Balancing Beauty and Bedlam ::

Easy Oatmeal with Diced Apples

March 1, 2010

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When trying to get away from eating all fifteen boxes of our stockpiled [...]

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3 Moms, 3 Kitchens, 31 Days

March 1, 2010

Welcome to the Kick off of 3 Moms, 3 Kitchens, 31 Days.
My sweet friends, Toni from the Happy Housewife, Kate from Cooking During Stolen Moments, and I are about to embark on a month long journey of opening our kitchens to you.
As I mentioned on Friday, “I invite you to follow along everyday as I [...]

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Accessorize with Sunglasses for any Wardrobe

March 1, 2010

Just yesterday some of my friends said they had ordered these inexpensive sunglasses last month and love them. I can’t believe they are offering them again, but for those of you who missed out this great deal, here are the details.
“Sunglasses are on my list of “must have” Frugal Fashionista accessories. Considering that I have [...]

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Sharing Cookie Memories (and some free coupons from Nabisco)

February 28, 2010

I close my eyes, relax my memories, and instantly, I am transported to my childhood kitchen table.
It’s 3:30pm and a toe headed eight year old perches next to her mom ready to ramble through the details of a long school day without stopping for breath.
Sometimes there were giggles, sometimes tears, but there was always a [...]

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(in)courage and Coupon Preview

February 28, 2010

Have you stopped by (in)courage lately?
As much as I enjoy sharing my frugal living life, I enjoy connecting with the heart of women even more, and (in)courage is all about doing just that. It’s about relationships. It’s about taking hope to heart, and lots of amazing women share their stories just to encourage the likes [...]

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One Month of Reality Cooking – real time, real budgets, real life

February 26, 2010

You read it correctly. Welcome to Reality Blogging – in the kitchen, that is.
Beginning March 1st, I invite you to follow along everyday as I share real time, real life, and the real budget of how I feed our family and friends well on a budget. Yes, this will be the nitty gritty, in’s and [...]

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Tips for Using Swagbucks

February 26, 2010

Last month, I shared details about earning free gifts with Swagbucks, and if you missed that post, check out the details. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I am loving this program. I have earned enough SBs to redeem tons of gift cards, but it’s come with a huge learning curve. Many [...]

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Host a Teenage Birthday Party…on a budget!

February 24, 2010

As the time came for our oldest son to turn sixteen, I wanted to plan something special, sentimental, and yet still be deemed successful in his teenage eyes.
As the time came closer for this birthday party, he assured me, “Don’t worry, mom, I’ll take care of it all.”
With that one phrase, the sentimental aspect had [...]

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What Was Your Dinner Conversation Tonight?

February 23, 2010

It’s no secret that connecting around the table for regular family dinners is something I highly value.
But no worries, I am going to save my “soap box” speech for another time.
Instead, I’m going to point out my “Family Dinner Conversation” jar in which my sweet daughter has her hand.
It’s filled with a variety [...]

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How Do I Get Odors Out of Clothing and Linens?

February 22, 2010

If you remember my post about “How to navigate a thrift store,” you know that I am intimately acquainted with the Goodwill/thrift store smell. To me, it represents not just potential, but “choice” and I embrace it.
Yet, I know that it’s not the case for many of you.
After my Frugal Fashionista articles, where I share [...]