28 August 2010

Thrift Store Finds

I am a HUGE fan of shopping thrift stores, not only is the hunt for great and unique items invigorating, but the prices are unbeatable and the money you spend goes to a good cause!

Recently I made a trip to my favorite thrift store in our area which benefits the local women's shelter! I make sure to always go on Thursday's because every Thursday is half price on women's clothing which equals REALLY great deals! Here is what I picked up this week:


I brought home two skirts, one j.crew, the other Gap (which still had the tags on it, originally $58), two pairs of pants, one Express (tags still attached, originally $88) and the other pair from The Limited - each of these items were priced at $3.50 each. I also picked up a button down dress shirt from Express, a sweater vest from Banana Republic, the striped sweater pictured (no brand name) and a new to me belt - each of the tops were $3 a piece and the belt was $2. I tossed in a few pieces of cute jewelry I spotted and my total came to $28!!!

Interested in finding a thrift store in your area? Try this site http://www.thethriftshopper.com/. Although this site does not have all stores out there (many in my areas were not listed) it is a great place to start! Also consider searching under "thrift stores or consignment" in your local yellow pages!

Canning Tomatoes

I had every intention of posting this yesterday, but by the time I was done I was completely unable to type or do much of anything else really...I'll explain...

I shared the other day that we made a great harvest from our garden.

Problem was our tomatoes were so ripe they were beginning to split and weren't going to last very long so I decided to can them rather than let them go bad.

So Friday morning I headed over to my parents house to borrow my mom's canning pot (I didn't have any what were deep enough). I also grabbed a few books on the how-to's of canning since I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into. So I set up shop in the kitchen and got to work...
I washed and prepped all my pots, jars, lids and utensils!


I blanched all my tomatoes so they would be easier to peel - easy enough.

Here is pic of all my tomatoes peeled, cored, and quartered!


And this is the messy after math of chopping tomatoes (I had even already started to clean up when I snapped this shot) - who knew this was such as messy process? WOW!


I got to cooking up all my tomatoes - there were two batches, one of just plain tomatoes and I also tried my hand at salsa - which turned out to be one of the most painful experiences of my life thanks to jalapenos! You see, as my lengthy clean up process began, my hands began to burn slightly (nothing new I had handled jalapenos before) so I thoroughly washed my hands with luke warm very soapy water. They felt better but began feeling very dry so I put on some lotion. Shortly thereafter the fires of hell began to rip through my fingers! I finished canning and cleaning up and stuck my hands into a bath of ice cold water which made them feel 100% better. The problem was, every time I removed them from the water they began to burn again. So I turned to my trusty laptop and googled ways to stop the burning. MILK - everywhere I looked said turn to milk, so I did. It helped too, but again when I would take my hands out of the milk bath and dry them the burning ensued. So the bf suggested aloe. Tried that too - helped for a while - actually better than the others but still no cure. "Fight Club" happened to be playing on the TV and as I watched them neutralize chemical burns with vinegar I decided to give that a go too, it could only help! No luck though - actually I think it made it worse because my hands were still burning like mad and now everything smelled of vinegar! I quickly found that the more I kept myself moving and the busier I was the less they hurt - or at least the less I noticed it, so busy I became. I unclogged the bathtub drain, cleaned the bathroom spotless, did laundry, cleaned the bedroom, groomed some plants on the balcony, made dinner, prepared my shopping list and so on and so on - then suddenly after HOURS of horrific pain they just up and stopped burning. Well, lesson learned, when handling jalapenos ALWAYS wear gloves!



And finally my final product! It was all worth it - I feel like my first canning experience was a success and thankfully all the jars sealed properly - but I was surprised that all those tomatoes cooked down to so few jars.

27 August 2010

Free Popcorn at Regal Cinemas

“Like” Regal Cinemas on Facebook and you can print a coupon for a FREE small popcorn valid Friday- Sunday (8/27-8/29).

Regal usually provides a new coupon each weekend which definitely helps cut back on the outrageous cost of movie going these days!

Free All Bran Promise Pack





Sign up for a FREE All Bran Promise Pack HERE.







Thanks, ForTheMommas!

Mega Swagbucks Day!

Its Friday and which means Mega SwagBucks Day! That means you'll be rewarded in higher increments today. If you haven't signed up yet go here to sign up!

Also, after you sign up go to the daily poll under "ways to earn" tab and win 1 swagbuck for each day you give your opinion.

26 August 2010

B1G1 Home Depot Garden Coupon


Are you a member of the Home Depot Garden Club? If so, check you inbox for a B1G1 free Spring-Blooming bulbs printable coupon! I always take advantage of these to score great deals for the garden.

If you're not a member yet, coupons like this come out frequently so sign up here! It doesn't cost anything to join in on the savings!

FREE sample of Oxy Clinical

MORE FREEBIES!!



Enter promo code WOMANSDAY on the form.
This sample should include:

■Oxy Clinical Treatment
■Oxy Clinical Hydrating Therapy
■Oxy Clinical Advanced Face Wash



Thanks, DealSeekingMom!

Upromise is now available at Rite Aid


This is great news! Upromise is a wonderful program to help you save money for college and I'm glad to see that Rite Aid has joined the Upromise group. For more information on Rite Aid's addition and Upromise hop over HERE to ForTheMommas.


Thanks, ForTheMommas!

$2/1 Ballpark Coupon on Facebook



Ballpark is giving away $2/1 coupons! 
Go HERE "Like" them on their facebook page and they'll email you a $2/1 coupon - this is high value coupon and this offer won't last to go ahead and print now! 

What I want now...

This may very well be some of the coolest art work I have seen in a while...


I want this hanging in my apartment!

To see more of these jaw dropping sculptures and read about artist Dalton Ghetti head over to the ModCloth blog HERE. Just amazing!

Don't Forget: Gap's 'Give and Get Program' equals 30% off Printable Coupon

Print one of the coupons below and starting today August 26th-29th get 30% off at Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Banana Republic Factory Store, and Gap Outlet in-store. When you use these coupons 5% of your purchase will go to charity!


This year Gap partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Feeding America, Teach for America, Big Brothers Big Sisters and World Wildlife Fund. Choose from one of the following coupons below:

Give to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Give to Big Brothers Big Sisters

Give to World Wildlife Fund

Give to Teach for America

Give to Feeding America

25 August 2010

Harvests From My Garden

After finishing today Rite Aid trip I hurried home to drop off my bags, change into yard-work clothes and headed over to meet the bf at the garden (a garden that we planted at my bf's parents house - which is conveniently down the street)!

Here is what we harvested today:















We brought home more tomatoes than I'm sure what to do with (i'm sure you'll be hearing about my canning attempts later this week), loads of cherry and yellow pear tomatoes, cucumbers, string beans, hot peppers, and lima beans!!! I washed and dried all the veggies while getting tonights dinner together (which was a quicky breakfast for dinner - always a favorite!).

After we finished dinner I got to work shelling lima beans and here is what I ended up with:



















They look so yummy and beautiful, I couldn't help but eat a few raw and boy they are tasty! I'm planning on mixing them up with some of the corn we harvested earlier this month (before the squirrels all decided to help themselves to my garden like its their own all you can eat buffet, grr!) and create some yummy in my tummy succotash!

So all in all I'm feeling pretty good about my harvest today, as well as my rite aid deals I scored - Oh and I also found this surprise in the mail today....


Full size freebie of Gain dish soap that I signed up for maybe two weeks ago. I'd be lying if I said this one didn't get me really excited!

A good day - but now that my veggies are cleaned and preped and my purchases are put away I'm ready for a good night sleep!

Rite Aid Trip

Boy did I have one busy afternoon! After work today I headed on over to Rite Aid to take advantage of this weeks deals. I was excited about picking up more mouthwash and feminine body wash since were down to our last bottle of both.

Here's what I came home with today:















4 x Royal Jello @ $1/4, get back $1 UPR
1 x Stopain Roll-on Pain Reliever @ $6.99, get back $6.99 SCR
1 x Cramp911 @ $6.99, get back $6.99 SCR
1 x Ace Cold Compress @ $1.29, used $1/1 coupon
1 x 3D White Crest Toothpaste @ $2.99, used $1/1 coupon and get back $2 SCR
1 x Tone Body wash @ $2.99, used $1/1 coupon and get back $2 SCR
1 x Listerine Zero Mouthwash @ $3.99, used $2/1 coupon, $1/1 rite aid coupon, and get back $2 UPR
*Also used $5/$25 purchase coupon

Total before discounts and coupons = $25.23
Total after coupons = $15.24 out of pocket
Reimbursed $17.98 in rebates and received $3 UPR
Grand Total = $5.74 Money Maker!

After I finished my shopping I headed home dropped off my bags, changed into yard-work clothes and headed over to the garden!

P&G Rebate - $110 Worth of Coupons


I'm very excited about this rebate. Starting Sept. 1st purchase $50 worth of P&G products and receive $110 worth of coupons via rebate. Go here to read all the details and print the rebate form. This will be an easy one to fulfill. Although $50 of P&G products seems like a lot, the rebate is valid on purchases between 9/1 - 12/31/10 and we are bound to find great deals on these products in that time frame to meet the $50 requirements!

Free Issue of Bridal Guide

Sign up HERE for a FREE issue of Bridal Guide. No strings attached - You will not be required to enter credit card info, as this subscription cost is being paid for by a third company. You will never receive a bill!

FREE sample of U by Kotex


Perdue $1 off Coupon

This coupon came just in time - I was saying last night that we haven't had chicken in ages and I was going to buy it this week on sale or not!

Head over to Perdue's facebook page to print a $1/1 Perdue Chicken Coupon. There is a link to the coupon on their wall. This coupon is run by bricks, so remember to use your browser back button and you can print it twice!


Thanks, ForTheMommas!


24 August 2010

Aveeno Nourish Sample



Sign up HERE for a FREE sample of Aveeno Nourish or a $1.50 off downloadable coupon.

Scotties Family Field Trip Sweepstakes!


Go HERE to enter for a chance to WIN a $10,000 family field trip to: Orlando Florida, Washington D.C. or The Grand Canyon! You can enter once per day for a chance to win until Sept.30th.


Restaurant.com | $2 for $25 Restaurant Gift Certificates


Go HERE and use Promo Code CLEARANCE at Checkout and Hit "Apply". This is a great way to enjoy dining out without having to empty your wallet!

23 August 2010

I love freebies!

Look what I found in the mailbox today...


This will be perfect for tossing into tomorrows lunch and our freebie was even accompanied by a $1 off coupon!

This sample seems to still be available, go HERE to sign up and grab yours!

My Staples Stop

I had a few coupons that I wanted to match up with some of the deals available at Staples this week so I met up with my Mom and the deal hunting began - which was pretty crazy given the school district in our area starts school this week so Staples was mobbed!

Here's what I walked away with today:

1 x 2inch binder @ $10.99
2 x 1/2inch binders @ $.50each
2 x pencil boxes (love these, keeps everything so organized!) @ $.50each
1 x 24ct Binder clips @ $1
2 x 5ct assorted Bic highlighters @ $.50each

I used:
$1/2 Bic Stationary products coupon (making the highlighters FREE)
I had a FREE 2inch Staples binder coupon that I got in the mail with my last rebate
I also had $3 in Staples cash from recycling our last ink cartridge

My total = FREE for everything!
Hooked my Mom up with some coupons too! She also scored some good deals!

What I want now...


I found this sundress on lostandfoundshop.com and I'm in love! It's way out of my price range, but I'm keeping the pic for inspiration. The detail on the neck line is so intriguing!! Go HERE to see the full view and HERE to check out other styles from lostandfoundshop.com.

Rite Aid Deals Week of 8/22


Here's a list of the Rite Aid deals I'm looking forward to this week (lots of freebies!):

Crest 3D White Vivid toothpaste 5.8oz. $2.99 - $2.00 SCR
use $1/1 from the 8/1 PG insert
final price = FREE

Kerasal Food Ointment 30grams $6.99 - $6.00 SCR
use $2/1 from June issue of Woman's Day or $1/1 printable
final price = FREE or $1 money maker

Listerine Mouthwash 500ml. $3.99 - $2 UPreward
use $2/1 printable on Listerine Zero
final price = FREE

Salonpas Pain Relief Patch $5.49
Get $5.49 SCR
final price = FREE

Cramp 911 $6.99
Get $6.99 SCR
final price = FREE

ArthArrest Topical Analgestic Lotion $14.99
Get $14.99 SCR
final price = FREE

Stopon Pain Reliever $6.99
Get $6.99 SCR, submit $2.00 Mail In Rebate
final price = $2 money maker after mail in rebate

Backaid $3.49
Get $3.49 SCR
final price = FREE

Tone Body Wash $2.99 each
Get $2.00 SCR
use $1.00/1 printable
final price = FREE

CVS Deals Week of 8/22


I personally felt like the deals at CVS were not so great this week...so I think I'll be taking the week off from CVS. However here are two deals this week that I do like:

Crest Pro-Health Clinical Gum Protection $3.49
Get $2.50 ECB (limit 2)
use $1/1 from the 8/1 PG insert
as low as FREE each after ECB

Blink Gel Tears $7.99

Get $7.99 ECB (limit 1)
use $1/1 Blink Tears or Gel Tears Eye Drops, exp. 9-30 (RP 8/15/10)
or use $1/1 Blink Tears Lubricating Eye Drops printable
as low as FREE after coupon and ECB plus $1 money maker

Target Coupons

Yesterday's smartsource insert had a few Target coupons which you can pair up with manufacturer coupons to score some freebies and/or almost free deals at Target.



Target carries Skintimate or Edge Shave Gel for $1.97each.

use $1.00/1 Target Coupons above paired with $1.00/1 or $0.75/1 Skintimate Shave Cream or Gel, exp. 9-18 (from 08/01/10 smartsource) or $1.00/1 or $0.75/1 Edge Shave Gel, exp. 9-18-10 (from 08/01/10 smartsource)

Makes these products as low as free after coupon!

22 August 2010

Free Bic Highlighters at Staples



Staples has Bic Highlighters on sale this week for $.50 a pack. Score two 5 count packs for free by using this coupon:
$1/2 BIC Stationery Product printable (under office supplies)

Goodie Bags

Upon putting away the items from Thursday's shopping trip I came to realize that my toiletries stock pile was getting out of control. Really - I have tubs that I keep all the toiletries in and the lids would no longer close. So rather than buy another tub (which I definitely dont have room for) I decided to put together a goodie bag for an adorable couple that I know will appreciate the freebies - my big brother and his girlfriend who both happened to come down this weekend from NYC for a family cookout at our grandparents house! Here's what they got:


I figure small bundles of goodies will keep them coming back to visit me! hehe!