*Not So* Extreme Couponing

It's amazing the sense of satisfaction you get after a great coupon haul.  I'm nothing like the people on TV... maybe when we get that bigger house I'll start a stockpile.  Though with the way my dreams are going I'm going to need a 6 bedroom house and a big basement.  A master, a room for the Bug, a room for the Butterfly (my step-daughter), a room for my closet, a craft room/office, a stockpile room, and a nice big playroom in the basement....  Hope DH doesn't read this, he might have a heart attack :)

Anyways, back to the couponing.  WalMart has a fabulous sale on right now, so we went out to the one on Appleby in Burlington (after our fantastic trip to Ikea... tune in tomorrow for the outcome of that trip).  See below for my savings and for my couponing resources.  Happy Couponing!

Here is the haul::

And here is a better shot of the HBA::

Not everything in the picture had a coupon, but everything was on sale!!

TOTAL BILL PRE-TAXES:: $132.87

TOTAL COUPON SAVINGS:: $86.33

My coupon savings::
Diapers - FREE!  Regular price: $39.83, on sale for $29.83,coupons from Kimberly-Clark for free packs
Wipes - Regular $19.97, coupon for $9 off from Kimberly-Clark
Kleenex - Regular $9.97, on sale for $6.97, coupon for $2 off
Mouthwash - Regular $3.96, coupon for $1 off
Floss - Regular $3.67, coupon for FREE with purchase of mouthwash
Toothpaste - Regular $2.96, on sale for $1.96, coupon for $1 off
Deodorant - Regular $3.97, on sale for $2.97, coupon for Buy 2, get $2 off
Advil - Regular $9.47, on sale for $6.47, coupon for $3 off
Infant Tylenol - Regular $6.96, on sale for $5.96, coupon for $3 off
Benylin - Regular $14.96, on sale for $8.96, coupon for $3 off (that was a great one!!!)
MumMums- Regular $3.17, on sale (though mis-marked, these were not actually on sale) $2, coupon for $0.50 off

My coupon resources::
Save.ca
P&G - usually the best HBA coupons
WebSaver
SC Johnson

A great **CANADIAN** resource on how to get started, how to maximize your coupons, where to find coupons, etc::
Canadian Coupon Queen

Who doesn't love Free!

Today I got four free mannequins!  Everyone's response is "What do you want mannequins for?"

Well, my dream career is to be a freelance visual merchandiser.  I would love to have contracts with a few stores to design their windows weekly, monthly, whatever and to do in-store merchandising as well.  I get to do visual within my current position but not on a regular basis and there is a lot of limitations being part of a corporation.

So what do I want mannequins for?  Props, of course.

Although I plan to keep one for myself... and my dream closet.  One day....

An entire room

Beautiful shelving (love the Pax wardrobe at Ikea)

3 of the walls royal purple

One with black and white damask wallpaper

And my mannequin, painted silver, like a piece of art

It's okay if you think I'm crazy, most people do

She Won't Sleep For Me

My little Bug only slept for a half an hour today.  She is exhausted, I know she is.  I can see it in her eyes and the way she is walking like she is half drunk.

Most of the time I nurse her to sleep.  During the day she sleeps on the couch beside me or on the floor if I'm busy, at night she sleeps with us.  At daycare she sleeps in a crib and they rub her back for 10 minutes and she's out.  (I wish that worked for me!)

Today:: Nothing.  

She won't focus to nurse.  She will only lay in her crib for a few minutes before standing up and screaming until she is sick.

I've given up and she is playing happily with Daddy. 
I hope she sleeps well tonight!

Wordless Wednesday

Sooo I was in the midst of doing yesterday's post when my little Bug faceplanted into the floor and required mama's soothing touch... And then I forgot to come back.  I'm not counting this as today's post, that will come later on when Bug goes down for a nap :)

Vroom Vroom

Yesterday I alluded to the subject of today's post.  I was sitting in an office and VERY excited about what was happening...

No, my little bug is not going to be a big sister...

We bought a car!

Chop Chop

If we are Facebook friends you may have seen my status today:: "chop chop"

I hate haircuts!  And even more so I don't dye my hair.  But I needed a change and I bought a wagjag a year ago that was set to expire March 4.  Grandma and Grandpa were coming down for another reason ::come back tomorrow to find out why:: so I scheduled my hair appointment for this afternoon.

I was soooo indecisive, I google'd hairstyles and just printed a bunch that I liked which ended up being all over the map.  I took my pictures to Le Salon & Spa and met my hairdresser.  Her name was Robin and she was awesome, she made great recommendations on what would work for my face shape and hair texture... and what would be quick and easy to style.

I've never had highlights before so I was quite nervous about what the final product would be.  I picture blonde when I think highlights.  I am very impressed with the subtle change, and it wasn't too light at all!

First (and most important)::

Before::

No turning back now::

Final Product:: (forgive the lighting)

This final picture will lead into tomorrow's post.  I don't want to give away too much, but as you can see I am pretty excited about what is happening!!

NaBloPoMo... It's Never Too Late?

Today is day 15 of NaBloPoMo.  What is this you ask?  National Blog Posting Month.  The challenge is to post every day for a month.  Now I am a little late as the month is half over, but as the saying goes better late than never.  I have been having trouble finding motivation to write anything lately.  I am back to work and life is busy, but I think that taking a few "me" minutes each day to sit down and collect my thoughts would be good for me (and my family).  I am putting a reminder in my phone to ding at me every day and hopefully keep me on track!