Fairytales and Margaritas

An Honest Review

My first review- YAY!

I’ve been contacted by a few companies wanting me to review their products on my blog. I never consider the ones for “shirts from Guatemala” or the ones in Spanish that I can’t even understand.

But, a little while back a company called Tiny Prints asked if they could mail me some samples of their cards to review. I said sure, it is coming up on holiday season!

Right before I got the sample pack, Sarah reviewed Tiny Prints because she used them for her cards last year. And she really liked them. So, I was excited to see them.

I have to say, I really like them. The quality is really, really good. The ink is really vibrant and colorful. And the cardstock is definitely high quality. And they have TONS of different design options.

I have to admit that in the past I’ve used VistaPrint for my holiday cards.  Sure, they’re cheap and easy, but the quality isn’t that great.  Tiny Prints quality is FAR superior.  While their prices are a bit more, I will definitely use them in the future.  Maybe not for all 200 cards that I send out, but at least for close friends and family.

Go, check them out!

Birthday Invitations

Holiday Cards

These damn blocks!

So, they took our Internet blocks away at work for a few weeks and now they're back.  And this time better than ever.  I can barely go anywhere.  I can't comment on ANY blogs and I can't view pictures.  But, I can read through my reader.  So, just know that I am reading, but can comment and it sucks, sucks, sucks!

A Camping We Went

I'll be with Mother Nature

We've decided to go camping again this year.  Usually we only go once a year, but we usually take a vacation too.  We're trying to save some money this year, so we decided to skip the vacation and go camping twice. 

I've got to tell you that sometimes I like camping more than going on vacation.  And I am by no means an outdoorsy person.  I like my makeup and hairspray and hot water and flushing toilet quite well.  But, I just love being out there, all by ourselves.  Time just seems to stand still for a few days.

We go CAMPING camping.  Like tents and sleeping bags and shit.  NO electronics.  No Ninetendo DS, no ipod, no cell phones.  Just us, some food and Yahtzee and UNO. 

Funny enough, while we're camping there are rarely fights.  The kids don't bicker, us adults don't bicker.  It's nice, really nice.  We spend good quality time together.  We stop to smell the roses (or melting marshmallows).  We help each other out, we laugh.  My husband and I will each have a child on our lap and one to the side and we'll catch each other's eyes across the fire and seem to both be thinking, "life is good". 

There are no deadlines, no timelines, no bills to worry about, no phone ringing.  We're carefree and together.

So, I'll be finding my crunchy side until Wednesday!

See Holly?

I knew you weren't trying to insult me.  Because no one in their right mind would think that these shoes are garish!

Now, if you really wanted to insult me, you'd tell me my new glasses make me look like Sarah Palin!  Like my mother did this weekend!

Are you trying to insult me?

Because I probably can't tell! 

I think I might be one of the most laid back people in the world, most of the time.  I usually just go about my business in my own merry little way.  I'm pretty confident in most of my abilities as a mom, wife and worker bee.  So, I'm not too insecure or defensive about most things.  Now, I don't think I'm conceited or anything, but just pretty sure of myself in the specific areas of my life where I've decided to excel.  I've got some work to do in many other areas, but for the most part comments that people make about my abilities in these areas roll off my back.  Heck, sometimes I can even laugh at them.

Among friends, I think I'm pretty laid back too.  (Okay, so some of you think I'm a bit anal when it comes to organizing, but I'm talking about social issues!).  I have a very diverse group of friends who have very diverse views about many different issues.  And even when I disagree with someone I don't get my panties in a bunch.  Everyone's entitled to their opinion, right?

Sometimes I wonder if I'm too much of a pushover.  Sometimes I'll tell my husband what someone said to me or that I thought someone was rude.  And he's always telling me that I should just stay away from those people.  But, I don't even think they know they're annoying me!  Because I usually just let it pass.  Sure, I might complain later, but rarely to their face.

Sometimes people think that they've insulted or upset me, but I don't even know it!  It really takes a blatant remark to ruffle my feathers.  And I'm pretty sure that I rarely read into things or get offended when people don't mean it.  I always think the best of people.  My husband says I'm too trusting.  But, I give the benefit of the doubt to begin with.

But, that being said, if you TRY to piss me off, come prepared.   Because I will stand up for myself.  If I know you're being rude or disrespectful to me, watch out, because I don't hold back.  Same goes for those that I'm loyal to.  I will not watch my friends, family or close co-workers get treated badly.  And I will defend with everything I have. 

So, if you think you've insulted me, I'm pretty sure you'd know it.  Before you even have a chance to ask, I'll have let you know!

Really parents? Really?

So, Carissa is playing volleyball for the middle school this year.  In the past she's played organized sports, but through the local leagues.  I guess people are a bit more lax because the leagues aren't as organized or hardcore.  We haven't really observed any issues with parents crossing the line- yelling at their children or yelling at the referees.

But, I guess the whole tone is different when they play for the school.  I guess even though it's middle school it's time for them to step it up.  And I guess it's time for the parents to tell everyone exactly how they feel.

At least some dumbasses feel that way.  Take the parents at her game this week.  The ball went out of bounds on the opposing teams side, but there were a bunch of chairs in the way and the player couldn't get to the ball.  So, the ref calls a "do over" because the chairs were in the way.  I thought it was odd, but was certainly ready to move on.  The dumbasses?  Apparently couldn't move on.  And had to yell and heckle the ref.  I was completely embarrassed to be sitting in the same bleachers as them.  The ref didn't even acknowledge it and play went on.

Until- the ball hit the net and fell to the floor on the opposing teams side.  The ref did call a point for our team, but I guess he didn't call it fast enough and the dumbasses had to heckle once again.  And loudly.  And inapporpriately.  This time, the ref didn't ignore them.  He turned around and confronted the stands.  Except, his back was to the dumbass, so he didn't know who said it.  Unfortunately, he yelled at the wrong guy.  But, the guy just took it!  And the dumbass didn't even admit that it was him!  Oh, I was pissed!  I was about to stand up and point the dumbass out for him!  He was big and bad enough to yell at the ref, but didn't have the balls to admit that he was the one that did it?  And let some innocent guy take the fall?  NOT FAIR!

So, I guess once you get the middle school all the rules about respect and setting a good example go out the window.  Feel free to act like a dumbass, except if you're in the stands by me.  Because that's the LAST time I sit by and watch someone act like that.  I'll be the one to call his ass out if it happens again.

Random Thoughts Wednesday edition

I always have these random thoughts swirling around my mind.  Each one not enough for it's own post, yet enough that I feel the need to tell someone or get it out of my brain!

The Kissing Game- This is Jocelyn's new favorite thing.  She gives me a kiss then says, "Another one!", I oblige, then "Another one!", etc.  It's so funny because she thinks it's the funniest thing EVER.  She giggles like a maniac the whole time.  And we have to do it really fast.  Sometimes she changes it up and yells, "Nose kiss!".  Now, to her, a nose kiss means a lot of different things.  Sometimes it's an Eskimo kiss (rubbing noses), sometimes she wants to actually kiss my nose and sometimes we're supposed to kiss like normal, but mash our noses together at the same time.  But, any way you slice it, this is the funniest thing in the world to my two year old right now.  And it makes my heart melt because I know that she's going to grow up and not want to play the kissing game anymore.  Or at least this version of it!

I tucked in my shirt today!  Ok, maybe that's not exciting to some of you, but to me it was a momentous occasion.  See, I don't think I've tucked a shirt in for years and years.  When you're pregnant you NEVER tuck your shirt in (or at least I hope you don't).  Then after you have the baby you have a little extra weight hanging around and skin, oh the extra skin!  So, I've just gotten used to wearing things that didn't need to be tucked in.  Not like muumuus or anything, just shirts that look fine without tucking.  But, I'm actually within 3 pounds of my pre-pregnancy weight from Robert (YAY me, and I know I'll never get back to my pre-pregnancy weight from Carissa which was 95 pounds and I'm fine with that) so I decided to wear a shirt that looks best tucked in.  And I kindof like it.

My average savings on groceries and the like this week was 70%.  I paid $6 total at CVS and ended up with 4 bottles of Aussie shampoo and conditioner, 2 tubes of Loreal face wash, 2 Soft and Dri deodorants and 2 bags of Chex mix.  PLUS, I got $18 in Extra Care Bucks back.  Extra Care Bucks are just like gift cards, so they actually paid me $12 to take that bag of stuff! 

We had a potluck lunch at work this week and it made me realize how much I'm going to miss these girls I work with.  I've been at this office for almost 5 years and with the court for over 8 years.  It's definitely going to be hard to say goodbye.  If laughter is the best medicine, I'm going to need a new prescription when I leave.  I was laughing so hard I had tears coming down my face.  I really treasure these friendships that I've made.  And I know that I'm awful about keeping in touch with people and that makes me sad.

We had a hell of a storm last night.  I seriously thought my windows might break and our 5 year old tree in the yard might uproot and fly away ala Wizard of Oz.  I have NEVER been in a storm like that!  This is Arizona!  We have monsoon rainstorms for one period each year and that's it!  I'm pretty sure the winds were over 50 mph and the thunder was LOUD and the rain/hail sounded like it was going to break my windows.  All this at 2:00 a.m.  Needless to say the kids woke up and freaked the heck out.  I think they thought the "end" was near! 

Some random plugs

Remember Matt?  Well, he has a new shirt shop.  You can see the widget in my left sidebar (the one that says, "I'm a flower in the Garden of Awesome"  along with some flowers.  Check it out, it's pretty funny.  Also, there is going to be a memorial walk in honor of his wife, who's birthday was September 17.  Each person is supposed to walk in their respective location and timezone, so that there will be 24 hours of walking in honor of Liz.  Isn't that great?  Sign up to participate!

Also, my friend Emily has just started a blog for her t-shirt business.  She's been making and selling shirts for awhile, but has just started the blog.  I LOVE her shirts.  They're so cute and unique.  She can design ANYTHING you want.  We've got Mickey Mouse ears shirts for Xander and Jocelyn, a flocked Princess shirt for Jocelyn and a Daddy's Little Ghoul shirt for Jocelyn.  But, seriously, she can come up with anything you want.  Check her out!

Also, my other friend Heather makes the most adorable bows.  We have quite a few of them (unfortunately Jocelyn will not keep them in her hair, YET), but they are great quality.  And, she can make anting you need.  She can match clothing or themes too!

Being Frugal Part 1

So, I haven't openly admitted here that I am frugal.  Frugal to a fault.  Cheap if you must.  I almost NEVER buy something for full price.  Whether it be food, toiletries, clothes, meals in restaurants.  I'm one of those people.  You know, the ones that have TONS of coupons at the store and hold up the line?  That's me.  Just smile and wave please.

People ask me all the time, "Is it worth it?", " Do you really save a lot?".  My answers are YES and YES!  Seriously, because I save so much I'm able to live the way I do.  I'm able to go on annual vacations and live in our dream home and wear nice clothes.  If I didn't save all this money I wouldn't be able to do those things.  We wouldn't have the funds.  So, yeah, it takes a bit of time.  Especially to get a system down.  But, once you get a system down, it doesn't take long weekly.

There are a few areas where I've honed my expertise.  My cheapness.  These areas are groceries, toiletries, travel and clothing.  I'm pretty good at car buying too.  So good that my husband doesn't even come with me.  He shows up when it's time to sign the papers!

Couponing is the most obvious and major way I save.  I'll share a few of my tips and then go into more detail in another post.  I've got to start taking pictures of all of the stuff I come home with.  Even my husband gets excited.  And he even tells his friends.  Which is HUGE!  His buddy was here last weekend and he wanted me to give him tips, of course that was after he made fun of me!

Here are my tips:

--buy numerous Sunday papers.  We have a family of 6 and I usually buy 4-6 papers.  Having multiple coupons helps you stock up when sales are good.

--organize your coupons.  Time consuming, yes.  Pays off in the end, YES!  I do mine in a lot of categories so things are easier to find.  I have "tooth health", "hair products", "makeup", "dish soap/laundry det", "breakfast foods", "granola bars/fruit snacks", etc.  I can't do larger categories bc I have to fish through everything to find the coupons I want.

--check out Hot Coupon World.  I know it's overwhelming when  you first visit.  But, what I do, is bookmark the specific stores I visit.  So, I bookmark CVS (my favorite store for deals), Walgreens (my second fave) and my local grocery stores.  Occassionally I'll check the Target one, but usually they don't have much that I haven't found for myself.  This place is GREAT though.  You can search for coupons to see if there are any out there, they post weekly ad scans WEEKS in advance, they give you the scenarios matching the sales to coupons you should have.  They are INVALUBLE to me. (This site is free and I tend to use it for CVS and Walgreens the most.)

--also check out The Grocery Game.  This site does cost and I use it primarily for groceries.  I have had friends try it and just not like it and I've had others that are crazy about it, like me!  You can try it for four weeks (not a month) to see if you like it.  They match the sales to coupons too.  And they know about in store sales that aren't advertised.  I really like it.  It takes all the thinking out of it for me.  Usually you can't get coupons for produce, meat and milk, but she does track the prices and tells you when it's best to buy certain things.  So, chicken might be on sale this week and I'll buy a bunch.  Next week it might be ground beef.  I just stock up on whatever is on sale

--clear out space to stock up.  I learned through the Grocery Game that a sales cycle is 12 weeks long.  So, cereal may be super cheap this week and not again for 12 weeks.  So, I stock up.  Like 20 boxes stock up.  I have a pantry and a deep freeze.  I also cleared out room in my linen closets for all of the toiletries that I get for practically free.

--ONLY BUY WHAT YOU'LL USE!!  Don't buy something just because it's on sale.  To prevent myself from being tempted I only clip the coupons for things we use (or I send my unused coupons to friends).  The only exception to this rule is items that I actually make money on, but I'll talk about that another time.

--use all kinds of coupons.  Printables, the kind you peel off products (peelies), ones inside packages, REBATES, all of them.

--use a coupon clipping service.  I get coupons from The Coupon Master.  I do this when I want more coupons than I bought papers for.  But, didn't want to buy more papers.  If I want 10 coupons for granola bars, I'll go here to get them.  I'll pay a tiny fee for them, but it's better than buying the whole paper AND since my store doubles coupons it's a very small percent that I'm paying.  Plus, if I look ahead at the ad scans, sometimes I realize that I got rid of coupons or don't have enough so I order in anticipation of the sales!

Ok, that's enough overload for today, more later!

Just a quick note

Please read my post from yesterday, it's much more interesting.

Just wanted to let you all know that they have blocked 90% of the internet from work!  I'm hoping it's temporary as this has happened in the past.  But, if you don't see me commenting on your blog, that's why.  I can get into Wordpress and Typepad blogs, but not Blogger.  And I can't view any pics.

I'm really hoping it's temporary or I might go insane!