Today's Groupon

If you don't get the LA Times and would like to, today would be the day to sign up for today's Groupon.  Unfortuately, we're already subscribers or I'd get this. 

You can get a one year, Sunday-only subscription to the Los Angeles Times for only $10 (just think all the coupons, coupons, coupons!!!!). Subscriptions are limited to these counties: Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego.

This deal is limited to new subscribers who have not had home delivery in the last 30 days. Just select “Visit More Cities” on the Groupon website, then choose Orange County. This deal is good through Sunday (10/24).

FREE 2011 Calendar from Oriental Trading

Gotta love free stuff!  This calendar looks really cute plus it's full of tips, savings, ideas and more.  You can get a FREE 2011 Calendar from Oriental Trading Company, if you fill out the form here.  

They say it should arrive in 7-14 days!! :)

FREE activities to do with kids

MICHAELS: Saturday, October 23rd. This Saturday there will be a Halloween Boo-tiful T-Shirt Make-It Take-It from 10am-2pm for ages 3 and up; you will need to purchase a t-shirt. Then there will be a Crayola Glow Explosion Make-It Take-It where you can make spooky eyes from 2pm-4pm.
This week’s Other Make-It Take-It: October 25th 6pm-8pm a repeat Crayola Glow Explosion; October 26th 6pm-8pm Quick & Easy Costumes, and October 28th from 6pm-8pm Halloween Masks where you can turn a plain mask into an awesome costume. Go here for more info on any of this week’s events.

TOYS R US: Saturday, October 23rd. noon-2pm. This Saturday there will be a LEGO Bricktober event. Kids will be able to build and decorate their own LEGO car and then race it against other LEGO fans cars. Go here to find a location near you or here for more information.
LAKESHORE LEARNING CRAFT: Saturday, October 23rd 11am-3pm. Kids will be able to make a brightly colored wind sock with a spooky Jack-O’-Lantern face. Go here for more information or to find a location and to print a coupon for 15% off an in-store purchase on Saturdays through October 30th.



DISNEY STORE: Halloween Dress Rehearsal Party. Sat., Oct. 23rd 11am or 12:30pm. Each session is limited to 50 children ages 3 & up. You can start lining up no earlier than 30 minutes ahead of start time. Kids can dress up in their costume and if they are in a Disney Costume they will receive a special gift while supplies last. There will be games, prizes and a costume parade. Go here for more info and go here to find a participating store.
PETSMART: Saturday, October 23rd 3pm-5pm. This Saturday there will be a costume contest and you can have a 4″x6″ photo taken of you and your pet and put into a collectible frame. Just go here to find out more information or go here to find a store near you.
LOWES: Saturday, October 23rd 10am-11am. Just go here to register for this fun event where kids will be able to use glow-in-the-dark stickers to decorate a flapping bat they make.
FREE NIGHT AT THE THEATER: Tickets for this event will be for various performances during the month of October. Go here to get details on your area. This event is designed to allow people to experience live theater absolutely free.

Blockbuster Express free movie

 If you have a Blockbuster Express machine near you, here’s code for a Rent 1 Get 1 Free Movie Rental: HLLWN3. It is valid through October 24th. You can look for your closest Blockbuster Express location HERE.  You can use these codes once per credit card to get even more free movie rentals.
I'm looking forward to this one.  2 movies for $1!  Yahooo! :)

Pottery Barn stockings

I know it's too early to think about Christmas but with a deal like this you might need to.  ;)  Now through 10/27, Pottery Barn is offering free monogramming and free shipping on all stockings, tree skirts and stocking holders.  You can  get the Personalized Velvet Stockings shown above for only $15 shipped. More stocking styles to choose from HERE!

Old Navy- 50% outterwear sale

Here's another super deal from Old Navy.  You can print this coupon to get 50% off an outerwear item at Old Navy.  You can use this coupon on 10/26-10/28.  But you only have until 10/24 to print it.  Act fast!

Similac formula coupon

Not sure I've ever seen a formula coupon like this.  Here is a new Similac coupon available for $3/1 any formula (click under health care to find it faster).  You can get this deal at Walmart:


Similac Ready to Feed Bottle $3.84
Use $3/1 Similac coupon
Pay $0.84 each after coupon

Due to the recent recall, they are trying to get back their customer's loyalty.  Great for customers!!

Old Navy fleece vest sale- $5!!

Tomorrow (Sat. 10/23), Old Navy is having another One Day Wonder Sale on their performance fleece vests for the whole family are only $5 each. These are regularly priced from $9.50 to $15.

Limit five per customer. Available while supplies last.

FREE educational items

Progressive Phonics offers free downloadable PDF ebooks and free printable activity sheets.  These look really cool and are free!!!

Pizza in the crockpot!

This is my second time making this Crockpot pizza.  It was much better tonight.  We ate almost the entire thing!!

If you want to follow the recipe exactly go here. 

Here's my condensed recipe here.  I can never follow a recipe as it's written. : /

-Spray crockpot with a non-stick cooking spray.

-Next is the sauce... I used 1 can of tomato sauce, 1 can of tomatoes and added some Italian seasonings.  You could use 1/2 jar of spaghetti sauce and some water.  You could add sauteed onions, veggies, herbs, garlic or anything else to the tomatoes.  Pour this into the bottom.

-Next is the dough... 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup milk, 2 eggs, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (I added some Italian cheese too).   Mix all together and pour on top of the tomatoes.

-Last is the topping.   Tonight I used turkey pepperoni, turkey sausage and mushrooms.  You could do all veggies, or pepperoni & pineapple or whatever you like on your pizza.  Put on top of the dough.

*I sprinkled a bit more cheese and Italian seasoning on top of the topping.  Optional but everything is better with cheese ;)

I cooked for 1 hour on high and 2 hours on low.   It would probably do well on low for 3-4 hours too.

Getting ready to be cooked.  No after picture as I wasn't home.

Sweet Potato Muffins with cinnamon sugar coating

I made these this afternoon.  They were unique & delish!  The sweet potatoes at my store were white instead of orangish.  It tasted the same just wasn't the pretty orange color I expected.  My son ate 6 mini ones after his dinner & my husband raved about them too.



-I made a few slight tweaks to the recipe. 

*If you don't have buttermilk, don't fret.  You just make you're own. ;)   In place of the 1/3 cup of buttermilk, use 1/3 cup of milk and add either a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.  Let sit for a couple of minutes.  You'll still add another 1/3 cup of milk that the recipe calls for too.

*I peeled then microwaved one sweet potato to get the puree.  You could probably steam it too.  I cut it up and put into a food processor until it was smooth.   I used the entire sweet potato even though it was more than the 1/2 cup it called for.

*For the topping, I only used about 3 tablespoons of butter.  You don't need an entire stick.

Gooseberry Patch free chocolate chip cookie recipes

I love love love Gooseberry Patch and who doesn't like cookies??!!?  Just might have to do some baking this afternoon. :)  Enjoy!!  Let me know if you make any of these.

Free 8x10 collage at Walgreens

Walgreens is offering a FREE 8×10 Collage print. You can be very creative and make a special gift or Christmas present.

Follow these steps to get yours...
•Just go to the Walgreens site here
•Click on the FREE collage print box on the bottom right of the page
•Create your print
•At checkout use coupon code: 8X10TREAT to get your 8 x 10 collage for FREE.
Have it shipped to your local Walgreens for FREE and pick-up there. No charges! :)

This code is good through Saturday, October 23rd!

Circle Buzz

Here's a great new deal site that is for Orange County and San Diego.

FREE First Aid kit

This would be great if you don't have a first aid kit or you might need one for your car, grandparent's house, etc.  Request a FREE First Aid Kit for your home from Good Samaritan Hospital HERE. 

Fill out the form and include the promo code: kit

2010 Toys of the Year

Here's Family Fun's Toys of the Year Award Winners.

Refill empty foaming soap dispenser

I didn't feel like spending a ton of money on a fall liquid soap from one of those bath & body stores.  I had some Pumpkin Pie body wash so I made my own hand soap.  Add about 2 tablespoons of shampoo or body wash (any scent/flavor) to an old/empty soap dispenser.  Fill the rest up with water.  Leaving about 1" from top so you don't overflow it when you put the top on.  Shake it up and you've got a cheap refill for your soap.  It smells really good too. :)

Need TP??? HOT deal at Vons

There's an awesome Cottonelle TP deal at Vons going on thru tomorrow.  Sorry I didn't give you more notice.  I couldn't get there until today. 

Pick up an ad when you walk into the store.  On the back page are their "super coupons".  There is one for a 12-pack of Cottonelle for $4.99 (normally $6.99).  My store had a coupon machine right next to the TP that had $2 off a 12-pack of Cottonelle!!!  Use 2 of those coupons plus the "super coupon" which makes it:  $4.99- $2 off coupon= $2.99 PLUS there is a bonus.  If you buy 2, you'll get a Catalina (coupon) for $2 off your next purchase.  So essentially you get a 12 pack of tp for $1.99!!

Free movie rental thru Blockbuster Express machine

It's a perfect day for movie day here in overcast OC.  I was super excited when I walked into my Vons this morning and found a new Blockbuster Express machine.

Get a free one-night movie rental when you use the code MNDY1 at checkout. This code is good through midnight today (10/18). Find your local Blockbuster express location.

HOT coupon~ $2 off Quaker oatmeal

Don't burn yourself... this is a hot one. ;)   Print this quickly and if you have more than one computer print again.  This will make for very inexpensive oatmeal and possibly free if there is a sale.  Hold onto it because it doesn't expire until 12/31!!

This week's menu

Last week, I made 2 of the 5 meals I had planned.  It was one of those weeks.  Hopefully I can stick to this week's plan better.

Have you made something lately that you & your family loved???  Leave a comment with a link.  I love trying new things. :)

Monday... Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets w/veggies and pasta/rice
Tuesday... Taco Corn Bread Casserole
Wednesday... Crockpot Puffy Pizza Casserole  [I made this a few weeks ago.  I'll make w/turkey pepperoni & mushrooms]
Thursday... Cheeseburger Pasta
Friday... Mini burgers and Mac & Cheese Muffins [can't wait for these muffins!!]

Old Navy sweater sale tomorrow $10!

Old Navy is having a sweater sale tomorrow (Saturday)!!  

Early bird gets the warm! Our favorite sweaters for the family are only $10 until 10am. So come into your nearest Old Navy store early.

If you can’t make it to the sale, you can use the code ONLOVE30 to get 30% off $150

25% off $125

20% off $100 at OldNavy.com. Ends 10/21.

Jasmere- $5 credit for taking a survey!! :)

Do you Jasmere?  Love love love this site.  This is a super quick easy way to get $5 from Jasmere.  If you're not already a member, you can sign up here.  If you are, then log into your account and take the survey for $5.  Just copy the code when you are done with the survey.

This week's menu

Monday... Mac & Cheese Salsa Verde  I'm going to add chicken too.  I don't have pepper jack so I'll use something else.

Tuesday... Buffalo Chicken Pie

Wednesday...  Taco Rice Bowls

Thursday...  Mini burgers on Hawaiian rolls

Friday... Crockpot Black Bean Salsa Chicken

Reviews of last week's meals

Crockpot Apricot Chicken..... DELICIOUS and very easy!!!

Maple Walnut Chicken and Cheddar Apple Rice... very yummy!! 

I'll be making both of these again.

Groupon for Soap.com in Boston BUT anyone can buy it

Today  Groupon is offering $20 worth of Soap.com merchandise for $10. Even better, your order will receive free 1-2 day delivery! Soap.com offers a huge variety of drugstore products and brands.  You can only use one per order and on only one order, you cannot spread this $20 over multiple orders. 

This site is owned/run by the same company that owns Diapers.com.

Although this is for Boston, since it is an online deal, it can be used by anyone

SUPER SALE on girls leggings

Aren't these super cute!!  Agoo Bamboo Leggings has leggings for just $3.00 a pair. They come in one size that fits babies, toddlers, and kids.  They are normal $10.00 a pair, but they have 17 styles that they are selling at 70% off .  Shipping is a flat rate of $5.00 per order.

Groupon- OC Photograhy session & prints

This is an amazing deal today thru Groupon for a Yuen Lui 20-30 minute photo shoot, one 8”x10” print, two 3”x5”s, eight wallet-sized prints, and one digital image on disc. This Groupon can be redeemed at Yuen Lui Studio's indoor location in Costa Mesa or outdoors at Aliso Beach, TeWinkle Park, Mile Square Park, or Irvine Regional Park.  This is a $485 value for only $49!!!   90% savings!!!

This would be great for Christmas pictures.  You could use the print to create your own cards.

*I used this studio in the spring & I was very impressed with their prints.  Very high quality!*

Old Navy 16th Birthday

Old Navy has tons of items for just $16 today (10/9).   They are offering free shipping with a $50 purchase til 10/14 using ONSHIP50.

Propel drink- B1G1 free coupon

Here's a coupon for Buy 1 Get 1 Free Propel drink

Free Post-Its

Here's a new coupon available for $1/1 Super Sticky Post-It Notes. It expires October 31, 2010.

These are priced at $1 at Walmart and maybe other stores too. 

Coupon in this weekend's newspaper...

These are one of my favorite kinds of deals... free!! :)  There's a head’s up that there will be a $1/1 Gain Dish Liquid coupon in this Sunday’s P&G newspaper inserts (Oct. 10, 2010). Walmart sells the small bottles priced for only $0.97 so they’ll be free after this coupon.

This is where I'll get a couple newspapers so I can stock up on things like this.

Crazy 8 sale

Crazy 8, a branch of Gymboree, is having a great sale right now.  I've recently got several things for my son from there and I'm very happy with the quality.   I usually check out the sale & clearance section online for some great deals.   All their jeans are on sale for $9.99!  Shipping is a flat rate of $5!

Regal movie theatres

Do you plan on going to the movies this weekend (10/8- 10/10)?  If you go to a Regal theatre, there are a few coupons on their Facebook page for some goodies at the concession stand.

When you choose to “Like” Regal Entertainment Group on Facebook HERE, you can print out their weekly coupon for the concession stand at Regal Cinemas.  This week there are actually 2 new coupons! One for a $1 Small Popcorn and a $1 Small Fountain Drink!

Coupons are good from Friday, October 8-10th. If your unsure if there is a location near you, go HERE to enter your zip and find the closest Regal Theater.

Send someone a free box of kleenex

 This is really sweet and I love freebies. :)  Send someone a  Share Package of Kleenex Tissues You can even track your box of softness across the country as it travels to the person that you shared it with!

McDonald's Halloween Coupon Booklets

McDonald's Halloween coupon booklets are back at participating locations. For only $1, you get a coupon book that includes 12 FREEBIE coupons.  These would be great for preschool, upcoming birthday in a treat bag, incentive for doing something good or potty training or Halloween.

(3) FREE Apple Dippers

(3) FREE Small Cone

(3) FREE Small Apple Juice or Milk Jug

(3) FREE Hamburger

Coupons are good for use 11/1/10 – 12/31/10

Groupon for CostumeHub.com

Groupon has a great deal in Lincoln, NE today for CostumeHub.com   Buy it for $15 and get a certificate for $30!  Shipping isn't included in the Groupon.  Since it's an online store anyone in the country can use it.   They have some very cute and reasonable costumes for babies & toddlers. 

Screamin Daily Deals in OC

There are a couple great deals today with Screamin Deals...

$15 for One Dozen Custom Made Cupcakes Delivered To Your Home from Dolce Vista Sweets & Treats ($30 Value)

and

$2.50 Admission to OKTOBERFEST at Old World – Kinderfest and Dachshund Races – Sundays in October ($5 Value)

All You magazine deal

 Here is a great deal for a year's subscription to All You Magazine.  This is a super magazine that always has lots of great coupons, easy & good recipes and much more.

$1 off Ronzoni Healthy Harvest pasta

http://www.facebook.com/ronzoni.pasta?v=app_149867805027830

This is my newest favorite way to get free products or great coupons... 'like' something on Facebook!

Most of the coupons are bricks which means you can print it twice. :)

Here's a $1 off coupon for Ronzoni Healthy Harvest.  If you have a Ralphs near you, these are on sale a lot for just $1 making them free!!!

Board game rave!!

We've never really played board games with our 3 year old until yesterday.  We actually played this Curious George Beach Game 3 times!!    The concept is to search for treasures under the water aka 5 puzzle pieces.  The awesome thing about this game is those tiny treasure are sealed in the box.  No pieces all over the place!! :)   I also love that each game is different... because when you shake the box the water & treasures get distributed thru out the box randomly.  Hope that makes sense. 

This game has also won numerous parent and toy awards in the past couple of years.  Another bonus.

CVS steal...

I scanned my CVS card the other day & I scored a $5 off any Halloween decoration coupon!  Their  small pumpkins are only $1.49 each.  So I got the 3 pumpkins & Reese's peanut cup for $5.

The clearance section had the cake mix for 29 cents each! wow!! The bubbles were 19 cents!! :)

I used the $5 Halloween coupon plus $1 in Extra Care Bucks and paid 33 cents for all of this

Barilla pasta coupon

There is a new $1/1 Barilla Pasta Plus coupon available here.  You can print this twice.  Sometimes this pasta goes on sale for $1 so this would be free pasta!! :)

Canvas On Demand 16x20 Canvas for $45!!!

WOW- this is an amazing deal!!

You can get a 16×20 Gallary Wrapped Canvas for only $45 through Groupon today and the best part is this includes your shipping and handling. So that works out to be your final price.  The deal is from Indianapolis but since it's an online deal, anyone can order it. :)

If you’re planning on having family photos taken for the Holidays this would be a great way to create a family photo canvas for less.

Tonight's dinner...

I was supposed to have a MNO tonight but it's been rescheduled.  I bought a butternut squash last week and thought this Butternut and Ham Bisque sounded delish.  Can't wait for dinner :)

Do you Jasmere???

Have you heard of it???  It's one of the latest in the the crazy of mass shopping like Groupon, Screaming Coupons, etc.  But this one is better in my opinion.

 Every day, jasmere features a unique, upscale product or website (designer jeans, gourmet foods, handmade jewelry and much more) and gives you the chance to buy at up to 70% off. The best part? Throughout the day as more people buy, the price keeps going down. No credit cards are charged until the feature ends, and everyone pays the same low price.

Check out today's sale here.  These bags look super & very reasonable.  Love their produce bags too!! The bags rolls up into a ball that is about the size of a peach!!!  I want these for Christmas. ;)

 



Weekly menu planning

Do you plan out all your meals for the week?  I plan one or two days ahead and that's about it.   Depends what I have on hand, what we're in the mood for, etc.  Well, this week I'm going to try to go by this plan.  It's difficult because I'm gone in the afternoons for volleyball practice or games so most dinners need to be cooking or prepped before I leave. 

Monday... Steak Cobb Salad [had I know it was going to be rainy, I would have made soup!]
Tuesday... Pizza for the boys b/c it's Mom's Night Out!!! :)
Wednesday... Crockpot Apricot Chicken
Thursday... Chicken Broccoli Casserole (minus the curry).  We're not curry fans.
Friday... Maple Walnut Chicken and Cheddar Apple Rice.   Doesn't this sound amazing!!  I'm making it w/breasts instead of thighs.

receipt from Walgreens

pretty cool!!  saved over $30!

Awesome Walgreens trip today...

I haven't shopped at Walgreens for several months.  Last week, I took advantage of a couple deals which I made money with Register Rewards. :)   I used those RR with $3 off $15 purchase coupon to STEAL all of this for........

55 CENTS!!  I'm not kidding!

These are all things we use a lot.  Here's a link to the Walgreen deals this week.

Recent meals...

Here's an easy dinner I made this week... Buffalo Chicken Wraps.  You could also add this to hamburger buns too.

Made these Cranberry Apple Harvest Muffins too. Delish!!!

This Banana Zucchini Bread was wonderful.

Target trip

I had a leisurely stroll thru Target tonight & I found some great deals.  The shoes were on clearance for $4.24!!  The wallet was $5.98 and I had a $2 off coupon too. :)   Got a pair of jeans for my son that were $4 & I had a $2 off kid's denim=$2!  wow!!   I had a coupon for $3 off 3 Band Aid products.  All 3 Band Aids were travel size and 97 cents each so those were free.  The cheese is on sale (until today) for $2 each plus this $5 off 5 Kraft products= $1 each.  Eggs were on sale for $1

All of this cost only $18.20