Vintage Painters Trays

    Confession- I am a woman with too much jewelry. I posted a couple months ago about turning an old silverware box into a jewelry box. Well, while I’m still using that, I wanted something new for the rest of my jewelry that took up less space & coordinated with the wooden silverware box. So me & Michael went antique-ing, one of the things we both actually enjoy. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for…

     Then I found these. They would do.

     Easily accessed, plenty of storage, shows some old character, matches with my other wooden jewelry hangers & boxes. Could even be painted later or used for something else. But for now, their purpose is holding half of my jewelry. I don’t know why I didn’t come up with this before. 

     The only prep-work required really is wiping out any dust or dirt with a rag. Then fill it up with you favorite jewelry. Easy peasy right? 

     Perfect solution for storing jewelry! 

     Any creative ways you organize yours?

     Sorry for the inconsistent posting lately, just wrapping up last minute things for school (like waiting 5 hours today for a TB skin test). I can’t say it will get better, it might get worse over the next week as I have new student orientation, etc. Things will get back on track soon though, promise! I’ll also try my very very hardest to do another couponing trip & share between now & my Saturday drive back to Dallas. There are no guarantees on that one though, sorry folks.

     Keep visiting, sharing, & following. I love reading all your comments! Thanks for reading! 

Clever 3

Ta-Da! GG’s Quilt Supply

        My great-grandmother got rid of all her quilting stuff & where did it all go you might ask?

    Mostly to me, of course! Brother-Man did receive her actual machine. But I got all the fabric, patterns, stencils, books, magazines, applique, elastic, binding, etc. etc! So thrilled! My Nana & Papa made a trip to the farm to this weekend & brought all these goodies home! On top of all the quilting stuff, we also got all her wood-burning equipment. Pretty excited to get into all that too! Might do some tutorials on those much later. 😉 I had to share my joy with my visitors & followers today. It was like Christmas in August for me. 

     Big Blessings! Happy Day!

     

    Me & Michael are tackling the organization of all this today, wish him luck!

What Might All This Be?

Any guesses as to what all this is??

     Well, let’s just say the ‘craft-fairy’ visited me today…& I am thrilled about it! My Papa told me I was,”grinning like a cheshire cat!”

     Figure out what it is & I’ll post later with it all unpackaged! 

Clever 2

  @ Payless–Text SHOES to 747474 for mobile q’s & an immediate 20%!

Katniss Everdeen’s Squirrel Stew- The Real Deal

     Any Hunger Games fans here? I loved the books, but didn’t get to catch the movie in theaters. I’m looking forward to seeing it this weekend with the DVD premier! I already know it can’t be as good as the book, right?

     I particularly liked the descriptions of all the diverse foods from the fancy capital fare to the meals Katniss throws together herself. It would be fun to create some recipes similar to the capital offerings, especially. It sounds so rich & delicious in the books! 

     In honor of the Hunger Games release at midnight tonight, I thought it’d be fun to share this recipe. I came across  it flipping through a Texas Ranger Cookbook & captured a photo of it. Somehow, I knew it would come in handy later! 

 SQUIRREL STEW

• 1 squirrel (dressed & cut into bite-size pieces)
• 3 slices salt pork
• 3-4 ears of green sweet corn
• 3-4 large tomatoes
• 2 medium onions
• 2 c. shelled fresh butterbeans
• 3 medium size Irish potatoes
• 2 green peppers

     Put the pieces of squirrel & pork into a kettle & cover with cold water. Bring to a boil & simmer slowly. Cut corn from cobs, then chop other vegetables, but not too fine. Season highly with black & red pepper & salt. Let simmer on slow fire until cooked down thick. The meat should fall from the bones & the vegetables should be thoroughly cooked. Be careful not to scorch. 

 John Barron Harris, 

Texas Ranger

Association Foundation, 

& wife Cheryl

     Obviously, most of us do not eat or kill or dress squirrels. I would suggest making this with another meat like shredded pork, chicken, etc. & then calling it ‘Squirrel Stew.’  Have fun! 🙂

     I’m almost considering heading to Walmart at 11pm tonight for the ‘release party.’ Anyone else crazy enough to go out at midnight for it? 

Couponing Realities: the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly

     It has been a long day-good, bad, & ugly! But I am determined to get this post out!

      I saved a total of about 60% today, at Walmart & Target. I spent $95.08 & saved $125. 57. 

     I started the day off right with a free Sonic Route 44 (coupon from doing the survey at the bottom of receipt-love those!) & an $.89 coney. Which was a promo they were running all day, apparently. Worked well! If you’d like to be informed about deals at Sonic, text the number they provide at your local Sonic Drive-in. If you look around, there’s usually a few signs prompting you to text a particular number & receive occasional announcements. Sometimes, it will be a coupon/offer in the form of a text message, other times, they are just an announcement of any specials deals & promotions going on at your local Sonic. 

     Then I headed to Walmart, where I met a wonderful giveaway. Giveaway at Walmart? Sounds unbelievable right?  I thought the same thing…As I was entering the store & picking my cart, I heard an announcement that Walmart was giving a free gift to all adult shoppers. I thought I was hearing things for a moment. Then I heard it again & noticed the gathering of carts across the store. I followed them. This is the good part.

     It was nothing to get too worked up about, but it was fun. How often does Walmart happen to give away free vegetable/cheese peelers? Or anything for that matter. Never. 

     Anyway, in the end I got my $5.00 ‘stainless steel state of the art peeler.’ A man was doing a live info-mercial basically & we got the peeler free, for watching. I understand many people wouldn’t waste their time just for a peeler. But, personally, I have a thing for info-mercials. Me & sister both got the bug for ’em. So I might have watched him either way, free peeler or not. From what he said, he will be traveling around Walmarts in Texas doing this. So be on the lookout!

     After his five minute spill I continued on my couponing-journey refreshed with the already free $5.00 peeler I had in my cart. I couldn’t help but smile. 

     I spent $10.49 at Walmart & saved $39.26. My total before coupons was $49.75 I saved almost 80%.  Here’s the breakdown:

     1 EuroKitchen Vegetable/Cheese Peeler @ $5.00 + FREE (see above) = $0 OOP

     4 Glade Expressions Starter Kits @ $2.98 + 4 $3.00 MQ (Prinable)  = $.08 Profit

     4 Cutter Citronella Candles @ $.97 + 4 $1.00 MQ (No Longer Available) = $.12 Profit

     1 Bic Silky Disposable Razors @ $2.94 + 1 $3.00 MQ (SS 8/5/12)= $.06 Profit

     1 Natural Instincts Hair Color @ $6.99 pricematch to CVS @ $2.99 (cashier gave me the final printed price in the ad) + 1 $3.00 MQ (SS 8/12/12) = $.01 Profit

     3 Trident Gum Multipcaks @ $2.38 + 1 $1.00/3 MQ (8/12/12)  = $6.14 OOP

     4 Clean & Clear Morning Burst Travel Size @ $.97 + 4 $1.00 MQ (No Longer Available) = $.12 Profit

     2 Neutrogena Facial Cleansisng Wipes Travel Size @ $1.97 + 2 $2.00 MQ (Printable)  =$.06 Profit

     1 pkg. 18 Washrags @ $4.00 = $4.00 OOP

     I had a very hard time checking out at Walmart, as the cashier was brand new. This is where the good & bad meet. I kept my ‘coupon-etiquette’ as she read all the details on every single coupon before scanning. I felt awful every time she ran to the manager to ask a question because there was a pregnant lady behind me with just a bottle of Snapple waiting waiting waiting. I would’ve let her go in front of me, but she wasn’t there when I began checking out. The only deal she did not allow me to get was for Duck Brand packaging tape. I picked up a masking kind of tape that clearly read packaging tape on the label. The young woman did not seem to understand that the product being purchased did not have to be in the picture on the coupon, but the wording. She did accept everything else though. Maybe I will try for the tape again later.  

     The deal on the hair color was my favorite. I would’ve grabbed more, but there was only 1 box left of the shade I use. Last time I risked using a different shade, I had red roots…not making that mistake again! I’m hoping they’ll restock & I can grab some more for free or even $3 with this deal. It is the perfect time to stock up! Also, I tried to get this same deal at Target; they do not price-match to drugstores or Randall’s. So keep that in mind. You also have to go to the service center to get anything price-matched; you may not do it at the register. I love shopping at Target & was very sad to find this out today. Will be saving any price-matching for Walmart trips only in the future. 

     Now on to the grand finale at Target! 

     Here I spent $84.59 & saved $90.31. My total before coupons was $174.90, which makes for a savings of almost 60 %. Here’s the breakdown. I’ll warn you, it’s lengthier than the Walmart one!

      1 Command Picture Frame Strips @ $5.49 @ C $4.66 + 1 $1.00 TQ (Printable) + 1 $.75 MQ (SS 8/5/12) = $2.91 OOP

     2 Command Strips @ $2.94 @ C $2.49 + 2 $1.00 TQ (Printable)  = $2.98 OOP

     2 Papermate Pens @ $1.oo + 2 $1.00 TQ (Printable)  = $0 OOP

     4 Up & Up Index Cards (100 4×6) @ $.49 = $1.96 OOP

     3 Roseart Glue Sticks (2 pk.) @ $.25 +1 $1.00/3 MQ (RP 7/29/12) = $.25 Profit

     3 RE Mini Planters @ $.99 @ C $.68 =$2.04 OOP

     1 Board Dudes Cork Tiles (4 pk.) @ $6.74 + 1 $1.00 MQ (RP 7/29/12) = $5.74 OOP

     1 Up & Up Tissue-Aloe @ $1.69 @ C $1.33 + $.50 TQ (Printable) = $.83 OOP

     4 Up & Up Eyedrops @ $1.00 + 4 $1.00 TQ (Printable) = $0 OOP

     2 Market Pantry Pasta & Sauces @ $1.09 @ C $.97 & $1.29 + 2 $1.00/2 TQ (Printable)  = $2.52 OOP

     3 Up & Up Allergy Relief @ $1.97 + 3 $1.50 TQ  (Printable) = $1.41 OOP 

     1 Covergirl Eyeshadow @ $.94 + 1 $1.00 MQ  (PG 7/29/12) = $.06 Profit

     1 Rawlings Eye Black @ $3.09 @ C $1.54 = $1.54 OOP

     2 Chewy Granola Bars @ $2.19 @ C $2.00 + 2 $1.00/2 MQ  (Printable) + 2 $1.00/2 TQ (Printable) = $2.00 OOP

     2 Hefty Slider Bags @ $2.19 + 1 $1.00/2 TQ (Printable)+  2  $1.00 MQ  = $1.38 OOP

     1 Up & Up Cotton Rounds @ $.85 + 1 $.50 TQ (Printable) = $.35 OOP

    1 Method Glass Cleaner @ $2.99 + 1 $1.00 MQ (SS 8/12/12)+ 1 $1.00 TQ (Printable) = $.99 OOP

     2 Up & Up Disinfecting Wipes @ $1.79 + 2 $.75 TQ (Printable) = $2.08 OOP

     4 Suave Body Lotion @ $2.89 + 2 $1/2 TQ (Printable)  + 2 $.50 MQ (Printable) + 1 $.25 MQ (SS 8/5/12) + $5.00 Target GQ = $3.31 OOP + $5.00 GQ

     1 Hallmark Card @ $3.99 = $3.99 OOP

     2 Xhilaration Sleepwear Shorts @ $8.99 @ C $4.48 = $8.96 OOP

     2 Xhilaration Sleepwear Tops @ $12.99 @ C $3.88 = $7.76 OOP

     5 Gilligan & O’Malley Panties @ varying prices @ C varying prices = $11.54 OOP

     1 Clorox Bleach @ $1.99 @ C $.84 + $.35 TQ (Hangtag) = $.49 OOP

     Unfortunately, this is where the ugly starts. I was standing in line with what I thought would be a great cashier. The manager on duty thought the line was too long & that she should ring me up. Well, the woman was not paying much attention. Not much at all. Sadly, $20.00 worth of my coupons were not rung up. They were just stuffed into the drawer with the rest of them without ever being scanned. I was a little shocked with how much my total came out to be. I figured I had miscalculated & bought too much or something so I didn’t say anything. I did notice she had not scanned several of my coupons, but the scattering of them seemed so disorganized I wasn’t positive I was right. I assumed since she was the manager, she had correctly rang me up & I was just mistaken so I kept my mouth shut. I know, I know, I should’ve said something immediately when I notcied. I could even go back to the store now, I suppose. I’m almost positive if I would’ve accused her of not scanning them all, I would have been at fault. She was not very happy or lenient about my couponing in the first place. So I had no choice. I had to stay sweet. Once I got home, I scoured my receipt & did all the math. In the end, I should’ve dished out around $65.00. But that is the reality of couponing, sometimes you get, sometimes you don’t & sometimes you learn it’s just not worth it to open your mouth. 

     So, have you experienced the good, the bad, & the ugly yet? What’s your reality of couponing?

     

       

* MQ stands for Manufacturer Coupon, TQ stands for Target Coupon, SS stands for Smart Source Insert, PG stands for Proctor & Gamble, RP stands for Red Plum Insert, OOP stands for Out Of Pocket, C stands for Clearance, & GQ stands for gift card. 

Cookies & Cream Oreo Dream Cake

I made this a few weeks back, while camp was still going on, for a special staff dinner one evening.

     Looking at the photos is making my mouth water! It was unforgettably delicious. & I’m not even much of a cake girl! However, Oreos are definitely my thing. That’s what made this cake so memorable to my tastebuds. I need to make this again soon, like tomorrow soon. That’s the only way the craving will go away, right? Feel free to make one too & enjoy the Oreo-dreamy-goodness with me! 😉

*This is my adaption of the Pampered Chef Cookies’n Cream Bundt Cake from Delightful Desserts. 

Round up some Oreos, sour cream, butter, powdered sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, & a white cake box-mix. 

*A small amount of cream cheese & vanilla are also needed for the topping (not pictured). Apologies! 

Combine 1 box white cake mix with 3/4 c. water, 1/2 c. sour cream, 3 egg whites, & 2 T. vegetable oil. Mix according to directions offered on the box mix.

In a food processor, chop 1 c. Oreos.

 

Dump into cake batter & fold in. 

Pour into a greased 9×13 pan. Drop the pan on the counter a few times to rid of air bubbles in your cake. 

Bake according to directions provided on the box mix as well. 

While the scrumptious Oreo cake is cooling, prepare the topping: 3 c. powdered sugar, 3 T. butter (softened), 1/4 c. sour cream, 1/2 t. vanilla, & 1 oz. cream cheese. 

Now whisk, whisk, whisk! 

It will be more runny than you might expect, as it more of a glaze than it is an actual icing. 

Top cake with lovely not-icing mixture. 

Spread around the icing then throw on another cup or so of crushed Oreos & serve! 

I doubled this recipe & made a layered cake with extra glaze in the middle. It was amazing. You can’t look at these photo without feeling tempted to try some. So do it! Then tell me how it went!

5 Ways To Save Money In College

    I know, firsthand, how difficult it can be to save money in college. Which is one of the major reasons I coupon. There are countless tips & tricks for saving money in your college years, I’m sure. I’m still learning about it all, personally. Michael happens to be extremely interested in financial planning & saving money while you’re young, especially in college. So, I’m pleased to introduce my first guest-blogger today! Michael will be sharing his handful of advice with us! Enjoy! 

     By Michael Wesley Mealey. 

     Saving money in todays economy is Numero Uno in many dorms, households, and business’s across the nation. We are in the biggest recession since the Great Depression. Anyone with relatives that have been through the great depression would usually describe them as being frugal, meager, and penny-pinching. There is MUCH  to be learned from that generation in regards to saving money. In this post I will point out 5 very easy things to help you budget and save money.

      Number 1-Use cash. I personally believe out of all the ways there are to save money, using cash is the best. No one can ever say that when they went to the mall and bought those pair of shoes, that it hurt to swipe their credit card. It is such an easy thing to do. Society today tells you that credit cards are faster, easier, and blah blah blah. In all that mess of advertising they just forget to mention that “69% of all bankruptcy filers say that credit-card debt caused their bankruptcy.” Using cash leaves an impression on you. It hurts to spend cash. Heres a crazy fact for all those college kids(like myself) and parents who are putting kids through college, that “over 88% of graduating college seniors have credit card debt before they even have a job!” Now is that crazy or what. I have about 100 more statistics to use to point out how BAD credit cards are, but to keep this short and simple. USE CASH!

     Number 2-Budget. The word budget is such a nasty word for most people. More than one-third (36.1 percent) of Americans report that they do not use a budget to manage their family’s expenses. Budget, by dictionary standards, is “an itemized allotment of funds, time, etc., for a given period.” There are thousands of budget sheets out there to use or you can make your own. If you are a single person with a relatively small amount of expenses and bills, this will not take you very long. On the other hand, if you are part of a family, doing a budget sheet this WILL TAKE AWHILE. I encourage you to stick to it; through this your eyes might be opened to some rather questionable purchases. After you have realized what your spending your money on (and not on), its time to make a monthly budget. I stay away from the sheets because I hate paperwork. I do a customized-envelope-system. Dave Ramsey is huge about the envelope system. You can learn more about it here.

     For my budget, I use a 12 file pocket organizer. You can get them from office depot. In each sleeve I label them a specific thing ex. gas, grocery(food, body wash, ect.), food(as in eating out), clothing, and “blow(fun money).” I put the amount of money, CASH, that I am going to use that month on each item. The main rule is-don’t take from other slots!

 

 

 

 

     Number 3-Coupon. If you have been following this blog you will know all about couponing. Since I am a guy, I don’t find couponing to be fun or a joy. For the guys reading this either A) date/marry a woman who coupons for you, or B) simplify the matter. By that I mean, how hard is it to save receipts from restaurants with coupons on them for a free whatever. Or save those monopoly pieces from McDonalds. I’m not saying go out of your way here guys, but come on man, save that piece, it might even be the million dollar one.

     Number 4- Shop Wisely. Now you can shop wisely in many ways. Buy stuff while it is on clearance. For clothing thrift stores are great(even if they smell bad.) Guys, by the way this is a great date if you have a couponing girlfriend or a shopper. Also buy clothes that are going out of season. You get them way cheaper. Shop the clearance aisles too. You can make an XL a medium with a little ingenuity and Google.

     Number 5- Free Outings. Finally the last one. Almost everyone in the whole world does things with other people. I am going to throw a really crazy thing in front of you. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO HAVE FUN. I wrestled with this and still do, but simply going to the park or to the mall, you can have some of the best times. Out door malls are the best. You don’t have to buy clothing you can look at the shops and usually there will be outside entertainment. Be crazy with it. Guys wake up, your girl more than likely will not be to impressed by a dinner date, shes been on thousands of them, but she will enjoy and always remember you for originality and a good time of a free date. ;P

     There you go, 5 easy, well somewhat easy ways, for you to save some mullah. I hope this helps get people on the right track. As we say in Texas when you catch a big fish, BOOOYAH!

What’s Free This Week

     Here’s my compilation of what’s going to be free this week. If you come across anything else, feel free to leave a comment & I’ll add it to the list! This list may also be updated throughout the week, so check back before you shop! There seem to be quite a few this week, including some great school supply deals to grab. Good Luck!

     @ Cracker Barrel:

• $5 Old Country Store e-gift card (Facebook)

     @ Cinnabon:

• Free Cinnabon Minnibon (Facebook)

@ CVS:

• CVS Sunscreen Travel Size + Free CVS Sunscreen Travel Size (Facebook)

     Free Samples: 

• BIC Pen Giveaway (opens at 10 am daily)
• Crystal Light Free Music Download
• Downy Softener (opens at 11 am daily)
• Garnier Fructis Fall Fight Shampoo & Conditioner
• Goodnites Underwear
• Krispy Kreme Donut (in exchange for school supplies)
• LACTAID Fast Act Dietary Supplement
• Nectresse Sweetner
• Olympic Postcard 
• Taylor Swift Wondertruck Fragrance
• Triscuit (opens at varying times daily)
• Woolite Extra Dark Laundry Detergent 

       @ Target:

• Aquafresh Kid’s Fresh N’ Fruity Toothpaste @ $1.87 + $1.00/1 Aquafesh Fresh N’ Fruity (Printable) + Target $1.00/1  Aquafresh Toothpaste (Printable)
• Comet Stainless Steel Cleaner @ $1.99 + $1.00/1 Comet Stainless Steel Product (Printable) + Target $1.00/1 Comet Stainless Steel Cleaner (Printable)
• Mead Five Star 4-Pocket Portfolios @ $.50 + $1.00/2 Five Star Products (Printable)
• Papermate Ballpoint Pens @ $.100 + $1.00/1 Papermate Writing Product (Printable)
• Photo Prints @ $.10 each + Target $5.00/50 Photo Prints (Printable)
• Up & Up Eyedrops @ $.97 + Target $1.00/1 Up & Up Eye Care Product (Printable) 

@ Toy’srus:

• $5.00/$5.00 Coupon (Printable) 

     @ Walmart:

• Accu-Check Nano Smartview System @ $9.72 + $10.00/1 Accu-Check Nano Smartview System (RP 7/29/12)
• Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste Travel Size @ $.97 + $1.00/1 Aquafresh Extreme Clean (Printable)
• Bayer Aspirin Chewable @ $2.22 + $3.00/1 Bayer Aspirin Product (SS 6/24/12)
• BIC Silky Razors @ $2.86 + $3.00/1 BIC Disposable Razors (SS 8/05/12)
• Black Flag Fly Paper or Black Flag Fly Swatter @ $.98 + $1.00/1 Black Flag Product ( 06/03/12)
• Cutter Citronella Candles @ $1.00 + $1.00/1 Cutter Product (Printable)
• Glade Expressions Starter Kit @ $2.98 + $3.00/1 Glade Expressions Fragrance Mist (Printable)