Favorite Things 2012

I am linking up with the Nester for her Favorite Things Party (gifts under $15).  Here are a few of my favorite things...

One Thousand Gifts

Still one of my favorite books, outside of the Bible or course.  Ann Voskamp speaks straight to the heart in this challenging and beautiful book on gratefulness and thanksgiving.  God has used this book to change my perspective and help me grow in many ways.  Click on the link above the image to order from Christian Book Distributors; currently they are selling it for only $7.99.  I bought this book for 3 of my girlfriends this year.

 Tazo Organic Zen Tea

I had this wonderful tea at a friend's wedding.  I have to quote Tazo and what they say about this tea, couldn't say it better myself, "Through the screened front door, zingy lemongrass and spritely spearmint coax contemplative pan-fired green teas to come play. Calmly, lemon verbena opens the door and invites them all to a cup of tea."  It also helped that the server brought me this tea with a personal tea pot and matching cup; made for a total whimsical experience.  $12.95 on Amazon for 24 bags (please consider using the amazon link found on our friend's blog to order, which will help support their upcoming adoption).

Chocola Tea (Loose Leaf Tea)

You can order Chocola Tea's loose leaf tea online (click on the link above the image).  One of my favorites is Princess Sarah (their own special blend of peppermint and licorice- herbal tea).  It sells for $2.85 an ounce.  I am currently enjoying a green tea blend from them, Green Christmas.  They also have individual tea bags/filters so you can enjoy a cup of loose leaf tea without making a whole pot; genius.  Can you tell I like tea?!  They also sell Rooibos tea, Cream Caramel is one of my favorites.  It also sells for $2.85 an ounce as well.

Paperback Swap

Some of my friends (homeschool moms) told me about this site (Paperback Swap).  It is a wonderful way to get rid of books you no longer want or need and get some that you do.  You have to post 10 books to set up an account, and then as people request your books and you mail them out (at book rate) you receive credits to order books of your own (for free).  I have received numerous books this way and it has been so fun; easy and affordable (you only pay shipping on the books you send out and nothing for the books you receive).  Just checked my e-mail and I have another book request waiting, yeah more free books!  Would you mind mentioning my name as a referral when you sign up?  It is free to sign-up and if no one from your address has joined this site before you get two free book credits.  Win, win!

Tiny Prints (Cards)

I have enjoyed ordering from Tiny Prints this year.  They have creative and quality products (cards, invitations, stationary, etc.).  I ordered some of our Christmas cards from them this year and was very pleased with them.  I also ordered a set of cards for a gift too. The card above starts at $2.39 each (if you order 10) and keeps going down the more you order.  They offer numerous on-going discounts as well.  If you order today (Monday, Dec. 17h) you can save 15%-20% on your holiday orders with code: dec20sw

Well, there you have it...5 of my favorite products from 2012. I hope this post helps you with any last minute shopping you have for Christmas or any gifts you may need in 2013.  Of course the greatest gifts are not things, but relationships and investing in the lives of those around you.  I am thankful for the priceless gift of Christ and how He is the gift that keeps giving, never breaks, and is just what we need and want; in Him is true purpose, fulfillment and salvation. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-15  "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (vs. 15)

Quality, Simpilcity, and Savings

As you know I like to save money!  I get a thrill out of great deals.  I am pretty loyal to products that are a blend of quality and value.  I even am willing to pay more on products that really impress me.  For example,  I drive an hour round trip a few times a year for DELICIOUS Amish doughnuts (and I am not a huge doughnut fan, but there are that good and worth the drive).

Recently I tried to skimp and save money on our garage bags.  NOT a good idea.  I think I have tried this before and it has never worked in my favor.  The bags (pictured above) were advertised as earth-friendly and were not expensive- too things that drew me to purchase them.  But, they are NOT sturdy and rip easily (probably why they are earth friendly because they decompose quickly).  Hubby and I agreed not to buy these again.  I am going to bite the bullet and buy the sturdy ones, with the built-in drawstrings, and maybe even the vanilla scent- no more (stinky) trash spilling on us!

I am sure many of you already do this, but I love Target's dollar bins.  The kids and I found fun party invites, thank you cards, favors, and goody bags there a few weeks ago.  The kids were excited to pick them out and I was excited about the price.  We also look in the bins this time of year because they usually have classic paperback books (for $1 each) that we get for school.  This year we found Wizard of Oz, and Alice In Wonderland.  A great way to add to your home library without having to worry about losing library books or having to read and return them within a few weeks.  Don't get me wrong, I like going to the library (and especially enjoy summer reading programs) but sometimes spending a few dollars on books is worth avoiding the hassle and gas of going to the library.  I also like shopping for books at garage sales and Goodwill too.

Michael's also has $1 and low-priced bins that we often find treasures in too.

I have done extravagant birthday parties before, and while everyone should do at least one (and then you most likely will realize you don't want to do it again), I have learned (I think) that simple is better.  This year for youngest's 4th birthday we had some friends over (a reasonable amount) and ate a homemade cake (you can save a bundle by decorating with things you have on hand already- toy cars, stickers on toothpicks, Oreo's (okay we almost never have these on hand, but I have bought them a few times to use for cake decorating), coconut (easy to dye and turn into things like grass, fur, etc.)  I bought the cake mix (had coupons and it saves on hassle) and frosting (we dyed it the color we wanted).  We opened presents and the kids played on the slip 'n slide and sprinkler.  Less than two hours and the party was done.  It was so nice, simple and fun.  Usually I am stressed out ahead of time (oh yeah Sister L was there to help- enlist a helper- this lowers stress for sure)!

I am sure you are all familiar with Goodwill and Salvation Army stores and the great deals that are waiting to be discovered there.  We went to our local store yesterday and were thrilled when Hubby found these brand new looking Teva sandals for $6!  A few tips when thrift shopping...take your time and donate.  If you have a few hours then you can dig through and find the treasures.  Also, if you donate at our Goodwill (prior to your shopping trip) you get a 20% off coupon for most merchandise.  We also found a new crockpot there and a grill set that we needed; so fun to treasure hunt.  We aren't always so successful, but when you are it sure pays off.

Lastly, I have mentioned Paper Coterie before (thank you Mom Creative on the introduction) and I am pleased as punch with this Father's Day book from them.  They often offer great deals on their products (which can be pricey), but the quality is great!  Hubby said this is his favorite gift ever from the kiddos.  The book was already done, we just had to drop pictures in and then they kids answered questions about Dad.  The book has many more pages, here are just a few of the highlights.

Go check out www.papercoterie.com, I would love to hear what you think.  Go make something and post it, we'd love to see it.

More free products!

We have thoroughly enjoyed vitacost. com.  They offer SO many great products, many organic, at a discounted price.  Shipping is very reasonable too, and they often offer reduced shipping.  Click on the link below and you will receive $10 in free products once you register (if you are a new customer).  Here are the free products Adam received.  We only to to pay $3.00 total (it was a $2.24 shipping day when the order was placed).  Let me know what you order!  The Mrs. Meyer's cleaning product shown here (in basil scent) smells so good.  I cleaned the counter with it before I took this picture.  Hubby walked in the house and commented how good the house smelled; mission accomplished.  My favorite soap brands from vitacost are Dr. Bronner's and Nubian Heritage (shown here).

http://www.vitacost.com/Referee?wlsrc=rsReferral&ReferralCode=90211019

This is the free carseat cover I received from placing my seven slings order.  I just paid shipping on this- trendy carseat cover (can't wait to have the baby to use this with)!

The Mom Creative blog introduced me to this company, Paper Coterie.  Check them out!  They make beautiful, quality photo gifts.

This is what I had made (the cards).  They currently have a Mother's Day sale going on, check it out.  They sent the necklace as a thank you gift- I love gifts!

It was a thrill to see my photography (Imprints Photography- find it on facebook) and poetry in print!  Just ordered a journal and another set of cards today.  I am going to try to sell these cards at the Mom 2 Mom sale this Saturday, will see how it goes.

Shutterfly is one of my favorite photo sites.  They offered a free 8x8 book for Mother's Day (thanks Saving Addition for the tip), just had to pay shipping.  I think they have one of the best qualities of photo products.  You can save more money on other sites, but I don't think they turn out as well.  I also like Paper Coterie and Mixbook too.

If you are a new customer you can get 50 free prints from shutterfly.com!

I only paid shipping for all of these items- how fun!  Let me know what kind of deals you have found.  And be sure to check of The Mom Creative blog and Savings Addiction.  I am so grateful for the gals that do these sites and help us save money!  Thanks ladies.

Creating, Saving, and Cheering

I found this frame the other day.  I removed the broken glass and added scrapbook paper and embellishments, that I had on hand, to create this art piece for our bedroom.  It was fun to spruce things up for free!

Here is a closer view of each panel (Project supplies: various scrapbook papers, brads, tape runner to secure paper panels to the frame mat, black Creative Memories pen, flower embellishments).

Also a shout out to the gals at Savings Addiction (check out their blog if you haven't, LOTS of great deals and savings ideas, www.savingsaddiction.com) for this great deal tip from The Canvas People www.canvaspeople.com.  I only had to pay shipping to turn one of my photographs into a canvas art piece.  Shipping was around $15, and the canvas was free. Normally the canvas alone would have been $49.99  There is still time to get this great deal, check it out!

And a big thanks to Jen Wood, facebook friend, who tipped me off to a great deal on baby slings from www.sevenslings.com

I got 2 slings, a matching bracelet and baby leg warmers (they are too cute) for $5 plus the cost of shipping, around $23 (and saved $120 retail).  Banner exceeds the weight limit, so Brooke lent me her baby doll Natalie to use to test out the slings. Can't wait till we can try it out with our baby!  Please pray, the wait continues (we are growing a lot during this season of waiting but ready for it to come to an end soon)...

I am also having a little too much fun with couponing.  I only shop at Meijer for most everything and Walgreens (when they have free or discounted photo offers).  I use Savings Addiction and Money Saving Mom (check out their blogs) primarily for deals ideas and use coupon.com, smartsource.com and Meijer's mperks are my coupon sources.  The other day I saved $74.74 at Meijer!  It is quite a thrill to save this much, especially when Meijer already has items on sale and then you can combine your mperks coupons and your manufacturer's coupons- a triple savings!  My favorite things about this recent order was the deal Meijer ran on some of their organic products.  If you purchased 10 items you received $5 off instantly.  We did this deal twice and filled our cupboards with some of our favorite, yummy and healthy items.

I have some more deals coming in the mail (a free shutterfly 8x8 scrapbook, 50 free prints, and a carseat cover- only paid shipping on all of them)!  Again thanks to the above mentioned for this tips.  Friends can be a great resource for deals too.  My friend Jennifer just bought 4 tank tops at Target last week (with a sale that ended last Saturday and with online coupons).  She only paid $12 plus tax! 

It does take time to coupon, but it doesn't have to be all consuming.  Do what works for you.  For me limiting my stores to 2 (unless there is an incredible deal of something I really need or want) has helped greatly, and trying to just buy items that we can use now or in the near future.  I am not stockpiling things, but sometimes have a few extras on hand to use or give to others.  I love seeing how much I save and doing a little dance about it.:)  I know there are tons of others who do a much better job with all this, but I am having fun!

I will end with some soccer shots of Kale.  He is so enjoying soccer as much as we are enjoying watching him and cheering him on.  I am glad that he gets this special time to do something by himself; good job buddy!

Yes, their jerseys are really this bright- easy to spot on the fields though!

Adam and is having fun working with Kale on his skills.

Every good player needs a memorable celebration move:)

Nice throw in son!

 

 

Hope you are all having a lovely spring.  So thankful for friends and family.  Looking forward to visitors in the next two weeks.

Giving thanks for The Nester, other blogs, and products...

I have enjoyed following The Nester, on www.thenester.com, I enjoy home decorating ideas and she provides fun inspiration. A few things I have gleaned thus far...bring the outside in and incorporate more white. I don't have white walls (since I enjoy colored walls so much), but I found some lovely white treasures at Goodwill the other day. I spotted a great vintage bright green vase I really wanted to get, but we decided not to, since nothing we have would match and it would require painting to make it match. So here are my inexpensive finds that add some "pop" to the house- thanks Nester!:)





The following is a piece of fabric from one of my sis-in-laws (that she is using to make Baby #4's quilt). It is a hopeful reminder of our child to come and adds some fun color to our plant's pot.




This frame was only $2.99 at Goodwill- it had a not so lovely oil painting in it...I popped it out and used it as a frame for our calendar. It helped jazz up the look of our calendar and now looks like a work of art (isn't that what the details of our life turn out to be when they are viewed all together- a masterpiece of grace designed by the Great Artist Himself)?!






Here is a special bird ornament I received this Christmas and my darling daughter found this nest outside on the ground.



A thank you to www.thekrazycouponlady.com for this great deal, 25 photo cards for $1.49 from Fujifilm, at www.seehere.com


Currently, my favorite local savings blog is www.savingaddiction.com, these ladies post the Meijer deals, which is where I shop, so it is really helpful.




Shown above are the four ingredients that we used (3 from Meijer) to make a smoothie recipe (that daughter found in the Mini Page). The strawberries were picked and frozen from a local fruit farm (fun to be enjoying this fruit in the winter). We made it on our new "Ninja" blender!

We tweaked the recipe and here is the magic combination:

Joyful Winter Smoothie
1 cup frozen peaches
1 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup 100% fruit juice (we used Berry)
1 cup vanilla yogurt (we tried plain but it was not sweet enough)
(if it is not sweet enough for you try a bit of raw honey)
Blend and enjoy!

Lastly, is one of my new favorite hangouts (this store) and past times (drinking tea). Check it out at www.chocola-tea.com/! Daughter and I went out for their amazing Peanut Butter Pie and drank spiced plum herbal tea the other day. The pie is $3.99 for a slice, but it is so delicious (don't try and eat a piece on your own though- def. meant to be shared since it is so sweet). I found that if something has good enough quality you don't mind the price too much or the drive to get there. Hence, Rise n Roll Bakery, www.risenrollbakery.com (cinnamon caramel doughnuts- enough said).