The best day ever!!

do you ever get in a slump and need some cheering up? Does anything ever take you by surprise and just enlighten your whole day or week??

I often times get in a rut and find very little can cheer me up. Usuaully a smile from the little man and a nice evening with the hubs will help but if you've ever been in a deep rut you know what I mean.

And today just seemed to be one of those days where you know someone's looking out for you.

I woke up late this morning (grandma took care of the baby and let me sleep in). We went out to lunch where he behaved perfectly (NEVER happens). Then came target where I scored some major free taster's choice coffee singles!!!! Then off to Wegmans where we got ingredients for tuna Noodle casserole which is my favorite.
While we were at Wegmans a friend of mine texted to let me know that i was the lucky winner of one of the Silhouette Giveaways!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Thanks to amanda over at Crafts By amanda i now get to play around with the greatest craft toy ever!!!! (well when it ships that is).

Later at Wegmans we were checking out and I looked back to see an old friend who I hadn't seen since high school graduation. He'd been away for college and then overseas for some time and all of a sudden we were in the same check out line. How amazing!!!

I think today has lifted my spirits in a huge way, just the kind of day I needed, and that i needed to blog about!!!!

how have your weeks been turning out/ the weather is sulky here but it can't shake my mood!

Night of Hope for Breast Cancer

Sutter Home wine is sponsoring something amazing... Night of Hope!! And if you "like" their Facebook Page you can sign up to receive a Night of Hope kit for FREE.

Though it does not include actual wine it does include some pretty great items to have a wonderful girl's night in with the most special women in your lives. The kit includes:
Sutter Home for Hope pink Chico Bag
Pink ribbon bracelets
Pink corkscrew
Wine tasting skirts
Recipes and more

I am a huge supporter of Breast Cancer research. I plan to get a group together by next year to do the Susan G 3-day walk (this is another "what would I do if I could not fail"). I usually end up buying out wal-mart's supply of merchandise come October, and why??? No reason. I just feel passionately about it.

and here's even better news. If you GO HERE, you can add a "twibbon" to either twitter or facebook which puts a small wine label in the corner of your profile picture and they will Donate $1 to breast cancer research (no purchasing anything, no signing up, just allowing them usage of your profile picture)!!!!!!!

Just saw another thing on their site. If you buy any Sutter Home (I thought it was just their White Zinfindel) you can send in your capsule from the top of the bottle in and they will donate $1 for every capsule sent in!!!!

So sign up to Receive the kit on facebook (I WILL ALSO BE DOING A GIVEAWAY FOR ONE), buy a bottle of White Zin and gather up your closest gal pals and enjoy a night of fun together, and watch Beaches because is there any great chick flick??

Simple Dessert/ Blog Hop/ Great CVS deal

DESSERT:
Tonight I made the easiest and most delicious dessert. I call it zebra cake, i know it has other names though. It takes about 10 minutes to make, and about 4-6 hours to chill.
what you need:
1 tsp vanilla extract
8oz heavy whipping cream (near coffee creamer)
1 package 9 oz of famous chocolate wafer cookies (near the oreos usually)

-mix the cream and vanilla in a bowl until it has the consistency of whipped cream.
-Layer the cream onto the cookies, some use a spoon, my mom and I always dipped our fingers in and got super messy. You want a good amount on each cookie.
-layer the cookies in a log shape (exactly how they come in the box but now with cream). You can do this on a plate or you can use a bread pan as I do.
-cover entire log with remaining cream
-if desired sprinkle chocolate shavings or cookie crumbs over top of the log (i never have)
-chill for 4-6 hours. It's served cold so it doesn't matter how long you keep it in but you want the wafers to get soft
-EAT!!!

*******

CVS DEAL
some of you may or may not know but I have recently fallen in love with CVS and RiteAid.
This week there are no special deals or great savings to get excited over but one that isn't half bad.

Look for the The P&G Insert in this Sundays paper which also includes the CVS weekly ad showing ECB’s for this product. You can get a Oral-B Vitality Toothbrush for FREE starting on Sunday!

Here’s How To Work Your MoJo:

$23.00 Oral-B Vitality Toothbrush
- 10.00 with $10.00/1 Oral-B Vitality Toothbrush 09/26/2010 P&G Insert (exp 10/31/10)
- 13.00 ECB (use on future purchase)
= $ 0.00 or FREE after coupon and ECB

and since the limit on this is 2 – you can run the deal twice and end up with two Free Oral-B Toothbrushes!! Just use your $13.00 ECB and another $10.00 coupon on your second transaction and get 2 for FREE plus you’ll have the other $13 ECB from the 2nd transaction to use on future purchases!!

Thanks to MojoSavings

*******

BLOG HOP FRIDAY
Just linked in to another friend finder blog hop. This looks pretty good, lots of entries!!

New Mantra for business and life

As I was chowing down on an entire bag of Dove Milk Chocolates, I read every single quote typed up on the foil.

Little thoughts, and mantras that women have submitted to the company that inspire them. Usually I think they are cheesy and very "fortune cookie" but one I read today made me really think.

"What would you do if you could not fail?"

WOW. It got me to think how many things in life we hold back from doing because we are afraid of failure and rejection. Everything from taking our first steps as infants to asking our crush out, to pushing a new idea to a business partner. Everything we do involves making choices and from what I witness it has become so very easy to take the less challenging road and stick with what we know.
"We fear change"

I know personally, I have let fear lead my life. I never asked for a raise or promotion at work because I was happy and complacent with where I was at. In my business I'm finding myself struggling to network and market because I am afraid that people will see me as a goof.

If I could do anything and not fail it would be something along the lines of saying hello to every single person in a busy place; mall, airport, college lecture even.

SO... what would you do if you could not fail?? I would love to hear what you are holding back from doing, or have held back from doing in the past due to a "fear" of failure or rejection.

Uses for household items

Just picked up the new October issue of All You Magazine. If you haven't read or purchased this magazine you really are missing out. It's perfect for money saving ideas, decorating tips, fashion trends, as well as so many delicious recipes.

I found an article in there about using items you may already have in your house for cleaning up, which will slash your budget for all those pricey cleansers. (I am addicted to trying new cleaning agents, I purchase every new item on the market in hopes something will be a miracle cure... more to follow about greased lightning)...anyway,

Here's their short list:

BAKING SODA (roughly $1 for 16 oz)

-Deodorize Carpets - Sprinkle with baking soda, leave overnight, then vacuum in the morning. (normal carpet freshening powder can run $4 a canister)

- Get Rid of Grime - Put a little baking soda on a sponge to wipe down your bathroom sink and tub. (cost of lime away $3.69, and scrubbing bubbles spray $5.00)
-Freshen Laundry - Add 1/4 cup to the rinse cycle
- "Give your dishwasher a fresh scent. Run the wash cycle for 30 seconds, then pour 1 cup of baking soda into the base. Let stand overnight, then restart."

WHITE VINEGAR (roughly $1 for 16 ounces)

-Prevent mildew - Wipe your fridge with a 50-50 water-vinegar solution.
- Brighten whites - Add 1/2 cup to the rinse cycle
- Make them sparkle - Clean windows with a 50-50 water-winegar solution (average bottle of Windex is $4.00)

LEMON (roughly $1 for 2 lemons)

-Purify your microwave - Warm a heat resistant bowl filled with water and a few slices of lemon for 30 seconds.
-Remove stains - Apply juice to white and colorfast garments, then let dry in the sun

Wordless Wednesday

linked to

Always Late

Just linked in to Follow me Back Tuesday (late of course)

CVS deal Dove Chocolate

Dove Chocolate 9.5 oz bags are on sale at CVS for $2.99

When I scanned my CVS Card at the red box it spit out a $1.00 off Dove chocolate coupon. I combined that with a $1.00 off Dove chocolate manufacturer's coupon and I got a bag of chocolate for $0.99

This just goes to show, always bring those coupons in with you, you never know what kind of deals you can find!

Free Quaker bar sample

For a limited time (due to popularity) you can request a free sample of Quaker Life Soft Baked Bars from Wal-Mart.
You have a choice between Banana Walnut Bread (my choice!) or Cinnamon Roll Raisin Pecan

Click HERE to get your sample now!!

Blog Design

Ever since our blog makeover I have been so thrilled with the look and feel of Hart of Stone. I have to thank the designer Kristen.

She is a fabulous designer and editor!!!! She worked with me to design exactly what I wanted until it was perfect. She edited codes and everything which is something I could never ever do.

If you are interested in your own blog makeover she is currently holding a "giveaway" to any followers of her blog Dear Piper.

If you head on over there now!! and follow her, you can enter in to have your own blog makeover. It's well worth it. Her blog is amazing to boot, craft ideas, fashion tips, recipes and more. Head on over!!!

CVS/ Riteaid trip

what I got:
RITEAID
2 small packs of Huggies little movers size 4
2 packs of Kotex U liners
2 Clorox clean-up with bleach
Listerine Zero mouthwash

CVS
Hefty Trash bags
Soft Scrub Total cleaner
2 right guard deodorants
2 Revlon Lustrous lipsticks
Schick Hydro shave gel

Riteaid Breakdown:

2 packs of Huggies @ 8.99 each = $17.98
-$2.50 manufacturer coupon
-$2.50 manufacturer coupon
-$1.00 Riteaid Video coupon
2 Clorox cleaner = 2 for $5.00
- $1.00 off two manufacturer coupon
2 Kotex products = 2 for $7.00
-$1.00 Manufacturer coupon
-$1.00 manufacturer coupon
Listerine Zero = $2.99 (best price by far anywhere)
-$1.00 Riteaid Video coupon
-$2.00 Manufacturer coupon

total came to $33.27 before coupons
I used a $5.00 off $25 = 28.27
total with coupons = $16.27
I had $10 +up rewards from last week which made it $6.27
total minus .30 in tax = $5.97
+ up rewards = $9.00
Gift Card earned = $10.00
Savings of 82%

CVS Breakdown:
2 Rightguard deodorants @2.49 = 4.98
-$3.00 off 2 manufacturer coupon
2 Revlon Lipsticks @6.99 = 13.98
-$2.00 Manufacturer coupon
-$1.00 (supposed to be $2.00 just caught it)
Hefty trash bags = $6.99
-$1.00 manufacturer coupon
Schick Hydro shave gel = $2.79
-$1.00 manufacturer coupon
Soft Scrub cleaner = $1.99
-$1.00 manufacturer coupon

total for everything =$30.73
Total after coupons = $21.73
total after using CVS bucks = $3.97 OOP
ECB's received $16.80
Savings of 87%

total for everything before $64.00
with coupons and rebates = $9.94 (should have been $8.94)
total savings of 85%
NOT TOO BAD

Frankly Fatherhood

Holiday Pet Peeves

Labor day has come and gone which means one of two thing; neither of which I really understand.
1st - I am no longer allowed to wear white. Someone please explain this to me later. 2nd - it won't be long before i am hearing all about Christmas sales. It's only halfway through September and soon the focus of society will be on a holiday all the way at the end of December. WHY?!?
If you want to forget about Halloween that's fine, it's your call. Personally I haven't dressed up or made a jack-o-lantern in years, but I have never lost sight of the fun in Halloween. Now with my son in my life, I get to relive the fun all over again. But what I can understand is why Thanksgiving is constantly overlooked.

Soon, the only time I'll hear the word "thanksgiving" is sandwiched in between "after" and "sale". To say this bothers me would be an understatement. Thanksgiving may just be my favorite holiday. maybe it's because this is the only holiday that truly centers around food. But mostly because of what I really think it means.
To me Thanksgiving means it's time to surround yourself with family and forget about your worries for a while. It's a time to be happy you are spending time with those who are around you, and to remember the times with those who are no longer with you.

How can this holiday be so easily overlooked and thought of in no way other than the day before "Black Friday". How did Black Friday become a bigger Holiday than Thanksgiving?? I just don't understand. Perhaps I never will. In closing, I ask you please, after Thanksgiving dinner is over, spend an extra half-hour at least with those you are with. Play games, tell jokes, or just sit and talk for a while longer before you run back to the football game on TV or run to the ads to map out your Black Friday onslaught. Football seasons and sales are infinite, holidays with family are not.

NATHAN

Wordless Wednesday

Baseball Wedding

As you know, when it came time for me to start planning our June wedding, I was flooded with ideas, and themes. I have been planning since I can remember and have folders upon folders on the computer of ideas and the like.

One idea I never thought of for us personally but LOVE is a baseball inspired wedding. We live 45 minutes away from Citizen's Bank Park home of the 2008 World Series Champion Phillies!! It would have been so great to get to say "i do" on home plate.

But if you are like me and can't afford that kind of party, but want a great summer baseball wedding, it doesn't have to be cheesy in any way. Check these pictures out for some inspiration...


using baseball cards as escort cards is a great way to incorporate your favorite team or players in to your theme. If you are going for vintage baseball find vintage cards (they sell for cheap if you're not picky)


finding stationary that can tie the colors and textures of baseball in is a great way to get guests pumped for your big day. According to the bride who bought these, the stitching of the baseball becomes flowers when you open the invitation!


here is a great idea board. Cracker jacks and popcorn are great party favors to pass out to your guests. The bride and groom wearing cleats on an actual base (love it). What about using a scoreboard or something close to use as a directional sign


what about this cute idea for a guest book. Have guests sign individual baseballs with messages for the bride and groom. You could also have them sign a base, either of these you can frame in a shadow box for display purposes.

There are so many inspiration blogs and boards out there for everything from team themed weddings to vintage baseball themes. If you're interested in this theme, the sky is really the limit.

CVS trip #1 for the week 9/12-9/18

So we made our first trip in to CVS for this week. So far I've been doing fairly well at racking up the goods and saving the cash. This is almost like a game for me, to see how much merchandise I can get and for how little. If I know I have to put money out of pocket for the item, I will usually only buy it if it something I truly need, but if I can get it for free and get money back for it, I will go ahead and buy stuff that we will "use eventually".

Some people say this method is silly, but others debate that if you can "get paid" to buy things you will eventually get use out of why not?

So trip one got me the following:

1 Nivea for men active 3 body wash - regular - $5.99
sale price - $4.99
coupon - $1/1
price - $3.99
ECB received - $4.99 (made it a $1 money maker)
1 tylenol precise back pain patch - regular $7.99
sale price - $5.99
CVS coupon - $2/1
coupon- $2/1
price - $0.99
ECB received - $2.00 (made it a $1 money maker)
6 Hersheys chocolate bars - regular - $0.89
sale price - buy 2 get 1 free ($0.59 each)
coupon - 3 x $1/2
price - $0.56
1 Alive women's multivitamin - regular - $9.99
coupon - $1/1
price - $8.99
ECB - $9.99 (made this a $1 money maker)

All in all it cost me $0.56 for $29.31 worth of merchandise which is a savings of 98%

AND I got $17.98 back in ECB's (extra ECB from scanning my green tag 4 times)

Weekend Update

Not much to blog about at this early hour, but I thought I would share some of what everyone can look forward to this week.

-hopefully an entry in to shutter love from thetrendytreehouse
-wordless wednesday (been slacking on that)
-Frankly Fatherhood (nate's been slacking)
-more yummy recipe tutorials
-a few CVS shopping experiences
-my adventures in to my first craft show!!
-more awesome crafts to see on etsy
and who knows what else.

so keep stopping back in to see what we're up to!

A Twist on Pigs in a Blanket

The husband and I have very little as far as food in our fridge at the moment, so last night when we were contemplating what to make for dinner tonight we remembered that lone pound of ground turkey sitting in the middle of the freezer.

I love ground turkey and found you can use it almost anywhere that calls for ground beef so I thought about using it in a spaghetti sauce. But for some reason or another the idea came to me to make a variation on pigs in a blanket using ground turkey meatloaf logs.
Ingredients:
1 pound ground turkey1 egg
1 package crescent rolls (we use garlic flavored)
any seasoning you prefer (we used: breadcrumbs, dried onions, and garlic powder)
1 package mozzarella cheese (not shown)

Materials:
bowl to mix ingredients
baking sheet for rolls
frying pan to cook the meatloaf logs

Step 1: Mix Turkey and egg in a bowl with your seasoning ingredients. We flavor to taste so I don't have measurements.Step 2: take the mixture and roll into small "logs". The best way I can describe them is the same size and shape as a cocktail weenie or a breakfast sausage link.Step 3: Preheat your oven to cook your rolls. Brown the "logs" in a skillet until they are cooked or at least mostly cooked (we overcook everything). I would say about 8-10 minutes total, flipping half way depending on the thickness.

Step 4: Once the "logs" are browned, place them on a paper towel on e plate to soak up the small amount of grease. Roll out your crescents on your baking sheet. Just like with pigs in a blanket you want to roll your turkey "log" up in to the crescent. We added mozzarella cheese inside the crescent as we rolled it up.

Step 5: Please your rolls in the oven. The recommended cook time was 11-13 minutes but we had to cook them about 5 extra minutes to account for the addition of the turkey.

Step 6: take your rolls out of the oven, wait for them to cool and enjoy. You can dip them in a sauce to make them the perfect appetizer. We used some spaghetti sauce since we had them before a pasta dinner (in which we used the extra turkey logs as "sausage")

Wedding hooplah

My first post involving weddings, and it's a rant more so than anything.

Nothing is more exciting, stressful, aggravating, and expensive than planning a wedding. We spend years searching for our soul mate, then when it comes time to take the plunge we are stuck with a plethora of decisions from food to color pallet, to of course, the dress.

But the most commonly uttered phrase and to me the most annoying is "as long as you end up married to the person you love, the rest doesn't matter"

Can you imagine as a young girl if your mom told you that wanting a Cinderella wedding was a silly dream because in the long run, it didn't matter?

I am in a position now where finances did not allow for us to throw a grand and glamorous wedding, but that never deterred me from doing everything I could to throw the best party I could think of.
We had lawn games:I made my own decor (from ceremony to reception...even my bouquet (duct tape))

We went all out for our rings

We had a catering service who helped us plan an extensive and FUN menu (including cotton candy and tacos) and we still managed to keep the wedding fairly inexpensive.

I have been planning my wedding for years. When Nate proposed so many ideas ran through my head of what theme we would chose. And to be honest, the wedding did seem to be the more important part of the whole ordeal. I wanted a party, AND I wanted to marry my husband.

But when people tell me "it's not about the wedding, it's about the one you're marrying" I just sighed and nodded. I love parties, I love show stopping, and I love showing people you can have the best of both worlds.

DON'T COMPROMISE YOUR BIG DAY
if the money is not there, cut corners to get the same effect:
-DIY
-a more casual menu (tacos and cheese steak)
-less invitees (we had 61)
-buy a dress off e-bay ($75)
-hire an amateur or starter photographer (saved thousands)
-have a relative videotape
-skip the costly engagement photos and go homemade
-have hair and makeup done by a friend or by a local cosmetology school
-opt to not have a limosousine or fancy ride
-skip out on the wedding night hotel suite
-DO NOT buy custom dyed shoes (they are hideous, expensive and hideous)
-hire a friend who can sing or play guitar to do the ceremony music
-Ipod the reception (we used speakers for a computer)
-use silk flowers (tacky? maybe... cheap and realistic? YES)
-if you want an actual venue stick with Friday night (cuts the cost immensely)
and lastly
-ETSY ETSY ETSY ETSY (great goods for reasonable prices in every category you can imagine)

it is important to be happy with your spouse and in the long run the party memories will fade and the two of you will still be together, but what's marriage without a smashing party to get it started??

Shutter Love Tuesday

Not sure if this will qualify for this week's topic but it's "Bloopers/Outtakes" You can be my judge

Crazy 8 baby clothing

For anyone who doesn't yet know, I have a little boy named Hunter. He is approaching the 14 month mark and he is HUGE.

Even before he was born I quickly discovered that finding boys clothing was a challenge. I wanted him to have a certain look, which didn't involve cutesy puppies or phrases like "dad's all star player". those are all cute and good in their own right but I wanted a little emo punk baby. They had styles I was looking for for toddlers and up but nothing for newborns and infants.

UNTIL...

Crazy8

Crazy 8 is a sister company of Gymboree so their clothes are higher quality but the prices are so reasonable. We bought, two hoodies, a pair of jeans and socks for $41.50 HELLO. I know it's not "cheap" but for the style of clothes and the quality of craftsmanship, I can't complain at all. Plus with that $40 purchase we got a $20 off $40 certificate for later in September. I've worked enough retail to know that's just a ploy to create traffic but I think it's a great deal.

So if you have a son or daughter who is in need of a wardrobe upgrade please check them out.

I DID IT!!

I was browsing around on the blogger-sphere of course and I came across what may be my new favorite blog. It's www.bluecricketdesign.net
She has a ton of tutorials (TONS) and every single one was something I wanted to try to make for myself. I am such a copy cat. The first project I decided to try was from a guest poster at Flamingo Toes. Her inspiration was a necklace from Anthropology (why don't we have one of them here in PA?). Here's the original necklace I think it's adorable, I love the color the fabric and everything but who would pay $38.00 for a necklace? Someone, but not me.So she tackled the project herself and her result was adorable. Here's her blog tutorial on the fabric necklace
For a novice sewer like myself this project was about an 11 out of 10. I sewed and re-sewed, and threw out and unstitched. OH it was so aggravating. I've never been so frustrated. I bought beads to use and couldn't get them to fit, I was busting seams, my material wasn't right and yadda yadda. I don't have during pictures but I have my end result and I am very pleased with myself.

Frankly Fatherhood

I Pose to You This Question

Warning: The following blog represents the opinion solely of the person
writing this blog and in no way represents the opinions or beliefs of
Miranda or Hart of Stone Crafts.

What has happened lately? When did we as a country become so caught
up in everyone's self-esteem and feelings? Has society gotten soft?
Ok, so that was three questions that I just posed, but I feel like
they are important questions. We have become so obsessed with everyone
feeling great about themselves that it has, in my opinion, become
counter productive. I know some of you, probably most, will disagree
and that's fine but at least keep reading and let me tell you where
I'm coming from.

Now a days parents have to be extremely careful how they
discipline their children. I firmly believe that it is more than OK to
spank a child for misbehaving but many parents won't or don't for some
reason or another. But think about it, if you are my age (26) or older
I'm sure your parents at one time or another spanked you or washed
your mouth out with soap. And more than likely you deserved it. If
someone saw you spank your child now, even if they saw him/her acting out of
control, they would call child services on you for child abuse.
And when did it become necessary to make everyone feel "special"
for showing up and participating? When I was a kid playing sports we
didn't get a trophy because we came out and joined the local Little
League. No, if we got a trophy it was because our team earned it. While
I fully understand that sports are nothing more than games that are
meant to be fun I believe that sports are a great way to teach life
lessons (OK Miranda, stop mocking me so you can finish reading). After
a certain age no one cares if you just show up. You have to be
productive, you have to earn everything. Teachers don't hand out "A's"
because you showed up, you have to work hard and earn your A. You
don't get a job just because you filled out the application and showed
up for your interview. You have to earn it by impressing the potential
employer.

And when did we start glorifying losing? Sports should also teach
you not only how to win with class, but lose with dignity and pride.
Which finally brings me to what actually made me want to write this
particular blog. That stupid Pizza Hut commercial with the two boys
talking about how losing is so great because now the coach will take
them out for pizza. THIS IS WRONG PEOPLE!!! Don't make it sound like
losing is the best thing in the world. Don't make it sound like losing
deserves rewards. Losing is a way of bettering one's self. That goes
for sports and life. Losing is a chance to learn from your mistakes
and improve on the things you saw that you did well.
I am in no way saying that it's not OK to lose, it happens, we've all lost at something.
What I'm saying is you have to know that what ever
happened you tried your very best and you learn from the experience
and have faith that you will do better next time.

So I ask again, has society gotten soft? I say yes. Please, tell me what you think.

- NATHAN -

Shutter Love Tuesday

It's a little late but here is my submission for Shutter Love Tuesday at The Trendy Treehouse

The Theme is "LAUGHTER"