Winner of the Full Sheet of Jamberry Nail Wraps is.....

Thank you to everyone for your entries!

It is time to announce our winner!!!

Congratulations to.....

Allyson Tice!!

Check your e-mail!

You have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be picked.

Super Yummy GF Fudgy Brownie Recipe

I love brownies.  I mean, really love them, or anything chocolate for that matter.

This was the very first Gluten Free baking recipe I ever tried and it is still my favorite!

These brownies are so rich and chewy and fudgy and so, so easy to make!

I just have to share the recipe!

 Fudgy Gluten Free Brownies
 

• 1 cup gluten-free flour blend of your choice
• ½ cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
• ⅓ cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup warm water, 110 degrees F.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease an 8-inch square nonstick baking pan. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup of the flour blend with cocoa, baking powder, salt and xanthan gum.
   
2.  In a large bowl, beat the butter and both sugars with an electric mixer on low speed until well-combined. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until well-combined. With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the dry ingredients and then the warm water, beating until smooth. Spread the batter evenly in the pan.
   
3. Bake for 20 minutes. Do not overbake, or the brownies won't be fudgy! Cool the brownies in the pan on a wire rack completely before cutting.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   A few tips and tricks:
   
   
   •  I used Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten Free baking flour, but you are welcome to use any GF flour mix you choose, jut remember, if you are using a mix with Xanthan Gum already added, do not add more!
   • Here's a fun substitution!  Instead of butter, use Coconut Oil in your brownies.  This will add a coconut-y flavor to them!  Go all out by making a coconut frosting, and you'll end up with brownies that taste like a Mounds candy bar!  YUM!
   • The batter will be very thick, so be sure to spread it out evenly in the pan and get the surface as smooth as you can before you bake.
   • I bake mine for about 17 minutes and they come out perfectly done, so don't be afraid to mess around with the baking time to get your brownies perfectly fudgy!
   
   
    

Jamberry Nail Wraps Giveaway!

I have recently discovered Jamberry nail wraps, and let me tell you they are awesome!

With so many prints, colors and styles to choose from, there is something for everyone!  They even come in kids sizes!

They last for up to two weeks on fingers and 4 weeks on toes(that's right, toes!), so you're not constantly having to redo them, like you would with traditional manicures.

But, the best part is, they are so super affordable!

Here is a quick price breakdown for you.

This is what you can get out of one sheet of wraps.  So for $15 you are getting 2 manicures, 2 pedicures, and quite a few accent nails!  That works down to $3.25 per mani/pedi and that's not including the cost of the accents you will have leftover!

I just did my newest Jamicure in Midnight Celebration!

Before we get to our giveaway, I have a few tips for your Jamberry application.

• Be sure to properly clean and prep your nail before application to help them last longer.
• Check out the plastic baggie method to get perfectly applied wraps with no creases!
• If you don't already have them, the Jamberry Application Kit and Mini Heater make the whole process much easier.

Now for the fun!

Use the form below to enter to win one FULL sheet of Jamberry wraps in Chameleonaire!

Giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada!  Entries will be verified, ends on 12/23/14 at midnight Eastern time.

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Chunky Knit Infinity Scarf WINNER!!

Thank you to everyone for your entries! 

It is time to announce our winner!!!

Congratulations to.....

Jessica E!!

Check your e-mail! 

You have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be picked.

Sights, Lights, and Dinosaur Bites!

This past weekend we took a quick pre-Christmas  trip, and I have some definite highlights to share!

First off, if you are ever in the area (and don't mind sitting in line for a couple of hours to get in) check out Nature in Lights, a drive through light show presented by Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area.

The show begins in mid-November and runs through the beginning of January.  Like I mentioned, the wait can be very long to get in the gate, but if you have the patience (and your kids don't go nuts waiting) it is well worth it!

And, about halfway through the show, be sure to stop and see Santa!

If you are looking more for a quiet family getaway, BLORA is a great place to start!  The campground offers both RV and tent campsites, as well as very affordable rental cabins.

Due to it's proximity to Ft. Hood, BLORA does have a few quirks...

Plus, if you visit in the summertime, you can take advantage of the free water slides!  We are already planning on taking another trip in the summer so we can enjoy them!

We spent two days at BLORA, then started for our next destination......
DINOSAUR WORLD!!!

This was the highlight of our trip!  Our babies loved it and we loved watching them.

Dinosaur World features a walking tour of over 100 life sized dinosaurs.

On the trail you will meet dinosaurs both large and small.

Carnivores!

Herbivores!

 It is a ton of fun, and very kid (and pet) friendly!

Dinosaur World has locations in Florida, Kentucky and Texas.  We visited the location in Glen Rose, Texas.  It took us about an hour to walk the trail, and we spent half an hour at the large and well equipped playground.

There is also a Boneyard, where kids become the excavators, and uncover a 27-ft. dinosaur skeleton!

When you are done there, be sure to visit the Fossil Dig.  The Fossil Dig is a guided activity, giving your child the chance to dig and sift to find their own small fossils in the sand.

This was the big stop for our kiddos this trip, and they were completely in love with it.  Baby girl kept trying to crawl under the fence and go ride the dinos!

Dinosaur world was the final stop on our trip, and we headed home shortly after.  However, there are several dino/fossil themed places to visit in or near Glen Rose, including Dinosaur Valley State Park.

Next time we come to this area, we will be camping at the park and checking out all of the trail and fossil sites.  This would be a great place to take your little dinosaur lover!

Today, we Celebrate!!

Last week, I sold my first custom item through my Etsy store, Squishes.

Woohoo!

And today, I finally got it finished and ready to send out!  Isn't it beautiful!

So, in celebration, I'm having a sale!

For the next week, I will be offering 10% off ANY item in the store!

Use code LETSCELEBRATE

Easy peasy, and there's lots to choose from!  Don't forget, everything is completely customizable!

Don't see what you're looking for?  Check out the Make It For Me listing!

Happy Shopping!

My New Favorite Scarf Pattern + A Giveaway!

Yesterday, I found my new favorite scarf pattern!

It is so quick and easy and looks amazing!

And, since I love it so much, I've decided to give one away!

Enter to WIN this chunky knit infinity scarf!

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Let's Talk Grocery Bills and Budgets!

Around here money is tight, and we have a fairly strict budget for everything, including groceries.  We shoot for $300-400 a month to feed our family of 4, and that includes all of my gluten free stuff.

A few days before I go shopping, I check all my local ads, and make a list based on that with all of the current prices plus any coupons I have.  I use the amounts to look for better prices on those items while I'm at other stores.  Sometimes this means going to 3 or 4 different stores to get the best deals.

Today was shopping day, and it was definitely a good one!

Here is what I spent at each store.  Prices are after all sales, discounts, and coupons.

Walgreens
2 Snuggle Fabric Softener - 32 oz.  -  $4.59
CoverGirl Eyeshadow Pallet  -  $2.24
CoverGirl Lip Stick  -  $0.69
Scunci Hair Clips  -$2.00
Gallon Fieldcrest Milk  -  $3.49
12 Double Rolls Quilted Northern  -  $4.99
6 Rolls Viva Papertowels  -  $4.99
Lucky Charms  -  $2.00
Reese's Peanut Butter Puffs  -  $2.00
Ology Facial Moisturizer  -  $4.79
Kettle Chips  -  $2.99
PoppyCock  -  $1.99
White Cheddar Popcorn  -  $1.99
Nutella  -  $4.19
Domino Sugar  -  $3.49
2 Boxes Nice!  Storage bags  -  $1.98
Nice! Animal Crackers  -  $2.29
Nice! Crunchy Peanut Butter  -  $2.99

Total After Tax  -   $55.63

Salvage Store (Basically the scratch and dent grocery store - great prices here!)
2 Gallons Milk  -  $3.98
Tub of Oikos Yogurt  -  $2.99
1Lb. Of Land O'Lakes Butter  -  $3.59
Barilla Pasta  -   $0.89
Extra Virgin Olive Oil  -  $3.99
Clausen Dill Pickles  -  $0.75
Clausen Hot & Spicy Pickles  -  $1.25
3Lbs. Rice  -  $1.99
2 Boxes Fruit Snacks  -  $3.98
PopChips  -  $1.49
2 Boxes Candy Canes for the tree  -  $1.98
2 Boxes Jello  -  $1.78
2 Containers Fresh Blackberries  -  $1.98
6Lbs. Apples  -  $5.58
10Lbs. Potatoes  -  $2.49
White Mushrooms  -  $1.49
OrganicGirl Romaine Hearts  -  $0.99
Tub of Gluten Free Cookie Dough  -  $2.99

Total After Tax  -  $45.67

United Market Street
Barilla Gluten Free Pasta  -  $2.19
2 Bag Store Brand Chips  -  $4.00
3 Boxes Mac N Cheese  -  $1.00
Eight O'Clock Coffee  -  FREE with the coupon I won!
2 Boxes Gluten Free Chex  -  $5.00
2 Juice Boxes  -  $1.98
3Lb. Bananas  -  $1.47
3 Ruby Red Grapefruit  -  $1.00
Tomatoes on the vine  -  $2.83
1.64Lb Boneless Beef Ribs  -  $4.02
5.68Lb Fresh Chicken Thighs  -  $4.52
1.19Lb Chicken Breast  -  $4.68
1.22Lb Pork Chops  -  $3.36
4.59Lb Fresh Chicken Legs  -  $4.71
Rudi's Gluten Free Bread  -  $5.49
Bailey's Coffee Creamer 32oz.  -  $2.99
Whipped Cream  -  $2.50
 3 Blocks Cheese  -  $5.34
3Lbs. Breakfast Sausage  -  $5.99
15.3" Lodge Cast Iron Roasting Pan  -  FREE with my shoppers rewards

Total after Tax  -  $64.23

Total Grocery Bill  -  $165.53

This will feed us well for the next 2 weeks, and add to our well stocked deep freezer!

What kind of deals did you get at the grocery store?

King Arthur Flour Gluten Free Bread Mix Review

Since being diagnosed with a gluten allergy a couple months ago, I have struggled with finding a bread that I like....and that doesn't taste like soggy cardboard.

I sent my husband to the store a few days ago (alone, scary I know) and he came back with a box of King Arthur Flour Gluten Free Bread Mix.

I was definitely anxious to try it, so I did!

It was pretty simple, but I bake a lot so I'm used to the bread process.

You only need to add three ingredients.

First, you mix you wet ingredients well.

Then, add your yeast and flour mix.

Once that is done, it will look something like this.

Next, you cover it, and let it rise for about 40 minutes, stir again, and put into your greased bread pan.

Now, you're gonna cover it and let it rise again, until the center is about and inch over the top of the pan.  I let mine go to about here.

Now, you are ready to bake!  Make sure your oven is preheated to 350 and put that sucker in there!

It will be done when the center reaches around 200 degrees (break out that thermometer!).

Take it out of the oven, and let it cool on a wire rack.

Of course if you're anything like me, you can't wait that long, and you cut it open immediately to start eating it.

It was very good, great texture and flavor.  So good in fact that less than 24 hours later there is very little left.  Even my husband thought it was good!

You can purchase this direct from King Arthur Flour or look for it in your local grocery store!

Quick Tips:

• Using a mixer will make this much easier.
• Bread rises best in warmer areas, so put it a warm spot, like on top of your stove while the oven warms.
• Don't let it rise too far over the top of the pan before you bake.  It will rise quite a bit when you first put it in the oven.
• Be sure to run a knife around the sides of your pan before turning your bread out onto the wire rack to loosen up any stuck spots.

Why I Love Online Giveaways

Online giveaways and a fun and easy way to win all kinds of stuff!  Over the years I've won high end baby gear, cloth diapers, coffee, gift cards, and other various prize packs.

And you know, you can't beat free!!

From time to time, I'll be sharing my favorite giveaways and my winnings!

First up, this weeks winnings!  I was one of 100 winners of the 8 O'Clock Coffee, Cofee With Friends instant win game!  Here is my prize pack!

Free coffee (or any coffee) is at the top of my favorite things list!

Plus, I won't have to buy coffee for the next month and I have a new bag to take grocery shopping, saving me on my grocery bill!

Double awesome!

What have you won lately?

Thrifty Outfit of the Day - Dec. 2

A couple years ago, after spending way too much buying new clothes, I suddenly discovered the wonder of thrift stores!

I know, you're probably thinking dirty, outdated clothes and other yuckiness.

Not so!!

I shop at a variety of stores and let me tell you, I have a very nice wardrobe because of it, for a fraction of the price!

Here is today's Thrifty Outfit of the Day!

Today I am wearing a brown cashmere blend sweater from Vince, white t-shirt from Banana Republic, and my favorite jeans from Abercrombie & Fitch.

Now for the fun part, the prices!!

The sweater and jeans were purchased from Twice.com for way under retail.  This is my favorite place to shop for clothes online.  They carry only top brands of women's clothes, shoes, and bags.
When you sign up through the link above you get $10 credit for your first purchase and 50% off your first order!

Twice is also a great place to send those old things that you no longer wear, and you will get a $10 credit for your first sell order!

Really, I just can't say enough about how awesome Twice is.  Give it a try!

The Banana Republic top was bought at my local Goodwill, another favorite of mine.  Goodwill is definitely more time consuming, but if you have the patience to dig through all of the racks, you can find some awesome stuff!

Here's the breakdown:

Original prices:
Vince sweater - $181.50
Banana Republic T-shirt - $35.00
Abercrombie & Fitch Jeans - $88.00

Total - $304.50

What I paid:
Vince Sweater - $7.95
Banana Republic T-Shirt - $3.50
Abercrombie & Fitch Jeans - $5.95

Total - $17.40

For a total savings of  $287.10!!

Hard to beat that!

What awesome finds have you gotten lately?

Free Gifts with ShopYourWay.com

A few weeks ago I found out about ShopYourWay.com and it has already turned out to be awesome!

Shop Your Way is a great way to get some great gifts for cheap or free!  For every purchse you make you earn points worth a certain amount of credit - free money!  But that's not the best part.  Every so often, you will get free Surprise points worth any amount, some come with minimum purchase amounts, but others are just like free money!

Last week I received 25,000 Surprise points, or $25.00 in free shopping money to Sears.com or KMart.com.

I was able to use mine to finish off my cute baby girl's Christmas shopping.  

Here was my breakdown:

That's right!  After my reward points plus free shipping for the first 3 months, my total out of pocket cost was $0.22!  Awesome deal, and she will love them!

Set up your account and it shouldn't be long before you start seeing free points too!

Decking out the Living Room!

Let me start by saying, we rent our home, so my options for decoration are a little more limited than some.  I am always looking for great decorating ideas for renters. 

I currently have about 1000000 ideas running through my head, and 3 that I am currently working on.

My latest DIY for the living room is some new pretties for my side table!

This one was super easy(and free since I already had all the supplies on hand)!

All it took was some old picture frames and some paint!

My next project is turning out to be amazing!  I'll be giving you all the details in a new post this weekend!

What projects do you have going right now?

Give me some inspiration!

Thrift Stores

Let's take a minute to discuss one of my favorite things...

Thrift Stores!!

I love shopping at them and everyone who know me is very aware of it!

After the 2 year old tornado was born, I lost weight really quickly and was dropping sizes every couple of weeks.  It was getting expensive to constantly replace my wardrobe.  Then one day I thought, "Why am I not looking at Goodwill?"

I've been shopping at Goodwill (and others) for years looking for great things for my home, but I had never really looked at the clothes.

Boy, has that changed!  These days, nearly everything I wear was bought second hand and all of it is more than I could afford any other way!

I'll be sharing some of my amazing thrifted finds with you, both for the home and the clothes.

Like I mentioned, Goodwill is my favorite store, but we also have some great local places that run killer deals.  For example, I hit one local store last week that was having a buy 15 items for $5.00 sale.  I loaded up on Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and others for 5 bucks!!  Can't beat that!

Another one that I am really starting to like is Twice.  Twice is an online consignment website.  You can buy or sell with them, and it is great stuff.

The prices are not the bargain basement you will find at local thrift stores, but there are many ways to get credit.

Sign up, you get credit.

Download the app, you get credit.

Sell to them, you get credit.

Refer a friend, you get credit.

The orders ship quickly and are in tip top shape!

I've placed two orders with them, and just recently sent off my first load of items to sell.  I really enjoy using it!

Anyway, that is a quick intro into my thrift shopping love.

Where do you find your thrifty deals?

To Blog or Not to Blog...

That is what I have been asking myself!

Well, since I'm here, obviously I went with "to".

I used to blog, and I really enjoyed it!  Sharing my latest adventures, DIYs, recipes, sewing, baby things, basically everything I love.

Then I got busy.

Had another baby.

Went back to work (part-time, but still).

Got tired....TIRED.

And I kind of let it all go.  But I think the time has come to start blogging again, just becuase I enjoy it and I have all kinds of fun stuff I would like to share!

So, join me for my life adventures, and tell me about yours!

I bet we will have lots of fun!