Zombies: Rotten To The Core! (Wholesale Halloween Costumes Review)

As my son grows older, it's no longer what mommy thinks is "cute" that matters when it comes to choosing Halloween costumes.  The older he gets... the uglier and scarier they become.  As much as it hurts, I knew this day would come.

 

This year he decided to be a zombie!  An ugly, scary, rotten zombie! I chuckled my evil zombie laugh when I noticed the name of the costume he had chosen from the Wholesale Halloween Costumes  website.  "Rotten to the Core" is what I told him he was since he wouldn't let me choose a cute costume for him this year!

The zombie costume included a hoodie shirt with detachable chest piece, half mask and pants.  All he needed was a pair of boots to complete his rotten look!  The costume wasn't too creepy for mom to approve of, but scary enough to be perfect for him!

Hershey's Candy Makes Halloween Complete!

I've always been a huge fan of Halloween!  Dressing up in costumes, parties, haunted houses, and let's not forget... CANDY!

I'll be the first to admit that the candy makes Halloween complete!  When we get home from trick-or-treating, my kids can't wait to weigh their candy and then sort through it to see everything that they got.

My kids sort it by candy type: chocolate, suckers, licorice, etc...  our favorites?  CHOCOLATE, of course!  

Hershey's makes some of our all time faves: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kat, Hershey's Almonds, and YORK Peppermint Patties --- Delicious! 

For Halloween, they even have Halloween themed designs and shapes on their most popular  products.  My kids love opening the package to see which design is inside!

The 2012 Holiday Gift Guide Begins November 1st!

 

Beginning November 1st, Being Frugal and Making it Work will launch its very first Holiday Gift Guide!  The holiday gift guide is going to feature gift ideas for everyone on your holiday shopping list... from toys and clothing to food and electronics, and much more!

You can easily find the newest holiday gift guide posts under the Holiday Gift Guide tab at the top of the page, and you can find links to all giveaways in the right sidebar.  Be sure to stop by daily to check out the newest reviews and giveaways.

Holiday Gift Guide Submissions:

If you have a family friendly product or guest post you would like to have featured in the 2012 Holiday Gift Guide, you can contact me by using the CONTACT ME tab in the top navigation bar.

What items are on your shopping list this holiday season?

Have a Safe & Happy Halloween!

I remember as a kid looking forward to dressing up on Halloween and heading to school.  Teachers and students dressed up, we had a parade through the school and even played games and had Halloween parties.  It's sad that my children aren't able to experience the same at their school - no Halloween costumes are allowed at school!  They do have Harvest Parties at school but it's just not the same.

Here are my two "pumpkins!"

Have a Safe & Happy Halloween!

Decipher Target Clearance Markdowns...

If you love shopping Target clearance as much as I do, then this information is important and helpful!   If the price ends in 8, it will be marked down again. If it ends in a 4, it's the lowest it will be. 

**Here is the Target clearance mark down schedule:

 MONDAY: Kids’ Clothing, Stationery (office supplies, gift wrap), Electronics. 

TUESDAY: Women’s Clothing and Domestics. 

WEDNESDAY: Men’s Clothing, Toys, Health and Beauty. 

THURSDAY: Lingerie, Shoes, Housewares. 

FRIDAY: cosmetics. 

Check out one of my favorite Target clearance shopping trips:
Target Christmas Clearance 90 Percent Off - I Saved $204

Giveaway Ending Tonight: Bows N' Ties $20 Gift Card

The holidays are right around the corner, and that means office and holiday parties.   Be sure to enter to win a Bows N' Ties $20 Gift Card to update your wardrobe just in time for the holidays!

Halloween Zombie Tees

Halloween is right around the corner, and it's not only for kids!  Adult Halloween parties are becoming more popular.  If dressing up in a full costume isn't your style, Halloween t-shirts are a perfect alternative!

We all know that Halloween screams fun and candy for children, but for adults it's about zombies, brains and the walking dead!  Rockin zombie apparel is among the most popular this Halloween!

If you're looking for a variety of great Halloween shirts, check out the great selection of zombie tees.  

Giveaway Winner Announcement: Del Monte Fruit Cups

Feeding my children fruit is a top priority.  While fresh fruit isn't always an option, feeding them Del Monte fruit cups is the next best thing!  Today, one lucky winner is going to win some Del Monte flavored fruit cups of their own!  

The lucky giveaway winner is:

Giveaway Ending Tonight: Lamaze Pond Friends Soother

All I can say is... WOW!  I can't believe that it's Monday again and that the month is nearly over.  Where is time going?  I really wish that I had a little more time each day, even just a few hours!  

If you have a few extra minutes, be sure to take a moment to enter the Lamaze Pond Friends Soother giveaway that is ending tonight!  It would be the perfect crib toy for your baby, grandbaby, or as a gift!

My Nutrisystem Weight Loss Journey: Week 14

I'll admit that I've always thought scales were EVIL! Even if I worked hard and put out my best effort, the number on the scale doesn't always reflect that. At one point during me weight loss journey, I was literally addicted to the scale! I was weighing myself every time I walked past it, sometimes making a special trip. I was weighing myself so often (10 - 15 times a day) that I was obsessed and driving myself crazy!

 Since starting my weight loss journey with Nutrisystem, I have changed the relationship I have with my scale. I weigh myself first thing Monday mornings and that seems to work best for me!

During my 14th week on the Nutrisystem program, I lost...

Being A Mom With Style

Mom’s have one of the most powerful responsibilities in the world – bringing up children. Some days it may feel like you have no time for yourself and that you may be fated to wearing only practical, boring clothes until your children have grown. While there is nothing wrong with comfort and practicality, having some nice, fashionable clothing to wear can make you feel better.  Just because you are a busy mom, does not mean you have to throw away glamour. If your budget is a concern -- children can be expensive to raise – you can still find fashionable clothing. Here are tips for busy and budget-conscious moms who want to look their best.

Choosing Formal Wear
Every couple needs a date night occasionally, and single moms need a night out sometimes, too. Treat yourself to at least a couple of nice dresses or skirts for wearing on special evenings. Save money by shopping clearance sales, outlet stores, discount stores or even second hand stores. Second hand stores sometimes receive clothing that is new or gently used.

Choosing Casual Wear
Of course, fashionable clothing is not limited to formal wear. There is no rule that says moms have to wear boring jeans, generic pants or uninteresting shirts. Throw out your “mom jeans” and replace them with jeans that are more flattering. This may mean mid-rise jeans, boot cut jeans or whatever style you feel looks good for your body type.

Travel Size Fogless Shower Mirror - It Works!

I'll admit that I was skeptical when I heard about the fogless shower mirror.  I've tried "fogless" mirrors in the past and they have never worked.  It's always disappointing to try a product that ends up failing.  We've all been there, right?

The ToiletTree Fogless Shower Mirror is guaranteed not to fog or fall off the shower wall.  I've given this mirror a try and it holds up to its promises! 

My husband takes scorching hot showers and the ToiletTree Fogless Shower Mirror did not fog up.  Not even the slightest bit.  It really works and we were impressed!  My husband can finally shave in the shower and I won't have to clean up the mess in the sink ever again!

All you have to do is fill the back of the mirror with water from your shower.  The water neutralizes the mirror and air temperature to eliminate fogging completely!  

Giveaway Ending Tonight: Freddie the Firefly Musical Crib Mobile

If you are expecting a baby or know someone who is, you're going to love the Freddie the Firefly Musical Crib Mobile!  It would make the perfect baby shower gift, Christmas gift, or addition to any nursery!

Be sure to enter for your chance to WIN an adorable Freddie the Firefly Musical Crib Mobile!

Have a wonderful day!

Giveaway Ending Tonight: Neater Feeder Elevated Pet Bowls

There are some days that I think I have 4 children instead of just two... our dogs are just as spoiled as the kids are!  If you've been looking for a great elevated pet bowl - you're not going to want to miss this giveaway!  Be sure to enter to win a Neater Feeder of your choice:

Neater Feeder Elevated Pet Bowls giveaway!

Do you have pets?

Win Your Way to Great Prizes with ShopYourWay Rewards Points!

If you're a frugal shopper like I am, then I know you love earning points and saving money just like me!  If I can earn rewards and save money, I'm hooked!  I'm one of those savvy shoppers that loves winning and saving... it's an addiction!

I recently took a look around the Win Your Way platform and browsed through the 79 current sweepstakes that I can enter to win!  Simply by entering, I have the chance to win thousands of ShopYourWay Rewards points and other great prizes.  

Two of my personal favorites are:

1.  Til' You Drop Sweepstakes (Prize: 5,000 points):  

Treat yourself! What would you buy if you won a shopping spree? 

2.  Love is in the Air Sweepstakes (Prize: 10,000 points):  

What items would you bring on a romantic trip away? 

To enter, all you have to do is click "GET STARTED NOW" and complete the required steps.  It's as simple as 1...2...3!

Each sweepstakes tells you how many times you can enter and how many entries there already are.  Personally, I like seeing how many entries there are so I can know my chances/odds of winning!

 What sweepstakes would you enter?

Banners on the Cheap: Affordable Vinyl Banners (Review & Giveaway)

Do you have a business, upcoming event, or group that you would like to promote or support?  Maybe you're starting a new business, have a special milestone birthday celebration, or a special sports team or school event.  A colorful vinyl banner is the perfect way to get noticed and make a statement!

Cheap, affordable and durable personalized banners are available for any occasion through Banners on the Cheap!  You can easily design and buy customizable vinyl banners online in just a few simple steps.   They offer the lowest prices, fast shipping and friendly customer service.

 There were two things that my husband and I immediately noticed when our vinyl banner arrived...

1.  The quality -  Our banner was printed on thick, durable vinyl that will stand the test of time - indoors or outdoors! 

Our banner will be used often, and the quality will allow for it to be used for years to come!

2. The colors -  The colors and graphic were outstanding!  They were bright, bold, and exactly what we were looking for.  

 We used our new vinyl banner for the first time this weekend at the opening wrestling tournament, and we received numerous comments from both parents and wrestlers.  Our new team banner looked great hanging up on the wall and really caught everyone's eye.  I hate to brag, but our club had the best banner at the tournament - hands down!

Giveaway Ending Tonight: Snappy Socks - 2 Winners!

The weather is getting colder, and we could all use a new pair of stylish socks to keep our toes warm!  Don't miss your chance to win a pair of new socks!   

Two lucky winners will win a pair of Snappy Socks!

My Nutrisystem Weight Loss Journey: Week 13

I have realized, learned and come to terms with several things since starting Nutrisystem.  I know that I am stronger and more determined that I ever thought possible.  I'm proving to myself each week that I can do this and I will reach my goal!

As part of my weight loss journey, I have decided to toss out some of my negative sentiments, and help hold myself accountable.

I am going to...

1. Stop feeling ashamed of my body and how it looks. After all, I've had two beautiful children, both via c-section and I know what that did to my body.  Would I do it again?  Absolutely! 
2. Stop caring about what other people think about the way my body looks. We are ALL beautiful in our own unique and individual ways.
3. Stop hiding my body in the dark from my wonderful husband. He loves me just the way I am.
4. Stop thinking that it isn't possible to lose the belly jiggle. The Biggest Loser is proof that it can be done.
5. Stop getting angry when the scale doesn't show a lower number. Scales are EVIL, how I feel is most important.
6. Stop letting the scale dictate my success. A smaller waist is worth more than a smaller number on the scale.
7. Stop beating myself up by feeling guilty if I slip a little. I'm human and it happens.
8. Believe in myself, I CAN do this and I'm worth it!
9. Take it one step and one day at a time. If I fall, pick myself back up.
10. Learn from my mistakes. That's what life and change is all about!

During my 13th week on the Nutrisystem program, I lost...

Giveaway Winner Announcement: NFL TeenyMates Collectible Sports Figures - 3 Winners!

To celebrate the 3 wrestling matches that my son won today, and the 3rd place medal that he earned as a result of his hard work... I'm going to announce 3 lucky giveaway winners!
   
Sticking to the sports theme, it's time to announce the winners of the adorable TeenyMates NFL collectible sports figures!   

The lucky giveaway winners are:

Giveaway Ending Tonight: Del Monte Fruit Cups

My kids love fruit cups, and take one in their school lunch a few days a week.  They also love them as part of their meals and snacks!  If your kids love Del Monte fruit cups as much as mine, you're going to want to enter my giveaway that ends later tonight!

Del Monte Flavored Fruit Cups giveaway!

I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Giveaway Ending Tonight: Mobile Safety Webinar & $50 VISA Gift Card

In this age of technology, mobile and internet safety are a top priority with parents.  If you are a parent or a grandparent, knowing the basics could save a child's life!  How would you like the chance to win a $50 VISA gift card and the opportunity to attend a virtual mobile safety webinar? 

Be sure to take a moment and enter my Mobile Safety Webinar & $50 VISA Gift Card giveaway!

Shari's Berries: Chocolate Covered Strawberries (Review)

 

 I recently received a delicious package from Shari's Berries.  Neatly tucked inside were two dozen chocolate dipped strawberries!  We were able to sample a variety of flavors...

• 8 Berries Dipped in Milk with White Swizzles
• 8 Berries Dipped in Dark with Milk Swizzles
• 8 Berries Dipped in White with Dark Swizzles 

  
The first comment that came out of my daughter's mouth was... "Whoa!  Those strawberries are huge!  Can I please have one?"

My son's first comment was... "Can I please have one of each?"
   

 Shari's Berries chocolate covered strawberries are plump, juicy and sweet!  They were big, beautiful and absolutely delicious!  There was only one slight problem, with 4 of us in the house, they didn't last long enough!

Even though they were all mouth-watering, my personal favorite were the milk chocolate with white swizzles.  I still can't get over how sweet and delicious they were. YUM!

Giveaway Winner Announcement: Dark Shadows DVD

The work week is officially half way over, and I'm already looking forward to the weekend.  If you entered the Dark Shadows DVD giveaway, then you're probably wondering who won! 

The lucky giveaway winner is:

MAM Personalized Pacifiers BOGO Offer!

 Just in time for the holidays, MAM is offering consumers a special BOGO (“buy one, get one!”) offer on their NEW personalized pacifiers!  Savvy moms can save between $19.95 and $29.95 with this very special offer…

 From December 3 – December 7, moms can access a coupon code (MAMHOLIDAY) at Facebook.com/MAMbabyUSA to buy one set of MAM Personalized Pacifiers and receive one of equal value absolutely free. Redeemable exclusively at www.mambabypersonalized.com.

About MAM Personalized Pacifiers:

 
With the MAM Personalized Pacifier, moms can customize their baby’s pacifier with a name, nickname or unique saying.  The perfect stocking stuffer for tiny tots, the pacifiers are available in pink, green or blue and can feature up to 20 characters on two lines.

 Two Personalized Pacifiers are $19.95, four are $24.95, and six are $29.95. Orders of six include free shipping and a gift box. This BOGO offer coupon expires December 7, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST.

Giveaway Ending Tonight: TeenyMates NFL Collectible Figures - 3 Winners!

If you have a little (or big) sports fan in your house, you need to enter this TeenyMates NFL Collectible Figures giveaway! These teeny sports collectibles are so darn cute and would make the perfect stocking stuffer!

Make Christmas shopping free this year!  Be sure to check out and enter the other great giveaways while you're here too.  

 

Giveaway Ending Tonight: Dark Shadows DVD Starring Johnny Depp

Happy Monday!  

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  I spent Saturday shopping with one of my best friends and my daughter.  We had so much fun!  

Do you like Johnny Depp?  Don't miss your chance to win a Dark Shadows DVD starring Johnny Depp! 

Hopefully it will arrive just in time for Halloween! 

My Nutrisystem Weight Loss Journey: Week 12

It has been 3 months since I began my weight loss journey with the help of Nutrisystem.  My new supply of food has arrived, and I can't wait to see what this month has in store for me.  In the past couple of weeks I have noticed considerable changes to my body and my attitude, it's an amazing feeling!

My XL t-shirts now look like tents on me, and I can't stand the way they look. I have them piled in a corner on the floor waiting to take them to away!  I never thought there would come a day where I didn't want to wear them, I've worn them forever!

Not a single pair of pants fit me anymore.  If I don't wear a belt, they fall off!  My husband told me over the weekend that it's time for me to go pants shopping.  His exact words...

 "Hey baby, You need to go buy some new pants.  Yours are way to saggy and they look stupid!"  Wow!  Thanks honey, LOL!

Even though I hated to do it, I had to take my wedding ring off and put it in the safe.  It literally falls right off and I don't want to lose it somewhere.  My husband and I have been married for 13 1/2 years, so I feel lost without it.  The ring I'm wearing now just isn't the same!  Another 20 - 25 pounds and I'll have my wedding ring re-sized!

During my 12th week on the Nutrisystem program, I lost...

Free Starbucks Caffè Latte - Monday, October 15

Do you need your daily coffee fix?  Do you enjoy Starbucks coffee as much as I do?  Be among the first to get a sneak peek at Starbucks revolutionary new Verismo System – and experience how to enjoy Starbucks lattes, espresso and brewed coffee at home, all from one machine.  Not only will you meet the machine, you'll get to enjoy the result – a sweet, creamy, rich Starbucks® Caffè Latte made especially for you. (R)(R)

This special event is on Monday, Oct. 15, 4-6 p.m. at select Starbucks stores.

              Find a store hosting the event near you, and grab your free Starbucks latte!

                                                               
                                                                    ^{Do you drink coffee?} 

HOT FREEBIE! Free Holiday Labels - Vistaprint

With the holiday season getting closer, now is the perfect time to stock up on free holiday labels! Choose from thousands of designs, or create your own! Showcase your own, or even your children’s, creativity and upload your own designs of the prize-winning drawing hanging on your refrigerator, so everyone can admire your little artist’s creation. 

Personalize your own mailing labels for all the holiday cards you send out to family and friends. Label the care packages of your famous homemade chocolate chip cookies and brownies you send to your children in college to get them excited to come home for the holidays. 

You can even add a special photo of the newest members of your family when you mail your New Year’s letter detailing all of the wonderful changes to you family in 2012. And for all those gifts, you can add “to” and “from” fields to create your own special gift tags for your equally special presents.

Personalize your FREE holiday labels today!   HURRY!  Offer ends 10/17!

I'm UnJunking Halloween Candy with UnReal Chocolate!

Chocolate has always been a weakness of mine.  I'll admit that just about anything tastes better with chocolate!  However, I will also admit that I try to limit the amount of sweets we eat, especially my children.  That being said, we love chocolate and have a drawer full in our fridge. 

So... you can imagine how thrilled I was when I heard about UNREAL chocolate candy.  Much like all of our favorites but without all the junk - including fewer calories and less sugar.  

As a mom (who is also on a diet), I can't resist a healthier candy for my family!

UNREAL candy has

• No corn syrup
• No partially hydrogenated oil
• No artificial ingredients
• No GMOs
• No preservatives
• Low glycemic index

 UNREAL candy offers all of our favorites:

Unreal 77 (Peanut Butter Cups)
Unreal 54 (peanut M&Ms)
Unreal 41 (plain M&Ms)
Unreal 5 (Milky Way)
Unreal 8 (Snickers)

Affordable & Stylish Men's Neckties and Bow Ties (Review & Giveaway)

 Bows-N-Ties.com carries a great selection of high quality, stylish and affordable men's neckties, bow ties and cufflinks!  One cool feature is that you can shop for ties based on color, making it easy to find the perfect tie for any shirt or suit.

With neckties available in 19 fantastic colors. Solids, stripes, patterns and multi-colored ties!  Starting at just $9.90, you are sure to find the perfect tie, no matter what the occasion.  

Bows-N-Ties.com is able to provide affordable prices for two reasons: 

1. they import directly so there is no middle-man

2. they keep overhead costs low by not having a brick and mortar store

Not sure how to tie a tie properly?  They have a step-by-step how to tie a necktie, bow tie, handkerchief and ascot tutorials that are easy to follow.

Giveaway Winner Announcement: It Works! Body Wrap

It's time to tell you who won the It Works! body wrap giveaway.   

The lucky giveaway winner is:

AT&T Mobile Safety School for Kids Webinar: Win a Free Session & $50 VISA Gift Card

There are real issues that kids face today when it comes to mobile phones: bullying, privacy, over-usage, texting while driving and more. AT&T has made a commitment to be a leader in providing education, resources and tools to help families better manage mobile safety. If you are interested in learning more, AT&T is offering the opportunity to one of my readers to attend a virtual Mobile Safety School session – along with a $50 VISA gift card.

The virtual Mobile Safety School schedule is as follows:

Oct. 23 at 1p ET – mobile safety for kids 8-11
Oct. 24 at 1p ET – mobile safety for kids 12-14
Oct. 25 at 1p ET – mobile safety for kids 15-17

To enter this giveaway, please let me know in the comments section which session you would like to attend. I will choose a winner on October 19th.

Giveaway Ending Today: It Works! Body Wrap

Are you looking to tone, tighten an firm a few trouble areas?  Are you ready to try an It Works! body wrap and wrap yourself thin?  

Here is the perfect opportunity to try it before you buy it! 

It Works! Body Wrap Giveaway!

3 Tips for Saving on your College Teen's Personal Expenses

As you probably know, having a kid in college is astonishingly expensive. Tuition is through the roof at nearly any university across the country. Textbooks have always been overpriced, and getting a campus parking pass? Forget about it! College really is a financial sinkhole, one that's unfortunately a necessary part of a successful life. While you can't do much about the fixed price of tuition, air flights home, student fees, etc., you CAN save on your child's personal expenses. 

Here's how:

1. Create a realistic budget when figuring out a monthly allowance.

The best way to not allow your child's personal expenses in college to spiral out of control is to send him or her a set monthly allowance. Deciding on how much this allowance should be is tricky, so sit down with your child and figure out reasonable expenses for different things. For example, if your child is on a school meal plan, then budget maybe $30 a week for two meals out. If your child lives of campus, factor in groceries. Draw up a reasonable entertainment budget, money for gas, medicines, etc. 

2. Don't give in to your child's requests for more money.

Your child will ask you for more money inevitably. You may want to give in, thinking it's an emergency. Except for, of course, medical emergencies, requests for more money are never a life-or-death experience. If you set up a reasonable budget by following step one, your child will be just fine until next month. Don't give in!

3. Encourage your child to get an on-campus student job.