

Its the end of the year so while I was at work I told my husband to sort our son's clothing for what to save for a one day child, donate to charity or needs to be recycled. Apparently they have a lot more fun during organizing time than I do lol.

Frugal Friday - Coupons!

• Buy 2 Large DIGIORNO Pizzas, Get 1 Free
• $0.75 off ONE (1) Reynolds Wrap Foil
• $3.00 off any ThermaCare Heat Wrap 3ct or larger
• $1.50 off Any Scharffen Berger Product
• $1.00 off FRENCH'S Dijon Mustard
• $0.50 off any ONE (1) COOL WHIP Frosting
• $10.00 off Thomas & Friends Take-n-Play
• $14.00 off Thomas & Friends TrackMaster
• $4.00 off 3-oz. BENGAY ZERO DEGREES item
• $1.50 off any one package of HUGGIES Diapers
• $2.00 off 1 HUGGIES Little Movers Slip-On Diapers
• $1.50 off Any (2) Tone Body Washes
• $1.00 off Any Advil or Advil Migraine product
• $2.00 off one SCRABBLE, OPERATION or TWISTER Game
• $2.00 off one BATTLESHIP, SORRY! or TROUBLE Game
• $3.00 off one CITYVILLE MONOPOLY Game from Hasbro
• $3.00 off one BOP IT! SMASH Game
• $3.00 off one MONOPOLY MILLIONAIRE Game
• $3.00 off one WORDS WITH FRIENDS Game from Hasbro
• $3.00 off one TWISTER DANCE Game
• $3.00 off one DRAW SOMETHING Game from Hasbro
• $1.00 off any 1 Gerber Graduates 2+ Kid Selects
• $1.00 off any one Gerber Graduates 2+ Dippers
• $1.00 off 2 MARS Holiday Bags
• $3.00 off any 1 Gerber Good Start Soothe Formula
• $3.00 off Ramona and Beezus on Blu-ray
• $3.00 off Chronicles of Narnia on Blu-ray
• $3.00 off Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules dvd
• $3.00 off Rio on Blu-ray™ + DVD + Digital Copy
• $3.00 off Home Alone on Blu-ray
• $3.00 off any 3M™ Window Insulator Kit
• $5.00 off Magic City dvd
• $6.00 off LET IT SHINE: DVD and Soundtrack
• $1.00 off one Purina Cat Chow brand cat food
• $1.50 off any ex-lax item 24ct or larger
• $1.50 off any Gas-X item 18ct or larger
• $2.00 off any two (2) REACH Toothbrushes
• $0.50 off ONE Pampers Wipes 60 ct. or larger
• $2.00 off ONE Pampers Baby Dry Diapers
• $1.00 off any TWO boxes Chex cereals
• $0.50 off ONE BOX Trix cereal
• $0.50 off ONE box Honey Nut Cheerios cereal
• $1.00 off TWO Pillsbury Cookie Dough
• $0.75 off Food Should Taste Good chips
• $0.40 off THREE cans Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits
• $0.40 off 3 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls
• $0.60 off 3 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls
• $0.50 off 2 Pillsbury Rolled Pie Crusts
• $0.50 off Original Bisquick
• $1.00 off Any Filippo Berio Olive Oil
• Buy 2 Get 1 FREE 3 MUSKETEERS Bars
• $0.50 off two Gerber Graduates Yogurt Grabbers
• $0.50 off ONE Dial Liquid Hand Soap Refill
• $2.00 off (2) Silk Pure Almond half gallons
• $0.75 off any (1) Silk Pure Almond half gallon
• $3.00 off Any (1) 17oz. Rug Doctor Cleaner
• $5.00 off Any (1) Rug Doctor Machine Rental
• $1.00 off Minute Maid Juice Box 10-pk
• $10.00 off 1 Filtrete™ Water Pitcher - 12 cup
• $15.00 off 1 Filtrete™ Water Station
• $2.00 off Simple moisturizer
• $1.00 off any TWO Ziploc brand containers
• $1.00 off any Afrin Nasal Spray
• $2.00 off any Coricidin HBP Product
• $1.00 off three Welch's Sparkling Juice Cocktails
• $1.00 off HORMEL COMPLEATS meal
• $1.00 off HORMEL™ COUNTRY CROCK Side dish
• $2.00 off Dove Men+Care body wash, bar or tool
• $1.00 off 2 Dial Complete Foaming Hand Soaps
• $2.00 off any (2) TWO Dial 8-Bar Pack
• $0.50 off (1) Dial Hello Kitty Bar Soap
• $1.00 off any ONE (1) Dial Hello Kitty Body Wash
• $1.00 off 2 Glade Automatic Spray refills
• $2.00 off Glade Sense & Spray starter kit
• $1.00 off Glade Expressions Fragrance Mist Kit
• $1.00 off Glade Decor Scents holder
• $1.50 off 2 Snausages or Snaw Somes! dog snacks
• $1.00 off one imPRESS Press-on Manicure
• $0.50 off any 1 Palmolive Fresh Infusions
• $1.00 off Maybelline NY Expert Wear Eye Shadows
• $1.00 off any Ecotrin product
• $1.50 off any one AZO Urinary Pain Product
• $1.00 off ONE (1) GEVALIA Coffee - 12 oz
• $1.00 off any flavor of Torani
• $0.50 off CAREFREE excluding 18-22 count
• $1.00 off any Citracal Product
• $1.00 off ANY McCann's Irish Oatmeal product
• Up to 50% off or more FDA drugs
• Up To 50% off Prescription Medication
• Up To 50% Off On Prescription Medication
• $0.75 off Clear eyes Product
• $0.30 off 4 oz. or larger HARIBO product
• $1.00 off any One A Day Multivitamin product
• $3.00 off any Slo-Niacin
• $3.00 off Florastor probiotic
• $3.00 off ONE bottle of AmLactin Lotion

The Day after Christmas

Christmas was great around our house!!

We are busy playing, eating and cleaning up all things Christmas!

As much as I love Christmas, I also love looking forward to the New Year.

I am working on my list of resolutions big and small.

How about you? Do you have any New Years resolutions?

Paper? Bows? Tape? Scissors? Check!

Picture via Better Homes and Gardens

Christmas will be here in just a few days!!! Are you ready for it? We are almost ready...

I don't know about you but tomorrow I will be locking myself in the bedroom where I will be spending the morning wrapping gifts.With coffee in hand, I will be as busy as a bee!

Growing up my Santa didn't wrap gifts, they were out for display, each of us children able to see our gifts but not touch them until everyone was awake. We sat and stared at them dying to open the package. I loved our Christmas mornings.

Growing up my husband's Santa wrapped all of the gifts. They unwrapped each gift with anticipation not knowing what treasure was inside. They waited and wondered if they had been naughty or nice. He loved his Christmas mornings.

After much deliberation and because I tend to win on most parenting decisions, I let him have this one. 

Our Santa wraps all of the presents for our children. We have done it since our oldest celebrated his first Christmas six years ago. I am happy we started this tradition and it is carrying on through the years. 

How about you? Does your Santa wrap or not?

Don't Let a Greedy Grinch Ruin Your Holidays

Over the years I have heard many stories of greedy Grinch trying to steal someones Christmas. It makes me so sad! Well we can all thwart the Grinch with being aware of our own home security. We all get busy in the rush of holiday shopping, friends and family visiting and taking road trips. A few simple but often forgettable things can help decrease your odds of Grinch deciding your home will be his next target.

Remembering to lock doors and windows before you go out shopping, even if its for a quick trip to the store. Leaving a light on while your out to let it appear someone is there. Turn off your Christmas tree lights and be sure to close the blinds. Open blinds letting your Christmas tree be seen is beautiful but also a lure to a greedy Grinch. 

Leaving the porch light on is another small but sometimes forgettable thing that can help keep your home less of a target. Having motion activated exterior lights is also a good idea. If you are planning to go on a trip have your neighbors gather your mail and newspaper. Don't forget to lock the doors that lead to your home from the garage. I often have forgotten that one myself. A garage can be easier to get into and if your home door is lock often the Grinch can't get further than your garage. 

In the delight of the Holiday season just be sure to be take a few extra steps to make sure you have a bit more home security.

Here is a cute article about how Santa can perhaps be the slickest break in artist of them all! (but we don't mind him, he leaves presents in exchange for cookies and milk!)

Santa Claus: Holiday's Biggest Ho-Ho-Home Security Threat


*This is a sponsored post