The Women: Have You Seen It?

There are a series of movies I tend to watch again and again and drive my family crazy over them.  I tend to watch a couple of different genres.  One are the movies about Europe or England specifically that deals with the wars or the royal families.  Of course now that I think of it, they are tied hand in hand usually.  I loved Braveheart and other movies like Elizabeth and The Other Boleyn Girl with Natalie Portman.  The other types involve romance/humor tied in with strong women.

 

I just watched The Women with Meg Ryan, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing and Annette Benning and love it.  I love it because it empowers a middle aged woman to be who she was meant to be.  It tells the story of what so many women endured of giving up their dreams for another dream.  Having a family is a wonderful dream and some women manage to juggle both while others tend to the family dream only.  The movie delivers a good message in that it is a reminder that you can live your other side outside of roles of mother and wife.  It shows younger women to pursue your dreams while reinforcing to us older women it's never too late.  I also liked Annette Benning's character which reminded me that I also like Samantha's character from Sex and the City.  


Other movies I enjoy are The Upside of Anger with Joan Allen and Kevin Costner, Out of Africa with Meryl Streep and an adorable Robert Redford and Becoming Jane with Anne Hathaway.  All women who struggled not only with life but with love.  Wonder if there is some hidden psychological thing going on?  Have you seen P.S. I Love You with Gerard Butler and Hillary Swank?  A real tear jerker but I love it!

 

Custom Coffee Holders by Evelyn White Fine Fabric Fancier Etsy Shop

 

Another great find for Father's Day or beyond!  These great double layered canvas java jackets are customizable and protect your hands from the heat and keeps your hands dry from summer heat with sweating cups.  The sleeve is made out of durable canvas with a velcro closure.  Fits all standard sizes of coffee cups and cold cups sold in coffee shops.  Since they are washable, they are eco-friendly!


FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE ON ALL CUSTOM JAVA JACKETS!


Click here to check out all the other great items at Evelyn White's Fine Fabric Fancier Etsy Shop.

   

Father's Day Labels & More from Martha Stewart

You still have time to get that perfect personalized present ready for Father's Day and I love today's craft from Martha Stewart.  It's also very easy.

Retro Father's Day Clip-Art Labels

He'll go nuts for personalized pistachios -- or pickles or hot sauce. In fact, these retro labels make it a cinch to turn any of Dad's favorite foods into a custom gift for Father's Day.

How-To

1. Download our designs. Print them onto plain or self-adhesive paper, enlarging or reducing the size as desired. 

2. Affix labels to cellophane bags filled with treats, jars of homemade goodies, or store-bought products. Use double-sided tape if your labels are on plain, not self-adhesive, paper.

For more great ideas, visit Martha Stewart!

  

Today's Target Savings & Sunday Coupon Preview

Pampers Wipes $2.34
Shout $1.34
South Beach Bars $2.59
Heinz Catsup $2.49
Heinz Catsup $2.49
Yoplait Go-Gurt $2.19
Armor All Glass Cleaner $2.69
Armor All Glass Cleaner $2.69


Total:                   $18.82
Out of Pocket:     $3.90*


*should have been $2.90 but the cashier or how Target took off the Armor All coupon left off a $1 savings.


Check out Red Plum for new coupons here and Coupons.com here and We Use Coupons here.


CVS Preview and Matchup for upcoming Week: http://www.weusecoupons.com/upload/cvs/64569-cvs-6-13-6-19-ecb-deals-ad-scan.html 


Food Lion Ad for Upcoming Week: http://www.weusecoupons.com/upload/food-lion/66639-6-9-6-15-ad.html 


RiteAid Preview and Matchup for upcoming Week: http://www.weusecoupons.com/upload/matchups-scans-printables/66533-ra-week-6-13-6-19-a.html#post561096 


Click below to see this Sunday's coupons:

Coupons for Bagel Bites, Scrubbing Bubbles, Huggies, General Mills and so much more in Smart Source.

Blogmania 2010: Hello Sweet World

Welcome to Hello Sweet World Etsy Shop and wonderful Blogmania 2010 sponsor of my site! For unique photo crafts, prints and unique finds, click on over to Hello Sweet World!  


Here is an example of some of the beautiful products you will find:

  

A little about Hello Sweet World:

I love photography. I learn each time I take a photograph. My camera collection is growing faster than i can keep up. But i still love them all the same. I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.

I've tried to make unique photography crafts with all my work that you won't find anywhere else. You might find a few non-photography related items too. Either way, thanks for peeking into my sweet world!

My website at www.sweetworldphotography.com 

And i'm now a member of the Photographers of Etsy team, Independent Photograhers team and Visual Arts Street Team! So check them out! 

You can also find Hello Sweet World's blog here and follow her on Twitter here.

Link Up Your Giveaways!

Need more exposure for your giveaways?  Click here and enter your giveaways!

Fashion Playtes Birthday Party Special Offer & Code

Birthdays are supposed to be a fun celebration with friends! And for those girls who are total fashionistas, FashionPlaytes has a fantastic new idea... throw a FashionPlaytes birthday! They have a fun, creative, and mess-free way to make sure your daughter and her friends have a great time!  With Fashion Playtes, your girls will get to express themselves by designing their own dream outfit, while saving you from carpooling down to the local mall! FashionPlaytes also has a ton of party ideas that will make a great addition to the creative, girly, fashion party! **Plus, they have a special BIRTHDAY offer: If you throw a birthday party with 5 guests, then the birthday girl will get a free t-shirt! Simply use the code "birthday100" and when you buy $120 in gift certificates, we will only charge you $100! This is a great offer that lets each girl design her own Jane t-shirt!

Visit FashionPlaytes.com - where girls 5-12 are fashion designers - get $10 off your next purchase!

Princesseneige Etsy Shop

Looking for necklaces, children's bags, legwarmers, scarves or more?  Don't forget to check out Princess Eneige's Etsy Shop.  Some of the handmade items feature the softest baby alpaca from Perou.   Here are just a few of the beautiful handmade items available:

  

About Princesseneige's Etsy Shop:

Original, luxurious and poetical hand knitted clothes and accessories for babies, kids and moms.

In my boutique you can find unique items for you or somebody you love. Each piece is unique and knitted with great care and special attention to details.

Using only 100% natural yarns and fabrics such as alpaca, cachmere, wool, cotton, linen, mohair and silk, this collection is made in France.

Visit her web-blog at http://princesseneige.canalblog.com/

Princesseneige has partnered up with Blogmania 2010 to provide this great giveaway item to one of my lucky winners:

Thanks to OneMillionMoms for Protecting Our Families

In a society that really makes me fear sometimes for the future, I wonder how much other generations in the past had the same fears of what is happening with our country and what is going to become of it?  I probably should do more to make changes and invoke a difference but I just keep too much on my plate and have differing priorities.  So when I can't completely do what I want to do, I have found an outlet in trying to protect my children as much as possible through other venues.  I understand there is a fine line with freedom of speech and parental responsibilities but there is also a line to draw when the material is clearly and blatantly up front and not just on TV but in advertisements and businesses.

One of my personal favorites is OneMillionMoms.com which is a project of the American Family Association.  I signed up with them a few year's ago and they are a web based, e-mail alert program that asks its members to contact certain businesses when their advertisements cross the line.  The latest one which inspired this post was asking members to contact Sears.  For their Father's Day event, there were a series of nude and semi-nude posters available for purchase.  The posters were found via a specific search and I was really surprised that Sears actually sold these posters online.  Granted, porn is everywhere and when you have a society that utilizes half dresses women to sell anything from grass killer to tires to animal feed (I am exaggerating a bit), it's no wonder there is a focus on nudity.  However, I do expect to have some decency in places that I would have expected to be harmless.  I never envisioned that I would have to monitor my kid's searching on department stores now.


So after my rant, I wanted to say thanks to the American Family Association's OneMillionMoms.com for being the voice of decency in areas our children have access to ...namely advertisements and more!  Thank you!

Flirty Apron Sale & Father's Day Gift Idea

Time to catch those adorable Flirty Aprons on sale or get your favorite dad one for Father's Day!  What better way to encourage them to cook and keep you from the task then to buy a new apron and use the excuse to try it out!


Even though they are irregular, at $12.99, you can't beat that!  Click the link at the bottom of the page for more great irregular aprons on sale.

  

June 12th National Get Outdoors Day

Did you know that children in the U.S. today spend 50% less time outdoors than they did 20 years ago? It's no wonder with TV, the internet and video games that they are too occupied to get up and get moving.

This Saturday, June 12th, is the National Get Outdoors Day and the USDA Forest Service and the Ad Council are promoting this day to help you get your kids and families outdoor and spend some time in the forests getting reconnected with nature and all the great offerings an active lifestyle can give you.  

The DiscoverTheForest.org website will give you the tools and motivation to get out there and build some memories while doing something good for all of your health!

At http://www.DiscoverTheForest.org you can find…

·         An excellent “nature finder” tool that lets you simply type in your zip code and find the nearest forest, park or nature sanctuary

·         Lots of fun online games that will teach parents and kids interesting things about nature, like how to identify wildlife tracks or use a compass

·         Tips for parents on how to help get their kids outside and enjoying nature, including an activity book of stuff to do when out in nature

·         You can fan them at facebook.com/DiscoverTheForest for access to fun photos, tips, nature information and much more

They're celebrating the great outdoors on Twitter, too. Discover The Forest’s Twitter “spokes-animal,” Cheecker the squirrel, has a hashtag (#DiscoverNature) for people to show their support for getting kids into nature. 

Spread the word on Twitter with this message as I just did:

RT @cheecker Saturday is National Get Outdoors Day! Get out and #DiscoverNature with our site: http://bit.ly/bfQlh6

The Ad Council and the USDA Forest Service have also partnered with DreamWorks Animation for a new series of PSAs featuring Shrek. Want to help get your kids outside? Watch this video to remind yourself, and them, that surprises exist everywhere in the forest: 

Avon: Traveling & Packing is a Breeze

Make packing a breeze this summer with Avon! Whether you’re visiting museums and monuments in Europe, enjoying a tropical honeymoon, or treating yourself to a weekend get-a-way, Avon has the perfect styles that will make traveling stress-free and stylish.  With all fashi

on favorites under $30, you won’t have a melt down if your luggage gets lost.

Dress to Impress

Create show-stopping style with the Rolling in Roses Dress ($29.99). Embellished with a subtle, yet chic, rose trim, this black, wrinkle-free number is super flattering and will go with everything in your suitcase!  

Beach-Ready Fancy Footwear

Perfect for the beach, sightseeing, or dining out, you cannot beat the comfort and style of the Jelly Blossoms Sandals ($14.99). Topped with a blooming red flower, these sandals will brighten your day :)

Funk it Up with Glam Jewelry 

Embellish your look with the Multistrand Beaded Bracelet ($14.99). The versatility of this bracelet is perfect for traveling and easy to pair with shorts and sandals for day, as well as with a dress and heels for evening. (Try stacking three of one color for a more chunky look!)

Top it Off with Snazzy Shades

Protect your eyes and add chic style to your look with these Modern Aviators ($14.99). A classic shape with a thin rim frame that is available in white or green, why not go for both!

Eager to find more Avon styles for the fashionable jet-setter? Check out the complete Avon Summer Fashion Collection, all available through an Avon representative, at http://www.avon.com.

*Disclaimer: Information provided by company or PR representative.

Guest Post: Men's Health Week by Steve Jasper

Every year, Men's Health Week falls on the seven days prior to Father's Day. The significance of this event would mean nothing without first realizing that one's health is not only a measure of the lifestyle you lead, but how you stay in shape as well. A fraction of men are regular gym-goers who work out tirelessly with exercise equipment in order to keep their bodies healthy and active. Men realize that working out serves a more important function than just building muscles. Working out can help you improve your body image, self confidence, and even add years to your life.

 

Men's Health Week (June 14-20^th) is a week of awareness involving health issues and diseases for men that easily can be averted with early action, treatment, and healthy prevention. It's no coincidence that Men's Health Week leads right up to Father's Day because Father's Day is where we celebrate a man we love and wish nothing but health and happiness to. Yet, how can more men be proactive in staying healthy and avoiding illness and heath issues? Well, a good place to start is to be educated about how to use the gym, and exactly how important it is to do so. A better knowledge of how to properly exercise is integral to fighting obesity and improving your health.

The list of ailments that go along with obesity is almost endless: diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, respiratory problems, and even cancer all have higher incidence rates in the obese. This is scary enough, but looking at the statistics, it's even more frightening. The Journal of the American Medical Association states that 72 percent of men over the age of 20 are considered to be overweight or obese while 32 percent are dangerously obese. This is too much- especially when studies held by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have shown that physical activity may greatly reduce the risk of both obesity and most health conditions in men.

Depending on who you ask, going to the gym may either seem like a hobby or a chore, but following those routines are important to staying fit and healthy for men everywhere. Now, we all come up with excuses as to why we can't work out. When polled, the biggest reason men gave for not being able to exercise is, "not enough time." The best way to overcome this hurdle is by getting your hands on one of your own personal home gyms. When you factor in the time it takes to travel back and forth from your fitness center, the gas money spent to do so, and the various membership fees, a home gym starts to look like a very reasonable option. And if you are more likely to work out regularly on your home gym than you are at your club, then all the more reason to pick one up.

Steve Jasper is not a medical expert. If you have any serious medical concerns, please consult a qualified medical professional before undertaking a new fitness regimen. Steve is a contributing blogger from Gymsource who writes an all topics related to fitness equipment and more.

Free 4x6 Photo Book & Free Photo Wall Calendar from Vista

Perfect for Father's Day or that summer birthday, shower or wedding coming up!


Vista Print - Free 4x6 Photo Flip Book. The handy 4” x 6” size is easy to carry wherever you go. Upload your photos and customize with captions. Includes 10 pages with one photo per page. Promotion Allowed: Contextual, Newsletter, Banner, Social by clicking here.

Vista Print - Free Photo Wall Calendar. Wall Calendars Impress family and friends. Choose icons, add captions and upload photos for a special touch. Size: 11" x 8.5" Easy to design and order. Makes a great gift for customers, friends and family. Fun, unique and affordable . Promotion Allowed: Contextual, Newsletter, Banner, Social by clicking here.

Deals & Next Week's Coupon Insert Preview & Sales

Okay, we are still learning on how to best utilize the whole coupon-deal saving thing especially at CVS.  We thought we had that great deal down on the razors but in our hast of thinking if we both went through the line to complete our first transaction as I already had five ECBs and that I would hand the five ECBs to my daughter to purchase the same razor, we messed up!  Duh ... we both need a CVS card!  I should have known this as I messed up last week with a deal by trying to purchase two items and forgetting the ECBs were one per product/customer purchase.  So thanks to CVS Deals on WeUseCoupons, we did get two razors that would have cost over $19 for under $5.  Still not bad for newbies!


Our Target deals are coming and thanks to WeUseCoupons, we found some good deals here: Target Deals on WeUseCoupons.


Want to get a jump on next week?


CVS Preview and Matchup for upcoming Week here.

Wags Preview and Matchup for upcoming Week here. 

RiteAid Preview and Matchup for upcoming Week here.  

Food Lion Ad for Upcoming Week here. 


Coupon Preview for Next Week here.

Part of Avon: Mark Products Did You Know?

I signed up to be a Mark Rep year's ago and never really did much with it due to competing priorities (i.e. kids with chronic conditions).  I recently received an e-mail asking me to get re-involved and after looking at all that Mark has to offer, I thought I would share as I had no idea how much they have changed.  Look at some of the cute fashion they carry:

This is a reversible skirt so you can get two looks with one purchase:

Don't forget about the make up as there are great options and don't forget Mark is part of Avon!

Martha Stewart's Magnetic Gardening Gloves Craft Project

I love this project because I'm always losing my gardening gloves. I hate the idea of weeding and finding a spider hidden so the gloves are my way of feeling better. I think I've also learned to not wear my glasses because if I don't see them, they aren't there, right? It's what I tell myself anyway along with the label on bars of chocolate. I'm a Martha fan and I'm proud to say it. She's amazing in every way and I hope I look as great as she does!


My e-mail this morning revealed this great simple project that will help me keep track of my gloves.


Here it is compliments of Martha Stewart's website:

1. Cut two 1 1/4-inch-long pieces of 3/4-inch-wide grosgrain ribbon. Sew 1 piece of ribbon to inside of cuff, leaving 1 side open (for a neater hem, fold under the cut ends of ribbon before stitching).

2. Slip a 1/2-inch rare-earth disk magnet into the pocket; stitch to close. Repeat process with second glove. In the garden, keep gloves within reach by attaching them to a metal bucket or to each other around one of your belt loops.


So easy and smart!  Why didn't I think of that??

Swagbucks: Way to Get Prizes and More! I Just Ordered a $30 Target Card

Join Swagbucks for great prizes and more!  I cashed mine in for a $30 Target gift card and right now when you sign up, you can get 50 Swagbucks by using code SUMMEROFSWAG!


It's free & easy!

It's a Girl-to-Be!

The ultrasound confirmed my daughter is having a girl!  What a surprise as we were sure it was a boy!

CONGRATULATIONS TO APRIL & CODY!