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Monday, March 18, 2013

The Power of Couponing

I am a big fan of couponing. In fact, I am a big fan of saving money in general! I have researched around trying to find some of the best deals and finally hit a small jackpot! Please let me know if you have heard of any other places, but so far these are a few of my most favorites!

  1. 3 Boys and a Dog has an easy to read chart which printable coupons from sites she recommends. She also has a great page that covers coupon lingo.
  2. The Greenbacks Gal is your go to site for Organic Coupons.
  3. Luv a Bargain walks us through  how to start using coupons and she also shares resources for printable coupons.
  4. Crystal & Co shares printable coupons and great deals through out the week.
  5. Money Saving Mom- great site for coupons and ways to save money period.
  6. Surviving the Stores shares printable coupons and great information on where to begin.
  7. Grocery Shop for Free has a great coupon database.
After doing some searching on Pinterest I came across a blog that listed the following to be her personal favorites:

  1. Moms by Heart
  2. The Q Tipping Mom
  3. Coupon Network
  4. Southern Savers
  5. Passion for Savings
  6. Faithful Provisions
  7. The Krazy Coupon Lady
  8. Coupon Mom
  9. We Use Coupons
  10. Mommy Saves Big
  11. Hip2Save
  12. Caring with Coupons 
  13. Free Coupon Alerts
As a mom I understand keeping up on couponing can be a giant pain, but just think of all the money you will save by just doing it! It doesn't ever hurt to just try it for a month of so - if it's not for you, then so be it!

Thursday, March 7, 2013

2013 Trends

10 Remodeling Trends for 2013

What will be some of the TOP 2013 trends for home remodeling, you ask?
Ready...
Set....
GO!

1. Go Green~
The main trend for 2013 is going to be using eco-friendly materials within your remodel and/or build. Everyone wants to live a healthy lifestyle and it is looking to be pretty popular over the next year. Contractors are going to be asked more and more to GO GREEN!



2. Kitchen Cabinet Style~
A sleek kitchen cabinet (borderline contemporary) is going to be the most popular this year. Something EASY: Easy to clean, easy to look at, easy all around. The sleek look is becoming more and more popular and the contemporary look is being mixed in with different "themes" to better create the look!


3. Let's Talk Countertops~
Out with the old in with the NEW! Granite is SO YESTERDAY! If you want to jump on the trend wagon you best be looking into Quartz! Quartz is about 25% more expensive then granite but with price you get QUALITY! Quartz is virtually maintenance free and is 100% sealed. I like to say this countertop is bullet proof!


4. The Look of Hardwood~
The look of hardwood is so POPULAR! Carpet is really sitting on the back burner this year to make room for tile and hardwood. Whether you do authentic hardwood, engineered hardwood, or hardwood looking TILE - there is really an option for everyone and every lifestyle and the "look" of hardwood is definitely growing more popular!


5. Decorate That Backsplash in Glass~
The decorated backsplash is growing more and more popular! Glass tile may be too trendy for some people but whether you do a little or a LOT - glass is the trend for 2013! Some people may do the whole backsplash where others might do a "rug" of glass tile behind the stove top. Whatever you choose, glass tile is a beautiful touch to any kitchen theme!


6. Stylish Simple Sinks~
The two part sink is growing less and less popular every year! This year the trendy sink is going to be a one part over-sized, "simple", sleek appeal sink! 


7. Color Trend~
The 2013 color trend is going to be shades and hues of gray! Anything from the contemporary charcoal or gray to blue's and green's with gray hue's is going to be popping up in a lot of remodeled homes. Neutrals are going to be sitting this year out it looks like!


8. The Elegant Bath~
Bathroom trends are leaning towards marble in 2013! Whether you use a real marble, engineered marble, or a cultured marble with gray veins - you are going to be apart of this elegant trend! People are loving the sleek marble countertop look and it's even getting popular in tub surrounds and shower walls! 

9. A Touch of Sparkle~
Touches of "sparkle" will be popping up a lot more this year! Whether you have some sparkle specks in your countertop, a sparkle in your backsplash, or some sparkling lighting - you are going to want to be apart of this trend! Sparkles bring light to a room, make the room inviting, and it's timeless!


10. In It For The Long Run~
People in 2013 are going to want to remodel there home to STAY. It is so much cheaper to stay in your existing home and remodel it then move into a new home. We just did a remodel for a woman who lived in a very high end neighborhood, in a colonial style home, 3 levels, 4 baths. To remodel the ENTIRE home was about $500,000 CHEAPER then move into something of similar value. Make the kitchens roomier, choose options that will be easier to keep clean, choose materials with little maintenance, give yourself more storage options, 
and virtually remodel your home to stay.


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

7 Uses for Tension Rods

I don't know if you have seen this story floating around Pinterest -- BUT I have! And I think it is absolutely fabulous! There are so many uses for tension rods around the home! Tension rods are usually fairly inexpensive and sometimes you can even find them at dollar stores or the Family Dollar store for cheap cheap cheap!

I found on Pinterest 8 different uses that are going to THRILL you if you haven't already seen this post and been thrilled! 


^ Shoe Divide! ^


^ Extra Storage For Small Items - Like Spices! ^


^ A Spray Painted Tension Rod=Curtain Rod for Awkward Places! ^


^ Storage for Lids! ^


^ Help Store Cutting Boards & Cooking Sheets! ^


^ Ribbon and/or Wrapping Paper Storage! ^


^ Make a Small Space Fit More! ^

Friday, March 1, 2013

Easter Dreaming!

So I have been on the hunt all morning searching for fun/easy St. Patrick's Day DIY, crafts, and recipes. Unfortunately  I was unsuccessful  I am sorry but the green pancakes, green tinsel wreathes, and 4 leaf clover crafts just were not my cup of tea! 

So-- I have decided to move on to another spring holiday...

Easter.

Ahh Easter, the true beginning of spring -- Can you just smell summer right around the corner? Because when I think Easter... I think summer is on it's way!

So, unfortunately I am not going to entertain green food this morning.. but I will entertain a fabulous Easter DIY wreath! Who doesn't want something fabulous and decorative on their front door? Plus, who else is guilty of still having their Christmas wreath up?? (only me?)


DIY Easter Wreath! 
(click the image for DIY instructions)

Who doesn't love keeping the kids and grand kids happy while you're cooking up Easter dinner? Why not give them a craft to do! You can always do the good ol' sugar cookie frosting, coloring book pages, decorating eggs (which they probably already did the night before), or.... make foam cup bunnies?? Why not!

Easy Easter Crafts!
(click the image for DIY instructions)

Now... note that I said -- While you are making dinner. So what did you plan to make? I don't know about you, but my family always has a huge Easter lunch or dinner! What about some Bunny Bait for the kids, Apple Cider Pork & Potatoes with Roaster Asparagus for dinner, and Zippy Cinnamon Rolls for dessert? Ta-Dah!

Easter Dinner!
(click the image for cooking instructions)