$5 off $50 at Target w/ Shopkick Coupon

Ever behind the times, I just discovered the Shopkick App yesterday and saved $5 off $50 at Target just by having the cashier scan the a bar code from the app on my phone!

Here's how the free app (available on both Andriod and iPhone) works: When you open the app on your way into a participating store like Target, it automatically recognizes you. You can then earn points called “kickbucks” for entering the store and for fun stuff like scanning select bar codes while you are there (you should have seen me doing this- it was fun!). Kickbucks can be redeemed for different rewards (including Target gift cards). You will sometimes also get scannable Target Coupons like the $5 off $50 which you can redeem at checkout. The current $5 coupon is available until 5/26.


If you are new to Shopkick and sign up thru this link, we'll both get 50 Bonus Kicks. Holler if you have any questions. One tip: Don't activate the $5 off $50 coupon until you are at the register- it will expire 12 hours after you tap "use".

The Sasha Family Children's Library

I've been busy building a library of some of my favorite childhood books for the kiddos. I think reading is oh-so-important and hope that they will love jumping nose-first into a book just like I did (and still do, if life gives me a few extra minutes here and there).

I didn't make this list with either girls or boys in mind. I think it's important to have a variety of books on your bookshelf and let the child choose what grabs their fancy. This list is just a few of my personal favorites and some I plan to add to our bookshelf, if they aren't already there.

1. Anne of Green Gables. I can't remember who gifted the Anne books to me, but I will be ever grateful. Such beautiful writing, and I think of Anne's spunky personality when I need a reminder to be a little more outgoing. I think I may get a bit of my independent streak from Anne, and I always find myself qualifying special friends as my "kindred spirit".

2. A Baby Sister for Frances. "Here are the buckets and brushes and me, / Plinketty, plinketty, plinketty, plee." Really, all the Frances books are charming and just plain delightful. She's a spirited little badger.

3. Nancy Drew Mysteries. The entire 56 book hardback collection is waiting patiently on my bookshelf for someone to read. My mom and I used to read these together on the sofa, each one of us devouring a different book in the series. I love that she re-read these along with me and plan to do the same (hopefully!) with WC. And Nancy, now there's an independent woman! Perhaps I need to check out the Hardy Boys for P.

4. The Complete Adventures of Curious George. George is so adorable he brings a smile to my face instantly. Even before he enjoyed his come-back, I did P's nursery in Curious George back in 2003.

5. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Did you read the Fudge books as a child? I can't wait for P to get a bit older so we can dive into these. Because, surely you see it too. P = Peter, and WC = Fudge.

6. Little Women. I'm giggling right now because I am picturing the Friends episode where Joey puts Little Women in the freezer. But really, I think no library is complete without a copy of this classic. The one I have is well-worn and much-loved and I hope WC will enjoy it too. I always thought that there were characteristics of each of the sisters (practical Meg, rambunctious Jo, sweet Beth and childish artist Amy ) that I'd like to possess.

7. Where the Sidewalk Ends. I cannot go to school today, said Little Peggy Ann McKay. I have the measles and the mumps, a gash, a rash, and purple bumps. I think I have almost all the poems in this book memorized and my copy is inscribed by my aunt Nancy, who had the most fabulous bookshelf that she let me sit and go through for hours, never minding that things never ended getting put back in the same place.

8. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. This favorite came from Aunt Nancy's bookshelf as well- I ordered this one last week and sat down and read it to the kids immediately and it was the first time they had ever heard of it. I was surprised to see some reviews on Amazon disappointed with the negative tone of this book- but that's the point! Everyone can have terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days (even in Australia).

9. Little House on the Prairie. P's 2nd grade teacher read them some Little House books this year, and he loved them. Such good history information in there!

10. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I am ordering this today- somewhere along the way I have lost my copy and I remember this being fabulous! Hiding in a museum and solving a mystery? Yes, please.

11. Flat Stanley. The only Flat Stanley I've read is the original, and I still have my childhood copy. I still hesitate to hang heavy things over beds because of this story!

12. Choose Your Own Adventure books. Fourth and fifth grade were all about Choose Your Own Adventure! We passed these around the school and absolutely couldn't get enough. Every time we went to B Dalton's I begged for another. I'm not sure these were typical girl reads, but the tom-boy in me loved them.

13. The Ramona Collection. The Ramona books really have a place in my heart. I actually get a little choked up when I think about her wearing her soft cozy PJs to school under her clothes. And Picky Picky. And the haircut. (I had a Dorothy Hamil too.)

14. Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective. I've already introduced these short mysteries to P, and he loves trying to solve the case before we turn to the back and read the solution. He often gets them right!

And of course I thought of one more after working on that silly pic above in Paint FOREVER. Right now I am reading Charlotte's Web to P and I was almost brought to tears the other night when we were just getting started and I saw the pic of Fern bottle-feeding Wilbur at the beginning- it is the CUTEST.THING.EVER. Sigh.

Now your turn- what books have I forgotten?

Of course, this post is chock-full of Amazon affiliate links.

Beer Woes

Today I am lamenting the beer laws in Oklahoma. We've talked about this before, but the subject never gets old.

From Wikipedia: Any beverage containing more than 3.2% alcohol by weight or 4% alcohol by volume, that is, most liquors, wines, and typical beer, may only be sold in licensed liquor stores at room temperature. Due to this refrigeration ban, many smaller breweries such as the Spoetzl brewery and New Belgium will limit or not sell their products in Oklahoma, despite passing through the state to deliver to neighboring states.

So yeah, there are some things we just don't get here. Like Michelob Ultra Amber. Since Michelob just doesn't care to make it in 3.2 just for Oklahoma and Kansas, we have to stock up when we are out of state.

My cart at a Walmart in Texas recently. Nope, not having a party, just stocking up on things we can't buy back home.

So I'm a little worried that I won't be able to find the new Michelob Ultra Light Cider here....... it looks delightful and perfect for summer. I can picture myself on the patio drinking it over ice. So if you are local and see it, will you send out a smoke signal to me? Or possibly pick some up for me? I REALLY want to try it!

My Favorite Shows: Cancelled

Mr. Sasha and I are so sad! We found out yesterday that four of our favorite shows have been cancelled.

Pan Am, Missing, The Firm, and GCB have all been axed. Along with quite a few others- these were just the four we watched together.

It's quite frustrating to get so into these plots and storylines, only to have shows cancelled so early!

I think, from now on, we'll just start watching shows when they get to season 3. Then we should be safe.

Were there any of your favorites on the cancelled list?

Oh, the Place You'll Go!

I am *so* excited about my latest Pinterest project! Pinterest is such a great resource.

I purchased two copies of Oh, the Places You'll Go! and am going to have our teachers write a note to P and WC in their book at the end of each school year. When I give these to them when they graduate from high school, I'm hoping this will be something they can always treasure and be inspired by.

Of course, with P being in 2nd grade this year, I'm a bit late getting started, but luckily his K and 1st grade teachers are still at our school and I've already been able to have his 1st grade teacher write her note. It truly brought tears to my eyes to read what she wrote and I am so excited for this project.

Any other ideas from Pinterest I need to jump on? I am amazed with my zest for Pinterest projects!

What's In My Bag?

Kate from The Small Things Blog has been doing a great series this week about bloggers and their purses and the contents. I love seeing what other people carry and what's inside, so I thought I'd show mine.

I'm currently carrying my beloved Coach Parker Shoulder bag in Violet. Love love love this bag! The side pockets are perfect for my cell and make it super-easy to find when it rings. (*If* I hear it, I'm notorious for not hearing my phone ring!)

1. Wallet- Hobo International Nancy in black. One of our babysitters recommended this brand to me, and I LOVE this wallet. I have a zillion things in there and it holds it all nice and cozy and it's absolutely perfect.

2. Notecard binder from Real Simple, purchased a few years ago a Target. I use this for password hints and random notes.

3. Checkbook. I ordered the cover to match my checks sometime back. Yes, I *still* write some checks!

4. 2 card holders from Real Simple, purchased from Target a few years ago. I keep loyalty cards, library cards, and gift cards in these.

5. Card case from Allisa Jacobs. I have some of my blog business card in there. Guess I need to hand some out!

6. Mini flashlight my mom got me- I have used this more times than I thought I would.

1. Plastic snap case from the Dollar Spot at Target. This holds CVS ExtraCare Bucks and coupons I plan to use soon. Contents are ever-changing based on weekly sales and grocery lists.

2. Powder for touch-ups.

3. Altoids Smalls in Cinnamon and Extra Desert Delights gum in Mint Chocolate Chip- my entire family is obsessed with this gum- it REALLY tastes like ice cream! Like Aunt Monica, I will *always* have gum.

4. Poshe Cuticle Care (used several times a day to keep cuticles moisturized) and Avon Cuticle Oil Pen (used for NOTD shots).

5. Methyl B-12 pills (I am B-12 Deficient Anemic and take one mid-day for a pick-me-up) and a hairbrush (I have super-fine hair that gets tangled if I stand up, not to mention the Oklahoma wind sweeping down the plain!).

6. Advil. Seems like someone always needs some.

7. Delux Tintstik in Dot (discontinued of course), Bite High Pigment Pencil in Bramble, and Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick in Havana. Ever-changing, no day's lipstick is the same.

8. A pen. I usually have a mechanical pencil (accountant check-in!), but seems like someone (cough cough P) made off with it.

9. Crystal Light packets in Raspberry Lemonade.

Want to show what's in your bag? Holler and I can feature it on Sasha Says.

Shorterest

What's Shorterest? 

It's when an idea you've seen on Pinterest, that looks really neat and easy, turns out to be quite time-consuming. So as you do most things in your life- you figure out how to short-cut it.

Short-cut + Pinterest = Shorterest.

I saw this project a few weeks ago and thought it looked genius- I mean, considering my second child has no baby book and she's 6 (so sorry WC!), there's no way I could actually journal the events of my day... but only one line per day? Hell, even I can do that! And I have a date stamp at work! And a paper cutter too!

This project seemed made for non-crafty slackers like me.

So I gathered up my supplies: a cute box I picked up some time ago in the Dollar Spot at Target, a few packages of 4X6 lined index cards, and my date stamp and stamp pad. Don't go trying to look for this particular box- it's long-gone I'm sure. But I bet you can find something else suitable.

And I quickly figured out that my date stamp wasn't going to work because it has my initials below the date. I tried various covering-up methods, but I got a headache within a few minutes and gave that up. I just decided to hand label the dates.

And then taking into account the size of my box and the fact that I wanted to be able to write more than 4 words per day (I can be wordy given the opportunity), I decide not to cut the cards in half.... but just to cut them to fit. So I just took off half an inch.

So voila! Here is my finished product! I figure I don't need the monthly dividers... after I journal each day, I'm just going to stick that day at the back. Less work for me!

It's Shorteresting!

Have you Shorterested anything?

Block Party 2012

Last night I fell asleep with the biggest smile on my face. Saturday was our annual Block Party and I thanked God for blessing our family with a wonderful home to live in- and for providing us with wonderful neighbors who have created an amazing community for us to raise our family in. Folks, it just doesn't get any better than this.

If you don't know your neighbors, let me encourage you to knock on their door and invite them to join you outside for a cookout. You might just make some life-long friends like we have! Whether it be for a cup of sugar, signing for packages, or watching your kids in a pinch, I count on my neighbors for so much, and am always glad to return the favor. I can't imagine living anywhere else!

Time Is Not Mine

I am not in control.  The clock, the calendar- they are not mine. I don't get to choose when things happen.

WC has never followed any sort of traditional schedule. The only thing that's been certain with her is that things will be flat unpredictable.

Over the past few years, I have gotten used to playing Musical Beds, never waking up in the bed I feel asleep in. WC's SPD causes her to seek out input while she sleeps, and Little Feet Pushing Into Someone's Back (her) plus Light Sleeper Syndrome (me) do not mesh well.

So when WC would make her appearance in our bed in the middle of the night, I'd quietly move to the solace of her bed, letting her jab her little feet into Mr. Sasha, who could blissfully sleep through a tornado. In her bed, all by myself, I could nestle in under her weighted blanket and get back to sleep for a few hours.

But the dog often heard People Moving Around and would decide she needed to go out. And for some reason, in the middle of the night she forgets how to use her doggie door and is certain that she needs me to actually open the door for her. So there's more getting up, and walking around, and sometimes the getting back to sleep part of my plan would take a bit.

And please don't think we hadn't tried to get her to stay in her bed. On the contrary! There were nights we carried her back to her bed seventy-eleven times, only to have her re-appear minutes later. Or insist that you need to stay with her. So she could push her feet into your back, obv. It was a battle that we weren't going to win, and we made peace with it.

But one night last month, I awoke to my alarm to realize I was in my own bed! And so we had a little party that morning, celebrating and high-five-ing each other, and hugging WC and telling her what a wonderful, big-girl thing she did- sleeping in her own bed all night!

But was it a fluke? Or was she finally ready? That very day I printed out a reward chart and put it on the fridge. I asked her to select a beautiful marker and color in her very first box, and promised that once 10 boxes were colored in, there would be a PRIZE.

Now, you may note she started in the lower left hand corner, which was not what I planned, but fine. We just went with it. And she continued to the right, and once that row was full, she moved to the next row. Oh, there were mornings that box-coloring-in did not happen, but there were more morning that it did. I think those first 10 took about 2 1/2 weeks. But it was progress.

And so now she's gotten her first reward, a variety of craft supplies, and we are working on her second. And I am getting more sleep.

And my mantra from the fast few years, This Too Shall Pass, rings oh-so-true. Maybe not on my schedule, but that's OK.

What I Am Into: April 2012

My beautiful in-real-life friend (and published author!) Megan at Sorta Crunchy often does a fabulous What Are You Into post and I am joining in for April. Lamenting that Spring, at least here, is almost over! Super-hot summer, here we come!

On My Nightstand: I am a reading machine! In April I finished the second and third books in the Hunger Games trilogy and now I am absolutely dying to see the movie. I credit my Kindle with getting me back on board with reading books for pleasure.

Want To Read: My Sunday school class is doing The Good and Beautiful God and it is fabulous.

T.V. Show Worth Watching: Scandal! It's a fast-paced, quick-witted legal drama, and the Mr. and I are hooked! I love finding shows we can watch together. Cause he's just not gonna watch Dance Moms Miami or Smash, and I'm OK with that.

Movie I've Seen (in our out of the theater): Zilch. But really, I've got to see Hunger Games. Who's going with me?

In My Kitchen:  Gnats! And I can't get rid of them! Help!


In My Ears: I still have Cheers (Drink To That) from Smash on replay. Loving Megan Hilty.


Three Newest Blog Reads:

• Young House Love- Oh how I wish I was creative as they are! Plus, they posted O.P.P. yesterday. 'Nuff said.
• MWOP- not new, but I see so many people with MckMama on their blogroll.... and guys, she's a scammer! Can't we all agree to stop reading her lies and giving her clicks? Start here.
• Blogging With Amy- Amy posts fabulous tips, tools & tutorials about blogging.

What I'm Looking Forward to Next (This!) Month: Baseball! P's team won their first game last night and I was so glad to be back at the ball fields. Home.

I love what Megan said at the end of her post, and I'll ditto it: NOW then. Your turn! What are YOU into this month? Fill up the comment space or borrow this for inspiration on your own blog.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon referral links.

Recommendation and GDA: Revon Lip Butter

A few weeks ago my friend Carrie asked me for a drugstore lip gloss recommendation, and I admit to being a bit at a loss. I just don't wear a lot of lip glosses, and when I do, it's just to top a lip stain. My favorite gloss for that purpose is Buxom Dominique, and it's pretty pricey and definitely doesn't quality as drugstore.

So I've been meaning to do a post and tell her about Revlon's Lip Butter, which I think is enough of a hybrid product that lipstick and lip gloss lovers alike can love it, although it wears so much better for me than any lip gloss ever has.

Although they come in lipstick form, they are so buttery and sheer that they are almost gloss-like. I currently own four, but note that I've chosen the darkest pigmented shades- there are definitely quite a few lighter options, and I think you'll find good swatches did Scrangie did here.

Here are swatches of three of the shades I have with me today- Lollipop, Cherry Tart, and Sugar Plum.

Good Deal Alert:

Through Sunday, CVS is offering $4 in Extra Care Bucks if you spend $10 on Revlon products.

Here was my purchase yesterday:

2 Lip Butter for $12.00
I used 2 coupon for $1 off a Revlon color cosmetic (found in the 4/1 Smart Source insert)

So I paid $10 and got back $4 in ECB, for a net purchase price of $6 for 2

Some colors to check out (see Scrangie's swatches): Sugar Frosting, Peach Parfait, Cotton Candy, Berry Smoothie, Cupcake, and Creme Brulee.

A Very Young Dancer

Is there a book that brings back a rush of childhood memories for you?

For me, it's the book A Very Young Dancer. I can distinctly remember the spot it occupied on the shelf of my elementary school library. I imagine I checked it out no less than 50 times during my tenure at Hayes Elementary. My aunt owned a dance studio, so of course I was there for three classes a week, and I even got to have a part in a local production of The Nutcracker, albeit the small part of a soldier. So I thought Stephanie was pretty cool.

I found an old copy on ebay to purchase and got it out last night to read to WC. She was enthralled and several times I had to say "Just wait... let's see what they say on the next page....." since she asked a million questions.

So I'm reaching back in my memory and trying to remember books that we girls of the 70s might have read and hope to build a small "vintage" library for WC and I to share. Any ideas for me?

Disclosure: This post contains a link to Amazon, but it is NOT a referral link.

Old School Style

I am so over technology. I mean, we all love it when it works, but when it doesn't..... we miss hair appointments. Multiple times. #cannothappen

I've had multiple phone/Outlook calendar syncing issues and spent way too much time trying to solve them and I am happy to say I'm giving up. I ordered an Erin Condren Life Planner and am loving going Old School. If you order right now, they are only including April-December of 2012 for $30 (that's 40% off the regular price of $50).  Note: Erin has no clue who I am- I ordered and paid myself after seeing another blogger talk about hers. I did use a discount code from www.retailmenot.com though (of course!).

And my newest drink concoction is mixing Pomegranate CranEnergy half and half with Diet 7up. It's quite tasty and refreshing.

What are you drinking right now?

Warrior Dash- How To Have a Fabulous Time

On Saturday I did the Warrior Dash with my college besties and it was SO MUCH FUN! Even though I went around quite a few of the obstacles due to my nagging leg issue, I still had a fabulous time and got oh-so-muddy. If you have a chance to participate in one, I urge you to gather up some friends and go for it!

Here's a few tips for you:

1. Clothing: Anything you wear that is not black or navy WILL GET RUINED. Just plan on throwing away your undies and socks. They have a pile at the end for you to donate your muddy shoes in, so wear a pair you are ready to part with.
2. That being said, wear a pair of shoes with some traction. I picked up a pair of $10 tennies at the Walmartz just for the Dash, which was great in theory, but they didn't have any traction and I had a bit of a hard time navigating the mud. Next time, I'll either wear an old pair of my own running shoes, or will try to find a pair of old running shoes at Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Cheap shoes = falling on your ass more than necessary.
3. Be ready to get muddy. Especially at the end, there's just no way around it. You'll have to belly-crawl through a mud pit because there is barbed wire above you. They also encourage everyone to kick over the loud speaker, thereby dousing everyone behind them in the mud pit. You will get mud in your ears, mouth, and everywhere else you can imagine.
4. We wore bandanas to keep our hair back and I think it worked really well. Also, since I wear contacts, I was worried about mud splashing in my eyes, so I wore big sunglasses and they really helped.
5. Gear check: Go ahead and plan on utilizing the gear check. I never do at regular races, but they've got this down to a science and it's quite easy and convenient. They even provide bags for you.
6. Here's what you need to pack in your gear check bag: An old towel, complete change of clothes (nothing you care about) including flip flops, a travel pack of baby wipes and hand sanitizer. You'll also want to apply more sunscreen after the Dash.
7. Wear more sunscreen than you think you need.
8. You'll get a beer at the end when you turn in your chips, and additional beers are $6 (they use a ticket system). They also have a food tent and have BBQ sandwiches for $6 and hot dogs for a bit less ($4 maybe?). I took $20 and purchased two beers and a BBQ sandwich and passed my extra two tickets on to a friend.
9. They had a great band playing and we ended up hanging out for about 3 hours on the grass after the Dash and had the best time. Plan on hanging around and enjoying the festivities. It's a super-fun atmosphere.
10. If you plan on attending to support friends, but not running the dash, wear clothes you don't care about- my running friends bear-hugged our non-running friends when we were done and they got almost as muddy as we did!
11. Go in it with a great attitude ready to have fun!

Have you done a Warrior Dash or another mud run?

Music

A must-read for me these days is Momastery. (Isn't everybody reading Glennon?) Today's post is especially fabulous, and timely, as it turns out, because I've got a lot on my mind these days, and do often need to be reminded that everything's going to be all right.

It IS going to be okay. I know it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But someday it is all going to be all right. For today, we remember to breathe, we treat ourselves the way we want to be treated by others, we drink large glasses of water and we get outside for fresh air every two hours. These things will help until everything is okay.

What else helps? Share your secrets.  --from Glennon's 4-18-12 post

For me? It's music. Oh how it can change my mood! And maybe this is not an appropriate choice for an answer to a question asked by a recovered alcoholic, but today I'm listening to Cheers (Drink to That) from a recent epi of Smash. and Call Me Maybe.

See, when *I* listen to it, it's not about the alcohol or getting drunk or looking for a honey (mwah), it's about remembering to celebrate, to let go a bit, and that spending time with friends can re-set your meter.

Because when you are down in the dumps, making social plans to be with friends can seem so overwhelming and selfish and something you just can't, but the results are there. You just have to take that step, realize the value, and get out there. No more wallowing in self-pity.

So what helps you?

Start Spreading the News

I am finally getting back in the swing of a normal routine after a fabulous, but quick, trip to NYC with the Mr. last week.

We were lucky enough to attend a taping of David Letterman! So cool.

We saw Mamma Mia (fun! the audience was singing along)

and the Yankees opening home game

and saw an afternoon show of Sister Act as well.

Mr. Sasha also bought me a ticket to IMATS for Saturday, and it was a fabulous experience. More on that later!

Sniff

Easter 2012

I just can't get over how big my kids are getting. P's feet are almost as big as mine, which I guess isn't saying much, and WC has moved out of toddler clothes and into the big girl section. I am at once so proud of them and so sad that they are growing so fast.

And look- a new blue striped shirt he can wear for the next school pic!

The Busy Mom's Mani

As a working mom of two, I understand how hard it can be to find the time to pamper yourself with things like manicures. But over the years, I've developed a method that allows me to do a home mani in a short amount of time right before I go to bed. The secret is the fast-dry topcoat- my nails are completely dry by the time I hit the sack, and I don't get sheet marks at all! Start to finish, a mani takes me less than 20 minutes. Who doesn't have 20 minutes to pamper themselves?

So without further ado, here are my favorite nail products, shown in order of use for the perfect salon-quality mani. For all products, I start with the pinkie of one hand and continue on to the other hand before I move to the next step. And there's no need to let the coats dry in between steps- just start with the same nail each step.

1. Sally Hanson Instant Cuticle Remover. I apply this all around my cuticles, wait a bit (you can wait longer that it says), then use the thumbnail of my opposite hand to push back/scrape the cuticles. I typically do this twice.

2. Wash your hands and dry them well.

3. Orly Bonder. Apply one coat. This rubberized basecoat overrides any oily residue on your nails and gives your polish something to stick to. Key to a long-lasting mani.

4. Sally Hanson Nailgrowth Miracle in the gold bottle. Love this as a basecoat. Watch for CVS/Walgreens to have their BOGO or BOGO half off on Sally Hanson products and stock up.

5. 2 coats of color. OPI polish is one of my favorite brands. Tip for newbies: Try a sheer or light color as you are practicing your painting skills. They are certainly more forgiving than a vampy dark shade!

6. Seche Vite top coat. I won't use any other top coat. This is a super-fast dry topcoat with a fab shine. Expensive, but worth it!

7. Creative Nail Design Cuticle Eraser. Keeping your cuticles neat and clean is one of the keys to making your manicure last longer. This product is fabulous and I massage this into my cuticles a few times a day to prevent hangnails and prevent cuticle buildup.



Did you know I love nail polish so much that I've got a separate blog just for my nail polish review and pictures? Visit me at http://www.manicuremommas.com/ if you like nail polish as much as I do!