Couponing Craze

So...since the start of TLC's new show Extreme Couponing 

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/extreme-couponing

people all over have been enchanted to learn the ropes of extreme couponing. 

I am one of those people. You really need to watch the show if you don't what I'm

talking about. EXTREME is the only way to describe the level these people take it to. 

I don't have the time, room, or skills to be an extreme couponer...BUT, I am all about

a sale & saving some $$! So here are a few things I've found to be helpful for me....

This was my favorite extreme couponer from TLC's show...

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/beginners/

You must have a coupon binder to be successful. This one is the bible-extra-deluxe model that 

someone has put together that you can buy. I bought a 2" binder, some baseball card organizer 

sheets, and some tab dividers. It works great for me, but like I said...I am the not-so-extreme 

coupon chick. 

http://store.couponmagicorganizer.com/

Also, check out the websites that match what coupons go with whats on sale. 

They do the hard work FOR YOU! 

http://www.couponmamaonline.com/

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/

http://thefrugalgirls.com/

Anyway...there's just a few things to get you started if the coupon bug bites 'ya! 

So far I have saved $70 at Bi-Lo on groceries with coupons & deals they had going  on, 

and $11 in coupons at Wal-Mart & basically got 2 hair products free, and got some nice BIC Soliel

razors for .29 cents on another Bi-Lo trip. 

Happy Couponing! 

Great Things I Recommend...

One of my favorite things about reading other peoples' blogs-

Like the Pioneer Woman...

thepioneerwoman.com

& 

Mom And Wife

momandwife.com

is all their product reviews on things they've tried from make-up to vitamins. 

It's great to get real-life info from other women. 

Girl to Girl, you know?

So here are a few  of my favorite things...

I think this stuff came from heaven. Seriously, this is the BEST concealer I have ever tried. 

It's called "Erase Paste" from Benefit. 

I bought a small mini size kit of a few Benefit products. 

The reviews on  http://www.sephora.com/

 were all great, and I have to agree! 

It covers my purple-ish under eye circles perfectly & looks natural. 

I have the "medium No. 2" shade. 

I have to say-my husband thinks these are the ugliest shoes

BUT, I love them! 

They are Allegeria clogs. There are a zillion colors, patterns & styles. 

The mary-jane style is my favorite, but I love my clogs. 

Not only are they cute & funky....

They are RIDICULOUSLY comfy! 

I can wear these all day long, all through a 12hr work shift

and keep my feet happy. 

Looking for comfy shoes?

Check these out! 

http://www.alegriashoes.com/

Here's the website, but you can find them cheaper at 

scrub stores/catalogs or in discount shoe stores. 

Another FABULOUS make-up favorite is Bad gal lash mascara.

I get it from www.Sephora.com

My friend Sara bought this for me one year for my birthday, 

said it was one of the best mascara's & that I would love it. 

She was right! 

This mascara has a HUGE brush, and tends to be a little thicker.

It works best for me, covers all the lashes, curls & doesn't make all

the lashes stick together like some thinner brands do to me. 

One more genius idea is the Xbox Kinect. 

We have had an Xbox 360 for a few years, 

and it was mostly used by my hubby & his friends.

We tracked down the Kinect this X-mas thinking it would be 

fun for the family to use together & easier for our 4yr old 

to play. This thing is amazing. The technology of it is really cool. 

It mimics your motions on screen & gets you up and moving. 

We've had a blast playing it, and my son LOVES it. 

I'm looking forward to getting a fitness game & trying it out. 

These are just a few products I've been impressed with...

How about you? What are you amazed with? What make-up products are you in love with?

Can't sleep?

I have never been a good sleeper & it seems to get worse the older I get...

Found this article & thought it was worth sharing.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/the-top-7-sleep-killers-and-how-to-solve-them-2460502/

What do you do to help get your body ready for rest? What do you do when you can't sleep?

Sweet Dreams! 

I want to...

Everything lately seems like it's about numbers, schedules, work, bills, appoiments, 

numbers, bills and more work...

I just want to...

take a nap in a hamack,

paint a picture,

go on vacation,

scrapbook,

bake some goodies,

swim in a pool,

try a new restaurant,

lay in a tanning bed,

lay on my couch & read all day,

take some black & white photos,

cook-out,

smell the beach breeze,

watch some fireworks,

plant some flowers,

smell a beautiful vase of flowers on my desk,

go fishing,

get a tattoo,

go shoe shopping,

paint my kitchen,

go purse shopping,

I want a vacation! I want some creative time!

Just had to say that all out loud.

Okay, I'm done...

for now...

all because of love...

In honor of Valentine's Day, & because I love sharing my favorite photos, & because The Pioneer Woman's Blog photo contest of love photos keeps tearing me up...

Here are some of  MY favorite love moments...

seems like this was FOREVER ago...MUAH! 

Getting married! 

Visiting him in NY

Our babies 1st birthday! 

 FINALLY HOME!!!! no words can explain the emotions from these photos! 

Helping Cyrus learn to walk...just days after he got home from overseas!

St. Barabara's Day Ball

Fort Drum, NY

SOOO hard to watch him get back on the plane

to go back overseas...

Sweet Moments

 JUST off the plane from Afghanistan

Absolute best day of my life! 

 I LOVE YOU! 

just a few of my favorite things...

 This is by Amy Brown "Shy"

But I call it the Margaux Fairy...

someday I might get it as a tattoo

 so true...

 LOVE THIS! 

 I would so have this in my backyard if I could. 

 Pretty! 

 We should be our own cheerleaders more often...

 I wanna take photos like this someday! 

Couldn't resist this one! 

ALL IMAGES ARE FROM GOOGLE

I take no credit for any of the images...I am merely admiring & sharing them! 

zucchini bread

My family & I love zucchini bread so much it never lasts too long in the house.
I think it's time I made some. It's kid & picky husband friendly!
Here's a recipe that I originally got from
http://www.allrecipes.com/ & altered just a 'bit.

ENJOY!

This makes 2 loaves...

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups grated zucchini (Press grated zucchini in strainer to remove some of the moisture)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Sift together flour, salt, soda, cinnamon, baking powder.
3. Beat eggs. Add and mix well sugar, vanilla, and oil. Add zucchini to egg mixture. Add dry ingredients, mixing well. Stir in nuts if desired. Pour into 2 ungreased loaf pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour.