Wordless Wednesday - Chocolate Beard (PLUS LINKY)

Labor Day Fun: Sacramento Gold Rush Days

 I hope everyone is having a great Labor Day weekend. Its warm here in Northern Cali but that could not keep us away from the Sacramento Gold Rush Days. I have heard so much about this event I knew we needed to go this year.


This was the first time my family and I attended the Sacramento Gold Rush Days. I have to say it was really fun. Much more than I expected. I can see why it is a Labor Day tradition for many families. There was so much to do we did not get done everything we wanted to. We now have more to look forward to next year.

 We took a fun train ride along the American River. The train ride was bumpy and fun. My son loved the train whistle and watching the river as we passed by. We even saw cowboys doing a Wild West show.

I would recommend attending this event next year for Labor Day weekend if you are a Northern CA local or plan to be in the area. There were so many live action shows going on, hands on activities, great food, lots of stores to shop at, all the people were nice and it really did feel like we were back in the 1800s.

Frugal Reading: Free Magazines

I love all the FREE magazines I get each month. I get to read tons of articles get tips and learn a lot of helpful info. Every topic of magazines from parenting, home and gardening, current news and events to business I get to read many things. Plus when I am done with them I get to do fun little collages with my son, paper airplanes and I love to pull out the pages of things I like. Then recycle it of course!

I found some free print and online magazines for this month I wanted to share:

Enjoy a free 6 issue subscription to Working Mother magazine. No strings attached. You'll never receive a bill. This subscription is yours, compliments of StartSampling.com. Working Mother is the only national magazine that helps moms with careers balance their personal and professional live. Sign up before Sept 16th.

Signup to get AmericanBaby Magazine for Free! 

Enjoy 1 free Bridal Guide issue. No strings attached. You'll never receive a bill. This 1-issue is yours, compliments of StartSampling.com. Bridal Guide is for the contemporary bride-to-be focusing on current trends in fashion, beauty, home design, and honeymoon travel. You'll never receive a bill.

Fall Event Launch: $50 Shabby Apple Giveaway

 We are so excited to be hosting a giveaway of a $50 gift card from

Shabby Apple!! 

That's right $50 from Shabby Apple so you can browse, shop and choose what ever you want from their site!

What we love about Shabby Apple is their ability to make women feel feminine and beautiful. They have beautiful dresses, blouses, jewelry and accessories, maternity and kids and more.

We have been checking out the New Arrivals in Jewelry and Accessories and came across The Charleston, a vintage marquis rhinestone necklace. Love it and it's only $50!

Oh and how about this Navy Circle Skirt they call the Curiouser and Curiouser? This would be a great addition to your wardrobe!

How about the Oscar Shirt? On sale now for only $37!!



The list of things we love goes on and on.....

Enter to win the $50 Gift Certificate in the Rafflecopter Giveaway Below: 

 You can enter on either of the sites hosting this giveaway.
Popcorn and Pearls or Frugal Family Tree

a Rafflecopter giveaway





 *Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts Sept. 1 2012 and ends on Oct. 1, 2012 at midnight EST. Winner will be emailed and has 72 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize

Farewell Hamilton

 Well its official I have broken my Hamilton Beach Blender. This is a somewhat sad small appliance to break. I have had this same blender since my husband and I lived in our first place place. We bought it right after my 21st bday to make drinks for parties we hosted. I bought it for the Ice Breaker function. I loved making smoothies, home made coffee drinks and mixed drinks. Oh the memories a small appliance can have!

You dont realize how sturdy something was or how long you have had it until you break it. I am sure that blender would have kept going if not for me and my multi tasking. This morning I was making a smoothie like I always do. Instead of holding my hand on top of the container as it blended I wanted to put a pizza in the oven just really fast. Well my loyal blender got mad at me ignoring him during his shining moment of turning frozen fruit into a smooth as silk drink. The container shifted a bit causing it to come up from the spinning gears and it spun like crazy against the bottom of the container. There was a lot of smoke, my son yelling Oh No! and me baffled as to why did I have to take my hand off it.

I broke my Hamilton and now must say farewell to my loyal blender who for 10 years has kept up with whatever I threw at him and made it awesome!

But guess what?!??! This means I need a NEW Blender. I must get over the loss of my old friend with a new one!! What blender do you recommend??