Thrifting on a rainy Tuesday

Today it has been raining all day. The two little ones and I were feeling cooped up this morning so my Mom and I loaded up the kids and headed to our local Goodwill for some Thrifting. Sometimes the thrift store can be hit or miss, but today must have been our luck day because we scored some good stuff at a great price! Here are a few of our finds:

The San Fransisco 49er's are my husbands "TEAM" and we are going to be celebrating the Superbowl in a big way! We both love football and the Superbowl and what could be more fun than having your team in the big game? I have been scoping out the stores and thrift stores looking for fun ways to decorate on a dime. Today we hit up the Goodwill and found these great Football glasses, and for only 69 cents a piece they were a steal!! Just imagine them full of root beer with a fun straw!! Can't wait :)

Another great find today were these sweet little shoes for Miss Ashley from Old Navy and for only 99 cents you can't go wrong! Could you die over those red and white bows on the back?!

And lastly I am always scoping out the game section. You have to be picky in that department, making sure it is new or still has all of the pieces. It is far and few between that I actually purchase a game but there are sometimes some good ones for kids. Zingo was only $1.99 and has all of the pieces, I am pretty sure that both of the boys can play this one. It says ages 4-8 but Liam is pretty good at matching pictures so I am sure we will all be playing this as a family tonight.

MOD MOM FURNITURE LAUNCH SALE - SAVE 15%

We love fun kid's furniture and room decor. Your kids are only little once so let them enjoy fun quality items. I know my sister and I had a great room set that we had even until teenagers. We repainted them a few times for fun too! 

Right now there is a sale going on at Inmod. We have reviewed an Owl Clock in the past from their company and were very pleased with the quality. The sale is to SAVE 15% Ends Thursday 1/31 so don't miss out on the MOD MOM FURNITURE LAUNCH SALE!

As seen on ABC's SHARK TANK and The Nate Berkus Show, Mod Mom Furniture is eco-friendly, made in the USA, mom-designed, Amish-made, and built to last!

To learn more about Inmod you can  Like Inmod on Facebook,  Follow Inmod on Twitter  and Follow Inmod on Pinterest.

Friday Coupons!!!

Breakfast

• SAVE 75¢ when you buy ONE BOX Multi Grain Cheerios® OR Multi Grain Cheerios® Peanut Butter cereal
• SAVE 50¢ ON TWO when you buy TWO BOXES any Nature Valley® Granola Bars (5 count or larger) OR Nature Valley® Granola Thins
• SAVE $0.75 off ONE Welch's® Light Grape Juice Beverage (any flavor)
• SAVE 40¢ ON SIX when you buy SIX CUPS any variety Yoplait® Yogurt (Void in LA, NJ, ND, NV & TN)
• SAVE 40¢ when you buy ONE BOX any flavor Fiber One® 90 Calorie Chewy Bars OR Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies
• SAVE 75¢ when you buy any ONE BOX Fiber One® cereal listed: Fiber One® Original • Fiber One® Honey Clusters® • Fiber One® Raisin
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy any flavor Yoplait® Fruplait™ Yogurt Multipacks (Void in LA, NJ, ND, NV & TN)
• SAVE 75¢ ON THREE when you buy THREE any flavor/variety LÄRABAR®, ÜBER® OR JOCALAT® bars
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy any flavor 32 OZ. Mountain High® Yoghurt (Void in LA, NJ, ND, NV & TN)
• SAVE $1.00 off any ONE Kashi® Berry Fruitful or Blackberry Hills™ cereal

Snacks

• SAVE $1.00 on the purchase of any two (2) HORMEL® Pepperoni packages
• SAVE $3.00 on the purchase of any one (1) HORMEL® Party Tray 28oz. or larger
• SAVE $1.00 ON TWO when you buy TWO PACKAGES any variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Cookie Dough
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy any ONE BOX Cookie Crisp® cereal
• SAVE $1.00 ON FIVE when you buy FIVE any flavor/variety Totino's® Crisp Crust Party Pizza® Products
• SAVE $1.00 on any two (2) packages of ARMOUR® Pepperoni
• Save $1.50 on any ONE (1) HERSHEY'S SIMPLE PLEASURES Chocolates (5.6 oz)
• $0.75 OFF any ONE (1) Wrigley's Gum Car Cup (Orbit®, 5® Gum, Eclipse®, Extra®, Juicy Fruit® and Doublemint®)
• SAVE 50¢ ON TWO when you buy TWO BOXES any flavor/variety Betty Crocker® Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot®, Fruit Gushers® OR Fruit Roll
• Save $1.00 on any one (1) South Beach Diet® Product or 4-pack of Smoothies

Meals at home

• $1.00 OFF any one (1) Atkins Frozen Meal (Walmart)
• Save $1.00 When you purchase any two (2) Pepsi® Multi-pack Plastic bottles or 7.5oz 8-Pack Mini cans
• SAVE $1.00 on the purchase of any one (1) LLOYD'S® Barbeque product
• SAVE $1.00 on the purchase of any two (2) HORMEL® Bacon Toppings
• SAVE $0.55 On Any ONE (1) Bob Evans® Refrigerated Side Dish
• SAVE $1.00 on any TWO Johnsonville Sausage products
• Save $.70 on any two (2) New York Brand® frozen bread products
• SAVE 40¢ ON TWO when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Sweet Rolls OR Grands!® Sweet Rolls
• SAVE $1.00 on ONE (1) package of any Oscar Mayer Carving Board Pulled Pork (or any Carving Board Meats)
• SAVE $1.00 on ONE Meatlessly delicious Gardein™ frozen entrée product

In the Home

• Save 50¢ on any 1 Palmolive® Fresh Infusions™ only (16 oz) (Redeemable at Walmart)
• BOGO When You Buy One (1) Renuzit® Adjustable Air Freshener, Get One (1) Fresh Accents® Fragrance Holder Free (Redeemable at Walmart)
• SAVE $1.00 off TWO (2) Packs of Vanity Fair® Napkins
• 50¢ OFF ONE Pampers Wipes 60 ct. or larger de descuento en UN paquete de toallitas Pampers de 60 unidades o más
• $1.50 OFF ONE Pampers Baby Dry Diapers (excludes trial/travel size) de descuento en UN paquete de pañales Pampers Baby Dry (excluye tamaño
• $3.00 OFF Leslie Sansone: Ultimate 5 Day Walk Plan, Element: Yoga for Stress Relief & Flexibility, or Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Express DVD
• Save $1.00 Off the February issue of People StyleWatch
• 25% OFF PAINTS & STAINS 15% OFF PAINTING SUPPLIES
• Save $1.00 On TWO (2) 1 Big Roll or 3 Big Roll Brawny® Paper Towels (Available at Walmart)
• SAVE $1.00 on any TWO Scrubbing Bubbles® toilet cleaning products

Personal Care

• Save $2.00 on any TWO (2) packages of KOTEX Natural Balance* Products (Not good on Liners 14-22 ct.)
• Save $0.60 on any ONE (1) package of KLEENEX® Hand Towels
• SAVE $1.00 on any two (2) REACH® Toothbrushes (1 ct) (Not applicable on REACH® CRYSTAL CLEAN® TOOTHBRUSHES)
• SAVE $1.00 WHEN YOU BUY ANY ONE (1) GARNIER FRUCTIS STYLING PRODUCT
• Save $0.55 on any THREE (3) boxes of KLEENEX® Facial Tissue (not valid on trial size)
• Save $5.00 on your purchase of any TWO (2) Schick® Xtreme3® Disposable Razor Packs (not valid on 2 ct or 10+2 ct)
• SAVE $1.50 when you buy Any (2) Tone® Body Washes
• SAVE $1.00 off any (1) NEW Jergens® Daily Moisture OR Daily Moisture Fragrance Free Moisturizer (10 oz. or larger)
• SAVE $1.00 on any two (2) REACH® Floss Products
• $2 off Almay® Smart Shade™ mousse makeup or blush (Redeemable only at Target®)

The Then and Now of laundry basket fun!

Then: 1989 - Laura, David Jr and me (Sam).

Now: 2013 - JJ, Liam and Ashley

This afternoon my Mom and I were going through a box of pictures from when my sister Laura and I were kids. There are so many great ones of Laura and I along with our other siblings, so many occasions, vacations, pool parties, and candid moments in life. I love them all but the top picture stood out to me today. When I saw it I was reminded of my how fun childhood can be and of a few pictures I had taken of my own children recently doing the same thing!

Right after Christmas time my kids discovered the greatness of playing in a laundry basket. I put the basket on the floor and the second I did they were all in it, pulling each other around, pushing it, and just hanging out in it. The excitement level was high, and they must have forgotten that two seconds before that they were all fighting!

I loved capturing them and the excitement they had over the basket. I loved it mostly because they were excited to be playing together. Sometimes it feels like all they do is fight. Like I am the referee and they are all on different teams. Them against me. Most of the time there is no winner and someone always ends up crying.

So when I get these moments I am going to take them and remember that my Mom did what I am doing now. She did it with five children (yikes) and she did it with grace and pleasure. I am sure she too felt like the referee, but she too took those good moments and captured them on film. I hope to do the same so that one day, years from now, my children will be looking though old pictures with their children and see the "laundry basket" fun has been in our family for years.

Wordless Wednesday

The waiter says to me, have you ever ordered the Godiva Cheesecake before? I say No, he replies its super rich and chocolaty, well I say thats exactly why we want it, then he says your little guy is going to be bouncing off the walls. I smile and say thats what we want to order. Thanks waiter who more than likely was not old enough to have children for your advise, we are celebrating a birthday, my kid wants chocolate I dont care if he gets messy or bounces off the walls, hes 3 and wants a treat!
 LOL ok so its a not so Wordless Wednesday!

Jump Jump Around or Not

Oh the sweet smiles for the first two jumps

Have you ever seen in the mall those jumping rides with the harness and trampolines? Our mall has one and all Holiday Season my son said he wanted to go on it. I was a worry wart and never let him. I thought oh me might get scared, he might get hurt, all the things a mother might think. But it was my husband's birthday and we were at the mall buying video games. Our son asked pretty please with a cute big blue eyed held tilt and a smile. There was another child already jumping so we watched and I asked him are you sure you want to. He told me yes its fun he wants to. When it was his turn they wanted to weigh him first lol you must be 30 lbs apparently. He was smiling as the lady took him up on the trampoline and strapped him in. He jumped once then twice but then she turned on a machine that was lifting him a little higher to get a big jump and thats when he got scared. Oh the look on his face, he was sad, would not jump and just hung his head down then looked over to his Dad with a sad face.

I asked if he was scared he of course said yes and wanted down. The lady was nice and got him down and gave us our money back. When he got his shoes on he smiled at us and was no longer sad and ready to go. I asked him maybe we will try again another time and he said yes. I am so glad even though I knew my sweet boy might get scared that he tried. It did not work out but we will try again sometime. Maybe next time we can get in a few more bounces!

Scared and not wanting to bounce

Recipe: Spinach Pesto Pasta with Tomatoes

I LOVE spinach and I have been trying to find ways to get my son to eat more of it. He looks at me odd when I try to get him to eat a salad with spinach in it so I decided I would add it to pasta that he loves.

I made a basic Pesto Recipe with a little Spinach added.

Ingredients

• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 cups, packed, coarsely chopped basil leaves
• 1/2 cup cooked Spinach
• 1/4 tablespoon pine nuts
• 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 to 1/3 cup olive oil

Boil Pasta in large pot. Saute in olive oil spinach and garlic. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add more olive oil and season with salt as necessary.

Add sliced cherub or cherry tomatoes to dish after mixing the pesto mix into cooked pasta. You can add more Parmesan cheese to the top of the dish for more cheese flavor. Serve on a bed of fresh spinach.

Note: I used way too much pasta for my dish, I would have liked way more pesto spinach mix per bite :)

My son LOVED this dish! 

Frugal Mall Shopping: 3 items Under $20

Since starting my job over 4 months ago I have needed many new outfits. I LOVE having this excuse to shop! I often buy items here and there to build up outfits when I find stuff on sale. Working at a mall makes it super easy to know when deals are happening. I often find myself shopping on my lunch break to find super deals! Yesterday I went to JC Penney to see what sort of clearance deals they had. I found many great items.

After trying on a bunch of stuff I decided to keep my budget at $20. If I can shop $20 at a time getting great deals I can build my wardrobe without too much damage to my paycheck. :)

Part of my New Years resolution has been to add color and lots of it to my wardrobe. I find myself wearing black, brown, grey and tan. Nice colors but I want fun colors!

 I found a pair of turquoise corduroy pants normally $40 for $5. What color top would you wear with these pants?

A light colored cowl neck sweater top for $8 normally $35. I have the cutest boots and leggings to wear with this top!

A fun patterned shirt that is light weight that would look great with a pair of dress pants I have only $4.

I even put a super cute pink skirt for $6 and emerald green top for $4 on hold for my next work day. I LOVE buying clothing when its on sale!

Do you know of any great mall deals going on right now??

Frugal Friday - Coupons!

Breakfast

• SAVE $1.00 off any ONE Kashi® Berry Fruitful or Blackberry Hills™ cereal
• SAVE $1.00 on any ONE Kashi® Soft n' Chewy Bars
• SAVE 40¢ when you buy ONE BOX any flavor Fiber One® 90 Calorie Chewy Bars OR Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies
• SAVE 75¢ when you buy any ONE BOX Fiber One® cereal listed: Fiber One® Original • Fiber One® Honey Clusters® • Fiber One® Raisin
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy any flavor Yoplait® Fruplait™ Yogurt Multipacks (Void in LA, NJ, ND, NV & TN)
• SAVE 50¢ when you buy any flavor 32 OZ. Mountain High® Yoghurt (Void in LA, NJ, ND, NV & TN)
• SAVE 75¢ ON THREE when you buy THREE any flavor/variety LÄRABAR®, ÜBER® OR JOCALAT® bars
• SAVE 75¢ when you buy ONE BOX Multi Grain Cheerios® OR Multi Grain Cheerios® Peanut Butter cereal
• SAVE 75¢ ON THREE when you buy THREE any flavor/variety Pillsbury® Toaster Strudel® OR Toaster Scrambles® Pastries OR Pillsbury® Pancakes
• SAVE $1.00 ON TWO when you buy TWO BOXES any flavor General Mills cereals listed: Cinnamon Toast Crunch® • Cocoa Puffs® • Lucky Charms® •

Health & Wellness

• $1.50 OFF any Gas-X® item 18ct or larger (Redeem at Walmart)
• $1.50 off any ex-lax® item 24ct or larger (Redeem at Walmart)
• Save $1.00 on Advil® Congestion Relief OR Advil® Allergy and Congestion Relief
• Save $1.00 on any one (1) South Beach Diet® Product or 4-pack of Smoothies
• SAVE $2.00 GOOD ON ANY NEO-SYNEPHRINE® PRODUCT
• Save $2.00 on any Breathe Right® product (10ct. or larger)
• Save $1.00 on Any Sundown Naturals® Vitamins or Supplements
• $1.00 OFF any one (1) Atkins Frozen Meal (Walmart)
• SAVE $3.00 on Florastor® probiotic (Available at Walmart)
• SAVE $1.00 GOOD ON ANY ALKA-SELTZER® ANTACID OR ALKA-SELTZER PLUS® COLD PRODUCT

Meals at Home

• SAVE $0.55 On Any ONE (1) Bob Evans® Refrigerated Side Dish
• Save $1.00 When you purchase any two (2) Pepsi® Multi-pack Plastic bottles or 7.5oz 8-Pack Mini cans
• SAVE 40¢ ON TWO when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Sweet Rolls OR Grands!® Sweet Rolls
• SAVE $1.00 on ONE (1) package of any Oscar Mayer Carving Board Pulled Pork (or any Carving Board Meats)
• SAVE $1.00 ON FIVE when you buy FIVE any flavor/variety Totino's® Crisp Crust Party Pizza® Products
• SAVE $1.00 ON TWO when you buy TWO PACKAGES any variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Cookie Dough
• SAVE 75¢ on any one (1) package of Campbell’s® Skillet Sauces.
• SAVE $1.00 on any two (2) packages of ARMOUR® Pepperoni
• SAVE 50¢ on any five (5) Campbell’s® Spaghetti0’s® pastas
• SAVE 50¢ on any one (1) package of Pepperidge Farm® frozen bread or rolls. In the Freezer Aisle

In The Home

• SAVE $1.00 on any TWO Scrubbing Bubbles® toilet cleaning products
• SAVE $1.00 on any TWO Glade® Automatic Spray refill
• Save 50¢ on any 1 Palmolive® Fresh Infusions™ only (16 oz) (Redeemable at Walmart)
• Save $0.60 on any ONE (1) package of KLEENEX® Hand Towels
• BOGO When You Buy One (1) Renuzit® Adjustable Air Freshener, Get One (1) Fresh Accents® Fragrance Holder Free (Redeemable at Walmart)
• $1.50 OFF ONE Pampers Baby Dry Diapers (excludes trial/travel size) de descuento en UN paquete de pañales Pampers Baby Dry (excluye tamaño
• SAVE $1.00 off TWO (2) Packs of Vanity Fair® Napkins
• 25% OFF PAINTS & STAINS 15% OFF PAINTING SUPPLIES
• SAVE $2.00 on Any ONE (1) package of PULL-UPS® Training Pants (Jumbo Pack or larger)
• 50¢ OFF ONE Pampers Wipes 60 ct. or larger de descuento en UN paquete de toallitas Pampers de 60 unidades o más

Personal Care

• SAVE $1.00 WHEN YOU BUY ANY ONE (1) GARNIER FRUCTIS STYLING PRODUCT
• SAVE $1.00 on any two (2) REACH® Toothbrushes (1 ct) (Not applicable on REACH® CRYSTAL CLEAN® TOOTHBRUSHES)
• SAVE $1.00 on any two (2) REACH® Floss Products
• Save $5.00 on your purchase of any TWO (2) Schick® Xtreme3® Disposable Razor Packs (not valid on 2 ct or 10+2 ct)
• SAVE $2.00 WHEN YOU BUY ANY ONE (1) NUTRISSE HAIRCOLOR
• Save $1.00 on any 1 (one) Curél® Moisturizer (7.5 fl oz or larger)
• Save 75¢ on any ONE (1) Dove® Body Wash (12oz or larger) (Excludes Trail and Travel Size)
• SAVE $1.00 on any (1) LISTERINE® Antiseptic Mouthwash, or (1) LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN™ Mouthwash, or (1) LISTERINE® TOTAL CARE Anticavity Mou
• SAVE $2.00 on any (2) TWO Dry Idea® Roll-On or Gel Products
• SAVE 75¢ On any Clear eyes® Product

Pet Products

• $2.50 off bag Purina ONE beyOnd Cat Food
• $2.50 off 1 bag Purina ONE beyOnd Dog Food

Tasty Treats

• $2.00 off Rich's Ice Cream Cake or Dessert
• $0.75 off 1 Wonka or Crunch candy & card kit
• $1.75 off 2 Wonka or Crunch Candy & Card Kits

Personal Care

• $1.50 off any Gas-X item 18ct or larger
• $1.50 off any ex-lax item 24ct or larger
• $2.00 off TWO (2) packages of U by KOTEX Tampons
• $2.00 off TWO (2) KOTEX Natural Balance Products

My Shoe Obsession Frugal Style

I have always loved shoes! Its the one thing that can snazzy up an outfit easily. Now that I have been working in the shoe industry it has furthered my obsession in a wild way! I am always looking at people shoes to see what they have on. I have even made a shoe must have list for the ones I need for my collection. 

Good shoes though can be expensive. As a frugal person I love to find a great deal on name brand shoes. I dont want Target or Walmart shoes, part of the fun is having the fancy ones! And when I get an awesome price, well it makes it even more fun to wear them. 

Over the last two months I have purchased several great pairs that I adore. The best has been the last two pairs I bought. Both super comfy and under $40 for the both of them!!

Sperry Top Sider in Hot Pink! LOVE these

Nauralizer Boots So comfy its crazy! 

Now I have hot pink shoes off my shoe must have list I am now looking for a few more, Leopard Print flats, red heels and cute rain boots.

Have you found any websites to buy name brand shoes for a low price? I am always on the look out for places to buy shoes. What trends do you think there will be for 2013? I was thinking I might need emerald green ballet flats!