YUMMommy

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  • NEEDED: 2011 Christmas Gift Guide Sponsors

    Christmas is just around the corner.  And you know what that means…..time to start shopping and pull out the wrapping paper and gift boxes.  I’m hosting a 2011 Christmas Gift Guide: Reviews and Giveaways.  I’m looking for sponsors to donate products or services for review and/or giveaway.  They don’t have to be Christmas themed.
    This is just a great and inexpensive way to advertise your products and services.  And shoppers this is will be a great way to help you find nice gifts for even the hard to shop for people on your holiday gift list.  If you’re interested in having your product or service featured on YUMMommy please contact me.  And Etsy shops are welcome to join too!!

  • Thankful Thursday

    This week has been a little eventful in terms of weather.  These last few days we’ve been having some severe storms that have caused a bit flash flooding in certain areas here.  Along with those storms came tornado warnings and hail.  We’re in the thick of hurricane season and I feel like this is only the beginning of what we will have to look forward to.  However, I’m thankful that my roof didn’t leak like it has in the past and that we didn’t have any damage.
    I’m thankful that I took a little break from house hunting because I was really starting to get frustrated.  And I don’t manage my frustration well.  It has a tendency to boil over into other aspects of my life.  But I’m refreshed and renewed and recommitted to help my husband with our search for a new place to live.  It’s just not possible for us to continue staying in this rental.
    I’m thankful that I was able to send my baby sister her first care package.  I remember what it’s like being a college student and living on campus.  She’s hours away from home and I know that having that care package will give her some comfort and be a constant reminder that we still love her and we’re still thinking about her.  Plus, I don’t really want her worrying about looking for a job her first year.
    I’m also thankful that Moo is making some progress on her potty training.  For a long time she has been boycotting the toilet period.  And then I had JJ and just slacked off on the training because I was just too exhausted.  However, we’re getting back on track.  And I’m learning to not feel bad about her not being fully potty trained just because other moms have kids that are. Kids are all different and I’m positive she’ll be there before her third birthday.
    Last but not least I’m thankful for everyone who has continued to vote for YUMMommy in the CBS-Charlotte Most Valuable Blogger Contest.  It truly means a lot.  Tomorrow is the last day you can vote before they announce the winners.  I’m super excited and nervous all at the same time.  So please vote today and tomorrow please!!  Click on the badge below.
    Anything happen in your life that has made you thankful?

  • Romance Wednesday: One in a Million

    So, my one year wedding anniversary is a few weeks away and I’m super excited.  Can’t believe that we’ve been married almost a year.  Time fly by so quickly.  And I can truly say that the love my husband gives me is one in a million.  And so, I dedicate this song to him.

  • Tell Us Something Good: Free Smoothies

    It’s no secret that I love smoothies.  My smoothie obsession started when I got my first job the mall.  We had a small cafe in my department.  It was their that I had my first smoothie.  No kidding.  My parents were milkshake people and I can’t ever remember having had a smoothie before then.
    It was made with real peaches.  And not the can kind either.  Well, over the years I’ve tried a lot of different fruit smoothies.  I was really excited when McDonald’s announced that they were coming out with their own assortment of fruit smoothies and I think they’ve done a good job so far with the flavors:
    Anyways, @McD_CLTArea contacted via Twitter to tell me about their Free Smoothies for a Month Contest.  All I had to do was tweet out my fave McDonald’s drink to get entered for a chance to win.  Of course, my favorite drink is the Strawberry Fruitopia.  I purchased a bottle from the grocery store but it just didn’t taste the same.  I don’t know what syrup to carbonated ratio they use but if I could bottle it up I would.
    I entered the contest not thinking that I would win.  I’ve never had a lucky streak when it comes to contests. Sure, I’ve won a few but that’s about it.  Well,  guess what?  I won!!!!  I’m super excited because as a smoothie junkie, I can finally quench my smoothie thirst.  Plus, it’ll give Moo and I something to look forward to everyday.  
    I can build mommy-daughter memories with her at our favorite fast food restaurant.  McDonald’s has been a part of her childhood since she was a baby.  She had her first taste of french fries from McDonald’s.  She had her first serving of chicken nuggets from McDonald’s.  And she had her first spoon of ice cream with Grandma there.
    I’m looking forward have this quality time with her minus her brother.  For about twenty minutes everyday it’ll be me and her sharing yummy smoothies and enjoying each other’s company.  And that is something good.  Something great!

  • My Weekend WrapUp

    For many you, the 3 day weekend is coming to a close. Your kiddies will be headed off to school bright and early tomorrow. I just hope that each of you got to spend time with your families and enjoyed being off from work. I had a pretty good weekend. Friday, we hung around the house and we got to have dinner all together. It felt nice to be able to cook for my husband and eat with our kids. Family dinners are really the make it or break it when it comes to communicating with your kids. This is the place to ask them about their day and talk to them about important things as they get older. Saturday, we ran errands. Then spent a few hours at the mall. Since, the heat diggers eczema and nose bleeds for my kids the indoor playground at the mall is where you can find us most weekends. Moo didn’t throw a fit when we left to go to the food court for lunch. I ended up over sleeping for church on Sunday. I felt bad because I was really looking forward to going. I don’t want to get disconnected from my faith. And today we stuck inside due to tornado watches and warnings not mention rain and hail. Hoping that the weather will be better tomorrow. Overall, we had a great weekend and lovely Labor Day.

  • Queen City Deals-8/30/11

    Ok, so here’s my first official deals post.  Now, this post is called Queen City Deals but these prices are good for NC and SC and I think that some areas of GA have the same prices.  So, please visit your stores and see if your store has these products for same or relatively similar price.  I’m going to put up pics of the individual items I purchased.  Below those pics I will outline the transaction performed including the coupons/discounts used and where you can find the coupons/discounts.  Yesterday, Moo and I went on a little shopping trip to WalMart and Target and below is what we got.                                              
    WalMart
                            

    Febreze Noticeables Warmer $2.27
    ~Use $3/1 Febreze Noticeables Warmer, 8/28 P&G (x 9/30/11)
    =FREE + $0.53 overage

    *WalMart does give money back in the case of overages.  And in those states like NC where you have to pay taxes on all goods including free ones, the taxes will be subtracted from the overage total.


    Target

    Cascade Action Pacs $0.97 each (1) 4-count & (1) 3-count
    ~Use (2) $1/1 Cascade, 8/28 P&G (x 9/30/11)
    =FREE + $0.06 overage
    *Target does not give money back but will use the overages to subtract from your subtotal or put towards covering taxes.


    Neutrogena Transparent Facial Bar $1.97
    ~Use $1/1 Neutrogena Acne/Facial Cleansing Product here
    $1/1 Neutrogena Facial Skin Care Target printable coupon here
    =FREE + $0.03 overage
    Suave Deodorant (1.4 oz) $0.97
    ~Use $0.50/1 Suave Deodorant, 8/14 RedPlum (x 9/30/11)
    =$0.47
    So, my grand total was $0.66 with taxes for everything.  Talk about a steal!  And I’m sending all these goods with the exception of the warmer in a care package to come college students.  So, if you buy or get a Sunday paper and don’t want or use all your coupons, I’ll be more than happy to take those off your hands.
    Happy Shopping!

  • Queen City Deals-8/30/11

    Ok, so here’s my first official deals post.  Now, this post is called Queen City Deals but these prices are good for NC and SC and I think that some areas of GA have the same prices.  So, please visit your stores and see if your store has these products for same or relatively similar price.  I’m going to put up pics of the individual items I purchased.  Below those pics I will outline the transaction performed including the coupons/discounts used and where you can find the coupons/discounts.  Yesterday, Moo and I went on a little shopping trip to WalMart and Target and below is what we got.                                              
    WalMart
                            

    Febreze Noticeables Warmer $2.27
    ~Use $3/1 Febreze Noticeables Warmer, 8/28 P&G (x 9/30/11)
    =FREE + $0.53 overage

    *WalMart does give money back in the case of overages.  And in those states like NC where you have to pay taxes on all goods including free ones, the taxes will be subtracted from the overage total.


    Target

    Cascade Action Pacs $0.97 each (1) 4-count & (1) 3-count
    ~Use (2) $1/1 Cascade, 8/28 P&G (x 9/30/11)
    =FREE + $0.06 overage
    *Target does not give money back but will use the overages to subtract from your subtotal or put towards covering taxes.


    Neutrogena Transparent Facial Bar $1.97
    ~Use $1/1 Neutrogena Acne/Facial Cleansing Product here
    $1/1 Neutrogena Facial Skin Care Target printable coupon here
    =FREE + $0.03 overage
    Suave Deodorant (1.4 oz) $0.97
    ~Use $0.50/1 Suave Deodorant, 8/14 RedPlum (x 9/30/11)
    =$0.47
    So, my grand total was $0.66 with taxes for everything.  Talk about a steal!  And I’m sending all these goods with the exception of the warmer in a care package to come college students.  So, if you buy or get a Sunday paper and don’t want or use all your coupons, I’ll be more than happy to take those off your hands.
    Happy Shopping!

  • Thankful Thursday

    Whelp, another Thankful Thursday is here and I’m thankful to have my life, health and strength.  I’m very thankful that Hurricane Irene didn’t do too much damage in the Queen City. We had some strong wind gusts but no rain.  That was a blessing because some areas here are still flooded out from all the rain storms we’ve had this summer.  I know those residents were thankful for a break.
    I’m also thankful that YUMMommy is continuing to grow and take off.  I’ve had a few companies contact me and about working together.  I’m thrilled and over the moon.  So, I hope that you all will stick around and come back often because there will be some really good giveaways coming up soon.
    I’m thankful for all the support I have been getting in the Charlotte’s Most Valuable Blogger Contest.  It means a lot to have all of you voting for YUMMommy daily.  Thank you very much!!  I’m very thankful that my one year wedding anniversary is coming up the end of this month!!
    I’m super excited about it.  Although, I don’t have anything special planned yet, I know it’s going to be a wonderful day.
    Has something happened this week that you are thankful for?

  • Romance Wednesday: Couponing

    You know how they say that a family who prays together stays together?  Well, one of my new mottos is that a  couple who coupons together saves forever.  There are so many different things that I love about husband and one of those things is that he’s always been supportive of my couponing and helping us to save money.  And as of late he’s been taking an interest to learning how to coupon as well so that he can do some of the shopping.  
    There are times when I don’t feel like going grocery shopping.  So, it helps to have a husband who will pick up that slack and do it for me.  You don’t have to try to be like those extreme couponers but if you use a certain brand and there’s coupon in the Sunday paper for it why not save money on that item.  Over time that money adds up.  You could use that to take a second honeymoon or even plan a vow renewal ceremony.
    Whatever the case is, just know that money issues are the number one cause for marital issues.  And if you’re both on board with saving money then you’re minimizing your chances on arguing over money.

  • Queen City Deals

    As many of you know I am quite the frugal diva.  I’m always posting about great fashion finds and online sales.  But what some of you don’t know is that I’m a huge couponer.  Very rarely do I shop for groceries or other household products without a coupon.  No, I didn’t start this because of the extreme couponing show.  My couponing days date back to the summer of my freshman year of college.  
    I wasn’t living on campus with free food from the dining hall anymore.  I had moved in with my husband and noticed that we were spending a lot on food and stuff.  That was money we could be saving for date nights and other forms of entertainment.  So, I started my ritual of buying a Sunday paper and hunting down sales.  I kept old receipts and jotted down prices of products that we frequently purchased and noted when they went on sale.
    And with times still being hard for some I’ve decided to start posting some of awesome deals and matchups for here in the Queen City/Charlotte, NC area.  I’m going to show you how you can get everything from clothing to food to household supplies and not spend over $50 a week.  I’m bet you’re thinking that you can’t get much, but I’m going to prove you wrong.  Hope you all enjoy!