YoKids Coupons and FREE Seeds!

Everyone is going Lorax crazy!

I guess not just Target but also YoKids

Register here: CLICK HERE

for FREE YoKids coupons plus seeds (of some Suessical kinda) to plant!

We are a on a big "planting" kick at my house so Im super excited about this!

ENJOY!

Plantin' and Growin' Mommma

P.S.This is NOT my image, it belongs here

Free Dr. Suess Story Time @ Target

I can't wait for the Lorax movie! Guess the people at Target can't either because they are hosting this AWESOME

FREE (my favorite)

event!!

At Target stores nationwide from 9:00-11:00 for a live reading, free goody bags, activties and MORE!

Click here for more info

See you there!

Seussical Silly Mind-expanding Momma

Big Winner! Disney Movie Codes!

Congrats to the Big WINNER!

Melissa L

You won 2 Disney Movie Magic Codes!!

Stay tuned for some more great giveaways :) There's 12 days of FREE Chick-Fil-A coming your way with the new blog launch later this month...

Melissa you will get a Facebook message with the codes

3 FREE Bagels tomorrow at Brueggars!

Just "like" Brueggars Bagels on Facebook and go get your 3 FREE bagels tomorrow!!

ENJOY!

Free Baby Carrier: Seven Slings Strikes again!

Hello All!

I've posted about these guys, MANY many MANY times, but just FYI in case you haven't already heard from me:

Get a FREE Baby sling from Seven Slings

SEVEN SLINGS (click here)

Just enter promo code VALENTINE

You can use this code multiple times (per their instructions, just open a new window)

You just pay shipping, which is around $11

AWESOME baby shower gift!!!

Enjoy!!

Sling baby Momma


P.S. The image is from Seven Slings and I in no way profit from this post or are being paid to post by Seven Slings or any partner companies

Join Gilt.com and get $15 for FREE!

Join Gilt.com

Click THIS LINK

then enter

MY15EXTRAOFF

code and get $15 off your order of $30!

P.S. When you place an order you will get FREE shipping for the next hour.. boy they are tricksy
SOMETIMES you get $15 free JUST for joining YAY!! By the way, this is the deal site formerly know as Buy with me :( so sad to see it go!


Deal shopping Momma

FREEBIE: Giveaway Disney Movie Magic Codes!

We watch Disney..

a LOT of Disney..

and grandparents, they watch Disney too..

a LOT of Disney

Which means I get quite a few of those Disney Movie Magic Codes (when you buy any Disney movie there are little pieces of paper in them with codes for points- SAVE those! and enter them online at Disney Movie Rewards )

*GOLDEN SAVING TIP: If you have movies that DID NOT have those codes in them for some reason you can contact Disney Movie Rewards to get replacement codes

So we have a 2 duplicate movie codes and are GIVNG THEM AWAY!!

Like A Ordinary Mommy on facebook

and share (to show some love) then comment on facebook

and you are entered!

I'm ending this contest FAST! LIKE SUPER DUPER FAST!

Contest ends Thursday 2/9/12
at 6:00 am PST

Free Valentine's Day Card + Free Shipping

Sorry its been so long!!! But to make it up to you how about a free Valentine treat??

Enter code 10KPEOPLE

 at Cardstore.com 

and get a FREE greeting card (with envelope) + FREE shipping!

1. Choose your card

2. Personalize

Then check out! You cant enter the code until its time to pay, then you will get both the free card and shipping! ACT FAST! Only the first 10,000 get it!!

HAVE to thank Hip2Save Momma for the heads up on this- she is FANTASTIC! Check out her site here!!

Smiling Heart
Momma

 

 

Stationery card

Retro Plaid Christmas Card

Create personalized Christmas photo cards at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Need some extra Christmas $$?? How about $100 to Sears

Hi Everyone!

Excited about this Sundays post?? I hear that we may have mint reindeer on our hands... ;) But WHILE you're waiting enter to win $100 at SEARS!! My friend over at San Diego Bargain Momma is having a great contest to WIN $100 to help stretch that Christmas budget!!!

SO GO!! GO NOW!! Enter to win- the contest ends December 9th...

CLICK HERE

Simmering Sundays

Introducing:

Simmering

Sundays

Ladies and Gents in order to fill my need for delicious baking and cooking (in general) I will be introducing SIMMERING SUNDAYS!

Every weekend (probably Sunday) I will be making and posting something delcious..

REALLY delicious..

I'm in a cake pop phase right now so cake pop designs, crazy cupcakes all the way to slow cooker BBQ..

The only theme EASY & DELICIOUS

Prepare yourself..

See you Sunday!

Hello San Diego Steals & Deals

Hello San Diego Steals & Deals readers!! Thanks Kate for featuring my Cake Pop post!!!
Where have I been lately?
BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING!!

I hit the Target (used my Target DEBIT card for an additional 5% off, Best Buy, Kohls- 20% off coupon code, and Toys R Us Sales online)

THEN

I went in person to Walmart Black Friday (CRAZY! I am convinced the majority of the people were drunk, crazy, or high)

then

 Carters... sigh.. I do love their online sales but sometimes I just like to buy in person... Used my 20% off coupon PLUS their doorbuster 10% off, on top of their black friday 50% off sale (TIP: you can AWLAYS use the 20% off coupon at Carters, just tell them you didnt bring yours, they are VERY understand- 20% off 40$)


Then Crazy 8 online.. My little 2 year old diva will be very well, and warmly dressed this winter my friends...

Some of the BEST deals:
$159 for a 7 cubic ft chest freezer (Walmart.com)
$89 for a LG Wireless blu-ray (WAlmart in person- AHH CRAZY)
No more than 7$ for basically all clothes- friends thats my price point NEVER pay more thatn $7 per item for clothes- you dont need to! Some exceptions for Jeans (no more than $10), coats and some dresses...
$49 for a Shark Steam cleaner from Target.com (they had them in store too but WHY stand in line when you can buy it the day before online? CRAZY)

Black Friday Tips:
1. Dress comfy: I saw lots of people in house robes LOTS, so thats your metric, wear a house robe or better

2. Drink, snack and play: Drink lots of fluids-stay hydrated, also bring snacks and some sort of entertainment (Ipads are awesome, Angry Birds was my husbands friend) lines can be looooooooongs and painfully boring...

3. Laugh: People get crrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrazzzy, seriously crazy, just laugh at them, and realize you will probably still get your favorite deal despite their crazy..

4. Shop ONLINE: I dont know how many times I tell my friends, shop online... shop online.. shop online.... You can get the same deals most of the time, PLUS free shipping and no stress. I did LOTS of online shopping since we were visiting Colorado family.

More exciting news coming soon! Stay tuned!!

Shoppin Momma

Giveaway! 6 tickets to the Comedy Palace

GIVEAWAY!!

Need a good laugh?? How about a FREE good laugh?? Well THIS Sunday is the time!!

I am giving away 3 sets of passes to Sundays comedy show at the Comedy Palace in San Diego.

http://www.thecomedypalace.com/

The Show is Sunday November 6th

7:00 pm

TO Win:

Comment Below

and

"like" my page on facebook (click here)

Sunday October 6, Comedy Madness, one of the nations top reviewed stand up comedy shows returns to the Comedy Palace in San Diego. We are proud to welcome Michael Yo from E! News and Chelsea Lately along with Michael Quu(Sirius Radio, Last Comic Standing) . As always we will have a special guest pop in.

 This remains one of the top stand up shows in the country and is suitable for all audiences. Don't miss this spectacular night of comedy!

Thank you for supporting live comedy.

 

The Comedy Palace

8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd

San Diego, 92123

---

   

Michael Yo

Chelsea Lately

E! News Celebrity Correspondent

MTV

National Radio Host

 

Michael Quu

National Headliner

SiriusXM Radio

Last Comic Standing

**SPECIAL GUEST**

RECENT GUESTS
INCLUDE:

Bill Burr

Eric Griffin

Steve Byrne

Sarah Silverman

Bobby Lee

Dave Chappelle

Jeff Ross

Dov Davidoff

Jim Jefferies

And more....

JC Penny $10 FREE + 10 off 25 STACK!

Hi Money Savers!

Have you signed up for the JC Penny mailer yet?? What's that?? You DON'T know what I'm talking about??

OK! Here's the scoop, JC Penny mails these little coupons out about 5-6 times a year for $10 off a $10 purchase.. WE LOVE it!! My goal is always to spend exactly 10$ plus change (one time I bought 3 outfits for $0.13!) You can sign up here:

CLICK TO SIGN UP FOR THE $10 MAILER

You can always unsubscribe from the emails at any time and its basically $10 free!!! YAY!

TODAY- North County Times has a coupon in their newspaper for $10 off a $25 purchase (no exclusions) which MEANS you can use your mailer coupon and bring the mailer along (I learned you cannot combine them :( but its still a great deal!)

Im pretty sure the coupon is good nationwide so go find a $10 off $25 JC Penny coupon and SAVE AWAY!!!

Shoppin Momma

PS Im pretty sure the 10 off 25 is only good this weekend, the mailer doesnt expire until NovemberA

Pumpkin Cake Pops

Cake pops..

They're EVERYWHERE...

and they are soooo cute.

But I (the dessert loving queen) have NOT tried to eat or make them :( :(

so therefore

I attempt the impossible...Impossibly delicious that is...

PUMPKIN CAKE POPS

So I got this wild cake pop idea, but couldn't find any cute but actually doable (as in on my skill level) cake pops so I kinda winged it so.. here ya go!

Step 1:

      Prepare a basic cake recipe, any flavor. I baked mine in a 9 by 13 dish, but it DOESN'T matter how you make it because ultimately you're destroying it (which is kinda fun).

No.. I did not take a huge bite out of this cake... YES.. I wanted too.....

Step 2:

      Let it cool and DESTROY IT!! YAY!! Ok.. so carefully destroy it and I didn't let mine cool completely.

To carefully destroy it take two big chunks and rub it together, you are trying to get "fine crumbs", whatever that means...

Fine crumbs?? I tore the pieces apart with two forks.....

Step 3:

Add frosting, but gently working it in with forks. Almost EVERY recipe calls for canned frosting!! WOOOHOO! Easy street! Most people say use ONLY 3/4 a can of frosting, however I used almost a whole can in mine, maybe the cake was a little dry?

Basically you want it to be able to hold form in a ball (not swished into a ball-tried that) not fall apart and not too mushy. I thought at this point I was a total failure..

Cake balls were one up on me....

Sigggggggggggggggggggggh.....

But I made the balls anyways and stuck them in the freezer to wait. You should let them sit in the freezer for a LEAST an hour (you dont want them rock hard) you want them firm!!!!

Step 4:

Melt your candy melts... This CAN be tricky, I've found heating them on defrost (50% power), and stirring every 30 seconds at LEAST is best. DO not walk away from candy melts.. big big BIG mistake... Stir in a little vegetable oil to help the melts if they are thick (I add this almost EVERY time!).. So my little dance goes like this: stir, start microwave, stir, start microwave, stir....

Step 5:

PREPARE THE POPS!

Here it comes.. the moment of greatness... Will the pops fail? Or will you go on to pop victory?? This is a GREAT tip I picked up:

---------Dip the pop-stick into the candy melts a little bit THEN stick it into the VERY firm cake balls, this helps the pop stay together!!MUST DO!! See the undipped pops above?? This is kinda what they look like after.

Step 6:

Do the dip and roll...

This is my method, lay the pop on one side and roll so that the melts cover the pop, you may have to roll a couple times to make sure the pop is completely covered.. Then wait....

Basically you're done!! Do a little cake pop dance!!! You can decorate now like I did to make "pumpkin pops" and of course.. EAT!!!!!!! Btw.. the were DELICIOUS.. and now I'm dangerous because I know how to make them and how very delicious they are.. sigh...

     



Brainy-Cakes

Brainy Cakes

These fun cupcakes are super-duper easy and turn into grossly delicious little cupcake, a friend is bringing brain-dip so I thought this would fit the theme nicely....

This is what you need:

    Cake Mix

    Stuff for the cake mix (oil, water, eggs- whatever)

    1 can white frosting (you can do it from scratch if you get crazy enough)

    No. 10 (I used 7, it worked fine) frosting tip & bag

    Frosting coloring

1. Pick the cake mix of your choice (I chose a basic chocolate)

2. Prepare as directed (see I TOLD you it was easy)

       HERE'S The trick for PERFECT cakes- when you make your cupcakes

                1. Fill cupcake wrappers 3/4 full

                2. Preheat oven to 350 THEN right before you put the cakes in DECREASE the oven to 325 and bake for 25 minutes.. PERFECT!

3. Let the cupcakes cool and......

4. FROST! I colored the frosting will a little black and a touch of pink, my hubby and I had a very interesting converstaion about the color of brain matter (like we would know) and we decided that this color was perfect. Use your tip and basically swirl back and forth, think making a bunch of U's connected.

---- Tip: the recipe I followed here (click click click) said to frost it first, and it would have probably been a good idea since you could see the brown underneath, but either way I think they're pretty cool!

Now.. go eat your smart food!!!

Brainy Momma



2011 Halloween Bake-stravaganza

I love to bake..

It's like good therapy to me, the smells, decorating, and finished product.. ahh..

So heres my "bakers anymous" declaration

Hi, my name is Michelle and I like to bake....

Any type of holiday deserves a good bake-stravaganza and Halloween definately qualifies, so in honor of the upcoming festivities I chose to make:

Brainy-cakes

Cake Pops (my first time! eek!)

and

Spooky Spider Cookies

So hold on my friends and let the bake-stravaganza begin!!!!!!!



Vi Peel: Days.......

Well my friends, I'm back.....

Haven't heard from me for a dew days because well HOW many times do you want to hear me say
I'm peeling
I'm peeling
I'm peeling....
Because well.. that's all I've been doing.. peeling.. and avoiding the sun like a vampire on  a Twilight movie which BY THE WAY is hard to do in sunny SoCal...

So after the peeling (and peeling and peeling) here's the verdict:

My skin DOES look better, the melasma around my lip is much much better and my skin feels smoother and softer.

When I asked my hubby if my skin looks better he said "it looks like your tan peeled off".. sigh.. and lol.. Yes my skin is considerably lighter so if you have a super tan body and get the Vi be aware your skin on your peel area will be lighter- they are peeling off layers of skin right??


So here's the summary and to answer some of the most common FAQ's I've been getting:

1. Does it work? YES! However, its not the cure all, one time fix, I'm going to need multiple treatments which I was aware of (you can't cure years of damage in a week... sigh...)

2. Would it do it again? YES! See above, I would like to fix the damage...

3. Does it hurt? YES! Ok, so I'm the girl who gets cavities filled without painkillers but this thing burnnnnnnnnnnnedddddd! Not when it was applied, but the first two nights when I put the post procedure wipes on it burnedddddddddddddddddd! I did the "owie" dance in my bathroom, which would have been hilarious if there would have been anyone to see it, which there wasn't, so it just verged on ridiculous.

4. Should I do it? Yes! Why not? I haven't had any other peels but I hear the treatments are very painful and don;t always show good results.


Tips:
1. Don't get your eyelids done, hindsight is 20/20 and one of the most painful aspects were my peeling eyelids.. ouch..blink.. ouch.. blink... Seriously I don't care if my eyelids are sun damaged- who REALLY is gonna see that? If you don't care either just ask them not to do your eyelids..

2. Stock Advil, it helps, take if to reduce swelling and also shorten the time of your "owie" dance

3. Get cuticle scissors for the peeling, and peeling and peeling.

4. Prepare to not leave the house for day 3,4,5.... You can leave the house (and ifs its conveniently around Halloween it makes a great costume) but its not pretty, and I found myself apologizing for it alot...

5. Put the moisturizer on, I tried it one night without to avoid the burning when I apply it, and my face was soooo tight.. ugg.. put it on....


Well that's all folks I hear my LO calling for Momma..

Finally done peelin' Momma...



P.S. Doubt it peels like crazy?

Vi Peel: Day 3

Let the peeling begin!

Well folks they DID say it would start peeling about 48 hours after the peel was applied so I can't say I was surprised when I woke this morning to the human version of a lizard losing it skin.

But I'm jumping ahead of myself you want to hear about last night and the second post peel wipe right?? Well if you were hoping for a second rendition of the ants and itching powder you will be disappointed, after rinsing my face and applying the second wipe it stung a little but no itching!!YAY!

Now I have just confirmed  that the first night was definitely my fault for not rinsing well... sigh....

Today was pretty uneventful except for me leaving small pieces of my face wherever I went (grosssssss) My LO even said "Mommy face is yucky!!".... Sigh... 

Very little pain, more the discomfort from knowing that your face is pretty gross, I applied the moisturizer a few times today and it stung a little but really, overall, this whole process hasn't been too bad (if you ignore the ants of course).

This is my picture, but you really cant see the peeling much (I just trimmed my face.. I cannot believe I just said that) but its pretty shiny from moisturizer and peeling. My friends said they can notice a difference already.. Basically it feels like a sunburn that's now peeling.. and on to day 4


Peelin' Momma

P.S. Tip: get a cuticle trimmer, you will need it for your face

Del Mar Harvest Festival

Del Mar Harvest Festival

My LO was distracted by the 10 foot Cowboy

So amidst all this Vi Peeling I decided to visit the Del Mar Harvest Festival (thanks to the SDMomfia for the free tickets), I was able to take a few pictures after I picked up my "official" badge that proclaimed that I was a blogger  #Proud. Here's a brief recap of the day:

Our FIRST stop was Greyhounds 2 Go :( Sadly I didn't get any pictures with these great doggies, my LO had to pet each and every one of these gentle souls and they were just lovers... So tempted to take one home with me, when I explained that we didn't have a big yard they told me that one 20 minute walk is all that these retired race dogs need each day (hmm... could I hide it from my husband??) .. soo soo tempting! Completely sweet natured dogs- show their cause some love, they're San Diego local too!

Greyhounds2Go

Our second stop was Anthem's "Bring Back Recess"

They had all these little stations set up where you could do different "recess" activities, my personal favorite was sticking the pretend food in the giant wooden man belly (see the propped up man in the background). There were tons of kids jumping rope, playing 4square and dancing to music, we of course had to join! When you entered they gave you this little stamp card and for each area you completed you got a stamp, when you were done you turned the card in and they donated $1 the Boy and Girls Club :). We got our $1 donated, although the LO had a few issues with the hula hooping and jump rope (she got her Mommies skills... and she's 2).


Thanks for the fun times! It was great to see all those kids exercising and parents having fun too!

Right outside Blue Shield we ran into Mama's Kitchen, this fun young man was sporting his "I'm a Mama's Boy" sticker which I of COURSE loved!!


Also.


Love Mama's Kitchen.


GREAT volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that provides meals to those affected by AIDS and other critical illnesses. They are selling holiday pies, DELICIOUS looking, temptingly affordable, and delivered to your local Wells Fargo pies. For $20 you can get an apple, pumpkin, pecan or no-sugar-added apple pie PLUS when you buy the pie you provide 6 meals to those in need... Those calories never tasted so good!!!


Seriously folks, this Thanksgiving cut your cooking time, order your pies and give some very deserving people something to be thankful for.. YOU!

Mama's Kitchen-CLICK HERE to buy your pie!!

P.S. Did I mention EVERY time you buy a pie you get entered to win a 64GB Ipad 2?? oh yea.. thats sweet too..


They're on facebook too http://www.facebook.com/mamaskitchen




Next up I hit "dip alley" and probably gained 20 lbs, soooooo sooo many delicious dips and fondues and spreads and dips and and and... well you get the idea! It was a taste testers dream!! I couldn't leave without tasting a couple (10+) and of course buying some nuts.

This is his smile.

This booth caught my eye- ALL their nuts are grown in California (see California IS full of nuts! LOL), Chico California to be exact. I really dug thier home grown small business feel and had to get some to take back to the fam in the midwest- my Dad is nut fantatic and their Sizzlin BBQ or Wasabi infused almonds may just tempt his tastebuds.

This place is HARD to track down on the internet, they really are a little family owned ranch and I just LOVE LOVE that, reminds me of the good ole days on my Grandpa's ranch in the midwest, visit their nut farm here http://queenofthevalleyalmonds.com/index.html 

10 foot Cowboy's biggest little fan

And on to my LO's favorite attraction, the cowboy on stilts. I have NO idea what attracted her to him, have NO idea... I would think this would terrify my munchkin.. as in RUN AWAY giant man in chaps and spurs.... but no, she followed him around until after 1 balloon butterfly and 1 balloon bear later, I had to tear her away (he also made balloon animals??!! seriously can you come to my next party?). The entertainment was fantastic, live (very appropriate) music, jugglers and well.. just a really good feeling.

I should mention the crafts, since they were the main attraction right? HUGE HUGE selection, I think their boast of 24,000 is ... conservative... It was overwhelming, you need a day or possibly multiple days to see it all.

Pros: great craft selection, fun and FREE entertainment, delicious samples, paying for 1 day gets you in for all 3!, great family atmosphere

Cons: paying for parking :(

Would I go again next year?? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! Next time I'll bring my girlfriends but definitely not leave the LO at home- she LOVED it.

Harvest Fest Lovin Momma...

P.S. I received NOTHING free for this, I'm recommending these businesses/locations and this event because I liked them.. that's it... nothing more ..