Toddler Thursday - Customized Water Bottles

Now that we have had the official summer kick-off and pools are open and kids are almost out of school.  This is a fun idea on how to customize disposable water bottles for all your fun summer activities.  This is a great idea for parties of any kind or a day at the amusement park or if you are just a germaphobe and you don't want someone else accidentally drinking out of your water bottle!

Also, if you are not a Wal-mart shopper, 5 Below has all sorts of fun duct tape options too!

Wacky Wednesday - The Gym

Source: Uploaded by user via Anouk on Pinterest

Tuesday Tip - Easy centerpieces

Here are some easy and pretty centerpieces to make - if you use silk flowers, most of what you need can be found at the dollar store!

Source: Uploaded by user via Anouk on Pinterest

Monday Munchies - Cupcakes

This is an awesome detailed post on How to Frost Cupcakes and at the end of the post links to recipes for cupcakes and frosting.  I found this post extremely helpful and hopefully next time I frost cupcakes it will be less frustrating and more beautiful!

This week's deals and coupon match-ups

Here are this week's deals and coupon match-ups!

CVS by ClipperGirl

Walgreens by theFrugalGirls

Target by TotallyTarget

Freelance Friday - Take time to slow down

My friend Johanna has a wonderful blog where she writes almost daily about things that are so helpful to me. I'd encourage you to stop by and read some of her entries.

I thought this post about "Living slowly is beautiful" was a particularly good reminder to slow down in the midst of our crazy-busy lives! Take a minute to read it and enjoy!

Toddler Thursday - Doodling

Doodling . . . fun and creative!  Make and Takes has a creative idea for doodling names.  For your little ones you can write their name and let them color or doodle and for the older ones let them create the whole project.

Wacky Wednesday - Feeling sick?

Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Tuesday Tips - Where do you get coupons?

Here is a great detailed list of where to get coupons if I have ever seen one!  Thanks to Mummy Deals for the helpful post!

This weeks coupon match-ups - Check out Target!

Here are this weeks coupon match-ups:

CVS deals via Mummy Deals.

Walgreens deals via Coupon Cravings.

Target deals via Money Saving Mom.

Make sure to checkout the Suncreen deal at Target as well as the Colgate Toothpaste deal and Garnier Fructis Shampoo and Conditioner deals.  All three are at a stockup prices with coupons and sales!!

or  check out the deal on kids Crocs at Target too!

Monday Munchies - Summer Coolness

Hmmm! With the 80 degree weather we've been having, I'm thinking about all the cool (pun intended) things I can be making this summer. Here are a few classics and a few newbies I'd like to try this summer. Yum! (If you are a Pinterest user, you can click on the picture. If not, click on the link below the picture).

Source: ohdesserts.net via Anouk on Pinterest

Source: mamafoodie.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Source: ttimechic.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Anouk on Pinterest

Source: familyoffarmers.blogspot.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Source: racksandmooby.blogspot.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Source: skinnytaste.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Source: loveveggiesandyoga.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Freelance Friday - 54 uses for binder clips!

This is a great post . . . 54 uses for binder clips!  Who knew . . . I hope you find a few that work for you.

Toddler Thursday - Reusing

Isn't this a great idea to reuse a no-longer-needed travel wipes container? Genius!

Source: Uploaded by user via Anouk on Pinterest

Wacky Wednesday - In honor of mothers

Mother's Day was this past Sunday, so I thought I'd post this in honor of mothers.

Source: suziebeezie.tumblr.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Tuesday Tip - Customize your light switch

Here is a great post with multiple links on ways to customize your light switches. Once you get to the website, click on the links below the picture to go to the details on how to make these yourself! I especially like these two!

Monday Meals - Easy Chicken Parmesan

I really like Chicken Parmesan, but we usually don't have it unless we go to a restaurant - maybe I'm lazy, but I think it's so much work! Until now!

I found this recipe and it truly is easy! We had it this Sunday and it was delicious! Hope you can enjoy it too!

This week's deals and coupon match-ups

Here are this week's deals and coupon match-ups:

CVS by MoneySavingMom

Walgreens by TheFrugalGirls

Target by TotallyTarget

Have a great week! :-)

Freelance Friday - Toddlers and Sharing

I'm not familiar with the website itself, so I can't vouch for it, but I thought this particular article on Toddler Sharing was quite insightful. Even if you don't have a toddler, it's a good article to read!

Toddler Thursday - Letters on the Go!

Check out No Time for Flashcards and her learning on the go activities that will come in handy on a short or long trip!

Wacky Wednesday - Coffee?

Source: myrevelment.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Tuesday Tips - Coupon Lingo

This is a helpful post by the Krazy Coupon Lady regarding some coupon lingo that tends to get confusing!  Hopefully, it will help clear up some commonly used coupon terms.

Monday Munchies - Avocados

I don't know about you, but I love avocados! I'm starting to notice that it is popping up often in my recipes on pinterest, so I thought I'd share some of them with you! Do you have any favorite recipes using avocados?

Source: twopeasandtheirpod.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Source: becomingbetty.blogspot.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Source: authenticsuburbangourmet.blogspot.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Source: annies-eats.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Weekly deals and coupon match-ups

Here are this week's deals and coupon match-ups!

CVS by The Frugal Find

Walgreens by MoneySavingMom

Target by Totally Target

Freelance Friday - Birthday Balloon Wreath

I love changing out my wreaths on the front door on a seasonal or monthly basis.  One night on Pinterest I came across this website with 90 beautiful wreath ideas.  Scroll down to number 10 and see one of my favorites, the balloon Mickey Mouse wreath.  This is my version that I made for less than $10.  It will grace our front door around the birthdays of those in our house!

Balloons - 2 pkg of 72 for $4 each
Floral Pins - 2 pkg for $2
Small Wreath - .50 at thrift store (haystyle type wreath)

The kids LOVED helping me with this project.  Click on the this link for the direct tutorial!

Toddler Thursday - Numbers Freeze Dance

Totally Tots posted a great, fun, simple, AND educational outdoor freeze dance idea!  Check it out!

Wacky Wednesday

Not sure where this comic is from, but I thought it was a funny (and sad) commentary of our times!

Source: Uploaded by user via Anouk on Pinterest

Tuesday Tip - Glitter bottle

I thought this glitter bottle was a great idea for when a child needs some quiet time (or a time-out). I think I would even enjoy it to just relax!

Monday Munchies - Homemade Pizza Sauce

Whoops!  This should have posted yesterday but I just realized I had today's date on the post.  So, Monday Munchies is arriving on Tuesday!  The ironic thing is I whipped this up this morning for dinner tonight and that's what triggered I didn't see it post yesterday. 

We like this easy, inexpensive homemade pizza sauce.  No more paying $1.99 for a small jar of sauce; just mix up a batch of this in no time and you have 2 cups!

1 - 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 tsp of oregano, basil, garlic powder, and onion powder
2 tsp olive oil

In a small saucepan, whisk tomato sauce with the spices and olive oil.  Simmer for 6 to 8 minutes.  Makes 2 cups!