My Favorite Giveaways of the Week

Since I have started to host my own giveaways I have discovered how much is out there for free with just a few minutes of your time. So I am going to enter myself into a couple of giveaways each week and post links to my favorite one here. If you are interested in having me post your giveaway please contact me!

Here are my favs this week:

Penelope's Oasis is hosting a giveaway here for an adorable flirty apron! I love the pretty in pink!

Catch the Drift is hosting a giveaway for piggy paint here. This is adorable and non toxic for all those cutie babies out there!

Menu Plan Monday

Let me just start by saying how I have started my Monday! I am all geared up to get up at 5:30 and get a lot accomplished. So when my 8-month-old woke up at 5, I was thinking "okay, I will just get up and get stuff done!". I did not expect her to WANT to stay up! I have just gotten her back to sleep, and was able to get my menu plan done. But my husband is sleeping on the couch because I was snoring so loud last night, so it looks like I'll not be getting any cleaning done after this post! (Just take it in stride, Lindsey...)

Now let me just say that I am working a lot this week which is why my menu looks sparse. First, I work in the evenings so if I make something it is usually something in the crock pot. Or we just eat from The Barn (my employer) because we really can't beat the prices ($1 salad bar for me or $2.75 for steak tips and mushrooms for example...)

Lunches:
Chicken noodle & grilled cheese
Pasta Salad
Mac & Cheese and Hot Dogs
Leftovers (2)

Dinners:
Spaghetti & Garlic Bread
Broccoli Cheese Soup
Roast & Veggies
(all these dinners create leftovers!)

Weekly Plan

It's Sunday and that means it is weekly planning time!

Goal One: Getting together with neglected friends...
I have found myself needing to get together with a lot of people but not knowing how to fit it all in. So, I am going to just try to take it one week at a time and get together with one or two friends each week. I am also working quite a bit this week, so it should be interesting fitting it all in.

Goal Two: Get organized about blogging...
If you have read very much of my blog you have realized a number of things. I am relatively new at it and I am trying to sell my own hair accessories. Because I have been new at this whole "blogging" thing I have found myself spending time learning how to do a lot of thing, such as getting my links out there for giveaways, setting up my layout, etc. But I want to get organized with my blogging time. So I have given myself topics for each day to write about. And I am going to find two linky's a day to enter my giveaway into.

Goal Three: Keep the house running
Never ending goal of staying on top my goals! LOL! I have been doing well keeping the house together, just want to keep it that way!


Please feel free link up via comment if you have written about your own weekly plan!

New Headband Giveaway: Got to be the cutest one yet!

This giveaway features my cutest bow yet! At least in my opinion! I love the colors turquoise and brown together!

The bottom bow is brown with turquoise polka dots, layered with a brown ribbon and turquoise accents. It is attached to an alligator clip. I am including a turquoise headband for easy wearing and versatility!

Anyone who would like to purchase from my Etsy shop can take advantage of deals by entering this giveaway! I will give you free shipping on any items! No matter how many!!

Here's how to enter:

1. Visit my Etsy shop, Cute As Pie, and tell me which bow you like the best!

2. Become a new follower of my blog.

3. Write a blog post about my giveaway.

4. Twitter about my giveaway.

Ends October 9th!

Be sure to leave your contact information in each post and also include the link to your blog or twitter.

Good luck to all who enter!

Winner of Headband Giveaway!

Using random.org I have a winner to announce for my headband giveaway!

Entry # 1: Diana!

You did not leave your contact information, so please contact me within 48 hours to to claim your prize. mommychic@sssnet.com

Thanks to all who entered. Stay tuned because I will be posting a new giveaway soon!

If you are interested in sponsoring a giveaway please let me know!

Thursday Thirteen: Thirteen Things I Want To Do This Fall

Thirteen Things I want to do this Fall:

1. Go for a drive looking at leaves.

2. Rake some leaves.

3. Jump in them with the girls.

4. Go on a hayride.

5. Pick a pumpkin

6. Decorate my house for fall

7. Eat at Der Dutchman (this FRIDAY!!)

8. Go to a high school football game (preferably West Holmes!)

9. Cuddle around a bon fire

10. Drink some apple cider

11. Pick apples with the family

12. Breathe in some cold morning air (hard to do lately!)

13. Wear long sleeves!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Goals for the Week: UPDATE!

If you read my blog earlier in the week you would have read about my weekly plan on Sunday. I wanted to touch base and let you know how I was doing on my plan....

I have done pretty well getting up and getting things done. On Tuesday I must have made the craziest pot of coffee ever because I was super motivated! I cleaned my whole house, instead of doing my daily schedule of cleaning. Which actually makes it nice to maintain throughout the week. I can do my daily cleaning and still feel like the rest of my house is clean too.

I rounded up my headbands for Leah! Check!

I FORGOT to take Payton to story time! I almost kicked myself last night when I realized that I totally forgot! But I will just have to remember to take her next week! (Duh, blonde moment!)

Menu Plan Monday

So I have done my usual perusing on store ads for the area and I have decided to just price-match at Wal-Mart instead of going to each of the stores. Mostly because my husband is going with me and he's not patient enough to go to all the stores!

So here's my menu!

Breakfasts:

Cereal & Toast (2)

Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich

Scrambled Eggs & Toast

Peanut Butter Toast

Lunches:

Chicken Noodle & Grilled Cheese

Hot Dogs & Veg

Leftovers (2)

Chicken Salad

Dinners:

Spaghetti & Garlic Bread

Homemadge Pizza

Tacos

Stir Fry dinner

Floater meals: skillet meal or frozen pizza for nights that I am working

Price-matching Deals

Meijer:

Ground Beef 1.79 lb

Freschetta Pizza 3.99

Lunchables 1.00

Spaghettios (w/o meat) .59

Grapes .87/lb

Giant Eagle:

Large Folgers 4.99

Giant Eagle Bread: .69 (price match on Great Value Brand Bread)

YoPlait Plus and FiberOne 2.00

Aldi's:

Milk 1.49

Cheese blocks 1.40

Sour Cream .89

Goals for this week....

I was looking for a good meme to use on Sunday, but I haven't found one that I like a lot, so I am just going to write every Sunday about my goals. They may be goals for the week in regards to my house, children, projects, crafting, etc. So, if you decide that you would like to join, please link up! I am a big fan of helping to promote each other's blogs!

If you have been following my blog then you know that I have recently set up a cleaning schedule, and have made goals to take control of my time. So, I just want to reinforce my goals in this area for the week. I have been extremely tired in the morning, but I truly want to get up by 6:00 every morning so I can get things done before the girls wake up. I enjoy just being able to relax and have fun with them in the morning.

My friend, Leah, is having a pancake breakfast and silent auction on Saturday morning to raise money for adopting their baby boy, Hadrian. I told her that I would donate some headbands, so I need to get those ready for this week. I also want to make extra and get them set up on my Etsy shop.

I also signed Payton up for her first story time at the library! It starts this week on Wednesday. I have signed her up in the past and then failed to take her. But I think she has reached the age where she will really enjoy it! I am excited to see how she does. She's getting to be such a big girl, but that's a whole other post.

So other than my normal routine, that's about it for the week! Interested to see what else my fellow bloggers have going on!

Friday Giveaway Blog Hop

Be sure to enter my headband giveaway for an adorable baby headband!

Mommy Moments...

I found The Mommy Journey and she posts a weekly meme on Friday called "Mommy Moments" and I think I will join this! Because I love talking about being a mom!

This week's theme is Treasured Pictures, and I have had a had a hard time narrowing these pictures down!

My first daugher, Payton, right after she was born...

Payton at four months old...

This is picture of my husband, John, holding our second daughter, Caitlyn, after she was born.

And here is Caitlyn at four months. Do you think they look alike or what??

And here they are reading a book together! Oh how cute! Nothing warms my heart more than seeing my two cuties enjoying each other!

Giant Eagle Deals

I have found some deals at Giant Eagle here at Stretching A Buck. I realize we don't have one in Wooster, but Wal-Mart does price match competitors. So if you don't want to travel to a Giant Eagle check out the deals and take them with you to Wal-Mart. I think I will be going to Giant Eagle early next week because I think I may hit up some other stores for good deals!

Here is the list....

GROCERY

Giant Eagle Boneless Fresh Roasting Chicken (5-7 lb avg) - B1G1 Free (must buy 2)Boneless Chuck Shoulder Roast or Value Pack Steaks - B1G1 Free (must buy 2)

Land O Lakes Butter Quarters (1 lb) - $2/ea
* This price may only be for Central OH

Sun Crystals Sweetener Packets (50 ct) - $1.99/ea
Use $1.50/1 here or
Use $2/1 in upcoming 9/20 Red Plum insert
Final Price = $0.49/ea or FREE

Quaker Quick or Old Fashioned Oats - $1/ea when you buy 4 (otherwise $1.50/ea)
Use $1.25/2 in 8/30 Red Plum insert
Final Price = $0.38/ea when you buy 4 (using 2 coupons) - still only $0.69/ea if you buy 4 using 1 coupon

Kellogg's Pop Tarts (12 ct) - $2/ea
Use $0.55/1 here and here or
Use $0.55/1 or $1/2 in 9/13 Smart Source insert or
Use $2/2 Whole Grain Pop Tarts in 8/30 Red Plum insert
Final Price = $0.90-1.50/ea

Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats - $2/ea
Use $1.50/2 here or
Use $1/2 in 8/2 Kellogg's insert
Final Price = $1.25-1.50/ea

Kellogg's Special K Cereal, Bars, Snack Bars or Protein Water - $2/ea when you buy 5 (otherwise $3/ea)
Use $1/2 Cereal & Protein Products in 8/2 Kellogg's insert or
Use $1/2 Bars here or
Use $1/1 Protein Drinks or Blueberry Cereal here
Final Price = $1-1.50/ea

Progresso Soup (Light, Reduced Sodium, High Fiber, Rich and Hearty) - $1.25/ea
Use $0.25/1 and $0.50/2 in 9/13 GM insert or
Use $1/3 here
Final Price = $0.75-0.92/ea

Aunt Jemima Syrup (24 oz) or Pancake Mix (32 oz) - $2/ea when you buy 2 (otherwise $2.50/ea)
Use $1/2 in 8/30 Red Plum insert
Final Price = $1.50/ea when you buy 2
*I don't think Central OH received this coupon

Kraft Bagel-fuls - $2.50/ea
Use $1/1 here
Final Price = $1.50/ea

Yoplait YoPlus (4 pks) Trix Yogurt or Kids (6 pks) or Fiber One Yogurt (4 pks) - $2/ea
Use $1/1 YoPlus here and here and in 8/9 & 9/13 GM inserts
Use $0.80/2 here and here
Use $0.40/1 here and here
Use $1/1 Fiber One Yogurt here and in 8/9 & 9/13 GM inserts
Final Price = $1-1.20/ea

Chex Mix Bars - $2.50/ea
Use $0.60/1 here and here or
Use $0.50/1 in 8/9 & 9/13 GM insert
Final Price = $1.30-1.50/ea

Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookies - $2.50/ea
Get a FREE Gallon of Milk when you buy 4 instantly at check out
Use $0.75/2 here or
Use $1/2 here and in 8/9 or 9/13 GM inserts
Final Price = $1.75-2/ea when you buy 2

Betty Crocker Scooby Doo or Fruit by the Foot Fruit Snacks - $1.67/ea
Use $0.40/1 or $0.50/2 here and here or in 8/9 or 9/13 GM inserts
Final Price = $0.87/ea or $1.17/ea when you buy 2

Betty Crocker Warm Delights - $1.67/ea
Use $0.50/1 here and here or in 9/13 GM insert
Final Price = $0.67/ea

Skippy Peanut Butter - $2/ea
Use $0.40/1 in 8/2 Red Plum insert
Final Price = $1.20/ea

Keebler Sandies, Club or Animal Crackers - $2/ea when you buy 2 (otherwise $2.50/ea)
Use $1/2 Cookies in 8/2 Kellogg's insert
Final Price = $1.50/ea when you buy 2

Ken's Salad Dressing or Marinade (16 oz) - $1.67/ea
Use $1/1 in 8/2 Smart Source insert
Final Price = $0.67/ea

Lawry's Marinade (12 oz) - $2/ea
Use $0.50/1 in 8/30 Red Plum insert
Final Price = $1/ea
*I don't think Central OH received this coupon

HOUSEHOLD/TOILETRY

Reynolds Wrap Foil (30 ft) - $1/ea
Use $0.55/1 in 9/13 Smart Source insert
Final Price = FREE

Ziploc Containers or Storage and Freezer Bags - $2.50/ea
Use $1.50/2, $0.40/1, $0.55/1, $1/2 in 8/23 & 9/13 Smart Source inserts
Final Price = $1.70-2/ea

Sparkle Paper Towels (6 big or 8 regular rolls) - $5/ea
Use $0.50/1 in 9/13 Red Plum insert
Final Price = $4/ea

Angel Soft Toilet Paper (9 mega, 12 double or 24 regular rolls) - $5/ea
Use $0.50/1 in 9/13 Red Plum insert
Final Price = $4/ea

Garnier Fructis Hair Care - $3/ea
Use $0.75/1 in 9/13 Smart Source insert
Final Price = $1.50/ea

Herbal Essences or Aussie Hair Care - $2.25/ea
Use $1/1 Herbal Essences in 8/23 or 9/13 Red Plum inserts or
Use $2/2 Aussie in 9/13 Red Plum insert
Final Price = $1.25/ea

Schick Quattro Disposable Razors (4 pk) - $4.99/ea
Use $3/1 in 8/16 Smart Source insert or
Use $1/1 in 8/23 Smart Source insert
Final Price = $1.99-3.99/ea

Free Pictures!

Baby Cheapskate has some links to free pictures here! Here's your preview:

• Free 8x10 print or 15% off your order at Shutterfly.com with code AF87-SAVEthrough 10/5.
• Free shipping on orders of $30 or more at Shutterfly through 9/30 with code SHIP30.
  
• Buy 50 prints and get free shipping
• Free shipping on your print order when you buy 50 printsthrough 9/21 with code SHIPPRINTS.
• Get three free folded greeting cards with code3FREECARDS.
  
• 20% off Mugs, Magnets, Coasters through 9/30.
• 30% off Calendars through 9/30.

Wal-Mart Deals.....

Okay, so I haven't posted to many deals yet. But I found a list of Wal-Mart deals by NWA Deals and I wanted to post it because I thought it would be helpful!

Here is a Preview of some good ones! Check out the full list for all of them. If any of you who are checking this are unfamiliar with couponing, price-matching, or other money saving tricks contact me!

Zantac 150 (8 ct.) $4.27
Use $5.00 Any Zantac Product Printable Coupon
Final Price: Free

Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt $2.08
Use $1.25/1 Yoplait Fiber One Coupon
Final Price: $0.83

Welch’s Grape Jelly $1.86
Use $0.75/1 Welch’s Grape Jelly Coupon
Final Price: $1.11

Del Monte Fruit Chillers $2.00
Use $1.00/1 Del Monte Fruit Chillers Coupon
Final Price: $1.00

Pop Tarts, $1.50
$0.55/1 Kelloggs Pop-Tarts, any ONE package 6/7 RP (exp. 8-2-2009)
Final Price: $0.95

Ragu Pasta Sauce (New Flavors), $1.58
$0.60/1 Ragu Margherita or Sweet Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce, 5/17 RP (exp. 7-26-2009)
Final Price: $0.98

A1 Steak Sauce $2.56
Use $2.00/1 A.1. Steak Sauce Or Marinade, 8/16 SS (exp. 9-16-2009)
Final Price: $0.56

Edy’s Ice Cream $2.50
Use $1.00/1 Edy’s Ice Cream, 8/23 RP (exp. 10-31-2009)
Final Price: $1.50

Thursday Thirteen: Thirteen Reasons My Children Are Wonderful!

Thursday Thirteens are a new post for me, so I thought I would start with an easy one, why I love my children! (in random order....)

1. The smile I get from them when I get them out of bed.

2. Tight hugs.

3. Sloppy kisses.

4. Hearing "

I love you Mommy!"

5. Watching

my girls play and love on each other.

6. Rocking in the early morning hours and enjoying peace with one of my little ones.

7. Having a connected moment when you are looking into their eyes.

8. Playing "hair cut" for the first time. (ouch!)

9. Watching my baby's first everything

(teeth, sitting crawling, walking...where does it end?)

10. Cuddling to read a book before bed.

11. Tubby time! (Enough said!)

12. Dance party! (A tradition started thanks to my friend Amanda!)

13. Laying on the floor and laughing uncontrollably!

(My daughter Caitlyn)

(My daughter Payton)

Do you have a thirteen thing you would like to post about? Link it up here!!

New Blog of Interested: Pretty Organized Palace

Ok, so my wonderful friend Amanda sent me a link to Pretty Organized Palace and I think everyone should check it out! She is running a weekend linky every Friday for crafters to link up and share their stuff. This is a way to promote crafts and do some Christmas shopping. I am a full advocate of the personal touch and so if you can't make something yourself for a gift then you can buy it! And help our economy by putting money directly into a family that is probably like yours! So check it out!

And the winner for the headband giveaway ending 9/11 is:

Entry #1!

I will contact you via email to collect your prize! Thanks to all who entered and I will be posting a new giveway soon!

New Headband Giveaway!

Here is the Headband Giveaway for 9/11 through 9/25. I am extending this one to two weeks to give more people a chance to enter.

This was a very popular item with past entries into my giveaways, so I thought that I would give someone a chance to win!

Here's how you enter:

1. Become a new follower of my blog

2. View my Etsy shop and post a comment about which one you like.

3. Blog, post on Facebook, or twitter about my giveaway!

In addition, if you would like to order from my Etsy shop and you mention MommyChic then I will give you shipping for free for all items! If you are interested in purchasing bows, but do not see any in the color scheme you need let me know and I will custom make an order for you!

Thanks so much for entering! And good luck!

Wordless Wednesday....Introducing my family!

Taste of Home Slow Cooker Giveaway

Go here to enter to win the Taste of Home slow cooker giveaway! They are giving away 50 prizes of 3-in-one slow cookers!

Hadrien's Wall of Hope

Hello All! I have a friend from church, Leah Rorhbaugh, who is trying to adopt a baby with her husband Justin. Here is her blog explaining the whole situation. They are trying to raise money to let this adoption go through ASAP. If you would also blog about them, check out their blog, or donate to their cause this would be great! Check it out and pass it around!

Some Deals Around Town....Menu Plan Monday

I have made my menu for the week:
M: Taco Bowls with Salsa
T: White Chicken Chilli & Apple Dumplings
W: Chilli Mac
TH: Frozen Skillet
Fri Homemade Pizza
Sat Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

I am going to do some price matching at Wal-Mart in Wooster. Here are the matches I am doing:

Meijer:
Hot Pockets 1.99 Use .75/3 coupon
Lunchables 1.00
Voila Skillet Meal 2.99
Campbells Red And White Soup Cups 1.00 Use 1.00/2
Green Valley Steamers 1.00 Use .50/1

Hawkins (Ashland)
Wonderbread White Classic .98 use .55/1
Fudge Shoppe Cookies 1.25 Use 1.00/2
Blue Bonnet Quarters .68
Smith's French Onion 1.00

I got all my coupons fron www.coupons.com, www.redplum.com, www.smartsource.com, or from the 8/30 coupon inserts.

Post Your Own Giveaway!!

Are you hosting your own giveaway?? Please feel free to post your own giveaway here! And make sure to enter my giveaway for an adorable baby headband!

New Headband Giveaway! (Ends 9/11)

Do you think she likes to wear her headbands?? And yours will too!

Due to just being extremely busy this week I am late posting a new headband giveaway. But I am having another giveaway, and here it is!

This headband white crocheted material (the popular choice these days!) They're very comfortable and will not hurt or leave marks. The bow is very chic with a white and black polka dot bow, and and white and black flowered pattern on top, trimmed in black!

To win:

1. Become a follower of my blog.

2. Check out my Etsy shop and leave a comment as to which bow you like.

3. Blog, Facebook, or Twitter about my headband giveaway.

4. Check out my Ebay listings and leave a comment about which bow you like.

For all entry options be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you're a winner. This will end on September 11th.

I am seriously trying to get selling these headbands off to a good start. If you are interested in something please contact me! I have an inventory that is not posted on Ebay or Etsy yet. And if I don't have it, I will make it for you! I try to be very reasonable in my costs and shipping charges. Thanks for participating!

Winner for Headband Giveaway!

The winner of this weeks give away will go to entry #18! I will contact you via email to collect your prize! Stay tuned for another drawing this coming week!!