Pinterest has given me the crafty bug.  Well, maybe I should say the inspiration to be crafty.  Whenever we go to a craft store, I always glance at all of the fun classes they offer.  In a perfect world, I would have time to take all of them and be super crafty Mom.  But, let's be real... I'm lucky if I shower and eat lunch before 3:00.

Have you tried Craftsy yet?  It's a great website where you can take craft classes from the comfort of your own home.  Best part?  Once you buy a class, it's yours FOREVER.  No pressure to hurry up and finish.

They are always offering specials and FREE and discounted classes, so it's a great way to learn a new craft.  There are also fun free mini-classes.  I keep browsing the cake and sewing sections...I really want a sewing machine!

Today (May 18th), they have a great event going on.  All new members get a choice of a FREE class (up to $39.99 value!) and donations will be made to DonorsChoose, to fund arts education in schools across the US.  Win/Win situation!

I just started this creative play costume class and it's perfect for our family.  My girls could live in costumes if I let them...might as well know how to make some cool ones!

Make sure to get in on this great deal today and let's get crafty together!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  By using these links, you are helping support this blog.

Cheap trips to Chicago through Megabus!

Schedule a trip here!

 Have you heard about Megabus?  I am excited to try this out.  Although Chicago is an easy drive from Grand Rapids, it would be nice to not have to worry about parking and just relax!  The bus has WiFi, too! 

Ricky and I have a wedding to go to this November and I am thinking about booking our trip through the bus!  It's only about $20 (each) round trip.  You can't fill up our tank for $40!  It leaves from GR and ends up at Union Station.  NOTE: I have noticed that prices change frequently.  Once I looked and it was only $10 round trip!


There are 4 different locations in Michigan: Grand Rapids, East Lansing, Ann Arbor and Detroit!  When you go to the website, you can check out different states to see what is available around you.

I am following on Twitter to watch for promo codes.  I've heard that you can get even better deals!

Have you tried Megabus yet?  I would love some reviews and input!

Deal alert: Babies R Us clearance!

If you havent heard yet, Babies R Us/Toys R Us is having a crazy clothes clearance deal.  Until September 5th, all clearance clothes & shoes are $5 or LESS.  Some items aren't the best deal (think a single onesie for $5...), but some are great steals!  

BONUS:

• If you recieve their mailers, you can also get $10 off $50 or more (expires today 8/25!!)
• If you use FourSquare, you can get $25 off $100+ (this may vary by area)

I recommend checking it out before the weekend.  Think about summer essentials for next year or there are even some jeans & sweaters for this year.

Happy shopping!

Summer fun: AMC lanes

Want more info? Go here!

Hello! Since summer is (finally) coming upon us, I'm sure parents are looking for some fun activities!  There are SO many things going on, so I can't post everything...but I'll make sure to find some great ideas for you!

First up: AMC lanes Summer Unplugged.  

Although one of the best parts of summer is the warm weather, it is nice to have some indoor activities too.  Sometimes it's too hot!  I wish the girls were old enough to enjoy bowling.  I am tempted to try!

Here are the details:

• Two free games of bowling per day for kids 16 and under. 
• (Shoe rental not included, unfortunately...)
• Time: open until 8:00PM, 7 days a week.
• Dates: May 30 to September 5
  
• To find chose your location, go to this link and complete a simple registration form
• Each Sunday (starting May 29) you will be emailed coupons for the following week
• For people over 17, if you have registered kids, you make a one-time payment of $27.95 for 2 games/day for up to 4 people for the summer!

They have even been nice enough to add some additional perks including $2.99 meals for kids.  If we can't take advantage of this deal this year, we will hopefully be able to next year.  This would be so great for a "family fun" night!  

If you know me, you know my level of athleticism is, well, a bit lacking.  I am proud to be the worst bowler.  I am one of those people who get better at sports with the help of a little "liquid courage".  That being said, this would be super fun for family time (minus the liquid courage, of course!)...I won't have to worry about frustrating team members when the twins are on my team!

I am picturing our first outing being something along the lines of Uncle Buck.  If you have no idea what Uncle Buck is, you might want to brush up on your 80s movies.  (You don't want to mess with me and my 80s/90s pop culture trivia, FYI!)

Do you have any big plans for the summer?!  What are you planning on doing on a hot night with the kids?  This is our first summer in Grand Rapids and we don't want to miss anything!! 



*NOTE: This is post was for One2One Network.  Although I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own,  I am entered in a contest for free gift cards.

Wednesday: Found some deals!

I'm going to try out a new post each Wednesday where I list the best deals I've seen for the week so far.  I figure by Wednesday everyone will have gone out shopping and reported back any great deals.  I am going to start off with stores that are locally available and then branch off to others, if need be.  Right now my focus will be on: Meijer, Target, Drugstores and D&W/Family Fare.  Also, a few online deals.  I am not going to post everything, just what I think is an awesome deal.  To find other deals, head on over to AfullCup.
 
*This week seems pretty calm, but I'll add more as I see them!*

Meijer

• LA Looks hair gel for $0.99 - $1.00 off coupon from last week's coupons = FREE.  To be honest, I didn't know they still made this stuff! 
• Taco Bell items 50% off- use $0.75/2 off coupon (from the paper 2 weeks ago) for super cheap taco seasoning.  Also great price to stock up on taco shells!
• Sweet Baby Rays Marinade & dipping sauce $1 - $1 off coupon from this week's paper= FREE.
• Chi-Chis salsa $0.99 - $0.50 off coupon = 0.49!  or if your store doubles (anywhere besides west MI) it's FREE!
• Hillshire Farm smoked sausages (GREAT for Memorial Day grill outs!) 3/$5 - 0.55 off coupon= $1.12!
• Ballpark hotdogs $0.98-0.75/2 = 0.60 per pack!  I'm going to stock our freezer with these!

CVS

• Purex detergent is $1.98, subtract $1.00 coupon (from a few weeks ago)= $0.97!  I love Purex and I'm going to try to stock up on the Free & Clear for the baby!

I can't wait to go grocery shopping today!  I love good deals at Meijer!


Anything catch your eye this week?  I'm sure I missed something!

TODAY (5/23) ONLY: Lady Gaga CD deal

I tried and tried not to love Lady Gaga because of all of the hype around her, but I cannot resist her music.  Its SO catchy!  Amazon digital music has an amazing deal today.  You can get the WHOLE CD for $0.99.  Here's the link! 

Enjoy this beautiful day with some dancing!

Music lovers: Spin Magazine free downloads

Check out their picks every month!

I am obsessed with music.  I listen to everything, although lately it has been more Barney radio on Pandora than Jimmy Eat World or Postal Service radio.  Free music is a great way to bulk up your music collection AND learn about new bands.  Every month Spin magazine offers a free collection of their top picks from the magazine.  I may not love everything that they put on the mix, but I always make sure to download it! 

Looking for other sources of cheap or free music?

• Amazon digital downloads.  You can get new releases for as cheap as $3.99.  Use up your Swagbucks giftcards and you get free CDs!  They also have a lot of free songs, which change every week.
• Public library.  As you may know, I have recently have rekindled my love affair with the library.  My favorite thing to do now is to get new music from the library.  You don't have to waste money on a CD you may not like, and you can save so much money!  They also link up to a program called Freegal, where you can download 3 new songs on your library card per week.  Not too great, but its something!

Anyone else have any other great sources for music downloads?

Happy listening everyone!  What do you listen to these days?  I need to refresh my iPod! 

Who doesn't love ice cream?

Click here for more information from the website

At Baskin-Robbins this Wednesday (APRIL 27th), they will be holding a 31-cent scoop night from 5-10pm.  Perfect for a cheap dessert night!  I would call ahead to make sure your local store is participating.   This event has been on our calendar for a few weeks now.  What? I'm pregnant! 

What's your favorite flavor ice cream?  I'm a cookie dough or caramel fudge girl.

Coastal Contacts: Hellllo cute new glasses!

Although I'm pretty thrifty, I thought that getting free glasses was just too good to be true.  I kept seeing on blogs people talking about free glasses being given away from Coastal Contacts and I figured they would be cheap, ugly frames.  Think again!  A month or so ago they had an offer for free glasses to Michigan residents and I ordered some.  You do have to pay about $10 for shipping, but that is all!  I got them in 5 days and I looove them!  Here are the ones I chose (see photo below)  My new glasses

Wow, I really need to put on some makeup sometimes!  I love my glasses though!

 On March 31st, they are giving away 10,000 more pairs of free glasses.  How do you get in on this deal?  Simply "like" them on Facebook for the code and pick out a pair on their website.  There is a huge selection to chose from!!  Make sure you have a valid prescription from your doctor first!  If you miss out on this offer, I am sure they will have another freebie within a month.

Some tips:

• Search by the size of your current favorite frames.  The info is located on the side of your glasses.  This helped me so much so I didn't look at frames that would be too small or big.
• Consider upgrading your frames to scratch or glare resistant.  Although they wouldn't be free anymore, the $15 or so is still a great deal!
• Try something new out!  If you hate them, at least you didn't waste a ton of money!

Here is my personal referral link.  You don't have to use it, but if you do I get a little something!  *hint hint*.  I wasnt paid for this post though!  

Have you ordered from Coastal Contacts?  I would love to hear your input!

Some new deal websites

Here are  two new daily deal websites I have come across thanks to some of blogs I read.  Most of the items are a little pricey, but they might have some great deals for someone special during the holidays.  Or even a nice gift to treat yourself!

• Haute Look : You get a FREE $10 credit for joining and $10 for each friend you add.  I was looking through winter hats and gloves for the girls and they would be around $4-5 shipped after the credit.  Not bad!
• Rue La La : Here you get a FREE $20 credit after about 48 hours.  I found a boutique for Yummy Tummy which I have been hearing a lot about, its a new type of Spanx brand.  You may find something great with your credit, which you have until 12/31 to use!

Happy shopping!

Cheese please!

Before I moved to Wisconsin, I barely thought about cheese (especially since Im lactose intolerant), but now Im in love!  It could also be because I started cooking more, but I will blame it mostly on living in the Midwest.  We fly through it in our house and whenever I find a good deal, I just throw it all in the freezer for a later time.  Bricks of cheese seem to freeze and thaw better, in my opinion.

Here's the link for $5 off Kraft cheese.  A lot of grocery stores have deals to go along with this coupon since it has a great cause behind it: each coupon used gets 5 meals donated in its honor.  If that is not enough incentive, I don't know what is!

A lot of stores have catalinas (printable coupons at the register) to go along with this which you get $5 back for your next shopping trip if you buy $15 in Kraft foods.  This works at Meijers this week for $0.17 bricks of cheese (when you buy 10).  Im sure Copps or Cub has this deal in Madison, too. 

Enjoy & have a great weekend everyone!