Mare's Page

The Kid's Shop

2010-01-18T00:41:00.004-05:00

Find everything you need for the little darlings in your life...

You or someone you know expecting a baby? This site has more than the ordinary outfit that often just ends up in the closet because the child outgrew it before there was even a chance of putting it on. (You moms know exactly what I mean) This site has interesting keepsakes and very cute items for baby showers and more. I love the baby is brewing coffee favors! Be sure to use one of the coupon codes for extra savings. These codes are ongoing and as of now-have no expiration date.

Enter coupon code SAVE5 and receive 5% off your order.
Enter coupon code FREESHIP75 to receive free shipping on orders over $75.
Enter coupon code SAVE10 and receive a 10% off orders over $75.
Shop Corner Stork Baby Gifts and receive FREE Gift Wrapping on your $50 order

Here is a great site for those of you who prefer a modern twist to your baby gifting. Modern Nursery has the latest styles in high quality furniture, clothing, and other products and accessories for newborns, babies, and toddlers. They also have an Eco-friendly gift section for all your "Green needs.

For the kids on your list--Constructive Playthings has a rich tradition of providing safe and quality toys to families all around the world. They search the United States and the world for quality materials. They know that unsafe toys can come from anywhere; therefore, their high standards are maintained no matter where the products are manufactured. They carefully select each toy as if they were giving it to their own children. They have a vast selection of unique and engaging toys that promote learning, the imagination, and social interaction for kids of all ages.

Shop www.ConstPlay.com and Save $10 on your order over $79.99! Use code 2750 at checkout.

Help spark your children's creativity with toys designed to inspire the imagination. Lots of discounted arts and crafts along with unique toys designed to stimulate creative thinking. There are perfect items for both teachers and parents. They have a great clearance section too. I am going to order the wooden block road signs ASAP!

Here is a great new site for young girls dreaming of designing their own clothes. FashionPlaytes.com is a new virtual design studio for young girls 6-12, where girls design their own clothes and get them made to wear. FashionPlaytes.com offers a variety of garments, colors, and sizes in their young fashionista collection, and they are always adding new styles. Design customization options include fabrics, trims, rhinestones, appliques and graphics, appealing to a variety of tastes. They also have gift certificates to offer family and friends of young girls a unique gift-giving resource for those special occasions – holidays, birthdays, and back-to-school. This site helps young women develop their own sense of style and helps to promote creativity and a higher level self-esteem.
Affordable Fashion Gifts for Girls. FashionPlaytes.cm - where girls are fashion designers. Gifts at $25 - Order now - $10 OFF!

For really cute clothes for your baby girl...

From elementary to middle school and beyond, Zoobooks magazines are skillfully designed to enhance your child's learning. Parents and teachers trust Zoobooks to educate kids... strengthening their vocabulary and reading habits. Kids just think the magazines are cool! Zootles Magazine for Kids 2-6 Just like Zoobooks, Zootles is full of animal fun. And Zootles is written to be shared with young children: pre-readers and beginning readers. Zoobies is also our new magazine for 0-2 year olds and is the perfect shower gift that keeps giving all year and puts the animal kingdom into a toddler's hands.

Get a FREE poster and FREE animal stickers with your Zoobooks magazine!
For your kids under 4, be sure to check out the board books--these are great because your kids can't easily tear the pages and most can be wiped down.
Board Books for Toddlers

Who doesn't love Build a Bear?? My son had a great time creating his own special "buddy" and we had fun watching his excitement!! Click below for special money saving offers!

See what’s on SALE at BuildaBear.com! Click here.

The Home Store

2010-01-18T00:07:00.008-05:00

Everything you need to make your house a home...

My all-time favorite site for kitchen items and things related to cooking is Cooking.com. I have been buying from them for years-finding all kinds of great gifts with reasonable and competitive prices. They often have coupon deals and free shipping offers that give you even more savings.

Calphalon Bonus Gifts when you spend over $299! Now at Cooking.com!
Free Shipping on Over 165 items! Now at Cooking.com!
KitchenAid Deals: Save up to $30! Now at Cooking.com!
Special Values

Need a housewarming gift-or just in the mood to update your own stuff? Check out the deal of the week where you can find huge discounts on useful items.
Act now and take 10% OFF your entire order with code TTE10 at Oneida.com

One of my favorite houseware shops is Mikasa-they have such a great selection of crystal and china for all your needs-in many patterns and styles to suit everyone's taste. I know it's a lot easier to get those plastic plates and cups when you are having guests--but sometimes just getting some new crystal or china can liven up a whole room and create an elegant look to your surroundings-besides-it's environmentally friendly to skip the throw away tableware! Click on this link to see all their latest offers-many items are significantly reduced.

Customers will receive 20% off one item by entering code TWENTY at checkout. Offer applies to highest valued item in shopping cart.
Receive a 10% discount on orders over $50. This promotion does not apply to clearance items..

I absolutely love this site.Flirty Aprons has fun aprons with designs suited for everyone's taste. They also have cute aprons for kids that are a must see. You could get someone an apron and some baking gear-like cookie mixes, cookie sheets, decorative sprinkles, etc-put them all in a big mixing bowl-and now you have a lovely and useful gift. With more and more people cooking at home nowadays-these aprons make a practical-yet fun gift. Look under the link and use one of the discount codes at checkout to get your savings!

Get 12% off purchase of $60 or more at Flirty Aprons, use code ValentineApronborder="0"/>

Experience the superior quality of Bed, Bath, Home Decor and Apparel products from The Company Store®! Choose from comforters, pillows, and other bedding basics as well as unique and exclusive sheets. Comforters are available in three comfort levels, depending on your local climate and seasonal use. Choose from over 100 different styles, colors, fills and sizes. The Company Store® also specializes in a host of other fine products for the bedroom and the rest of your home including sheets and accessories, quilts, blankets, coverlets and bedspreads, basic bedding, bath items, decorative home accessories, apparel and monogrammed gifts. Don’t forget about their children’s division at Company Kids® where you can customize everything from your children’s bedrooms to their everyday school clothes.

Save During the Winter SALE at Company Kids!
What's on SALE at The Company Store®
Shop CompanyKids® Clearance

For those of you who prefer a more modern and chic style to your bedding, you need to check out Inhabit--their products are featured in many magazines such as: InStyle Magazine, Dwell Magazine. The New York Times and Interior Design Magazine. Their products have been featured at The Sundance Film Festival, W Hotels, MTV (TRL and The Real World), The Palms Hotel, NBC, HGTV, and continually appear in numerous movies and TV shows. Be sure to take advantage of their free shipping offer and also get a free subscription to Dwell Magazine with any purchase. The free shipping offer is ongoing--but the magazine offer may not last for long.

Give the gift of organization--who couldn't use some of that??? Here is a site that offers a lot of products designed to unclutter your life! They seem to have something for every household need. Click on the site to be taken directly to the savings outlet-and for a limited time you can get additional savings by using the coupon codes.

Free shipping on orders over $50 at GetOrganized! No coupon necessary. Free Shipping will be reflected at CheckOut.

For higher end and stylish organization...this site has some unique items at reasonable prices.They also have a decent "Green" section that I have posted on my Organic/Green shopping post.Be sure to visit the clearance section for even better deals. Damask packing tape? Wow-now that's organizing style! Shop through this link and also use whichever coupon codes apply to your purchases for even more savings
$5 Off $75 Purchase at Organize.com (Coupon: a5129)

This might be more of a gift for yourself--but who better to by for right?? This site has deeply discounted lighting fixtures, lamps, chandeliers, and lots more to update the lighting in your abode. Right now they are offering free shipping on orders $50.00 and up.

For more selection and price comparisons on lighting visit Capitol Lighting

Lighting Clearance Sale! Save up to 70% off at 1-800LIGHTING.com!
Save Money Everyday With Energy Efficient Lighting! Find Out How at 1-800LIGHTING.com!

What a great site that has all you need to make your garden a warm and inviting place to relax and to entertain. Many of the items are higher end-but with coupons-you can enjoy high quality items at a savings. Click on the coupon offer that suits you best,

10% OFF any order at Exterior-Accents.com! Click here to get 10% OFF
$25 off any order above $199 at Exterior-Accents.com Click here for discount!

The Clothing/Shoe/Accessories Shop

2010-01-18T00:06:00.009-05:00

Here are some great offers on shoes and apparel for you and your family...

Here's a great online outlet shop featuring New Balance shoes and apparel-they have a great selection for all members of your family and even offer hard to find sizes. Click on the link for the daily deal-there often is a free shipping promo listed right on the site.

Skechers footwear offers distinctive styling with added comfort-I've been wearing them for years and find their products to be of good quality. Check out their latest deals and offers and be sure to look at their new Shape Ups line of sneakers that are designed to shape and tone your legs while walking.

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes...and more shoes...Bags..Bags...Bags. If these are your mantras--this site is for you. Get them with Free shipping and free returns in case your purchase doesn't work out. Guilt free-hassle free--and did I say SHOES???

Get into a shoe shopping savings frenzy!!

Up to 70% Off Coach Shoes at ShoeMetro.com
Shoes Galore w/ Free Shipping at ShoeMetro.com

SHOEBACCA specializes as the premier online shopping destination, providing quality and style for the price-conscious shopper, with an extensive selection of footwear and apparel for men, women and children. We offer a wide array of the world's best brands and cutting edge styles. SHOEBACCA.com makes online shopping hassle free with our FINDER which helps you, quickly and easily, find your perfect match!

Shabby Apple is the online destination for women seeking consistent style and quality. We are a unique online boutique specializing in chic dresses for women, adolescents, little girls, and babies, as well as fitness clothing, shoes, handbags, and jewelry. We have been featured in national fashion magazines such as Lucky, Marie Claire, and Redbook, and regularly appear on syndicated television. shabbyapple.com is a beautifully designed website that is easy to navigate and shop.

Beautiful dresses and more on sale at Shabby Apple
Check out the latest coupons for dresses and accessories at Shabby Apple

CoutureCandy.com merges the convenience of e-commerce with the knowledgeable, personal service found in upscale boutiques to create a unique hybrid of the online/offline shopping experience. With apparel from the hottest designers all in one place including such prominent brands as Joe’s Jeans, Paper Denim & Cloth, J Brand, Raw 7, Susana Monaco, Da-Nang, Lotta Stensson, Stitch’s and Kasil Jeans. The website offers a true lifestyle destination replete with the latest fashion industry news, weekly newsletters, designer interviews, celebrity fashion trends, style tips, denim fit guides, community chat and advice from personal stylists.

Here is a great new site for young girls dreaming of designing their own clothes. FashionPlaytes.com is a new virtual design studio for young girls 6-12, where girls design their own clothes and get them made to wear. FashionPlaytes.com offers a variety of garments, colors, and sizes in their young fashionista collection, and they are always adding new styles. Design customization options include fabrics, trims, rhinestones, appliques and graphics, appealing to a variety of tastes. They also have gift certificates to offer family and friends of young girls a unique gift-giving resource for those special occasions – holidays, birthdays, and back-to-school. This site helps young women develop their own sense of style and helps to promote creativity and a higher level self-esteem.
Affordable Fashion Gifts for Girls. FashionPlaytes.cm - where girls are fashion designers. Gifts at $25 - Order now - $10 OFF!

SwimsuitsForAll.com is the number one source for women's swimwear sizes 8 & up online. They have a great selection and lots of good offers. ENter their sweepstakes for a chance at a fun prize!

Take 10% Off Your Order! Use Coupon Code 10off. Expires This Week - So Shop Now! (Restrictions Apply).
FREE $5 Gift Certificate! Use Coupon Code 5gift. Expires This Week - So Shop Now! (Restrictions Apply)

Sculptz manufactures (in the U.S.A) and markets shapewear and legwear for today's fashion conscious woman. Here is a great site that has all the items you need to look your best for any occasion.

Free Shipping on Orders of $50 or more at Sculptz

Say goodbye to your grandmother’s girdle, suffocating spandex, and old-fashioned corset bras! There’s a newcomer on the shapewear market, and n-fini™ Shape, named for the line’s infinite shapewear options, is here to stay. After an extensive two years of product development, design, and testing with numerous fit models of all sizes, body types and ethnicities, n-fini™ debuted August 2007 to rave responses from the industry, becoming an instant success.

Gourmet Shop

2010-01-14T23:49:00.007-05:00

Flowers and food make practical gifts--gifts you can be sure will be put to good use...

Flowers and gift baskets always make a great impression--not to mention a great last minute surprise. This site offers same day delivery and has a great selection of gifts under $50.00. Click throughout the site to see several reduced items.

Chocolate. Enough said. Who in the world doesn't love chocolate? I imagine there are some who do not--but for the rest of who enjoy the delectable treat, where else can you find great chocolate than from the Hershey Store? I used to love to go the Hershey Store in New York City and get their special golden wrapped bars of chocolate and almonds...little bites (yeah, who am I kidding..HUGE bites) of love!!
The Hershey’s® Store is the official online store for HERSHEY® chocolate gifts, collectibles and licensed merchandise. They offer a wonderful assortment of gifts and edible delights, from chocolate filled mugs and tins, apparel items, scented candles, toys, holiday and personalized items. HERSHEY® is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. Exclusive merchandise, such as the World's Largest HERSHEY'S KISS™, Milk Chocolate Bar or REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups can be purchased at their site. You’ll also find a great selection of corporate and special-event gifts for all price-ranges!
At The Hershey’s® Store, they strive to provide you with the best customer service possible. Returns are easy and convenient. You may return your purchase within 30 days of purchase for a refund or replacement.

Shop Exclusive Gifts from Hershey's Store Online!
Chocolate-filled mugs, tins and glasswear at Hershey'sStore.com. Shop Now!

Speaking of chocolate...don't forget delightful M&Ms...
Give the Valentine's gift that smiles back: Personalized M&M's® with your words and faces! 14% Off your order

For even more candy options designed to satisfy your sweet tooth...

For those of you want to reminisce about the candies of your childhood, here is a great site for you. The Old Time Candy Company specializes in retro candies from the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s. While they ship candy, what they really sell are memories. They offer both prepackaged, custom packaged and personalized candy assortments that appeal to consumers who are looking for gifts.

Superior Nut Company is the leading Gourmet Nut Gift Company operating within the United States, since 1929. They provide an unparalleled gourmet gift selection, and are proud to provide customers with the finest freshly roasted nut gift items available anywhere. Their gourmet nut gift items are a great upscale gift, have a healthy image, and is something out of the ordinary. Gifts include a wide variety of baskets and gift boxes that contain dried fruits, chocolates and of course nuts! The large cashews are simply divine!

Save 5% on Gourmet Gifts at SuperiorNutStore.com with coupon: GOLDEN

Another great site for gourmet gifts is Gourmet Nut.com. They offer good varieties and will definitely make your gift giving needs easy and memorable.

10% off all orders at GourmetNut.com! Click Here!

I have been ordering from this site for years. The fruit is always fresh and always arrives in great condition. The grapefruits are so sweet-you don't even know you are eating something healthy!!

Attention coffee lovers...now you can order your favorite Starbucks coffee products online at the Starbucks store. This site has a great selection of coffees and teas as well as other interesting products for hot beverage devotees.You can even buy and reload gift cards and sign up for their subscription service-see site for details.

20% Off Orders over $100 ~ Affiliate Exclusive ~ One Day Only

For delicious European coffee--look to Illy for distinctive high quality coffee sure to please your palate.

Free shipping on illy coffee orders over $75. Start enjoying the world's finest Italian coffee today.

For all you tea lovers...Mighty Leaf crafts the most flavorful and delicious artisan blended teas. Dedicated to infusing life into an ancient art, Mighty Leaf has created the award winning silken and biodegradable Tea Pouch™ appreciated by tea lovers everywhere. Filled with the world’s finest whole tea leaves, herbs, fruits and flavors too big for ordinary tea bags, their Tea Pouch™ will appeal to those looking for an extraordinary gourmet tea experience.

Discover Top Rated Mighty Leaf Herbal Tea. Tea lovers love our delicious herbal tea blends. You will too. Save 25% on your first order!

Savor delicious meals sent right to your home!

Living on the east coast-crabs and crab cakes are a staple at every Christmas Eve dinner-I actually ordered these as a gift to give to my sister, who is a crab cake lover--try them out for yourself!

New Year New You

2010-01-07T02:06:00.008-05:00

Happy New Year to Everyone!! With the New Year brings a new chance to do something better for you and for others. Many of us make resolution after resolution and find them just too impossible to keep as the glory of the holidays fizzles out and the back to normal routines put us back in our usual ruts. Making resolutions easier to keep is key to making some kind of lasting change to your physical and emotional self--both components needed to ensure health and vitality.

Oh..the dreaded 5-10 pounds that most everyone wants to lose-but just can't seem to. I swear I think it's easier to drop 30 plus pounds than those last few that linger around like an annoying headache. I don't know about you--but as much as I would love to work out in a gym--I really don't have the time or frankly the inclination--but like most of us--I do need to work out and that work out must include real exercises--opening and downing sleeves of chocolate chips cookies-just isn't cutting it!!
I found this fantastic site that gives the real benefit of a gym workout in the privacy of one's own home and at one's own pace and comfort level--all without being super expensive and space consuming...I'm done with my garage sale sold bulky exercise units that ended up collecting dust and clothes that I didn't feel like putting away. You've got to try this--I'm really excited about using it-and can't wait to get back in shape!
Bodylastics has been the #1 alternative to expensive home gyms & health clubs since 1998. The average person cringes at the thought of spending $500 and up to buy a home gym, or join a health club. They understand this! Bodylastics - a workout system that is designed to provide workouts that rival the best and most expensive exercise machines. This amazing system is used by personal trainers, pro athletes, the US military and even S.W.A.T. teams for their training.

Their compact machines are the size of a pair of shoes, yet can be used for muscle building, body toning, even weight loss. They have been featured on QVC, HSN, and were an editor's pick by Self magazine in 2002.

To the Bodylastics team... The Customer Comes First! Most orders ship the same or next business day. Their home gym exercise systems carries a 90 day money back guarantee and a LIFETIME warranty. They believe that their product is the best on the market and will stand behind it 100%

Start the year off right by making a commitment to your health. Most nutritionists will tell you that the best way to get your vitamins and minerals is really from healthy food--but let's face it--most of us just don't have time or even the willpower to eat healthy all of the time. Vitamins and supplements have helped many to keep their bodies functioning properly. Of course if you have any questions regarding your physical health-do consult your healthcare professional-and be advised that this site is not designed to provide information that will replace or dispute your healthcare provider's advice. I personally use supplements and have found them helpful--I feel safer taking a natural vitamin or supplement than a dangerous drug--just listen to the possible side effects portion of the thousands of drug ads we are bombarded with. I really love the one that says if you have the sudden urge to gamble or engage in risky activity...LOL. What I like about this particular site is that right on the left-hand column is a list of ailments and the associated supplement/herb that may assist you with it. The prices are fair and they often have promos that make trying out new products affordable.

$10 off any order of $30 at Botanic Choice. FREE shipping on orders of $50. Use Code: BCFEBR Expires 2/28/10

Find all the products you need to help you achieve your new goals--from books to gear-nutrition to fitness clothing--Amazon truly has it all-many products with free shipping.

With the New Year comes the opportunity to think about change. One of the most important things that many people I interact with say troubles them is their current job situation. So many feel trapped in a place they are not happy to be in. The best advice for anyone in this situation is that you need to go to a place where you really can't wait to go to. You need to love what you do even if you might not make as much money as you would like--there's always a way to figure out your finances--and the more positive you are--the higher the chances of you attracting better opportunity to yourself...but there isn't much you can do if you are miserable the night before a workday knowing you can't stand your job. Look into yourself to discover your passions and see where that takes you. On your quest for that great job--you need to develop an interesting resume that puts you ahead of the thousands of other applicants who are in the same boat as you...here is a useful and helpful site that guides you through the process of getting your resume seen by lots of employers who need someone like you. Good Luck!!!

Speaking of jobs...many people have found happiness and prosperity by surprise. After going through several job changes and the awful searching for-but finding nothing suitable job searches that so many of us are dealing with in this economy, Angela Marino found a new career path by accident through Avon. Angela says: "Deciding to sell Avon was by far the best decision I've made since I was laid-off from my job. There were a lot of options out there for all kinds of merchandise to sell, however, most of them were geared towards women only and very expensive. I felt that Avon has something for everyone , besides, I truly love their products and have used them for a very long time. Avon is affordable and with today's economy, we still need to feel & look good. I've met so many wonderful people and the product practically sells itself. I'm getting a lot of feedback from some of my customers on how much they enjoy the product. I am, and will always be grateful to Avon for the opportunity to reach out to others and change lives. I can’t imagine the future without some sort of Avon product in my hand. "

Maybe the solution to a brighter future for many of you is to get back to school--finish your degree-start a new career path--whatever your dreams are--let your mind take you there. It really is never too late to learn something new or freshen up your knowledge. FindMyDegree.com matches the right student to the right schools, based on each individual’s unique goals and aspirations.

Looking good and feeling great helps to give you a certain level of confidence that we all need to stay positive in these tough times. Avon not only offers affordable items, but also offers people the chance to "be their own boss" at their own schedules and own earning pace by becoming an Avon representative.I personally use Avon products a lot and was once a representative myself at one time-of course I bought everything in sight-because I really love their products-from make-up to housewares-from skincare to clothing-there really is something for everyone at prices that are fair and reasonable. Be sure to check out their outlet link for even more savings. My two favorite Avon products that I simply can't live without are: Liiv Botanicals Revitalizing Facial Scrub and Mark. Matte Chance Mattifying lotion-which retails for about $16.00 and is similar to a famous high end product from "E.L" that sells for $32.50--which means you are able to get 2 for the price of 1 through Avon. See for yourself what Avon has to offer at Angela's site: http://youravon.com/angelamarino

I know times are tough on just about everyone--but just think that there is always someone worse off than you. One of the best things you can do to help yourself is to feel like you can make a difference in the world--skeptics say no one person can--but I strongly disagree--like 17th Century Poet John Donne says: "No Man is an Island..." and it's so true--we are all part of something larger than we can even put our hands around--the more joy and aid we help to spread around--the more positive energy and feelings of hope and empowerment we bring to one another. Most prophets preach this--now you can live it-but let's face it-being charitable isn't always easy--there are so many different organizations to choose from. Global Giving helps you to connect with causes that matter to you and helps to guide you through the process of making a positive change to others' lives. There's no greater feeling in the world than knowing you at least made an effort.
Global Giving is the leading online marketplace for philanthropy, connecting donors to the causes and countries they care about. Global Giving empowers people to protect the environment, help children, empower women or support any number of charitable causes around the world by connecting them with locally-run projects with innovative ideas that are helping their communities thrive.

Donors who use Global Giving are thrilled with the ability they have to connect to projects and places around the world and see their own impact. Donors appreciate the transparency of the giving process we provide and welcome the feedback they receive about how their contributions have been put to work and the results achieved.
"Global Giving gave me the opportunity to fulfill one of my dreams of becoming a Philanthropist. Thank you for giving me that opportunity. I enjoyed helping to fully fund projects in the past and I look forward to doing so in the future." –GlobalGiving Donor, September, 2009

Thinking about the New Year and the theme of finding inner passion--many of us forget about the healing powers of music. Oftentimes music is just background noise--but do we really take the time to stop and listen to it-to be moved by melodies and rhythms? If you ever observe young babies and children-many of them can't seem to control themselves when they hear music-dancing and bopping around. Just check out You Tube and you'll see thousands of clips attesting to this. It seems fair to conclude that music rests within the human being-I think we just forget that it's in there. I had actually conducted a project in one of my literature classes where I had a student play the violin and then had the rest of the class write down their immediate feelings in the form of poetry---many of them created fine pieces that astounded even themselves. The connection these students made with music and their own inner voice helped to introduce new forms of expressions to these students and also gave them a sense of confidence in their own thinking and creative abilities. Music in all its forms has a way of reaching just about anyone who will take the time to listen. You may read about it on page 8 of the Faculty Notebook page http://www.felician.edu/alumni/media
/felician_focus.pdf

Another example of how music may bring about profound personal change is found in a writing of personal experience entitled "Possession is Real" by Appalachian Trance Metal Performer Killick Hinds from Athens, Georgia where he writes a narrative about the healing powers of music-where simply listening to a piece literally made his ill-ridden body feel better almost instantaneously:

When I was in Essaouira, Morocco in 2001, I encountered a young man possessed by the Gnawa music we were hearing. Despite any reason (rational or otherwise) ascribed to his state, it was quite real. I had thus experienced possession as an observer, a close observer. This Wednesday afternoon I had a sizeable amount of blood drawn for tests to figure out some health issues. I was concerned my scheduled concert for the same evening with visiting double bassist Joel Grip wouldn't be possible, as the energy required to perform is, I reckoned, related to having all my humors and vigors at full tank. So I came home a bit sapped and shaky and wrapped myself in a blanket for respite. Joel arrived sometime after during a moment of wakedness, and Delene and I greeted him and showed him in. I sorta kinda fell back asleep still woozy and wavy. Until I heard his bass downstairs being plucked. I popped out of my cotton burrito in a way that surprised me. It was the irrepressible manner in which my Moroccan cohort gravitated to, listed to, was full-body drawn to the music. My pre-bloodlet strength returned. I continued to laze around with no more concern. The music would sustain me, and I'd make strong music this night.
For more information on Killick and his music please visit: http://killick.tumblr.com/
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/killick3

Make this the year you decide to be creative. We all preoccupy ourselves with worries and spend less time focusing on our own creative talents. I've always wanted to learn how to sew--I know, that sounds so "Little House on the Prairie..." but think about it-if I can sew-I don't have to rely on a tailor,I can do it myself. Start with something small-like a pillow or table runner--and then see where your wok will take you. I found this great site,Hancock Fabrics, Inc., which is one of the leading fabric chains serving the home sewing market. Known as "America's Fabric Store." Check the out and let me know how your projects are going!

Healthy Holidays

2009-12-18T09:02:00.006-05:00

"My New Year's Resolution is to drop 10 pounds..." How many times have you set that goal for yourself--but really had no idea where to begin-or how to stick to that goal once you've set it? You're not alone-most of us really have great intentions when it comes to wanting a healthy start to the New Year-but end up losing control or figuring it is just too difficult a goal to achieve. Fitness expert Jay Kerwin from Boot Camp L.A. offers easy and doable advice to help you get through the many temptations surrounding the holiday season with tips you can use all year long for a healthier you. Don't wait until after the holidays to start getting healthy...start now and your New Year's Resolution will be something you might finally achieve this year!

The Holidays are here and we want to give you a gift. A gift of how to
handle all of those delicious holiday sweets that are going to make their
way into your offices, homes, and stomachs…leaving you,
possibly, with an unwanted gift …around the mid-section.

To avoid this, the best exercise you can do this holiday season, is to exercise
control when eating all the high calorie holiday foods!
Of course, this is easier said than done, especially with all
of the wonderful Holiday baking and cooking that lies ahead.

So how can you exercise control?
Well let’s say someone brought his or her famous sugar cookies into
the office, and then someone else brought a tin of grandma’s
famous brownies. First step: Set a limit for yourself up front.
“I am going to have one treat”, then Second step: Decide if it is going
to be one of the sugar cookies or one of the brownies. If you must
have both, then cut the brownie in half leave the other half and only
have half of a cookie. If there are three items to pick from – still pick
one or a bite of each to equal one dessert item.
Third step: and this is a big one! Walk away once you have made your choices.

Hanging out at the dessert station is only going to challenge the limit you set yourself. The key is not to deny yourself, but also not over indulge yourself. Your taste buds will be happy and your body will thank you for not over eating and gaining so much holiday weight, and as result everybody wins!

So to put it into business terms: Set a limit up front, Stick to it,
Negotiate the items and go for a Win-Win!

The keys to losing weight are commitment, knowledge and being prepared.

We have identified a few culprits that can keep you from realizing your fitness goals this holiday season– they are items that can keep you from losing weight and even worse possibly contribute to gaining weight.

Top 5 reasons:
1. SOFT DRINKS. I think that this is one of the main reasons people can not lose weight. One glass of regular soda has almost the same calories as an entire meal. You can drink a can of soda and you will have almost taken in the calorie allotment for that meal and you haven’t lost your hunger at all. DON’T WASTE YOU CALORIES ON ANY DRINKS, ESPECIALLY ALCHOHOL!

2. TOO MUCH TIME BETWEEN MEALS. When you wait too long between your meals, it’s pretty much guaranteed you are going to over eat when you have your next meal. Try to be more conscious of how long it has been since you ate your last meal. Eating smaller meals more often throughout the day versus two large meals will help you speed up your metabolism and improve your digestion. Be prepared to have something nutritious to eat when your body calls for it. Being prepared, means taking time to put yourself first and getting to the grocery store so you have the fuel you need to be healthy everyday. May sound like a lot, this being prepared business, but give it a try and watch how others start to see the changes in you and soon they too will start taking care of themselves. Be a leader and take care of yourself first!

3. BAD FOOD DECISIONS. Just because you are at the Fast Food drive thru, doesn’t mean that you have to order the worst thing on the menu. O.K, so lets say you weren’t prepared to eat (as in bringing in your own lunch) and you are now at the fast food drive thru. Well, try to at least order the healthiest thing they have. Most places have a light chicken sandwich or salad. But, be aware of the dressings and mayonnaise they are usually very high in calories and can totally ruin you efforts.

4. TOO LARGE OF A PORTION. Your stomach is only the size of a baseball, or softball, why would you think that whole entire burrito would fit in there? A good guide is to eat only eat what fits into your hands as if you are cupping water out of a river. Always split you meal with someone or cut it in half as soon as it gets there and wrap the other half in a to-go box. Don’t make up for missed meals by over eating. If you have been eating large meals and have been wondering why your energy levels aren’t that great, it’s because nothing slows down the metabolism more, than meals that are too much for you stomach to handle.

5. NOT EXERCISING ENOUGH. The last one is simple. Get out there and do something that gets your heart rate going, whether its raking your own leaves, or washing your own car or even better, waxing your car (That ‘s a great workout)! Overall, when you think of exercise think of doing cardio, along with a good weightlifting program. This combination will get you the results you are looking for much faster.

Remember little changes can make a big difference on the scale!
Our best wishes to all for a Healthy and Happy 2010!

Jay Kerwin is the Major of Boot Camp L.A., which brings to Los Angeles both group and individual fitness training and nutritional counseling. Boot Camp L.A. was recently featured nationally on The Discovery Channels “Fit TV” program and on ABC’s Extreme Makeover, as a great way to have fun while you get in shape! For more information about nutrition, getting in shape or to inquire about Boot Camp sessions or personal training you can contact Boot Camp L.A. Head quarters in Los Angeles at
323-938-6179 or visit the website at http://www.bootcampla.com

Savvy Gifts

2009-12-12T01:48:00.063-05:00

Growing up in the 80s when decadence and shoulder pads were all the rave-most people thought nothing of presenting extravagant gifts to their loved ones. Nowadays-gift giving is difficult-whether it be because of financial issues or even just the selection of what's out there. The rough economy has caused many stores to just use whatever is in stock--but the problem is-the stuff is left over from past seasons because no one wants them!! And-those boring old things are expensive to boot.
Scroll through the list of offers and start shopping!!

Now the question is "how do I find something affordable, presentable, and unique?

I've found a few really cool sites that offer all of these things.

Bluechopsticks.com Gifts
5% OFF with coupon AC11759">

This is a great site that has so many types of gifts, gift baskets, flowers, theme gifts, and more all on one great site. Their Baby Einstein wagon set is super cute and their Harley Davidson gift set will get your biker's engines in a flurry. Be sure to look at their vast selection of cookie and candy baskets that will put a smile on almost anyone's face. I've sent the cookie baskets to my bosses on Boss' Day-and it was a big hit. Many items are on sale and the coupon code has no expiration date.

Collections Etc. offers a huge collection of unique gifts, home decor, housewares, seasonal decorations, and garden accessories. You can shop from a huge assortment of incredible values where most items are $19.99 or less. With over 3,000 products online all at low prices, Collections Etc. has made gift-giving so much easier!

Save big on Holiday Clearance! Save up to 50% off and get Free Shipping on orders over $50! Promo Code 4GZZE6

For those of you looking for Christian gifts here is a great site that offers a huge selection of items for the home, as well as jewelry, greeting cards, journals, art, and much more all with an inspirational touch. Be sure to browse their entire site for lots of items and click on the promo link that works best for you.

Receive Free U.S. Shipping at DaySpring Online Store with coupon code NOSHIPCHARGE through 04/01/2010 - Minimum of $10 order
15% Off All Items from DaySpring through 04/01/10 with Coupon Code SAVE15
$20 Off Orders of $100 or more from DaySpring- Use Coupon Code: 20off100 through 4/01/2010

Here is another great site that offers many Catholic gifts hat are appropriate for religious occasions such as Baptisms/Christenings, First Communions, Confirmations, or just something that shows expression of your faith. Click on the text links to be directed to other sections of this store that have even more gifts, as well as a link for lovely Irish gifts.

Rosary.com is your premier destination for rosaries, cases, rosary prayer books, and rosary gifts.
Grace Designs is your store for Christian Gifts. We carry a wide variety of Christian and inspirational gifts for every occasion.
Celtic Hills - Inspired by the Celtic Spirit, Imported gifts from Ireland

NOVICA is a very unique site that showcases worldwide fine art and home decor. Visit the site and have a gateway to the fascinating cultures of the world where you will explore remote regions across the globe, can view the faces of fascinating artisans, read about their lives, learn about the meaning behind their works, and select from more than 30,000 unique, handmade works of art. NOVICA has had a profound impact on the lives of many artisans and many artists have been able to overcome the economic challenges felt in developing regions of the world, and have been able to concentrate and work full time as artists as a result of this site. This is true "make a difference" shopping!!

Take $15 off any purchase over $50! Use Coupon Code: NOVICA9327
Novica weekly coupons and promotions

For animal lovers, Whales & Friends is one of the foremost Nature oriented sites featuring clothing, sweat shirts and tees, prints, sculptures, jewelry all with a nature oriented theme. A perfect site to find Whales and Dolphin and sea life items, cats, dogs, birds, butterfly and horse related products. Fun and practical gifts for the young and young at heart.

Here's another great site that has lots of gifts and fun ideas for the animal lovers on your list. I just bought the stuffed animal cardinal and blue jay toys for my son, who loves to chase them outside!

Need a special gift for a special teacher? Homeroom Direct is your one-stop shop for Teacher Gifts and Supplies.

The New York Times Store offers a vast array of quality products from the country's pre-eminent newspaper. Starting with an unmatched collection of historic and contemporary photography, the store provides the discerning buyer everything from fine art prints, books and sports memorabilia to historic autographs, electronic gadgets and reprints of vintage news. Items include Audubon and Native American Art, New York Sports Memorabilia, historic and rare original newspapers, personalized keepsakes and one of a kind U.S. patent models. Other exclusives include the U.S. Postal Collection and works from the Hudson River Painters School of Art. The Store also offers unique New York Times-branded accessories and clothing while guaranteeing shoppers a secure site, seamless transactions and the finest in customer service. Don't forget their famous crossword puzzles--challenging and fun.

New York Times Beach Towel With FREE Cookbook
FREE Personalization On The Fantastic 50's Collection
FREE 8x10 Hideki Matsui photograph with purchase of personalized Louisville Slugger Bat
FREE shipping and FREE NY Times Magazine with purchase of Inauguration and Election Newspaper Set With Barack Obama Photo
FREE Shipping and Photograph With Collectible Handcrafted Wooden Ship Model Purchase
The New York Times Crossword Puzzle Society

The official online store for NBC Universal, which includes products from NBC, Vancouver 2010 Olympics, CNBC, MSNBC, USA Network, SyFy, and Universal Studios features a wide selection of products (DVDs, soundtracks, logo apparel, bobbleheads, toasters, mugs, you name it) bringing in new and exclusive items all the time for an interesting shopping experience.

Free Shipping on orders of $100 or more. Use code FREESHIP at checkout.

Need a special gift for the executive in your life?? Executive Essentials offers the lowest prices on thousands of executive and business products including fine pens, desk accessories, leathergoods and more. They offer more than five thousand products from brands like Parker, Waterman and Lamy to Movado, Johnston & Murphy, Filofax and more! Executive Essentials provides huge product selection, competitive prices, fast delivery, and the highest level of personalized service.

Know a couple who is getting married? Skip the toaster and get them some much needed luggage that can be used for years to come. Need a gift for the professional in your life? The traveler? The college student? Your relatives who have overstayed their welcome?? (Hey-I've got you a brand new bag for your trip home...LOL) This site has excellent discounts on all kinds of luggage, briefcases, back packs, duffel bags, and more. Click on the link for free shipping and also browse the site for even more savings.
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Save up to 50% on Vera Bradley at eBags.com

One of my favorite channels to watch is the Discovery Channel-although "Shark Week" does creep me out! Their site has really unique- as well as educational items that make fun gifts. What's even better is that right on the site are tabs to click onto the TLC, Animal Planet, Military Store Channel, and Science Channel Stores where you can get DVDs of your favorite shows like Cake Boss (my personal favorite--if anyone from the show happens to read this--send cannoli pronto!!!!), Miami Ink, and many more. Enjoy free shipping with qualified purchase and don't forget to look at their sale items.

FREE shipping on orders over $75. Enter code FREESHIP at checkout.
Discovery Channel Store DVD Sale

Oh...Winter in Paris...Summers in Rome...we can dream oui? Nothing speaks quality like fine European "craftspersonship" (not all of the good things are made by men right??)...a fantastic site that I've come across in my "web travels" has unique and reasonably priced items from Europe. This site has gourmet food, baby gifts, soaps, vintage linens, and so much more!! So if you can't catch the next plane across the pond... start experiencing "La Dolce Vita" right at home by visiting Touch of Europe for authentically European products. Be sure to visit their sale tab.

Cavallini sticky notes shown on the Today Show from Touch of Europe
Free Shipping on all orders over $50 at Touch of Europe

For a truly "blast from the past shopping experience, be sure to visit Betty's Attic where you can find 800+ classic games, dolls, apparel and accessories, sports memorabilia, books and videos, and many other nostalgic products.

Another fun shop is The Lighter Side, who offers lighthearted gifts and a wide selection of licensed and nostalgic collectibles. With over 500 games and toys, apparel, housewares, personalized gifts and much more from such cultural icons as Betty Boop™, Wizard of Oz™, Coca-Cola® and Looney Tunes™--there is something that is sure to please.

WHATS ON SALE AT THE LIGHTER SIDE?

The ultimate in super savvy shopping happens in the "Amazon." The absolute best deals are to be had here with many items eligible for super saver free shipping with qualifying items and totals. I absolutely love this site and have been shopping on it for years. I always just go straight to the outlet and have gotten designer sunglasses, shoes, and high end housewares for more than 70% off. Of course percentage of discount varies-but it's worth a look. I usually only look for the free shipping items to save even more. Click on the link to get first class access to quality discount shopping.

I'm so glad that greeting cards have never gone out of style--as much as I love presents--there's nothing more important to me than reading a greeting card--maybe it's the poet in me--but well-expressed words given as a gift is extra special. I even enjoy getting e-cards sent to my inbox. Whether you are a traditionalist who prefers paper cards-or a modernist who prefers the internet--American Greetings has something for you. Check out their free e-cards and look around the site for great time saving deals.

Wide Selection of Free Ecards from American Greetings. Animated, Funny, Talking & More! Start Free Trial>>

One of my favorite greeting card companies is Blue Mountain Arts--they have truly inspiring cards where the words/poems represent the actual art of the card. They are also very open to freelance writers, who want to try to get some poetry published. One of my graduation poems actually made it through to the final step of their reading process; however, in the end my work wasn't selected---but getting that far in a company as well respected as Blue Mountain Arts was still exciting and encouraging. See for yourself...

Will post more as I get them!! Let me know what you got at these sites and how much you saved...Happy Shopping!!! Remember-to get the savings-you must shop directly on my site!

The Frugal Office

2009-12-03T02:49:00.026-05:00

I've been working as an office manager in a Chiropractic facility for almost 20 years--a job that I absolutely love. Keeping things in order in the most chaotic of financial times is something that we office managers have to become creative with on a daily basis. The two most important things that I've learned over the years that have helped to weather the storms of ever-changing regulations that sometimes prevent profit growth-like insurance mandates, fee-schedule cuts-and so on--is to 1. keep in-house overhead usage costs down and 2. keep promoting your business any chance you get.

Obviously-keeping overhead costs from overtaking the business is essential to making a profit-which these days is a blessing! Oftentimes in a busy office-it just becomes easier to just order whatever and from wherever without really weighing out the costs. Ordering items just becomes one of the many tasks that need to get done--but if you really take a little extra time and try to utilize better spending practices--you'll see that at the end of the sales year--you may actually have a little bit more capitol to work with--and maybe you'll have some leverage to convince your boss just how affordable it now is to give you that raise...

I don't care how successful you think your practice is-you should never have the mentality of--we are fine-we don't need any more patients/clients--they know where to find us...that kind of thinking will keep you "stuck" in an average spot of your business potential. There should always be room for more people who want the services your company has to offer and will pay you for it!If you get so busy that you can't handle the rush--you can always add more support staff. Wouldn't that be the ultimate success!! I can already hear the rebuttal argument: "Have you seen the cost of traditional print ads?" True--the general ad in a newspaper or other print media is quite costly. There are other smaller-and less expensive ways to get your name out to the public and to keep name recognition. What may seem to be cheap-throwaway items like pens, magnets, notepads, etc. are actually useful tools that help your patients/clients to remember you and have your information quickly. These items are things that most people have around them on a daily basis and serve as a reminder of what services you have to offer them.

Click on the following links for useful, one-stop shopping of your practice needs and be sure to utilize the coupons for extra savings.

One of the companies I've been using for years is the National Pen Company. They have high quality promo products at very low prices. Often they offer two for one deals and introductory specials that give you a lot of product without spending too much money.Click on their "free products" link to take advantage of these excellent deals. Search their site for products that can help generate company recognition and customer satisfaction. Many of our patients tell us that they look forward to our giveaways and often hand out our promo products to their friends and family to generate in-house referrals--the best-and most lasting customers come from this type of marketing. Be sure to use the coupon code ps65zt at checkout to get free set up and 20% off on most items.

Shop here for other great deals on personalized pens and promo items with free 24 hour rush delivery on specific products.

Another great shop for promo items...

Need a unique logo for your business?? Here is a truly affordable site that helps you to create your very own logo to help make your business stand out and get noticed. They also have promotional products to help solidify your logo recognition.

$20 LogoWorks Coupon

A really "sweet" and memorable way to promote your business is to use personalized M&Ms-They make excellent gifts and are perfect to use at trade shows or fairs.

MY M&M'S For Business Gifts - Free Logo Setup - $100 Value!

For those of you who wear scrubs/uniforms-this link has deeply discounted items along with shoes and accessories to fit your daily comfort needs. Free shipping is often offered-click on the site for details.

For your office supply needs-here is a link that offers some good deals. The selection may not be as vast as some of the larger office supply vendors-but I can't say that they are a bad site. Enter code BON55 at check out to get $5.00 off your purchase of $50.00 or more.

Free Shipping on Office Supplies & Office Furniture

A really good site that offers club warehouse type savings when you increase your order sizes to case quantities is Bulk Office Supply. They do have fair and competitive prices plus a large selection of items to fulfill your office needs. There are no membership fees and you may also order items individually if a case is not something you want to order.

Here is another interesting office supply site that offers free shipping on orders of $75.00 or more and has a large inventory of items that you can use to help run your office effectively.

One of the biggest expenses I have are printer supplies-toners, drums, etc-these items are so crazy expensive and of course are things that you must have in order to have a functioning office. I have to admit that I was leery at first about buying printer/ink supplies from a vendor other than Staples/Office Depot etc--but wow-what an amazing difference in price when I found these guys--and-I can't say that I've encountered any issues. The printing quality is exactly the same at a FRACTION of the prices I was used to paying. This is definitely the site to see to get huge savings on all your ink/toner needs plus more. Click on the site to save even more with a 10% coupon and free shipping on orders of $45.00 or more.

Save $10 off all orders over $40 and receive FREE SHIPPING from Carrot Ink today!

Here is a fairly good site where you can browse for your printing needs. They offer high quality brochures that you can personalize to showcase your business services.
Look on the site for discounts and shipping promos.

Talk about incredible savings on your printing needs. If you've never been on it before-you have to click on this link for unbelievable discounts on all your business cards, labels, stamps, letterhead, cards, and so may more items. The best part is their "FREE" section where for a small handling fee-you can get many items of your own choice-customized for you-for FREE. The quality is fine and the prices can't be beat!

Remember-to get these savings-you must shop directly from my site!

Nowadays-business must rely on technology to be successful. IT pro Anthony Iannone from Diplomatic Information Technologies may offer your company the innovation it needs to run efficiently and effectively:

Diplomatic Information Technologies (DIT) is a company with a vision to help diplomatic missions and agencies, non-profit organizations, and private business customers improve their efficiency and effectiveness through the use of technology and communication. Through our extensive experience with our varied clientele, we are able to custom tailor our services to the special needs of diplomatic agencies, non-profit organizations, and private businesses.

DIT can help your organization implement and productively use many different technologies, while helping you to save money by cutting down on the costs of telecommunications and maintenance. Here is just a sampling of the products and services DIT can provide to your organization:

- WWW website content, design, and Internet hosting, including domains & E-Mail

- Voice & telefacsimile over Internet (VoIP) communication systems

- PC & MAC hardware / software support, service, and sales

- LAN & WAN network design, implementation, and maintenance

- Virtual private networking with virtual and remote offices

- Wireless networking and telecommunications

- Digital security auditing, anti-SPAM technology, and hacker defense analysis

- Digital video security with long-term storage and remote web-based monitoring

- Custom application design and development

- Custom database design and development

- Document digitization, storage, and translation for the paperless office

- On-site information technology training and consulting

- 24 hour on call / emergency and disaster recovery services

DIT can solve your technological problems, large or small, simple or complicated.

Visit DIT for more details: http://www.diplomaticit.com

Planning a Special Event??

2009-12-01T02:27:00.038-05:00

Planning an event is hectic enough...shopping for your invitations and accessories does not have to be! Be sure to visit my site http://www.mvsimpressions.cceasy.com for a large selection of accessories and stationary from Carlson Craft-a trusted leader in the invitation industry that will set the tone for your special day-and not break the bank! You will be able to choose wedding invitations, birth announcements, save the dates, personalized labels, note cards, kid's birthday invites, and so much more for whatever event you are having. We even have a "green" section-just type in green/recycled in the search box. An automatic (no code needed) 10% discount will be applied to your shopping cart for most items (there are some exclusions...see site for complete details). This offer is on going and as of now-has no expiration date.
Be sure to click on the featured links tab on my site for access into other fine shopping experiences with discounts. Samples are available at a low cost for most products.

Another great site for invites and stationary for all your occasions can be found here at Minted.

5% Off Any Purchase at Minted: Use Code AFF09

Also browse through Cardstore...

For really stylish papers that are sure to please, visit Red Stamp for truly unique stationary and much more. A big plus is the free stationary promotion they are running. Click on the links for more details.

You Deserve Great Paper: Our free stationery gift with every order.

Paper Source is a retailer of fine papers, stationery, invitations, gift wrap, greeting cards, quirky gifts and a custom collection of envelopes and cards.

Invite tips: Give yourself plenty of time to not just order the invites-but throw in some extra time for the "just in cases" that are unfortunately common in the printing industry--many times items are spelled incorrectly-or aren't printed straight etc--you need to budget those types of "what ifs" in your time schedule. Also-I personally try to give my guests 6 weeks to respond-I know all the traditional viewpoints are 4 weeks--but busy people have busy schedules--and who do you know who isn't busy today?? Also-you need time to plan for seating arrangements, envelope stuffing, addressing--you will be surprised as to how many addresses you will realize you don't have when you are putting together your invites, and stamping--ALWAYS bring your completed invitation ensemble to the post office to be weighed--nothing says OOPS like a big red "Postage Due" stamp on your lovely invites!!!

Some people do away with favors because they are an extra expense--but I still find that most guests still enjoy seeing what the favors are. What makes more sense nowadays is to give out something practical that is related to your theme if you have one. Steer clear from dust collectors that end up in the garbage or in my garage sale!! My Wedding Favors has cute ideas for all budgets.
Click on this link for unique and affordable favors and accessories for all occasions-not just weddings- and use one of the codes for extra savings:

Enter coupon code SAVE5 to receive 5% off of your order.
Enter coupon code SAVE10 to receive 10% on orders over $150.
Enter coupon code TAKE25 to receive $25 off orders over $200.

Here's another great site for favors and accessories. See for yourself why Bride's Magazine selected HansonEllis.com as one of the BEST WEDDING WEB SITES.

For those of you who love to include Jordan almonds with your favors, the Superior Nut Company has a good selection of affordable nuts in several colors to suit your theme Premium Jordan Almond Wedding Favors
Save 5% on Gourmet Gifts at SuperiorNutStore.com with coupon: GOLDEN

Having a candy bar at your party is starting to become a trend that guests get excited about. A really "sweet" favor you might want to give to your guests or even just use for cute decorations are M&Ms-everyone's favorite candy that you can now personalize with pictures and text of your choice-along with getting colors to suit your theme.

Buy 3 or more Bags Of Custom Printed MY M&M'S® And Get 1 FREE!
Wedding Day Candies Create MY M&M'S® Candies With Your Own Personal Words & Photos!
Give the Valentine's gift that smiles back: Personalized M&M's® with your words and faces! 14% Off your order

The Knot has become a household name among brides to be--they have a huge selection of unique favors and accessories to make your events super special. Be sure to visit their site and check out their deals.

Want to do something extra special for your event?? Think about extending the celebration to those in need. Global Giving helps you to help others in need.

Be sure to check out David's Bridal for a huge selection of gowns for all members of your wedding or special event. From bridal gowns to flower girl dresses--they have it all!! Their website is easy to use and you can actually plug in different colors to many different bridesmaids dresses to see how they all look in different shades. I actually got my Matron of Honor dress for my niece's wedding there--and I LOVE IT!! Be sure to click the text link for the sweepstakes!!!

Win your gown or up to 5 bridesmaid dresses at DavidsBridal.com

Looking for a bridal gown, bridesmaid dress, prom gown, or formal attire?? TJ Formal.com is one of the first internet’s premier sites for prom and wedding dresses. They provide their customers with the best service and merchandise from the finest gown designers and also have free ground shipping. Browse through for a vast selection of designer gowns at affordable prices.

10% Off all Jewelry & Accessories @ TJ Formal! Use coupon code TJ10JAN at checkout. Exp 1/31
Get rid of your extra inches for the summer! Check out all TJ Formal's body image products and get free shipping!

Here's another comprehensive site that has so many high quality items at reasonable prices. They have beautiful dresses for all your festive needs as well as lots of fine accessories. Browse through and enjoy free shipping with your order! Also take advantage of extra coupon savings by using the text link below through 06/10/09.

Save an Additional 25% Off Immediate Delivery Wedding Dresses, Enter Code IDW25 - Expires 6/10/09

Milanoo offers even more selection and free shipping-definitely worth a look!
Milanoo-Designer Wedding Gowns Bargain Price Plus Free Shipping
Bridesmaid Dress Designer Quality Bargain Price Plus Free Shipping!
Milanoo-Designer Quality Prom Dresses Starts $70 Plus Global Free Shipping

Although the focus is generally on the gowns etc....today's fashionable man likes to stand out as well. Here is a great site where you may find a wide selection of men's suits/tuxedos/formal attire. Click on the link for extra savings.

For those of you who are planning some event that is less formal--here are some great links for you to visit.

For all your at home party supply needs-be sure to click on the Party Works link where they have lots of theme related items on sale.

Another great shop at home site for your in-house party needs is Celebrate Express-they even have specific pages dedicated to your child's 1st Birthday-called 1st Wishes and also a costume express tab that has great costumes.

Remember-to get these savings-you must shop directly from my site!
Be sure to let me know any of your interesting theme ideas for your special events!!

Frugal Shopper

2009-12-01T02:07:00.019-05:00

Shopping and saving money is something I am a really big fan of. Ever since I was about 3 years old-I enjoyed playing with coupons...it's no wonder that as an adult my relationship with coupons has grown!

Someone actually beat me to the title of "Coupon Queen," but royalty or not-saving money while shopping is something that is an absolute must for me. Only in an emergency will I buy something that is not on sale or without a coupon. (Running out of chocolate chip cookies does qualify as an emergency!) When I go to the grocery store-they already know to get a manager ready with the "key" because of all my coupons. Just a tip-as a courtesy to the cashier and to shoppers waiting their turn on your line-if you have "free" coupons-put those products on the belt first. Then when you hand the coupons to the cashier-take those "free" ones and explain to him/her that you have a bunch of free coupons and that you placed those items first to be scanned. This will help them tremendously at the end of the order, because with most free coupons, the cashier needs to physically hand write the item's price directly on the coupon. Having those items listed at the top of the receipt will make everyone's life a lot easier. There is nothing worse than a cashier and a manager scrolling up and down a receipt trying to find an item's price while the line gets longer and stares get sharper. I once turned to an irate customer and asked her if she'd rather pay my shopping bill-no? well then I need to use them...On a more positive note; however, most people are genuinely interested to see how much I save on my shopping orders. Following is a great site that has lots of coupons-nowadays most stores accept internet coupons-but I do advise you to check that your store of choice does in fact accept them-as some still do not.

Where do you get free grocery coupons from? I get a large bulk of my coupons from the inserts in the weekend local newspapers-but I also find that subscribing to free newsletters of the companies that manufacturer your favorite products also helps with getting high dollar coupons and even free offers.

The key to working with coupons is to organize them-if you just go to the store with a fistful of crumpled up coupons in your pocket-you'll never use them as often as you should because they will prove to be a hassle. Find yourself a good coupon organizer that helps you to separate your coupons by category i.e. snacks (of course I list that one first), baby products, cleaners, and so on. Once this is done-you at least know that the next time you need something from those categories-you might use some coupons to get extra savings off. Another way to use coupons effectively before your shopping trips is to organize them by aisle if you can. For example-if you go to the same grocery store often-you likely know the general layout of the store. If aisle 1 has cereal/breakfast foods-then put those particular coupons first, Beverages the second aisle-then organize coffee coupons etc next, and so on. This helps you to drive through your aisles quicker by getting the items you need fast without having to fumble through a pile of coupons.

It also helps a lot to have a customer loyalty card to the grocery store you are shopping at because if you also have a manufacturers coupon for product that is reduced through use of a loyalty card-now you may get that product at an even lower discount. The key is to look at the store's weekly circulars to see what is on sale-find a coupon for that product-and start saving. Many circulars are even online-so you may use the web if you don't have access to a paper circular.

Still think coupons aren't worth it? With little effort-I save at least $25.00-$50.00 on each shopping trip. I shop at least once per week. That amounts to $1300-$2600 a year. There are times when I save even more than that. Trust me-it is worth it.

Talk about deals...this site is dedicated to providing their customers with huge discounts on an array of merchandise. It's so popular that USA Today has ranked it one of the top ten sites for true savings online. Check them out here and see for yourself.

Any college student will tell you that aside from tuition, required textbooks can be beyond expensive. There actually is a site that allows students to rent textbooks and even sell old textbooks back to them. Another plus is that for every book rented-they will plant a tree-so you are saving money and helping the environment as well. As someone who writes, I do see that there is room for argument with this type of site from an author's perspective; however, in some situations the expense of books causes many students to go to class without the proper materials resulting in poor grades and worse yet-- adds to some students eventually dropping out of college, because they simply cannot afford to buy them. In these cases-a site like this is truly beneficial--and in the ideal scenario--once these students graduate-they will hopefully retain their love for learning, earn more money in their careers, and will purchase books for their own libraries giving authors' their rightful due. As a college instructor-I've heard rave reviews from actual students who love this site.

Save 10% on all Textbook Rentals! (For a limited time)

I absolute LOVE this site! Not only does Kodak help me to be a frugal shopper-but it also helps me to save time-and these days-who really has any??? It's funny-I actually have accumulated so many points on Pampers.com Rewards to grow program-(a site where you enter in codes from diapers/wipes etc. so that you may redeem them for a list of rewards) that I could have actually gotten my Holiday Photo Cards for free on another site. When I tried to use it-I didn't like the layout possibilities or the ways in which I could edit my project-so I decided to get back to Kodak-because even if I have to pay for them-the time it saved me to upload my pictures in lightning fast mode, the different layouts, and the editing they have--is worth it.
You can order prints of all sizes at reasonable prices-get photo gifts, photo books, cards, and more-click on the gallery and also use the coupon codes:
Current Promotions at KODAK Gallery

You or someone you know expecting a baby? Click on this site to get info on how you can score some really useful freebies on the internet. When I was pregnant, I signed in and got all kinds of stuff from formula, diaper samples, free magazine subscriptions, and lots more.

People often ask me if there are any ways to make some quick and easy money on the internet-of course there are a lot of get rich quick schemes out there-so you really have to utilize common sense when looking for such opportunities--but one way you can make some extra pocket money and also get a lot of free products is by joining online survey groups that pay you to take surveys and to test products from brand named companies. There are literally thousands of survey companies out there so it's hard to determine which are truly worth your effort or not. I always steer clear of any survey groups that need me to complete an offer in order to get a free product or to earn cash. Also, I never join any company that requires me to pay a fee to join.

There are several survey groups that are actually quite good that I personally use myself. One of my top groups is Synovate. How it works is you sign up-and then e-mail invites are sent to you to take surveys. Once you complete a survey-you earn points that accumulate in your account-which they track for you. Once you reach at least 5,000 points (which is easy as most surveys are worth 500 points and up) you can cash out for a $5.00 check-the more points you earn-the more cash you are eligible to receive. Even if you don't qualify for a survey-you will get 50 points just for trying. That doesn't sound like a whole lot of money--and it certainly isn't-but surveys generally take about 10-15 minutes to complete-and this site moves fast! What's even better is that after you complete a survey-you will be entered into a drawing for cash prizes that range from $10.00--$1,000--and people really do win-I've only been a winner of $10.00 a few times--but hey-it's extra cash!!

What is really the best part of Synovate is their product testing. From being on the panel-I've gotten premium bottles of shampoo, conditioner, paper towels, huge bags of dog food, cologne, household cleaners, hair color, make-up, cheese (yes-they delivered it in fridge packaging), and so much more-all from high-end, name-branded manufacturers...I can't tell you the names-but you will see for yourself once you sign in. All you need to do is respond to a follow-up survey or two after you've had time to test the product-which again takes only a matter of minutes-and you get to earn extra points towards your cash account-plus you get to keep the products. Only on a rare occasion does the manufacturer want the unfinished product back. If that happens-all shipping charges are paid for in advance by the manufacturer. There is never any cost to be on their panel-and honestly-when you add up all the free products you get plus the several checks you will get-it really becomes worth the little bit of time it takes to complete very easy surveys. Get started today-you'll love it!!

Another survey group that I have been a member of for over 10 years is the My Survey group. They offer a decent rewards program for completing surveys that are easily redeemed for cash. It takes only 1,000 points to get $10.00 sent to you. Many of the surveys come with product testing opportunities where you get to keep high quality, name-branded products in exchange for completing a brief survey about the product. They also have sweepstakes opportunities-I've never won anything-but I have cashed out a whole bunch of checks and have gotten lots of great free products. This is a reliable site-and I highly recommend joining in!

Earn rewards for taking surveys & influence new products. Entry to win $10,000 just for registering at MySurvey.com. Learn more https://www.mysurvey.com/index.cfm?action=Main.join&r=6851381

Remember-to get these savings-you must shop directly from my site!

Organic and "Green" shopping

2009-11-16T09:57:00.049-05:00

Going Green is more than just a passing fad-for many-it's becoming a way of life. The shades of green among us may vary-but I have a feeling this healthy and responsible movement is here to stay. While with anything-there are skeptics who say that there really is little benefit to green practices-do your own research and you will see that even just the smallest changes in what we choose to consume and use can in fact make a lasting difference to our own personal health and the environment around us. Really-would you open a bottle of pesticides and add it to your fruit salad? Probably not. Would you stockpile garbage in your yard (compost aside LOL)? Not likely.

Unfortunately-I think many people think it's all green or nothing-and it really doesn't have to be that way. If we incorporate even a little of the green ideas out there-we are doing ourselves and the world a good service. Just the smallest steps can make a huge difference-especially when combined with your neighbor's small step, your friend's small steps, and so on. From my own personal experience, I certainly see the difference in how much better I feel after going from a diet loaded with processed foods to a more organic and natural based diet-in moderation of course-I'm not giving up cookies-no way-no how! I also do feel a sense of purpose when I choose to recycle or support something towards a cleaner and safer environment.

The biggest issue I hear from those who do want to use organic and green products/services is the cost. Now while it may be argued that paying more money for organic food will actually save you money on future medical expenses in the long run or that buying green products will help keep communities stronger-they're still not strong enough arguments in these tough economic times to make many switch from the regular buying choices they are used to. What I've set out to do was try to find organic and green products that are both easily accessible and affordable at the same time.

Organic Style has a nice selection of flowers, gourmet gifts, baby gifts, and other good gift-giving ideas that are all organic. They also have items that when purchased allow a percentage to be donated to various organizations-click on the link below for more info regarding their charity bouquets. Click on the sale tab for discounted items. There are no specific coupon codes to use at present-but browse throughout the site and find many items on sale. Also be sure to look at their gorgeous roses that are available in a variety of lengths--their most unique and most popular item is the 6 foot rose bouquet. Imagine getting one of those!!

Not sure what to get the people on your gift list who have everything?? Skip that boring sweater and get them a tree planted in their honor. A new baby-a marriage-an anniversary--any occasion is a great time to show your loved ones how much you care about them and their environment. Click on the site for details and info on free shipping.

For those of you who are interested in Bonsai plants, here is a great site for you.
Make sure to click on the link for free shipping.

Here is a great site that offers all the Eco-friendly tools you need to get organized Be sure to click on the link and to also use the coupon codes when applicable.
7% OFF $35 or more purchase (Coupon: A9849)
$5 Off $75 Purchase at Organize.com (Coupon: a5129)

While I do have several recycled papers to choose from on my site http://www.mvsimpressions.ccceasy.com, the following site has an even bigger selection of environmentally friendly cards and invites-plus they offer an interesting low cost mailing service.
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Free shipping on orders $75 or more at Paper Culture!

Here are more environmentally responsible papers to choose from...

Have pets? They benefit from organic and green products just as we humans do. I'm anxious myself to put my Sheltie, Coco on an organic diet to help him with his allergies and hip issues. The Only Natural Pet Store offers free shipping on select orders (you need to qualify for their terms-see site for details), has a decent clearance section, which you can access if you scroll to the bottom of the home page, and has a 5% discount offer-use code in the link at checkout.

Free Shipping on Orders Starting at $75 - Only Natural Pet Store

While we are on the subject of pets--I know how hard it is to put your adorable furry companion in an ordinary kennel-or even leave your pet in the care of someone else whenever you need to travel. I've always wished I could just bring Coco with us so I wouldn't feel guilty. Well I've found a really great site that has done some good research into finding hotels/places that accommodate our pets and are pet friendly. Definitely check them out and book them for your next family vacation.

This is a truly fantastic site that has lots of gift options for you-and is becoming one of my favorite ones! You can build your own baskets-or get one of their pre-made ones. They have a large selection of delicious chocolates, gluten-free products, vegan products--and lots more. Check them out at:

Do something good for the environment and plant something! Not only does planting help promote cleaner air and helps promote natural beautification-but it also helps you to reconnect with the Earth and the potential of its beauty. The therapeutic benefits of gardening and growing your own produce can have calming effects on your mind-not to mention that having a garden also helps you to move physically-get fresh air-and stop for a second in this busy, fast-paced world we live in. There is a sense of accomplishment and pride in seeing your plants flourish-your fragrant flowers bloom, and a sense of pride when tasting the way-better-than-the wax-covered fruits and veggies that you have toiled for yourself and your loved ones. In growing your own fruits/veggies/nuts etc-you have the control over what is sprayed on your food or not. You would be able to use natural alternatives to dangerous chemical pesticides and would know that the food you eat goes from stem to plate in a matter of minutes--you can't get fresher than that! When looking for a site that delivers these gardening opportunities for you at low prices-I found Direct Gardening-not only do you get great prices-but there are freebies with every order! Keep in mind though that when delivered-most plants are a lot smaller in size than you might expect-I remember thinking when I ordered some fern and clematis that I had made a shopping blunder-but I was pleased with how fast they grew-and that the perennials actually came back and survived our cold New Jersey winters! Click on the link and enjoy shopping!

Here is a great site that lets you drink your coffee responsibly. Cafe Britt is a premier roaster of gourmet coffee and one of the few companies in the world that produces, roasts & sells coffee right from the country of origin. They ship directly from coffee producing countries for a taste that’s as fresh as it can be! They also offer a wide selection of carefully crafted gourmet chocolates and tropical nuts for a perfect complement to your cup of coffee. Customizable coffee gifts are always available. All of Café Britt’s operations comply with international standards for environmental protection and also follow fair trade practices. They serve the most demanding palates including customers at Marriott Hotels, Four Seasons & Ritz Carlton, among others.

For the tea lovers...
Numi Organic Tea offers organically grown premium tea and a broad assortment of stunning tea gift sets. Numi Organic Tea is made from the purest ingredients on the planet with full organic tea leaves and no added oils or flavorings. Numi’s vision is to inspire well-being of mind, body and spirit through the simple art of tea. Numi elevates the tea experience through innovation, quality, and a commitment to the environment and our global community.

Stunning Tea Gift Sets Under $30 - Shop Numi Organic Tea
Save 25% Off Numi's Popular Bamboo Flowering Tea Gift Set. Buy Now!

My top Healthy Products that I must have!!
CHILDRENS' VITAMINS:
This is a fantastic product that has all the essentials plus more in convenient powder form that can be mixed with yogurt or applesauce. I give it to my son every morning with breakfast and stock up on these so I never run out!

BREAKFAST FOOD:
This is a truly tasty cereal packed with flavor and crunch. My son and I eat this a lot, and we literally go through boxes of this stuff. It's also great to snack on throughout the day.

SNACK FOOD:
These are so yummy and help to ease the pangs of those late afternoon cravings.

My son goes through bags and bags of this stuff!! My sister had some of these at her house-and my son, nephew, and niece polished them all-licking their fingers hoping to get some more. This is a healthy snack with no preservatives or additives. If I'm not mistaken-the entire contents of a bag is only 100 calories making this a tasty and weight conscious snack suitable for all ages.

PERSONAL CARE:
I have to refrain from trying to eat the lip balm--it smells so good!

NATURAL CLEANERS:
I absolutely love this line of cleaning products not only for how well they clean-but mainly for how refreshing the room smells after you use this.The concentrated products remove glue and lots more. If you have a difficult spot to clean-try this stuff. I do still use some traditional cleaners with bleach for disinfecting purposes-but for other occasions, I try to use this whenever possible.

GoldenGadgets.com specializes in LED Lighting, Solar Power, and other energy efficient gadgets. They offer a wide variety of new and exciting gadgets at amazing prices. Check them out...

Looking for plant-based cosmetics and beauty products?? Yves Rocher is an authentic and unique cosmetic brand, recognized as the Creator of Botanical Beauty.
Harvesting, manufacturing and retailing since 1959, Yves Rocher was born of the vision of a man who believed in cosmetics based on plants and in the democratization of beauty.Yves Rocher offers an impressive selection of botanical beauty products: skin care, body care, makeup, fragrances, bath and shower products and more...They have affordable products and often offer free gifts with your order. Choose the discount offer that's right for you.

Get $10 OFF & FREE SHIPPING at Yves Rocher with orders over $45! Use coupon code 10OFF45 at checkout.
Get $5 OFF with orders over $25 at Yves Rocher! Use coupon code 5OFF25 at checkout.
Get $7 OFF at Yves Rocher with orders over $30! Use coupon code 7OFF30 at checkout.
Get $10 OFF for orders over $45 & FREE Shipping !! Use coupon code WOW1045 at checkout.
Get FREE SHIPPING at Yves Rocher with orders over $20! Use coupon code YRFREESHIP at checkout.

As I find more sites with offers-I'll be sure to post them.Remember-to get the sales/deals/coupon codes-you need to shop directly from my site! Fill me in your own thoughts about organic living and especially for those who have made changes and now see positive effects-please share that story here so that we may be inspired!

Welcome!!

2009-11-14T02:43:00.006-05:00

Welcome!!! I'm new to this blogging world--and I look forward to interacting with all of you. Since my interests vary--I am hoping to create a "melting pot" of different ideas and information that I hope will be of value. From holistic health care to English Literature-from being a mom to being a frugal maven-there are many topics that I hope to explore and look forward to your comments! I'll organize each blog by category-so be sure to visit each post for new info--and keep coming back for more as I will do my best to post new codes/shops/info etc.

My shopping pages will be designed to offer you a unique one stop shopping experience right from my blog where you can find deals, bargains, and coupon codes in order to help you make the most of your time and money. If you're just browsing-that's great!! But Remember-to get these savings-you must shop directly from my site!

I'll also have a section on party/event planning along with sites and coupons to make your special occasion an affordable and memorable event.

One of the things I'm excited to work on will be a page dedicated to management professionals where we can exchange tips and ideas to make running a business better-I hope to provide links and savings codes designed to make your office purchases more effective.

Also be on the lookout for tips and advice from experts in the fields of health, fitness, and fashion in order to promote a healthier and more satisfying "you!" We'll talk about innovative means of utilizing a more holistic approach to healthcare and how it can benefit you and your loved ones.

Other topics will include personal stories of achievement-inspirational stories of individuals who have achieved long aspired goals--and so much more...so WELCOME to my blog--I look forward to sharing our thoughts...