Monster bowl!!!

Superbowl sunday is always a day of excitement at my moms house! My step-dad is way into football, and I enjoy the occasional game (or more than occasional if my patriots are playing!!). When I got selected to throw a monster bowl party/Hotel Transylvania screening, I knew the perfect plan was to throw it superbowl sunday--my kids always get bored half way through the game. It was the perfect thing for them!! We had regular party snacks--chips, dip, ect, along with some wicked cool pizza balls, candy corn, and halloween shaped marshmallows! We put the movie on the big-screen monitor and the kids, along with a few guests--including some cool grown ups--had a blast! The movie was super cute, it's def on my to-buy list (and only $10 at target this week!!!)

candy corn and monster marshmallows!

pizza balls!

poppy hogging the chips before the party starts!!

making lego monsters :)

some of the party guests!

grammy and topher :)

such a good movie!!!!

My Target haul at 90% off! (FINALLY!!)

I posted earlier in the week how eager I was for the Target in the town where I work to mark their clearance down to 90%. I had literally been stopping by everyday since it hit 70% off. I had settled for a phone call friday, and I was so sure the lady who answered was going to tell me that was the day. When she told me it was still 70, I sent over one of my "kids" when he picked up his paycheck to check it out in person (Thanks, Alex!!) but he confirmed what she had said. I called over Saturday am with fingers crossed, and a very pleasant Stephanie told me that was the day (she even knew it was me calling!!). I hopped over there on my lunch break and scored pretty well!

Paid: $44.75, saved $309.52!!!

Here's a breakdown of everything we picked up:
 two kids shirts originally $9.00, paid $0.90!
Angry bird underwear $9.99, paid $0.99
6 jelly bean filled candy canes $$1 each paid $0.10 each!
3 white chocolate peppermint m&ms $8.97 paid $2.67 (0.89 each)
choc peep $1 paid $0.10
hot wheel pez $2.99 paid $0.29
candy canes $2.49 paid $0.24
snowman photo holder $9.98 paid $0.49 (got charged twice for this as we only got one)
tissue paper $3 paid $0.30
54 gift bags ranging from $0.05-$0.30
2 angry bird mini stockings $4 paid $0.40
toy story stocking $13 paid $1.30
2 disney lights $14.99 paid $1.49 each
ornament set $3, paid $0.30
2 glass ornament sets $30, paid $3
sponge bob ornament $7, paid $0.70
2 ornament $2, paid $0.20each
pretty tissue paper $5.98, paid $0.59
silver reindeer $15, paid $1.50
led snowflake $44.99, paid $4.49
not on sale:
2 juice boxes for $5

After I was done work for the day, I spent some time organizing my Christmas supplies. I found I needed more ribbon and Christmas cards, so I ran back out to target, but they were out of kid-friendly cards, though I did score quite a few rolls of ribbon (including some nice pink and blue that is perfect for birthday presents!) for 30 cents a roll and a lot of tissue paper (again, some yellow and silver and pink and blue--perfect for birthdays!) for 20 cents a package. Between this year and last year, I think I have enough boxes and bags to last the next 4 or 5 years!!

My collection of bags and boxes--all scored in the last two years at 90% off!!

I've been saying throughout the year that Target is my favorite store to shop at---and this is one of the many reasons why!!! :):):)
 

breakfast and patiently waiting for target clearance!!

I'm sitting here at the table eating a delicious breakfast. cubes of mozzarella cheese, a handful of pretzels (that as I type my 2 year old is stealing off my paper towel!), and a gingerbread peep (YUM!). I'm cyberstalking target info websites waiting for the word that christmas clearance is 90% off. It's my favorite time of year! Last year, hubby and I had a pretty good haul. I didn't have to buy anything this year (though I couldn't help picking up a set of light up reindeer at walgreens for $13 and some cute snoopy and cars wrapping paper at 50 cents a roll at the beginning of the season!) and I was hoping to score more gift bags and ornaments this year (anyone else with kids notice how your ornaments disappear?). It seems to me that our local target is more picked over than usual--there is almost nothing left! I'm hoping today is the day, but no reports on the east coast of the magically 90% off signs yet! ill just keep hoping....;)

Favorite sampling yet!

This month, I got selected to sample old navy activewear--a huge bonus as I had just completed the dress sample last month!! This one was my favorite yet! I was super stoked to be selected for this one-I am currently 5 1/2 months pregnant with my fourth (!!) baby boy. prior to becoming pregnant, I lost 40 lbs due to a change in diet (mostly dropping/decreasing soda intake and making smarter choices at meal time) and occasional bike rides with my darling hubby. Due to the weight lost, I just started showing this pregnancy late last month (my previous 3 you could tell in month 2!!). My mom has lost over 100 (!!!) lbs by healthier eating and a crazy amount of exercise--she goes hiking almost every sunday (some local trials and, yes, mountain trials as well) with her husband (who is an avid runner) among other activities. So when my notification for this sample came in my email, I called up my mom right away! We couldn't wait to get cute workout wear to help us look awesome on our healthier lifestyle journeys! We went to Old navy in blackstone valley on a crazy shopping day--the day before christmas eve. we were so impressed by all the choices we had to pick from. They had yoga pants, capris, compression pants, super compression pants, shirts, jackets, jackets with fleece, so many different choices!! We each picked out a couple different styles to try on (hers in mostly blue hues, mine in purple!) and headed for the fitting rooms.

Playing around in the fitting room

Showing off our final choices!

After trying on every item, we picked out an outfit each. and I must say--we look STYLING! :) Who knew work out clothes could be so cute?? They are literally the most comfortable work out clothes I've ever owned or even tried on. I've been constantly wearing them around the house, and I can't wait to put them to the real test this spring. A HUGE thank you to Old Navy and Crowdtap for selecting me for this sample!!!

New Fall old navy dresses!!

Last month, I received the chance to review another old navy product--their new fall line of dresses!! I had seen the commercials for the dresses, so I was super stoked to be able to do this one. My mom and I headed the the store a few days before thanksgiving. The place was packed, as they were doing a buy one get half off EVERYTHING in the store sale!! It took us 20 minutes to find a place to park since it seems Christmas shopping started early!! There were even crossing guards directing traffic once you hit the blackstone valley plaza!! My mom and I had a really hard time deciding which dress we wanted--we each tried on at least 5!! I loved each one I tried, but finally decided on the pink and brown striped V neck sweater dress. Although a bring yellow striped one ALMOST won out :) Because of the sale, I went on a hunt for some leggings to go with the dress. A very friendly and helpful sales girl helped me locate them in my size and color--and of course, I had to buy two!!! The end result: I LOVE old navy dresses!! They are so comfy, and I looked great on thanksgiving! And priced at just under $30, they are a great deal! I highly recommend them. You can check out the other styles and colors here!

Blueberry ice, ice , baby!

Searching through pinterest, I saw a neat photo of some fruit ice to give your drinks a little flair. So I decided to try it out as my kids love fun things like that! I won a box of fresh veggies from a relative;s garden that included some yummy blueberries. I filled up the ice cube tray and tossed a few into each block:

 

 

 

Blueberries in water--yum!

I let them freeze for the night, ended up with this:

The kids were so excited to see these in their drinks! :)

Kool-aid, ice, and blueberries!

The best part was when they finished their drinks and the ice melted--they had some yummy berries to snack on! Although Topher pulled his out of the ice as soon as he was able to--my kids LOVE blueberries!!

Free Samples rock my socks...or my beach bag

DiYa corporation is giving away free samples of Beach bags! They are a commercial printing and promotional packaging company in china. If you like their facebook page here and are over 13 years old, you can receive a free sample of their beach bag! Here's the description:

Ready to try our quality products? You can request a free sample of our product: beach bag. Perfect for the beach and beyond, DiYA’s tote will have you wishing every day was summer. Polyester fabrication covers this water-friendly bag, which also boasts an outer slip pocket, inner zip pocket and detachable zip pouch. 

HUrry up and request yours while their are still some left!! :) i can't wait to try this product!