Since we are heading to the beach on Monday, I thought I would share this post from two years ago. Not only do I still have my box of Plaster of Paris ready for another set of prints, but we have the precious foot prints still gracing a book shelf. This is still one of our favorite beach activities, and the kids get so creative.

As family vacations and reunions begin in full force, may people head to the beach, lake or any place to stay cool by the water, and this is the ultimate in DIY beach arts and crafts.

Not only are these beach crafts fun and frugal for the whole family, but once you arrive back home you have some perfect garden stones or summer decor for the porch, or family room (if you can get it away from your sweet child.)

Days at the beach are typically filled with the same sand, sun, fun, and water, water, water, so why not create a memorable masterpiece that children of all ages will have a blast creating.

Yesterday, we had such fun making easy, yet frugally fantastic Plaster of Paris sand prints right at the beach. We got creative with our footprints, hand prints and then the hearts.

There are no rules when it comes to creating these masterpieces. We can’t wait to try all different designs, but I will share how we did the feet imprints.

1. Have your child press his/her hand or feet into damp sand, making a 2-inch-deep impression. If you’re doing a hand imprint, make sure it’s deep enough or a finger will break off (trust me on this).

2. If desired, line the foot or hand print with treasures pretty side down (shells, rocks, pretty rock glass). Make sure you don’t push them too hard into the sand.

3. Mix the plaster of Paris per the box’ direction. It should have a thick, creamy consistency.

4. Carefully pour the plaster into the inlay of the print, making sure you get the plaster into the fingers. (We used our fingers. But if you want to preserve any kind of manicure, plastic knives work very well.)

5. Let the plaster set until it’s hard – approximately one hour. To remove the print, carefully dig out the sand from around/underneath the plaster. Wrap your project in a towel to transport it, and be very careful. The hands are especially fragile.

There are so many variations with this craft, and a definite bonus is that purchasing a large box of Plaster of Paris at your local Walmart is only a few dollars, and it goes a long way! You can paint it after you’re finished to match your decor or you can preserve it as is.

Don’t allow yourself to think this is one of those projects reserved only for “crafty” people. Trust me, it is so worth your time (even if you’re not at the beach, a sandbox or doing it in a casserole dish works great as well. )

What a wonderful way to capture a special moment in time.

Thirty minutes, forty-five, sixty, the minutes merge together as emotions whirl.

The same woods that serve as a place of refuge and tranquility for me, now stirs desperation. This place of silence, which should be a balm to my soul, screams, and yet I hear nothing. Nothing except my own shouts bouncing off the trees echoing back, mocking me.

In the midst of this panic, I knew some of the prayer warriors I would want petitioning on my behalf, and I quickly scribbled to my (in)courage friends who were on-line,

10: 50 am “PLEASE PRAY – my 6 year old down syndrome nephew has been lost in our woods for an hour. Calling fire department. I am walking the woods (miles and miles), checking creeks. DESPERATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Have you felt that desperation before? Those “What If” moments that only take an instant?

We’ve had varying degrees of “What If’s” with sweet Edison. You see, this was no ordinary child. As a Ecuadorian newborn, this precious blessing was wrapped in a plastic bag, and stuffed in a dumpster to die. He was miraculously rescued, and the Lord has already used this little life in untold ways.

I continued to update my prayer warriors, and the messages looked exactly like this (typing errors with shaking fingers and all.)

11:24 am “WE still can’t find him and 30 people are looking. One of the dogs is with him. which is good. Pray that the creek beds are ;miraculously covered by a shield from teh lord. he nveer wanders

12: 23 pm Still nothing. Canine units have been out for 30 minutes now. After that, will put out an amber alert. He is such an angel. Such a blessing in our every day lives, but we know God has His hand right where he is at. PRaying he is just playing mud patties somewhere and can’t get home. I am HEARTSICK. It’s been over 2 1/2 hours. He has only wandered one other time. and normally, never leaves the back yard woods.

Hours passed. The fallen trees where the boys built their forts and consider them fortresses, now seem as dungeons.

Many of you read last weeks’ post, “Life Can Change in a Terrifying Instant.” It’s overwhelming to realize just how close those emotions still are to the surface. There were so many lessons impressed upon my heart.

Click over to read the rest of this story over at (in)courage.

Yes, I humbly come before you now to share a little piece of my back yard bedlam.

Living on acreage, in the country, creates a dream life in some respects, but when it comes to the every day upkeep of any kind of outdoor work, it’s really hard for me to keep my head above water.

When I hear others complain about their neighborhood associations, somewhere deep down inside my Type Z personality, I think it would be kind of nice to have that accountability. It means we’d have beautiful landscaping and the weeds would have to be pulled. Ok, I will be really frank (who is Frank anyhow?). It means we’d actually be forced to have a nicely manicured lawn, which right now is non existent, but we’re working hard to achieve that this year.

Fortunately for us, nature’s beauty glosses over some of the areas we lack in, and our woods are beautiful.

So for the next few weeks, you are going to be my neighborhood association. Can you do that for me? I need the accountability to tackle some of the momentous outdoor tasks that have been on my “Forever To Do List.”

I finally got my Little House on the Prairie garden planted, with over 120 plants, and now I must turn to tackling our outdoor furniture and siding (thank you, three muddy, yellow labs and nature.)

Since we love to have people over to gather outside and enjoy our beautiful surrounding, I think it might be best to get rid of the dirt and grossness that collected over the winter. (Imagine what that table looks like and multiply it towards ten outdoor chairs.) Somehow as wonderful as I desire our hospitality to be, that would kind of cancel out any feelings about that “Welcome Home” mentality I try to create.

Fortunately, I know that this challenge only needs some muscle power and my favorite all purpose household love – Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. I buy this in bulk at my warehouse store because I use it for EVERYTHING, and yes, I use it every single day. Most people only think of it for small uses in the home, but as a young girl, I quickly learned from watching my mom, that this magic powder can tackle even the trickiest of outdoor projects.

One doesn’t need to head to the store to buy expensive industrial cleaners because this can do it all. Now, I admit, my husband went and purchased some special siding cleaner last year, but I told him about my Arm & Hammer Switch & Save Challenge, and how I really believed this would work just as well.

He is all about saving money, not to mention, we already have pounds of it in our mudroom, so I will tackle this over the next two weeks. Well, as a smart mother of teen age boys, I will delegate the siding cleaning and we will tackle some of the outdoor furniture as a family.

Water + Arm & Hammer Baking Soda = a great solution

So now, I must get out there and work. I’ll come back to you in a few weeks to let you know how it went.

Remember, I need you to be my neighborhood association. I can’t just talk big and not do anything about it. I would get written up for it if that happened, wouldn’t I? Is that how they work?

Why don’t you join me with this Tackle It Challenge.

We can hold each other accountable.

What is one outdoor project that is on your list that needs to get tackled?

The maker of ARM & HAMMER® products challenged me to switch to ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda and this summer, they are giving away $12,000 in the ARM & HAMMER Switch & Save Challenge Sweepstakes. To be entered to win one (1) of twelve (12) $1,000 prizes, simply reply to the question below!

Remember to join other ARM & HAMMER Switch & Save conversations for even more chances to win!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Arm & Hammer. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

Every Thursday afternoon, our daughter participates in a “Keeper’s Club where the girls are introduced to many “lost” arts. Personally, I was drawn to the first month’s topic because it’s something I have wanted to learn for years. (If you follow me on facebook or instagram (beautyandbedlam), you’ve already seen this in real live time.)

When our oldest was born, I bought a sewing machine at a yard sale, and taught myself how to make baby blankets and pillow cases, but I was always so intimidated by the machine. Too often, I couldn’t get the bobbin to work and every little task became a chore, so I sold that machine at my yard sale.

Four Christmases ago, I decided to try it again, and bought our oldest daughter a new sewing machine. We were going to learn together. Well, embarrassingly enough, it was finally taken out of the box for the first time at Keeper’s Club. Yes, that is just sometime how it goes. I “pretended” to help, but really, they ended up teaching me how to get my machine set up. One thing I have embraced it that I am never too old to learn new things. If I desire my children to be life long learners, I have to go there myself.

I was thrilled when I saw this affiliate offer come through for FREE Sewing Machine classes. Yes, you can sign up for the free Crafty classes, then choose on-line class, and finally choose Sewing Machine 911 for Free. If I had this years ago, I may have worked through my bobbin/needle problems.

I’ve already started watching my first lesson and it’s informative, fun, and I think even I can get the hang of this thing.

Did I mention FREE?

Here’s a partial desctiption from the Crafty site: Sewing Machine 911

Intimidated by your sewing machine? Claudia Miller covers all you need to know to get sewing. This free class includes an overview of various kinds of sewing machines, explains what the different parts do, and helps you troubleshoot your machine and keep it in good condition.

The classes are free and never expire. You may access them when ever you want. If this is something you’ve been looking for, give it a try.Sign up for Free

My garden is finally planted, and my fear this year is that I am too lazy for the task that I just took upon myself. There’s something about the spring that brings out all the wanna be, self sufficient, Little House on the Praire type of personality in me. The beautiful weather whips through our woods and field, and the ease in which I bought over 100 plants just warms my soul.

And then the work begins and I start thinking about what this garden is going to require in the middle of 100 degree, drought weather heat in NC, and I think I might have bit off more than I can chew. Yet I know that when the kids pick those first cucumbers right off the vine and munch on them right in the garden, it will be worth it.

I go back and forth about whether I can keep up my desire to go all organic. I have never sprayed at all because we eat right from our garden, but I do want to figure out better ways to keep the pesky critters off of my plants. Something yucky infested my garden last year, and I wasn’t quite accomplished enough to get rid of them.

My desire is to find great organic products that help in all aspects of my gardening, so when Whitney Farms® a full line of 100% organic plant food and organic soil with no additives, nothing artificial, and just ingredients from the Earth offered to let me review their Plant Food, and Tomato and Vegetable Food, I was thrilled. I am so willing to educate myself further on organic gardening over traditional methods.

Three of our kids were my main assistants and we used Whitney Farms® throughout our garden. I am really excited to watch my garden grow.

Here are a few of the important things I found out.

Whitney Farms® has 25+ years of leading gardening experience and has improved their products to have:
-low to no dust
-no manure odor
-easy to apply
-Contains beneficial microbes
-Specially designed protein-based blends provide your plants with
both macro and micronutrients they need to grow and thrive

One of the best things about my garden placement is that our neighbor’s horse hangs out and keeps me company continually. As soon as he hears me in the garden, he comes galloping over for a treat. So far, he is only getting some of the healthy weeds I am pulling, but soon, he’ll get some of my bounty.

If you are a gardener or wanna be, even if you desire just a few containers on your patio, check out their site and take advantage of the $3 off coupon. That is a high value one that you do not want to miss out on.

How about your garden – is it planted yet or are you still thinking it out?

Do you try to do it organically?

Whitney Farms®

As I have started doing my Saving Nation classes, I’ve shared how Super Doubles and Triple coupon weeks are some of the favorite shopping weeks

So when Harris Teeter announced Triple Coupons again this week (5/16 – 5/22, I get all excited.

For those of you who don’t want to mess with a ton of coupons, try and take advantage of a few deals this week, and remember, the rain checks for great deals are your best friend.

At Harris Teeter, rain checks do not expire, so if the shelves are cleared of something you planned on buying at a great sale price, take advantage of that sale and make sure to get a rain check from customer service.

This is the time to get your Grocery Guru game on if you live in the vicinity of a Harris Teeter.

Remember:

Harris Teeter triples the value of manufacturers coupons up to $0.99 face value (which means a $0.75 coupon will triple to $2.25)
Please remember there is a limit pf 20 coupons per household/ per day. Be willing to let the others grab a few deals as well.
You may use three like coupons per visit.

This is just a small sampling of some of the deals waiting for you (if they are still on the shelves when you get there.)

Free Items

Jell-O Tempations, 11.7 oz, $2.50

-.90/1 Jell-O Tempations printable
-.60/1 Jell-O refrigerated , SS 5/13
-.50/2 Jell-O gelatin or pudding, SS 5/06
-$1/4 Jell-O gelatin or pudding, SS 5/06
(use .75/1, makes it FREE)

Tabasco Pepper Sauce, 2 oz, $1.95
-.60/1 Tabasco product, RP 4/29
-.50/1 Tabasco product, RP 4/29
(use .60/1, makes it FREE)

Dole Fruit Crisp, 8 oz, $2

-.75/1 Dole Fruit Crisp, SS 3/25
-.50/1 Dole Fruit Crisp, SS 3/25
-.75/2 Dole fruit crisps printable
(use .75/1, makes it FREE)

Yoplait Light or Greek Yogurt, 4 pk., $2
-.75/1 Yoplait Light or Greek yogurt w/ granola, SS 3/25 (exp 05/19)
(makes it FREE)

Barilla Plus Pasta, 14.5 oz, $1.67

-.55/1 Barilla Plus pasta, SS 4/22
-$1/2 Barilla Plus pasta, SS 4/22
-.75/2 Barilla Plus pasta, SS 4/22
-.55/2 Barilla Plus pasta, SS 4/22
-.75/1 Barilla Plus pasta, SS 4/22
(makes it FREE)

Frank’s Redhot Hot Sauce, 4.5 oz, $1.49
-.30/1 Frank’s RedHot sauce printable
-.75/1 Franks RedHot sauce, SS 5/13
(makes it FREE)

Texas Pete – $0.99
-.40/1 Texas Pete Hot Sauces,  SS 05/06/
makes it FREE

Wasa Crackerbread, 10 ct., $1.99 (if sale continues)

-.75/1 Wasa Crackers (Facebook) printable
(makes it FREE)

Vlasic Relish, 10 oz, $1.99
-.75/1 Vlasic product, SS 4/01
-.55/1 Vlasic product, SS 4/01
-$1/2 Vlasic product, SS 4/01
(makes it FREE)

Margaret Holmes Vegetables, 15 oz, $1 (if sale continues)

-.75/2 Margaret Holmes Southern Style vegetable, May All You magazine
(makes it FREE)

French’s Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce, 12 oz, $2 (if sale continues)

-.50/1 French’s Honey Mustard dipping sauce printable
-.75/1 French’s Honey Mustard or Honey Mustard dipping sauce, SS 3/25
-.50/1 French’s Honey Mustard or Honey Mustard dipping sauce, SS 3/25
-.75/1 French’s honey mustard or honey mustard dipping sauce, SS 5/13
(makes it FREE)

Nescafe Taster’s Choice Instant Coffee, 6 pk., $1.55
-.75/1 Nescafe Taster’s Choice coffee printable
-$1.50/2 Nescafe Taster’s Choice or Clasico printable
(use .75/1, makes it FREE)

Comet Cleanser Powder, 21 oz, 99¢ (if sale continues)
-.75/1 Comet stainless steel spray, cream cleanser or powder, bath spray or cream, SS 4/01
-.75/1 Comet stainless steel item or bath spray or cream, April All You magazine
-.75/1 Comet Stainless Steel spray, Cream Cleanser & Polish or Powder cleanser, May All You magazine
-$1 off Comet stainless steel cleaner printable
(use .75/1, makes it FREE)

Other Deals

BOGO Ball Park Angus Bun Size Beef Franks, 15-16 oz, at $5.55 ($2.77)
-.75/1 Ball Park Angus Beef Franks, RP 5/06
-.75/2 Ball Park Franks, RP 5/06
-$1/2 Ball Park Franks, RP 5/06
-$1/3 Ball Park Franks, RP 5/06
(use .75/1, makes it 52¢)

Welch’s Spread, 22 oz, $2.49 (if sale continues)

-.55/1 Welch’s Jam, Jelly, or Spread, RP 2/12
-$1/2 Welch’s Jam, Jelly, or Spread, RP 2/12
(use .55/1, makes it 84¢)

Silk Soymilk, 32 oz, $2.59
-.75/1 Silk product, half gal, 1 qt, or 4 pk printable
(makes it 34¢)

Welch’s Juice – New printable $0.75 off any ONE Welch’s Juice

Smart Balance Spreadable Butter, 7.5 oz, $2.59
-.75/2 Smart Balance buttery spreads or sticks printable
-$1 off Smart Balance spreadable butter & canola oil blend, SS 5/06
-.75/1 Smart Balance spreadable butter printable
(use .75/1, makes it 34¢)

New coupons that just came out that I am going to check on this week:

$0.55 off any Florida Crystals Sugar product

$0.75 off any 18.5 oz. Gold Peak Tea

Used with permission from Jenny -  Southern Savers.

It’s been quite the week in our home. Last Tuesday, I shared about my desire to go back to a simpler life by sharing some of the things I want  to learn to do this summer – life skills that take me back to a simpler time of life. Then our lives got shaken by a terrifying instant, one of those days that puts everything back into perspective, and I realize just how incredibly grateful I am for technology, and how it impacts all aspects of our lives, yes, even a search for a missing children.

And now that brings me full circle to my Tasty Tuesday post, and technology, and how we get so used to what we determine as an everyday necessity, that when we lose it,  it plays havoc in our lives.  I have been without internet in our home for the last 24 hours, so for bloggers like myself, that tend to write moments before I post, this places ourselves in quite the predicament. This morning I drove in search of internet to get my Tasty Tuesday post up, and reply to many emails that have been patiently waiting, and I realize that even though last week I honestly shared I want to live in a simpler time, I don’t know if I would truly choose to give up the things that make our lives so much easier.

We surely are a blessed land to even have that option, aren’t we? So while I want to learn to can, and be more self sufficient, I sure am grateful for all the little things in our lives that make our day to day so much easier – especially those appliances which enable me to cook those quick and easy Ten Minute Dinners.

So since I have been short on time this week, but not short on yummy tasting food options, I thought I would hone your guessing skills to see if you can guess my Fast Five Meals this week with more recipes coming soon.

P.S. With the launch of my Ten Minute Dinners site in the next few months, I will be looking for guest recipe posts and submissions. The only requirement is that the food prep needs to have taken you ten minutes or less, and that you have at least one good picture of it. I don’t need any crock pot recipes, but am open to other more unique ideas. You may submit your recipe through my link at the top.

So, ready, set, go….my quick meal ideas this week, and don’t forget to give great thanks for our amazing appliances that make this a  painless process.

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6 Last Night’s Meal

#1. A yummy Chicken Salad Cucumber Sandwiches

#2 A new take on my Crockpot BBQ Chicken with a twist to make it more like a  Buffalo Chicken sandwich.

#3. I was trying to expand our palette with this quick  Indian Curry Sauce that we served and mixed with chicken and rice.

#4. Nothing like doubling up on a batch of meatballs and saving the extras for meatball sandwiches.

#5. Breakfast for dinner – one of our favorites.

#6 Last night, I made SEVEN pounds of chicken for our family’s most favorite Simple Sesame Chicken. I bagged some up for an extra meal. Yes, that process of cooking up all the chicken did take more than ten minutes, but now that I have additional prepared, future dinners will be super fast.

Thank you for your patience with my late Tasty Tuesday post.

I can’t wait to see your recipe inspiration this week.

One of the all time great “Eat on the Go” snacks in our home has always been the granola bar. With every flavor, variety and healthy option, typically our pantry shelves yields quite a few choices. But recently, as the price has sky rocketed on a box, plus the nutritional value typically equates to that of a candy bar, I had to pull out the big guns and go homemade.

This easy to make, homemade granola bar recipe will have you wondering why you didn’t try this simple recipe attempt long ago, especially since it whips up in less than ten minutes.

There are many recipes available and just like my homemade granola recipe, the options are endless. You can mix and match and make this as healthy as you desire, but to start you off, I am posting a basic and super easy core recipe that I know the kids will love. Because honestly, who doesn’t love anything with a great mixture of peanut butter and chocolate.

Then the next recipe I will share will be with only all natural sweeteners and jam packed with healthy grains.

This picture is proof that I was trying to be a good girl and so instead of stirring in the chocolate, I just sprinkled them on top. Don’t do that. Just stir them right in and enjoy. And those three miscellaneous M & M’s? Those are courtesy of my daughter…just because.

Now go make these yummy homemade peanut butter granola bars. Not only will you thank me, but more importantly, your budget will.

Enjoy some of these free Mother’s Day restaurant freebies this weekend. Enjoy celebrating the special women in your life.
For some last minute meaningful Mother’s Day ideas, check my traditions page.

Bakers Square – Free Slice of Pie for Mom WYB 1 Entree on Mother’s Day (exp: 5/13/2012)
Beef O Bradys – Buy 1 Entree Get 1 Free on Mother’s Day (exp: 5/13/2012)
Caribou Coffee – 10% Off Drink with Reusable Drinkware & Buy 1 Get 1 Free Drinks on Mother’s Day* (exp: 5/13/2012)
Carls Jr – 2 Hand-Scooped Oreo Ice Cream Sandwiches for $2 Mother’s Day Only (exp: 5/13/2012)
Denny’s – Send Mom an eCard and get a FREE Skillet Cookie coupon
Firehouse Subs – Free Medium Sub WYB Any Sub, Chips & Medium Drink on Mother’s Day (exp: 5/13/2012)
Friendlys – FREE 3 Scoop Sundae on Mother’s Day (exp: 5/13/2012)
IKEA Restaurant – FREE Breakfast for Mom on Mother’s Day till 11AM (exp: 5/13/2012)
Kona Grill – FREE Red Velvet Cupcake for Mom on Mother’s Day with Purchase (exp: 5/13/2012)
McAlisters – FREE Dessert for Moms on Mother’s Day (exp: 5/13/2012)
Penn Station – Free 6″ Sub WYB Any Sub on Mother’s Day (exp: 5/13/2012)
Souper Salad – Buy 1 Get 1 Free Adult Buffet on Mother’s Day (exp: 5/13/2012)
Souplantation – Buy 1 Get 1 Free Breakfast WYB 2 Drinks from 8AM-11AM on Mother’s Day (exp: 5/13/2012)
Sweet Tomatoes – Buy 1 Get 1 Free Breakfast WYB 2 Drinks from 8AM-11AM on Mother’s Day (exp: 5/13/2012)
Texas de Brazil – Free Dessert and Drink with Regular Dinner Price on Mother’s Day (exp: 5/13/2012)

Del Taco Coupon - Free Bacon Breakfast Burrito WYB Iced or Hot Prima Java Coffee (exp: 5/17/2012)
Dickeys Barbecue Pit Coupon - Free Dessert with $5 Purchase (exp: 5/13/2012)

Waffle House Coupon - FREE Waffle (exp: 5/23/2012)

Thanks to Surviving the Stores.

If you’ve spent any time here, you know I am one not to get caught up in a good marketing ploy. If I listened to every “can’t live without” sign, I’d have to kick the kids out of their room for my shopping storage, yet, when I see a sign that says the “It List” for spring, I definitely perk up and study it carefully.

Even though I have my strong frugal fashionista tendencies, I still want to make sure I am aware of the fashion trends.  I would not want to lead you all astray with my shopping habits.

Plus, with Mother’s Day looming, some of us may need to enjoy buying their own present. Does anyone else do that?

As I show you a few of these “It List” pieces (found at Tanger Outlets J Crew), please note that a few of these listed I can not pull off, and of course, it would be #1- a fedora straw hat. The thought if it makes me feel fashionable and hip, until I put it on, and I look so….ah, “trying to hard” might be what people would whisper.

The rest of these I love, and I will actually add a few of these essentials to my wardrobe for the summer. Now, #12, the 3″ Chino Shorts are quite debatable. These legs have a lot of working out to do before they could pull those off, but it’s something to shoot for when I sweat through the 30 (which has led to 90) day shred.

A few weeks ago, my family spent the afternoon at Tanger Outlets, and I shared my five tips to saving big at the outlets. All of these pictures I took during our shopping trip and my eyes always gravitate to the mannequins.

I love to try and strategize with my wardrobe and visualize what pieces I can put together from what I already own, and then think through the accessorizes I should invest in to re-make my older outfits.

Green and black layering of  T-shirts, along with this long necklace and amazing layering of bracelets, make this outfit pop. What I love about this is that if you switch out the white shorts for nice jeans or black pants, it’s perfect for a night on the town.

(I’ve moved on now from J Crew with this picture above, and  I can’t remember where I took it. Know that it’s possibly Banana Republic, Gap, Talbots, Loft, but if you recognize the store, let me know. )

Two years ago, I wrote about purchasing Trench Coats as part of your core wardrobe. I admit, little black dresses and trench coats are my weakness. You can throw on a trench coat and look great. No one has to know that you have baby spit up and a big rip in your shirt if you have a great trench coat and accessories.

What I love about this picture is the necklace. Isn’t it Eye Catching? Talk about a statement piece. This is it!  Most of you probably have a coat similar to this and some kind of cotton button down shirt. Grab them, and go find a BIG, HUGE, necklace or better yet, buy this one was at the Tanger J Crew Outlet, and use the $10 off coupon.

Now we are onto my favorite part of the It List – SCARVES!!

You all know that I have an affinity for scarves. Yes, I chuckle now at all of my video tutorials of how to tie a scarf, since the quality is that of a novice blogger, but at least you know my heart was in the right place.

One of the aspects I appreciate the most about scarves is that they can take a typical, every day T-shirt and completely revolutionize an outfit.

We all have basic T-shirts in our wardrobe. Invest in some summer scarves and rock those tees.

This is such an elegant look with a tank top completely dressed up by adding a gorgeous scarf. I love how they have it hanging loosely, along with the purple necklace tying together all the colors.

This inspired me in a new way. Remember in my last Frugal Fashionista post I mentioned I am trying to mix up the patterns a bit?

Well, I would never have thought to put this striped shirt with this patterned scarf, yet I really, really like it. It’s a great inspiration piece for me.

Don’t forget to use those scarves for more than just around your neck. They make great belts, hair bands, as well as a great addition to your purchase. Many times I will tie one around the handle just to accessorize the outfit that much more.

We’ve been dreaming about our own Mother’s Day purchases (or at least I have), but I would be remiss not to show you some of the best deals of our trip. This is our 16 year old. Yes, I know you feel for me feeding this wonderful child man. At nearly 6’4″ and 255 pounds, I can’t keep him dressed in clothes that fit, and second hand finds are hit or miss. We scoped out all the clearance sections and found some great buys. Since the outlets are already discounted, I also find items that are clearances, and then pair the coupons on top of that. Yes,  great finds to be had by all.

Don’t laugh, but this is what I bought myself – a sander, oh yes, I did. From the Tanger Outlet Direct Tool store, I used my Groupon, and then the realization hit that I am either getting old or I have really started grooming my DIY gene when that purchased truly excited me.

I spent lots of time just enjoying the Kitchen Stores. I dream a lot about all the things I want, but then only purchased a few things I needed.

And now my virtual shopping spree ends on my biggest, hugest WANT (well, next to the Vitamix or Blendtech that I still haven’t purchased).

I literally spent 45 minutes in the Le Creuset store. This is the picture I posted on my facebook page while I was shopping and in the middle of my deliberation. These cookware pieces are a huge investment, but one that lasts a lifetime because these are the kind of pieces that you pass down to your grandchildren. It was fun to read the comments after I posted it. Some readers have been given them, but they had no idea the treasure that had been gifted. I went back and forth on this. They had a whole table that were “scratch and dent” pieces. Small scratches, not even noticeable, but still deemed them “seconds.” Those are the kinds of buys I look for since one day in our home and they are “seconds” anyhow.

With our family size, I am looking at some of the largest pieces – the 9 quart, but even at the discount, it still would have run around $200. Yes, I told you, an investment, but quality kitchen tools are one of those investments that I really believe in. I didn’t buy it this time, but I did bring my hubby in and showed him the piece that is on my “Someday” list.

That was quite the eclectic post, but I guess that’s what I enjoy about the Tanger Outlet malls. There’s a little something for every one, and if you apply my five tips to saving big, you really can maximize your budget.

So, we ‘ve walked through some fun fashion ideas for the summer, and I’ve shared my Dream Purchase from Tanger Outlets.

Now, I would love to know what is your dream Shopping Spree item?

Tanger wants to help in the savings department by offering a great value on their Gift Cards. Head to Tanger this weekend, and use their  Mother’s Day Coupon: $10 off $50 Gift Card Purchase.

Print here and show at Service Center.

I have enjoyed being a Tanger Blog Ambassador.