mommypalooza™ ~ a daily dose of mommy mayhem.

Home Depot holiday decor + $50 gift card giveaway #FiestasHomeDepot

I'm a total chick and love shoes just as much as the next woman, but must admit that a store I could *REALLY* get lost in and stay all day is The Home Depot.  Yep, for realsies.  My mind just seriously wanders when I'm in that store!  So the other day - while on the hunt for a new bathroom shelving unit - I totally got sucked into all of the fun displays for holiday decor.  I mean, have you seen this place lately?

Their selection of both indoor and outdoor holiday decor is AMAZING!  Not only do they have the best deal on strings of lights that I've seen from any retailer, but they have such a great assortment of inflatable decorations, ornaments, tree skirts, pre-lit trees, and more!  I love that you can pick out new bathroom tile in the same store that you can also buy a gorgeous Martha Stewart wreath at!  They've got a great new section on their website, too where you can learn all about their projects featured in their most recent television commercials.  My favorite is the Build An Ornament Frame.  

Of course, we've always loved the fun things about Home Depot, including the kids workshops they host on the first Saturday of the month.  Kids can make a project and take home a cool workshop apron when they're done!  My kids did this last year and they STILL talk about having participated!

So, after browsing the entire store (and nearly getting lost in the toilet seat section of the store), I finally settled on garland for our staircase.  See??

I think it turned out GREAT!  The kids love having the staircase all lit up at night and I have to say that it does make for a beautiful look at night! 

If there are still a few decorating pieces you are thinking of getting, I would definitely say you should run to your nearest Home Depot store and check out their great finds.  From traditional to modern, you'll find something for your decorating style AND your budget.  Speaking of budget, my friends at The Home Depot want to help bulge your budget a little more this holiday season with a $50 Home Depot gift card!  Can you say 'AWESOMESAUCE'?

Ready to enter and win?  Simply use the form below for your chance!  Contest period runs through 12/18/2011.  US entries only, age 18 and up.  Winner selected at random and notified via email. Good luck!

{Disclosure:  This is part of a compensated campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and The Home Depot. The Home Depot works with bloggers such as myself to conduct product reviews. They do not tell bloggers what to say about their products or how to say it. The Home Depot fundamentally believes that people should be free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot often provides product - free of charge - to bloggers for review as they did for this post. The Home Depot's policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. The Home Depot provided me with a gift card to shop for the holidays and post my experience. All opinions expressed in this article are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone.}

 

 

Build-a-Bear Workshop friends & family coupon!

Here's a first-time-ever deal for all of you Build-a-Bear Workshop fans!  They've announced their first-ever Friends & Family Event starting November 20 - 23.  Get 25% off your purchase when you print and present this coupon!

What a great way to get some holiday shopping done for the little "bear" in your life!  Enjoy!

Back to school shopping is fun for this mom!

 Thank you to Crocs for sponsoring this blog post. Please click here to learn more about Crocs’ new Back to School line. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Yes, that time has come. Yet again. And yet again too soon. Back to school time is creeping up to our door and ready to ring the doorbell to remind us that we have only a few more short days to enjoy sleeping in, swimming in the middle of the day, and weekly day trips and outings.

Oh how I dread waking up at 6:30 in the morning and sending my kids off to school all day long. This year I'll have a 2nd grader and a Kindergartner. Not sure how this sorta just crept up on me. Two kids in school? It all seems to be going by way too fast! I wish summer would last year-round.

My kids' school offers the option for parents to purchase prepackaged back-to-school supplies, but frankly, I've never done it. Nor will I. Not only is it more expensive (trust me, I've done the math now 2 years in a row) but my kids and I LOVE the tradition that we've started of going back-to-school shopping and picking out fresh boxes of crayons, new pencils, sharpeners, and other school-time goodies.

And, of course, we have our tradition of grabbing some popcorn as we prepare for our strenuous shopping battle!

Looks like we got a lotta loot!

My favorite part of back to school shopping this year, has been using my new Motorola Xoom tablet from Verizon Wireless to keep my supply checklists and info easily accessible.  I love not having to tote around a bunch of paper throughout all the shopping.  Plus, it takes great pics (like the ones in this blog post) for me to easily share with peeps and on Facebook.

Not to mention that I am not exactly in the mood to purchase prepackaged supplies during the month of APRIL, which is when you usually have to turn in your orders for them. Waaaaay too early to think about that!

Another part of back-to-school shopping my kids are really into is getting their new shoes, socks, undies, and uniform essentials.  Why is this something that most other parents dread?  I actually LOVE it!  The kids get all excited about trying on new clothes and tennis shoes.  Speaking of shoes, have you seen these cute school-approved ones now offered by Crocs?

 

In our house our kids have always referred to their Crocs as "gups".  I know, I know....it's odd, but it works for us.  You know how you just kind of develop nicknames for certain things in your family?  Well, we do that with shoes quite often.  Flip-flops are referred to as flippies.  Crocs are referred to as gups.  Laughable, yes. 

So how about in your family?  Do you dread or enjoy back-to-school shopping?  Do you do most of it with the kids or without them?  Do you do it ahead of time or wait for those last minute "20 cent" sales?  And, does your school offer prepackaged school supplies?  Do you ever go that route or prefer to bargain hunt for glue sticks on your own?

{Disclosure:  Verizon Wireless has provided me with a Motorola Xoom tablet as part of #MidwestMoms blogger program, but my opinions on the item are that of my own!}

Sunday trip to the drugstore

This afternoon I headed out for a tiny trip to my local CVS which is normally not a weekly stop for me.  I was, however, compelled after looking through my Sunday circular as the deals were too easy to pass up. 

Here's my haul:

 

When I came home and asked hubby how much he'd expect all this stuff to cost, he said around $45.  But, you know I would never pay retail!  Here's how it really went down . . .

 My 1st trip:

1 - Lipton tea bags @ $2.50 ea, minus .40/$1 QP (coupon) = $2.10

3 - Ragu pasta sauce for $5, minus $1.25/3 QP = $3.75

3 - Skippy peanut butter for $5 = $53 - Stride gum @ $.99 ea., minus $1/3 QP = $1.97 + earned $.99 ECB (Extra Care Bucks)

Total - $12.82, plus earned $3.99 ECB to use on my next trip (below).

My 2nd trip:

4 - Diet coke 12-packs @ 4/$10 = $10

3 - Puffs tissue box @ .98 ea = $2.94

1 - Purex laundry detergent @ $1.98, minus $1 QP = $1

1 - Q tips 375 count @ $1.99, minus $.30/1 QP = $1.69

Total after using $3.99 ECBs (from 1st trip transaction - above) = $11.64 

Total out-of-pocket for 19 items, pictured above = $24.46

And now, my husband will get peanut butter cookies!  Have you gotten any great deals lately?

Seeing Green on Black Friday

Recently I, along with my friend who runs this blog, was interviewed by my local news station for a feature they did about Black Friday and coupons and such.   I never turn down the chance for free publicity since it almost always helps my business blog, but this Black Friday topic was also right up my alley! 

So, my question for ya'll is....do YOU Black Friday?  If so, what bargains are you on the hunt for or do you just go to people watch?  I am looking forward to going again and have already made my lists of bargains I am going for.  Here are a few of my best tips about making Black Friday all the more fun.

• Plan.  This seems obvious, but believe it or not it's probably one of the most crucial steps in making sure your shopping experience is everything you want it to be.  Plan not only which stores you'll visit (and in what order), but also what you'll head for once you make it through the doors in the wee hours of the morning. 
• Review.  Review the ads and prices and comparison shop before even leaving your house, and don't forget your list!  If prices differ by just a small amount from store to store, take into account how much gas/drive time it takes to get to each store. Don’t go out of your way just to save a few pennies if it’s not truly worth it in the long run.
• Eat!  Black Friday is no time to starve yourself!  Pack your water bottle, an apple and perhaps a snack bar for the early morning energy boost you’ll need to fight crowds and save dollars.  Also, keep your eyes out for great Black Friday meal deals.  For example, you can download the Quizno's Black Friday coupon here, which is good for a $2.99 meal deal consisting of a half sandwich, chips and drink from 11/26 to 11/28.  Another great example comes from Sam’s Club who is once again serving breakfast from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. to their members shopping on Black Friday.  Egg sandwiches, fruit, yogurt, and coffee will be offered.  Last year Chick-fil-a offered a free chicken biscuit for a few hours in the morning to accommodate early morning shoppers, though we haven't been able to verify if they're doing it again this year.  Check with your local restaurant to verify their participation again this year.
• B.Y.O.B. - Bring Your Own (reusable) Bags!  This is great for two reasons.  1) if you are a Target shopper, you’ll get an additional 5 cents off for each bag you use; and 2) depending on which other stores you go to, the bags may come in handy since shopping carts are usually in high demand.  You’ll be able to use your own reusable bags to hold your purchases for you until it’s time to check out.
• Bring receipts.  Have your recent receipts on hand in case you find an item you previously bought, now on sale.  Many stores will honor a one-time price adjustment with a receipt up to 10 to 14 days after purchase.
• Keep receipts.  Keep your receipts of your new purchases.  You can always return something later even if you thought it was a good buy at the time.
• Wait.  If it all just seems like too much, hold out until Cyber Monday.  Great deals and no hassle of crowds or getting up early!

Happy shopping!

Couponing for Christmas: U-Build Monopoly

It's the little things in life that make me happy.  Little things like saving money.  Today I was able to pick up one of the games, U-Build Monopoly, on Nathan's Christmas wish list I posted about the other day.  Oh, and I picked it up for less than half of retail.  Here's how it went down:

The game is $17.99 at Target, however, is on a temporary price-cut to $14.99 right now.  I used the Hasbro coupon good for $3 on U-Build Monopoly Game (thanks to my pal over at Kanass City Mamas for the head's up on this coupon!) and stacked that with the Target coupon for $5 off a Hasbro U-Build Game. 

In the end, the game cost me a whopping $6.65 + tax, after saving an additional 5% by using my Target check card!  The best part? Knowing I'm one step closer to being done with holiday shopping for my kids.  This is the earliest I've ever begun shopping for the holidays and I have to admit it feels mighty nice!

So are YOU couponing this Christmas?

Fall Loft Likes

So, I'm not that much of a fan of fall or winter or spring for that matter.  Nope, give me good 'ol sunshine, heat, and humidity 365/24/7 and I'm a happy girl.  But since I haven't yet figured out how to make time stand still, the fall season is inevitable. 

The bright side?

Shopping, duh!! I've scoped out some of my favorite websites to start getting ideas on what my fall fashion fate is.  Today I'm sharing with you my top 5 picks from LOFT.  I actually used to work as a manager for this store back when hubby and I lived in California.  It was then that I FELL. IN. LOVE. with the store and the style.  I was so stoked when we got one a few years back in our local mall and I have been enjoying it ever since.  I do have to admit, however, I certainly miss my associated discount of 40%! But the fact that they usually have some great coupons and savings card offers available do help ease my pain.

So what do you think of my 5 fall LOFT faves? Where are some of your favorite places to find fall fashion?

 
 {Clockwise from top left}

•  Short Sleeved Popcorn Cardigan
• Serita Ruched Suede Bootie
• Knife Pleat Cowl Neck Sweater
• Pima Cotton 3/4 Sleeve Sweater
• Braided Gray Pearl Bib Necklace

Little Green Boxes.

On a recent trip to Target, I discovered these little cuties on an endcap and for only $3 each!  They are the perfect tool I am using to revamp my little  office nook in my kitchen area.  I actually am embarrassed to admit that I stood there at the endcap of the store trying to decide which color I would get! I am usually pretty prone to picking things up in black but they had so many new juicy colors to choose from - green, purple, and teal - that I was torn!

I finally settled on these and am so happy!  I have a rather large filebox in our cabinet above an empty counter area in our kitchen that my husband and I use to organize coupons, receipts, and various other paperwork, but I thought this size of box would suit us better. In addition to the filebox and the 2-pack of cubes they had as part of this Room Essentials collection (I checked and didn't find it online, though), they offer a magazine holder and a 2-pack media box that would hold a few CDs/DVDs.  I will be going back to pick up the mag holders for sure!

Paper organization (and organization in general) is something I am a stickler for so I am thrilled these little green boxes will make my life easier! Plus, they're nice to look at.

Oh, oh, I also have a FAB new website to share with all of you! First, a little history....I actually do ALL - and I mean ALL - of my shopping at Target because I save 5% with my check card.  So when I go do my grocery shopping each week, I usually check their website for new grocery coupons to see what's new.  In my browsing and searching online the other day, I came across a great new website that totally speaks my language!  It's called Totally Target and is completely dedicated to showcasing and highlighting Target coupons, deals, and finds! LOVE IT!  You'll have to check it out and let me know what you think.  ♥  

Fabulous Michael's Coupons!

I received these coupons in my inbox tonight that are good at Michael's stores across the country!  They're great for some last minute summer crafting, school supplies, or any items you might want to pick up this week! The discounts can even be applied to sale items, not just regular priced item, which is a rare treat.  Enjoy!  ♥

Old Navy Weekly Coupons are Back Up!

Old Navy Weekly coupons are back up for grabs this week and are good July 17 - 23, 2009!  I just snagged a 25% off entire purchase coupon and there are still some left!  Here are the secret hiding places for the coupons in case you want to look around for others!  Good luck!

• $50 off $100 - Drag red apple in between shoes of golfer then click apple.
• 15% off - Drag black scarf up to Michelle's head.
• 20% off with 2 jeans - Drag blue pencil down to dufflebag
• 25% off - Click "Life as a supermodelquin..." and enter Natalie for Kimmy's bff.
• $15 off $75 - Play the video...@1:34 click on the woman's right shoe.