Have a Financially Responsible Wedding Anniversary

April 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

We are excited to bring a guest post about wedding anniversaries!

Is your wedding anniversary approaching? It might be one of the huge anniversary milestones, which would include 10, 25, and even 50 years of marriage together. If your anniversary is approaching, you may be looking for a fun and exciting way to celebrate without spending a fortune.

It is important to be financially responsible if you are currently living on a budget, because you do not want to go broke just because you planned out an expensive wedding anniversary extravaganza. There are plenty of ways to celebrate such a fond memory and bond between you and your significant other without having to break the bank at all.

wedding-anniversaryStay at Home Dinner

A stay at home dinner may not seem like anything special, but you can save money while turning this romantic dinner between the two of you into something amazing. You can set candles on the kitchen table and light them up for a candlelit dinner. You can prepare a fancy meal that your significant other absolutely loves, or something that the two of you can enjoy together. Along with your tasty dinner, you can crack open a bottle of your favorite wine and enjoy. Spending quality time alone with your loved one to celebrate an anniversary is both enjoyable and budget-friendly.

Renew Wedding Vows

You can renew your wedding vows without ever having to spend a fortune. In fact, you can gather your significant other, close family and friends, and renew your vow outdoors in a beautiful and lavish garden. This is an affordable way for the two of you to celebrate your anniversary and show one another how much you care. Renewing your vows will remind you of all the loving things that the two of you said to one another when you first got married so many years ago. It will be a small celebration for all to enjoy.

Slideshow of Memories

This is a great anniversary gift, especially amongst the golden anniversary gifts. You can have a slideshow of memories put together with pictures from over the years. These pictures may include moments from when you first met, pictures of your wedding day, the birth of your children, assorted vacations, and all of the memories that you hold dear to your heart.

You can create the slideshow on your own or get the help of a professional without having to pay too much at all. You and your significant other will be able to sit back and watch the slideshow progress. It will be a walk through memory lane that the two of you can enjoy alone or with the entire family. You can also have a picture frame personalized with your names and your wedding date and place your most favorite picture inside of it.

These are some of the best ways to celebrate an anniversary without having to spend too much money at all. Even if you are on a budget, you can still do something nice to show your spouse how much they mean to you and how delighted you are to have made it to so many years in marriage with them.

Remember that when it comes to anniversaries, less is often more, so you really do not have to spend too much or do too much to enjoy yourself.

NOTE: Sam Peters backed and provided information for this post.

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Christmas Wish Lists Starting Already?

September 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

Are the Christmas Wish Lists starting at your house already? We are just past the Matthew and Grace summer birthday season it seems yet Christmas is often mentioned around here. Christmas is normally mentioned when we go through the list of who’s birthday is coming up next … Grandpa, Aunt Amy, Uncle Greg, Uncle Jason, SOPHIE!!!, Baby Jesus’ birthday on Christmas then Mommy. whew. This conversation happens at least weekly at our house it seems.

To top that off, the kids may see a toy when we are the store or in a newspaper ad. By the way, are our kids the only ones that love looking at the pictures in the newspaper ads? Anyway, they will ask when they get presents and for Grace and Matthew we say Christmas. I have caught myself twice recently saying that maybe they should save that idea for their Christmas wish list.  Their interests seem to change every day but it isn’t a shock when someone asks for Lego Star Wars this Christmas  one minute and another one asks for Barbie Princess Popstar the next minute. Little do they know that I have already started the Christmas gift stash for them. Just this past weekend, I started the stocking gift stash for each of the kids (it is hiding in our closet! shhhh!) By the time December rolls around, I will be down to needing to get one gift for each of them. Last year, the last gift I bought for each them was the gift they asked Santa for at the mall since Santa brings one gift to each them each year.

Have your kids started thinking about their Christmas wish list? Maybe the better question for your budget is have you started shopping for your Christmas gift list to help manage the holiday expenses? Leave us a comment and let us know!

 

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Pura-Kiki Giveaway #babygifts

September 3, 2012 By 56 Comments

Once again no new babies at our house but we are excited to participate in another round of baby giveaway for our readers that are still in baby-land!

The Best Baby Shower Gifts 2012
This Baby Gift Guide Product is brought to you by Pura-Kiki!

The prize is a $100 prize pack of Pura Kiki Stainless Steel bottles!

Details …

Infant & Toddler Bottles that Adapt to the Needs of your Child: The Kiki is the only 100% plastic free bottle on the market and the feeding system grows with your child – turning from a bottle with slow-flow silicone nipple to a medium-flow bottle and then ultimately a spill-proof sippy bottle with sip spout. And, if your child has a strong preference for another manufacturer’s nipple or spout, our bottle will probably work with those as well.

 

Made of safe, food-grade stainless steel

No Internal Liner

Non-toxic and truly 100% BPA-free

Good luck in the giveaway!

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Thank you to A Hen’s Nest for organizing this fun giveaway!

NOTE: We were not compensated for this post.

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Noodle and Boo Giveaway #babygifts

September 2, 2012 By 9 Comments

Once again no new babies at our house but we are excited to participate in another round of baby giveaway for our readers that are still in baby-land!

The Best Baby Shower Gifts 2012
This Baby Gift Guide Product is brought to you by Noodle and Boo!

The prize is a Noodle & Boo Baby Shower in a Box gift set (arv $165).

Details …

Baby Shower in-a-Box contains a gift for the mama to be, 3 games, 2 activities, prizes, and favors for the baby shower! Its retail value is $165 and is only available exclusively on the Noodle & Boo website.

 

The Baby Shower in-a-Box contains:

  • The Forever keepsake box is a special gift “for the mama”. It contains: Forever Keepsake Journal, Super Soft Lotion, Newborn 2-in-1 Hair & Body Wash, Ultimate Cleansing Cloths, Ultimate Ointment, Afterglow Gel.
  • You will also receive a master-copy for 3 of Noodle & Boo’s favorite shower games and 2 keepsake activities: Old Wives’ Tales, Baby Talk, Finish Mom’s Phrases, Wishes for Baby, Predictions & Suggestions.
  • 3 game prizes of “The Balm” will be loved by the game winners!
  • 20 count party favors: Every party-goer will leave with a sample size of their choice of either Super Soft Lotion and Soothing Body Wash or Heavenly Honey Wash and The Balm.

 

Good luck in the giveaway!

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Thank you to A Hen’s Nest for organizing this fun giveaway!

NOTE: We were not compensated for this post.

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PRK Products Giveaway #babygifts

September 1, 2012 By 9 Comments

Once again no new babies at our house but we are excited to participate in another round of baby giveaway for our readers that are still in baby-land!

The Best Baby Shower Gifts 2012
This Baby Gift Guide Product is brought to you by PRK Products!

The prize is a set of 1 Universal Baby Bottle & Sippy Cup Organizer and 1 Universal Baby Food Jar Organizer (ARV $49.99).

Details …

Maximize cabinet space and tame the chaos in kitchen cabinets with efficient baby food and beverage container organizers from PRK™ Products.  No more multiple parts of bottles and sippy cups taking up valuable kitchen space, the Universal Baby Bottle & Sippy Cup Organizer keeps all the parts in one tidy place. The Universal Baby Food Jar Organizer stores 16 jars and even acts as a shelf, allowing for other items to be stacked on top of it. PRK™ Products are dishwasher safe, BPA and phthalate free and can be stored in the pantry, fridge or freezer (great for store bought or homemade baby food).

 

Good luck in the giveaway!

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Thank you to A Hen’s Nest for organizing this fun giveaway!

NOTE: We were not compensated for this post.

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Dandelion Handcrafted Rattles Giveaway #babygifts

August 31, 2012 By 10 Comments

Once again no new babies at our house but we are excited to participate in another round of baby giveaway for our readers that are still in baby-land!

The Best Baby Shower Gifts 2012
This Baby Gift Guide Product is brought to you by Dandelion for Baby.

The prize is a set of Handcrafted Pretend Play Rattles (King/Queen) from Dandelion, Earth-Friendly Goods (ARV $29.99).

Details …

Easy to grasp rattles to entertain young adventurers! Discover bold colors and shaker sounds, but the fun has just begun. The perfect grow-with-me toys as your child grows, so does the imaginative world of pre-tend play! Adorable and machine washable!

  • Handmade
  • Perfect Grow-with-Me Toy
  • Crocheted using silky bamboo threads
  • Stuffed with fluffy fibers made from corn
  • Machine washable
  • 5 1/2″ inches tall

Good luck in the giveaway!

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Thank you to A Hen’s Nest for organizing this fun giveaway!

NOTE: We were not compensated for this post.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Kids, Promotional, Simply Family Tagged With: , , , ,

A Cook’s Wish List from World Market

August 28, 2012 By 6 Comments

World Market lets you easily add to your kitchen while staying on budget!

 // 1. Cast Iron Enamel Skillet // 2. Terracotta Chicken Baker // 3. 15-inch Paella Pan //

// 4. Red Potluck Baker // 5. Dark Teal Glazed Tagine //

 

If given the opportunity, Brian could update just about everything in our kitchen cabinets with products from World Market. He frequently gets a spending limit when we visit the store so the opportunity to make a wish list online was right up his alley since there was no spending limit! Brian loves cast iron skillets but I love how pretty the enamel ones are! We love a baked chicken so the terracotta chicken baker would be a great addition to our kitchen. We have tried the paella a few times but having a paella pan might help it appear on our monthly menu plan more often! The potluck baker Brian claimed to pick for me and I admit that I do love it because I am a sucker for potlocks! As for the tagine, a tagine has been on Brian’s wish list for a few years now and I know he hopes that Santa remembers that gift idea this year!

Be sure to check out the Gourmet Getaway Sweepstakes!

Grand Prize package includes:

  • A trip for two to to Santa Fe, New Mexico (this is a 5 day Trip for 2 to Santa Fe which includes airfare and hotel)
  • Hands on Southwestern Cooking class with Master Chef
  • Personally signed glossy cookbook
  • Multi-course dinner at the acclaimed Geronimo
  • Southwestern Foodie Tour with a cultural kick
  • A $1,000 World Market gift card

There are three (3) runner up prize winners! Each runner up winner will each receive a $500 World Market gift card!

The Gourmet Getaway Sweepstakes runs until September 21, 2012.

Plus if you share the sweepstakes with 5 of your friends (via FB share or email) you can receive 5 additional bonus entries.

Big into Social Media? Follow World Market on Twitter, Pinterest , Google+, and Facebook!

Note: This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™, but all my opinions are my own.

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Bundles and Buzz – Super Baby Bundle Giveaway #babygifts

August 28, 2012 By 18 Comments

Once again no new babies at our house but we are excited to participate in another round of baby giveaway for our readers that are still in baby-land!

The Best Baby Shower Gifts 2012
This Baby Gift Guide Product is brought to you by Bundles and Buzz!

The prize is a Bundles and Buzz Super Baby Bundle valued at $80 + a $20 store credit (ARV $100)!  The normal Bundles are $60 arv. Bundles and Buzz is creating a “Super Baby Bundle” that is worth $80 (arv) just for this giveaway. The photos are of what a regular Baby Bundles might look like as an idea of what the winner may get!

Details …

 Bundles are surprise packages of mom/baby products, supplied by companies who are looking to increase their sales, introduce a new product, clear out discontinued products or boost brand awareness. The content of the Bundles will be a surprise until the customer receives their package. That’s what makes it so exciting! We occasionally make hints on our Facebook page, but because Bundles often vary, no customer will know exactly what they will be getting.

 

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Thank you to A Hen’s Nest for organizing this fun giveaway!

NOTE: We were not compensated for this post.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Kids, Promotional, Simply Family Tagged With: , , , ,

Gift Accept

June 5, 2012 By 3 Comments

About Gift Accept …

A brand new way to show you remember…even when the address is a distant memory.

Gift Accept is the safe, secure way to send gifts without having to keep track of contact information. No address? No problem. We make it simple to send the perfect gift to all those special people in your life, and we can even help you remember birthdays and special occasions.

Here’s how it works: You want to send a gift to a friend, but you aren’t sure of the address. Maybe they’ve moved; maybe you contacts list is a mess. Or maybe this person is someone you’ve just connected with and you don’t want to ruin the surprise. Even if all you have is an email address or Facebook name, Gift Accept delivers. Just select your gift from hundreds of quality items such as flowers, chocolates, jewelry and gourmet gifts. Then we’ll send a message to your friend to let them know you have sent them a gift, and they can confirm their delivery address with Gift Accept. Of course, your information as well as your recipient’s always remains confidential. You can even sync your Facebook contacts and Gift Accept will help you remember special dates, as well as favorite colors, sizes and more. Try it today! Gift Accept is the simple, secure and unique solution for modern gift giving.

What did I order?

Skyline Bookends Set of 2 Product Details …

Iconic buildings plucked from New York’s world-famous skyline create the design for these sturdy bookends for shelves, desks, or kitchen counter tops.  Made from formaldehyde-free and carbon compliant MDF and finished in durable epoxy, these classic icons will stand the test of time in classic fashion.

My Thoughts …

I was excited to see options at Gift Accept that went beyond flowers and candy! When I saw these bookends, I new that would be a great gift to send to Brian as he is always commenting on how we need more bookends. These are unique and fun and sturdy! The ordering process at Gift Accept is really easy in that you can pick your Facebook friends and have them enter their address. This is great for all of the friends I have on Facebook from past years but I no longer have their address in their my address book.

So if you are looking for a unique gift giving idea consider checking out Gift Accept and sending a great gift to a friend, a graduate, or even someone for Father’s Day!

What are your favorite gifts to give? Where do you order them from? Leave us a comment and let us know!

 

Filed Under: Home & Garden, Promotional, Reviews, Simply Life Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Gift Planning for Mother’s Day

February 20, 2012 By 1 Comment

Ready to skip ahead a few holidays to Mother’s Day? Well here at our house, it isn’t skipping too much as we plan ahead on holidays and what gifts we buy. The Easter basket items are already collected for the kids so it is time to start to seek out mother’s day gift ideas.  We don’t always see our mothers on Mother’s Day so a stand-by gift for us is flowers. While flowers are a simple idea it gets complicated fast if you don’t know the flowers your mother loves. My mom loves daisies so I try to get an arrangement that has daisies in it. Brian’s mom doesn’t have a flower she loves so we normally pick an arrangement that is simple and is girlie in colors. Since she only had boys, I love to get her girlie things to enjoy!

If we do see our mothers on Mother’s Day, we try to make them a meal or at least send them home with a baked good such as a coffee cake. My mom loves to turn her kitchen over to Brian to make a spaghetti dinner or maybe even a roasted chicken dinner. A big family meal is loved by my family and normally draws my brother, my sister, and brother-in-law to the table!

What are your plans for Mother’s Day? If you haven’t thought about it and you are a mom, maybe you should start thinking about it so can drop some hints. I am hoping for some of my favorite flowers, astromelias, and a yummy Brian cooked dinner!

 

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