Free Treat!

Y'all know how I love cards!  I have a great deal for you ... a Thanksgiving Treat!

Your holiday checklist just got shorter. Create and send a totally personalized greeting card from Treat for FREE. Whether saying thanks for Thanksgiving, wishing a best friend a holiday birthday, or simply sharing the holiday cheer with a just because card, Treat lets you create a one-of-a-kind card that is sure to impress.

Here's a code for a FREE card at Treat, through 11/20: TREATBLOGR 

Disclosure: I was contacted and compensated by Treat to offer this deal to my readers.

That time of year...

If you know me, you know I love sending cards. I volunteer with Send Love Today, an organization that sends handmade cards to people (mostly children) with brain cancer ... I send cards for nearly every holiday ... and most recently, I sent moving announcements (yes, the weekend we moved!). Words of Affirmation are definitely my Love Language - I love adding a bit of fun to mailboxes of friends and family.

76 days from now is the most common card-sending holiday: Christmas! So yes, I know it's not even Halloween, but I'm starting to think about Christmas Cards already!!

One of my favorite card companies is Tiny Prints - their quality truly can't be beat. I first heard of them when planning our wedding, as they're affiliated with Wedding Paper Divas.  Tiny Prints frequently has promotions - you can check out current ones right on their Promo Codes page.

Tiny Prints recently contacted me, and has generously provided a $50 off total order code to one of my readers. (Discount code does not include shipping and cannot be combined with any other promos.) 

If you're like to win $50 off a future order, please post a reply by October 29: what is your favorite holiday?

ETA: Congrats to Erin for winning!

This is a sponsored post.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

I used Random.org to pick a winner:
True Random Number Generator
Min: 1
Max: 6
Result:
1

WOO HOO, Rian! I'll send you the code.

Happy Valentine's Day!
xoxo

My Little Valentine - with a Giveaway!

Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday ... pink, hearts, girlyness, sweets, celebrating love, sending cards, what's not to love?!

Speaking of cards, I've mentioned Tiny Prints before - their quality is truly incomparable. They have fun, original designs and frequently release promotions - like a FREE Valentines Day card when you use coupon code TPGFREE17A. (Good through today!)



Tiny Prints has some super cute Valenties - here are a couple of my faves:







Now the fun part - Interested in winning 50 Classroom Valentine's Day Cards? Tiny Prints is giving me a code for 50 free cards - and I want to share it with one of you! Just leave a comment on this post by January 31, and I'll pick a winner.

PS Make sure you follow Tiny Prints on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest!

Commitment

It's that time again ... time for resolutions, a clean start, a new year. Once again, I'll be participating in One Little Word.

I had to look back on this blog post to recall my past words:
2007: BELIEVE
2008: FOCUS
2009: BALANCE
2010: SIMPLIFY
2011: LOVE

And drumroll... my word for 2012: MORE!
I originally was going to go for LESS (stress less, weigh less, eat out less...) but wanted a positive spin on my word, so I'm going with MORE. I decided I want to love MORE, save MORE, move MORE, enjoy MORE, forgive MORE, and live MORE this year.

Since I couldn't even recall my 2010 word let alone remember doing anything with my word in 2011, I decided to make a commitment to making MORE a part of my life in 2012. I joined the One Little Word class, and look forward to documenting my word this year.


Oh ... but that's not all! I also just decided to do Project Life in 2012. I've enjoyed capturing my every day with past projects (Week in the Life and December Daily), but struggle with putting it all together. I want to stress less and document MORE! There are so many awesome Project Life ideas out there - but I'm aiming to just do it with less stress! It won't be perfect, but it will be my life!

Stay tuned to how Project Life and One Little Word impact my year ... maybe I'll even blog MORE in 2012. ;)

Tiny Prints

I'm trying to get back in the swing of blogging! I know I've mentioned some cool companies lately, and I'm back with another ... Tiny Prints.



I first heard of Tiny Prints when I was searching for wedding stationery. The quality of the cards is unmatchable and they frequently offer specials for free cards. (Like today! Order a Thanksgiving card for free by using code FREETHX11 at checkout until 11:59 pm (PST) on 11/16/11.)

Tiny Prints currently has a Talent Search Contest going on, where you can enter for a chance to win the grand prize of $1,000 cash, plus a $500 Tiny Prints gift certificate... a perfect prize just in time for the Holiday season!

In the Tiny Prints Talent Search Contest, they are looking for the cutest photos in the following categories:
· Cutest Baby (From ages of 0-24 months)
· Cutest Kid (From ages of 25 months - 10 years old)
· Cutest Family
· Cutest Couple
· Cutest Pet & Owner

After the entry period is over, they'll open up the contest to the entire Community to vote for their favorites and determine the winners! Hurry... the entry deadline has been extended to November 21st!

You can enter the Tiny Print Talent Search Contest via Facebook or on their website.

A New Kind of Boxed Wine

I had dinner with some girlfriends last week, and was in charge of bringing wine. I brought some Black Box wine ... not your average boxed wine! The wine is award winning - and delicious!



All of the girls liked it - we tried the Cabernet Sauvignon. It was very smooth, easy to drink, with a soft finish. Best part? On sale for $18, for the equivalent of 4 bottles. And since we didn't drink it all, it tastes good for up to a month after opening. Perfect when I want only a glass or two of wine!

I learned about Black Box from BzzAgent, and I'm so glad I did. It's nice to have a new, budget-friendly wine around.

53 More Days

Yes, it's true - only 53 more days until Christmas! Now I have to start my list of things to do in 7 1/2 weeks: pick up gifts, make holiday plans, send out cards ... the list goes on! Last year, I mentioned how awesome Shutterfly Christmas cards were ... and I'm back to say it again!

In addition to last year's Christmas cards, in the past few months, we've sent some wedding thank you notes and birthday cards out from Shutterfly, and I was super pleased with the quality. Professional cards at a reasonable price? Yes please!

I'm trying to convince Nick that everyone likes photo cards so we can send out some of amazing wedding photographs as cards this year. :)

Shutterfly has an amazing selection of cards, so many beautiful designs. I tend to like the whimsical, fun styles... here are a few of my favorite cards:









(Those last two cards are less than $1.00 each ... can you say bargain!?)

New this year is the option to add greetings to the back of the card ... can they make it any more easy?!

I'm also considering ordering calendars, too - hello, easy family Christmas gift!

Now, watch your mailbox to see which card I ended up choosing! :)

Style Me Pretty

I'm so excited ... our wedding is featured on wedding website Style Me Pretty today!

I absolutely love our photos, and our photographer Keri Doolittle ... she's amazing!

Week in the Life

Once again, I'm participating in Ali Edwards' Week in The Life ... only this time, I'm hoping to actually do something with the pictures I take. ;) I printed Ali's daily sheets, have started to take pictures ... and am trying to document more of the every day. Sure my life isn't super exciting right now - but I try to think how cool would it be to see my grandma's life at 33, or my great grandma the month after she was married.

An inspirational quote found on Amy Tan's blog:
"In this world, somehow an ordinary life has become synonymous with a meaningless life. And so often we are missing what is truly important because we are on the quest for what is extraordinary. Not understanding that in our ordinary lives, in the ordinary moments of our lives, is really where we can find the most joy. " -Brene Brown

This is my life, right now ... off to document it.

Have you ever...

I saw this on Marti's blog and it reminded me of something Katherine would've liked!

Bold these if you’ve ever…

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disney World

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon (does half marathon count?)

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David (in Vegas!) J

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (I’m counting this with Campfire mints)

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Got a tattoo

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

Shutterfly Christmas Cards

As most of you know, I LOVE sending (and receiving) mail. One of my favorite parts of the holidays? A mailbox full of beautiful cards and pictures!! We recently received our engagement pictures back ... and one thing I'm looking forward to... sending out photo Christmas cards! (It's the little things in life, right?)

I've been checking out the different cards available, and Shutterfly has a TON of cute Christmas card designs - and they're reasonably priced, too. Up until a few months ago, I stuck to Shutterfly for pictures only. I recently tried their cards and have been delighted with the results! Not only did I receive them promptly, but the quality was professional. I also used Shutterfly for printing up our engagement story in a book ... it turned out wonderful - and now we have our story documented.

Back to Christmas cards: they have 748(!!) different designs - something for everybody. Here are a couple of my favorite designs:
This style would be a cute card to send!


Or this one:

Shutterfly even has story cards - a fun alternative to letters on computer paper. This Top Ten style would be fun, a'la Letterman!



So many options for Christmas cards, then we need to pick out Save the Dates... ;)



If you’re a blogger, and interested in 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly, follow the arrow -> http://bit.ly/sfly2010

wow.

(seen here)

Good Fortune

No, this isn't another "I won" post ... but one about an awesome company, Good Fortune.



I first heard about Good Fortune from my friend Steph ... and I'm so glad I did!



They recently sent me some Faucet Soap to try out - wow! I tried the Citronella & Grapefruit scent. It's very refreshing and reminiscent of summer. I feel like I should be camping! But since I don't camp ;) it works well in my shower. The packaging is very cool - it's packaged inside a net bag, which makes the soap exfoliate and easy to use. Plus I hang it on the string after using, which makes it easy to dry. It also came in a waterproof bag to make traveling easy.


I'm the one you want at outdoor functions since the mosquitoes love me! I'll definitely use the Citronella soap next time I'm outside to keep the bugs away.

I'm really impressed with the Good Fortune branding. Their creative and professional brand comes through in both their products and website. That's not it though - they are a green company that also offers products that give back to the community.

I've been so impressed with the faucet soap, I can't wait to check out more Good Fortune products. So many great scents - I think the coconut mineral soak sounds wonderful. It's refreshing (pun intended!) to use products I believe in!

I WON!

Just thought I'd let you know I WON the contest! That's right ... my bridal party and I will be enjoying a day at the spa - I'm so excited! Thank you for voting, it means so much to me.

I've actually been on a winning streak lately - in the past couple weeks, I've won a Mini Dell Netbook, a Flip HD video camera, and a wedding-themed scrapbooking kit. I also bought lottery tickets, but only won $2. :)

I'm so grateful for winning all these contests ... and continue to enter in hopes of winning some more!

I need your help ... please vote!

I entered a contest on Facebook for a local bridal magazine: telling our engagement story in order to win a spa day for my bridal party. There were only 11 entries, so I think I have a decent chance of winning ... and would LOVE your support!! The contest ends Tuesday.

If you're on Facebook, can you vote here?

Since I know how fun contests are... I will offer $25 cash to one of the people that vote for me (just comment to this post). And if I win, I'll send out two prizes! How's that ... you could get cash, and me & my bridesmaids would get a spa day!

Thanks everyone!
jen

The Story

Nick and I are down in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on a weeklong vacation. We both were looking forward to getting away and enjoying some much-needed relaxation time ... I just truly had no idea what a special trip this would be.

Saturday, May 1st was our one year anniversary of meeting and so we made plans to go to dinner somewhere nice. Nick asked if he could plan where we went, so I happily obliged! The day had been overcast, but we still looked forward to celebrating our anniversary even if the views were less than par. We went to Le Kliff, an open-air restaurant overlooking the ocean 30 minutes away. We had a secluded table all by ourselves – it was super romantic. They offered to move us somewhere where we might not get “mist” (i.e. rain) ... but we figured we’d tough it out. It did sprinkle a bit, but I thought it added to the evening. A mariachi band came over and sang a romantic love song to us ... it really was the perfect setting. The sun set right as our main course was served – and it was incredible. A day of clouds and drizzle parted for an amazing orange and red sunset ... we couldn’t ask for anything more.

Below us was a little trail that you could walk along, with scenic views, and I had asked Nick earlier if we could walk down where there were two grass hearts on a stone step. After dinner, he asked if we could go for a walk. I honestly had no idea what was about to happen - we had decided on no anniversary gifts. Although I did put my hand on his chest and his heart was racing ... I figured he might just be nervous about giving an anniversary speech. :)



We were standing under the moon and stars, as the waves crashed below us; after a short speech, he went down on one knee and asked me if I would be his wife. I kept saying “Oh my God” over and over ... but did say YES! The mariachi band and restaurant had been watching us and gave us a loud cheer as we kissed our engagement. As we walked back up to our table, we passed another couple who was on a different part of the trail – we totally stole their thunder ... because they got engaged in the same place as we did just a couple minutes later! Nick also stopped to ask and make sure I did say yes, since neither of us could remember just exactly what we had said.

My ring is BEAUTIFUL ... Nick did quite a bit of research and the ring is absolutely perfect – an oval solitaire in a white gold Tiffany setting. He asked my Mom, Stepdad and Dad for their blessings the week before – they were the only people who knew, other than the ladies at the bank and his barber. :)

After getting back from dinner, we made a few phone calls to friends and family to let them know the big news. And we bought a day’s worth of internet access so we could spread the news electronically on Facebook. We went down to the beach and celebrated with cocktails and a cigar for Nick ... we can’t stop smiling. It truly was a magical night - everything I dreamed of when I was a little girl. I have finally found my Prince Charming!

We’re super excited about our future – lots of decisions to make, but for now we’re just taking in our engaged life and looking forward to what lies ahead. Thank you all for your blessings and good wishes – it truly means the world to us. We’re a little obnoxious right now (calling each other fiancée all the time, constant ring gazing, etc.) so it’s probably good we’re on vacation so no one else has to deal with our lovey-doveyness. ;)

Do you know Alice?

Have you heard of Alice.com? I read about Alice on a scrapbooking site several months ago, and it's been fabulous so far!

They sell household products - everything from toilet paper to shampoo to trash bags. You know, the stuff you stop at Target to buy and leave with $100 less in your wallet. Shipping is always free AND quick! They even let you know when coupons are available, and I've found the prices comparable to local stores. As a side note, the branding is very impressive - the package is secure, including tape on any bottle and that may open.

If you register via this link, once you spend $50, you'll receive $10 off your order! You don't have to spend $50 at once - it'll be deducted automatically. I just placed another order this morning.

Happy Alice shopping!

Got Coupons?

I have a confession ... I love couponing. It's a new hobby, but dang is it fun!
Last week, I went to Target, coupons in hand and for $2.22 out of pocket I got:
4 boxes of Frosted Mini-Wheats
1 pack of feminine products
1 bottle of hand soap
All products I use - not bad at all!

Couponing is pretty overwhelming to a newbie - there are tons of sites out there, and since I'm a singleton, I never thought it was for me. (Since I don't need diapers, 12 tubes of toothpaste or 6 gallons of milk!) I'm taking it easy so far, though. I don't buy products I don't need, unless it is something I can donate to charity easily. (In the past, when I participated food drives, I would purchase food just for the cause - now I can donate food I bought for free/cheap!)

My two favorite sites so far are Money Saving Mom and She Saved. I've also found some great deals at Slick Deals (especially around the holidays!)

Let me know if you have any other sites you use, I'd love to bookmark them. Happy (cheap) shopping!

I Believe

I saw this recently and thought it was a great message.

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born.
A Death Certificate shows that we died.
Pictures show that we lived!
And read this slowly.

I Believe...
That just because two people argue,
It doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if
We understand that friends change.

I Believe....
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe....
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe....
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe....
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs
to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe....
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe....
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down
will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry
I have the right to be angry,
But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe....
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had
And what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays
you've celebrated.

I Believe....
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken
the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe....
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
But, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find
Out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe....
Two people can look at the exact same
Thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of
Hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give,
When a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I Believe...
That you should send this to people that you believe in, I just did.

'The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything they have