Fathers Day! TCBY or Duncan Donuts

A few companies are giving away treats to dads on Fathers Day. Duncan Donuts is giving away a free Latte on Sunday. If your dad isn't a coffee drinker (like mine) you can go to the nearest TCBY for a cup or cone of ice cream for FREE.

Maybe even, pick up a cup of coffee from Duncan Donuts before church that day. Then after your special lunch or dinner stop for desert at TCBY. Sounds like a SWEET plan.

Remember to check your locations! Call First!

Bargains

By now, most of you know that I love a bargain. I really love nice things but I always try to get the best value for the money I spend. On this blog, I try to share with you all of the bargains I find and the products I like. I love when my friends give me a tip on a sale. I have one friend who always calls me with deals on things she finds while she is shopping and I do the same. I have a great story for you today.

When I found out I was pregnant, I was so overwhelmed because I had already purged all my baby gear. Also, the economy and the music business has not been a friend to us and things were very very tight. My sweet sister-in-law threw a beautiful shower for me and my friends were so gracious and actually bought many of the items I needed. (THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!) There was one thing on my registry (a mobile) that I really did not NEED, I just wanted it because it matched the entire theme of the room and the bedding. The cost of that item was $49 and I wasn't about to buy it at that price. SO.....I waited and waited for it to go on sale. After the bay was born we went to the store and the entire line of bedding and the mobile were discontinued. I was shocked! It hadn't been out that long. Sadly, I resigned myself that the mobile was gone forever.

Last month, I was walking through Ross Dress For Less shopping. I never go to the very back of the store like I did on this day. On a shelf....all alone...was a generic box with a mobile in it. I couldn't see it well so I took it up front to the cashier and asked if she could open the box and let me see it. When she did, I could not believe it! It was the name brand mobile I wanted for $6.99, not $49. WOW! What a bargain, and now my nursery was complete! I appreciate it so much more now.

The principal of this event is not only the bargain I found and completing a nursery, but for me a much bigger idea. I know a silly little mobile is such a small thing but I am always trying to learn. How many times have I given into my immediate desires and regretted it? How often have I jumped at an opportunity and realized if I had waited I would not have made a big mistake. Better yet, how often haven't I trusted that God really cares about every aspect of my life, and I hold things back from his control. Big ideas, that came from my little bargain. I waited, lost the opportunity(I thought), and then after I let it go, there it was. Do I need to let go of more in my life? The answer is yes. How about you? What do you think?

Elijah Ryken loves his little mobile and as I turn the music on and it turns round-n-round, I remember what a bargain it truly is. A reminder lesson without a huge price tag.

Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer

The lipstick I am using everyday is this awesome Burt's Bee's Lip Shimmer. This fun all natural lip tint was my alternative to all the chemical ridden lipsticks while I was pregnant. As it turns out, I really love them so I will continue to use it. My favorite is the Nutmeg with Radiance over it. Here is a blurb from Burt's Bees:

A kiss of color and pearlized shine perk up our world famous 100% natural lip balm, while natural ingredients like vitamin E and coconut and sunflower oils moisturize and soothe your lips. Choose from 11 yummy, all natural shades: Champagne, Raisin, Merlot, Rhubarb, Watermelon, Nutmeg, Fig, Cocoa, Toffee, Guava and Papaya

Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer
Natural and beautiful! I just love that.

Old Navy $1 Flip Flops

Hey shopping friends! Thanks to the Deal Seeking Mom we won't miss the deal of the week. It looks like, Old Navy Solid Colored Flip Flops will be $1 on Saturday May 23 only, while supplies last. Head out early to get yours. I usually wear these all summer long. I am going to have to drag the entire family out this Saturday, Marty will be singing in Orlando. All you Floridians stop by Celebrate Church and say hi to him. Also, tell him you saw me at Old Navy.

Popchips

I love potato chips and they love me. The challenge has been to find a good tasting low fat, natural chip. I am always trying to watch what I eat and loose a few pounds. Finally, I've found the answer to my potato chip addiction. Popchips!!! Yum, I love these. These chips are not baked or fried they are put under pressure and popped. They have several flavors and none of the bad stuff. No trans fat, saturated fat, cholesterol or preservatives. They are only 4 grams of fat per serving(22 chips). Most of the lower fat chip items range from 7 to 9 grams of fat. Here is what they say on the Popchip website:

We don't fry it (unhealthy). We don't bake it (undelicious). We take the finest ingredients, like wholesome potatoes, apply heat and pressure, and pop! It's a chip. Then we use an artful blend of natural seasonings for a snack so tasty, crispy and dip-able, you won't even notice it's (we hesitate to say) healthier.

Healthy and good tasting, they mix with your favorite sandwich or as a quick snack that won't blow your diet. I found them at Kroger here in Franklin, but I understand Target is carrying them too. Follow the link above and type in your zipcode for the stores in your area. My favorite so far is the Salt and pepper. Memorial Day is this weekend, so maybe you could give these a try instead of the fried chips. Get poppin my friends, you can do the taste test and let me know what you think!

Designer Clothes Guilt

Ok......I love nice clothes but I rarely buy anything expensive. If I do, it has to be a good deal. I spend most of my time at the Walmart or Target but, my favorite place to shop is in New York City. Today, I can hardly make it to the mall with the new little man in my life. The alternative is to stay home and shop from the couch. I have found another website that is pretty cool. The clothes are high end and name brand, at a great price. It is like a TJ Maxx for the luxury brand. You must become a member but the membership is free. The name of the site is Gilt Group. Yes, you may feel a little guilty when you shop there but they do have affordable lines too. I bought a pair of Hunter boots for $58. The retail is about $140. Check them out. As always, please tell them I invited you, and they will give me a $25 credit. Then you can pay it forward and get your $25 from the people you invite. Have fun friends!!!! Let me know the deals you get.
Sheri

What's all the Hoopla?

Where have I been? In baby land. While there, I am always looking for a deal. I have found a great website that shows you valuable coupons and gives you cash back. If you are making purchases online you need to look at this site. It is called Hoopla Doopla. You can visit hundreds of stores and if you make a purchase they will give you cash back. I am currently stacking up my pile of money and every little bit helps. Save money and earn money! Check them out and let me know what you think.

Diapers, Diapers, Diapers

On January 5th, we welcomed our precious little Elijah Ryken to the world. His entry into this world was a complete miracle, (I will write a whole post on that later)because we almost lost him at birth. Since then, we are getting adjusted to diaper duty all over again, after almost 11 years. When my oldest son was a baby he had problems with diaper rash all the time, no matter how often we changed him. We used every balm made, and we even made some. NOTHING worked!!! Since then we now realize there is chlorine, and other harsh ingredients in most of the diapers on the market. I believe that was our problem. Now, I have found Seventh Generation diapers, and so far we have had no reactions. They are environmentally friendly and no Chlorine. These diapers are more expensive than the other brands, and only found in certain stores. So, I went on a hunt. I soon found an incredible website, that has the diapers and many other items I love. It is my favorite site, and the customer service is fantastic. Now I order online, and they send the diapers, milk or any other items to your door. No more carrying those heavy items (baby in towe) home. Diapers.com is the best. I order most of the babie's supplies can from them.

If you want to place an order use the code SMSAVEBIG in the promotional code area at check out, and they will give you $10 off your first order. If you spend over $49 it will be shipped free. Did I mention, that you don't pay tax!!!!!! WOW. Now I save gas, save the environment, save money and the baby doesn't have diaper rash! I just love a good deal. So, check them out here.