Rhinestone Cowgirl Party Planning #1

For some reason my little girl has takin' a strong liking to horses over the last year. She was a cowgirl for Halloween and now has requested a "Horsey Party."

First, it's not easy finding anything "Cowgirl" everything is mostly for "cowboys". Not a problem for me, that just means I get to be extra creative!

First I was thinking pink and brown and now I want something more bright and cheery and GIRLY! The Theme:

Rhinestone Cowgirl

I actually found a digital scrapbook kit called Rhinestone Cowgirl too!

Here's the invitation!

We are actually going to be having a "photo shoot" with a horse later this week. These photos will be used at the party and of course in the invitation above.

Follow me as I piece this fun "horsey" party together!

Target: 3/18

Boy did I have FUN at Target today! Spent a little more then I wanted, but I also saved A LOT!

Not pictured are:

-Renu travel size contact solution: $1.52 - $1.00 coupon

-Dollar bin teal tin

-Dollar bin fruit snacks

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Spring Dress: $6.00 (sale)

Easter sandals: $14.99 (NOT ON SALE - ouch..)

2x Kashi Cereal: $3.29 & $3.49

Kashi Crackers: $3.54

-$3.54 Target Buy 2 cereals get 1 cracker FREE

-$3.29 FREE Kashi cereal coupon

-$2.00 Kashi coupon

Kashi Cereal Bowl: $1.00

-$1.00 coupon

Dannon Activa: $1.89 (sale)

-$1.00 coupon

Dannon Smoothies: $1.89 (sale)

-$1.00 coupon

12x Gillette Bodywashes: $1.79 each

-4x $4.00/2 coupons

-4x $1.00/1 coupons

4x Degree Girl: $1.97 each

-2x $3.00/2 coupons

4x Satin Care Travel size: $.99

-4x $.55 coupons

Rimmel Mascara: $2.24

-$3.00 coupon

Pin the tail on the Donkey game: $2.48 (clearance)

Beanbag game: $2.48 (clearance)

3x Ore Ida Steam and Mash: $2.40 (clearance)

-3x $1.00 coupons

8x Dollar Bin lanterns: $1.00 each (not all pictured)

*Planning a birthday party right now!*

Total OOP: $50.75

**Total Saved: $87.96**

Walgreens 3/17

Break OVER!

I went to Walgreens on St. Patty's Day - WITHOUT - RR and guess what... turns out you don't need them to get a good deal! Ha! It was actually kind of nice not having to worry about the coupon to product ratio and calculating all that mumbo jumbo. Here's what I got!

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2x Planters Trail Mix: $1.99 each (sale)

- 2x $1.50 coupons

-$1.00/2 March Wags coupon

Eyeliner: $1.99 (50% off sale)

-$1.00 coupon

2x Excedrin: 2/$5.99 (sale)

- 2x $1.00 coupons

- 2x$2.00 March Wags coupon ($4.00 off total)

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Used ZERO RR

Total OOP: $1.41 (with tax!)

Total saved: $18.39

Coupon Shopping "Break"

I guess you could say I'm going on a coupon "break." I didn't get to the bargains this Sunday due to normal everyday craziness. I am doing a big two day expo this weekend, and did have RR from Walgreen expiring on the 14th, so I went to Walgreens and used up what I had on a few good deals and a ZhuZhu pet to put in my daughter's Easter basket. So I'll be starting fresh next week, but no couponing again this Sunday since I'll be working the expo.

I have gone to Walmart twice this week and gotten some great deals and toy deals:
3x Monopoly Deal Games with coupon $.24 each
2x Hungry Hippos Travel game with coupons $1.24 each
6x Buddies Soaps with coupons: couple cents each money maker
4x Pull Ups wipes with coupons: $.64 each
2x My Little Ponies with coupons: $2.50 each

I'm starting to pile up my "gift stash" and "Christmas present stash" as I know that all that stuff sneaks right up on you!

I'm happy to announce that as of this past Christmas I've pretty well had Easter basket, birthday gifts, and half the Christmas present shopping for THIS Christmas done! With the exceptions of adding things in here and there as they come along. There are two great points to this:

#1) Not having to worry about these things as it gets closer. No more last minute shopping!
#2) Saves money! Pick up the bargains when they are out there and stash for later!

Good design is for us ALL

As a person with an interior design background, I take note when I see good design. Pottery Barn is one. However, realistically, being a SAHM the price tag is pretty much a shock. I'd love to fill my home from the dining room to my daughter's room with all their lovely and over priced furniture, but it's just not going to happen... or is it?

A few months ago I came across a blog that I had been searching for for months (but had never exsisted). I was IN LOVE from the beginning when I came across it searching yet again for a similar site hoping one would pop up - I couldn't stop checking the site, showing my hubby, dreaming of all the wonderful items I could now have!! This Blog is known as Knock Off Wood. Even more exciting, a woman, a SAHM just like myself, was the one running the show.

In a nut shell, she shows you how to build trademarked furniture of SO MUCH LESS then the big retailers are selling it for.

Here's the bad news- Williams-Sonoma Inc. is cracking down and claiming "copyright infringement." I WANT THIS SITE TO STAY AROUND! She is helping all of us to have good design in our homes without breaking the bank. It's time to support Knock Off Wood!

WE ALL DESERVE GOOD DESIGN

(even if we can't always afford it)

Read more about this topic on Knock Off Wood's blog HERE

Old Clothes are New Again!

If your kids are anything like my daughter, they grow like weeds! My "little" one isn't so little anymore with her 4th birthday around the corner. She's always been very tall for her age and a step up in size then what her actual age reads. As a result, we end up going through clothes like crazy.

I've come across a lot of great blogs explaining how to take outgrown clothes and make them new and WAREABLE again!

This article is great if you have a new toddler and still are hanging onto those baby clothes at Sew Can Do

Ruffles and Stuff has many great ideas to transform clothes to not only wearable, but CUTE!

Part 1: Tops

Part: Bottoms

Once again my little girl is almost to the point of highwater jeans, but luckily spring is in the air! Many of her jeans and pants are going to be transformed into capri's and skirts.

I have done a few clothing alterations in the past HERE is one. I will post pics after I've gotten to work!