Coupon Crazy

I have been trying to get back into coupon mode.  Today I spent 2 hours of my day just clipping yesterdays Sunday coupons.  I have to say though I was very pleasantly surprised to see four coupon inserts in just one paper.  After buying four papers I had quite a bit of clipping to do.

While on Pinterest the other day I came across a blog that had a long list of many companies who would send you coupons if you asked them to.  I have heard often times of companies doing this but I have never tried.  So I decided maybe this time I should.  To my dismay most of the Companies basically told me not a chance could they send me coupons but I could buy the Sunday morning paper or join their mailing list for future deals.  I felt so discouraged.  How did so many people have such luck and I didn't   After about 50 "NO WAYS"  I finally started to receive letters from companies who were happy to hear from me and sent me coupons.

I really wanted to help my readers out so I decided that I should post the companies who were nice and helpful to me, to save you the time and disappointment not to mention the rejection.  Here goes;

Heinz

Stonyfield Organic

Rich's

Sara Lee

R.C. Bigelow

Pinnacle Foods

Welch's

MT. Olive

So yes, out of like 100 No way's I did get a few yes's which was well worth the time and effort.  I will now continually be a loyal customer to these companies because they took the time and effort to send me even just one coupon.  So is it silly of me to feel rejected by the other's?

Oh by the way, most of the coupons don't even expire until December of 2013 and one coupon has a "no expiration "date on it.  Yay for small luxuries :)

So I want to know, are there any other companies out there that will send coupons upon request? I would love to add to my list of favorite companies.  :)

                                           As they come in I will update my list and let ya know.

5 Minute Problem

Here recently I have been enjoying some alone time with Joel Osteen on youtube.  I love his sermons they’re very uplifting and peaceful.  I understand not all of the teachings of the Bible are uplifting but for the most part if you listen to Joel Osteen his words will motivate you.  Or at least they do me.  J  Today I heard one of his sermons about not allowing something as small as a 5 minute problem take away my joy and destroy my day.  That got me to thinking; I do allow those pesky 5 minute problems determine how my days go.  For example my kids fighting with each other in the morning always puts me in a bad mood which ends up staying with me throughout the day. 

I started thinking of ways to help me move on and not allow these problems to take hold of me.  You see I am a much stressed person, in that I get stressed out to the MAX and have recently been experiencing anxiety attacks.  These attacks do feel like I’m dying at times and I can promise if you have never had one you DO NOT  ever want one. 

So far I have found that just taking some time for myself, knitting, and listening to God’s word has been helpful.  I still have a ways to go but I am determined to not allow those 5 minute problems take away my joy and ruin my day.  J

DIY Bronzer/Foundation

People who know me best know that I have a great love for any type of skin care product including makeup.  Unfortunately it has been a while since I have allowed myself to wear any makeup other than the occasional use of mascara and lip gloss.  The reason you ask? Well because, after doing much research back when I worked for a day spa, I found that the chemicals that are used in many skin care products are really harmful for the skin and in some cases may increase the aging process.  Since then I have done my best to make sure that nothing goes on my face unless it is natural and light feeling.

I have wanted to buy the Bare Essentials brand for a long time, but its so hard for me to pay so much money on something that don't seem like a huge necessity 

But because of the New Year I have decided that maybe its not such a bad thing to start putting myself second (God first) for a change.  Just a little bit.  Still, I cant afford to spend that much money on foundation, and since I DIY my own skin care regimen then perhaps I can DIY my makeup as well.

So I searched on Pinterest and found some really good recipes to make your own bronzer and foundation using just a few ingredients that are found in most of our kitchens. The one I will share with you good people today is the face bronzer/foundation.    This bronzer is so light and airy on the skin I didn't feel like I was wearing anything at all.  I also need to point out that I slept with the makeup on overnight to see if I would have any negative reaction and since my skin is pretty sensitive I figured I would, but there was no reaction at all.

the ingredients are simple,

corn starch, cocoa powder, and cinnamon

I didn't measure anything just eyeballed it until I came to a color that I liked and that would match my skin well.

For a liquid foundation I used the same ingredients but added the powder mixture to a little bit of my daytime face moisturizer.  Even though the powder mixture looks really dark it actually matched my skin tone really well.  Also I want to add that because there are no artificial chemicals the product does not stay on as long as other store bought foundations or powders.

I was a bit weary about the cinnamon going on my very sensitive face but like I mentioned above I had no negative reaction at all.  In fact I think my skin looked even better and healthier when I woke up. :) Here is a neat little article about the benefits of  cinnamon applied topically.

Now for a before and after.

Before without makeup (my eyeliner is tattooed) and after with the DIY makeup, lip gloss, and some mascara.  I know it's a bad before and after, but seriously it does cover well,  try it and see for yourself :)  Oh and please excuse my bad unplucked eyebrows, I know, I'm starting to look like Burt. 

Next up homemade lip gloss :)
Linking up to:

 
Truly Lovely

Finaly... New Years Resolution # 3 For 2013

This one is a pretty BIG one, and I think the most important one of all.  This year I want to grow as a christian in my walk with Jesus.  I know that I have grown tremendously in the last few years but I also realize I have still a long way to go.  I believe there is always room for improvement.  I feel as I watch the world around me move farther away from Christianity I want to move much closer.  This resolution will not be just for this year but for the rest of my life here on Earth.  

This is the resolution I am most excited about.  :)

So, I am very curious to know what your New Years Resolutions are for the New Year.

New Years Resolution # 2 Getting Fit

I have tried so many times to do this.  I think every year I make this same resolution to get fit and be healthier.  Unfortunately every year I break it because I have a love/hate relationship with food.  I find that eating healthy is not very thrifty but I have come to realize that I can NOT put a price on my health.  Not too long ago I watched a documentary called Fat Sick and Nearly Dead.  If you have heard of it great, but if not then you should check it out.  Granted this method is not for everyone but I think its just what my body needs.  What it is (if you have never heard of it) is a juice fast.  its a bit over the top I know, but it helps rid your body of unwanted toxins and gives you that jump start your body needs to continue on its weight loss journey.  I wont be posting my every stat on this particular resolution (this is not that kind of blog) just updates here and there. Hopefully I can do this, I need to do this.  The last attempt I made to eat healthier I failed.  This time I plan to turn to God for my support. I know that only he can help me through this.  One really great and helpful resource is the website Reboot Your Life.  This site has a ton of helpful advice and recipes to help you get through.  I also found a really great Bible study called Made to Crave.  It teaches you that it's important that we learn how to crave Jesus and not food.  I have found it to be very helpful and inspirational.    

The main juice I plan on drinking every day is called the Mean Green Juice.   The reason is because # 1 it does not require too many expensive ingredients,  # 2 it's filled with so many antioxidants and it's rich in nutrients, and lastly it's so easy to make.  Here is the recipe for anyone interested in trying it.

1 Cucumber 

4 Celery stalks

2 Apples

1 handful of Kale (I like using spinach instead though)

1/2 a lemon

1 tbsp of ginger

Juice all ingredients in a juicer and enjoy!!!

Anyone else going to tackle the weight loss resolution this year???  Maybe we can be weight loss buddies together :) 

New Years Resolution # 1 Learning to Knit

One of my New Years resolutions this year is to teach myself how to knit.  So far, just since two days ago I have taught myself how to knit the very basic stitches.  Knit, pearl, and reverse.  So far I am loving it!!  I especially love how relaxing it is.  Knitting for me has been such a Godsend for my stress level these past couple of days.  A few things that I first found hard was casting on, and the first knot.  I know, the two most simple parts of knitting   Ha! But in my defense I bought a book on how to knit knowing full well that I am a visual learner and need someone to show me how to do the techniques instead of reading how to do them myself.    I ended up finding some great tutorials on YouTube that helped me through these issues.  I am so excited I cant wait to learn more, I have so many knitting projects that I cant wait to get started on once I learn how to do them.  Right now I'm working on a basic scarf.  But I do hope to learn a few of these projects.

1. 1. Baby Chicks 
2. Coffee Cup Cup Cozie I could not find the actual link to this project so if anyone knows where it came from please let me know so I can give them credit for it..  Thanks!!
3. Valentine Hearts
4. Leg Warmers
5. Yoda
6. Christmas Star Ornaments 
7. Owl Sweater 
8. Head Warmer
9. iPad Cozie 

A really great website I have found that has a ton of free knitting patterns is Ravelry.  This site allows you to make an account with them so that you can go through the patterns and mark your favorites.  Also once you finish your projects you can post them for everyone to view.  I think its addicting, its kinda like Pinterest for knitters.  Its my new happy place.  :)

So any of you knitters??  Any tips you may have for this beginner, I could sure use a few or a lot!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!!