Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Don't Miss Out on This Deal!



You don't want to miss out on this HUGE savings event!

If you don't have Amazon Prime now, this is the time to get it!



FREE 2 DAY shipping on THOUSANDS of items! We use Amazon Prime to get grocery items, clothing items, shoes, household items, birthday/Christmas gifts, etc.  With Prime, I can order a gift and have it shipped directly to the birthday boy or girl...FREE! 

Since I don't always have time to run to Target in the next day or two, if there is something we need for school, work, or home, I just log into Amazon, order it and the item arrives in 2 Days

With school supplies, school clothing, and Christmas gifts all needed to be purchased in the next few months, this is the time to get Amazon Prime!



FREE Returns make it easy to send back items that don't work out also!

By signing up for your FREE TRIAL now, you can benefit from all the great deals that will be offered on JULY 15!!!  You don't want to miss out! 

Place an order and then forget to order something else?
Doesn't matter because shipping is free anyway! 

I can't wait to see what all the great deals will be on that day!




If you choose to sign up for PRIME, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. I appreciate your support of SincerelyStacie.com. 

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

23 Gift Ideas for Nearly Everyone on Your List



I always love looking at gift guides, hoping to find an idea that I hadn't thought of.
I take my Christmas shopping seriously and want to find that perfect gift for everyone on my list.I keep track of likes and dislikes. I write down things that they may have mentioned wanting. I ask family members and friends for ideas. Then I set out completing my shopping list.

As I was shopping I thought about things that I could offer as ideas for others who might be struggling to find that "perfect gift" for someone they love. The following are a list of items with something for everyone on that list. I hope you find this list helpful. If you choose to purchase an item from one of my links, I may receive a small commission from your purchase without you having to pay a cent more for it. Thanks for supporting me and my blogging. All the items are things I have purchased for myself or others and love them! The items are mostly "clutterless" items as well which is a bonus!









$5 Dinner Plan with Erin Chase
Erin is a busy mom and each week, takes the guess work out of meal planning. Every Friday, you get an email that includes recipes to take you through a week of meals. She includes step-by-step instructions and grocery lists and sometimes videos. I have 6 months worth of her weekly meals plans and have used several of them. If there is a busy mom on your list, this would make a great gift. You are not only giving her the gift of time, but also the gift of excellent meals for their whole family. For more info, click HERE.




THE SUPPER CLUB BOOK By Dave Hoekstra
I gave this to my parents last year for Christmas. Every Friday night my parents went to our local supper club, The Chaparral. I have many memories of Friday night dinners including wagon wheels and virgin grasshoppers. I even tried Frog Legs on one of our Friday night dinners. This book features supper clubs all over the Midwest, their history and what makes them special. It was an interesting read and makes me want to visit all of them. There are two featured from our area and we highly recommend both of them. This makes a great gift for someone who likes local history or travel.

Photo courtesy of my friend Jenn
and her nail salon, HERE












Gift Certificate for Manicure/Pedicure
I absolutely love getting a pedicure. I can take an hour of my time and completely relax. You usually receive a leg and foot massage along with a deep scrub that removes all that awful dead skin off of your heel during a pedicure. Plus you get beautiful toes for a few weeks. Giving a gift certificate for a manicure or pedicure also gives someone an hour of "Me Time". Find a salon near you that offers them and purchase a gift certificate for the amount of a manicure, pedicure or even both!



Kindle
Give the gift of reading by giving someone you love a Kindle. I have had a Kindle (1st version) as well as a Kindle Fire and loved them both. I currently use the Kindle App on my iPad Mini for my reading, not because I was ever unhappy with my Kindle, I just passed my Kindle Fire on to our daughter. For those who just want to use it to read, the Kindle Paperwhite is your best option. Don't forget to include an AMAZON GIFT CARDalong with your gift. An Amazon Gift Card is great for someone who has everything whether they like to read or not. You can choose from books, movies, clothing, toys, food, tools, electronics, etc. Practically everything you need is available on Amazon.

Amazon Prime
Shop Amazon - Give the Gift of Amazon Prime
If you have someone who likes to shop online, I highly recommend gifting Amazon Prime. Free 2-Day shipping on thousands of products makes online shopping so much easier. It has paid for itself multiple times in our house.












Netflix
Gifting either a instant streaming package or a DVD package is a great idea for the TV/Movie lover on your list. Sometimes this is an extra expense some aren't willing to spend, but for those long, cold winter months, it's the perfect way to spend an evening or a weekend.













Etsy Gift Certificate
I absolutely LOVE Etsy. It is a crafter/small business website. You are getting rid of the middle person and ordering precisely from the artist/creator. I've gotten signs, jewelry, t-shirts, baby gifts, and so much more. There truly is something for EVERYONE on Etsy.com. I'm not sure there is an actual Etsy Gift Certificate since they are all independent crafters, but you could create your own and then let your loved one shop away!



Toms Shoes
I have fallen in love with TOMS shoes. They are comfy and fashionable. Plus, purchasing a pair for yourself automatically gives a pair to someone else in need of shoes. For more on TOMS shoes, click HERE. Our daughter is getting a pink glitter pair for Christmas. TOMS are available for kids, men, and women in all sorts of styles.




Luxurious Towels
Do you ever stay in a hotel and wish you could bring the towels home? Last year my husband gave me "hotel towels" for Christmas and I love them. They are thick, soft, and absorbant. Totally worth it. Most people hate spending money on towels and are likely still using the ones they got for a graduation or wedding gift. If you don't know what to get someone, trust me, they'll appreciate new towels!




Thirty-One Cindy Tote














Thirty-One Insulated Lunch Tote - source

I use both of these products every day that I sub at school.  The Cindy Tote is my "school bag" that I keep packed all the time. It has just the right pockets and is the perfect size for my materials and laptop. It is sturdy and not too flashy. I also always take my lunch in the Insulated Lunch Tote. Even if I don't get a chance to put it in the fridge, my lunch is always still cold at lunch time. Find your local Thirty-One consultant and order these or better yet, have a party and earn them for free! Click HERE.






AAA Membership
I have been a AAA member since I left for college and it has come in handy more times than I can count. If you have a college student on your list, elderly grandparents who go south for the winter, or someone who travels a lot or drives more than 30 miles to their job, AAA can be a lifesaver. If you choose the Plus membership, no matter where you are, AAA will come and tow your vehicle back to wherever you need it. They will jump your battery, unlock your vehicle, send a mechanic out, etc. It pays for itself just for the piece of mind. Plus you get lots of other discounts at Outlet Malls, hotels, and car rental agencies by having the membership. Get more info, HERE.

Grocery Store Gift Card
Everyone hates buying and paying for groceries. Food is so expensive. This gift card might allow someone to buy steak or produce that they wouldn't normally purchase. Get a card from their favorite store and they will think of you next time they get groceries!

Movie Gift Card
Our family rarely goes to the movie theater. We would just rather spend money on other things and wait for the DVD. But sometimes, there are movies we really want to see right away. If we had a gift card, we might just do it more often or at least use it towards that expensive popcorn!

Sam's or Costco Membership
We are members of Sam's and I would miss it desperately if we weren't. There are items that I can only get there. Certain items are much cheaper there (gallon of milk for $2.90) and I can buy the items we go through quickly in bulk which saves me time and money. If you know someone with a lot of kids (especially teens) this would be a great gift for that family.



Nativity Set
I collect Nativity Sets and think every family should have one. This Little People set is perfect for a toddler. A ceramic set for a newly married couple would be a great idea as well. It is the perfect way to celebrate Christmas and Jesus' birth.  My cousin has been making me one out of felted wool and giving me one piece each year. I love seeing what she creates and watching my set grow each year.



SNAPPY BOOKS
Our boys are 13 and 14 and still remember these books from when they were toddlers.  We had several of them and they would laugh every time we would read them. Each page has something that pops up out of the page. I think the farm one was always our favorite. My great-niece just turned one and she will be getting this one for Christmas. I can't wait to read it to her! 

Family Photo Session with your favorite photographer
Who doesn't love family photos? Pay the sitting fee for a family to get their photos taken and wrap up a certificate stating they have a free family session with the photographer. I know I would love this as a gift!







Mary Kay Skinvigorate Cleansing Brush
I keep this right in my shower and use it once or twice a week. It really brightens my face and makes it feel so much softer and smoother. This is for the woman who wants to look her best! Find a local Mary Kay consultant by clicking, HERE.













 Mary Kay Time Wise Cleanser Set
I use these products every single day and have for years. I credit my smooth and clear complexion to these products. I stand behind them 100% and believe they are the best product out there for anti-aging benefits. Again, find a local Mary Kay consultant by clicking HERE. The best part is all Mary Kay products are 100% guaranteed.










Lego Sets
Our family has always been a huge fan of Lego products. The boys got sets for every occasion when they were younger. Now that Lego has the Lego Friends set, our daughter is also in love with them. We have even gotten holiday sets to make a tradition of building and adding a new piece to our winter village each year. There are Lego sets for all ages and in many categories. They are classics!




Fitbit One

For someone who likes fitness, this is a great gift idea. The Fitbit clips to your clothing and keeps track of your steps, stairs climbed, miles walked, and calories burned. If you are having trouble sleeping, it will even keep track of your sleeping and how many times you were awake in the night. You can set goals and then sync it with your smart phone to keep track of your progress. It is a great motivator and may even push you to get those extra steps in your day.  


Cuisinart Griddler
My husband got me the Griddler a few years ago and it is one of my favorite appliances. I use it for pancakes, grilled cheese, and grilling chicken. It is great for making panini sandwiches as well. I even got these Cuisinart Griddler Waffle Plates
to go with my Griddler. Now I have just one appliance rather than a waffle iron as well. It is perfect for a family or a single person. 



Fiestaware

My sister-in-law LOVES her fiestaware. She has dishes in every color and her cupboards look like a rainbow inside. I love helping her build up her collection and buying pieces for her birthday or Christmas. I think these Scarlet ones are my favorite. If you start a collection of dishes for someone, then you have your gift planned out for the next several years. Just keep adding pieces to their collection. 


The important thing about gift giving is that you have truly thought about that person and what they might like. Wrapping the gift up nice with extra ribbons and bows will also make the receiver feel like you spent time on their gift and really cared. Don't spend more than your budget allows and spend some time (if possible) with your loved one. That truly is the best gift of all. 



If you choose to purchase some of the above items, as a member of their affiliate program, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. I appreciate your support of SincerelyStacie.com. 

Monday, August 18, 2014

Back-to-School Teacher Emergency Kit

Last Thursday was our Back-to-School Open House night and today is our First Day of School.  I wanted to put together something special for Reagan's fourth grade teacher.  She has been the fourth grade teacher for all three of our kids, which I think is pretty neat.  

I have seen various versions of Teacher Emergency Kits on Pinterest and decided to make up one of my own.  Since I am not very crafty, I used a label from THIS SITE.  There are so many great ideas on Pinterest for letting your child's teacher know how much you appreciate him or her. I am looking forward spoiling Mrs. Kimm this year.  She deserves it! To see some of the great gift ideas I have pinned, click HERE


First I got a big 11x13 pencil box from Target during our school shopping. 
Then I attached the label to it. 
Again, I used a free printable thanks to CRAFTING CHICKS.   


I filled it with all kinds of things that I thought 
I would want to have on hand in my desk drawer.
I wanted to include things for days when she maybe 
had to miss breakfast or maybe even lunch. 
Things for days when she needed a bit more caffeine. 
Things for days when a mishap happened. 
Things to boost her energy or her spirits.    

The items I included in the kit:
Chocolate, gum, breath mints, lip balm, dental floss, quarters, 
Tide-to-Go, K-Cups of Coffee, and Crystal Light drops for her water


Yogurt covered blueberries, hand lotion, hand sanitizer, scentsy pods, 
and oatmeal (Nature Valley has new oatmeal packets that are made in Keurig machines.)

I asked one of the other teachers what some of Mrs Kimm's favorites things were 
so I could make it a bit more personal for her.  
I found out she loves coffee, chocolate, mint gum, 
and has a Scentsy Pot in her room.  That made it easy for me to fill up the box.  

We gave the Emergency Kit to her on open house night 
and I think she was quite surprised.  
I hope it comes in handy over the next 180 days of school! 

I also wanted to share this great blog post about teachers and why we should buy that bigger package of EXPO Markers while doing our school shopping.  Click HERE to read it. 

I work at the school and I personally know how much time, effort, and money teachers put into their jobs.  Please take a moment to write a note, share a gift card, or personally thank a teacher today! 

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Cents of Style = Great Products and Service




Have you heard of the website, CENTS OF STYLE? It is a discount shopping website that specializes in accessories, shoes and boots.  I have been really pleased with their products and best of all, their prices.


Every Friday they offer one item in their FASHION FRIDAY section at a greatly reduced price. Last week, the above Chevron Scarves were reduced to $6.95 from $26.00 including FREE SHIPPING.

For Christmas gifts I ordered one of these cute State Necklaces for a gift as well as a knitted Ear Wrap.  Both of the gift recipients loved them.

I recently had a customer service issue and emailed them. I had a response AND a correction within MINUTES! That is unheard of and especially with discount retailers.  Unfortunately, sometimes when you get a great deal on prices you get a poor deal on customer service, but that WAS NOT the case with CENTS OF STYLE.  I was very impressed with their service as well as their products.

You need to sign up for their emails to get the discount code for each FASHION FRIDAY deal, but they only come into your inbox on Fridays so it isn't too overwhelming.  I highly recommend you check it out if you like accessories and great deals!

Check them out at http://www.mycentsofstyle.com/.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Have You Checked out zulily?

I LOVE it when I get a good deal on something.  I am a coupon user and watch fliers for discounts and sales.  I also watch online sales when I get the chance.  So, trust me, when I tell you about this site.  They offer daily deals and you can really get a bargain.

Every once in awhile I click through the zulily website and find just what I am looking for....and when I do.....the best part is that it is so stinkin cheap.  By clicking this link HERE you can be connected to daily deals for moms, babies and kids.  I have gotten household items and clothing for dirt cheap.  You just might want to check it out.  Pocketbook....beware!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Book Review: The Baby Cheapskate - Guide to Bargains by Angela Wynne

THE BABY CHEAPSKATE: Guide to Bargains
How to Save on Blankets, Bottles, and Everything Baby

By: Angela Wynne

Published:  May 1, 2012

*****


Having a baby?
How to get everything you need—without breaking the bank.
When Angela Wynne started preparing for her baby’s arrival, she was overwhelmed by all the must-haves she supposedly needed. She quickly discovered that the average American family can expect to shell out more than $23,000 for the first two years of the baby’s life.
Daunted by the cost of having a baby, Angela soon realized she had a gift for ferreting out the best bargains—and decided to share her findings with other parents online, with her uber-successful blog BabyCheapskate.com. And now, in The Babycheapskate Guide to Bargains, she gives you must-have advice on buying the best for your baby for less.

No I am NOT having a baby, but I almost wish I was.  Ok, maybe not, but I DO wish I had this book when I was having babies.  This book would have been a life-saver to me and I am sure it will be to many, many pregnant and new moms out there.  Even though I am not expecting a baby, I learned something about searching on Google for products from this book.  

The book is not only full of advice from Wynne, but also full of reader tips from moms.  The best advice I ever got since I became a mom came from real moms and learning from their successes and failures.  This book is full of them.

One of the best tips in the book was what are the "Needs", the "Extras", the "Later-Ons" and the "Really Cool Things" to register for.  It can be so overwhelming going to Target or Babies R Us and deciding to what to register for.  If you are a first time parent-to-be it can be hard to know for sure what and how much you are going to need.  BABY CHEAPSKATE lays it all our for you.  

The book also includes a wealth of information about signing up for coupons, baby clubs, and getting those all important discounts.  With social media, you can also "follow" or "like" numerous baby related companies for discount opportunities.

One tip that I was thinking of when I read the book was related to the high chair.  Wynne also addresses the high chair debate: to get one or not.  If I was having another child I would NOT get a high chair.  I found the clamp chair (a chair that clamps to a table/counter) and booster chairs to work just fine when the baby had outgrown a bouncy seat.  The high chair takes up so much space and isn't easy to clean or move around.  So, if you take anything at all from this review....save your money and skip the high chair!

Another great tip is to NEVER buy diapers without a coupon.  I still get coupons in the mail for diapers and my baby is 7 so I always pass them on to my friends and family who need them.  There are always diaper coupons out there and if they are close to expiring, stock up on the size you are using or the next size you will be moving into.  Don't let those coupons go to waste.  There is no reason to ever pay full-price for diapers.  You have to buy them anyway and those $1 and $2 savings really do add up.

I think Wynne has thought of everything when it comes to baby shopping.  If you are a first-time parent, buying this book will save you hundreds of dollars!  I will be passing my copy on to my friend who is about to be a new mommy this summer.  




Monday, May 7, 2012

Happy Monday

I know there are some people out that who really dislike Mondays, but I try to look at them as a kick off to the week.  A way to start my week off with a positive attitude and a fresh outlook.

Today was the only day I had this week to run the numerous errands that needed to be ran.  So, I got started right away this morning. I started laundry and did a few other things before I left home. Then 5 1/2 hours, I was able to shop at Hallmark, Old Navy, Michaels, Half-Price Books, take a 1/2 hour lunch with my Kindle at Noodles and Company, pick out some flowers at Earl May and Hy-Vee Drug Store, and get a few groceries at Hy-Vee.  After stopping for gas, I made it home 10 minutes before the kids got home from school!  Phew, that was a lot of running!  I'm super excited to show you  the items I got at Michaels sometime soon.  I purchased items for 2 projects that I want to accomplish in the next week or two.  Since I am not really crafty, this is a bit out of my comfort zone, but I am hoping I can turn it into something neat.  If they turn out, I will be sure to share them here!

This weekend we pulled out our 8-year old Korean Lilac bush.  It had gotten too big for the area near our front entrance.  It didn't bloom this year and we decided it was time to do something different there.  I am looking forward to making a new area of it including our bird bath and some new flowers.  Photos to come.....

Shortly after I arrived home the phone rang and the caller id said "United States Government".  I thought, hmmmm, I should probably answer that one.  I am so glad I did.  Just over a week ago, I emailed our Senator, Charles Grassley for his help with something and his office called me back today.  I was so emotional and grateful for their assistance.  I can't wait to share with you what his office will be helping me with!

Finally, I made tacos for supper which is the family's favorite, so it was a great way to close out the day.

We are on the countdown until school is done for the year.  Only 13 school days left.  I realized last night that only 2 of those 13 days are ones that I have completely open and today was one of them.  PANIC!!!  All those things I wanted to accomplish during this school year ran through my head.  How am I going to get them done in those 2 days???  Well, I'm just not.  Maybe they will get done this summer, and maybe not.  I'm going to do my best to leave that last day that I have free open and hopefully enjoy one last quiet day at home before I am with the kids every day.  I need to start planning out our summer as well.  Could it really be here already???

How did you start out your week?  Were you cranky or were you ready to hit the ground running this morning?


Saturday, November 26, 2011

Counting My Blessings In November

November is the time to count our many blessings - name them one by one.

I want to look at each day and name at least one blessing from that day. Something that happened or affected me on that day and not just in general. It can be so easy to igore those little blessings in our day, but sometimes it is the little blessings that can make the biggest impact.




November 24 - Thankful for A Wonderful Stress-Free Meal
For the last few years, we have decided to travel for Thanksgiving.  We found out Cracker Barrel restaurants offer a wonderful meal on Thanksgiving so we travel to places that have a Cracker Barrel.  Their meal includes drink, turkey, ham, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green beans, cranberry relish, biscuit/corn bread, and pie all for $8.99.  No stressful cooking and no clean up!  We spent our meal with Pat's sister's family.  We scored a nice big round table so we could all sit together and visit easily!  It was a wonderful meal and another great time with family!

November 25 - Thankful I Survived Black Friday
Since we are in Des Moines, my Sister-in-law, her teeage children, and I decided to brave Jordan Creek Mall at midnight.  Oh my! I wasn't prepared for the mob of people waiting to attack the stores and shop!  It really was quite the site to see and experience.  The Victoria's Secret store was so crowded you couldn't move and I decided I needed to get out of there immediately.  The lines were long and stores we crowded, but everyone that I interacted with was pleasant and kind.  I took special care to thank each of the employees I had an interaction with and let them know I appreciated them working these crazy hours.  I was able to get some really good deals and I made it until 3:30 AM.  We went back out in the afternoon and the shopping was much more manageable.  During our midnight shopping, the mall had hired some carolers who were amazing.  It was such a nice surprise to hear their Chrismas hymns and songs carrying over the din of the crowd.  It was a way for them to remind us of the REAL reason for Christmas while the greed in the mall seemed to overshadow it.  As I focus on my lists and shopping over the next few weeks, I am going to try to find ways to keep the CHRIST in CHRISTmas.  Stay tuned.........



Friday, March 13, 2009

Cool Tees!

I just found out about these great tees! Check out the button to the right that says, "God is Good Wild Olive Tees". All the tees have a saying on the front and a Bible verse on the back. These are awesome and I hope to order one...as soon as my budget allows! From their website, this is how the gals say they got started...
Wild Olive began four years ago with a dream. Literally. It took a while for that dream to grow into reality but, thankfully, God's timing can be trusted completely. God orchestrated the friendship between Colleen, Stefanie and Amie, and soon they recognized that they had not only a shared goal, but a passion: to be God's instrument in sharing His word in a fresh and funky way.
Check them out today!