"Extreme Couponing"

I'm intrigued by the show "Extreme Couponing" on TLC. These people take their couponing VERY seriously, some spending up to 20 hours a week cutting coupons, but end up paying next to nothing at the register. I admire these people's dedication to saving money, but at the same time found myself asking: Who needs 75 boxes of cereal?? I also think that some of their "stock piles" constitute borderline hoarding. With that being said... I'm sucked into the show! Check it out sometime.

BOGO at Subway Tomorrow

Subway is having a Customer Appreciation Day tomorrow (4/16). Buy a foot long sub and get one for FREE. With many foot longs costing only $5, it's not a bad deal.

Bass Pro Shop Celebrates Easter

Hop on over to Bass Pro Shop for some FREE Easter activities for kids (ages 2-10). Join in on their Easter Egg Hunt (April 16,17, 23, & 24) beginning at 1 PM... or make some crafts. You can also get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny and receive a free 4x6 photo.

* Decorate an Easter Egg (April 16 & 17)- noon to 3 PM

* Make a Foam Magnet Easter Egg (April 22- 6 to 8 PM and April 23-24- noon to 3 PM)

Oversized Compacts

Here's a nifty idea to rid clutter on your bathroom counter or alleviate the need to carry a bulky make-up bag. The Z Palette is a magnetic palette that lets you put your favorite cosmetics in one place.Coming in several colors and patterns and 2 different sizes (small- $14 and large- $20), you simply remove your shadows, blushes, and powders from their original containers and pop them on the magnetic base.

Z Palette is sold in some stores (but not many on the East Coast) and they do have a website: http://www.zpalette.com/.

Using a blow dryer, heat up the bottom of whatever cosmetic you'd like to transfer until the adhesive is loose. If the product doesn't come right out, use a pair of tweezers to pull it out. Most cosmetics that come in compacts or individual cases should have a metal base, but if not you can stick on an adhesive magnet. Z Palette sells some, but they can easily be found at craft stores. You might want to add a magnet to a narrow brush to put it in the palette as well. If I were you, I might stash the empty containers some place so that you have a reference when you need to buy a replacement and can't recall what shade you last purchased.

1 Year Later

I find it really hard to believe that a year ago today, Jason and I got married. This past year has flown by. A year later, I'm not sure if I can still call myself a "newlywed", but for now... the name's staying.

Who Turned off the Lights?!

When Mother Nature throws a curve ball your way with unsettled weather and storms, keep this in mind if you should lose electricity. According to Self, a well packed freezer should keep food frozen for a good 48 hours. A less-than-stuffed freezer will probably only keep food frozen for about 24 hours. If you're without power for longer than that, it's time to let it go. Finally some vindication for stocking up on those frozen food sales!

As far as your fridge... an average refrigerator will quickly rise above 40 degrees after 4 hours without electricity. So... if you're in the dark for longer than that, either start grilling your perishables or toss them.

Don't think of it as throwing money away... think about the fact that it's better to be safe than sorry (not to mention sick)!

The Sweet Taste of Victory??

Everyone seems to be cashing in on VCU's success in making it to the Final Four. Take Kroger for example. Kroger has black and yellow striped cupcakes and doughnuts. Although I have to say that I was captivated with their pull-apart cupcakes in the shape of a basketball. They even have VCU creme-filled doughnuts. So what does victory taste like? Apparently sweet.

(Side Note= Krispy Kreme makes a mean basketball doughnut, too!)