Life After I "Dew"

This post is part of a compensated campaign with Mom It Forward Blogger Network and Organic Doctor  but all my opinions are my own.

Anyone else a super last minute shopper this year?

Normally I like to have everything done by the week of Christmas but this year I'm finding myself out in the hustle and bustle just a few days before Christmas.  Honestly, it's not that bad.  I thought it was going to be crazy busy, people were going to be rude and grumpy and I was going to come home completely drained of Christmas cheer.  I've been pleasantly surprised at the general mood this year, everyone seems a little more laid back and friendly {minus the young men who refused to open or hold open a door for me but that's another story for another day}.

Today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite things to shop for, STOCKING STUFFERS!  I love stocking stuffers because we do them last so just when you think the presents are over...nope, STOCKING STUFFERS!  As a kid, my mom always wrapped stocking stuffers and sometimes my dad would surprise me and I'd have real {small} presents in there so and I loved knowing that I wasn't quite done opening gifts.

When Organic Doctor asked if I'd be willing to share some stocking stuffer ideas, including their naturally inspired products, I immediately said, "YES!"  I love beauty and skincare products just as much as the next girl and I would love to receive all or any of these things in my stocking this year.

1.  Aveda Volumizing Tonic.  I have tried lots of volumizers over the year thanks to flat,fine hair and I have loved none until I started using this.  I love that it smells amazing {duh, all Aveda products do} and it doesn't leave my hair feeling weighed down or like there's build up at my roots.

2.  Organic Doctor {available at your local CVS}.

• Organic Rose Otto Facial Serum.   This is a light serum designed to renew elasticity, restore skin integrity and leave your skin feeling soft and toned.
• Organic Snail Gel.  This moisturizing, anti-aging gel will soothe and hydrate skin in these harsh winter months.
• Organic Olive Oil Skin Lotion.  Help moisture dry, flaking winter skin with this all-over body lotion that will leave skin feeling softer and smoother all day long.

3.  Philosophy Amazing Grace.  If you ever wondered what I smell like {I know you do} this is it.  I've been wearing this, exclusively, since college {or maybe before}.  I'm obsessed and it's the only perfume I've ever finished a bottle of.

4.  NARS blush {orgasm}.  I'm sure you've all heard of {and probably use} this universal blush.  It's my go-to and, even though I feel naughty about the color, it really is perfection.

5.  Makeup Brushes.  After scouring the Internet and reading reviews till I went cross-eyed, I finally added these to my wishlist this year.

6.  COVERGIRL Outlast.  I've never tried Lip Sense {too expensive for my taste} but this stuff is the same concept.  I have two colors and both have lasted me 8+ hours and less than $10!

7.  Not Your Mothers Dry Shampoo.  I've tried more expensive brands like Living Proof and I just keep coming back to this one.  It smells good, won't break the bank and {coming from a girl with EXTREMELY oily hair} works amazing.

8.  Urban Decay Naked Basics.  Call me crazy but the Naked palettes give me anxiety, too many options.  I have this one and it's perfect and you can still create a lot of pretty looks with fewer options.  

9.  Essie nail color in Chinchilly.  This color is not new and I don't do my nails often but this is my go-to fall/winter color.  I still love it all these years later.

10.  Headbands and hair ties.  I'm partial to Brady Bands and wear nothing else.  Nonslip headbands for the fitness lover or maybe something a little dressier for the girly girl in your life.

There you have it!  Now all you last-minute-shoppers tell me what you're shopping for!

Cyber Monday will always trump Black Friday in my book. Why would I want to go battle the crazies with a turkey hangover when I can sit on my couch Monday morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in my pjs?!  I've never done the Black Friday thing and I doubt I ever will.

I love getting a good deal, especially this time of year, don't you? Of course you do!  We are buying so much stuff so any penny saved is a win in my book.  Today I want to share some of my favorite Cyber Monday deals with you and get you the most bang for your buck.

First things first, I hope you already do this but if you don't GO SIGN UP FOR EBATES {all CAPS necessary}.  You earn crazy cash back on all of your purchases at pretty much every store on the planet.  It is FREE and the first time you sign up you automatically get a $10 cash bonus.  Plus today most stores are doing double cash back and you'll find lots of coupon codes here too.  To date I've made almost $1500 by using Ebates and now I'm just waiting for my commercial deal {I kid, I kid}.

OK now that we've got the most important deal out of the way here are some things I think you might love.

Amazon


Amazon seems to be all about the electronics this year.  From the Echo {save $40}, to Fire tablets {$33.33}, to the Kindle Paperwhite {only $100}, and Fire TV just $75.  If you have a gadget lover on your list this year you definitely want to check Amazon today.

Brady Bands
Still need to order those Christmas cards?  I don't know about you but my MIL loves ANYTHING with pictures of the kids on it so Shutterfly is my go-to place to get her gifts.  50% off PLUS an extra 25% AND free shipping on $49+.  Deal!

Erin Condren

My love for Aldi runs deep and I make no secret of that. I started shopping there over the summer after hearing numerous radio commercials about how "new and improved they were".  I also have a good girlfriend who loves shopping there and finally convinced me to give it a try.  Two words...

Life-changing.

Holy cow was I blown away the first time {and still, actually} I shopped there.  I got everything I would normally get {and then some, as usual} and my total was less than HALF of what it normally is at our local supermarket.  I buy organic produce and meat at Aldi.  I get all of the kids's snacks, cereal and organic juice there {so cheap}. I've not bought, but I've heard, they have good wine too {for like $4}.  I get all of our camping needs- foil, paper plates, plastic baggies, plastic silverware, and paper towels- at Aldi. There are a couple of things, however, I still buy at Kroger like soups, mac & cheese and coffee.  I just haven't had good luck with those things at Aldi yet.

Since I proudly proclaimed my love for Aldi on Instagram last week I got lots of requests to share my tips for shopping there.  I love sharing tips for saving money and good deals and Aldi has both. This is not sponsored, by the way.


So, tell me, do you sop at Aldi?  Do you love it as much as me?  Have you heard about it but haven't been brave enough to try it yet?  I hope this post helps because I think every can benefit from switching to Aldi.

Last week we did something we don't do very often throughout the week.  We went out.  Like shopping.  Together.  As a four person family.  Call it S.A.D.D., call it what you will but we rarely {and I mean never} leave the house past 5 o'clock on a weeknight.  Jimmy needed some new work clothes, I needed wanted to look for an Ergo.  We ate dinner early and decided, "what the heck, let's do it!".  Wild and crazy life we lead.

What was an exciting night out of the house {I love my house but seriously these walls are starting to close in on me, OMG get me out of here!!!} quickly turned sour upon our first top.

As we were walking into Marshall's {I hear they have CHEAP Ergos} I very vividly noticed a lady exiting the store with an arm full of clothes.  The tags appeared to still be attached and hangers were draped over her arms.  But surely, certainly, she wasn't.  Was she?  Maybe she was just making an exchange...

In that moment someone could have slapped me across the face and I wouldn't have noticed.  I was so zeroed in on what was happening.  I couldn't, didn't want to believe what was happening right in front of my face.

A store associate/manager came walking, leisurely after her, "Ma'am..." the lady in question starts walking a little faster, "Ma'am...", faster, "MA'AM!" and just then her escape car pulled around and in she jumped.  Just like that she was gone.

I witnessed someone blatantly stealing and I haven't stopped thinking about it since.

I wonder what her reason was.  Was she down on her luck but maybe had a job interview that she needed something nice for?  Was this a regular thing for her?  Once she hopped in her getaway car was she on to the next place to pull the same stunt?  What on Earth would cause someone to do such a thing?

It made me sad for her.  Sad that she felt that she had to do that, no matter what her reason was.  How embarrassed she must feel.

I know this type of stuff happens everywhere, all the time, but this was my first hand experience with it and I hope it was my last.  My children were with me and I'm so thankful that they were oblivious to what was happening.  At that exact moment in time there was nothing I could have said to them to make that situation right.  In that moment I felt helpless.

Should I have done something?  I mean I saw her, arms full of clothes, walk right out the doors and I did nothing.  Granted I had my two small children with me and keeping them safe is my #1 priority and job as a mother.  Who knows what might have happened had I said something.  But it doesn't help me not to wonder if I did the right thing.

Let's get right to it, shall we?

• eMeals.com.  Today is the last day to take advantage of their biggest sale ever.  30% off your meal plan with code CYBER.  And you'll even get a free holiday menu if you purchase now!
  
  
  
• Old Navy is having 30% off the site and, as always, free shipping on orders over $50.
  
• ModCloth has the cutest, vintage inspired gifts.  Anything from housewares to scarves to shoes and handbags {my mom even has a wishlist}.  Use code ROBOPUG for 20% off site wide today!
• Mix & Match Family is hosting a $500 Nordstrom gift card giveaway!  Go enter!  Hello Christmas presents!  Done!
  
• Amaranth Collection is my newest, most favorite online boutique.  They have all the cutest trends, printed leggings, Pikos, Aztec sweaters and today they have 30% off AND free shipping!!!  No code needed!
• Carter's has 25% off your entire order with code MONDAY25.  Free shipping over $50.  You could wind up with 50% off your order!
• Today I'm offering 40% off ALL of my ad spots with code CYBERMONDAY at checkout. The details can be found here.
• AND I hope you are all shopping with ebates today! Somany popular stores have DOUBLE cash back today!!!

Well well well, I hope you all had a fantastic, belly stuffing, thankful day yesterday!  If you are up and reading this this early one of two things is probably happening, 1. you are a crazy and going to do Black Friday shopping with the rest of the crazies or 2. your boss is a dick and is making you work and therefore you will show him/her by doing nothing aka reading blogs.

Do you Black Friday shop?

I have never and will never {famous last words} torture myself with such an event.  I mean, people have been killed over what?  A discount on a Wii that their kid probably played with through mid-January and then tossed it to the side with the XBox your almost killed yourself for last year.

I don't get the appeal.  I love shopping just as much as the next person but I don't love chaos.  All the people, the waking up early, the not that great of prices.  I think I read somewhere that MOST of what is "on sale" for Black Friday was actually cheaper the closer it got to Christmas or even right after.  So...there's that.

Now wait till the day Kendall or James wants some super awesome, only available ON Black Friday gift.  Then I'll be elbowing bitches in the face with the rest of the Walmart-ers.  Until then, I'll shop from my home, in my PJs while making money via ebates and, who knows, maybe I'll even spring for gift wrapping while I'm at it.

How about you?  Do you subject yourself to the torture that is Black Friday?  Have you ever gotten one hell of a deal?  I want to hear your crazy stories, you crazies.

I woke up WAY too early today and saw so many great deals, I just had to share them with you guys.

• So the other day I posted that I wanted to get an Erin Condren Life Planner even though I barely used my old one. WELL I found a code for $20 off {for returning customers only} and that sealed the deal.  Use code GIFT20 at checkout and you basically get a Life Planner for half off.  If you are a new customer, click here, and get $10 off your first order with code WELCOME10.  Also all her holiday stuff is 50% off so you can get some SUPER cute Christmas cards {upload the pic later} for way cheap.
• Have you started Christmas shopping yet?  Zulily has some great toy deals today like these building magnets. When we were in Florida we went to a children's museum and they had these and Kendall was in LOVE! And Hasbro has some really cool deals, especially on Play-Doh sets.  
• Shutterfly is offering 101 free prints until tomorrow 11/1 with code SPOOKY.  Photo books are 50% off with code PUMPKIN through 11/3.  And if you are a new Shutterfly customer get $10 off of a $20 order with code CANDY through tomorrow 11/1.
• Baby Cheapskate just came out with a Toys That Get Played With list for 3-4 year olds.  You better believe I'll be referencing that when it comes to Kendall's Christmas list this year.
• All the bloggers rave about Crystal Faye and her adorable monogrammed things.  From koozies to iphone cases, she's really got some cute stuff!  Oh and did I mention coffee mugs?  I think her Eat, Blog, Love one might have to make it's way into my cupboard.  Use code 1YEAR for 25% off your order.
• Old Navy has all  active and outer wear up to 40% off {online only}.  Also 20% off all jeans {my new, budget friendly favorites} with code ONSAVENOW.
  
• eMeals.com still has 15% off your order with code DINNER15.  I'm a huge fan, as you know, and a lot of people have asked if I think it's "worth the money" and my answer is YES.
  
• My sweet friend Laura is hosting a New Years Cash Bash and is looking for participants.  If you want to co-host the price is $20 if you just want to get a link added to the entries {follow your blog, Twitter, FB page, Instagram, etc} you can do just that for $5 a pop.  It's a great way to grow your blog and be a part of giving someone an awesome post-Christmas present.  Let her know I sent you ;-).  
• And I'm offering 50% off all of my ad spots through today with code SPOOKY.  Check out my PR Stuff page for more details.

Right after I had Kendall I made a list of my favorite baby things because I always find those types of posts to be super helpful for first time moms.  Heck it works for 2nd, 3rd, 4th time moms too because in just a few short months/years baby stuff changes and gets better, as I realized this time around, and we need to know what the latest and greatest is.  Duh.  Also? The Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby registry recommendations are INSANE.  No one needs 16 swaddle/receiving blankets.  No one.  Unless you have quints or something.

I still use and love everything from my last list.  My boppy is the best, I use the pockets every time.  I store the remote, my phone, a bib, the bottle, a burp cloth, etc in that handy little tool box of a pillow.  I know the Ergo is the latest and greatest in baby wearing but I still stand by my Moby.  I just like how comfy it is and sure it's a lot of material but I really have no problems wrapping it.  And I'm sticking with my Born Free bottles.  I bought some Dr. Browns for Mr. James and OMG what do you people see in them?  Every single one of mine leaks, all six.  No thank you.

BUT this time around I realized "Whoa!  A lot of new, cool stuff has come out in just three short years!" and all the other bloggers and pinners have shown me some new {or not so much} things that I just new I had to try this time.  So this is my list of things we are loving so far.
1.  aden + anais.  OK so I'm pretty sure a + a was around when Kendall was born but there was no way I was spending THAT on a swaddle blanket.  And then my BFF had a baby and she used the swaddles and I was in love!  They're breathable which is totally awesome for summer babies. They're huge so they have tons of uses.  And they come in super cute but not too babyish designs.  We have the swaddle blankets {but only 3 of them}, the Dream Blanket {super huge, thicker version of the swaddles} and the burpy bibs {it's a burp cloth that has a snap so you can also use it as a bib} and we love them all.  LOVE.

2. Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash.  So I've always used Johnson & Johnson for everything, baby wash, shampoo, lotions, you name it.  But then I started thinking, "meh that's boring" and wanted to branch out of the Proctor and Gamble bubble.  So I heard lots of good things about Mustela and Burt's Bees baby wash.  WELL Mustela is hella expensive and outside of this one income budget, even if it did smell heavenly.  Burt's Bees is slightly less expensive but smells just as yummy.  Seriously I could eat James up after a bath.  Now if only I could get KP to let me bathe her in it but "it's for babies...".

3. Fisher Price Rock n' Play Sleeper.  Again, this was out when Kendall was born but we just used the ole Pack n' Play for a hot second until she just slept in her swing for  four months.  I heard so many great things about the RNP and I was determined to use one with James.  Thankfully Jimmy's cousin handed one down to us and the thing has been a dream.  It's super light-weight so you can move it from room to room with ease.  I like that it's on a slight incline because nothing freaks me out more than when a baby spits up and they're laying flat on their backs.  James sleeps like a dream in it. So much so that I'm a little nervous of moving him to the crib.

4.  Sprout Baby. This app is the bees knees.  I hear so many moms on IG talking about the best baby tracking apps and I've yet to see any of them mention this one.  Fools.  I love it.  It's so easy to use, I track all of James's feedings with it and it gives a nice little chart of his eating pattern.  There's also a section to keep track of milestones, doctor appointments, growth tracker etc.  Once we're on a more regular schedule I plan on using the sleep tracker because I love the feeding one so much.  Jimmy jokes because I should know when he ate last but I've got serious mom brain and rely on the app to tell me.

5.  Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe.  I am a big fan of swaddling.  Both of my babies slept/sleep so much better when they're all wrapped up like a burrito.  But James can wiggle his chubby little arms right out of a swaddle blanket, no matter how tight I wrap him.  These things?  There's no way he's getting out.  They're really really soft, super stretchy and idiot proof, even someone who "can't swaddle" can swaddle with these.  I swear he chills out the minute I burrito him.

6. just hatched- Cuddle My Baby Cream Talc.  Someone got this at my sprinkle for James and I had never heard of this brand but when I opened it and took a whiff I was SOLD.  This stuff smells so good.  So good.  I instantly Googled it and was fully expecting it to be like half a million dollars but I was pleasantly surprised to see it's less than $5 price tag.  I haven't smelled their shampoos and washes yet but as soon as I run out of Burt's Bees I plan on getting some.    

7.  Brica Day & Night Musical Mirror.  So I have to admit, I was a little embarrassed to put this "fancy" baby mirror on my registry and when no one bought it I went out and bought myself the cheap version {no light, no remote}.  Jimmy's grandpa surprised us with this one and I took the cheap one back with a quickness.  So you might think it's a little silly to have a baby mirror with a remote and I'm here to tell you to hear me out.  This thing has been a dream.  Driving at night and the baby loses his pacifier?  No problem, remote the light on, husband turns around and finds it super quick everyone is happy.  Also the music is way less baby/annoying than anything else I've seen/heard.  If that's not a win I don't know what is.

Who loves a good deal? Who loves getting things for free? Who likes making money doing {basically} nothing? I do! Today I wanted to share some of my favorite sites, shops, affiliates, etc and maybe help you reap some of the rewards I've benefited from lately.

Linqia:  I've posted about this new partnership on Facebook and Twitter a bit lately and that's because I've loved my success with it so far.  You get assigned campaigns, some of them require a blog post others just require social media shout outs, and based on your blog stats you are given a budget and that's basically what you are trying to earn during your campaign.  Don't meet your budget?  No problem, you still get your earnings no matter what they are.  My last campaign lasted 21 days and I made close to $200 for promoting a company I really support!  Some of their brands are Coca-Cola, Green Works, and One Kings Lane.  You also get referral credits of $5 per person accepted so that's a little bonus.  Interested in making a little blog money?  Sign up here.

Ebates:  I've told you about Ebates till I'm blue in the face so if you're not using it by now you are crazier than Amanda Bynes.  Do you shop online?  You should be shopping with Ebates.  You earn money buying things at hundreds of stores.  You are basically getting paid to shop!  At least that's how I justify it to Jimmy.  He loves the little bit of money I get back from my purchases so much that he uses it to buy things online too!  Plus you can search for coupon codes for the items you are looking for that are only available to Ebates subscribers.  Sign up now, thank me later.

Zulily:  Looking for a great baby gift?  Good deal on boutique kids clothes?  What about designer handbags?  Zulily has all of that, and more! I've gotten Halo sleep sacks for baby brother a fraction of the cost at Buy Buy Baby or Target for that matter.  I saw Gucci handbags a couple of weeks ago!  Say what?!  I know!  Toys, clothes, shoes, maternity, you name it!  A couple of months ago they even had TOMS for almost half price!  I got Kendall the cutest pink canvas pair, perfect for summer!  It's invite only so here's your invite.

thredUP:  Laura told me about thredUP a few months ago and I'm so glad she did.  I have gotten almost all of Kendall's summer wardrobe for free or next to nothing.  How?  Well you can clean out your own closet, they'll send you a mailing bag, stuff it full and mail it back.  They'll sort through it, price it and then give you the cash in the form of store credit!  It's THAT easy!  Everything I've gotten so far has been in EXCELLENT condition and I've barely spent anything out of pocket.  And if she happens to get cherry red popsicle on her new tank I don't get too stressed when I know that I didn't pay a small fortune for it.  Shop here and get $10 off your first order!

Baby Cheapskate: I love this site! Every week they post the top diaper/wipes/and formula deals for the week.  Basically what store has them the cheapest per item count every week.  And not only do they share this wealth of knowledge but also when stores are having amazing sales or a specific item drops in price {last week they posted Aden +Anais Dream Blankets that were on sale for $37 from $50!!!}.  I find it easiest to follow them on Facebook and they are constantly posting the latest and greatest deals.

Those are my favorites and go-tos right now.  If you guys like this sort of thing maybe I'll make it a monthly feature where I share my top 3 or 4 of the month.  Would you be into that?  Who doesn't love saving money?

Some of you may even want these gifts for yourself!

I've had several people ask me what I'm getting Kendall this year {because they need ideas for their own child} or what to get Kendall this year and so I thought it might be helpful to post a few ideas for the toddler in your life.  Realize that this guide is geared more for the girl but some of the gifts are unisex and/or there is a boy version out there too.  Some of these are things that we already have and love for her and others are things she will be getting this year. There is something for every price point too and nothing is un-affordable, because that's how we roll.  And you'll notice that there aren't any clothes, PJs, or outerwear on this list {all of which Kendall is sure to receive too} because I wanted to keep this geared towards things they'd actually love {and I'm still haunted by the year I got ALL CLOTHES for Christmas}.