The World of Couponing!

I have ventured into the vast world of couponing! After reading multiple blogs and sites I decided to try and work the savings for myself. Before I started reading up on this I had very little luck with coupons, finding that it was still cheaper to buy the store brands then get something like 25 cents off the name brand. But I am learning so much and saving so much!

Here are a few rules I have learned:
1. Get a Sunday paper and all the coupon flyers in it!!
2. Print coupons online off of sites like coupons.com
3. Match coupons with rock bottom sale prices- Kroger always has a lot of items on sale for a dollar, match a coupon with this price and it costs pocket change.
4. Stock up when you can get something deeply discounted.
5. Plan meals around what is a deal that week

I have been really impressed with Kroger so far. The cashiers have been extremely helpful and have answered LOTS of my questions. My Kroger doubles coupons 60 cents and under so that leads to even more savings.

The first week I tried it I saved $25.76 in coupon and store sale savings. This week I saved $42.93 and spent a whopping $6.75! The extremely low price for a week's worth of groceries can largely be credited to $25 that I got on my kroger card for simply transferring a prescription there. What a deal!

These are my best deals so far:

Wonder hot dog buns FREE (regulary 2.49)
Pillsbury Grands Juniors biscuits FREE (regularly 1.00)
Dove Deodorant $.74 (regularly 4.19)
Old Spice Deodorant for 1.88 each (regularly 3.20 each)

Activia yogurt 4 pack for $.88 (regulary 2.79)

Some other great deals not pictured:
Barlett Pears .99/lb
Peaches .99/lb
Oscar Meyer hot dogs 1.50 (regularly 3.29)
Frozen Steamer veggies 1.00 (regularly 2.15)
Kroger Fruit Snacks 1.00 (regularly 2.00)
Bounty Paper Towels .50 (regularly 1.39)
Kroger Chicken Breasts 1.99/lb (regularly 3.00/lb)

Ronnie says this is my new hobby and maybe he is right. I love a good bargain!

Oh dear....More Dishes!

Today I went to return something to Old Navy and remembered that I was right by a Goodwill thrift store that I had just discovered this summer. The first time I went in there were no treasures to be found. On a whim today I thought I would just run in and scope things out. I was quite excited with what I found!!


Look at this adorable 26 piece set of vintage dishes that I bought for a mere $18! I've mentioned my love for dishes before and I just couldn't resist this colorful and unique breakfast/dessert set. It came with 6 dessert plates, 8 cups and saucers, the creamer, the sugar bowl and the coffee/tea pot, AND (giddy excitement) a cake plate!!

I love the bright fun colors and vintage appeal!

The cups are an interesting shape for sure. The pattern is called Millefleur from the Avant-Garde Collection (made in Japan). Know anything about these? I haven't seen them anywhere online.

Honeymoon Basket

Since its been awhile since I last blogged I figured I better update lest I lose the few faithful readers that I have :)

I was looking through my pictures for inspiration and realized I never shared my "Honeymoon Basket." I waited for fear the bride and groom would see it before it was delivered to them, but that has been months ago!

When we married my best friend and her hubby made us one of these. We took it along with us to Santa Rosa Beach and loved everything in it! So I copied the idea for Ronnie's brother and his bride.

This is a fun, creative, and practical gift (well if the couple is driving somewhere, I don't think it would make a flight. It could also be used as a house warming gift.) Just find a cute and sturdy basket- think about something that could be used for a cute decorative purpose after. Then fill it with fun food and champagne.

We filled ours with champagne, fun fruit teas, chocolate, nuts, olive oil and bread dipping spices, salsa, crackers, cheese and nutella.

Don't forget to add some cute dishes, napkins, small silverware and towel. We found a lot of this at World Market.

Then pack the basket, wrap some cellophane on it, tie a bow and deliver to the happy couple!

Freebies!!

I love freebies!! Thought I would share a few with you. To help cool off this summer treat yourself to a free sweet tea at McAlister's on July 23!


Also download 9 free live songs from Coldplay on their website.

Enjoy!

Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig!

We are finally home again after almost 2 months of working at summer camp! It was a great time at camp (more to come on that later), but now we are certainly glad to be back home again in our house. After a summer of eating lots of kid food...chicken fingers, steak fingers, corn dogs, chicken dogs, etc we were craving some good fresh food with lots of fruits and veggies. Last night we enjoyed a recipe from my Martha Stewart Everyday Foods: Grilled Lemon Chicken with Tabbouleh. I made a few substitutions and additions. I used couscous instead of the bulgur and added feta and fresh mint. Turned out yummy!

Yay for fresh veggies!

Tabbouleh

No more food in the form of sticks or fingers! :)

More Birthday Fun!

April is a big birthday month for us! Saturday we celebrated Ronnie's 27th birthday. The started with breakfast in bed for the man of the day (this is one of his family's traditions).


We enjoyed the rest of the day and relaxed, but the big excitement was that night. We had family over for dinner and presents!

I enjoyed setting the table in honor of the celebration!

We enjoyed dinner and then cupcakes (served on my new cupcake stand)!! The birthday boy requested Funfetti Jello Cake Cupcakes with Orange Whipped Cream Icing...how is that for a tall order?!

Last and certainly not least were presents. He got quite the stash!!

Birthday Fun!

I had a birthday last week and my sweet husband made sure it was a special day. When I got home from school he had decorated with streamers!

(notice the cute green table runner, a present from my mom)

He bought 25 candles too to go on my lemon cupcakes.


And there were presents too! I got a Wii fit that has provided hours of entertainment and exercise. As well as lots of other fun treats!