The Holt House

Another $30 Free Credit to Paper Coterie

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:42:00 +0000

In case you still need a gift for a loved one for Valentines Day, here's another opportunity to make something personal just for them for free! Use coupon code HOWDOESSHELOVE at Paper Coterie to save $30 off any purchase. I'm a huge fan of the quality of these products and love how unique and simple their books are to create!

Nathan's 1st Birthday Party

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:37:00 +0000

For those of you that are still out there, I'm still here :) I took some time away from blogging before the holidays to be with the family and enjoy the fun craziness that Christmas brings. Then I started messing with my blog and attempting to make changes to my name and layout and I just got so confused that I gave up. So I've created a new site that I love but I have no idea how to merge my blog to the new one or how to transfer my content to the new one, so until I figure that out, I'm back here again! So without further ado, I'll try to catch everyone up on our life for the past 2 months!

I love planning parties. I think that in my previous life without kids, I was an amazing event/party planner that spent hundreds of hours on all the details that make throwing a party so much fun. And now with the abundance of ideas and inspirations available online, I simply get my ideas from the true party geniuses out there and implement them to plan fun parties for my own family.

I found some really great ideas on Pinterest when I was looking for a theme for Nathan's 1st party and finally settled on a jungle theme from HWTM. I sat in front of the computer for way too long trying to teach myself how to use Photoshop to create the invites and labels and tags when I finally forced myself to be okay with what I had created. It wasn't perfect but it was good enough! If you're not so crafty and want amazing ideas and products made to order, check out the printables from the TomKat Studio - they are so inspiring!

I used my Cricut machine to make the happy birthday banner and welcome sign using scrapbook paper.

A personalized thank you tag on boxes of animal crackers were the take home party favors.

I printed out the picture I took of Nathan each month and hung it on a piece of twine across our fireplace to show how much he grew each month. I added a little tag to each clothes pin for each month 1-12.

I used the extra pieces from my Happy Birthday banner to decorate his high chair and used an extra piece of scrapbook paper to make his birthday hat.

)

Unfortunately the lighting is horrible and I forgot to take a picture of the dessert table when it was totally finished but you get the idea. I made the pom poms (tutorial here) on the window for the first time and they literally took less than 2 minutes each and cost $.99 each to make - they were so cute & colorful!

I served Chocolate Animal Crackers, Goldfish, Jungle Vines (red licorice), Zebra Bites (chocolate drizzled marshmallows), Zebra Cakes (Little Debbie snack item), Animal Droppings (Reese's pieces), Banana Chips, & cupcakes. I found the perfect cake pan to make super cute individual animal shaped cupcakes and my mom decorated them for me at the last minute - seriously don't know what would I do without my mom!

I had a personalized onesie made for Nathan from Makmay Designs and seriously couldn't have been more pleased with what she designed for him. I sent her a copy of the invitation so she knew the style and she used her creative magic. It was perfect!

It was an amazing day to celebrate with our family and best friends and I am so blessed to be a momma to this little guy and sweet girl!

$35 Free to Spend at Paper Coterie

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:55:00 +0000

This is a deal you won't want to miss! Use coupon code FREETHIRTY to save $35 off any purchase from Paper Coterie. I've made several of their books, a growth chart, as well as the keepsakes boxes for both my kiddos and the quality is amazing! $35 will go far so have fun creating!

I'm not sure when this expires so give it a try and don't wait too long!

Giveaway Live Santa Video Call

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:38:00 +0000

(Kylie at 6 months old)

I love watching how my kids change from year to year as they interact with Santa. This will be Nathan's first year sitting in Santa's lap and I'm really curious to see what he thinks. Kylie has always been pretty chill with Santa and gets a little speechless but she loves it the same. However, I hate paying a ridiculous amount of money for a little 5x7 picture and waiting for hours in that mall line can be awful. One year I put off the visit until Christmas Eve and we waited in line for 2 hours ... never will I make that mistake again!

Here's a great alternative. Santa's Video Call offers your child an opportunity to see and talk to Santa live at the North Pole from the comfort of your own home via a skype video call. It saves time and money by avoiding the expensive mall photo plus you don't have to fight the crowds and stand in long mall lines.

During the call, your child can see and talk live with Santa and whether your child is on the nice list and deserves praise, or on the naughty list and need encouragement, it's at a time that is convenient for your family (between 5am and 10pm) from the comfort of your own home! A single call with Santa starts at $11.99 and you can schedule more visits with Santa to check in on little Jack or Jane's behavior the closer it gets to Christmas.

Check out all the details and sign up for your own Santa's Video Call!

Here's the best part...

One of you will win a Live Chat with Santa

To enter, send an email with your name, your child’s name, child’s age, email address, and phone number to contest@santasvideocall.com

The contest closes at midnight (Arizona time) on 12/14/11, and the winner will be drawn & notified on 12/15/11.

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Free Red Robin Hamburger Today, Dec 6, for anyone named Jim!

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:27:00 +0000

Is your name Jim or are you married to a Jim? If so, plan to visit Red Robin on December 6 as everyone with the name Jim, James, or Jimbo gets a free Jim Bean Bacon Swiss Burger!!!

$0.01 Duracell AA or AAA Batteries from Office Max After Max Perks

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:08:00 +0000

Just in time to stock up again for Christmas, Office Max is offering AA or AAA Duracell batteries for $0.01 after Max Perks.

Buy a 10 pk of batteries for $8.49, get $8.48 back in MaxPerks

or

Buy a 20 pk of batteries for $14.29, get $14.28 back in MaxPerks

Limit 2 during the promotion period.

$5 Free Credit to Plum District from Facebook

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:10:00 +0000

I love free money to spend around the holidays! For a limited time, when you like Plum District on Facebook, you will get a $5 credit towards any purchase.

If you don't already have a Plum District account, sign up for one here.

Then go to the Plum District facebook page and click on the “$5 Promo” link on the left side.

You can then either print out your credit or have it sent via email.

Thanks Common Sense with Money!

2 Free Woolite Oxi Deep at Walgreens

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:01:00 +0000

This week you can get a great deal on Woolite Oxy Deep at Walgreens:

Buy 2 Woolite Oxi Deep, 22 oz $5.99 ( Buy One Get One Free )

Use two $1/1 Woolite or Bissell Stomp ‘n Go Stain Lifting Pads from 11/6 insert
Pay $3.99 out of pocket

Submit for Woolite Try Me Free Rebate

Final price is 2 for free!

The rebate is only good for the amount you paid so either with or without the receipt, the product is the same price - free!

Staples: Free Batteries after 100% Rewards

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:59:00 +0000

I feel like evertime I turn around, another toy or gadget in our house is out of batteries, so I'm so thankful for all the great opportunities to stock up when they go on sale. Now is one of those times when Staples is offering batteries free after a 100% rebate to your Staples Rewards! I use my rewards to purchase ink cartridges for my printer as I seem to go through a lot of them!

Buy the 16pk of Duracell AA or AAA batteries for $12.99 and you'll earn $12.99 in rewards in the following period. You can do this deal twice to earn a total of $25.98 back in rewards.

Staples Rewards is store credit that is earned when purchasing certain advertised items and when returning empty ink cartridges. Occasionally, there are special 100% offers like these batteries. Rewards are distributed four times a year and you can learn more here.

CVS: Awesome Black Friday Deals!

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:49:00 +0000

There are some amazing Black Friday deals available at CVS this week. Check out a complete list here with all the coupon match-ups here from Common Sense with Money!

Here's what I picked up this morning - I ended up getting paid $14 in ECB to take it home with me :) (Minus the baby cereal and bottle in the background!)

Thank you CVS for helping stock my medicine cabinet for so inexpensively!!!

Favorite iPhone Apps and $25 for $50 Credit at Verizon Stores

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:30:00 +0000

Last week my phone officially bit the dust. I have had it for over 2 years and it was continually turning off on me in the middle of conversations and while in my purse. It wasn't cutting it anymore for my personal life and it certainly wasn't helping my professional life either!

Neither my husband or I have ever been into electronics very much and most of the time we get the cheapest phone that just makes phone calls. We do our research and get the one with the best reviews that will last the longest that costs the least. It's normally the basic features, only comes in one color, back corner of the store where the simple phones are sort of phone. When Nathan was born, we actually upgraded to a phone that would send & receive text messages so we could communicate with his birth-mom and we felt like a whole new world opened up to us!

On Tuesday, after doing my research and polling every friend I know with a smartphone, I bought the new iPhone 4s and I love it!!! I am so excited to learn how to use it most effectively and find apps that will make my life easier, especially the bargain shopping part of my life :) Unfortunately from what I learned, Apple doesn't really put their phones on sale, ever, so the only discount I got was my 2 year upgrade credit offered through Verizon. Not a huge savings but every dollar helps.

Buying a phone like this initially didn't seem like a need for our family, but after looking at all the benefits and weighing the cost with how it would significantly benefit my business plus save me time and money in other ways, we tweaked the budget and made it work. Plus, now my Christmas gift is taken care of which leaves one less thing for the hubby to think about!

One thing that I learned with an iPhone is that you virtually have to buy a case to protect it. I checked Amazon and WalMart and found that it would cost about $15 to buy a good case with a screen protector. I also needed a car charger which looked to run about $10. So you can imagine how excited I was when I saw today's Living Social deal for $25 for a $50 credit at Verizon Wireless for phones or accessories! I have some credit with Living Social so it ended up costing me less to buy the $50 credit than it would to just buy the case! Yippee :)

Now it's time for you to share - what are your favorite smartphone apps?

Free Photo Book for New Customers from My Publisher

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:24:00 +0000

There are a lot of great holiday card deals available just in time for Christmas but here's a great new deal from My Publisher that might check someone off your shopping list. New Members can get a FREE 7.75″ x 5.75″ Photo Book or $20 off a larger size photo book.

When you register and enter your email address, they will email an exclusive coupon code. Shipping runs about $7.99.

Barnes & Noble: 40% Off any Toy or Game

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:47:00 +0000

There is an awesome Barnes & Noble coupon available right now. Get 40% off education toys, adult puzzles or games or something in the gift section. I have known people to use this coupon to get some great deals on Lego sets!

$5 Free Coupon at Gap Kids or Baby Gap (No other purchase required)

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:19:00 +0000

You can get a $5 off Baby Gap or Gap Kids store coupon right now. Share the news about this reward through Facebook, Twitter or Google connect and a coupon will be sent to you to print. This is good for a one time use so you may find some clearance deals or accessories for really cheap! Think baby shower gifts and stocking stuffers :)

Another Freebie from Paper Coterie - (Up to $38 Value)

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:34:00 +0000

I am loving all these freebies from Paper Coterie and this one is just in time for Thanksgiving! They are offering any Gratitude product from their collection of memory books, journals, and memory keepsake boxes for FREE, you just have to pay shipping!

I actually made the So grateful book a few months back and absolutely love it! Super simple to create and all I had to do was plug in my photos. I didn't have to create the layouts or custom design anything, just place my photos and press order - so simple!

Simply enter the code BEATHANKFUL at checkout and it will deduct the cost of the item. You'll pay shipping for another amazing product from Paper Coterie! Offer ends November 20!

20 5 X 7 Stationary Cards from Snapfish for $5.99 Shipped!

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:50:00 +0000

Here’s an easy way to snatch up a set of 20 personalized 5×7 stationery cards (a $39 value!) from Snapfish. The cards end up being free so you'll just pay is shipping (around $5.99.) Thanks so much Thrifty Arizona Mom for sharing this amazing deal! Looks like this offer ends tomorrow, Nov 19th!

Here's the scoop:
* Head on over here and click on the Christmas Cards menu located on the top right of the site
* Choose any of the flat 5×7 Christmas cards and click on the Create Card button
* Then choose stationery cardstock
* Upload your images, add your personalized text to the card, and click on the order button

* When you are prompted to choose paper options, select 130 lb. recycled stationery cardstock (see above)
* Head to checkout and enter HPHOLIDAY11 which will deduct $34 making the cards free

* Final Cost FREE + $5.99 shipping to have 20 5×7 cards mailed to you!

Do You Have the Cutest Baby in The World?!? Tiny Prints Talent Search

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:56:00 +0000

So, the holidays are just around the corner and for a lot of families, that means family photo time for Christmas cards! I know we all think that we have the cutest kids in the world, so here's a chance to see what others think of your kids :)

It's the Tiny Prints Talent Search Contest and anyone can enter for a chance to win the grand prize of $1,000 cash, plus a $500 Tiny Prints gift certificate, what a perfect prize just in time for the Holiday season!

They are looking for the cutest photos in the following categories:

· Cutest Baby (From ages of 0-24 months)

· Cutest Kid (From ages of 25 months - 10 years old)

· Cutest Family

· Cutest Couple

· Cutest Pet & Owner

After the entry period is over, the contest will be opened up to anyone to go vote for their favorites and determine the winners! The entry deadline to submit your pictures is November 21^st.

Enter the Tiny Print Talent Search Contest via Facebook or on their website, and for official rules, click here.

I can't wait to see all those cute babies and hopefully the winner will be a Holt House reader!

20 Free Photo Cards from Staples

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:54:00 +0000

Updated: Sorry I forgot to include the actual printable coupon the first time so you can print the coupon here now!

This week you can score 20 free 5×7 photo cards from Staples. You can create it online but you'll have to pay shipping charges. Or go to a store for to create them and you'll avoid shipping charges when you take this coupon with you.

Staples has had a lot of freebies the past week so I'll be sure to let you know as more come up!

Happy First Birthday, Nathan!

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:56:00 +0000

One year ago we received the most amazing gift we could ever imagine as a very young, extremely brave, and completely selfless teenager placed her child into our arms with a blessing, and relinquished any and all paternal rights to the child she had just brought into the world. Our son was born Nov 10th at 1:14pm weighing 6 lbs 12 ounces with the most amazing blue eyes that anyone would envy. Our lives changed in an instant and we have celebrated his addition to our family ever since. And I know Kylie couldn't ask for a better little brother than he has been :)

It's so hard to imagine that it's been 365 days already but Nathan has managed to make us fall in love with him more and more each and every day. He are the happiest little guy and fits in perfectly with our family. It's funny how strangers who don't know his adoption story will comment about him having my blue eyes or Kylie's fair complexion, and I know that sometimes God plans it this way. But to know that God planned for Nathan to be part of our family since the beginning of time still blows my mind. And through the first heartbreak and then waiting, and then the second heartbreak we encountered along our journey, we would take every tear and bump and heartbreak again to finally make Nathan a part of the Holt family!

Last weekend we got away to Pinetop and had a little party for Nathan so that his birth-mom and her aunt and dad could celebrate with us. The relationship that we have with her family is more than we could have hoped for and we thank God for that gift that we have been given. It's so great to see that she enjoys playing with him when we visit and seeing us a few times a year, but to know that she has been able to jump back into being a 16 year old in high school like she had planned is such a blessing to us! What an incredible thing that open adoption has been for our family!

This year has gone by so quickly but so slowly at the same time. It seems like just yesterday that we were getting out the 3 month clothing for you, but then to think that you're starting to sign now and make animal noises and take your first steps reminds me of how old you really are now! You've been growing just perfectly and have been pretty healthy since we had tubes put in your ears 5 months ago. You love to eat all things non-food like sand, grass, leaves, paper, etc, but you also love your milk and cheerios :) Your big sister can do pretty much anything to you and you will smile and go along for the ride. Some of your favorite places to play are in Buster's dog food bowl, in mommy's closet underneath her hanging clothes, in the shower, and opening cupboards to name a few. You get so many compliments about your huge smile with eight teeth and your amazing bright blue eyes that stop people in their tracks. You give the sweetest hugs and nestle your hug into mommas neck and my heart melts all over again.

Nathan Lane Holt, I love you more than words can express and I am so blessed to be your mommy. I can't imagine what the next year is going to bring but I'm sure it's going to be an adventure that I can't wait to watch unfold. I love you, son, and thank God for loaning you to us while we are here on Earth. You changed my life in more ways that I can even comprehend and I am a very blessed momma on this day, your birthday.
Love, Mommy

Now, let's see how you've grown over the past 12 months!

1 Week Old

One Month Old

Two Months Old

Three Months Old

Four Months Old

Five Months Old

Six Months Old

Seven Months Old

Eight Months Old

Nine Months Old

Ten Months Old

Eleven Months Old

One Year Old

(I'm a few days behind the calendar shot!)

Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory Store 30% Off Coupon

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:39:00 +0000

If you are looking for some new winter clothes for the family this weekend, print these rare 30% off your entire purchase coupons at Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory. These are valid on regular and sale merchandise so pair them with the clearance racks and you could save some serious money. These are valid this Saturday and Sunday only (11/12 – 11/13).

Shutterfly: 300 prints for $ 3 and BOG2 Free Photo Books

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:21:00 +0000

Get 300 prints for just $3 when you use the code SPOOKY300 at checkout thru Nov 6.

and

All photo books are buy one get two free with the coupon MYFALLBKS thru Nov 8.

BOGO Free Entree at Pei Wei

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:59:00 +0000

We're pretty big Pei Wei fans around here but unfortunately there aren't too many coupons so we don't eat there too often. But now, if you watch this video on Pei Wei’s website and then click on the fortune cookie that pops up, after you fill in your email address you'll be sent a coupon for a free entree at Pei Wei when you purchase another entree. Looks like a date night coming up!

Another 25 Free Prints at Walgreens

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:52:00 +0000

And here’s yet another Walgreens free photo print deal! Through Saturday, November 5, you can get 25 free 4×6 prints from Walgreens.

Go to the Walgreens photo site where you will upload your photos, then add 25 photos to your cart.

At checkout, use coupon code FORU25 or FREE4X6 and choose in-store pickup. You’ll get 25 photos for free to pick up at your local store.

I'm actually beginning to get caught up on printing my 2011 pictures with all these great deals!

Printable $5 off $10 Purchase at Hallmark Gold Crown Stores

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:52:00 +0000

Go to Hallmark's facebook page to print a $5 off $10 coupon good at any Hallmark Store. This coupon is good through November 13, 2011. There are only 35,000 coupons available and these will go quickly I'm sure!

Thanks Money Saving Mom!

Halloween 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Becca) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:27:00 +0000

I've never been a big fan of Halloween. I know that 99% of people that celebrate it do it for pure fun and enjoyment for the kids, but I've done enough research on halloween and what the remaining 1% do on that day, and I am still unsettled about participating. Having said that, until my kids are old enough to make their own decisions, we will participate in the fun Halloween activites.

Kylie started out as a princess in the costume parade at her school. It was amazing (but not surprising) that all of her besties ended up being princesses that day :) I sure hope these girls stay close friends as they grow up!

The kids then came back to the classroom where they made paper pumpkins, played BINGO, listened to stories, danced the monster mash, and ate yummy graveyard pudding cups :)

Later that evening we spent time at my mom's house with some friends she had that were visiting from Africa. Kylie quickly assumed the role as the door greeter and positioned herself right between the Snickers and the PlayDough - smart girl :)

My grandparents also came to dinner and got to see the kids all dressed up. Here's a picture of my daughter, me, my mom and my grandma. What a blessing to have such a legacy!

Can you tell that this girl loves her brother!?!

I am such a blessed momma!

Hope that everyone else had a blessed Halloween also :)