The Nest Effect

Beauty and Fashion eBook Bundle: 5 eBooks for $7.40 {Bundle of the Week}

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Beauty is more than skin deep, and this week's bundle is designed to help you feel beautiful from the inside out! Discover the secrets to jump starting your energy, inspiration to get your weight under control, and beauty and fashion tips to help you prioritize yourself even as you juggle your busy life -- all for 75% off, this week only!

With your purchase, you'll get all five of the following ebooks:

Embracing Beauty by Trina Holden
The No Brainer Wardrobe by Hayley Morgan
Energy Explosion by Arabah Joy
Frumps to Pumps by Sarah Mae
100 Pound Loser by Jessica Heights

Get yours today!

eMeals: Mother's Day Brunch Pizza Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Are you an eMeals member? If so, be sure to log-in to your account and download the free Mother's Day meal plan, featuring 4 delicious brunch recipes. Any new members can also get this additional meal plan upon registration. An eMeals membership is a great option for the mom who has it all, but has a busy schedule and enjoys cooking. Mother's Day gift certificates are available on their website.

Mom's Brunch Pizza

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups frozen diced hash browns (from 32-oz package)
14 oz prebaked original Italian pizza crust (12 inch)
3/4 cup favorite pimiento cheese
1 cup finely chopped cooked ham
3 green onions, chopped
1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
2 large eggs, well beaten

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook hash browns in hot oil 5 minutes. Set aside.
Place pizza crust on a large baking sheet.
Spread pimiento cheese in a thin layer on crust.
Top with ham, hash browns, green onions and cheese. Slowly pour eggs in center of pizza (eggs will spread during baking).
Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown and center is set.

This Girl Is On Fire

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

I want y'all to know I'm feeling so much better. Thanks, again, for all of your support. I've received such lovely emails and comments from readers. I'm so glad that I was able to inspire some of you to seek help.

Chris and I are working hard to simplify our lives. We've been cutting costs, selling excess "stuff", and attempting to get back to simple living. We always wanted to continue to live frugally once we both graduated so we could pay off our student loans sooner than 30 years. Going from a $400/biweekly paycheck to a full-time salary is obviously a huge difference, but we've made it so it's not. We now see what we've done and have decided to do something about it. It's been tough over the last few weeks in this transition, but we're making it work.

My last day of school is June 5. We just finished up our state CRT tests over the last two weeks and now I'm DIBELS {reading fluency} testing the 4th grade. I'm so ready to be done with the testing. I'm sure my students are, too!

I'm working on a teacher planner for next year. My school's secretary suggested I create one for us to use, and so far I'm in love with what I have created. I'm pretty sure I can easily adapt it to be a personal planner for 2014. *fingers crossed*

I have some new organizational systems I've put in place at home that I'm looking forward to sharing soon. As soon as I can start leaving school at a decent time again...

Have an amazing Tuesday!

Blogging eBook Bundle: 5 eBooks for $7.40 {Bundle of the Week}

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Launch a new blog or take your blog to the next level with this week's ebook collection. From balancing your blog and family and setting boundaries for your online presence to monetizing your blog, writing an ebook of your own and using Pinterest to grow your brand, this bundle is packed full of resources for bloggers. And it's available for 70% off this week only!

With your purchase, you'll get all five of the following ebooks:

Blogger Behave by Laura Booz
Pinteresting by Tabitha Philen
Blog at Home Mom by Christin Slade
25 Simple Steps to Make Money Blogging by Tara Ziegmont
30 Days to Make and Sell a Fabulous Ebook by Angela England

Get yours today!

Tech & Internet eBook Bundle: 5 eBooks for $7.40 {Bundle of the Week}

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Learn how to use the technology in your life to your advantage with this week's collection of ebooks. You'll discover the secrets to beautiful iPhone photos, how to get organized usingfree apps and programs, the beauty of online friendships and more. But don't wait because this bundle is on sale for 70% off this week only!

Once Upon the Internet by Marla Taviano Once Upon the Internet is the funny and touching memoir of the Tavianos' one-year quest to visit 52 zoos in 52 weeks -- and the online friends who helped make it possible. Through the course of their journey, they stayed with 31 different families, 17 of whom they'd never met in person (and countless others met them at zoos along the way), and today some of their dearest friends are ones they first met on the internet.

iPhone Photography by Alli Worthington Alli's iPhone Photography: The Visual Guide is your go-to guide for the best iPhone photo editing apps. With plenty of full-color images, you'll find step-by-step tutorials to capture and create stunning images yourself as well as ideas for using iPhone photos to stay organized, save money and just be happier.

Pin-terpretation by Holley Gerth & Stephanie Bryant Your Pinterest account and the images you pin say more about you than you might think, and the ladies at Squee! wrote Pin-terpretation to help you step back and really see yourself. Their goal is to help you see your Pinterest boards with fresh eyes -- to provide questions as well as insights into you, your personal brand & your blog. It's kind of like a Cosmo quiz for your Pinterest boards.

Paperless Home Organization by Mystie Winckler Organize your life with a digital home management "binder" that you can take with you, doesn't use up extra space, works on every platform and doesn't cost anything. In Paperless Home Organization, Mystie shows you how to get organized using only free, web-based applications that sync with free apps on both Apple and Android devices.

Evernote for Moms by Lauren Rothlisberger Lauren's specialty is providing tech tips for "non-geeks", and Evernote for Moms is the quick and easy guide to help you use Evernote to organize your ideas and information. It includes a quickstart guide, simple template files and step-by-step instractions for installing, launching and adding items to Evernote through your smartphone or computer.

The Tech & Internet bundle is only available through 8am EST on Monday, 5/6. Get yours today!

The Color Run in SLC, UT on 08.24.2013

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

I am SO excited to promote The Color Run in Salt Lake City this year! The run will take place on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 9:00 AM in downtown Salt Lake City.

The Color Run™, also known as the Happiest 5k on the Planet, is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness, individuality, and giving back to the community. Less about your 10-minute-mile and more about having the time of your life, The Color Run is a five-kilometer, un-timed race in which thousands of participants are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer. The fun continues at the finish line with a gigantic “Color Festival,” using more colored powder to create happiness and lasting memories, not to mention millions of vivid color combinations. Trust us, this is the best post-5k party on the planet! With only two rules, the idea is easy to follow: Wear white at the starting line and finish plastered in color!

I have never participated in a 5k, but I am totally psyched to do so this year. My best friend, Erin, and I are going to run together.

Interested in signing up for the run in SLC? Use promo code COLOREFFECT to receive $5 off your individual or group registration. {This code will only work for the SLC run.} Registration is limited, so be sure to register soon! Please share this promo code with those that you think may be interested in signing up.

Gardening eBook Bundle: 5 eBooks for $7.40 {Bundle of the Week}

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Whether you're a new or experienced gardener, this week's collection includes a variety of gardening tips for everyone! Learn how to garden without a big budget or a lot of space, discover tips for organic gardening and preserving your harvest, and get organized with custom printables. But don't wait because this bundle is on sale for 75% off this week only!

Frugal Gardening 101 by Phoebe Hendricks In Frugal Gardening 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Vegetable Gardening Without Breaking the Bank, Phoebe shares her passion for gardening and proves that vegetable gardening doesn't have to be expensive. It's a comprehensive guide that shows you how to garden organically for very little with tips for buying, starting and saving seeds, organic pest and weed control and more.

Apartment Gardening by Jami Balmet If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to have a garden with limited space, Jami's ebook will show you how! Apartment Gardening: A Practical Guide to Growing Vegetables in Small Spaces is a beginner’s guide to everything you need to know about container gardening, including more than 100 pages of how-to advice to help you start your container garden today.

Simple Food {For Spring} by Shannon Stonger Simple Food {For Spring} is more than just a cookbook. In addition to 28 grain-free recipes (complete with full-color photos!) highlighting spring produce, Shannon also encourages readers toward a more sustainable and homegrown living through her introductions to cleansing, foraging, dehydrating greens and more.

Heavenly Homemaker’s Guide to Gardening and Preserving by Laura Coppinger In Heavenly Homemaker's Guide to Gardening and Preserving, Laura shares her tips for a successful, organic garden, including how, what and when to plant. Beyond gardening, you'll also find her strategies for making the most of your farmer's market plus canning tutorials and recipes to help you preserve your harvest.

The Gardening Notebook by Angi Schneider In addition to a how-to guide for gardening beginners, Angi has created the perfect spot for recording all of your notes and research for your garden. With more than 50 pages of printables, The Gardening Notebook is the perfect way to organize everything you need or want to remember for your garden!

The Gardening bundle is only available through 8am EST on Monday, 4/29. Get yours today!

Microsoft Store at City Creek Center #MicrosoftUT #WindowsChampions

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

I was invited to the blogger preview for the new Microsoft Store at City Creek Center in Salt Lake City last Wednesday. The store is beautiful. Being a faithful "PC", I was super excited to hear that they were opening a Microsoft Store here. I had never been to one before. The store is located across from the food court on level one, on the East end of the mall.

The store features hands-on displays of Microsoft computers, tablets, phones, XBOX 360s, and more. Free hands-on workshops are available on a daily basis as well, to teach you more about Microsoft products such as Office 2013, Windows 8, Internet Family Safety, and XBOX Entertainment. {You can view the schedule for the City Creek Center store here.}

Below are pictures I took at the preview event.

Microsoft is all about giving back to the local community that their stores are located in. Check out the pictures below for local opportunity available at Microsoft Stores.

photo credit: Microsoft

If you live in Salt Lake City, be sure to check out all of the awesome deals and free workshops at the Microsoft Store at City Creek Center!

Disclosure: I am a Windows Champions blogger and I received loan of a laptop and may receive other equipment from Microsoft to assist me in evaluating Microsoft products and services for my blogging activity.

Simple Living eBook Bundle: 5 eBooks for $7.40 {Bundle of the Week}

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Is simple living just a pipe dream in today's fast-paced, always-on, more-is-better culture? With this week's collection, you'll discover the secrets to living simply from five authors who are living intentionally and inspiring others to do the same! But don't wait because this bundle is on sale for 90% off this week only.

25 Intentional Days by AndHeDrew Laid out in an easy-to-follow format, 25 Intentional Days will take you step by step through setting effective long-term and short-term goals, finding time you didn't know you had, tracking your progress and creating the life you've dreamed of.

Simple Ways to Be More with Less by Courtney Carver In Simple Ways to Be More with Less, Courtney shows you how to simplify your life and live each day more purposefully. This book will challenge you, brighten your day, and if you let it, change your world.

Inside-Out Simplicity by Joshua Becker Living simply starts on the inside, and in Inside-Out Simplicity, Joshua shares why healthy relationships are essential to a simplified life. You'll discover how to live intentionally by embracing contentment, gratitude, and humility and making generosity, kindness, service, and forgiveness a hallmark of all of your relationships.

ClutterFree by Leo Babauta & Courtney Carver With the tools in ClutterFree, you'll learn how to eliminate the clutter and create more time and space in your home and life. Leo and Courtney walk you through understanding why we have clutter, learning how to get rid of it and enjoying a clutter-free life.

Flying by the Seat of My Soul by Tess Marshall Through personal stories, profound lessons, uplifting quotes and stories of others, Tess inspires you to live more passionately and pursue your heart’s desire with more conviction. Flying By The Seat Of My Soul will empower you to move toward inner change, let go of the past, follow your dreams and fly!

The Simple Living bundle is only available through 8am EST on Monday, 4/22. Get yours today!

My Story

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Last week I had spring break for school. I took the time to just totally relax and do things I used to enjoy doing. It really helped for me to just let go of everything and go with the flow. During this time, I did a lot of thinking.

The week before my school had a professional development day. We all had to have suicide prevention training for relicensure. During this training, depression was brought up - a lot. Not many people at my school know about my struggle with anxiety and depression. I felt like the conversation was very one sided and depression is associated with such a negative stigma. One teacher talked about a family member who struggled with depression and how we should teach our students that we should treat others with depression normally and let them know it's not something that is contagious. I love that she suggested that and it made me feel like coming forward on my blog about my struggle was definitely a positive choice.

Depression for me has been a loss of interest in things I enjoy and loss of energy. It affects my mood towards others. I get easily frustrated. I'm just generally miserable. Anxiety has taken over my social life completely. I have phone anxiety the worst, but I've also lost interest in doing anything publicly. I am easily overwhelmed and feel like I have to do everything myself so it can be done quickly and correctly. These two disorders together have crippled my ability to do many things.

Dealing with depression and anxiety is not something I'm ashamed of. It's something that I did not choose, but I'm working through. For a long time I was afraid to tell anyone how I was feeling. I was ashamed, thinking I wasn't normal and that no one would understand.

It was something that came on gradually. I didn't even know I was depressed until someone close to me told me I was different. I was miserable and blaming others for my feelings. I knew that wasn't me. I pinpointed unusual behaviors and kept track of what I was experiencing. I asked those close to me to let me know when I was out of character so that I could see if there was a trigger or not. I wrote about my past - things that shaped my life, both good and bad. I wrote about what had changed over the last few years and the things I missed the most. I wrote down goals for myself. Then, I knew that even with all of this self-soul searching, I couldn't fix things on my own. I decided to deal with it head on, and that's the process I'm going through now.

So many people deal with depression and/or anxiety - you're not alone. With guidance, it can be eased and/or conquered.

The good news is I'm feeling better. I saw the doctor last month and I'm going for a follow up this week. I feel normal again. I'm focused. I have goals in mind. I'm allowing others to help me without feeling like I have to be controlling. My social anxiety is still there, but I'm working on it. Overall, I am happy.

Seriously - thank you so much for your support. You are all amazing.

Get Organized with Microsoft OneNote #WindowsChampions

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Microsoft OneNote is a program I've been using on my computer for years. I used it in college to take notes in my classes. I use it now to organize information I may need when online or away from home, but want to keep secure. I keep some of my notebooks locked with a password for security.

The possibilities for organizing with OneNote are limitless! As the image above shows, you can easily plan travel within a notebook. For a free, travel notebook template, click here. With the new 2013 edition, sharing with others and syncing with your Skydrive account couldn't be easier. Everything can be done right in the program.

Planning a wedding? There's a template for that. Need a DIY home renovation notebook? There's a template for that, too!

The Send to OneNote Tool makes it easy to clip information from the web and paste it into any of your notebooks. Think - recipes, pictures, maps, directions, an article to save for later reference, and much more!

If you have a Windows 8 touch-screen PC or tablet with OneNote 2013, you can easily hand write notes or draw pictures into notebooks.

Microsoft Office 2013 is now available online for purchase. It is only compatible with Windows 7 & 8. I upgraded before becoming a Windows Champion because I'm one of those people who always has to have the latest Microsoft Office version. Usually I wonder why I do it, because it seems like not much changes. This time, I was so glad I did. I really, truly love the 2013 version. Everything runs easily and my documents look amazing.

Office 365 Home Premium is also now available. Try a one month trial for free. Students can try Office 365 free for 3 months. The OneNote app for Windows 8 or RT is available here.

Do you use Microsoft OneNote for organizing information on your computer?

Disclosure: I am a Windows Champions blogger and I received loan of a laptop and may receive other equipment from Microsoft to assist me in evaluating Microsoft products and services for my blogging activity.

Pregnancy & Baby eBook Bundle: 5 eBooks for $7.40 {Bundle of the Week}

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Pregnancy, childbirth and welcoming a new baby can be overwhelming, but this week's bundle is a collection of resources to help you make informed decisions about each. With a bent toward natural living, this collection includes real food recipes for pregnancy and beyond, plus tips for breastfeeding, natural birth and simple living with a baby. This week only, get all 5 ebooks for just $7.40 (a savings of more than 80%)!

Healthy Pregnancy Super Foods by Kate Tietje In Healthy Pregnancy Super Foods, Kate simplifies pregnancy nutrition with just two rules: 1) Don’t eat junk food and 2) Eat super foods. This ebook includes details about the super foods you should be eating (and a basic list of what you should avoid), what pregnant women’s nutritional needs are, and offers more than 30 super food recipes.

Fearless Birth by Kristen Burgess Fear of giving birth is a very real thing, but through the Fearless Birth workbook and bonus tools, Kristen helps you understand the source of your fears, create positive images of birth, let go of fear and approach labor and birth with confidence and peace of mind.

Unbound Birth by Jennifer Yarbrough Unbound Birth: How to Have a Natural Birth in the Hospital is an inspiring collection of natural hospital birth stories. With determination, information, preparation, and support, Jennifer offers women hope for the beauty of a natural birth within a hospital setting.

The Minimalist Mom's Guide to Baby's First Year by Rachel Jonat Parenting is a demanding job, and the first year with a new baby is exciting, ever so tiring and filled to the brim with baby toys, gadgets and gizmos. In The Minimalist Mom's Guide to the Baby's First Year, Rachel shares her own journey into motherhood and the lessons she learned about avoiding the clutter trap of too much baby stuff, slowing down to enjoy the early months with your new baby, saving money, creating a peaceful home and finding more time in your day for things like sleep!

Breast to Bib by Kate Tietje If you’ve ever wondered how to get a baby started with real food, this is your go-to guide. In Breast to Bib, Kate offers help with breastfeeding and discusses low milk supply and homemade formula options as well as how and when to introduce solids and tips for handling picky toddlers. Plus you'll find 27 healthy, family-friendly recipes to get you started!

The Pregnancy & Baby bundle is only available through 8am EST on Monday, 4/15. Get yours today!

Instant Downloads Now Available with Etsy Purchase

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 17:56:00 +0000

All orders in my Etsy store are now available for instant download, after purchase, with the exception of the create your own sets. {The create your own sets I still have to manually fill.} After you complete your purchase, you'll receive an email with the link(s) to your purchased item(s). CraftHub.me is the service I use to automatically fill orders. For instructions on how to download your purchase, click here.

And don't forget... the flash sale ends tonight!

Flash Sale on Etsy :: 40% Off Any Purchase

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 15:01:00 +0000

I have been on spring break from school all week and I'm feeling more like myself. I'm finally getting out of the slump I've been in for the last year and I'm hoping I can continue to feel this well. In appreciation for all of the support I received from all of you amazing readers, I'm throwing a flash sale through tomorrow at midnight in my Etsy store. Thank you so much for the kind comments and emails. You are amazing.

Now through Sunday, April 7th {ends at midnight ET} receive 40% off any purchase in my Etsy store. Use coupon code FLASH40 at checkout.

I will not apply the discount code after checkout. Please do not purchase, then send me a message saying you couldn't figure out how to use the code. It's honestly a hassle to do partial refunds on Etsy for discounts.

To use the coupon: on the cart page there's a TEXT link that says "Apply shop coupon code" {see image below for example}. Add the coupon code in the box that appears. Make sure there isn't a space after the coupon code in the text box. If you have any questions, please contact me before purchasing!

Free Printable: Website Info

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 21:23:00 +0000

By request from a reader, I have created a website info sheet for you! This form allows you to track the website name, URL, and your username and password. I hope you find this helpful.

Have a great weekend!

Check out my other free printables!

2013 Ultimate Blog Party - 5 Minutes for Mom {April 5th - 12th}

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 21:13:00 +0000

Be sure to visit 5 Minutes for Mom and join in the 2013 Ultimate Blog Party. There are tons of prizes you can enter to win. I have donated two finance & home information PDF sets to the party. Good luck!

Giveaway Reminder: Spring Clean Your Calendar with Cozi {ends April 12, 2013}

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 01:36:00 +0000

This post is a follow up and reminder from last month's giveaway announcement. Also, if you're already signed up with Cozi, see the orange text below so you can still enter the giveaway!

A review of Cozi Gold...
I received a complimentary subscription to Cozi Gold for participating in this Spring Clean Your Calendar with Cozi giveaway promotion.

With a Cozi Gold subscription, you unlock the following features:

an ad-free experience on the website and for all mobile apps

birthday tracker

multiple reminders for events

mobile month view

streamlined meal planning

activity sharing - to share with others outside of your family

unlimited message sharing on the homepage between family members

priority customer support

I absolutely love the birthday tracker. It's so easy to quickly add friends and family to the grid system that is set up all on one page. I can set up reminders for birthdays a week in advance so I don't forget. These reminders can be via text or email.

I also appreciate the ad-free version on my phone and tablet. The ads never bothered me online since I was viewing the website on a computer, but when using Cozi on my small phone screen, the ads got in the way at times. The Android app and iPad app are very similar and have all of the same features.

Prizes: Cozi is giving away one Kindle Fire HD (8.9”) to a winner selected randomly from all entries from all participating blogs. Cozi is also giving away one year-long subscription to Cozi Gold to a winner selected randomly from the people who sign up for Cozi through The Nest Effect.

Number of Winners: one for each prize

To Enter: You must sign up for a Cozi account through this link to enter the giveaway for both prizes. (mandatory) * If you are already signed up for Cozi, you can still be entered in the giveaway! Just send an email to cozipromo@cozi.com and let them know what email your Cozi account is signed up under and let them know you're from The Nest Effect so you'll be entered into our prize pool! *

Giveaway Ends: Friday, April 12. One winner will be chosen randomly for each prize by Cozi. They will send me the contact information for the winner of the prize and I will contact the winner. The winners have 48 hours to respond to my email to claim their prize.

Giveaway Rules & Disclosure:

You must sign up for Cozi through The Nest Effect to win.
The winners will be randomly chosen by Cozi.
This giveaway is open to readers everywhere.
This giveaway is sponsored by Cozi.

Preschool Activities eBook Bundle: 5 eBooks for $7.40 {Bundle of the Week}

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:39:00 +0000

This week's bundle includes a collection of ebooks packed full of activities for preschool and beyond! You'll discover books to read together, educational activities around your home and strategies for making the most of every learning opportunity. This week only, get all 5 ebooks for just $7.40 (a savings of more than 70%)!

I Can Teach My Child to Read! by Jenae Jacobson In I Can Teach My Child to Read, Jenae provides parents with the fundamentals of teaching a child to read in simple, easy-to-understand language that can be implemented the minute you finish reading it. Whether your children will attend public school, private school, or be homeschooled, this book gives you the tools to give them a valuable head start that will benefit them for years to come.

Fifty Books to Enjoy with Kids by Veronica Getskow Fifty Books to Enjoy with Kids is a reading guide for parents of young children, aged 2 to 8. With 50 must-read book recommendations plus extension activities to take each story farther, to play together, to explore together, and to enjoy the novelty of a great book, this ebook offers a fun reading program for preschool and beyond.

Circle Time by Kendra Fletcher Circle Time isn't just for preschoolers, and in this ebook, Kendra describes her family's fabulous, all-ages-are-welcome, group teaching time that allows them to pray together, laugh together, and get to the subjects they often run out of time for otherwise. You'll discovery strategies for planning circle time and ideas for making it fun for kids as well as resources, activities, ideas and printables for your own circle time!

Flourishing Spring by Michele Augur Make the most of rainy days with over 25 ideas for creating intentional moments with children, including multiple variations, allergy-friendly recipes, and simple resources. With boredom busters, homemade gift ideas, and nourishing meal suggestions, Michele offers plenty of ideas for filling a rainy day!

Finding Educational Activities in the Most Unexpected Places by Angie Kauffman In Finding Educational Activities in the Most Unexpected Places, Angie features ideas for using commonly found objects in and around your home for educational activities with young children. As a former in-home developmental therapist, Angie was inspired to show families that meaningful learning activities don't have to come from expensive toys and equipment, but can be found in everyday objects at home.

The Preschool Activities bundle is only available through 8am EST on Monday, 4/8. Get yours today!

Spring Sale on Etsy :: 30% Off Any Purchase

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 19:38:00 +0000

Now through March 30th receive 30% off any purchase in my Etsy store. Use coupon code SPRING13 at checkout.

I will not apply the discount code after checkout. Please do not purchase, then send me a message saying you couldn't figure out how to use the code. It's honestly a hassle to do partial refunds on Etsy for discounts.

To use the coupon: on the cart page there's a TEXT link that says "Apply shop coupon code" {see image below for example}. Add the coupon code in the box that appears. Make sure there isn't a space after the coupon code in the text box. If you have any questions, please contact me before purchasing!

A Follow Up for Yesterday's Post...

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 03:47:00 +0000

Thank you so much to all of you who reached out through comments, emails, and Facebook. Your support means a lot to me.

Please know that I am doing okay.

I chose to share because I feel it's important to "keep it real" on my blog. A few months ago there was a huge amount of traffic coming from a message board in the UK, so I clicked through to see what exactly it was. It turned out to be a message thread bashing my blog and me, personally, even though none of these people know me personally. The things they were saying were ugly and hurtful. I know when putting myself online, I have to be tough and brush off the petty stuff like that. I'm able to do this 99% of the time, but this stuff was truly awful. One of the topics they chose to rant about was how "perfect" everything was for the one post they were looking at on paper clutter organization. My life is not perfect, nor do I ever want others to think it is. I know I am sometimes overwhelmed looking at other blogs and how clean everything is and how put together it seems to be at all times. The photos are amazing - the color choices - the lighting - etc. While yes, I like to be clean and organized, it's not reality in my home over the last year.

I often receive emails from readers telling me how I've helped or inspired them. That's why I choose to blog. My ideas may not be those that will get me a magazine or TV spot. That's not my goal, so I'm more than okay with that. If I can inspire one, then I'm happy to share my ideas. I don't blog for the money - while I do have ads, they don't pay a ton. I could never blog for a living. But do know that any money I make goes right into my classroom and supports my 52 fourth graders. {They thank you.} And with that, I only accept advertising, giveaways, reviews, etc. that I think may benefit you all. You all inspire me.

While I've been down a long road over the last year, I know I'm going to conquer this. There is no doubt in my mind about that. It just took realizing what I was going through, admitting that I couldn't get through this on my own, and seeking help. Teaching is my first love and blogging is my second. I definitely won't be giving this up, so stick with me. I've been collecting ideas for blog posts over the last few months, so as soon as I find my energy to do so, I'll be blogging more regularly.

Truly, thank you for your support. You are all amazing.

Source: behappy.me viaTiffany on Pinterest

Confessions...

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 01:47:00 +0000

My life has changed over the last year. Dramatically. I don't know why.

I've always struggled with social anxiety, and over the last year, depression. I'm sure there are underlying issues I have that relate to both. I'm not seeing a therapist, yet, and I'm not opposed to it.

I know that a lot of friends and family now read my blog and may be surprised that I'm sharing this online. I'm not ashamed of my struggles - it's part of what makes me who I am. We all go through highs and lows - talking about mine help get me through and heal.

My depression and anxiety are no surprise, but it's taken until the last month for me to realize what this funk was that I am in. The funk all started last April. I was going through some stress at that time, but nothing that I felt switched on my roller coaster of emotions. I'll be energetic and driven for a week or two, be down in the dumps for a month or more, and repeat.

My depression is currently at its lowest. I have just completely lost interest in everything. I still have a love for things I did before - like blogging, photography, technology, etc. - but I don't have the energy to involve myself in these things. This, in turn, makes me more depressed because I miss it so much. My depression is simply making me feel like a completely different person. I miss the old me.

I don't have a clue what would be the "cause" in this depression - other than a chemical imbalance within me. I'm seeing a doctor for these things, so I hope to have some clarity soon. I would like to reclaim my energy and be able to get back to what I love.

To all of my wonderful readers, thank you for your support. I appreciate you sticking with me while I go through periods of nothing being posted. I hope to be back in the swing of things soon.

Gluten- & Grain-Free eBook Bundle: 5 eBooks for $7.40 {Bundle of the Week}

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 01:45:00 +0000

Going grain-free can be overwhelming for families dealing with gluten-intolerance or Celiac disease, and this week's bundle includes more than 275 gluten-free and grain-free recipes plus a wealth of information and tips from the authors' own experiences. This week only, get all 5 ebooks for just $7.40 (a savings of more than 80%)!

Against the Grain by Kate Tietje Grain-free doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it can include all kinds of interesting flavors, spices, and even sauces. Against the Grain is a cookbook full of delicious, fun to eat, whole food recipes that are grain-free -- and mostly dairy-free and GAPS-friendly. You'll even find a few bread and dessert recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Beyond Grain & Dairy by Starlene Stewart In Beyond Grain & Dairy, Starlene shares 113 grain-free recipes that contain no grains, no gluten, no dairy, no soy, no corn, no gums and no processed sugars. With full-color photos and a handy ingredients index to help you find recipes by ingredient, Starlene has put together a cookbook to show you that there's no reason to feel deprived!

The Grain-Free Snacker by Carol Lovett Going grain-free doesn't mean you have to give up tasty snacks, and in this brand new ebook, Carol offers more than 45+ homemade, grain-free recipes -- everything from gluten-free dorito chips, crackers and cookies to ice cream, frozen treats and mini pizzas.

Best of the Grain Free Meal Plans by Cara Faus Cara has helped people from all over the world enjoy their grain-free transition with her meal plans, and she's now packaged the best of her menu planning service in a helpful, full-color cookbook. With more than 70 child-friendly, easy-to-follow recipes for busy households, this ebook makes going gluten-free fun and exciting rather than stressful and overwhelming.

Gluten Free and Good for You by Kimberlee Tandy & Laura Coppinger Filled with tips and information to help you to eat gluten-free or serve gluten-free meals and snacks to family members and friends who have special dietary needs, Gluten Free and Good for You is both a handbook and a cookbook that uses basic, everyday ingredients that you’re likely to have on hand in your kitchen. Laura and Kim make gluten-free cooking accessible for every family!

The Gluten-Free and Grain-Free bundle is only available through 8am EST on Monday, 3/25. Get yours today!

Giveaway: Spring Clean Your Calendar with Cozi {ends April 12, 2013}

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Doesn’t it feel great when you take something that is a constant nag, and tidy it up nice and neat? Like the kitchen drawer where the scissors are, the hall closet, or the crates by the back door that are supposed to organize the kids’ gear – when these things are all cleaned up and organized, they are a big help, and it feels good just to see them in ship shape!

Did you know Cozi can help you feel that same way about your family calendar? With Cozi, you can organize your family’s appointments, routines, schedules and activities in one place, then add on your birthdays, meal plans, and even the daily weather report, and you’ve got a single go-to resource that’s easy to use and has everything you need to stay on top of daily family life. Now that’s a calendar you’ll WANT to look at every day!

Cozi has premade to-do lists and checklists. I love the spring cleaning and vacation packing checklists. All you have to do is add it to your account and then it can be assigned to one person, or shared across the family. Other Cozi features are shopping lists, family journal, meal planning, and more. I absolutely love Cozi. It's a great tool for managing information among family members. All of the features can be set up for an individual or shared with other family members. They even have phone and tablet apps.

Number of Winners: one for each prize

To Enter: You must sign up for a Cozi account through this link to enter the giveaway for both prizes. (mandatory)

Giveaway Ends: Friday, April 12. One winner will be chosen randomly for each prize by Cozi. They will send me the contact information for the winner of the prize and I will contact the winner. The winners have 48 hours to respond to my email to claim their prize.

Giveaway Rules & Disclosure:

You must sign up for Cozi through The Nest Effect to win.
The winners will be randomly chosen by Cozi.
This giveaway is open to readers everywhere.
This giveaway is sponsored by Cozi.

Spring Cleaning eBook Bundle: 5 eBooks for $7.40 {Bundle of the Week}

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Spring is just around the corner, and this spring cleaning bundle will walk you through decluttering, cleaning and organizing your home! This week only, get all 5 ebooks for just $7.40 (a savings of more than 75%)!

31 Days to Clean by Sarah Mae Part cleaning handbook, part devotional, this ebook is not just about the how of cleaning, but about the why. In 31 Days to Clean, Sarah Mae provides you with two challenges each day -- a Mary challenge to encourage and engage your heart and a Martha challenge with a specific cleaning task. At the end of 31 days, your house will be clean, and you'll have a new perspective on housekeeping as well!

Simple Living by Lorilee Lippincott Deal with tangible and intangible clutter in just 30 days with Simple Living, which will help you have a simpler and cleaner home...and keep it that way. Tackle thirty different clutter areas in under an hour a day and create drastic and permanent changes.

A Simply Homemade Clean by Lisa Barthuly Rid your home of commercial, toxic products without the high price of all natural, organic products that line the shelf. Learn to make everything from your own laundry soap, to homemade dryer sheets, antibacterial spray cleaners, potpourri blends and fabric softeners!

Project Organize Your Entire Life by Stephanie Morgan With a simple and customizable approach, Project Organize Your Entire Life helps you walk through your daily habits and weekly routines to conquer some of the biggest obstacles to living the simplified life you’re yearning for: decluttering, cleaning, organizing, meal planning and more.

Pulling Yourself Together by Becky of Clean Mama In Pulling Yourself Together, Becky provides you with the tools to declutter and organize your home in the midst of a busy life, implement a cleaning routine that really works and strategies to continue with the perfected plan!

The Spring Cleaning bundle is only available through 8am EST on Monday, 3/18. Get yours today!

Frugal Living eBook Bundle: 5 eBooks for $7.40 {Bundle of the Week}

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Learn to stretch your budget, increase your income and save money on a variety of household expenses with this week's frugal living bundle! This week only, get all 5 ebooks for just $7.40 (a savings of more than 70%)!

Become a Frugali$ta in 30 Days by Susan Heid In Become a Frugali$ta in 30 Days, Susan shares 30 practical money-saving secrets to help family managers keep to their budget and earn extra money while saving on everything from entertainment and dining out to groceries and household expenses.

Your Grocery Budget Toolbox by Anne Simpson Your Grocery Budget Toolbox is a basic handbook for any family who wants to eat well on a budget. She shares tips for setting a practical budget, shopping once a month, using price lists and price caps, utilizing the internet to save on groceries, finding healthy food on a budget and much more!

Advanced Penny Pinching by Tabitha Philen Tabitha takes you beyond standard money-saving tips with her Advanced Penny Pinching ebook, which walks you through building a stockpile that actually saves you money, spotting the marketing tricks that get you to overspend, using loyalty and rewards programs to boost your budget and customizing any money-saving plan for your family's likes and dislikes!

From Debtor to Better by Barry Myers As a former debt collector turned financial counselor, Barry Myers is passionate about helping people get out of debt as quickly and safely as possible. Barry brings a unique perspective to debt counseling, and in From Debtor to Better, he provides a simple, easy-to-follow system to help you climb your way out of debt and take control of your finances.

Coupon Quick Start Guide by Angela Newsom In the Coupon Quick Start Guide, Angela shows you how to use coupons and other strategies to cut your grocery bill by 50-70% or more without spending hours clipping coupons or preparing for shopping trips. This handbook will take you through your first shopping trips from start to finish to show you just how easy saving can be!

The Frugal Living bundle is only available through 8am EST on Monday, 3/11. Get yours today!