Shopping Deals #6

Ryan, my husband, needed some new razors, so he kept telling me that I've got to coupon to find some. He doesn't really understand that you kind of have to wait for the deals on specific products. CVS heard him, though!

This week, I was able to score a bunch of stuff for what I consider a pretty good total price. I made three total transactions. Usually beforehand I'll try to put together my combinations, but I've learned that they don't always have what I need, or something else won't work. This time, I waited until I had picked everything out and then went to an out of the way aisle to sort my coupons and figure out the best combinations to put together.

Here is what I used:

Thrift Store Finds #3

I'm back! It's been a little while. Well, a long while. I figured I would start where most of my posts start... at the thrift store. Today was the 50% off sale at Goodwill.

My favorite find today was a classic pair of Kate Spade flats. I got them for $2! It took a little scuff mark to keep them off of goodwill.com, but to fix that, all it takes is a Sharpie!

I also found a Michael Kors dress, Loft dress that will look great with some leggings, and Talbots top.

Thrift Store Finds #2

I'm finally getting back to a schedule of sorts! We've had all kinds of crazy things happening for our family, including the ending of the school year for all four of us, PreK graduation for Brady, a trip to Massachusetts, Ryan's brother's wedding, and me starting summer session at my school. After all of that, the first thing I made sure to get back on schedule was the first Saturday of the month at Goodwill for their 50% off sale. It was a great day!

Long Pallet Shelf

A while ago, I shared some pallet shelves we made for the boys' room. I hung them in a little nook to hold some of their books. Since then, they received bunk beds as a gift, and Jackson needed a way to store his things on the top bunk. I saw the perfect inspiration in a Pottery Barn catalog and knew just what to do to create a similar look.

Easter's On It's Way!

We are on Spring Break this week, which is unbelievable, since it was snowing here yesterday (yes, in Alabama!). Luckily, the day before had wonderful weather, so we were able to work on our gardens. While stuck inside, I've been doing a little decorating for Easter.

Mardi Gras Wreath

I was lucky enough to be selected to host a Zatarain's House Party for Mardi Gras. I was already planning on decking out the house, but this gives me more motivation! The first thing I always think about when decorating for anything is a wreath for the front door.

New Fiber One Meal Bars

I had the opportunity to try the new Fiber One Meal Bars through BzzAgent recently and was impressed by the ingredients and nutritional value. They include filling protein and fiber to sustain you longer than other bars. When I tried them, I found that I liked to use these as an on-the-go snack that was easy and convenient to pack in my lunch or throw in my purse.

Last Minute Valentines and Decorations

It has been a fun day being cooped up in the house with all of my guys! We had a snow day, which is pretty much unheard of in Alabama. And the crazy thing is... They're calling for more tonight!

Since I was on lock down Saturday to get our taxes completed, I've been itching to do some crafting. We made the boys' valentines on Sunday, but that just wasn't enough. Today was the perfect opportunity to add some last minute decorations.

A Dresser Make-Over

Someone was asking at work what I've been posting about recently, and I told her I hadn't been on here since before Christmas. She said that didn't sound like me, so I figured I better get back to posting!

We have a little nook off of the great room into the master bedroom. The plan was to move our fish tank from the bedroom to here, but I wanted to paint the dresser intended to hold it. Our fish tank wasn't looking so pretty anymore, and we were lucky enough to be offered a free fish tank from Brady's preschool teacher. This meant I had to kick it into high gear and get the dresser ready.

Freddie's Adventures (Our Elf)

It's amazing how time flies! When I get busy, unfortunately blogging is the first thing that gets pushed aside. I love it, so I don't want to give it up, but I have to give a little somewhere. Peppers Pickins has been busy, though, so that's exciting!

We are getting into the Christmas spirit around here, and one of the ways my boys do that is through the magical travels of their elf, Freddie. I have found some great resources to help brainstorm ideas for his daily hangouts, which you can see on my Pinterest page. Some of our ideas began with the ideas of others, and why not?! We do this about 25 days each year, and it gets a little hard to continue to be original. Let's help each other out!!

Freddie with the Baby Jesus
Last year I put him with the Little People Nativity set, and that was the first time Brady decided to touch him. It wasn't the last time Freddie's been touched, either! Only by Brady, though... Jax is too scared to break the rules :)

It's tons of fun for the boys, but I have to admit, it's fun for Ryan and me, too! So far, he's delivered hot chocolate and fixin's the morning he arrived (Last year, when Freddie first arrived, he came in his box with the book. He also brought back the book for the boys to read and remember the rules for this year.), rode on one of the boys' stuffed animals, read a Christmas book in the playroom recliner, decorated the Christmas tree with the boys' undergarments (That was a hit!), peeking out of a stocking, sitting up on a ladder, and more. I try to change it up each night between nice and fun. No matter what Freddie is doing, the boys are always excited to search and find him each morning.

Freddie had a marshmallow fight with the Imaginext castle men we received from Fisher Price through House Party. He won!

Freddie was caught in action with a marshmallow in his hand!

Here's another mischievous deed from Freddie. He found one of our dry erase markers and gave the boys some new portraits. They loved that one!

I can't wait to continue to see where Freddie goes next! I hope you're having as much fun with your elf as we are. Please feel free to share your elf experiences or links to your pages with ideas.