mayday1101

Still Here!

2016-08-22T16:58:00.000-04:00

Hello, everyone! Just a quick update to let you all know that I am still here! :) I have been working really hard lately and free time just isn't in the cards for me right now, but that's okay. For now, I've been noting down any content that I want to blog or make a video on in a notebook. It's crazy how fast the days go by. It has already been a month since my last blog post. My life has been so busy lately, but I am really enjoying my new career. It is a great adventure for sure! I honestly never thought I would find a "job" that I actually love going to every day. It's important to do something you love doing and not something you dread having to do. I've definitely had those types of jobs in the past. I think we all have at some point.

I am working on finding some free time to make videos. It is something that I'm really excited about getting back to. I could kick myself for stopping and deleting past videos...but I won't. (;P) I'm just going to keep on keepin' on and look forward to that free moment (whenever that may be) to put something out into YouTube Land!

In the meantime, I hope all is well with everyone!

Where Have I Been?!?!

2016-07-23T16:06:00.001-04:00

Hey, everyone! Sorry it has been so long. I bet some of you are wondering where I have been. Yes? No?! lol Well, I'm going to tell you anyway so there! ( ; P)

It has been a crazy year already and we still have quite a ways to go. I have been trying to start a business of my own, and it was so time consuming and I really wasn't getting anywhere with it. I prayed about it, and within a few days, I got an interview at a place I never expected to get a call back from. I knew I was qualified for the job, but I also knew that so many others would have applied for it as well. It truly is a dream job to have! So, I suppose you all can guess...I got the position! I was told after my interview (which went amazingly well) that I would hear from them either way the following week. An hour and half later they called me and offered me the job!!!!

It has been an adjustment for my whole family, but I really love what I do. For privacy reasons, I do not want to disclose where I work so I hope you understand. I just want to apologize for being away so long, and I am hoping to jump back into everything...including making YouTube videos again in the near future. I know what you are thinking...yeah, right! She keeps saying that and then...nothing! I took down all of my videos except for one a long time ago, thinking that I was all done. I was hanging up my hat on the social media gig and focusing on other things. But you know what? I really miss it! I miss interacting with everyone! Even though I currently have a small channel, it just meant I was able to be closer to all of the viewers and that meant a lot.

I look back now at other women that were starting out at the same time as myself; who I would talk to through messaging and emails and I see that they now have 50,000...200,000...and even one that now has over 1 Million subscribers! I am so proud of all of them, and have been a subscriber; watching as they have grown successful YouTube channels. You know who you are! Way to go ladies! While I never started my channel for subscriber count or money...I have to say that if you stay true to who you are...it is a given that you will have a successful channel. I see that in these women who I have grown to admire for their dedication and for them staying true to who they are from the very beginning.

As for now, I do not want to commit to a regular schedule on blogging or videos just yet. I want you to know that I am working hard for my family and when the time comes that I get a free moment to myself, I will be focusing on putting up more content. I can't wait to come back! I hope all is well with everyone! :)

February 2016 Ipsy Glam Bag - Pretty In #IPSYPINK

2016-02-22T18:18:00.003-05:00

Check out what I received in this month's IPSY GLAM BAG! It included 3 Full Size products and 2 Sample Size products this month. Ipsy is a monthly subscription service that is only $10 a month! You take a quiz so they can establish what type of style you are into and they do their best to reflect that in your glam bag each month. At the end, I will show you the prices of each item so you can determine if ipsy is worth it to you! :)

NEW! Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil (Sample Size)

Chella (Sample Size)

naked cosmetics Sierra Nevada #SN-02 Mica Pigment (Full Size)

Luxe Brush (Full Size)

Jersey Shore Spa All Natural

Anti-Aging Lip & Hand Polish in Vanilla Bean 1 oz.

(Full Size)

Now, is it worth $10? Let's see...

NEW! Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil (Sample Size) $7.50

Chella (Sample Size) $10.00

naked cosmetics (Sample or Full Size?) $14.99

Luxe Brush (Full Size) $12.00

Jersey Shore Spa All Natural

Anti-Aging Lip & Hand Polish in Vanilla Bean 1 oz. $20.00

TOTAL = $64.49!!!

If you want to sign up to receive ipsy, here is my invite link:

https://www.ipsy.com/new?refer=yvxv

If you already have a subscription to ipsy, I would love to see what you received in your February Glam Bag! Feel free to share it with me on Twitter and/or Facebook! Tag me @mayday1101

Click here to see what I received in my January Ipsy Glam Bag

This is not a sponsored post. All items were purchased by me and my opinions are my own. Ipsy link provided is my invite referral link. Prices provided are based off of prices found on brand websites, or in the event a sample size wasn't available there, prices were found on comparable sites. (i.e. ebay)

My Sweet Valentine #FTLOF

2016-02-12T13:13:00.005-05:00

Valentines Day is fast approaching and For the Love of February if it isn't the most romantic night for some and the biggest upset for others. Here's the thing that gets me: Why do some feel like their partner should only be appreciated on that day? For a great relationship, appreciation and affection should be shown on a daily basis.

I'm sure that you have all heard people refer to Valentines Day as a "Hallmark Holiday" and it was to boost sales for the flower, candy and card businesses. I can see the point being made. However, it is important to make TIME for your partner on this special day. It doesn't have to be an expensive, lavish night out. Take the time and effort into making something meaningful and it will be worth more and mean more than any monetary gift. This is something you should be doing periodically anyway.

That being said, in order to be able to put that time and effort into another person, we must first put the time and effort to love one's self. Be appreciative of and confident in where you are in life and I can almost guarantee that you will have a healthier relationship with someone than if you weren't happy in your own life when you met them. It takes a secure person to be able to rely on another and to let them into your 'bubble' so to speak. Think about it; you are willingly allowing another person into your life for the good, the bad, and the ugly. That is a HUGE deal and should never be taken lightly.

Go into a relationship being healthy: mind, body and soul. While I'm not a professional in relationships, I can tell you that jealousy, insults and disrespect will only cause unhealthy relationships. Having experienced people like that in my past, I feel confident in saying it is such a waste of time and energy. I have also experienced relationships where we were completely respectful to each other and for whatever reason it didn't work out. Although we are still civil with each other when we speak.

Honesty, loyalty, respect, kindness...those are the best qualities in a relationship. In order to get that from someone, you must be able to give it as well. It's a big commitment, but the payoff can be wonderful!

I hope you all have an amazing Valentines Day! And if it's not...know that it's just another day and guys aren't always romantic. If they try and completely fail, look at how they tried. That's something! :)

Be sure to check back for more "For the Love of February" topics throughout the month. Plus, a different theme every month this year! You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and coming back soon to YouTube. Or you can subscribe to this blog and have it emailed to you as well. Have a great day everyone! :)

photos courtesy of Google Search

For The Love of February #FTLOF

2016-02-03T20:53:00.002-05:00

Hi, everyone! Wow...January flew right by! It's time for a new month and a new theme! This month's theme is called, For The Love of February! We will delve into what we are really passionate about...and it's not just about relationships with others, but also the relationship you have with yourself. What I mean is, while we have important relationships with others, we need to also know ourselves and have love for ourselves. It's extremely important, yet often overlooked or put on the back-burner for others or for our fast-paced everyday lives.

To truly love ones self, you need to be happy with how you look, what you feed your body (emotionally, intellectually, physically, and nutritionally), among many other things. We will get into all of that and more throughout the month!

Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter to join in on discussions. Be sure to use this month's hashtag #FTLOF

WHAT'S INSIDE MY JANUARY 2016 IPSY GLAM BAG! #JanIpsyGlam

2016-01-29T16:15:00.002-05:00

Check out what I received in this month's IPSY GLAM BAG! It included 4 out of 5 products in FULL SIZE this month! Ipsy is a monthly subscription service that is only $10 a month! You take a quiz so they can establish what type of style you are into and do their best to reflect that in your glam bag each month. It isn't just a one bag works for all type of thing. What you get may not be what the next person gets. Plus, their customer service is pretty amazing.

Last month, I had a product that leaked during shipment and ruined other products. A quick email and they were happy to replace the damaged products and their response time what awesome. Within a week, my products were replaced. Be sure to read until the end where I will add up the value of the contents to see if you think it is worth it. On that note...here is what I received in my January ipsy "All Eyes on You" Glam Bag.

Jelly pong pong Fairy Lashes mascara

(Full Size)

pūr~lisse Blue Lotus 4-in-1 Eye Adore Serum

( .24 oz. Sample Size)

the Balm MR. RIGHT (NOW) eyeliner pencil in "Jac"

(Full Size)

City Color Eyeshadow Trio "Falling Leaves

(Full Size)

Lasting Smiles Organic Lip Balm in Peppermint Crème

(Full Size)

Now, is it worth $10? Let's see...

Jelly pong pong Fairy Lashes mascara $21.95

pūr~lisse Blue Lotus 4-in-1 Eye Adore Serum .24oz sample size $11.99

the Balm MR. RIGHT (NOW) eyeliner pencil in "Jac" $17.00

City Color Eyeshadow Trio "Falling Leaves $5.99

Lasting Smiles Organic Lip Balm in Peppermint Crème $4.99

TOTAL = $61.92!!!

It seems like ipsy is stepping up their game when it comes to products! If you want to sign up to receive ipsy, here is my invite link: https://www.ipsy.com/new?refer=yvxv

If you already have a subscription to ipsy, I would love to see what you received in your January Glam Bag! Feel free to share it with me on Twitter and/or Facebook!

This post is not a sponsored post. I pay for my own subscription and all opinions are my own.

Holding Yourself Accountable for your Actions! #JIJ

2016-01-22T14:32:00.001-05:00

I was starting to get a little irritated with my ipsy bag blog post because it won't let me add my pictures. That's a pretty crucial part of a 'what's inside' topic so I'm not too happy. It's a work in progress as am I. lol I say that because, I decided to take a break from it for awhile and started looking at old blog posts. It only made me more disappointed...in myself. I have decided that I need to share this with you (even though it is kind of embarrassing), so that maybe it can be used as a teachable moment in your own lives. It also fits right in with this 2nd topic I wanted to share for #JumpIntoJanuary; Holding Yourself Accountable. So, here we go back in time. Cue the time travel music. ;)

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Blog post from December 26, 2013. Getting ready for the New Year! Read on to see what unfolds.

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas! I sat down to review a product I have been testing out and noticed that this is my 100th blog post! It doesn't seem like I've had my blog that long.

So, have you picked your New Year's resolution yet? I have so many and I have no plans on narrowing it down. I will be making major changes this upcoming year and I can't wait to include you all along the way! I will be making more content on my YouTube channel and am working toward figuring out a schedule and hope to have consistent content available in the near future. Also, I will be doing more with this blog and possibly working on a new layout at some point next year. I'm looking to do more product reviews, DIY's and much more! Psst...don't forget random giveaways on most of my social media from time to time as well. So fun! :)

I am also going to be putting jewelry up on my Etsy shop that I created this year. I will be announcing the opening of my shop when the inventory is up and ready to sell. There is no set date on that as of yet, but I will update as progress is made. I thoroughly enjoy making quality jewelry pieces for myself as well as friends and family. I feel I am ready to expand my hobby and start selling my creations to the public. On top of that, I will be finishing up my Associates degree this Winter semester so yes...busy, busy my way, but the drive is there and I am ready for anything.

I found that doing my blog posts, creating YouTube content, making jewelry and doing projects really makes me happy. So, for 2014 I plan on going for it and not holding back. Many things happened this year that really deterred me from my goals, but I have overcome those obstacles and am ready to take on 2014 with a fresh start and outlook.
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There it is, right there; staring at me like I'm on a diet and depriving myself of that delicious looking cake! That's another matter entirely, but this thing we call life...it's all a battle! I could go into how I thought the struggles were over, how a lot of obstacles resurfaced or new ones emerged, but the bottom line is that I let it get in the way of my goals. Goals that I felt and still feel so strongly a passionate about. Not for 1 year, but for 2 years! 2 years is a long time and a lot could have happened. Could I have been successful in those 2 years in making a great YouTube channel? Could I have been successful with sharing my love of making jewelry with the world? I will never know how those 2 years would have gone because I didn't give it my all. I am the only one to blame for that.

Sometimes it's good to take a look back at what you've done (or said you would do), make adjustments and move forward. We are who we allow ourselves to be. Like I said before, we are only human and we make mistakes. However, we need to use those mistakes or other experiences as life lessons to hold ourselves accountable and to change our own path. I look forward to sharing my journey with you all.

Did you ever feel like you got off track somewhere along the line? Ever wish you didn't quit at something? You are not alone. We all lose sight of goals and most end up regretting it. Feel free to share your thoughts and get a discussion going on any of my social media platforms. Be sure to use #JIJ or JumpIntoJanuary so we all can find it easier. The following are links to where you can find me: Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

JUMP INTO JANUARY & RESOLUTIONS #JIJ

2016-01-16T20:17:00.001-05:00

Hey there! Happy 2016! Can you believe we are already halfway through the month of January? So crazy how fast the days pass by! If you are the type of person (like I am), you try to make a resolution or two...or three, to try to improve your life in some way. Whether it is health goals, financial goals, organization, etc: we love to use the New Year to 'Jump Into' our new ways. That's why I want to take the rest of January to give you a few ideas to get those resolutions going, or even get you motivated to get back on track if you are starting to stray a bit.

Falling off track is part of being human. With life always throwing things at you, it's easy to lose sight of some of your goals. The most important thing to remember is that you can always start again, right now. When making resolutions, it helps to make sure the goals are attainable and not something so far-fetched it sets you up for failure. Start small and adjust as you meet that goal. For instance, if your goal is to get out and walk more, but you feel like you are out of shape or maybe don't have a lot of time...don't make a resolution to walk more...make a resolution to walk for 10 minutes after dinner every day and keep adding time as you get better at it. If your goal is to save more and spend less, but your assets vs. expenses won't let you save the extra $100 a week...set your goal at an extra $25 and work on getting those expenses covered or paid off. Then, you can adjust it to a higher amount. It's all in how you set yourself up. So, set yourself up for success! :)

If you are wanting to set some goals for your own self-improvement, but aren't quite sure where to start, keep reading to see a few ideas that may help. Also, lets get a discussion going and support each other on social media. Click on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram to find me @mayday1101. Or leave a comment below. Be sure to use the hash tags #JIJ or #JumpIntoJanuary. We will be having a lot of fun with different themes going on each month! pssst...and some giveaways here and there too!

Here are a few ideas to help you on a journey of self-improvement:

Clean and Organize your Email - Your inbox can get congested if it's not checked regularly. Set aside some time to clean it out, create and utilize folders, unsubscribe to 'spammy' emails. Then, make a point to check it daily. It will make it easier to spot important emails and you won't feel so overwhelmed.

Exercise...Your Brain - An active brain is a HEALTHY brain. Try to do at least one brain teaser a day; maybe even a Sudoku or a word search.

Read Books - Yes, actual books. No audio or technology involved. Become a regular at your library. Aim for books that are in line with your interests or that you will gain knowledge from. Books about history or the great novels of the past.

Try New Foods - Have a cookbook you have always planned to use, but just haven't? Try designating one meal a week and cook a new recipe.

Find a Hobby - Take up some sort of craft, whether it's something big, like building things, or small like knitting or crocheting.

Whatever you choose to do, let that something that bring you JOY! What are your resolutions?

I hope that this post has been helpful. Be sure to follow me on here and on social media at the above links to get notified of new content. I'm really excited to get going on this blog again and I hope you will take this journey with me. Be back soon with more Jump Into January and also a peek inside what I received in my Januarary ipsy Glam Bag. Don't miss it!

I'm Back!!! What to Expect Going Forward.

2015-12-01T19:07:00.001-05:00

Hello, everyone! It's been a long time...just over a year in fact. I can't believe a year has gone by already. I took a break from everything for awhile and even deleted all but one of my YouTube videos so I could focus on my family and school for a bit. But I have MISSED this! I am ready to dive back in with some DIY projects and other fun things. With it being the holiday season, I will try my very best to get things up this month, but I make no promises. I'm excited to get started again and I'm hoping to post at least once a week on each of my social media platforms. Make sure you Subscribe, Follow, Like and all that good stuff at the links below to be notified of new content. I hope everyone is doing well and I will be back very soon. :)

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

Black Friday Deal Kohl's Cash Back, Ebates, FREE Shipping & Coupon Code! Oh My!!!

2014-11-27T13:46:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! If you are taking advantage of the online shopping deals, make sure you go through Ebates first to earn cash back. I just bought my kids some things from Kohls and earned 9% back plus Kohls has $15 Kohls cash back for every $50 spent and FREE shipping with $50+ order! And of course this post wouldn't be complete if I didn't have a discount code for you! Enter promo code THANKS15 for an extra 15% OFF! HAPPY SHOPPING!

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=wYQ2DuOa1JcghQy80JKSFw%3D%3D
Kohls: www.kohls.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mayday1101
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mayday1101

Deals are not guaranteed. It depends on when you have viewed this post. Deals and cash back sales can change and/or expire. Ebates link is a referral link. This post is not sponsored.

Snapfish FREE Shipping, 35% Off, and Cash Back! Hurry Before the Deal Expires!

2014-10-12T20:09:00.002-04:00

Want to know how I got 379 photos for only $22.26 on Snapfish? And, how I got 10% cash back? Keep reading to find out...

I definitely had a lot of photos that needed to be developed and Snapfish seemed like the best bet to do it quickly and conveniently. So, of course I had to look for all of the deals and discounts first. As you all know by now, this girl doesn't like to pay full price for anything if I don't have to. Now while you don't have to choose that many photos in order to get this deal, it is important to note that you will get more bang for your buck the more photos you do. The following information will give you 35% off of your order + free shipping. Also, how to get 10% cash back on your purchase.

As you can see, I chose to get 4x5.3 prints because the photos are from my cell phone and this option means that my photos will not be cropped. You can choose to do this, or you can get your regular 4x6 prints. I also had 20 FREE 4x6 prints on my account. This may or may not be available to you, but that only makes up for $1.80 of my order. Also, your tax will be different depending on where your reside. The discount saved me $11.31 on the prints and $17.71 on shipping & handling for a total savings of $29.02! Amazing deal and I just had to pass the info on to all of you!

Here is the promo code for 35% plus FREE SHIPPING: SHOPSNAPFISH
Hurry! Promo code expires October 15th.

Also going on right now is that ebates.com is offering 10% cash back for Snapfish, so I will be getting $2.10 back for this purchase as well. If you aren't familiar with Ebates, you can check out an older blog post of mine for more info by clicking here. Ebates is especially beneficial during the upcoming holiday months. Who doesn't like getting money back for purchases you are making anyway, right?

If you are interested in signing up for ebates click my referral link to direct you there.
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=wYQ2DuOa1JcghQy80JKSFw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

While this is a referral link, you are not obligated to join. If you decide to join, you will also get a tell a friend referral link to share with your friends. I hope this information was helpful to you all and that you get some great deals to develop your wonderful memories with. More to come soon including more saving tips, DIY projects and yes...giveaways! Feel free to leave a comment to let me know how this worked for you as well as anything you might want to see in future blog posts. You can also follow me on Facebook at Mayday1101 by clicking here.

Happy Shopping, everyone!

-This is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.-

Daylight Savings Time 2014

2014-03-08T17:45:00.002-05:00

(Photo courtesy of Google Search)

Remember to set your clocks forward tonight before you go to sleep tonight because Daylight Savings Time is happening Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 2:00 a.m.

We may be losing one hour of sleep tonight, but on the bright side (literally) we will be gaining one more hour of sunlight to enjoy each day. I don't know about you, but our winter here in Michigan has been a rough one and Daylight Savings Time seems to bring out the excitement that Spring is approaching!

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend so far and I will be back soon with more posts. I know I have gone missing again for a bit. I have been bombarded with schoolwork lately, but I can see that degree and it's almost in my grasp!

Once things calm down around here, I will be getting started on some more projects that I have in mind and some pretty fun giveaways coming as well. Be sure to Like me on Facebook and Subscribe on YouTube if you haven't already. Also, follow this blog because the giveaways will be on those three platforms. Have a great day, everyone!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mayday1101

YouTube: www.youtube.com/mayday1101

Quick and Easy DIY: Box or Bowl Made of Chocolate

2014-02-13T13:47:00.001-05:00

Looking for a quick and easy project to make your loved one for Valentine's Day, Sweetest Day, Anniversary, or even Birthday? Well look no further. This box made of chocolate is much easier than you think.

Things you will need:

Chocolate chips (dark, milk, white...your preference)
Fresh Fruit
Flexible container
Microwave Save bowl or Double Boiler
Flexible Spatula
Wax Paper
Freezer

Melt your chocolate in a double boiler on the stove or melt in the microwave in 30 second burst, stirring each time.

Use the flexible spatula to spread the melted chocolate inside of the bowl being sure to bring it up the sides as well. Pop in the freezer or about 2 minutes then bring it back out to put another layer on top. Keep layering and freezing until you get it how you want. Once frozen, gently pop it out of the flexible container and there you have it...a box made of chocolate! You can also throw on a few designs in another color of chocolate as my son did here. It's even a fun project to do with the kiddos.

Have leftover melted chocolate? No problem. Dip some of your fresh fruit (make sure it is patted dry first) in it and place on wax paper for the chocolate to harden.

Fill the box with your chocolate dipped fruit and fresh fruit. Strawberries and blueberries are a personal favorite, but feel free to get creative. You can't get this wrong.

Lastly, wrap it up and place it in the refrigerator to keep cool and try to use within 24 hours for the best taste and quality of the fruit. Or make several boxes (minus the fruit) and store them in the freezer to use later.

I hope you enjoyed this Do-It-Yourself (DIY) chocolate box project. Let me know if you have tried it out and how it went for you by leaving a comment below or on my Facebook page mayday1101 or tweet me @may_day1101. Have a great day!

Tip Tuesday: Creative Reward System for Your Kids

2014-02-11T21:49:00.001-05:00

So, I finally found a reward system that works for my son. My son is 6 and without going into too much detail on his needs, he was having a hard time adjusting to life as an elementary student. He is use to being with me most of the time since he has been born. I wouldn't call him a Momma's boy (although I see nothing wrong with loving your Mom. :), but he wasn't use to being away from home for that long. He was never one to want to stay the night anywhere but home so you could imagine how elated I was that he was going to start school and I was going to get some grown up time or at least a little bit of alone time. Well, I could go on and on, but I will give you the short version.

Since he didn't want to stay at school, he began acting out and the school system being what it is in my neighborhood (I won't bash them, but wonder how some still have a job), my son's needs weren't being met and they would just call for me to come and get him. Well, after fighting for months and months they have finally given in to my demands to have him in a specialized class to deal with his developmental and sensory issues. After just one week in the new school and class, his behavior towards school completely changed for the better. An incentive that I have for him has worked tremendously as well so I thought I would share this little tip with you all.

My son loves puzzles and he loves rewards, but to reward a child with candy or a toy every day for being good...well, that's really not helping them. A child shouldn't be constantly rewarded with candy and things every day for behaving how they should already be behaving. So, I thought lets reward him with 2 puzzle pieces each day he does well and when the puzzle is completed, then he will get a reward that was chosen as we started the puzzle. It could be a dinner out with just Mom, a toy, go to Chuck E. Cheeses, etc. My son chose a toy that he has been wanting for a bit. Read on to find out exactly what I did to have such a turn-around with my son and I hope it will be helpful to you or someone you know as well. Please feel free to share this with anyone you feel could benefit from it.

Things you will need:

1 Puzzle (I used a 35 piece since he is so young.)

1 Permanent Marker

Assemble Puzzle and flip it over.
Discuss with your child how they want to number it. (My son wanted to go around the outside and work his way to the middle. It's important to have your child be a part of the process and get him or her excited about the reward.)

After numbering the puzzle pieces, disassemble the puzzle and place it back in the original packaging. Part of the fun on earning the puzzle pieces is searching for the numbers in the box and pulling them out. Also, when they earn more, they can look at what they have and tell you the next two numbers they are looking for. I figured, might as well do a little learning in the process right?

The last thing is optional:

1 small, clear storage bin (I use a 6.2 Qt. Sterilite Modular Latching box for this size puzzle which I will link below since my son decorated his. I purchased mine at Walmart)

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-6.2-Qt-Modular-Latching-Box-Bamboo/31955089(not a sponsored link)

I found that having a small bin to place the assembled pieces in has helped to keep it off of a table where it could be messed with by other siblings or get in the way. I have the bin on top of my refrigerator with the puzzle box sitting on top and ready to go. I found that a clear bin is best so that I can lift it up and my son can look at the bottom of it to see the progress of the puzzle.

I hope this Tip Tuesday has been helpful. Again, please share with anyone that is looking for ideas to get their child to behave, do their chores, homework, etc. Someone I know who is a counselor loved this idea that I had and now shares it with some of her clients. If you give this a try, I would love to know if it works out for you. Good luck parents. Kids can be a handful, so sometimes it takes some creativity to get them going. Don't forget to like my page on Facebook by clicking (here) and be on the lookout for some more content very soon.

Happy 10th Birthday, Facebook!!!

2014-02-04T13:13:00.001-05:00

Can you believe that Facebook has been around for 10 years? What started out as an idea, turned into a social media giant! I remember when I first logged in to social media and it wasn't Facebook. I started out on MySpace, but it was short-lived for me. Once I was introduced to Facebook, my other account was all but forgotten.

Today, we are able to connect to people around the world because of Facebook. We use it to reunite with family and friends who we haven't seen in years. We use it as free advertising by creating a page to promote your business. It's used to get the word out about a product that has been recalled and even to watch out for a suspect in a crime.

One of the greatest things about Facebook is the stories of people being reunited with their child who was missing by posting pictures and it being shared all over the site. Such a powerful tool to have literally at the tip of our fingers.

While I can go on and on about the great things Facebook has to offer, it also must be used wisely. Clearly, you do not want to announce on a status that you will be on vacation for a couple of weeks in another state. Regardless if it is only friends and family on your page, that status can fall into the wrong hands and you come home from your trip to find your house was vandalized or wiped clean of all your valuables. Just a few words could cause that much harm.

With that said, use this tool wisely and only good can come from it. Happy 10th Birthday, Facebook! And of course, congratulations to Mark Zuckerberg for creating such a massive movement in our history. I'm sure he is already included in high school textbooks. lol

Speaking of Facebook pages, be sure to 'Like' mine! :) I do Tip Tuesdays, some DIY projects are in the works, as well as savings, beauty and fashion posts. Oh, and of course, Giveaways!

Mayday1101 www.facebook.com/mayday1101

Have a great day, everyone!

Tip Tuesday: Hate Vegetables? Keep This One!

2014-02-04T10:50:00.001-05:00

For those who are trying to be healthy or continuing to keep up with your New Year's resolutions...Good for you! Staying fit and eating healthy can be a challenge; especially for those who can't stand the taste of vegetables. Vegetables are a very important part of eating right because they offer the healthiest and most beneficial needs to your body.

All vegetables are important, but if you just can't stand them, I suggest at least keeping this one in your day-to-day choices; Spinach. Spinach has so many benefits and is rich with vitamins A, C, and K, Manganese, Folate, Beta-Carotene and Iron. Another plus is that it is so easy to add to a meal. Sneak it into lasagna, pizza, salsa, pasta salads, and smoothies. Get creative.

Below are links for more information on the benefits that spinach offers your body:

Vitamin A: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/

Vitamin C: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002404.htm

Vitamin K: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002407.htm

Mananese: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/182.html

Folate: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/

Beta-Carotene: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/999.html

Iron: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/

(These are not sponsored links.)

(Picture Credit: Google Search)

I hope this week's Tip Tuesday was helpful. I have some exciting projects coming up that I will be sharing with you soon. If there is a DIY or any other suggestions you would like to see, please leave a comment below and I will see what I can do. I hope everyone is having a great day!

100th Blog Post and Plans for 2014!!!

2013-12-26T15:08:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas! I sat down to review a product I have been testing out and noticed that this is my 100th blog post! It doesn't seem like I've had my blog that long.

So, have you picked your New Year's resolution yet? I have so many and I have no plans on narrowing it down. I will be making major changes this upcoming year and I can't wait to include you all along the way! I will be making more content on my YouTube channel and am working toward figuring out a schedule and hope to have consistent content available in the near future. Also, I will be doing more with this blog and possibly working on a new layout at some point next year. I'm looking to do more product reviews, DIY's and much more! Psst...don't forget random giveaways on most of my social media from time to time as well. So fun! :)

I am also going to be putting jewelry up on my Etsy shop that I created this year. I will be announcing the opening of my shop when the inventory is up and ready to sell. There is no set date on that as of yet, but I will update as progress is made. I thoroughly enjoy making quality jewelry pieces for myself as well as friends and family. I feel I am ready to expand my hobby and start selling my creations to the public. On top of that, I will be finishing up my Associates degree this Winter semester so yes...busy, busy my way, but the drive is there and I am ready for anything.

I found that doing my blog posts, creating YouTube content, making jewelry and doing projects really makes me happy. So, for 2014 I plan on going for it and not holding back. Many things happened this year that really deterred me from my goals, but I have overcome those obstacles and am ready to take on 2014 with a fresh start and outlook.

A New Year is a time to start over, get over the past, look toward the future and go for it! I would love to hear what you have decided for a New Year's resolution. Feel free to leave a comment here, on my Facebook page or on Twitter. Be sure to hash tag #mayday1101 or tag my name @may_day1101 on Twitter so I can find it easier. I hope you all are having a wonderful week! Check back soon for a product review of Meaningful Beauty!

Where To Find Me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mayday1101

Twitter: @may_day1101

Instagram: @mayday1101

YouTube: www.youtube.com/mayday1101

Keek: @mayday1101

CVS Clearance!!!

2013-12-09T19:06:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again! CVS is having their annual 50-75% clearance sale on select makeup items, nail polishes, etc. Look for the round pink and green stickers on products.

Also, keep an eye out for price tags crossed with red or black marker. Sometimes they haven't gotten around to putting the clearance stickers on yet or may have run out of them since they will be marking down a lot of products.

The type of clearanced products may vary by store, but one thing goes for all stores...the good deals go fast!

Think stocking stuffers for the makeup lover in your life. As someone who enjoys both makeup and great savings, I would love to see what you get. Feel free to post your awesome finds on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/mayday1101 or tag me on Twitter @may_day1101 or Instagram @mayday1101. Be sure to use the hashtag #cvshaul

Can't wait to see what you find! Don't forget to share this post with your friends. :)

Black Friday/Cyber Monday: How to Get FREE Shipping and Cash Back

2013-11-29T10:53:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again! How are you spending it? You can choose to go to the stores and wrestle for that last toaster and stand in line for hours to save a few dollars OR you can get most of those deals online from the comfort of your own home. What's better than that? Well, let me tell you. lol

How would you like to get cash back on your purchases from thousands of stores online? Ebates can do that for you. Sign up for ebates and go to the site you wish by going through the ebates site first and you are on your way to earning cash back. Ebates sends your "big fat checks" through paypal or you can have a check sent to your house. All you have to do is go to ebates.com, use the search engine to enter the store you are looking for, click the shop now and it will take you to your desired website. That's it. You can place your order on Walmart, Ulta, Macys...and much much more. A few days after your order is verified, you will see money in your Ebates account. This is clipped right from my very own account. This is just from my recent Christmas shopping online purchases.

So, if you feel like you do a lot of online shopping, this could be the right choice for you. Click this link to be taken to ebates so you can check it out for yourself and see if it is something you would use. :) http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=wYQ2DuOa1JcghQy80JKSFw%3D%3D

This is my referral link, but there is no obligation to sign up. Now, what about free shipping you ask? A lot of websites are offering FREE shipping on any purchase online. Look for coupon codes on the homepage of the website. Also, Amazon offers many different programs that you may qualify for to get FREE shipping at this busy shopping time of the year. They offer Amazon Prime, Amazon Student and Amazon Mom. I have a past blog post that I will link below that will fill you in more on those programs.

How To Get FREE Shipping on Amazon: http://mayday1101.blogspot.com/2012/11/how-to-get-free-shipping-on-amazoncom.html

I hope this blog post was helpful to you and that you enjoy your online shopping experience this year. I did all of my Christmas shopping online last year and I loved it! I saved time, stress, wear and tear on my vehicle, no filling up the gas tank, I was warm, wore my pajamas lol, and the list goes on and on. All of my shopping will be done online this year as well. With that, I leave you with one question...What are you most excited for this holiday season? Feel free to leave a comment below or on Twitter. Be sure to tag me @may_day1101 and use the hashtag #tistheseason. Have a great day everyone!

Tip Tuesday: Don't Juggle Too Much (How To Not Feel Like a Circus Act)

2013-11-12T20:16:00.001-05:00

WELL, HELLLLLO THERE!!! I know...it's been a little bit since I have done a Tip Tuesday or a blog post in general; I have had a lot going on. I thought the lessons that I have learned from being so busy could serve well as a Tip Tuesday or maybe even just a life lesson. Even if I can help just one person, this information will serve well.

Without going into a long heart-felt story (I'll save you the tears and the whoa-is-me type feelings), I have found myself in a juggling act so to speak with family, education, career, housework, ect. Free time? What is that? I would love to know. So, I found myself feeling as if I was juggling all these things in the air and nothing was getting accomplished. To add to the juggling act, more responsibility was getting put on me so now here comes the circus act...juggling and spinning dishes on a spindle. That is what I can equate my life to until just recently (hours ago to be honest).

So where is the Tip Tuesday in all of this you ask? Here it goes. We live in a world where people expect instant results. We get tugged in so many different directions and for some reason society nowadays has become to act in an ‘I want it and I want it now’ mentality. One person can only do so much and when all you are doing is this circus act, nothing is getting done and you could come across as irresponsible when that is not the case at all. This is when you need to take a step back, re-evaluate everything you have going on and reassess what is really important. For me the list goes something like this:

#1 in my life is my family.

#2 is everything else.

With that being said, we still need time to enjoy ourselves as well. A lot of times when we become adults, we get caught up in this fast-paced world and we can even lose ourselves in it. Yes, we need to make sure family, education, career and things like that are met, but all those spinning dishes? I think some of them just need to be let go. If it is something that is sucking the happiness from your life or it's just too much and it's not an absolute need...then why do we need to keep it spinning? No one wants to look like a circus clown.

These are my thoughts on it anyway and I would love to hear yours as well. Feel free to comment with those thoughts right here or even share this post with someone who it may help. I am in no way a counselor or suggest that you take this advice. This is what I have found to be helpful in my life and if you find that it is helpful for you in any way, it was worth sharing.

That's it for this week's Tip Tuesday! I hope that I can let go of a few more spinning dishes :) so that I can bring more consistent content coming your way! Until next time! :)

Tip Tuesday: Don't Overlook "Cheap" Drugstore Cosmetics

2013-09-24T19:17:00.002-04:00

Just because the price is cheap, doesn't mean it's not a good product. One brand in particular has really got my attention. That would be the Wet n Wild cosmetics line. Over the years their eye shadow, nail polishes and even lipsticks have vastly improved. The color is more pigmented, the formula is more creamy (not that chalky stuff) and I am just really impressed at how much they have reinvented themselves as a great product for little out of pocket.

If you can forego the fancy packaging, then you will love Wet n Wild as their packaging is pretty simple and I'm sure that helps with lowering the sticker price. I must warn you though that it can sometimes be a hit and sometimes a miss, but the great thing is most drugstores will return the product if you are unsatisfied as long as you have your receipt. I hear they have just release some new limited edition eyeshadow icon palettes and I'm also hearing great things! Hmm...might have to go and check it out.

Let me know if you have tried Wet n Wild products. If so, what did you think of it?

This is not a sponsored blog post. All opinions are my own.

Tip Tuesday: The Difference Between Organic and All Natural Food

2013-09-10T20:31:00.000-04:00

Did you know that All Natural and Organic is not the same thing? You would be surprised at how many believe the labels. Have you ever looked closer or researched the meanings? If not, here is the gist of what these two labels mean.

Organic: In order for a food product to be labeled as Organic, it has to pass intense regulations to guarantee that it was grown or made without the use of growth hormones, pesticides and that it isn't genetically modified (GMO).

All Natural: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not clearly defined what All Natural can be used on so many companies throw it on their labels to entice a buyer. While they may not contain artificial coloring or flavors, they will still more than likely have the dreaded high fructose corn syrup, even more sodium and will often still have preservatives.

Many companies know that healthy looking labels and pictures of fresh products on their pictures sells product...even if they are stretching the truth. Don't be fooled by the pretty colors and always read the labels. Look for the Certified Organic or NON-GMO Certified. If you would like to know more or would like a video on this, please leave a comment below.

I hope you enjoyed this week's Tip Tuesday! Be back soon with more Tip Tuesdays and hopefully some fun Fall projects. :)

Tip Tuesday: Must Have Items In Your Purse

2013-09-03T23:06:00.001-04:00

We all have our staple items that we feel need to be in our purse; wallet, makeup, comb and other random items. Here are just a few things you should consider throwing in there as well:

Bandaids-I know what your thinking. How often am I really going to use bandaids? Wait until you need some and you don't have any. As a Mom, I've been there and it isn't fun. Throw a few in a snack sized ziploc and you are good to go.

Qtips-This kind of goes hand-in-hand with the bandaids. Have you ever had something get in your ear? Or even worse...your EYE? Qtips come in handy. Trust me...it's better than using your finger.

Nail clippers-You will want to thank me for doing this if you ever break a nail. Lol

Flashlight-You never know when you will really need it. Get a tiny one or put a flashlight app on your phone. When you need one you will have it.

Baby Wipes-These are such a life saver. Especially for those who have kids. It's like an on-the-go washcloth.

Feel I left something out? Do you have a must have idea that every woman should have in their purse? Let us know in the comments below. See ya next Tip Tuesday! :)

Tip Tuesday on a Wednesday: Back to School Savings Tips

2013-08-28T17:24:00.001-04:00

Here are some tips that could save you big bucks on back to school shopping items.

Coupons: I know I say this all the time, but really, coupons make a huge difference in your bottom line. Remember, some stores offer double coupons. Also, you can stack a manufacturer coupon and store coupon together to save even more!

Price Match: A lot of stores offer a price match guarantee if you have a sale ad from a local competitor. They don't want to lose your business to "the other guy" and it saves you gas and time which is also saving money. Be aware that most stores do not match a percentage off, but will match a dollar value for an identical item. Check out the store policy ahead of time to make sure they price match. Then...stack those coupons! :)

Clearance: Summer clothes are being clearanced out so stock up on fun colors for the kiddos because most young ones love to wear bright colors no matter what season it is; bright socks, tshirts, and tank tops. Tank tops? Yes, girls sometimes have a shirt that can be a little sheer. Tank tops work just like a cami to cover up what you don't want seen and you can get them really cheap right now.

That is it for this week's tip. Working on an organization video next week that I hope you all will love! Stay tuned.... :)

Tip Tuesday on a Wednesday: Take a Picture Just in Case

2013-08-21T21:14:00.001-04:00

Recently I had seen a post on Facebook that I wanted to share with you all. More and more I see postings of missing people and this is a great idea to do just in case:

Whenever you are about to leave somewhere with your family, take a few minutes to take picture of each family member. Hopefully you won't need them, but if something happens or if someone ends up lost or missing, you will have pictures of exactly how they look that day and what they were wearing. Everyone that has a camera or camera phone in your group should do this.

It's sad to even think about and a lot of people think it couldn't happen to them...but it CAN.

This also is a great idea for anyone that has a special needs child or child that tends to run off in stores. Pull the picture up on your phone so the workers helping you look for your child will know exactly what to look for.

I hope this Tip Tuesday (on a Wednesday this week) was helpful. Be sure to check back for weekly tips or sign up to have my blog posts emailed to you. :)