Come On, Get Smell Happy

I'm one of those people who is very sensitive to smells, and just a slight whiff can send me reeling back in time - whether happy or sad.

But I much prefer the happy, so when I find a new scent that tickles my fancy I love to fill my home with it. From candles to scent sticks to padded hangers, I'm surrounded with fragrances that really uplift my mood.

So when you're feeling down in the dumps, think back to a happy time and the scents you associate with it. Then grab a few products with that scent and watch your blues magically disappear!

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Handbags! Satchels! Clutches! I Want Them All!

I racked up quite a few gift cards during the holidays and what's the first thing I thing I think about buying?

Purses!

I know, I know. It's insanity, but I just love them.

And I know I'm not the only one.

I mean, really, who can resist prada handbags? They're just so stylish!

Or how about the stylish AND functional Rebecca minkoff handbags? I'm especially partial to the black "hobo" style! Talking about holding all my "stuff"!

But I love the Camille satchel style in marc Jacobs handbags. So classy and well designed.

Oh my, oh my! With so many selections, how is a girl to choose?

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Where to Find the Best Free Stuff Online

It's no secret that I love just about anything that's FREE. Whether it's free samples, coupons for free products, free trial periods, or what, I'm always game.

Now there's a great new place to find tons of new freebies. Visitors to FreeCatcher.com will find coupons for free groceries, free beauty product samples, awesome rewards programs, and much more!

Just on the first couple of pages alone, I was able to snag a coupon for free Yoplait yogurt, got the scoop on how to get free tickets for the kiddos to Six Flags (which we LOVE!), a sample of the new Bounce washing machine cleaner, and information on how to get a free gift certificate from Restaurants.com. 

My favorite part, was that there were plenty of free samples without surveys  which, as I'm sure you've come to know, is hard to find these days.   Seems like everywhere you turn, somebody is wanting you to complete this "short" survey for a "free" sample.  (Give me a break!  I could buy the full size product for less than what my time is worth to get your "freebie.")

Whether you're looking for free stuff online, by mail, trial offers, or rewards programs, FreeCatcher.com is the place to visit.

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Find New Recipes at Be The Cook

It seems like the dinner menu at our house is the same thing over and over...and over, and over. From what I hear, though, my house isn't the only one to experience these meal ruts.

So I'm always on the lookout for new Cooking Recipes to shake up our dinner meals.

Be The Cook is a great site to find great new recipes.  Instead of having to constantly look at a book, I can follow along by video - which works so much better for me!

Over the holidays, one of the recipes I used was on how to make your own Ginger Bread - a favorite holiday treat!

Okay, okay...I know, I was discussing dinner recipes then switched to a desert recipe.

Oh well, maybe it's all the focus on sweets that puts us in a dinnertime rut!? :)

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Remembering My Grandmas and Their Holiday Treats

My maternal grandmother, who I affectionately referred to as "Ma," always made tons of candy at the holidays - peanut butter balls, Martha Washington balls, dream bars, peanut brittle, and fudge.

While she baked and canned year round, she particularly enjoyed candy-making during the holidays; always making sure her children and 23 grandchildren, and great-grandchildren had plenty of goodies between Thanksgiving and New Years.

My paternal grandmother, on the other hand, while a great cook - preparing a large Sunday feast each week for us to enjoy after church - never did much candy-making.  But what I do remember, however, is that during the holidays she always had a never-ending supply of orange slice candy. 

The other day as I was out shopping, I came across large packages of "homemade" candy and couldn't help but to think of my grandmothers and how they spoiled me on sweet treats during the holidays.

So I a grabbed a couple of packages to enjoy.  While these goodies were absolutely wonderful, I just don't think they can compare to what my grandmother's had. 

Which is odd, considering that my Grandma didn't make the orange slices.

It must that secret ingredient of Love.  Whether it's baked in or bought with, either way it just seems to make sweets that much sweeter.

Wouldn't you agree? ;)

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SaleCamel.com is giving away $100 in Amazon Gift Cards every Monday!

Salecamel.com isn't just a place to find the best deals on some of the hottest items, it's now where you can win an Amazon gift card on Mondays!

Just visit Salecamel.com's Deal of the Day for details on how to enter.

It's fast, easy, and no purchase necessary!

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How To Create Bouncy Curls with a Hair Straightener

Not only was I blessed with a daughter after having three boys, but I was blessed with a daughter who has so much hair that I'm pretty sure some people thought I had a baby wig on her.

And fortunately she enjoys letting Mom play with it. Ponytails, braids, dog ears, curling, straightening - we've done it all!

One day I was talking with my cousin, a beautician, and she gave me a VERY helpful tip on hair styling.

You know those big bouncy curls you see celebrities wearing - like the adorable Taylor Swift (right photo)?

Did you know you can create those with a flat iron straightener?  I didn't!

And it's actually very simple, here's how:

1. Heat up the straightener.  (Need one?  Check ghd for comparison pricing on some great models)
2. If you prefer smaller, tighter curls, gather a small strand in fingers; for larger, looser curls, gather bigger strands.
3. Press strand between plates and run down length of strand, leaving about an inch at end.
4. Wrap end piece around iron.  Close plates (clamp) and roll upwards to roots.
5. Hold for approximately 30 seconds.
6. While opening plates, pull iron gently downwards allowing hair to slide from grip.
7. Repeat with each strand.

Didn't turn out perfect on the first try?  No problem, just allow hair to cool down for a few seconds and try again.  (And here's another handy tip for those with hair that hates to hold curl:  before starting, run a small amount of style gel through hair.)

It's so simple!  And although I can't explain it, the curls are much more durable and prettier than curls created with a curling iron.

We've had a lot of fun using this easy trick.  It's great for adding a little body to straight hair or, as is the case with my daughter's hair, giving "umph" to naturally wavy hair.

Give it a try and let me know how it works for you!

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Colic Calm Homeopathic Medicine is THE Relief for a Colicky Baby

Being a new mother is hard enough, but when your baby is colicky it feels impossible.

It doesn't have to be, however. 

Not available when my oldest two children were born, gripe water for colic is something that I made note was available when my youngest two were born.

Safe and 100% natural, Colic Calm is free of alcohol, sugar, simethicone, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), herbal oils and extracts, wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, and animal products - all products that can be harmful (and painful) to a young baby's developing system.   And it also means there will be NO side effects!

Suffering from colic doesn't have to be miserable for baby and parents as it was two decades ago thanks to an the appropriately named "gripe water."

To see the wonderful advantages of Colic Calm, watch an Amazing Colic Video at the Colic Calm website.

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American Residential Law Group Can Help Reduce Your Monthly Mortgage Payment

I know as we head into the holiday season that there's plenty of people who are still struggling with their mortgages while we weather this economic storm.

If you are facing forclosure, please visit American Residential Law Group for information on how you may be able to stop foreclosure and reduce your monthly payment.

Homeowners who can't refinance with your lender because the value of your home has fallen below the amount of the mortgage also qualify for this free service offered by The Fair Home Loan Bureau.

Relieve yourself of one more stress this holiday season by reducing your monthly debt with help from FHLB.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of American Residential Law Group.

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What are the Absolutely Necessities for Bringing Home Your Newborn?

I was having a discussion the other day with someone about the minimum things needed for baby. And I thought it would make an excellent blog post.

Once you're ready to head home with your new baby, there's actually very little you need. As a mother of four, I've done this many times and here are the things I could absolutely not live without upon our arrival home:   

• Diapers (whether cloth or disposable)
• Week's worth of formula (non-issue if you plan to exclusively breastfeed)
• Minimum of 5 outfits
• Baby Cribs or Bassinet
• Blankets
• Mylicon drops
• Alcohol and cotton balls (for the umbilical cord)

While it's nice to have more than this, it's not necessary and this list will get you started.

Good luck and happy parenting! :)

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The Christmas Dress Dilemma: Which One Would You Choose?

I've been on a search for a while now for the perfect little outfit to have Princess A's Christmas photos taken in.  (And this is where I have admit that being the fourth child, she doesn't get nearly as many photos as the first but she gets special photos like this)

I had a look in mind, just wasn't sure what exactly I wanted.

Then while browsing the shops with coupon codes at www.savings.com, I happened up this adorable little outfit at Macy's.

I fell in love with the tiny overcoat, the short sleeve pleated dress, and matching beret-style hat.  It's cute yet still sophisticated.  Exactly what I wanted!

Cute is a big seller for me, but being marked down from $68 to $47 is even BIGGER!

But then I really love the Bonnie Baby santa dress I found at Macy's too!  It doesn't necessarily have that air of formality that my first pick does, but what else screams "Christmas!" like a red velvet dress lined with white faux fur?

Better yet - the price is only $29.40, marked down from $42.

AND -

I'll be able to use the great coupon codes at Savings.com to save even more! Since Macy's has so many of them there, I'll definitely want to pick from one of these two.

Oh boy, choices choices!  So help me out - which one do you think I should pick?  And why?

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Have You Paid Attention to the Yaz Birth Control Pill Side Effects?

Have you ever paid attention to the Yaz birth control commercials? You know, the ones where the group of women are sitting around chatting about their birth control?

Okay, so now that you know which one I'm talking about, have you ever paid close attention to the side effects?

Less serious side effects include freckles or darkening of facial skin, increased hair growth, or loss of scalp hair;changes in weight or appetite, swelling of your hands or feet; and vaginal itching or discharge.

If that wasn't bad enough, the website for a yaz attorney taking part in the class action lawsuits against the manufacturers of this drug provides information on the more serious side effects that include sudden numbness or weakness, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, speech, or balance; chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; a change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches; and stomach pain, loss of appetite, jaundice.

These symtoms often lead to a diagnosis of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack along with gall bladder disease and pancreatitis.

Then you have the last, but most definitely not least: SUDDEN DEATH.

Terrifying! If you take Yaz birth control and experience any of these symptoms, you should visit your doctor right away.

Unless, of course, it's the last, most final symptom and then you can't but which, frankly, is enough to keep me taking them anyway.

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Spare Tire? You Want to Try the HCG Diet

A friend and I were having a discussion today about our weight loss efforts.  During this conversation she told me about some homeopathic treatment for helping to lose weight around the middle.

Since that is the only area where I need to lose weight (fortunately), I went in search of this weight loss method that sounded perfect for me.

I found what I was looking for:  HCG,a natural hormone/protein substance that helps burn off unneeded excess fat on your thighs, hips, belly, and upper arms and changes the way you eat. The HCG method consists of a very low calorie diet combined with six drops of HCG under the tongue, six times each day.

Simple and safe.

And it's the same treatment many people are taking by injection. Ugh! This works just as well, isn't anywhere near as expensive, and doesn't hurt.

I'm going to give the HCG Diet a try. I'll let you know how it works. (Or if you've already tried it, I'd like to hear your feedback!)

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A Busy Week Put Our Extreme Home Makeover On Hold

Normally I would updating about our extreme home makeover project.  But a very hectic past few days has kept us from getting anything done.

Well, honestly, I guess I shouldn't say "we" as it was Brian who didn't have much time to get stuff done.  As for me, when I had some spare time I was still cruising around the internet looking for the small things that I want to add or replace in this process.

Just a couple more door replacements and the trim work and we'll be ready to build the wall dividing the living room and kitchen.  And while we'll finish the living room before starting work on the kitchen, I've already taken some time to check out new cabinet knobs and drawer handles for when we get to that part.

I think I have settled on some. I found the distressed brass with a white ceramic insert. I think these would look great with my oak cabinets.

The part, however, is that the place where I found them lets you do sample orders.   I can pick 4 other knobs that I like and they'll ship them to me for a minimal fee. 

I can then try them out and make sure I like them and they'll refund half of the fee I paid for the samples - and I don't to fool with sending the samples back.  

Sure, I know I could do something similar with the home improvement stores; buy what I think I like and then return it when I don't, but they just have the same selection as this place and it's a lot less hassle.

Well, anyway, maybe next week I'll have a HUGE update on our home improvement project.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

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If Bad Things Come In Threes, I've Met My Quota - Right?

This has to have been the longest day of my life. I swear. And I'm glad it's at least half over.

Yesterday I had to have the crank sensor replaced in my Dodge minivan. And thanks to Dodge's wonderful design, the mechanic had to "feel" his way to replacing it.

Once it was replaced, it still had trouble starting. It would, after three or four tries. Then it was still throwing errors. Why? Because the new crank sensor didn't recognize the start cylinder. Fortunately that's just a matter of one computer telling another what to do. And, thank goodness, our mechanic is a neighbor and friend so we don't even have to take it in to the shop.

But as I'm driving to school this morning, the oil light comes. Oh joy! When I first started driving, my father drilled it into my head that if the oil light comes on, you check it....NOW!

So I do. Or try to. Unfortunately this is when I realized that I'm going to have to break down and buy myself a pair of cheap reading glasses. (To invest more money would mean I have to admit I have a problem, and I'm not there yet) I kept having to hold the stick out, bring it in, hold it out - you get the picture, trying to see if where the oil was on the stick. I finally remembered my Daddy telling me if you see any on the stick, you've got about two quarts - enough to get somewhere.

I'm still driving around on that theory, waiting for my husband, who isn't blind, to check it. (If I don't burn the engine out, right?)

And I'm also trying to plan Big Brother's Halloween party. I had all these cute little menu ideas. I'll give you the short version of how that turned out: people who are not creative should not be party planners.

Know what I mean?

To add to these headaches, as I'm running like a chicken with its head cut off trying to gather the rest of the Halloween party stuff, Bigger Brother calls to ask me to bring his ROTC uniform to the high school.

He forgot it was uniform day. And he doesn't want to be dismissed.

FINE! I take it. Back to party stuff.

Big Brother calls again. It's also picture day, he needs his ACUs. WTH??!!

If it hadn't been for pictures, I'd told him "Too bad, hate it for ya." Instead, I opted to ream him on the phone, tell him it's the last time, and he better learn to get his &!@# organized.

Want to place any bets with me on whether it's really the last time?

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My Fall To Do (or should I say Wanted) List

Anybody else feeling that Fall is finally here?

After the thunderstorms rolled through here yesterday afternoon (remind me to tell you about schools closing because of what they "anticipated" would happen), there's a cleaner, crisper feel to the air.

What exactly does Fall mean to you? For me, I think it's time to start anew - the old dies off and the new moves in. (I know, some people see Spring as a time for rebirth but I've always been different.)

Of course, I'm thinking about how I still wanting to get one of those adorable Outdoor Fireplaces. They are so handy for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows.  Easy one-time set up, you toss in your wood, light it up, and your on sitting around a campfire on your own patio, baby!

Maybe just maybe this year I'll get one and mark this "want" off my list.

And what's Fall without Thanksgiving, right?  Every year I want to decorate my kitchen table for Thanksgiving with a style that would make Martha Stewart proud. 

I figure since we're fixing up our house this year, what better time to do this - start making it a habit.  So I've been browsing, check out a variety of Table Runners and Place Mats. If I find what I'm looking for, I might even get to Christmas table settings off my list too!

Last thing on my list of things I'd like to do this Fall is replace the bedding in my and Brian's room. Right now we've got a black bedspread with mauve and white flowers. He hates the colors, I hate the look. But I think we could both agree on some of the nice New Bedding by Triangle Home Fashions. With an eight piece set (includes the comforter, 2 shams, 2 Euro shams, bedskirt, oblong pillow and a square pillow), for only $154.99. Quality at almost 40 percent off regular retail, you can't beat it!

My Fall list could go on and on.  There's so much I want to do, the question is how much will I get done. 

What about you?  What's on your Fall - or Winter, Spring, Summer - to do list? 

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I Think I'm Just A little Crazy for Christmas Villages

You know how some kitchen cabinets have that space between the top and ceiling?

I struggled for years what to do with that space. I put collectible plates, hated them. Tried a few decorative teapots, hated them.

Then one day I visited a friend's home and saw where she had filled the space with those adorable miniature lighted houses - villages, as they're sometimes called - and I fell in love.

Thus began my addiction to the tiny villages.

And it has grown and grown and grown.

While my kitchen cabinet tops stay full all year, at Christmas I bring out some of my most prized possessions.

This year I decided to add start adding theme houses. And what would I spot first but a small little replica from my most favorite Christmas movie: A Christmas Story!

I was browsing around the Christmas decorations department at Macys.com when I got the idea. They had Mickey and Minnie Mouse and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas - not to mention just the beautiful, sophisticated, un-themed ones - but I fell in love and decided the A Christmas Story house would be the honorary first member of my themed collection.

I'm so excited I can't see straight! :)

Of course, I be visiting Savings.com when I'm ready to order to use any money-saver Macys coupon I can find.

Gotta save money so I'll have more my lighted house addiction collection!

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Last Minute Halloween Costume Deals

Can you believe another Halloween is about here?  Where does the time go?

I'm typically right on top of things, but this year I put off getting Princess A's Halloween costume until the last minute.

I had no idea what to get for her!  And since she's not even 2 yet, it's hard for her toss any ideas my way. :)

In my search, I came across some great deals at Halloween Express.

They have over 18,000 costumes that are guaranteed to arrive by Friday, October 29th. (And they have an overnight shipping option too if you needed it like, oh say, yesterday!)

But that's not my favorite part.  The best part was the selection of costumes under $20!    


Princess A loves the Alice in Wonderland book, so when I spotted the Alice in Wonderland toddler's costume for less than $17, I knew right then and there who she was going to be this year.  (It helped that she got excited over the picture too!)

If you're like me and looking for last minute costumes, then let me suggest this place.  And you'll want to visit Savings.com to get discounts to use with your order.

Savings on top of savings - I don't think anything can be more awesome, can it?

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Dell Discounts, Coupon Codes, and Free Shipping at BestOnlineCoupons.com

I don't know about you, but I'm already Christmas shopping. I get started early because I hate the crowds and I know the truly best deals are the ones found early.

The 14-year-old in our home has begged for a laptop this year. And being that he's taking computer high school classes and plans to have a career in information technology or something similar, I'd say it would be money well spent.

But not too much, of course.

So the first thing I went looking for was Dell coupons. (We love Dells and they've served us so well the past that it's the only computer we use!)  

Using the Dell coupon codes I found at BestOnlineCoupons.com, I was able to get a GREAT deal on a Dell laptop suitable for a teen and with the "extras" they love.

If you're in the market for a new computer, check out the money-saving Dell computer coupons that include savings such as over $200 in savings on the Inspiron 15 With FREE Next Business Day Shipping or the New Inspiron Mini 10v starting at only $299.

Not in the market for a computer?  How about a 42 inch Vizio HDTV?  Yep, you can find deals for it there too!

There's a lot of terrific deals out there for computers, televisions, cameras, and more.  So be sure to check out BestOnlineCoupons.com to see how you can start saving money!

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Important Newborn Questions & Answers

The authors of Heading Home with Your Newborn answer important questions from moms about infant and baby care

Pediatricians, moms and authors, Laura A. Jana, MD, FAAP and Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP offer a wealth of "parent-tested, pediatrician-approved" advice in Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality, Second Edition (American Academy of Pediatrics, September 2010). Available on the American Academy of Pediatrics official Web site for parents, HealthyChildren.org. Also available in bookstores nationwide. Here they answer a few questions from fellow moms:

Question: People often worry about taking a newborn out and you do not want to go to crowded spaces indoors like malls or parties where there could be germs and things like that; but in terms of how they can regulate heat, can they can go out if they are bundled correctly, in the cold for a walk? During the winter season is it best not to have them out and about like that?

Dr Jana: We have an entire section of the book called "Thinking Outside the House". That is a good example of what people often forget in the Pediatrician books. Where you say; what about the practical? Can I step out of my house? Now all of a sudden my baby seems even smaller because we are going out in the real world. Especially in the very specific new born period - the first three weeks, think of the timeframe when babies really need to wear their hats because their heads lose heat. Here in Nebraska I would not recommend somebody taking a newborn out at the peak of winter. What you find is a lot of new parents do not want to step outside when it is 40 degrees out, because they are afraid it is cold, and there are lots of good accessories to keep drafts from getting in to the where the babies are in the car seats and infant carriers. Just try avoiding extremes temperatures.

Question: What is the most important thing you think parents should know and do before a baby is born?

Dr Shu: One important thing, just from a timing standpoint, you might need to look for childcare as soon as you conceive. Just the reality of a lot of childcare situations is that you have to get on some kind of waiting list to get in to the place of your choice. So I would consider that high on the list. You want to make sure that your financial affairs like insurance are in order. There are so many smart parents I know that just accidentally forget to add their child to their insurance, and they are stuck with a huge bill. That is something you want to put on your To Do list, as soon as that baby has a name and birth date.    

Picking a Pediatrician before you deliver is also a really good idea, and that is something we recommend sometime in the early part of the 3rd trimester. The reason for that is you want to hit the ground running and get a head start, rather than play catch up when you have a baby and try to figure out somebody that you have a good fit with. Finally, the most important supplies you will need for having the baby include a car seat which you will need to have once leaving the hospital, something to clothe the baby in, diapers and feeding supplies.

Question: How can you prepare for the birth of a newborn if you wind up delivering early or have an unplanned c-Section?

Dr Jana: Some people have a sense they might deliver earlier, but for a large number of parents, it catches them completely off guard. People often ask as us, when is the best time to read the book? We wanted to make it so that you can start reading it 8 weeks in advance and then pick it up at two in the morning when you have a question with a one week old. The thing that catches people by surprise, most people do not plan on have a C section, most people do not plan on having a premature baby... getting those things that Doctor Shu mentioned really helps take away some of the stress of new parenthood because that unknown is not there anymore.

If you'd like more information about caring for your infant visit Heading Home with Your Newborn at HealthyChildren.org.

*This post is sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer's Network.

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