Spring into Savings

Decorating On A Dime

Tired of the same old boring or outdated home décor but living on a dime? Not everyone has the type of cash needed to replace countertops, redo flooring, and buy new furniture, so here are a few cheap and easy home makeover tips for busy moms who can’t afford a full home makeover. Of course, my first tip is to always, and I mean always, search for coupons, deals and promotions online. If you’re new to couponing, I suggest that you go to www.discountrue.com and you’ll get every coupon you’ll need in one place. Every penny counts so saving just a little bit now may mean you can spend a lot later!

Start with the walls

Your walls are the most prominent feature of your home so start with them. Adding a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for any room and you can work out how much you’ll need by visiting DIY sites that offer pretty accurate calculators. It’s best to choose neutral colors when painting a whole room but if you like bold colors then painting just one wall is a good idea. You could also paint the top half of the wall in one color and the bottom in another with some sort of border between the two halves.

If painting is something you avoid at all costs then consider a feature wall. Your family pictures have more impact when they’re grouped together and it doesn’t matter if the frames are all different. Create box frames using old crates or egg boxes and add a 3D element to your photos by pinning small items that tell a story inside the frame. You could paper the wall instead or even create a mural with self adhesive stickers which are durable, easy to replace and don’t leave any residue.

Unique artwork is an answer

Unique and unusual artwork is easy to come by and can instantly liven up a room. Get a few arts and crafts ideas and get your kids to create some quirky pieces for you or else head out to flea markets, thrift stores and garage sales to find something you like. It doesn’t matter what the art looks like, grab a few pots of acrylic paint, throw a few splashes of color at a piece of paper and voila you have a painting that looks just like the ones hanging in art galleries!!!

If you have any then use the off cuts from old wallpaper to line drawers, shelves and even the inside of cupboard doors to give them an arty feel. Use a corkboard or fabric covered pin board above a desk to display anything that catches your eye such as pretty greeting cards, interesting postcards, cutouts from magazines, fabric swatches, a motivational print, and your children’s drawings. It doesn’t matter what goes up there and the best part is that it changes as you do.

Jazz up items you already own

Use leftover paint to give the legs of a banged up wooden chair a stylish look then use it as a side table in the sitting room, bedroom, dining room or kitchen. Create a display with layers of different colored sand, pebbles, a small ornament, and silk flowers inside an old jar of instant coffee (or any kind of glass jar) and place it on windowsills for a whimsical decoration. Arrange mismatched tableware on a mirror that you’ve turned into a tray to organize the toiletries that always litter your vanity.

Sometimes all you need to do is rearrange the furniture a little. Place the sofa at an angle or move it into a different corner and the whole focus of the room shifts. If you’re getting tired of a piece of furniture in a certain room, think about a way to repurpose it or else move it to another room where it might work. Create a new headboard by folding a beautiful quilt or knitted blanket over the bed frame or else make your own with plywood, some fluffy batting and an attractive fabric.

As you can see a few of these ideas won’t cost you a cent, never mind a dime and they say that a change is as good as a holiday so what are you waiting for? For all things with a price tag, get a coupon from Discountrue and you’ll save lots. Give in to the spring fever and give your home a makeover that won’t break the bank.

*This is a sponsored post.

 

Sponsored Post: Gifts For You Now

We  all know how hard it can be to come up with creative gifts for the same holiday or special occasion every year.

Ties for Dad. Been there, done that.

Earrings for Grandma. Over it.

Gift card for just about anyone. Useful, but can be seen as impersonal.

Sigh.

What’s a momma to do?

As a mom, we don’t always have time (or ambition) to trek through stores with kids and gear in tow to find that “perfect” one-of-a-kind gift that will get all the oohs and ahhs. That’s why it may seem almost impossible and downright stressful.

That’s when you let your fingers do the shopping. Personalized gift sites are a great resource for unique gifts that will get all those oohs and ahhs. Gifts for You Now is one of those sites.

Whether it’s Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, wedding, baptism, or any other special occasion, you can find those unique gifts topped with a personal touch. How about a personalized bunny for your little one? Or an engraved frame for Grandma for Mother’s Day?

Instead of buying another tool box for Dad for Father’s Day, what about some cool engraved items for his man cave?

When it comes to weddings, there are all kinds of gifts starting with the bride and groom and ranging to the parents as well as the wedding party. As for baptisms, there are so many keepsake gifts like blankets, bibs, and crosses that are sure to warm the hearts of those receiving them.

So, the next time you want to give a great gift but don’t have the time to shop around, just click and create for a one-of-a-kind gift.

 

Jamberry Nails Review

There is something about having my nails done that makes me feel good. Simply put it’s nice to look down at your hands and have them look pretty. As a mom, getting your nails done professionally on a regular basis is just not realistic. At least not for me. Ever since I get my mom crown I have to say that I paint my nails at home more often than I used to. It’s just easier and cheaper.

jamberry2But, sometimes you want something a little different. So, I tried Jamberry Nails custom wraps. I used the “Tinsle Town” design seeing that it was holiday time. The wraps come in a sheet of different sizes so you can match them up with the size of your nails. Once you find the right one, you have to heat up them up with a hair dryer and then stick them on your nails. Using a cuticle pusher you seal the wrap. Then, you need to trim the top with a scissor and file it down. Once you’re done with this step, you apply more heat and pressure so the wrap is securely fastened.

Presto! You have designer nail designs without the cost and time.

From start to finish, it took me forty minutes to finish my manicure. I had a harder time doing my right hand since I am not left handed. Once I got the hang of it though, I was able to move a lot faster. I definitely enjoyed the look of the design. But, after a couple of days I did notice they started to peel a bit, especially after I washed my hair in the shower and did some dishes. This was the only down side.

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All in all, I think this is a great alternative to paying for expensive designs, especially if you don’t have the time to sit in a salon for hours. I would use Jamberry nails again for a special occasion. Call me old fashioned, but I still like my old school nail polish for an everyday look.

*I was compensated with a set of Jamberry Nail Wraps to complete this review.

Sponsored Post: Renting College Books

While it may have been awhile since I’ve been a college student, I clearly remember how pricey it was. Besides the tuition and room and board (if you choose to live on campus), there’s the expense of buying books. They are not cheap. Not at all.

When I was going to school, we had to buy our books outright, whether they were new or used. It was expensive no matter which route you chose. These days, there are so many other options, like renting books. Let’s face it, how many books do students really keep when the class is over? Especially if the books are for a required class that you really have no interest in taking.

Renting books through sites like Campus Book Rentals is super easy. You simply search the book you need in their data base and follow the easy steps to rent the book for the time period you need. You can save up to 80 percent over buying them new. When you’re done using the book, you simply return it. Don’t worry about shipping because it’s free both ways!

Besides renting the book from Campus Book Rentals, you can also loan out your own books with Rent Back. It works the same way except you get paid when your books get rented. You’ll likely make more money than selling your book back at the end of the semester.

You simply ship them to the company and let them take care of the rest.
I wish these services were available when I was a student. It would have saved me a lot of money and headaches! I can’t wait to see what is out there once my girls are ready for college…a long, long time from now!

*This is a sponsored post.

Review: Sands Alive!

If you’re like me, the thought of your child playing with sand inside your house makes you want to curl up into a ball and hide under a table. Sweeping…vacuuming…more sweeping…an endless clean-up will await you all in the name of your child’s “fun”.

Right?

Actually, wrong. Kids playing inside with “sand” doesn’t have to be a nightmare.

sand2My kids and I recently tried out Sands Alive! by Laddine. The sand isn’t like the stuff you’d find at the beach, but it’s still pretty darn fun. It’s moldable, allowing your kids to make different shapes, but still feel like they are playing with sand.

Our set came with a roller, cutter, and a few tools for molding. I simply opened the package, poured it out onto a tablecloth and let them get crazy! They were able to roll it and do just about anything else they wanted without making a major mess!

We’ve honestly played with similar play sand sets that claimed to be “mess-free”. Let me tell you, that was a lie. We played with it inside and outside on a patio table and the sand went all over the place and was a real pain to clean. The Sands Alive! product was much better. Don’t get me wrong, some dropped on the floor. But, I was able to easily clean it up without having to sweep numerous times to catch every single particle.

The best part….my kids really loved it! It kept them occupied and entertained while allowing them to be creative.

If you’re looking for a unique, cost-friendly gift for the holidays, this should definitely be on your list.

*I was compensated with the product to complete this review.

Review: Pearl & Clasp Earrings

What girl doesn’t like jewelry, right? So when I was asked to try out a new pair of pearl earrings from Pearl & Clasp, how could I say no?

With that said, I have to admit I don’t wear pearls on a daily basis. My position as Household CEO really doesn’t require pearls.Nevertheless, I wore them while in the trenches of motherhood. For someone who usually wears a pair of silver hoops, the button pearl earrings were a nice change.

The earrings themselves are so light that you don’t even feel like you’re wearing anything at all. Also, the backs are extremely durable so you don’t have to worry about losing an earring. That’s a big deal when you’re around kids all day and just about anything can and does happen.

The black pearls also pretty much go with anything, making them a must have item for your jewelry box. They are also a great accessory, especially with the holidays coming up.

I’m looking forward to wearing these earrings in the future, perhaps for a little night out?

 

* I was compensated with a pair of earrings to complete this review.

Pinrose Review

On a scale of one to ten, how annoying is it to have a sales person try to hose you down with the latest fragrance as you enter a store? If you ask me, it’s a solid ten. Half the time you smell like you just bathed in whatever they are trying to sell you.

That’s why I was excited to recently try out a product that leaves you smelling great without all of that drama.

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Have you heard of Pinrose? I honestly had not until a couple of weeks ago. Pinrose is a great company that offers perfume scents in the convenience of little individual towelettes besides bottles of your favorite fragrance.  You just apply and wait a mere fifteen seconds for it to dry. You end up smelling great without smelling like you poured an entire bottle of perfume over your body. pinrose2

What’s even better is that you can take a quick online quiz to find out which scents suit you best. My quiz showed Merry Maker, Renegade Starlet and Sugar Bandit were my go to scents. I tried all three as well as the others in my satchel. I have to say I liked my three the best with Renegade Starlet leading the pack.

I would definitely recommend this product as one to try out yourself or give as a gift if Santa is shopping around!

*Disclosure: I did receive complimentary Pinrose products to complete this review.

Sponsored Post: Motivational Wall Quotes

Opt for motivational wall quotes and win all challenges in life

Houses reflect the people who reside in it. A colorful person’s house will also be colorful whereas a motivated and dedicated person’s house will reflect the subject to him he is dedicated to. Nowadays you can make your house the source of your inspiration with the help of motivational wall quotes from thequotesworld.

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 Live life to the fullest with the help of motivational wall quotes

I can tell you a simple story which will make you understand how being motivated is vital to stay alive. A man lived near my house for many years until recently he expired due to old age. He was a freedom fighter and was an active participant in the freedom struggle. He faced various types of situation and suffered a lot of hardship in his young days.

Once I went to his place to invite him for a small, friendly gathering in my place along with my other neighbors. When I entered his house I saw the place was filled with mementos, show pieces and pictures which were a part of the freedom struggle movement.

There were numerous photographs of him along with the other freedom fighters holding the national flag and he looked so young. When I complimented him on his home decor he said the pictures and other decorations motivate him to live his life to the fullest. I too wanted to do what he did with his home which made me do research on various home decor techniques and that is how I found about motivational wall quotes. I hope you will also like to create your quotes.

Various instances of how motivational wall quotes can help you in different walks of life

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 There are several ways or link through which you can get good quality motivational wall quotes which will touch your heart and give you a sense of well being. There are various wall quotes which fall under the motivational category but are very stupid and sarcastic in nature. Remember you need wall quotes which will help you to achieve the goals which you want to accomplish.

Be motivated to reduce your weight with motivational wall quotes

For people who are overweight, they can get loads of motivational wall quotes particularly dedicated for obese people to help them to normalize their weight. These wall quotes will motivate everyday to exercise and diet and remind them the fact that they have to get back in shape and more importantly the fact that they can do it as nothing is impossible.

 

Overcome loneliness and failure with motivational wall quotes

 

If you are weak in any subject then you can find various colorful quotations on that specific subject, for example – mathematics, which will encourage you to practice and study harder so that they can get good marks and score well so as to overcome your fear for that subject. There are many people nowadays who for job or study requirement had to relocate to another city and are staying alone without any friends or families. Motivational wall quotes can support and help them to go on, in their day to day life and become their best friend.

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*This post is sponsored. I was compensated to include this post on my blog.

Starbucks Fall Blend Review & Giveaway

The weather is getting cooler, the days are getting shorter, the alarm is going off earlier and the kids are back in school. It must mean only one thing. Fall is just about here. While the change in season is great for apple picking and all of those kinds of things, the same can not be said for earlier bed times and wake up calls.

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Nothing is more exhausting than trying to get your child up in the morning for school. Trust me, I speak from experience. That’s why I need my coffee in the morning. Yes, I am classifying coffee has a necessity, not a desire. If you want me to play nice at recess, you need to give me my coffee.

 

With that said, I recently tested out Starbucks new Fall Blend. I was really happy with it because it’s the kind of coffee that will wake you up, but not leave you with the shakes hours later. Ya know what I mean? It’s just the right jolt to help you get through those mornings when you have to peel your children out of bed.

 

If you’re like me, you not only need you morning coffee, you also need a little pick me up in the afternoon. So, I’ve been brewing a little pot while I help my daughter do her homework after school. “A” is for apple. “B” is for boy and “C” is for coffee, right? It’s just enough caffeine to bring me through the rest of the day without leaving me staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m. IMG_4165

 

 

If all of this coffee talk has perked up your ears, listen up, because now you have a chance to try the Starbucks Fall Blend for FREE. Just enter my giveaway below for your chance to win one 10 ounce package. Must be 18 or older to enter. A winner will be chosen on September 20, 2014. Good Luck!

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*I was given a package of Starbucks Fall Blend to complete this review.

 

 

 

Farfaria App Review & Giveaway

As a parent, we all know the importance of reading to our children. As a parent in the 21st century, we also know that kids these days love technology. So why not blend the two? Many companies these days are doing so as they find ways of teaching through technology. There are numerous apps out there that teach numbers, letters, and reading. If you’re like me, sifting through to find the right app for your child is time consuming and annoying. Luckily, one app, FarFaria, found me. So, my children and I had the opportunity to try it out. Honestly, I’m glad we did. FarFaria is an app for your iPhone, iPad or Android device that contains more than 750 illustrated children’s books. Five new titles are added weekly. When you open the app, you simply pick from various groupings, such as “Pre-school Playground”,  “Mt. Make Believe”, or several others. Once you choose, there are several books at your fingertips, all sorted by age groups and  reading abilities ranging from pre-school all the way thru age nine. Preschool Playground Once you pick a book you can choose the option of reading the book to your child or having the app read to you. Since my daughter is learning site words in Kindergarten, I find it helpful when the app reads to us, so I can help her point out and spell the site words on the screen. Even my two-year-old gets into it. Since using the app for about one week, I think we’ve already gone through about fifty stories! I can honestly say my kids love it. They actually ask me if we can do the “iPad books”. The app even has a feature where you can mark your favorites. This is helpful because I’ve found it a little difficult to find certain stories again after we’ve read them once. While we absolutely love FarFaria, I’m careful that our “old school” books don’t get lost. For every digital book we read, there’s one real book to follow. I think using both is a great tool on the path to learning and helping your children read. Here’s your chance to win one FREE three month membership! Just enter below! One random winner will be selected on September 19, 2014. Must be 18 or older to enter!!

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Good Luck!

*I was compensated with a membership to the FarFaria app to complete this review.