a new favorite

I have always loved the feel of crocs, but did not want to look like a dumb ass as the facebook group says!! Look what I got! Crocs that are ballet flats! I love them! Thanks John.

sl@h

So it has been almost a month since I started selling Southern Living at Home, and I have to say I am having so much fun! I had 4 parties in March. Thank you to everyone that hosted, purchased, and booked a party! I have 4 booked so far for April! It looks like AbbyJames is going to get to go to Princess Camp this summer after all! So I am booking parties like a mad woman and taking orders. Remember Mother's Day is coming up. I got mine the Petite Arrange it Easy Vase. I am going to have the girls put together the flower arrangements! They are only $24.95!! and you can get a bunch of flowers at Aldi for $2.99!! Let me know if you want to place an order!

one of my favorites is on the ETSY Main Showcase tomorrow!!

My new internet friend at IndependentReign emailed me today to let me know that she is going to be the spotlight shop for tomorrow! Way to go!! She is launching her new fun pillows. Aren't they wonderful! I am trying to figure out where I could put one in my home. Might have to make John clean off the old hammock and set it back up! Hayley, I think one would look great in your tv room!

walt disney world

I absolutely love these 2 pictures from our trip! They sum up the different personalities of my children so well! We had a blast! If anyone is in the process of planning a trip make sure you do the meal plan. We did the 2 quick dine, but next time will do the 1 full service, 1 quick dine; both come with 2 snacks. The full service includes the character meals, so we will book 1 a day for the full service meal. J was on a health kick and we actually ate really well, salads and roasted chicken mostly. I knew it was a good trip when asked as we were getting in the car, "Why are we not getting on our bus?" She started to cry when I told her we were going home.

cute bag on etsy

So, I really need to quite looking on Etsy when I am bored! The last bag has been shipped off as a birthday present, but tonight I treated myself. I deserve it, I am working really hard! I have already set up 6 Southern Living at HOME shows, and I have successfully set up routing for my new territory with my full time job! 1 week to Disney and I have a new handbag on the way!!
The link to the side is IndependentReign. She is out of NYC and makes this great handbag!!

taking on a second job...

So I have decided to take on a second career! I am now a sales consultant for Southern Living at Home! If you have not seen the great items that Southern Living at Home carries check out the link, call me, and lets set up a party. If you don't want to have a party but love the goods, you can order from me, or host a catalog party! You then will earn rewards!
So why am I doing this? I love the products! I had gone to a Southern Living at Home party years ago and always made a purchase. The items are quality and the style I like in my home. The price points also make the items practical for everyone. Many of the items are dual function which I love since I am very low on storage space.
So friends, I love you and will probably hit you up to host. Of course you can say no, but I have to try. Remember, my day job is also in sales, so I am used to rejection, but am pretty persistent!!

etsy find

I don't know about you, but I love the challenge of getting the best gift for the person. I especially love it when it is a person that really does not need a thing. I actually put a lot of thought and pride on the fact that I believe I am a awesome gift giver. You do not have to spend much in my opinion. I get so excited hearing the response from the person I gift give to! So I have one of those people with a March birthday coming up, so I went to Etsy. I love this site. Here it is a cute little coin purse, make up bag, whatever you want it to be! I also love to support women in business and feel that this site gives me that opportunity. So check out the link: madebyhank

birthday dinner!

Tonight we had a birthday dinner for the girls since today is the day in the middle! I love this day! They are the same age. Family and a few close friends came over for mexican. I was even able to fit this dinner in my $60 a week budget except for the great cake that Brook O'dell made for me.

new find...

So, I was searching for something, who knows what and I found this great line of women and girls' clothes. The girls dresses are under $40 dollars. I might have a new obsession! Check out the link to Shabby Apple!

d is 2!!

So today is the big day, is 2! We had a mini celebration today at lunch with Chef-Boyardee her favorite meal in the world. John was not as impressed, but it is her day!

Abby James did not like the lesson she learned today. It is not her birthday until Tuesday. She was not happy that she did not get presents today with  Little does she know she will get all of the same things on Tuesday.

birthday tea party!

We made it through the big event! At 10 o'clock today my house was transformed into a mini tea party for 15 little girls age 1 and 2! It was so much fun. Brook O'dell made the cutest cupcakes with tea cups on top and the girls ate pb and j crustless sandwiches! Party favors were pink hats that all wore during the party.

MJC trunk show!!!

It is finally that time again! A new spring line is launching and Miller and I are having one of the first trunk shows for the launch! Sunday, March 8 1-3 at her house. Let me know if you need the address! If you live outside of Nashville or cannot make it but want to order let me know. I can help you get your order in and the cute clothes can be sent directly to you! You can check out some sneak peaks on the MJC blog link to the side! See you on the 8th!

February Grocery Class...

This the information from Faithful Provisions about the next Grocery Class. It looks like there are a few spots left. Go to the link and sign up!!

Grocery Class: Tuesday, February 24th

I will be having my next Grocery Shopping class in 3 weeks. I have the capacity for at least 40 participants, so I would love to have you. Below is the information and anyone is welcome to join us.

This is a perfect class for beginners or anyone who has come to previous classes and still wants to get a handle on how it all works for you!

You will learn concepts on how to stock ahead and change the way you shop, in order to save 50-75% on every grocery trip! It is a 2-hour class on how to stretch your dollar through using tools like:

• Meal Planning
• Grocery Budgeting
• Food Preparation
• Reading Sale Ads
• Stockpiling

** Note: This class will not have a focus on coupons, I will have another class set up soon for discussing coupons and drug stores.

When: Tuesday, February 24th at 6:30pm (will start promptly)

Where: Fellowship Bible Church, Learning Center Room 219 (once you are inside The Learning Center, go up stairs, go left and it is the first room on the right)

What: Cost is $5 (I don’t have change, so please just bring correct cash!)

How: Please leave a comment below to rsvp, include total number in your group - I don’t have to have each participants names. This allows me to know how many handouts to print.

** This class usually lasts from 1.5 - 2 hours, depending on questions from participants.

birthday week!

February is a really busy month for us. Within one week and 2 days we have Valentine's Day, my birthday, and both of the girls birthdays. This year Story, at Leapin Lizards (see link) made me the cutest cards for the birthday parties! She is so easy to work with, I highly recommend her to everyone! And the best thing is we have invites that are not the same as everyone else!

mjc sneak peak

Today the girls and I got dressed up and went to our Matilda Jane Trunk Keeper's home for a sneak peak of what is to come for the Spring Line, and OMG! I am so happy I have made the one exception to my resolution of no new clothes for the girls in this line! I am hopeful that my mother will fall in love and chip in also! hint hint! The clothes are so cute. Miller and I are having a show on March 8 at her house so let me know if you want to come or just put in an order! Easter Dress! I would be content if my children wore nothing but MJC all the time!

weely update on the budget

I was in AZ all week for work and was pretty organized as far as planning meals for John and the girls while I was gone. I even pre-made dinners that he could heat up. So when I got back I went to Rite Aide, CVS, and Kroger yesterday.
$16 RA diapers and wipes

$4.68 CVS 2 gallons milk, aspirin, ibuprofen

$26.43 Kroger 2 gogurt, cheese, chx breast, whole chx, pizza rolls, zip lock bags, 2 fruit snack, 3 chef boyardee, 2 prego, apple juice, 2 hunts manwich

TOTAL $47.11

I am about $13 under budget for this week!
as for the month...$158 I have $82 left with 1 more Sunday in February!!

fun at Kroger...

Last night after dinner we took Abby and Dto Kroger to see the shopping carts that have advertisement for John's Real Estate business. On 60% of the carts is a picture of J and the girls. They were excited for a moment then the fun faded. I have learned that it may not be a good idea to shop at a store with their picture all over the place. Especially when you are shopping after dinner and the cute kids in the picture are having a real life meltdown. Think I may drive to Brentwood next time! But for everyone else go and check out the carts!

my babies are growing up

At work the other day I was thanked for telling a grandmother about Hyland's teething tablets. She said they they really had helped her grandson. Everything is always so overwhelming with children and I think we are often so exhausted that we forget to tell others our secrets! So here is mine. I often throw in a bottle as a baby gift! I would put the tablet directly on the gum and then stick in the pacifier real fast. My sister on the other hand placed them in the bottle. Either way they allowed me to get through teething. Which seems so long ago as they are turning 2 and 3 in 2 weeks. My favorite days are February 22 and 23 when they are both the same age!

week 1 of february

So, today I went to Publix. I spent 49 dollars and saved 48! I am really excited that I still have 10 dollars to go to Kroger. I am going to stock up on ground turkey, 0.99 lb! and free tp!

aunt hayley

I our house Aunt Hayley is a superstar. This weekend my parents along with Aunt Hayley took Abby  to the circus. They also took cousin Parkes. I did not think D would sit still, so she and I went to the car wash. I think she had just as much fun!

not like every other sandwich...

So last night for a FREE dinner for all 4 of us, we were invited to WhichWich to sample sandwiches! We tried 8:

1. Caprese (Mozzarella, Pesto & Tomato)
2. Chicken Pesto
3. Triple Cheese Please
4. Bac-Hammon (Bacon & Ham)
5. Surf & Turf (Crab & Roast Beef)
6. Meatloaf
7. Spam & Egg
8. Spam

First of all with no clean up at home it is a given that I will enjoy myself! I do a lot of catering with my job and have eaten a lot of sandwiches, these are not like all the others. The selection is much different, as you can see from the sampling menu. My favorite was the Surf and Turf, and I do not know if I would have ever tried it just based on the description!
There are 2 locations in Nashville:West End near Centennial Park and Cool Springs behind PF Changs. So next time you are wanting a sandwich a little different from the ordinary (maybe even try SPAM) check it out! (they also have all the staples if your husband is picky!)

Thank you Kelly for inviting us to this fun opportunity!

cute hubby...

budget busted!!

So I am a little ahead. This week has been a crazy one. My company announced on Thursday major cuts in salesforce, so I am a little off. Friday after a day of home study and waiting by the phone (no word yet, will know by Wednesday) I had to get out of the house. Sober for 6+ years a drink was not an option, so I went shopping. First to Old Navy. Going in I told myself that I could spend $25. I spent $26.18. But I got a bunch of stuff including a birthday present for my sister.

Since I was in Franklin I decided to go into Aldi, no plan in place just needing to blow off some steam. I spent $63 dollars, but I do not need to go to the grocery this weekend for next week.

Finally, I transfered 3 Rx today and got $80 in CVS gift cards, so if I do have an emergency this week it will not be an out of pocket expense!! (milk, diapers, wipes)

So for the month... $251.45 I went over my $240 budget but not bad!!

Now for fun this week I went to Rite Aid and got lip gloss, mascera, and bronzer all for a grand total of $1. I love pairing a coupon with a clearence item!

I am so excited that I had so many friends come to Kelly's Grocery Class this week. It is so motivating to me to have more friends to talk to about saving money.

dinner

CrockPot Chicken ‘n Dumplins

2-3 boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes/halves
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 large onion, diced
4 T Butter, sliced
Salt & Pepper to taste
1-2 cups water
1 can biscuits (10 pack)

1. Put chicken breasts cut into halves in the crock pot. And cover with remaining ingredients, except for biscuits.
2. Cover and cook on high for 5 hours.
3. The last 30 min. you will take the cheap canned biscuits and tear in halves or thirds and drop it on top of the cooked chicken liquid and cover again and let puff up for about 30 min

I love to have a crock pot meal each week. Easy and not much clean up. I stole this one off of Kelly's website, www.faithfulprovisions.com The entire family loved it! Now since I work I did modify the time to start it before work and finish 9 hours later. I put it on low for the time I was gone and then switched it to high and put in the dough for about 40 minutes. I also did not cube the chicken. Too messy and too much time in the morning. I just shredded it when I got home by pulling it apart with tongs.

Another easy idea that my sister in law taught me a few years ago is:

1. 1 lb of chicken breast
2. 1 can salsa
3. 1 can of black olives
   

put in on high for 6 hours, shred and put over rice or use for tacos! Super easy!! We have this one weekly.

MJC sale

So I am sticking to my resolution, but if I was going to buy something this week for the girls it would be this cute cow dress. I picture it over jeans! I have to say I did not like it the first time I saw it, but it has completely grown on me. and at $15.20 what a great deal. (matilda jane clothing)

budget update

So remember last week John and I had to write down all of our purchases. So here is the results:
Jennie $229.54
John $166.20
I do not think the week results are real fair since I have grocery trips and Target shopping on mine. John's expenses do cover $70 worth of tickets for Valentines Day and my birthday, so I guess his is a little off also. We (and I mean John and I) actually liked the accountability of writing down the $ we spend on a daily basis and have continued this for this week. So I will update you. Next week should be much lower since I will not be shopping at Target, but I must say I love having a fully stocked gift closet for the spring and the majority of my Christmas shopping done!

So yesterday I went to Publix. Good news I was able to come in under my $60 goal which is good since I am over for the month. SPENT $44.58 SAVED $47! Over 50% savings! Now if I could just keep John out of Costco. One of my friends told me she stopped membership to keep her husband out! He found out when he was trying to pay! I love it. Watch out John you may be next!!!!

long weekend...

So we are on the final day of a long weekend. I want to know how come every time I have an extra day to spend with my children one of them is sick. It is so sad. Ironically, it always happens on the final day just in time to go back to school. No fever just a cough, but she is so depressing. Just lying on the couch coughing.
Just 2 days a go they were at a birthday party having a blast. I want that child back! I think as a parent the hardest thing is having a sick child, you just feel helpless, and you are.

christmas shopping in January!

I know it is hard to think about buying more toys, but it is so worth it. I went to Target yesterday and spent just at $150. Everything was 75% off so that means I purchased about $600 worth of toys. I am just about done with the girls for next Christmas. I also have all my birthday presents ready to go as we are entering into party marathon mode as Abby James's entire class was born between February and May.

baby girl anyone?

I wish I knew someone having a girl because I would be all over buying this thumbelina tutu set from Chasing Fireflies. Personally I think it is adorable and fun, just what every little girl needs!

grocery class

Faithful Provisions

Showing you how to save money!

Grocery Shopping Class: Tuesday, January 20th

I will be having my first Grocery Shopping class of 2009 in 2 short weeks. I have the capacity for at least 40 participants, so I would love to have you. Below is the information and anyone is welcome to join us.

When: Tuesday, January 20th at 6:30pm (will start promptly)

Where: Fellowship Bible Church, Learning Center Room 219 (once you are inside The Learning Center, go up stairs, go left and first room on right)

What: Cost is $5 (I don’t have change, so please just bring correct cash!)

How: Please leave a comment below to rsvp, include total number in your group - I don’t have to have each participants names. This allows me to know how many handouts to print.

** This class usually lasts from 1.5 - 2 hours, depending on questions from participants.

Everyone always ask me how I learned to save money at the grocery store. Last January I took my friend Kelly's class. She is having another class next Tuesday. They usually always fill up. If you want to go, just go to the link Faithful Provisions, scroll down to the Grocery Class post and sign up by adding a comment to the post with your name.

It is well worth it. Our lives were completely changed with the ability to cut our grocery budget from $850 a month to my new budget of $240.

goal setting in 2009

So I had to set goals for work this year, so why not for my personal life? They say if you write them down you are more likely to reach your goals. What do they say about posting them in a blog? Well, we will see.

• Financially I would love to stick to my $240 budget on grocery trips for the month. Ideally I would like to bring that down to $200 when Draper is potty trained. This will include me planning out weekly meals in order to stop a quick pick up at the last minute.
  
• Okay, I have said it before no new clothes for the girls. Except what I earn at a MJC Trunk Show. This does not mean they are not allowed to have new clothes, I just need to change my spending habit so please bring in the gifts!!
  
• Wake up at 6:00am M-F. I need to be dressed before the girls get up. (I am already having a really hard time with this one)
• Make more time for John and I, this is a non-negotiable just have to figure out when anyone want to babysit?!?!
  

january budget so far...

So I decided to try something new this week. Each day John and I have to take out all of our receipts out and write them down on a grid I drew out. This way we can see where we are blowing money. I am not sure if this is the best time of year to do this though because John is stocked up on gift cards. I on the other hand do not have any. I spent all of mine on Draper's new bedding. Go figure!

I have set a monthly budget of $240 on grocery expenses. This is to include paper products and get this diapers for Draper. So as of today I have a Publix of 28.71 (saved 18) and a Harris Teeter of 14.16 (saved 9). Not bad just over $42 for the week and I bought ground beef, milk, 2 whole chickens, case of H2O and chicken breast to name a few things. Now on Saturday I did go to CVS for diapers and tp (also bought shaving cream, soap, and milk) here I actually spent $32 and saved $21, but I do not have to write that one down since it was last week! So I really spent $74 for the week. Last week was $69. I am OVER for the month by $23, but I am soo stocked up on paper goods and meat, I think I can catch up over the next 2 weeks.

I am on track with my new years resolution day 11 of the year, and I have not bought a single item of clothes for the girls!! I did buy myself a cute shirt on sale at Kayce Hughes for $25! check out link, another great Nashville company. my treat!

catching up

Last night was girls night at my house. It was so much fun. Maggie, Victoria and Jennifer came over for create your own salad bar. For desert we enjoyed a scoop of soy mango vanilla ice cream from Trader Joes. It was really good, and I am a chocolate person. It is so funny to me that I can go 10 to 15 years without seeing my Harpeth Hall friends and when I do it is like we just saw each other yesterday. This is one of the many reason I am so happy that I am blessed with the opportunity to live and work in Nashville! Next month Maggie's house house. If you are interested in joining just let us know!!

chicken much?

Every week I usually cook a whole chicken. They are cheap and on sale most weeks! Until recently I had cooked it in a roasting pan which was a dreadful clean up. This year I received the STAUB roaster for Christmas. It is such a great thing! Much less mess and a much better bird. The best part is we get to eat all of the chicken now, unlike in a traditional pan the side down is not yucky!

flit and flitter

Since I am home with a sick child I have way too much computer time today. I was on the Flit and Flitter website, check out link, and they have the fall/winter collection 50% off!! Since I am not allowed to buy. New Years Resolution. I even wrote it down. I am sharing. I love this line. The owners live in Franklin. They even design the fabric! Super cute!
I just got an email... Free USA shipping on any purchase over $10!
Use code FREESHIPPING…expires January 9 at midnight CST...

back to normal...not yet!

So, I really thought on Sunday that Monday would be back to usual. That was until I was reminded at Sunday School that school did not start on Monday, why I do not know, but it did not. John was thrilled!! One more day. This is how it went. Draper tried to keep up with Abby and did not need a nap. Yeah right! So anyway today, Tuesday would be the big day everyone back to school. HA... D woke me up at midnight sick and needless to say after we both had a shower it was clear that Tuesday would not be back to normal.
Week 1 of 2009 and I get to take a sick day. But John has been taking the girls with him all break and he was booked today with meetings. My turn.

gift idea...

If your house is like mine you do not want to open another toy for awhile. I was at Swoozies in the Hill Center and they had these cute Kids Art Smocks half off! I bought each of my girls one and then picked one up for Gate's birthday present! I could not resist they ended up being about $7.00 and they are Ole Miss colors! and I think Maggie will approve!

dinner and a movie!

So everyone is about to go nuts in our home. Over 2 weeks without a routine. Abby woke up on Saturday and asked me if she got to go to school today to see her friends. So I decided to let them have a little fun and pulled out the tv trays! The best part was John and I had a very relaxing dinner at the table as they watched the Disney Channel Saturday night movie. Now I will say that was probably not the best choice. The Even Stevens Movie. It must have has a kissing sceen with the teenage daughter because I looked over and AJ was making out with her Snow White doll. Next time we will go for Tinkerbell!

triples

So, it is triples at Harris Teeter! I spent $69 and saved $51. Not my best trip, but considering that my children cried, screamed, hit and made me cry in the hour we were there not to bad. If you know me well, you know that last January Kelly Hancock (see the Faithful Provisions blog link) taught me everything I know about saving money. Although I do not know if it is just a way that I am able to spend more on clothes for the girls. Which by the way I admit I am addicted and have started therapy as of yesterday. Not really but I broke down yesterday as I was cleaning the closets. I do not think there are enough days in the year to wear all of their clothes. I am making a commitment to no new purchases. Except I am going to have a MJC Trunk show and can buy what I earn. So please come!
Back to the point, sorry, I actually called John while at the store to come and pick them up. If you know John you know he did not get there until I was done paying. But thank him for trying. Nightmare...

d's new bed

I think we are crazy; I was woken up at 6 am today since D can get in and out of her new bed. After much deliberation we got D in a new bed. She loves it and is very proud.

hotty toddy!!

What a great day to be an Ole Miss fan! Unlike the years that I was a student I tried to watch the game. Maggie and Gates came over and we pigged out on fried food! Diet starts next week! At half time we had a marching band consisting of Maggie, Gates, AJ and D. I had strict orders not to post those pictures. So in case you do not keep up with Ole Miss Football, we were in the Cotton Bowl and beat Texas Tech, actually killed them! Hotty Toddy!
BTW...I love that I had the Pears and Bears dresses I got at the last sample sale monogrammed with hotty toddy. I think it makes the dress!

stickers

I was so proud of myself this year. After joining Facebook last summer I have found so many new resources and places to spend my money! It has been amazing to see all of the creative things people I know create! This year I turned to Story Bridges for my wrapping a gift needs. She was in my pledge class over, well a long time ago. She made me these cute stickers for a really great price. Everything was wrapped in brown kraft paper and the tree looked great! I also ordered luggage tags for all the girls teachers at $5.00 a piece!! She also designed a checkbook cover for my sister in law and a pad of paper for the other one! It was a great way to give custom gifts!
Leapin Lizzards Designs, check out the link!

Yellow Daisy Design

Hey, everyone check out my sister Katie's site. Really cute designs! She got all of the artistic genes. I was left out!