American Girl's 2016 Girl of the Year: Lea Clark

Enter to win Lea Clark, American Girl's 2016 Girl of the Year

If you have a young child in your life you've surely heard of American Girl dolls at some point. And if you've been reading my blog for a little bit over a few weeks - then you know I participated in a giveaway for the 2015 doll of the year in November/December for the holiday season. 

My friend Kate over at My Mommy Brain has coordinated these two giveaways with a good handful of bloggers and they're being hosted by us on our own. They're not sponsored by American Girl in any way - it's just us - putting our hard earned money in together to promote and host this event for our readers. 

So, let me introduce you to Lea Clark. The 2016 doll of the year!

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Incredibly Informative Paleo Cookbooks

If you've followed me for a while you're aware that I did a Whole30/45 program from September through October. I'm frustrated that I've fallen somewhat off of that so-called wagon and would love to get myself on a more Paleo-oriented track. To do so I'm keeping an eye on some great cookbooks and figured I'd share the ones I've found, purchased, etc. with all of you.

There will be affiliate links throughout this post - and if you use them you'll help me save money to buy the next cookbook that catches my eye - so thanks in advance.

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American Girl's 2015 Girl of the Year: Grace Thomas

Hey, everyone. I normally wouldn't post on a holiday, but I'm too excited and just have to get this info out to you all as early as possible. So - happy holidays - and keep reading ...

I'm so excited to share that this holiday season I'm participating in an American Girl doll giveaway with some fellow bloggers. Enter today and you could win your very own Grace Thomas to absolutely make the holidays of the young girl in your life. Look at her - isn't she pretty?

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Books You Need to Buy Today.

If you follow me on Facebook you know that I've been sharing some great Kindle deals pretty much whenever I find them. So, after stumbling across so many amazing books on sale I decided to create a blog post about them for more detail and easy access. Now - go forth and shop!

I've read this first batch of titles and I can say for certain that I recommend them.

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AMF Summer Steals!

#ad: I am participating in the One2One Network's ad campaign for AMF Unplugged/Summer Pass programs again this year. I'm not being compensated in any way but am eligible to receive a prize. Honestly, I love this freebie so much I figured why not volunteer? I share the info every year and if it helps SOMEONE on one extremely hot day this summer? Well ... that'll be worth it. Honest. It's freakin' hot out there!

It's summertime, and you know what that means, right? 

AMF's Summer Unplugged and Summer Pass programs are up and running again!

Summer Unplugged is their awesome program where kids bowl free daily until 8pm. 

Yes. DAILY. 

TWO games. EVERY SINGLE DAY. 

If your kids are like mine and like to do the same thing over and over and over again? This is even more awesome for you, seriously. 

Bowling for free. This summer. Every day. Two games. Bring the kids. Get your friends to bring their kids. Give the lil ones a ball and let 'em roll. Seriously. Do it. 

It's so easy to register, too. Just head on over to the Summer Unplugged info page and you'll find quick and simple step-by-step instructions. You register, you'll get email info and you're good to go. 

The program is already underway and runs through early September, so you'll be set through the whole summer and finish up right as school starts (for some) or shortly thereafter. 

And they've tweaked their program this year so you don't have to print out new coupons or emails every week. All you need to do is have your membership card on-hand and be ready to go! AND ...

Find that two games aren't enough for your crew? 

Spend an extra $1.49 and you're covered for another game. It's their Stay and Play option, and for a few extra bucks it might be worth it to beat the heat. 

AMF also has a great deal on summer passes for adults right now that covers the same timeframe as their Unplugged program!

Spend $34.95 and you're covering two games for yourself (as the pass owner) and THREE GUESTS (age 16+)! What? That's crazy!!! I might have to consider that for myself this season!

Not sure if there is an AMF location near you? Head on over to check out the AMF Centers info today and find out.

Reminder: I am participating in the One2One Network's ad campaign for AMF Unplugged/Summer Pass programs again this year. I'm not being compensated in any way but am eligible to receive a prize. I just like the program so much that I want to share the details. And I promise, it's worth it, even if you only use it once, what's it harm you to fill out the form and get this freebie? Nada. Nothing. No worries at all. So go on. Do it. And enjoy!

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Clean out your pockets, folks.

Whatcha' doin'?

I'm sitting here trying to come up with a post idea for tonight.

I had a million and one post ideas over the past week, and yet I wound up with nothing written, shared or said.

So here I am.

I will share a few random thoughts in the next few minutes and link up with Jana again as I try to do on most SUndays. Cause Jana rocks.

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So we went to the thrift store the other day just to look. It's a pretty big one that's local and we'd never been to. My husband was thinking maybe he would find a sports jacket or something like that - to use for dressing up a bit during the week or for work if he wanted. He'd not had good luck in looking so he figured why not, right? I took off with the kiddo and then my husband came back to where we were and ...

Pause, sorry. Texting with my brother and trying not to watch Ironman ... Robert Downey Jr, though? His voice is enough to distract me even without my looking at him. Ooops.

Anyway, not to leave you hanging, I asked the hubs what happened - did he find anything - and he said no. But then he said, yes. He had. But that he had found something in the pocket that turned him off from buying it.

I almost shrugged it off, but I kind of had to know.

A receipt, so to speak.

For what?

You might not want to know.

No, really. You probably don't.

I got the immediate heebie jeebies, and still do as I write about it here.

A receipt for a funeral. But not just a funeral. For moving or accepting a body.

WHAT?? WHAT THE WHAT??

Yeah. Thanks. That's what I was thinking, too.

Ha. Don' you find it freaky?

I know I did. I do. Still.

I told him I'd write about it. And so here I am.

So let's just say we left without buying anything.

But I definitely have a lot of stuff I could donate, because they seem to take everything there. Which is kind of cool, because I'm on a tear to clear the clutter. ANd I'm starting with ... wait for it ...

BOOKS!!

OMGAHHH! I KNOW!!!

My books are my babies! But a friend gave me some words of wisdom that I took to heart and I've already started some sorting.

Plus it was like 70-something degrees today and it was almos a spring cleaning feel. Almost. With a "t". And it felt like 80-something when I went for my run today. My couch to 5K adventure continues. And I am done with Week 2. Did Day 3 today and this week I start Week 3. Whoop! Whoop!

Anyway, that's that. Time to bring the dog and the kid up to bed. Sweet dreams, y'all!

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Totally Advertising for myself ...

But I promise if you check it out it'll be worth it. And if it's not, I'll never mention it again. Scouts honor. (Okay, that's cr@p, there's no way this Brooklyn girl was ever a scout. But my hubby is from Maine, and he went all the way through the Eagle Scouts, so that has to count for something, right? Maybe?)

So, most of you don't even know that I've started working. A while back I did a review of a website that two of my friends had started. It's an online consignment store for children's clothing, gear, maternity clothes, and other necessary items for being a mom or dad!

Anyway, as of January 1st, I became the third partner in the business!

It's really a great site, if I do say so myself, and we're constantly adding inventory to the pages. And I DO mean constantly ... I have the carpal tunnel to prove it! ;)

And the reason I'm posting is because we're running a huge Super Bowl Weekend Sale that started today and runs through Sunday. It's a 15% off discount when you enter in one of two codes: COLTS or SAINTS. The extra bonus is when you make your purchase, we document which code you use, and we're going to take all the names of those who used the code of the team that wins the game on Sunday and raffle off a $15 gift-card/code towards your next purchase.

So, if you're interested, check it out. If not, no sweat, I won't hurt you. If you know any moms or dads who are always interested in a sweet deal on kids' stuff, send them along and have them tell us you sent them. Even if you don't make a purchase, you'll earn $1 for each person you refer who does. That'll be good towards a future purchase, as well.
Can you tell we're hoping to really drum up business this weekend? We've already had a few sales today, but the inventory is taking over our worlds and we want YOU to take it off our hands, and it's a win-win all around.

** EDITING: BUSINESS IS NO LONGER IN EXISTENCE **

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Black Friday and Sweet Potatoes for Breakfast!

Anyone out there at 3AM last night? Was that an oxymoron? Not me. No way, no how. Even when I did go out shopping on Black Friday, I never left the house before 10. Seriously.

I used to love this day. Mostly because my mom and I got up somewhat early, but not nearly as early as these crazy shoppers nowadays. We would get ourselves ready and head to the mall. Any Brooklynites out there? Kings Plaza was our shopping haven. As a side-note, I used to work there when I was in High School. Maybe you saw me? But I digress.
So my mom and I used to do the majority of our holiday shopping on this day. We'd hit as many stores as we could, buy as much as we could carry, and sometimes had to go store the first stash in the trunk of her car in order to pick up more stuff.

The only thing I miss about the out and about Black Friday experience is that time with my mom. For the last few years of my living in NY I actually worked on BF. And so I would talk to my mom when I got to work. One year, without me, she was crazy enough to get out of the house at like 5AM. What? Who was this woman and what had they done with my mother?

Anyway, I wonder if she dragged my dad out anywhere this morning. This is actually his first year EVER home on BF. My dad lost his job before the summer, and unfortunately hasn't found a new one, and yet, fortunately, is "retired" now. But the whole point of that ramble is this was his first Thanksgiving not working, EVER. In my entire life, anyway, and then some, I'm sure. So it's certainly his first BF off. Pretty cool, isn't it? Actually, I'm kind of jealous. I think they're headed to my brother's today for a secondary T-day. We held this one year, and it was really nice. Wish I was there.

But, alas, here I am. I just ate the remainder of my Boston Market sweet potatoes for breakfast (with a few handfuls of stale Cinnamon Toast Crunch) and a few sips of sweet tea. Am I a Southern gal or what? (I kid! I kid!)

And my daughter, who woke up at 6 (AGAIN!) and wanted to come on down and 'eat something,' had a handful of popcorn for her first course, and is working on some mixed varieties of dry cereal for her second course. Although it appears that she's dropping some into her cup of water, but I'm so tired I'm actually okay with that. For now.

I have been doing some BF window shopping. Old Navy has some great deals online. $15 jeans (even for +size mamas like me!) and $5 fleece tops. And lots more, so that looks like it could work for holiday shopping for my nieces and nephew. Heck, maybe we'll even find stuff on there for the ILs? Now that would be a nice and easy shopping experience.

So, to those of you who head out into the real world, good luck. Although by now you're probably back in bed ... and for the rest of you, who are like me, pull that blanket up a little tighter and you'll be all set!

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Sales, Deals and Steals!

So I have been super thankful and all that comes with the holiday, and I am also thankful for so many blogging ladies who take the time to sum up some crazy sales and coupon codes for the rest of us slackers.

A few that I have found from friends, and some I have found out on my own:

* 25% off at CrissCrossKidsignment -- this is the website I told you about here. Yes, these two ladies are friends of mine, so I am slightly biased in that regard, but OMG, seriously, I just bought 9 items for $25!!! From Gymboree to The Children's Place, and some items are NWT (new with tags, for those who don't know the consignment lingo!) So, do yourself a favor, pass along this steal of a deal to friends and family. And use the coupon code: blackfriday to get yourself 25% off! Happy Shopping!

* $3 in credit for MP3s on Amazon.com. Click here to get the code and submit it. And to find out more about the $5 albums available for download for Black Friday week! (Thanks Mom Saves Money, for the tip!)

* Another saving from Mom Saves Money, you can get a FREE photobook from Photoworks. And not a cheapie one, either! Receive a FREE personalized 20 page cover-photo book (a $39.95 value.) Use code BONNIE at checkout. Make sure to order item #3157086 to qualify for the discount.

* Old Navy has an online coupon code that you have less than two hours to use. $10 off of $50. Code is: ONTENOFF. So hurry up and save some dough!

* Oriental Trading Company is giving away 5 $100 Gift Cards every day to the SAME PERSON! That means should you be lucky enough to win, you'd win $500 in gift cards to OTC. How much fun would that shopping be!?!

* If you like bags (and who doesn't?) and shoes, and deals, check out 6pm.com. On their homepage you can find a link to subscribe to their daily savings e-mails, and you'll find yourself receiving discounted links to sales on Rockport, Dansko, and so much more. I was shocked at the crazy prices. They had random shoes on sale for around $2!?! What on earth!?! How is that even possible?

So, I'm not the best of all the frugal bloggers out there, but that's a nice start, right? So, happy shopping!

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Big Girl Bed

We bought a toddler bed for my daughter today. Spent the evening rearranging her furniture, reorganizing her room, and setting things up just right. Her crib is still in there, and hubby had taken the side off of it, but she was leaving the room, so I told him we had to put it back on, because maybe she was not ready. He is in there with her now, and has been for a little while, so we'll see what happens. I have a feeling I'll be summoned soon, but I am more than happy to let him take this one.

I know she is going to test me, and I know I'M not ready, but someone was selling their bed, mattress, sheet set, mattress cover, and waterproof cover, along with some extra sheets, for a steal of a deal. So we bought it, brought it home, and tah dah! Big girl bed.

Wish us luck, though. 'Cause there is no way in heck I can imagine this child actually making it through the entire night in this bed tonight. Especially since last night she would have been up at 4, but I ignored her (yes, I did, and I'm proud) until she fell back and then she woke up after 5 and proceeded to scream for me til I caved. I went in, soothed her a bit and dropped her back in that crib so she could fall back to sleep. Now if this happens tonight there is no way I'm going to pop her back into the bed so she can easily escape. But, man, I'm so not ready for this!

Any tips of the trade from more experienced moms and dads out there? Fill me in!

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Moms Rock The Economy: Criss Cross Kidsignment

If you've checked out my sidebar lately then you've seen that I took the Moms Rock Pledge recently. I found out about this from Michelle and decided to follow her lead and take the Moms Rock Pledge. 

Anyway, in doing so I've decided to tell you all a little bit about the various *mom businesses* that I've either done business with, heard of from friends, or am really excited about buying from!

My first business is that of two very good friends of mine, so I'm a little bit biased here. These two moms have started their very own online consignment store, called Criss Cross Kidsignment. The basic gist of their site is that they do all the work for you (the consignor) and take in your items, price them, tag them, take pictures of them and then upload these to their site (pending your approval) for sale. And for you (the buyer) you can't ask for a better way to buy affordable, gently used items. Some of the stuff they have is brand new. With tags!

After your purchase they'll pack the stuff up and ship them out to you for a small fee. It's just like regular online shopping, but you're supporting a moms' business, AND you're making a purchase that helps another mom or two, or more, by buying their consigned items. It's totally worth a peek, and I encourage you to do so right away. They may even have that perfect holiday dress for your little girl, the perfect pair of shoes for your new baby, or the perfect Halloween costume [it's only a few weeks away, what are you waiting for?]

So go on, click your way over to Criss Cross Kidsignment, and feel free to tell them I sent you!

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Muffin Tin Monday! On a Tuesday!

So I was majorly slacking last week, and yesterday, and we are actually doing our MTM(T) today for breakfast.

I didn't go all out w. the circus theme, but figured I'd use these new bear tins I got with a nice Q at Michael's. I LOVE how they accept AC Moore Qs, along w. any other competitor. Excellent savings for the weeks when Michael's didn't put a Q in the paper.

Anyway, today (right now, in fact) she's having mini-pancakes in the teddy bear tins. And bears are circus animals, right? ;)

She seriously wanted to eat the bears. I am pretty sure she is playing with them right now, and the pancakes are back on their original plate. I should be filming this, as the bears appear to be communicating with one another.

Anyway, hope you all enjoyed your MTM, and thanks for letting me sneak in under the wire with a Tuesday post! For more on Muffin Tin Monday, check out Her Cup Overfloweth!

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How to save money on toiletries!

There are so many items that you probably already own that can be used for double duty, and then some! Here's my list of various things you can use for more than they're purchased for:

1. Toothpaste: Sure, it gets you those pearly whites, but toothpaste can also help get rid of those zits. I'm not kidding. It helps dry them up and in a day or so they're gone. It can also help stop the itch of bug bites, and if you don't mind smelling minty fresh is well worth the try.

2. Conditioner: A well-known solver of all hair problems, let's add shaving to the list. Conditioner and a decent disposable razor will get your legs soft, smooth and stubble-free!

3. A&D ointment/Aquaphor/Balmex (any of those clear diaper rash creams): Each of these can be used as lip balm, or a facial moisturizer when you have a cold and have blown your nose like 50x in the last hour, break out one of these babies and you're soothed beyond belief. They're also great for dry skin, cracked heels, and your baby's raw bottom!

4. Rosebud Salve: This is my personal favorite. For chapped lips, diaper rash, raw skin (from colds or winter weather) and bug bites. You can also use it as a cuticle cream, or a hand lotion, although it is a bit greasy for every day use. For under $6 you get this small, round container of the best stuff on earth. I promise you'll be happy if you buy this for yourself.

5. Baby wipes: Nothing better for nearly everything you need. I use baby wipes for my "baby," obviously, but also for my dog, cats, counters, floors (hardwoods or tile!) ... I use them for my bathtub and shower, for my sinks and to clean the surfaces of my washer/dryer, and have even pulled them out to remove window smudges. Oh, and they also work on several kinds of stains. Not as good as a Shout travel pad or a Tide stick, but hey, in a pinch, go for it! They might not be the cheapest thing, but in a baby wipe will never steer you wrong. I pretty much can only vouch for Huggies' wipes for these various uses, and yes, they are kind of pricey, but start clipping those coupons and you'll find some great deals out there.

So there you have it, my Top 5 toiletry items. Hope you find some of this information new for you, and maybe it'll save you a few pennies!

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