Sweet Craftastrophe

Don't Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle

2012-11-28T15:25:00.003-06:00

Good afternoon lovelies!

Only 27 more days till Christmas and only 10 more days till Hanukkah! No Need to stress though because I've complied some of my favorite gift ideas to give to the fashionista in your life! This is by far my favorite time of the year and not only because of all the shopping I get to do but because of all the little goodies I get to make! Which I will show you in a post next week! :)

But today I'm going to share some of my favorite jewelry pieces from Stella & Dot! Plus I've made some outfits to get your creative juices flowing so you can mix and match your wardrobe with your fabulous jewels! All the pieces are under $50 as well as half of their line! How much better can that be for quality jewelry?! Enjoy the goodies and happy shopping!

Stella & Dot Gifts Under 50 by teexoxo128 featuring a chain necklace

Stella Dot bangle jewelry
stelladot.com

Stella dot
stelladot.com

Stella Dot vintage style ring
stelladot.com

Stella & Dot stud earrings
stelladot.com

Stella dot
stelladot.com

Stella Dot anchor bracelet
stelladot.com

Stella Dot bangle bracelet
stelladot.com

Stella Dot heart jewelry
stelladot.com

Stella Dot chain necklace
stelladot.com

Stella Dot chain necklace
stelladot.com

Here are a few outfits to go with the jewelry!

Stella & Dot -1 by teexoxo128 featuring gap dresses

Stella & Dot -2 by teexoxo128 featuring a peasant shirt

Stella & Dot - 3 by teexoxo128 featuring beauty products

Have a Sweet Day!

xoxo,

Up is where we go from here

2012-09-05T22:56:00.001-05:00

Up is where we go from here by teexoxo128 featuring a party dress

JuJuBelle 2012-8

2012-07-19T12:38:00.001-05:00

JuJuBelle 2012-8 by teexoxo128 featuring strappy sandals

JuJuBelle 2012-8

2012-07-19T12:35:00.001-05:00

JuJuBelle 2012-8 by teexoxo128 featuring short skirts

Date Night Juju

2012-07-13T13:57:00.001-05:00

Date Night Juju by teexoxo128 featuring pearl hair accessories

Summer Concert

2012-06-28T13:13:00.001-05:00

Summer Concert by teexoxo128 featuring a lace dress

Get It Done!

2012-01-04T07:30:00.000-06:00

Morning dolls!

How was your NYE? Eventful and safe I hope! Today I'm finally back and ready to get into the swing of things again. So in spirit of the new year I am dedicating this post to all things organizational.

Fun fact: every minute invested in planning will save you 10 minutes down the road

Personally, I totally support this because planning your week gives you a clear image of what you have to do and when plus this allows you to squeeze in some time for random activities. It saves so much time and reduces stress which is what we all want!

Here are a few designs to choose from for your weekly planners! Make it fun and color code each activity or person in your household! So find your fav planner and make this year as productive as you can!

Download here

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-25T07:30:00.000-06:00

Good morning,

Merry Christmas darlings! Have a super fantastic day filled with love, joy and happiness! May you be surrounded by beauty and the all the joy that Christmas brings today!Enjoy your time with family and friends and have an amazing New Year! I will be back with some fabulous ideas after the Holidays!

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Sweet Endings

2011-12-14T07:30:00.001-06:00

Ok so I fibbed I guess this will be my last post for awhile! I was making my christmas treats for a few friends and before I knew it I was snapping pictures while trying to cook.
So anyways today's treat is delicious and it's healthy! What?! Yes that's true!

These pretzels are soo yummy and healthy at only 50 calories per pretzel rod! So let's get cooking!

Chocolate covered pretzels

You will need:

1 package of pretzel rods
3/4 cup of dark chocolate chips
sprinkles to decorate if you'd like

Directions:

Line a baking pan with parchment paper or foil (grease the foil with cooking spray)
Measure your chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl
Melt chips in 30 second increments (mine took about a minute)
Tilt the bowl to one side so you can dip your pretzel rods in the chocolate
After dipping the pretzels lay flat on baking sheet
sprinkle with toppings of your choice
Let the pretzels set in the fridge for 10 minutes and serve!

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Just Breathe...

2011-12-12T07:30:00.000-06:00

Good morning,

I'm so sorry I ahevn't been keeping up with the posts but its finals week and I have been in study mode for the past two weeks! So just bare with me as I finish my last two finals and I'll be back to regularly posting. Since I'll be pretty busy studying I figured that if I write at least one post I won't feel too terrible about neglecting you all!

I want you to start off your week with a few laughs and remember to take in some "me time" during your hectic schedules.

Well hopefully you've smiled and laughed a little so go start your awesome Monday! I probably won't be posting as much for the next two weeks but I will try to sneak in a few posts here and there. I have some amazing ideas for 2012 so stick around!

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Holly Jolly Cuppies!

2011-12-08T07:00:00.000-06:00

Morning darlings!

Cupcakes are one of my favorite desserts but since I am trying to be healthier I had been wondering how I can cut calories but at the same time not spend a ton of time baking. Well my fantastic Googling skills paid off becuase today's Chrismakkuh project is almost too good to be true!

For this fabulously guilt free dessert all you need is cake mix and diet soda or sparkling water! I'll be making these today for girl's night!

It's so simple and easy to make plus the frosting is just as yummy! All it takes is two simple ingredients that make these cupcakes so moist and delish!

126 calories!

Holly Jolly Cupcakes

You will need:

1 box cake mix
12 oz or 1.5 cups of diet soda or sparkling water
DO NOT ADD EGGS, OIL OR WATER
Wait about 15 minutes to cool then frost your cuppies!

Directions:

Mix the cake mix and the diet soda together until smooth and creamy
Pour into greased cake pan or non-greased cupcake pan
Bake as directed on box

Heavenly Whipped Frosting
You will need:

Cool whip lite or sugar free
Instant sugar free vanilla pudding mix
1 cup of milk

Directions:

Beat or whisk the whip cream slowly but be careful so that you don't overmix it.
Add the pudding mix and milk
Place the frosting in the fridge while your cupcakes are baking
When you're ready to frost, place whipped frosting in a large Ziplock bag. Cut the tip off a corner of the bag, and squeeze frosting down to the cut corner. Squeeze frosting out while making a swirling/upward motion and lift at the peak!
Add sprinkles or edible pearls if you'd like! (I'm adding raspberries and mint leaves)
Keep them in the fridge until you're ready to serve so the frosting can set up
Serve your delectable desserts!

If you're trying to make these at home please share your pictures!

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Sparkle and Shine!

2011-12-07T10:20:00.001-06:00

Happy Hump day! It's the last day of classes for me this week and I am so excited because I only have one week left of school! So, if I'm not posting as regularly it's because I'm studying my life away but I'll be trying very hard to keep up with this!

So it's day 2 of the Chrismakkuh (Christmas + Channukah = Chrismakkuh) series! Today I'm crafting up some very elegenat and easy vases that not only work for the Holidays but all year round!

Here's my inspiration for today's project!

If you have wine bottles around go ahead and use them but if not head over to your local Dollar Tree and buy a few clear vases. You can't go wrong with $1 vases to craft with!

I don't know how many of you use or have bought mod podge before but it is expensive! I found a much cheaper and easier way to get it with things you already have in your house!

So first things first we're going to learn how to make diy mod podge

DIY MOD PODGE

You will need:

Elmer's school glue (or any brand)
Water
Canning jar, mason jar or an old pasta sauce jar

Directions:

Clean out the jar thouroughly and wipe it down with a clean towel
Pour about 1/2 of the school glue into your jar
Pour an equal amount of water into the jar
Mix well

Now you have your very own mod podge!

Ok so let's move onto these gorgeous vases! I really love this idea because it reminds me of snow and it looks expensive but you'll be the only one who knows it cost you less than $5 to make.

SPARKLE VASE

You will need:

epsom salt
vase
acrylic paint (white)
mod podge
newspaper

Directions:

Lay out a few sheets of newspaper
Pour a generous amount of epsom salt onto the newspaper
Coat your vase/wine bottle with mod podge
Roll the vase into the epsom salt a few times
Shake off excess
Let dry overnight


Here's the finished product courtesy of Cleverly Inspired

I'll be posting some of my own pictures as soon as the paint dries on my vases!

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Crafty for Christmas!

2011-12-06T07:00:00.000-06:00

Good morning,

I hope you're just as excited as I am about Christmas! Only 21 more days! Guess what? Today is also the month-iversary of my blog! Happy 1 month! I've been feeling pretty crafty lately and decided to devote 12 days to Christmas crafts, foods, tablescapes and of course some freebie printables. It truly is the greatest time of year minus the cold weather. I'm not a fan at all but that's totally off topic. Anyways, I have been working on a few crafts to share with all of you and today I'm going start off the Crafty Christmas series with some adorable place card holders turned into magnets!

Ornament Magnets

You will need:

Ornaments (as many as you like!)
Magnets (you can find these at Michael's, Hobby Lobby or any craft store)
Glue gun or Tacky Glue
Scissors

Directions

Lay out your materials
Cut the magnets to your desired size as long as you can't see it behind the ornament
Glue on the magnet
Press for about 10 seconds and let dry overnight


Here are all my supplies laid out. I had some magnets on hand so I just used these but you'll need to trim the magnets so they wont be seen


Here are the ornaments I found at Michael's! They were too cute to pass up plus it was 2 for $1! But beware they do shed glitter as you can see from the picture.


Here's what it looks like while drying

Here's my little magnet in action!

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Make Today Ridiculously Amazing!

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

Morning sunshine!

“You’ve got to win in your mind before you win in your life.” – John Addison

It's exactly one week till finals and I couldn't be happier! I am so so so excited for this semester to be over and done with! This is one of the MOST stressful times of the year and you shouldn't stress yourself out (it causes worry lines ;) Not that you wouldn't look gorgeous either way. Anyways sometimes it helps me to look at some inspiring quotes and pictures to get through the day and remind myself to keep going. I figured it would be a great idea to share some of my faves with you lovelies!

Here's 12 tidbits of wisdom to guide you through the week!

A meteorology professor stood before his Meteorology 101 class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty glass mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a jar of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open spaces between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar and of course the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous yes. The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and then proceeded to pour the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the grains of sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things -- your family, your partner, your health, your children, your friends, your favorite passions -- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. "The pebbles are the other things that matter, like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. Play another 18.

"There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand." One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers."

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Chase Your Goal!

2011-12-03T07:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Saturday darlings! It's only 11 days till my first final! I'm thankful for this and yet a little anxious! Considering that this is usually the busiest time of year sometimes we have setbacks in our fitness goals and miss a few days at the gym. I know it's totally normal and you shouldn't beat yourself up about it as long as you make up for it the next day. As long as you're making a conscious effort to be a better you then you have all the satisfaction you'll need :)

I meant to post this the other day but I just got caught up with tests, projects and homework so here is the weekly workout. I'd love to hear your feedback so feel free to leave a comment!

Remember this ALWAYS!

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Day by Day

2011-12-02T07:00:00.000-06:00

Morning gorgeous!

Happy Friday! I know there are sometimes where you don't feel like doing anything, feel sluggish but it's just temporary and you have to find the motivation somewhere to work out!

Remember not to get discouraged by the big picture and take each day as it comes. Don't say "I can never have a oreo McFlurry ever again" because it's not true and you deserve a few indulgences every once in a while. Indulgences have to be done in moderation because all your hard work is worth more than 5 minutes on your lips. Personally, it's easier for me to focus on my fitness goals if I just think about this week and worry about the rest later. It's a process which requires time and lots of it so don't get frustrated right away if things aren't going the way you want them to. You will get there as long as you just remember to take it one day at a time.

Today I'm sharing some inspirational pictures that motivate me when I feel like a slug. You can print these out and hang them anywhere and everywhere you want so that you can achieve your goals!

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Health Bent

2011-12-01T00:13:00.000-06:00

It's no longer about being skinny it's about living a healthy lifestyle through exercising, healthy eating habits and careful planning. Sorry for not posting yesterday but I had a killer math test to study for! Anyways, "skinny" is totally out of season and healthy is the new trend that's here to stay! I've tried just about every fad diet possible from green tea to the Hollywood diet and as some of you know they're just quick fixes. Sure it's great for a few weeks but what about afterwards? Sound familiar? It's no fun being on a diet I mean the word itself is such a drag.

The word itself makes you cringe at the thought of it.

Don't

Imagine

Eating

This

C'mon how inspiring is that? None whatsoever which is why this isn't a diet it's your new journey into a healthy lifestyle. Of course I'll post some salad recipes but I'm not going to focus on that alone because healthy eating can be fun! It doesn't need to consist of restricting yourself from your favorite foods as long as you learn to come up with substitutions and adjustments. Food is meant to be enjoyed! Sure you may love mayo but cutting it out of your daily routine can save you 99 calories! By substituting it for mustard (just 11 calories) think how much happier you'll be when all these little things play into the big picture - losing weight, living healthy and most of all being happy!

Before we start the first step is to write everything down! That's why I found some great printables for you. Thanks to Design Sponge I’ve made them available for you here.

Menu with grocery list

Grocery list

This actually works out perfectly because I am going grocery shopping today too so I will show how much fun planning your meals will be!

Ok so I actually didn't follow one of my own shopping rules and went while I was hungry! It's actually NEVER a good idea! So I ended up buying some random things I probably didn't need which is why you should make sure that you are fueled up before heading out!

Anyways here's a few recipes that I will be trying this week...

GET GOING BREAKFASTS!

1 cup Cheerios, 1/2 c. skim milk, 1 medium banana sliced

1 Vitatop muffin, Greek or lowfat yogurt {210 cals}

LUSCIOUS LUNCHES!

Crab and Avocado Salad


Per serving: Calories 314; Fat 14 g (Saturated 2 g); Cholesterol 73 mg; Sodium 552 mg;Carbohydrate 28 g; Fiber 8 g; Protein 22 g

Lean -o- panini

Calories: 264, Fat: 7g, Sodium: 898mg , Carbs: 31g
Fiber: 7g, Sugars: 6g, Protein: 21g

DASHING DINNERS!

Boca Fresca Burger

Calories 250, Total fat 7g, Sodium 550g, Sugar 5g, Carbs 29g, Protein 20g

Jerzday Ziti


230 Calories, 22g Protein, 45g Carbs, 5g Fat (serves 9)

Ingredients

   * 1 box Fiber Ziti or Penne Rigate
   * 15 Ounce container of Fat Free Ricotta Cheese
   * 2 Large Egg Whites
   * 4 Cups Non Fat Mozzarella Cheese
   * 1 teaspoon garlic powder
   * Salt/Pepper
   * 1 tsp Crushed red Pepper Flakes
   * Low Calorie Marinara Sauce
   * 3 Tbsp Grated Fat Free Parmesan Cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 Degrees
2. Spray baking dish with Olive Oil or Pam
3. Boil Pasta noodles
4. In a mixing bowl mix ricotta, egg whites, and everything else but leave 1 cup of        mozzarella cheese.
5. Spread 1 cup of Marinara sauce on the bottom of the dish
6. Add 1/2 pasta on top of marinara sauce in an even layer
7. Add another cup of marinara sauce over first layer of pasta
8. Add the remaining pasta over the second layer of sauce
9. Add mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese over the second layer of pasta
10. Cover the dis with Foil
11. Bake approximately 20 minutes
12. Remove the foil
13. Bake for another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted

SNACK ATTACK!

Vanilla Wafers : 8 cookies, 140 cals, Total fat 6g, Carbs 21g, Sugar 11g

Frigo String Cheese - Light : 1 stick, 60 cals, Total fat 2.5 g, Carbs 0g, Protein 8g

Any type of fruit you love

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

It's All About the Labels

2011-11-29T07:00:00.001-06:00

Morning,

Hope you're Tuesday is starting off to a fabulous one! So last night as I was writing today's post I totally got ahead of myself and realized that to shop for healthy products you need to learn the basics of food labels. Yea I know it kind of sucks but you just have to do it and trust me you'll be better off for it in the future :)

All right so start off at top in orange and check the serving size then ask yourself, "How much will I have"? So let's say you has 2 cups which = 2 servings so double your calories, fat, cholesterol etc.

Calorie Cheats

40 Calories is low
100 Calories is moderate
400 Calories or more is high

Next, look at the green shaded area that contains fat and especially the dreaded trans and saturated fats. From now on keep those numbers low because if you consume a high amount of these then it may lead to other complications such as heart disease.

Moving on, to the red area, which is a percentage of the daily value of each nutrient you should get. The %DV helps you determine if a serving of food is high or low in a nutrient. These are all based on a 2000 calorie diet and I know you're probably not used to keeping track of your calories but at least this gives you a frame of reference.

Now lets take a look at the blue area, these are all nutrients that you should get enough of. The biggest thing to look for is protein and fiber which will help keep you full but also lead you on your way to becoming healthier. You can also use this as a comparison while shopping to see which product is better for you in regards to protein and fiber.

Finally, the footnote at the bottom is on every food label and never changes; It is the recommended amounts of nutrients based on a 2000 calorie diet. This is required on every food product and contains a comparative between a 2000 and 2500-calorie diet.

Now you're prepared to take on the grocery store! It's a process and pretty soon this will become second nature. Personally, it's been a great tool that before a few months ago I neglected and didn't help my fitness goals at all. Now that I made a conscious effort to take a few seconds and read the labels I found my favorite go-to products!

Stay tuned later on today I'm featuring a menu/grocery list filled with yummy food! :)

Have a sweet day!
xoxo,

Fit is not a Destination...

2011-11-28T14:30:00.000-06:00

It's a way of life! Earlier this morning I started off with some motivation to get you excited about this journey and I'm continuing with this momentum! Yes, exercising does play a big role into your fitness endeavors but you can't eat big macs all day and then assume you'll work it off later. Think of your body as a temple...it's sacred and you should treat it like gold. Even if you aren't taking an accurate log of your intake you body always will.

When you get home from school or work today take at least 30 minutes to walk,jog,run whatever your little heart desires! As long as you made the decision to get up and get moving you've made an accomplishment for today which is a great start. Maybe you need a little bit more direction for your workout routine well no worries I took care of that too!

Now that you have a workout routine for today let's get to the food! Healthy food can taste just as good as what you're used to or even better! Did you know that eating healthier foods is actually cheaper than take out?

Hopefully seeing this has changed your thinking. It's obviously easier to order takeout but it's never worth it in the end. You may be overwhelmed by the choices available at the grocery store but don't freak out. Take a breath because I've found some amazing tips to help you out in general.

Sugar free is your new bestie! It tastes the same most of the time and if you decide to buy something labeled "fat free" beware of the sugar content!
Eat all colored fruits/veggies! I know you've heard this a billion times but just to make sure it's drilled into your coconut here it is again. Most of your carbs should come from veggies and/or fruits.
Pound on the protein! Sorry red meat lovers but it's time for a new love that will work much better for you! Give chicken, turkey and Boca Burgers a try.
Forget the oils, butter and salts instead, use PAM products from now on.
Start drinking skim or 2% milk and if you can make it organic. There's always almond milk as another option and it's flavored.
Pack on more protein and calcium with cottage cheese and Chobani yogurt.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! I can't say this enough! Drinking water will help you stay full all day and make your skin & hair healthier! There's always the option to add crystal light for added flavor or try some tea.
When grocery shopping try to avoid the boxed frozen foods they're never as healthy as they seem.
Chew sugarless gum whenever you can because it will curb your appetite. One study at the Mayo Clinic indicates that chewing sugarless gum burns 11 calories an hour and can help a person lose weight.
Keep a detailed record of your caloric intake for the day. If you have a smartphone there is a fantastic app "My Fitness Pal" which allows you to enter specifics and then gives you the right amount of calories you need daily. Another thing I love about this app is it also has cardio exercises that you can add to your food log. When you start losing weight My Fitness Pal adjusts your intake too!
Keep your weight loss goals realistic and attainable. Don't say to yourself that you'll lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks because that could lead to disappointment and discouragement. Instead focus on 1 or 2 pounds a week and keep it simple!
Don't deprive yourself of treats because that will lead to binge eating. Instead give yourself a treat once a week of your favorite food. Your body still needs fat and if it's not getting enough it will hold on to the supply available. Make sure your treat is allotted into your daily intake as well.
Organize your schedule for the week so you can stay on track with school, friends, work and your fitness routine! Making sure that you're organized will help you plan accordingly in case you're running late or an emergency happens. Creating a schedule will also make you accountable for your exercises because you have to write it down.
Make sure you have supportive people around you to encourage you every step of the way. Surround yourself with positive people!

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Morning Mod-ivation

2011-11-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

Morning sweeties,

Ah the holiday season is upon us and that also means all those yummy treats can set you back in your fitness goals. Well no need to worry because I have been working on making this week entirely about fitness, healthy eating and some great tips to keep you in the best shape even through the holidays!

I know this feeling all too well after Thanksgiving when you know you did a little damage and then you promise yourself "I'll start my diet tomorrow or Monday". Don't promise yourself anything if you can't keep it! Instead of saying you'll start next week make a conscious effort to change your habits for the long run. I know losing/gaining weight is part of every girl's life but don't focus on skinny focus on healthy! Today is a brand new day, a clean slate so get off your lazy bum ;) and get to it! Remember that this isn't a one shot deal and mistakes will be made because you're human hopefully:) . ALWAYS REMEMBER IT'S A LIFESTYLE CHOICE!

Just to clarify I am not an expert at this and you should always consult your doctor before you start a new ~~diet~~ lifestyle. My only goal is to inspire you to be even more beautiful than you are right now and be absolutely content with yourself. Learning to live a healthy lifestyle is going to be a hard and I'm saying this from experience so take it a day at a time.You'll have to be extremely diligent about your food choices especially but it's all doable and totally worth the effort! Don't stress yourself out over a few tiny mistakes because you can always fix them and learn from them. Be proud of daily accomplishments. Being healthy shouldn't be considered as boring it should be fun! Remember this is a POSITIVE thing you're doing by transforming into a healthy and happy lifestyle. Stay tuned later on today for some workout ideas and a healthy helpful tips.

Here's some thin-spiration to start off your week!

Source: healthy-is-the-way-to-go.tumblr.com via Aimee on Pinterest

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Cyber Monday Craze!

2011-11-26T13:24:00.000-06:00

Good Afternoon!

Happy hump day! I know today is a busy day for all of you lovelies because it's Thanksgiving eve. Don't want to wake up at the crack of dawn to shop in the madness on Friday? Well who could blame you! That's why Cyber Monday is every lazy shoppers dream day! Two shopping holiday's in one week I mean it doesn't get any better than this! Just like Black Friday I would advise you to make a plan of attack to the reap the best rewards. Also since you will be shopping online make sure to check if the website is safe and secure. Here'es a few tips and tricks to make the most of your Cyber Monday!

Tips for Cyber Monday

source

Be thorough in your research by utilizing all of the resources the Internet provides, particularly social media networks, to compare prices and search for online-only bargains that guarantee you’ll save money.
Update your home computer’s anti-virus software and security tools before you start shopping, and if using a wireless connection, make sure it’s encrypted with a password.
Don’t Procrastinate! Prices and inventories change quickly online this time of year, so to ensure that you get what you’re looking for, shop and order early.
Carefully review every online retailer’s terms and conditions, as well as their return policies, as they vary industry-wide.
Beware of certain promotional emails requesting personal information or promising a special deal. Usually, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Create or update new online passwords that are unique and difficult to steal — avoid pet names, birthdays, etc., and incorporate numbers and characters.
Use credit cards instead of debit cards, as you’ll be better protected from fraud and face less liability in the event of your card number being stolen.
Shop only on certifiably secure websites: look for web addresses beginning with https:// and double check that you’re on a secure connection before entering personal information.
Be smart about where you disclose personal information — including phone numbers, addresses, and financial information — and avoid doing business with unverifiable entities.
Look for delivery guarantees from online retailers and always keep hard copies of email confirmations of orders and delivery statuses.
Seek out the freebies that some retailers include on orders of a particular size or volume; keep them for yourself or use them as stocking stuffers.

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Monster Diddybeats Headphones for $59.99 (save $89)
Mercer Cutlery Genesis 6-Piece Knife Set for $99.95 (save $150)
Panasonic Linear Vortex Shaving System for $78.99 (save $171)
"Twilight" series DVDs for $6.99 each

Overstock

Target

Movies starting at $3.99
$100 in free accessories -- cradle, LCD screen protector and AC Adapter -- when you buy a Sony Tablet S ($499.99)
Over 30% off some electronics
60 percent off a top selling scooter ($19.99)
30 to 50% off toys
Buy one, get one free pillow sets

Delias

Free shipping on any order using coupon code 25AFFND, valid 11/23-11/28.
15% off any order using coupon code 15AFFND, valid 11/23-11/28.
$20 off a $75+ order using coupon code 75AFFND, valid 11/23-11/28.
Free shipping on any order using coupon code CYBFS, valid only on 11/28.
20% off any order using coupon code CYB2, valid 11/28-12/1.

Folica (I absolutely love this site for pretty much any hair product from straighteners to hair color)

$25 off a $75+ order plus free shipping using coupon code NOV25, valid now thru 11/29.
10% off any order plus free shipping using coupon code HOLIDAYHAIR, valid now thru 11/30.

Fossil
Free overnight shipping thru this link, valid now thru 11/30.

Overstock

Puma

Steve Madden

Free shipping on any order using coupon code "SHIPSM".
Free shipping on orders over $75 using coupon code "SMFREESHIP".

Torrid

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Savings – $25 off $100+, $50 off $150+, and $75 off $300+ thru this link, valid now thru 11/28.

Ulta

Free shipping on orders over $25 using coupon code "FREESHIP25", valid now thru 12/24.
$10 off a $50+ order using coupon code 10199, valid now thru 12/31.

Vera Bradley

Macy's

DSW The only stipulation to this site is that you must be a DSW rewards member. You can sign up here and enter promo code "CYBER25"

Bath and Body Works

Kohl's

Banana Republic use code "BRJUMP30"

Nordstrom up to 50% off on sale items

Enjoy your thanksgiving , Black Friday! I'd love to see some of your shopping finds so feel free to comment on your fabulous finds!

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Gobble til You Wobble

2011-11-24T07:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy this holiday with your family and friends while your diet is forgotten (but just for today)! This year I'm thankful for friends,family and all the little things! What are you most thankful for this year?

Here are a few things I picked up on Pinterest! Enjoy!


I just couldn't help myself

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Everything Thanksgiving : Round two

2011-11-22T07:30:00.000-06:00

Today it's all about Thanksgiving leftovers and clever ways to work them into new dishes! I'm pretty excited for Thanksgiving (and of course Black Friday)! I'm sure by now the menu is finalized and you have a game plan for the day of because you're just awesome right? Of course! The biggest challenge to work into other dishes is of course the turkey, ham or prime rib. I mean I like turkey sandwiches with extra stuffing but honestly how many turkey sandwiches can you have?

Turkey Bolognese

source

This recipe is genius! How easy and smart is this?! For a lighter option use wheat pasta.

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
1 pound shredded cooked turkey (preferably dark meat)
3 cups marinara sauce
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound spaghetti
Freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add the carrot and celery and saute until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

Add the turkey and saute 1 minute.

Add the marinara sauce.

Decrease the heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend, stirring often. Stir in the basil. Season the sauce, to taste, with salt and pepper. (The sauce can be made 1 week ahead.

Cool the sauce completely, then transfer it to a container and freeze for future use. Bring the sauce to a simmer before using.)

Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes.

Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Add the pasta to the sauce and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten as needed.

Serve with the Parmesan

Potato Croquettes

source

These tasty little treats would be perfect to make in the middle of the week with your leftover mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons milk
Salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon chopped green onion
2 egg yolks, beaten
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups mashed potatoes
1 egg, beaten
Sifted dried bread crumbs
Peanut oil, enough to fill pan 1/2-inch

Directions

Add milk, salt, pepper, chopped onion, beaten egg yolks and flour to mashed potatoes.

Chill and then shape using an ice cream scoop.

Dip in the beaten egg, then roll through bread crumbs.

Fry each croquette in shallow oil until brown on all sides.

**Cook's Note**: Cook in small batches, giving each croquette at least 2 inches of space around it to not overcrowd the pan. This prevents the croquettes from crumbling while frying.

30 Minute Turkey Chili

source

Anything under 30 minutes to make catches my attention and this is such a hearty meal for those cold nights.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 chipotle chile en adobo, coarsely chopped, with 1 tablespoon sauce
1 pound ground turkey
1 (12-ounce) Mexican lager-style beer
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, with their juice
1 (15 1/2-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Sliced scallions, cilantro sprigs, avocado, sour cream, grated Monterey jack cheese, and/or tortilla chips, for garnish, optional

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the onion, garlic, salt, chili powder, and oregano and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 3 minutes.

Stir in the tomato paste and the chipotle chile and sauce; cook 1 minute more.

Add the turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until the meat loses its raw color, about 3 minutes.

Add the beer and simmer until reduced by about half, about 8 minutes.

Add the tomatoes--crushing them through your fingers into the skillet--along with their juices and the beans; bring to a boil.

Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 10 minutes.

Ladle the chili into bowls and serve with the garnishes of your choice.

**Cook's Note**: A skillet's larger surface area reduces sauces faster than simmering in a saucepan.

Extra Veggie Frittata

source

Ok I'm loving this idea for leftover veggies! It's so simple and easy to make! Perfect snacks for anytime of the day.

Ingredients

8 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup stuffing
2 cups leftover cooked veggies (broccoli or cauliflower, green beans)
salt and pepper to season
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup grated cheddar

Directions

Beat 8 eggs, 1 cup milk and salt and pepper.

Add 1/2 cup stuffing bread cubes and 2 cups leftover cooked vegetables (such as broccoli or cauliflower).

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in an ovenproof 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add the egg mixture and cook 2 minutes.

Reduce the heat to medium-low, top with grated cheddar and cook 10 minutes.

Broil 3 minutes, then slice.

Cranberry Tartlets

source

One word- delish! I am definitely going to make these for a little post lunch treat! You could even freeze half of them for later and just heat them up when you need them. For a lighter option substitute the sugar for Splenda.

Ingredients

12 (2 3/4-inch) squares of dough (phyllo)
6 tablespoons cranberry sauce
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon heavy cream
Sanding sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Arrange squares of dough in cups of a mini-muffin pan.

Top each square with 1 1/2 teaspoons cranberry sauce; fold in edges.

Freeze for 30 minutes.

Beat together egg yolk and cream.

Brush tartlets with egg wash; sprinkle with sanding sugar.

Bake at 400 degrees until golden, 30 to 35 minutes

Have a sweet day!
xoxo,

Beautiful Reminder

2011-11-21T07:00:00.000-06:00

Good Morning,

How was your weekend? Well I'm sure you'd rather be cuddled up in bed watching a movie but it is Monday and we do have places to be! I was on Pinterest the other day looking for printables and came across this beauty.

What a great daily reminder! I am so excited to share this with you! Print this out and place anywhere you want or even send this off to your friends and family for the holidays.I think I'll be placing this on my mirror so I can remind myself of this everyday. Each line carries so much meaning and is so poignant. It's a daily reminder of what we should be and want to be because after all we're human and sometimes stray away from our ideal selves. Consider this letter while you're busy at school, work or even at home. Along with being the most wonderful time of year it's also the busiest which can lead to lower tolerance levels. So consider this letter today and everyday to remind yourself to have some compassion and understanding.

You can download the letter {here}

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,

Battling Black Friday

2011-11-18T07:00:00.000-06:00

Morning,

It is exactly one week from the most wonderful shopping holiday of the year...BLACK FRIDAY! It's one crazy, hectic and yet fulfilling day filled with some amazing deals! You'll get all the tips and tricks to becoming a deal catching diva! Alright so let's get to dominating the sales and becoming a frugal fashionista! Just to note, I have not included ALL stores because well that post would literally take FOREVER! I've chosen a few select stores with the most deals available and also included links for you to browse through.

All these great deals and even more can be found here

TARGET

Xhilaration Side-Zip Moto Jacket - Assorted Colors for $15.00
Apple iPod Touch 8GB + $40 Gift Card - $195
VIVITAR 5MP DVR 720P Digital Video Recorder Purple for $29.99
TomTom VIA 1505M Portable GPS Navigation System with 5" Touch Screen for $189.00
Target Home 550 Thread Count Sheet Set (Full, Queen and King) for $35.00
Target Home Chunky Chenille Throw for $20.00
Women's Fashion Scarf for $5.00
Women's Sweaters for $15.00
Xhilaration Women's Genuine Suede Boots for $20.00

**Shopping Alert** Target will be open at midnight on Friday November 25 so mark your calenders!

P.S. - Don't forget to buy your DVD's here!

JC PENNEY

JCP has way way way too many deals to choose from but just an FYI the store opens at 4am and has deals till 1 pm!
One of the best deals are the boots featured on page 1 of the ad and they also offer some others online as well.
JCP Deals

MACY'S

Tag Fairfield 5-Piece Luggage Set for $49.99
Rampage Boots for $19.99
Extra 20% off dresses
Buy One American Rag Sweater ($34 - 49), Get One American Rag Pair of Jeans - FREE
Young Contemporary Wool Coat From Esprit, Steve Madden for $99.99

Shopping Alert** Macy's will be open at midnight on Friday, November 25 to start the shopping frenzy!

CHARMING CHARLIE

There isn't a set list of items for Charming Charlie but based on previous years they will have some great deals and steals for you accessory loving junkies!

Charming Charlie

KOHL'S

For every $50 you spend you earn $15 in Kohl's cash

Babycakes Donut Maker for $18.99
Babycakes Cake Pops Maker $18.99
Boots for Juniors for $19.99
Boots for Juniors - Selected Styles for $19.99
Boots for Women, Juniors & Men for $29.99
Bras from Bali, Playtex, Olga, Vanity Fair, and More - Entire Stock (Excludes Maidenform 2-pk. bras) for $14.99
Luxury Collection 600-Thread Count Full-King Solid or Damask Stripe Sheet Sets for $44.99
St Nicholas Square Candle Gifts - Orig. 24.99 for $9.99
St. Nicholas Square Holly Berry Tablecloth - All Sizes for $7.99
St. Nicholas Square Shimmer Snow Globes - Entire Stock - 60% Off
St. Nicholas Square Stock Stockings & Tree Skirts - 60% Off
St. Nicholas Square Trim-a-Tree - Entire Stock - 60% Off
Stocking Stuffers - Entire Stock for $1.49-$3.99
Yankee Candle Fall and Holiday Fragrances - 25-30% Off
Your Choice St. Nicholas Square Holiday Mugs for $3.99
CHI Air Fuschia 1'' Classic Ceramic Flat Iron for $79.99

Battle Plan

You've finished hoarding yourself with turkey, ham, prime rib and all the delicious sides and a few pieces of pie ;) and now you decide to lug yourself off the couch and head over to join the other shopping fanatics. Whether this is your first mad dash on Black Friday or you're a seasoned vet there are a few things everyone should know.

Like all major events, you MUST research where you'd like to go and craft a list of your must have items. Make sure to add the prices to your list and double check them!
Shop strategically, with an emphasis on planning ahead and using common sense. Black Friday is not a day to roam aimlessly as some deals are time sensitive which means you'll have to be punctual.
The most important thing to remember is not to get ripped off! Sure scoring a great deal will make you happy but don't succumb to marketing tricks. As long as you know you paid a fair price then you should be happy with your purchases.
If you're not up for dealing with throngs of deal hungry shoppers there's always Cyber Monday.
Have fun!

Happy shopping and don't forget to share the amazing deals you find with us! Your comments are always welcome!

Have a sweet day!

xoxo,