What's In Your Mailbox? _ 7.28.11

Lately I've been getting a lot of free samples, and coupons in order to get free things. This is what I've acquired in this past week!

A Soy Joy bar [anyone ever have them - are they good?] and two Charmin toilet holder extenders. It wasn't a lot, but it sure made me happy to get mail! I think it's the favorite time of my day!

I was also able to get these two items for $.99 at Target, saving $5.33! ... they were supposed to be for free because I had coupons from Target & Manufacturer's coupons, but the lady typed the one coupon in wrong. Oh well, next time I'll read the receipt before I walk out.

Don't forget to check out Money Saving Mom for daily deals and steals ;] You won't be disappointed. I know I'm not!

Good In Bed: Book Review

No, no, it's not one of those sex novels... it's a novel by Jennifer Weiner. She has become one of my new favorite authors since reading this book. Not only was the novel funny, it was also extremely intriguing and led me to want to read more and more, which is quite hard to do when you're reading in your backyard underneath the sun... sweating! I have to admit though, I'm glad I picked this book up in Florida last year, and I'm even more happy I finished reading it so quickly. It was a great book.

Synopsis by Barnes & Noble:

For the previous twenty-eight years, things had been tripping along nicely for Cannie. Sure, her mother's come charging out of the closet, and her father's long since dropped out of her world. But she loves her job, her friends, her tiny rat terrier, Nifkin, and her life in Philadelphia. She loves her apartment, and her commodious, quilt-lined bed. She has made a tenuous peace with her non-size 6 body. And she'd even felt okay about ending her relationship with Bruce. But now this.

After finding herself publicly humiliated, with the most intimate details of her life in print, Cannie embarks on a series of hilarious and heartbreaking adventures. From showdowns with her snooping office nemesis to run-ins with her mother's less-than-lovable life partner, from trips to the glamour spots of New York City and Los Angeles to a disastrous reconciliation with the man who took her heart and tossed it onto the New Jersey Turnpike, Cannie navigates an odyssey she never planned on taking. She mourns her losses, faces the past, and figures out who she really is, and who she can become.

Radiant with wit, bursting with surprises, and written with bite and bittersweet humor, Jennifer Weiner's deliciously readable debut novel reaches beyond Cannie's story and into the heart of every woman. It features an unbelievably funny cast of supporting characters, the strangest dog you'll ever encounter, and, best of all, Cannie Shapiro — a heroine you'll never forget.

My Review:

What is it with wanting the one who doesn't want you anymore? If you were ever unsure of a relationship, broke it off, and then changed your mind, only to find out he's not interested anymore... only makes you want him more?

This is exactly how Cannie felt when she broke it off with her boyfriend Bruce. She found out the hard way that you should always listen to both your mind and your heart, oh and your best friends! Add daddy problems to the situation and you've got yourself a good book. They always say that when a girl has relationship problems with her dad, or doesn't have that male figure around, it leads to relationship problems - which is exactly what happened in Cannie's situation. Her heart is afraid to trust, and she always seems to want what she can't get. Life has a way of giving you what you need though, even if you didn't know it was what you needed in the first place. No matter what you look like, there's someone out there who will love you for you, and will give you everything you deserve and more. 

I have to say this book definitely took me on an adventure through relationships, weight loss, loving oneself, and a baby?! You'll just have to read it, I know you'll love it! 

My Rating: 5 Stars

Bargain Finds _ 7.24.11

I haven't been blogging too much, except for the daily recipes I post on Kay's Sweet Obsessions, my baking blog. I've been so busy with this summer course I"m taking [music therapy] that I can't seem to find the time to write my own thoughts down. I will make sure to catch up in the next coming week. For now check out some of the bargains I've been able to get ! From free samples to super scores!

Trip to Target - Spent $1.43, Saved $5.48. I think this was the only time I've ever saved more than I've spent and I think this is going to become a thing that occurs often! With help from coupons from Target to coupons from Bic, I was able to get an unbelievable deal! And it's perfect with school coming up in just a month [ my last year to be exact!]

I've also been able to send out for free items and free samples such as these.

Jif To Go- I got them with a free coupon that was sent to me; Swiffer was a free sample; and No Longer a Slumdog was sent to me for free [try this website still]

Honey Nut Cheerios free sample & coupon inside; Suave Professionals Captivating Curls received due to a free coupon. [*Not Shown - Free Rachel Ray's Dog Food Sample]

I was able to get all of this because I researched on the internet ! My favorite website for deals has to be Money Saving Mom ... hey even if I'm not a mom, the freebies and samples come in handy! You'll see!

P.S I Love You: Book Review

I finished yet another book, and I wasn't as satisfied with this one as I was with my past reads. Now when I picked up the book P.S I Love You I thought it would be absolutely heart-wrenching, just like the movie. However, I was proven wrong... it was NOT AT ALL like the movie. The movie where I cried like a baby because of the death of Gerry, and where I didn't see the end coming at all! I couldn't believe how much they changed from the book, but I have to admit I liked the movie so much more.

Synopsis from Barnes & Noble:

A novel about holding on, letting go, and learning to love again.

Now in paperback, the endearing novel that captured readers' hearts and introduced a fresh new voice in women's fiction — Cecelia Ahern.

Holly couldn't live without her husband Gerry, until the day she had to. They were the kind of young couple who could finish each other's sentences. When Gerry succumbs to a terminal illness and dies, 30-year-old Holly is set adrift, unable to pick up the pieces. But with the help of a series of letters her husband left her before he died and a little nudging from an eccentric assortment of family and friends, she learns to laugh, overcome her fears, and discover a world she never knew existed.

The kind of enchanting novel with cross-generational appeal that comes along once in a great while, PS, I Love You is a captivating love letter to the world!

My Review:

I have to admit, I was sincerely disappointed after reading P.S I Love You by Cecelia Ahern. I was expecting the plot to be exactly as the movie had been... but it wasn't even close. From Gerry and Holly falling in love over the years, knowing each other since they were children, to Daniel owning his own bar, and Holly's parents still together. What really made me upset was the fact that Holly received all of the letters in one big envelope. In the movie she receives them in the mail, due to her mother. The story-line, I felt, was much more riveting and exciting in the movie. I did love the added detail and the emotional feelings of Holly, as well as those closest to her.. but I feel as if they didn't focus enough on the story of Gerry and Holly, and instead added stories of her brothers, her sister, and her friends. I mean try and read it, but try not comparing it to the movie if you've already seen it [if you haven't seen it you should!]. 

My Rating: 2 Stars

4th of July

I'm not really big on 4th of July... Of course I love all of the family gatherings, BBQs, and fireworks.. but I have to admit it's not my favorite holiday. This year I spent the holiday with my mom's side of the family - a little family reunion, where I met family members that I never met in my 21 years of existence. It was pretty fun, and I loved meeting them!

These were just the people that showed up; there were definitely a lot more relatives invited.

I got excited when I heard where we were going and decided to show off some of my baking skills for the family. I chose to make cheesecake squares in the shape of the American Flag. I have to admit, it was pretty good if I do say so myself.

Recipe can be found on my Baking Blog.

Hopefully soon we can get more relatives together. I cannot even believe how many of us are related.

I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July as much as I did! Let Freedom Ring!

A Little Vacation

I haven't been able to post much because I went on vacation quite recently and I've been trying to get back into the swing of things. A month or two ago Sal and I were invited to stay in cabins on Lake George with a couple of his friends. I was hesitant about it because I had plans to go to the Make-A-Wish Gala and volunteer, but I quickly said "let's go!" I couldn't wait and even though I waited until last minute to pack, I was extremely excited. The ride there started all the laughs for me, because Sal brought Walkie Talkies and he gave one to his friend. It was hysterical listening to their conversation and quotes of the movie Smokey and the Bandit.

When we got there I was even more excited. Sal and I were staying in a cabin with another couple, his two friends were right next door, and then his other 3 friends were right down the dirt road. If you went a little further down the dirt road you'd see the lake, and just a little bit further and you'd be in the lake! Such an amazing view. I couldn't even believe how peaceful it was there.

After we were settled in we decided to enjoy the 5 days that we'd be there as best as we could. The next morning we walked down to the lake and the boys enjoyed some fishing as my friend and I enjoyed sunbathing.

After the fishing was over we headed back to the cabins to enjoy lunch or dinner; I cannot even remember if we had 3 meals a day! We also played games like Ladderball. Before I knew it we were down by the lake again for more fishing, and even more laughs.

We brought the grill down by the lake and roasted marshmallows to make smores, and watched the fire burn well into the night.

It was definitely a good night with great friends. The next morning we got up semi-early and headed into town to explore. Of course, Sal finds a Horseback Riding place, his new favorite obsession, and he tells me we must go back to the cabin so he can get his attire on - including cowboy boots, cowboy hat, and a plaid shirt. Joy! haha.

After the trotting and riding was done, to my relief because if you've ever been horseback riding you know it hurts your bottom, we went to lunch on a quaint little place on the lake, where we enjoyed delicious seafood together.

We headed back to the cabins after exploring the little shops in the town... We met up again with everyone at the cabins and took the truck down to the lake.

When dinner time rolled around we decided to pass some time by playing some ultimate frisbee. I was the only girl playing, but I have to admit I played quite well and scored a couple of 'touchdowns,' if that's what you call them in frisbee? haha. It was intense and definitely a workout!

Some of the group went down to the local bar, while the rest of us stayed home and shared laughs with a few drinks. It was quite funny.

The next morning Sal and I went kayaking in the lake, by ourselves, which made it that much more perfect... even if I was extremely slow and couldn't keep up with him.

Before heading back to the cabins, we stopped for sandwiches, and then headed down to the lake to enjoy them. Fishing, going out on the boat, and enjoying some beers. Well not me, I enjoyed sitting on a lounge chair and doing just that, lounging. I mean how could you not with this view?

Before we knew it, it was our last night there, and we spent it up by our cabins all surrounding the fire. But not after we went on a little adventure with the man who owns the cabins - which I have to admit was a little scary, until he took us to the top of his land and showed us the stars.. I mean I had never seen so many in my life and it seriously took my breath away.

The next morning we had to leave, and I have to admit I didn't want to. It was not only peaceful by the lake, but it was so much fun living so close to everyone, not having a care in the world. I hope we can go back before the summer ends for one last piece of paradise.