Tid Bits & Pieces: May 2014

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Target Deal Alert!

Need a super cheap dinner idea? Head over to Target and pick up a family size Stouffer's lasagna (38oz) and a bag of Green Giant Steamers and only spend $3.74!!!! It doesn't get much cheaper than that to feed a few hungry bellies. Here is my tiny haul:

Here is how this breaks down:
Buy one Stouffer's family size lasagna on sale for $6.49
You get a bag of Green Giant steamers (select varieties) FREE when you buy the lasagna
Use 5% off Stouffer's Frozen Entrees on the Target Cartwheel app.
Use $1.50 off Stouffer's Family size entree Target printable coupon (found on their website)
Use $1.00 off Stouffer's Family size entree manufacturer coupon
Total spent = $3.74 (don't ask when the 5% came off, I'm just relaying what the receipt said)
Even if you don't have the $1.00 off manufacturer coupon this is still a great deal!

PLUS if y'all are coffee snobs like our household is...there is a great deal on Gevalia whole bean coffee. I found it on clearance for $4.83 AND there was a Cartwheel offer for 20% off all Gevalia coffee making it $3.86!

Target it THE place to shop this week. There are so many great deals and I'm not sure about your store but ours had TONS of markdowns in the grocery section. Just make sure to check the expiration date!

Happy Savings!

-J

Seeing Spots - A DIY Dalmatian Print Pot

I know I am a little late to the game but I love how dalmatian has become a popular animal print in home decor. When I saw these talented bloggers take the print to a whole new DIY level I kept the concept in the back of my mind.

Via The Hunted Interior

Via Make It A Double

Via Little Green Notebook

So when my sickly succulents (I have ZERO luck keeping them alive...le sigh) needed a new home, I hit up my local thrift store and bought a little terracotta pot for $0.59. It was in need of a facelift so I thought it would be a fun excuse to introduce a little dalmatian into my decor. After a few coats of white spray paint and some hand painted spots here is the final product:

I feel like the spots look more "cowish" than dalmatian but I'll live with it for a while. I think if I could redo it I would allow for more white to show...oh well. Here's to hoping my succulents perk up in their new home!

-J

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Craigslist Finds under $100

Remember that yard work I talked about yesterday? Well it turns out digging up shrubs can do a real number on your feet. I have either a bruised bone or muscle or tendon (can't you tell I'm a doctor?) on my right foot. As I lay here unable to hobble around I have been perusing Craigslist and dreaming up projects (the boy would kill me if I brought home another project with so many "to-dos" laying around the house). So, I share with you some lovely finds (active links under each photo...sorry if any are taken off the market)

This AMAZING Thomasville campaign style table/desk for only $50!!! Oh how I want you in my house NOW!

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/fuo/4480957253.html

Don't you see what I see? No? You don't see a DIY bar cart in the making? I would take this $35 microwave cart, paint it high gloss black, add some brass pulls, add wine glass holders, hang some pretty linens on each side, and add a tray to organize all the libations. See it now?

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/for/4455917252.html

This 80's Fredrick Ramond brass chandelier would look lovely in a foyer. I love the detail at the top. And at $80 its quite a steal for a Fredrick Ramond light fixture.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/app/4464940454.html

This West Elm low butler tray and stand is normally $170 in stores but this one is listed at over 50% off! It would make a cute side or coffee table.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/fuo/4423083426.html

If any of you are in the Raleigh area, maybe one of these is just the piece you have been looking for. If not, happy hunting!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Couponing at Target

Hey all! Hope everyone had a lovely weekend. I won't be doing Insta Weekend this week because, quite frankly, I don't think you want to see Instagram pictures of me spraying Roundup and the bushes we dug up from an exciting weekend of doing yard work. Yep, we know how to throw down on the weekend. So, a few posts back I shared my love for couponing and a few tips for saving at CVS. Today I thought I would share some tips for couponing at Target (who doesn't love Target?!)! I treat couponing at Target just like I described couponing at CVS. One really cool thing they have started doing (besides the Cartwheel app...if you don't have it, get it!) is giving you Target gift cards when you buy certain products. Let me start my little lesson by showing you what I scored today:

Deal #1:

If you bought 2 participating Dr. Scholl's items you would receive a $5 gift card (for a future purchase)

I purchased 2 Dr. Scholl's DreamWalk Arch Supports - $5.49 a piece

I then used 2 $2 off manufacturer coupons

Total paid - $6.98

I then received my $5 Target gift card

Deal #2:

If you bought 3 participating personal care items you would receive a $5 gift card (for a future purchase)

I purchased 1 Simple cleansing facial wipes - $3.79

1 Simple eye make-up removal wipes - $3.79

1 Clear Scalp & Hair shampoo - $4.99

I then used 2 $2 off Simple manufacturer coupons

1 $1.50 Clear manufacturer coupon

1 $1.50 Target coupon for Clear shampoo

AND I used my $5 Target gift card from my first transaction

Total paid - $0.57

I then received my $5 Target gift card

So, total spent on all the products was $7.55 but if you include the $5 gift card it's kind of like getting all of it for $2.55!

I hope my quick lesson in couponing at Target helps you save in the future!

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Sunday Steal - French Bistro Style Stools

French bistro chairs are all the rage. Even with the recognizable checker pattern, they make a stylish neutral seating option. I love that they can be as dressy or as casual as one wants. Here are some lovely examples of decorating with French bistro chairs:

Via paloma81.blogspot.com

Via Betterdecoratingbible

Via Habituallychic

Via Minnickinteriors

So when I came across these Broyhill barstools at Home Goods I immediately wanted to take them home.

Sadly, we had just purchased two lovely Thomasville barstools after a long time scouring Craigslist. Plus the stools were only counter height. If anyone is reading this post, maybe my little find will help you out with your home decor needs. Anyhoo, happy hunting!

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Easy Date Night In Dinner

Last night the fiancé (5 months later it still hasn't gotten old calling him that) worked late so I prepared a little date night dinner to greet him when he got home. I stumbled across the idea of making individual pizzas out of naan a while back, so when it was on sale for $1.50 for a package of 2 it was a no brainer. I picked up some pesto, onions to caramelize, blue cheese, and pepperoni for toppings. Here is a helpful penny pinching tip: when making a pizza (or individual pizzas) for 2, go to the deli and order a quarter of a pound of sandwich style pepperoni. It is way cheaper and the larger pepperoni slices make for a more gourmet looking pizza. Once you decide what toppings your tummy desires, make the pizza, place on a baking sheet (I lined mine with my trusty Silpat), and bake in a 425F degree oven for 10-12 minutes until the crust is crispy and slightly browned. Throw in a bottle of wine, some lovely conversation, maybe get a little crazy and light a candle, and you've got yourself a "fancy" date night in. Here is how my pizzas turned out (I swear they looked better than my picture shows...I need to learn the art of taking pretty blog worthy pictures...one step at a time):

Bon appétit!

-J

Friday, May 16, 2014

Come On And Get Happy

There are times I struggle to be TRULY happy. After researching a lot about happiness (I will share the reason behind that another day) I have come to the conclusion that a good chunk of happiness is rooted in genetics. But there are most definitely external factors that promote or harm happiness. One thing I really struggle with is comparison disorder...this is what I dub unhappiness brought on by comparing one's life to the lives of others. As much as I love (or more accurately: as much as I am addicted to) social media, I feel that Facebook fuels my comparison disorder. What started as a way to keep in touch with old friends is now a way I measure my self worth. Seeing that written down makes me a little ill...it shouldn't be that way! So why do I let Facebook dictate how I feel about myself? Why do the number of "likes" I receive make me feel better about my life? When did it become the norm to peacock your life for all the world to see in hopes of gaining reassurance or praise? Why is it that we create an idea of where we are SUPPOSED to be in life based on what we see our "friends" (because let's just admit that about 70-80% of our Facebook friends aren't REALLY our friends) doing? I kind of wish we could go back to the days where "keeping up with the Joneses" meant keeping up with the freakishly talented women (or man) down the street rather than keeping up with the "perfect" lives people display on social media. I know behind those Instagram filters they are probably doing just as much comparing as me. So in hopes of inspiring anyone else who is dealing with comparison disorder today, or any day, I leave you with some of my favorite quotes I have found on the one and only Pinterest. Enjoy:

Now if only I could practice what I preach! Here is to day 11 of 21...over half way to forming my blogging habit! Happy Friday all!

-J

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Pardon The Mess

Please pardon the hot mess that is the current state of my blog. I am playing around with my layout and design and have absolutely no idea what I am doing. Thanks to Youtube I am attempting HTML, CSS and Photoshop. My current achievement is making a banner and successfully uploading it onto my blog...woop woop! One step at a time. If any bloggers out there have any tips on making a pretty blog I would love to hear them! Most of the tutorials I find don't address the majority of my needs. So for now, to distract you from the mess I leave you with animals jumping on trampolines:

PS: If you aren't following the blog feel free to subscribe via email or Google friend connect...wink-wink, nudge-nudge.

Happy Hump Day!

-J

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Our Engagement Photos

I nearly fell out of my seat this afternoon when I saw our photographer had sent us our finished engagement photos. I don't think I have ever used a mouse so fast in my life. After the initial freakout wore off, each picture I clicked on made my heart smile. I was beyond happy with how they turned out and they make me that much more excited to marry my best friend! So without further ado here are our engagement pictures:

If you have a second, definitely head over to Jonblackphotography.com and check out Jon's amazing work! We can't wait to see how he captures our big day!

Monday, May 12, 2014

Insta Weekend

It's day 8 of bloggin' y'all! With that said, I had a busy day planning this little old thing called A WEDDING! I had the pleasure of meeting up with my lovely FMIL (What? You don't understand my lingo? OBVIOUSLY, I just referred to my future mother in-law, duh.) at our rehearsal dinner location! I was instantly smitten with the charming historic home she chose. It was the epitome of southern charm...painted yellow, with wrap around porches, hanging ferns, hydrangeas in full bloom, and the interior was equally charming. I mean, seriously:

In other things equally as southern...I didn't blog at all this weekend because I was enjoying a little slice of North Carolina heaven. I thought I would share some pics from our weekend in a new segment (we'll see how long this lasts...) I dub Insta Weekend. Enjoy:

Friday, May 9, 2014

Couponers Anonymous

Hi. My name is Jennifer and I have a mild addiction to couponing. Freshly cut coupons are my drug of choice. The sound of a coupon being scanned makes my heart skip a beat. And coming home to calculate my total savings is a rush unlike any other.

Today I thought I would share some tips on couponing. First of all, I want to preface this by saying I am by no means an extreme couponer. My savings are no joke but I don't bring home carts full of stuff. And for all those coupon haters out there: I'm most definitely not one of those crazy coupon ladies that will hold you up at checkout.

To start off my little lesson I want to share my couponing score of the day. I went to CVS (which is my all time fave place to coupon) and got all of this:

For this:

So here is how I did this:

1) CVS has these things called extracare bucks (which are pretty much just store gift cards) you get with certain purchases. In the scenario above if I bought $10 worth of Revlon products (2 eyeshadows for $3.19 each and nail polish for $5.99) I got $3 extracare bucks for a future purchase.

2) Combine extracare buck deals with coupons. I had several coupons for the products I bought:

$1 off swifter refills

$1 off Revlon nail product

$1 off Revlon eye product

$2 off Revlon eye product

$5 off $15 CVS coupon

$5 extracare bucks from a previous purchase

These lowered my total to the $2.06 and the best part is I got $3 back in extracare bucks for a future couponing excursion.

This post may have bored you to tears but I hope it gave you some helpful tips on how to coupon at CVS and pinch them pennies!

Happy Friday!

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Styling My DIY Tray

Yesterday I left you on a cliffhanger...I have no doubt you spent the rest of your day anticipating the big DIY lacquer tray reveal. I am positive last night visions of styled trays danced in your heads, and by the handful of page views today, I know you have been constantly checking for an update (I sure hope you are hearing the sarcasm in all of this). So with further ado here is my styled DIY tray:

I have found there are some common items that most people use in styling their trays:

1) Books. Stacking books is an easy way to add height and color. I found both of my "stacking" books for 50 cents at the thrift store.

2) Flowers. Luckily for me our knockout roses are in bloom so that was a simple thing for me to incorporate.

3) Boxes. Agate boxes are extremely popular and I found my little agate box for $7 in the JCPenny clearace section. Score!

4) Asian pottery. Ginger jars are all the rage, especially down here in the south. While my little blue and white pottery pieces (both found in thrift stores) are not ginger jars, they give a wink and a nod to the idea.

I hope my thrifty attempt at creating and styling a tray inspires you to incorporate one in your own home decor! Happy Friday eve!