yummy GF snacks

A few weeks ago, I ordered several new Gluten Free products that I had never tried and I finally got around to trying the Ener-G Wheat Free Crackers.

I LOVE THEM!!! They are sooooo good with cream cheese, peanut butter, regular cheese slices and I even like them plain!

I also grabbed a loaf of Rudi's Bakery Gluten Free Multi-grain Bread the other day and I tried it this afternoon.



HOLY COW! I love this more than I love Udi's GF Bread and I loved that a whooooole lot. I think this brand is the most similar to regular brand. A lot of times, GF bread crumbles but my turkey and Swiss sandwich (with lots of condiments and vegetables of course), upheld the ultimate test. It stayed together and didn't crumble. It was soft and so delicious! I highly recommend this bread!!!

What kinds of GF food are you loving??



Love & Laughter,

J

Living Simply Soap Sale

I absolutely love small businesses. I love the personality and individuality that goes into each and every one of them. One of my very FAVORITE small businesses is Living Simply Soap. The owner, Tanya Brown is one of the greatest people in the world. I went to high school with her son and now Mark and I are really great friends with him and his wife and we are an "auntie" and "uncle" to their little boy, Burke. Mark and I consider the whole Brown Family, a part of our family. So with all that said, you should head on over to Living Simply Soap or if you are local, stop in the shop and check out her products and this amazing sale going on right now...

Not only have I used almost every item in her shop, I have also purchased quite a bit for myself and for gifts! Her products are simply AMAZING and they are simply inexpensive, plus they are ALWAYS adding new products!! You can't go wrong with Living Simply Soap, because what you use on your skin matters!

Love & Laughter,

J

what i'm loving wednesday

I know it's a little late, but I am just NOW getting home from work!! So regardless if anyone else reads this, I am still going to link up with Jamie at This Is Love for What I'm Loving Wednesday because I have a lot of things I am loving!

I am LOVING that I got FREE flowers from Kroger. For NO reason. How lovely are these? (Minus the junk in the background)

I am LOVING that my lovely boyfriend surprised me by planting the plant that we got a few months back...in the planter that we also got...a few months back. I didn't even notice for TWO days. How crazy am I not to notice that 40lbs. of soil are no longer sitting in my living room??!!??

I am LOVING that I was asked to be on staff for a Sr. High Retreat in March! I absolutely LOVE every single one of those youth so it just makes me heart melt when I get asked to serve them and my God.

I am LOVING Parenthood. I say this because it's the one show that I actually do get to see because I don't work traditional work hours.

I am LOVING the ideas that the Wellness Committee I sit on at work has come up with for the next quarter.

I am LOVING this DIY Scarf that I made...and I LOVE that I made it in less than 10 minutes

I am LOVING these Pinterest finds...







What are YOU LOVING today???

Love & Laughter,

J

DIY scarf

I have linked up with At Home with K for Terrific Under Ten Tuesday.

I had the urge to be crafty, so what better place to turn to than my "just call me martha stewart" Pinterest board.

I made this beauty!!! And I can't wait to get my hands on some bigger t-shirts so that I can make longer ones!!!

I'm really loving mustard yellow right now so I was happy to cut up the Wright State University tee that I no longer wear!

In case you want to make your own all you need is a t-shirt that you no longer want or need and a pair of scissors. Cut the hem off the bottom and set it aside. Then cut 1/2" strips (width wise) all the way to the armpits. Once you have cut your strips, stretch each of them out (they will curl on their own) and then place them together and use the hem to tie it together. I didn't need any money for this project and it took less than 10 minutes. Some of my friends have even asked for one!!

Have you made anything from Pinterest?
How about you try a Terrific Under Ten Tuesday project and don't forget to link up Kindra at At Home with K!!

Love & Laughter,

J

since i have tomorrow off...

Thanks to MLK, Jr. (I have tomorrow off) I am taking the opportunity to post some couponing 101 information and tips over at Couponing Make$ Cent$, so if you are interested in getting started or have started couponing, but don't really know where to go, this may help you get on the road to savings!!!

I hope everyone enjoys their day, even if you aren't off for MLK, Jr. Day!!!

Love & Laughter,
J

lazy saturday

I love lazy Saturdays. Netflix finally got it together (after some technical difficulties) so that I could finish watching

and

Don't judge...

Up next...

What do you watch on lazy days?

Love & Laughter,

J

what i'm loving wednesday

It's been awhile since I have linked up with Jamie over at This Kind of Love for What I'm Loving Wednesday but I have a lot of things I'm loving right now...

I am LOVING that I will have a long weekend. Thanks, MLK!

I am LOVING that I am making extra money via eBay!

I am LOVING that I have started a new blog, couponing make$ cent$!

I am LOVING that I get to see my handsome boyfriend tomorrow!!! (he has been in Indiana working)

I am LOVING that my gluten-free order from Vitacost came in the mail today! And I am LOVING that I only paid $5.00 (shipping) for ALL of it!! Leave me a comment and I will send you a FREE $10 coupon on your first purchase via email or Facebook - that's how I got all of this for $5.00!!! They have so many items to choose from, it's hard to decide!

I am LOVING  that our youth came back today!! I sure have missed them!!!!

I am LOVING that One Tree Hill started. Yes, it's a guilty pleasure and I have been watching it since it first started so how could I not finish it. It replaced my all-time favorite, Dawson's Creek!

I am LOVING all the fresh fruits and vegetables I have been eating.

I am LOVING that I only spent $5.16 on all of this and I am LOVING that I get to donate all of it (except the finish - I really did need that)

I am LOVING that I get to sleep in a little more now that we have the youth back.

I am LOVING that I am now a part of the MC Savers Club at work (a coupon club that gets us discounted papers and a chance to swap coupons and talk about our savings)!!

I am LOVING life right now! Things are soooooo good!!!

What are you LOVING today? Head on over to This Kind of Love and link up!!

Love & Laughter,

J

what a ride...

The last few days have been quite the whirlwind for me....

Yesterday, my other blog, couponing make$ cent$, got off the ground, completely unexpected. It was like the coupon Gods were calling me to do this. I share some of my deals with friends, on this blog, and just by word of mouth but I have never had the opportunity to share to the extent that I can now. It all started with a text and then a coupon club meeting at work. The rest is history...

This morning, I got an email with an attachment that had me listed on the Wellness Committee. I had to print out the PowerPoint to even know what my job duties would include. I had no idea that I was even on this committee and was formally welcomed in an email that would come approximately 6 hours after I got the first one. If it means that I'm going to get "well" and knock a few pounds off, I'll gladly add that to my plate.

My eBay selling "business" is going really well. I feel like I am spending my lunch breaks at the post office but that only means that I am making money and that's always a good thing.

It's crazy how we are only 10 days into 2012 and sooooo much has changed from last year.

Has anything changed for you so far??

Love & Laughter,
J

couponing make$ cent$

To keep my coupon life separate from my daily life, I have decided to create another blog just for my couponing and awesome deals I get.

I realize that not everyone cares about or is as excited as I am about saving money so I thought I would save face for some readers while other readers who are interested in the coupon match-ups and deals that I get along with coupon codes, you can head on over to my other blog, Couponing Make$ Cent$.

You can still catch me here for the adventure that is my life and you can catch me over at Couponing Make$ Cent$ for lots of savings!! Thanks for reading both!

Love & Laughter,
J

kroger match-ups 1/9-1/16

I've had a few people interested in saving some money at the grocery store this year so in order to help those out, I am doing some coupon match-ups!! I'll have a post on the beginning stages of how to coupon hopefully this week...

Here are the Kroger coupon match-ups for the week of 1/9-1/16. In case you aren't familiar with the Kroger coupon policy, here is everything you need to know.

Kroger Coupon Policy:

- Kroger reserves the right to limit no more than five (5) paper manufacturer coupons for the same product, each coupon value considered (1) coupon in the same transaction

- Limit one manufacturer coupon (paper or digital), per item purchased

- Expired coupons are not to be accepted

NOTE: The Store Manager has the right to accept, decline or limit the use of any coupon.

Internet Coupon Restrictions/PAH (print at home) Coupons

- "Free Item" internet coupons can be accepted if all purchase criteria is met

- Only one internet coupons per item will be accepted

- Only two internet coupons per manufacturer, per customer, per day

- Internet coupons that display characteristics below will not be accepted:

          - Blurry

          - Out of proportion

          - Do not scan properly

          - Appear to be altered in any way

Doubling

- Manufacturers' coupons 50 cents and below will automatically be doubled

- Doubling does not apply to the following coupons:

          - Free          - Retail Food Store Coupons

          - Kroger      - Electronic Coupons

          - Catalina    - Items prohibited by law

Personally, I have never had a problem with using coupons at my Kroger. If you have a problem, ask to speak to a store manager.

I am ONLY going to post the things that I think are good, great and excellent savings. Also, the match-ups that I am posting reflect the coupons that I currently have in my binder and may not necessarily reflect the coupon or quantity you may have in your coupon collection.

Now, onto the savings...

NO COUPONS NEEDED:
Kroger Idaho Russet Potatoes, 5 lb. bag - $1.99
Red Seedless Grapes - .99/lb.
Kroger Frozen Vegetables - $1.00
Tyson Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Tenderloins or Thighs - $1.99/lb. (great price if you missed the sale at Meijer for $1.77/lb. last week)
Larabar - $1.00
Classico Pasta Sauce (Select varieties, 15-24oz.) - $1.59 (50% off)

COUPON MATCH-UPS:
Pepsi or 7UP Soft Drinks (Select varieties, 12 pk., 12. oz cans or 6 pk. or 8 pk. plastic bottles) -
Buy 3 Get 1 FREE - Final Cost = 4/$12
Use 2 Save $2.00 when you buy any TWO multipack plastic bottles coupon
Final Cost after coupon = 4/$8 which is $2.00 for each pack

Yoplait Yogurt (Select varieties, 4-6 oz.) -10/$6 = .60 each
Use .40 off when you buy SIX CUPS any variety Yoplait Yogurt coupon
Final cost after coupon = $2.80/6 or .46 a cup

Tyson Frozen Grilled Chicken (Select varieties, 22-32 oz.) - $6.99
Use $1.00 off on ONE bag of any Tyson Grilled & Ready frozen product coupon
Final cost after coupon = $5.99

Ken's Salad Dressing (Select varieties, 16 0z.) - $1.99 (50% off)
Use $1.00 off any TWO Ken's 16oz. Dressings coupon
Final cost after coupon = $2.98/2 or $1.49 each

Milk-Bone Dog Biscuits (Select varieties, 18-26oz.) - $1.99 (50% off)
Use $1.50 off any TWO Milk-Bone Dog Snacks coupon
Final cost after coupon = $2.48/2 or $1.24 each

Wolf Brand Chili (Select varieties, 15oz.) - 2/$3 or $1.50 each
Use .35 off any ONE can of Wolf Brand Chili coupon (from in-store coupon kiosk)
Final cost after coupon = .80

Freshlike Canned Vegetables (Select varieties, 13.5-15.25 oz. can, excludes peas) - .49 (50% off)
Use .50 off any THREE cans in the Allen family of products coupon
Final cost after coupon = .47/3 or .15 a can

Rotel Canned Tomatoes - .94
Add .25 off Rotel Tomatoes Kroger digital coupon to Kroger card
Final cost after coupon = .69

Chef Boyardee Pasta (Select varieties, 7.2-7.5oz. cup or 14.5-15oz. can) - $1.00
Use .50 off any FOUR can or microwave pasta of Chef Boyardee coupon
Final cost after coupon = $3.00/4 or .75 each

Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding or Gelatin (Select varieties, 4 ct.) - $1.00
Use .45 off any THREE Snack-Pack pudding coupon
Final cost after coupon = $2.10/3 or .70 each pack

Pam Cooking Spray (Select varieties, 5oz.) - $2.50
Add $1.00 off Pam Cooking Spray Kroger digital coupon to Kroger card
Final cost after coupon = $1.50

Hunt's Pasta Sauce or Manwich (Select varieties, 26-26.5 oz., 15-15.5oz.) - $1.00
Add .50 off any THREE Hunt's Pasta Sauce and .50 off any THREE Manwich Kroger digital coupon to card
Final cost after coupon = $2.50/3 or .83 a can

P&G MIX AND MATCH (Save $4 when  you buy 4 participating products)
****I actually used a lot of the P&G coupons last week at Kroger for this event so I don't have a lot left but I do have a couple.****

Scenario #1:
Buy TWO Old Spice Body Wash - $6.98
Buy TWO Herbal Essences or Aussies Shampoo, Conditioner, or Styler - $5.98
TOTAL - $12.96
Use TWO $2.00 off ONE Old Spice Body Wash
Use TWO $1.00 off ONE Herbal Essence or Aussie product
TOTAL minus $4.00 (P&G MIX AND MATCH) minus $6.00 (total of coupons)
Final cost after coupons and P&G savings (must use Kroger card) = $2.96 for ALL 4 products

Scenario #2:
Buy ONE Tide Stain Release Detergent - $5.99
Buy ONE Olay
Buy ONE Secret Deodorant - $1.99
Buy ONE Crest Toothpaste - $2.69
TOTAL - $16.66
Use ONE $2.00 off ONE Tide Stain Release
Use ONE $2.00 off ONE Secret wyb (when you buy) ONE Olay Body Wash
Add the .75 off ONE Crest Toothpaste 4.0oz or larger Kroger digital coupon to Kroger card
TOTAL minus $4.00 (P&G MIX AND MATCH) minus $4.75 (total of coupons)
Final cost after coupons = $7.91 or $1.98 each (not the best scenario but Olay body wash and Tide Stain Release is expensive without this deal)

Scenario #3:
Buy ONE Bounty Paper Towels (6 big or 8 regular rolls) - $6.99
Buy ONE Charmin Bathroom Tissue (12 regular rolls or 12-16 double rolls) - $6.99
Buy TWO Old Spice Body Wash - $6.98
TOTAL - $20.96
Add the $1.00 off Bounty Paper Towels Kroger digital coupon to Kroger card
Add the $1.00 off Charmin Bathroom Tissue Kroger digital coupon to Kroger card
Use TWO $2.00 off ONE Old Spice Body Wash
TOTAL minus $4.00 (P&G MIX AND MATCH) minus $6 (total of coupons)
Final cost after coupons = $10.96 or $2.74 each (seems a little pricey but you also just bought a lot of toilet paper and paper towels as well as two large, good smelling body washes for the man/men in your life)

You can mix and match any of the P&G products they have in the ad (or any of the scenarios I listed. You can check the ad out online or from your newspaper. I would also suggest signing up for a Kroger card if you haven't already (I don't know how anyone shop's here without it). Also, go online to Kroger, sign up for an account and enter your Kroger card number so that you can add digital coupons to your card.

Digital coupons and paper coupons may not be combined on the purchase of a single item.

If there are ANY questions about this match-up or questions about coupons in general, feel free to post them here as I do read all of the comments. I am happy to help.


Love & Laughter,
J

say yes to the dress

On Netflix, I've been watching a lot of...

which has really prepared me for today's big wedding dress escapade with my friend, Brooke.

She has no idea what she is looking for and she doesn't even know the first thing about wedding dresses but all I know is that we are going to have a lot of fun!!!

Was it easy or hard for you to find your wedding dress??

Love & Laughter,

J