When Oprah was raving about the Kindle a few years back (was it really that long ago?!), I thought "eh" about e-readers.  I love going to used bookstores and having an actual book in hand while reading.  I still do, but since we've moved I no longer have my beloved Half Price Books to shop at.  For Christmas, Ricky got me a Nook reader (the Barnes & Noble edition of a Kindle) and I was super excited, but I really had no idea its potential.  Why is the Nook (in my opinion) better?  You can download books for FREE from the library!  How awesome is that?  All you need is a library card!  I've just saved my card number on a computer post-it so I'm not always digging around for my card.  Here's the link to the local Michigan site, but just Swagbucks your area and I am sure you'll find a similar program.  Since I frequent the library more than the grocery store lately (the little ladies and I still love books!), I found out about this great program.  Sometimes there is a waiting list for a certain title, but for the most part you can always have a new book to read.  The selection is a bit lacking sometimes, but for new releases and popular titles I am pretty impressed.  Since the program is still relatively new, I'm sure it will only get better in the future.

Speaking of my local library, KDL, I really forgot how much you can save by going to a library.  Back in the day, there were a few dusty VHS tapes in the kids section, but never anything new.  Now you can not only check out new releases on DVDs, but also popular Wii games and CDs.  I love Netflix, but you can't rent any Wii games from them, plus you get to play them for 3 weeks!  I just search and put holds for anything I have been wanting to see or play.  So simple.  It was funny because the first time I went to the library here I was so confused.  Besides college libraries, I really never went to any of the local libraries in Madison.  I went to check out my books at the counter and the man just stared at me like "yes, can I help you?".  I had no idea that I had to check out my books myself.  How nice!  I tried to play it off, but when the security gate beeped at the exit, the librarian told me if I needed help next time to ask.


Main point of my rambling?  Don't forget how awesome your library can be!  And...if you are in the market for an e-reader, check out the Nook.

Dont let the title fool you, its a great book!  I recently finished this and it was super funny and interesting to read!  Check it out!  I love quick, easy reads after a busy day.

Anyone else have a Nook?  We can share books!  Also, I am always looking for any good reads!  Let me know what you've read lately! 

I'm doing the happy dance!

If you look up, you will see I am on my own domain now!  After days of frustration and almost throwing my laptop across the room, I've figured out how publish my blog on this domain.  Baby steps, I guess.  Still on blogger, but I have bought beingcheapiseasy.com.   I was expecting to have to pay a ton for a domain name, but (of course) with my discount code it was less than $5.  Go me!  Not too much is different, but I feel like such a pro now.  (It doesnt take much to excite me, huh?).   Here's what else is updated now:

• The pretty layout!  Still not as personal as I want, but adorable until I figure out how to make my own (hellllllp!)
• Blogroll:  see which blogs I read and love
• Contact info

There will be many changes as I figure everything out.  If anyone has any tips or recommendations for me, please shoot me an email!

O + M trying to be like their Mama

*Note* It has come to my attention that this site has a few issues loading...just hit refresh.  Sorry!  I need a little "under construction" picture.

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!

Mmmm Mondays: Grill "Paninis"

Okay, so it's more like "Mmmm Tuesday" right now.  I kind of lost track of my days, as usual!


This might be a total no brainer for everyone else, but for some reason I had a huge "a-ha!" moment last week.  Since we live in an apartment, our kitchen is suuuper small.  We have a lot of appliances as is, so a panini press is not really a reasonable purchase, even though I love pressed sammies.  Until recently, I used a smaller pan on top with heavy cans to "press" my sandwiches.  It worked, but it was a huge hassle.  Then I had my "a-ha" moment: use the Forman grill!  It works perfectly to press and make the bread crunchy.  Does anyone else do this? 

Okay, so I won't win the award for Best Foodie Photographer...I'm trying!

The first I made was a Chicken Avocado Sandwich.

Ingredients:

• Grilled Chicken tenders- put grill seasoning or Mrs.Dash- I like the Fiesta Lime for this one
• Provalone Cheese
• Spinach & whatever veggies you like
• Avocado slices
• Spicy ranch or mayo- try the Southwest ranch dip you find in produce section.  So good!
• Sandwich roll or hamburger bun. 

Put it all together and press.  No need to butter the bun!  This sandwich was so good, Ricky asked for another one the next day!

Other good combinations:

1. Tuna melt
2. Chicken w/ Italian seasoning, basil, tomato and mozzarella
3. Turkey Reuben: cole slaw, turkey, swiss and Thousand Island

Be creative!  Try this out and tell me what you think! What good combinations can you think of?

Personal update: Welcome to the terrible twos!

Someone found a permanent marker to "play with".  FYI, most online tips about removing ink are false!

Just a warning, it is going to be a bit quiet around here for a week or so.  If only our apartment had more quiet moments! To get ready for the baby, we got toddler beds for the twins.  I know it is a necessary change, but those poor girls have so much going on right now: no more bottles, potty training, a new baby on-the-way and now new beds!  A week later, we are doing a little better, but bedtime is a battle.  Plus, Olivia likes to get up at 3:30am and walk around the apartment.  Two nights ago,she was in our bathroom (in the dark) in my makeup container putting on blush.  Welcome to the twos.  I wouldn't call them too terrible, since they are pretty good natured girls and they make me laugh all day long, but we definitely have our moments.

That being said, I am a busy Mama lately!  Plus, I have been trying to teach myself about blog designing before I shell out any money to have someone else do it for me.  If you are an expert on this topic (or know someone who is!), feel free to help me out!  I have been reading every book I can find at the library and I can proudly say I'm no longer a blogging novice...I would call my knowledge less "dummy" and more "moderate expert".  Woohoo!  Where do I find the time to read?  When I'm trying to get the girls down for a nap/bedtime!  I sit on the rocker for an hour (more or less) while the girls test every ounce of my patience and sanity and watch the girls like a hawk until they finally fall asleep.

With this new knowledge, I am going to spruce up the blog a bit.  I have already bought my own domain name (marked down, of course...) and soon beingcheapiseasy.com will be born!   This is super exciting for me, although getting to the point of an actual launch is super stressful.  Learning all of this new terminology hurts my brain!

Bloggers and friends: Anyone have any design tips or websites that they live by?  Every ounce of help is much appreciated!

Ashleigh

Mmmmm Mondays: Naan pizza

Its Monday!  That means its time for a new recipe!

I always find Naan in the discount section of the bakery.  Even if it is not discounted, its still usually under $2 for two slices. Its a flatbread which can be used in many ways.  I love to heat it up and dip it in hummus, or soup.  It freezes great for up to 3 months.  My new favorite quick recipe is for pizza!  It turns out super crisp and its ready in less than 20 minutes.  Also, you can put whatever toppings you want since they are almost individual sized.  This variation is the girls favorite.

Pepperoni & Basil Naan Pizza

I don't really have a recipe, since I just throw whatever is available on the crust at the time.  This variation includes:

• Philadelphia Cooking Creme in Italian Herb (there are coupons everywhere for this, I had to try it)
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Basil
• Pepperoni

The cooking creme replaces a red sauce, but that is great also.  Just be creative!  This same pizza with tomato instead of pepperoni is amazing too.

Im on Twitter...again.

As much as I have tried to avoid it, I'm back on Twitter!  This page is specifically for my blog.  You can follow me at: http://twitter.com/BeinCheapisEasy


Whats the point?  I will update with any great deals I find that I may not post on a blog.  Also (fingers crossed), it will be a way to do giveaways.  I promise I am working on many, many new ideas...including setting up some fun contests.  I have been doing some research and I am trying to spruce up my blog a bit.  In the next few weeks you may notice a few design changes until I figure out what I like best.  


Here's where YOU can help: 

1. Feedback.  If you have learned anything new or have any questions, ask!  Comments are always great.  They make me smile, isn't that enough incentive?!  Plus I would love emails with suggestions or feedback, both positive and negative.
2. VOTE for me for the blogging grant... click here.  Winning this would mean the world to me and it will do wonders for this blog!

Thank you for all of your support!  I am up to about 250 readers, somehow!  That may not seem like much, but its crazy that people I don't know are finding this little blog and reading from all over the country.  



Have an amazing weekend....hello spring?